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.