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Dear Friends,
March seemed to be a little more fast-paced this year. I'm not sure if the pace was related to the addition of Easter tucked in towards the end or all of the extra attention March Madness was given. This year it was fun to listen to the competitive edge the ladies brought to the court as well as the boys. Caitlin Clark added an extra layer of excitement to all the bracket conversations. The extra hype made it super exciting for all the competitors fighting to take home the Championship Trophy.
Over the years I have had the privilege of working with some extremely talented, ultra-competitive, driven, and motivating coaches in my role as a parent, teacher, and principal. There isn't an effective way to quantify the influence a good coach can have on a child. Their role in the formation as an athlete as well as their character can make or break an athlete's overall competitive experience. But, what about our role as parents in our child's athletic experience? What influence or responsibility does a parent have in the experience of team sports when it comes to their children? If done right, sports can instill a love of good health, build resilience, foster a strong sense of self-awareness, and help make connections between hard work, commitment, and success. So what is the parent's role in their child's competition experience? Are we in charge of driving, advocating, pushing, cheering?
This week in our parent/teacher spotlight I thought it would be fun to hear from one of the best coaches/math teachers I have worked with. His love for learning, improving, competing, and hard work has always impressed me. Stan is the real deal; a coach with a strong commitment to the development of the entire person, not just a love of the game. When I reached out to him and asked if he would share a bit of his experience and wisdom with us, I gave him a few topics/options to choose from. I love that he decided (on his own) to talk a little bit about how to support your kids while sitting in the bleachers and being their biggest fan.
Thank you to Stan Dohm, Head Basketball Coach and Math Instructor at St. James Academy for being willing to share his insight about team sports, competition, and the importance of having fun. Not only is he a dedicated teacher and an accomplished coach, but his 23 years of marriage and 4 beautiful children ages 10-18 add an impressive amount of knowledge and commitment we can all admire and respect.
With A Grateful Heart
Jodie Maddox,
Parent Coach & Education Consultant
How To Support Kids From The Bleachers - Stan Dohm, Basketball Coach at SJA
My father was a Head High School coach for 37 years. As a kid it was great, I got a front-row seat to practice and the games. It was all I wanted to do when I got older as well. I just completed my 20th year as a head coach in high school. I also have had the pleasure of watching my four kids go through youth sports. Here are my observations on how to give your best support to your kids from the bleachers:
1) Have Fun! - Very cliche, but the number 1 thing youth sports should be is enjoyment, not stress for any family member.
2) At Practice - Let the experience be theirs. Drop them off at practice and go run errands or take a walk (which is what I do, so much so my daughter's teammates make fun of her saying there goes your dad getting his steps in). It also helps with conversation on the way home as you get to ask about what went on and you get to hear their perspective.
3) Before the game - Everyone wants to win and do well. Try to eliminate unwarranted stress before the game. I always tell my kids 3 things, "Have fun, be a great listener and teammate, and finally, you are going to make mistakes, once it happens, let it go, and move on to the next part of the game.
4) During the game - Cheer only. I rarely even do that as a parent! You are there for the support and enjoyment of watching your child. It should be FUN for you too! Don’t keep stats (unless you are the scorekeeper). Don’t yell at the underage official, (my oldest quit umpiring youth baseball because the parents were relentless to the point it wasn’t worth it to him). We are short on officials at all levels including high school sports. As fans, we can't control the officials and their calls, but we can control ourselves and the examples we set for kids.
5) After the Game - Ask, "Did you have fun?" That is the first question! Stay away from asking why they didn’t do this or that or what about that bad call. I have had many players in high school talk about how much they disliked the car ride home because it was a constant critique of their play, the officials, or even the coaching. Make the car ride home something they look forward to and not regret.
6) Play with your child - At home play a bunch with your child. Whatever sport they want to try. Show them how much fun sports are.
Lastly, sports are such a great tool to learn about life. The relationship piece by itself is immense. Learning to communicate with peers and adults is a lesson they will use forever. Learning how to bounce back from bad plays, bad calls, tough losses, and thrilling victories, looking back on my youth sports shaped so much of how I deal with these items on a daily basis.
Flourish Bound - Dr. Pahini Ross
Exercise has more profound and sustained effects on mood, cognition, energy, and sleep than any pill!
Here are 6 mood-boosting neurotransmitters produced through exercise:
Serotonin
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
Endorphins
Endocannabinoids
Regular physical activity in children offers myriad benefits for brain health:
1. Enhanced Circulation: Engaging in exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, facilitating the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients crucial for nurturing and preserving brain cells.
2. Neurotransmitter Activation: Exercise triggers the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, renowned for their capacity to elevate mood, alleviate stress, and augment cognitive prowess.
3. Neurogenesis Stimulation: Physical activity fosters the generation of fresh brain cells, particularly within the hippocampus, a region vital for memory formation and learning.
4. BDNF Production Boost: By promoting the synthesis of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), exercise fortifies the growth, maintenance, and regeneration of neurons, fostering synaptic plasticity crucial for memory and learning.
5. Inflammation Alleviation: Regular exercise aids in mitigating inflammation in the brain, a factor linked to cognitive deterioration and various neurodegenerative ailments.
6. Enhanced Sleep Quality: Incorporating physical activity into one's routine can enhance the quality of sleep, pivotal for optimal cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall brain well-being.
In essence, integrating joyful regular exercise into your child’s lifestyle can be instrumental in preserving and enhancing brain health, cognitive function, and mental equilibrium.
Parents ask me about the "ages" of children I like to work with, when it comes to coaching parents. Honestly, I coach parents who have a wide range of children with different ages and needs. Yes, this means I work with parents who have young adult children, and I love it!
Ready to feel empowered? I am here to help! I am a certified parent coach, with 29 years of experience working with children, teens, parents, and educators. I partner with parents to help them experience the strategic change they desire. Together, in 10 short weeks, we will discover, dream, design, and make a plan that supports and empowers you!
Contact me today for your free consultation at jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
New Teacher Bootcamp
It's here! Direct support for our new teachers. Do you know anyone who is new to the classroom, or could use a little support and guidance to help get organized, or maybe it's you and you just want to start the school year off right?
This summer I am offering a "New Teacher Bootcamp" perfect for brand new teachers, new-to-the-classroom teachers, or teachers who have a little experience but could benefit from new ideas, strategic guidance, and effective techniques that work!
In just 4 short 90-minute Zoom sessions (yes! you can drink your coffee and stay in your sweats) we are going to hit it hard, move fast, but learn a TON of effective tips. You'll still get to enjoy your summer but feel confident when August rolls around because you will already have a plan in place.
What Teachers Will Learn:
- Participants will create a year-long pacing guide
- Learn to write effective lesson plans aligned with the individual needs of students
- Learn effective behavior management strategies
- Learn why and how to implement good classroom processes and routines
- Learn how to build relationships to create healthy social-emotional learning environments
- Plan the first 2 weeks of school
- Learn how to effectively and professionally communicate with parents and colleagues
- And More!!!!
Let's work together to make a difference for teachers and kids! Email me today jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
For a description and full list of other topics I am currently offering click here.
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Jodie Maddox Coaching and Consulting
Email: jodiemaddoxicoach@gmail.com
Website: jodiemaddoxicoach.com
Phone: (913)908-8220
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