self regulation, emotional well-being in young children.

Emotional well-being in children. What is emotional well-being? Laevers’ (1994) states that ‘Sound well-being results from satisfaction of basic needs – the need for tenderness and affection; security and clarity; social recognition; to feel competent; physical needs and for meaning in life. It includes; happiness and satisfaction, effective social functioning and the dispositions of optimism, openness, curiosity and resilience.’ How do I feel as a parent, carer, teacher? How you feel radiates out into the world. Children are very sensitive to your emotions. To reach higher consciousness and vibrations within the body is to feel love, joy and peace and be flowing in life. As humans we rely too much on external factors for happiness. If we do this, then ultimately sadness is the opposite and we live in ‘duality’ of the two. A conscious person uses ‘awareness and response’ and not ego and reaction. Teaching ourselves and our children to think before they speak and act is vitally important. In addition, we need to not blame others for our circumstances and choices we have made in our life and teach ourselves and our children ‘ownership’ of behaviour. Buddhist wisdom tells us that (same concepts can be seen in other religions) to ‘elicit action-based on awareness in everything we do’ (Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnam). Hence, with the potential of gaining greater awareness of our inner-self and a mindful attitude; we can evolve into more caring, thoughtful, open- hearted educators and parents. The World Happiness Report supports the concepts of happiness and well-being as an important pathway toward greater sustainable development. The 2015 report included writings by Dr. Richard Davidson and Brianna Schulyer who presented on the neuroscience of happiness. They described how well-being is a skill that can be cultivated and trained. They defined well-being in terms of four qualities or characteristics: 1) Sustained positive emotion 2) Resilience 3) Empathy, altruism and pro-social behaviour (also known as generosity) 4) Mindful attention https://www.mindful.org/author/carley-hauck/ Emotional well-being is a key component of Outcome 3 in the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia. Well-being starts with meeting our basic need of food and shelter. Followed by building a secure bond with one or more adults formed with tenderness and care, along with an on-going sense of security and social involvement and recognition. Further to that, building meaning in one’s life, which includes: contentment; optimism; curiosity and resilience (Laevers’ 1994, The Early Years Framework.) Apart from forming strong attachments to a significant other in their life, infants need a safe, supportive environment to thrive. One which offers exploration within safe boundaries. Responding to the infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers needs promptly means the child will learn accurate expressions to get their needs satisfied and this builds positive emotional well-being. (See the 'circle of security' for more information). Yoga and mindfulness techniques for example: role modeling breathing activities gove children a tool to regulate their feelings as they grow and supports resilience. Furthetmore, teachers and educators of young children should be open to all the feelings a child expresses, even negative ones; like anger, frustration, envy and greed, as these are all normal responses to situations and need to be expressed within safe boundaries. It is our job to help them express these feelings appropriately as they get grow. Calm down strategies are regularly practiced in yoga, one being; breathing fully and mindfully, counting in 1,2,3 breathing in through the nose and out 1,2,3,4 (from the mouth). Encourage childten to extend the exhale to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system which supports self- regulation. To begin with, teach these techniques to children whilst the child is calm in free play and yoga, they can then store that knowledge away to use again when needed. With these techniques and the instilling of a nuturing and giving heart, children will be better equiped to deal with life's challenges and obstacles that are ultimately unavoidable and stressful, but can reinforce resilience with the right mind-set.