“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds…” ~ Plato
I recently read this beautiful quote by Plato and it instantly took me back to my elementary school days, particularly 2nd grade. . The ONLY teacher I remember from those years is Miss Rita, my Hindi language teacher. Not only did she do a great job at teaching the language (I am still very fluent in reading and writing Hindi, some 30 plus years later!), but what I remember most about her was how amusing and creative she was during our lessons. For instance, if she was using the word "clever" in a sentence, she would say, "the clever bird sat in her new car with her family and went to the beach for a picnic!" Miss Rita’s simple yet FUN examples allowed us to learn through laughter! Because of her unique teaching approach, Miss Rita became very popular amongst the children who would jump for joy if they were lucky enough to have Miss Rita as their language teacher. Her delivery was all about humor and imagination, the two things that children connect with easily!
By creating a platform of humor and imagination, the message that you are trying to deliver to your children will be received openly, absorbed mindfully and retained beneficially! Children of any age learn better when the learning platform is soft and loving. Below are a couple of examples that might get your funny, imaginative parenting juices flowing:
Instead of the formal approach: “PICK UP YOUR TOYS”
Try the FUN approach: "You might want to pick up your toys and put them in the toy box so that they can be well rested for you to play with them tomorrow!"
Wouldn't you rather have this?
Do you REALLY want this reaction?
Formal: “FINISH YOUR VEGETABLES”
FUN: "Please finish your vegetables before they grow legs and escape to the neighbors house where they feel LOVED!"
Humor and Imagination are two powerful TOGs that help keep emotions light and balanced, yet accomplish the task at hand! Isn't that the goal? Remember, emotionally intelligent parents raise emotionally balanced children that are happier AND do better in school! Check out the research!
Just for fun, here's a video that Skyler made with nothing but a wild imagination and a PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH! In Joy!
We all know how powerful our WORDS can be and how they generally affect us but I cannot stress enough the importance of the "words" you use when guiding your children. While their little brains are still developing, its best to keep it simple. Here are two suggestions that will produce great results, GUARANTEED!
1. Be kind. The tone of voice that we use with our kids can make it or break it! Starting with a "sweetie", "honey" or "please" (specially if you're really upset) will help soften your voice by a few syllables.
2. Be clear and specific about what you are asking them to do. You can do this by choosing "to do" words instead of "NOT to do" words. I'll give you an example of each:
EXAMPLE: "I've asked you so many times not to leave your socks around the house". SWITCH! "Sweetie, from now on, please put your socks in the hamper by the shoe rack".
This simple way of speaking allows young children (especially the 2-8 year olds) to follow instructions in a one-step process. Here is how their brain comprehends and responds to the two examples:
"Oops, ya, I'm not supposed to do that! Where am I supposed to put them again? Ummm, oh ya, in the hamper." (Chances are that by this time they are already side tracked by something else and you might be repeating this same instruction the next day!)
SWITCH brain response:
"Okay mommy" followed by a possible "I love you" (they connect with the new tone of voice much deeper than you think!).
Children are SIMPLE minded! Keep parenting SIMPLE!
Remember!...it's not just kids that give you a better response when your words are kind and clear, its all of us adults too!
Watch This! Here is just one more example of how you can change the world if you change your words. Let us empower our children with the same life tool!
Often in parenting we tend to lose our cool over something small and say hurtful things to our children that we don't mean.
How many of us acknowledge that we're wrong and actually apologize to our children?
Here are the benefits in doing so:
1. Social Intelligence: When we model by example, we encourage our children to catch and learn from their own mistakes, strengthening their bonds with their siblings and friends whom they are apologizing to, while reinforcing their communication skills.
2. Emotional Intelligence: We teach them "empathy", one of the most important human qualities! By a simple apology, we teach them to understand and respect another's point of view, thoughts and feelings.
This prepares children to be open-minded and open-hearted ready and willing to absorb the lesson to be learnt.
We must also ask ourselves...
How many of us end up apologizing and attaching a "but" behind it? Meaning how many of us apologize like this..."I'm really sorry, but......... you need to listen to what I'm saying from now on" or ".... but, you know you should not have done what you did".
