Science is suggesting that instead of praising kids for their inherent talents, we should be concentrating more on their efforts to problem solve. So, basically, throw the rule book out the window. Everything that we’ve been taught as parents and educators is changing, and it’s backed by research. A few things that are note-worthy as a result of studies: Just praising kids on how smart they are can actually cause kids to be less excited about learning and excelling as they grow up. Kids are much more likely to succeed if we praise them for their thought processes and intellect-driven journey, even if they aren’t 100% successful in their conclusion. These findings are applicable in kids as young as 1! The bottom line of the study is that there are two mindset belief systems in play with kids. Growth mindset: The belief that achievements can change, and that the ability to problem-solve is developed over time. Fixed mindset: The belief that either you’ve got it, or you don’t, as far as intelligence goes. Based on these studies, there are two ways you can look at people. Think of a smart person that you know. Like, really smart. Got it? Ok, so, if you are thinking about them from the view of a growth mindset, your view of their intelligence would be that they have succeeded in solving some very difficult problems in their life. Now, thinking of them from a fixed mindset, you would simply say, “Wow. That dude is just smart.” See the distinction? So, what does all this mean for kids? To teach based on the growth mindset, focus less on a child’s intelligence, and rather praise them for their ability to problem solve like a boss. Instead of saying, “You’re just so smart,” try: “Did anything challenge you today? I love hearing how you work through stuff.” Also, instead of, “I can’t get over how good you are doing in school,” say: “What classes do you feel present struggles or challenges for you? Whatever they are, you’re rocking them, for sure.” No matter how you’re doing it, if you’re praising kids, you’re doing something right. Always remember: if kids (and adults, let’s face it…) are making mistakes, they’re (we’re) learning. Opportunities for pats on the back are around every corner, we just have to know where to look. Sources: Stanford University, Inc.com , and Upworthy.

Over the past year, NinjaZone programs have spread throughout the world into a variety of different locations and environments, serving a diverse group of children. Impact Sports Center is a NinjaZone member club located in Lodi, California, a  farming community of approximately 70,000. With a number of competitors in the neighboring towns, Impact Sports Center was looking to set itself apart from their peers, leading them to NinjaZone. We asked Shane Harden, Owner of Impact Sports Center, to give us his take on this whole NinjaZone program and tell us his story. Here’s what he had to say: “It was one year ago today that we launched NinjaZone in our gym. This was the the biggest program we had ever launched in our history and it took 4 months of hard work by my managers and staff to pull it all together before the first Ninja walked through the front door. I am so stinking proud of my team. We were so nervous. NinjaZone has come SO FAR in one year. When we launched, there was not even a single training video available. All we had was a binder (that was very well put together, though) that described the skills and lesson plans. LOL! We had around 25 boys in our existing boys program and we converted them all but 1 into Ninjas. Then, through a series of marketing emails and social media posts, we created a monster of a program and we have never looked back. Amazing! Today, we have 260 ninjas enrolled in 42 classes (shhhh….a few classes have 7 Ninjas enrolled. Don’t tell anybody) and we have a current waitlist over over 120 trying to get in. We have a total enrollment of just under 1100 kids. We just got a Ninja in yesterday that has been trying to get in since February. Effective January 1st, we are discontinuing Birthday Parties on Saturday so that we can convert those 5 hours into more floor space for classes. Projections show that we will add 14 more Ninja classes which will allow 70 more Ninjas! My goal is 350 Ninjas enrolled by the end of THIS year. Regrets? Yes! My biggest regret is pricing Ninja Zone the same as my gymnastics classes. NinjaZone is a PREMIUM PROGRAM and needs to priced accordingly. I want to be at $99 for a 1-hour Ninja Class and $60 for a 1/2 hour Lil’ Ninja Class. We are currently $74.50 and $58 (our current Lil’ Ninja classes are 45-minutes). So, In February, we are going to raise prices. In one year, NinjaZone has contributed a little over $215,000 in NEW revenue since we launched. I think my ROI is ok on this program. LOL! There is not a single other program that a gym could put in their location that would even come close to NinjaZone. Period! Not posting this to brag, I am posting this as as a THANK YOU to NinjaZone and its Leadership and the tireless efforts that this Company brings to market. Thank you all! PS: I want to host the 1st NinjaCon!!!!!!!” CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER CLUB

