Whole Child

With humor and presence, summertime can be a great opportunity to decrease the distance in our relationships. Summertime is a busy time, but a together time. Summer is a time for friends, time for family, and time to just “be.” Summer is a time when we can be present with each other, because our presence to each other IS a present.

One of the most simple ways to be present with each other is to listen. According to Porges (2015), when we are calmly present with others, we can co-regulate feelings, help others feel safe, increase feelings of trust and balance their nervous systems. Listening without technology, participating in conversation with our loved ones, or in activities together, helps to deepen our trust as well as regulate our brain chemistry. Although it maybe not seem obvious, this can be an opportunity to practice the Whole Child tenet, Safe. ASCD explains the Safe tenet emphasizes that children “feel valued,