accountability sans judgement

MINDSET: LET THEM THINK

As we co-create curriculum, there's always an overarching theme each term. It could be focus on practicing healthy sexuality, being friends with myself. It could be honing in on completing tasks and follow-thru... In addition, there is usually one over arching query posed at the beginning, and at the end of each term as we design curricula, that is tied in with the theme, and with the learning design at hand. These questions make us think. They ask your child to check in with themselves, to be honest with themselves about where they are, and where they'd like to be. Then, once the term is over, we hold yet another critical thinking discussion, revisiting the same query and explore how this observation has shifted for the child. Have they refined said skill, or goal? It's teaching accountability, but not from a blue ribbon, metric standpoint- it's about the child's understanding of self-accountability, and how they implement. As we discuss and explore the journey, there's no judgement, just reflection- and the child gets to guide where they may see room for improvement, how they celebrate their victory or recognize their commitment, for themselves... no one else. Sharing in this progression is not only inspiring as the parent, but reinforces the truth that your child can navigate their own character development- and witness themselves... and we, as parents have the honor of witnessing.

File coming soon.

7 Brain Breaks to Optimize What You're Learning RIGHT NOW!

JUGGLING

Juggling, or learning any complex motor skill produces myelin; a.k.a.the white matter that conducts electrical signals between nerve cells and connect different parts of the brain together. Folding juggling practice into your studies throughout the day gives your neurons a boost and actually helps you learn better!

SPLASH WRITING

Splash writing is great not just for getting your thoughts out on paper to get in flow, but the motor skill of writing stimulates the Broca's area of your brain, which is partly responsible for your auditory and speech; making splash writing a super good exercise to do before you give an oral presentation or film some content! *EXTRA SCOOP; writing backwords is also a great way to get a quick brain reboot! Simply choose 5 long-ish words, and write them forwards and backwards from memory (no peeking)!

20/20/20

Studies have shown that if you give your eyes a break from your screens every 20 mins, and stare at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds, your eyes don't get as strained over all this screen time we find ourselves in these days.

DANCE BABY DANCE!

The funkier, the better! Anytime you move your body and engage in a novel motor pattern, your brain gets sensory info from your nervous system that takes you to a place of paying attention, IN THE MOMENT- meaning, your brain is picking up data about where you are in space, this is called proprioception. Simply put, your brain is forced to DO. THIS. NOW. instead of replaying an old memory or staying in stale frustration- this triggers your parasympathetic nervous system and takes your stress down a few notches.

EARTHING

Mama Nature has all the answers, and she holds these cool things called negative ions. The guys mop up and neutralize free radicals in our body. Free radicals are atoms that have lost 1 or 2 electrons; they kind of rip off the limbs of other intact atomic structures in your body; Best way to get negative ions is through skin receptors, like getting your hands in the dirt or breathing them into our lungs. So, take a deep breath barefoot in the garden or at the beach, hike, or hugging a tree totally counts too!

DO A HEADSTAND

A headstand save your mood from a nose dive, refresh your attention span and even help you sleep. It activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System---- for a calming effect and resets the Reticular Activating System (RAS) of the brain stem; which is considered as one of the most important systems which facilitates the functioning of sensation and attention.

HUGS!!!

20-second hugs stimulate the feel-good neurotransmitter oxytocin. Through the release of this chemical, the brain knows that everything is safe and that there is no need to worry. Therefore, the stress edge fades away, and you can go on with your learning!

The Integrity Economy