February is a month for giving Valentines, celebrating Black history, and staying warm amidst the cold winter.  But did you know it’s also American Heart Month?  Sponsored by the American Heart Association , American Heart Month occurs each February and brings a special focus to the AHA’s mission: “To build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.” You might have heard of the “ Wear Red for Women ” day earlier in the month that was delegated to promoting awareness of heart disease in women.  The AHA is also posting daily heart health tips on a special widget on their website.  Another major public health organization, Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America, is teaming with the AHA’s heart-healthy theme for February.  The goal? To empower children to live healthy lifestyles too.  Your kids might be focusing on Jump Rope for Heart this month in PE classes. Looking for some ways to promote heart-health in your family? 1. Prioritize exercise People who don’t exercise are more likely to get heart disease.  These calendars from SHAPE American give daily physical activity calendars that you can use at home for the whole family.  This month’s exercises are heart-focused, as a bonus for Heart Month.  Choose the elementary activity calendar for younger bodies, but there’s a secondary activity calendar for older kids.  The “Ten at a Time” calendar is great for on-the-go families.  It’s designed for people who “don’t have time” to exercise.  Make heart health a priority for the rest of the month and aim to knock out the quick 10-rep exercises each day!  Even a 10-minute walk is a great way to start incorporating physical activity in your routine! 2. Take time to breathe Taking a few minutes a day to breathe slowly and deeply can help you relax and lower your blood pressure, a common risk factor for heart disease.  Breathing exercises or breaks are great and beneficial for all ages.  Breathing exercises have been proven to empower, calm, and self-regulate little ones, but the stress-relieving benefits will work for you too.  Bringing attention to your breath moves your body from the “fight or flight” system to the parasympathetic nervous system that allows for relaxation and receptivity.  Read: mindfulness, calmness, and a healthy body and mind. 3. Add heart-healthy foods Nuts, seafood, whole grains, beans, and other plant-based foods are great for your heart health.  Making small switches in your snack foods, salad toppings, or meat choices can reap great benefits for your heart.  While you’re at it, limiting sugary drinks, salty snacks, and other foods that are high in fat or high in cholesterol will limit your risk for heart disease.  These dietary adaptations can help promote a healthy weight and decrease the risk of other disease (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, irregular cholesterol levels), which in turn lowers your risk for heart disease.

