Teaching Little Brains Sarah Nykoruk

Do you suffer from "should itis"?I should exercise moreI should be more productiveI should spend more time with my kidsI should spend more time outsideI should go to bed earlierI shouldn’t drink so muchI should eat betterI shouldn’t eat so much sugarI should be happyI should be more gratefulI shouldn’t be so greedy! It shouldn’t take me this long.I should do betterI should know betterI should BE betterWhatever the “should, or shouldn’ts” are on your list, they always add up to the same t...

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But, as my guest Coach Lara Dawn helps us understand today, that label is somewhat of a misnomer. The truth is that ADHD is neither a deficit of attention (actually, people with ADHD have an abundance of attention), nor a disorder. In fact, some people consider ADHD to be a superpower. Lara is the founder of the wonderful ADHD Village, a community that offers brain-based, science-backed support for families raising children with...

If you've ever felt discomfort over a decision you've had to make, tried to justify a choice you've made, or regretted something you've done because you thought to yourself "I don't know why I did that, that's not me!" you have likely experienced cognitive dissonance.Cognitive Dissonance Theory was presented by a social psychologist, named Leon Festinger, in 1957.Cognitive dissonance is a term for the state of mental or psychological discomfort we feel when two or more modes of thought (belie...

Have you ever found yourself staring into the fridge, looking for something that was right in front of your nose all along?Do you ever wonder why your kids, or students, can't seem to just focus on one thing, or can't hear you when you call their name 100 times, but can remember all the details of what you told them 4 1/2 years ago?It may have something to do with Selective Attention and Inattentional Blindness.Adults are quite skilled at focusing on one thing, and disregarding all other "uni...

What does "play" mean to you? Do you consider yourself a playful person? Do you engage in play on a regular basis, or are you resistant to play?Many of us understand that play is good for children's development, but do you know how, or why? Do you know that play is also good for adults?Play reduces stress, helps strengthen relationships and trust, enhances imagination, develops social skills, and even increases productivity and creativity.And, it doesn't have to be extensive or extravaga...

What expectations do you have of your students? Of your partner? Your family? Your friends? Yourself? I expect my kids to be polite. I expect my students to listen to me. I expect my partner to remember my birthday. I expect my friends to be on time. Sound familiar?What happens when your expectations are not met? How do you feel?The problem with having expectations is that they are all about other people. They often originate from a place of wounding, fear, and lack. We impose expectations be...