THE HUMAN TOUCH: The Heartbeat of Education. (For Teachers and Principals)
And for kids:
The Eye of the Storm!
Interview with Brad Hutchinson
Remember the first day you dropped your child off at kindergarten? What questions went through your head? Will she get the education needed to survive and thrive throughout life?
Now picture your child on a playground having fun, minding his own business. Suddenly a bully approaches to inflict pain; emotionally and physically. Is your child prepared? Are you prepared for the fall out?
As a teacher in the martial arts I hear many concerns like the ones above from parents.
Ultimately it comes down to...
Will your children stumble timidly through a mediocre life always looking to someone else for direction and happiness? Or, will they embrace…
- Leadership Qualities
- Self-Confidence
- Passion
- Curiosity
- Resourcefulness
- Accountability
- Teamwork
- Loyalty
- Openness
- Energy
Constant career change and rapid scientific advances will make tomorrow a great place for those that understand what is needed to thrive and survive.
It will be a scary place for those that don’t.
Before we go any further…
If you think that dropping your kids off at school and picking them up at the end of the day is enough to keep them safe and give them a proper education STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW!
Otherwise, take the time to read this through to the end. You will discover little-understood facts that can begin unveil the mysteries of your children’s (and your) potentials and free them from fear, anxiety, and underachievement.
By reading this right now you're one step closer to really helping your children succeed.
What you are about to discover is the single most beneficial skill your children could ever have. No matter what happens in their lives, once they have this skill they will always be able to wield its amazing power toward any goal or dream.
Yes, this engaging message can change your children’s lives forever. It is that powerful.
You will get a deeper sense of that truth as we move along.
The World of Change
The World of Change
There was more change in the last century than in all previous centuries, combined. The growth of information has changed from linear to exponential. It is estimated that we will see more change in the next 14 years than we did in the entire last century.
This accelerated and unstoppable pace of knowledge will have a profound influence on the shape our world takes from politics to warfare to medicine to health to education to the arts and beyond.
One thing for sure is that the future will look much different than anything we have seen in the past.
This new era requires new kinds of leaders; creative, cooperative individuals that are aligned in a quest for a better world. Yasuhiko Genku Kimura calls it Alignment Beyond Agreement.
That simply means that people can have different opinions but still be aligned toward a common goal or quest.
To see this principle in action go to any Sick Children’s Hospital. You will see men and women of different cultures, values, and opinions aligning themselves toward the healthy recovery of children. This is an effective model for any leader, especially leaders of the world.
This plurality and diversity of ideas creates synergy toward a common quest; a dynamic energy that pioneers pathways toward innovative solutions. As Einstein said, “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of consciousness that created them.”
Today, the world of politics, business, and culture is opinion centred. A mentality that says,
- “You’re either with us or against us!”
- "If you don't like the way things are run in this company, there's the door!"
- "Our religion reigns supreme; no others offer any value!"
It is our job as parents and educators to show children that they have power inside to enter this era with a sense of cooperation, responsibility, and enthusiasm.
They should know that they have the ability and inner strength to respond to any situation in life; never as the victim but as the driving force of their successful futures.
We need to show them the bridge.
To do this we need new educational tools. Fast!
There are many great caring teachers that want to help your children excel. They are frustrated. They are trapped by standardized methods in a system with many channels and levels of control. They are on the front lines taking orders from the ivory tower.
Changing Methods in the Public School System is like Trying to Turn the Titanic on a Dime
Beneficial information on how human beings learn is cascading toward us at ever faster rates. And the education system really does seem to want to embrace some of these changes.
After twenty-five years, however, they’re still grappling with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, the study of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and other modern discoveries of how human beings learn.
First they need the expensive study, the report, the arguments, the politicking, further studies, more reports…only to conclude that these theories are “not accepted within academic psychology.”
The following is a standard argument against Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory:
What that really means...
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and NLP are important discoveries that bring us closer to understanding how the brain works and how to help students learn.
When I walk into a classroom I can tell immediately if the teacher knows about NLP and Gardner’s Theories.
