Ten O'Clock Scholar - How to reduce those power struggles over learning

     Reduce those power struggles over learning!

               Here are some suggestions for taking the wind out of an argument’s sail. Talk with children, not to them. Win cooperation – recognize a behavior’s purpose; feel NO rancor; discuss.

                Use sentences like:  

                                                                    

•“How do _?”                                                      •“I wonder why _?”

•“You may be right.”                                            •“What if _?”

•“We’ll think about it and see what happens.”        •“What else could _?”

•“Do you have any ideas _?”                                •“What can _?”

•“I would appreciate it if you would _.”

•“I don’t agree with you, but you have the right to think so, if you wish.”

               We can improve the way we think about things with a few simple suggestions. We can replace negative habits with positive ones, as suggested below. 

REPLACE:

• Resentment & Discontent with GRATITUDE
• Criticisms with COMPLIMENTS
• Anger with HUMOR, PATIENCE, WISDOM
• Selfishness with SERVICE
• Ridicule with RESPECT
• Error with REPENTANCE
• Cruelty with CHARITY
• Contention with PEACE
• Pride with HUMILITY
• Rudeness with COURTESY
• Worry with FAITH

     “Life is not the survival of the fittest, but the fitting of as many as possible for survival.”                                                                                                 ~ Thomas H. Huxley, ad-libbed.

Dr. Randy S. Chatelain, Chair of the Human Relations Department at Weber State University, developed the astute

Oppositional vs. Opportunity Systems:

Which kind of relationships do you develop? It is possible to discipline without anger, with love and logic. Better late than never.

               The Godfrey Method insists that parents de-fuse the control games by keeping the learning fun and stopping when young children are ready to take a break. Another way is to change your viewpoint of what it means to be the parent, the boss, the authority.

               Without the preventatives shown in this chapter, the cracks in your child may be dyslexia, speech problems, resource remediation classes, being teased, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, low self-esteem, insecurity, childhood depression, low self-confidence, lack of imagination, lower IQ, slower learning capacity, poor decision-making skills, lack of social skills, math incompetency, low-paying jobs, and/or caught in the downward educational trend. They all may be preventable or curable. You, mom and dad, are the key. It’s not rocket surgery!

http://thegodfreymethod.com

Ten O'Clock Scholar - the brain needs constant data input

Develop your child's brain (and yours, too!):

               Did you know that the brain needs constant data-input? An old proverb says that those with high intelligence talk about ideas, with middle intelligence talk about things, and with low intelligence talk about people. Those who can’t entertain themselves in wholesome ways, such as reading, creating art, designing or engineering something, writing, recreational activities, etc., still need data-input.

               Some tend to shop too much or redecorate their houses for the umpteenth time, gossip, pick fights, buy another pocket knife or tool, watch too much sports, primp in the mirror a lot, and so on. Their brains need new data-input all the time, but it tends to be on a very shallow level of immediate gratification without much thought. Quite often it’s just visual input of things to look at for no real reason, such as television, internet, video games, pinterest, or driving around. Moderation in all things is the key.

               Astute parents will gear their child’s data-input towards ideas and creativity. To ensure that a child develops higher-level thinking, first teach him/her to read early the right way and to love reading. Surround your child with books, artistic tools and building sets. Get the child a simple microscope set. Play board games and/or do puzzles together as a family. Encourage your child to find things to do that give quality data-input into the brain.

               It is useful for a person to know how to make small-talk in social situations, but for the most part s/he needs the ability to discuss ideas and be creative. Data-input for the brain should be uplifting, creative, and challenging. Parents who help their children learn how to motivate and entertain themselves – and think without the constant need of outside entertainment – will raise flourishing, high-level thinkers and problem-solvers.

               Being a geek is gaining not only acceptance but also popularity. I recently saw a t-shirt that said, “Geek is Chic.” I loved it! Remember, geeks and nerds run the world. So, I decided to Google that wonderful phrase and came up with so many positive resources. Check these out!

· The Chic Geek's Fashion, Grooming and Style Guide for Men, Marcus Jaye, Sterling Pub Co Inc, 2011.

·        Geek Wisdom, N.K. Jemisin, Random House Inc, 2011.

·        The Geek Dad Book for Aspiring Mad Scientists: The Coolest Experiments and Projects for Science Fairs and Family Fun, Ken Denmead, Penguin Group USA, 2011.

·        Suck It, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek, Olivia Munn, St Martins Pr, 2010.

·        Theater Geek: The Real Life Drama of a Summer at Stagedoor Manor, the Famous Performing Arts Camp, Mickey Rapkin, Simon & Schuster, 2010.

·        Geek Charming, Robin Palmer, Puffin Books, 2009.

·        

There were so many more humorous and interesting titles and products!

               In summary, encourage your child to focus on ideas and creativity for his/her brain data-input. It is possible to be a geek and still have social skills without being materialistic.

http://thegodfreymethod.com