"Enthusiasm is contagious; be a carrier."
~Susan Rabin
Essential #5: Enthusiasm
What a great word: ENTHUSIASM
What a great feeling it inspires. With ABM, Enthusiasm becomes an important tool in helping your nervous system make the new connections it needs in the learning process. When we speak of Enthusiasm in the ABM world, it is a quiet, internal, yet powerful experience. It is recognizing that even the smallest change or perception of a difference has meaning and is worth celebration. This internal Enthusiasm and recognition of each accomplishment can amplify the changes that are happening however small. We do not always know what little change will be a key piece of some bigger picture. It is the process we undertake that moves us forward and Enthusiasm shines a bright light upon the path we are taking.
When dealing with children with special needs, the Enthusiasm of a loving parent/caregiver can also provide significant amplification, delight, and importance to the changes that are happening in his/her nervous system. This is different, however, than telling your child "Good Job!" or asking him/her to "Do it again!" It is not clapping when your child does something new. That experience can make that new learning something to "perform" or do to please someone else. Rather, Enthusiasm that we hope to foster in ABM is that internal experience of delight and recognition of those tiny changes. When you notice those small changes your child is making, that process helps make that change, however small, important. Your child can recognize the importance and his/her brain will become better at distinguishing the differences that are happening.
What a great feeling it inspires. With ABM, Enthusiasm becomes an important tool in helping your nervous system make the new connections it needs in the learning process. When we speak of Enthusiasm in the ABM world, it is a quiet, internal, yet powerful experience. It is recognizing that even the smallest change or perception of a difference has meaning and is worth celebration. This internal Enthusiasm and recognition of each accomplishment can amplify the changes that are happening however small. We do not always know what little change will be a key piece of some bigger picture. It is the process we undertake that moves us forward and Enthusiasm shines a bright light upon the path we are taking.
When dealing with children with special needs, the Enthusiasm of a loving parent/caregiver can also provide significant amplification, delight, and importance to the changes that are happening in his/her nervous system. This is different, however, than telling your child "Good Job!" or asking him/her to "Do it again!" It is not clapping when your child does something new. That experience can make that new learning something to "perform" or do to please someone else. Rather, Enthusiasm that we hope to foster in ABM is that internal experience of delight and recognition of those tiny changes. When you notice those small changes your child is making, that process helps make that change, however small, important. Your child can recognize the importance and his/her brain will become better at distinguishing the differences that are happening.
From Kids Beyond Limits:
"Enthusiasm is another way to help your child's brain perceive differences that become a source of information for the brain to work with."
"Your skillful Enthusiasm helps your child notice and feel changes - the differences - within himself, and the positive emotions your child feels coming from you tells his brain that these changes are important to notice and groove in."
~Anat Baniel
Read more about Enthusiasm on Anat's website:
"Your skillful Enthusiasm helps your child notice and feel changes - the differences - within himself, and the positive emotions your child feels coming from you tells his brain that these changes are important to notice and groove in."
~Anat Baniel
Read more about Enthusiasm on Anat's website:
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