tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29339707271630722442024-03-14T00:36:55.848-07:00Kasting ConnectionsKasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-52557314832188539852013-03-28T11:22:00.001-07:002013-04-10T20:12:52.888-07:00Empowering vs. Enabling<a href="http://store.positivediscipline.com/EMPOWERING-VS-ENABLING_b_31.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://store.positivediscipline.com/EMPOWERING-VS-ENABLING_b_31.html</span></a><br />
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Posted by <strong>Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen</strong> on 12/5/2011 on Positive Discipline<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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We have become vividly aware of how skilled most of us are in using enabling
responses with our children, and how unskilled we are in using empowering
responses. Our definition of enabling is, ʺGetting between young people and life
experiences to minimize the consequences of their choices.ʺ <br />
<br />
<a href="http://store.positivediscipline.com/assets/images/Empower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img align="right" alt="" border="0" src="http://store.positivediscipline.com/assets/images/Empower.jpg" /></a><strong>Enabling responses
include:</strong><br />
<ol>
<li><strong>DOING TOO MUCH FOR THEM</strong>: Doing things for kids that they could do for
themselves, (bailing them out after bawling them out). “I can’t believe you have
procrastinated again. What will ever become of you? Okay, I’ll do it this time,
but next time you’ll just have to suffer the consequences.”
<li><strong>GIVING THEM TOO MUCH</strong>: Buying everything they want, cell phones, cars,
insurance, clothes you can’t afford, CDs, junk food. “Honey, I thought you would
do your homework after I bought you a car, a cell phone, clothes I can’t afford,
and gave you a big allowance.”
<li><strong>BRIBING AND/OR REWARDING</strong>. “You can have a new CD, allowance, cell phone, if
you do your homework.”
<li><strong>OVERPROTECTING</strong> : What to wear, when to wear coats so they won’t get cold (as
if they are too stupid to know or to learn on their own), picking their friends,
extreme fear of danger. “Honey, you hurry and do as much as you can now while I
pick out your clothes, and warm up the car so you won’t be cold when I drive you
to school.”
<li><strong>HOVERING</strong>: Doing their laundry, waking them up in the morning, making their
lunches, driving them places when they could walk or ride a bike, excusing them
from helping the family because they have homework. “I just don’t understand. I
excused you from chores, I woke you up early, I drove you everywhere so you
would have more time, I made your lunches. How could this be?”
<li><strong>LYING FOR THEM</strong>: Excuses to the teacher, writing notes when they just slept
in, I won’t tell Dad/Mom. “Okay, I’ll write a note to the teacher that you were
sick this morning, but you’ll need to be sure and catch up.”
<li><strong>PUNISHING/CONTROLLING</strong>: Grounding, taking away privileges, creating your
agenda for them. “Well then, you are grounded and you lose all your privileges,
no car, no TV, no friends, until it is done.”
<li><strong>WHAT AND HOW LECTURES</strong>: Telling them what happened, what caused it to happen,
how they should feel, and what they should do about it. “Well, no wonder. I saw
you wasting your time on the boob tube and spending too much time with your
friends and sleeping in. You should feel ashamed of yourself. You’d better shape
up or you’ll be shipping out to live on the streets like a bum.”
<li><strong>HOW, WHAT, AND WHY CAN’T YOU LECTURES</strong>: “How many times have I told you to
get your homework done early?” “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” “Why
can’t you be more responsible?” “What will become of you?”
<li><strong>BLAMING AND SHAMING</strong>: “How could you ever do such a thing?” “How come you
always forget and never get your homework done?” “I can’t believe you would be
so lazy.”
<li><strong>LIVING IN DENIAL</strong>: “My child could never do such a thing.” Being oblivious to
the cultural mores regarding sex and drugs. Believing things are dangerous
without educating yourself. “Well, honey, I’m sure you don’t really need to do
homework. It is a stupid thing for teachers to expect. You are smart enough to
do just fine without it.”
<li><strong>RESCUING/FIXING</strong>: Buying new things to replace what a child loses, hiring
lawyers, staying up late to help with (or doing) last minute homework. “I’ll
hurry and do it for you while you get dressed and eat your breakfast. Sorry I
won’t be able to fix bacon, eggs, and waffles. I’m sure you’ll do your homework
tomorrow.”</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
Our definition of <span style="font-size: large;">empowering</span> is turning over control to
your kids so they have power over their own lives. The following suggestions are
possibilities that can be used in response to the neglected homework
challenge:<br />
<ol>
<li><strong>SHOW FAITH</strong>: ʺI have faith in you. I trust you to figure out what you need. I
know that when itʹs important to you, youʹll know what to do.ʺ
<li><strong>RESPECT PRIVACY</strong>: ʺI respect your privacy and want you to know Iʹm available
if you want to discuss this with me.ʺ
<li><strong>EXPRESS YOUR LIMITS</strong>: Share what you think, how you feel, and what you want
without lecturing, moralizing, insisting on agreement, or demanding that anyone
give you what you want. “Iʹm not willing to go to school to bail you out. When
your teacher calls, Iʹll hand the phone to you or tell her sheʹll need to
discuss it with you.ʺ A respectful attitude and tone of voice is essential.
<li><strong>LISTEN WITHOUT FIXING, DISCOUNTING, OR JUDGING</strong>: ʺI would like to hear what
this means for you.ʺ
<li><strong>CONTROL YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR</strong>: ʺIʹm willing to take you to the library when we
come to an agreement in advance for a convenient time, but Iʹm not willing to
get involved at the last minute.ʺ ʺIf you need my help with your homework,
please let me know in advance.ʺ
<li><strong>DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL DO WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT</strong>. “I’m available to help
with homework between 7:00 and 8:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I won’t be
available to help with last minute projects. If you’d like, I can teach you time
management skills or show you how to set up a routine.”
<li><strong>FOLLOW THROUGH WITH KINDNESS AND FIRMNESS</strong>. “I can see you are stressed about
waiting until that last minute. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I’ll be available
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00.”
<li><strong>LETTING GO OF THEIR ISSUES WITHOUT ABANDONING THEM</strong>: ʺI hope youʹll go to
college, but Iʹm not sure itʹs important to you. I’m happy to talk about your
thoughts or plans about college anytime you like.ʺ
<li><strong>AGREEMENT NOT RULES</strong>: ʺCould we sit down and see if we can work on a plan
regarding homework that we both can live with? Let’s put that on the agenda for
the family meeting so we can work on an agreement.”
<li><strong>LOVE AND ENCOURAGE</strong>: ʺI love you just the way you are and respect you to
choose what is right for you.ʺ
<li><strong>ASK FOR HELP</strong>: ʺI need your help. Can you explain to me why it isnʹt
important to you to do your homework?ʺ
<li><strong>SHARE YOUR FEELINGS</strong>: Share your truth by using the ʺI feel ______ because
_______ and I wish ______ʺ process without expecting anyone else to feel the
same or grant your wish. This is a great model for children to acknowledge their
feelings and wishes without expectations. ʺI feel upset when you donʹt do your
homework because I value education so much, and think it could be very
beneficial to you in your life and I really wish you would do it.”
<li><strong>JOINT PROBLEM‐SOLVING</strong>: ʺWhat is your picture of what is going on regarding
your homework? Would you be willing to hear my concerns? Could we brainstorm
together on some possible solutions?ʺ
<li><strong>RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION</strong>: ʺIʹm feeling too upset to talk about this right
now. Letʹs put it on the agenda for the family meeting so we can talk about it
when Iʹm not so emotional.ʺ
<li><strong>INFORMATION VS. ORDERS</strong>: ʺI notice you spend a lot of time watching
television and talking on the phone during the time you have set aside for
homework.ʺ ʺI notice you often leave your homework until the last minute and
then feel discouraged about getting it done.ʺ
<li><strong>ENCOURAGE LEARNING FROM MISTAKES</strong>: “I can see that you feel bad about getting
that poor grade. I have faith in you to learn from this and figure out what you
need to do to get the grade you would like.”</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
As you look at the
list of enabling responses and the list of empowering responses can you see how
easy it could be to role‐play based on your own experience with all the enabling
behaviors? Do you, on the other hand, feel a lack of experience and skills in
the empowering responses?Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-29703606980078638502013-03-19T19:25:00.001-07:002013-03-19T19:25:44.307-07:00Vision & Reading<a href="http://www.children-special-needs.org/vision_therapy/esophoria_reading.html"><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-small;">http://www.children-special-needs.org/vision_therapy/esophoria_reading.html</span></a><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>The following are excerpts from an article on Vision, Learning and
Nutrition</b><br />by Donald J. Getz, OD, FCOVD, FAAO <br />
<br />
This article by an eye doctor discusses children's problems with reading,
learning, and behavior caused by <a href="http://www.visiontherapystories.org/convergence_insufficiency.html">convergence
insufficiency</a>, <a href="http://www.visiontherapystories.org/eye_tracking_disorders.html">eye
tracking problems</a>, <a href="http://www.strabismus.org/miscellaneous.html#esophoria">esophoria</a>, <a href="http://www.visiontherapystories.org/20-20_eyesight_vision.html">exophoria</a>,
and other visual problems.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Vision and Eyesight</span></h1>
<br />
Eyesight is simply the ability to see something clearly, the so-called 20/20
eyesight (as measured in a standard eye examination with a Snellen chart).
Vision goes beyond eyesight and can best be defined as the understanding of what
is seen. Vision involves the ability to take incoming visual information,
process that information and obtain meaning from it.<br />
<br />
Two general statements can be made about vision. First, vision is learned. A
child learns to see just like he learns to walk and talk. When learning to walk
and talk, he has the added opportunity of imitating his parents and siblings. In
addition, parents can observe their children to determine if walking and talking
are developing properly. Vision development, however, generally proceeds without
much concerned awareness on the part of parents. Because of these differences in
development, no two people see exactly alike.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Vision Is Learned</span></h1>
<br />
Vision is learned; therefore vision is trainable. If a child does not possess
the necessary visual skills, he can be taught to possess them through the proper
Vision Therapy techniques.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Adequate Vision Is Critical to Learning</span></h1>
<br />
Since something like 75% to 90% of all a child learns comes to him via the
visual pathways, it stands to reason that if there is any interference in those
pathways, a child will not develop to his maximum potential.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Vision</span></h1>
<br />
<div id="smalltext">
The Visual Skills Needed for Academic Success</div>
<br />
<b><u>Visual Acuity</u>:</b> There are many visual skills which are important
for academic success. One of the least important skills is termed visual acuity
(clarity, sharpness). This is the so-called 20/20, 20/400, etc., eyesight. All
that is meant by the notation 20/20 is that a person is capable of seeing
clearly at a distance of twenty feet. Unfortunately, how well a child sees at
twenty feet has little to do with how his vision functions at the reading and
learning distance -- aproximately eleven to sixteen inches from the face. In
fact, it is my opinion that the Snellen eye chart test which measures visual
acuity actually does more harm than good. It gives both parents and teachers a
false sense of security that vision is normal. There are many other important
visual skills that might not be developed even though visual acuity at distance
is normal.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Binocular Coordination</u>:</b> One of the more important visual skills
is the ability to coordinate the two eyes together. A child is born with two
eyes, but he must learn to team them together. Some children learn to do this
properly while others do not. For example, some children develop a problem known
as exophoria, which is a tendency for the eyes to deviate in an outward
direction. This is not the same as a condition known as exotropia where the eye
actually can be seen to be in an outward position.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Adequate Convergence</u>:</b> During the act of reading, the demand is
for the two eyes to turn inward so that they are aimed at the reading task. If
the eyes have a tendency to deviate outward, the child must use excess effort
and energy to maintain fixation on the reading task. Most studies have shown
that the greater the amount of effort involved in reading, the lower will be the
comprehension and the lower will be the performance. When reading, the eyes do
not move smoothly over a line of print. Rather, they make a series of fixations
looking from word to word. When an exophoria exists, each time fixation is
broken and moved to the next word, the eyes will tend to deviate outwards and
they must be brought back in to regain fixation. Human nature being what it is,
the child generally has an avoidance reaction to the reading task. This is
compounded by the fact that anything the child doesn't do well, he would rather
not do. This is the child who looks out the window rather than paying visual
attention. He is commonly given labels. He is often accused of having a short
attention span and not trying. He is told that he would do better if he tried
harder, but he has tried harder to no avail. He is often labeled as having
dyslexia, minimal brain dysfunction, learning disability, etc. Commonly, he
loses his place while reading and/or uses his finger or a marker to maintain his
place. While making the eye movements during the act of reading, he might not
land on the next word, but rather land a few words further on. Consequently, he
commonly omits small words or confuses small words. Often, he just adds a word
or two to make the sentence make sense. If the two eyes are pointing at the same
point in space, a person will see the fixated object as being single. Double
vision or overlapping vision (Figure #3) results if the two eyes are not exactly
pointing at the same point. Don't expect a child to tell you that his vision
isn't clear. He has no yardstick of comparison to inform him that his vision
differs from the vision of anyone else. <br />
<br />
<div align="center" id="smalltext">
<img alt="[ Figure 3 ]" border="1" height="50" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/getz_fig3.gif" width="150" /><br />Figure 3</div>
<br />
<b><u>Astigmatism, Eye-Hand Coordination, Visual-Motor Problems and
more</u>:</b> I have maintained for many years that I could walk into a
classroom and pick out those children with coordination type visual problems.
They get into distorted postures in an attempt to get one eye out of the act.
They often put their head down on their arm, cover one eye with their palm or
rotate their head so that the bridge of their nose interferes with the vision
from one eye.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Esophoria</u>:</b> Another eye coordination problem is termed
esophoria, which is a tendency for the eyes to turn inwards. The educational
implication of this particular problem is that a child with esophoria sees
things smaller than what they actually are. In order to see an object properly,
it is necessary to make the object larger. The only means at the disposal of the
child to make it larger is to bring it closer. Eventually, the child is observed
with his head buried in a book and still not achieving.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Reading Skills and Binocular Visual Skills</span></h1>
<br />
One of the tests used in optometric offices is to have the child read words
while looking into an instrument called a Telebinocular. The performance is
compared between reading with either eye alone and with both eyes together. The
difference in performance is often quite dramatic if there is an eye teaming
problem. One eye performance might be quite satisfactory, but reading with both
eyes together will be slower and many more errors will be made.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Other Visual Skills</span></h1>
<br />
<b><u>Directionality</u>:</b> Directionality is another visual skill
important for academic success. One test for this skill is illustrated in Figure
#5. Look at Figure #5 and determine what you see. If the visual reflex is from
left to right, a duck will be seen. However, if the visual reflex is from right
to left, a rabbit will be seen. This is just one test out of a series to
determine the directionality of the visual reflex.
<div align="center" id="smalltext">
<img alt="[ Figure 5 ]" border="1" height="150" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/getz_fig5.gif" width="200" /><br />Figure 5</div>
<br />
It is just a convention of our culture that the English language proceeds in
a left to right direction. Other languages proceed in a right to left direction
and still others have a vertical orientation. Many people feel that it would
make more sense if the language proceeded as illustrated in Figure #6. If a
child does not visually proceed from left to right, through Vision Therapy he
can be taught to develop this skill just like he can be taught to team his eyes
together.<br />
<br />
<div align="center" id="smalltext">
<img alt="[ Figure 6 ]" border="1" height="200" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/getz_fig6.gif" width="150" /><br />Figure 6</div>
<br />
<b><u>Form Perception</u>:</b> Form perception is another important visual
skill for academic achievement. This can best be illustrated by referring to
Figure #7. The child is shown these forms one at a time and he is simply asked
to copy them. It is amazing to see some of the distortions that a child will
make in attempting to copy these forms. If a child can't perceive and copy these
simple geometric forms, it is unreasonable to assume that he will be able to
perceive the wiggly lines which make up letters which in turn make up words,
which in turn make up sentences which stand for abstract ideas. We see children
often who can't tell the difference between a square and a rectangle or a circle
and an oval. This is also a skill which can be improved through Vision Therapy.
<div align="center" id="smalltext">
<img alt="[ Figure 7 ]" border="1" height="200" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/getz_fig7.gif" width="150" /><br />Figure 7</div>
<br />
<b><u>Attention Span/Span of Perception</u>:</b> The Span of Perception is
also related to success in school. Many children see just one word at a time
with each eye fixation. Reading speed can be improved by learning to see two,
three, or more words with each eye fixation. This could be compared to reading
through a straw. This is illustrated in Figure #8. It is easy to see the
difference in reading for meaning when the span of perception is wide.
<div align="center" id="smalltext">
<img alt="[ Figure 8 ]" border="1" height="200" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/getz_fig8.gif" width="150" /><br />Figure 8</div>
<br />
<b><u>Visualization</u>:</b> The ultimate visual skill is visualization. This
is similar to being able to see things in the mind's eye. There are authorities
that state that the ability to visualize is very closely allied to the ability
to think. In other words, thinking is related to the ability to abstract from
specifics and the ability to visualize is deeply involved in this process.
Visualization is also a trainable skill.<br />
<br />
There are many other visual skills that time and space do not permit me to
mention. However, it is hoped that the reader will realize from the above
discussion that there is a lot more to vision than just 20/20.<br />
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Nutrition and Vision</span></h1>
<br />
When I see a child with a learning problem, I feel very strongly that there
usually is more than just a single cause. For example, when I find a visual
problem, if I probe a bit further, a nutritional problem will be found as well.
