Category: Uncategorized

Beginnings
Acrylic, 30” by 40” / $ 499

When families were cave dwellers they developed communal mores and ways of communication that enabled the entire group to thrive.

Just Say Please
At a party a while ago I observed a father jump out of his chair and grab his daughter’s cell phone. She was texting a friend when he explained that it was a rude thing to do in the midst of company. After giving her several warnings, all of which were ignored, he took action. I wish he was there remove the phone from the woman sitting next to me at a luncheon and lecture I attended this week. She never looked up from her device to even say hello.
I applaud this father. How many parents do you know are willing to teach their kids common courtesies and follow through when they aren’t practiced? How often have you heard children talk back to their parents in loud angry voices or pout until they get their way? Slouching, mumbling responses and dressing in a way that says,” I don’t care what you think!” is the norm in may households.

Teachers, school principals and parents have lost their authority and acquiesce when confronting their children’s demands. These same parents defend their offspring against reprimand and punishment from authority even when their child is at fault. Do you wonder, as I do, what this does to youth raised in this manner? Do they learn to respect others and develop boundaries for themselves?

A Nigerian friend of mine once told me that in his country if a child visited a friend’s house, the friend’s parents were more strict than their own. It was ingrained in the culture that you pay close attention to the behavior of visiting children. Attention to conduct is viewed as a sign of caring.

Watching the interaction of adults in our own country is often a lesson in how to ignore the needs of others. The likelihood that a traveler will get out of his or her seat on a crowded bus or train to give pregnant woman or elderly person is miniscule. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic and road rage is practiced on our highways with regularity. And cursing is common, not only in the movies, on YouTube and TV, but among politicians and within many American households. Fuck you brings a laugh to comedians and rappers that is copied by the young but inflicts great harm to the comment’s recipient. As a child my mother washed my mouth out with soap if I uttered a curse word. As far as I can tell the concept of “do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is gone from many American families. But what mores do Americans cherish?

When asked if the main values held by society are pleasure and instant gratification, according to debate.org, 85% of people responded yes to this query. When questioned further they said that most Americans think it is OK to do whatever you want, whether it is pushing people aside when in a line, closing a door in someone’s face rather than holding open for the next person, engaging in non-committal sex, or sitting alone doing nothing for hours a day. It is not unusual to find students arriving late to class unconcerned about the lack of respect they are showing their instructor. Respondents add that social media is a place that encourages narcissism where it is easy to post endless selfies that receive accolades from thousands of friends who are basically unknown to you.

The remaining 15 percent responded to the question by answering no, that values are simply evolving and that we are in a period of transition. They believe it is only the older generation who think they are deteriorating because they’re not what they used to be when they were young. What do you think about this issue?

Following is a quote by an unknown person. “In school they call it bullying but at work they call it upper level management. This statement to be true for many people I know and am continuously surprised that businesses believe they can maintain a committed workforce by treating their employees poorly. Taking into account the whole person is not only humane but it tends to increase an individual’s willingness to put forth effort. There are many conditions affecting those engaged in work.

According to Small Business Chronicle at the University of San Francisco, courtesy falls by the wayside when people have personal problems at home. Managers are advised to demonstrate courtesy by paying attention to their employee’s state of mind. Worksites are encouraged to institutionalize ways of celebrating good happenings more often (everything from birthdays to dedication and hard work). Managers are taught to say thank you and to sprinkle verbal acknowledgments liberally as a sign for respect for co-workers. These small courtesies should be practiced within the home as well.

Technology usage demonstrating insensitivity to others appears to be an escalating problem within the workplace. The University’s business school stresses proper use of English in emails, avoidance of slang and emotional statements, turning off personal cellphones during work hours, and wearing headphones when listening to the radio. Again, this is good advice to observe at home, especially during mealtimes and while having a conversation. Patience is a learned virtue. Responses to texts and phone messages can easily be postponed. What’s the big hurry anyway?

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read that State of New Jersey, Civil Service Commission charges $159 for a six hour class in respect and professionalism. The class includes teaching students small things like learning to say “please” and “thank you” and larger issues such as how to communicate decisions. Does it surprise you that people need to enroll in this type of course?

