Social Emotional Health From a Baby’s Point of View
What does success look like from a baby’s point of view? What do researchers know about neurobiology and how should that impact parenting practices? These are two of the questions that are addressed in a TED talk given by Developmental Psychologist Terrie Rose in 2010. Dr. Rose emphasizes the importance of ordinary day-to-day interactions between infants and their caregivers and stresses that paying attention to babies’ cues and signals is the key to healthy development. According to Rose,...
Read MoreResponsiveness
What is the single most effective thing I can do for my child? The answer might come as a surprise to some. According to Psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, “…in order to develop normally, a child requires progressively more complex joint activity with one or more adults who have an irrational emotional relationship with a child. Somebody’s got to be crazy about that kid. That’s number one. First, last and always.” The quality, stability and reliability of an...
Read MoreEmpathy for Middle Schoolers
My children and I recently read two books that deeply affected us, sparking many good discussions. The first was Wonder, by RJ Palacio, a book about a boy with facial deformities who enters school for the first time as a fifth grader after having been home schooled up to that point. I had heard good things about the book from friends and seen positive reviews, and since my own children were facing the school year entering new schools in very unfamiliar environments, I thought it might be a...
Read MoreHabits of Mind
A couple of years ago I had the privilege of participating in a workshop on the Habits of Mind. I was introduced to ideas at this workshop that have really stuck with me because they represent a new way of thinking about learning: a sort of meta-cognition of the dispositions required to be a successful learner. Somehow, most of us have managed to muddle our way through our education, never really stopping to think about how it is that we learn or what makes some of better learners than...
Read MoreTeacher’s Response
Dear mom, (and dad too) I consider it a privilege to be entrusted with the honor of teaching your daughter this year. I understand that she will always be your most valued treasure and that no one can ever love her more than you. Thank you for allowing me to play a role in her life. I promise to do everything within my power to treat her with respect, keep her safe and to intentionally guide her forward to learning, growing and developing new things this school year. I will listen and...
Read MoreStarting School: a letter to the teacher
Dear kindergarten teacher, Do you have a dream? Is there something in your life that you have hoped and prayed for long before it became a reality? Do you have something that you value above all else, that you would rather die or have bodily harm inflicted upon you before you would allow any damage to occur to? Would you leave this treasure with a stranger? My child is such a treasure to me, and today I leave her with you. I do not know you, and yet, I walk away, having to trust...
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