This morning got off to a great start when I watched a study that confirmed that even though parents are more exhausted, more stressed and have less personal time, they are far happier than other adults their age who are not parents! Yeah!
What is the Reason?
Human beings benefit from personal engagement.
My experience as a teacher has taught me that children cannot learn when social or emotional barriers prevent them from focusing. I’ve taught many lessons where the only way to allow learning was to let the child address a concern first.
Our happy privilege as parents and teachers is to prepare the environment for learning by meeting basic needs first.
We do this with engaging conversation, by listening, and sharing thoughts without judgment or ridicule. Engagement means all participants speak and all participants listen.
What does every child and adult need?
- To be positively accepted and loved unconditionally
- Positive Relationships
- To be needed in a positive way
- To become capable and successful
Challenge: Initiate One Positive Change Today
Plan to have a calm family dinner together. Allow enough time to engage each family member in conversation. Establish a few guidelines for cooperation:
- We listen to hear what the other has to say, and will not interrupt.
- We will not criticize or make-fun of another.
- We will express loving concern for problems.
- We will ask what we can do to find necessary solutions.
Ask each member to share something wonderful that happened today.
Ask each member to share challenges from the day.
Be careful not to judge, lecture or become sarcastic over concerns. Allowing the child to speak freely will probably help him ask questions and find answers, himself.
You are creating an atmosphere that allows you to learn together by establishing comfortable, non-judgmental interactions. When we value others and display appreciation, children gain confidence, are willing to try (even if they make mistakes) and find SOLUTIONS!
Watch for future blogs on engaging learning from birth.
I’m cheering for you! Together, we can make a difference!
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