The importance of parental love and warmth to children’s emotional wellbeing is widely accepted. It makes sense that a loving childhood may protect children from developing mental illnesses later in life. A recent study by experts at Washington University illustrates why good parenting skills and parent wellbeing is so important that it can even affect the size of an important part of our brain – the hippocampus. Read full article
“…if I could ask any child what they would like in the world I would definitely ask it. I think it would be interesting to find out what everyone’s ideas are. What they want…” (14-year old girl). When we are asked what we want most for our children, most of us will answer “happiness”. Asking children about what contributes to their feelings of wellbeing reveals some insightful answers to how we can provide that happy life. A study, conducted by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and published in 2007, highlighted the importance of adults using parenting and educational practices that promote children’s emotional and social well-being. Read full article
From the bestselling author, Academy Award-winning actress and founder of the Hawn Foundation, a practical guide for parents to help children cope with stress, improve concentration and lead happier lives. Goldie Hawn offers parents a practical guide for helping their children to learn better and live more happily. Based on the MindUP programme, supported by the Hawn Foundation, 10 Mindful Minutes outlines short, practical exercises for parents and children - taking less than 10 minutes - to help young children and teenagers. Read full article
On the day we went to Sea World our girl Ivy was tired.
We all were.
As we walked into the park two girls pushed past us hurriedly and into the bathroom, which is where we were headed to. We took our place right behind them. It would have been fine except that those two little girls then turned around and made loud comments about Ivy’s "fat" face and her "fat" cheeks and her "squishy eyes" (whatever those are anyway). Then they proceeded to whisper and look back at Ivy in that hateful little girl way that makes me want to stab something ... Read full article
There are many examples of individual schools in the United States, the UK and even in Australia, that deliver emotional intelligence curriculum to students simply because they have been fortunate enough to have the human and financial resources (and sometimes support from a University). This video example (is a) reminder of how and why a school uses emotional literacy to improve educational outcomes and the school environment. Read full article
Like you, there are certain topics I often wonder about - one of them is why yawning is contagious. I remember reading a theory somewhere suggesting that yawning allows more oxygen into our lungs and the contagious response is because our brain automatically assumes that if someone else is yawing, there's a shortage of oxygen and we need to respond accordingly! Could that be true? It was the best explanation I'd read ... until today. Read full article
Yvette Vignando is interviewed on ABC 702 Radio Sydney by Sarah MacDonald about why Australia needs Emotional Intelligence in the national school curriculum. What is Emotional Intelligence? How can Emotional Intelligence be taught in school? What is the academic benefit of social and emotional learning? Read full article
Monday 21 February 2011 - Links to Latest Parenting and Education news: Coffee Shop Skills Helps Kids with Autism ~ Teacher Suspended for Blog Comments on Students ~ Brain Arousal and Emotions ~ Social and Emotional Learning in Schools ~ UN Report on Fatherhood ~ Working Mother Stress ~ Fatherhood Needs Redefining UN Report ~ Bilingual Children Better Multitaskers ~ Risk of Super Schools Read full article
Anyone in Australia who is exposed to any media at the moment will know - Oprah has arrived. I heard there was an "O" on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and fireworks were being let off. More than 350 000 requests were made to receive tickets to the Oprah Show taping in the Sydney Opera House. I was one of them - but alas I was not successful ... So why am I writing about Oprah on my blog? For three reasons ... Read full article
Book: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman. Goleman argues that our view of human intelligence is far too narrow, and that our emotions play a far greater role in thought, decision making and individual success than is commonly acknowledged. He shows precisely how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened in all of us. And because emotional lessons a child learns actually sculpt the brain's circuitry, he provides detailed guidance as to how parents and schools can benefit from this. Read full article