We are in the midst of one of my most favorite times of the year: March Madness.  The premier men’s basketball teams from the NCAA are vying for the single spot from which they can be deemed college basketball’s “best.”  After the 64 teams are picked for the tournament on Selection Sunday, you will be able to find, download, and print the tournament brackets from the internet.  Challenge your family to a bracket competition; when I was growing up, the winner got to choose the after-church lunch spot one week.  Even if you know nothing about the game or the teams, the energy and hype that come along with the tournament are not to be left unexperienced.  Here are some fun ways your family can celebrate, even if basketball isn’t your thing. Host a book tournament Study for Common Things blog, written by a former librarian, has a cool idea to incorporate literature into the madness.  In her post here , she talks about a book tournament that she implemented when she worked at a public library.  Each week, kids voted for their favorite between two books (bracket-style), and the winners advanced through the showdown.  Kids were enticed to read the books they had not read yet. You could try this in your home with picture books to keep things short and easy. Create a “bracket” with a reading wish-list (Common Things Blog used the top-16 most circulated children’s books of the year to create her bracket, or check out the Caldecott Award Winners for inspiration).  Then, read two books each night and determine the “winners” that will continue on in your tournament. Foster your map skills After the brackets and contenders are determined, print a United States map.  Challenge your kids to put a stamp or a mark in each state with a team represented in the NCAA Tournament.  They might need to do some research for teams that aren’t obvious location giveaways, but this is a great way for them to explore geography and college campuses, for starters.  It can also spur some fun conversations when you ask questions like, “Which state has the most teams participating?” or “From what part of the US does it seem like most teams come?”  Shelisa from the thinkmagnetkids blog did this and loved the 30 minutes of family time that came with it, and she said it prompted educational and fun conversation for several weeks! Have fun in the kitchen There are endless basketball, game day, and March Madness inspired food ideas out there, but these basketball rice krispy treats are so fun and easy!  You only need six easy-to-find ingredients- and you can substitute the melting chocolate for frosting to make it even more simple. Bring the competition into physical activity Beyond playing basketball and shooting hoops, use March Madness as an inspiration to stay active.   Your Therapy Source is a site for special education and pediatric occupational/physical therapy resources, but their physical activity brackets are fun for all ages.  The “Favorite Physical Activity Bracket” models the same idea of the book tournament described above, but asks kids to vote for their favorite sport/fitness-related activities.  You could use the free printable bracket by YTS here , or create your own using theirs as a model.  Set a goal to partake in each activity as a family before voting for your favorites so that you get up and get moving, too. Research the crazy mascots You’ve probably heard of people basing their bracket picks on the teams’ mascots and are aware of some of the crazy ones out there, but where do schools come up with those names?  There’s almost always a fun story behind the mascot.  As you watch games this month, see what interesting mascots come up, and uncover the history and details.  Some of these featured schools might not be in the March Madness Tournament, but this article explores some of the strangest mascots in America- good for laughs for all! What are some of your favorite March Madness traditions?

On My Radar As a self-diagnosed social media and blog junkie, I’m constantly finding content online that I love to share with others. Here is my compilation of some trending fitness, sport, kids, and education topics that I’ve been loving lately! 1. The Cross Fit Open Right now is CrossFit Open season; The Open is a series of workouts spanning over five weeks in which anyone in the world can participate! The goal is “to find the fittest on earth,” and I’m not vying for that title, so for me, it’s a fun and empowering way to challenge myself to do workouts at an intensity and level that I don’t usually do! I registered this year- it cost just $20- and have been completing the workouts as they are released each week. One of my favorite parts of being in on The Open action is keeping up with the media- videos, memes, and more- that is posted in relation to each workout. Maybe it’s something that only CrossFitters completing the WODs can relate to, but I’ve loved the inspiring stories of unexpected athletes competing, and hopefully you will too! 2. SI Kids Website As a teacher-turned-sport management student, I love when my worlds and interests collide. SI Kids is a great website offering current sport event news that is age- and content- appropriate for all ages. I’m all for magazine subscriptions, and most of the content on the website is also featured in Sports Illustrated for Kids, but I love the accessibility of the site. The articles are free, which is a bonus for non-subscribers. I especially enjoyed these articles that are written by “kid reporters,” and the magazine is actually accepting applications now for new kid reporters for the future! 3. Aerie’s Campaign for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week This past week was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Aerie, the sub-brand of American Eagle Outfitters, is known for its including of models of all sizes and does not retouch photos of models featured in their ads. Aerie teamed up with the National Eating Disorder Association to lead an inspiring campaign encouraging body positivity. Aerie featured a special t-shirt reading “Strong, Beautiful You,” and all profits from the sale of that particular shirt were donated to the NEDA. 4. Eating Disorder Screenings The university that I work at and attend featured several discussions and sessions for NEDA Week, and the counseling center was also administering free eating disorder screenings. While I don’t think that I’m affected by a disorder, I did the screening just to see and to promote the theme of the week: “It’s time to talk about it.” Eating disorders affect approximately 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States. The mission of the NEDA is to support individuals and families in recovery from these mental and physical illnesses. You can take a free screening online here . 5. Run, Selfie, Repeat Sticking with the theme of loving your body, I’ve been an avid follower of Kelly Roberts’ Run, Selfie, Repeat blog since I started running a few years ago. With a (disclaimer: sometimes crude) sense of humor and spunky attitude, Kelly shines the light on the realties and struggles of running and loving your body. Right now, the blogger is training to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and she posts frequent updates via podcast about her “BQ or Bust” journey.

