Anyone helped through hard times by a close friend knows how much that support meant to them, but do close childhood friendships play an important role in long-term emotional development? Dr William Bukowski, Professor in the Department of Psychology at Concordia University, Canada, has researched how experiences with close peers affect a child’s social competence and wellbeing. His research indicates that friendships have a protective impact on our children’s emotional wellbeing by affecting how a child’s brain deals with stress immediately after a negative event. Read full article
At no other time in history have so many great minds turned their attention to the emotional, intellectual and spiritual development of our children and teens? Which is a very good thing. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, builders and creative thinkers. Our investment now in helping them realise their full potential in order to thrive and rise up to life’s many challenges is also an investment in the future. Which is why we’re so delighted to help spread the word about Young Minds, a wonderful new initiative from the producers of the hugely popular Happiness & Its Causes and Mind & Its Potential conference series. Win a Gold Pass worth over $1500! Read full article
In this four minute video, watch what happens everyday in a school in Seattle dubbed The Kindness School. Students start each day talking about something they appreciate. Kindness activities and community interactions are everyday business. Academic classes are not essential. Can traditional schools learn anything from this approach? Read full article
Step into Anna Kearney’s third grade classroom, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, and you will see amongst the usual colourful art projects, a row of plastic cups stapled to the wall. There are ten numbered cups in all and they are part of Self Science, a social and emotional education curriculum developed by 6 Seconds ... Time spent on Self Science has not detracted from other academic learning, says Kearney, but instead has enhanced learning across the board. 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
For the last three weeks Mr 9 has had something on his mind. He wants a licence. Not a driver's licence, nor the pilot's licence that one of his big brothers is craving, but a 'pen licence'. At his primary school, a "pen licence" is permission from the teacher to use a pen in his school books; this sought-after privilege is granted to children who've been using pencil for three or four years but have developed their handwriting skills to the level required by their classroom teacher. 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
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
Last year I was drawn to a series of articles referring to research from the Universities of Virginia (United States) and Plymouth (United Kingdom) suggesting that for children, happiness may not always mean good academic results. If you have read Martin Seligman’s work on optimism and its value for children’s wellbeing and later success in life, this suggestion could leave you scratching your head and wondering. Read full article
