The Toprakci Method: Creating Confident Learners

Emotions and other factors can significantly impact a child's academic abilities. Stress, lack of sleep, and negative self-talk can hinder a child's performance and lead to a decline in skills. It is important to address these non-academic issues to create an environment where academics can thrive. Life skills such as breathwork and gratitude can help children become more resilient and improve their processing abilities. Behavior problems, lack of confidence, and perfectionism can also impede academic progress. Early intervention and foundational skills are crucial for addressing these challenges and promoting positive cognitive development.TakeawaysEmotions and non-academic factors can significantly impact a child's academic abilities.Stress, lack of sleep, and negative self-talk can hinder a child's performance and lead to a decline in skills.Addressing non-academic issues is crucial for creating an internal environment where academics can thrive.Life skills such as breathwork and gratitude can help children become more resilient and improve their processing abilities.Behavior problems, lack of confidence, and perfectionism can impede academic progress.Early intervention and foundational skills are crucial for addressing these challenges and promoting positive cognitive development.The Foundation Course: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the Show.

We explore the importance of early intervention and proper support in addressing learning difficulties. The brain's ability to rewire and create new pathways is highlighted, with examples of students improving their academic performance through targeted intervention. The conversation also discusses the need for different tools and methods to address individual learning styles and processing skills. The role of teachers and tutors in providing effective intervention is explored, along with the importance of using research-based teaching methods. The conversation concludes with the idea that early access to brain work and processing tools could potentially prevent learning and processing problems for a larger percentage of students.TakeawaysEarly intervention and proper support can have a significant impact on a student's academic trajectory.The brain has the ability to rewire and create new pathways, allowing for improved understanding and learning.Different tools and methods are necessary to address individual learning styles and processing skills.Early access to brain work and processing tools could potentially prevent learning and processing problems for a larger percentage of students.Keywordsearly intervention, learning difficulties, brain rewiring, academic performance, targeted intervention, individual learning styles, processing skills, teachers, tutors, research-based teaching methods, brain work, processing tools"The brain really can rewire and create new pathways of understanding.""Over the years, I've almost made a mathematical formula of how long intervention is going to take.""Sometimes it does need to be disruptive. Something is not working."Resources:www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the Show.

This conversation explores the practice of gratitude with children and its profound impact on their mindset and behavior.  Tani Toprakci, M.Ed shares examples of students expressing gratitude for various aspects of their lives, such as themselves, pets, friends, and material possessions. The practice of gratitude helps children develop a positive attitude, build confidence, and reframe negative thoughts.  The conversation also discusses the importance of perception and how focusing on gratitude can shift one's perspective to notice the positive aspects of life and therefore changes a child's perception and what they notice about themselves and the world around them. There truly is a ripple effect of gratitude, especially when it's incorporated into daily life.Keywordsgratitude, children, mindset, behavior, positive attitude, confidence, perception, perspective, ripple effectTakeawaysPracticing gratitude with children can have a profound impact on their mindset and behavior.Expressing gratitude for various aspects of life helps children develop a positive attitude and build confidence.Focusing on gratitude can shift one's perspective to notice the positive aspects of life.The ripple effect of gratitude can create a more positive and supportive environment.Incorporating gratitude exercises in daily life can lead to long-term positive changes."What three things are you grateful for?""Sometimes life isn't easy, but we still can have gratitude for working through something challenging.""If we can give kids the tool to ripple out gratitude or positivity, that's gonna ripple out into the world."Resources:www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the Show.

SummaryNeurodivergent kids need different tools, but these tools can benefit all children. The conversation explores various tools and techniques that can help strengthen brain pathways and support academic success. The tools discussed include balance exercises, breath work, symbol mastery with clay, tracking exercises, spell reading, sweep reading, visual-based word sorts, and regular practice. These tools can help improve processing, reading, writing, and spelling skills. The conversation emphasizes the importance of early intervention and providing these tools to all children to prevent academic struggles later on.Keywordsneurodivergent kids, tools, brain pathways, academic struggles, balance exercises, breath work, symbol mastery, tracking exercises, spell reading, sweep reading, visual-based word sorts, practice, early interventionTakeawaysNeurodivergent kids need different tools, but these tools can benefit all children.Balance exercises, breath work, symbol mastery with clay, tracking exercises, spell reading, sweep reading, visual-based word sorts, and regular practice are effective tools for strengthening brain pathways and supporting academic success.Early intervention and providing these tools to all children can prevent academic struggles later on.Understanding one's own learning and using the right tools can help become a master learner.Resources:www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the Show.

