Smart Learning Newsletter
Helping You Help Your Kids Grow from Smart Potential to Smarter Kids
Dr. MaryJo Wagner, Editor and Publisher
Vol 1. No. 1, November, 2009
Contents
- Note from MaryJo
- Feature Article: Broken Brains
- What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents
- Brain Gym® Tip: Belly Breathing
- Smart Quiz: You Could Win!
- Just for Smart Teachers
Note from MaryJo
Welcome to the first issue of the "Smart Learning Newsletter." It's replacing the "Brain Boosters for Your Kids Newsletter." New look, new location, and shorter. But I've still got a feature article for you, a contest, and a place just for teachers.
Enjoy. Let me know what you think. What you'd like to see. Just use the contact form. And tell your friends to subscribe. Other parents. Your child's teacher.
P.S. And while you're at it, check out the new site Smart Kids Smart Parents. Read the blog. Add your comments. You'll find the Smart Parents Club and the new Smart Parents mini-Guide "Why Smart Kids Don't Learn and Other Mysteries: Seven Strategies for helping Kids Learn.
Broken Brains and How to Fix Them
Mark Hymen, a holistic M.D. coined the term "broken brain" in referring to brains that lose functioning because of the ways we sometimes abuse our bodies. Of course, nobody breaks their brain like they break their leg. But sometimes when we don't take care of our brains and our kids' brains, it seems like they're broken.
Kids seem to lose their ability to focus and pay attention. Often they're sleepy at school. We know they're Smart Kids, but at times some of them just don't do very well academically, emotionally, or socially. We know they've got plenty of smart potential but it's just not happening--as if their brains are broken. The good news is brains can be "fixed." And kids' brains "heal" even more quickly than our brains since their brains are still developing. Brain cells can and do regenerate by growing new neural pathways. Doctors like Mark Hymen and neuroscientists call this neuroplasticity.
And how do Kids' brains break? From lots of everyday, all-too-common life style habits such as
- Too little sleep
- Too much junk food
- Too much to do (school, a gazillion outside activities, too much homework, ten birthday parties, family stuff, etc.)
- Too much TV
- Too little exercise
- Too much stress
- Too many overlooked health problems (allergies, poor eyesight, poor hearing)
Luckily kids are very resilient. Their brains make new neuropathways easily. They bounce back quickly. Cut down on junk food, increase physical activity, go to bed earlier, say "no" to some outside activities, and set time limits on TV. May be too much to do all at once so try just one or two at a time. Choose the habit that seems to cause the most trouble.
What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents
Smart Kids Smart Parents Calendar for November 2009
* November 5, 6pm Pacific, FREE TeleClass, "Why Smart Kids don't learn." With handouts and audio replay
* November 22, 6 pm Pacific, FREE for Smart Parents Club members. All about Homework. Includes Q & A. With handouts and audio replay. (Join the Smart Parent's Club today. Only $10)
*November 9, 6 pm Pacific, ADHD: Disorder or Just Different TelClass. Continues on Nov. 10, 16, & 17. With handouts, audio replay, and certificate of completion. More details and sign up for ADHD: Disorder or Just Different.
* November 23, 5 pm Pacific, Brain Gym Basics. With handouts, audio replay and certificate of completion.
Do ADHD kids drive you crazy at home? Tearing out your hair with hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive behavior?
Because 2.4 million kids have trouble paying attention and get into trouble by acting impulsively, we’ve now got a disorder with a diagnosis. It's called ADHD BUT at least 43 things minic ADHD. Maybe 2.4 million kids don't have ADHD after all--including your kids.
Discover what's ADHD. What isn't. What programs are out there to help. What's the latest brain research. Sign up now for one of the most comprehensive online classes about ADHD. Get help for your kids now.
The next ADHD: Disorder or Just Different TeleClass begins Monday evening, Nov. 9 from 7 pm mountain time to 8 pm. (6 pm Pacific, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern) Continues for five calls on November 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24. Can’t make the dates? You can always listen to the audio replay on your computer or download it to an mp3 player.
Help your kids pay attention, curb impulsive behavior, and calm down. Discover how to help your kids manage ADHD, at home and at school.
Register today
Brain Gym Tip
A couple of the Brain Gym movements are variations of things we all know to do, things we know that work. Belly Breathing is one of those--it's nothing more than deep breathing plus holding one hand on your belly button. Helps kids know when they're taking a really deep breath as they feel their tummy expanding.
As you exhale you can let the air out in tiny puffs, like you're holding a feather in the air. Belly breathing relaxes kids, whole classes, parents, and teachers. The brain learns more when you and your kids are relaxed. Do belly breathing frequently through out your day. Of course, you'll want to do deep breathing when you're sitting or standing in hook-ups too--just like my young friend is doing in the picture.
The next Brain Gym Basics TeleClass begins Nov. 23, and continues Nov. 24, 30, and Dec. 1 Learn how to do all 26 Brain Gym movements, when and why. Discover how Brain Gym makes learning anything quick and easy.
Sign up now
Smart Quiz
The first three people with the right answer, get a copy of my Mini-Guide, "Why Smart Kids Don’t Learn and Other Mysteries: Seven Strategies to Help Your Kids Succeed." This 36-page Smart Kids Smart Parents Mini-Guide includes Brain Gym® Activities, Quiz, Checklist, Tips, Resource List and Seven Smart Parent Action Guides. Is the answer a, b, or c Contact me with your answer right away to win the mini-guide. Now here's the Quiz.
How does the brain use sleep to enhance your kids' learning?
a) Too much learning just makes you tired so you need sleep.
b) Sleeping erases trivial information and unnecessarylearning.
c) During dreaming, the brain rehearses the day's learning.
Just for Smart Teachers
(Smart Parents you can read this too.)
The Internet has wonderful learning tools (and a lot of junk to be sure). Recent finds include a math dictionary which is bright, cheery and wonderfully interactive. Explains 60 math terms in easy-to-understand language.
Although it's a bit overwhelming, I recommend the webpage that lists 100 sites to make kids smarter at math and science. Each entry has a short description to help you choose the ones most relevant to your class. Or let kids who've finished their work go to the computer to explore the list.
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Watch for the December Smart Kids Smart Parents Newsletter. I'll have the quiz winners and a feature article about choosing educational toys for holiday gift giving.
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