Climbing a Mountain of Addition [game]

Games. Games. Games. I have figured out that I can get my son to do practically anything if I turn it into a game.

This makes me feel like the queen of deception ... in a good way.

To practice adding two-digit numbers (i.e. carrying numbers), I gave my son a mountain-climbing addition challenge. 

I played too, so we could see who climbed higher (i.e. added to get the largest number).

Playing is simple. Download the one-page PDF I made. Cut apart and laminate. Grab two fine-tip dry-erase markers and a pencil and paper. 

You’re ready!

Download a PDF of these two cards here.

Instructions: Write five single-digit numbers at the bottom of the mountain; do not use the same number more than once. (Use a dry-erase marker so any mistakes can be wiped off with a paper towel, and the mountain can be cleared for another round of play.)

Add the numbers up the mountain until you’re at the top. The higher you go, the harder the math becomes. Use a scratch pad of paper to solve the problems.

Keep your card secret from your opponent.

When you’re done adding, reveal your card to see which player climbed the highest.

We each climbed five mountains – sometimes to heights just over 100. 

Whoa! Mountain climbing is great exercise – or I should say, a great math exercise!

In Case You Missed It: August 27-31

Photo: marthastewart.com
by Becca Bond Photography

So, its the last week of summer vacation, and the store aisles are loaded with back to school supplies. The kids are having mixed feelings about summer ending and getting back to their school friends and activities.

Every year around this time, as we prepare her back pack and figure out her schedule, I talk with my daughter about her summer and the places we went, the things we accomplished, what we learned, etc.

I also take the time to listen to her goals for the upcoming year.

I started doing this with her when she was about 7. The only requirement is that it be a positive goal that will improve or enhance her life or someone else's. I have found that it is a good ice breaker for transitioning back to school: it helps keep her focused and reduces that first day anxiety.

At the beginning, I would help her come up with 2-3 simple ideas by prompting with a "what could we do about..." question. I would write her responses down. As soon as she was old enough, I had her reflect what she wanted to do for the first time (or do better) in the upcoming year, and write it down herself in a composition book to show me later. The result has been a chronicled personal journey for her that has become a real treasure.

Some of the goals she has set for herself over the years:

Help my teacher
Keep my desk clean
Make more friends
No chasing boys on the playground
Talk less in class
Practice my math more
No fighting with my BFF's
Neater printing
Stand up for the kids that get picked on
Make honor roll
Perfect Attendance
Play more sports
Stay out of drama
Love Life

Each year we go back and see what goals were reached and which ones need to be worked on more. This has also become a great self-evaluation tool. She understands that its important to set goals, be organized & work towards goals with all of her best abilities. This has been much more effective than me telling her what I want her to achieve.

I'm sending out a wish for  all students of all ages and abilities, to enjoy reaching their personal goals this year.

Have a Great Holiday Weekend.



Above and Beyond:

The 'Goldilocks Effect' in Action

Visual affirmation Tools for Kids

What Teens Learn by Overcoming Challenges

Back to School Tip: Decoding the Teacher's Weekly Letter

Back To School Ice Breakers & Resource For Teachers 

The Connection Between Working Parents & Children's Diet

5 Kid-Friendly Lunches

Investing in Children's After-School Hours




Contact Barbara at : www.bodylogique.com

Bigger Pastures-Taller Fences (Rules & Policies Gone too Far)

Photo: pitchup.com

I once found a Japanese quote that went something like this:

"Give your child a big pasture-with a tall fence".

It resonated with me on many levels since I grew up in a household where there were many rules and restrictions. While I recognize that there is a need for balance & structure in one's life, there also needs to be room for exploration and fun, and this is largely overlooked especially when it comes to raising & educating our children.

I was talking with a fellow yoga teacher last spring, who related a story to me of a school she was contracted by to do preschool yoga classes. She was frustrated because she had been told by that school's principal that the children are not allowed to remove their shoes during yoga. The reason: in case there is a fire/drill.

Huh??

Aside from the fact that shoes prevent them from doing the yoga postures in proper alignment, and that shoes destroy mats, (dirt, scuff marks, tears, etc) let's talk about the engagement factor: tactile input on the feet relaxes and engages them for longer periods of time, (think of a foot massage) and relaxation is one of the purposes & benefits of yoga. So this school policy has reduced the yoga classes (that the parent's association paid for) to the equivalent of in-school babysitting. (The teacher leaves the room entirely during the yoga session.)

