Reducing Stress Beats the Odds

Making art increases the perception of control. This painting of a bear with the eco-system that supports him depicted inside of the figure was made by my students at Novato Charter School in 4th grade. Many of the students, now in 7th grade, are included in the movie link below, playing music in a market.

The fabulously practical, caring and cutting edge brain-science expert Eric Jensen shares five ways to decrease stress: the perception of control, breathing, movement, music and belonging. Too many schools don’t incorporate all of these elements in their daily practices. Many Waldorf schools, both private and public, do. The Novato Charter School (NCS) goes one step further, empowering students by having them take their music to real audiences in the world. Below you’ll see a two minute movie of the NCS fiddle club, organized by the visionary music teacher Kenny Blacklock, playing in Whole Foods and bringing stress relief to the customers as well as the students. Click on this link to see the movie: Ashokan Farewell

I Don’t Know What Odds Are

Kathryn painting.

I’m making a 8′ x 12′ mural at the Grant Grover School, a branch of the College of Marin, for young people with special needs, through the Youth in Arts program of Marin County. When I say I don’t know what odds are, what I mean is that many odds pale when I spend time with someone who cannot walk or talk, but who can look me in the eye and cause me to question all I take for granted. As Lili Lopez, my 18 year-old Unity Through Creativity assistant, says “They know something we don’t know.” The students at Grant Grover have a great range of skill and consciousness, which makes any skill and consciousness seem like a precious thing. Every time I ask a student to use a chalk line, or take a video, or use a caulk gun, I never know what will happen. Most of my requests have been met with “yes” and follow through.

After surveying 30 students about their sparks, I made a sketch incorporating many of their passions. I chose the golden retriever as a symbol of unconditional love. One of the students has a dream of making a shelter for abused and neglected golden retrievers. He sees the odds that the dogs are up against and wants to do something about it. I xeroxed the drawing and asked the students to color it in, getting ideas for the color scheme.

I’m comfortable around these young people because I can relate to the level of affection they thrive on.  It reminds me of Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert’s description of herself as a cross between a golden retriever and a barnacle.  I told that to Kyle, the prince of warmth at the school – the golden retriever guy.  We had a belly laugh about how that’s how much we need love, too.

Below you’ll see pictures of the mural in progress. The will and fortitude of these young people, their teachers and their families is inspiring.

Study for “We Must Care for the Earth”

Sealing moisture out.

Preparing the support structure.

Coloring the studies to get ideas for our color scheme.

Walter helped to make the master grid for the three panels so we could transfer the drawing.

Tyler, Lili and Shayla painting Mt. Tamalpais

Giving Attention to the Behavior We Want

How do we beat the odds of negativity that we are up against? Like any sane parent and educator knows, focusing on positive behavior gets you more of it. So I want to praise a family that I consider to be much more deserving of attention than Charlie Sheen. The Medlock family in Colorado Springs should be headline news. This family has chosen to adopt five sisters in the foster care system while having raised six children of their own. They are doing the daily discipline of love, plaiting hair, providing favorite color butterfly clips and glasses, making breakfasts and helping with homework. The sparks of Shakira, Bryanne, Bryonna, Bryann, and Bryla are being nourished in their new home, where they’ve lived for a year. The Medlock’s son, Steve, who attends Afterschool University, said “I want to be the one who saves the day.” The model of this family’s generosity will save the day.