Back to School

As summer is ending teachers and families are getting ready for school.  At my house we are going through our usual “back to school” shopping; clothes, shoes and supplies. 

I like that schools help children develop their executive functioning skills like planning, prioritizing and organizing.  Most schools use folders and a binder to train children to organize their materials. 

At this time of year it is also good for families to think about what they are doing to teach organization at home as part of the “back to school” ritual.  What are your routines?  Whether your children are just starting school or moving on to the next level this is a great time to plan efficient ways to organize materials and morning and homework routines. 

Involve your children in the planning.  If needed have a schedule with pictures to help children move through their routine. An official routine may help them feel like mom is not just nagging, it is in the schedule.

Morning

·      

      Breakfast – What foods should we have in the house?  What time do we need to start? 

·        

      Getting Dressed – Choosing clothes the night before.

·        

      School lunch – Who will make the lunch?  What foods would be good?  Will we make it the night before or in the morning?  Does the school have a lunch service?  Can you bring a water bottle or snack?

·        

            Back pack – Is everything in the backpack?  Where do you keep it?  Is it in the child’s bedroom, a     mudroom or near the door?

After school

·      

      Backpack – Unpack important things as soon as possible; notes to parents, permission slips, or half eaten lunch items.

·      

      Homework – What is the best homework routine?  Some children like to do work right away, while others have activities first or just need time to unwind and eat a snack.   Plan what works for your child and also think about where the most comfortable and least distracting place to work would be.  Sometimes it might be in the back seat of the car, but on the less busy days is the kitchen table or island good or does a lap desk in a quiet corner work better?

As a teacher and then a parent I have always enjoyed this time of year.  Helping children learn to use routines prepares them for all of the opportunities of the new school year.

Change Your Posture, Change Your Mind

I saw this TED talk and thought it would be good to share.   “Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.”  

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are

The idea that your body language influences your state of mind gives us all a tool to be more effective.  Dr. Cuddy tested testosterone and cortisol levels, had participants take a power pose or a more submissive or closed pose for 2 minutes and then checked their hormone levels again.   It worked.   People who had used a power pose had higher levels of testosterone and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.  This is an interesting idea that can be used by adults and children. 

Think of all of the times in your own day when you could use some help dealing with stress.  Being more calm and confident might lead to better decisions.   Teachers often take a few minutes to have children use movement to recharge during a school day.  A class of children standing like their favorite super hero could help lead to a super day.

Neighborhood Parents Network

The Neighborhood Parents Network http://www.npnparents.org hosted an event for local business people, who are members, on Wednesday, July 9 at Classic Kids http://www.classickidsphotography.com on Armitage.  We learned that NPN will be celebrating its 35th anniversary next year.  Stacey enjoyed conversations with Amy, head of volunteers at NPN as well as with a family lawyer, a director of a soccer program, and an owner of a spa.

NPN is a great resource for families. From the expectant mother to parents of 4 there are groups to join that make the parenting journey easier.   NPN also keeps you in the know about all of the fun things happening in our city.    

In the past few years, Let’s Choose has participated in NPN school fairs and the developmental differences fair.  Thanks to this event, we learned that other events, which are less educationally focused, might still be a good fit for us.  We will keep you posted when these events happen.

Hope you are enjoying summer!

Centsible Kids and Choice-A-Quence showcased at ASTRA toy show!

We are excited that Best of Best Toys will include our games in their booth at the ASTRA toy show in Phoenix, Arizona June 8^th – 11^th.   ASTRA’s focus is on toy stores looking for, “specialty toys, which generally are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do.”  

We are proud to make learning games that fit within the ASTRA focus.   Best of Best Toys is also a company with which we are proud to be associated.  They work with retailers, small brick and mortar toy stores, across the country. 

Two of our games, Centsible Kids and Choice-A-Quence will be showcased in the Best of Best booth. 

If you are one of the lucky people to be playing in Phoenix this weekend, stop by booth 1223!

www.lets-choose.com

Brainology

People with growth mindsets believe that our intelligence increases as we learn, Carol Dweck said last month when she spoke at the San Francisco-based research organization WestEd’s annual forum. Challenges are welcomed as opportunities to work hard and figure things out. There is a lack of self-consciousness about making mistakes.

In contrast, a “fixed mindset” is the belief that we are born with a certain amount of intelligence and talent and “that’s it,” Dweck said. A fixed mindset is a mental trap, Dweck said, that can cause talented people to avoid challenges for fear of losing their identity as “smart.”

The fixed mindset approach is to “look smart at all costs,” she said. “Even more – never look dumb.” This is the mindset that saps students’ motivation, she said.

  

We read Dweck's book, Mindset, as well as used her online program, Brainology, with students. These have helped us praise effort over outcome.  As a result, children start to see mistakes in a different way, evidenced by their willingness to take on harder academic tasks.

It is exciting to read in the article that seven districts in California are adding to their accountability systems, among other factors, a growth mindset, and collecting data over the next two years.

In one particular classroom where the growth mindset is already being used, the following was reported:

“L., who never puts in any extra effort and doesn’t turn in homework on time, actually stayed up late working for hours to finish an assignment early so I could review it and give him a chance to revise it,” wrote a math teacher who participated in the study. “He earned a B on the assignment (he had been getting C’s and lower.)”

 

As a company, we work to include social emotional skills and growth mindset attitude to all we do, and are very excited to share this information with you.

www.lets-choose.com

From Edsource.org:

http://edsource.org/2014/measuring-a-growth-mindset-in-a-new-school-accountability-system/61633#.U3ovO17rUoZ

@Brainology 

@mindsetworks

Communicating with your children

Stacey attended a lecture by Michael Brandwein at the end of last week.  He was a dynamic speaker who spoke about parenting.  Here are a few of his recommendations:

1.     Turn around and respond to your child the first time they try to get your attention.  

You can respond with your full attention, or by asking the child to please wait until you are ready.

2.  Practice putting feelings into words.

When a child says something like, “I hate math/reading/sports,” you might be tempted to say, “Oh that’s not true” or something of that sort.  Instead, he suggests you try, “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated about math/reading/sports. Tell me more.”

3. Imagine W.A.I.T is on your child’s forehead to remind yourself “Why Am I Talking?” 

He suggests thinking about being paid per word so that you are a better listener, and don’t confuse a child or the situation with too many words.

4. “Tell me more.”

This was perhaps his biggest take away. Whether your child tells you some fabulous news or something sad or difficult, he suggests that when you respond the first time, say “Tell me more.”  You can add, “I want to hear about ….” 

Using these techniques will help children know that you are being authentic with them and help to open the lines of communication between parent and child. Strong communication skills are lifelong assets. 

www.lets-choose.com