Her classroom is brightly lit with many different splashes of colour; pictures of children succeeding; positive affirmations abound; mind maps teaching math, English, science; there may even be intelligence-boosting classical music playing in the background…etc.
She would have paid money out of her own pocket for such “frills”, however.
The Greatest Discovery Ever
DISCLAIMER: There is no comprehensive and full grounding study in empirical research for this discovery; there is not a fully worked-through set of tests to identify and measure this discovery.
Use at Risk of Success.
The Greatest Discovery Ever states: We Become That Which We Think About Most of the Time.
Success Begins and Ends in the Mind
NLP has been studying the effects of positive self-talk and how it affects our physiology and emotional state for decades. There is a common thread that runs through most successful personal development programs today; whether it be relationship, financial, or emotional wellness programs. It simply states: Thoughts lead to Feelings which lead to Actions which lead to Results."
Thoughts®Feelings®Actions®Results
Is it any wonder that ADD/ADHD is on the rise? Some of the most creative kids I know have been drugged indolent because they don’t mould into a classroom of twenty to thirty other students. What do you think happens to self-esteem and confidence when we label children as being DEFICIENT or having a DISORDER?
Thoughts: I’m no good/stupid
Feelings: Inadequate feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, persistent saddness, pessimism...
Actions: Aggressive behaviour or silent retreat from the learning process; sometimes leading to depression.
Results: Continuous disciplinary actions and/or poor grades, hospitalization…or worse
…and the cycle of negative thoughts continues as insecure feelings follow them into adulthood. So language, instead of freeing the inner spirit to live its greater purpose, becomes a prison of repressed energy.
Eastern Philosophy says our bodies are channels of flowing energy. Chakras are the centers that function as pumps or valves, regulating proper flow of our energy systems. When energy is blocked by stress or repression it can create dis-ease in the body.
Believe me I know all about that. When I was fifteen years old I developed a five inch tumour in my neck and chest. [Hence my intimate understanding of how people of different cultures and values aligned them selves toward the quest of my recovery. …And a fine job they did :-)]
Reflecting back: I wasn’t good at school, my home life was kind of chaotic, but I had a strong sense of something very special inside; blocked creative energy with no avenue of expression. I internalized and BAM! Tumour.
For me it’s not hard to see why violent and anti-social behaviour is on the rise in our schools. We’re halting the natural energies of highly creative kids at the Thought level by telling them they have a DEFICIT or a DISORDER because they learn differently from others.
First was ADD. Then came the "H" for Hyperactive. How many more letters are we going to add before we realize labelling children with a disorder is counter productive?
Here’s an interesting statistic: Over 70% of people in prison were told at some point in their youth, “You’re going to end up in prison one day!”
Think there’s a connection?
Now, let’s move to the positive…
Positive Mind-Set®Opens the Heart to®Spread Wisdom/Love®Resulting in a Fulfilled Life
Thoughts: I’m powerful; I can affect change; I can rise to any challenge.
Feelings: High self-esteem, compassionate, empathetic, desire to help
Actions Continually moving toward success while lifting others in their wake
Results: A person that adds value to society on many different levels; a person that loves life
Negative and positive self-talk is self-perpetuating. This simply means the more you use it the more you will use it by habit. When children start early practicing and using positive affirmations they will attract wonderful things into their lives.
We Cannot Give Children Self-Esteem
We can tell children that they are great, beautiful, smart, deserving of great things in life, and are worthy of the highest love. But if they don’t feel it in their own minds and hearts our words are empty.
Self-Esteem comes from within. It’s how we value ourselves and our achievements. It is not enough to tell your children how good they are; they must tell themselves.
This is where stories can help.
Stories: The Key to Elucidation
Stories help us to safely process life experiences and the feelings that surround them. The ability to create, understand, and respond to stories is a central characteristics of learning.
Why are Stories So Captivating?
The human brain naturally perceives and latches onto patterns, like the plot sequences of stories. The mind engages—switches on—when presented with an interesting pattern. As the pattern is being played out the long-term memory is storing information. The brain is remarkable at processing stories.
It is the subconscious mind that does the work. An engaging plot-line distracts the conscious mind while activating an unconscious search for meaning and resources.
