The Right Brain Kids motto is “hug, play, learn”. This is because they believe that before you can start teaching your child, you have to develop your relationship with your child first. This is very important especially for young children. Without first focussing on your relationship, your child’s ability to learn is compromised.

Here’s something they shared in one of their newsletters with our additions. If you would like to receive their newsletters, too, head over to Right Brain Kids and sign up – it’s free.

RELATIONSHIPS FIRST

Sometimes parents will ask, “How can I let my child know that I love him?”

For a child, it’s very simple. Attention is love. This always reminds me of that Simple Truths video: “To a Child, Love is spelled T-I-M-E” (click the link to watch it if you haven’t already – Mums beware, you might cry). Time is attention and attention is love, therefore giving your child your time will let him know you love him.

If you want to build your relationship and strengthen your tie, spend time together:

• Get to know your child’s thoughts, concerns, passions, friends.
• Plan special activities together.
• Let your child know that you care.

Ross Campbell, author of “How to REALLY Love Your Child,” says:

“Conveying love to a child can be broadly classified into four areas:

1. Eye contact
2. Focused attention
3. Physical contact
4. Discipline

“Each area is just as crucial as the other.

“Overemphasize discipline, and you will lose your child. Touch, attention and eye contact are vital for bonding. Make a point to give all four daily, and you will raise a love-nourished child.”

Five Criteria For Positive Discipline:

1. Helps children feel a sense of connection (Belonging and significance)
2. Is mutually respectful and encouraging (Kind and firm at the same time)
3. Is effective long-term (Considers what the child is thinking, feeling, learning, and deciding about himself and his world, and what to do in the future to survive or to thrive)
4. Teaches important social and life skills (Respect, concern for others, problem solving, and cooperation as well as the skills to contribute to the home, school or larger community)
5. Invites children to discover how capable they are (Encourages the constructive use of personal power and autonomy)

— Dr. Jane Nelsen

More about Positive Discipline:

• Right Brain Discipline Equals Positive Discipline
• Positive Discipline Book List

FILLING THE LOVE TANK

Children’s “love tanks” need refueling often. If their “tanks” are full, then they tend to listen well — to parenting, as well as to any form of right-brain learning! This reminds me of the Bucket Analogy that Aristotle’s teacher uses at school. Here are a couple of ways to fill your child’s love tank ala right brain style:

• Shichida’s 8 Second Hug (or you can also do the Right Brain Kids’ 5 Second Hug)
• Shichida’s Echo Method – how to talk to your child
• Shichida’s 6 Ways to Help Children Relax

Related:

• What is Right Brain Education?
• More Right Brain Education Materials