This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
On Monday, May 13, at 7pm, I'll be moderating a panel at The New York Academy of Sciences.
If you are in the area, please attend! Here a description of the event:
Social and Emotional Learning: Preparing Our Children to Excel
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Monday, May 13, 2013 | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
The New York Academy of Sciences, 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 40th floor, New York, NY 10007-2157
School has traditionally been about teaching kids new knowledge and skills. Most people have long believed that each child's temperament and capacity for learning are more or less inborn, or at least, not the province of teachers. But the recent trend in education to foster social and emotional learning in classrooms is aimed at nurturing such fundamental traits as self-control, focus, perseverance and serenity in children. These essential capacities are now known to underlie both academic and life-long success.
The program, presented by the Academy and Scientific American Mind, features Amishi Jha, a psychologist at the University of Miami, who will explain how to foster emotional balance and strengthen executive skills such as attention through the practice of mindfulness—that is, being in the moment, aware of events as they are unfolding. Psychologist Clancy Blair of New York University will reveal, through startling new findings, the dangers of stress to a child's ability to learn—a problem that is particularly acute for children in poverty—and the importance of creating calm in the classroom for improving kids' brain function.
Scientific American Mind Editor Ingrid Wickelgren will introduce the topic and moderate the discussion. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the science and strategy behind curricula that craft young minds that are smart, socially astute, and able to coolly confront life's challenges.
*Reception to follow event.
Click here for more information.