An Open Letter to Oprah, January, 2011

Dear Oprah,

I just finished reading the Parade article about you (12/26/10) and was touched by your description of your childhood experience watching Romper Room: You would stand there every day in front of the television wondering if Miss Nancy would call your name today—but she never did. Later in the article you said, “Everybody just wants to be heard,” and you quoted Toni Morrison who said that what every child wants to know is, Do your eyes light up when I enter the room? Did you hear me and did what I say mean anything to you?

You might not realize that not being honored or recognized is the plight of thousands of children in our schools today: When will someone truly hear them and see who they really are? When will someone acknowledge how brilliant and capable they are, in their own unique ways? When will we stop crushing their spirits with harmful teaching practices?

Many people don’t know that…

...thousands of kids are sitting in classrooms right now learning that they can't be successful—just because they're not good at math or English, or memorizing history facts, or sitting still in a chair all day.

...only 3 to 5 students in any classroom get all the A's – and this is NOT because the others are not smart, or are lazy, or have a learning disability!

...most kids are not ready developmentally to read or write until they are 8 or 9 years old—that the muscles of their eyes are not ready to track print, and that their wrists and hands are not ready for pencils.

...at least 60% of the population are picture learners or hands-on learners.

...people who are not print learners will never learn to spell by writing words over and over again.

...reading and writing would come easily to most children if we waited for developmental readiness and then taught simple strategies geared toward their learning styles.

…at least 80% of the adult population doubt their own abilities for success because of the school messages they received while growing up.

Learning Problems or Learning Styles?

Very little of this well-known information is applied in our education systems, and so kids and adults are labeled slow, ADD, ADHD, learning disabled, dyslexic, or worse—just average! In reality, these are the thinking/creating, inventing, performing people—the Einsteins and Picassos and Marie Curies—and, yes, the next Oprah, Robin Williams, George Lucas, Maya Angelou, Goldie Hawn, Robert Kiyosaki—the potential scientists, inventors, musicians, artists, entertainers and entrepreneurs!

An Education That Doesn't Fit

We know that you are a strong proponent of a good education for every child. The question is: What is a good education? Forcing an education that doesn’t fit is like forcing a child to wear shoes that don’t fit…not only is this ineffective, it is extremely harmful.

Too many educators think that No Child Left Behind means creating one-size-fits-all classrooms where all students are expected to learn the same thing in the same way at the same time. This has never worked in the past and it will never work in the future.

Learning Styles: The Key To Success!

The key to success is knowing your own unique learning styles. Knowing every student’s learning style profile ensures that no child is left behind and, more importantly, that every child shines.

When kids learn that they are not capable of this or that...that they will never make it, they grow up to be adults who think they can't.

When kids learn that they are capable, that they can be successful, they grow up to be adults who believe in themselves.

Are we listening to our children?

Here is what one 10-year-old said recently, “Mom, I can’t learn this way. School is a factory and the students are the product. I can’t get my education this way. I can’t live like this until I’m 18.”

His mom told me, “Finally I listened to him. I thought, this isn’t a ploy, he means this, it isn’t just to get out of doing work…We don’t listen to kids' needs. We don’t trust that they know themselves and what they need so we don’t act on what they are saying to us…Now that we are in your program we are all happy. He needed integrated learning and now he’s getting it (through LearningSuccess).”

The Race to Nowhere

This movie, which you discussed on one of your shows, clearly illustrates the damage that is being done to students in high school but, actually, the damage begins in kindergarten.

The books, learning style profiles, and programs of our LearningSuccess Institute prevent this damage from occurring and have changed the lives of thousands of children and families. Here are two parent testimonials and one from a former student:

“(LearningSuccess) saved my kids’ hearts and spirits and gave them gifts of self-trust and learning through their own styles! They are flourishing now as they move into adulthood.” Connie Baxter Marlow

“You are truly the best. You will be happy to hear Devin is thriving in college and is in love with learning. Great grades and amazing well-written papers and praise from his professors are just a mere by product. Thank you for showing us the way!!! Keep up the good work – you are making a difference.” Kasey Sixt

“Thank you so much for everything that you’ve done for me in the past…You might be pleased to know I am actually going to Hong Kong for a 6-month study abroad at CUHK! I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for everything.” Devin Sixt

Les Brown (author of It’s Possible) once said, “It’s possible that we can give them a curriculum that gives them a sense of purpose…” It IS possible and we are doing it!

