Week 2
This week we reviewed the parts of the brain: amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Then the kids closed their eyes for 30 seconds and we listened to the sounds around us. After they opened their eyes we made a list of items that we heard. We talked about how we had to quiet our brains down to pay attention to the sounds around us. We processed the sounds by using our prefrontal cortex and then remembered what we experienced and used our hippocampus. We were being ‘mindful’. Then we discussed what ‘mindful’ is: 1. Being in the here and now. 2. Nonjudgmental. We then had each child choose a paper with an example of someone being mindful or unmindful. All the kids seemed to understand the concept. An example of being unmindful would be something like, “Not trying a new food because it looks funny.” An example of ‘mindful’ would be “Listening to directions given by your teacher even if you think you know how to do the problem on the page.” After that, I read the book, “Simon's Hook; A Story About Teases and Put-downs” http://www.amazon.com/Simons-Story-About-Teases-Put-downs/dp/0966853016/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/189-5975299-6035352. This is an incredible book about ways to deal with teasing. The kids love this book! I highly recommend it. It is full of strategies to deal with teasing that the kids grasp really fast. We talked about what people were doing in the book and if it was ‘mindful’ or not ‘mindful’. Next week we will play a game so kids can practice the strategies on how to handle teasing… thus learning to be more mindful. We will also discuss listening with mindfulness.
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I am teaching new classes for kids using "Mind Up". Mind Up is an evidenced based, social and emotional program of The Hawn Foundation built upon neuroscience, positive psychology, and mindful awareness training. The “Mind Up” curriculum uses research-based lessons with the latest information about the brain to improve behavior and learning. It is shown to enhance perspective taking, empathy and kindness as well as fostering complex problem solving skills.
As I teach my classes I will post lessons/thoughts as I go along. Thus those who are interested can learn as the kids in my classes learn.People can buy the "Mind Up" manuals on Amazon. There are three different manuals written for different age groups. They are the same lessons—just adapted for age groups. All manuals are under $20.00. Our first lesson covered how the brain works. Of course in my class I brought in a cauliflower head to demonstrate the brain. Also a poster of the brain. Here is the information: AMYGDALA: Feeling frightened? Upset? The Amygdala is on alert! It regulates and blocks information from going to your prefrontal cortex (PFC), so you can react in a flash. When you feel safe and happy, the Amygdala will pass information on to the PFC so you can think. PREFRONTAL CORTEX: The prefrontal Cortex uses important information to focus, decide, compute and analyze, and reason. Here’s the catch: the PFC gets information only when the amygdala is calm. Then it passes on to the hippocampus any info worth remembering. HIPPOCAMPUS: The hippocampus creates, stores and processes all important facts and memories the PFC passes on to it—such as birthdays, your friends e-mail , addresses and the brisk salty smell of the ocean. Breathing: Anytime you’re stressed out, breathing can come to the rescue. Deep full breathing calms your amygdala and helps you think and remember clearly. What can we learn from this? When we are stressed we go into a flight, fright or flight mode and it is hard to reason and learn, thus we have to calm our brain down enough so the prefrontal cortex can take over and ‘reason’. We are hoping that each kid taking “Mind Up” will learn a few strategies that will work for them to calm down the amygdala so their prefrontal cortex can reason and learn better. The students looked at a diagram of the brain, got to take home brain erasers and looked at a bottle with sand in it.representing our brain when we are frustrated. This shows that when we are ‘shaken’ or surprised or stressed it is like this bottle getting shaken. Then we need to calm down (watch the items clear up) before thinking clearly and make important decisions. We need to figure out ways to calm our ‘amygdala’ down. I watched the most amazing experiment today. Some school counselors were saying they did this experiment and it worked. Basically you take some rice and put it into 2 containers. One is 'bad' rice and the other 'good'. For the good one you tell it positive things. For the bad one you are negative. Here is some videos of the experiment: So pretty wild huh? I wouldn't believe it at all except some school counselors said it worked for them. I'm super curious so I am going to try it. I will let people know my results. Hahahaha.
I think every parent, teacher etc. should show this. It is so well done and I think the kids will relate to it.
So excited! I have had various parents request a 'girl's only friendship skills class'. After pondering this I think it is an excellent idea. I love the guys that take my class but honestly their needs and voices often do take over. What a fun thing to have girls and addressing their specific concerns and needs. So yay! I can't wait. We are looking for 1 or 2 more girls to make this work. I'd like to start the class on Tuesday, September 9th from 6-7. We will meet for 4 Tuesday's in September ending September 30th. The cost is $60.00. Right now we have a class of 9 and 10 year olds but I will take older and younger girls. If you are interested in this fun all girl class, helping these girls learn how to meet and keep friends please go to the contact page. Most of my classes are held through the community recreation centers and you sign up through them, but this class you need to contact me directly. Yay! I finally have my second book out. At last. This book seems especially helpful for those kids who have 'Asperger's' or ADD or just have a hard time connecting.