Why aren’t children being raised to be courteous? Who is to blame? Parents? teachers? Actors? Religious leaders? Politicians certainly set a bad example to the nation by their bickering uncourteous behavior in congress. With this type of leadership in our nation’s capital it is not surprising that throughout the U.S. bullying and fighting take the place of conversation, compromise, and respect for differing opinions.

Resources:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/demonstrating-courtesy-respect-workplace-34529.html – courtesy and respect in the workplace.
http://www.state.nj.us/csc/employees/training/classroom/respect_and_professionalism.html – Course on respect and professionalism.

Art work is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
Please respond below to this blog.
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For sale on Amazon by Marilynne Eichinger: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. G0to AMAZON. What is it like to live on the streets? How do we help so many young people escape a life of hopelessness?

Twin Stars                                                                                                                                                            16” by 20”/ acrylic on canvas, $ 299                                                                                                    Explosions are commonplace in the heavens as it now seems to be on earth.

The Explosion

Is traffic horrendous in your neighborhood? Over the three few years thousands of vehicles invaded Portland. No longer do out-of-towners listen to the words of Tom McCall who said, “Come visit us again and again. This is a state of excitement. But for heaven’s sake, don’t come here to live.” Lured to our state because of its livability, water, and mild climate people from all over the country, yes, even the world are resettling here. The freeways are bumper to bumper at all times of the day. Impatient drivers weave in and out of lanes, ignoring the speed limit and forgetting that Portland is a city known for its civility.

Newcomers do not understand how to respond to a four way stop sign and they don’t wait for pedestrians in a cross walk. As a result of their negligence fatalities are up.
These invaders come with money from the sale of their expensive California houses and raise the price of local real estate. They purchase investment property and increase the cost of doing business in Portland or they come with nothing and join the ranks of the street population. According to Portland’s region growth plans what we are experiencing is only the beginning.

“Metro (using their Metroscope model) forecasts total households in the three-county region in 2035 will be between 1.3 and 1.5 million, an increase of between 56 and 74 percent. The model projects total households in the City of Portland will be between 345,000 and 376,000, an increase of 44 to 57 percent from the 2005 baseline of 240,000 households.”

My guess (and you can confirm this by responding to this blog), is that there are similar difficulties throughout the country and internationally. I just received the latest newsletter from the Population Institute. Chair and CEO, William N. Ryerson claims that the migrant crisis is record-setting with in excess of 60 million people leaving their homes last year seeking safety or refuge. News reports focus on the one-third driven by war but the other 40,000 are fleeing their homes because of drought, flooding, hunger, or severe poverty.
Wonder what the world’s projection is for the year 2050, just 35 years from now?

Demographers project the population increase to equal the current populations of China and India combined, a total of more than 2.5 billion people. Much of the growth will occur in developing nations where pressures from widespread famine will only get worse. These countries are the ones that become hotbeds for terrorist activities and crime.

With statistics like these I question why population control is such a taboo subject? I believe it is time to talk more openly about everything from family planning to care of the poor, elderly and migrating masses. Should people be kept alive if their quality of life had diminished? Can we and should we limit the size of our cities? Is growth inevitable and we just have to get used to it or is there a mechanism for planning sustainable, livable communities? I hate to think that we will be like the Chinese and build gated communities for 500,000 or one million people. But it could come to that if we don’t plan now.

references:
http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/former-governor-tom-mccall-message-visitors/ – Tom McCall’s message to visitors.
https://www.populationinstitute.org/demovulnerability/ – Population Institute report
http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?a=288097&c=52256– Portland Population Projections.

                 Your thoughts? please respond below.


Art is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com.
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For sale on Amazon by Marilynne Eichinger: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. Go to AMAZON. What is it like to live on the streets? How do we help young people escape a life of hopelessness?

The Lovers                                                                                                                                                                                                      three dimensional multi-media picture/  24″ by 28″ /$ 450

The Importance of Love

Most of us are fortunate for we have experienced love.   As children we had family members who held and cherished us. As adults we found partners and formed bonds based on love. Have you ever stopped to think about what happens to those children who are never held or told that they are special.