But there’s a problem…
We are bombarded daily with negative stories, most notably news stories. You see the brain does not discern between positive or negative patterns; it picks them all up. For example, have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you didn’t like?
What about an advertisement that drives you crazy? Do you think those advertisers are crazy? They know by engaging your thoughts and feelings, even if it's in a negative way, they have better control over your actions. The result? Look around your home. Why do you buy the products you use on a daily bases?
Going back to our Thoughts®Feelings®Actions®Results equation we can see how we can perpetuate negative results in our lives.
The Solution
It is impossible to eliminate all negative stories from our lives; in fact, negative stories also help us to learn important values. The key is balance. That way we have better control of our thoughts when presented with a negative story. We have mind-tools to think positively; to know that we can rise up in the face of challenge and adversity; to, "Never Say Die!" to our dreams…
Positive self-talk is the chisel that defines and shapes our self-image. It really is as simple as that. Remember we become that which we think of most of the time.
Here’s a powerful thought you can use every day: "Today I'm going to love my life." I learned that from Ted Nicholas. These seven words, used daily, can make a huge impact on your life.
We still have an unanswered problem. How do we get kids to use positive self-talk? How do we help raise their self-esteem?
One way is to study NLP and Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory with your children. Chapter-Books-for-Children is a growing website that studies new ways of learning like NLP and Gardner's multiple intelligences to help your children really understand their potentials; whether, at this point, they do well in school or not.
Learning together is a powerful tool to help your children build confidence and self-esteem. It is a meeting ground for your family and, as Brian Tracy recommends, provides daily “knee to knee” time with your children.
Another way is to enrol your children in the martial arts. And keep them there. I know parents that make the martial arts mandatory for their children until they are 16 years old.
Still another way is to present interesting patterns with positive messages strategically placed within. The evolution of children’s stories it at hand.
Rising to Success With Characters
When we follow characters in a story rising up through adversity and doubt to become successful we can see possibilities that we didn’t know were there. This is most important for children that feel helpless or confused.
Enter The Eye of the Storm, a fusion of visual art and literature that captivates children's imaginations and communicates positive messages in a powerful way.
“It’s smart how you write about stuff kids can relate to. Like how Johnny feels when Franklin is bullying him because everyone is bullied sometimes…The illustrations are great! I like how they give you a little clue of what is going to happen. The book is suspenseful as I have already said. I just can’t put it down!" –Megan, Grade Six Student
This story is a new tool that embraces Gardner's Intelligences and the essence of NLP. It deals with the strong emotions that children feel and can effectively model. It presents complex concepts—self-esteem, insecurity, bullying, responsibility, overcoming fear, environmental issues—in scenes children can understand.
"Some of the chapters remind me of a lot of things like in Helpless Johnny gets bullied[…]and sometimes I get bullied. Also some of the chapters actually gave me courage and bravery. Another message the book gave me is to never give up."--Shubdip, 11 Years Old
If You’re Looking for a Safe Way for Your Children to Explore Emotions and Behaviours that Lead to Better Grades and Higher Self-esteem then The Eye of the Storm is For You
The Eye of the Storm is a synthesis of words and visual images. Brain research of the 1990’s tells us that images leave the most unforgettable impressions in our memories.
We personally tested this story on a group of public school students. The story was read to them while the chapters' pictures were propped up for them to see.
Five months later we visited their class. On seeing just the chapter's picture they could recite the exact events of that chapter. Metaphorical prose combined with visual images is a powerful tool reach children.
The kids were also very happy to know that because of their input we changed the bully's name from Franklin to Mitch. ...something about Franklin reminding them of a friendly turtle from "the toddler's show"...
(For some completely honest, and entertaining remarks about the story you can go to the Testimonials Page.)
What Grade Level is this Story For?
Our research shows that Grade Six seems to be about the middle point to initiate this story into the classroom. Like any good metaphor, however, the concepts are ageless. For example, do your remember the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"?
Imagine for a moment the power and control your children would have in life if they could rise to any challenge with enthusiasm, energy, and confidence.
