Questioning the Question Part II:

Questioning the Question Part II:

The Questioner Last time I discussed the questions we may ask our child or student. This time I would like to focus on the questions a child or student may ask us. Questioning in Learning Asking questions is the best way for someone to learn. It shows mindfulness and interest in learning. What we would call curiosity. Types of Questions A question can be simple gathering of basic facts and usually will begin with “What”. For example,    What was the date of that historic event?    What was that mathematical formula?    What was the name of…? A question …

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Questioning the Question Part I: Asking the Right Question

Questioning the Question Part I: Asking the Right Question

There are 2 perspectives regarding questions, the ones students ask and the ones we ask. In this post I am focusing on the questions we ask. Asking the right question is half the answer “Why can you get A’s in math and not in history? It must be because you aren’t trying hard enough.” “Why can you sit for hours reading books you’ve taken out, and yet can’t crack open your science book? It must be because you are irresponsible.” These kinds of questions are judgemental. While it may seem like you have the answer, the opposite is true. By …

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Please Empathize, It’s a Stormy Life

Please Empathize, It’s a Stormy Life

A friend of mine, in discussing the COVID-19 quarantine and its social, emotional, educational and financial impact, expressed it so eloquently.  “WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT … I heard that we are in the same boat. But it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.” This is the best I have ever heard it expressed.  I may be drowning, surviving or thriving. Afterall, you don’t even know what kind of boat I am on and what condition it is in.  And if you don’t know, then you don’t know how …

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Give As Good As You Get or Get As Good As You Give?

Give As Good As You Get or Get As Good As You Give?

The following question was posed, “Thoughts on cursing at work, most of us do it, some more than others. BUT is it really ok?” Some of the responses included the following (italics): A: “Personally, I have no issue with it. I generally find people who curse to be EXTREMELY genuine. But I do know it rubs some people wrong and I do want people to feel comfortable around me. While it does depend on the culture, I find people who curse to be real straight shooters which I like.” B: “I wouldn’t curse in front of someone I don’t know …

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Gifted

Gifted

Once upon a time it used to be more common for employers to provide employees with a cell phone. Now imagine your boss gave you an iPhone, much to your delight. 3 years pass and you decide you need another phone. You approach your boss and he agrees to order you a phone. You wait with great anticipation; you have heard about all the newer features on the latest edition of the iPhone and can’t wait to have one. The following week you find a package on your desk and it is an Android phone. How do you feel? Disappointment, …

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Be Kind…To Yourself

Be Kind…To Yourself

We know that when you fly the flight attendant instructs you to take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else.  The flight attendant has to give these instructions because too often, moms in particular, neglect themselves to take care of their children.  However, if you don’t take care of yourself you are no good to anyone else. Similarly, it behooves you to take care of your physical and emotional needs. This is not the same as wants. You need oxygen, even if it is polluted. Certainly you can work on improving the quality of your oxygen, but …

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To Treat or Not to Treat, That Is The (Million Dollar) Question Part II

To Treat or Not to Treat, That Is The (Million Dollar) Question Part II

Treatment always involves an investment of time and money. The return on investment (ROI) has to be worth it. There are a few questions that must be answered to help assess ROI. Handicap (see previous post) is not a simple measure. Physiological (Functional) Considerations You need to identify the areas that may be impacted by the disability and then check those areas to see if they are affected in this particular instance. You also need to consider that certain diagnoses are termed “presumptive” because research has taught us to expect handicap down the line. A child who is born with …

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Just an Observation Part 3: Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Just an Observation Part 3: Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Perhaps the worst consequence of judging rather than observing is that the person judged tends to live up to the label given them.  Common labels given to students are “lazy”, “sloppy”, “stupid” or even “class clown” or the like.  Thus, the judgement does nothing to help solve the problem but rather makes it more complex to identify since a behavioral component has now been added to the actual underlying issue. Behavioral psychologist, Dr. David J. Lieberman, points out that children have no sense of self.  As a result, children tend to identify with the message of their primary care giver.  …

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Way 21: Patience

Way 21: Patience

The translation of the original text is “slow to anger”. This one is easier to understand in light of our frustration with a president who seems to impulsively tweet instead of taking the advice so many are giving him to stop and take time to listen more carefully and respond more thoughtfully and maturely. We previously discussed that there are character traits that are non-academic that are imperative to learning, here we are discussing one of the most important ones. Anger does not only manifest in the extreme of anger and rage. It comes under many guises such as frustration, …

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Way 15-20: Balancing Act

Way 15-20: Balancing Act

So many people suffer from anxiety.  This is due in part to not understanding the importance of limits, boundaries and knowing how to prioritize.  You feel pulled to put in 120% at work to impress your boss.  You feel pulled to spend more time with your family because they keep complaining that you are not present enough.  You want to socialize more with your friends, enjoying their light-hearted banter.  You feel pulled to spend more time exercising because you know it is healthy, but can’t seem to find the time with the pull of work and family.  You want more …

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