In my search to understand the root cause of youth homelessness I wondered about the long term effects of never being touched or cuddled? or being neglected or abandoned?

A cornerstone study about infant neglect began in the 1980s when Dr. Nathan Fox from Harvard Medical School along with colleagues walked into an orphanage in Romania. Due to the country’s ban on abortion the number of orphan babies had soared. 170,000 children were in 700 overcrowded and impoverished facilities across the country without sufficient caretakers. Though the facilities were clean the infants were emotionally neglected. Left all day in their cribs the babies were changed periodically and fed without being held. The nurseries were eerily quiet places. Crying babies were ignored and so they stopped making sounds since crying didn’t produce attention.

Dr. Fox and colleagues have been following these children for over fourteen years. In the beginning they saw autistic-like behaviors such as head-banging and rocking. As the children grew their head circumferences remained unusually small. They had difficulty paying attention and comprehending what was going on around them. Over time, 50 percent of the children suffered from mental illness. They displayed poor impulse control, were socially withdrawn, had problems coping and regulating their emotions and were shrouded in low self-esteem. Pathological behaviors manifested themselves such as tics, tantrums, stealing and self-punishment. Their intellectual function was poor giving rise to low academic achievement.

Those children who were lucky enough to be put in a loving foster home before the age of two were able to rebound. Their brain’s electrical matter as seen on MRIs looked normal by the time they were eight. However, those who entered foster care later where not so lucky. They were left with permanent damage.

Closer to home is the Perry Preschool Project in conjunction with Nurse Family Practitioners. Children were followed until the age of forty with many successful interventions developed through the the years. Researchers concluded that, “without repeated acts of love, a child’s brain doesn’t make the growth hormone needed for proper mental and physical development.” Without it children are left permanently scarred.

Even small insults of shame and rejection can impact a youngster’s ability to survive. Verbal abuse from parents such as, “I can’t believe you embarrass me like that.” or “You Idiot! Who do you think you are?” hurts and affects a child’s self-esteem. These children are the ones who grow up to be cruel to animals, set fires, take drugs or simply withdraw into themselves.

Is there hope for these youngsters? Psychologist Philip Fisher at the University of Oregon has been studying the corrosive levels of abused children. He claims that their abnormal levels can be impacted by reducing stress, their own as well as that of their are care givers. Educating natural and foster parents so that they understand what happened to the child helps them realize that they are not dealing with a normal brain. Instead the youngster make the same mistakes over and over again, the frustrated adult is taught patience. They are shown how to reduce their own stress levels as well as that of the child. Behavior modification programs, reward systems and support groups provide positive paths that can replace feelings of hopelessness. Targeted interventions such as computer-based brain training games also help some malfunctioning children learn to tune into the cues they are missing. Quite a bit of work is being done in this field with positive results mounting.

For those of us who are fortunate, let’s take nothing for granted. Giving and receiving love is a blessing to be cherished. Happy Walentine’s Day to you with all my love.

For sale on Amazon by Marilynne Eichinger: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. $2.99  Go to Amazon.

 

 

References:

http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/06/neglect.aspx:
Drs. Nathan Fox, Charles Zeanah and Charles Nelson study of Romanian orphans.

http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/24/the-measure-of-a-mothers-love-how-early-deprivation-derails-child-development/ – Lack of Love.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9145.html – Rand published research on education programs that work. – Early interventions for at risk children.

http://evidencebasedprograms.org/1366-2/65-2 -Perry School and Nurse Family Partnership

 

The True Story of Streetwise, Overcoming homelessness and beating the odds is the tale of a twenty year old boy who lived on the streets of Washington and Oregon for four years. Though wise to ways of the streets, he was incapable of carrying on a sustainable life style. At one time he considered going to jail in to get roof over his head and three meals a day.