But let us come back to the "must wear shoes during yoga" policy.

It leads me to question if the children are allowed to use the bathroom during the day-(I mean, what if they have their pants down and there is a fire or a drill. I mean personally, I'd MUCH rather have no shoes on during a fire drill than no pants.)

How about water, snacks and lunch? Are they not allowed either? I mean someone could choke on something if the alarm went off and startled them. (Or if they tripped on their shoelaces.)

And in the absence of a fire drill: Pencils? Crayons? Paint? Scissors? How can a school logically risk the liability of putting these dangerous implements in the hands of children who clearly don't see those everyday dangers? (Until administration spells it all out for them.)

And don't even let me get started on that soap they use in the lavatories. I think its made from some kind of heavily perfumed toxic acid substance. (Children should be required to attend a "Right to Know" workshop before they touch that stuff.)

Has everyone gone completely mad?

Yes, I know that things could (and do) happen, but do we not see that we have taken all the fun and spontaneity out of learning (and childhood) by taking "safety" entirely too far? We make way too many (ridiculous) rules for kids to follow, so they don't take any of them seriously. They can't possibly take any of them seriously. We are not gaining their cooperation, we are showing them that the ones making (and enforcing) those rules are not to be taken seriously either. How can children respect and trust adults who appear to be intent on restricting them and their activities more and more for no logical reasons? How can they learn from, or, more importantly, what are they learning from us?

If administrations are truly looking to keep kids safe, gain compliance, or to have quiet and order,they are going about it the wrong way. Here is just a modest a sampling of ridiculous rules & bans from around the world:


School asks Deaf Preschooler to Change His Sign Language Name

Australian School Bans Cartwheels

Primary School Bans Ball Games

Saggy Pants Ban

Denver Neighborhood Bans Children from Drawing on Sidewalks with Chalk

Ban on Talking at Lunch for 'Health and Safety' Concerns

School Eases Peanut Ban Policy After Protests


Its not even about protecting our children anymore or creating an optimum learning environment where they actually learn things of value. The kids know this. They know its not for their benefit. They know its about (schools) not getting sued and they know that is the poorest reason to make a rule or policy. Its also a sad statement about what we place a value on.

The solution does not have to be complicated or (heaven forbid) cost large amounts of money. How about if we start teaching kids how to think, (as opposed to what to think) and how to make better decisions?  Along with that we can teach them to plan ahead, be prepared & be more self-reliant and resilient if something unexpected does occur.  We need to communicate better-not more-and infuse common sense into policies. We need to make fewer rules, for the right reasons.

If we clear bigger pastures & build taller fences, I believe that the rest will fall into place.

**What are some of the ridiculous rules or policies that your school, company or community has adopted? Please share with us in the comments below! (Feel free to post article links and your suggestions for more logical solutions.)




Contact Barbara through www.bodylogique.com




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Stretching the Limits

Photo: "Outer Space" Wallpaper
by CiCaTr1z on deviantART.com

This week, many are mourning the loss of a man who was an inspiration  in the realm of space exploration. Neil Armstrong helped stretch our imaginations and made an entire country believe that anything was possible.

I remember being four and a half years old, watching the broadcast with my mother, and seeing the dream-like images coming through our TV. My brother was only a month old, and I was barely old enough to understand the significance of the event, yet I knew by the look of intensity on my mother's face as she held my baby brother that something important was going on.

I'm not sure if those images or the feeling of awe had anything to do with it, but I have always been fascinated with science: the stars, the planets, the moon, and the question of, "What's out there?". My intrinsic motivation has always been driven by a desire to discover the answers to all of the questions I ask myself.

"While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves. " ~Statement from The Armstrong Family


 "...be willing to explore and push the limits.."

As an educator, I think that everyday we commit to that cause greater than ourselves by guiding children through their imaginations; by encouraging them to ask their questions (be it to themselves or out loud); and by nurturing a curiosity & willingness to explore and stretch their limits to find the answers. I believe that these are truly a few of the greatest gifts in life, and the most valuable skills that anyone - young or old-can have.

Thank you Neil.


