Empathy and listening are essential skills for effective communication and maintaining relationships and it is therefore extremely important for us to teach our children these lifelong skills. As adults, parents or teachers, we can’t complain about them not listening to us if we don’t model the process and give them the tools!!

Help your child develop the listening learning muscle by modelling and reinforcing the following prompts;

• Pay other people attention and focus on the person and what is being said
• Don’t get distracted by other things around you
• Show you are listening by eye contact and body language
• Keep quiet while the other person is talking
• Show you’re listening by saying uh-huh or nodding your head
• Wait to ask a question or give comments that show others that you care about what they’re saying

By using the following language you can encourage empathy and listening;

• "Thank you for listening so carefully."
• "I felt you were listening because you kept your eyes on me."
• "I found it easier to work out what I wanted to say because you waited for me to finish."
• "Can I just check out that I've got it right? What I think you’ve said is..."
• "Can you put yourself in...'s shoes?"
• "Why is listening so important?”
• "How can you tell that someone is listening to you?"

For a bit of fun... make some Empathy Specs!! Make cardboard specs and cover the lens space with a coloured film. When you or your child put them on you or they have to see the world, a problem or an event from a different point of view!

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Just as our body needs a healthy diet to function at its best, so does our brain. What we eat can affect our concentration, memory and ability to solve problems. In particular, it's important to eat breakfast. After 10-12 hours without food, our brain needs fuel to kick start it into action. It's also essential to drink enough. About 85% of the brain is water, so even mild dehydration can cause lethargy and poor concentration, making even simple tasks seem harder.
Here are some particular important brain nutrients...

CARBOHYDRATES
If you want to boost brain power, you need carbs as glucose is the brain's preferred source of fuel. The brain can't store glucose so it needs a constant supply, particularly during intense mental activity when more is used up. Smart foods Unprocessed carbs provide a steady supply of energy to the brain so choose wholegrain cereals and breads, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, couscous, fruit and veg

OMEGA-3 FATS
Docosahexanoic acid- an omeg-3 fatty acid- is essential for our brain and eye development. Smart foods Oil rich fish such as sardines, mackerel, salmon, fresh tuna and trout are good sources of omega-3 fats.

IRON
Numerous studies suggest that even a mild iron deficiency can affect children's learning ability, while boosting intakes improves concentration, mental sharpness and cognitive development.
Smart foods Red meat, oil-rich fish, eggs, green leafy veg, dried fruit, pulses, nuts, seeds and fortified cereals. The iron in meat is more easily absorbed and used by the body than the iron in plant foods.

IODINE
This trace element is needed to make thyroxine, a hormone that regulates metabolism and promotes growth and development in children, including the brain. Smart foods Dairy products, eggs and seafood are good sources. Fruit, vegetables and cereals may contain variable amounts depending on the iodine levels in the soil.

B VITAMINS
The B vitamins are important for a healthy brain. Indeed, a deficiency in this vitamin can hinder memory. Vitamin B6 is needed to make serotonin, a feel good chemical in the brain, And folate is important for development of the nervous system and brain function. Smart foods Eating a variety of foods from the 4 main food groups will help to provide sufficient B vitamins. Find thiamine in wholegrain cereals, fortified breakfast cereals, oats, brown rice, dairy products, pulses, nuts, seeds and red meat. Vitamin B6 is in fish, pork, eggs, brown rice, soya beans, oats, wholegrains, peanuts, walnuts, avocado and bananas. Good sources of folate include green leafy veg, peas, oranges, fortified breakfast cereals, nuts and pulses.

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Back pain is not a condition exclusive to adults.
Statistics reveal that a growing number of youngsters are suffering muscle strain, pinched nerves and even temporary paralysis caused by problem that once afflicted only their parents and grandparents.

Physiotherapists and chiropractors are reporting record numbers of children needing back treatment. Back pain in young people has risen from one in five, three years ago to one in three in 2007.
What has caused this marked upturn in numbers, experts say, is likely to be a combination of many lifestyle factors including lugging heavy backpacks. Some bags once packed with textbooks, PE kit, calculator, pens, packed lunch, mobile phone and bottled water can weigh close to 40lb (18kg). This is the equivalent of a grown man strapping a microwave oven full of food to his back all day!!

Back-friendly backpacks are therefore very important.
The Chartered Society of Physiotheraphy makes the following recommendations;
1. Look for two wide, padded straps and a waist belt, which will help to redistribute the weight from the shoulders and back to the pelvis. A padded pack will also help to reduce pressure on the back, shoulder and under-arm regions.
2. Keep the load between 10 and 15 per cent of your child's weight.
3. Pack the heaviest items first and closest to the spine.
Avoid;
1. Bags with one strap, across the back as this spreads the load unevenly straining the spine. 2. Carrying a rucksack over one shoulder as this leads to hunching and neck pain.


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How to study?
Research suggests that study is best divided into chunks of 30 to 40 minutes with a 5 or 10 minute break in between. Include some exercise. Mix dull subjects with more interesting ones! If it’s hard to get started, begin with something easy!

Managing exam stress
Some children are very laid back and others are traumatised by exams. How parents deal with managing exam stress is very important. If your child shows signs of stress, suggest that they try:
Exercise…
As little as 10 or 20 minutes a day can make a big difference. It is thought to improve mood, reduce muscle tension, improve sleep and decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Sleep…
Time should be allowed between work and bed, at least an hour. Warm baths with a few drops of lavender oil in the water can help. Check labels always. Monitor the consumption of drinks with caffeine in them.
Food…
Regular, healthy meals and snacks can improve mental performance. Eat every 2-3 hours. In between meals, have a variety of snacks, such as fresh fruit, small packets of dried fruit or a cereal bar.
Fluids…
Drink lots of water, milk, smoothies and juices.


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