Changing Colors and The Environment

This is a beautiful time of year in upstate New York. The leaves are changing, the moon seems so big, there is a crispness in the air. Last week we got the "tease" of snow ... it "smelled" a bit of snow and then rain .... well it felt light and fluffy as it gently hit my face. It is one of the things I have learned to love since moving from California 17 years ago. I even made a "leaf print". Remember how to do that? Turn the leaf upside down, put a paper on top and take they crayon to see the patterns emerge.

The Environment. I had the opportunity to conduct a training in another state recently. While I was anticipating 40 there ended up being 75 in the group. It was perhaps the last warm day of the fall and the temperature in the room was rising. While I thought it was at least 85 in the room, it probably was only 75 - 80! Participants were stuffed into a room that was not conducive for training or learning. Boxes piled high in one corner. The overhead projection was only visible for 25% of the group, there weren't enough tables, etc. By the end of the day we were cooked. The environment was not conducive to learning.

Think about your playroom. It is conducive to play? Is it simple and welcoming or it is overwhelming? Can you take half of the things out of the space ... you know kids will find plenty to do ... because they only have two hands ... it is YOU that is with them.

The space says so much.

What two things are you going to "cycle out" today?
Let us know!

Congratulations California

Scott Lindstrom says: "Still nurturing the hearts and minds of many thousands of children, teachers, and familes!"

Congratuations California! The budget is finally passed and children are still a priority through the Early Mental Health Initiative ... the budget item that supports the implementation of the Primary Intervention Program (the CA name for Primary Project!).

The amount: $15million

Way to go!

Today's Practice of the ACT model

Can I write on your knees?

A(Acknowledge) You want to write on my knees
C(Communication limit) We don’t write on each other here
T (Target alternative) There is some paper you can write one