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Family Work
Read More: Family WorkWhat have your children done to contribute to your family this week? We aren’t talking about making their own beds or cleaning up their own toys, but helping out with the work that all families need to do: setting the table, walking the dog, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom. True, as a parent, sometimes it is […]
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Helping Students Become Their Courageous Selves
Read More: Helping Students Become Their Courageous SelvesIf your school is one that actively teaches character traits or values we hope courage is on your list. Yet, talking about courage or even reading stories about courage doesn’t always help students be able to use their own courage. Instead of focusing on heroism or bravery, we suggest framing courage as becoming your best […]
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Helping our Children Grow Courage
Read More: Helping our Children Grow CourageExamples of courage are all around us. We tend to notice only the big events though: a parent lifts a car off the leg of a child, a stranger who jumps into a river to save a drowning person, a teenager who steers a bus to safety when the busdriver passes out at the wheel. […]
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Empowering Students – Growing Citizens
Read More: Empowering Students – Growing CitizensAt Sound Discipline we often begin workshops by asking teachers to imagine a student returning to visit as a young adult. We ask them to think of what gifts or qualities they hope that student will have acquired. The list is long. It often includes things like compassion, empathy, confidence, problem solving skills, healthy relationships, […]
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Growing Capable Kids
Read More: Growing Capable KidsCapable children see themselves as competent and powerful. They are able to handle challenges and age-appropriate tasks at each stage of development. They can manage their own emotions and can get along with others. How can parents help their children develop this sense of capability? Let your child try to do things on his own […]
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Creating Family Connections
Read More: Creating Family ConnectionsChildren develop an internal sense of who they are from birth. Relationships with others play a pivotal role in building their identity and sense of belonging. This begins, of course, with primary caregivers and other family members, and then expands to include friends, school and community. Giving children messages of love, respect, and encouragement empowers […]
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Building Belonging in a Community of Learners
Read More: Building Belonging in a Community of LearnersResearch tells us that in schools, students who feel a positive connection – a sense of belonging – with both peers and adults, are in general, more caring and ethical, less prone to behavior problems, and more academically motivated. Children who feel a sense of identity within the group tend to be well-adjusted and successful. […]
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Keeping the Joy Alive
Read More: Keeping the Joy AliveBeing a parent probably takes a lot more hard work and patience than you imagined when you thought about having children. It also takes a lot of time in our lives – there are morning and bedtime routines, shopping, meal preparation, attending school events, other activities, and…and…and. With all of these obligations, we sometimes forget […]
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Teaching About Feelings in the Classroom
Read More: Teaching About Feelings in the ClassroomSocial Emotional Learning (SEL) is now seen as a critical component for school success. It is not just one more add-on to your curriculum. It turns out to be an important foundation for students’ ability to learn and apply their learning to their lives. Emotional intelligence is strongly linked to staying in school, avoiding risky […]
