"When we educate based on fear, we are not making the best choices"
Cristina Valente was recently at CIV to talk about the "Neuroscience of emotions in the success of our children". The psychologist spoke to an audience of parents and staff about "the universal laws of human behaviour" and the need to "adapt education to the model that we live in, a democratic model."
"As long as we are obsessed with our children's obedience, things will not go well," she said, adding, "When we educate based on fear, we are not making the best choices."
The psychologist, who helps many families living with problems related to growing up or who care about these matters, says that "the easiest way to learn is by example and emotion" and that "parents should lead by example."
In a session that focused heavily on time, a major cause of the problems which appear in her professional day to day life, Cristina Valente recalled that "education demands time" and that "in a family, love is action, caring, love is time."
The psychologist also revealed that a range of behaviours often attributed to insubordination, bad education or revolt are natural biological responses and that it is increasingly necessary to establish means to learn to communicate with the children, based on respect and trust.