“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward No one ever saw her smile. No one ever heard her speak a word. Ten years old, V lived in an isolation unit at a state institution where I worked for a summer in the late sixties. V sat and stared, rocking back…

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“If I was writing a book, you would be on the cover!” The leg surgeon proclaimed his acknowledgment and released me two months early. The x-rays spoke for themselves, showing the rod from my left knee to my ankle was healed prematurely. He asked what I was doing. That was 16 years ago. This spring…

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Fear’s dagger paralyzed me. I was 9 years old, playing outside at dusk in the humid Kansas summer evening. Dad was working outside. I ran into the dimly lit basement seeking a toy. A foot high dark figure appeared in front of me, hissing as it drew closer. I froze. Snake! I could not find…

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The third grader was delivered to my office door in the elementary school, arm clasped by the principal, janitor and counselor who were all restraining him in his writhing state. The boy had just attempted suicide, having worn an angry mask for weeks. The principal knocked, suddenly opening my door. My job was to work…

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Nourishing Holistic Aging with the Playful Inner Child

“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein 8 years ago….”Grandma Boom, let’s see how many ways we can make the train cars CRASH!” My preschool age grandson beckoned to me as he caused a derailing that registered 9.5 on the living room richter sound scale. Having been a 60’s headband-wearing, jean skirt-donning…

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Press Release Extraordinary and Effective Early Social Emotional Lessons (SEL) from ORAEYC/Mestrovich Blog Ashland, Oregon – Matt Leek, Chairman of the Board of Superkid Power, Inc. announced availability of the entire 2019 year plus 2020 January and February monthly SEL lesson Blogs by Janai (Grandma Boom) Mestrovich. Janai is the Founder and Executive Director of…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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(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…

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