Learning is often messy and not always pretty, but it is through the messiness that true understanding and growth occur. The process of learning and growth can be nonlinear, with steps forward and steps back. Presentation and appearance are not always indicative of deep learning. True learning is shown through the nitty-gritty thinking work, the ability to explain and teach what has been learned. Repetition and practice are essential for mastery in core subjects like reading, writing, spelling, and math. Neurodivergent children require different tools to make connections in the brain, BUT  THESE TOOLS BENEFIT ALL CHILDREN. Learning is a messy process that requires effort, time, and patience.Keywordslearning, growth, messy, understanding, presentation, thinking, teaching, repetition, practice, mastery, neurodivergent, tools, effort, time, patienceTakeawaysLearning is often messy and not always pretty.Presentation and appearance are not always indicative of deep learning.True learning is shown through the nitty-gritty thinking work and the ability to explain and teach what has been learned.Repetition and practice are essential for mastery in core subjects.Neurodivergent children may require different tools to make connections in the brain, but these tools benefit all children.Learning is a messy process that requires effort, time, and patience.Resources:www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

"The brain and body learn through repetition."The conversation explores the concept of how the brain and body learn through repetition and how powerful this is as an agency for change and learning. It discusses the importance of creating rituals and routines in academic settings, such as tutoring sessions and study skills, to make learning easier and more efficient. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by perfectionist students and the need for holistic teaching approaches. The speaker emphasizes the significance of teaching brain work, processing skills, and core subjects to help students develop confidence and critical thinking abilities. The goal is to empower students to apply their learning to various aspects of life.Keywordsrepetition, consistency, ritual, brain and body, learning, academic, tutoring, study skills, perfectionism, holistic teaching, brain work, processing skills, core subjects, confidence, critical thinkingTakeawaysConsistency and repetition are keys to learning and creating new pathways in the brain and body.Creating rituals and routines in academic settings can make learning easier and more efficient.How perfectionism can hinder the learning process, and it's important to teach students to embrace imperfection and focus on progress.Holistic teaching approaches that incorporate brain work, processing skills, and core subjects can help students develop confidence and critical thinking abilities.The goal of education is to empower students to apply their learning to various aspects of life and become lifelong learners."The act of studying becomes easier because it's become a ritual.""Learning is messy. It doesn't have to look perfect."Resources:www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

The conversation explores the benefits of silence and slowing down in order to bring focus and attention to our lives. In this conversation, we look at how stillness can help with creating focus that is intentionally directed in a kid-friendly way.  We explore a "mini-retreat" in this episode with easy breathwork and balance work. Tani Toprakci, M.Ed shares personal experiences of participating in silent retreats and the profound effects it had on her. She also introduces kid-friendly breath work and balance exercises that can help improve attention span and focus in children. We explore how we can actually build attention span through relaxation, breath work, and bite-sized academic tasks.Keywordssilence, slowing down, focus, attention, breath work, balance, attention span, academic tasksTakeawaysSilence and slowing down can bring profound effects and redirect our attention.Kid-friendly breath work and balance exercises can improve attention span and focus in children.Building attention span through relaxation, breath work, and bite-sized academic tasks is important.Creating a quiet learning space is crucial for children with hyperdistraction.Resources: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

This conversation discusses the need for explicit teaching techniques for students who are struggling in school. It emphasizes the importance of patience and using specific language to help these students understand concepts. The conversation also explores "brain work" exercises that can benefit dyslexic students and strengthen brain connections with he use of tools like Spell-Reading, Sweep-Reading, and tracking as tools for visual understanding is highlighted. Additionally, the conversation suggests breaking down school concepts into smaller components to aid struggling students. If a child can teach you something, it's a good indication that they actually understand it!TakeawaysStruggling students often require explicit teaching techniques and different tools to understand concepts.Patience and the use of specific language are crucial when teaching struggling students.Brain work exercises, such as Spell-Reading and Sweep-Reading, can benefit dyslexic students and strengthen brain connections lessening transposing mistakes.Breaking down school concepts into smaller components can help struggling students grasp the material. Resources: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comVisual Tracking Exercises by Bridgette SharpSupport the show

SummaryThe conversation explores the importance of self-esteem in academic success and personal growth- it literally changes how we approach an academic path. When a child has self-esteem we can approach the academic task directly, otherwise, there's a whole set of detours that we need to take to deal with the academic task at hand.  This conversation discusses how self-esteem can be derived and built, emphasizing the role of positive self-talk and trust in oneself. The impact of negative self-talk and lack of self-esteem on academic performance is highlighted. Strategies for building self-esteem, such as reframing challenges, celebrating successes, and emphasizing the importance of gratitude and mindfulness in developing a positive outlook. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the crucial role of self-esteem in navigating academic challenges in the most direct root possible. TakeawaysThe role of self-esteem affects how an academic task can be addressedSelf-esteem is crucial for academic success and personal growth.Positive self-talk and trust in oneself are essential for building self-esteem.Negative self-talk and lack of self-esteem can hinder academic performance.Strategies such as reframing challenges and celebrating successes can help build self-esteem.Gratitude and mindfulness contribute to a positive outlook and self-esteem.Resources: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

SummaryAs much as gratitude, breathwork, and balance are important for processing. Nothing creates amazing confidence (and success!) in school more than actual KNOWLEDGE and competence in the subject matters a child is studying in school.This week's episode emphasizes the importance of foundation work, academic competence, and building confidence through successes. It highlights the role of effort and accountability in learning and the progression of academic growth. The importance of reading grade-level texts and the complexity of deeper reading to maintain a healthy academic upward trajectory. Differences in curriculum and gaps in knowledge are explored and how that affects knowledge and understanding, along with the impact of competence on academic success. The necessity of knowledge and competence in foundation skills through enough practice is discussed as a key point to creating internal confidence. This conversation also touches on academic skills and language and the need to teach to individual needs for confidence and competency in academics across the board.TakeawaysFoundation work, such as gratitude, breath work, and balance exercises, is crucial for optimal information processing and academic success, but nothing is as important as actual KNOWLEDGE and understanding.Academic competence breeds confidence, and explicit teaching and scaffolding can help students reach grade-level proficiency.Building confidence through successes and providing visual-based tools can support struggling students.Effort, accountability, and individual learning are essential for academic growth and confidence.Resources: CCL Episode: The Writing Progression  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-toprakci-method-creating-confident-learners/id1678382142?i=1000646227735 www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

SummaryThis conversation explores the impact of self-talk on classroom "abilities" and how negative self-talk can hinder academic performance. We look at the role of confidence in a child's overall success and the long-term effects of negative self-talk on self-esteem.   A negative mindset can actually cause a hindrance to skill development and that's why it's so important to teach better tools for emotional regulation to children.TakeawaysNegative self-talk can significantly affect a student's classroom abilities and academic performance.Confidence plays a crucial role in a student's success and should be nurtured.Negative self-talk can lead to disruptive behavior in the classroom.Long-term negative self-talk can have a detrimental impact on a student's self-esteem.Learning to talk to oneself as a best friend is an important life skill.A negative mindset can hinder skill development and learning.Teaching better tools for emotional regulation is essential for students with negative self-talk.Addressing negative self-talk is crucial for improving classroom abilities and overall academic performance.Resources:  www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSupport the show

SummaryThis conversation explores the concept of creating self-worth and programming the subconscious mind, with a focus on doing so at an early age. Tani Toprakci, M.Ed discusses the role of subconscious programming in shaping our lives and suggests methods for developing self-worth in children. The conversation concludes with a little exercise in presence and a discussion on consciously teaching life skills to children and the significance of joy and connection in our lives. TakeawaysDeveloping self-worth at an early age can have a positive impact on one's life.Subconscious programming plays a significant role in shaping our beliefs and behaviors.Forgiveness is an essential part of healing and cultivating self-worth.Consciously teaching life skills to children can help them develop a positive mindset and self-worth.Resources: The Foundation Course: the ultimate tools in creating self-worth early. Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comSign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

In this conversation, Tani emphasizes the importance of creating space for students to be themselves and make sense of things in their own way. Think about the comic strip that talks about students as different animals- it's almost laughable that we test students who are say a fish, a monkey, an elephant, or a giraffee and ask them ALL to climb a tree to show their proficiency! She discusses the use of breath work to manage hyper-distraction and adapt teaching tools to individual needs as well as measuring individual success through individual growth in previously challenging subjects and concepts. Tani also highlights the need for a balanced approach to maturity and mindfulness, as well as a sustainable pace and expectations. She emphasizes the importance of rest and a consistent schedule and recognizes the individual differences in learning styles and engagement. Tani advocates for allowing time and space for students to learn at their own pace and build foundational academic skills. She also emphasizes the need to recognize different strengths and weaknesses and prioritize understanding over quantity of work.TakeawaysCreate a stress-free learning environment that allows students to be themselves and make sense of things in their own way.Use breathwork and other techniques to manage hyper-distraction and support focus.Adapt teaching tools and approaches to meet the individual needs of students.Balance maturity and mindfulness, and set sustainable pace and expectations.Recognize and honor the individual differences in learning styles and engagement.Allow time and space for students to learn at their own pace and build foundational academic skills.Prioritize understanding and deep learning over the quantity of work.Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

SummaryTeaching writing can be challenging, especially for struggling students. This conversation explores a three-step process for teaching writing skills and addresses the progression of writing abilities. It also discusses the challenges students face in the writing process and provides tools for teaching writing effectively. The three steps of the process are introduced, which include free writing, correcting mistakes, and rewriting. The benefits of this process are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of practice and progression in writing.TakeawaysTeaching writing requires time and effort, especially for struggling students.Writing skills progress through various stages, starting from making marks to spelling and grammar.The three-step process of free writing, correcting mistakes, and rewriting is effective for teaching writing.Consistent practice and self-correction are key to improving writing skills.Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

There is a special challenge teaching  kiddos who wiggle and can't seem to sit still no matter what- but that's not what I'm taling about here in this episode!In this episode we explore the kiddos who "wiggle" with thie academics and that need some extra support to perform their best in the academic setting. Sometimes it's just sitting with them to get them caught up with the overwhelm and sometimes it's more.Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

When kids cover up their lack of understanding and/or aren't honest with themselves about what they do and don't get in academics- those things often come back around later and show up as holes in their understanding. In this episode, we discuss what this looks like in children and where and how these holes tend to show up again.  Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

With being behind in academics, comes heartbreak.  Kids show heartbreak in so many different ways: acting out, shutting down, negative self-talk, giving up easily, etc.Take a listen to this week's episode to find out more about how to combat some of these behaviors with specific confidence-building tools (also found and outlined in The Foundation Course)!Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

We're back with another Q and A episode!In this episode we explore the questions: How do I stop negative behavior in my child?Be sure to take a listen.  Submit your own academic questions to tani.toprakci@tanitutors.com. Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the showSupport the show

In this week's episode we explore how gratitude literally changes the way we perceive. It changes what we perceive and opens up the grace of even more possibilities.  In this podcast we'll explore how gratitude changes the synaptic connections in the brain, how a consistent gratitude practice extends further than you can imagine, and how gratitude affects academics and academic challenges. We also explore 3 exercises that help cultivate gratitude in the long term. Try them for 3-6 months, and get back to us about what you noticed!Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

We're closing out the 2023 year soon and it's about mid-year within the school year. Like clockwork kids who start to struggle tend to show this struggle the most at two points in the academic school year, about a month or two after school has started and the material has started to get real, as well as the mid-year jump into the second semester. In this episode we go over the common factors that kids who struggle with school. They tend to have one or more of these underlying factors that widen the school gap between themselves, their peers, and the academic content of that school year. Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

It's normal for us, as adults, and for kids to get frustrated, but we all need better tools. Having better tools to change the dynamic is game-changing for any parent that struggles with a child who acts out, gets frustrated easily, complains, or gets anxious. We talked more about it here in this episode.  The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

It's really important to teach kids deeper thinking and comprehension skills along side fluency.Oftentimes in the younger years, parents and adults tend to think of learning to read more as fluency and oftentimes I end up seeing kids who can't remember what they've just read. Reading is thinking, and also knowing  the meaning and understanding it in context is a big part of reading, as well as inferences and going deeper than just what the text itself says.  In this episode we look at how deep you can go even with a level 1 reader!Resources:Reading is Thinking article: https://mauifamilymagazine.com/reading-is-thinking/The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