Children often walk into the office eating a candy bar or sipping on a cola or
other soft drink. When they are asked what they had for breakfast, the response
usually falls in the frosted, sugary flake category or the answer is that they
had no breakfast at all.<br />
<br />
When I am asked which nutrients are important for optimum visual functioning,
I respond that the same nutrients essential for the rest of the body are the
ones needed for vision. This is because vision does not operate independently of
the rest of the body.<br />
<br />
In all cases, a diet of high quality, nutrition-rich, unprocessed foods is
important if we are going to be successful in Vision Therapy. Vision therapy
involves a learning process and, as with any learning process, learning will be
maximized if a healthy body and a healthy mind are brought to the learning
task.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="dotted rule" border="0" height="10" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/dottedrule.gif" width="450" /></div>
<br />
<i>Reprinted with permission from The Journal of Applied Nutrition Volume 28,
Winter, 1976</i><br />
<br />
This complete article may be purchased by writing to College of Optometrists
in Vision Development, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Ste. 310, St. Louis, MO
63141-7851 and requesting the article: Getz, Donald J., O.D., "Vision and
Perception Therapy," 1973. <br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="dotted rule" border="0" height="10" src="http://www.children-special-needs.org/images/dottedrule.gif" width="450" /></div>
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Bibliography</span></h1>
<br />
Feingold, Ben F., M.D., Why Your Child Is Hyperactive, Random House, New
York, 1975. <br />
<br />
Lane, Benjamin. O.D., "Myopia," 1976. College of Optometrists in Vision
Development <br />
<br />
Ludlam, William, O.D., "Visual Evoked Response," 1974. College of
Optometrists in Vision Development <br />
<br />
McDonald, Lawrence W., O.D., "Visual Training," 1962-1963. Optometric
Extension Program <br />
<br />
Ott, John. Sc.D., Health and Light, The Effects of Natural and Artificial
Light on Man and Other Living Things, Devin-Adair Co., 1973. <br />
<br />
Skeffington, A.M., O.D., Continuous writings, Optometric Extension Program
<br />
<!--END OF THIS ARTICLE--><!--BEGIN FOOTER-->
<br />
<div id="smalltext">
<hr color="#868686" noshade="" size="1" />
To locate an eye doctor who provides comprehensive pediatric vision examinations
and treatment, including <a href="http://www.children-special-needs.org/vision_therapy/what_is_vision_therapy.html">Vision
Therapy</a>, request a referral through our <a href="http://www.optometrists.org/findeyedoctordirectory/">Referral Directory:
Find a Pediatric Eye Doctor</a>.</div>
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-25304876522189733392013-03-11T14:40:00.001-07:002013-03-11T14:40:46.793-07:00Coping Strategies for Children with Learning Disabilities: Enhancing Skills for Success in Life<a href="http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-social-skills/social-aamp-emotional-challenges/coping-strategies-and-ld-enhancing-skills-for-success-in-life"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-social-skills/social-aamp-emotional-challenges/coping-strategies-and-ld-enhancing-skills-for-success-in-life</span></a><br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.ncld.org/" title="National Center for Learning Disabilities – LD.org"><img alt="NCLDLogo" src="http://www.ncld.org/images/content/header/NCLDLogo.png" /></a></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>By Annie Stuart</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
The secret to success seems elusive to many people. Is there really a reliable roadmap to health and happiness? And if you have a learning disability (LD), do you need take a different course? Not really. Although research has identified several attributes that form the foundation of life success for people with LD, you'll likely recognize the universal relevance of many of these traits, such as <a href="http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/social-emotional-skills/perseverance-ld-enhancing-skills-for-success-life" target="_self" title="Perseverence and LD: Enhancing Skills for Success in Life">perseverance</a> and <a href="http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/social-emotional-skills/proactivity-ld-enhancing-skills-for-success-life" target="_self" title="Proactivity and LD: Enhancing Skills for Success in Life ">proactivity</a>. Another is the use of healthy coping strategies, the topic of this article. <br /><br />Here are six things to keep in mind as you teach your child with LD how to navigate the ups and downs of his or her own emotional terrain.<br /><br /><strong>1. Get your own house in order. </strong>If you're anxious about your child's learning disability, if you're fearful about his or her future, if you find yourself tearing your hair out every time you turn around, then you may need to first take a look at your own coping strategies. How do you handle stress? What messages are you sending yourself about your parenting skills? What kind of support system do you have in place? <br /><br />If you learn to relax and better address your own emotional challenges, you'll be doing yourself and your whole family a big favor. Remember the flight attendant's advice: Put the oxygen mask on yourself before you put it on your child. Doing so helps you to breathe, to accept your child's differences, and to build on his or her strengths. Yes, it's true a child with LD may never be a great reader, but many successful people – from Greg Louganis to Whoopi Goldberg to Richard Branson – have had LD and they've done just fine – in fact, better than fine.<br /><br /><strong>2. Use and teach a vocabulary of emotions.</strong> You want your child to know what it means to have empathy for others or to demonstrate gratitude or to savor nature's beauty. In addition to modeling behaviors like these, name and praise these positive behaviors when you see them in your child. This will help cultivate a sense of emotional awareness and sensitivity. <br /><br />Likewise, kids need to also know how to name negative emotions. Ask what stress feels like for them, where they notice it in their bodies, and what they think might have caused it. This isn't always an easy exercise, particularly for a child with language-processing issues, says Chris Schnieders, Ph.D., director of teacher training at the Frostig School. It takes some work to figure this all out, and that's where a parent’s gentle questioning and calm explanations can make a difference. <br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>3. Recognize — and trip up </strong>—<strong> the triggers. </strong>The better your child gets at recognizing stress triggers, the more successful he or she will be at handling life's curve balls. Research underscores this point, says Frostig researcher Roberta J. Goldberg, Ph.D. All children in the Frostig success studies<sup>1,2</sup> had been greatly challenged by anxiety or stress — largely as a result of LD, she says. "But the ones who recognized stress triggers, especially of LD, and demonstrated coping strategies were the most successful." <br /><br />Goldberg admits that it can be difficult to know how to help your child identify his or her own triggers, but with time, he can recognize the signs. Do you know what your child's triggers are? Being asked to turn off the TV? Making transitions from one activity to another? Getting stuck on a math problem? Talk about these with your child and problem solve ways to "cut them off at the pass" — before your child's stress hormones go into overdrive. If the problem is television or transitions, maybe you agree on five-minute warnings before turning off the TV or you make sure your child has plenty of down time between activities.<br /><br />What about your child's coping mechanisms? You'd be surprised at how much your child has intuitively figured out. Help support healthy ways of coping. It's idiosyncratic, says Goldberg, so the options are practically unlimited. Is music soothing to your child? Then listening to an iPod may not be an idle activity — even when doing homework. Does your child enjoy texting friends? Well, then those messages — within limits — might bring a helpful distraction. Or maybe writing in a journal or a walk in the woods has a calming effect on your child.<br /><br />Look for signs of stress and intervene when your child is unable to do this for herself. If she's been hitting the books for two hours and is starting to unravel, you might want to enforce a trampoline break, or jumping jacks, or at the very least, some deep breathing. <br /><br />"My son — who's now a mechanical engineer — struggled in school and had meltdowns in college," says Goldberg. "I didn't say, 'Go study.' I'd tell him to go for a run or swim 22 laps. I knew those were his coping mechanisms." <br /><br />And, don't forget to play to your child's strengths. If sports, music, or theatre is his strong suit, then allowing time for these pursuits can greatly enhance self-confidence and positive coping behaviors.<br /><br /><strong>4. Make coping strategies concrete. </strong>If your child struggles with developing specific coping mechanisms, try priming the pump with some questions like these:<br /><br />
<ul>
<li>If you were having a problem, who would you talk to?</li>
<li>What are the fun things or activities that you like to do when you are sad or down?</li>
<li>What motivates you? In other words, why do you do what you do?</li>
<li>How do you handle peer pressure? For example, what would you do if a friend or peer asked you to try drugs?</li>
<li>Who are your role models or people you look up to?</li>
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<br />Depending upon your child's age and personality, don't necessarily expect (or request) a direct answer to these questions. You can simply throw these out as food for thought. This may help your child describe and acknowledge — if only to himself — what works best for him. And this will take him a step closer to actually using these concrete strategies.<br />
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<strong>5. Learn healthy ways to communicate. </strong>Jeff Rice is principal of one of the Briarwood Schools in Houston, TX, serving students with LD and developmental delays. He reminds parents that the normal teen mentality is to interact as little as possible with adults, especially parents. "It may seem like you've got a stranger living in your home, but trust me, they will come around," says Rice. And, he tells parents they'd be amazed if they knew how often kids identify parents as their "go-to person" in times of trouble. <br /><br />Rice suggests tips like these for moving toward healthier communication with kids.<br /><br />
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<li><strong>Ask open-ended questions. Don't be satisfied with the curtness of a yes-no response from your child. You can get around this by asking open-ended questions like: What was the most surprising thing that happened at school today? Or: What was the school assembly all about? Or: What was something you did to manage your stress? A longer response provides a better opening for give and take. Without lecturing, you're also modeling the art of conversation. Just remember that with open-ended questions, you'll also need to stay open — without judgment — to your child's fears, frustrations, and failures.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Be present. Even more important than questioning is simply being present and listening. When your child is talking with you, don't get distracted by opening bills or checking your phone messages. If you do, you're communicating — without saying a word — that something else is more important. And, though there's a place for "history lessons," don't always cut in with responses like, "Well, when I was a kid…." Checking in and displaying empathic listening can often go so much further.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reflect back what your child says. Restate what your child has said, in his or her own words — not yours. You might say: "What I'm understanding is that you felt bullied today at lunch…." Again, this helps your child feel heard and understood.</strong></li>
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<br /><strong>6. Seek outside help when needed. Remember that a big part of having a healthy coping strategy is knowing how to find and use </strong><a href="http://www.ncld.org/parents-child-disabilities/social-emotional-skills/effective-support-systems-ld-enhancing-skills-for-success-life" title="Effective Support Systems and LD: Enhancing Skills for Success in Life "><strong>support systems</strong></a><strong>. For example, if your child is falling behind in math, a tutor may help in more ways than one — by not only shoring up academic weak links, but also circumventing power struggles over homework. And, if your child struggles with anxiety or depression, seeking outside resources such as counseling may be in order. Remember that you cannot be all things to your child. <br /><br />Help your child identify both internal and external sources of support for better coping. And, do the same for yourself. This can be critical for developing a healthy approach to emotional challenges — which, as you know, won't disappear with adulthood!<br /></strong><br />
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<strong><sup>1 </sup>Raskind, M.H. et al. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice. 1999; 14(1): 35–49.<br /><sup>2 </sup>Goldberg, R.J. et al. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice. 2003; 18(4): 222–236.<br /></strong><strong><span class="small"><em></em></span></strong><br />
<strong><span class="small"><em>Annie Stuart is a freelance writer and editor with nearly 25 years of experience. She specializes in consumer health, parenting, and learning disabilities, among other areas.</em><br /><br /><em>This article is made possible by a grant from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation.</em></span></strong><br />
<strong></strong>Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-9026127567667645482013-03-10T17:17:00.001-07:002013-03-10T17:17:47.786-07:00How Inefficient Visual Processing Can Affect a Student's School Performance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>From The Vision Therapy Center</strong></div>
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<strong>Published on <span class="watch-video-date" id="eow-date">Feb 21, 2013</span></strong></div>
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Dr. Kellye Knueppel of The Vision Therapy Center discusses how vision problems affect each academic subject, including reading, composition, math and handwriting.</div>
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<br />Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-80295586174077609492013-02-24T16:22:00.002-08:002013-02-24T16:22:14.681-08:00Three Huge Mistakes We Make Leading Kids<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/3-mistakes-we-make-leading-kids/" target="_blank">...and How to Correct Them</a></span><br />
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<span class="the-time">February 15, 2013</span><br />
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<a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/" rel="home" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Tim Elmore"><img alt="Tim Elmore" height="68" id="header-logo" src="http://growingleaders.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/logo.png" width="320" /></a><span class="the-comment-link"></span><br />
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<span class="the-comment-link"> by <span style="font-size: large;">Tim Elmore </span> </span><br />
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<span class="the-comment-link"><span style="color: black;">Recently, I read about a father, Paul Wallich, who built a camera-mounted drone helicopter to follow his grade-school-aged son to the bus stop. He wants to make sure his son arrives at the bus stop safe and sound. There’s no doubt the gizmo provides an awesome show-and-tell contribution. In my mind, Paul Wallich gives new meaning to the term “helicopter parent.”<br />
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While I applaud the <a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/engaged-parents/" title="Do Engaged Parents Produce Better Kids?">engagement</a> of this generation of <a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/engaged-parents/" title="Do Engaged Parents Produce Better Kids?">parents</a> and <a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/engaged-teachers/" title="Do Engaged Teachers Produce Better Students?">teachers</a>, it’s important to recognize the <a href="http://growingleaders.com/blog/engaged-teachers/" title="Do Engaged Teachers Produce Better Students?">unintended consequences of our engagement</a>. We want the best for our students, but research now shows that our “over-protection, over-connection” style has damaged them. Let me suggest three huge mistakes we’ve made leading this generation of kids and how we must correct them.<br />
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<strong>1. We Risk Too Little</strong></h3>
We live in a world that warns us of danger at every turn. Toxic. High voltage. Flammable. Slippery when wet. Steep curve ahead. Don’t walk. Hazard. This “safety first” preoccupation emerged over thirty years ago with the Tylenol scare and with children’s faces appearing on milk cartons. We became fearful of losing our kids. So we put knee-pads, safety belts and helmets on them…at the dinner table. (Actually I’m just kidding on that one). But, it’s true. We’ve insulated our kids from risk.<br />
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Author <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004K1F3K2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004K1F3K2&linkCode=as2&tag=growileade-20" target="_blank">Gever Tulley</a> suggests, “If you’re over 30, you probably walked to school, played on the monkey bars, and learned to high-dive at the public pool. If you’re younger, it’s unlikely you did any of these things. Yet, has the world become that much more dangerous? Statistically, no. But our society has created pervasive fears about letting kids be independent—and the consequences for our kids are serious.”<br />
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Unfortunately, over-protecting our young people has had an adverse effect on them.<br />
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“Children of risk-averse parents have lower test scores and are slightly less likely to attend college than offspring of parents with more tolerant attitudes toward risk,” says a team led by Sarah Brown of the University of Sheffield in the UK. Aversion to risk may prevent parents from making inherently uncertain investments in their children’s human capital; it’s also possible that risk attitudes reflect cognitive ability, researchers say.” Sadly, this <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9485.2011.00568.x/abstract" target="_blank"><em>Scottish Journal of Political Economy</em> report</a> won’t help us unless we do something about it. Adults continue to vote to remove playground equipment from parks so kids won’t have accidents; to request teachers stop using red ink as they grade papers and even cease from using the word “no” in class. It’s all too negative. I’m sorry—but while I understand the intent to protect students, we are failing miserably at preparing them for a world that will not be risk-free.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13502930701321733" target="_blank">Psychologists in Europe</a> have discovered that if a child doesn’t play outside and is never allowed to experience a skinned knee or a broken bone, they frequently have phobias as adults. Interviews with young adults who never played on jungle gyms reveal they’re fearful of normal risks and commitment. The truth is, kids need to fall a few times to learn it is normal; teens likely need to break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend to appreciate the emotional maturity that lasting relationships require. Pain is actually a necessary teacher. Consider your body for a moment. If you didn’t feel pain, you could burn yourself or step on a nail and never do something about the damage and infection until it was too late. Pain is a part of health and maturity.<br />
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Similarly, taking calculated risks is all a part of growing up. In fact, it plays a huge role. Childhood may be about safety and self-esteem, but as a student matures, risk and achievement are necessities in forming their identity and confidence. Because parents have removed “risk” from children’s lives, psychologists are discovering a syndrome as they counsel teens: High Arrogance, Low Self-Esteem. They’re cocky, but deep down their confidence is hollow, because it’s built off of watching YouTube videos, and perhaps not achieving something meaningful.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0885201410000201" target="_blank">According to a study by University College London, risk-taking behavior peeks during adolescence</a>. Teens are apt to take more risks than any other age group. Their brain programs them to do so. It’s part of growing up. They must test boundaries, values and find their identity during these years. This is when they must learn, via experience, the consequences of certain behaviors. Our failure to let them risk may explain why so many young adults, between the ages of 22 and 35 still live at home or haven’t started their careers, or had a serious relationship. Normal risk taking at fourteen or fifteen would have prepared them for such decisions and the risks of moving away from home, launching a career or getting married.<br />
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<strong>2. We Rescue Too Quickly </strong></h3>
This generation of young people has not developed some of the life skills kids did thirty years ago because adults swoop in and take care of problems for them. We remove the need for them to navigate hardships. May I illustrate?<br />
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Staff from four universities recently told me they encountered students who had never filled out a form or an application in their life. Desiring to care for their kids, and not disadvantage them, parents or teachers had always done it for them.<br />
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One freshman received a C- on her project and immediately called her mother, right in the middle of her class. After interrupting the class discussion with her complaint about her poor grade, she handed the cell phone to her professor and said, “She wants to talk to you.” Evidently, mom wanted to negotiate the grade.<br />
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A Harvard Admissions Counselor reported a prospective student looked him in the eye and answered every question he was asked. The counselor felt the boy’s mother must have coached him on eye-contact because he tended to look down after each response. Later, the counselor learned the boy’s mom was texting him the answers every time a question came in.<br />
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A college president said a mother of one of his students called him, saying she’d seen that the weather would be cold that day and wondered if he would make sure her son was wearing his sweater as he went to class. She wasn’t joking.<br />
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This may sound harsh, but rescuing and over-indulging our children is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse. It’s “parenting for the short-term” and it sorely misses the point of leadership—to equip our young people to do it without help. Just like muscles atrophy inside of a cast due to disuse, their social, emotional, spiritual and intellectual muscles can shrink because they’re not exercised. For example, I remember when and where I learned the art of conflict resolution. I was eleven years old, and everyday about fifteen boys would gather after school to play baseball. We would choose sides and umpire our games. Through that consistent exercise, I learned to resolve conflict. I had to. Today, if the kids are outside at all, there are likely four mothers present doing the conflict resolution for them.<br />
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The fact is, as students experience adults doing so much for them, they like it at first. Who wouldn’t? They learn to play parents against each other, they learn to negotiate with faculty for more time, lenient rules, extra credit and easier grades. This actually confirms that these kids are not stupid. They learn to play the game. Sooner or later, they know “someone will rescue me.” If I fail or “act out,” an adult will smooth things over and remove any consequences for my misconduct. Once again, this isn’t even remotely close to how the world works. It actually disables our kids.<br />
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<strong>3. We Rave Too Easily</strong></h3>
The self-esteem movement has been around since Baby Boomers were kids, but it took root in our school systems in the 1980s. We determined every kid would feel special, regardless of what they did, which meant they began hearing remarks like:<br />
<ul>
<li>“You’re awesome!”</li>
<li>“You’re smart.”</li>
<li>“You’re gifted.”</li>
<li>“You’re super!”</li>
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Attend a little league awards ceremony and you soon learn: everyone’s a winner. Everyone gets a trophy. They all get ribbons. We meant well—but research is now indicating this method has unintended consequences. Dr. Carol Dweck wrote a landmark book called, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345472322/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0345472322&linkCode=as2&tag=growileade-20" target="_blank"><em>Mindset</em></a>. In it she reports findings about the adverse affects of praise. She tells of two groups of fifth grade students who took a test. Afterward, one group was told, “You must be smart.” The other group was told, “You must have worked hard.” When a second test was offered to the students, they were told that it would be harder and that they didn’t have to take it. Ninety percent of the kids who heard “you must be smart” opted not to take it. Why? They feared proving that the affirmation may be false. Of the second group, most of the kids chose to take the test, and while they didn’t do well, Dweck’s researchers heard them whispering under their breath, “This is my favorite test.” They loved the challenge. Finally, a third test was given, equally as hard as the first one. The result? The first group of students who were told they were smart, did worse. The second group did 30% better. Dweck concludes that our affirmation of kids must target factors in their control. When we say “you must have worked hard,” we are praising effort, which they have full control over. It tends to elicit more effort. When we praise smarts, it may provide a little confidence at first but ultimately causes a child to work less. They say to themselves, “If it doesn’t come easy, I don’t want to do it.”<br />
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What’s more, kids eventually observe that “mom” is the only one who thinks they’re “awesome.” No one else is saying it. They begin to doubt the objectivity of their own mother; it feels good in the moment, but it’s not connected to reality.<br />
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Further, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195051378/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0195051378&linkCode=as2&tag=growileade-20" target="_blank">Dr. Robert Cloninger</a>, at Washington University in St. Louis has done brain research on the prefrontal cortex, which monitors the reward center of the brain. He says the brain has to learn that frustrating spells can be worked through. The reward center of our brains learns to say: Don’t give up. Don’t stop trying. “A person who grows up getting too frequent rewards,” Cloninger says, “will not have persistence, because they’ll quit when the rewards disappear.”<br />
