"I first connected with Mary for academic support and help with my schoolwork. Things have improved exponentially since then. I was in a pretty rough place with getting my schoolwork done and turned in on time. Now I'm almost finished with college and I fully credit Mary for getting me to a place where I've fine-tuned my executive function skills in order to get my college degree. She's really been amazing, and I can't say enough about how Mary has impacted my life. She's been supportive in very productive and useful ways. Even on rough days she supports me through it, and we make a plan. Having someone like Mary to help you move along when you're stuck makes a world of difference."
Online course topics
*Sequence of topics may change
Week 1:
Executive Functions: Our Brain's Conductor
The first introduction to executive functions and how they impact learning. We'll address setting up a study area for better learning and organization, how kids can become independent, and how they can identify and manage school-related stress and anxiety.
Week 2:
How to Make it Stick: The Science of Learning and Why What We're Doing Now Doesn't Work
Week 2 focuses on research-based practices for improving learning and study skills, specifically how to prepare for tests and quizzes using active study strategies such as self-testing and practice. How to make learning "stick" and why what most of us do doesn't really work.
Week 3:
Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, and Calming the Mind: The Ultimate Happy Pill
Research shows nutrition, sleep routines, and stress all affect the developing brain. We give practical strategies to overcome challenges such as the morning routine, problems from not listening or not paying attention, 'losing it' over seemingly small situations, and resisting sleep or having difficulty sleeping.
Week 4:
Dropping the F-bomb: Why Failure is My Favorite Word
A look at why embracing failure and allowing ourselves to make mistakes is a critical part of the learning process. We discuss fear of failure and why it's important for kids to challenge themselves academically.
Week 5:
How to a Build A Child's Capacity for Literacy & the Language of Math
We explore the science behind reading and how the neural basis for reading changes as we grow. Kids can make deeper meaning and basic inferences from what they read through concrete strategies. We will explore the language of math and the importance of reading comprehension for strong math skills.
Week 6:
The Teenage Brain
Between hormones, neurotransmitters, and the brain's rewiring, the teenage years often create a period of stress and emotional upheaval. However, these years also offer a wonderful opportunity to harness the brain's restructuring and strengthening connections that lead to empowerment. Learn how this rewiring affects mood changes, strange responses, irrational reactions, and other odd behaviors that are completely normal and necessary to grow into adulthood.
Week 7:
Never Good Enough: Cultivating a Growth Mindset
We will examine the impact of negative thoughts in kids and the importance of developing a growth mindset. Learn practical ways children can change the internal dialogue about not being good enough and language that encourages a growth mindset.
Week 8:
How the Brain Learns: A Deeper Dive Into Executive Functions
Continued discussion of executive functions and how the brain learns. Week 8 explores special needs, high intelligence, and learning disabilities. Learn tools to promote self-control through verbalization and the neural basis for these behavior patterns.
Week 9:
How to Calm Your Brain: Is stress our friend, foe or frenemy:
Are you stressed? Do you get stressed thinking about stress? Does the need to relax actually stress you out more? In our hyperbusy society, we all know a calm brain is more productive and supports a healthy lifestyle, but how can we achieve it? And what does that even mean? We will investigate healthy stress, behaviors that support a healthy sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, and how to get out of our own way as we work towards our goals.
Week 10:
Defrag Your Brain: How to Manage Your Mind in a Distracted World
Further discussion of executive functions including the impact of anxiety and stress on children. How to identify stress and how children can calm their brain. Topical discussion of distraction and its impact on productivity and effectiveness. Why we struggle with distraction, the impact of technology, and how to take cognitive control by simplifying and incorporating 'old school' activities.