Unlocking Learning Potential (See attachment for version to print)
August, 2009
August at the Center – What’s Happening at the Center?
It is time to get ready for the school year. We have much planned for this new school year and it starts this month. Every Monday through Thursday in August, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. we are hosting an Open House and Curriculum Sale. Prices start at FREE. We are featuring teaching materials of a veteran teacher and some household items. It is not too late for you to offer classes or host activities at the center. We will have our regular, free introductory seminar on August 10 at 6:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. that same evening, we will have a Meet the Teacher time for parents who are interested in any of the classes being held at the Center. Brain Development and Learning, a 4-hour workshop will be held on August 22 in Lakewood and August 29 in Redmond. We still have an opening for an evaluation in Redmond. Also, August is a great time to have an evaluation in Lakewood in preparation for the school year. See below for more information. Contact us to find out how to get started: – maggie@centerforneurodevelopment.com (253) 581-1588 You are welcome to forward this newsletter or print it out for distribution as long as you include all of our contact information.
Position Available: Brain Training Coordinator
We are praying for God to send us a person or persons who will train to work with our clients and their parents on implementing Individualized Neurodevelopmental Plans. Contact us for more details.
Classroom / Meeting Space Available
Want to earn some extra cash? Offer classes for homeschoolers in the afternoons. Or, use our meeting room for evening activities. If you would like to offer classes or hold activities in our center, please contact us for information, schedule a time to come by to visit our center so we can get to know you and show you around.
One Challenge of Implementing an
Individualized Neurodevelopmental Program:
How Do I Balance the Needs of my INP Child
and the Needs of My Other Children
By Kay Ness, M.S., CND
Dear Program Mother with Multiple Children,
I wanted to relate to you that many others have been in the same position that you are – including the ICAN ND's with their own children.
I started on this path 22 years ago with my son. Initially I had my son on a Glenn Doman program at the Institutes in Philadelphia. I was an engineer, running my own business and a new mother. Fortunately I realized I had no idea what was required of me in raising my son and educating him. So I was teachable, not having preconceived notions. I was trained in Montessori and had definite ideas about what should be learned. The neurodevelopmental approach was to shape my whole thinking about what learning is, what intelligence is (as was my Christian faith - which also came later), and what our role as parents is.
I quickly learned by observing (as Dr. Montessori did BTW) that each child learns differently but the path to SKILLS development was designed by God to help a child learn to perfectly adapt and adjust to the culture into which that child was born. The 'learning differently' aspect was also explainable by the ND approach - a child didn't have to be limited in learning because of a lack in one area but it could be remediated. Little children learn quickly, eagerly and thoroughly - much more so than adults. They lack wisdom but they are very able learners if we give them the correct input to help their brains develop good skills and give info to them in a way that they can learn. The developmental profile laid out those steps for me and having learned that, I knew what to provide at each step for my child as he developed. If he was lacking a skill or an ability, I knew that through the God-given design of neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change and adapt to specific stimulation) I should be able to go back and provide the underlying missing pieces to help him leap ahead.
So my whole thinking about learning changed, as I became more and more involved in the neurodevelopmental approach to learning. My job as a parent was to provide input - input that was good and clean and adapted to the developmental level of the child. If I provided that input and given that underlying things were in place, the child would learn and learn well and learn fast.
It was very exciting to me. We could help children develop better and faster and actually approach historical levels of function for our children - levels that hadn't been seen for almost 50 to 100 years in skills of our forefathers. A little note: CS Lewis learned Latin and Greek at the age of 6y y/o. John Milton started learning Greek and Hebrew at the age of 3 because he could already read/write English. And this wasn't 'pushing' children - it was simply providing a learning environment that matched their God-given potential and abilities. For instance, everyone knows that little children learn languages better than adults, and learn them with proper grammar, syntax and lack of accent seldom achieved by adults.
So my whole thinking about learning changed from 'curriculum' –driven to 'skills development' . I wanted all children to be neurologically organized, have sensory issues resolved, have good auditory and visual processing and dominance in place and be able to read very well and do basic math very well as quickly as possible. With some of the techniques that we've developed over the years for children that are behind in learning, we've been able to put things together to also accelerate learning for 'normal' and 'gifted' children - I believe all children are 'gifted' as you can probably guess.
