Are you frustrated & feeling defeated because your adopted daughter won’t let you teach her anything?
Or your son always insists he already knows whatever you’re about to tell him?
Today’s topic is:
Fostering a positive learning environment for adoptive moms with severely attachment-challenged children or teens.
As moms we want to teach, train & influence our child/children for good. We know that attachment challenges affect learning and behavior in children and teens.
This can create a looming gap between all we’d otherwise be able to teach our children and what they’ll actually be receptive to.
The role of patience and understanding in bridging the gap is huge. But then what can you do about it?
Introducing the Power of Indirect Learning!
The concept of indirect learning is something you may already be familiar with. But do you also know it can be more effective than direct instruction for children with attachment challenges?
Some terrific examples of indirect learning methods include:
• storytelling,
• project-based learning, and
• interest-led activities.
You likely naturally use some of these learning methods already in your home. After today’s episode you may decide to lean into them even more.
Environment
The importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment that encourages curiosity and exploration cannot be overlooked. As you know “safety first” is my oft repeated mantra and that includes real safety for everyone in the household including you mom. It also includes felt safety.
Speaking of safety…
My Mother’s Day special, limited time offer for Safety Planning Coaching is still available through the end of this month. You can read more about it HERE.
Interest-Led Activities
Back to indirect learning methods. Let’s look a little deeper at one of the ones already mentioned — interest-led activities.
You’ll first want to identify your child's interests and then brainstorm how to use them as a gateway for learning.
Back when we were homeschooling unit studies were one way I found to incorporate interest-led learning in a structured way.
There were prepared unit study guides available on a variety of high interest topics such as horses and space. It’s also totally do-able to build out a complete unit study DIY style too.
Whether you homeschool or not, I caution against trying to milk your kid’s topic of interest too much…extrapolating every last ounce of any and every learning objective that’s remotely related. That’s a pretty good way to zap the fun and make their interest in the topic dry right up. If it’s a deep and lasting interest they’ll be more self-propelled anyway.
Strategic & Creative Planning
Get creative with strategies to introduce learning opportunities in everyday activities without it feeling like instruction.
Point them in the direction to find more information. Introduce them to experts in the field (either in person if possible or virtually through videos, books, podcasts).
Indirect learning methods may take some creativity and thinking outside of the box. It may help to think of yourself more as a facilitator.
Do you think it could help you and your child or teen if you could facilitate more indirect learning opportunities? As always, we can continue the discussion in the Facebook group, Circle of Second Moms for Christian Adoptive Moms .
Be sure to watch for and listen to the next episode in this series about seeds of growth.
And as always,
KEEP LEARNING - KEEP GROWING - KEEP LOVING
💜🩷♥️
Dawn
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Post Adoption (Mom) Coach
“STANDING IN THE GAP FOR 2ND MOMS”
Me too!
Publishing this podcast & companion blog is one way that I stand in the gap for second moms with similar challenges to what I’ve gone through myself as an adoptive mom.
Listen & subscribe to the podcast for free on your favorite listening platform.
(Scroll down for Apple Podcasts & Spotify links).
The companion Circle of Second Moms Facebook group is a place to go deeper on topics that we touch on in the public podcast episodes along with guided journaling and more.
Tap the JOIN LINK HERE for group access.
Group members who want next level support through private coaching with me are invited to apply for private coaching by scheduling an application call. To do that click HERE.
Through these avenues it’s my desire that many adoptive moms are able to close the gap and feel fully supported in a way that align with their Christian values and helps them grow in their faith while feeling more confident and empowered in their mom roles and beyond.
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a doctor nor a therapist. None of the content published on this website is offered or presented as medical or mental health, diagnosis or treatment. As a coach I do not offer mental or medical health diagnosis, treatment or cures. Furthermore, nothing herein is to be considered professional legal advice.
