Support for our Brains :)

http://www.terrysmall.com/archive.asp

 I listened to Terry speak to parents and their high school kids when my son was in Grade 7.  Jim in now 21, so that was a while ago!  Terry is super informative and gives out tips that are easy to apply, like if you are thirsty, your brain is already dehydrated, so drink before you get thirsty.

Terry Small, B.Ed., M.A., is a master teacher and learning skills specialist. He has taught for 28 years at elementary school, highschool and university levels. His knowledge, warmth, humour and dynamic presentation style have made him a much sought-after speaker at workshops and conferences. Terry has been on television, the radio and in the press. He recently appeared on BCTV, CKNW and Student Success. He has presented his ideas to over 95,000 people.

Terry believes, "Anyone can learn how to learn easier, better, faster, and that learning to learn is the most important skill a person can acquire." He guarantees better grades in less time, increased confidence and more fun in learning!

Terry's wealth of teaching experience and extensive involvement in the development of study strategies and techniques make him an outstanding resource of the educational community. He resides in Vancouver, Canada, where he is a frequent lecturer at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.

Terry Small's Philosophy is simple: "Success is a skill anyone can learn."

Doug Brockway - Relevant and Interesting E-Newletter

http://www.brockwayservices.com/

I heard Doug speak a few years ago.  I find his e-newsletter helpful.  This month, one of his articles suggests:

Begin by setting hourly beeps. Each hour when your watch, computer or phone beeps, stop whatever you’re doing and ask yourself two questions:

1. Am I doing what I most need to be doing right now?

2. Am I being who I most want to be right now?

I certainly can become distracted by the littlest thing....I'm going to try this!

Website: a bell to remind to breathe!

http://www.fungie.info/bell/#

This looks like a neat idea....you can set it anyway you like, with either a loud or quieter bell sound.

Meditation Strengthens Your Brain

http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20111120/meditation-may-help-brain-tune-out-distractions

This study reveals people who practice meditation for more than 10 years, have a greater ability to tune out distractions and focus on the task at hand.  They are also less likely to be depressed.  That's an amazing value added component to the grounding effect of taking the time to meditate and practice mindfulness.

Posts: Don't Ask Your Doctor How to Live Longer; Ask Hispanic Families (11-05-2010) - Abundant Community

http://www.abundantcommunity.com/home/posts/john_mcknight/parms/1/post/20101105_dont_ask_your_doctor_how_to_live_longer_ask_hispanic_families.html

John McKnight, Professor of Education and Social Policy and Co-Director of Asset Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago Illinois, ponders in his blog a recent study by Elizabeth Arias, a demographer with the National Center for Health Statistics.  Elizabeth Arias, hypothesizes that the Hispanic longevity may have to do with cultural factors such as their close family and social networks.

I've pondered if identifying with one or more of the 12 Social Determinants of Health results in a life-sentence of of dis-ease, depression and hopeless struggle.  The interpretation of this study leans toward the possibility of living a long life, despite low income or other determinants.  The factor making the difference is culture, a place of belonging, a social network.  We can live productive, satisfying lives in spite of difficulties.  Interaction and connection with others may be a key to this resiliency.  Our perspective on the world also influences our health.  How does my attitude affect my daily life and those around me?

Neural Integration is the Heart of Health TEDMED

Mind Up - Goldie Hawn and Mindsight - Daniel Siegel

In addition to the 3 R's reading 'riting and 'rithmetic these speakers state we need 3 R's Reflection, Relationships and Resiliency...take our knowledge in health care and apply to education.  
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OdBXGHwNCk

Gabor Mate MD speaks on roots of addictions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpHiFqXCYKc

Gabor addresses brain development, chemicals, hormones and addiction.

Gabor has authored four books: 

* In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction 

* Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers (co-authored with developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld)

* When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress 

* Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder.

I encourage you to go listen to Gabor Mate or Gordon Neufeld present, next time you have the opportunity.

GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND CANADIANS......Economic Aspects of Kids and Crime

James Heckman, winner of the Nobel prize in economics in the year 2000, has said:

"...investing in disadvantaged young children has a high economic return.  Early interventions for disadvantaged children promote schooling, raise the quality of the work force, enhance the productivity of schools, and reduce crime, teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency." 

 • Early childhood is the most important period for influencing the lives of children, youths and adults.

• A dollar invested in early childhood development yields 3 times as much as for school-aged children and 8 times as much as for adult education.

• Each year in the U.S. and Canada, a total of several million children are subject to trauma.

