Bring My Smile Back: Working with Unhappy Children in Education

Comforting touch reduces reaction to stress, develops sense of empathy and helps impulse control. Free play outdoors helps develop social capacities and reduces aggression. A number of caregivers, besides mothers, influence the development of empathy, child's IQ and ego resilience. We are aware that we are lacking on all these fronts and in most cases there is not much we can do about it. Small, nuclear families, two working parents, urban lifestyle and a huge influence media has on children development leaves very little that teachers and parents can do to affect children's development and happiness. Most children do not know the meaning of empathy. Compassionate, moral behaviour is considered 'uncool.' Scientists believe that the problems are in the strange cultural and social practices of our modern life, particularly in the way we raise our children. This book aims to explore the crucial link between emotions, wellbeing and learning and the wider social factors affecting children's happiness. The authors draw from a range of experience, examples, case studies and educational approaches to present this engaging text on children's wellbeing and emotions. Focusing on children's happiness more than on their academic achievements and positive behaviour, this book puts Children's Smiles at the heart of teaching!