  Star & Space Inspired Yoga Activities for Kids- by BodyLogique      

Coming Soon:

Star Quest S.M.Art Story™  Yoga-Based Curriculum


Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com




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In Case You Missed It: August 20-24, 2012

*Photo: summercampculture.com

"Time always seems long to the child who is waiting - for Christmas, for next summer, for becoming a grownup: long also when he surrenders his whole soul to each moment of a happy day. "
                                                                    ~Dag Hammarskjold

As the summer winds down and you wait for fall to arrive, I wish you all the boldness to reconnect with the child within you & surrender your soul to each moment of happiness .
Enjoy your weekend!

~Barbara



10 Must-Have Documents for Parents of Children wit Special Needs

Speaking Multiple Languages Can Increase Mental Agility

A Thank You to All the Sports Parents

Temple Grandin: Advice for Educating Autistic Children

Nutrition and Learning go Hand in Hand

Brain Injury: Treating Teens and Adults

Is Your Teen Sacrificing Sleep for Study?

Calm & Connected: Yoga Based Tools for Self-Regulation




*Photo taken by Ed Haun for the Detroit Free Press on Aug. 24, 1970, at Echo Park Day Camp.


Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com

Connect: Facebook   and   Twitter



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Rounding (Single Digits) Board Game

Make practicing rounding numbers up and down fun - THAT was my goal.

While a simple sorting exercise or a worksheet would have been effective, neither idea excited me. And let’s face it; if it doesn’t sound fun to me, a 7-year-old isn’t likely to think so either.

Board games are a favorite with my son, so I whipped this one up.

Download a PDF of the game board, playing cards, and die here.

  

You need two players to play.

Objective

Use rounding to move your game piece. Try to get to the finish before your opponent.

Prep

Cut the cards apart. Shuffle and lie them face down in a pile between the two players.

Find two game pieces (e.g. two different buttons, coins, or glass decorator gems). We used some race car-shaped erasers.

Cut, fold, and glue the “go back/move forward” die.

How to Play

Game pieces are placed on the words “start.”

The first player rolls the “go back/move forward” die. If the die reads “go back,” the game piece cannot be moved and play moves on to the second player. He/she rolls.

If the second player rolls and the die reads “go forward,” they turn a card over on the deck and round it up or down. If the number is four or less and rounds down to zero, the player must stay at the start. Now it is the first player’s turn again.

If the number on the card is five or higher, the player will round up and move their game piece 10 spaces on the board.

Play alternates between both players.

If a player rolls “move forward,” they will always round the number on the card they draw. If it rounds down to zero, they do not move their game piece.

He/she can only move their game piece if the number on the card is a 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, which all round up to 10.

If a player rolls “go back,” the number on the card drawn is the precise number of space they retreat. In some cases, this may put the player back at the first square on the game board.

The deck of cards may need to be reshuffled for continuous play.

How to Win

A player must round a number and advance beyond the final square on the board and pass the opponent’s game piece to win.

Although there are just over 20 spaces on the game board, it took us awhile to get through one game. And at one point, both my son and I were on the last space, rolling to see who would roll a “move forward” and draw a card with 5 or higher first; we were both sent back enough times to make predictions of who would win, anyone’s guess.

My son asked to play several more times, and even added LEGO minifigures to the board as “obstacles.” This was a GREAT way to practice rounding single-digit numbers.  Round Around is going in our regular rotation of home-made board games!

Note: If you child has trouble remembering which numbers round down and which round up, consider teaching him/her a rhyme. Several can be found here.

3 Easy Beginner Postures for Kids and Teens

Photo: Sphinx Pose
©2012 Barbara Gini

In Monday's guest post, Shelley Mannell ( HeartSpace Physical Therapy ) shared with us the benefits of developing  a child's core. Core strength affects the way we stand, sit, our breathing and all movement. Shelly mentioned three yoga postures that are easy for kids to learn & beneficial in helping build good posture though strengthening and coordinating the inner & outer core muscles. Today I will discuss each one in little more detail, as well as adaptations for children who have low tone or other sensory-motor challenges.

A Few General Guidelines:

Give instructions slowly and allow the students to process what you are saying and how their body feels in each step. Be patient-they will not do it perfectly and that is OK. As long as they are keeping their own bodies and their friends bodies safe, (i.e not falling into each other or flopping onto the floor)  let them explore how their own bodies move.

Remind children to breathe with each movement. Breathing will relax muscle tension and bring body awareness as children move into each step of the pose.

Yoga postures are meant to be held with ease-so if a child is straining or holding his or her breath, encourage them to relax and ease into each step slowly, only taking the body as far as it feels comfortable.

