Relationship matters – about attachment theory & Gordon Neufeld

Yesterday I had the priviledge of listening to Gordon Neufeld, a reknowned Canadian child psychologist. Gordon Neufeld is author of the book.  Hold On To Your Kids – Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers. I must say it was one of the best lectures and course days I’ve participated in in the last ten years. Full of passion, important theory, excellent models and practical ideas Neufeld explains his perspective on parent-child relationships and teacher-student relationships.

Relation matters is the theme. “One cannot teach to the mind without first reaching the heart.” Today’s children are very separated from adults, parents and relatives. More and more they grow up with peers and that leads to insecurity, uncertainty and victimization. More and more teachers say that more and more children are becoming unteachable. We have more funding, better buildings, more technology, more testing and clearer curriculums, but still schooling is not working like it used to.

I will not delve into Gordon’s  many explanaitions here. Please do check out his website where you can also order his book and many DVDs and check out his distance courses. www.gordonneufeld.com. Leave it say that the teacher is wise to take the time and effort to establish a positive relationship, to “collect”, “bridge” and “be a matchmaker” to other adults. It is advice well taken in a time when children and teenagers needs adults more and more but get less of them.