How You Praise Your Toddler Has a Lasting Impact
In a study that is the first of its kind, researchers observing real-world parent-child interactions have shown the lasting effect of parents’ praise on their children’s behaviours and thoughts. In this article, reporting on the research, you will learn about which type of praise has a positive impact on children's motivation and persistence, and be provided with examples. Read full article
Dummies or Pacifiers May Affect Emotional Development
Recently published research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison provides another reason for parents to hesitate to use dummies too often with their babies..."Since a baby is not yet verbal - and so much is regulated by facial expression - at least you want parents to be aware that using something like a pacifier limits their baby's ability to understand and explore emotions." says psychology Professor, Paula Niedenthal. Read full article
Room to Breathe - Film about Mindfulness in Schools
Room to Breathe is a story of transformation as struggling kids in a San Francisco public middle school are introduced to the practice of mindfulness. Topping the district in disciplinary suspensions, and with overcrowded classrooms creating a nearly impossible learning environment, overwhelmed administrators are left with stark choices. Do they repeat the cycle of forcing tuned-out children to listen, or experiment with a set of age-old inner practices that may provide them with the social, emotional, and attention skills that they need to succeed? Read full article
Using Mindfulness for Teacher Wellbeing
Promising results from pilot studies of teachers using mindfulness in classrooms are exciting educators who say that nurturing teacher mindfulness is a great opportunity to create a caring classroom... results from a study ...of 50 teachers participating in a professional development program facilitated by CARE ... showed that having mindfulness practice in the classroom helped teachers to achieve goals in the classroom, regulate their emotions better, and relate better to students. Read full article
Social and Emotional Learning Programs for Schools
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has released the 2013 CASEL Guide: Effective Social and Emotional Learning Programs - Preschool and Elementary School Edition. The Guide identifies 23 school-based programs that promote students' self-control, relationship-building and problem-solving, among other competencies. Emotional Intelligence education has been linked to academic success and many other important social and emotional outcomes for students. Read full article
Teacher Resource for Young Children Learning Emotional Intelligence
The Bear Cards ® are designed to be an easy and fun way of building emotional intelligence in children. An effective and entertaining teacher and resource, also for parenting, the eye catching set of 48 cards depicts Bear experiencing a wide range of emotions, and invites conversations about feelings that children sometimes don’t have the language or opportunity to discuss. Could a set of cards with a bear on them really build emotional intelligence, you ask? Read full article
Mind and Its Potential Conference - Win a Gold Pass
How do we learn? How can we reach our potential? How should we live our lives? Now in it's 7th amazing year, Mind & Its Potential is a fascinating exploration of how to apply the new science of the mind to learning, creativity and personal development. Featuring one of the world's most influential scientists, Professor V. S. Ramachandran, USA best selling author of Phantoms in the Brain and dubbed the "Marco Polo" of neuroscience. You can win a Gold Pass to the conference here - valued at $1855. Read full article
Positivity - Top Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio that Will Change Your Life
World renowned researcher Dr. Barbara Fredrickson provides the lab-tested tools necessary to create a healthier, more vibrant, and flourishing life through a process she calls "the upward spiral." You'll discover:What positivity is, and why it needs to be heartfelt to be effective; The ten sometimes surprising forms of positivity; Why positivity is more important than happiness; How positivity can enhance relationships, work, and health, and how it relieves depression, broadens minds, and builds lives ;The top-notch research that backs the 3-to-1 "positivity ratio" as a key tipping point ... Read full article
Benefits of Teaching Positivity to Children
Follow the advice of "fake it 'til you make it" or just "be positive", and you may end up oozing a kind of "toxic insincerity" says Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, Professor of Psychology and specialist investigator of positive emotions and psychophysiology at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Fredrickson was speaking at a workshop that was part of the Young Minds conference held last week at Darling Harbour in Sydney. Teaching the benefits of positivity, Dr. Fredrickson says instead of ‘thinking positive’, we should aim to identify the experiences and contexts that give us a positive emotion, and then repeat them. Research indicates that experiencing positive and negative emotions in about a 3-to-1 ratio, has the potential to enhance your relationships, improve your health, relieve depression, and broaden your mind. Read full article
Best Start
Best Start by Lynn Jenkins, clinical psychologist, is for parents who want to understand their baby's or toddler's emotional needs. This book explains the importance of the quality of your baby's early experiences and interactions and how these influence how your child develops. Read full article