Several years ago my partner and I became involved with his saga as he passed  before our car.  After observing his unsteady walk we determined that he was ill and invited the boy home to nurse back to health.  Once healed, we were unable to turn him out during the cold, rainy month of November. Instead we embarked on a four year difficult adventure. Yet, through determination and perseverance Streetwise eventually evolved. In reading this book you will share our heartaches and excitement as he transformed into a contributing member of society.   We now consider Streetwise our hero, for he gives as much as he ever received.
Author: Marilynne Eichinger

To purchase for $ 1.25 go to :
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AAXMJOG

I AM AS I BECOME

Creativity Insight

In Life as a Museum Junkie,I  discuss creativity and the ability to problem solve. The subject is important since I embraced career that valued inventiveness and honored ideas. Though I thought of myself as a creative person, I was always afraid of losing my edge and be unable to solve the complex issues that faced me daily. As an artist I wondered about the source of my next inspiration, concerned about my ability to express on canvas the thoughts I had in my mind.

I spent quite a bit of time researching what makes one person more creative than another. I wondered if creativity could be learned or if it was entirely a genetic gift given to you from your parents. What I discerned is that not only does environment plays a big role in developing the ability to think creatively but that there are tricks to be learned that can stimulate the imaginative process.

An example –  A practice that can stimulate imaginative thinking, is to identify two unrelated activities and braid them together in order to create a new entity. The problem  is to find a new use for those hollow plastic eggs ( activity #1) that surface at Easter and Christmas waiting to be filled with candy. The second pairing  (activity #2) is to let your mind take a mental walk through the isles of a supermarket while trying to solve the problem. When my creativity class tried this exercise we came up with 86 suggestions including a holder for plant starts, a baby mobile, and musical rattles.

The challenge to remain creative remains with me in retirement and fear of losing my way enters my consciousness every once in a while. But recently I had a
prolific experience that has put these fears to rest. It added to my understanding of creativity and made me realize that just because I am older does not mean enduring a life of mediocre thinking. It reinforced the exercise I learned earlier, that of putting together of two disparate entities to develop a solution to a problem.

Today’s problem: Most of my writing to date is labeled as non-fiction. When attending writing critique groups I am constantly being told to put more emotion into the words of my tales and to write more like a fiction writer. Listening to others whose fertile minds produce fictional stories often mesmerizes me. I admire their work immensely, wishing I could be as inventive, but to date have been afraid try.
The introduced element: In addition to writing I exercise daily. Recently I joined a new class offered by my NIA (Non-Impact Aroebic) instructor. She asks students to dance freely and emotionally for an hour. It was quite difficult at first and I asked myself how was I going to survive the class? At 7 AM I do not feel very emotional and am mainly pleased to be able to get myself out of bed at 6:15 in order to arrive at my club in time.

I decided that the only way to generate emotional feelings  is to make up a story and dance to it. So I concocted in my mind a crazy trip to the mountains where I discovered a small hole in the rocks that upon entering its narrow passageway winds up in a cathedral like cavern. I had to enter the passage way with daring, crawling like a worm, continuing through the black cave in fear. I cried out in exasperation with myself. But as I continued there was the ecstasy when I imagined coming to a large cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites, lit by a stream of light from above. You probably get the idea by now. The story was a prop to get me to dance my emotions, but what really surprised me as I worked out the details of my tale and started to add complexity to the story, is that I wanted to go home and write it down.

Now I have the start of a novel that has intrigue, mystery, good and mean characters. It is so much fun to work on that I find it difficult to do anything else. When I get stuck and can’t understanding my characters’ intention or emotions I take the situation to the next class and dance it out, realizing that the characters are all a part of my own psyche. Now I find that both exercise and writing routines are thriving in each other’s company, and I am pleased to have discovered another trick to add to my arsenal to maintain creativity.

Each of you, my readers, may have developed your own tricks to help you come up with new ideas or ways to solve problems. It would be wonderful if you would share them below.

The photo above is was made while sitting in an airplane and messing around with my tablet.

First Fight
Acrylic Painting 36” x 25” : $ 425.
Anger can underline an issue but if not dealt with in a timely manner it festers over time and becomes destructive.

Finding a solution

The issue of gay marriage has been controversial for much too long. It seems to me that there is a simple solution that should take it out of the realm of moral imperatives and put it in its rightful societal place. This subject does not have to be such an emotional and divisive one.