Once skill levels are high (and the child is neurologically organized) the children are essentially self-educating, which is or should be our goal anyway. They can learn easily and well no matter what we throw at them or what the rest of the world sends their way.
And it is not that we at ICAN came up with all of these things. We stand on the shoulders of giants of the previous generations of people doing this work. And we are still gathering information of people that have been off doing this type of work all on their own in isolated little groups for decades while the rest of the world plugged along with 'No Child Left Behind' and such things....
So as you plug along trying to do program with your child, who is behind or has issues, know that this work also has the potential to help all of your children learn better and faster and enjoy it more. It is very exciting to my colleagues and me. Uh, we are rather fanatic about it, which is required to do this work - ha, ha.
Your ND can give you ideas about how to help your other children learn more efficiently and quickly. Our general advice is to take a deep breath, step back and look at what you are really trying to accomplish with your other children and see if there is a more efficient way to reach that goal. Often, with my son, I'd just have him read a particular book on a subject which I wanted him to learn or I'd send him to a class or we'd spend 6 weeks studying one subject together if he needed help, or I'd simply read a book on the subject with him during our read aloud time
Bless you for all you are doing for your children. I pray that you find the answers you are looking for to help you smooth out the bumps in the road that this approach to learning has brought you. BUT, you ARE asking the right questions - the first step towards growing in this area.
And I often tell parents to not be afraid to ask for help from church members, fellow homeschoolers, friends, etc. Helping someone is a blessing but in our false sense of independence, we often don't want to ask for help when we need it. But remember the blessing aspect of helping and know that this is what the Lord would have us do.
Hope this helps. It is rather an 'around the barn' way of answering your question.
Many and continued blessings,
Kay - ND Atlanta
Brain Development and Learning
Learn how to apply what we know about brain development
to learning reading, math and other subjects.
Where and When? 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Two Opportunities:
Saturday, August 22 in Lakewood
CENTER FOR NEURO DEVELOPMENT
8907 Gravelly Lake Drive SW
Lakewood, Washington 98499
For directions: maggie@centerfordevelopment.com
(253) 581-1588
OR
Saturday, August 29 in Redmond
Randy and Joyce Eichenberger’s home in Redmond
For directions: eichenbe@verizon.net
(425) 881-9691
Browse excellent resources for more study!
How Much? $20.00 per family
(includes handouts)
Space is limited.
Send to: 8907 Gravelly Lake Drive SW
Lakewood, Washington 98499
(Or call with credit card information – (253) 581-1588)
Workshop Presenter? Maggie Dail, MA; ICAN Certified Neurodevelopmentalists Maggie has been teaching for 30 years in private schools and homeschooling groups. She and her husband, Ronnie operate Center for Neuro Development (formerly Master Enterprises Learning Center). She has an M.A. in Special Education. For more information call: (253) 581-1588 or e-mail: maggie@specialhelps.com. www.centerforneurodevelopment.com and www.specialhelps.com
Individualized Online Classes
? A Writer’s Guide To Powerful Paragraphs
? Biographies – 8 books and 8 essays
? Write Your Roots –by Carol Thaxton
? Learn to Write the Novel Way by Carol Thaxton
? Literature and Christianity 1 Tape/3 books/9 essays
? Writing Powerful Personal Narratives / College Applications
? Contemporary Issues and Position Papers
? How Should We Then Live and Position Papers
Courses may be customized. Contact us for details
2009-2010 Online Class –
ECONOMICS / COMPOSITION
Students read books and respond to questions posed by the instructor – short answer, paragraphs or essays – on a private yahoo group.
Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism
Uncle Eric’s: What Ever Happened to Penny Candy?; The Clipper Ship Strategy and The Money Mystery
Academy Northwest Classes
2009-2010
Tuesdays – 1:00-3:00
1st Semester - Life Practicum - .5 credit
2nd Semester - Integrated Science Lab – up to 1.0 Credit
Homeschool Helps Classes
Spanish – Family Fun with Conversational Spanish – Tuesday evenings 6:00-8:00
Elementary Class – This class covers a variety of areas using Charlotte Mason methods with elements of Classical Education. Thursday – 1:00-3:00
? Picture This – book of Bible and memory verses
? Logic Activities (Critical Thinking Press)
? Exposure to French, German and Spanish
? Latin and Greek Roots for English vocabulary
? Science Kit (www.homeschoolscience.com)
? Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer
Brain Training – Individualized (Diagnostic) Math, Language Arts or Neurodevelopmental Program – Up to 3 hour periods to provide a combination of neurodevelomentally friend stations and one-on-one time with teacher.
Up to 5 days a week. Monday – Thursday
10:00-1:00 or Monday – Friday 4:00-5:00
Classes and Seminars for Parents
Able to Teach – Family Academy’s parent qualifying class.
Offered as hybrid (class and online)at:
TCC in Tacoma and Gig Harbor
(253) 566-5020 and (253) 851-2424
Pierce College – South Hill Park
(253) 964-6502
and completely online through:
Cascade Bible College (Family Academy contact) (800) 877-4586
Homeschooling the High Schooler – contact us for information.
Maximize Your Child’s Learning Potential – 2 hour seminar. www.specialhelps.com (Offered free 2nd Monday evening of every month at the Center for Neuro Development at 6:00 p.m.)
Brain Development and Learning (Reading, Math, Other Subjects) – sometimes given as an all day or series of 2 hour seminars.
www.specialhelps.com
If you would like to offer a class in our building contact us:
Maggie@homeschoolhelps.com or (253) 581-1588
For more information about us: www.centerforneurodevelopment.com
ANW Tuition
ONE CREDIT OPTION PER SEMESTER $100.00
Full Load Option Per Year –
Registration - $90.00 (by 6/20)
$125.00 (after 6/20)
Tuition- $480.00
Homeschool Helps Tuition- Monthly
BRAIN TRAINING
– AM - 4 days a week –
– $300 per month
– OR
– PM - 5 days a week
– $200 per month
Ask about other payment options.
ANW Classes -Online or In Center
$75 month – each class
Non-ANW Online or In Center Classes
$50.00 – each class
Independent Classes
Homeschool Music Class Mrs. Aimee Wilkins
2nd – 4th Grade
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm, 55 minutes
September 22, 2009 – November 10, 2009
Class Fee $65
Class minimum: 10
This class is designed to teach basic music theory, beginning vocal technique, and performance. The final class will be a dress rehearsal for a culminating performance celebrating Veteran’s Day that evening. Younger siblings not eligible for class, but who have memorized the songs will be invited to participate in the final rehearsal and performance. Class fee includes a practice cd.
Homeschool Art Class - Mrs. Aimee Wilkins
2nd-4th Grade
Tuesdays, 2:15 p.m. 74 minutes
September 8, 2009 – November 10, 2009
Class Fee $85
Class minimum: 10
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Pablo Picasso
This hands-on course will introduce students to different mediums and modes of artistic expression. Ranging from one-dimensional portraits to three-dimensional sculptures, the students will enjoy learning while creating. Students will be required to bring basic supplies to each session, and will leave each week with at least one project they have created.
About Mrs. Aimee Wilkins:
Junior High/High School: Girl’s Ensemble, choir
1992 – 2000: I both sang and played for Sunday school, kid's camps, second grade classroom, elementary school chapel (K-6), and staff devotional/worship time.
2003-2007: I both sang and played guitar for Sunday school K-2 and Kids Summer Camp.
2003 – Present: I sing and play guitar for Women’s Ministry (groups of 200 to about 2,000)
I began taking voice lessons again in the fall of 2004 and have continued until present. I learned to play guitar after I graduated from high school, and have continued to gain knowledge through the years while playing with other professional musicians.
--
Maggie Dail, MA
ICAN Certified Neurodevelopmentalist
www.centerforneurodevelopment.com
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