Well, here are the drawbacks of doing that:
1. While the 'sorry" takes a child to being empathetic and open-minded, the "but" behind it will immediately negate both of the benefits mentioned above (1 and 2: activating Social and Emotional Intelligence). The "but" is sure to create confusion and mixed emotions in a child's mind, taking them far from the open-minded platform that helps children learn from the mistakes they make!
2. In addition, the "but" starts the blame-game filling the child's emotional bucket with guilt, hurting their self-confidence and self-esteem. What started out a resolution to an issue ends up creating further confusion!
However, If there is a "but" that needs to follow to make a point, wait for a day or so. Let your "sorry" come from your heart and touch your child's heart. Allow time for the magic of the apology to serve its purpose so that by example, you lead your child to a place of open-heartedness, open-mindedness, reconciliation and learning from their mistakes.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Allowing time to soak in the "sorry" will take your child to a different level of respect, understanding and communication! Is that not the point?
Hope this TOG (Tool of Growth) serves you well in Raising Happy And Caring Kids!
~The way we communicate with our children has a profound effect on how they develop ~
Dr. Daniel Siegel
The word "communication" has never been used more than it is today. Every relationship in our lives is based on it! It is what we're supposed to do with our husbands, wives, parents, siblings, children, coworkers, neighbors, friends ... the list can go on and on. Needless to say, special attention should be given to nurture our communication skills with our children because unlike the rest of our relationships, with children, we are shaping their lives and influencing their development in a big way...... much larger than we can imagine!
By definition, the word communication is "to give or interchange feelings, information or the like, by writing, speaking etc." In order for the interchange to happen, the parent has to remain open-minded, open-hearted and be willing to :
1. Listen. This means allowing your child to finish their sentences before you speak your mind.
It definitely does not mean agreeing with your child in what they're saying but instead just hearing them out while they're talking.
2.Understand. This means absorbing the meaning of their words and paying attention to the feelings behind them. Many a times, children are not using the right words to express their feelings and yet they are trying to express their point of view. Understanding refers to getting to "the point that they are trying to make".
3. Respect. Even though they are children and do not have the life experiences that we do, they are still entitled to their feelings. By respecting their feelings, we acknowledge and honor their presence. This does not mean that we have to agree with them or give them what they're asking for. This simply means accepting and honoring their existence so that they can accept and honor our guidance. If you are too upset to listen or understand, respect alone, can set a strong foundation for positive communication with your children.
Listening,understandingand respectingis the integrated interchange of feelings that is at the heart of the definition of the word communication.
Research confirms that our response to our children's feelings creates long lasting memories nurturing their sense of security, and helps them improve their own communication skills which translate to success in many areas of their lives. Our communication skills help develop theirs and our relationship with them defines their relationship with the world around them.
Keep in mind, emotionally intelligent parents raise emotionally intelligent children! Emotional literacy is not taught in schools. I repeat, emotional intelligence is not a subject that they are going to learn in schools. We are their first and foremost teachers on the subject and as parents, I know that if we are aware, we will do the best job we can!
It is my passion and my Purpose to bring to you creative, simple TOGs to help you do that!
"We all need someone who inspires us to do better than we know how." ~~ Anonymous
When children are born, their only two fears are:
1. The fear of falling.
2. The fear of loud noises.
That's it! Other than that, they are purely and completely shaped by their environment i.e their parents, family and caregivers. Their minds are open and absorbing everything they are surrounded by. Our reactions, responses, voices, and tones are all making impressions upon their little brains as they grow. We are the "soil", if you will. They are the "seeds". The "roots" are the "impressions" that they form. These "roots" or "impressions" really are the foundation of their growth. They carry our children to their growth and through their growth. Their personalities form from these impressions. As a parent, I am awed by the fantastic role we play as parents in growing their roots and shaping them! Through their most formative years (0-7), by simply understanding our children and theiremotional boundaries,we can not only teach them how to do things but we also inspire them and hold their hands through what they have never experienced before.... walking, talking,riding a bike and so much more. We are their parents and their teachers!
We are that "someone" that inspires our children to do better than they know how! We can only do that if we first believe in ourselves!
In my monthly "Happy, Relaxed Parenting" class last week, I addressed the issue of us, the parents, passing on our own negative experiences thereby planting "limiting beliefs" in our children. These limiting beliefs take our children from a place of love and confidence to a place of fear and lack of confidence which will translate into poor decision making as they grow!
Here's a great example:
"My seven year old has been repeatedly asking for a bike. Although a lot of his friends are riding bikes, I still think it is unsafe and too early."
Underlying reason: This parent had an injury in a bicycle accident at age 6.
Effect: Needless to say, this child sees friends and neighbors riding bikes and feels "left out".
This feeling then perhaps translates into "feeling sorry" for oneself which lays the ground work for low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence and a plethera of fear-based emotions.
Recommendation: As parents, our first instinct is to always protect our children, particularly from our bad experiences. But if we use our emotions to think instead of thinking with our emotions, we will be better able to "respond" instead of "react" . So practice your emotionalintelligence skills by listening carefully (a full paragraph focusing on "listening" in our previous blog) to what your children are saying. Ask yourself if it is a reasonable request and if it is safe. If so, allow your children to have their own new and fresh experiences from which to learn and respect their desires and curiosity to learn. Bringing our own negative experiences into their lives will hinder their growth , well-being and social skills. Keeping this in mind will give our children a platform to be open minded and flexible as they thrive, exploring new skills, building their self confidence and self esteem.
Let me know your thoughts. If you have experiences that you would like to share please email me at roma@toolfgrowth.com or "post your comment" below.
With all the emphasis on building a child's academic learning skills at an early age, we, as parents, must remember the importance of building their social and emotional skills as well. Needless to say, today we have groundbreaking research to prove that EQ (Emotional Quotient) or EI (Emotional Intelligence) accelerates our IQ and yet ......... we see very little progress in the area of helping children uncover the depth of their emotional intelligence. So does this mean that we now have to "teach" our kids one more thing?! Absolutely not! All we have to do is be aware of and nurture EI in our homes and our daily lives. HOW? By staying present and attentive, by staying in the "NOW", which simply means paying attention to the situation at hand.
Here are four easy "NOW" suggestions that will win every time:
1. Help children IDENTIFY their emotions... for example.... "Are you angry or sad?". Giving them choices, even if you know what the emotion is, will help them identify their own feelings, increasing their emotional vocabulary and most importantly allowing them to learn to practice making choices (which is a life skill in itself!). 2. RESPECT their feelings. If they are "sad", just letting them know that you "understand" will open up the door for building communication skills at an early age. Be prepared for what comes next........ 3. Be prepared to LISTEN! You have set the stage for them to start expressing their feelings. The word "listen" is defined as "paying attention". The most important part of "listening" or "paying attention" is allowing our children to complete their sentences and their thoughts, without interrupting. 4. When they are done expressing their thoughts and feelings, be GENUINE in helping them problem-solve effectively. This means, use a kind and gentle tone of voice AND positive, encouraging words.
Parenting is a gift and we must honor it. By staying in the "NOW", we honor both ourselves and our children. As Charles Darwin says: "It is not the most intelligent of species that survives but the most responsive". It is up to us to teach our kids to respond instead of react and we can do so by practicing it ourselves first!
Here's how well re"now"ned author Amy Krause Rosenthal explains it! In Joy:
A friend of mine left town for a few days, leaving her calm, confident and well adjusted, 18-month old daughter in the care of family. On her return, we connected and, of course, I wanted to hear all about the trip and also asked how the little one did! Here is what she said:
She felt...
HAPPY:
"I'm happy that she developed some good habits." In her absence, her sister-in-law was able to get her daughter, Sophia, off the pacifier AND got her to fall asleep in her crib!
SAD:
"What was I doing wrong? I guess I'm a little sad with myself that I was not able to do this on my own."
Sound Familiar? Of course! Anyone and everyone who has held or currently holds the prestigious title of "parent" can empathize with this dark feeling of "inadequacy" when someone else is able to accomplish what we could not with OUR OWN children!
But here is the underlying truth, my Friend: you should be very proud of yourself for the great job that you HAVE done with your daughter! Not very many parents can leave town (let alone the country!) unless they are absolutely comfortable that their child will be okay and will do well!
Let's make a list of Mommy and Daddy's parenting skills that might help my Friend feel better:
1. You have to be a confident, calmand positive parent to be able to leave your child anywhere!
2. You obviously have phenomenal relationships with your family to have them volunteer to take on the responsibility. This speaks directly of your investment in the importance of family for both of you as individuals! BRAVO!
