This is how stress derails healthy development

This is how stress derails healthy development

Learning how to cope with adversity is an important part of healthy development. While moderate, short-lived stress responses in the body can promote growth, toxic stress is the strong, unrelieved activation of the body's stress management system in the absence of protective adult support.

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Let children run wild - it could even improve their academic performance

Let children run wild - it could even improve their academic performance

Physical fitness and agility are linked to bigger brains and better test scores....

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Girls bullying (gossiping, secret-telling & lying) can trigger Eating Disorders

Girls bullying (gossiping, secret-telling & lying) can trigger Eating Disorders

Relational bullying is escalating at a rapid rate throughout our country. This is bullying that transpires within female friendships. It starts very young, as early as second and third grade, and can have profoundly negative long-term consequences such as eating disorders. 

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Do you think your judgements are correct? Let's have a look at what affects them..

Do you think your judgements are correct? Let's have a look at what affects them..

Did you know that in relationships, we often prefer the familiar (staying together) to the unfamiliar (breaking up), even if we're currently unhappy with our partner. This is called Status Quo bias. There are many of these biases affecting our behaviour and choices every day. 

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Teenage substance abuse? Here is Iceland's answer to it. And it works, so why don't we adopt it?

Teenage substance abuse? Here is Iceland's answer to it. And it works, so why don't we adopt it?

Iceland knows how to stop teenage substance abuse. Smoking, drinking and drug use have been radically cut in the past 20 years. Emma Young finds out how they did it, and why other countries won’t follow suit.

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Relationships are everything - Let's talk about how to get them right!

Relationships are everything - Let's talk about how to get them right!

Harry is 45-year old. He has been married for 16 years, but his marriage has been very troubled. He and his wife are often resentful of each other, they rarely communicate on an intimate level, and they have few moments of real pleasure.

Other aspects of Harry’s life have been equally unsatisfying. He doesn’t enjoy his work, primarily because he doesn’t get along with his co-workers. He is often intimidated by his boss and other people at the office. He has a few friends outside of work, but none that he considers close.

During the past year Harry’s mood became

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Signs of stress in your children and teens

Signs of stress in your children and teens

Young people, like adults, experience stress. It can come from a variety of sources including doing well in school, making and sustaining friendships, or managing perceived expectations from their parents, teachers or coaches. Some stress can be positive in that it provides the energy to tackle a big test, presentation or sports event. Too much stress, however, can create unnecessary hardship and challenge. Adults can sometimes be unaware when their children or teens are experiencing overwhelming feelings of stress.

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Confidence - research shows independent schools' focus on mental toughness

Confidence - research shows independent schools' focus on mental toughness

Pupils in independent schools are controlled, committed, confident and like a challenge, new research into soft skills and mental toughness reveals.

Pupil confidence high as research shows independent schools' focus on mental toughness Findings to enable schools to target and boost pupil wellbeing

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Research shows why mums and dads should feel good about their children crying when they leave them with strangers...

Research shows why mums and dads should feel good about their children crying when they leave them with strangers...

We all need to leave our children at some point in their early development. No denying, it can be very distressing for both chid and parent, and when this happens, we wish that we could leave the room without them crying and they could just play happily until we return. Sounds good. However, if your child cries when you leave and is showing signs of distress, paradoxically, you should be rather happy.

Why?

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Screen time - what we should know and what we can do

Screen time - what we should know and what we can do

From TV to smartphones to social media, our lives are dominated by 24/7 media exposure. Despite this, many children and teens have few rules around their media use. Media & digital devices are an integral part of our world today. The benefits of these devices, if used moderately & appropriately, can be great.

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