Today's children are under serious stress - they are under pressure to succeed at school, pressure to fit in, and in regard to social media. Stress can also come from day-to-day-life, and affect even very young children: too much noise, being rushed, separation anxiety - the list of potential stressors is long. When kids are stressed and anxious, they often struggle to articulate what is troubling them and either start to misbehave, or else shut down and fail to communicate at all. This is often construed as 'bad behaviour' by parents, and treated as such.
In this ground-breaking parenting book, Stuart Shanker argues that teaching children the art of self-regulation will transform their behaviour by helping them to identify, talk about and manage their emotions. Self-reg, as he calls it, will help return to a balanced, productive state whenever they feel the need, so replenishing their energy and helping them to flourish. As parents, if we can learn to identify why a child is behaving as they are, so we can start to help them learn to self-regulate. This leads to a harmonious home and children who feel nurtured and supported.
Underpinned by science, Dr Shanker's techniques have had a remarkable effect on children and parents alike, and hundreds of thousands of children who have gone through the programme in Canada have shown significant improvement in literacy, numeracy and behaviour. Now, his groundbreaking research is being published for the first time in this timely and practical guide for parents.
Mastering the art of self-regulation can help children learn to deal with experiences, overcome frustration, pay better attention, control impulses, engage better with others and enhance their learning capabilities. Self-Reg will inspire in parents a sense that their child can truly realise his or her potential, and give them the confidence to help their son or daughter develop the skills and emotional strength needed to navigate the pressures and stresses of the modern world.
Author Biography
Dr Stuart Shanker is Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology and head of a psychological research lab at York University in Toronto, Canada. He's won numerous awards, lectured at Harvard and other leading universities, given keynote addresses at major gatherings, appeared on the Today Show and CNN and been interviewed by The New York Times, WSJ and others. Teresa Barker is a journalist and has co-written many books, including the New York Times bestseller Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. Her specialisms include parenting, child development and psychology.