These postures are excellent as an energizing break from sitting at a desk or computer, as a supplement to sensory motor or occupational therapy, and as a part of a conditioning program for dancers, cheerleaders and other youth athletes.

Cobra:
(Modified version "Sphinx Pose" pictured above at left) Cobra pose is a foundational posture that is actually a mild back bend. Cobra teaches the body how to coordinate legs, pelvis, and belly. When done correctly, the legs provide the power and support for the spine to gracefully stretch and extend, and the muscles of the pelvis and belly work to lengthen and support the lower back.  The key with cobra pose is to be patient and move slowly, breaking down the posture into its smaller components. Don't overdo the back bend & find the height at which the student can work comfortably to avoid straining. 

To do Cobra:  Lie on belly. Inhale and place elbows under shoulders and forearms on the floor. Extend legs, feet and toes fully and keep thighs together.  Lift upper body as shown, using hands and arms for support. Exhale, and relax into Sphinx. Next, move into a Baby Cobra posture by moving hands back next to chest. Keep shoulders down and to sides and belly strong. Press into the floor with hands, and using belly, chest and back muscles, roll head, shoulders and chest upwards while inhaling. Hold for 1-5 breaths and slowly roll down placing chest on floor. (I let the children "Hisssssss..." on the exhale as they come back down to the floor.) Rest for 3 breaths and repeat, each time lifting torso a little bit higher.  Move slowly and deliberately like a cobra looking over the grass for food or danger. Posture may be modified to be practiced while seated in a chair, using a desk or tabletop to place hands on for support as chest and chin roll upwards.

Photo: Tree Pose
©2012 Barbara Gini

Tree:
Begin by standing with both feet parallel, under hips. Shift weight slightly onto one foot, and balance, keeping it firmly on the floor. Bend opposite knee and place foot of bent leg onto inner part of balancing leg, starting down near the ankle. Stabilize stomach and stand tall, stretching entire spine upward. Relax shoulders and stretch arms straight up toward the sky, parallel to each other, palms facing, or form an inverted 'V' with arms. (These are the branches of the tree-stretching and growing towards the sun.) Hold posture for 3-5 breaths and come back to starting position with both feet on floor. Switch sides, using opposite leg for balance.

Children can stand with back braced against a wall if they feel unsteady in this pose or hold on to the back of a chair. As balance is obtained, gradually move position of foot higher up on the support leg. To adapt this posture for children with poor tone or balance, children may bend their knee and instead of placing foot on leg, they may place foot on a short stool or stack of books until they develop more balance. The key with this posture is to get the children to visually focus on a stationary object in front of them. If their eyes are focused, usually the rest of the body will be as well.

Hands wide to support body
©2012 Barbara Gini

Downward Dog: 
Strengthens the upper back and torso. The key to this posture is to relax the neck and head between the shoulders. Begin on the floor on hands and knees with knees directly below your hips and hands under & slightly in front of shoulders. Spread palms, (I tell the kids to "make your hands big" ) keeping index fingers parallel or slightly turned out, (as shown at right).



Photo: Downward Dog
© Barbara Gini

Turn toes under and push up with legs. Lift knees away from floor, keeping the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lengthen and Stretch spine and lift hips up toward the ceiling. While exhaling, push top thighs back and press heels onto (or down toward) the floor. Straighten knees but be sure to remind children not to lock them.

Encourage kids to keep the head between the upper arms; don't let it hang. Elbows should be even with the ears. Breathe and hold posture for 1-3 breaths. Slowly release & bend knees back to floor.

Increase the challenge by lifting and extending one leg behind the body to form a straight line with the spine while in the downward position. (Some of my teens refer to this as the "Dog Peeing on a Tree" pose. Some teachers are offended by this and find it to be inappropriate, however I think if their imagination keeps them laughing and engaged in the activity, and they are not undermining a peer, then I am not too hard on them. Sometimes you have to pick your battles! )

Adapted Downward Dog
©2012 Barbara Gini

Adapt this posture for children with weak upper body strength by using a **therapy ball for trunk support as shown on the right.

After postures and sequences, be sure to allow children to rest quietly for several minutes and re-hydrate with plain filtered water.

**Please do not leave children unattended while on equipment.


For more photos and descriptions of children's yoga postures, visit our Posture Page.


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Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com







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If You Give a Kid Their Core...

