grandparents

Think: “kids do well if they can”

Weekly Series — Behavior Made Easy When working with challenging kids it is important to have a guiding philosophy. A philosophy sets the stage for how we interpret and respond to unexpected behaviors. A philosophy enables us to approach student problems in a...

Developing Higher Mental Functions

Developing Higher Mental Functions Weekly Series — Developing Young Thinkers The alarm goes off. Five year old Johnny rolls over, blinks his eyes a few times. He counts to three, slides the covers and springs out of bed. As his feet hit the floor he already knows the...

Developing Higher Mental Functions – What not to do!

Weekly Series — Developing Young Thinkers The goal for working with emerging learners is to help them develop mental tools that develop higher mental functions. The new students were sitting on the carpet. The teacher facing them, asks who can tell me which shape is...

“Specialized, not Special”

Weekly Series — Developing Young Thinkers He has Special Skills. I felt my anxiety rise as we were called into the meeting. We were sitting at the end of the table, surrounded by the professionals bracing ourselves for the report to follow. Much of the rest of the...

How Kids Learn: “First they Belong then they Try”

Weekly Series — Behavior Made Easy The three year old’s were walking in already looking for their spot at the circle. They each rang the bell as they joined the group. Their coach was at the front to greet them with a smile, eye contact and a high five. “Glad you are...

On the Importance of Play

Weekly Series — Developing Young Thinkers Time Traveler #1 “What is your position? over” Time Traveler #2 The dinosaurs are getting closer, I’m running into the trees now” Time Traveler #1 “Find your nearest base camp and put on your invisible shield” Time Traveler #2...

Kids Become WRITERS with the Add On Game!!

Kids Become WRITERS with the Add On Game!!

Now, when we mention writing to kids, the frequent response is “Ugh.” Well we can change that response to “Yeah!” Here is an activity guaranteed to entertain your kids while enhancing their writing skills. As a family, one of our favorite activities was Add On. You...

Developing Young Thinkers

Developing Young Thinkers

Developing Young Thinkers Weekly Series — “Written Speech” What is he trying to tell us? In the previous article of Developing Young Thinkers we outlined the importance of private talk as a way to begin the foundation of thinking. The research of Russian...

Kids Become WRITERS with the Bust Writer’s Block Game!

Kids Become WRITERS with the Bust Writer’s Block Game!

‘I will think of something to write!’ How many times have you heard the words, “I can’t think of anything to write.” Well there is an easy fix for this. Try this activity 5 days in a row and your kids are cured! They will never say those awful words again! Materials:...

Behavior Made Easy

Behavior Made Easy

Weekly Series - At times like these, it’s what you S.A.Y. It's what you S.A.Y. “Hey guys, going to shut down for the weekend, I'm a bit overwhelmed and need to focus on my family and taking care of things around the house. The past few weeks have been extremely...