“Call Mimi.” “Look at pictures.” “Call Nana.” “Play Peek-a-Boo.” “Read a book.” “Watch Mickey.” “Counting Game.” “Pirates and Ghosts” (a favorite song) The list of opportunities on one little iPhone, iPad or Kindle can go on and on. These just happen to be pleas that come from our 2 year olds. Wow. W-O-W. The diversity of requests that can be granted through one rectangular item is intoxicating. And that is just from their young, but observant perspective. Think about the many powerful things that we use our own hand held devices for. Actually, many being the very same things:
And when you really break it down, that formidable device is at our fingertips much more than we likely realize (or want to acknowledge) throughout each and every day. We are taking pictures of the kids doing something that's just too cute. Nana calls to talk or Papa calls to Facetime with the grandbabies. Then Daddy sends a text message to check in, followed by the “Breaking News” notification that pops up. Oh and while the phone is “open,” we should really send that email for work. Or maybe it’s just that mommy takes a little breather and dabbles on social media for a few minutes. Our children see this. And the fact that we are their role models, their everything, how in the world could we expect them to NOT take interest in what we do. It is the way of our world, right? Well, at least a piece of the world…;-) As I quietly snuggled in silence with Twin A last night, I reflected on the answers to the question I posed to my network yesterday: As parents of young children, how do you handle technology with your own children? The answers were widespread, as anticipated. From very few limitations, to children who have yet to put their hands on technology there was a plan to fit each individual family. In my opinion, each one made sense. That was when it all clicked. I saw myself through the eyes of my minis and our family dynamics. They see that I clearly love technology-always have and always will. Most of my work connects to technology. But I can also become overwhelmed and all encompassed by it. This is what I can see starting in them, even if they are using their Kindles a collective 60 minutes per week. That’s not much in the grand scheme of life but it’s enough to make them want more. And I get it. The struggles that I have with them wanting and desiring such “limitless boundaries” through the avenues of technology, is actually a reflection of the struggles that I have within myself in this highly connected world. The difference being that I have the intellectual wherewithal to set my own boundaries, which includes being a role model for when (and how) we can collectively (and effectively) deploy the power of personal technology. As Spider-Man's Uncle Ben teaches, “with great power comes great responsibility” and who says that 2 year olds can’t learn the power of being more technologically responsible. Or 38 year olds. Bring it on.
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“I am a patient mother” is my meditative focus for this Sunday. We are amidst a bitter cold streak in our area of the country, which causes many families to hibernate. Well, hibernating with two 2 year olds can be a bit challenging, and patience can be hard to come by for the adults in their lives. So I set my intention, “I am a patient mother,” laid my head back and focused on that...until I started to hear the cries from Mini A. Then, Mini B. I can hear the stress in the voice of their father as he tries to rectify yet another squabble. It is not even 9am! I listen into the situation. Of course I want to stop what I am doing so that I can run down and help but instead I just listen. The timing of the event is purposeful. Be patient. Listen. Reflect. And the idea hits me...the girls, MY very own girls, don’t know what to do next. BUT they are ready to. They are completely present in the moment of the squabble with tears, but then what? They both default to outright cries and carrying on (sometimes for 5 minutes or more) because they have not yet been taught how to be present after the quarrel is over. And then it hits me-they need a space. They need their own Healthy Mind Space to go to to help them move on. I just thought they were too young, but are they? Teaching the girls to take ownership over their mindful presence after the heat of the moment is my new mission. I have found in the classroom how calming the features of a snow globe can be. Which means that this mom took a quick trip to Target for supplies to make our own "snow globes." With some glitter glue, warm water and glassware, we now have make our own calming “Sparkle Jars!" With love, Christy Lynn *Note: I used a recipe from this online resource to create the Sparkle Jars. There are 6 different options! ...or is it the diversity of focus that we are observing our children master? As an elementary teacher of 10 years, I so often found myself saying, "WOW! They cannot follow directions. I seriously don't know what to do." I would sing, dance-even do cartwheels, and somehow kiddos would still miss the follow through. I found myself blaming it on the many electronic distractions in their lives and even became slightly irritated by it. But when I took a step back and really took in one moment of frustration, I realized that I was actually observing something pretty amazing. Their little minds are training to be incredible multi-taskers. I reminded myself that teaching is all about learning and adapting, so adapt we must! At that point, my approach to instruction and behavior management shifted a few years back to work with the busy minds of children in my classroom. However, I felt like something was missing. As I worked on developing my own mindful practice-because I, myself, have a VERY busy mind-I had an "ah-ha" moment. THAT is what I need to add to my daily practice in the classroom. THAT is what can help my little learners who are eager to soak up knowledge. Purposeful, integrated practice on developing a balanced Healthy Mind Space. The hope is that such practice at a young age will provide children with the tools to adapt to situations with awareness, confidence, peace and balance; ultimately helping them decipher when to focus their senses in on the present and when to engage the art of multi-tasking. And so my mindful journey with the minis begins... With Love, Christy Lynn |
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I'm obsessed. This is fabulous. LOVE that you are doing this. The new way of being a student forces us to think outside the box and approach how we teach more dynamically. ~Derek, Father of 2 and Elementary School Principal
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Just a girl with a dream to collectively build a healthy mind space for children, while creating a healthier mind space for ourselves. Archives
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