Photo: yogainterlude.com

Today we are happy to feature a guest post from Shelley Mannell from HeartSpace Physical Therapy for Children. Shelley is a pediatric Physical Therapist in St. Catharines Ontario Canada. She has 25 years of experience treating babies, children and adolescents with physical challenges and gross motor delays. She is also a certified children’s meditation facilitator.


Today she shares with us some valuable insight on the connection between inner and outer core strength, postural alignment, breathing and motor skill development, and how activities and movement that promote core stability can help and support a child for their entire life.





If You Give A Kid Their Core...

One of my favourite children’s books is “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” - I love how the beginning of the story is also the end of the story. As a Physical Therapist I understand that success in motor skills begins and ends with core stability; the core supports every skill from eating to handwriting to walking to basketball. And I think it’s outstanding that so many people are now talking about the importance of core stability for kids.

We know that there are inner core muscles and outer core muscles. The four inner core muscles stabilize our spine and pelvis before every movement that we make. (FYI these are: the respiratory diaphgram, the pelvic floor, the transversus abdominis and the multifidus.) And our research has shown that there is a key to building core stability – you need to have neutral alignment of your rib cage and pelvis and you need to be able to breathe into the front, back and especially the sides of your rib cage. This sounds simple but because we spend so much time in sitting, it turns out to be harder than expected. The inner core is our central anchor but it needs the help of the outer core muscles for movement. And the outer core muscles are most effectively trained when combined with each other and with the breath.

It might surprise you to learn that children are not born with core stability; in fact, they have relatively inactive core muscles. However, as their brains and bodies mature, babies begin to develop the core strength and coordination that allows them to stabilize the trunk efficiently and effectively in preparation for movement. One of the reasons a baby needs to spend time playing on the floor is to develop the connection between the inner core muscles and some very important outer core muscle groups. This connection sets the stage for all future function in sitting and standing. Unfortunately, many of our babies spend too much time in equipment (swings, chairs, walkers) and they don’t build good core stability. Or in later years our kids spend so much time sitting that they lose the core strength they gained as babies.


There’s also one other huge bonus to teaching children to engage their core. As they get that all important alignment and learn to breathe fully with their diaphragms, they engage the calming nervous system (= the parasympathic nervous system). It turns out that when we belly breathe or when we breathe with our upper chest, we don’t really activate the big nerve that feeds the calming nervous system well; this only happens when we breathe by fully expanding our diaphragm. The ancient yogis really did know what they were talking about - deep breathing is calming, but only if you can do it properly.


So we build core stability by connecting inner and outer core groups through the combination of neutral alignment and breathing and movement. That’s where yoga comes in. There are very few other activities for kids that combine awareness of alignment with breathing and movement the way yoga does. Downward dog, cobra and tree pose are three favourites of mine, poses that children of all ages can do. And when they are done with proper alignment and breathing, they engage the core muscles wonderfully. And they’re fun. So the next time you watch your child doing downward dog, remember she’s also building her core muscle strength. And when you give a kid her core, she’s preparing her body for lifetime of successful movement.

~Shelley Mannell

Shelley Mannell
www.heartspacept.com 

In addition to her clinical work, Shelley teaches continuing education courses for therapists across North America. For more information, you can visit Shelley at: www.heartspacept.com . Be sure to visit her blog at the HeartSpace website.

You can connect with Shelley on: Twitter (@heartspacept)  or on Facebook (HeartSpacePT).









Related Articles:

Deep Breathing: Facilitated Technique for Kids



Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com

Alphabetical Adjectives Connect the Dots

I’m a writer. My son is not. But that hasn’t stopped me from trying to sharpen his language arts skills.

This word nerd came up with a sneaky way to do it, too: connect the dots!

To jog my son’s memory that adjectives are describing words, we read a Brian P. Cleary book. Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What is an Adjective? is fun and engaging language arts literature at its best.

The illustrations are clever and whimsical and the text is chock full of adjectives which are set off with color (the rest of the words are black). So far, every book from Cleary’s Words Are CATegorical series has been a hit with my son and me.

For a little adjective practice, I made a great puzzle.

Download a PDF of this connect-the-dots puzzle here.

The instructions were simple – start at the red star and connect the lowercase adjectives alphabetically. When you get to “z,” start over with uppercase adjectives until you’re back where you started. Lastly, connect the square dots drawing a line from number to number starting at one black star and ending at the other.

