Fwd: Valuing Parenting Education

How wonderful to have parenting resources offered free of charge!!! Wish we had a Center for Parenting Education here in Atlanta. Maybe one day:)

From: "The Center for Parenting Education" <info@parentingedu.org>
Date: November 20, 2014 at 6:00:31 AM EST
To: <andreagooldy@gmail.com>
Subject: Valuing Parenting Education
Reply-To: info@parentingedu.org

The Center for Parenting Education 1863 Old York Road Suite B Abington, PA 19001 215-657-5720 info@parentingedu.org   Website > Make a Donation > Program Schedule > Get Social:       Supporting Families through Parenting Education Why classes in parenting education? Who needs that and why? After all, we were all children at one point, raised by parents or other adults – doesn't that give us the skills we need to raise our own children?  Well, not necessarily. Sometimes, people's first and automatic response is not what is in the best interests of their children. Sometimes, there are things that their parents did when raising them that could be improved upon. Sometimes, parents just don't have the knowledge of child development to understand their children's behavior. Or they are not familiar with the great variety of parenting tips and tools to pull out of their "parenting tool belt" to respond effectively to challenging behaviors. Or maybe, they don't have a supportive network that can help them through the tough times with their kids. At The Parenting Center, we believe that it is never too late to make changes to improve children's chances of succeeding in life, and that no matter how good a job parents are doing in raising their children, there is always the opportunity to learn more, to reflect on the relationship with their children, and to make improvements in their parenting approach. Here are some of the heartfelt comments we have heard from parents who have used our resources: "The Parenting Center classes provided me with information and advice that I may have never been aware of as a first time mom. It eased my fears and gave me confidence that I was doing a good job even when some of the days seemed endless!" "I am grateful that you are dedicated to helping parents like me who sometimes feel desperate, anxious and frustrated. Thanks for providing a support system that can be utilized at any given moment. Whenever I have a specific problem or issue that I want to get ideas about, I know I can always contact you for help." "I love your Center. What a great resource. I am so glad you put all the information online and for free. The webinars are great since I live so far away. I feel like I am attending in person and in the same room as the teachers and the other parents. It was so helpful that the teachers gave word for word examples of what to say to my kids. You gave me the tools to help my children." "I want to tell you that I think about what I learned in your workshop almost every day. What a gift." "I found your website this morning. I'll tell you, I loved it. It was fun and amazing. I understood it so easily. Thank you for putting these classes online and free of charge. Having them available is priceless." "I learned that when my child gets angry, it is not a personal attack against me. It is just where he is at now in his life. He doesn't know how to express his anger in a better way, and I can teach him how to do that. I learned how important it is for me to give myself time to take a moment to calm down during heated moments before I respond. You gave me ways to react that won't damage him." "It's so great to have you there online. Whenever I am struggling to figure out how to handle a situation with one of my kids, I can just go to your website and find the information I need to do the right thing." Some of these parents took our classes in a face-to-face setting. More and more are accessing our very large library of articles posted on our website and have attended our live online classes. These web-based resources are available free of charge, 24/7, whenever a parent has the time and the need. Through The Center for Parenting Education's materials and programs, parents are able to get the needed support to do the best they can to raise resilient, responsible, caring children who are able to meet life's inevitable challenges. The Center's goal is to continue to give parents the information they need regardless of ability to pay. Please consider contributing to our efforts to provide low-cost or free parenting education. To join us in supporting parents, click here to donate. Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season and a healthy and peaceful New Year from all of us at The Parenting Center! Contributions of $45 or more entitle the donor to membership at The Center. All donations are tax deductible. Visit our website to learn more about all programs and services that support families. Please share information about these programs with your friends and family.

This message was sent to andreagooldy@gmail.com from: The Center for Parenting Education | info@parentingedu.org | The Center for Parenting Education | 1863 Old York Road, Suite B | Abington, PA 19001

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3 Video Games That May Build Executive Function

Hi Friends,

I know we still need to limit screen time, but at least these 3 games supposedly build executive function. Never been a minecraft fan, despite Christopher's fondness of the game, but apparently playing might actually improve player's focus, working memory, and other executive functions. I am going to look into Bad Piggies, and Roblox. Maybe I will even try them in an attempt to build my executive function!!! Please let me know if anyone else tries these games and/or what your thoughts are on the above. 

Cheers,

Andrea 

3 Video Games That Build Better Thinking

Video games aren't all bad! Check out these three expert-recommended video games to help your ADHD child improve focus, concentration, and planning skills.

by Randy Kulman, Ph.D.

 3810  23  40  28 + More Print

Are you concerned that your eight-year-old's video game play is turning his mind to mush? I get it. But what if I told you that playing Minecraft and other skill-building video games might actually improve his focus, working memory, and other executive functions? 

