| MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Katy C. Merrell, MEd. |
DECEMBER 2005 The Best Gifts For The Holidays Are Also
The Best Gifts For Life.
The Best Gifts For Life.
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In this time of frenzied buying Hallowell also speaks eloquently about the importance of “human
moments” as opposed to “electronic moments” (which take up more and more of children’s daily lives
today). He lists some of his favorite human moments; playing with a friend in the backyard, family
dinners, or snuggling up in a parent’s lap and being read to. He writes, “Human moments provide the
best context for play. That is not to say electronic play is bad, but if it comes to replace the human
moment, that is not a good effect.”
When I first read this book I was struck by the fact that PLAY is the second ingredient essential
building block on Dr. Hallowell’s list. I hope to share more in another newsletter, but in a nutshell, he
talks about the incredible importance of play for children AND adults, especially, confident, creative,
emotionally healthy, and happy children and adults. Attached to this newsletter is a list if favorite
sources for wonderful music and storytelling tapes/CDs, and books. I hope this helps in your search
for holiday gifts for the children in your life. I’ll Leave you with one last quote from Dr. Hallowell;
“above all else, enjoy your children. If you do, the rest usually takes care of itself. Yes, you have to
say NO, set limits, teach them to be responsible and do for themselves, and none of this is easy. But
most important of all is that you enjoy them. When you do invisible good is happening. Depend on it.”
Happy Holidays to You and Yours,
Katy
moments” as opposed to “electronic moments” (which take up more and more of children’s daily lives
today). He lists some of his favorite human moments; playing with a friend in the backyard, family
dinners, or snuggling up in a parent’s lap and being read to. He writes, “Human moments provide the
best context for play. That is not to say electronic play is bad, but if it comes to replace the human
moment, that is not a good effect.”
When I first read this book I was struck by the fact that PLAY is the second ingredient essential
building block on Dr. Hallowell’s list. I hope to share more in another newsletter, but in a nutshell, he
talks about the incredible importance of play for children AND adults, especially, confident, creative,
emotionally healthy, and happy children and adults. Attached to this newsletter is a list if favorite
sources for wonderful music and storytelling tapes/CDs, and books. I hope this helps in your search
for holiday gifts for the children in your life. I’ll Leave you with one last quote from Dr. Hallowell;
“above all else, enjoy your children. If you do, the rest usually takes care of itself. Yes, you have to
say NO, set limits, teach them to be responsible and do for themselves, and none of this is easy. But
most important of all is that you enjoy them. When you do invisible good is happening. Depend on it.”
Happy Holidays to You and Yours,
Katy
 |
NORFOLK CHILDREN'S SCHOOL, 23 Union St., Norfolk, MA 02056 508-528-1970
Copyright 2007 Norfolk Children's School
Website Design by Karma Communications
Website Design by Karma Communications
"Above all else, enjoy your children. If you do, the rest usually takes care of itself." Edward Hallowell, M.D. |
In this often hectic time of the year, here is a thought to
help anchor us; “Our greatest danger in life is in permitting
the urgent to crowd out the important,” It is so easy to
feel frazzled and get caught up in what our overly
commercialized society tells us children need and should
have. There is a wonderful book by Edward Hallowell M.D.
that I highly recommend, entitled, “The Childhood Roots of
Adult Happiness”. In it he lists five essential “building
blocks” children need in order to become happy, emotionally
healthy adults:
1. Connection
2. Play
3. Practice
4. Mastery
5. Recognition
This seems like the perfect time of year to talk about the
first building block – connection. All the others depend on a
child having a strong sense of connection. Hallowell writes;
“Beyond food, clothing, and shelter, the single greatest
need in a child’s life is for emotional security, or what I
call connectedness. Connectedness creates magic…What
children need is not all that complicated. Love is the magic
of childhood…It is easy to forget how important emotional
security and connectedness are and focus on prodding our
children to achieve or simply behave themselves. That’s
because, minute to minute, a parent’s job is to maintain
order and do what has to be done. But let us never forget
how deeply children need to feel that they are safe and
loved.”
help anchor us; “Our greatest danger in life is in permitting
the urgent to crowd out the important,” It is so easy to
feel frazzled and get caught up in what our overly
commercialized society tells us children need and should
have. There is a wonderful book by Edward Hallowell M.D.
that I highly recommend, entitled, “The Childhood Roots of
Adult Happiness”. In it he lists five essential “building
blocks” children need in order to become happy, emotionally
healthy adults:
1. Connection
2. Play
3. Practice
4. Mastery
5. Recognition
This seems like the perfect time of year to talk about the
first building block – connection. All the others depend on a
child having a strong sense of connection. Hallowell writes;
“Beyond food, clothing, and shelter, the single greatest
need in a child’s life is for emotional security, or what I
call connectedness. Connectedness creates magic…What
children need is not all that complicated. Love is the magic
of childhood…It is easy to forget how important emotional
security and connectedness are and focus on prodding our
children to achieve or simply behave themselves. That’s
because, minute to minute, a parent’s job is to maintain
order and do what has to be done. But let us never forget
how deeply children need to feel that they are safe and
loved.”