Peanut just finished a beginning swim class...for the second time. And, according to her teacher, she is going to need to take it again. Why? Because she gets scared when she cannot touch the bottom of the pool and literally clings to the instructor for dear life until her class is over. It all started during her first swim session last Spring where she had a near drowning experience. As a result she now associates her swim lessons with that event every time no matter how much fun we have in the water apart from swim lessons. This has been very frustrating and disheartening to watch as we want our daughter to have fun in the water and feel confident with her swimming skills. We took the summer off from swim lessons hoping that by just having fun in a friend's pool her fearful memory would wean itself from her mind, but it hasn't. Being of the mindset that when you face a bad experience you need to immediately get back on the horse, we enrolled her in swim lessons again in September. Yet repeating swim lessons this fall has only seemed to intensify her fear...something that has left her instructors, my husband, and myself baffled. That is, until I finished reading the characteristics of Peanut's Personality Profile in her personalized Kidzmet Playbook which I recently ordered online.
Peanut is an Introverted Sensor. Introverted sensors revel in reflection. What does this have to do with Peanut's response to swim lessons? A lot. As her personal Playbook explains, "This anxiety...snowballs if not nipped in the bud because, for kids like [Peanut] the recollection of a past event is automatically brought into the present tense along with all the accompanying emotions." Every time we are putting Peanut into the water for swim lessons she is literally reliving that near drowning moment. So what are we going to do? Well her Kidzmet Playbook provides several suggestions for overcoming such instances and motivating her to success. Several simple but life altering factors include things like a smaller class size, different clothing (such as a new swimsuit), a different location or teacher, helping her to talk about her feelings, putting a positive spin on her memories, and encouraging any positive behaviors in association with swimming.
When beginning to review Peanut's Kidzmet Playbook, I had no idea that it would have such a profound impact on our lives as far as how we relate to Peanut. In the past, I've shared how we've had some behavioral challenges with her but as I read through this book it was like a little light bulb went off in my head--"so that's why she responds like that." I can already tell you right now that when Teacup gets a little older I am ordering a Playbook for her too.
What is Kidzmet?
I first learned about Kidzmet's resources through a friend who suggested I complete the free online personality survey for Peanut. If my children were a bit older they could have easily filled out the survey themselves but since Peanut cannot read yet, I choose to fill out the survey as best I could on her behalf. The online results were amazing--spot on. What I found especially intriguing was the fact that the survey analyzed Peanut's personality type, God-given talents, AND predominant learning styles. Usually, when you complete some kind of personality survey it is usually for one focus only--not all three.
Kidzmet is a company that has done a tremendous amount of research in order to provide parents and teachers with resources to help their children be all they can be both academically and in life. Their goal is to be able to share with parents and teachers the value of each child (regardless of what standardized test scores say) and provide activity suggestions that would round out their students' learning experiences. In the process, they hope their resources will create more engaged learners and lead students down a path toward more self-fulfilling career options. What parent wouldn't want those things for their kids? All that to say, even if you do not choose to purchase any products from Kidzmet (although I think you'll see that it's totally worth it once you take a look), if you have any children or grandchildren in your life, you should seriously consider having them complete the free online survey. You will learn a lot about your children and how to best reach them intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Shoot, I learned so much about Peanut, I went back and took the survey for myself and learned even more about me! I'm a kinesthetic learner; no wonder I do my best thinking while exercising!
What is the Kidzmet Playbook?
Once you complete the free online personality survey, you have the option to purchase a Kidzmet Playbook. The Playbook provides a personalized look at how your child's personality can play out in academics and everyday situations. It provides detailed characteristics of your child's personality,
As an example, here are some things I learned about Peanut as a result of her personalized Playbook:
Peanut works best in a clutter free environment free from sibling interference (no wonder she always does best in school when sissy is taking her morning nap).
Peanut works best when she sees things she has accomplished. Since she needs to see results quickly, at least initially, I have come to try and include activities in her first few workboxes that she can complete rather quickly.
Peanut can get overwhelmed in accomplishing a task if it is not broken down into bite-size pieces. I've since seen this tip come to life in everything from putting laundry away to coloring a detailed picture. What I used to think was defiance was really Peanut just getting overwhelmed and giving up in frustration.
As an introvert, Peanut works best in small groups with an organized agenda. One-to-one play dates are right up her alley while large groups can overwhelm and distract her...a fact that was proven in her swim lessons. This tidbit of information alone made be feel more assured than ever that Peanut will excel much better in the home school environment than that of a public or private preschool situation.
One of Peanut's main challenges in life will most likely be her fear of the unfamiliar. As an introvert, Peanut will often need to observe a situation first, reflect on the situation, and then respond during the next occurance based on her personal reflection. This totally explains why she is often very distant during her first meeting of a person or situation. By comparing the new situation or educational experience with an experience in her past, I will help to ease her mind from worry and allow her to connect the situation to her past reflections.