In this week's episode, we explore the idea of actively looking for "glimmers." Much like the gratitude practice, actively looking for glimmers allows for students to tap into a more positive state more easily. We can change the internal state and equilibrium of children by teaching them tools, such as being a glimmer-seeker or actively looking for gratitude. We explore more in this week's episode. Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletter. There you will received the free reading assessment video in your inbox that I've created that helps YOU identify your child't own personal set of trigger words. It's so important to address these trigger words!Follow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Does your child misread sight words? Or words that look similar  like "felt" and left" ? These are known as trigger words. In this episode, we start to explore the use of clay for word mastery and symbol mastery to help reduce the number of mistakes and omissions of trigger words when reading and writing.Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletter. There you will received the free reading assessment video in your inbox that I've created that helps YOU identify your child't own personal set of trigger words. It's so important to address these trigger words!Follow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

In this episode we look at how environment can compound gaps in knowledge for students between themselves and their peers.  Sometimes kids need a different environment to build the skills at a pace that they can handle independent of the classroom space and environment they're in, at a pace that fills in their gaps of knowledge and  their lack of skill, so that they can transfer it to the original environment they were previously struggling in. hen  they can transfer it to the classroom they're in, with the teacher that they're with, and with the pace of their peers and their classmates.Resources:Reading is Thinking article: https://mauifamilymagazine.com/reading-is-thinking/The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

In this episode we look at compensation behaviors.  Compensation really are these loud, distracting behaviors where kids and students are compensating for the fact that they don't have the necessary skills in place to preform well in the classroom setting.They are having trouble with keeping up with their peers, and keeping up with the pace of the classroom. They're just kind of these big deficiencies and gaps in knowledge, especially with the core subjects and basic skills. In the classroom setting, students will compensate by loud behavior, creating really big stories as compensation strategies.  They tend to have a hard time in general in the classroom setting.Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we revisit this out-of-the box idea of tools to create laser focus and allow  a kid-friendly way to especially help those highly visual and kinetic kids. These tools help students become more aware of their environment and more aware of their own selves. These tools can feel imaginary to those of us who don't process this way, but it makes sense to the kids who do think this way! What's even better is these tools help ALL types of learners.These tools help them make less of the mistakes they tend to do: mis-tracking of letters, misreading and omitting words, spelling patterns and mis-carrying of numbers in basic number facts. It helps with retention of material and the pace that assignments take to complete. Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode, we dive deeper into how confidence can change the whole demeanor of a child when it is achieved and embodied. I leave you at the end of this episode  with two concrete tools that help create self-confidence in yourself as adults.Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode, we look at how other factors outside of academics affect learning. Such as: Lack of confidenceAnxiety/ negative self talkBrain synaptic connections/balance/processingLack of focus/body embodiment/ multi-taskingComparison/ lack, not enough little successes is school and out of school/lifeDietMaturityToo much technology (how it doesn't help with attention space, the brain-body connection)Everything is interconnected; we can help children succeed in academics using other tools that help them be confident, help them process information better, help them become critical and independent learners.Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!Question and Answer Episode! Q: What have you noticed in academics since the COVID pandemic?Youtube video: If we treated teachers like pro athletes: https://youtu.be/aYOg8EON29Y?si=dRZVzFYmAkcwZjKmResources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In modern society, we have relatively little practice in delayed gratification: everything is at our fingertips in terms of instant rewards.  In this episode we look at the parallel between teaching to the whole child and creating a sense of delayed gratification to help with academic success. We also look at the parallels to creating true wealth and true health as both authors Candy Valentino of Wealth Habits and author Dr. Mark Hyman of Young Forever mention in their books. When we teach to the whole child and look at the interconnectedness of all moving parts, we create concrete effects that positively impact confidence in a child. Delayed gratification is especially important for impulsive kids to teach those who may be successful in other areas of life, but struggle academically.  We can show how much they have grown as a student by using methods of delayed gratification: earning something over time, seeing progress in written samples over time, and huge progression of math concepts, with something as simple as a huge post-it with the compilation of Problems the Day worked on over time. Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we explore how balance helps with focus and retention of academic materials.  Even though it may seem counterintuitive, by taking the time to help smoothen out both processing and focus, core academic skills can then be addressed from a place of focus without the struggle that was taking place before with a greater rate of retention of the material. The pace becomes quicker and the ease is now there. Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we look at how to create laser focus in children in a kid-friendly way which helps with better retention of academic materials. Resources: The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!Question and Answer Episode! Q: What do you feel like your biggest takeaway has been from such diversity in the places you've taught?This is the first podcast episode of this kind! Stay tuned to hear the response!Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!We talk about the difference of focus versus awareness in school. We look at how memorization techniques in academics isn't enough and helping kids with developing some grit for school when other things outside the classroom come so easily to them. Students need to be able to explain themselves fully to show their understand rather than glossing over or rushing through assignments for true understanding and knowledge. Often these very articulate, distracted kids need both focus and, for certain subjects matter and topics , need to be brought explicitly to their awareness for them to retain the information. In this episode we talk about:“Laser” focus versus awarenessMemorization techniques versus true knowledgeUtilizing the teaching momentBringing common knowledge: time, days, months to children's awarenessMind-body in one place at the same time is the feeling of focusExplicit information versus implicit information Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