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When we rave too easily, kids eventually learn to cheat, to exaggerate and lie and to avoid difficult reality. They have not been conditioned to face it. A helpful metaphor when considering this challenge is: inoculation. When you get inoculated, a nurse injects a vaccine, which actually exposes you to a dose of the very disease your body must learn to overcome. It’s a good thing. Only then do we develop an immunity to it. Similarly, our kids must be inoculated with doses of hardship, delay, challenges and inconvenience to build the strength to stand in them.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Eight Steps Toward Healthy Leadership</span></strong></h3>
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<strong></strong>Obviously, negative risk taking should be discouraged, such as smoking, alcohol, illegal drugs, etc. In addition, there will be times our young people do need our help, or affirmation. But—healthy teens are going to want to spread their wings. They’ll need to try things on their own. And we, the adults, must let them. Here are some simple ideas you can employ as you navigate these waters:<br />
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<li><strong>Help them take calculated risks</strong>. Talk it over with them, but let them do it. Your primary job is to prepare your child for how the world really works.</li>
<li><strong>Discuss how they must learn to make choices</strong>. They must prepare to both win and lose, not get all they want and to face the consequences of their decisions.</li>
<li><strong>Share your own “risky” experiences from your teen years</strong>. Interpret them. Because we’re not the only influence on these kids, we must be the best influence.</li>
<li><strong>Instead of tangible rewards, how about spending some time together?</strong> Be careful you aren’t teaching them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.</li>
<li><strong>Choose a positive risk taking option and launch kids into it (i.e. sports, jobs, etc).</strong> It may take a push but get them used to trying out new opportunities.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t let your guilt get in the way of leading well.</strong> Your job is not to make yourself feel good by giving kids what makes them or you feel better when you give it.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t reward basics that life requires</strong>. If your relationship is based on material rewards, kids will experience neither intrinsic motivation nor unconditional love.</li>
<li><strong>Affirm smart risk-taking and hard work wisely</strong>. Help them see the advantage of both of these, and that stepping out a comfort zone usually pays off.</li>
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Bottom line? Your child does not have to love you every minute. He’ll get over the disappointment of failure but he won’t get over the effects of being spoiled. So let them fail, let them fall, and let them fight for what they really value. If we treat our kids as fragile, they will surely grow up to be fragile adults. We must prepare them for the world that awaits them. Our world needs resilient adults not fragile ones.<br />
</span></span>Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-868637275938532852013-02-24T13:31:00.001-08:002013-02-24T13:31:38.838-08:00The New Brain Science of Learning:<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong>Dr. Martha S. Burns at TEDxEnola</strong></span><br />
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Dr. Burns summarizes some of the new information in Neuroscience as it relates to how children learn. <br />
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<img height="77" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 360px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 196px;" width="96" />Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-69516751656708646402013-02-20T14:58:00.001-08:002013-02-20T14:58:17.569-08:00Brain Development Could Suffer as Cursive Writing Fades <a href="http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2935982.shtml"><strong>http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2935982.shtml</strong></a> <br />
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<a href="http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/2013-02/Brain_Development_Could_Suffer_as_Cursive_Writing_Fades-104335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://kstp.com/kstpImages/repository/2013-02/Brain_Development_Could_Suffer_as_Cursive_Writing_Fades-104335.jpg" style="margin-top: 3px; width: 300px;" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.kstp.com/article/12303/?vid=3946948&v=1"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>http://www.kstp.com/article/12303/?vid=3946948&v=1</strong></span></a></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">watch video of news story by clicking on link above</span> </strong><br />
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The signature and cursive handwriting are in danger of fading away. In Minnesota, schools are no longer required to teach cursive. But it's not just the signature that's taking a hit, the way students learn and how their brains develop could suffer.<br /><br />Maria Theissen uses the latest technology to teach her third-grade class old fashioned cursive handwriting at Concord Elementary in Edina. She says "it's about the marriage of technology. The old school and the new school have to come together." But they appear headed for divorce. Several states including Illinois, Indiana and Hawaii don't teach cursive.<br />
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Minnesota no longer requires schools to teach cursive. The Department of Education says most <br />
districts still choose to teach it, but they spent less time on the cursive - kids are using keyboards much more.<br /><br /> The state follows a national standard called the Common Core. It says students must know keyboarding by fifth grade, but doesn't even mention cursive. At least 46 states have adopted the standards.<br /><br /> Most Minnesota kids are learning cursive in second or third grade, but by fifth grade they turn to typing full time. Most never have to look back.<br />
Researchers say it's not about whether typing or cursive is more important. Learning cursive actually helps a child's brain development.<br /><br /> Doctors at Indiana University used MRI's to look at children's brains and found more activity when they were writing versus typing and researchers from Vanderbilt got similar results, seeing kids brains light up less in front of a keyboard. Doctors say cursive handwriting, more than printing, stimulates intelligence and language fluency. Fluent writing keeps kids from truncating their thoughts.<br /><br /> The Department of Education says they are always reevaluating their policies. They may reexamine their cursive policy if schools stop using it.Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-70247839689899142832013-02-20T14:42:00.000-08:002013-02-20T14:42:00.222-08:00Why introverts shouldn’t be forced to talk in class<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/12/why-introverts-shouldnt-be-forced-to-talk-in-class/">http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/12/why-introverts-shouldnt-be-forced-to-talk-in-class/</a><br />
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Posted by <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/valerie-strauss/2011/03/07/ABZrToO_page.html" rel="author external" title="Visit Valerie Strauss’s website">Valerie Strauss</a> on February 12, 2013 at <span class="get-the-time">4:00 am On THE ANSWER SHEET</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/files/2013/02/intro.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="intro" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-7160" height="231" src="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/files/2013/02/intro.jpeg" width="218" /></a>Suddenly there is a lot of talk about introverts and the power of silence, in part because of a popular new book by Susan Cain called “<a href="http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/about-the-book/">Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.</a>” Making a different argument is a piece in the <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/introverted-kids-need-to-learn-to-speak-up-at-school/272960/">Atlantic magazine</a> advocating required participation in class. Here’s a look at the issue, by<a href="http://www.mills.edu/academics/faculty/educ/kschultz/kschultz.php"> Katherine Schultz</a>, a professor and dean of the School of Education at Mills College in Oakland. She is the author of the2009 book, “<a href="http://store.tcpress.com/0807750174.shtml">Rethinking Classroom Participation: Listening to Silent Voices</a>.” By Katherine Schultz<br />
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Jessica Lahey, a high school teacher and writer, argues in <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/02/introverted-kids-need-to-learn-to-speak-up-at-school/272960/">the Atlantic magazine </a> that introverts should be required to speak in class. She claims that classroom participation grades are not only fair but are necessary. Drawing on recent work on introverts (e.g., Susan Cain’s popular new book, “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0307352145">Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking</a>“)<i>,</i> she suggests that in order to be successful in today’s world, it is imperative that introverted students be taught and coerced through grades and expectations to participate in class.<br />
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I disagree. Lahey paints students who are quiet in her class with a broad brush, calling them all “introverts.” The truth is that there are many reasons students may choose not to verbally participate in school. Some students <i>are </i>painfully shy and perhaps even introverts. Other <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-challenge-of-the-introverted-student/2012/04/28/gIQATva9nT_blog.html">students</a> choose their moments to speak carefully, participating in silence for long periods before they decide to speak aloud. Some are quiet in school and loud in other contexts. Sometimes a student’s silence protects her from ridicule or bullying. In many cultures, silence is a sign of deep respect and more highly valued than talk. I would argue that Lahey’s advocacy for grading or counting classroom participation ignores the value and uses of silence in the classrooms, overlooking the myriad of other ways students participate.<br />
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Lahey also locates students’ silences in individuals rather than understanding them as a product of group interaction and situations. The students she worries about are ones she labels as “introverts,” assuming it is a characteristic of the student rather than the circumstance that creates the silence or reticence. I would suggest, instead, that it is useful to look at how classrooms and other contexts create silences in youth. Rather than punishing the so-called introverts for their silence or forcing them to speak by grading their classroom participation, teachers like Lahey might inquire into the silence of certain students in their classrooms, looking into the reasons for their silence, the places where are they more vocal, and imagining other ways they might be encouraged to participate.<br />
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In my own work, I suggest that we redefine what we mean by classroom participation. Teachers often define classroom participation as a verbal response that fits into a routine that the teacher has established. (Typically, the teacher asks a question, the student responds and the teacher affirms the correctness of the answer. Students are then said to participate.) But can students participate without speaking out loud? Should teachers consider the times that a student gives silent assent to a question or thoughtfully jots notes for a future essay as participation? Are these useful forms of participation? <br />
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It is important to note that one student’s silence can enable another student to speak. Do students have a responsibility to contribute to the silence of a classroom so that others can talk, along with a responsibility to contribute verbally to the discussion? How might silence be re-framed as a “productive” or useful contribution to classroom classrooms? Finally, how to we create other contexts for participation such as multimedia projects where students “speak” through recorded text.<br />
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Lahey claims that she wants to prepare her students for the future where verbal participation is critical for their success. I suggest instead that we rethink how we understand students’ silences. I want us to remain cautious about labeling children as introverts, rather than understanding the larger contexts of how and why they choose to participate in certain ways. Otherwise, the particular contributions these students make to the classroom community may be unheard, unrecognized, and discounted. The absence of talk might lead a teacher to assume the absence of learning. It may be difficult for a student to escape the label of the “silent” student or the “introvert.”<br />
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There are potentially grave consequences for students when teachers do not understand their silence as a form of participation. Narrow interpretations of the meanings of silence can lead to false assumptions about student participation in classroom activities. For instance, students who are silent might receive low grades for classroom participation, when in fact they are actively engaged in learning. Rather than working to fix or change “introverts” I suggest we understand the various reasons students choose to participate verbally in classrooms or to refrain from such participation. Shouldn’t our goal as educators be to rethink our classroom as places that support all students to learn?<br />
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Note: I elaborate these ideas in my book, “<a href="http://store.tcpress.com/0807750174.shtml">Rethinking Classroom Participation: Listening to Silent Voices</a>,” Teachers College Press, 2009.</div>
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-67250369825115044472013-02-03T15:39:00.001-08:002013-02-03T15:39:15.849-08:00<a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/">http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/</a><br />
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Fine Motor Skills: 30 Materials & Activities</h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">by <span class="author vcard fn">Jamie Reimer</span></span></span> </div>
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Categories: <span><a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/activities/" rel="category tag" title="View all posts in Activities">Activities</a>, <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/roundup/skills-roundups/" rel="category tag" title="View all posts in By Skill">By Skill</a>, <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/activities/fine-motor/" rel="category tag" title="View all posts in Fine Motor Activities">Fine Motor Activities</a>, <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/roundup/" rel="category tag" title="View all posts in Play Collections">Play Collections</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">" <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/activities/fine-motor/" title="Fine Motor Activities">Fine Motor Skills</a> </span>have always been put on a back burner in this house, until recently.<br />
What a difference a year makes!<br />
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Last year, Henry wouldn’t sit still, or have any desire to do anything that didn’t involve a lot of running around. We were really into activities that promoted his <a href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/category/activities/energetic-activities/" target="_blank" title="Gross Motor Activities">gross motor skills</a> at that time.<br />
But recently, Henry’s taken a turn and likes to focus on some of these littler things.<br />
<br />He loves to cut especially.<br />
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Now that’s he’s interested in these fine motor activities, what can we do?<br />
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I’ve gathered up some inspiration."<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Click on the name of each activity to get to the link on the web.</span></em></strong></div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="30 Materials & Activities to Promote Fine Motor Skills" height="640" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/fine-motor-skills-389x640.jpg" title="30 Materials & Activities to Promote Fine Motor Skills" width="389" /><br />
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Some materials that promote fine motor skills, along with some activities to do with them!</h2>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">materials that promote fine motor skills :</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2012/01/toddler-activity-fine-motor-skills-with.html" target="_blank">Pom Poms</a><br />
<br />hands on : as we grow<br />
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<a href="http://tinkerlab.com/2012/01/toddler-art-glue-dots-and-buttons/" target="_blank">Buttons</a></div>
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<br />Tinkerlab</div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://ourcountryroad.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekly-wrap-up-4th-of-july-unit.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/paper+clips+fine+motor1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://ourcountryroad.blogspot.com/2011/07/weekly-wrap-up-4th-of-july-unit.html" target="_blank">Paper Clips</a><br />
<br />Our Country Road<br />
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<a href="http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2011/11/while-backi-whipped-up-little-game-for.html" target="_blank">Clothespins</a></div>
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<br />The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking</div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/2011/08/rubberbands-on-doorknob.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/rubberbands+fine+motor1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/2011/08/rubberbands-on-doorknob.html" target="_blank">Rubber Bands</a></div>
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<br />Chasing Cheerios</div>
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<a href="http://lessonslearntjournal.com/?p=1062" target="_blank">Tweezers</a></div>
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<br />Lessons Learnt Journal</div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/09/fine-motor-activity-pipe-cleaners.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="199" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/pipe+cleaners+fine+motor1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/09/fine-motor-activity-pipe-cleaners.html" target="_blank">Pipe Cleaners</a></div>
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<br />hands on : as we grow</div>
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<br /><a href="http://www.theimaginationtree.com/2010/11/discovery-box-3-straws.html" target="_blank">Straws</a></div>
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<br />The Imagination Tree</div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/preschool-corner-playdough-mats.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/playdough+fine+motor+material1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2010/03/preschool-corner-playdough-mats.html" target="_blank">Play Dough</a></div>
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<br />Homeschool Creations</div>
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<a href="http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/2010/01/montessori-monday.html" target="_blank">Nuts & Bolts</a></div>
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<br />Counting Coconuts</div>
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<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://www.abcand123learning.com/2010/04/play-to-learn-fine-motor-fun-part-1.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/stickers+fine+motor+material1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td width="200"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities for preschoolers" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.abcand123learning.com/2010/04/play-to-learn-fine-motor-fun-part-1.html" target="_blank">Stickers</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />ABC & 123</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor skills for preschoolers" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2011/01/cutting-up-fine-motor-activities-to-help-develop-scissor-skills/" target="_blank">Hole Punch</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />Creative Connections for Kids</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/2011/01/cutting-up-fine-motor-activities-to-help-develop-scissor-skills/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hole+puncher+fine+motor1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/09/kids-experiment-vinegar-baking-soda.html" target="_blank"><img alt="fine motor with syringes and basters" height="198" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/syringes-basters-fine-motor.jpg" title=" basters fine motor.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
</td><td width="200"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="preschooler fine motor activities" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/09/kids-experiment-vinegar-baking-soda.html" target="_blank">Syringes & Basters</a>hands on : as we grow<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com/2011/07/math-with-tongswho-knew.html" target="_blank">Kitchen Tongs</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />Crayon Freckles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com/2011/07/math-with-tongswho-knew.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/kitchen+tongs+fine+motor+skills1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://creativitymypassion.blogspot.com/2011/03/grapes-geometry-2d-3d-shapes.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/toothpicks+fine+motor1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</div>
</td><td width="200"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://creativitymypassion.blogspot.com/2011/03/grapes-geometry-2d-3d-shapes.html" target="_blank">Toothpicks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />Creativity My Passion</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest" style="text-align: center;">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/05/outdoor-play-dandelion-picking.html" target="_blank">Baskets & Colanders</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />hands on : as we grow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2011/05/outdoor-play-dandelion-picking.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/baskets+colandars+fine+motor1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="height: 75px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="height: 75px;"><hr />
<span style="font-size: medium;">activities that promote fine motor skills:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 700px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="3" style="height: 75px;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://kitchencounterchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/03/lets-get-sewing.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sewing+fine+motor+skills1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="preschooler fine motor activities and materials" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://kitchencounterchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/03/lets-get-sewing.html" target="_blank">Sewing</a><br />
<br />Kitchen Counter Chronicles<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<br /><a href="http://www.jdaniel4smom.com/2011/10/readexplorelearn-bugtown-boogie.html" target="_blank">Weaving</a><br />
<br />JDaniel4′s Mom<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://www.jdaniel4smom.com/2011/10/readexplorelearn-bugtown-boogie.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/weaving+fine+motor+skills1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://unschoolme.blogspot.com/2010/04/weaving-board.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lacing+fine+motor+activity1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://unschoolme.blogspot.com/2010/04/weaving-board.html" target="_blank">Lacing</a><br />
<br />Journey into Unschooling<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://art4littlehands.blogspot.com/2011/10/baby-bracelet-making.html" target="_blank">Beading</a><br />
<br />Art for Little Hands<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://art4littlehands.blogspot.com/2011/10/baby-bracelet-making.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/beading+fine+motor1.jpg" style="border: 0px currentColor;" width="199" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2009/11/preschool-at-home-marbles-and-golf-tee.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/marbles+and+tees+fine+motor+activity1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities preschool skills" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/2009/11/preschool-at-home-marbles-and-golf-tee.html" target="_blank">Balancing</a><br />
<br />Pink and Green Mama<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="preschool skills fine motor activities" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://thesnailstrail.blogspot.com/2009/03/fine-motor-skills-marble-game.html" target="_blank">Spooning Marbles</a><br />
<br />The Snail’s Trail<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://thesnailstrail.blogspot.com/2009/03/fine-motor-skills-marble-game.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/spooning+marbles+fine+motor+activity1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://homeschoolmama3.blogspot.com/2010/09/thats-wrap_18.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/paint+water+writing+fine+motor+practice1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://homeschoolmama3.blogspot.com/2010/09/thats-wrap_18.html" target="_blank">Paint with Water Writing</a><br />
<br />Kingdom First Homeschool<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://myhomemademanipulatives.blogspot.com/2011/02/smaller-color-progression-box-homemade.html" target="_blank">Clothespin Color Match</a><br />
<br />My Homemade Montessori<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://myhomemademanipulatives.blogspot.com/2011/02/smaller-color-progression-box-homemade.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/clothespin+color+match+fine+motor+activity1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://diapers-to-diplomas.blogspot.com/2011/05/tot-school-nn.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/pipe+cleaner+button+threading+color+match1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://diapers-to-diplomas.blogspot.com/2011/05/tot-school-nn.html" target="_blank">Pipe Cleaner &</a><a href="http://diapers-to-diplomas.blogspot.com/2011/05/tot-school-nn.html" target="_blank"> Button Color Match</a><br />
<br />Diapers to Diplomas<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://therapyfunzone.com/blog/2011/08/painting-with-tiny-sponges/" target="_blank">Paint with Mini Sponges</a><br />