I don’t like losing. I mean, no one likes losing, but I find it a particularly hard pill to swallow. I always have. Do you know how every person has that one story about themselves that is told so frequently that it becomes a part of the family myth? You know the one. The story that is told to your close friends, to the first real boyfriend you bring home, even retold to your children. Mine is about losing at Candy Land. One infamous night in the late eighties my family gathered around our kitchen table for a spirited game night. Most likely I chose the red gingerbread and set my sights firmly on Candy Castle by way of Gumdrop pass. But that fateful night I did not emerge victorious. I lost, and then I proceeded to throw that board game across the room, launching Lord Licorice and Princess Lolly through the air, and landing myself in timeout with a very stern talk about “gracious losers” on the horizon. I remember that night pretty distinctly, not only because I have heard the retelling more times than I wish to count, but also because I truly remember the pain (and embarrassment) I felt when I realized I was not going to win. As a parent I have a newfound perspective and appreciation for the situation. First of all, it is not easy to see your children lose. It’s not really ease to see anyone lose. Have you seen the closeups of professional athletes when they don’t win, on their knees, hands covering their faces for all the world to see? It’s brutal. There’s something about grown men in uniforms crying that makes me weep. Want to add more emotion? Turn those grown men into sweet, hopeful, and vulnerable children who really, really want to win the big game, and just keep the Kleenex coming. But guess what? The losing doesn’t stop. We lose games, contests, friendships, family members. It’s a lesson we need to learn because life is going to be full of losing, even for those lucky few who seem to catch all the breaks. Chances are, we will lose more than we will win in this game of life. It sounds harsh, I know, but it’s true. So, let’s lose around people we love who won’t disown us when we throw board games and who will know just what to say when being a runner up feels like just about the worst thing ever . My Dad didn’t let me win. Not that night in Candy Land when an impending meltdown was probably very apparent to him, not ever. My Mom thought he should. Sometimes I wish he had. But now, I am so glad he didn’t. To be completely candid, I’m pretty sure I inherited my competitive streak from my Dad, so I’m not sure if he was motivated by good parenting or simply didn’t want to lose himself, but nevertheless I am glad he gave me lots of practice losing. He let me sulk (momentarily), and then he challenged me to a rematch. In another life I was a teacher and coach, and I saw many parents try very hard to shield their children from disappointment, to try to avoid losing. At the time, childless myself, I underestimated the primal instinct to protect and certainly didn’t understand the secondhand pain of watching a person you created suffer disappointment, but I also witnessed the entitlement and the complete unpreparedness for life that comes with not learning how to lose and lose graciously. My daughter, a spirited and dare I say competitive four-year-old, played in her first soccer league this past summer. I was taken aback by how hard it was for me to watch her falter and sometimes fall. For now, I think it’s still harder for me when she “loses” because she didn’t seem to care much about the eight unanswered points scored against her team as long as she had some “good snacks” for which to look forward at halftime. But I have a feeling she will have her own Candy Land moment at some point, and I can only hope when that day arrives that I will have the grace and patience to let her lose and then help her pick up the pieces.

As parents, we are thankful for a digital age in which we can simply Google search dinner recipes, easy crafts, and advice. That is why we have compiled a list of 5 parenting blogs/websites that we have found useful in being awesome Ninja parents. Check them out! 1. Dirt & Boogers 2. Bounceback Parenting 3. Scary Mommy 4. Lucie’s List 5. Mama Smiles

In the last installment of the Ninja Zone Blog, I talked a little about motivating boys. How they are encouraged deeply affects how they learn. But what about girls? How girls learn and are motivated vary drastically from boys. According to studies, what seems to be apparent in the learning styles of kids is that young kids (preschool through 2nd grade) have such different ways of being motivated, it is affecting how their teachers approach their learning abilities. How? Check it out. Girls need encouragement. They need to be built up. Girls will beat themselves up over a poor grade, where boys will be thrilled with a C performance. This carries over to all other facets of life. In an extracurricular setting, studies show that girls learn better after they are given appropriate encouragement by a coach or mentor. Girls aim to please. Girls are more motivated than boys to impress their coaches and teachers. Girls are interested in a story. They like to have a reason as to why they are engaging in an activity. They are motivated by knowledge and feeling more in control of their learning situations. Girls like to ask questions. Getting a clear answer motivates them. Girls tend to be self-motivated. Allow them to play to their strengths so they can develop the confidence they need to succeed.

Motherhood is not easy, and sometimes a good mommy pick-me-up is needed.  So, here is some advice from four amazing moms who’ve paid their dues. Jeanna Mother of an 18-year-old, 20-year-old, 23-year-old, and a 25-year-old. “Make them eat what you serve, no making special dinners unless it’s a special occasion.  Love them unconditionally even when they mess up, but make them clean up the mess and be there for moral support.  Make them EARN things and don’t just give them things. Just because their friends are getting certain things, doesn’t mean they should get it too. Last, love them with all of your heart and soul and they’ll go out and love everyone with their heart and soul as well!” Tonya Mother of a 19-year-old, 23-year-old, 25-year-old and a 27-year-old. “Some of the best times of my life were when my children were young. Try to enjoy and appreciate all of it, even when you are tired and exhausted. It truly goes by so fast. One big thing that I learned from being a mother was to try to discipline without anger.  It only causes a never ending anger domino effect, and in the long run will make things worse.” Veronica Mother of an 18-year-old, 21-year-old, and a 24-year-old. “Advice? Don’t have kids! Kidding! Motherhood has been a blessing to my life. I would have to say, feed them healthy from a young age. If they don’t like a certain vegetable, slowly introduce it to them. Sooner or later they’ll learn to like it. Start as early as possible, or you may be stuck making mac and cheese every night for 18 years… Trust me!” Amy Mother of a 24-year-old girl. “Live in the moment and enjoy every second of it.  People seem to fear the unknown, so in retrospect, I allowed fear to take over being a new mom.  I was young and instead of relishing in every moment, I was petrified. Worries like: what if she got hurt, how could I protect her or what if I am a horrible mom? Looking back after 20+ years, I wish I translated that fear into joy.  Fear is okay in moderation, but it wasn’t any way to kick off the beautiful gift of life.  Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That’s why they call it the present.  Live in the moment, capture it all in your heart before it becomes history.  Allow yourself to relax and imprint those memories in your heart. It goes by faster than you’ll ever know until you experience it for yourself. ” Okay Ninja Moms, your turn. What is the best advice you’ve received or given to someone else? Comment below to share your mommy wisdom with others! #NinjaModeOn

