Helping kids with executive functioning challenges can take one part instruction, one part practice, one part mindfulness and one part patience. For the instruction part, I have created fun visual aids to support kids with their learning and understanding of how their brains work. Within the school I work, every grade is using the In-Focus …
Relaxing With Otters As I was walking down the hallway in my school today, I encountered the MOST precious sight. The kindergarten class had just finished art and was parading their otter artwork back to class. Apparently they had watched the YouTube video on the book Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller ( https://youtu.be/AKzM3CZoWqY ). I …
Walking the Path This past summer I had the opportunity to visit the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth to walk it for the third time. Giant in size, it is a walk of heart. In fact, the first time I set foot on it, I was unexplainably moved to tears. Labyrinths have long since been used as …
Good Morning! I am so honored to be able to sit here and blog (FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER), alongside Zemirah. For those of you wondering, my name is Maurie and I am interning under Zemirah this semester as I am close to graduating with my undergraduate degree. I have always loved to write (journaling …
You, dear parent, dear teacher… are a Gardener As I am working with kids in one of the many Garden Offices we have, this is one of my most powerful mantras: I am a gardener, I plant seeds, I am not in charge of when they grow. It keeps me in “seed planting mode” rather …
It’s back to school time and the perfect time to practice relaxation techniques with your kids! Recently, the first graders and I created a “Forest of Calm” through the Vrksasana yoga pose, or “tree pose.” All of the kids gathered together to assume the tree poses and linked arms to create our forest. Your Forest …
Thoughts are Things The way we think has the power to determine how we feel and how we experience the world around us. Have you heard the saying, “Thoughts are things?” Teaching our kids how to observe and shift their thoughts is a powerful tool, one that benefits us to practice along with them. What …
All Tied Up in Knots: Releasing the Worries When our brains get all tied up in knots with worry, they can look like this rubber band ball. In small group today we talked about how it’s sometimes impossible to think straight when there are all sorts of worries going on in our heads and tension …
The Monster Under Your Bed is Just a Story In Your Head by Lisa Wimberger Loving this new book by Lisa Wimberger, founder of the Neurosculpting Institute, (www.neurosculptinginstitute.com). It’s perfect for introducing kids to neuroliteracy, the study of brain science and how it can be applied to create an empowering, self-regulated, and emotionally balanced life. …
Writing can be a relaxation tool that can be accessed anywhere and everywhere! Use it to feel better when there are thoughts swimming around inside. Model for your child how journaling can relieve stressful thoughts or feelings that want to be released. Show your child how the thoughts can be freed from inside the mind, …