In this week's podcast episode, I talk a lot about what has been going on here on Maui. If you would like to skip directly to the academic link of academic crisis, skip to the marked chapter and time stamp of 23:57 of the episode.We look at when there is crisis- whether academic or other- it's more of an unwinding process that unfolds one step at a time; how it's so important to be solution-oriented and to have faith in the process and to do the next best logical step that is right in front of you.I speak a bit about how I've been processing the Maui Fires and the situation as it unfolds over the past couple of weeks. I hope the processing is helpful.For the links I mentioned in the episode there are a few local-based businesses providing merchandise where 100% of proceeds goes the the Maui Fire Relief efforts:Maui Strong Stickers: https://www.mauistickers.com/search?q=maui+strongBiasa Rose Maui Wildfire Relief T-Shirts and Stickers: https://biasarose.com/collections/maui-wildfire-relief-donation-productsDirect link to support Maui families affected by the Maui Wildfires directly: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lExatubPl6zvsDcy4qUd3Sv1PvvKrzMhUyOzaKuId0o/htmlview#Vetted Instagram direct support of Venmo pages for affected families of the Maui Wildfires: @lahaina_ohana_venmo and @kula_ohana_venmoEnd song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'oleSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!We look at the effects of environments, and how we can use environments and ritual to influence more positive habits in ourselves, children, and students. Positive environments have an imprint that affects both the brain and body and signals to them what to do in that space. By creating a set environment and/or time, often some of the procrastination and other resistance behaviors to doing homework or schoolwork fall away- just by creating the space alone! We also think we have more choices in things that we purchase, like whether we buy Starbucks or not! James Clear talks about how important environments are, and that there are environmental triggers that positively or adversely affect people's habits which reflect my own observations teaching over the years in his book Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Goos Habits and Break Bad Habits.In this episode we talk about:Environmental triggersThe resonance of a positive or sacred spaceHow environment effects our actions and habits including academicsBy creating a set environment and/or time often some of the procrastination and other resistance habits to doing homework or schoolwork fall away- just by creating the space!How to make a task easyWe think we have a choice in coffee!Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we look at what the quickest route to academic progress is. We talk about how one-on-one tailored teaching to gaps in knowledge often lets kids transfer skills and focus to other settings, like the classroom, where before they couldn't.  How school works for the majority of students, but how about 15% of students get lost in the mix. In this episode we talk about:Teaching to gaps in knowledgeHow learning a skill in a one-on-one setting will often allow students to transfer that skill and focus to the classroom once it is embodied and masteredHow each students needs are different and how to meet themCreating a container outside of distraction to master a skill and focus and then be able to transfer that skill to other environmentsHow to create confident, independent learners by mirroring their strengths as studentsResources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we look at how letting kids struggle is actual good for the learning process. That with scaffolding, a healthy amount of effort and struggle, actually helps them become stronger , more confident, and more independent as a learner.I share a beautiful story about a butterfly that illustrates this fact so clearly. And why— even though it sometimes makes us uncomfortable to watch children struggle — why it's so important at times to do so and let them figure out things for themselves!In this episode we talk about:Letting kids struggle to become more confident and independent as a learnerThe story of the butterfly and why it's okay to struggle in lifeHow to help both kids and butterflies soar in lifeHow we are actually the ones who get uncomfortable as adults and often step in too soon to helpThe balance of struggle and scaffolding Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up.Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear??  Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!In this episode we talk about my recent trip abroad to both Bali and Australia and the insights and connection I made with education.  We also talk about The Foundation Course and creating a solid foundation using the key components of TTM: Creating Confident Learners: the breath work, the gratitude, the balance, the brain-body work.  There are so many tools jam-packed into this course! Tools that especially help kids with anxiety and lack of focus, BUT ALSO meets every child where they're at to help them excel whether or not they are struggling. It gives ALL CHILDREN so many more tools in their toolbox that they can pull from when they need them. This course is designed to support both parents and educators, and presented in a way that takes 20 years+ of experience and knowledge into bitesized and digestible pieces of information that can be implemented right away!In this episode we talk about:The Foundation Course!!!Reflections and insights from BaliWe talk more about the foundation tools that The Foundation Course supports you with creating and creating a really solid foundation for your chinThe key components of The Toprakci Method: Creating Confident LearnersHelps kids with anxiety and lack of focusConsistency!Resources:The Foundation Course is now available!! Sign up at: www.creatingconfidentlearners.comIt's available both as a one-time purchase or as a monthly subscription with extra support through a private support group for both parents and educations as well as a monthly livestream meet up!Sign up for The Creating Confident Learners newsletter at https://pages.creatingconfidentlearners.com/newsletterFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠In this episode, we look at how the type of books and literature children reads affects all other areas of academics. The types of books they read does matter! Summer is the perfect time to combat “summer brain” by reading really deep texts and books- and having fun with it!  They can traveling in time and space through the books they choose to read independently this summer.  