The Primary Years

A Principal's Perspective on Raising Happy Kids

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Helping Your Child Find Balance in their busy life →

May 21, 2025 by Gail Smith in Activity, Behaviour, Boundaries, Break, Children, Communication, Decision Making, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Experiences, Family, Learning, Listening, meditation, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Personal Time, Role Model, Selfcare, Sleep, Stress, Technology, Time Management, Well being, Work life balance, Authenticity, Balance

Too many activities, too much pressure, and too little downtime can leave children overwhelmed. The good news? Balance can be taught. Home can be a space where your child learns to pause, play, and thrive. Read on to discover simple ways to bring more balance into your child’s life.

May 21, 2025 /Gail Smith

The Primary Years, gail smith, parenting Tips, balance, Work life balance, children, family, play, Rest, Role Model, Boredom

Activity, Behaviour, Boundaries, Break, Children, Communication, Decision Making, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Experiences, Family, Learning, Listening, meditation, Mental Support, Mindfulness, Parenting, Personal Time, Role Model, Selfcare, Sleep, Stress, Technology, Time Management, Well being, Work life balance, Authenticity, Balance

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Letting Go a Little: Why Gradual Independence Matters for Your Child’s Growth

April 29, 2025 by Gail Smith in Activity, Anxiety, Appreciation, Behaviour, Boundaries, Children, Decision Making, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Independence, Negotiation, Parenting, Personality, Potential, Problem Solving, Resilience, Responsibility, Role Model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Time Management

Letting go a little doesn't mean stepping back; it means stepping alongside. Gail Smith shares how allowing our children to try, stumble, and learn with our support (not control) builds the confidence and independence they need to grow.

April 29, 2025 /Gail Smith /Source

The Primary Years, gail smith, Letting Go, Independence, support, Raising Kids, primary school, parenting Tips, Parenthood, responsibility

Activity, Anxiety, Appreciation, Behaviour, Boundaries, Children, Decision Making, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Independence, Negotiation, Parenting, Personality, Potential, Problem Solving, Resilience, Responsibility, Role Model, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Time Management

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Practical tips for parents to help their children develop executive function skills →

October 24, 2024 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Communication, Confidence, Delegate, Education, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Responsibility, Role model, Self Confidence, Self-Esteem, Selfcare, Support, Time Management, Executive Function Skills

Are you struggling to boost your child's executive function skills at home? In this blog, Gail Smith shares simple yet practical tips to help improve their school performance with easy, everyday activities that can all operate from the home environment.

October 24, 2024 /Gail Smith

Parenting, The Primary Years, Gail Smith, parenting Tips, executive function skills, Routine, Time Management, Self-regulation, Independence, Goal Setting, Reflection, Raising Kids, Promodoro Technique, discipline, Initiative

Activity, Children, Communication, Confidence, Delegate, Education, Empowerment, Experiences, Family, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Responsibility, Role model, Self Confidence, Self-Esteem, Selfcare, Support, Time Management, Executive Function Skills

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You have produced a book that contains specific ways in helping young children, families, teachers, and others toward the goal of raising happy children.
I find it a reminder for adults to take a look at ourselves and revue the lessons we may have forgotten in the turmoil of living.
Wise and well done, Gail.
Nadine M