I'm Not Sure About Testing Student Teachers for Emotional Intelligence
I'm very happy and optimistic about some of the changes the Federal government is proposing to teacher training. Teachers should, I believe, be more highly trained, paid and respected in our society - along with the medical profession, they are pretty much the linchpin of a successful society...If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I believe emotional intelligence education is important. So why would I baulk at the suggestion that new Australian teachers are to be tested for emotional intelligence? Read full article
Emotional Intelligence Tests for Teachers? Tougher Training? Experts Respond.
Trainee teachers would be tested for literacy, numeracy and emotional intelligence under a suite of teacher training reforms released by the Federal Government today. Under the plan, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) needed to enter a university teaching course may also rise. Four education experts respond to the plan... Read full article
Room to Breathe - Film about Mindfulness in Schools
Room to Breathe is a story of transformation as struggling kids in a San Francisco public middle school are introduced to the practice of mindfulness. Topping the district in disciplinary suspensions, and with overcrowded classrooms creating a nearly impossible learning environment, overwhelmed administrators are left with stark choices. Do they repeat the cycle of forcing tuned-out children to listen, or experiment with a set of age-old inner practices that may provide them with the social, emotional, and attention skills that they need to succeed? Read full article
Social and Emotional Learning Programs for Schools
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has released the 2013 CASEL Guide: Effective Social and Emotional Learning Programs - Preschool and Elementary School Edition. The Guide identifies 23 school-based programs that promote students' self-control, relationship-building and problem-solving, among other competencies. Emotional Intelligence education has been linked to academic success and many other important social and emotional outcomes for students. Read full article
Mind and Its Potential Conference - Win a Gold Pass
How do we learn? How can we reach our potential? How should we live our lives? Now in it's 7th amazing year, Mind & Its Potential is a fascinating exploration of how to apply the new science of the mind to learning, creativity and personal development. Featuring one of the world's most influential scientists, Professor V. S. Ramachandran, USA best selling author of Phantoms in the Brain and dubbed the "Marco Polo" of neuroscience. You can win a Gold Pass to the conference here - valued at $1855. Read full article
Teaching Emotional Intelligence - How Schools Can Educate Children for Life
Step into Anna Kearney’s third grade classroom, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, and you will see amongst the usual colourful art projects, a row of plastic cups stapled to the wall. There are ten numbered cups in all and they are part of Self Science, a social and emotional education curriculum developed by 6 Seconds ... Time spent on Self Science has not detracted from other academic learning, says Kearney, but instead has enhanced learning across the board. Read full article
Children Tell Adults about What Makes Them Feel Happy
“…if I could ask any child what they would like in the world I would definitely ask it. I think it would be interesting to find out what everyone’s ideas are. What they want…” (14-year old girl). When we are asked what we want most for our children, most of us will answer “happiness”. Asking children about what contributes to their feelings of wellbeing reveals some insightful answers to how we can provide that happy life. A study, conducted by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and published in 2007, highlighted the importance of adults using parenting and educational practices that promote children’s emotional and social well-being. Read full article
Emotional Literacy Belongs in Schools Too
There are many examples of individual schools in the United States, the UK and even in Australia, that deliver emotional intelligence curriculum to students simply because they have been fortunate enough to have the human and financial resources (and sometimes support from a University). This video example (is a) reminder of how and why a school uses emotional literacy to improve educational outcomes and the school environment. Read full article
Why Australia Needs Emotional Intelligence in the Curriculum Podcast
Yvette Vignando is interviewed on ABC 702 Radio Sydney by Sarah MacDonald about why Australia needs Emotional Intelligence in the national school curriculum. What is Emotional Intelligence? How can Emotional Intelligence be taught in school? What is the academic benefit of social and emotional learning? Read full article
Open Letter to Australian Prime Minister -Teach Emotional Intelligence in Schools
An open letter via video from parent of three boys, emotional intelligence expert and parenting publisher Yvette Vignando - asking for Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Education Peter Garrett to take action on including a quality social and emotional learning program in the Australian National Curriculum. Read full article