I also share some of my favorite all time go-to books for kids of all different ages.In this episode we talk about: The importance of “Just Right” fit books that give them just the right about of stretch and growth when children are reading independently- when you sign up for TTM Newsletter: Creating Confident Learners you'll receive it in the next July newsletter! Picking good literature during the summer to combat “summer brain”  How reading influences all other areas of academics and makes students better overall learners I share some of my favorite go-to books for all agesResources:Don't forget to sign up to received my free 3 step guide to picking “Just Right” fit books for this summer with the next newsletter being sent out this July! Sign up at: pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter. Also, when you sign up for The Toprakci Method: Creating Confident Learners Newsletter you'll receive the FREE reading assessment video I've created for you to figure out what type of learner your child is. This will help make the reading process become so much easier and avoid bigger issues before they happen. Follow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠In this episode we look at the importance of small tasks and how everything builds upon each other one step at a time. We talk about how simple tasks are important in their own right and how they snowball over time with consistency and discipline to master foundational skills and create banks of successes for kids. I go deeper on how to make progress tangible for kids and how important it is to not move a goal until after they've met the first one. I also relate it to my own experience of currently becoming more of a student again and that by using timers and time rather than task, all small tasks lead up to an accomplished finished product. In this episode we talk about: The importance of small tasks and how everything is interconnected and builds upon each other How small tasks snowball over time The importance of consistency and discipline, allowing time for mastery of a skill and creating a bank of successes for children How to make progress tangible  The importance of not moving goal benchmarks until they are actually achieved Becoming a student again The importance of doing a task for time and how each small task eventually leads to the accomplished whole task Resources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠In this episode we dive deep into number sense and what that actually means. We talk about the importance of having solid math skills and foundation as well as mental math ease with the four major operations. We talk about the importance of number sense and confidence in oneself to excel in mathematics. We also look at the importance of making sure your child has their multiplication facts at their fingertips and it's the one skill that needs to be addressed until the mental muscle is established to make all math concepts that follow it easier. In this episode we talk about: What number sense is Creating ease with number sense and using game to help develop number sense The importance of knowing your basic math facts, and having strong mental math skills, especially with multiplication facts The language of math How often times children who struggle with reading have a sophisticated mathematically thinking that gets overlooked because they are being tested on more rote skills earlier in school  Teach you the math game WARResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠In this episode we look at what it means to be a visual or phonetic learner, and why it's so important to know the difference. By teaching visual learners visual-based tools we can avoid bigger problems. In this episode we talk about two visual based learners who once given the right toolset, started to identify as readers where before they struggled. We look at the fact that visual-based strategies actually help ALL learners, but don't leave visual-based learners behind in the way that teaching only phonetics does and the fact that we don't have to teach reading just through phonics or even at all.  I also touch on visual-based strategies such as building a high frequency word bank, using clay to master both trigger words and letters, the use of word study, and the importance of reading out loud to help students become fluent and proficient readers. In this episode we talk about: The difference between phonetic and visual learners and what it's so important to know which one your child is We talk about visual-based tools such as building a high frequency word bank, clay word and symbol mastery, word study, spell and sweep reading strategies Talk more about two visual students who once give visual tools started to excel and identify as readers themselves once given the right tools How visual learners often times don't hear the vowel sounds How to access the free reading assessment I've created that allows for YOU to identify how your child processes reading and how to identify their own personal trigger wordsResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠As my good friend and Peloton instructor, Denis Morton, says “Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes permanent.” We explore in this episode how important it is for students to master skills correctly and, in particular, the mechanics and the neuromuscular patterning of letter writing. We look at how that indicates how well a student will do with the pace of school and assignments. We also explore how the writing process developmentally progresses in children. We talk more about consistency and creating habits to create self-confidence in children; that small daily habits build over time and the need of the use of intensity until mastery is achieved. Lastly, we touch on not getting caught in the comparison trap.In this episode we talk about: Practice doesn't make perfect, it makes it permanent. Mastering the mechanics of letter writing: print, cursive, and typing We look at muscle-memory Building habits with consistency, doing a little task daily until mastered Creating mastery with the mechanics of letter writing creates self-confidence and ease with the pace of school Intensity creates mastery in skills The Comparison TrapResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠In this episode we will look at how the breath and teaching breathwork affects the structure of the brain. We revisit and explore the neuroplasticity of the brain. We look a little at the science and what the breath does for the body. We explore one of the breathwork exercise that I use with students at the beginning of every session. In this episode we talk about: How breathwork affects the physiology of the brain We look at some of the effects breathwork does to the body as seen in scientific studies  We try out one of the breathwork that I do with students How 3-5 minutes of breathwork or mediation in the morning can change the flow of someone's day We also talk at the end about the brain-body connection or the neuromuscular connection in the body and how this is an indicator of whether a child will struggle or not in academicsResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comReferred to Studies:Journal of Neurophysiology: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.00551.2017 and summary at:https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_focusing_on_the_breath_does_to_your_brainStudy at Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University: https://neurosciencenews.com/breathing-brain-21796/ Support the show

