Connection is vital for our children's health and welbeing

The deep connection that children feel with their parents or caregivers lays the foundation for their healthy development and builds cooperation, self-esteem, emotional intelligence and resilience, as well as giving us joy. 

Connection is about tuning in to and meeting our children’s need to feel safe, secure and seen. When our kids feel that deep consistent, unwavering connection, the feelings of belonging and acceptance build the self-worth and confidence they need to learn and grow, as well as rise to challenges and recover from setbacks.

When our kids feel deeply connected, everything – whether it's developing trust, setting boundaries, teaching good habits, passing on our family values or just enjoying each other – feels and works better. Connection helps us all learn to be vulnerable, to show emotion, to make mistakes and then say sorry and make amends. Connection provides the glue that binds us through the inevitable ups and downs of family life.

Read my full article for Talk Education and learn five things that we can do to make connection a central part of our family lives.