• The impacts of trauma can include physical and mental illness, learning disabilities, aggression and addiction.

• The cost of unresolved trauma is incalculable.

• When people with unresolved trauma become parents, often their ability to successfully parent is compromised.  Parent support and family support interventions can break this cycle. 

 Dave Park, Economic Emeritus of Vancouver Board of Trade, created this 97 page Economic Aspects of Kids N Crime Report 2010.  It spells out both the cost of offering interventions and support and the cost of NO interventions.  

 http://www.boardoftrade.com/files/PDF/Policy/2010/EconomicAspectsOfKidsNCrime13sept10.pdf

Link to view Dave Park's Report Summary powerpoint.

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AePNlI2yr4-JZGNtOWh0a3dfMWZ4bXgzc2Rj

This current, research based and evidence based information contains both the statistics of AND solutions for addressing these social determinants of health.  
The question that governing bodies need to answer:  
   WILL GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS SUPPORT CANADIANS DESCRIBED IN THIS DATA? 

http://rarebirdfinds.typepad.com/ibetyoulookgood/2009/10/i-am-the-future-organic-tshirt.html

Circle of Security...Spokane Washington, USA

About the Circle of Security

Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure.

Glen Cooper, Kent Hoffman, and Bert Powell have been working together since 1983, designing and implementing treatment protocols for individuals, couples, and families. Our work is based upon an interface of attachment theory, object relations theory, and family systems theory. Thank you for choosing to look further into our work on the Circle of Security.

http://www.circleofsecurity.net/
This successful program is an attunement/attachment based parenting program.  The short video explains the 'circle'.

http://www.circleofsecurity.net/cos_downloads.html
There are loads of free resources here too!

http://www.circleofsecurity.net/assets/forms_pdf/COS_chart%20childsneeds.pdf
These are the overall beliefs of the Circle of Security captured on one document.

Always:  be BIGGER, STRONGER, WISER, AND KIND.
     Whenever possible:  follow your child's need.
             Whenever necessary:  take charge.

Effect and Affect of The Mane Event

http://www.maneeventexpo.com/Chilliwack/Chilliwack-Trainers-Challenge.aspx
https://www.facebook.com/JonathanFieldHorsemanship

From Jonathan Field's Horsemanship Blog:   This is my kind of Classroom!
http://jonathanfieldblog.wordpress.com/
"...The Nanaimo Ladysmith School District has received approval from the B.C  Ministry of Education to start  a new High School course entitled “Introduction to Horsemanship” It’s a class where students learn the basics of horsemanship and earn 4 high school credits in the process..."  Posted Oct 6, 2011

I was looking forward to experiencing "The Mane Event" and curious to see how the relational pedagogy would reveal itself.  My biggest surprise was how MOVING it was.  At least 4 times, my eyes brimmed with tears (like right now...) as I witnessed this beautiful animal, so sleek and strong, desire to be 'with' the trainer.  This connection-in-action was a privilege to witness.  Consistent across the three events we watched, was the evident respect, trust and consent.   Each displayed the foundation of the connection and then, once the connection was open, the leader became the trusted leader, and did not deviate from that position.  The horse wasn't trying to avoid pain, but trying to do as the trainer wished, so that the horse could remain in connection with the trainer.  It was this willingness, this humble willingness, to connect that allowed the equation to play out.  Strength under control, both the horse's and the trainer's, grants unlimited possibilities to occur.  This partnership is a beautiful adventure.  

The allegory of horse and trainer apply quite directly to instruction.  Especially instruction done well.  The lack of verbal understanding between horse and trainer is also similar in my work in the Early Years.  The Family Support piece wraps around the parent as they are doing the best they can in raising their newborn or preschooler.  The parent mirrors the trainer and the child the horse.  The horse cannot lie and neither can the child.  The child will give many signs, as does the horse, for the parent to interpret.  We encourage the parent to 'attune' to their child, so that their child will 'attach' to them.  The child is born wired for this relationship to unfold this way. 

The parallels between the horse and trainer apply in any instruction situation.  It is not an equal-power relationship, but both parties can be powerful.  It is the willingness and trust of the learner that permits the instructor to be the leader.   After that, the leader needs to remain true to the degree of respect they initially gave to the one being taught.  To waffle from that place, will damage the relationship and any learning that may follow.

What I experienced at the Mane Event will stay with me a very long time.  I found a horse calendar at one of the vendors and will see it all of 2012, a great reminder of the power of developing a connection and gaining leadership.  This event has also stirred in me the unbridled need for connection in my personal relationships and the rawness experienced when difficult breaks occur.