Posts by Lynne Watts
Teaching children to have courage
What is the meaning of courage? In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Brene Brown identifies the three cornerstones of whole hearted living: courage, compassion and connection. Wouldn’t we all love to encourage these qualities in our children? The word courage comes from the the Latin word, “cor” which means heart. Today courage is usually associated…
Read MoreDo kids really need recess?
Recess = Key Part of Learning In today’s fast-paced, test-results and data focused school world, one of the first things to go is recess. At least 40% of schools have eliminated it altogether. Not only has recess been eliminated but students are spending more time sitting… and sitting… and sitting, all the while expected to…
Read MoreKids who feel overwhelmed
Kids Who Feel Overwhelmed It’s not just adults who feel overwhelmed today. Kids it seems have more pressures and challenges than ever. Not to mention that we all live in a pessimistic, if something bad can happen then it probably will world. What can we as adults do to help kids ( and ourselves while…
Read MoreKids accepting limitations
Accepting limitations Every one has some sort of limitation in life. For some this may be an actual physical disability, for others it is more subtle. Some children have difficulty with math, or reading or social skills. It is a rare child who excels in every area. Often as adults in children’s lives we either try…
Read Morehow to teach kids not to give up
Use Brain Science to Teach Kids Not to Give Up Brain science has dramatically changed how we think about the brain. While much of the research has been applied to helping children learn better in an academic setting, growth mindset research has also taught us how to help children develop high self-esteem while at the…
Read MoreMotivating Students
Motivating Students At an elementary school training, a teacher asked me about strategies for a student who has no motivation. He refuses to do any work at all and she has tried numerous strategies already. “I’ve tried everything and nothing works,” she said. As a school counselor for 20 years, I often heard similar concerns.…
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