Parenting: a short summary!

Big picture objectives: (adapted from ‘Young Children’s Behaviour’ Louise Porter)
  • My child should know the difference between right and wrong
  • My child should be able to practice emotional modulation and develop emotional resilience
  • My child should recognise the advantages of co-operation with family, friends and society in general
  • My child should become increasingly self-sufficient and independent; both physically and emotionally
Available tools:
  • Connection – this involves calming the child’s limbic system by providing calm, consistent parenting. This involves modeling emotional coping and problem solving. Good ‘attachment’ is the basis of socio-emotional development. If the limbic (stress response) is overheated you cannot do the next step. Read the rest of this entry »

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Supporting children facing grief, anxiety and loss

A few points for teachers supporting children facing grief, separation and loss.

  • Inform children honestly and briefly. Give details appropriate to age. Use ‘very very very very old/sick’
  • Answer questions briefly and openly – be prepared for repetitive questioning and curiosity. Look for a need for reassurance in questioning.
  • Have a consistency in programmes and schedules. Children are soothed by predictability when their world has been overturned. Read the rest of this entry »

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Resilience

(Adapted from Dr. Sam Goldstein)

A resilient mindset enables you to deal more effectively with stress and pressure, to cope with everyday challenges, to bounce back from disappointments, adversity and trauma, to develop clear and realistic goals, to solve problems, to relate comfortably with others, and to treat oneself and others with respect.

People with resilient mindsets:

  • Figure out what they have control over, and what not.
  • Focus time, attention and energy on the things within their control.
  • Are able to evaluate whether that control is in their own best interests.
  • Are able to learn to accept and let go that over which they have no control.
  • Have a sense of commitment, a big picture view of life – have some answers to;  ‘Why I am here?’  ‘What brings purpose to my life?’.
  • Communicate effectively – which involves learning to listen well, learn about the situation and then use words to influence. Read the rest of this entry »

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