What were the mindset issues you noticed your child struggling with before attending the workshop?
My child was having anxiety over things he could not control like weather, travel, things in the future, etc. This was something new and started April 2020 once NTI started. He has always been very outgoing and an extravert, but that April he began self-isolating in his room with Legos or video games (which are restricted to age-appropriate games) and his personality changed to a more negative one.
What was the experience with the workshop?
After talking with Mrs. Akin she suggested that my son attend the workshop and work through some of these new personality struggles. When I picked him up he was upbeat and enjoyed it. He learned to trust himslef and others a little more. Just last night before bed he said "I know I have to go to the dentist tomorrow, and I'm just letting you know I'm not worried about it because it will be fine." So he has learned to find that triggering anxiety thought and either wrangle it to the back of his mind or better yet, and hopefully, he has worked through stressing over things he can't control.
-E. Williams
What were the mindset issues you noticed your child struggling with before attending the workshop?
Self-confidence and negative talk were big ones for him and many times he would be frustrated with new or hard things. He would avoid things that he even thought might be hard and miss out on fun opportunities and learning experiences.
What was the experience with the workshop?
His need for this assistance and the postive relationship he had through knowing Mrs. Akin brought us to the workshop. He believes her when she tells him positive things or that he can do things, better than he will believe his parents when they say the same things. His experience with the workshop was excellent. He talked about it all night and was very eager to try or do the things discussed. He sent pictures of what he did and the things he made to his sister to see. His 2 boards are displayed in the living room. His chart was amazing! Asked why there were no socks to clean up! He had a very vested interest in what you were doing and saying to him. He has greater self-confidence in himself. He is talking more positively about himself and his abilities instead of talking down about himself. I have also seen some of his anxiety about testing, math, life in general get better too!
-K. Smith
What were the mindset issues you noticed your child struggling with before attending the workshop?
I wanted him to feel more confident with himself. I think he always second guesses himself. Every year I see such an improvement with him.
What was the experience with the workshop?
When I would get home from work, I would ask "how was your workshop today?". He would have the biggest grin on his face and say it was great. He wouldn't really elaborate what he did in class even though I begged for an answer, just his attitude alone made the workshop worth it. He seems more relaxed and comfortable when I ask him a question now. Sometimes with the question I would get an answer or not. But the questions with answers he seemed more confident, and easy going.
For one of his homework's from the workshop he had to make his own breakfast in the morning. That was a big struggle for both of us. We both had a routine down in the morning where I would make his breakfast before he woke up and that would be his alarm clock to wake him up. Instead, I would wake him up and let him know it's time to make breakfast. He didn't like it the first couple of days, but he got used to it eventually. Sometimes, we rotate on who makes breakfast in the morning. I think changing a routine for him is complicated, but it is necessary. I want him to be more independently and feel like he has accomplished something small even with breakfast. I think that was a great benefit from the workshop is to try to get out of a routine and be more independent.
-L. Jones