Resiliency and good self esteem in children helps them to deal effectively with the ups and downs of life; the adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" has never been more true than with issues of children's mental health.
There is a new company, Smart Thot, that provides the ounce of prevention that will eliminate the need for pounds of professional intervention, the cure for emotional and behavioral issues.
The statistics are staggering and depressing. One example: 1 in 3 children will have their educational careers interrupted due to these issues and will require professional intervention (and there are not enough therapists or counselors to handle these numbers).
It seems simple enough: positive thinking results in greater resiliency but before now, no tools were available to teach these skills to kids between the ages of 3 to 8, when children's thinking patterns are developing and solidifying (similar to hard-wiring!).
Dr. Rachel Avery, a licensed clinical psychologist, drew elements from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, Mindfulness Theory and Positive Psychology to come up with a proprietary technique, as presented in the new book Meet Thotso, Your Thought Maker. Let us know your thoughts about it: http://www.smartthot.com/.
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18 comments:
This sounds too good to be true. I know when I feel confident, I can do most things. When I don't, I don't even try. Can kids be programmed to always have that confidence?
They can learn to find the positive in just about anything if they develop their positive thinking skills early on. See www.smartthot.com
I was fortunate to have "Meet Thotso" on my book shelf when a 4th grade girl came to talk to me this morning. She was in tears, missing her mother. After some active listening, encouraging her to share her feelings, I brought out Thotso. She was engaged immediately. She understood BooBoo thoughts. The student even said, "I say those things to myself". She understood smiling thoughts and came up with some for her situation today. This student was totally engaged in the interactive parts of the book. When she returns to my office, Thotso will be around to help her again.
It's "funny" but my 20 year old daughter sat down for 20 minutes to read every word in "Meet Thotso." While it is meant to be read with/by kids 3 to 8, I have to admit, we all can benefit from positive thinking training. Everyone to whom we have shown the book and prototype, interactive plush Thotso character has said "I need this." Maybe with more age-appropriate products, but at any age we can learn the benefits of positive self-talk. My tennis game has improved in terms of my no longer being a "head case."
Rachel!!!! Nice job! Natalie and I read Meet Thotso last night and to quote her, "Mommy, that was my favorite book ever!" I really feel like we've made another significant step in her journey to wholeness after her years of trauma and abuse...Thanks so much for making cognitive/behavioral interventions so accessible to little ones, as well as some of us grown-up types, too. Can't wait until the kit and plush toy come on the market...sign us up for one of each! Betsy
To clarify Betsy's comment, "Rachel" is Rachel Robb Avery, Ph. D., the Founder and President of Smart Thot.
Post your questions, comments, etc. and she will respond! She can also suggest some Bandage Thots to turn those BooBoo Thots into Smiling Thots! Or send them to rachel@smartthot.com for individual responses! You can order "Meet Thotso, Your Thought Maker" at www.SmartThot.com.
i am lucky to have a meet thotso book right on my desk. I am twenty years old, and I need thotso to help me think more positively. when i get discouraged, stressed, or even lonely, I turn to the book and it miraculously helps me develop a more positive attitude and a more positive way of thinking. Thotso works for all ages, he gives people the confidence they need to be successful and have a positive way of thinking!
Thotso seems like a wonderful character and tool to reach young children in positive ways at a formative time. As the professional field focus on resiliency as a key attribute to success in life, in particular for counteracting the negative effects of stress and trauma, I think Thotso will be a helpful way to further the development of resiliency. Good for you for creating him/her!
Great job! When I first read about Thotso, it made me smile because I recognized the mindfulness practice I have used to overcome fears and anxieties in my adult life. Where were you, Thotso, when I was a kid? It will make such a differnce for today's children!
I would have loved to have had something like this when I was raising my three kids many years ago. One of my children has a handicap and struggled with self esteem issues throughout her younger years. How wonderful to be able to have these tools to help her to express feelings that perhaps she didn't have the words for. As a busy parent I didn't always have the time, skills or knowlege to help work through those negative experiences.I am sure this positive message in these activities will help hundreds of kids work through all sorts of difficult times. Best of luck with the program.