3. YOUR CHILD WAS HAPPY WHILE YOU WERE GONE! This is a huge, positive reflection of the happiness index that you have raised your child with.
4. Sophia even took it to the next level! What an EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT child! She was well-aware of and responded to the new things that her aunt was trying to teach her. This speaks directly to the learning environment that you have surrounded and raised her with. It goes without saying that she is a bright child who is nurtured and encouraged to constantly learn and is given the freedom to choose when SHE is ready!
So where's the grief?
Sophia has happy, confident, calm, positive parents who have taught her by example and embedded in her the importance of family. Hence, Sophia has, thus far, been raised to be a bright, nurtured, well-adjusted, intelligent, and soul-full child who makes positive choices when she is ready!
Another thing to remember!
There is an old saying that says... "It takes a community to raise a child" And this is absolutely true. In fact, it is extremely healthy for your child to learn from people and environment other than their home and parents! What great preparation for school, college and real life! Moreover, research indicates that learning from cousins and family members strengthens bonds and harnesses trust. It really does not matter who the source of a positive habit is. What does matter is that you have a child who is able to learn from a new environment!
Honor yourself, Mom and Dad, for you are on the right track! You are doing a great job and what a great "family community" you have! As you all may know, our TOG motto is: Emotionally Intelligent Parents Raise Happy and Caring Kids! And this is exactly what you're doing my Friend! You should be very proud of yourself!
Before we part for today, here's a great refresher message for all our TOG Parents:
"A LOVING CONNECTION WITH YOUR CHILD WILL PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR CHILD'S HIGHER THINKING SKILLS "
I've come across several articles that use the words "learning parenting skills" and wondered why that does not resonate completely with the gift of what parenting really is. While a "skill" is defined as "the ability to do something well", I feel what lies beneath is the "attitude" towards parenting that actually builds the "skill". Once we assume the title of "parent", we give birth to a whole new way of thinking! I looked up the Oxford dictionary definition of the word "attitude" and thats exactly what it is defined as "a way ofthinking"! By simply assuming the title, we naturally adopt the thinking, which nourishes the feeling which then leads to our actions (role as parents). By paying attention to our "attitude" towards parenting, we would uncover our natural ability of being a parent! If our attitude toward parenting is a positive one....one of love, empathy, compassion, then surely our behavior towards our children will be filled with love, empathy and compassion, despite the challenges. Emotionally intelligent parents will nurture happy and emotionally intelligent children! Most importantly, our attitude becomes their attitude. They're watching us and learning from us. We have the power to teach our children by example and what a honorable gift that is!
"I'm Watching you Dad. You're teaching me how to live....wether you know it or not."
One of the best ways to build a child's self-esteem is to allow them to complete their sentences. As parents, we must remind ourselves the importance of not just "hearing" what our children are saying but actually "listening" to them. It might seem like the difference between the words is subtle, but I promise you, it will add a whole new dimension to communication with your child and setting the foundation for building their self-esteem, self-confidence and self-identity. Listening really means "hearing while paying attention"! This practice of hearing while paying attention and allowing our children to complete their sentences encourages them to express their feelings more readily preparing them to be the best that they can be, with our love and support.
As WILL.I.AM would say on behalf of all our kids ...... "I WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST ME THAT I CAN BE......... AND I'LL KEEP GETTING STRONGER......."
In Joy!
I also wanted to share with all of you that we are working on a brand new look for our website in preparation for the launch of Happy Heart Happy Face. In the last couple of days I have had several people asking for more posts and I promise to post at least once a week and keep you updated with our progress at Tools of Growth. I would also love to hear your comments (link below) or email me with any questions or thoughts: roma@toolsofgrowth.com
IQ or EQ (Intelligence Quotient or Emotion Quotient) I keep wanting to use research to get parent's attention! Why? Because, finally we have "a science" to back up what mankind knew innately since the beginning of time. Data collected over the past ten years is showing up everywhere and at Tools of Growth, we are happy to share! So here is a clip from a great article posted by The Mother Company , compiled from an interview with Clinical Psychologist , Dr. Laura Markham! IN JOY!
