How to rewire Your Brain

How to rewire Your Brain with mindfulness 🧠
It’s thought that 95% of our behaviour runs on autopilot ⛹🏽‍♂️because neural pathways take care all of our habits, reducing millions of sensory inputs into manageable chunks, so we can function without overload. 🏋️‍♀️
These default brain signals are so efficient that they often cause us to relapse into old behaviours before we remember what we want to do instead.
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Mindfulness is the exact opposite of these processes; it’s slow brain. It’s executive control rather than autopilot, and enables intentional actions, willpower, and decisions. All you have to do is practice. The more we activate this in the brain, the stronger it gets. Every time we do something deliberate and new, we find neuroplasticity, activating our grey matter, which is full of new neurons that have not yet been trained for the fast brain. 🤼‍♀️
While my brain knows what is best for me, the fast brain is causing me to shortcut my way through life. 🔋 So how can we trigger ourselves to be mindful when we need it most? This is where behaviour design comes in. It’s a way to put your slow brain in the driver’s seat. There are two ways to do it; first, slowing down the fast brain, putting obstacles in its way, and, removing obstacles in the path of the slow brain, so it can gain control.
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Shifting the balance to give your slow brain more power takes some energy though. 💡
Things to try 😛
Refresh your triggers regularly. Use sticky notes to remind yourself of a new intention. That might work for about a week, but then your fast brain and old habits take over again. Try writing new notes to yourself; add variety or make them funny so they stick with you longer.
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Create new patterns. You could try a series of “If this, then that” messages to create easy reminders to shift into slow brain. 💭 “If phone rings, take a breath before answering.” Each intentional action to shift into mindfulness will strengthen your slow brain. ✨💫💭✨💫✨
A Relaxation Journey book

Poets Always Stay

Because Poets Always Stay

I spoke nothing I really thought anymore;

I’d been silenced.

I was leaving, this was not a place I could stay;

A dust track of chalk trodden down footprints,

End of the line,

Crumbs thrown at us, till I refused to pick them up.

And who was I to talk?

A teacher.

They had no voice.

They talked of SATS

And I was not listening.

My voice had quietened to a whispering jailbird of doom;

Or worse,

An angry morsel.

I spat out every modal verb and underlined it in red.

Red for blood, sweat and tear.

I tutted with every sentence;

With SATS on one side, and children without breakfast in their tummies on the other.

Eyes wide with poverty,

Imagination had been eaten away at their feet,

Spoken of but never heard, these dark-eyed children.

The noisy clutter of data collection, louder than any voice here.

Circles of pen marked points missed,

And number-fed rooms.

Time, space gone

Saved for nothing but tick boxes

And lines.

I needed time to breath.

This classroom air these days, a gas chamber chocking me with

A thousand twisted hands around my throat,

With tattooed fingers of bureaucracy

And paper lists,

I wrote.

I knew the poets sang;

Their voices were ever heard.

Repeated through the years.

And mouths watered for their soliloquies of hope.

And that,

I would dream of only that now-

To be filled up till I was full.

And I would share every fullest mouthful of that feast.

Full.

Words would find me.

And I would reach for them,

Until we meet again;

In love.

Again.

Find the poets!

The strongest voice above my head

As I looked up to heaven,

And it looked down on me,

Until I could not ignore it any more.

I had time to breathe and read the air

As it fed my soul-

A nourishment I savoured.

And now I could fill hungry heads again;

Replenished, renewed and rebirthed.

Poets found, made and told.

Not leaving; staying

Not gone; present

Not behind; in front

Not silent; heard

Not over; just beginning,

Because poets always stay!

June 3, 2018 0

A Relaxation Journey

A Relaxation Journey Book

This is a story of relaxation. It can be used at any time of the day with children, to help them relax both their body and mind. It uses special language and relaxation techniques. Mosey bear takes your child through the relaxation journey. Walk with him through the Rainbow Caves taking, ‘everything you need.’ Find out how to relax your body and mind using this special story. The book also includes some quick relaxation activities to understand how to connect with feelings of well-being and calm. A beautiful start to the day, focussing on relaxation!

May 17, 2018 1

Implementing digital literacy into the curriculum

Yesterday the Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield published her report into social media use by 8-12 year olds, ‘Life in Likes’. Firstly I would recommend reading it, (see link at bottom). Here is also a summary and then some ideas to bring a digital literacy into the classroom.

Summary

Children are now spending so much time online and growing up surrounded by it, certainly by secondary school age they are conscious of how they put themselves across on it. Children ages 10-12yrs have social media accounts, though most platforms have an age limit of 13yrs. They are being affected by it every day.; are they cool enough, pretty enough or wearing the ‘right’ clothes?

Family matters. Many children felt uncomfortable about their parents posting pictures of them of social media, but felt they couldn’t stop it. Children also worry about their siblings use of social media online. They use it multiple times a day.

Children kept in touch with friends online, but also fell out online too; could be stressful and distract from outside activities. They maintained relationships online, but also friendships could be damaged.

Identity and approval were all issues they faced. Trying to be like celebrities was also important to some. They felt good when they had likes and comments. They also started to see off-line activities through a ‘lens’ of shareable material.

Social media was also found to inspire them and lead to aspirations and they could learn about the world discovering and exploring online. Social media made them laugh and cheered them up when watching funny posts and videos.

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is a must on the curriculum, not only to look at safety, but also awareness and resilience, understanding online platforms and how they work, and how children’s wellbeing is impacted.

Using Twisted Tales of the Internet book to teach digital literacy

Stories and poems can embed learning quickly and discussions with peers about what has been read are recommended for schools in peer-peer learning.

STORIES

The Trolls story involves themes of; trust, resentment, cyber-bullying, dealing with bullies, online fraud, safety, vlogging, blogging, YouTube-ing, making a career online, trolling and self-image.