Who will help us spread the word?

Parents need this information so they can be confident about choosing a non-traditional path that empowers their children. While we wait for the schools to change, millions more are being damaged, and too many children will be left behind. Parents need to know that there are options available right now—that their children can have a customized school program that meets their individual, unique learning needs—one that sets them up for life success right from the beginning!

One word from you, Oprah, and the whole country will take notice. Thanks for listening.

Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, M.S.,

Co-author Discover Your Child’s Learning Style & Midlife Crisis Begins in Kindergarten

Co-director LearningSuccess™ Institute

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 805-648-1739, Ventura, CA

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If only we believe.

Tags: beliefs | solutions | positive thoughts

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Do our genes determine our destiny?  Not necessarily so.  Genes may be the gun, but habits are the trigger. This is great news for me, since my gene pool is pretty awful.

The American Institute of Cancer Research reports that even with a family history, 45% of colon cancers, 38% of breast cancer, 69% of esophageal cancers would never occur if Americans ate better, weighed less and exercised more.  Just food for thought.

Hugs.

Esta McIntyre, NASM CPT/CES
www.myhealthstudio.com

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I think we can sum up most dog’s personalities with one word; mischievous. All dogs, especially puppies, are prone to getting into trouble at one time or another.

On occasion they may become seriously injured. Though your Vet is highly trained to handle these types of situations, you might need to stabilize your pooch before transporting him there. That is why the basic first aid procedures are essential for all dog owners.

First, just like the first aid kit you have for yourself and your family; make a kit for your dog to include the following:

• Important contact numbers, like your vet, poison control, and an emergency clinic. Along with their complete medical history including breed, weight, and age.
• Next, throw in the items to help restrain your dog and examine the wound:
• a muzzle
• magnifying glass
• tweezers
• a penlight
• clean towels (one big enough to use as a stretcher if need be)
• disposable gloves
• sterile saline
• an eye dropper (to flush wounds)
• hydrogen peroxide (this can be used to disinfect any wound, as well as induce vomiting in cases of poisoning. Use as directed by vet)
• antibiotic ointment
• cortisone spray to keep them from scratching
• first aid tape
• activated charcoal (to help absorb any poison in their system. Call the poison control center before using.)
• wrapping gauze

• Also, if your dog has any pre-existing conditions which require special medication, you should have a back-up stash in the kit.

Here are a few tips for handling an injured pooch.

• Never try to hug or caress them, the pain can make them unpredictable and even dangerous.
• While carefully examining the wound, call your vet or emergency clinic to notify them, allowing them to prepare, as well as coach you through the transportation.
• Muzzle your pet to prevent biting.  Do not use a muzzle if the dog is vomiting!
• Attempt to bandage the part of the body where the wound is, so it can’t move.
• Use a blanket or pet carrier to transport the dog, making sure the area is small, so he can’t move.

After you bring your dog home from the Vet make sure that you give them lots of love and attention. Give them a yummy treat, if the Vet allows. Always remember to feed your dog with love and a wise heart.

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Most folks think the best way to relieve stress is to relax on the sofa, but it may be the the other way around; it seems that movement is the key to obtaining that coveted feeling of well-being!

The healing benefits of regular exercise have been proven. Research has shown that consistent movement can increase health and happiness. In fact, it's likely that if exercise were a drug, it would be one of the most effective prescriptions available. Instead of putting off exercise in favor of your preferred reality show or televised sports game, make your own reality by finding the joy in movement.

As trainers, we're required to instruct our clients that they should consult a doctor before starting an exercise program (and in certain circumstances, this is critical). However, looking at the evidence, it would be advisable to consult an M.D. before positioning yourself on the sofa for addictive sessions with the TV!

Please visit www.myhealthstudio.com and click on "Event/Class Calendar" for class schedules.

Tags: exercise | movement | fitness | dance

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