If our country really accepts the doctrine of separation of church and state then why not get government out of the business of issuing marriage certificates? It would take the sting out of the word “marriage” if a civil license was given to any two people who found it beneficial to live together in an economic union. Rights would be spelled out involving health benefits, social security, hospital visitations, ownership of property and children. The license would be a binding agreement that clarifies legal instead of moral responsibilities. The couple would not have to declare themselves to be pillow partners. Those issuing government licenses would not have their religious beliefs called into question.

Instead it would be up to the churches to issue marriage licenses. In this way, a religion that preaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, would have the right to follow its conviction. One with a more liberal interpretation could condone gay marriages. Followers of each denomination would feel satisfied that their beliefs were being fully taken into account. A government clerk would not be asked to act against his or her beliefs.

There are many people besides marriageable male-female or gay couples who might benefit from a civil license. I know of older  people who have lost their spouses. Not wanting to remarry, they might benefit from a legal document to bind their current co-habitation situation. It may be that they are living with another man or woman of the same or opposite sex purely for economic and friendship reasons.

Others who might benefit are  those who are asexual or severely handicapped individuals who may prefer not to marry yet want to live  with a partner without being looked at in a questioning way.  There are many gay men or lesbian women who prefer to reside with someone of the opposite sex even though their relationship is asexual. They may be the best of friends who are devoted to the wellbeing of their chosen companion.   Various relationships that are presently studded with emotional and complex innuendos could benefit from the more tolerant approach of a civil union . . . one that is not burdened by a definition that challenges our Judeo-Christian heritage.

Since this is a controversial subject I would appreciate hearing your opinions.

For more information about the art go to eichingerfineart.com.

Five Men in a Tub
A team out to master the seas
acrylic painting 42” by 54” $ 750.

Mastery Part II – The Team
Last week I discussed what makes individuals willing to work extremely hard to achieve mastery. We explored why some people are driven set goals for virtuosity. There is a second type of mastery, however, one that goes beyond individual skills and relies on team effort. An orchestra, for instance, will sound chaotic if the players do not work together to achieve one coordinated aim. Successful businesses bring people together to balance their skills. So, you individualists, this is a reminder that even geniuses like Einstein do not work alone.

As a young woman I used to hang out in a place in Michigan called Synergy. The founder, Bob, believed that communicating with others in a relaxed environment would create synergistic results more profound than the sum of the individual contributions. Japanese businesses act similarly when they conclude their day in bars, giving workers freedom to express their opinions and ideas. The managers not only get a rich variety of work related grievances and suggestions, but increase staff bonding, a prerequisite for strong teamwork.

Numerous studies conducted in medical and mental related health fields show advantages to participating in group rather than private practice. Not only is a joint practice convenient, but it provides economies of scale in dealing with management, marketing, negotiating, and shared risk-taking. And since access to peer consultation is easy, the client also benefits.

What makes a team flourish, and why would anyone be willing to give up control for the benefit of a group? Those joining a dance company or orchestra do so realizing the advantages of following a choreographer or conductor. Actors submit themselves to a director anticipating that the team will excel as a creative unit. Surgery is conducted by a group of surgeons and nurses assembled for their individual skills. In each of these cases we are talking about professionals who have achieved mastery in their respective fields and have acknowledged the need for being part of a team.

But what happens to those working for minimum wage? Can a manager orchestrate an uneducated, unmotivated staff to want to achieve mastery? When asking these questions I think about a fast food restaurant I visited on a recent trip to Seattle. I noticed that it was particularly clean. Customers were treated with smiles and efficient service demonstrating good management. Pleasant treatment by service providers made me feel welcome and ready to return the next time I traveled north.

How do managers bring about this state of excellence? Disney Institute has become masterful at nurturing such a culture. Though stressing service, they also promote happiness and fun. At McDonalds’ Hamburger University trainees focus on management skills and employee recognition. They also stress that minimum wage jobs are the first step to career advancement so that no one feels to be in a dead end situation.