"Kids with high EQ, on the other hand, do better in school, are more cooperative with parents, are healthier, are happier, and choose friends who are closer to their own parents and less likely to engage in risky behaviors. As they grow up, their emotional intelligence helps them build more rewarding relationships in every area of their lives, which also leads to professional success and better parenting." Read More
Here's a great TOG video from Kozy Bear and The Feefers, that can help any age child (and parent!) understand "emotions". "Emotions are ..... what you feel IN-side..... a feeling you just can't hide....", Sing along.......
Many of the books recommended on her site can also be found in our store, the TOG Box, under "Parent TOGs"
If you make it "fun" for your children, they will be encouraged to understand their feelings and express them. Of course, it is our job as parents to build their Emotional Vocabulary. At Tools of Growth, we can provide you with TOGs to help become familiar with Emotional Vocabulary AND bring to you "fun" tools to help apply the words they learn. Watch this together! Build their EQ or EI (Emotional Intelligence) and Raise Happy and Caring Kidsthat are equipped with a strong EQ to enhance their IQ!
Yet another TOG supporting our TOG Philosophy and Emotional Intelligence:
As we work towards the final phases of development and marketing of our first TOG, a children's book, "Happy Heart, Happy Face", I asked our Director of Brilliant Ideas, Nitasha, to repost a favorite blog that she thought was brilliant and needed more attention. So here it is! In Joy:
Having raised my own children, now 22 and 19, I look back asking myself, "If I could pick one thing in my early parenting days that has had a permanent positive impact on my kids, what would it be?"
THE ANSWER: Encouraging"QUIET TIME"... a time for yourself to just be.
My 19 year old son, Navin, came home for winter break last night, after a grueling week of finals! (We all remember what that's like). Needless to say, he looked exhausted. He slept for 12 hours last night, and went to the gym first thing this morning. We talked for a few minutes as he was making breakfast and I said to him, "You need to refuel, love, what can I do for you?" He answered, "You know, Mom, I just need food and some QUIET TIME!" As a Mom, I am always happy to facilitate quiet time. This was his time to refuel, refresh, and recreate. It was simply his time to heal. And this quiet time, in whatever shape or form it may be, is one of the most important TOGs that one can benefit from... at any age!
With all the challenges that kids face today, from constant cell phone stimulation and internet usage to various types of social media, how can we expect our kids to know how to make QUIET TIME, if it is not a habit we have encouraged from their early years?
Here are some TOGs to get you started!
1. I came across this very short and simple article, "Quiet Times,"and found it to be very informative! It even helped me make "Quiet Time" for myself today!
2. For our little TOG fans, here is a Sesame Street classic:
3. Check out these amazing books in our TOG Box .... It's all about QUIET TIME!
Do you ever find yourself as a parent saying "no" all the time? Can I have a cookie? No. Can I wear shorts even though it's 50 degrees out? No. Can we play Candyland again? No. Sometimes I'm even more upset by the endless stream of "no"s than my kids.
What would it be like to say "yes" for a change instead of answering all those little questions with the knee jerk "no" response? At least for the things that really aren't dangerous or world-ending. Yes, you can wear whatever you like, even if it doesn't match. Yes, you can have Mac and Cheese for breakfast even though it seems thoroughly unappetizing to me. Yes, you can pull out the fingerpaints even though I hate cleaning them up. Yes, I will spend an extra 10 minutes playing a board game that makes me feel brain dead. The message is, if it's important to your child and not going to hurt you or them in the process, why not? It might just strengthen your relationship in the long-term.
In an article "Just Say Yes" by Sandra Tsing Loh in Wondertime Magazine, the author talks about an experiment in which, for an entire week, she tried to put "yes" in place of the automatic "no's" that come up on a daily basis. It is a funny piece, but it has some poignant truths, too, about the fact that children will grow up and grow away and that what they probably want most of all is to spend time with us. Time that we all too often say "no" to.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal also has a wonderful children's book on this theme, Yes Day!, about a day once a year where the answer to everything a child asks for, including using hair gel and staying up late, is yes. You MIGHT even be inspired to put this holiday on your own family's yearly calendar!
The master of imagination, Robin Williams, shows Elmo all the possible uses of a stick in this classic Sesame Street video.