And those examples are just the tip of the iceberg. As a mom, this resource as become invaluable in helping me understand and better reach Peanut both academically and in life.
Why do I need a Kidzmet Playbook?
Do you know what kind of small group your child would work best with? What about study buddies--do you know which personality types would be most compatible with your child? Do you know the best way to teach new concepts to your child? What about word choice? Did you know that the choice of words you use with your child can peak or dismiss their interest in a subject (and no, it's not the same words for every child)?! Do you know how you can best help your child prepare for tests? If you a trying to decide what school setting and/or which school to send your child to, do you know the types of questions to ask to ensure a program that best meets your child's God-given personality? The Kidzmet Playbook answers all these questions and more in regards to your child's personality assessment. Needless to say, I think it is an invaluable resources for all parents and teachers who are willing to invest the time to investigate the information therein.
What else is included in a Kidzmet Playbook KIT?
A Kidzmet Playbook KIT also includes the 101 Activities Book and a CD of printable templates. While Peanut is a little young for us to incorporate all the printables at this time, the 101 Activities Book has already received its fair share of use and will be a resource I will refer to time and time again. In the Activities Book, Kidzmet author Jen Lilienstein has gathered 101 activities to stretch and strengthen your child's multiple intelligences. While trying out some of these activities, I found myself helping Peanut rearrange her room as a means to increase her "picture smarts", creating learning cheers for developing "body smarts", and doing kids yoga for linguistic development. And, even though it says 101 Activities, there are actually even more than that because several activities include variations as well. Thus, it is excellent companion to the Kidzmet Playbook.
How old should my child be before filling out a personality survey and ordering my child's Playbook?
Peanut is 3 years old. I wondered at first if she might be too young for me to accurately fill out the online survey, but it was amazing how spot-on the survey results were for even a child of her age. While Kidzmet products are intended primarily for the school-age child who can fill out the survey on their own, I thoroughly recommend it for any child as long as you feel you can answer the questions in the free online survey with confidence.
Where can I get a Kidzmet Playbook?
You can order a Kidzmet Playbook via their website once you complete the free online personality assessment. When purchasing, you have several options, all of which seemed very reasonable, especially to this cheapskate homeschool mom:
eBook version for $9.99
Paperback version for $14.99
Paperback Playbook KIT (which includes the Playbook, Learning Activities book, and Printables CD) for $19.99 (these are a LIMITED EDITION so act fast)
Teacher's Kit (8 paperback Playbooks, Learning Activities book, CD and 1 full year of a Kidzmet classroom account where the teacher can profile ALL of their students, send student snapshots to parents, use the student segmenter app, and find out how they "fit" with each of their students) for $99.99
For more information, about all of the Playbook purchase options, visit the Kidzmet website.
Want to win a Kidzmet Playbook?
You can enter via the rafflecopter below for your chance to win ONE of the Limited Edition Personalized Playbook KITS. This giveaway is for U.S. residents only. You must be 18 or older to win. this giveaway is not associated with or connected to any social media site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond via email with a U.S. mailing address.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Rest of the Story
Peanut went back to swim lessons for one extra class. Armed with tools obtained from her Kidzmet Playbook, we approached this swim lesson a little bit differently. We sang songs about swimming, watched video clips of her swimming on her own that I previously taped, and talked about her favorite things about swimming. On the day of swim lessons she wore a different swimsuit and thanks to a few absentees she was the only one in her class. As a result, during this one-on-one time she did everything the teacher asked and more. By the end, she asking to swim on her own and ended up going back and forth across the pool time and time again using only a noodle for support. When the lesson was over, the teacher commented how amazing this turnaround was--a special one-of-a-kind 180. My only reply--Kidzmet. No joke. Imagine, if this information had such an impact on swim lessons, think what having this information can do for a child's education. The possibilities are limitless. Thank you Kidzmet. You've armed us with knowledge that has truly changed our lives.
Want another opportunity to win a Kidzmet product? Check out some of these amazing blogs for another chance to win:
Granola Mom 4 God
So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Pslam 127:3
Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time invested in the review of this product, writing this review, and hosting the giveaway. However, all opinions expressed are 100% my own. In fact, I almost wish that I was not compensated for this review so that you knew exactly how honest it was--I was truly amazed at the impact this product has had on my family's life. As always, I choose to only review products that I feel are beneficial to my readers and my family.
© 2011-2012 Cornerstone Confessions | All Rights Reserved.
Be sure to link up every Tuesday as Cornerstone Confessions presents the Titus 2 Tuesday linky party--an encouraging linky party for today's woman.
Freebies for Subscribers:
Blog Planner Printables,
Editable Blog Party Agenda