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Newsletter March 2011Mandala

Contents                            
Welcome
Germany
Evidence
The big society?
Books review
Register with VisionWorks 

   

Welcome to our Spring newsletter 

 Sue

God is talking to one of his angels. He says, "Boy, I just created a 24-hour period of alternating light and darkness on Earth." The angel says, "What are you going to do now?" God says, "Call it a day!" 

 

Talking of days, have fun doing something funny for money on Red Nose Day.

 

Best wishes, Sue

 



Germany  

 

BremenAn innovative 3 - 18 year old school in Bremen, Germany has embraced VisionWorks as part of a whole school intiative to improve behaviour and learning. I spent two days with the staff team to kick-start using My World and It's OK Being Me (German versions of course!). It was fascinating to see the similarities with staff teams in the UK; the same proportion of keen, middling keen, and not keen at all; the same excitement mixed with concerns about involving emotional literacy in learning; similar organisational issues with appointing 'champions' and making the material available to everyone.

Good luck to Gut Spacher Sand!   

    



Evidence

 

We have brought together in one document evidence from various sources about the effectiveness of programmes such as VisionWorks. Click here to go directly to the website or browse it later. We hope it is useful for anyone needing extra material to build the case that emotional literacy improves learning and behaviour.  

 


 

The big society?

 

It only takes a glance at the news to recognise we are in a time of great change and our ability to change will be tested for it seems like we are heading for the deeper ocean. In our national news the effects of our budget cuts are beginning to bite and in our international press we see sweeping government changes in the Arab world.

 

This, I believe, is a portent for us all. In the past when budget cuts were announced we rolled out the old business model that has hindered change, 'keep doing what we are doing but do more with less.' This thinking is actually a trap and is a refusal to change that just adds pressure and strain to our eventual shift rather than our transition being easy and graceful. Much more fundamental changes to the way we live our lives are required; we need to learn about relationships, about mutuality and co-operation.

 

As we all face budget cuts of one form or another it is not about hunkering down and going into survival mode but actually a time to learn new ways to do things, to learn new ways of being. Time to give up the old ways, give up certain forms of government that we are seeing in the Middle East and find new ways of operating. This is a time of leadership and vision, of helping, caring and learning together, starting in our relationships, in our families and then reaching out further. Don't underestimate what you can do; as we saw in Tunisia, the action of one man created such massive change; change that was long overdue.

To help create the shift maybe take a few moments after you have read this and look at your own life. What are you doing that needs to change? Maybe start in an easy way, go to work a different way to the one you usually take, speak to someone you see most days but never speak to, reach out to that person you keep thinking about and do that thing you have thought about doing for a while. It's our individual actions that will create the change.


 
 

Learning Emotional Intelligence? You're never too young to start

 

The chances are that you are one of an increasing number of people who realise the importance of emotional literacy.  Many of you are parents and you may be interested to read some expert advice on how to raise your child to be emotionally intelligent.  

 

The Heart of Parenting by John Gottman and Joan de Claire

 

book1John Gottman is a professor of psychology at the University of Washington. He has written this practical guide for parents showing them how to raise a child who can understand and control his emotions.

 

"Gottman explains how, through the simple process of helping your child identify and express his feelings, communication and happiness can be increased in the family and conflict minimised.

 

The style is factual, scientifically backed up and not at all patronising. This book is the one I turn to for a reminder whenever I find I don't know how to deal with my child effectively or when we seem to be in a
pattern of repeating horrible, unproductive scenes."
                                   Amazon

 

"This book tells you just what is important about being a parent. I love the scientific approach and the way data is presented."                                                 Amazon

 

The Science of Parenting by Margot Sunderland

book2Based on over 700 scientific studies into children's development, BMA award-winning author and child psychotherapist Dr. Margot Sunderland explains how to develop your child's potential to the full.

 

"What's the difference between a distressed fit of crying and a controlling 'little Nero' tantrum? How does letting a very young baby cry itself to sleep release harmful body chemicals and discourage trust? How do loving, nurturing behaviours coupled with firm boundaries make for a harmonious relationship with your child?

 

It puts the child centre stage because the early experiences of a baby set patterns for life. At the same time, it honours the needs of mothers, who need love, support and community. I hope this is the way parenting will progress in future years."    Amazon  



Register with VisionWorks

If you haven't already registered you're missing out on a host of downloadable resources, assembly ideas and sample modules from our programmes. Register at www.vision-works.net
 
If you'd like to find out how VisionWorks could work for you call Sue Allen or Ruthie Alexander Morgan  on 01249 409001, email sue@vision-works net or ruthie@vision-works.net or visit our website www.vision-works.net

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