<br />Therapy Fun Zone<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://therapyfunzone.com/blog/2011/08/painting-with-tiny-sponges/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tiny+sponges+fine+motor1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://theprincessandthetot.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-on-tray-jan-9-13.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/cutting+for+fine+motor+practice1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://theprincessandthetot.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-on-tray-jan-9-13.html" target="_blank">Cutting</a><br />
<br />
<br />The Princess and the Tot<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="preschooler fine motor skills" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://blog.playdrhutch.com/2011/11/16/candy-color-sort/" target="_blank">Candy Sorting</a><br />
<br />Play Dr Mom<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://blog.playdrhutch.com/2011/11/16/candy-color-sort/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sorting+fine+motor1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://creativewithkids.com/foam-plate-sensory-play/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/toothpick+punch+fine+motor+skills1.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials skills" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/left-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://creativewithkids.com/foam-plate-sensory-play/" target="_blank">Toothpick Punching</a><br />
<br />Creative with Kids<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><img alt="fine motor activities and materials for kids" border="0" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/right-arrow1710.jpg" width="15" /></div>
<a href="http://www.rockabyebutterfly.com/2012/01/button-board.html" target="_blank">Buttoning</a><br />
<br />Rockabye Butterfly<br />
<br /></div>
</td><td width="200"> <div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a><a href="http://rockabyebutterfly.blogspot.com/2012/01/button-board.html"><img alt="buttoning fine motor" height="200" src="http://handsonaswegrow.com/wp-content/uploads/buttoning-fine-motor-250x250.jpg" title="buttoning fine motor" width="200" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a> </div>
</td><td style="text-align: center;" width="200"><div class="xc_pinterest">
<a class="xc_pin" href="http://handsonaswegrow.com/30-kids-activities-materials-for-promoting-fine-motor-skills/#"></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-11023403433091063912013-02-03T15:12:00.000-08:002013-02-03T15:12:40.044-08:00Early Reader Books with Dyslexic-Friendly Formats<a href="http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/dyslexic-friendly.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/dyslexic-friendly.html</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
This list was compiled and submitted to the Allen County Public Library as an
Eagle Scout project by Fort Wayne-area resident Scott Forsythe. It contains
books within the ACPL system that have fonts and layouts suitable for beginning
readers who struggle with dyslexia. The list is subject to change as new books
become available.<br /><br />The books in this list were selected according to the
following criteria:
<ul>
<li>Clean, simple, consistent font
<li>Consistent spacing
<li>Clear, simple illustrations
<li>Tinted text background </li>
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For more information on Scott's project and
for more resources on dyslexia, including a <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dyslexia-for-kids/id539641303?ls=1">free
interactive IPad e-book</a>, see <a href="http://dyslexickids.net/" target="_blank">DyslexicKids.net</a>.
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<small>Note: All call numbers are for the Allen County Public Library,
Fort Wayne, Indiana</small> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please click on <a href="http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/children/dyslexic-friendly." target="_blank">this link</a> to be taken to the website. </span>Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-41659107004405807832013-02-03T15:03:00.000-08:002013-02-03T15:03:14.186-08:00Qualities Not Measured by Most Tests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Thank you to </span><a href="http://dyslexickids.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Dyslexickids.net</span></a><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> for the image!</span></div>
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<br />Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-62922970715888502042013-01-08T19:16:00.001-08:002013-01-08T19:16:34.403-08:00Modern Parenting May Hinder Brain Development<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/" title="ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news, discoveries and breakthroughs in science"><img alt="ScienceDaily: Your source for the latest research news
and science breakthroughs -- updated daily" border="0" height="85" hspace="0" id="logo" src="http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logo.gif" style="margin: 3px 0px 2px;" vspace="0" width="250" /></a><br />
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<span class="date">Jan. 7, 2013</span> —<br />
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Social practices and cultural beliefs of modern life are preventing healthy brain and emotional development in children, according to an interdisciplinary body of research presented recently at a symposium at the University of Notre Dame.<br />
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<a href="http://images.sciencedaily.com/2013/01/130107110538-large.jpg" rel="thumbnail"><img alt="" border="0" height="211" src="http://images.sciencedaily.com/2013/01/130107110538.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
<em>Mother breastfeeding her baby. (Credit: © oksun70 / Fotolia)</em><br />
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"Life outcomes for American youth are worsening, especially in comparison to 50 years ago," says Darcia Narvaez, Notre Dame professor of psychology who specializes in moral development in children and how early life experiences can influence brain development.<br />
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"Ill-advised practices and beliefs have become commonplace in our culture, such as the use of infant formula, the isolation of infants in their own rooms or the belief that responding too quickly to a fussing baby will 'spoil' it," Narvaez says.<br />
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This new research links certain early, nurturing parenting practices -- the kind common in foraging hunter-gatherer societies -- to specific, healthy emotional outcomes in adulthood, and has many experts rethinking some of our modern, cultural child-rearing "norms."<br />
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"Breast-feeding infants, responsiveness to crying, almost constant touch and having multiple adult caregivers are some of the nurturing ancestral parenting practices that are shown to positively impact the developing brain, which not only shapes personality, but also helps physical health and moral development," says Narvaez.<br />
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Studies show that responding to a baby's needs (not letting a baby "cry it out") has been shown to influence the development of conscience; positive touch affects stress reactivity, impulse control and empathy; free play in nature influences social capacities and aggression; and a set of supportive caregivers (beyond the mother alone) predicts IQ and ego resilience as well as empathy.<br />
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The United States has been on a downward trajectory on all of these care characteristics, according to Narvaez. Instead of being held, infants spend much more time in carriers, car seats and strollers than they did in the past. Only about 15 percent of mothers are breast-feeding at all by 12 months, extended families are broken up and free play allowed by parents has decreased dramatically since 1970.<br />
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Whether the corollary to these modern practices or the result of other forces, an epidemic of anxiety and depression among all age groups, including young children; rising rates of aggressive behavior and delinquency in young children; and decreasing empathy, the backbone of compassionate, moral behavior, among college students, are shown in research.<br />
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According to Narvaez, however, other relatives and teachers also can have a beneficial impact when a child feels safe in their presence. Also, early deficits can be made up later, she says.<br />
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"The right brain, which governs much of our self-regulation, creativity and empathy, can grow throughout life. The right brain grows though full-body experience like rough-and-tumble play, dancing or freelance artistic creation. So at any point, a parent can take up a creative activity with a child and they can grow together."<br />
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Further information: <a href="http://ccf.nd.edu/symposium/2012-symposium-presentations/" title="http://ccf.nd.edu/symposium/2012-symposium-presentations/">http://ccf.nd.edu/symposium/2012-symposium-presentations/</a><br />
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<strong>Story Source:</strong><br />
<blockquote>
The above story is reprinted from <a href="http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/36653-modern-parenting-may-hinder-brain-development-research-shows/" target="_blank">materials</a> provided by <a class="blue" href="http://www.nd.edu/" target="_blank"><strong><span id="source">University of Notre Dame</span></strong></a>. The original article was written by Susan Guibert. <br />
<br />
University of Notre Dame (2013, January 7). Modern parenting may hinder brain development, research suggests. <em>ScienceDaily</em>. </blockquote>
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<em>Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.</em></blockquote>
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-26496106872189593702012-12-30T08:51:00.003-08:002012-12-30T08:51:40.646-08:0025 Ways to Stay a Calm Parent<div class="entry-content" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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How to be a calm parent</h1>
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<span class="date published time" title="2012-09-12T21:14:55+00:00">September 12, 2012</span> By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a class="fn n" href="http://awesomelyawake.com/author/sled18/" rel="author" title="Shawn">Shawn</a></span></span> <span class="post-comments"><a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/how-to-be-a-calm-parent/#comments">59 Comments</a></span> </div>
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I’ve always been a dreamer. Oh yes .. I was going to change the world. I was going to raise the best children ever to walk the earth. I was never going to make the same mistakes OTHER parents made. No way.<br />
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Then I had children.<br />
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My first lesson in <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/be-patient/">patience </a>happened immediately while sitting alone with two crying infants for months at a time. I often felt pretty helpless. I mean, you can’t just leave two crying infants and go for a run.<br />
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People always ask me how I managed twin infants and I always respond the same way … “With a lot of tears.”<br />
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Staying calm as a parent may come easier for some more than others. It hasn’t always been easy for me.<br />
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Yeah, where’s the handbook?<br />
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I call it Parenting from the Heart.<br />
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I’ve learned so many lessons on this topic in the last six years. I hope to pass a few on to other parents who might be struggling with keeping their cool.<br />
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In fact, it is my great wish that parents would read this blog and change the way they are parenting so that they, too, can be the change they wish to see in the world.<br />
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<img src="http://awesomelyawake.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mom2.jpg" /></div>
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Original Photo by Tanya_Little via Flickr</div>
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<strong>This week, I asked on my Facebook page how you stay calm as a parent and boy did you deliver! Read <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AwesomelyAwake#!/AwesomelyAwake/posts/399493813438985?notif_t=feed_comment">all of the responses on Facebook</a>. And, please add your own ideas to the comments below as well. Here are just</strong> <strong>25 Ways to Stay Calm as a Parent — some are mine, some are yours!</strong><br />
<ol>
<li><strong>Own your Nos.</strong> There are times when I say no without even thinking and then one no leads to another no and soon we’re in a vicious cycle. I’ve learned that by really thinking before I respond I feel authentic power when I do say no — or yes. Try hard to not rush to saying no to your child just because of inconvenience.<strong> </strong></li>
<li><strong>Be open to Yes</strong>. There’s a ton of <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/amaze-yourself-and-say-yes-more/">power in the word YES</a>. Y-E-S. Conscious Yeses are beautiful. Conscious Yeses transform families. Conscious Yeses are cause for celebration.</li>
<li><strong>Read. </strong>Read everything you can that makes you feel good and that reminds you to remain calm. For me, it started with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1590304616/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1590304616&linkCode=as2&tag=letttomydaug-20">Momma Zen</a> by Karen Maezen Miller but it’s hardly ended there. I have a whole nightstand filled with books that I pull out when I need a pick-me-up or as a reminder to remain calm and relaxed as a parent. Some are parenting books. Some are inspirational books. Others are just beautiful and get me thinking creatively, which is the best way to parent, in my experience.</li>
<li><strong>Solitude</strong>. I suspect that many of us who struggle with staying calm in the chaos also struggle with noise. Some people — extroverts — are happy with a ton of noise. I am not. <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/embrace-silence/">Silence </a>is often the medicine we need to replenish and rejuvenate ourselves and yet it may be the hardest to make happen. There are many other ways to<a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/peaceful-steps-to-take-each-day/"> stay at peace</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Take a deep breath</strong>. Never ever punish when angry. Just don’t. Heed this advice and you’ll always be a calm parent. Separate the kids and then walk away. Step outside. Or, go to your room and close the door and lay on your bed until you are calm. Run down to the basement. Put on some music in your ear buds. Something. Anything. Just breathe and calm down before you even attempt to react.</li>
<li><strong>Get up early</strong>. Having time to yourself is absolutely essential. Period.</li>
<li><strong>Go to bed early</strong>. Being fully rested is key. You can’t be a good parent if you are too tired to think, too tired to come up with creative responses and solutions or too tired to ignore the small things.</li>
<li><strong>Get a hobby</strong>. I write therefore I am. For others, it’s cooking or sewing or quilting or crocheting. Even more are finding a love in photography, baking, blogging, or gardening. We all have that one thing that just fills us up, that gives us a different purpose in life. Devote yourself to yours.</li>
<li><strong>Energize yourself</strong>. This is my all-time favorite thing to do in my day. Choose the things that you love and that make you happy and do them every day. In my e-course, I’ll share my own list.</li>
<li><strong>Ignore the small stuff</strong>. What’s that book say, it’s all small stuff? I don’t know about that. But I do know that some parents — myself included — can get wrapped up in micromanaging their children and their every move. Delegate some of that worry and stress to the Universe. this includes NOT arguing back with a child.</li>
<li><strong>Think of the Big Picture</strong>. A few mentioned this on the Facebook page as important and I agree. Will this tiny infraction of behavior like drinking the bathtub water and spitting it out matter in the long run? No. Will it delay bedtime, yes. So what. Move on. Nothing to see here.</li>
<li><strong>Clean</strong>. When your children are frustrating the bejeezus out of you, clean. Do those things that you need to do and work off the frustrations by cleaning. This is the only time that I stress the importance of cleaning. It gives you something productive to do instead of micromanaging the children. While your at it, think of the chores they will have to do as a result of their bad behavior. Some call it an uh-oh chore. I just call it a chore to help fill my bucket back up.</li>
<li><strong>Speak your mantra</strong>. Each of us has phrases that give us comfort, sayings that we can say over and over again in our heads until the difficult moment passes. Some of you suggested mantras like “I am the adult” or “Mommy is the greatest!” I have a <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/real-mantras-for-real-parents/">whole list of mantras </a>that I use.</li>
<li><strong>Exercise</strong>. Walk. Do yoga. Run. Whatever you can do to feel good on the inside will make parenting from the heart a lot better.</li>
<li><strong>Slow down</strong>. Don’t plan a ton of things because the minute you want to get a long list of things done is the very minute that you will find things blow up. Stress is what causes us to lose our cool so <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/7-reasons-to-slow-down/">the less we have to stress about</a>, the less crazy we’ll become.</li>
<li><strong>Get silly</strong>. I’ve said this before but doing something entirely out of the ordinary is a great way to turn things around quickly. Tell jokes. Just act nutty. You’ll laugh. SING. DANCE. Laugh. Deal with the consequences later, when everyone’s thinking more clearly.</li>
<li><strong>Talk it out</strong>. Establish a talk-it-out rule. In this house, we talk out our problems with soft words, not our hands and not by yelling. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.</li>
<li><strong>Role model</strong>. If you want your children to grow up calm, cool and collected than keep that in your head at all times. What you say to your children becomes what they hear in their heads. That’s powerful stuff to consider.</li>
<li><strong>Eat</strong>. There have been many times when I’ve been starving and not taking care of myself. Stop and make sure you’re not feeling the result of low blood sugar.</li>
<li><strong>Set your rules</strong>. This is a really big deal and something I didn’t really do early on. The sooner your establish your household rules the better off you will be as a parent. Our rules are on our refrigerator so that when a rule is broken we can immediately point to it and say look here, you’ve broken Rule No. 2, keep your hands and feet to yourself. When you are confident about the rules in your house, you are confident in enforcing those rules.</li>
<li><strong>Don’t set too many rules</strong>. Seriously. Children are still learning and experimenting. We can’t expect them to never make mistakes. To stay calm, stick to no more than five rules at a time and make those the important ones. Let little infractions go by with teachable moments rather than discipline.</li>
<li><strong>Change your routine</strong>. If you find yourself in a stressed out rut, perhaps it’s time to change things around and do something exciting and different. A change in fresh air or environment is enough to keep me feeling calm and peaceful a lot longer than going through the motions of the same-old, same-old.</li>
<li><strong>Be Grateful</strong>. Many of you mentioned that reminding yourself of how special it is to have a child is the best way to calm yourself down. Savoring the little moments. <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/be-a-gratitude-goddess/">Being grateful </a>for the time we have with our children. These are all big, heart-filled reminders of what it really means to be a parent, even when times are challenging.</li>
<li><strong>Replenish your spirit</strong>. For some this means prayer or meditation. For others it might be sinking into a hot bath at night. Taking care of your spirit is as important as taking care of your body. Whatever you use to de-stress and center yourself, do it often.</li>
<li><strong>When all else fails, hug it out</strong>. I love this one that came up on the Facebook page. Too often what our children need — and what we need in return — is that close connection and touch of the ones we love. My very spirited daughter responds positively to touch and so we snuggle often. So, instead of yelling or hurting, hug it out. If only we could pass this tip along to the rest of the world, right?</li>
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There are certainly many other ways to stay calm, cool and collected as a parent and I expect anyone who reads this post to add their own <strong><em>positive ideas</em> </strong>that are meant to help inspire parents. These are ideas I wish I had on that second and third month home with twin infants, and again when those infants moved into their terrible twos. But, no matter where you are on your parenting journey, I suspect this list will at least be worth keeping, for one of <strong><em>those</em> </strong>days. You can now <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B5JqTm1woFODLVpqRFZDYUFia0E">download and print </a>this list for yourself to keep close at hand.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>If you like this post, please be sure to sign up for my <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/wake-up-e-zine/">weekly newsletter Wake Up</a>, which sends a new and unique intention every Monday to your inbox. Emails are promised to be short but inspiring for you to keep living a mindful, relaxed family life.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Family life is the ultimate to the Awesomely Awake community. If you need new ideas to do as a family, get your copy of my book <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/the-playful-family/">The Playful Family</a>, which encourages families to connect and engage through play.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Finally, I’m teaching my first e-course this October for families. The course is a creative writing course that encourages creative freedom and expression. You will walk away from the class more fearless than ever all while enjoying time as a family — or for just yourself! And, this course is PAY WHAT YOU WANT. <a href="http://awesomelyawake.com/workshops-and-retreats/">Sign up now</a>.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">written by: </span><strong>Shawn Ledington Fink.</strong></span></div>
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Shawn is the author of <em>The Playful Family</em></div>
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You can reach Shawn anytime by e-mail at <em>theshawnfink at gmail dot com</em>.</div>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-4172614529229975552012-12-28T09:44:00.001-08:002012-12-28T09:44:40.034-08:00Free Kindle Books!<a href="http://fkb.me/">http://fkb.me/</a><br />
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-35860871509786605362012-12-28T09:39:00.001-08:002012-12-28T09:39:20.436-08:00Places to Donate Your Child's Old Toys!<a href="http://www.shopaholicmommy.com/family-life-2/places-to-donate-your-childs-old-toys/">http://www.shopaholicmommy.com/family-life-2/places-to-donate-your-childs-old-toys/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.shopaholicmommy.com/author/ashley-bennett/" rel="author" title="Posts by Ashley B">Ashley B</a> | <span class="meta-date"> December 27, 2012 </span><br />
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<span class="meta-date">Now that the holiday has passed and all the presents have been opened, are you finding that your child’s room is a little more cluttered than usual? That probably means it’s time to clear out some of the extra toys and things that your child has grown too old for or gotten bored with. The question is what to do with them? Obviously you can throw away toys that are broken or coloring books that have all the pages colored in, but what about the toys that are in good shape, just no longer right for your child? A good solution is to donate them somewhere, where other children can make good use of them. Here are some suggestions for where to donate your child’s old toys.</span><br />
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<li><strong>Ronald McDonald House.</strong> Ronald McDonald Houses provide lodging for families that have to travel to get medical treatment for a child. They’re a wonderful organization, and if you have one in your area, they can almost certainly make good use of your child’s outgrown toys. Many families must travel with the sick child’s siblings, and one of the things that a Ronald McDonald House provides is a playroom for the siblings of the child who is getting treatment. This is an excellent way to support their work.</li>
<li><strong>Women’s Shelters.</strong> The organizations that run shelters for women who have left abusive relationships are often operating on tiny, insufficient budgets. Meanwhile, the women and children who end up in the shelters aren’t bringing many of the comforts of home along with them. By donating to them, you’re helping children who really need to be able to play and feel happy and safe while coping with a difficult situation. You should also consider donating to homeless shelters. Many families with children do end up in shelters, and again, they usually bring very little with them. Women’s shelters and homeless shelters are often passed over as toy donation sites, and they can definitely make use of your child’s old toys.</li>
<li><strong>Police and Fire Departments.</strong> Unfortunately, there are times when a police officer or firefighter must comfort a child who has been injured or who is frightened. For this reason, it isn’t uncommon for the police or firefighters to carry small toys with them. Stuffed animals are usually what is used in this situation. If you find yourself with an array of unwanted stuffed animals, contacting your local police or fire departments to see if they can use the toys could be a great thing to do.</li>
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You may not be aware of it, but research shows that books and toys are vital for children to develop normally. Infants need toys to help them properly develop brain growth and motor skills. Older children without toys are more likely to become involved in fights and otherwise exhibit behavior problems. By donating toys that will go to the children who need them most, you’re contributing to giving a child a healthier and happier life.Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-59171203675717300532012-12-19T14:41:00.001-08:002012-12-19T14:41:35.227-08:0026 Random Acts Of Kindness<strong>One random act of kindess for each person killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School.</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/17/15972814-inspired-to-act-26acts-of-kindness-to-honor-those-lost-in-newtown-conn?lite"><span style="font-size: large;">Join</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> the revolution!</span> <br />
