Jenna > Recent Status Updates

To help kids develop their memories and turn implicit memories into explicit memories, storytelling and getting kids to describe the events and their feelings from their perspective is really important! It helps integrate their upstairs and downstairs brain which leads to better self-understanding and helps children process more difficult experiences.

To get a child (or adult!) to override when their "downstairs brain" takes over their thinking, it's a good idea to get them moving. "Move it or lose it". The "upstairs brain" is responsible for problem solving and other higher level thinking. The "downstairs brain" is more primitive and can take over when a perceived threat is present.

Great book so far - when children begin to ask "why?" it is a sign that their left brain - the logical part of the brain - is engaging, a really good sign.
- it's important to help children integrate their right brain and left brain by connecting with them through the emotions they are feeling from their right brain and then moving to logic with the left brain.

This is making me feel so so sad. I used to really like and admire Jen Hatmaker for her faith and sense of humor. I haven't read anything by her in years, and her writing and storytelling in this book so far feel very very different. It feels like she's lost the light she once had. She sounds angry, lonely, self-focused, and apart from her Creator she once seemed to walk with so closely. I am sad reading this.