These positive comments are so common. We just came back from the Association of Play Therapy conference in Dallas, where 7% of all attendees bought at least one copy of Meet Thotso, Your Thought Maker book. The book is now available through The Self Esteem Shop, where so many professionals shop.
One of Dr. Avery's mentors, Charles Schaefer, Ph.D., a co-founder of the APT, stopped by the booth and will be reviewing the curriculum.
Everyone agrees resilient children have a better chance of NOT becoming one of those horrible teen statistics. And it is so simple! Positive thinking skills, taught via an interactive and FUN curriculum.
Let's hope the Angel Investors, interested in issues surrounding children's (mental) health and wellness issues, start to acknowledge the problem and validate the Smart Thot concept. We need to produce the interactive plush Thotso character and Thotso's Check Up Kit. This is the effective line Dr. Avery has developed, and we are hoping to fund.
I just returned from the 2008 Annual Play Therapy conference in Dallas where I met Rachel Robb and was honored to be able to spend about 20 minutes with her and glean from her experiences. I took one of her ideas (a Family Resource Center) as my own and bought many of the same chilrens books she bought, with plans to lend them to parents for reading to the child. Both parents and children will both learn from this exercise! Thanks, Dr. Robb!!!! I still plan to invest in your SmartThots books!
Fern,
I am an attorney and practice family law. I handle cases which involve at times young children in the midst of custody battles. These children face a variety of obstacles, occasioned by the emotional turmoil of divorce. They are caught in the middle and often act out. Some have ADHD or other challenges, as well. These kids (and their parents) will benefit tremendously from Dr. Avery's excellent, insightful, instructional and very helpful book. These kids need positive reinforcement and their parents need direction helping them (and themselves) through this stressful time. I am so impressed I am buying several copies of Dr. Avery's book to hand out to my clients. I am also giving a copy of Dr. Avery's book to the Kids First program, (sponsoring education programs for divorcing parents and kids) and recommending the book for participants. There has been a real need for a book such as Dr. Avery's for parents involved in divorce.
Thanks
Pam Lawrason
One of the foremost Clinical Pediatric Psychologists has written a GLOWING endorsement of the new Smart Thot book:
Dear Fern,
Good talking to you today. I would like to recommend your Smart Thot book to any clinician who is treating children where the concern is about their ability to control their actions and behaviors. I have incorporated your text into my practice with children who are impacted with a variety of different issues including anxiety disorders, ADHD and autism. Each child has found a way to identify with the 'Thot Boss' and find band-aid solutions to their individual problems. We are currently working on 'boo boo thots' that happen when you feel stuck because you are not getting your way. Thanks again for aiding clincians in our work to support kids. All the best, Esther B. Hess, Ph.D.
And here is one from the Co-Founder of the Association for Play Therapy:
Hi, Fern:
"Meet Thotso" is an excellent book. The author [Rachel Robb Avery, Ph.D.] presents a playful way to teach young children (ages 3to 8) how to control their
thoughts and feelings. Hightly recommended!
-Charles E. Schaefer, Ph.D., RPT-S
Cofounder and Director Emeritus of
The Association for Play Therapy.
Emeritus Professor of Psychology,
Fairleigh Dickinson University,
Teaneck, New Jersey .
More positive feedback!
"Thotso's wonderfully interactive and creative approach makes it fun for young children to become introduced to healthy thought awareness and practice. The illustrations and peek-a-boo format make it especially appealing to kids, parents and counselors. A child's ability to think in ways that demonstrate optimism, problem solving and flexibility is a massive strength in today's world.
Charlie Whitehead
Child and Young Adult Psychologist
This book offers a delightful approach to the important topic of shaping your own perception of onself (and others)in a positive way, even at an early age. Any child will respond to such a visually appealing and tactile presentation. Even as an adult, I could not keep my hands off it. Bravo!
Rachel,
What a wonderful book! "Meet Thotso" is such a great tool for not just children, but adults can benefit from it's positive thinking as well. I am so grateful to have this book to someday use with my daughter. I believe that if children learn at a young age how to think positively, that they will be more resilent, happy and well adjusted. Good job at creating such a fun and accessiable way to teach children such important skills. Thanks again!
- Kim, New Mom
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