Welcome to Week 2 of our last term for 2022. We are continuing our planning for 2023 and enjoying bringing together some of the lovely growth and learning we have seen in our students this year. Our Year 5s had a fantastic time away at camp last week, our Year 3s and 4s  have their concert this week, and there is much excitement around school.

Raising healthy kids is undoubtedly a goal we have in common as families and educators. I was reading a World Health Organisation piece the other day that said, “Health is more than the absence of disease.” I immediately thought of the physical health of our kids, and that made sense. I then started thinking about their social, emotional, and mental health as well in the context of this statement. I began to consider what I would see as things we can provide for our children that would give the best opportunities for our children to enjoy good emotional health.

In further reading, I came across a scale developed for research around beneficial childhood experiences. It is called the Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) Scale. It is a relatively recent development, and initial research suggests it to be helpful and reliable. While there are ten items on the scale, I would just like to look at four today, and ask you to think about how you can best support our kids with them.

The questions go like this, “During your first 18 years of life, did you:

1. Have at least one caregiver with whom you felt safe?

. . .5. Have a teacher who cared about you?

. . . 6. Have good neighbours?

. . . 7. Have an adult (not a parent/caregiver or person from Question 1) who could provide you with support or advice?” (Narayan et al, 2018)

After reading this, it occurred to me that we can help kids positively answer 30 or 40% of the questions in the scale of Benevolent Childhood Experiences if we take the time to lean in and support the children in our families, school, and community. Taking the time to invest in, encourage, support, and love our kids should never be underestimated. Our role in creating experiences for our kids that are beneficial is vital. Creating the perception (and reality) for our children that they are safe, secure, and supported gives them the foundations and stepping stones to make the journey through childhood that gives them the best opportunities for joy and fulfilment in life. It also gives them the skills and experiences to pass these things on to their own children and families.

I would encourage us as parents and educators to spend some time considering the importance of this, and to continue making intentional decisions to lean into our children - to be there for them, to make time for them and, most of all, to love them with the grace, wisdom, and insight of the God of the universe.

Have a great week with our kids,

MB