Hey, Raising Humans Crew!

Welcome to the very first edition of Raising Humans! We’re so excited you’re here. Each week, we’ll share real advice, helpful insights, and expert-backed tips to support you as you guide your child to grow into a confident, curious, and resilient human.

This newsletter comes to you from the team at Thinkster, where we work with families every day to help students thrive—not just in math, but in life.

Parenting is no small task—and you’re not in it alone. Let’s kick things off with something close to many hearts: how emotional well-being shapes success and how small things (like our furry friends!) can make a big difference.

Also in this edition:

• The Real Secret to Your Child’s Success and Motivation: Emotional health is the key to motivation and resilience—discover how to nurture it for lasting success.

• Emotional Awareness Makes It Easier to Focus and Learn: The importance of emotional awareness and three actionable tips to help your child gain control of their feelings.

• The Power of Pets: Pets teach empathy and responsibility while offering emotional support that helps kids thrive.

• Tech Tools for Growth: From stress management apps to personalized learning platforms, explore digital resources that support your child’s well-being and success.

The Real Secret to Your Child’s Success and Motivation

Sure, math facts and reading skills matter—but what is the real foundation of success?

Emotional health.

Behind every confident, high-achieving student is a child who feels safe, connected, and understood.

📚 The research is clear: Kids with strong emotional well-being are more focused, motivated, and resilient.

Children need to know how to identify their feelings, handle stress, and bounce back from challenges. Then they’re better equipped to tackle tough homework, navigate social situations, and stay motivated—even when things get tough.

Think of emotional well-being as the “operating system” behind every other skill your child is building.

Without it? School struggles, self-doubt, and anxiety can sneak in.

But with it? Kids are unstoppable.

This isn’t just about raising good students.

It’s about raising resilient, compassionate humans prepared for life’s ups and downs.

Emotional Awareness Makes It Easier to Focus and Learn

When kids understand what they’re feeling and why, it helps them manage distractions that can take over their minds.

Instead of being stuck in a swirl of frustration, anxiety, or boredom, they can recognize those feelings and take steps to reset.

For example, a child who feels nervous before a math test might say, “I’m feeling anxious because I’m worried I’ll get the answers wrong.” With that awareness, they can use coping strategies—like deep breathing or positive self-talk—to calm down and refocus.

Think of emotional awareness as a mental ‘pause button’—helping kids step back, process their feelings, and take control instead of reacting impulsively. It helps kids slow down, manage stress in the moment, and re-engage with learning instead of being overwhelmed by emotions.

And when they control their feelings, they unlock more brainpower for problem-solving, creativity, and staying motivated—even when the work gets tough.

Here are three actionable tips to help kids gain control over their feelings:

1. Take Deep Breaths 🌬️

Encourage your child to take deep, slow breaths when they feel overwhelmed. This simple technique helps calm the body’s stress response and gives them a moment to pause and reflect before reacting. You can turn it into a fun activity by counting breaths together—breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 4.

2. Use a “Feelings Check-In” 🧠

Help your child identify their emotions by regularly asking, “How do you feel right now?” It could be as simple as pointing to an emotion chart or having them describe it in words: “I feel frustrated” or “I feel excited!” Recognizing and naming their emotions is the first step to managing them.

3. Practice Positive Self-Talk 💬

Teach your child to replace negative thoughts like “I can’t do this” with positive affirmations like “I can try my best” or “It’s okay to make mistakes.” This boosts their confidence and helps them see challenges as learning opportunities rather than roadblocks.

The Power Pets Have in Raising Emotionally Healthy Humans

Did you know your family pet could be quietly helping your child develop lifelong social and emotional skills?

Key takeaways from recent research:

• Pets build empathy: Kids with strong bonds to pets often show greater compassion and care toward others.

• Secure attachments matter: When children feel connected to their pets, they learn how to nurture and respond to their needs.

• Parental influence is key: How you model care for your pets teaches your child how to treat others.

• Boosting social skills: Pets help kids practice communication, patience, and even conflict resolution.

Curious how your pet is shaping your child’s emotional growth? Read more below!

The Toolbox: Tech, Apps, and Resources to Help Kids Thrive

Technology can be a powerful ally in helping kids develop emotional awareness, practice mindfulness, and manage stress.

Here are a few resources to explore:

Headspace - A popular mindfulness and meditation app with exercises for calming down, staying focused, and managing feelings.

Mindful Powers - A kid-friendly app using interactive stories to teach mindfulness and self-regulation.

GoNoodle - Perfect for younger kids! GoNoodle offers short, engaging videos with movement, mindfulness, and breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety and refocus energy.

Smiling Mind - A completely free mindfulness program for kids, teens, and adults with guided meditations tailored to different age groups.

Until Next Week…

Helping your child thrive starts with helping them feel grounded, supported, and understood.

And sometimes, the family pet is part of the team, too.

Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans.

We’re so glad you’re here.

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a note at [email protected] – your voice shapes our newsletter!

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