Super New Year, Super New You!

Super New Year

Super New You

 Happy New Year!

This time of year many choose to make resolutions to change something about themselves or their lives that they are not satisfied with. A new year…a fresh new start…perfect timing right? Yet, think about how many of your resolutions you remember following through with in the past.

Every hero has their weaknesses.  For those of us in the school system- or  who work with children and teens- it may be a negative mindset, impatience, rigidness, unrealistic expectations, personal problems, or even compassion fatigue.  We as educators have the responsibility of serving as models on how our students can become the best version of themselves.  Take a moment to think about how each of these weaknesses can stand in the way of you being the best version of YOU personally and professionally.

Some super hero qualifications are (but are not limited to):                                                 

Strength-avoid power struggles. Instead show strength by handling negative situations like a Hero! In the face of danger what would Wonder Woman do? Back down? Complain? Play the Victim? Blame others? She would rise to the occasion and demonstrate her ability to rise above whatever obstacle is placed before her.

X-Ray Vision- See through your enemy.  In the academic setting, we have 2 major enemies: Behaviors and Cognitive Capabilities.  Do your best to see past the student, past their behavior, and discover what lies beneath.  Is it frustration? Boredom? Trauma? Family/Home Life? Is it a legitimate inability to learn in a particular way or setting? Now, problem solve to determine a solution.  If you cannot do so alone, consult with your team. That is why we are here!

Secret Elixir- Refrain from using your poison; otherwise known as negative thoughts, beliefs, language, and messages. Student will become who you expect them to become.  Your secret elixir is your own special concoction of positive messages, energy, and experiences you can feed to your students.

Confidence- If you are not confident in your ability to educate effectively, how can your learners feel confident in their own ability to learn and become successful?  The two go hand in hand. Having confidence means having the ability to handle adversity with poise. 

Empathy- Understanding. Responsiveness. The ability to meet students, clients, co-workers, friends and family where they are at as well as being able to understand that we all have our “stuff” and that “stuff” affects each of us in various ways.  It is up to us as the professionals to identify ways in which we can bring out the best in those we serve.

Generosity- Watching others get into the holiday spirit -giving and being selfless- reminds me of when the Grinch’s Heart grew “3 sizes that day.” In real life- your heart growing 3 sizes is probably something to consult your doctor about but your capacity for doing things for others is endless. Many people seem to think their legacy lives on through the things they have accomplished, achieved, gained, etc. I beg to differ. Your legacy lives on through the lives of those you have come in contact with and influenced in some way. Do you want to leave a legacy of students and coworkers who have gone on to be successful because you were able to inspire them in some way? Being generous does not necessarily mean to give material things. Your form of generosity can simply mean giving it your all when it comes to educating.  Challenge yourself to GIVE a little more encouragement, a little more laughter, a little more inspiration, and a little more compassion.

Creativity- What new ways can you discover to do what you do best? Do a little research. Ask others.  Or even ask your students what would make their academic experience more exciting, fun, interesting or at the very least…bearable!

Light-Heartedness- Learn to laugh. Learn to let go.  Learn to look at the bigger picture. How serious was it really?

Humbleness- Having insight to admit when you do not know something or that you are wrong as well as having the ability to give credit where credit is due, will do a lot for your mental stability. Pride creates a false sense of responsibility to prove yourself and a sense of self-worth that is dependent upon your ability to be the best or to avoid failure. Free yourself of that burden and learn to work as a member of a team whose players all have various skills, strengths, and areas of growth to attribute to the common goal; THE STUDENTS.

Dedication- Above all, dedication to your craft and profession will mean you will do everything in your power to be the best version of you who helps create the best version of them!

So…

What’s your Super Power?

xoxo

Ayla V. Expose

LOUISIANA FLOOD DISASTER- A NOTE TO PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

A Note to Parents:

2016 has been filled with drama and trauma.  Events such as violence, loss of family and friends, as well as the recent natural disasters.  Please use this as a simple reference to take action to protect your child’s mental well-being.  Whether or not your child was directly affected by the flood they may be indirectly affected.  They are aware that it happened.  They may be concerned or worried about family, friends, their schools, and their teachers.  They may also be concerned that it could happen again.

If you notice such symptoms as: worry, anxiety; inability to cope with problems and activities; changes in sleeping and eating habits; aggression; drop in school performance…you may wish to contact your PCP, religious supports, or mental health professional.  The sooner their needs get addressed the better.

