On Promoting Focus and Self-Control in Children: Mind in the Making

• Suggestion 1:  Help infants and toddlers learn to bring themselves under control. A. Observe in order to understand what helps your child maintain self control and focus.B. Use the technique that you know works best for your child. C. Acknowledge your baby’s successes.  

• Suggestion 2:  Weave these skills into everyday activities in fun and playful ways – no drills, “teaching” or expensive games or toys needed.

• Suggestion 3:  Promote focus - encourage your children to have “lemonade stands” (something they care a lot about).     

• Suggestion 4:  Promote focus – play games that require children to pay attention.   

• Suggestion 5.  Promote focus – read stories to children in ways  that encourage them to listen. A. Listening requirse focus and powerful inhibitory control. B. Ask your child to singsong the words of favorite refrains in books with you, or stop and ask them to finish the sentences. These everyday games involve children focusing and remembering. 

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Notes on the book Mind in the Making sent on by Ellen, from a synopsis compiled by Darlene. Ellen writes: "Prevention Works! Academic Success group just had a community discussion on the book."  -gw

On a Website for Clallam County Residents To Find Prevention Resources: Prevention Works!

For Clallam County, the go-to site is Prevention Works! -gw

A healthy community is built one child, one family, and one individual at a time.  Children are the most precious assets any community possesses.  When a young infant is neglected, when a first grade child is so out of control that he or she cannot learn, when a middle school child gives up on academic work, when a  high school student loses hope after being targeted by cyberbullying every one of us is  affected.  Children, who are neglected, abused, emotionally troubled, involved in violence, or drop out of school hurt deeply.  The community hurts also.   Prevention Works!  A Community Coalition of Clallam County presents to the community a Five Year Prevention Plan designed to increase healthy behaviors in our families and decrease child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, and violence by and among youth and increase academic success in our young citizens.  

 http://preventionworks.ning.com/

5-YEAR PREVENTION PLAN - 2011-2016 - CLALLAM COUNTY WASHINGTON

On a Musical Break in the Action: Bill sings "Scrimshaw Johnny"

It was good seeing Bill Marsh at the Fort Worden Early Childhood Conference in the port city (hence the Pacific Swift tall ship image) of Port Townsend. Bill and his wife Ellen are great promoters of Block Fest, which was a subject of one of the conference presentations. Participants in the Peninsulas Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Group know Bill not just as a math man, but as a spontaneous songster,too. Below is brief excerpt from his rendition of the song "Scrimshaw Johnny," for which he wrote the lyrics, although he will humbly tell you that Hank Cramer singing it, also below, is better. It's amazing some of the subjects we get on at group.-gw

Scrimshaw, Johnny, Scrimshaw.mp3 Listen on Posterous