Watch your child play for a few minutes, and you'll see that he plans, organizes, and problem-solveswhile engaged in a video game — skills we'd all like our ADHD kids to develop. Wouldn't it be great if he could transfer those game-playing skills to everyday tasks?

He can, with a little help from you. Use the following three steps to tap into the skill-building potential of video games:

1. Help your child identify the thinking and problem-solving skills that are necessary to play the game.

2. Encourage metacognition and reflection by talking about how these skills are used in the real world.

3. Engage your child in activities that use these skills, and then talk with your child about how the skills connect to game play.

Here are some popular games you can use to encourage your child to connect game-based skills to real-world skills:

BAD PIGGIES

> Game description: Bad Piggies is a puzzle game, from the makers of the popular Angry Birds, that challenges players to build contraptions that carry the "piggies" to their destinations. At the start of each stage, you're shown the level layout, given a collection of parts, and sent on your way. It's up to you to invent a solution to each puzzle — there isn't only one right answer.

> Skills a child uses: Bad Piggies requires a child to use different strategies in order to advance. The player needs to think flexibly and consider several ways of escorting the piggies through the stage. He may be discouraged at a few failed attempts, but perseverance pays off.

> Skills to practice outside the game: Show your child that it is OK to make mistakes. Take a wrong turn on an outing on purpose or mix up the ingredients in a recipe. Show him how to keep calm while making the necessary corrections.

ROBLOX

> Game description: Roblox is an online virtual playground and workshop. Players are given basic tools with which to construct buildings, machines, and other creations to explore the Roblox world.

> Skills a child uses: Players use working-memory skills when they learn and remember how to use the different tools for arranging and building objects and altering their appearance. To improve working memory, explore the different features in Roblox Studio with your child, and encourage her to become familiar with the location and layout of the available tools and instruments. Practice working-memory skills in the game by building a small house.

> Skills to practice outside the game: To build working memory, do a step-by-step project that requires remembering what you have already done, such as following a recipe or planting a garden.

MINECRAFT

> Game description: Players are placed in a borderless, randomly generated land with no supplies, directions, or objectives. They have to decide what to do and how to do it. Players collect materials from the world around them in order to "craft" items and build whatever their minds can imagine. 

> Skills a child uses: Minecraft improves planning skills because players need to set and achieve goals within a time frame. As your child starts the game, he'll need to collect mined materials, build a workbench on which to craft items, and construct a shelter. Discuss with him the need to focus on the task at hand in order to achieve his goals before the monsters arrive at nightfall.

> Skills to practice outside the game: Practice planning skills by deciding together what your child needs for school. Begin with a list of essential supplies — pencils, notebooks, markers, backpack, and lunch box — then list the other materials or things she'd like to take to school. Decide which items to purchase. Encourage your child to make the lists on his own, and to determine the most important items to buy.

 

What do you think of this article? Share your comments on www.ADDConnect.com, ADDitude's community site. Check out the new ADHD Medication User Reviews and the ADHD Adults Support Group. Your fellow ADDers want to hear from you!

Andrea L Gooldy

Parent Educator and Coach

404-932-9393 

Begin forwarded message:

From: "ADDitude magazine" <Newsletter@additudemag.com>
Date: November 8, 2014 at 8:08:44 AM EST
To: <andreaparentcoach@gmail.com>
Subject: ADHD Gift Ideas: 3 Video Games That Build Executive Function

To view this e-mail as a web page, go here.

11.8.14

3 Brain-Building Video Games   This holiday season, fulfill your child's wish list and improve executive function skills at the same time. Build focus, organization, and problem-solving skills with these expert-recommended video games for kids with ADHD. »     Executive Function Disorder, Explained: What parents need to know about EFD. »  4 Brain-Training Therapies: Learn how to train your ADDer's brain to focus -- naturally. »  Improve Working Memory: Exercises to make the most of your mind and remember more. »   Natural ADD Treatments Herbs, vitamins, and minerals that give your brain a boost. »   "Hands Off!" Is your kid a hitter? An 8-point plan to rein in ADHD aggression. »     "Essential Oils" Have you experimented with essential oils to help manage your kid's ADHD symptoms? I've heard that lavender, for example, can help with going to sleep." » "How Do I Discipline My Son?" My son will hit and kick his sister for no reason. How do I convey that this behavior is not okay? He doesn't seem to get what he's doing wrong." » A message from our sponsor, Attention360... As the leading education services company, Pearson is proud to offer products that support the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. Click here. »       Substance Abuse & ADD Substance abuse risk and ADHD may share a genetic component -- and relatives of ADHD patients may be at risk. Get the latest ADHD news. »    The Boy Who Cried Wolf "We may not believe our son's tall tales, but we don't let his 'creative embellishments' stop us from having his back." A mom on her ADHD son's lying. »      SPONSORED BY   Get ADDitude's Natural Treatments issue when you subscribe now. - How to lose weight the ADD way - Tools to beat boredom - 11-step plan for creating healthy habits - And much more....

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