The Gunniwolf

A children's book about fear and courage. In an era when children frequently feel disconnected from friends and family, where rapid social change is the norm, when media and sports stars demonstrate poor behavior, educators recognize the human need for developing social and emotional skills. At the same time, school budgets are being cut while pressure is being intensified to improve test scores - leaving many educators with a perceived dichotomy. They believe the choice is either nurture children or help them achieve. Fortunately, the compelling evidence shows that it is not an either/or choice; rather, the data says addressing children's social and emotional needs is an effective way to improve academic achievement. Research has illustrated how EQ can substantially decrease anti-social behavior and aggression, school suspensions, and discipline problems while increasing personal and social competency, school attendance and completion, satisfaction, and academic achievement. (Cherniss, Extein, Goleman, Weissberg, 2006). This overwhelming body of new findings has led to a powerful conclusion that direct intervention in the psychological determinants of learning promise the most effective avenues of reform. Social and emotional development is central to children's success in school. By incorporating EQ into existing educational programs, we can promote our children's achievement in the present and secure their success for the future. Through our children's success, our country will excel in the global economy.