Ignite Learning Lab

‘You’re x years old, you should be able to do that already!’

Have you heard these words? Maybe you have said them yourself.

I used to.

Do you know how helpful or was…

0% … maybe even a negative if I’m really being honest.

We need to meet our kids where they are. Some days they will be able to do everything without help and some days it will be a major struggle.

We need to remember that shaming them for needing help does not make them perform better. In fact, research shows it makes them perform worse and has long term psychological effects on their confidence and ability to ask for help.

It made all the difference when I stopped fighting my kids about what things they needed help with and it’s amazing how many things they do independently now that we have done each process so many times together.

Do things you don’t like.

Our children are people, and the best way to connect with someone is through their interests. So even though I am indifferent to fishing and leaning towards dislike about worms, I love my child.

And as his parent it’s my job to lean in and make the first steps to connecting .To do things I dislike but make him happy because when he is happy and regulated we can connect.

This doesn’t mean that there are no limits and my kids call the shots. It means they know I respect and value them as individuals and that I love them for who they are. They also know that Mom will do anything to spend time with them, even touch worms 🤢.

It took a lot of patience and hard work to get this little video, the students did amazing!!

Here is a short video from tonight’s stop motion animation workshop at Ignite Learning Lab. We had fun creating this and many more. I think the green screen may have been the highlight. Note to self don’t wear any version of green even teal. #stopmotion #tinyontario #Penetang #midlandontario #activitiesforkids

It’s not the kids that are the problem…

Watch this. Credit @foundconsciousness