Smart Learning Newsletter
Helping You Help Your Kids Reach Their Smart Potential (even with ADHD)
Dr. MaryJo Wagner, Editor and Publisher
Vol 1. No. 10 August 27, 2010
Contents
- Note from Dr. MaryJo: Changing my focus to help your kids focus
- What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents in September
- Feature Article: A Quick and Easy Smart Brain Game™
"Smart Kids Smart Parents" Complimentary ADHD and ADD Strategy Sessions:
Do you have ADHD challenges at your house? Kids ADHD-like behavior getting in the way of good grades and high test scores? Kids driving you crazy because they won't settle down and pay attention?
Get some help. Schedule your complimentary strategy session with me, Dr. MaryJo Wagner. Just let me know and we'll find a mutually convenient time.
Note from Dr. MaryJo
I'm back from a week in Atlanta at the NAMS conference. Had a great time making new friends, taking volumes of notes, making lists of fabulous new things you can use to help your kids. And staying up too late and getting up too early so that I didn't miss a thing!
Made a big decision to focus more on helping you help your kids with ADHD/ADD and ADHD-like behavior.
Often kids don't really have ADHD but it sure seems like it. Bottom line, most kids today have a hard time focusing and paying attention. Some kids are hyperactive. Some kids are spacey. Some kids are impulsive. We call that behavior "ADHD."
So whether your child has ADHD or not, you'll still find lots of easy-to-use, effective resources to help your kids focus and calm down to succeed in school.
This week I've got a Smart Brain Game for you. Combines something you already know about plus a tip to make that even more effective.
Kids learn how to shift from impulsive to calm. You learn what to do instead of biting your tongue or counting to ten when you're about to yell at your kids. It's a quick and easy Smart Brain Game. You'll find it in the feature article below.
Enjoy!
Maybe your kids don't have ADHD after all and maybe just a change in diet will help with ADHD symptoms. To find out what looks like ADHD and isn't ADHD, I invite you to grab your copy of the FREE "Maybe They Don't have ADHD" inventory and checklist.
Discover 12 factors that can contribute to ADHD-like behavior Give it to teachers and parents. Help stop the over-diagnosis of ADHD! No more prescribing stimulant meds for kids who don't really have ADHD at all (Yes, ADHD is real but good chance your kid doesn't have it. And that's good news!)
On Tuesday, August 31, you can get this valuable check list FREE. Keep reading!
What's Happening at Smart Kids Smart Parents
Tuesday TeleTips: Always Complimentary. Always recorded. Always an Action Guide. But you do need to sign up
Note: Tuesday TeleTips will be moving to twice a month beginning Sept. 7 as we make room for "The Smart Kids Smart Parents Show" on the radio Thursday afternoons.
August 31: Two Kinds of ADHD: Which One Does your Child Have? (And I'll bet they have one of them!) Sign up, come to the live call, and get a free copy of the "63 Common Conditions that Look Like ADHD"
Sept. 7: Homework without Stress: Seven Strategies for ADHD Kids and Kids Who Act Like They Have ADHD
Sept. 21: ADHD: Three Smart Brain Games™ that Always Work
If there's something you'd like know, let me know and I'll get it into the October Tuesday TeleTips.
"The Smart Moms Show" every Thursday, 2 pm Eastern on Your Radio starting Sept. 2.
Sept. 2: "Aromatherapy for ADHD" with Barbara Schwartz
Sept. 9: Dr. Mommy's 'Life Lessons" for Happy, Healthy Kids" with Dr. Daisy Sutherland
Sept. 16: "The Super Confitelligent Child" with Denise Hornbeak
Sept. 23: "ADHD and Families" with Dr. Rory Stern
A Quick and Easy Smart Brain Game™
When you're stressed out and about to yell at your kids or argue with them, STOP, don't say a word, take a deep breath. You probably already know this part.
But now instead of counting to ten or just "biting your tongue," think about one of your very favorite things. Maybe it's wearing your favorite outfit or a warm bubble bath or going to the mountains or the beach.
When you have this favorite thing in your mind, stand or sit quietly and concentrate on your favorite thing without talking. Imagine being at your favorite place or doing your favorite thing. Concentrate on how that feels. Just a minute or even a few seconds is enough.
You'll get the best results by always thinking about the same favorite thing to help "train" your brain to instantly shift from your anger, annoyance, or argumentative state to being calm and peaceful.
Teach your kids to do the same thing. Now when the two of your start to argue, both of you stop, think quietly about your favorite thing, concentrate on how it feels.
After you've both done this, you can continue the discussion without yelling or getting mad.
It's a good idea to practice this technique alone and over minor annoyances at first. Then by the time, a potential nasty argument comes along, your brain already knows exactly what to do.
Psychologists call it "shifting state." I call it a "Smart Brain Game."
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In the meantime, I invite you to sign up for the "Back to School Without ADHD" 4-session TeleWebcast to help your kid get a head start on school success.
One module focuses on getting organized before school. It includes a shopping list, tips for breakfasts, lunches, organizing school supplies and how to do a fun practice day.
Other sessions include strategies for home, using movement to tame ADHD and ADHD-like behavior (if not get rid of it completely), and lots of programs that retrain the brain. You'll get the audio replays of all four sessions, three videos, Action Guides for each session, and bonuses.
Sign up now before school starts. You'll get the replays of the sessions that have been completed and access to the remaining live sessions (and of course replays of those also).
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Watch for next week's "Smart Learning Newsletter: "Unraveling the ADHD Mystery"
In the meantime:
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Get more ADHD strategies and Smart Parent tips at http://articlesbymaryjo.com
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