Maryln and More

This blog has been discontinued.

2010-03-01T04:00:00.002-06:00

To read the daily Thought, go to our home page (www.atiseminars.org) and scroll down to the bottom right corner.

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Maryln Appelbaum &
the Appelbaum Training Institute.

Make an appointment with students who want constant attention.

2010-02-26T04:32:00.000-06:00

Some students want your attention immediately. It's not because it's something urgent. Instead, it's because these students just want to be disruptive.*

Here's an easy and effective strategy. Make up little appointment cards. When the student wants your immediate attention, give the student an appointment card. The appointment card is a promise that you will meet with the student at a later time. It's a great strategy because students are acknowledged, yet they do not disrupt what you are doing.

* This strategy is only for students who are constantly disruptive, and not for students who truly need immediate attention.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

PS - Click here to become a FACEBOOK "Fan" of Maryln Appelbaum & the Appelbaum Training Institute.

What makes up each child's personality?

2010-02-25T04:26:00.000-06:00

I believe that there are 3 unique aspects that determine a child's personality. The books only talk about two of them; heredity and environment. Yes, they are important, but I believe there is another very important factor. I believe that children each come into the world with their own unique spark—their own unique soul. This unique spark, soul, explains why some children are good-natured and happy in spite of their heredity and environment, and some are more strong-willed, determined, and persistent.

Your important work means starting right where the child is, and nurturing all aspects. While you can't change heredity, environment, or even the basic soul of the child, you can still make a huge difference by what you say and do. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day.

Maryln

PS - Click here to become a FACEBOOK "Fan" of Maryln Appelbaum & the Appelbaum Training Institute.

You can't do it alone—and being part of a team can be fun.

2010-02-24T04:03:00.000-06:00

I see it in families. I see it in schools and child care centers, and I see it in business. People work together, sometimes even live together, but they forget how important it is to have fun together. Having fun is a critical ingredient of teamwork. So today when you see people with whom you work, reach out, remember to laugh and have fun.

And if you want to smile even more, check out this video clip of some of the Appelbaum team being silly together as we sing and shake it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTPz6cf3OHw

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

PS - To become a FACEBOOK "Fan" of Maryln Appelbaum & the Appelbaum Training Institute click here.

Anger rules teach children how to handle anger.

2010-02-23T04:09:00.001-06:00

Here are some good anger rules to teach children.

It’s okay to be angry, but:

• Do not hurt someone;
• Do not hurt property; and
• Do not hurt yourself.
• Do talk about it!

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

PS - To become a FACEBOOK "Fan" of Maryln Appelbaum & the Appelbaum Training Institute click here.

Happy Birthday.

2010-02-22T04:17:00.000-06:00

This is a day filled with sweet memories for me. It all began on a snowy Thursday morning when I started having labor contractions. I was so happy to meet my new child. The labor and delivery all went smoothly, and then I heard those magical words, “You have a healthy son.” That was one of the happiest days of my life—giving birth, adding to the gift of life. It was a milestone day for me. I was 20 years old, and can still remember my joy when I held my son, Marty, in my arms for the first time.

It is not every day that we get to add a new baby into our lives, but every day can be filled with happiness and joy. In the special career you have chosen, you get to watch all kinds of joy-filled milestones.

Have a wonderful day filled with happiness and pride in what you do. You are a difference maker. And if you want to wish my son, Marty, happy birthday, you can send him an email at info@atiseminars.org.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Students, who are strong-willed, need adults who are strong-willed.

2010-02-19T04:02:00.000-06:00

Students who are strong-willed can be a real challenge. Stay strong. If the student gets argumentative, refuse to argue. Instead, calmly say, "Regardless, I need you to _______________." If the student still does not listen, give two positive choices. "Mitchell, you can do ________________ or __________________. Which do you choose?"

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Use organizers.

2010-02-18T04:10:00.000-06:00

One of the best ways to get organized is to have a system. Have files so that you can always reach for just the right activity, chart, or information. Have labeled boxes filled with items that go together. The more organized your work place, the more organized and efficient you will be.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Say no to shouting.

