Parenting Playbook
The brain of a bully . . .
The stress-response systems in a child’s brain are largely influenced by the type of parenting a child receives. If a parent’s form of discipline relies on criticism and commands, the rage or fear systems in a child’s brain can become oversensitive and overreactive....
read moreConnect to primary emotions . . .
To “feel felt,” children need parents to tune in to their primary emotions. In any given situation, these are the emotions children feel first, such as happy, sad, mad, or scared. When parents connect with a child’s primary emotional experience, a special kind of...
read moreDiscipline and inner controls . . .
When parents use constructive and effective forms of discipline, they are teaching their children how to use inner controls. The effective techniques for doing this depend upon a child’s developmental level. Toddlers, for example, need help as they learn to moderate,...
read moreTouch and movement . . .
Some children seek out touch and movement more than others. Often these are the kids that have higher activity levels. They may want to swing highest on the swing and will likely find jumping in a mud puddle great fun. Other kids find too much touch and movement...
read moreThe influence of early experiences . . .
Early experiences influence your child’s later life. What your child learns about the world today influences how he or she will interpret new events as well as shape what is learned next. What is learned next then influences the theories developed about the world as...
read moreConnecting . . .
Making connections with our children (and others) involves verbal and nonverbal communication. When scientists look at the way the brain functions as we connect with one another, they see that the processing that occurs in the brain’s left hemisphere is connected to...
read moreWrap your mind around New Year’s resolutions . . .
New Year’s resolutions center around changing habits. Regardless of whether you are hoping to ditch an unhealthy habit or adopt a healthy new one, you will need to get your mind involved in your plan. You not only have to be aware of the changes you want to make, you...
read moreMore on reading . . .
Almost any reading is beneficial for your child, though certain kinds of books will be attuned to your child’s level of cognitive development and will therefore grab his or her attention for longer periods of time. The early stages of reading development include:...
read moreLiteracy and the brain . . .
Literacy dramatically changes the brain. When we learn the alphabet, we are learning how to carve speech into foundational components. We are also developing phonemic awareness, which creates a distinction in meaning and facilitates the storage and meaning of speech...
read moreBe proactive when managing holiday stress . . .
Heightened feelings of stress are familiar during the holidays because this time of year often includes the extra to-dos of the season, worries about finances, and additional time commitments. The holidays also set the stage for renewing family connections, which can...
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