Increase Your Child’s Potential This Summer
By: Terese Burk, M.A. & Jacy Herman, M.S.
Rush NeuroBehavioral Center’s Educational Services Department has developed an Executive Functions curriculum based upon organizational strategies that help a child become successful in and out of school. These strategies emphasize organizing materials, managing time, developing study skills, and setting goals. We know that these skills readily transfer into life beyond the classroom. They tend to be the top criteria employers look for in their employees. With summer fast approaching we would like to take the opportunity to share some ways in which you can encourage children to increase their overall potential.
The first thing to take into consideration when helping a child further develop any ability is how you can provide purposeful feedback. Carol Dweck has studied the effects of a fluid mindset (the belief that an individual has control over their success) on how children learn. Her research shows us the benefit of acknowledging the effort children put forth, rather than their accomplishments and final products. This not only helps to point out the skills and qualities that help children be successful, but also encourages them to overcome challenges and raise their effort level. For example, with a younger child, rather than telling them their drawing is beautiful, sincerely tell them what you like about their drawing. With older children, compliment them on the implementation of a well thought out study plan rather than the grade they receive on the test. For a short introduction into Carol Dweck’s work, read the article How Not to Talk to Your Kids by Po Bronson.
Giving children responsibilities around the home can increase their self-esteem if it’s approached with the right mindset. Children of various ages can take part in helping around the home by keeping their room clean, sorting laundry, planning and preparing a meal, caring for a household pet, or maintaining a garden. There are factors that need to be considered to ensure a successful outcome and a parent or adult helping out is an essential part of the process. With your children, identify and discuss their responsibility. Then come up with a plan that breaks the activity into small steps. Make sure to write the plan down by putting it into the family calendar.
Groundbreaking research also helps us understand the tremendous positive impact of exercise and mindfulness (a form of meditation not to be confused with mindset) on brain functioning. Both have been shown to cultivate an ability to sustain attention, increase problem-solving abilities and decrease stress. Take the summer to help children develop new habits and routines that include 30–45 min of aerobic exercise each day as well as time to engage in mindfulness. The book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey and www.mindful.org/mindful-magazine are excellent resources for gathering more information.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful and easy to use over the summer. For further information on how the Educational Services Department implements our Executive Functions Program in schools, classrooms and on an individual student basis, please click here.