I can do it.

Four powerful words are, “I can do it.” Everything anyone does begins in the mind and with what is said to oneself. If a child says, “I can’t do it.” The child can’t. The child has given up before he or she even tried. When that child attempts to do something, the odds are that it will be a failure. That is because the child believes that it is impossible. Similarly, if a child says, “I can,” the child has a great potential to actually be able to accomplish whatever it is that needs to be accomplished.

The politician who runs for office, says, “I can.” The marathon runner who completes the marathon, says, “I can” even when the going gets tough. The child who learns to say, “I can,” can move through those tough times to the other side. It all starts with belief. Children learn to believe in themselves when they have someone who believes in them. They need to hear, “I believe in you. You can do it.” There are many children who have never heard those words. That is where you come in. You are the cheerleader for children.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end. You are a huge difference maker.

Maryln

Play the “Similarity Game”

Children are always looking for differences in each other. “Camden is shorter.” “Kendra is chubby.” “Kiersten gets in trouble all the time.” Jackson is mean.” The list goes on and on. Instead, have children do activities in which they look for their similarities. Have them think of all the things they have in common. The more they find in common, the better they will get along. This is a great thing to do, not only within the classroom but, for parents to do at home with their children. It is a great way to help children be more harmonious with each other.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Profits and losses

The world is talking a great deal about the economy and profits and losses nowadays. It is a lot of negative talk. It reminds me of another area in life in which there are profits and losses. That area is your individual energy. Working with children can be draining and it can also be exhilarating. There is nothing that can compare with a child’s smiles or hug or the wonder in a child’s eyes when that child learns something new. When you see that, you are energized. It helps to cut the “losses”—the drains in other areas of your life.

Here’s a great strategy for you during these special times and for always. Make a list with two columns. Put in the first column, “Profits—Energy Boosts.” Label the second column, “Losses—Energy Drains.”

Make a page with two columns. List of all the things that are in your life that are “Profits-Energy Boosts.” Put these in one column. Those are energy enhancers. They make you feel good. They motivate you to do even more. Now make a list for the “Losses—Energy Drains,” put these in the other column.

The goal is to ensure that your “Profits-Energy Boosts” column is much larger than your “Losses—Energy Drains” column. You are an important person. Your work makes a huge difference for children. The best way to ensure that you are on top of your game is to keep your “Profits—Energy Boosts” column much larger than the second column.

None of us can control the economy, but each person can take charge to make sure, regardless of what is happening on the outside, that the “inside” is positive and energized and ready to continue making a difference for children.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Who is the slave and who is the master?

Last week I wrote about addiction and media. It was fun reading your comments on my blog. Those comments led me to another thought—one about slavery. Slavery was and is a bad thing. It is bad for human beings to have to jump when their masters call. It robs the dignity of the people. It destroys any chance of close relationships. Then I thought about cell phones. When the phone rings or a text message is received, people become slaves to it. Almost always, it is immediately answered. If not answered, it is checked to see who the caller was! People stop everything including conversations with people they love, to answer the call. Who is the slave? Who is the master? Is this modern technology making people lose what is really important? Are people losing the art of in person communication? What effect will this have on the ability to form and maintain long-lasting relationships?

Cell phones are here to stay. They are not going to change, but what can change is how we each handle children with cell phones, and our own cell phones. These are my suggestions:

• When you are talking to someone important to you, turn off the
cell phone prior to starting the conversation.
• Take a cell phone and media “Sabbatical” at a special time every
day for at least 30 minutes.
• Find more time for family and friend gatherings. All cell phones are off.
• Have strict rules at school about cell phone usage, and follow through.

I remember hearing once that our greatest strength can also be our greatest weakness. I believe that this saying applies for cell phones too. Cell phones are wonderful. They are a great way for us to stay in contact. They also can be used in emergencies. But when their use is carried too far, it becomes a weakness. Let’s all work together to have cell phones be a strength rather than a weakness.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Tiny bites are better.

If you take tiny bites when you eat a candy bar, you get to savor the candy bar. The impression of how great it tastes, lasts longer than if it was just gulped all at once. It is the same with children. When they are learning something new, they need to get it in “small chunks.” Start with something small, make sure they have mastered it, and then they are ready for more. They get to savor the “flavor” of the new thing, understand it, master it, absorb it, and then they are ready for the next “tiny bite of flavorful learning.”

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln