Posts by Janai Mestrovich

3D Learning FOR FOCUS SKILLS June 12, 2019 by Janai Mestrovich, M.S. Aka Grandma Boom According to PBS.org for parents, “Concentration is like a muscle that requires regular exercise to strengthen. Some kids are born “stronger” in this area than others, but all kids can learn strategies and engage in practices that help improve their…

Published in Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children newsletter 3D Earth Care Empathy May 20, 2019 by Janai Mestrovich, M.S. Aka Grandma Boom “Do you like trash thrown on you?” The 3 to 5 year olds responded a resounding “NO!!” I had just put some (clean) recycled items such as envelope pieces, aluminum…

https://www.oraeyc.org/single-post/2019/03/20/INNER-STEERING-WHEEL-SWITCHING-GEARS-FROM-TENSE-TO-CALM INNER STEERING WHEEL: SWITCHING GEARS FROM TENSE TO CALM March 20, 2019 by Janai Mestrovich, M.S. Aka Grandma Boom BZZZZZZZZ. Anyone peering into the preschool classroom might assume students were running amuck. Buzzing motor sounds filled the room. Children were laughing and happy pretending to be tense, fast moving cars. Their hands held an…

https://www.acesconnection.com/blog/self-regulation-begins-with-dogs-tense-knots-and-calm-socks (originally published on ORAEYC website/state newsletter) Self-Regulation Begins with Dogs, Tense Knots and Calm Socks  Originally posted to ORAEYC,  February 19, 2019 |Janai Mestrovich, M.S. We were all barking like dogs that were upset on all fours in the preK classroom. Then I used the Breathing Sphere to guide 20 preK children to take slow,…

(Originally published on website of ORAEYC 1/29/19 – Oregon Association for Education of Young Children – where I blog monthly.) The 2 year old girl fell flat and began screaming. The 3 year old boy ran over to her, concerned and wanted to help. He gently demonstrated how to take slow deep breaths to feel…

25 kindergarten children ran around the gym like crazy tense cars with me after we made our paper plate INNER STEERING WHEELS to show Tension X’s and Calm smiley faces. When I signaled, we took deep belly button breaths to SWITCH GEARS from tense to calm. It is the foundation for self regulation. Earlier in…

CHEERLEADING FOR PRESCHOOLERS learning and practicing Superkid Power positive self talk Skills means having experiences so they KNOW for themselves. We drummed to the song about what we think impacts our feelings and bodies. WHEN I THINK I CAN’T, I FEEL I CAN’T! WHEN I THINK I CAN, I KNOW AND FEEL I CAN! AND…

Kindergarten children practicing self regulation skills and remaining calm in the midst of others being mean to them or arguing around them is one of the techniques I teach to EMPOWER SUPERKIDS. Their experiences are depicted in their wonderful artwork. They get to hear, see, feel a choreographed experience and then express their experiences on…

Because a child’s brain develops 85% of its capacity by the age of 5, it is the optimal time to teach skills to manage stress. With the increase of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) on the rise in our country, mental health is declining. Early prevention with self regulation and self help skills strengthens children mentally…

Forgiveness can be abstract for young children. Teaching them not to carry a grudge is easily accomplished with GRUDGE SACKS….Imagine every time you carried a grudge and did not forgive that there was a big rock or a bag of rocks tied around your neck weighing you down. That is exactly what a grudge does…