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<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/26-random-acts-of-kindness">http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/26-random-acts-of-kindness</a><br />
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<a class="user-name notranslate" data-print="author" href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538" rel:gt_act="user/username" rel:gt_label="editor/mjs538"> Written by: Matt Stopera </a><span class="author_title"> BuzzFeed Staff</span></div>
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<span class="author_title"><h1 id="anonymous_element_3">
Ann Curry is calling on people all over the world to do 26 random acts of kindness for each of the people killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School. Here's some inspiration from people who have already begun:</h1>
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<img alt="Ann Curry is calling on people all over the world to do 26 random acts of kindness for each of the people killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School. Here's some inspiration from people who have already begun:" class="bf_dom" height="1" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5718-1355865158-0.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5718-1355865158-0.jpg" width="1" /><div class="print">
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Via: <a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/17/15972814-inspired-to-act-26acts-of-kindness-to-honor-those-lost-in-newtown-conn?lite" rel="nofollow">usnews.nbcnews.com</a></div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">1.</span> "Let my 4-year-old pick a car to leave flowers on at Walgreens."</h1>
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Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/kristen97805958" rel="nofollow">@kristen97805958</a></div>
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2.</div>
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Via: <a href="http://www.gramfeed.com/photog_jake" rel="nofollow">gramfeed.com</a></div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">3.</span> "Day 2: 100% tip for a server at one of my favorite lunch spots!"</h1>
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Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TYv18JLGuz/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">4.</span> "Instead of asking Santa for something, they brought him a Starbucks gift card."</h1>
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<img alt=""Instead of asking Santa for something, they brought him a Starbucks gift card."" class="bf_dom" height="470" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29701-1355865785-6.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29701-1355865785-6.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
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Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/MichelleBoudin" rel="nofollow">@MichelleBoudin</a></div>
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<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760208'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760208'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760208'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760208'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760208'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760208', 'item':''}}" rel:count="5" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:6" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg"></a></div>
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">5.</span> "First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge."</h1>
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<img alt=""First act of kindness: paying for the car behind us crossing over the bridge."" class="bf_dom" height="640" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29670-1355865818-6.jpg" width="480" /><div class="print">
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Via: <a class="has_icon icon_facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/26acts" rel="nofollow">facebook.com</a></div>
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<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container7" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760218'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760218'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760218'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760218'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760218'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760218', 'item':''}}" rel:count="6" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:7" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">6.</span> "An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""An amazing woman just came in and did this & tipped us $20. There are beautiful people in the world."" class="bf_dom" height="600" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" width="599" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29694-1355865897-8.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TYccFHyqzb/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760219">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container8" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760219'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760219'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760219'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760219'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760219'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760219', 'item':''}}" rel:count="7" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:8" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">7.</span> "Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Felt awesome to leave this on a car in the parking lot today. Not life changing but kindness is contagious."" class="bf_dom" height="605" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" width="603" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5638-1355865989-1.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TYlzX9ybwz/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760226">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container9" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760226'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760226'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760226'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760226'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760226'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760226', 'item':''}}" rel:count="8" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:9" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">8.</span> "Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Day 1: A latte for the kind security guard who stands outside our building, rain or shine, making sure we are safe."" class="bf_dom" height="605" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" width="602" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29238-1355866060-15.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TVvf6urGq_/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760250">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container10" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760250'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" rel:sub_title=""This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760250'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" rel:sub_title=""This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760250'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" rel:sub_title=""This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760250'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" rel:sub_title=""This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760250'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760250', 'item':''}}" rel:count="9" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:10" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">9.</span> "This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""This notecard and $ was given to my son today this afternoon by a complete stranger. What an amazing idea. I plan on joining in and paying it forward."" class="bf_dom" height="537" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" width="609" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29098-1355866141-4.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TY-rLhHaGu/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760259">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container11" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760259'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760259'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760259'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760259'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760259'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760259', 'item':''}}" rel:count="10" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:11" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">10.</span> "I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""I can't help anyone financially, so I'm visiting people."" class="bf_dom" height="452" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5037-1355867163-0.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/ReneNow" rel="nofollow">@ReneNow</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760268">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container12" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760268'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Random act of kindness #1""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760268'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Random act of kindness #1""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760268'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Random act of kindness #1""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760268'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Random act of kindness #1""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760268'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760268', 'item':''}}" rel:count="11" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:12" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">11.</span> "Random act of kindness #1"</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Random act of kindness #1"" class="bf_dom" height="508" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" width="570" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29702-1355866345-8.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TY0XYEuioy/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760291">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container13" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760291'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760291'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760291'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760291'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760291'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760291', 'item':''}}" rel:count="12" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:13" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">12.</span> "Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Bringing comfort food to wounded warriors."" class="bf_dom" height="695" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" width="531" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5674-1355866289-8.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/viperpilot08/status/280741193795649536" rel="nofollow">@viperpilot08</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760199">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container14" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760199'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760199'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760199'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760199'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760199'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760199', 'item':''}}" rel:count="13" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:14" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">13.</span> "Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Just paid off three families Toys R Us bills, hoping to heal the world with each random act of kindness."" class="bf_dom" height="487" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" width="556" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5562-1355866213-3.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_instagram" href="http://instagram.com/p/TYuV1_hfpe/" rel="nofollow">instagram.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760301">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container15" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760301'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760301'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760301'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760301'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760301'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760301', 'item':''}}" rel:count="14" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:15" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">14.</span> "Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Jack Maxton Used Cars is joining 26 acts by donating 26 toys honoring victims of Sandy Hook."" class="bf_dom" height="426" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9354-1355866456-0.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/JackMaxtonChevy/status/281127092140257280" rel="nofollow">@JackMaxtonChevy</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760337">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container16" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760337'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760337'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760337'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760337'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760337'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760337', 'item':''}}" rel:count="15" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:16" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">15.</span> "Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Students made a sign for our custodian who gives 110% at school and has a wife battling cancer."" class="bf_dom" height="441" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5672-1355866510-14.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/tweaks611/status/281108145038848000" rel="nofollow">@tweaks611</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760368">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container17" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760368'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760368'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760368'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760368'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" rel:sub_title=""#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760368'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760368', 'item':''}}" rel:count="16" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:17" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">16.</span> "#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""#4 came when we visited the local firehouse to deliver a teddy bear our 4 year old picked out for their Toys For Tots drive. We thanked the young man and made sure he passed on our appreciation for the work all of his fellow first responders do."" class="bf_dom" height="837" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5568-1355864834-3.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=128544287304805&set=pb.128159857343248.-2207520000.1355864724&type=3&theater" rel="nofollow">facebook.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760383">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container18" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760383'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760383'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760383'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760383'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760383'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760383', 'item':''}}" rel:count="17" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:18" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">17.</span> "We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""We made cookies for our firemen and even got to play dress up."" class="bf_dom" height="832" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29693-1355866518-6.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/gkimbwala/status/280903914444951552" rel="nofollow">@gkimbwala</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760410">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container19" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760410'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We're sending 26 blankets.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760410'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We're sending 26 blankets.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760410'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We're sending 26 blankets.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760410'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" rel:sub_title=""We're sending 26 blankets.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760410'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760410', 'item':''}}" rel:count="18" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:19" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">18.</span> "We're sending 26 blankets."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""We're sending 26 blankets."" class="bf_dom" height="698" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" width="515" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5658-1355866590-10.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="http://pic.twitter.com/7pQyNFOL" rel="nofollow">@7pQyNFOL</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760413">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container20" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760413'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760413'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760413'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760413'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760413'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760413', 'item':''}}" rel:count="19" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:20" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">19.</span> "A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""A simple one. If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what would."" class="bf_dom" height="582" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29704-1355866582-7.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/BlizzLatt" rel="nofollow">@BlizzLatt</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760421">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container21" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760421'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" rel:sub_title=""26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760421'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" rel:sub_title=""26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760421'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" rel:sub_title=""26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760421'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" rel:sub_title=""26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760421'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760421', 'item':''}}" rel:count="20" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:21" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">20.</span> "26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""26 cuddly toys for the children's ward at Torbay Hospital."" class="bf_dom" height="833" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29692-1355866681-13.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/OldmanmattG" rel="nofollow">@OldmanmattG</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760437">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container22" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760437'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." "></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760437'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." "></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760437'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." "></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760437'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." "></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760437'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760437', 'item':''}}" rel:count="21" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:22" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">21.</span> "I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." </h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""I am a teacher in Connecticut and I was the recipient of a #26Acts today from one of my 7th-graders." " class="bf_dom" height="832" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5723-1355866681-7.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/lesleyryoung/status/280796751663886337" rel="nofollow">@lesleyryoung</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760447">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px; top: 30px;">
<div id="zclip_container23" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760447'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760447'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760447'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760447'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" rel:sub_title=""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760447'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760447', 'item':''}}" rel:count="22" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:23" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_number">
22.</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt="" class="bf_dom" height="457" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-5604-1355866786-8.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/MichelleBoudin" rel="nofollow">@MichelleBoudin</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760504">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container24" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760504'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I'm in.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760504'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I'm in.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760504'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I'm in.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760504'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""I'm in.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760504'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760504', 'item':''}}" rel:count="23" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:24" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">23.</span> "I'm in."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""I'm in."" class="bf_dom" height="376" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" width="503" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr01/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-4876-1355866701-0.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/gkoen82/status/281113049136496640" rel="nofollow">@gkoen82</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760512">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container25" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760512'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760512'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760512'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760512'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book.""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760512'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760512', 'item':''}}" rel:count="24" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:25" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">24.</span> "Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book."</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Over halfway there! Just left $10 in my favorite childhood book."" class="bf_dom" height="833" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" width="625" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-9791-1355866822-2.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
Via: <a class="has_icon icon_twitter" href="https://twitter.com/KenzAnderson" rel="nofollow">@KenzAnderson</a></div>
</div>
<div class="buzz_superlist_item buzz_superlist_item_image buzz_superlist_item_wide" id="superlist_1926928_760527">
<div class="share-box" style="height: 180px;">
<div id="zclip_container26" style="display: block; height: 150px; position: relative; width: 37px;">
<a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="facebook" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'fb-share':{'id':'1926928_760527'}}" rel:gt_act="share/facebook/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="pinterest" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'pin-share':{'id':'1926928_760527'}}" rel:gt_act="share/pinterest/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="twitter" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'tw-share':{'id':'1926928_760527'}}" rel:gt_act="share/twitter/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="stumble" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'su-share':{'id':'1926928_760527'}}" rel:gt_act="share/stumble/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" rel:sub_title=""Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts""></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom" href="javascript:;" id="link" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'link-share':{'id':'1926928_760527'}}" rel:gt_act="share/link/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg"></a><a class="share-icon bf_dom response-button" href="javascript:;" id="response" rel:bf_bucket_data="{'response-share':{'id':'1926928_760527', 'item':''}}" rel:count="25" rel:gt_act="share/contribute/list-item:26" rel:gt_label="/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
<h1>
<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">25.</span> "Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts"</h1>
<div class="sub_buzz_content">
<img alt=""Seattle Children's Hospital donation. #26acts"" class="bf_dom" height="603" rel:bf_bucket="progload" rel:bf_image_src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" width="606" /><div class="print">
<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr02/2012/12/18/16/enhanced-buzz-29090-1355864530-0.jpg" rel="nofollow"><b>View this image ›</b></a></div>
</div>
<div class="sub_buzz_source_via buzz_attribution">
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<span class="buzz_superlist_number_inline">26.</span> "The custodian is using tape to hold his shoes together. He works hard and deserves new shoes."</h1>
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"He was so grateful. His eyes were filled with tears."<br />
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For those interested, here's a check sheet you can use:</h1>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-70464767778112069272012-12-17T14:45:00.000-08:002012-12-17T14:45:34.057-08:00Christmas Craft Fun!<h1 class="page-title">
