Granted, sometimes it can look like children only care about what’s ‘FAIR’ for themselves, and not about what’s fair for others, but what’s really going on when we see those kinds of automatic reactions and behaviors from our young students? And what are the positive, long-term implications of enabling students to expand their personal definitions of FAIR?

Deborah gives us a fresh and important perspective on young children's challenging behaviors. Let us know what you gained from this interview, and if you think it would be a good idea to bring Deborah back - often. Include questions, if you'd like to.

Deborah gives us a fresh and important perspective on young children's challenging behaviors. Let us know what you gained from this interview, and if you think it would be a good idea to bring Deborah back - often. Include questions, if you'd like to.

Busting this myth requires us to recognize that there are many different ways to teach, because within every class there are many different ways that our students learn.

Busting this myth requires us to recognize that there are many different ways to teach, because within every class there are many different ways that our students learn.

With a reasonable mindset adjustment, the fact that kids pay so much attention to each other can turn into a powerful teaching aid that works to everyone’s benefit - for both you and your students.

With a reasonable mindset adjustment, the fact that kids pay so much attention to each other can turn into a powerful teaching aid that works to everyone’s benefit - for both you and your students.

MYTH #1: Empathy needs to be taught to children. (There are at least 2 reasons why it is just plain WRONG to think that children need to be taught to empathize. )

MYTH #1: Empathy needs to be taught to children. (There are at least 2 reasons why it is just plain WRONG to think that children need to be taught to empathize. )

Are your students engaging with and growing their social emotional skills with your current approach, whether or not it’s a structured approach? Are your students able to adapt social emotional lessons when they need to apply them in the context of new challenges? Ready for more Not-Your-Normal Social Emotional Learning ideas?