Softer, Smarter Schooling
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General Approach
The aim of the book is to provide a set of simple tips (or rules) for teachers and parents, that are backed by science.
For example, one of many relationship rules for dealing with conflict may be: strike while the iron is cool, never hot. Meaning that if emotions heat up during a discussion, it is time to take a break, and come back when you are both feeling calmer. The basic science behind this would be that when we are emotional, we go into a fight-or-flight response, that shuts down the thinking part of the brain, making your thoughts and actions fast and reactive rather than creative and well-thought-through (which is great when you are being attacked by a tiger, but not so great when trying to come up with a creative solution). I.e. heated discussions don't lead to anything good.
Rather than needing to follow all the rules in the book, the aim of the parent or teacher is to select a few to practice that will have the biggest impact, and follow them until they become habit. Then they can move on.
For example, one of many relationship rules for dealing with conflict may be: strike while the iron is cool, never hot. Meaning that if emotions heat up during a discussion, it is time to take a break, and come back when you are both feeling calmer. The basic science behind this would be that when we are emotional, we go into a fight-or-flight response, that shuts down the thinking part of the brain, making your thoughts and actions fast and reactive rather than creative and well-thought-through (which is great when you are being attacked by a tiger, but not so great when trying to come up with a creative solution). I.e. heated discussions don't lead to anything good.
Rather than needing to follow all the rules in the book, the aim of the parent or teacher is to select a few to practice that will have the biggest impact, and follow them until they become habit. Then they can move on.
Survey #2
Given the feedback, and aims of the book, if you could please answer the following quick questions to help me shape the contents further around your interests, I would be very appreciative:
General Book Content
I have a good mix of teacher and parent feedback. The insights and level of detail has been fantastic - thank you so much for this!
I have grouped you most pressing challenges that you have identified into a set of chapters, as below:
I have grouped you most pressing challenges that you have identified into a set of chapters, as below:
Chapter 1: Teaching for Tomorrow
This is the overview chapter, defining what it means to "flourish" in life, living in the 21st century. I.e. what are the job skills that might be required (taking into account the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce), as well as what competencies underlie living a full, rich, valued and happy life.
It also talks about the approach taken in the book - helping children cultivate positive habits/competencies through experimentation and practice, and the role of the teacher and parent in this process. It also makes the point of starting small - starting with identifying the one habit that will make the biggest impact.
Chapter 2: The Power of Positivity
This chapter discusses "the Happiness Advantage" - i.e. the fact that people in a positive mode outperform others on nearly every metric (i.e. happy people live longer, have more friends, are more creative and productive, make more money, generate more sales, are more likely to be promoted, are more resilient to stress etc.).
It aims to provide practical rules for cultivating a positive mindset, through a use of strategies including gratitude, mindfulness, learned optimism, physical exercise etc., etc.
It will also cover stress reduction techniques, when it is useful to listen to your negative emotions (as they provide useful information, and additional sources of energy), and strategies for navigating through some of life's trickier emotional journeys (e.g., death/loss/divorce/failure/rejection etc.).
Chapter 3: Helping them Figure it out for themselves
This chapter is about problem solving and creative thinking, applied to day-to-day through to complex real-world problems. Particularly what are the skills that children can learn, and can apply in figuring out their own solutions to the challenges they might be facing.
It will also cover, group collaboration, and what the role of the teacher and parent might be in helping them learn these skills.
Chapter 4: Inspiring Results
This chapter explores motivation, ranging from how to motivate kids through the use of incentives, through to how to instil self-motivation and drive.
Chapter 5: Smarter Learning
This chapter focuses on accelerated authentic learning (i.e. effective, fun and meaningful practice), ranging from flashcards, through to the use of artificial intelligence. We cover things like forgetting curves, engagement, mnemonics, personalisation, flipped classrooms, intrinsic motivation, and best practice for studying and homework (including the potential roles of the teacher and parent).
Chapter 6: Crafting Caring Connections
This chapter focusses on relationships, including empathy/tolerance, kindness, leadership, effective communication and conflict resolution. Again, what are the skills required in having successful working relationships, friendships and romantic relationships, and how to teach/model such emotional intelligence at school or at home.
Chapter 7: Purpose, Passion and the Power of Why
This chapter talks about meaning, and how to live a rich and valued life. It discusses how to help children identify their strengths and values, and tricks to press forward in doing what is 'right' even if it is stressful or difficult.
This is the overview chapter, defining what it means to "flourish" in life, living in the 21st century. I.e. what are the job skills that might be required (taking into account the growing impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce), as well as what competencies underlie living a full, rich, valued and happy life.
It also talks about the approach taken in the book - helping children cultivate positive habits/competencies through experimentation and practice, and the role of the teacher and parent in this process. It also makes the point of starting small - starting with identifying the one habit that will make the biggest impact.
Chapter 2: The Power of Positivity
This chapter discusses "the Happiness Advantage" - i.e. the fact that people in a positive mode outperform others on nearly every metric (i.e. happy people live longer, have more friends, are more creative and productive, make more money, generate more sales, are more likely to be promoted, are more resilient to stress etc.).
It aims to provide practical rules for cultivating a positive mindset, through a use of strategies including gratitude, mindfulness, learned optimism, physical exercise etc., etc.
It will also cover stress reduction techniques, when it is useful to listen to your negative emotions (as they provide useful information, and additional sources of energy), and strategies for navigating through some of life's trickier emotional journeys (e.g., death/loss/divorce/failure/rejection etc.).
Chapter 3: Helping them Figure it out for themselves
This chapter is about problem solving and creative thinking, applied to day-to-day through to complex real-world problems. Particularly what are the skills that children can learn, and can apply in figuring out their own solutions to the challenges they might be facing.
It will also cover, group collaboration, and what the role of the teacher and parent might be in helping them learn these skills.
Chapter 4: Inspiring Results
This chapter explores motivation, ranging from how to motivate kids through the use of incentives, through to how to instil self-motivation and drive.
Chapter 5: Smarter Learning
This chapter focuses on accelerated authentic learning (i.e. effective, fun and meaningful practice), ranging from flashcards, through to the use of artificial intelligence. We cover things like forgetting curves, engagement, mnemonics, personalisation, flipped classrooms, intrinsic motivation, and best practice for studying and homework (including the potential roles of the teacher and parent).
Chapter 6: Crafting Caring Connections
This chapter focusses on relationships, including empathy/tolerance, kindness, leadership, effective communication and conflict resolution. Again, what are the skills required in having successful working relationships, friendships and romantic relationships, and how to teach/model such emotional intelligence at school or at home.
Chapter 7: Purpose, Passion and the Power of Why
This chapter talks about meaning, and how to live a rich and valued life. It discusses how to help children identify their strengths and values, and tricks to press forward in doing what is 'right' even if it is stressful or difficult.