King Click is a moral tale of online shopping.

POEMS

Selfie Central can help review how much selfies are about image, or filtered, or about fitting in.

‘Snap your best friend’s brunch!’ ‘Snap a pic of a marrow in the local shopping isles!’

Beware the Dreaded Internet has a mix of funny, yet cautionary rhymes, to help get the message of who’s behind the screen.

‘Who’s behind the screen; could be good, could be bad?

Could be ready waiting when you’ve had a barney with your mum and dad!’

My Body Belongs to Me is a serious poem of body image and keeping photos private.

Cyber Space used to talk about being open to the world.

This is the Screen about everything being on a screen, but what’s behind it and is it always the truth? Getting cyber savvy with ideas.

The Fake News Blues a rap about fake news, and how to spot the lie.

Other poems to be continued…

I will update with specific uses of each poem and themes and add more. In the meantime check out the full report and the Twisted Tales book by following the links.

LIFE IN LIKES

Twisted Tales of the Internet book with stories & poems

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January 5, 2018 0

Grimm Tales & Twisted Tales of the Internet~ stories that teach

I’m reading Grimm tales again, they’re swift stories; a fairytale,

fast paced with characters of no interior life, flat with clear motives. They seem to be almost unconscious in thought & often known by their clothing (little red riding hood) or occupation (farmer, Miller, captain) We see only one side to their character, they are flat like cardboard cut outs… the fairytale goes swiftly as they set an exhausting pace, but of course you can only do this if they’re travelling light. What happens to them is of more interest than their individuality.
In Twisted Tales of the Internet what happens to Mr.Troll is a series of unfortunate events, but his character is flawed too, he is a villain but we can empathize, the story evolves but how he reacts and where he ends up, fills the story out into a fatter 3D tale. More crunch; a tale with more twists to slow the story into a winding bendy trail, with some turns in the road to add a bite or two.
#twisted #tales #teachers #stories #fairytales #bite #reading #readingrocks #storytelling #kids #books #bookstagrammer #literature #bookstagram #bookworm #harrypotter #grimm #writers #writersofinstagram

Twisted Tales of the Internet book

December 28, 2017 0

Reading for pleasure known to improve well-being!

A book a day, because you’re worth it!

Reading improves your health, especially when it’s for fun with Pongy Stinkbelly!

So it’s been proven that reading really does improve your health. Reading for pleasure and well-being is linked; evidence shows a correlation between reading for pleasure regularly, as it can lower levels of stress and depression. Reading also seems to reduce the risk of dementia, with frequent readers (with a daily habit) having lower chance of dementia in later life. Evidence shows us, reading is empowering. The research shows, the more the reading is for pleasure, the more benefits will be felt by the reader.

Reading improves our understanding of our own identity, improves empathy, giving the reader an insight into the world view of others. In addition to the health benefits, reading for pleasure has social benefits and can improve our sense of connectedness to the wider community.

Pongy Stinkbelly has helped children feel empathy and express views about how Pongy might feel, and how to help him. A child reader can take on board the struggle of a character and offer an helpful solution to the story. It allows a child to take on the problem of the character from different perspectives. How would they help they character? How would they be a friend to the character? What would they say or do if faced with the same dilemma as the character? A broader look at life, and how we see each other, can help children learn about themselves and others.

Whatever you are reading, the key is, keep it joyful and an exciting thing to do and let it be integrated as a part of everyday life. It’s a daily activity. The more it’s encouraged and done, with role models, discussions, time set aside for reading, to become part of the day, the more it will impact, and with just a few of those health benefits, its worth it!

Pongy Stinkbelly book

September 6, 2017 1

Sleep Psychology for children’s bedtime

…using A Bear’s Sleepy Journey book

Who would have thought bedtime could become a science in itself? The use of story has always been celebrated, and now, with A Bear’s Sleepy Journey, it can enhance a better night’s sleep too, or persuade the reluctant sleeper that they can fall asleep easily!

The use of story has always been celebrated at bedtime. For centuries, we have used stories to learn about life, ourselves, and now we can use stories to help us fall asleep with ease. The promise of a better night’s sleep too, growing in confidence, or persuading a reluctant sleeper that they can fall asleep easily, may seem bold statements, but the psychology behind the book really does work !

A Bear’s Sleepy Journey uses relaxation techniques and positive suggestions to help the listener fall asleep. During the introduction, children are asked to help Drowsy bear to find his answers to sleep as they walk through the Rainbow Caves together. (For reluctant sleepers this gives them an altruistic reason to help the bear and gives them a reason to comply with the story’s suggestions for sleep, who would not want to help Drowsy bear?) Essentially it is a guided meditation story, walking with Drowsy bear in the Rainbow Caves leading the meditation, and then a second story with Bobo bear who looks for his own answers to sleep and seeks the Lord of the Arctic Bear who will help him.

Children are often asleep before the second story. This is reinforcing the ease and confidence to find the answers to sleep! The subconscious mind will listen and behaviour can change!

Mums are already telling us that their children have found it easier to get to sleep and wake up more refreshed, with ‘less wake ups in the night’. Drowsy bear is a big hit with children who love helping him, one little boy asks for Drowsy bear every night!

The book has also been recommended by family therapists and professionals, both teachers and doctors who are using it, recognising the uses of the psychological approach. Every psychologist who has ever used Erickson or Bandler techniques will find examples woven into this bedtime book.

It’s a new approach to bedtime, specially designed story which uses psychology based language, and also links with the current trend in mindfulness too! At the end of the day, both children and parents will be reaching for this book. It’s appealing and beautiful illustrations add to the ideas.

It’s helped children feel calmer and been used with all ages from three years to twelve years old.