2010-02-17T03:57:00.000-06:00

I have a precious 11 year old cousin who lives far away in another country and is learning to speak English as a second language. He has been skyping me to chat. He was telling me about one of his teachers, and said he hated her class because she shouted. I asked him what he does when she shouts, and he wrote to me, “I mad on her in quiet.” He’s angry inside but doesn’t express it.

It made me think about all the children who may get upset when they hear shouting even if it’s not directed at them. Are they angry too? Does it affect their learning? You bet.

Children listen better when you use a low voice. The lower your voice, the more they quiet down to hear what you have to say.

Have an awesome day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

2010-02-16T04:18:00.000-06:00

There are many days children cannot go outside because it’s just too cold. Students get antsy when they are inside all the time. It doesn’t matter the age--preschool or elementary, middle or high school. Do some happycizes with your class. Give them a chance to move around. Play some music, or just stand up and do some stretches. Keep it controlled so they don’t get out-of-control.

Here’s a cute video clip of Marty with a group of preschoolers doing some happycizes.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ATIseminars#p/u/35/IKze8tM0BUU

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

President's Day – Thank you George Washington & Abraham Lincoln.

2010-02-15T04:20:00.000-06:00

This special day started originally to honor two Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They were just ordinary men who became extraordinary. This holiday made me think about the students you teach. There is no doubt in my mind that you have future Presidents in your classrooms. They may not become President of the United States of America, but they may become great leaders that in their way make this country and our lives better.

Words you say to these students, some special attention and caring you give to them, may be all that they need to inspire them to be better, greater, than they ever thought they could be. You may be the catalyst to help them go from ordinary to extraordinary.

Happy President’s Day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

2010-02-12T04:24:00.000-06:00

Valentine’s Day is nearly here, and many people are thinking about love. It made me think about my own definition of love.

Love is sharing hugs, smiles, words, and passion. But love is much more than that. It is the ability to love someone when they behave in an unlovable way. It’s holding on to hope for that person beyond what is rational. It is accepting others as they are, and not as you wish they would be.

It’s the smile you get on your face just thinking of your loved ones. It’s the joy you feel in your heart when you are in their presence. It’s sharing laughter as well as sadness; joy as well as pain; great news and deep secrets; and hopes and fears. It is setting aside regular times to be together.

And love is best given to others, when you love yourself.

Have a love-filled day a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

Drink.

2010-02-11T04:23:00.000-06:00

Now I wonder if you are thinking I’m talking about alcoholic beverages. I’m not!!! I’m talking about a huge source of energy, life, health, focus, and well-being….water.

Drink lots of water. On days you have to focus better, drink even more water. It flushes out your system, and is a huge source of vitality, and it’s free.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Take a stand and take Oprah’s pledge.

2010-02-10T04:14:00.000-06:00

Oprah devoted an entire show on the use of cell phones while driving. It was a very moving show. Listen to what Oprah has to say about this at

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Watch-a-Special-Message-from-Oprah-Video_1

She created a pledge to end cell phone use while driving. I took the pledge and I hope you do too at http://www.oprah.com/questionaire/ipledge.html?id=4

Distracted driving from using cell phones is a huge cause of accidents and deaths. Let’s keep our world safer and all make a difference together. Go to Oprah’s web site and take the pledge to not use cell phones. Encourage everyone you know to do the same.

You can see the show in its entirety or parts of it at this web site, http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Make the best of it.

2010-02-09T04:00:00.000-06:00

The world is not always filled with sunshine. Life has its ups and its downs. During those times, the best thing to do is to make the best of it.

You won’t always get to have the best working conditions. You won’t always have the perfect students to teach. You won’t always have your health be at its optimum. But you do always have the choice, to make the best of it all, and enjoy your day.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Who is Momma?

2010-02-08T04:04:00.001-06:00

Many children are being raised by people that are not their parents. These often are loving people who, for whatever reason, have to assume the responsibility of being a parent.

I have worked with children who have been seriously abused and molested, and they still want to be with their parents and dream that their parents will love them. As you and I know, that is not always possible. But I think that every child deserves love. Children deserve people in their lives with whom they feel safe, people who have their best interests at heart, people who will protect them.

