When I was in high school, I could not imagine drawing the same thing over and over. I would have perished. I just wanted to be done when I supposed to be, so I could move on and do the next thing. But recently that has changed. These last 9 days of drawing have shownContinue reading “From Frustration to Freedom”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Triumphant
I remember reading the surveys of my students after a youth mental fitness class in San Francisco, CA. For the emotions check in and check out portion of the survey, I noticed that one of the students had written the emotion “triumphant.” On another occasion, a student (perhaps a different student) answered how he wasContinue reading “Triumphant”
Don’t Wait Until Something Happens to Teach Decision Making to Kids. Start Here Today.
Photo Credit: Ashley M. Blanco Decision making is a part of daily living. It heavily influences our internal lives and deeply affects the quality of our external lives. Children and adolescents are not exempt from this part of life. They, too, make decisions about their actions. And many teens, believe it or not, struggle withContinue reading “Don’t Wait Until Something Happens to Teach Decision Making to Kids. Start Here Today.”
Give More, Spend Less – Starting With Taking Brain Breaks
Have you noticed a parent striving to meet everyone’s expectations, yet her attitude isn’t always pleasant? She’s depleted of her energy and teetering towards feeling defeated by the demands of life. You want to uplift her, but she is in an activated parasympathetic state. She’s tired, overstimulated, and encouraging herself with phrases like, “You goContinue reading “Give More, Spend Less – Starting With Taking Brain Breaks”
Spotlight the Slipups
Challenges that arise during homework time can quickly become a threat to a highly sensitive child or adolescent. She perceives that she is not equipped to address the demands of the assignment. But her perceptions are not necessarily true. She has to learn how capable she is, and perceptions don’t always see the outcome. There’sContinue reading “Spotlight the Slipups”
On Crocs, Slides, and Pajamas
Today’s youth have the ultimate experience of opting into comfort. They can order almost any item they can afford from the phones without having to leave their location to receive their order. They can ease out of tolerance-building discomfort (those found in physical education, the arts, and sports) with claims of pain and injury. TheyContinue reading “On Crocs, Slides, and Pajamas”
This Reminds Me of Something My Teacher Said
Children with bursting lights of energy are full of ideas. Those with verbal capabilities can express their theories regarding the conversations and behaviors of children and adults surrounding them. They have ideas for how things work together. They also have hypotheses about why things may not work together in different contexts. It’s quite fascinating. TheseContinue reading “This Reminds Me of Something My Teacher Said”
Power Up for Homework Time with Pre-Homework Conversations
For many families across the United States, homework time is an evening must-do that, if not completed at school or the afterschool program, is an eye-rolling event during dinner preparation. “Only a few more years before they’re completing this on their own,” adults utter internally between the sighs of their patience. While a “a fewContinue reading “Power Up for Homework Time with Pre-Homework Conversations”
When Smart Kids Don’t Feel Good Enough
“I just don’t like this!” One of my students vehemently confessed in frustration. “What don’t you like?” I asked with curiosity and slight concern. “This.” He tossed a Word-A-Round card in my direction, expressing his disdain for the challenge. I quickly put on my investigative hat and wondered how I could bring him back toContinue reading “When Smart Kids Don’t Feel Good Enough”
Don’t Give In! Your Children Want You to Win!
The ages at which children and youth begin to realize their parents are not really superheroes vary from child to child. But there is something notable about parents and guardians who demonstrate the power of addressing conflict. Instead of avoiding it or denying it, they collaborate with trusted family and friends, devising short-term and long-termContinue reading “Don’t Give In! Your Children Want You to Win!”
Ashley M. Blanco 