Just recently published this book. I haven't even promoted it yet so it doesn't have any reviews but I work with a lot of kids on social skills and use this book and they love it and respond to it esp. those who have a hard time talking about appropriate things (those who are obsessed with their own agenda.) For some reason the book helps them understand what conversations are appropriate in a nonthreatening way. Parents are reporting that they are seeing changes. Now I just need some time to promote it! P.E.S.T. Personal and Emotional Space and Taking Turns. As Friendship Craze grows I thought I'd better clarify what it is I offer and how it is the same and different from other services in the community.
I specialize in helping kids with friendship skills. There are many aspects concerning socialization. Some kids are very anxious and shy about making friends, some try too hard, some have a hard time listening to what other people want, some may be bossy and some just don't understand the very basics of socialization (eye contact etc.) After a parent tells me a little about their child’s specific situation I will work on lessons that will specifically address their needs. I offer one on one classes where we do games, activities, role playing etc. catered to the child. The services I offer to your child are social skills lessons, coaching or social skills tutoring and is in no means any substitute for professional counseling. I have a Master's degree in School and Community Counseling (M. Ed. )I am a (NCC) National Certified Counselor and a Licensed School Counselor, but I am not licensed to offer private counseling without a LPC (Licensed Professional Counseling). Please also understand that as part of my ethics as a licensed school counselor I am to avoid dual relationships with students through communication mediums such as social networking sites. In order to keep proper boundaries I will also be avoiding accepting parents as Facebook friends on my personal page. (Even though the parents I meet are incredible and I would love to be friends with them.) There are advantages to my being a ‘friendship coach” rather than a counselor. For one is the stigma. I think it’s a lot easier to go to a ‘coach’ where you play games and learn skills rather than to be told you are going to a ‘counselor’. There shouldn’t be this stigma but let’s face it there still is. I specialize in friendship skills, so I can read up and learn all the latest research on what helps most and incorporate them in my lessons. Since I have one specialty I spend my time researching what helps best rather than counseling a wide range of areas (Of course many things overlap.) I also offer group classes-“friendship craze” through local rec. centers. Again a big advantage is the class is for everyone and the stigma is therefore mostly removed. To be honest the disadvantage of teaching it at the rec. centers is I can’t prescreen who is taking the class so sometimes I may have children with needs that are completely different. Sometimes our kids need a mentor. (Just like the parent who is an excellent musician-sometimes they have to hire someone outside the family to have their child take it seriously!). Our lessons will be in the Fayetteville, Georgia area. You can have your child come to my home or meet me at the Peachtree City library. The first lesson consists of me getting to know the child and between the parents feedback, the child’s thoughts and my observations I come up with lesson plans for future meetings. The parent decides how many times they’d like the child to meet with me. We can meet a couple times, weekly or as needed as the situations arise. I charge 25.00 for a 30 minute session or 45 dollars for an hour session. Why only 30 minutes? When I am working one on one we can get a lot done in 30 minutes and I have their full attention. However I can increase the lesson time according to the child’s needs and the parents' wishes. Even though I am only meeting with your child for 30 minutes I spend a lot of outside time preparing a lesson to specifically fit your child's needs, so we can get a lot done in 30 minutes of face to face contact. Arrange your after school time by going to friendshipcraze.com and using the contact page or e-mailing me at georgerparker@comcast.net. You can also call or text me at 678-360-4627. Back to School Checklist
It's a great time to practice friendship skills with your child. They are going to have an opportunity to meet new kids in their classes and make new friendships with the new year. Roleplaying is an excellent tool to practice with your child. Make it easy and fun with low pressure. Other simple games can be found on the activities tab. Sometimes our kids need a mentor. (Just like the parent who is an excellent musician-sometimes they have to hire someone outside the family to have their child take it seriously!). After you tell me a little about your child’s specific situation I will work on lessons that will specifically address their needs. I offer one on one classes where we do games, activities, role playing etc. catered to the child. Our lessons will be in the Fayetteville, Georgia area. You can have your child come to my home or meet me at the Peachtree City library. I am also available on Skype if you live outside the area. The first lesson consists of me getting to know the child and between the parents feedback, the child’s thoughts and my observations I come up with lesson plans for future meetings. The parent decides how many times they’d like the child to meet with me. We can meet a couple times, weekly or as needed as the situations arise. I charge 25.00 for a 30 minute session or 45 dollars for an hour session. Why only 30 minutes? When I am working one on one we can get a lot done in 30 minutes and I have their full attention. However I can increase the lesson time according to the child’s needs and the parents' wishes. Arrange your after school time slot now by clicking on this tab, or going to the Contact Me page. You can also call me at 770-716-6033 . I also am offering some friendship camps the last few weeks of summer and have classes on Thursday's and Fridays at the local recreation centers starting in September. |
AuthorI am a mother of 3. I have a passion for helping kids feel comfortable in their 'own skin'. Archives
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