Like what you hear?? ⁠Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learners to help support us grow!⁠What is gratitude? Why is it important? What little things are you grateful for? And how does that make you feel in your body? AND how does it apply to academics?In this episode we look at how gratitude can change what a child perceives, what they notice, and how that applies to supporting their academic journey. We try out a couple of exercises to explore perception and look a little deeper at the reprogramming of the synaptic connection and brain processes.  We look at how gratitude allows for presence and ease in the body and therefore helps a child with focus and the ability to tackle academic challenges that will inevitably come up.  We also talk about a simple way to create just a little bit more self-esteem in conjunction with developing a more positive outlook and mindset with the use of gratitude. In this episode we talk about: Gratitude, its importance, and its connection to academics We explore some exercises that change perception We look a little deeper at reprograming the synaptic connections of the brain through gratitude and how that feels in the body How gratitude creates presence and ease which translates to focus and perseverance  We also look at a simple way to create self-esteem and how that translates to academics and other realmsResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child isFollow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

Like what you hear?? Consider donating to TTM: Creating Confident Learns to help support us grow! In this first episode, we look deeper at how to create confidence in learners through influencing the brain-body connection using The Toprakci Method. We look at teaching the whole child and creating foundational skills to change the synaptic connections of the brain and influence the internal state. We explore the brain-body connection and look at how a child is processing and thinking; and the importance of the use of breathwork, gratitude, balance, and brain-body work to create a solid academic foundation where all learners can succeed.In this episode we talk about: Overview of what The Toprakci Method is How to create confidence in learners using the brain-body connection and using out-of-box methods that create a solid foundation The story of where this all started and how it translates to ALL students The neuroplasticity of the brain And we end the episode with a question of gratitudeResources:Sign up for my free (!) newsletter at pages.tanitutors.com/newsletter to get a FREE 8-minute reading assessment video to figure out what type of learner your child is.Follow @creatingconfidentlearners on both Instagram and FacebookFor one-on-one clients for homeschooling or tutoring support or more information go to: www.tanitutors.com or email tani.toprakci@tanitutors.comSupport the show

The Toprakci Method: Creating Confident Learners specializes in creating confident learners with a growth mindset. The Toprakci Method uses a unique combination of breathwork, brain-body work, GRATITUDE, and even a clay-based learning program to affect the neuroplasticity of the brain to help dramatically improve students' ability to spell, read, grasp number sense, and focus. STRUGGLING students CAN be transformed into CONFIDENT LEARNERS who become academically successful-permanently (!) - in a remarkably short amount of time. Follow @creatingconfidentlearnersSupport the show