Wellbeing Dimension: Cognitive Wellbeing
Cognitive Wellbeing highlights the importance of learning, memory, and adaptability in supporting mental growth. This dimension, part of the Mental Wellbeing Domain, provides tools to sharpen critical thinking, improve focus, and embrace continuous learning, helping individuals to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
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Why “Silly Words” Are Serious Business
Can nonsense words like “snizzlepop” actually build serious reading skills and brain power? You might think silly words are just for laughs—but research shows they’re essential tools for literacy, creativity, emotional connection, and brain development. From the mischievous “snickersnack” of the ‘Jabberwocky’ to phonics drills using words like “zeb”, “doth”, and “mig”, silly or nonsense…
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Bilingualism and Empathy in Childhood: How Language Builds Social Understanding
Could speaking more than one language lead to more empathetic, socially aware individuals? Empathy—the ability to understand and share another person’s thoughts and emotions—is a cornerstone of social and emotional development. Meanwhile, bilingualism is increasingly common in today’s globalised world, with more than half the world’s population estimated to be bilingual or multilingual. While much…
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The Neuroscience of Words: How Language Shapes the Brain
Have you ever wondered how simply hearing a word can trigger a memory, a feeling, or even a physical response? Language is often described as humanity’s most powerful tool, yet neuroscience reveals that it is much more than a means of communication—it is a formative force that sculpts our brains across development, cultures, and even…
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Babies’ speech relies on pitch and rhythm
Have you ever wondered how babies begin learning language before they even utter a word? Across all cultures, humans create both language and music — two universal systems built on rhythm and pitch. These shared features are essential building blocks for how babies begin to acquire language. This natural connection between language and music should…
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The Top 8 Things You Can Learn From Your Children That Will Transform Your Parenting
We often think of parenting as a one-way street—parents teach, and children learn. What if the reverse is also true? Children, in their raw honesty and unfiltered curiosity, can be our greatest teachers. When we slow down and truly observe them, we can uncover important lessons that enrich our own lives. Parents often take on…
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A Parent’s Guide to Selecting Books Your Children Will Love
Have you ever stood in a bookstore or library, staring at rows of colourful children’s books, wondering which one will actually engage your child? You’re not alone. With thousands of titles available, selecting the right book can feel overwhelming—but with a little guidance, choosing stories that captivate and support your child’s growth becomes joyful and…
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The Only Child and Loneliness: What Parents Can Do
Do only children really feel lonelier – or is that just a myth we keep passing down? Only children are often thought to be lonelier than those with siblings. While this stereotype persists globally, especially in cultures like China, recent evidence challenges this belief and offers guidance for parents on fostering emotional wellbeing in only…
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How Children Learn to Connect: The 6 Stages of Play
When is a game of blocks more than just fun? When Play Becomes the Most Powerful Teacher Play is a crucial part of child development and is best when it becomes a massive part of a child’s life. It contributes to cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, sensory integration, language skills and interpersonal relationships, as…
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Building Better Brains: How Play Strengthens Executive Function in Children
Have you ever wondered why some kids seem more focused, organised, or able to stay calm under pressure? Executive functioning has become a popularised brain word. What exactly is executive functioning? It is the brain’s way of processing information while regulating the self. It involves our working memory, planning, self-monitoring, time management, self-control and organisation.…
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The Power of Play: How Different Types of Play Shape a Child’s Brain Development
Have you ever watched a child turn a stick into a sword or a pile of blocks into a castle? The Transformative Role of Play in Child Development When a child is moving around, playing, learning about themself and about the environment around them – they are building their brain’s infrastructure. It’s important to stimulate…
