Children's Wellbeing

In the previous article, we explored why boys face more struggles in school — from their focus and self-control to managing frustration. But understanding the problem is only the first step.

This follow-up article will dive deeper into the how: how we can support boys’ social-emotional growth so they can have better focus, cooperation, and help them handle their emotions in positive ways. Drawing on research and classroom experience, let’s look at the issues, what could be the reasons, and the strategies we can use at home and in the classroom.

Over the past six years in the classroom, I have watched a familiar scene unfold: girls often excel academically, while boys sometimes fall behind. Year after year, I see girls quietly absorbed in the task given to them, while boys fidget and wrestle with staying on task. Because focus and attention are the cornerstones of learning, their absence can make the journey through school much harder and leave lasting effects.

To understand why boys often fall behind, it is helpful to first look at how their development differs from girls, so we can better support their needs.

As a teacher, one of the things I pay close attention to is how focused each child is during class. This focus is such a great indicator on how well they’ll do in school! I love sharing insights with parents about their child’s behaviors, and many of them appreciate hearing about their child’s ability to concentrate and any tips of improvement.

While there are many factors that contribute to academic success, a child’s ability to sit still, listen, and complete tasks is a key that helps them learn in every subject. It’s all about supporting our little learners on their journey!

Saying “no” isn’t about undermining authority. It’s about teaching children that their feelings are valid and that they have a right to say “stop,” “no,” or “I need space.” Through this, we’re raising emotionally intelligent and resilient children, rather than rebellious ones. Read on to learn about ways to teach your child about setting their personal boundaries.

During their development, children undergo many changes spanning their physical, mental, social and emotional state. It’s a huge undertaking, don’t you think so? Our kids are learning so much about themselves and the world, building their personalities as they interact with their environment. It’s then easy to see that this process of growth is not without its problems—a lot of us may know these as “growing pains”. While the phrase literally refers to the leg pains some children experience while growing up, it applies to other kinds of changes as well. 

As humans, one of our most obvious signs of growth is the ability to independently manage ourselves and the environment to achieve our goals. As parents and caregivers too, we become key figures in encouraging this capacity of independence in children and helping them form secure attachments. In this article we'll dive into understanding how children develop independence and how we can foster this process for them so that they learn to manage their emotions and behavior.

As soon as kids can play outside, parents teach them to stay away from the street, and when older to look both ways before crossing. These common-sense steps are vital for children to learn the bare basics of road safety, but do not go nearly far enough to keep them safe. When playing outside, they are exposed to a plethora of hazards that vary based on the neighborhood and community. Not only is it important for them to look both ways before crossing a road, but it can be lifesaving to know where appropriate places to cross are located.

Have you ever encountered the term 'neurodivergent' and wondered what it means? Or are you familiar with the term and looking for ways to better support the needs of the neurodivergent children in your care? Well, you're in the right place. We'll go in-depth on the topic of neurodiversity, explaining its nuances and outlining concrete steps for creating an inclusive learning environment.

Studying and managing their own learning isn’t something that comes naturally to kids. Who could blame them for wanting to spend their time after school watching TV or playing video games? Even so, parents can help nudge their children along and into a new studying routine.

With a new school year just beginning, now is the best time to instill or reinforce healthy study habits with the inspiring study space for your kiddo. Consider the following ideas for designing the perfect study space for your elementary student!

Conflicts are an inevitable part of life, whether you’re an adult or a child. Realizing that there is a gap between our expectations and those of other people can feel frustrating and unfair. Children often experience conflicts in social interactions as they widen their social world through school and friends. During such times, caregivers can help children manage their intense feelings and arrive at solutions to resolve conflicts.