10 Sensory Christmas Activities for Children!</h1>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/ten-sensory-christmas-activities" target="_blank">©2006-2012 WonderBaby.org</a></div>
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I've always felt that the best way to celebrate any holiday or season is with crafts!</div>
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Easter and spring have egg and flower crafts, autumn has natural crafts with colorful leaves and pokey pine cones, but winter and Christmas is the best time for crafts that engage <em>all</em> the senses.</div>
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During the holidays we are baking, decorating and spending time with family and friends. </div>
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Get your kids involved by having them help in the kitchen, create Christmas decorations or make their own gifts to give to their friends. There are so many ways to engage all kids, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities.</div>
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Here are some of our favorite <strong>Sensory Christmas Crafts & Activities</strong>:</div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/make-your-own-braille-apple-cinnamon-ornaments"><img alt="apple cinnamon ornaments project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/apple-cinnamon-ornaments-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/make-your-own-braille-apple-cinnamon-ornaments"><strong>Braille Apple Cinnamon Ornaments</strong></a></div>
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We all know that mixing applesauce and cinnamon creates a dough that can be turned into delightfully aromatic ornaments. But did you know that you can add cloves to create personalized braille ornaments?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/tactile-christmas-tree-craft"><img alt="tactile christmas tree project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/tactile-christmas-tree-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/tactile-christmas-tree-craft"><strong>Tactile Christmas Trees</strong></a></div>
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Felt and velcro make this tactile Christmas craft easy to put together <em>and</em> talke apart. Add a pipe cleaner loop and you've got a pretty tactile ornament to hang on your tree!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/apple-jacks-christmas-wreath-ornament"><img alt="apple jacks wreath Project" border="0" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/apple-jacks-wreath-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/apple-jacks-christmas-wreath-ornament"><strong>Apple Jacks Wreath Ornament</strong></a></div>
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Yep, it's just Apple Jacks cereal strung onto a pipe cleaner. It's easy (and tasty) and also a great fine motor activity!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/making-christmas-tree-brownies"><img alt="christmas tree brownies project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/christmas-tree-brownies-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/making-christmas-tree-brownies"><strong>Christmas Tree Brownies</strong></a></div>
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Make brownies from a mix then cut into triangles. Decorate like Christmas trees and you've got a sweet Christmas treat with lots of opportunity for hands-on learning.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/peppermint-chocolate-chex-mix"><img alt="peppermint chocolate chex mix project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/peppermint-chex-mix-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/peppermint-chocolate-chex-mix"><strong>Peppermint Chocolate Chex Mix</strong></a></div>
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Chex Mixes are relatively easy to make, but still encourage a lot of fine motor and social play. This recipe is for a fun holiday version of the mix.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065651374/"><img alt="stained glass mittens project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/stained-glass-mittens-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065651374/"><strong>Stained Glass Mittens</strong></a></div>
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With just some construction paper, translucent contact paper and tissue paper you can create "stained glass" wonders. These would be fun to do on a light box, too!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065651376/"><img alt="snow paint project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/snow-paint-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065651376/"><strong>Snow Paint</strong></a></div>
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Did you know that mixing equal parts white glue and shaving cream creates snow paint? Brush it on to card stock and see what it feels like when it's dry!<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093064236788/"><img alt="shredded paper snowman project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/shredded-paper-snowman-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093064236788/"><strong>Shredded Paper Snowman</strong></a></div>
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Finally, a fun Christmas craft that also recycles your shredded papers! Just add some googly eyes and pom poms and you're good to go.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065914156/"><img alt="ice cream cone christmas trees project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/cone-christmas-trees-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065914156/"><strong>Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees</strong></a></div>
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Turn an ice cream cone upside down and cover in frosting. All your child has to do is apply the candies (and their imagination) to create candy Christmas trees!<br /><br /><br /><br /> </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065914232/"><img alt="frozen balloons project" class="align-left" height="150" src="http://www.wonderbaby.org/sites/default/files/frozen-balloons-index.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/234539093065914232/"><strong>Frozen Ice Balls</strong></a></div>
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Fill balloons with water and food coloring then leave outside to freeze. Cut off the balloons and you've got these striking frozen balls which would show up so nicely against the white snow.<br /><br /><br /> </div>
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Crafts really can be accessible to all kids, no matter their abilities or disabilities. Have a happy holiday season and have fun with your Christmas activities!</div>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-7082656901578817132012-12-17T14:35:00.001-08:002012-12-17T14:35:59.562-08:0010 Quick Ways to Spoil Your HolidaysOnly two weeks till Christmas! Better get right down to it…<br />
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written by:<em> <a href="http://revolutionfromhome.com/2012/12/10-quick-ways-to-spoil-your-holidays/" target="_blank">Beth Berry, Revolution from Home Blog</a></em><br />
posted December 12, 2012<br />
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<strong>1. Make it about the stuff.</strong> Countercultural, yes and maybe even counter<em>intuitive</em> depending upon your habits the rest of the year, deemphasizing <em>things</em> over the holidays — no matter how sparkly, discounted or <em>even locally made</em> — can be a powerful way to enhance your holiday season. By giving less in the way of presents, and more in the way of <em>presence</em> you are not only filling a void that not a single <em>thing</em> can touch, but you are making a statement — against the notion of good will as an excuse to consume needlessly, against the clutter and chaos that has come to characterize Christmas and against the illusion that joy has anything at all to do with <em>things</em> in the first place. Make it a slow wean if you must, but the more you shape your holidays around tradition, togetherness and <em>truth</em>, the less likely you are to be lined up for after-Christmas sales, <em>still unsatisfied</em>.<br />
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<strong>2. Expect your kids to “get it.”</strong> Your baby is not spoiled or antisocial because she screams when you pass her off to perfect strangers (no matter how kid-loving your uncle Lou). Your five-year-old is not unreasonable for refusing to get back in the carseat during your day-long search for the perfect party pumps and your eight-year-old is not rude for hanging on to you half asleep while you schmooze (and booze) for hours beyond his bedtime. No matter how child-centric your holidays, kids are easily maxed this time of year and require just as much sleep and downtime as ever (if not more). Factoring in a preventive pep talk before holiday dinners, scheduling plenty of slow days to counteract the crazy ones and making sure they’ve been fed <em>real food</em> before surrounding them with 300 variations on high fructose fabulousness will help prevent your <em>own</em> toddler-esque meltdown.<br />
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<strong>3. Expect everyone else to “get it.”</strong> Your parenting style is almost certainly <em>not</em> the same as your advice-touting aunt Pearl’s and <em>that’s okay</em>. Likewise, your well-meaning brother-in-law may truly not have known that your kid is allergic to all tubers aside from those grown in the shade of birch leaves. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and kindly <em>hold your family’s way as worthy</em> without assuming everyone else is on board. Think through possible situations ahead of time, plan a comfortable course of action and remember, many of them <em>already raised their kids</em>. Yours are not their primary concern.<br />
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<strong>4. Over-schedule yourself.</strong> More fun is more fun, right? Not always. Committing to not two but <em>five</em> holiday gift exchanges does not necessarily make you more festive or generous, but it will probably ensure that you’re more stressed than decompressed come January. Ditto for your kids, and stressed kids have built-in <em>punishment mechanisms</em>.<br />
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<strong>5. Pretend you have money.</strong> I realize there’s always the temptation to buy into all the merriment (quite literally) and forgo budgets and common sense in the name of the savior (uh?) but do consider the other eleven months of the year and <em>mind your money</em>. Considering that (according to Consumer Reports) people actually “hate” one in five gifts they’re given anyway, you might resist that bird bingo and give your poor dad a foot rub.<br />
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<strong>6. Expect your family to be something it isn’t.</strong> If they <em>never have</em> been respectful of your choices, expecting affirmation this year is a recipe for resentment. If uncle Larry always gets shit-faced on Christmas Eve, don’t think that he won’t this season just because you’re bringing home your (unsuspecting) could-be bride. On the same note, if you know there will be 56 kids running through grandma’s house, you’re better off getting a hotel room than expecting peace and quiet while your toddler naps. As for Aunt Mae’s perfume? <em>You’re on your own with that one</em>.<br />
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<strong>7. Feed family drama.</strong> You don’t have to agree with everything they say, think or do, but feeding their fanatical fires or trying to convert them to your side of party lines is generally not the most palatable recipe for holiday cheer (nor silent nights for that matter).<br />
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<strong>8. Pretend you’re back in college.</strong> Overindulgence is par for the course most holidays, but rarely worth the moment of pleasure for the guilt, pounds, hangover or uncertainty of events following its feeding. Slow down and savor your favorite foods. Indulge, but in small portions, followed by a wintery walk. Most of all, take notice — of the scents and the sounds and the simmer of the season. Take time to think about where your food comes from and offer your gratitude. Get drunk on the human connection, the stillness of time and the wholeness of the moment and you might actually be <em>okay</em> with a little less eggnog.<br />
<br />
<strong>9. Try to be Martha.</strong> Martha Stewart is a millionaire with a chauffeur, a staff of leaping lord-knows how many and someone to clean up behind her as she pretends to have it all together. <a href="http://revolutionfromhome.com/2012/04/lets-all-compare-our-perfect-lives-then-try-to-enjoy-our-day/">Don’t play that game</a>. Keep it simple, keep it fun and <em>keep it real.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<strong>10. Compare Yule Logs.</strong> This time of the year, The Joneses are on steroids. Forget their bling and blow-up baby Jesus. There is not one more iota of happiness (or salvation) born of having fancy things than having your head on straight (and the size of your yule log left to the imagination).<br />
<br />
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-73719434594640948202012-12-14T15:01:00.003-08:002012-12-14T15:01:52.761-08:00How to Preserve Your Relationship When Your Child Has ADHD<a href="http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/child-adhd-parental-relationship">http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/features/child-adhd-parental-relationship</a><br />
<br />
<br />
By <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heather-hatfield" rel="author">Heather Hatfield</a> Reviewed by <a href="http://www.webmd.com/hansa-bhargava">Hansa D. Bhargava, MD</a><br />
<br />
WebMD Feature<br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">When Your Child's ADHD Affects Your Relationship</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
Building and sustaining a healthy relationship with your spouse or partner takes work. When you have a <a href="http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/ast_oneadhd-children">child with ADHD</a>, balancing his or her needs with the attention your <a href="http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/default.htm">marriage</a> deserves is critical if both are going to thrive.<br />
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"Anytime you have a child with a condition like <a href="http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htm">ADHD</a> that impacts his ability to socialize, to follow rules, to learn, and listen, it impacts your marriage," says Los Angeles psychotherapist Jenn Berman, PhD. "As parents and as a couple, you need to listen, work together, and focus not only on your child, but each other as well."</div>
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<h3>
Accepting or Disagreeing</h3>
<br />
One of the first disagreements many parents have when faced with a child's ADHD is whether their child actually has the condition. For some couples, that's a big hurdle to overcome.<br />
<br />
"Many times, I see two parents who are on different pages when it comes to whether their child has ADHD at all, or if they do agree to that, how it should be treated," says Mark Wolraich, MD, a pediatrics professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.<br />
<br />
The goal is to come to terms with the diagnosis, and unite on one path forward in terms of treatment. Then, you can focus on helping your child, and each other.<br />
<br />
<h3>
For Better or for Worse</h3>
<br />
"Marriage is something you work on all the time," says Terry Dickson, MD, director of the Behavioral Medicine Clinic of NW Michigan, and an ADHD coach. "But having a child with ADHD adds extra <a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/">stress</a> to the whole family dynamic."<br />
<br />
Dickson knows firsthand: He has ADHD, and so do his two children. His wife does not.<br />
<br />
"When we got married, we both knew it was for life," Dickson says. "But you need to know that having a child with ADHD will affect your marriage, and you both need to be equally committed to making it work."<br />
<br />
It’s not always easy.<br />
<br />
Dickson recalls one study that found parents of a child with ADHD are nearly twice as likely to <a href="http://children.webmd.com/kids-coping-divorce">divorce</a> by the time the child is 8 years old than parents of children without ADHD. Though it's only one study, Dickson says, it highlights the extra pressure that having a child with ADHD can have on a relationship. <br />
<br />
That doesn't mean ADHD drives all couples apart. It can actually bring some parents closer, as they work together to raise a happy, healthy child and keep their own relationship strong. A simple step in that direction is to approach your relationship as one of the most important tools you have to help your child with ADHD grow and thrive. Your relationship really is that important.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">7 Relationship Tips</span></h3>
<br />
These tips can help the health of your relationship as well as that of your child:<br />
<br />
<strong>1. Create structure and routine.</strong> <br />
Create a structure and routine for your day, suggests Wolraich. This will not only help your child with ADHD, but will allow you to carve out time that works for you and your partner to connect.<br />
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<b>2. Listen and hear.</b> </div>
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"Learn how to listen to each other," Berman says. When your partner is talking, don't be thinking about your response -- really hear what they are saying. This will help you work through conflict, whether it's about your child's ADHD or something else.</div>
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<b>3. Make house rules. </b><br />
"Create and agree on clear house rules with your partner," Wolraich says. If you are on the same page as to how to raise your children, both with and without ADHD, you’ll minimize the risk of unnecessary relationship discord over <a href="http://www.webmd.com/parenting/default.htm">parenting</a> approaches.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4. Communicate.</b><br />
<b> </b>"You really need to communicate effectively with your partner about your relationship," Berman says. "Parents with a child with ADHD tend to put the child’s needs first, which is understandable. But spend time on the needs of the relationship as well, and learn what those needs are through strong communication."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5. Share the load. </b><br />
Try to keep your parenting balanced, so one person isn’t bearing a heavier load. "Two parents working together makes caring for a child with ADHD easier," Wolraich says. Sharing the responsibility also reduces the risk of conflict and resentment in your relationship, he explains.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>6. Keep adjusting. </b><br />
"You have to learn to adjust," Dickson says. You have to learn to live with your child's <a href="http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-diagnosis-tests">ADHD diagnosis</a> and learn to work around it in ways that are right for your child, and for your partner.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>7. Prioritize "us" time. </b><br />
Carve out time for you and your partner on a regular basis, away from the kids, just the two of you, recommends Berman. "Every relationship needs to be nurtured," she says. "Especially if you have a child with ADHD, it’s so important that you focus on each other."<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/">View Article Sources <img align="top" alt="Sources" border="0" id="sources_sign_fmt" src="http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/modules/todaysNews_plusSign.gif" /></a></div>
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SOURCES:<br /><br />Jenn Berman, PhD, host, Couples Therapy, private practice, Los Angeles.<br />
Terry Dickson, MD, director, Behavioral Medicine Clinical NW Michigan; ADHD coach; Traverse City, MI.<br />
Mark Wolraich, MD, CMRI/Shaun Walters Professor, Pediatrics; Chief, Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center; Director, Child Study Center, Oklahoma City.<br />
Wymbs, B. <i>Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology</i>, October 2008.</div>
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Reviewed on December 06, 2012</div>
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© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.</div>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-64390232332486113622012-12-03T20:36:00.002-08:002012-12-03T20:36:51.796-08:00Sensory Overload <strong></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">From "Interacting with Autism"</span></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong><em>I couldn't figure out how to get the video uploaded to this blog, but the link is below. </em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Please watch this short video to experience what sensory overload may feel like. It's worth the watch!</em></strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong><a href="http://vimeo.com/52193530" id="yui_3_7_2_23_1354495684178_396" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2786c2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 18px/normal arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span id="lw_1354594534_1">http://vimeo.com/52193530</span></a></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>About this video</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>"© 2012 Some people with autism have difficulty processing intense, multiple sensory experiences at once. This animation gives the viewer a glimpse into sensory overload, and how often our sensory experiences intertwine in everyday life. Created as part of Mark Jonathan Harris' and Marhsa Kinder's "Interacting with Autism." Coming in <span class="ycalshortcuts" data-action="calevent" fid="Inbox" id="lw_1354594534_3" mid="2_0_0_1_9380191_AFO3iGIAASrdUL142g7BxhsX4Z8" title="Add an event at this date">January 1st 2013</span>, IWA is a three-year transmedia project funded by the federal Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ). University Professor Marsha Kinder, the Executive Director of the Labyrinth Project at USC, and Mark Harris are heading a team of filmmakers and artists working to build an interactive, video intensive website that will focus on the best available treatments for autism. <br />
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FULL CREDITS LIST: Director and Animator: Miguel Jiron Produced and Developed by: Scott Mahoy, Creative Director of Interacting with Autism Produced for Interacting with Autism For more information visit:<a href="http://interactingwithautism.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_23_1354495684178_418" target="_blank"><span id="lw_1354594534_4">interactingwithautism.com</span></a>Scenario: Marsha Kinder Sound: Katie Gately Line Producer: Ioana Uricaru Cinematographer: Alejandro Martinez Paint Animation: Laura Cechanowicz Boy: Cody Sullivan Waitress: Alexandra Boylan Gaffer: Katie Walker Special Thanks: Mark Jonathan Harris, Shelbi Jay Kepler, Mike Patterson, Candace Reckinger, Kathy Smith For more work, check out my website <a href="http://www.mibaji.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_23_1354495684178_419" target="_blank"><span id="lw_1354594534_5">www.mibaji.com</span></a>"<br />
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-67805238620076519072012-12-03T18:35:00.000-08:002012-12-03T18:35:46.947-08:0081 Vision-Friendly Gifts for Kids<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://info.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/bid/88862/81-Vision-Friendly-Gifts-for-Kids?utm_source=hubspot_email_marketing&utm_medium=email&utm_content=5461754&_hse=sandi.kasting%40kastingconnections.com&_hsmi=5461754&_hsh=945884293afd1d70feb3b560f8f643ca" target="_blank">Discovering Vision Therapy Blog</a></strong></span> <br />
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Posted on Tue, Nov 13, 2012 @ 03:00 PM <br />
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<br />
It’s back! Our <strong><span style="color: purple;">2012 Vision-Friendly Holiday Gift List</span></strong>. The
list includes 81 toys and games that promote visual skills such as hand-eye
coordination, visualization, and space perception. <br />
<br />
You’ll note a distinctive lack of hand-held video devices and home gaming
systems, which can increase the risk of computer eye-strain. It’s our hopes
that we can provide alternatives to the electronics with activities that can
enhance a child’s visual skills.<br />
<br />
“These toys can improve hand-eye coordination, depth perception,
visualization, fine motors skills and other visual skills,” said Dr. Kellye
Knueppel, developmental optometrist and owner of The Vision Therapy Center.<br />
<br />
It’s our hopes that these gifts will be a fun alternative to video games. By
spending excessive amounts of time on hand-held video devices and home gaming
systems, there is a potential for worsening vision problems such as focusing
issues, poor eye teaming and even nearsightedness.<br />
<br />
In particular, we want people who have a child with an existing functional
vision problem to gift wisely this holiday season. “If you have an existing
vision problem, too much time playing hand-held video games will likely make the
condition worse and will not be helpful,” said Dr. Knueppel. <br />
<br />
The <strong>2012 Vision-Friendly Gift List</strong> is arranged by visual
skill and includes ideas for pre-schoolers through adults.<br />
<br />
Remember that learning and enjoyment is usually best when the child can
accomplish the activity relatively easily about 80-90% of the time, and is
therefore challenged 10-20% of the time. Choose toys based on developmental age
rather than actual age, and consider playing without being competitive.<br />
<br />
<strong>Building toys</strong> – Develop eye-hand coordination and
visualization/imagination.<br />
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1. Building Blocks<br />
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2. Legos/Duplos
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<br />
3. Lincoln Logs
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<br />
4. Tinker Toys<br />
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5. Erector Set<br />
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<strong>Fine motor skill toys</strong> – Develop fine motor skills including
visual skills and manual eye-hand coordination.<br />
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6. Light Bright
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<br />
7. Pegboard and Pegs
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8. Coloring Books and Crayons
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9. Dot-to-Dot Activity Books
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10. Finger Paints
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11. Playdough/Silly Putty/Modeling Clay
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<br />
12. Chalkboard (24” x 36”)/Easel
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<br />
13. Bead Stringing
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<br />
14. Sewing Cards (craft)<br />
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15. Paint or Color By Numbers
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<br />
16. Sand Art
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<br />
17. Stencils
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<br />
18. Bead Craft Kits<br />
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19. Models (car, airplane, ships, etc.)<br />
<br />
20. Jacks<br />
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<strong>Space perception toys</strong> – Develop depth perception and
eye-hand coordination.<br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<em>Within arm’s length:</em><br />
