The Primary Years

A Principal's Perspective on Raising Happy Kids

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Helping your child develop strong emotional intelligence

October 17, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Experiences, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

Here are various simple ways we can help build emotional intelligence in our children.

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October 17, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, Emotions, feelings, Problem Solving, empathy, understanding, Emotional Intelligence'
Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Experiences, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour
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Six mini moments of joy and care to your child

October 17, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Communication, Experiences, Family, Happiness, Learning, Memories, Parenting

Six ideas for giving mini moments of support and encouragement to your child.

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October 17, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, feelings, kindness, e, Happiness, Memories, Health, family
Achievement, Activity, Communication, Experiences, Family, Happiness, Learning, Memories, Parenting
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Being authentic and honest with your child is the best way forward

October 10, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Learning, Parenting, Raising Boys, Raising girls

Here are six reasons and examples of what honesty and authenticity look like in parenting.

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October 10, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, Emotions, Honesty, Authenticity, Trust, communication, values, conflict
Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Learning, Parenting, Raising Boys, Raising girls
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Celebrate your efforts as the first educators of your child

October 10, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Decision Making, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Raising Boys, Raising girls

Reflect on how you impact your child as the first and primary educator. The following blog discusses how you make all the difference.

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October 10, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, family, toddler, values, well-being, Identity, Curiosity
Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Decision Making, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Raising Boys, Raising girls
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Be excited for your child as they attend school each day

October 03, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Friendship, Happiness, Independence, Learning, Memories, Parenting, school, Self Esteem

A school’s environment will have much to offer your child. This blog discusses the positive benefits you can expect from the school.

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October 03, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, learning, School, socialising, Independence, responsibility, Emotions, selfesteem
Achievement, Activity, Appreciation, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Friendship, Happiness, Independence, Learning, Memories, Parenting, school, Self Esteem
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Your child needs your patience as they progress through school

October 03, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

Patience is a vital virtue for parents with children in school, this blog states the reasons why.

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October 03, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, learning, patience, Resilience, communication, behaviour
Achievement, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Education, Emotions, Experiences, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Positive Behaviour
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What parents need to think about when our children go to school

September 25, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Children, Communication, Education, Experiences, Independence, Learning, Parenting

This blog contains several important considerations that you should keep in mind to support your child's education and overall wellbeing.

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September 25, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, learning, education, support, Family support, communication, well-being
Achievement, Children, Communication, Education, Experiences, Independence, Learning, Parenting
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Managing our anger around our children

September 22, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

Here are some positive reasons why managing anger well benefits relationships with your child.

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September 22, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, Emotions, anger, communication, language, selfesteem, Trust
Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Parenting, Positive Behaviour
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The Life giving Power of Politeness: Why Teaching Good Manners Boosts Your Child's Education!

September 06, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Happiness, Parenting, Personality, Positive Behaviour, Values

Read about how politeness and manners are so important to implement in your child's upbringing.

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September 06, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, polite, manners, Respect, behaviour, socialising, communication, Personality
Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Happiness, Parenting, Personality, Positive Behaviour, Values
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Children All Learn Differently: Embrace Their Unique Learning Journey

August 29, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Children, Communication, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving

Here are some enjoyable and easy-to-implement ideas to support your child's individual learning journey.

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August 29, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Parenting, parenting Tips, Children, learning, support
Achievement, Children, Communication, Independence, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving
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Being a parent is a challenge but also an absolute joy

August 22, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Communication, Emotions, Family, Happiness, Laughter, Memories, Parenting

Six great strategies to help parents see the enjoyable side of parenting.

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August 22, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Parenting, parenting Tips, Emotions, Joy, Gratitude, self care, Positivity
Appreciation, Communication, Emotions, Family, Happiness, Laughter, Memories, Parenting
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Tips for busy parents who need to keep in touch with the school

August 22, 2023 by Gail Smith in Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Parenting, school

This blog aims to help busy parents foster a strong connection with their child's school and education.

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August 22, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Parenting, parenting Tips, Children, School, school community, teacher, education
Activity, Children, Communication, Education, Parenting, school
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Simple suggestions to help build empathy and kindness in your child

August 15, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Friendship, Gratitude, Happiness, Positive Behaviour, Values

Read the blog to find out how to build empathy and compassion in your child.

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August 15, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
kindness, Compassion, Gratitude, Parentng, parenting Tips, Emotions, manners, empathy
Appreciation, Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Friendship, Gratitude, Happiness, Positive Behaviour, Values
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Six ideas to help children focus on learning rather than just completing work

August 15, 2023 by Gail Smith in Achievement, Children, Communication, creative, Education, Learning, Parenting, Reading, school

Here are six different ways to promote deeper learning.

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August 15, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, learning, creativity, education, Reading
Achievement, Children, Communication, creative, Education, Learning, Parenting, Reading, school
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Navigating the Emotional Roller coaster: Supporting Parents with Children at School

August 08, 2023 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, education, Emotions, Experiences, Friendship, Happiness, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving, school, Stress

For some children, school can be challenging on many different levels. This blog aims to provide emotional support and practical strategies for parents to navigate the ups and downs of their children's school lives.

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August 08, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, education, learning, support, communication, Resiliance, Stress, self care
Children, Communication, education, Emotions, Experiences, Friendship, Happiness, Learning, Parenting, Problem Solving, school, Stress
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Time to remind yourself that being a parent is a wonderful experience

August 01, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Children, Communication, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Laughter, Memories, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

A reminder to cherish the wonders of being a parent.

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August 01, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
child, Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, Emotions, Love, Happiness, appreciation, Memories
Appreciation, Children, Communication, Emotions, Experiences, Family, Gratitude, Happiness, Laughter, Memories, Parenting, Positive Behaviour
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Supporting our Upper Primary Students: Encouraging Growth and Independence

August 01, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Communication, Emotions, Family, Independence, Parenting

Raising teenagers can be a challenge, here are some tips on how to encourage growth and independence.

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August 01, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
teenager, raising teenagers, family, Emotions, Parenting, parenting Tips
Behaviour, Communication, Emotions, Family, Independence, Parenting
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Nurturing Emotional Intelligence in Children: Emphasising Emotional Care

August 01, 2023 by Gail Smith in Appreciation, Children, Communication, Emotions, Happiness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour

Parenting tips on how to emotionally care for and support your child to help nurture their emotional intelligence.

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August 01, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
child, Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, communication, well-being, Emotions, mental health, empathy
Appreciation, Children, Communication, Emotions, Happiness, Parenting, Positive Behaviour
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Nine Proactive Strategies for Fostering Mental Health in Children

August 01, 2023 by Gail Smith in Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Gratitude, Happiness, Friendship, Laughter, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Relax

Here are nine ways to foster and sustain your child’s mental health and well-being.

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August 01, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, mental health, well-being, Positivity, Emotions, Happiness
Behaviour, Children, Communication, Emotions, Gratitude, Happiness, Friendship, Laughter, Parenting, Positive Behaviour, Relax
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How many battles do you need to win?

July 25, 2023 by Gail Smith in Children, Communication, Emotions, Negotiation, Parenting, Problem Solving

This blog discusses the theme of picking your battles with your children wisely.

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July 25, 2023 /Gail Smith /Source
Children, Parenting, parenting Tips, Problem Solving
Children, Communication, Emotions, Negotiation, Parenting, Problem Solving
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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