Brain Gym Activities® Give them a try?

Are you learning something new? Are you trying to focus and concentrate better? Do you seem to be a little "off" and have a struggle getting into it?  Since each of us has our own unique rhythm and timing for learning, we can become frustrated at times. Brain Gym Activities help us to do our best. 

Summer Break: Time to Begin!

Now it is time to put the family plan into action! You have decided what you want, met with the children, and made your family plan, the next step is to put it all into action.

It is best to just do it. Begin the first day of your break. If it has already started, begin now. It is easy to say, "We had a late (bad, or whatever) start, so we will begin tomorrow." You know about tomorrow, it never comes. Modify and begin where you are. Tomorrow can be better. It may take a few days. If it does, it does. But if you keep procrastinating, you may not do it and you won't receive your desired benefits. Just do it now!

A key to being successful in most anything is being consistent. The same is true in this situation. Hold to the guidelines or rules that you have established. When rewards are earned and deserved, be sure to reward. Immediate rewards are most effective, so reward as soon as possible. The same is true with negative consequences. If the guidelines are not being followed, follow through with what you said would be the consequence. When consequences are consistent, children know what is expected of them and what to expect. It gives them security and structure in their lives. When consequences aren't consistent, children can become confused as to what the rules are. They may test you to see if you mean what you say, but when you do, they know you are there for them. Be consistent.

As I said in the last post, evaluate periodically. Problem-solve and make alterations as seems wise. Praise and reward for the things that have gone well. You are on your way.

Have a great summer adventure!

Summer Break: Time to Begin!

Now it is time to put the family plan into action! You have decided what you want, met with the children, and made your family plan, the next step is to put it all into action.

It is best to just do it. Begin the first day of your break. If it has already started, begin now. It is easy to say, "We had a late (bad, or whatever) start, so we will begin tomorrow." You know about tomorrow, it never comes. Modify and begin where you are. Tomorrow can be better. It may take a few days. If it does, it does. But if you keep procrastinating, you may not do it and you won't receive your desired benefits. Just do it now!

A key to being successful in most anything is being consistent. The same is true in this situation. Hold to the guidelines or rules that you have established. When rewards are earned and deserved, be sure to reward. Immediate rewards are most effective, so reward as soon as possible. The same is true with negative consequences. If the guidelines are not being followed, follow through with what you said would be the consequence. When consequences are consistent, children know what is expected of them and what to expect. It gives them security and structure in their lives. When consequences aren't consistent, children can become confused as to what the rules are. They may test you to see if you mean what you say, but when you do, they know you are there for them. Be consistent.

As I said in the last post, evaluate periodically. Problem-solve and make alterations as seems wise. Praise and reward for the things that have gone well. You are on your way.

Have a great summer adventure!

Summer Break: Creating the Working Model with your Children

Now that you have your objectives and plan, you are ready to present them to your children, and to invite them to become a part in creating the actual working model. There are several things you might want to consider when you present the ideas.

• Bring to their attention the benefits they will receive-what they will get from it.
• Allow them to have some voice in the planning. You have your ideas and some of the things may be non-negotiable, however, they will have really good ideas, too. As you acknowledge their ideas with praise, they will offer more ideas and your planning sessions will be more and more productive.
• Be sure the plan is realistic.
• Build in some flexibility for days that will be different.
• Evaluate. Set a time to look at how the day(s)-week(s)-are going. It might be at the end of the first day, couple of days, week, or ... Are your objectives being met? Ask the children their opinion first. Be sure to praise their comments and the things that have gone well. If there are things that haven't gone well, ask how they think you, as a family, can improve them. Try different things. Sometimes it might be wise to allow your family to try suggestions that you don't think will work. The results will be that you are surprised as they do or it can be a great learning opportunity as they see the ideas didn't work and can find a different way to approach the situation. Discourage anyone from saying, "I told you so!"
• Reward all in some way for the successes that you are experiencing.

When children are a part of the decision making, they gain confidence, learn to brainstorm and problem solve. The result will be that they follow the plan-their plan-more easily.

Enjoy and have fun as you work together!!!