ALWAYS,

AYLA

www.missaylahelps.org

Children’s Anxiety Checklist

Children’s Anxiety Checklist

                                      Use The following check list to observe your child. This list should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health. This only a guide/reference. Please seek professional help if you have concerns.

o Constant worry about things that might happen

(What if I fall down again, what if my sister gets really sick again and has to go to the hospital?)

o Anger more often than usual

(He looked at me!! I hate him! Why is he looking at me?!)

o Perfectionism
(balling up a piece of paper because of a simple fixable mistake to redo it.  Upset when something is not done the way they want or expected.)

 o Poor memory and concentration

(forgetting to do a task you told them to do not that long ago, or asking you what you told the child to do more than once, completing a task incorrectly after being provided specific/simple instructions.)

o Aggression (verbal and physical)
(destructive on purpose, hitting, kicking, biting, pushing, threats, etc)

o Pessimistic or negative thinking often
(Mommy might get hurt, my teacher is going to give me an F, What if a tornado comes??)

o Restlessness, irritability, tantrums

(Unable to get a good night’s sleep, upset often over things that may seem silly to you)

o Opposition and defiance

(Refusing to do what they are told, testing boundaries, responding “NO!” often)

o Crying

(again… upset often over things that may seem silly to you)

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o Avoidance

(He or she will not go to place, specifically public places or places they have never been to. Scared of new situations) (ex: Excited about a friend’s party until the time comes to go to the party, then refusing to go.)

o Sleep patterns/routine changes

(difficulty falling asleep, trouble sleeping the entire night, nightmares, refusing to go to bed etc)

o Clinginess or fear of separation

(crying, screaming or throwing a tantrum when you attempt to leave, even if only for a moment)

o Procrastination
(“I’ll do it later” “I’ll do it in a minute” “Can I do that tomorrow.”)

o Physical complaints

(stomachaches, feeling tired, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, tightness or tension)

 o Withdrawal from activities and family interactions

(family outings or get-togethers appear to cause uneasiness or stress for the child.)

o Eating patterns/habits have changed
(Hoarding food in room or secret places, won’t eat in front of others, refusing to eat certain types of foods.)

o Over-exaggerating
(I always get into trouble because of other people, I am always last)

o Rigidity and inflexibility, self-criticism, guilty thoughts, etc.
(I can’t do that. No, I didn’t try it but I know I can’t.)

If you have checked 5 or more of these symptoms it may be time for you to seek professional guidance from your child’s primary care doctor for how to proceed with diagnosis and/or treatment.

 

Your child’s pediatrician may refer you to a specialist for further assessment/evaluation

Miss Ayla Helps Original

HEART PUZZLE

HEART PUZZLE

I apologize for taking so long to provide info on how to administer this activity.  Hopefully my brilliant readers have found this self-explanatory, but even the best of minds need a little assistance at times...So here it is!!

HEART MAPS/PUZZLE/ WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO NAME IT...is a fun creative way for a person to identify and explore things they hold true to them.  It can be a representation on their inner most thoughts and feelings.  It can be completed in different ways.  You decide what prompts.  I choose different prompts for different clients depending on age, intelligence, maturity, the goal/objective we are working toward in that particular session, 

Okay, so this activity is quite simple.

1. First you draw a large heart.  I strongly suggest you, the adult, draw the heart outline otherwise you may go through 10 pieces of paper.  In my experience children tend to struggle with the concept of "LARGE".  Be sure the heart is large enough to fit writing.  The younger the child, the larger the writing may be. 

2. Next you draw squiggly lines throughout the heart to give the illusion of a PUZZLE. 

3.  Next you provide the prompt. Think about what you are working toward with the individual. And ask them to write down your list of prompts somewhere near the outside of the heart.  Basically they are making a “map key.”  I strongly suggest you give 3….maybe 4…prompts. You want the participant to be able to list more than one thing for each topic/prompt. (see photo)

Examples…

SELF ESTEEM= I AM GOOD AT/ I CAN WORK TOWARDS/ MY ACCOMPLISMENTS

FAMILY THERAPY= I LOVE/ I TRUST/ I CAN RELY ON/I WISH I KNEW BETTER

GETTING TO KNOW ME= I LIKE/I HATE/I AM GOOD AT/MY DREAMS/ MY FEARS

4. Now, ask them to assign a color to each.  In my example above I have things I do not like represented with the color red because in real life I cannot stand the color read.  Things I want are represented with green because it is my favorite color.  I decided to get creative after doing these over and over.  I made each prompt layered.  Feelings I enjoy are in light green and if I wish to experience them more I surrounded the light green with darker green.   You can choose to allow the person to be creative and do their own thing or be more directed and insist they choose 1 color per prompt.

5. Finally, process and discuss. You can also allow the participant to make a heart depicted what they wish their heart puzzle/map will look like once they have completed treatment. Or what they are hoping their heart will look one day if you are not using this for counseling/therapy.

SUMMARY

1.        LARGE HEART

2.      SQUIGGLY LINES

3.      LIST OF PROMPTS

4.      COLORS

5.       PROCESS/DISCUSS

Thanks for stopping by!!

AYLA