Paired with operational acumen these facilities indoctrinate trainees in the values of the organization. Their goal is to inspire employees to work for a higher cause than just a paycheck. Building a “family” mentality is part of the indoctrination. Since most people are communal and enjoy the company of others, jokes and laughter go a long way towards reducing workplace stress. Joy and pride are infectious and create and an atmosphere that encourages relaxed attention to jobs. The most effective boards I served on were those where the trustees liked each other and gathered socially and for business dealings.

Jobs at any level change from drudgery to enjoyment when worker needs are are taken into account. The good leader engages in designing a growth path with each employee. A manager who understands worker motivations can assist the employee find meaning in the job. Scholarship opportunities, management training programs, letters of reference, recognition, acknowledgment of value by listening, picnics, after-work sport teams are additional methods used to build team loyalty. Companies like Nike and Google go to the extreme to create campuses that promote “ family” values. Exercise areas, child care, restaurants, tasteful art and a variety of down-time locations make work an enjoyable place to build friendships. Staying long hours at work is not so bad when you think of it as a social/job commitment.

Women engaged in quilting circles know that busy hands and friendly conversation help pass the day. The Amish participating in barn raisings and other communal activities benefit from work party camaraderie. Building relationships of trust and friendship rather than fear or power is the first step needed to establish a close team.

This message was brought home by accident one year when Chinese businessmen, visited my home to discuss plans for a joint venture. While we were sharing a cup of tea I happened to point to an orchid I had been given me as a gift. I mentioned that it was an amazing plant because it had never stopped blooming over the year. One of my guests immediately started to grin and told me that I had been caring for an artificial plant. “Hadn’t I felt the petals?” he asked. I said that I had not because I was afraid of getting brown spots on the leaves. At this response everyone had a good laugh over the incident. From that moment on, every time I visited them in Hong Kong, the first question I was teased with was, “How is you orchid doing?” My naïvety was fortuitous, because it showed my vulnerability, indicated that I was willing to acknowledge my mistake and could take a ribbing as well. I instantly became more than just a business acquaintance and was on my way to establishing a bond that led to years of lucrative contracts.

Team building as an art is done well by those who enjoy the quirkiness of human nature. A successful manager involves employees in establishing the standards of performance they are expected to abide by. At my catalog company our mission and values statements was discussed several times a year. It was not unusual for the document to be amended and re-signed by all present. By including new staff in the conversation they understood that their presence made a difference. Each addition to our team changed the group’s dynamic and adjustments often needed to be made.

There were times I worked with people who were not team players yet were valuable to our organization. When this occurred, special accommodations had to be made. At times staff became jealous of the privileges given to these mavericks. It took skill to help them accept idiosyncratic behavior much as they would for a disabled person. In one situation the employee had a public persona that brought prestige to our organization. In another case, an anti-social individual happened to be highly creative when working by himself. Every person initiates a unique challenge.

Team builders are dreamers who are flexible course-correctors, and they are problem solvers who understand when and how to push. At Job Corps I watched an instructor propel children with tough love. He skillfully defined the roles and responsibilities for each student, then provided praise when warranted and dealt out push-ups and loss of privileges for misbehavior. He was a good communicator and active in providing honest feedback with two-way opportunities for exchange. Students were encouraged to work as a team and were expected to help one another. His methods worked well, for he had more youth graduating from his classes than any other instructor at the center.

Lastly and most important, success has to be celebrated. It is common to think that just doing a job and getting paid for it is enough. It is not. Instead, step back periodically and reflect on why things went well. In my catalog company we had annual wrap-up sessions to discuss the state of affairs, and then honored our successes with group outings to celebrate a year of hard work.

Just as with your own family, share the happy times, the birthdays and anniversaries, and don’t just be there for the funerals. Whether in a work environment or at home it is good to remember that we only have so many years to live, so why not make them pleasant?

Art Work is always for sale: contact me at marilynne@eichingerfine.com  or go to my web site eichingerfineart.com for more information.

It is wonderful hearing from my readers. Please fee free to comment.

