An open letter via video from parent of three boys, emotional intelligence expert and parenting publisher Yvette Vignando - asking for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Education Peter Garrett to take action on including a quality social and emotional learning program in the Australian National Curriculum. Read full article
Michael Grose is an Australian parenting educator and author. In this one hour recording, he speaks with Yvette Vignando about how to raise a resilient child; how to build your own resilience as a parent; the main ingredients of a resilient family; how to develop resourcefulness, independence and persistence in your children and how to help your children cope with change, failure or conflict. Read full article
A content-rich podcast on the connections between emotional intelligence in children and academic success. Children with stronger social and emotional skills do better academically and socially. Professor Cohen defines "social and emotional learning" and shares the important research on character education and emotional intelligence education. This recording is a "must listen" for every parent and teacher. Read full article
![<a href="/blogs/yvettevignando/2010/09/29/is-there-a-dangerous-rise-in-therapeutic-education-for-children">Is there a "Dangerous" Rise in Therapeutic Education for Children?</a>](http://www.happychild.com.au/sites/default/files/imagecache/teaser_tall/images/photo primary school girl daydreams.jpg "<a href=\"/blogs/yvettevignando/2010/09/29/is-there-a-dangerous-rise-in-therapeutic-education-for-children\">Is there a "Dangerous" Rise in Therapeutic Education for Children?</a>")
A book published by two Oxford Brookes University academics suggested that a rise in “therapeutic education” in schools could be a bad development. The book is called The Dangerous Rise of Therapeutic Education. Apparently the book criticises school lessons that contain “social and emotional” content on the basis that these lessons may turn children into introverted, self-obsessed people who can not take criticism. Read full article
Book: The Optimistic Child by Martin Seligman.This book shows adults how to teach children the skills of optimism These skills can help them combat depression and achieve more academically, in sports and improve their physical health. Read full article
Self esteem can be an over-rated concept if you don't understand what it really means. Verity Leatherdale writes about some basic steps to bolster your child's self esteem including how to use praise properly and how to teach your child to face challenges. Read full article
