karenyoung_heysigmund
Relationship first, then learning and behaviour will follow. It can’t be any other way.
Anxious brains can’t learn, and brains that don’t feel safe will organise young bodies (all bodies) for fight, flight (avoidance, refusal, disengagement, perfectionism), or shutdown.
Without connection, warmth, a sense of belonging, feeling welcome, moments of joy, play, and levity, relational safety will be compromised, which will compromise learning and behaviour. It’s just how it is. Decades of research and experience are shouting this at us.
Yet, we are asking more and more of our teachers. The more procedural or curriculum demands we place on teachers, the more we steal the time they need to build relationships - the most powerful tool of their trade.
There is no procedure or reporting that can take the place of relationship in terms of ensuring a child’s capacity to learn and be calm.
There are two spaces that teachers occupy. Sometimes they can happen together. Sometimes one has to happen first.
The first is the space that lets them build relationship. The second is the space that lets them teach kids and manage a classroom. The second will happen best when there is an opportunity to fully attend to the first.
There is an opportunity cost to everything. It isn’t about relationships OR learning. It’s relationships AND learning. Sometimes it’s relationships THEN learning.
The best way we can support kids to learn and to feel calm, is to support teachers with the space, time, and support to build relationships.
The great teachers already know this. What’s getting in the way isn’t their capacity or their will to build relationships, but the increasing demands that insist they shift more attention to grades, curriculum, reporting, and ‘managing’ behaviour without the available resources to build greater physical (sensory, movement) and relational safety (connection, play, joy, belonging).
Relationships first, then the rest will follow.♥️
Dominique –
The book has absolutely beautiful illustrations and really portrays the journey of mental health for kids. It is empowering and gives a familiar face for the feeling which normalized the emotions.
Laura –
A delightful and informative book that takes children on an engaging journey through the complexities of their own bodies. Written in a language that is accessible and relatable to young readers, this book succeeds in making the intricate workings of the nervous system both understandable and fascinating.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its ability to simplify complex concepts without sacrificing accuracy. Through colorful illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, children are introduced to the different parts of the nervous system and how they work together to help us move, think, and feel. The author does an excellent job of breaking down these concepts into bite-sized pieces that are easy for kids to digest.
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on empowerment. Rather than simply presenting information, the author encourages children to take an active role in understanding and caring for their own nervous systems. From tips on practicing mindfulness to suggestions for staying safe and healthy, this book equips young readers with practical tools they can use in their everyday lives.