References:

http://www.apapracticecentral.org/business/management/group-advantage.aspx – Group vs. individual practice.

http://mitsloanexperts.mit.edu/changing-a-companys-dna-to-inspire-teamwork/ about how to inspire people to work together.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/10/01/6-ways-successful-teams-are-built-to-last/ – creating a successful team.

 Spirit Child

 High energy children are surprising. Who knows what they will become after overcoming the childhood stigma of being diagnosed as hyperactive?

All Children are Not Created Equal

All children are not created equal. Some appear to have an easy time with life while others struggle with hidden demons in a less than tolerant society.

I’ve observed a great many children both at home and in the museum and noticed how the calm and collected ones were able to concentrate, grasp ideas quickly and complete what was expected of them. They received good grades in school, learned to play instruments, joined soccer teams, had lots of friends and appeared to float through their school years. By continuously receiving positive feedback they developed strong egos and gained enough confidence to tackle new challenges. Teachers and family members found it easy to love these children and they took pride in their achievements.

Unfortunately, there were those who presented quite a different challenge, especially when they bounced around the room uncontrollably. These children were often diagnosed as being attention deficit and hyperactive. I disliked the idea that they were being labeled ADHD at a young age and wondered if that stigma would last for their entire lifetime? These children were often very bright, but their intelligence was not always appreciated by teachers because behavior problems got in the way.

Unfortunately, public classrooms are large and overworked teachers want attentive students who can focus and not cause a disturbance. Energetic kids, however, have other ideas. They want to get out of their seat and move around the room. At times they create trouble because it is the best way to get attention. Ofttimes their difficulties are the result of boredom because their intelligence has never been recognized. The assigned work can feel like a punishment to them. These children are quite often hands-on or participatory learners rather than sit-in-your-desk, read and write in workbooks type of kids. But because they wiggle about, words of praise are seldom sent in their direction.

One year when one of my sons was in fourth grade, children were being tested for admittance to the school’s TAG program. His teacher did not think he was bright enough to pass the admission exam. My husband and I insisted that he get tested, and bingo, he was a top scorer. His teacher was surprised, but once the results were returned she treated him differently. His TAG opportunities were excellent, and were such that all children should have had the chance to experience since they were organized to promote individual achievement rather than failure.

I too am a highly energetic person. It is difficult for me to sit still for long periods of time. As a professional I served on a great many community boards. When asked to attend day- long meetings I found sitting in one place to be painful. I had to move about, and would often be the only person standing at the back of the room while listening to the proceedings. At my desk I sit on a large inflated ball rather than a chair because it is unstable and moves constantly, requiring physical adjustment for balance.

I have a great deal of empathy for energetic children who are forced to fit into a be-still mold. When I complained about my child’s classroom difficulties, a physician once told me, “ Your son is just the type of person who will be successful as an adult.” He went on to say that my child’s energy would get focused and boredom would be overcome as he embraced activities that he enjoyed. “His exuberance will transform into leadership qualities that will motivate others.” he said. And yes…his prediction came true. My son is successful in a job that requires intense concentration, and he does demonstrate leadership qualities.

Some schools embrace alternative educational approaches for their students. They develop ways of working with energetic students wit the goal of leaving no child behind. Their enlightened educators reinforce achievements, permit movement, and integrate lesson plans that speak to individual learning styles. They acknowledge that attention and behavior problems are often the result of the system and not the child.

Family members living with energetic children with behavior difficulties might consider using a behavior modification approach that reinforces achievements and celebrates the wonderful individuality of their child. Though it may take effort to implement such a program, when practiced in a consistent manner the results will eventually bring a great deal of happiness to your family. But most of all, remember to love and praise these children for all of the wonderful things they can do well.

This article concerns ADHD children, but there are many other disabilities and talents found in a classroom. Serving the individual needs of students is a matter of organization, and there are many successful examples of how this can be done. I find no excuse for putting children in a mold. For example there are 475 public schools that operate Montessori Programs. There are elementary schools that have grade level home room and gym activities, but their students travel to achievement level classes for academic studies. In middle and high schools, vocational training can be integrated with scholastic programs. There is benefit from having children learn to use shop tools and kitchen utensils. These participatory classes get children out of their seats, understand the practical side of life, and let them move around. In all instances, the student should be put on the pedestal taught to his or her needs. Isn’t it time to think creatively so we can stem the drop-out tide by serving our children well?

