A new year is a time for making anew, for fresh starts, for making changes for the better.  In reflecting on this time of year, I was moved to write a poem.  Before I share my thoughts through this poem, I must admit I have a pet peeve with the word ‘just’ and the somewhat negative connotation or the way it seems to be used in the English language to justify a behavior, act, or thing.  Take for instance the following sentence.  I was kidding. That’s a simple admission of an act. Now, add the word ‘just’ in front of the verb.  All of sudden it makes it okay to hurt someone else because you were ‘just kidding.’   When used to mean merely or only, the word ‘just ‘changes our language from accountability to a declaration free of blame.  In my own mind, I needed to bring the word ‘just’ into a positive light, a way to use it to make a difference, a way in which it made each day a ‘just day.’  So, here are my ‘just’ thoughts for today.  May they be a reminder to all of us that each day is new, each person is special, and each of us can make a difference through our words and actions.     

Intake: Eat or drink to think - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Can’t think While Eating or Drinking
When it comes to children we often don’t take into account their need for nutritional intake while they’re doing homework or trying to pay attention in class. Healthy food can provide the needed energy.

Light: Bright - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soft or Dim
As long as a person can comfortably see, there is no standard level of light that is necessary for everyone. What level is light is comfortable for you?

Design: Formal (desk, chair, etc.) - - - - - - - - - - - - Informal (couch, floor, etc.)
Have you ever walked into your child’s bedroom expecting to find them studiously doing their homework at that student desk you paid good money for, only to find them and their books and papers spread over the bed and floor? When it comes to the design of the room or study area, individual preferences are almost always unique. The question is, does the work get done?

Temperature: Cold - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hot
Although most of us can adapt to various climates when necessary, we usually have a particular temperature range at which we work best. For many children, temperature may not be that important. But for those who can’t concentrate unless the room feels comfortable, this may be a more critical issue than you thought.

Modalities (How Do You Remember?)
Modalities is the word we use to describe the various modes of remembering. When you need to remember information, you use at least three basic modes: auditory (hearing), visual (seeing), and kinesthetic (moving). Although each of us uses all three, we often benefit most when we’re employing our strongest method.

Auditory: Most Preferred - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Least Preferred
When you need to think, does it help to talk through your thought process? Do you frequently find yourself talking aloud even when no on else is in the room? If your auditory mode is strongest you need to actually hear yourself say what you need to remember. When you are helping your child study, a more auditory learner may really thrive with verbal drill and repetition. Interestingly, strong auditory people, more than others, may need silence while working or concentrating because of how easily other noises distract them.

Visual: Very Visual - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Not Visual
Have you ever been listening to someone speak and suddenly found yourself struggling to picture what in the world they’re talking about? You may be accused of daydreaming or tuning out when what you were really doing was trying to get a visual handle on the information you need to remember. When you use your visual modality, you will usually find yourself highlighting as you read, or color-coding notebooks or files. A strongly visual child is almost always helped by visual aids such as flash cars, pictures, and charts.

When you’re dealing with an extremely visual person, you can talk until you’re blue in the face and simply be met with a blank stare – until you illustrate what you’re saying!

Kinesthetic: Very Kinesthetic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Not Kinesthetic
Have you ever been accused of being restless? Do you work best in short spurts? Is some part of your body in almost constant motion? If so, you need to keep moving in order to focus and concentrate on learning and remembering information. For highly kinesthetic children, school is often torture when they have to sit still without a break for long periods. Kinesthetic children will usually learn more by not always having to sit still, because they aren’t distracted by the lure to get up and move!

Analytical: Those who are more analytic by nature automatically break down the information coming in so that they can deal with it is smaller, component parts. They can focus easily on specific facts, but they may consider the bigger picture to be irrelevant until all the details are understood.

Global: Those who are more global tend to be better at grasping the overall situation, getting the gist of things, and assuming the details will fall into place after establishing the big picture.

Although each of us possesses both analytic and global strengths, our bent toward one over the other is especially noticeable when we study or learn. The analytic learner is often overwhelmed when information isn’t given in a logical, step-by-step with clear, specific directions. Global learners, on the other hand, are more easily frustrated by a detailed explanation or specific method without an overall idea of where they’re going.

Linguistic: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Low
Linguistic intelligence measures verbal abilities: reading, writing, speaking, and debating, with particular skills in word games and semantics.

Logical- Mathematical: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Low
Logical-Mathematical intelligence has to do with abilities in numbers, patterns, and logical reasoning.

Spatial: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Low
Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in vivid mental pictures, restructuring an image or situation in your mind. It is, by the way, also what helps you "find Waldo" in the hidden picture.

Musical: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - Low
Musical intelligence often shows up best through a person’s ability with rhythm and melody, as well as general appreciation for orchestration of sounds and words. You don’t have to be a professional musical intelligence.

Bodily-Kinesthetic: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Low
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence helps a person use his/her body skillfully. This intelligence is especially important for surgeons, actresses, artists, athletes, and so on. Though children often get into trouble at school for their constant, restless movement, it will probably benefit them in their careers.

Interpersonal: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Low
Interpersonal intelligence gives a person the ability to intuitively understand and get along with all kinds of people. Almost a "sixth sense," it’s essential for pastors, teachers, counselors, and others who help people through difficult times.

Intrapersonal: High - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - Low
Intrapersonal intelligence is often expressed best in solitude. This is a natural gift for understanding ourselves, for knowing who we are and why we do the things we do. It’s usually exhibited more subtly than other types of intelligence and often is overlooked by the casual observer.

We perceive, or take in information, in two ways:
Concrete – using our five senses, Abstract – using our intuition and imagination

We order information and organize our lives in two ways: Sequential – in a linear, step-by step manner; and Random – in chunks, with no particular sequence. These two ways of perceiving and ordering give us four learning style combinations. Everyone has and uses all four, but most of us are dominant in at least one or two.

Concrete Sequential (CS): When you’re being Concrete Sequential, you are using your practical, predictable, side. You’re straightforward and down-to-earth. You’re stable, reliable, and often provide the ‘anchor" for those around you.

Characteristics: Hardworking, conventional, accurate, stable, dependable, consistent, factual, organized

Abstract Sequential (AS): Your Abstract Sequential traits show up best when you’re being logical, methodical, and analytic. You take your time when making decisions, and one of your greatest assets is your ability to be objective.

Characteristics: Analytic, objective knowledgeable, thorough, structured, logical, deliberate, systematic

Abstract Random (AR): Aspects of your style are what make you especially sensitive to and effective with people. Your spontaneous and flexible nature draws other people to you. You know intuitively what others need.
Characteristics: sensitive, compassionate, perceptive, imaginative, idealistic, sentimental, spontaneous, flexible

Concrete Random (CR): Your Concrete Random nature makes you curious, adventurous, and quick to act on you hunches. It’s what drives you to keep changing, growing, and taking risks.

Characteristics: Quick, intuitive, curious, realistic, creative, innovative, instinctive, adventurous

Your learning style strengths are pieces of a puzzle, not a neat category you can identify and fit into. You’ll discover that recognizing these patterns and preferences will help you communicate more effectively with your child and others around you. Each of us possesses unique and wonderful traits and characteristics. Even when yours don’t match your child’s, you can have a new and profound appreciation for the differences.

The six most important words: "I admit I made a mistake."

The five most important words: "You did a good job."

The four most important words: "What is your opinion?"

The three most important words: "If you please."

The two most important words: "Thank you."

The one most important word: "We"

The least important word: "I"