It’s been so nice enjoying the sunshine over the last little while and the tamariki have been making the most of it during P.E sessions, exploring and creating in the outdoor classroom and enjoying the fresh air at break times. 

As I was driving to work I was listening to the radio about how children must be allowed to feel emotions, such as disappointment and frustration. This reminded me of what life was like with toddlers and the extent I went to avoid an emotional outburst, mostly to save my own sanity. I would try to preempt what might spark an outburst and avoid situations like saying ‘no’ in the supermarket that could result in an embarrassing scene. As I’ve learnt more and more about the brain and child development, particularly when thinking about children now they are school aged, it is important to teach children about emotions and normalise having them. It’s tempting to swoop in and want to protect our children from feelings as it often results in us having to stop what we are doing and possibly feel uncomfortable for a while while we ride the emotions out. 

I came across some little tips to help our children develop emotional intelligence as well as self regulation skills…

• Teach children about emotions before they happen. Learn what they look like, feel like, situations that may create certain emotions and teach children to name them.
• Help children understand that having emotions is normal, they are not something to be afraid of. Talk about the appropriate ways to express these emotions. 
• Talk about self regulations strategies. When a big emotion comes along, what things could the child do to calm themselves. Taking timeout, breathing, asking for a hug or maybe using positive self talk. 
• When children are in the midst of big emotions, help them to name the feelings and validate their feelings. 
• After the emotions, help the child bring perspective to the situation and see the situation in a different way. Talk about what they might do moving forward and some strategies they may be able to use next time. 
• Avoid the temptation to solve the problem for them.
  

Then talking with friends who are in the full swing of having teenagers in their house, their advice is to just hold on for dear life. 

On another note, Mr B and his wife Kayleigh announced the arrival of their new little girl on Tuesday. They have named her Estlin and she was a healthy 8 pounds. Congratulations from all of us! We are so pleased for them. 

Earlier in the year our Writer's Club entered a writing competition. We are very proud of Poet Jackson who won the competition and has now had her story 'Sophia and the Big Strawberry' published in the most recent Toitoi publication (Toitoi 28.) Toitoi is a publication of compiled works by young New Zealand authors and artists. You can find more information at toitoi.nz. Congratulations Poet, we love your creativity and  imagination!

Hope you all have a lovely Friday and a nice weekend! 

Ngaa mihi

Nyree Olliver