Tools of the Mind is a program implemented in some pre-schools and kindergarten that was found to be very effective in helping children develop self-control which we all know is a strong predictor of future success. But that’s not all. Tools of the Mind also improves behaviour – which is really what I’m after for G2 at this point in time.
Creating a Play Plan
One of the activities that the children do in Tools of the Mind is to create a play plan. It’s been a while since we last did one. In fact, I think the last time we created a play plan, G2 was still too young to participate. So I got the boys to make a play plan today and this was what they came up with…
G1’s Play Plan: Today I am going to have a picnic and go camping.
And he did… with all his soft toys.
G2’s Play Plan: Today I am going to fight a monster. In case you can’t decipher the picture, the brown blob is G2 and the blue blob is the monster. The orange line is his whip – like in Zorro. I wrote the words for him after he told me what it was that he was going to do.
And that’s exactly what he did – or at least tried to do. Except the monster was his brother who didn’t appreciate being bopped on the head. Whoops.
Nurture for the Future 