As we've written about before, imagination and creativity are great gifts that our children have, but which we can encourage with proper support. Often this means taking the simplest objects, like a stick or a box, and stretching ourselves to think of creative ways to play with them. Watch the video, then check out the two books by Antoinette Portis below!
"Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever."
— Walt Disney
It is now largely recognized that an important contributing source to children's happiness is their gift of IMAGINATION. Imaginative play helps strengthen executive functioning in kids' brains, which is important for self-regulation. It also helps kids learn to take the view of other people into account. If they can imagine being a superhero or a princess or a mommy or a tiger, they can start to imagine what it feels like to be their friend who just popped a balloon or learned to swing or wants to share a toy. This process of developing empathy helps kids get along better with others and in the world in general.
Imagination can take us to a place of fun and smiles. We can use that to our advantage in parenting.
If you are using a TOG to get a particular message across to your children, may we suggest that you start with reading them a book from our "Imagination" section. This will set the foundation of fun, light heartedness and open-mindedness, encouraging open communication and making your job a lot easier!
One of our favorites is Imagine A Day, by Sarah L. Thomson. The images by Rob Gonsalves are awe-inspiring for children and adults, such as the following, accompanied by the text:
Since we posted their newer song on Tuesday, we thought we'd share this Renee and Jeremy song, too! Again, you can visit their website to download the song or buy the whole album with the links below.
Renee and Jeremy, two musicians with a real knack for children's music, have a new album titled C'mon - an upbeat and easy to listen to children's album with some wonderful lessons.
One of our favorites is the title track - check out the video below! The lyrics remind us to open ourselves up to the world around us - good and bad - and that it's all right sometimes to "dream" "cry" and even "scream" when you have to...
In honor of today's special date (1/11/11), we are looking at the power of 1. Specifically, how can 1 person make a difference?
If you are a kid, then you need to know that being 1 person means that you are unique and special and that you can make the world a better place.
In Linda Kranz's book Only One You, fish parents send their child off with lots of thought-provoking and meaningful advice, such as: - Always be on the lookout for a new friend. - Set aside some quiet time to relax and reflect. Every day. - Blend in when you need to. Stand out when you have the chance. - Find your own way. You don't have to follow the crowd. - Appreciate art. It's all around you. - Make wishes.
In the author's own words: "More than ever before, our world needs more goodness...more kindness... more caring...more courage...more YOU in it. But, what can one do? Here's the answer: Throughout your life there's a voice that only you can hear. It's a call to make a difference that only you can make. If you never hear it, something magical will be lost. But if you hear it and heed it, your life will become a wonderful romance and adventure. The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away. The place you are in needs you today. Your spark can become a flame and change everything. Instead of asking, 'What can I get from life?' this book challenges and guides you to answer the question, 'What can I give?'"
While this book may at first glance look like a book for learning colors, it also explores these colors in ways that describe a range of emotions.
"On Bright Red Days
how good it feels
to be a horse and kick my heels!"
"Some days, of course,
feel sort of Brown.
Then I feel slow
and low, low down."
While not every day uses emotion labels, the discussion while reading naturally lends itself in this direction. Ask questions while you are reading - How does gray feel? What about orange? Have you ever felt like it was a yellow day?
This book comes in a hardcover, which is perfect for laptime sharing and discussion. But in our house, we have gotten a lot of use out of the board book version, too, as it lets the child go through and explore the images and emotions portrayed at their own pace.
There is a also DVD/VHS production, which includes original music and is narrated by Holly Hunter. While the DVD version can be tricky to find, the VHS copy is available at Amazon (link below).
One of the most important things that we can help our children do is understand and accept their emotions. This is the basis of social emotional intelligence, which more and more research is pointing to being at the very heart of raising happy and caring kids.
Wouldn't it be great if there were fun and cute toys that could help you teach these lessons?
Well, there are: Kimochis!
There are a variety of Kimochi dolls, each of which has their own personalities and come with their own feelings - small plush pillows that fit in the larger Kimochi's front pouch. There are also additional feeling packs available. We like the Cloud Kimochi, because it comes with the basic happy, sad, and mad pillows, but all the characters are adorable.
The Kimochi website also has a lot of information on how to use the toys and how to connect with children about emotions.
The toys themselves are cute, but the video below, showing them really working in a classroom setting is pretty amazing.
