Thoughts & Reflections
Consider jotting down a few notes, perhaps in a journal or notebook.
- Do you prefer a rhythm or a schedule? What is it about your choice that helps support your family, your preferences or your intentions?
- What do you notice in your child’s body when he/she has had enough and needs some type of state change? Does he start fidgeting, does talking increase or decrease, does she whine or complain, does he wander off or become sluggish? It can be helpful to notice physical signs, so you can catch those moments and offer up a Wake-Up or Brain Break.
- Have you tried using environmental enhancers, such as sparkly pens, reading inside a blanket fort or outside in a tree, tea-time dress up or adding music between activities or to end the day? If so, notice if your child’s mood (or your own) shifts to a more positive one.
- Have you tried learning new things in the mornings, afternoons and evenings? Make a note of your challenges and successes with each.
- How do you make decisions in your family? Do you incorporate choice and connection in your decision-making process? Have a conversation with your child about decision-making and listen to the perspective shared.
- What has been your experience with hands-on, experiential activities? These might be field trips, science explorations at home, cooking together, building projects, etc. Have they been valuable, overwhelming, or something else? What might you be able to do to increase their value in your learning space?
- Have you tried opening your day with a game or activity, music or conversation? What was the result? How might it have been even better?
- Does your child start the day with clear intentions and goals? If so, are these goals that your child has helped to create? If you haven’t yet used clear goals, what’s standing in your way?
- Are you open to a short mindfulness practice with your child? Why or why not?
- Do you consistently help your child understand the WHY of learning? You might need to frame several times in the same activity. Watch to see that buy-in remains high and frame as needed.
- Who are the experts in your child’s life that can share some of the job of offering learning feedback?
- What are some things that your child loves to do for fun? Do you find value in those activities? Why or why not?
Feel free to review last week's recording on catching and holding attention when learning at home.
https://www.boldschoolers.com/blog/how-to-create-an-easy-rhythm-to-the-school-day
