Communication

Since communication is kind of a big deal at COMMunication Central, I thought it would be proper to post a link to a broadcast I heard last week on navigating difficult conversations with truth and love.  

Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine interview Tim Muelhoff, the author of a new book called, I Beg to Differ: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Truth and Love.

There are three parts to the broadcast and I highly recommend listening to all of them - for adults and children alike.

By the way, you can also listen to FamilyLife Today on the radio weekdays at 7:30am and 5:30pm on Faith Talk KDIS 99.5 (if you're in central Arkansas).  My oldest children (ages 9 & 4) also enjoy listening to Adventures in Odyssey at 7:30pm - it's a great "wind down" time.  The kids lay on the bed and listen, mesmerized.

-Julie

FREE:: Opra in the Rock

Opera in the Rock is performing at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library on Saturday, May 17 at 2pm.

My neighbor, who plays piano professionally wrote me:

"It is a free event, and we will be performing a few scenes from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel and Massenet's Cinderella, both in English. I believe the program will be under an hour, and it should be fun! Feel free to invite anyone that might enjoy this event!"

-Julie

Fun for the Weekend

Using my best cheerleader/game-show-host voice, I hopped on the mini-bus full of strangers and asked, "Who's super pumped to be going to the Garden Show?!"  They looked at me like I was from Mars.  

One lady, in her retirement years said dryly, "You don't get out much, do you?"

I don't.  And even more infrequently is getting out without three kids in tow.

I love going to the Arkansas Garden and Flower Show.  There's a little something for everyone.  (Kids get in free.) It's not just live flowers and garden tools.  You'll find power tools, sweets, wine and soaps there as well.  Every year I learn something new.  My favorite is probably the UofA Extension booth where I feasted upon how to grow edible mushrooms and seeing aquaponics in action.

One surprise for me today was finding praying mantis egg sacks for sale.  I've done zero research on them (but will in coming days since I'm now the owner of some.) 

 It's a mom & pop kind of company plus their 20 year old daughter doing social media for them.

I could have talked to the owners for hours (he started bug collecting as a kid) but I had lots of other things to see in the short time I'd hired a baby-sitter.

After all, I don't get out much.
-Julie

Math (Competition) for Homeschooled Boys

Doing mental math *well* is a high priority for our homeschool (& I've let it slip in 2013 - "The Year of Baby Schaeffer.")  At the beginning of the week we were really struggling to meet the times in these exercises.  I've posted a picture of one below. However, in a few days we have seen great improvements. BIG GAINS. 

As a result of doing timed math drills, I have learned a few lessons that I want to document here.

1.  As a homeschooling mom (i.e. noncompetitive girl), I often fail to remember how important competition is for my son. The timer is a great competitor.  After all, as educators, we want our children to really push themselves against their own personal best, right? 

I put a post it note on each exercise and wrote his times down each day.  When we were starting out, sometimes I would just stop at 3 minutes because I could tell he was fatigued and frustrated then marked how far we got in that time.  We would strive for more problems in three minutes the next time.

2. Like real life competitions, cheerleaders can be game-changing element.  We've all been in those intense, tie-ballgame arenas when the fans are going crazy.  The excitement level is palatable.  Everyone is standing, shouting, clapping.  What kind of athlete could resist doing their best in that atmosphere? I must be the cheerleader when he is (we are?) discouraged. I'm sure this is true for girls too but my daughter is still in the fun stages of preschool.  

When I am the cheerleader, it helps to ensure the math-attitude stays positive… on at least half the team.  Honestly at the beginning of the week I was terribly discouraged about the status of our math facts.  But then I realized that my negativity wasn't helping anyone.  

I have to believe for him.  Believe the best in him.  Cheer him on towards the goal.  When I am cheering him on, it is a win-win for us both. PSSST:: I've also been known to "fake it till we make it."

So, Momma…get out there and cheer on your children!  You can do it!

-Julie

FREE Informational Meeting for Parents of Struggling Learners - please share

Since receiving my second NeuroNet certification right before Christmas, I am more excited than ever about being able to offer these programs to struggling learners!  This meeting is especially for homeschool families, but I provide services to children in a variety of educational situations so any interested parents are very welcomed.  Please forward and share this information.  Thank you!

--Lisa Lipe

FREE Informational Meeting for Parents of Struggling Learners

What: Learn about NeuroNet programs and meet Lisa 

When: Saturday, January 18, 10-11am (participants are welcome to stay later to ask questions)

Where: Integrated Learning Connections

(Home-based business at 17 Warwick Rd., Little Rock AR  72205)

Presenter: Lisa Lipe, M.Ed., Certified NeuroNet Provider, Private Educator of struggling learners, and "almost-finished" home school mom  To find out more about Lisa click here.

**If you would like to come, RSVP to integratedlearnermail@gmail.com with the number of people who will be with you.  (No children please, unless nursing.)

What is NeuroNet?

NeuroNet is a movement-based brain-training program which  can be implemented at home in about 20 minutes per day to help children improve motor skills, language skills, and information processing. Automation of these foundational skills facilitates fluency in reading decoding, handwriting and math fact retrieval which makes all future learning easier.  

Who can benefit?

·         auditory processing disorders

• doesn't overhear and jump into conversations (often strikingly absent)
• frequently asks "what?" or needs repetition of questions and directions
• auditory misperceptions (hears "cookie" for "cooking"; "hoot" for "hoop" etc.)

·         dyspraxia or apraxia of speech

·         developmental delays

·         ADD and ADHD

·         balance disorders

·         developmental vision disorders

·         high functioning autism

·         overly fearful, or excessive risk-taker

·         constant motion - self-distracted

·         clumsy

·         messy eater; difficulty with cutting, tying shoes

·         handwriting challenges (dysgraphia)

·         history of ear infections, asthma, allergies or other respiratory illnesses

·         late talking

·         articulation problem: some speech sounds still incorrect or unclear

·         difficulty learning verbal sequences such as months of year, alphabet

·         minimal interest in books or reading-readiness activities (dyslexia)

NeuroNet programs offered:

·         Integrated Rhythms

·         Tools for Learning

Find out more about NeuroNet programs at www.neuronetlearning.com