My son did quite well. He only had to use the eraser a few times and, when finished, he was so proud of his songbird connect-the-dots picture! (This mama writer was mighty proud too.)

In Case You Missed it: August 13-17

The kitchen is a place where many skills are obtained and many lessons are learned. In addition to the obvious (fine motor, following directions, simple math,sensory integration, nutrition education, etc.) the secondary lessons (patience, focus, preparation, follow through, etc.) are just as important.

This week my daughter and I  spent a lot of time in the kitchen. She loves to cook for all of us, even if it is something simple, like garlic bread or spaghetti gravy. This week we made refrigerator pickles which are very easy, but take  a long time to prepare and have a bit of a wait in between each step.  She was getting restless in between each step and kept darting out of the kitchen to check her cell phone for texts, get another hair elastic, change her shoes, etc.

I finally told her to shut off the cell phone and put it in a drawer. (She was not happy about that but complied.) Being somewhat of a storyteller, I began to tell her stories of being her age and helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. She rolled her eyes a bit and then I told her about the first meal I cooked when I was married to my first husband. (It was terrible and he told me so!) She began to giggle and ask me questions and gave her own insight and advice on what I should have done and he should have said, and I realized that everything I try to teach her, is in there. It was evident in the fact that she was listening objectively, making connections and giving good commentary.

Before we knew it, we had 13 jars of crunchy, delicious pickles, one of which we devoured out on the patio with our lunch.

Spend some time this weekend with the cell phones in a drawer and prepare some food with your kids. Tell them stories and be willing to be vulnerable-to make an example of yourself. Its such a memorable way to deepen bonds with them, teach them, and most importantly, listen to and learn about them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Here are your links for the week:



Benefits of Cooking With Children

5 Back to School Tips for Your ADHD Child

Back to School Nutrition Primer

Keeping Kids Calm & Connected

Its All Sensory!

Back to School: Vaccine Exemptions

Spech Jenga: Articulation  (Speech Therapy)

Oh No-The Chinese are Beating Us!  (Education Reform)

10 Steps to Encouraging Kids to Participate



Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com

Calm & Connected: Yoga-Based Tools for Self Regulation

Calm & Connected

We live in stressful times. Societies are changing. Transitions are scary for kids & they react differently to them than adults do. It’s easy to overlook signals. 

More and more children and teens of all ages & abilities are being affected by stress each day, with devastating results. Whatever age you are, stress interrupts our ability to learn, heal, form healthy relationships and function optimally.


In a recent survey, 20%-40% of children age 8-12 reported being stressed & worried over something - yet only 8%-17% of parents & educators were even aware that children were feeling stressed. One of the proactive things we can do is to pay better attention to the outward stress signals children send us.

Children with special needs are even more sensitive to changes in their home & school environments and may show signs as well: crying, aggression, trouble sleeping, food cravings or other changes in eating habits, headaches, teeth grinding, constipation, & chronic illness could all be outward signals of stress.

Preview

More and more parents and educators are asking "What can we do to help?"

You can become aware and observe the children you love, care for and work with. Watch for those outward signals especially during times of turmoil, transition or life changes. By teaching kids to recognize the signs of stress, along with easy strategies for them to use to self-regulate, you can help them respond to outer turmoil by creating a calm more grounded inner environment when they need it most.

Calm & Connected shows you, the parent, educator or professional to guide children in recognizing and responding to stressors and to manage stress in a healthy, resilient manner. The best part is, ANYONE can use this book. You do not need any yoga background to teach these simple techniques effectively. Just follow our easy, illustrated instructions.

Preview

Inside these 87 color pages, you will find more than 3 dozen kid and school friendly, yoga-based tools, techniques, games, activities and more, all aimed at helping children recognize stress & self-regulate. By learning to use them, kids age 3 and up can begin to effectively recognize stress, create a calmer connection to themselves and others, effectively manage stress, reduce anxiety, improve focus connect with their inner calm, minimize anxiety improve concentration & enjoy life more.  In addition they will learn to make better choices for themselves in every situation. This information is a must-have for any home or school health & wellness library.

Preview

The techniques are effective as an intervention or re-direction method but are most effective when practiced consistently:  it’s crucial that they are re-enforced every day for all kids-in school, at home, on the field or stage and in the therapy room. After initial instruction, children will be able to do these techniques independently. 

