Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Latest Episodes:

#923 From the Doctor's Desk: Engagement & Mindset Feb 07, 2024

Show notes

Special School Edition: boosting student motivation and engagement in the classroom through autonomy-supportive practices. Hacks for teachers, coaches and parents to help your students thrive!

In this episode:

Autonomy-supportive teaching practices
Student engagement
Tips for teachers and coaches
Daily autonomy supporting or thwarting and students’ motivation and engagement in the high school science classroom. (apa.org)
The impact of growth/fixed mindsets on academic achievement
Article: Macnamara and Burgoyne (2022) - Do Growth Mindset Interventions Impact Students’ Academic Achievement.pdf
Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right"
A Happy Families article - Going to High-Achieving Schools is Potentially Bad for Your Kids

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#922 The Health Habit with Dr Amantha Imber Feb 06, 2024

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Struggling to find the time or the motivation to build good health habits? Dr Amanda Imber shares science-backed guidance and inspiration to help get your health back on track.

In this episode:

The Health Habit by Dr Amantha Imber
Changing the conversation on health
Sleep and Monday morning jetlag
Achievable nutrition habits
The 4 main barriers standing in the way of change
Science-backed plan to change your health.

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#921 But Everyone Else Is Doing It! Feb 05, 2024

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How do you navigate the conversation around family rules and boundaries with your child when "everyone else is doing it"?

In this episode:

"Fairness antennae"
Mobile phones, social media, sleepovers, curfews, M-rated shows and more!
How to respond to "but everyone else is doing it"?
Avoiding judgement of others
Empathy and compassion
Explain, explore, empower
Resentment
Autonomy-supportive parenting

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#920 Minimising Daycare Dramas Feb 04, 2024

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If daycare drop-off is causing distress, there are three things you can do to help your little one feel secure and adjust well to the environment.

In this episode:

Jay Belsky research
Structures, transitions, and predictability
Communication
Slowing down
Parent/carer partnerships
Distressed child

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#919 A Slice of Advice on Chucking a Sickie Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

What is the best way forward when your child asks for a day off from school?

In this episode:

School refusal
Being at school matters
The challenge of chronic student absenteeism for teachers
Scheduling mental health days
Understanding the root cause
Explain, explore, empower

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#918 A Slice of Advice on Getting Your Kids to Read More Jan 31, 2024

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Help your child discover the joy and magic of books, letting shared experiences and connections with stories weave the narrative of your family's literary journey.

In this episode:

A love of reading starts with you: "Leaders are readers"
Role modeling
Resistant (or unwilling) readers
Read aloud to your children
Books, books, and more books!
Letting go of expectations
To bribe, or not to bribe

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#917 A Slice of Advice on Reducing Pressure Jan 30, 2024

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Reduce parental and societal pressure, as well as any self-imposed pressure your child may be experiencing, with these relationship-building, autonomy-supporting tips.

In this episode:

Parental pressure
Perfectionism and anxiety in children/adolescents
School attendance
Covid lockdowns and the price our children have had to pay
Reaching goals, achieving potential
Criticism reduces resilience - 9 Ways to a Resilient Child
The 3 basic psychological needs of our children
Autonomy supportive parenting
School friendships

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#916 A Slice of Advice on Morning Chaos Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Heading back to school can be difficult, but there are ways to make your mornings positive, productive, and peaceful.

In this episode:

Morning begins the night before
Create margin
More connection, less correction and direction
Creating anticipation and optimism about school
Coming soon - The Quest

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#915 A Slice of Advice on School Lunches Jan 28, 2024

Show notes

Try these 6 easy lunchbox ideas to get your child eating their school lunch rather than binning it or bringing it back home.

In this episode:

Back to school
Finding lunches suitable for hot summers
Extending tastebuds
Filling tummies
Lunchbox menu plan
Bento boxes
Reducing the cognitive load

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Email your questions and comments to podcasts@happyfamilies.com.au

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#914 This Week in Parenting: Saltburn, Barbie, and Chris Hemsworth Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

Pop culture and parenting: we've got you covered, making sure you don't miss the important, the funny, or the plain ridiculous stories making waves in the world of parenting.

This week in parenting: