Tenzi

Tenzi is a fun, fast game (that's what it says right on the package!)

It's a good game to practise some of those Executive Functions I mentioned in the last post.  Quick thinking, decision making, dexterity, and interacting with others - and all without long, drawn-out explanations of how to play!

It's a great family game, for all ages (roll fewer dice if some hands are too small).

Everyone gets ten dice. Someone says, “Go.” Then everyone rolls and rolls as fast as they can until someone gets all their dice on the same number and shouts “TENZI.”

There are several variations on the game and a surprisingly large number of links on YouTube for how to play (but I mean, really, how hard can it be???)

Check out the 'rags to riches' story of the game on the website.

I bought my game several years at Mastermind Toys and I see that they are still there for $19.99. 

Finally, having checked out the website, I'm interested in the other games they've created! And now, there is "77 Ways to Play Tenzi".  Mastermind Toys doesn't carry it but Amazon.ca does!

Let me know what you think of any of them when you've played them.

Finally, a personal note: writing this Blog is costing me money.  When I wrote about books to read to your children, I found the annotated version of The Phantom Tollbooth.  It's a wonderful book - I bought it!  And now I think I'd like to buy 77 Ways to Play Tenzi!

Executive Functions or Skills

What is an Executive Function?

Having encouraged you to read Smart but Scattered (see first post), I thought some thoughts would be in order on what exactly executive functions or executive skills are.

Smart but Scattered defines those skills as "certain habits of mind ....required to execute tasks: getting organized, planning, initiating work, staying on task, controlling impulses, regulating emotions, being adaptable and resilient - just about everything a child needs to negotiate the typical demands of childhood at school, at home, and with friends.  Some kids lack certain executive skills or lag behind in developing them."

Resources

In addition to Smart but Scattered, check out Nurture for the Future for ideas and games that you might already have in your home.

As you scroll down the page of the link, you will find many, many activities.  Suggestion: try one or two and see how it goes.

I was particularly interested in the Walking Meditation.

Further down the page are links to Story Telling.  One of the activities we have played with our grandchildren is one we call "The Add-on Story'.  We started with our two oldest grandsons (now in their late teens) and are now playing it with our younger grandchildren.  One person starts the story, and then stops after giving just a few details. (Once upon a time a young girl named ...... was building a tree house.) Now it's time for the next person to move the story along.  Depending on the ages of the children, it might be appropriate to go child, adult, child and so on.  It's a great dinner-table activity with no props needed!

This activity works on the executive skills of: task initiation, response inhibition (have to wait your turn), emotional control (don't get upset if the part of the story you told gets 'adjusted' by someone else), working memory (where was this story going?), and sustained attention.

Working with your child's teacher

If you want to explore ways to help your child's teachers get on board with Executive Skills/Functions, send them to Pathway2Success  So many great ideas.  

What am I going to do next?

Well, first I'm going to stop looking at websites because the two I've posted here have so many wonderful ideas.  Second, I'm going to look at the Walking Meditation for starting at least one of my tutoring sessions (if the weather cooperates).  Third, I'm going to create my own Task Cards to use during our tutoring sessions.

What are you going to do?

Please share with me what you have tried so that I can share with other parents.  It takes a village!

Reading Aloud to Kids of All Ages

Recently I had a discussion with a parent about the advantages of reading aloud to children, no matter their age.  I used to read to my Grade 7 students right after lunch to help them settle in.  I would find picture books related to the science topic we were studying.  

The reasons listed on the website 
Reading Aloud to Kids: The 12 Benefits of Reading Books Out Loud to Children of All Ages are powerful motivators. 

Here's an interview with Jim Trelease.  Jim is a well-known educator (and author of the Read-Aloud Handbook - now in its 7th edition, although an 8th edition is due in the fall of 2019) who believes in the importance of reading aloud to children of all ages. 

At the end of the interview are recommendations for books to read-aloud by grades 3, 4, and 5.  But maybe better to read Jim's book itself.  

My all-time favourite book to read to students in Grade 6 and up, is The Phantom Tollbooth. (And as I was searching for an image of this book,  I have learned that there is an annotated edition that I just might have to treat myself to!)

I could go on and on about the benefits of reading aloud but since I want you to get to reading to your kids, I'll stop now.  Let me know if you have any questions about this topic because I am a huge proponent of this concept.

Understood.org

One of my go-to websites for insights into the world of supporting students who might have issues with learning or focusing is Understood.org

It helped me understand some of the issues that one of my students had with math; it’s helped me appreciate the struggles that some children endure to function in a classroom; and I have used some of the forms to help parents navigate, among other things, the Parent-Teacher Interview.

I’ve sat in on two webinars recently and both were valuable for learning about a range of issues.

Check out the resources and see if there is anything that is relevant to you.  Let me know if something resonates.

One caution - it is an American site and not all information about using IEPs apply, but it’s a small caveat for such great information.

"Smart but Scattered"

I have been reading a book entitled Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare. 

It's a powerful book with many hands-on suggestions for helping parents help their children.  One of the final chapters is entitled Working with the School.

Here's the blurb from the back of the book:

There's nothing more frustrating than watching your bright, talented son or daughter struggle with everyday tasks like finishing homework, putting away toys, or following instructions at school. Your "smart but scattered" 4- to 13-year-old might also have trouble coping with disappointment or managing anger. Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have great news: there's a lot you can do to help. The latest research in child development shows that many kids who have the brain and heart to succeed lack or lag behind in crucial "executive skills"--the fundamental habits of mind required for getting organized, staying focused, and controlling impulses and emotions. Learn easy-to-follow steps to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses, use activities and techniques proven to boost specific skills, and problem-solve daily routines. Helpful worksheets and forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. Small changes can add up to big improvements--this empowering book shows how.

I like this review of the book: "Not just for challenged kids. It's useful for parenting all kids. I applied the technique to my kids, works. It also helped me understand the kids' behaviour, and help me to think from kids' perspective."