But children still want to be able to use those magic words, “momma,” and “daddy.” Surrogate parents can tack on those words to their own names, “Grandma momma,” “Auntie Jean Momma,” “Mom Kathy,” & “Poppa Josh.”

I have been blessed in my own life to have had my own dad who passed away when I was young, and then I had another other dad figure step into my life, “Poppa James.” It didn’t take anything away from the love I have for my dad to have another special loving father figure in my life. It added to it.

This is the month of love, February, so it’s ok to expand the love in this special month and be all that you can be in name or in action to those who need it.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Easy does it.

2010-02-05T04:13:00.001-06:00

On those days you feel overwhelmed, it’s sometimes good to have a motto you say to yourself. A good one is, “Easy does it.” It’s a loving reminder to yourself to be gentle on yourself and those around you. You can still get everything done, but remember to pause and breathe, to stop and smile, and to even hum a favorite little tune to yourself now and then.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Every masterpiece has tiny brush strokes.

2010-02-04T04:02:00.001-06:00

When artists paint, they use bold strokes, medium strokes, and tiny strokes. Together, all of the strokes create a wonderful finished product—their masterpiece.

It is the same with teaching. There are times you have to be bold, and there are other times that you have to settle for tiny little strokes—tiny bits of progress. Your masterpiece lies in the futures of the children you teach.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Age is a state of mind.

2010-02-03T04:15:00.000-06:00

I heard about an amazing woman—Ebby Halliday. She is going to be 99 in March and is still working and has been called the First Lady of Real Estate. Her Texas-based real estate company did great last year in a down economy. She is a dynamo. She says the key to longevity is that she doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, and she doesn’t retire! She says the latter gets the most credit. She is an upbeat fun person who is not letting her age define what she does. She has lots of energy and keeps up her spirit by making a difference. Watch Ebby when she celebrated her 98th birthday and get inspired to be all that you can be whether you are young or old. Age is a state of mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDNXTKw3wtw&feature=related

Have an awesome day.

Maryln

Whoopee! Watch me and Marty on this newscast.

2010-02-02T04:11:00.000-06:00

KPRC television came to our office and did a news story that was on the evening news. Today I am sharing their short, but neat, newscast with you. You will see me, Marty, and some of our office team members in action. It was a lot of fun. Enjoy it and pass it on.

http://www.atiseminars.org/nbc-story/

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

1, 2, 3, Slow down before you go.

2010-02-01T04:11:00.001-06:00

One great tool for handling anger is to teach students to count to “three,” and not react. For some students, this may mean counting to a higher number. Teach them to be like turtles, and go inside until they feel better. Some children fold their arms across their chest and put their heads down as they count to themselves.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Do you spend more time working than with family and friends?

2010-01-29T04:11:00.000-06:00

If you are like me, your work probably fills a large part of your life. You may even spend more time working than you do with some of your friends and family. I believe that the best way to be really happy is to believe in what you do so much that it doesn’t feel like work. Instead, it feels like a mission, an opportunity to make a huge difference. I also believe that you have to take time to “play” while you are at work. That’s the beauty of this type of work. You have daily opportunities to laugh and have fun while making a difference.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Cluttered space clutters the mind.

2010-01-28T03:55:00.000-06:00

This is a new year, a good time to get rid of what no longer serves you. Look around and see what you have not used for a year. Go through your desk and your files, and chunk whatever you really don’t need. You will find that the less clutter, the more room for creativity and clear thinking.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

P-U-S-H

2010-01-27T04:14:00.001-06:00

This heading is inspired by my son, Marty. Marty sent me this in an email several days ago after he received it from someone else.

P----pray
U----until
S---- something
H----happens

Always remember to "push on" no matter what.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Smiles can light the way.

2010-01-26T04:10:00.001-06:00

When I think of my mom, I remember her big smile. Her smile could light up a room. It was impossible to not smile when I saw the joy in her eyes as she smiled.

Your smile can light the way for the children you teach and for others in your life. Think about how many times a day you smile at those you teach. Are you a selective smiler, saving your smile for some children and not others? Sometimes, that happens without a person even being aware of it. Spread your smile today like sunshine, and watch the children’s faces light up in response.

Have a great day.

Maryln