Bad habits are formed over time and good habits will also take time. A stress response is simply a habit of responding a certain way to sensory input. So is a relaxation response. Children need to be taught that they do have a choice as to how to respond to stressors. They need to know what tools they can use if they are in pain, scared or their senses are overloaded and they feel confused and as if they are losing control.

Calm & Connected will help you show them what do to.


Order Your Print Copy of Calm & Connected here

*Now Available on Kindle


*Calm & Connected is part of our R.E.A.Ch™ Programming (Relaxation Education for Adults & Children) Find out more here: R.E.A.Ch Programming





Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com





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10 Steps to Encouraging Kids to Participate in Yoga, School and Life

Photo:
unicef.org.nz

"Education Is Not the Filling of a Pail, But the Lighting of a Fire"  ~W.B.Yeats

Whether you are talking about yoga, recreation, education, parenting or coaching, our most important task is to "light a fire" by engaging our young audience as they learn. If children are engaged, they will participate more, and the more they participate, the more engaged they become. This keeps them motivated to keep learning through every experience, both in and out of the classroom.


Below are 10 factors that I have found to encourage active participation in all types of learning in the classroom and in life. How many are you currently using? How many more can you incorporate?


1- Environment: Think in terms of  whether or not the environment is clean, sensory friendly and welcoming. Outside of physical factors, what makes an environment most relaxing & welcoming is how relaxed and approachable the teacher/coach/parent is. A relaxed child will be more willing- and able- to participate and learn.

2- Senses: Awaken and engage each and every sense. Use music, games, art, colorful posters to encourage integration of the body as well as the brain. We learn through all of our senses and the more you incorporate them into homework, coaching or classrooms the more a child will want to learn.

3- Structure: Have a plan, but structure it loosely to allow room for spontaneous and free exploration of related questions, topics and activities. This adds and brings imagination to the learning experience. When it comes to a home routine, keep tasks & rules consistent and no more in number than the age of the child in years up to a maximum of  7 at a time. (Seven is the maximun number of items or ideas the brain can remember at once.)

4- Visual Presentation: About two thirds of our brain is used for visual processing while only 2% of it is used for conscious and cognitive functions. Traditional classrooms are set up to teach to that 2%. Be sure to use cartoons, photos, drawings, props, felt boards and other visual aides to engage that part of the brain kids use most.

5- Modify & Adapt: There are many ways that children learn. Have as many (physical and educational) supports available for them to use. In yoga this might include straps, bolsters, balls, and in the classroom this might include video, charts or images. If using technical, long or unfamiliar words, explain concepts with simpler ones until understood. Then introduce the technical terms.

6- Keep it Real: This applies more so to yoga teachers than others, but remember to be consistent and use regular everyday voice and language. If you speak using awkward metaphors or alien language, (such as "align with your chakras" or  "shine your head forward" or "feel the happiness in your organs" ) kids will tune you out, not take you seriously and not grasp the concepts you are trying to teach. Speak using as few words as possible, in simple, everyday language & introduce new vocabulary only after the basic concepts are grasped.

7- Participate: Kids are more willing to play or try an activity that the adult facilitator is participating in rather than imposing on them. It fosters a sense of trust. So find your inner child and play with the kids.

8- Feedback: Listen to what the kids say-and don't say. Observe their reactions and interactions. Allow the children to share what their favorite part of a class or activity was- (after sharing their not-so favorite) and suggest other things they might like to do/learn. Find a way to incorporate it into the curriculum.

9- Be a Good Student:  Be open to learning. Let students (individually or in a group) plan lead a class activity. It will give them a greater appreciation for learning, and you just might learn something too!

10- Fun: Remember above all that kids are kids. Not miniature adults. They are rushed through life unnecessarily and need time, patience and fun. Find ways to package what students need to know, into something fun that they will want to know and help light a healthy (educational) fire in each of them!





Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com


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In Case You Missed It: August 6 - 10

Vintage Harley Women Photo:
avidrider.com

This week was another full one for me with summer camps winding down and my yearly office clean out in full swing, getting ready for new projects and the transition from summer to fall. I have been able to carve out some time for doing the things for myself that I love, which is so important for caregivers who work both in and out of the home.

For some families the end of summer is a difficult time, due to stress. In fact, the common question or theme from everyone I talked with or had contact with this week was "family stress".  Its fitting (or is it synchronicity?) that this week I also finished proofing my third book, "Calm and Connected: Yoga Based Tools for Self-Regulation" . 

