I believe that intention makes all the difference.

Research supports this belief

as early as preschool.

There is a great article about the benefits of a program called “Tools of the Mind” here.

Important Parts of the Program Include:

• “Every moment of the day is devoted in some way to teaching the kids”
• “Before [the children] even think about picking up a toy, they sit down….[and] spell out their intentions.” (For example, “Today I am going to play store,” is written with the help of a teacher and then the child draws what s/he will be doing.
• Then they play.  The play “help[s] build a critical cognitive skill called executive function.”
• “Executive function has a number of elements, such as working memory and cognitive flexibility. “
• “But perhaps the most important is self-regulation — the ability for kids to control their emotions and behavior, resist impulses, and exert self-control and discipline.”

So, what is executive function and WHY is it so important?

Executive Function is the ability to override impulses.

Previously, it was assumed that executive function is something that just develops naturally over time.

And, it does.

But, we are learning that it does not have to be a waiting game.

Children can learn to control their impulses.

And research is demonstrating that it has a profound impact on intelligence.

In fact, researchers are having a hard time completing a study using these programs

because the impact is so great and happens so quickly

that principals and teachers think it is cruel to deprive the “control” classes of using the program.

(Every study needs a control group in the same setting who does not receive the program

just in case there was some other factor influencing the performance.)

So, how does “Tools of the Mind” work?

Children are asked to plan their play.

If they veer from their plan,

the teachers remind the children of the plan.

The result?

Conflicts during play decrease significantly.

Also

The play has more intention

and children can focus in their play longer.

Other things a Tools of the Mind program may have:

Children are asked to score their own work and the work of their classmates.

For example, when practicing their letters, the children could be asked to circle the one that looks the best.

Children may play a game of Freeze.

The game where children children dance until the music stops and they are asked to freeze.

Well, in a Tools of the Mind game of Freeze,

the children will be shown a pose WHILE the music is playing

and when the music stops,

the children must remember the card and strike the pose.

The children regulate their urges to strike the pose when the music is playing.