3 Tips For Helping Children
Embrace Their Unique Selves
Some small children don’t care what anyone thinks about them.
If they want to sing at the top of their lungs, they sing at the top of their lungs. If they want to wear a silly hat, mix-matched socks or gloves on a hot day, they do it – with no regard for how others might judge their eccentricities.
Somewhere along the line, though, most children long to fit in and begin to worry that their differences make them stand out – and not in a good way. So, they try to conform to what they perceive their peers or society expect from them.
“Unfortunately, in the process they begin to hide what makes them unique instead of embracing it,” says Jennifer Lynch, an educator, child advocate and author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com).
“They become embarrassed or sad about their differences, maybe feel that people think they are strange, and that other kids won’t like them or won’t play with them. And in truth, other children sometimes will bully a child who is seen as different.”
Lynch has served as an advocate for children in the court system, foster care and treatment facilities. In working with those children, many of whom are abused or neglected, she says, you often have to help them overcome their insecurities about their differences.
“It’s important for them and all children to believe in themselves,” she says. “They need to understand that different is okay. It’s our differences that make us special.”
This message is so universally important, Lynch says, that it became the theme of her children’s book, which is based on her daughters and their distinct personalities.
“My two girls are so unlike one another that it’s almost shocking,” she says. “It made me think back to the children I encounter in the court system who say they dislike or even hate themselves because they feel different from their peers or their siblings.”
Lynch says some of the ways parents or other adults can help children include:
Remind them that differences make people special. While it’s natural for children to long to fit in with their peers, Lynch says, it’s also important for them to understand that their individuality is what makes them unique. “Differences are interesting and life enriching,” she says. “Part of the message is that you should appreciate the diverse traits in everyone you know, and also appreciate what makes you special.”
Talk to them about the ways in which they shine. “Kids like talking about themselves,” Lynch says. “So get them involved in a conversation about what they are good at. Maybe that is sports. Maybe it is writing. Maybe they make good grades or they are a good big brother or friend. Whatever their special talent is, explore it with them so they know that there is something they do well.”
Encourage them to help other kids feel good about themselves. Young people can feel empowered not only by embracing their differences, but also by providing support and being a friend to others who are different.
“When you help a child pick out positive things about themselves,” Lynch says, “they begin to focus on that, not the hurtful things that weigh so heavy on their hearts and minds.”
About Jennifer Lynch
Jennifer Lynch, author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com), is an educator and child advocate who serves as a guardian ad litem, a person appointed to represent a child’s interests in a court case. She has worked as a special education teacher for an elementary school and as a preschool teacher. In addition, Lynch created the You Are Good brand of T-shirts and other products for sale and for donations. Thousands of the shirts have been donated to children and teenagers in the system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University.
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Start your Twilight night with The Monarch, Indie Ogden and O1ARTS for a celebration of art and music!
Enjoy tapas and wine pairings by WB's, The Monarch’s future wine cafe and coffee house, plus craft cocktails by New World Distillery.
Be the first to check out the INAUGURAL ISSUE of Indie Ogden's new monthly print magazine.
Enter a raffle to win VIP Passes to upcoming Twilight shows.
Tapas and two drink tickets are provided with your $5 donation to O1ARTS. Come early – space is limited to the first 150 people.
Chad Jones Knotty Alder
Chad Jones is a retired locomotive engineer and woodworker who builds stylistic furniture, particularly Windsor and Maloof style chairs. Fascinated by furniture design and excited by hands-on creation, Chad has turned his passion into a profession as he creates custom pieces for sale and teaches his artistry to others through his woodworking business, Knotty Alder.
Nine Rails Creative District
The Banyan Collective’s Podcast & Live Music Series, Van Sessions, takes place at The Monarch every month during Ogden’s First Friday Art Stroll. In this EPISODE from April 2019, Dave Garofalo, former guitarist of the Nashville-based pop/rock band SafetySuit, joined us in #TanVan on The Monarch’s Upper Deck for conversation and new music that “transports you out of place-ness and time-ness”.
Don't miss any of The Banyan Collective’s Arts & Adventure podcasts, including Van Sessions and Nine Rails Arts Podcast, as they share songs & stories from the heart of Ogden’s new Nine Rails Creative District!
Listen Here
More at The Monarch...