Now, picture your child being approached by a bigger, stronger person that aims to inflict harm. You are not around. There is no teacher around. It is only your child and the bully.
Imagine your child finding the strength and power inside to say, “Back Off!” with the conviction of a Lion protecting her cubs.
Now watch as the bully backs off and walks away. Without incident!
Can The Eye of the Storm really do this for children?
The Eye of the Storm was written under a simple premise dating back to Galileo: You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help her to find it within herself.
You, me, and public schools cannot give your children confidence and high self-esteem. We can only help them to find it within.
That is why discoveries like NLP and Gardner's Intelligence Theory are important. They give us all tools to help others find their own sources of power and control.
The Eye of the Storm is a self-discovery tool for children. Take the following quote from a grade six student after reading The Eye of the Storm:
"Your book has made me realize how and when it’s the right time to take responsibility, not just apologizing but finishing homework chores and etc. Your book also gave me the strength to continue in my situation, to solve it until the end (never say “die”)." –Sanjot, Grade Six Student
This story did not teach or give Sanjot anything. At no point in the story did I write, “You must take responsibility, not only with apologizing but finishing homework and chores.” That was something Sanjot took from the action of the story, through the events and emotions of the characters.
In closing let me tell you about one of my newest teachers; of the greatest martial artists I’ve ever known. And I do not say that lightly.
He is so in tune with the higher wisdom of the martial arts that I am in awe of his connection.
Here’s the story…
We were testing students a Beyond Kung Fu Studios. After a two hour test this six year old came up to proudly receive his yellow sash. This slight youngster is short for his age, wears thick glasses, and is at a reading level far beyond his years. In my eyes this kid is cute beyond the word’s meaning; to his classmates, a geek.
While tying the sash around his waist, I listen to Mike Cann, the studio's head instructor, tell this story (relayed by his grandfather).
One day the boy comes home a little dishevelled with, scuffs on his clothes. His grandfather asked concernedly, “How was your day?”
The boy replies, “Great!”
His grandfather asked about the scuffs.
“Oh that,” the boy replied. “I got pushed down to the ground and called names by another kid at school.”
“Didn’t that bother you?” the grandfather asked.
“Yeah,” the boy sighed.
“Tell me why,” the grandfather encouraged.
“Well,” started the six-year-old boy, “I was sad because I thought he must be having a really bad day to be acting like that.”
Read that response again, and again. This is enlightenment in the highest form. At six years old he is my newest teacher. There is no victim mentality whatsoever in that boy.
This is a true story. What if we all had that attitude at work, home, and in the community? What if we held our leaders to those standards? What would the world look like?
Do any of these ideas presented within this message resonate as true within you?
Given the information above, doesn’t it make sense to have The Eye of the Storm as a learning tool for you and your children?
Here’s my advice.
Start by uploading the PDF for only $4. There are a few reasons for this.
First you get to critique this story for only $4. Of course if it’s not all that we say it is we will refund your money. No questions asked. You risk nothing.
Second, once you read the story you will think about all the kids that you know that might really like it. If you buy one hard copy for $8.99 you will be missing out on the discount volume rate. Believe me, as you read the story you will think of kids that should have this book. Guaranteed!
Third, if you do decide you want hard copies, you will have the PDF that you can print off and let your kids colour, draw, and make notes on the bigger sheet of paper. This makes the story interactive and ensures that your child will own the concepts in this story.
Parents of toddlers are downloading this PDF to introduce new words to their young ones while they color in the pictures. They understand the positive impact starting early with children makes to future academics.
Again, we will refund your money if you are not completely satisfied with this product.
Sincerely,
Brad Hutchinson
P.S. If you Act Now I will give you access my book The Engaged Mind.
Absolutely FREE!
The Engaged Mind explores...- Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligece Theory
- Illuminates Five Principles of Mastery
- Uses Stories to Communicate Lasting Impressions of Personal Growth
- And much more...
P.P.S. Whether you purchase this story or not, I hope your children find the world a wondrous place filled with beauty, peace, and opening doors of opportunity.
All the Best!
If you would like more information go Here.
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