We all know someone whose kid does ballet, soccer, basketball, softball, or swimming, but what if your child doesn’t like any of the mainstream sport options? There are plenty of sports that will help your little one get all the physical activity s/he needs without getting lost in the crowd. Here are a few options: 1. Equestrian Riding horses requires huge amounts of balance and coordination, but riders also develop great reflexes. What most parents forget, though, is that equestrian also comes with a great deal of responsibility for the rider. The athlete is required to groom, feed, saddle, brush, and care for the horse and stable. While it is considered an individual sport, athletes often develop a sense of community with each other. 2. Bowling Bowling obviously builds a lot of strength in the athlete, as well as hand-eye coordination. There is a large sense of community among bowlers within a league, and many high schools across the country are adopting the sport. While bowling is a sport, it requires a lot of mental energy and focus, and it teaches math skills. 3. Archery One major attraction to archery for a lot of families is its versatility in being both an indoor and outdoor sport. This is perfect no matter where in the world you live! Athletes build a variety of muscles as well as skills in focus, self-determination, and coordination. 4. Water Sports All water sports require balance and coordination, but each sport differs in certain ways. For example, rowing provides a whole body workout and teaches teamwork. When your athlete is sailing a boat, s/he must learn communication skills to keep the boat afloat. Keep in mind: your child’s participation in water sports depends on your geographical location. 5. Fencing Fencing emphasizes agility, coordination, and use of reflexes. Many call it as mentally stimulating as a game of chess, so you know your child is getting a brain and body workout. Plus, you’re giving your kid a sword-like object to use in a controlled environment; that’s bound to make someone happy! 6. Rugby While rugby is more popular on different continents around the world, it is just gaining popularity in North America. While rugby obviously builds strength, it also enhances endurance and coordination, not to mention teamwork. Like bowling, many schools are adding rugby as an athletic option. 7. Golf Your child could be the next Jordan Spieth, but you won’t know until you sign him/her up for classes. Golf requires immense amounts of coordination, patience, focus, and strength. Bonus exercise if you ban riding in the golf cart and have your kid walk all 9-18 holes!

Are your kids suffering from the after-school munchies? Here are 3 tasty snacks for kids! Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites 1 cup of dry oatmeal 1/2 cup of ground flax seeds 1/2 cup of peanut butter (or almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.) 1/3 cup of agave nectar (can be substituted with honey or maple syrup) 1/3 cup of chocolate chips Check out some other energy-bite recipes here! After you have chosen your energy bite variation simply mix all the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Once mixed, place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Then, take the mix out and begin rolling into small bite-sized balls. The recipe should yield 16-18 energy bites! Coconut Oil Popcorn 2 tablespoons of coconut oil ¼ cup of unpopped  popcorn Sea salt to taste Place popcorn and oil in a 3-quart pot over medium heat. You may want to cover them with a lid so that popcorn doesn’t fly everywhere! Shake the pot as the popcorn begins popping. This will help stop the popped corn from burning while the rest of the kernels cook. Listen for the pops when the popping begins to slow. Wait until there are about 5 seconds between pops before taking off the heat. Season with sea salt for taste and enjoy! Roasted Chickpeas 12 oz. chickpeas 2 tablespoons of olive oil Salt to taste (optional) Cayenne pepper (optional) Garlic salt (optional) Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry them. In a large bowl toss together the olive oil the chickpeas. You can also add in some other spices depending on the taste you are going for! Spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until browned and crunchy! Roasted chickpeas? Yes, please! Go and try these awesome snacks for your children!

Does coaching stress you out? Do you see routines in your dreams? Maybe even grit your teeth, and tear up every now and then? Do you feel like your efforts aren’t noticed, recognized, appreciated, or trusted? Feeling like you care more than they do? Feeling like if they just believed you, just did what you said, or just freeeeakkkinnnngggg listened, everyone would be so much happier? I feel your pain, and I have two pieces of advice. Be freaking proud of yourself. You’re doing a whole lot right when coaching. All of the yucky stuff you’re feeling is you’re big heart and passion. The parents, kids, and club owners are lucky to have you. Heck, the world is lucky to have you. Seriously. People that really care about stuff are hard to come by. Passionate people are hard to come by. That competitive spirit is a gift, be grateful. Breathe deep and think hard about what you’re really working so hard for. Coaching is leadership in the ultimate form. If you don’t consider yourself a leader, that’s the 1st place to start. You’re a huge part of building young humans into who they become. You’re the one that is showing them it’s okay to move out of a comfort zone, to sacrifice, to give more effort than the norm, to work through the pain, and to be a leader in their own right. As a leader, to do these things well, you have to have a clear mind and empathy to see that their goals may not be your goals for them. And that has to be okay. Rather than walking into practice with the coaching attitude of what you’re going to “get them to do,” try walking in with the attitude of “what can I be for them today”. Smile more. Praise more.  Be the coach that you would want to have then, and now. Set your goals for yourself as a leader, be patient, and be amazed at what they’ll do.