Emotions & Learning

Emotions have a tremendous impact on learning. This was so evident to me when my oldest son began first grade. Going from half day of school to entire day of school, being in charge of eating lunch on his on in only 15 minutes, then coming home and doing homework was a little too much all at once! He was stressed out and tired and didn't think he could do it. He began to resent school which was not like him at all and he really struggled for the first few weeks. We had to create a new normal with new routines and rituals that allowed him to focus on what he liked and enjoyed about school. He was able to then feel confident and successful which motived him to continue learning. Our children are much more likely to reach out and learn when they are comfortable and happy.

Simple family activities like rocking together help develop a child's sense of security and worth, allowing him to grow into an assured, confident, learner with healthy self-esteem.