<br />
20. Jumpin’ Monkeys<br />
<br />
21. Flippin’ Frogs<br />
<br />
22. Ants in the Pants<br />
<br />
23. Fishin’ Around<br />
<br />
24. Operation
<br />
<br />
25. Pick-up Sticks
<br />
<br />
26. KerPlunk<br />
<br />
27. Jenga<br />
<br />
28. Don’t Break the Ice<br />
<br />
29. Marbles<br />
<br />
<em>Beyond arm’s length:</em><br />
<br />
30. Oball (good for kids who aren’t very good at catching)
<br />
<br />
31. Ball (any kind!)
<br />
<br />
32. Pitchback
<br />
<br />
33. Toss Across (tic-tac-toe)
<br />
<br />
34. Ring Toss<br />
<br />
35. Nerf Basketball
<br />
<br />
36. Dart Games (velcro)<br />
<br />
37. Ping Pong<br />
<br />
38. Cuponk<br />
<br />
39. Elefun<br />
<br />
<strong>Visual thinking toys and games</strong> - Develop
visual thinking including visualization, visual memory, form perception, pattern
recognition, sequencing and eye tracking skills. These skills are important
basics for academics including mathematics, reading and spelling.
<br />
<br />
40. Color Blocks and 1” Cubes
<br />
<br />
41. Parquetry Blocks
<br />
<br />
42. Attribute Blocks
<br />
<br />
43. Make N Break Game
<br />
<br />
44. Jigsaw Puzzles
<br />
<br />
45. Rory’s Story Cubes
<br />
<br />
46. Card Games (Old Maid, Go Fish, etc.)<br />
<br />
47. Dominoes<br />
<br />
48. ThinkFun Bug Trails
<br />
<br />
49. Checkers
<br />
<br />
50. Chinese Checkers
<br />
<br />
51. Perplexus
<br />
<br />
52. Qwirkle
<br />
<br />
53. Battleship
<br />
<br />
54. Labyrinth
<br />
<br />
55. Blokus
<br />
<br />
56. Connect Four
<br />
<br />
57. Rush Hour/Rush Hour Jr.<br />
<br />
58. Regatta<br />
<br />
59. Perfection
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<br />
60. Tactilo<br />
<br />
61. Bingo
<br />
<br />
62. Memory Games
<br />
<br />
63. Chicken Cha-Cha-Cha
<br />
<br />
64. Simon Flash
<br />
<br />
65. Bop It
<br />
<br />
66. Hyperdash<br />
<br />
67. Blink <br />
<br />
68. Set<br />
<br />
69. Loopz<br />
<br />
70. Racko<br />
<br />
71. Sort it Out<br />
<br />
72. Tangrams/Tangoes<br />
<br />
73. Mancala<br />
<br />
74. Q-bitz<br />
<br />
<strong>Balance and Coordination toys and games</strong> – Develop large
motor skills.<br />
<br />
75. Hoppity Hop<br />
<br />
76. Jump Ropes
<br />
<br />
77. Sit and Spin
<br />
<br />
78. Slip ’n Slide<br />
<br />
79. Trampoline
<br />
<br />
80. Stilts
<br />
<br />
81. Twister<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-77272679331333652432012-12-03T18:34:00.002-08:002012-12-08T07:46:17.108-08:00Sensory Processing and the DSM-V: Final Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jhxAx1sLbU/UL1fWDeMv2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/Fp-SpeAvgbw/s1600/spd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jhxAx1sLbU/UL1fWDeMv2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/Fp-SpeAvgbw/s400/spd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dear friends and colleagues,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am writing to let you know that <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1354587663_1">Sensory Processing Disorder</span> (SPD) was indeed excluded from the fifth edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) as announced Saturday by the American Psychiatric Association.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yet, sad as we all are, there are reasons still to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In reporting the news on the DSM-5, Bloomberg News specifically pointed out that Sensory Processing Disorder was excluded, which is progress as 15, even 10 years, ago many people had not heard of SPD (</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://e2ma.net/go/12964056049/214220317/238849475/1403154/goto:http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-02/psychiatrists-redefine-disorders-including-autism.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1354587663_2">http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-02/psychiatrists-redefine-disorders-including-autism.html</span></a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our website, <a href="http://e2ma.net/go/12964056049/214220317/238849476/1403154/goto:http://www.spdfoundation.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1354587663_3">www.spdfoundation.net</span></a> receives an average of <b>85,000 </b>hits <b>each day </b>from individuals seeking information about this disorder, which shows how much information about the disorder is sought and needed. And although we are excluded even from the category of a diagnosis that needs further research, the challenges impacting our children live on and so do our families. Their needs are real and the importance of services is now magnified.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When we first decided to try to get accepted into the DSM it was the year 2000. Little rigorous research was available about SPD. The decision to apply for DSM status was a springboard to research action. In 1995, the Wallace Research Foundation (WRF) found and funded me to study the sympathetic nervous system functioning of children with SPD. With the success of that project (see Miller et al., 1999 and McIntosh et al, 1999) the WRF began an initiative to study Sensory Processing Disorder that has extended for this whole period from 2000 when we decided to try for DSM inclusion and continues today with multiple studies being conducted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To ensure rigor in the design of funded projects, many Principal Investigators with extensive NIH-funded research backgrounds are funded by the Wallace Research Foundation projects. The researchers have formed a consortium, the SPD Scientific Work Group, with 49 members so far, representing renowned institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Duke, MIT, U of WI-Madison, UC San Francisco and many others. And this year we will begin work on a collaborative data base so that our members can share research findings more easily and work together using existing data.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notably, none of the members of the Scientific Work Group are members of any of the DSM committees. We focused only on science believing that research would be the entry ticket to the DSM. [Parenthetically, I was brought up in a very political household where my father ran against Gary Hart for US senate (remember Bimini and the yacht Monkey Business?). So you’d think I’d have known that all major social decisions are in essence political.] But a small foundation like ours cannot do everything. So we decided in the year 2000 to focus on rigorous research.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the Scientific Work Group has produced dozens of articles since then with more on the way. Together we have researched the prevalence of the disorder (Ben-Sasson, et al., 2009), the validity of the diagnosis (Davies, et al., 2007), and the underlying neurological foundations (Schoen, Miller, et al., 2009; Brett-Green, Miller, et al., 2008, 2010). The 2007 RCT demonstrated the effectiveness of OT with children who have SPD, in achieving individualized parent priorities as well as other key outcomes compared to both a passive and an active placebo. (Miller, Coll, and Schoen, 2007).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A more comprehensive look at the research findings of the SPD Scientific Work Group will be posted later this week on our web site at <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/research.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1354587663_4">http://www.spdfoundation.net/research.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So now what? Now we regroup and then we charge forward. Already we have been contacted by states that are initiating regulations to include children with SPD in voucher programs for which children with autism are eligible. Already we have been contacted by news media for our response to the DSM-5 announcement. Already we know that we won’t just give up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We have made a difference. And we are not done yet. We will continue our SPD research efforts at the Foundation, with the WRF and with the SPD Scientific Work Group. We will reevaluate our strategies going forward regarding advocacy initiatives. We will continue our education and awareness of SPD to give hope and help to those impacted by SPD. As Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We will keep you appraised about our future direction and what you can do to get involved. Thank you all for your support and action on behalf of families living with SPD.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clinical Director, STAR Center</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Research Director, Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miller, L. J., McIntosh, D. N., McGrath, J., Shyu, V., Lampe, M., Taylor, A. K., Tassone, F.,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Neitzel, K., Stackhouse, T., & Hagerman, R. (1999). Electrodermal responses to sensory stimuli</span></span></div>
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in individuals with fragile X syndrome: A preliminary report. <i>American Journal of Medical</i></div>
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<i>Genetics, 83</i>(4), 268-279.</div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">McIntosh, D.N., Miller, L.J., Shyu, V., & Hagerman, R. (1999). Sensory-modulation disruption, electrodermal responses, and functional behaviors. <i>Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology</i>, 41, 608-615.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ben-Sasson, A., Carter, A.S., & Briggs-Gowan, M.J. (2009). Sensory Over-Responsivity in Elementary School: Prevalence and Social-Emotional Correlates. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, doi 10.1007/s10802-008-9295-8.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Davies, P. L., & Gavin, W. J. (2007). Validating the diagnosis of sensory processing disorders using EEG technology. <i>American Journal of Occupational Therapy</i>, 61,<i> </i>176–189.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Schoen, S. A., Miller, L.J., Brett-Green, B., Nielsen, D.M. (2009) Physiological and behavioral differences in sensory processing: a comparison of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Modulation Disorder. <i>Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience</i> 3, 29: 1-11.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Brett-Green, B. A., Miller,<b> </b>L. J., Gavin, W. J., Davies, P. l. (2008). Multisensory Integration in Children: A Preliminary ERP study<i>, Brain Research</i>, 1242, 283-290.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Brett-Green, B., Miller, L.J., Schoen, S. A., Nielsen, D.M., (2010). An Exploratory Event Related Potential Study of Multisensory Integration in Sensory Over-Responsive Children. <i>Brain Research, </i>doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2010.01.043.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1354495680271_13173" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miller, L.J., Coll, J.R., Schoen, S.A. (2007a). A randomized controlled pilot study of the effectiveness of occupational therapy for children with sensory modulation disorder. <i>American Journal of Occupational Therapy,</i> 61:228-238.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Miller, L. J., Schoen, S. A., James, K., & Schaaf, R. C. (2007b). Lessons learned: A pilot study on occupational therapy effectiveness for children with sensory modulation disorder. <i>The American Journal of Occupational Therapy</i>, 61<i> </i>(2), 161-169.</span></div>
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Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-75372723478926928372012-11-28T20:14:00.001-08:002012-11-28T20:14:30.333-08:00Surviving The Holidays<span style="font-size: large;">The activity of the holiday season seems to bring out the hyperactivity in our own little angels. Check out this collection of tips to help you survive it.</span> <br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/1058-4.html" target="_blank">from ADDitude Magazine</a></strong><br />
by <a href="http://www.additudemag.com/authorID/22.html"> ADDitude Editors</a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h2>
<span style="color: red;">Create structure - and stick to it</span></h2>
<span style="color: red;"></span><br />
"The symptoms of ADHD don't take a holiday," says Patricia Quinn, M.D., a developmental pediatrician in the Washington, D.C. area and author of several best-selling books on ADHD. "The good news is that parents can help manage their child through this disruption to the daily routine, while also making it less stressful for them."<br />
<br />
In a national survey released last month by the New York University Child Study Center, nearly all (98%) parents of children with ADHD who participated in the survey said that a structured routine is important for their child's emotional, behavioral, or social development. Yet, only 13% reported that they keep their child on a school routine all year. Furthermore, two-thirds (66%) of parents agreed that getting their ADHD child back into a normal routine after time away from school is a hassle.<br />
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"One of the most important things a parent can do during the holidays is to create structure and stick to the child's regular routine as much as possible," advises Dr. Quinn. This includes following regular medication and behavioral treatment plans. "Adherence to routine may make the back-to-school transition easier for both child and parent. Talk to your child's doctor before making any changes."<br />
Results of the Child Study Center survey, called I.M.P.A.C.T. (Investigating the Mindset of Parents about ADHD & Children Today), also revealed that children with ADHD face serious social development issues that affect their relationships with family and friends. Seventy-two percent of parents surveyed reported that their ADHD-diagnosed child has trouble getting along with siblings or other family members. Less than half (48%) said their child easily adapts to new situations. "Family gatherings, shopping trips to the mall, vacations to new places and other situations out of the normal school-year routine create additional challenges for a child with ADHD," says Dr. Quinn.<br />
<br />
The disruption to their child's normal daily schedule can also affect parents/caregivers. According to the New York University survey, one in three (35%) parents of children with ADHD said they play a major role in their child's daily routine. Overall, more than half reported being frustrated while helping their child through daily activities. "Parents of children with ADHD face more challenges than other parents in helping their child complete everyday tasks," says Dr. Quinn. "The holidays can bring about added stress, so parents need to be more patient and understanding of what their child is experiencing."<br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: red;">Daily Tips: Surviving The Holidays</span></h2>
<br />
Dr. Quinn offers the following advice to parents to help make this holiday season a more harmonious one for ADHD children and their families: <br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Keep on schedule:</span><strong> Try to maintain your child’s regular schedule, including medication and behavioral treatment, as closely as possible. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Warn about changes</span>:<strong> Anticipate and talk to your child about when and where changes to routine might occur. This may involve reminding your child a few days in advance as well as a few times on the day of an event. </strong><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Use available resources:</span><strong> Take time to teach your child how to use calendars, organizers, and written reminders to help them stay focused throughout the day. </strong><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Develop a travel plan:</span><strong> For plane rides, offer your child the aisle seat so he has plenty of room to stretch and move about. For long car trips, schedule frequent breaks or rest stops in order to get out of the car and move or run around outside. Pack plenty of novel games, toys, and snacks to keep your child occupied. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Going shopping together:</span><strong> Try to shop during off-peak hours when the stores are less crowded. Make sure you start off with your child well fed and well rested. Have patience even though your child may not. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Gift giving suggestions:</span><strong> Prepare your child for the excitement of opening multiple presents to help him focus. An alternative suggestion is to spread out the distribution of presents throughout the day or week. </strong><br />
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<strong> </strong><span style="color: red;">Recognize <em>every</em> win:</span><strong> Celebrate accomplishments, small and large. </strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<em>Tips from the Ghost of Christmas Past</em> <br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: red;">Save some toys for later</span></h2>
Don't hesitate to put a gift toy away for a later time. If a child is bombarded with new playthings, feel free to put some gifts aside and let her focus on one at a time. You may even want to reserve a few toys for bad-weather or sick days later on in the year. <br />
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<em>From: The National Association for the Education of Young Children</em> <br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: red;">When company comes to visit</span></h2>
Clearly state the house rules concerning visitors to your home and the behavior you expect from your child several times shortly before guests arrive. Be sure he understands the relationship between his actions and the consequences (time-out for inappropriate behavior, for example). Also, verbally rehearse alternative activities he may choose during the day when he gets bored or overexcited. (Make sure he knows his choices before he gets himself into trouble.) <br />
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"Whether it's one visitor or ten coming to our home, Jamie gets extremely excited. When company enters the house, he practically bounces off the walls," explains Cindy from Brooklyn, New York. "Last Christmas Eve we put him in time-out several times immediately after our guests arrived. Each time he would rejoin the group, he'd lose control again and be sent back to his room. My sister-in-law followed him upstairs the fourth time he went to time-out. She gave him her undivided attention for ten minutes. When he came back downstairs, he was completely under control. Now when we know company is coming, I always ask someone beforehand to spend a few minutes with Jamie when they first arrive. I then tell Jamie, 'Aunt Sue is looking forward to seeing your rock collection (or whatever) when she arrives.' This never fails to work for us."<br />
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<em> From </em>The ADHD Parenting Handbook<em>, by Colleen Alexander-Roberts. </em><br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: red;">Recovering from a childhood in a dysfunctional family</span></h2>
Changing family rituals can be one of the most painful, guilt-inducing risks we can take in our recoveries; but after a very short while, it can be one of the most powerful and healing moves we can make on behalf of ourselves and our famililes. Remember, regardless of your religion, the Holidays have come to mean warmth, love, fellowship, spirituality, recovery and renewal. Hold these principles dear to your heart. Take them seriously. Cherish these values. By doing so you will be showing by your actions and your commitments that you take yourself and your loved ones seriously.<br />
Holiness is a virtue to which we can all aspire. Holiness is damaged by abuse, neglect, stress, hurt feelings, emptiness, anger, emotional dishonesty and fear.<br />
Here are some suggestions:<br />
<ul>
<li>Take the family on a ski trip or a trip to a warm climate for the holidays.</li>
<li>Spend two or three hours maximum with the extended family on Christmas Eve (or other celebrations) and leave it at that.</li>
<li>Have everyone put their names in a hat, pick names and then each person gets one present from one other person.</li>
<li>Get the whole family to work at a homeless shelter or food kitchen on Christmas Day.</li>
<li>Spend Christmas Day with the extended family, then go on vacation for the rest of the week, returning New Year's Day.</li>
</ul>
<em> From </em>An Adult Child's Guide to What's 'Normal<em>', by John Friel, Ph.D., and Linda Friel, M.A.</em><br />
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<br />
<br />
<h2 class="article_subtitle">
<span style="color: red;">Daily Tips: Surviving The Holidays</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="color: red;">ADD kids and gifts</span></h2>
Youngsters with ADD have an intense interest in acquiring material possenssions, according to Dr. Melvin D. Levine, a professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Many of these teenagers have difficulty feeling satisfied with their activities or possessions. They constantly want something else or something different. They may be bored with their presents a few days after opening them and want something else to play with or something else to do. On the surface, this behavior appears to reflect a teenager's lack of appreciation for his parents' generosity. But it is more likely related to his symptoms of ADD - short attention span, restlessness, and need for new and different stimulation.<br />
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<em>From </em>Teenagers With ADD<em>, by Chris Z. Zeigler Dendy, M.S. </em><br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: red;">Overnight visit</span></h2>
Staying overnight in an unknown hotel can be great fun, or a horrible nightmare. The bed feels different, the room may "smell funny" to you, sounds are different, and it can be hard to sleep. Here are a few ideas to help the mom with ADD:<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>Bring your own pillowcase from home.</strong> If you are hypersensitive, as some moms with ADD are, the feel and smell of your pillowcase can really help you relax and get to sleep.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>If your children have ADD, bring their pillowcases too, as well as a small toy that is familiar.</strong> Many preschool children like to bring their favorite blanket.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>If you can afford it and your children are school-age or adolescents, get adjoining rooms at a hotel.</strong> The kids can watch the programs they like and feel very grown-up. You can have some privacy and a chance to wind down. Your children will pop in and out of your room ever five minutes at first, but they'll usually settle down.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Don't seek the perfect planned vacation or let your spouse rigidly plan every minute.</strong> A vacation is a good time to allow yourself some implusive indulgences - to eat in a restaurant you notice from the highway, stop off in a park you didn't know, or suddenly decide to have a picnic. One year while driving our son to camp, we accidently discovered Helen, Georgia, on the map, an entire town with a Bavarian theme. Intrigued, we drove there and enjoyed a stay of several days.</li>
</ul>
<em> From </em>Moms With ADD<em>, by Christine Adamec. </em>Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-26137774630804463432012-11-18T14:37:00.001-08:002012-11-18T14:37:38.681-08:00Parents of Children Labeled as Disruptive in School Find Help at STAR Center <h2 class="subtitle">
<span style="font-size: large;">School can be a challenging time for children with
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). <i>STAR Center</i> helps parents uncover
underlying neurological issues for their children struggling with
behavior problems and poor social skills at school. </span></h2>
<h2 class="subtitle">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Denver, Colo. (PRWEB) November 15, 2012 </span></span></h2>
<div class="subtitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><strong>by Janice Roetenberg</strong> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">303-726-3232</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br />
<h2 class="subtitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a name='more'></a></span></span></h2>
<br />
STAR Center helps parents uncover underlying neurological issues for
their children struggling with behavior problems and poor social skills
at school.<br />
<br />
School can be a challenging time for children with Sensory Processing
Disorder (SPD), and teachers may identify symptoms without
understanding the root cause. On report cards or during parent-teacher
conferences, these children may be labeled as disruptive, loners, social
outcasts, prone to meltdowns, slow learners or overly sensitive.
