Preliminary Research - Childhood Lead Exposure Linked to Crime in Adulthood
Australians who were exposed to high levels of lead as children may be at greater risk of committing violent and impulsive crimes two decades later, yet-to-be-published research suggests. The origins of criminal behaviour have previously been attributed to a perpetrator’s genetic make up or how they were raised. But we’re increasingly realising that the child’s physical and chemical environment plays a significant role in criminal behaviours later in life. Read full article
How You Praise Your Toddler Has a Lasting Impact
In a study that is the first of its kind, researchers observing real-world parent-child interactions have shown the lasting effect of parents’ praise on their children’s behaviours and thoughts. In this article, reporting on the research, you will learn about which type of praise has a positive impact on children's motivation and persistence, and be provided with examples. Read full article
My Mothering Heart Needs More Lion, Less Rabbit
Life is often an endurance test. Sure, there are bright moments when joy fills your heart, when you can re-charge. But often it is a relentless quest. At present, my patience as a mother is tested daily by an irrepressible toddler who is now more wilful and dastardly than I thought possible. I need to rapidly acquire new skills. Read full article
A New Year's Omen - Dolphins and Children - Both Magical
I’m sitting at the dining table with a cool breeze blowing on to my face from the lake and ocean. It’s the new year, 2011, and I’m feeling like I always feel on 1 January: expectant, inexplicably and irrationally optimistic about anything that’s been troubling me and suddenly more grateful than usual for the good things in my life. New Year’s Eve does not hold much attraction for me unless it happens to be a great meal with friends but I do look forward to New Year with a magical belief that all things good can happen in the following year. No idea why. Read full article
For Children - Emotional Intelligence Means Being Smart with Your Feelings
When I was a kid, no one taught me about feelings. Even when I took psychology in college I still didn’t learn why sometimes I felt angry or sad or worried or happy — and that I had a choice about my feelings. I noticed that I had different feelings, and other people did too. I noticed that sometimes I could get more of what I wanted by using the feelings that matched the situation, but a lot of the time it seemed like feelings were something that just happened to me...Emotional intelligence means being smart with feelings. This article includes three steps for being smarter about feelings. Read full article
