For the next few days, I'll have a series of blog posts on Spelling Hints. Get out index cards - the larger the better - and colored wide tip markers. Write one word on each card, but divide the word into syllables, and use a different color for each syllable. Use large letters: ho li day taste trai ler Show your child each card, and tell her, "Make a picture of this card in your brain. Keep looking at it until you can see it in your head without looking." When she says that she can 'see' it, then take the card away. Ask her to close her eyes and get the picture of the word bright and … [Read more...]
When There’s Not Much to Praise
January 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The day after I wrote the previous post, Mike was in a sermon competition. (Am I the only one who thinks that a sermon competition sounds rather odd?!) To put it kindly, he bombed. He hadn't practiced enough, he forgot what he was supposed to say, he was ill at ease. He knew he hadn't done well, yet people kept complimenting him on the good job he did. Their insincerity made him wonder about the compliments he had been given in the past. Were they true or not? My heart hurt for him. I knew I better have some really wise words to say, especially after reading the aforementioned … [Read more...]
The Power (and Peril) of Praise
January 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
A longtime friend and subscriber forwarded an article to me recently entitled, "How Not to Talk to Your Kids - The Inverse Power of Praise". In a nutshell, the article states that in order to be truly effective, praise needs to be specific - and true. I recommend that you read the article, which cites research which sort of blows holes into some of the long standing beliefs we have about the way we build self-esteem. That's why we praise our kids. "You're so smart...clever...interesting...beautiful..." I do it. You do it. But is it truly helpful? Could it even be counter-productive? The … [Read more...]
An Alternative to Stress Balls for ADHD
January 9, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Here's another alternative to using stress balls for ADHD, sent in by a mom who subscribes to our newsletter. "My daughter is in high school and was having trouble sitting and concentrating for the whole hour of class. She was either pulling pages out of her book just so she could get up and walk to the bin to throw it out or would ask to go to the bathroom just so she could go for a walk. A stress ball is not really appropriate for her to use as other students would grab it and throw it around and the teachers would not be impressed. I have tried the velcro. First I put it inside her pencil … [Read more...]