Parents may see signs of problems at school themselves, as children cry
or throw temper tantrums to avoid getting on the school bus.<br />
<br />
The good news for families is that research conducted by the <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/library.html">Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation</a> has found sensory-based occupational therapy is an effective <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/prweb10132109.htm#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to Continue > by Text-Enhance">treatment for</a>
SPD, and it enables children to participate in everyday school
activities, from sitting still and paying attention to playing on the
playground. STAR Center has been a leader in sensory-based occupational
therapy for over seven years, which is why families from around the
world come to the Colorado clinic for treatment.<br />
<br />
SPD impacts between five to ten percent of all children; up to three
million children in the U.S. alone. Childen with SPD do not process
information gathered through the senses properly, and either
over-respond or under-respond to sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.
Two more senses that can also be affected are vestibular (movement) and
proprioceptive (body awareness), leading to problems with balance and
coordination. Most children with SPD are just as intelligent as their
peers, and many are intellectually gifted. While some school districts
have the resources to assess children for SPD, it is often up to the
parents to seek help.<br />
<br />
"Prior to OT therapy, my son was struggling with school and social
interactions," said Tim Hoyman, of Highlands Ranch, Colo. “By working
with the therapists at the STAR Center, we learned how to address his
sensory issues, making a real difference at home and at school. Without
our understanding of how his issues affect his everyday life, our son
would not be able to attend a school of any kind. In addition, the
science behind his therapy helps us advocate for our son and know his
limitations and help him grow. Without the needed therapy, our son would
have been lost."<br />
<br />
Parents coming to STAR Center for assessment and treatment of their children learn techniques that <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/11/prweb10132109.htm#" id="_GPLITA_0" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to Continue > by Text-Enhance">work at home</a>
and in the classroom. In addition to SPD, STAR Center treats children
with attention deficit disorders (ADD and ADHD), autistic spectrum
disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders,
sensory-based learning disorders, and other developmental issues. Not
all children are affected the same way, so treatment plans are
individualized.<br />
<br />
Since one child in every classroom may be affected, it is important
for both parents and teachers to recognize the signs of SPD, including:
<br />
<ul class="releaseul">
<li>
Easily distracted in the classroom, often out of his/her seat, fidgety</li>
<li> Craves roughhousing, tackling/wrestling games </li>
<li> Easily overwhelmed on the playground, during recess and in class</li>
<li> Difficulty making friends (overly aggressive or passive/withdrawn)</li>
</ul>
A <a href="http://spdstar.org/what-is-spd">complete list of typical signs</a> is available online. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact STAR Center at <a href="http://www.spdstar.org/">SPDStar.org</a>, <a href="http://info@spdstar.org/">info@SPDStar.org</a> or 303-221-STAR (7827).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ABOUT STAR CENTER
</b></span><br />
<br />The STAR Center, a Colorado 501(c)(3), is the premier clinic for
treatment of children and adults with sensory challenges. The STAR
Center offers intensive “burst” treatment that research shows is
effective in treating sensory issues. Parents are involved throughout
the process so families can learn to create sensory lifestyles and
continue to see progress after the formal treatment program ends.<br />
<br />
<b>Dr.
Lucy Jane Miller</b>, founder of the STAR Center, is widely recognized as a
leader in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) research worldwide. For
more information about the Greenwood Village, Colorado clinic, visit <a href="http://www.spdstar.org/">http://www.SPDStar.org</a>.<br />
<h2 class="subtitle">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675976.1327;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=UBM9781935567295;usg=AFHzDLt-2iT0UoRH1lMo-8sbTfWh6Ks3UQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%252Fproduct.jhtm%253Fsku%253DUBM9781935567295;pubid=598438;price=%2418.77;title=Sensational+Strategies...;merc=CDS+Books+and+DVDS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fc381112.r12.cf1.rackcdn.com%2F9781935567295.jpg;width=56;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe> <iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675976.1348;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=UBM9780399532719;usg=AFHzDLtw76_y-d1qiwuAcKjye7uYktmRxA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%252Fproduct.jhtm%253Fsku%253DUBM9780399532719;pubid=598438;price=%2415.40;title=The+Out-of-Sync+Child+...;merc=CDS+Books+and+DVDS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fc376518.r18.cf1.rackcdn.com%2F9780399532719.jpg;width=56;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe> <iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675976.1346;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=UBM9780897934817;usg=AFHzDLszGHR8pet0uWcLM6uYKg7KukGe0w;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%252Fproduct.jhtm%253Fsku%253DUBM9780897934817;pubid=598438;price=%2418.18;title=Helping+Hyperactive+Ki...;merc=CDS+Books+and+DVDS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fc378624.r24.cf1.rackcdn.com%2F9780897934817.jpg;width=66;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe> </span></span></h2>
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2933970727163072244.post-88867580341894527302012-11-17T16:32:00.001-08:002012-11-17T16:32:31.723-08:00Teaching Students to Ask Their Own Questions: <h2>
One Small Change Can Yield Big Results</h2>
<br />
<a href="http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/507#home" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">from Harvard Graduate School of Education</span></a><br />
<div class="articleDetail">
Volume 27, Number 5<br />September/October 2011</div>
<h1>
</h1>
<div class="subTitle">
<br /></div>
<div class="new_byline" id="article_author_507">
<em>By</em> DAN ROTHSTEIN <em>and</em> LUZ SANTANA</div>
<br />
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
Students in Hayley
Dupuy’s sixth-grade science class at the Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle
School in Palo Alto, Calif., are beginning a unit on plate tectonics. In
small groups, they are producing their own questions, quickly, one
after another: What are plate tectonics? How fast do plates move? Why do
plates move? Do plates affect temperature? What animals can sense the
plates moving? They raise questions “that we never would have thought of
if we started to answer the first question we asked,” says one of the
students. “And just when you think you already know the question you
want to focus on, you realize: ‘Oh, wow, here’s this other question that
is so much better, and that’s really what you need to think about.’” <br />
<br />
Far from Palo Alto, in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Mass., Sharif
Muhammad’s students at the Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) have a
strikingly similar experience. Many of them had transferred to BDEA for
various reasons from other schools and had not always experienced much
success as students. But working individually, they find that
formulating their own questions engages them in a new way. One of the
students observes: “When you ask the question, you feel like it’s your
job to get the answer, and you want to figure it out.”<br />
<br />
These two students—one in Palo Alto, the other in Roxbury—are
discovering something that may seem obvious: When students know how to
ask their own questions, they take greater ownership of their learning,
deepen comprehension, and make new connections and discoveries on their
own. However, this skill is rarely, if ever, deliberately taught to
students from kindergarten through high school. Typically, questions are
seen as the province of teachers, who spend years figuring out how to
craft questions and fine-tune them to stimulate students’ curiosity or
engage them more effectively. We have found that teaching students to
ask their own questions can accomplish these same goals while teaching a
critical lifelong skill.<br />
<br />
<strong>The Question Formulation Technique</strong></div>
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
<br />
Dupuy, Muhammad, and many other teachers are using a step-by-step
process that we and our colleagues at the Right Question Institute have
developed called the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). This
technique helps students learn how to produce their own questions,
improve them, and strategize on how to use them
(see sidebar “Question
Formulation Technique”). <div style="display: inline;">
<a class="readSidebar" href="http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/507#home">Read Sidebar</a></div>
<br />
<br />
The origins of the QFT can be traced back 20 years to a dropout
prevention program for the city of Lawrence, Mass., that was funded by
the Annie E. Casey Foundation. As we worked together to increase parent
involvement in education, we heard parents state the same problem over
and over again: “We’re not going to the schools because we don’t even
know what to ask.” Eventually, this problem led us to create a simple
but powerful process that has been used effectively in a wide range of
fields across the country and beyond. In health care, for example,
research funded by the <a href="http://www.hepg.org/hel/article/507#" id="_GPLITA_0" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to Continue > by Text-Enhance">National Institutes of Health</a>
has shown that the QFT produces dramatic increases in levels of patient
activation and improved patient-provider communication. In the
classroom, teachers have seen how the same process manages to develop
students’ divergent (brainstorming), convergent (categorizing and
prioritizing), and metacognitive (reflective) thinking abilities in a
very short period of time. <br />
<br />
Teachers can use the QFT at different points: to introduce students to a
new unit, to assess students’ knowledge to see what they need to
understand better, and even to conclude a unit to see how students can,
with new knowledge, set a fresh learning agenda for themselves. The
technique can be used for all ages. <br />
<br />
Students have used the QFT to develop science experiments, create their
own research projects, begin research on a teacher-assigned topic,
prepare to write an essay, analyze a word problem, think more deeply
about a challenging reading assignment, prepare an interview, or simply
get themselves “unstuck.”</div>
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
</div>
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
The QFT has six key steps:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Step 1: Teachers Design a Question Focus</i></u>. The Question Focus, or
QFocus, is a prompt that can be presented in the form of a statement or a
visual or aural aid to focus and attract student attention and quickly
stimulate the formation of questions. The QFocus is different from many
traditional prompts because it is not a teacher’s question. It serves,
instead, as the focus for student questions so students can, on their
own, identify and explore a wide range of themes and ideas. For example,
after studying the causes of the 1804 Haitian revolution, one teacher
presented this QFocus: “Once we were slaves. Now we are free.” The
students began asking questions about what changed and what stayed the
same after the revolution. <br />
<br />
<u><i>Step 2: Students Produce Questions</i></u>. Students use a set of rules
that provide a clear protocol for producing questions without assistance
from the teacher. The four rules are: ask as many questions as you can;
do not stop to discuss, judge, or answer any of the questions; write
down every question exactly as it was stated; and change any statements
into questions. Before students start generating their questions, the
teacher introduces the rules and asks the students to think about and
discuss possible challenges in following them. Once the students get to
work, the rules provide a firm structure for an open-ended thinking
process. Students are able to generate questions and think more broadly
than they would have if they had not been guided by the rules.<br />
<i><br />
<u>Step 3: Students Improve Their Questions</u></i>. Students then improve
their questions by analyzing the differences between open- and
closed-ended questions and by practicing changing one type to the other.
The teacher begins this step by introducing definitions of closed- and
open-ended questions. The students use the definitions to categorize the
list of questions they have just produced into one of the two
categories. Then, the teacher leads them through a discussion of the
advantages and disadvantages of both kinds of questions. To conclude
this step, the teacher asks the students to change at least one
open-ended question into a closed-ended one, and vice versa, which leads
students to think about how the phrasing of a question can affect the
depth, quality, and value of the information they will obtain.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Step 4: Students Prioritize Their Questions</i></u>. The teacher, with
the lesson plan in mind, offers criteria or guidelines for the selection
of priority questions. In an introduction to a unit, the instruction
may be, “Choose the three questions you most want to explore further.”
When designing a science experiment, it may be, “Choose three testable
questions.” An essay related to a work of fiction may require that
students select “three questions related to the key themes we’ve
identified in this piece.” During this phase, students move from
thinking divergently to thinking convergently, zero in on the locus of
their inquiry, and plan concrete action steps for getting information
they need to complete the lesson or task. <br />
<br />
<u><i>Step 5: Students and Teachers Decide on Next Steps</i></u>. At this
stage, students and teachers work together to decide how to use the
questions. One teacher, for example, presented all the groups’ priority
questions to the entire class the next day during a “Do Now” exercise
and asked them to rank their top three questions. Eventually, the class
and the teacher agreed on this question for their Socratic Seminar
discussion: “How do poverty and injustice lead to violence in A Tale of
Two Cities?”<br />
<br />
<u><i>Step 6: Students Reflect on What They Have Learned</i></u>. The teacher
reviews the steps and provides students with an opportunity to review
what they have learned by producing, improving, and prioritizing their
questions. Making the QFT completely transparent helps students see what
they have done and how it contributed to their thinking and learning.
They can internalize the process and then apply it in many other
settings. <br />
<br />
When teachers deploy the QFT in their classes, they notice three
important changes in classroom culture and practices. Teachers tell us
that using the QFT consistently increases participation in group and
peer learning processes, improves classroom management, and enhances
their efforts to address inequities in education. As teachers see this
happen again and again, they realize that their traditional practice of
welcoming questions is not the same as deliberately teaching the skill
of question formulation. Or, as one teacher put it: “I would often ask
my students, ‘Do you have any questions,’ but, of course, I didn’t get
much back from them.” In his seven years of teaching, Muhammad also
encouraged his Roxbury students to ask questions but had seen just how
difficult that could be for them. After using the six-step process
outlined above, he was struck by “how the students went farther, deeper,
and asked questions more quickly than ever before.”<br />
<br />
<strong>One Significant Change</strong></div>
<div class="page" style="display: block;">
<br />
For teachers, using the QFT requires one small but significant shift in
practice: Students will be asking all the questions. A teacher’s role is
simply to facilitate that process. This is a significant change for
students as well. It may take a minimum of 45 minutes for students to go
through all the steps the first time it is introduced in a classroom;
but as they gain experience using the QFT, teachers find that the
students can run through the process very quickly, in 10 to 15 minutes,
even when working in groups. <br />
<br />
The QFT provides a deliberate way to help students cultivate a skill
that is fundamentally important for all learning. Teaching this skill in
every classroom can help successful students to go deeper in their
thinking and encourage struggling students to develop a new thirst for
learning. Their questions will have much to teach us. <br />
<i><br />
Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, co<span style="font-size: small;">-</span>directors of the Right Question Institute, are the authors of the forthcoming book </i><a href="http://www.hepg.org/hep/book/144/MakeJustOneChange" target="_blank">Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions</a><i> to be published in September 2011 by Harvard Education Press. </i></div>
<span id="lineBreak"><br /></span></div>
Kasting Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02946563336474042305noreply@blogger.com0