Tao of Maceo
June 2
Presented by O1ARTS:
Macio Paisley is an LA-based performance artist who investigates identity and culture through movement and language. His international tour stops in Ogden this weekend!
Win Tickets to Twilight
Social Media Contest
Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to enter our giveaway for two pairs of General Admission tickets to Dillon Francis on June 6th.
Van Sessions
June 7
Join The Banyan Collective for live music and podcasting every First Friday on the Upper Deck.
Ogden UnCon
June 7 - 9
Ogden's untamed and unconventional pop culture con is coming to The Monarch! Join us for the Saturday night VIP party.
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In the 1970’s, Finland had an economic crisis. The stakeholders concurred that education was the foundation to improve quality of life and build a sustainable society for all its citizens. To achieve education excellence, the Finns looked beyond academic achievement and built a new model that was equitable, accessible and flexible, giving priority to human well-being, quality of life and happiness. Today, Finland is one of the world’s leading models for quality education.
Global education publisher, advocate and futurist C.M. Rubin believes the world now faces a similar crisis. Since 2015, Rubin has been a contributor to the OECD’s four-year Future of Education and Skills 2030 study and the just released Learning Compass framework. The OECD’s new framework sets out a shared vision by widespread international stakeholders for what students should learn to be ready for the future. “Our planet faces numerous challenges as identified in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” says Rubin. “I believe that every global challenge we face, whether it be climate change, health and well-being, wealth inequality, gender equality, or peace and prosperity can be conquered if we are willing to pioneer new models of lifelong learning and assessment.” She adds, “Our world has changed. Smart machines have edged their way into virtually every domain. What makes us human now matters more than ever. We need to understand our complex problems and determine what kind of learning models will resolve them.”
Read the full article here
CMRubinWorld launched in 2010 to explore what kind of education would prepare students to succeed in a rapidly changing globalized world. Its award-winning series, The Global Search for Education, is a celebrated trailblazer in the renaissance of the 21st century, and occupies a special place in the pulse of key issues facing every nation and the collective future of all children. It connects today’s top thought leaders with a diverse global audience of parents, students and educators. Its highly readable platform allows for discourse concerning our highest ideals and the sustainable solutions we must engineer to achieve them. C. M. Rubin has published hundreds of interviews and articles discussing an expansive array of topics under a singular vision: when it comes to the world of children, there is always more work to be done.
Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter
For more information on CMRubinWorld
David Wine
CMRubinWorld
david(at)cmrubinworld(dot)com
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ALLEGIANT NONSTOP CONTINUES THE NONSTOP FUN
WITH SPECIAL SUMMER HOURS
WARREN, Mich. May 31, 2019 – Allegiant Nonstop kicks off the summer with some great new hours, so everyone can enjoy the family entertainment center all summer long. To celebrate, the company will be offering exclusive summer season passes.
“We’re thrilled to bring more fun to families with our special summer hours,” said Scott Sheldon, Allegiant chief operating officer. “We are beyond grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the Warren community. We know that residents will enjoy these new hours and take full advantage of all that Allegiant Nonstop has to offer.”
New Summer Hours begin June 17th:
Summer Promos:
Allegiant Nonstop offers nonstop fun for guests of all ages. With more than 100 arcade games, 10 string bowling lanes and a 647-foot-long racetrack, there is something to entertain every person in the family. Book your next birthday party or corporate event to experience the adventure firsthand and create more memories for you and all your guests. For booking and more information, visit playnonstop.com.
*About the All-Day PLAY Daily Pass
Only available Mondays-Wednesday from May 27, 2019 through September 2, 2019. Includes VR rides, go-karts, toddler area, bumper cars, laser tag, miniature golf and climbing wall. Purchase and redeem in-store.
Allegiant Nonstop
Allegiant Nonstop is a family entertainment center appealing to thrill seekers of all ages. Nonstop locations include multi-story laser tag arenas, bowling, go-karts, black-light mini golf, escape rooms, climbing walls, virtual reality bays, soft-play areas for the little ones and more than 100 different types of arcade games. From a restaurant to a snack shop and soda bars, there are enough food and beverage options to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. For more information, visit playnonstop.com or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
* Only available Mondays-Wednesday from May 27, 2019 through September 2, 2019. Includes VR rides, go-karts, toddler area, bumper cars, laser tag, miniature golf, and climbing wall. Purchase and redeem in-store.