This one is a different format than the "S.M.Art Stories™" curriculum series and was my favorite to write so far, because it gives specific insight into causes of family stress and simple non-intrusive ways to address and minimize it. It is written for adults and educators to guide kids to stay Calm and Connected even at the most chaotic times. This title will be available on Amazon in the next week or two so watch the blog and our Twitter , You Tube and Facebook pages for an introductory offer & other announcements!

And now for our weekly posts.

Wishing you a "Calm & Connected" weekend!


~Barbara



Calming Technique: Peace Ball (Video)

The Mechanics of the Brain

50 Children's Books with a Positive Message

The Best Swim Gear for Kids with Special Needs

For Visually Impaired and Dyslexic Students: A (Free) High Tech Solution

Natural Learning: Brain Based Principles

Visual Affirmation Tools for Kids






Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com

Visual Affirmation Tools for Kids

Affirmation Board

In my last post I talked about the Trouble with Affirmations.  I talked about the disconnect and confusion that can occur when you instruct a child to say an affirmation phrase while doing an unrelated activity.

For kids, the affirmation needs to be very simple, have personal meaning, and needs to make sense within the framework of the actions they are taking or need to take to reach a goal. They need to be able to relate to method you use and sometimes we need to get creative in the packaging of the things that they need to learn. We need to turn it into something fun.

As far as affirmations, children respond better to simple visual tools and are motivated by active participation rather than passive and rote learning. (For example, a photo album of childhood experiences holds more meaning than just talking about the events, and using multiplication to double or triple a favorite brownie recipe is much more engaging than memorizing the times tables.) When spoken word is added to visuals, it enhances the affirming effect and taps into the creative power of the imagination, such as looking at a photo album and hearing the stories behind the photos does.

Below are a few simple and useful visual tools for kid-friendly affirmations:

Painted Pebbles / Charm Stones

Painted Pebbles: Also called Charm Stones were used in Ancient Scotland and Iceland around 500 AD to heal illness. The stones had symbols and motifs painted on them that represented the healing energies being sent to the afflicted. In modern times, we see this concept in a variety of places, especially on accessories found in garden centers. This is such an easy way to display a word, mantra or message of affirmation to kids. Allow them to select their own rock and write or draw what they want to affirm. It does not have to be fancy, just meaningful to them. A small jewel or sticker can be added to personalize for the child. (I know one non-verbal child who kept a large collection of these painted rocks on a shelf of his bedroom. He would often hold them in his hand and softly hum to himself before he went to sleep.)

Message in A Bottle

Message in a Bottle:   A clean, empty water bottle can be up-cycled into a message in a bottle that holds positive messages, wishes or affirming thoughts for its owner. Add some sand, small shells, stickers and ribbon for personalization and a cork for the opening.   Children can add as many messages as they wish. Too see complete instructions, please go to this link: Surf's Up Photo Album.

Affirmations decorate
Mirrors & Door Frames

Mirrors & Door Frames: My daughter creates a variation of the message in the bottle by placing stickers, cards, bookmarks and trinkets around her mirror and on the frames of the pictures on her walls. She is surrounded by these positive expressions every time she enters her room.

When she was little, we started giving each other fruit stickers-the ones that come off of the produce from the grocery store. I would give her one and tell her it was for love-and she would give me one and tell me it was for hugs and so on. One day, I went to hang up her bathrobe on her door hook and on the back of her door, there were dozens of fruit stickers! She said it made her happy to look at them and know I loved her. Even now, every time we eat fruit from the grocery store, we give each other the sticker and a kiss as an affirmation of love.

Journals: Everyday journals can be used to make collage pages of affirmations, motivational quotes, fortune cookie sayings or photos of real life (or fictitious) heroes and role models.  Scrapbook accessories can enhance this process and make it more personal. The child does not need to know how to write to design one of these. The photos act as a positive affirmation, reminding the child of the qualities they love in their heros. A variation of this concept is to construct the collage on a large piece of poster or foam board. These are commonly called Vision Boards and are used to stay focused on goals and the positive things one desires in life, but can be used for many different purposes, such as affirmations. My daughter's is pictured at the top of this post. She made it when she was going through struggles at school and trying to understand the complex process of growing friendships. Each word or item she placed on the board represents a thing in her life she values. This stays displayed in her room as well, along with her message bottle and painted pebbles and of course her fruit stickers!


Contact: barbara@bodylogique.com