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DECEMBER LESSONS
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"Presence"
BEING PRESENT IS A GIFT
Mindful Living and Relationship Building
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When we are present and fully engaged in what's happening in the moment, it can relieve our mind and body from worry and stress. Accessing this gift when emotions seem beyond our control is easier with a mindful practice. Immersing yourself in the present not only reduces anxiety and increases cognitive abilities, it also helps to develop more conscious, empathetic and emotionally healthy behaviors in our children.
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Mindful living is a way to bring a deeper awareness to all aspects of our lives. It's a gift that only we can give ourselves. This winter, let's gift our ourselves and our young learners with peace of mind one day at a time.
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BEING PRESENT MEANS BEING AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE INSIDE JUST AS MUCH AS YOU'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE OUTSIDE
BEING PRESENT IS A GIFT, LET'S USE IT TO MAKE A SHIFT
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When you learn to capture small moments of peace in passing conversations and small tasks that make up your day, it breaks up building anxiety and stress in your body - keeping you energized instead of exhausted.
Use these simple practices to help you and your children refocus your energy, self-regulate behavior and make better connections with the world around you.
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WHEN CHILDREN KNOW THEY HAVE A CHOICE IN THE MOMENT, IT EMPOWERS THEM TO REACT AND RESPOND WITH BETTER AWARENESS.
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YOUR LESSONS ON PRESENCE START HERE
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The "Presence" activities include several PDF downloads:
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BE PRESENT, RELIEVE YOURSELF OF FEELING PULLED TO DO MORE
WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY DOING YOUR BEST
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How These Lessons Helped Me
Choosing to be present gives me permission to be fully engaged and focused on whatever it is I am doing in the moment, without the guilt or feeling pulled to be doing something else. Being anxious about getting more done, while working on one task is counterproductive. It diminishes the quality of our conversations, our work and negatively impacts our health. Giving my mental and emotional attention to the task at hand and then doing the same after I move to the next item on my list is so freeing! I feel more accomplished and at ease during my day. There are no missed moments of youth while being present with my daughter nor do I long for more time in general.
I am learning to break free from mediocre multitasking and feel good about my choice to practice presence.
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This too, is my wish for you!
Adrienne Collins
Educator | Founder
THE SCIENCE OF PRESENCE
The Myth of Multitasking
CHOOSING TO BE PRESENT WITH YOUR TASK, GIVES YOU MORE TIME AND
OUTPERFORMS MULTITASKING AT SCHOOL AND AT HOME
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Leading research from Stanford University and several other reliable studies show that the concept of multitasking does not produce the results we once thought. In fact, evidence suggests that multitasking, itself is not possible. We can attend to only one cognitive task at a time according to "The Cost of True Multi-Tasking" in Psychology Today, 2016. "Switch-Tasking, the more accurate term for multitasking has proven to have the following negative results:
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1. Increases the length of time it takes to complete tasks.
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2. Decreases the quality of work on any given task.
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3. Triggers higher stress and anxiety levels while doing the work.
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Children who have strong multitasking habits were shown to sleep less, have more friends who were perceived as negative influences, and generally felt less at ease in social situations.
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Test your multitasking skills or use this fun exercise to show children how being present and focused on one thing at a time improves the quality of their work, helps get things done faster and will make them feel better.
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Great Day Academics
Teaches
"Presence"
To Our Kids!
With the rise of screen watching and other unconscious means of interacting with the world, Great Day Academics uses presence to find balance between the tech and natural world.
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Showing young people that they have a choice in how they connect with what's going on around them empowers their thoughts and actions. With awareness in their tool belt, they develop more conscious behaviors and are less susceptible to peer pressure. This means they are more likely to be emotionally healthy, focused and empathetic toward others.
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Everyone loves choices, especially children. Some kids can often feel like they have little control over their everyday experiences. With so much responsibility and things asked of us and our kids, knowing we do have choice, empowers our actions. Use these simple practices to help show how a simple choice of awareness can make a big difference.
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PRESENCE IS THE PRACTICE OF A PEACEFUL CHILD
THE BOOK LIST
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Here are a couple of recommendations that may help you and your crew learn more about presence:
For Adults:
Do Less - Kate Northrop
Present, Not Perfect for Moms - Aimee Chase
The Power of Now - Eckart Tolle
The Myth of Multi-tasking - Dave Crenshaw
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For Kids, Tweens & Teens:
DOWNLOAD YOUR INSTANT FREE BOOKLIST FOR KIDS, TWEENS & TEENS
EXTRA CREDIT COMMUNITY
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Hi there gang! I would love to hear from you.
What's your favorite way to stay calm, so you can rock on?
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