How much do parents know about children's brains? Worry, save you the blush, because we are more or less all the same. The role of the brain is fundamental in all aspects of the lives of our children that concern us, in fact it determines who we are and what we do, but the elderly usually lack the necessary information about such a complex organ.
What would you think if I tell you that the brain is shaped in part by the experiences we offer as a parent? We usually intuit this, right? However, the phrase that has been decisive for me is' knowing that the brain changes in response to our way of exercising paternity / maternity, it can help us raise a stronger and more resilient child'. 'The child's brain: 12 revolutionary strategies to cultivate your child's developing mind', it is a necessary and essential book in our family library, as are all those manuals about the physical health of the children we treasure.
It is written by Daniel J. Siegel (neuropsychiatrist) and Tina Payne (paternity expert), who through the pages of this innovative and practical guide demystify crises and conflicts. Have included clear explanations and strategies that correspond to the different ages (And allow us to face small everyday struggles!).
I do not remember very well where I saw the cover of this book announced with the subtitle 'Survive the challenge of being parents, and help the family to progress', but I knew I had to tell you, and from the ALBA publishing house they offered to send me a copy . It is a necessary book that needs some rereadings and we would appreciate having on hand, but on the other hand it is easy to read, and Surprising to see how everyday interactions become opportunities to mold a complex and plastic organ at the same time.
The good thing about the 'survive and progress' approach is that you don't need to look for time to help your children make progress. You can use all the interactions you share (stressful and enraging / miraculous and adorable) as opportunities to help them be the responsible, caring and capable people you want them to be
A masterful and easy-to-read guide that helps develop children's emotional intelligence
Daniel Goleman (author of 'Emotional Intelligence'), says that 'Anyone who cares about children - and who loves a child - should read 'The child's brain'. I support this statement, with the conviction that in a complex social environment, which does not always ensure the best child development, and with the loneliness that (sometimes) parents feel when it comes to raising and educating, a guide of these characteristics , comes to give us strength in our role.
12 strategies in six chapters: 'be parents with the brain in mind', 'two brains are better than one: integrate the left and the right'. Something that me (and I think many too) has surprised me: 'build the ladder of the mind: integrate the upper and lower brain'(This is a novelty, nobody had told me about it).
In chapter four ('kill the butterflies') We will learn to integrate memory for growth and healing. Then we will understand our own states for 'integrate the parts of the self'. And finally we reach the connection I / we, in order to learn to increase the family fun factor, and teach children to discuss thinking about 'we'.
The book includes reminder sheets for photocopying and hanging in the fridge, clear examples and illustrations, as well as a summary of the ages related to the stages of the full brain. I recommend it not only because I am convinced that it is necessary, but also because it is very complete and practical.
In the pages of 'The brain of the child' parents and educators have within their reach clear guidelines to understand and manage the different conflicts of children according to each age. And if we go a little further, we will also get easy tools to apply, to resolve those conflicts
When the models of maternity / paternity of those who have educated before us do not serve us (although we know how to decipher them), neither can we run out of references. It is time to turn away the excuses and claim that 'we do not know how to deal with conflicts with the little ones', sometimes empathy is not enough, parents need tools to act.