Please let me know your thought on this subject by going to eichingerfineart.com/blog and responding.

For more information go to:

http://www.adhdandyou.com/hcp/adhd-behavior-modification.aspx – ADHD and You from US Healthcare Professionals- Behavior modification plan for ADHD children.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/setting-up-a-behavior-management-plan-for-an-adhd-child/0002182 – Psych Central – Behavior management plan for children with ADHD.

http://www.public-montessori.org – For Montessori in the public schools.

http://www.montessori-namta.org/Montessori-Implementation – 10 Steps to implementing Montessori in the public schools.

The Barnyard
by Marilynne Eichinger

Think STEAM

Recently I read about a pioneer family that homesteaded in Colorado in the 1800sT. he book focused on the life of a ten-year-old who assisted his father erect their prairie home, complete with barn, fences, and sheds. As a youth he watched a dowser use two rods to locate water and then helped dig the family well. The boy had neither time nor need to play with blocks or science apparatus when practical objects had to be assembled and serviced. By living with nature, he became aware of cloud formations and the weather’s impact on planting and harvesting. Cycles of bird migration and birthing habits of lambs and other livestock were part of his domain. During the era of western settlement, construction and farm skills were passed down from father to son. Sewing, preserving, medical and cooking accomplishments went from mother to daughter. In both cases innovation was was a result of multi-generational cooperation.

My partner Ray grew up on the edge of a gravel pit that created similar experiences for him. Since his father owned quarry, at a young age he was taught to crush rocks, fix machines, and even drive tractors. Today he can repair most small engines and is a useful man to have around the house. When we hire contractors to do repairs, Ray watches them attentively, making sure that they do not cut corners and that the work is completed as promised. “Build it right the first time,” he instructs.

Town-raised children have little contact with farming or, as in Ray’s case, gravel mining. My father was a physician and had to trust tradesmen, who were not always trustworthy, to complete work around our house. The contractors my parents hired often had several jobs going at the same time, causing them to jump from one location to the next paying customer, trying to keep all of them satisfied. The company owners were often adept at doublespeak and disguised the limitations of their knowledge. In later years, it always surprised me, when faced with a similar situation, that their bill was rarely discounted. It often took me several years to notice imperfections that would not have been there if the contractor had been upfront about the company’s abilities.

The current generation of children will most likely face a worse situation. I, at least, studied physics, learned a bit about engines and mechanical advantage and was given some practical experience in household management. Home economics and shop courses were part of the curriculum in my day, and as a get in there and mess around type of person those subjects appealed to me.

Since parents are not qualified to pass on these skills to their offspring, it is time for schools to step in. Every child needs to receive a modicum of practical training. A rudimentary understanding of carpentry, electricity, plumbing, small engine repair, automotive care, and personal finances will make life smoother. Shop, art, home economics and music classes need to be added back to the curriculums for academic as well as vocational students. These subjects are intrinsically motivating and often serve as pathways to careers in engineering, the trades, or science, and they have a dual benefit of fostering creativity, curiosity, and problem solving.

So what happens if your offspring are not given a chance to learn these subjects in school? Though parents and grandparents may not be able to show their children how to build a home on the prairie, they can provide an area in their home filled with real tools, blocks, wooden planks, cardboard, pipes, glue and tape. They can give their children small engines, radios, and clocks for dismantling. Visits to construction sites and observing tradespeople at work and hands- on museums can go a long way to stimulate curiosity.

As adults we can encourage educators to think in terms of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) for rounding out curriculum options. My high school physics course led me to a career managing science centers. My art class gave me a hobby that has become a profession in retirement. Cooking classes introduced me to measurement and chemistry as I mixed flavors, colors and textures, leaving me with surprising concoctions to sample. I thank my old school and my parents for the opportunities they gave me, and for inspiring my curiosity about everyday objects.

Art work can be seen at eichingerfineart.com. All work is for sale.