by Brenda Yoder, Education & Program Director at Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center
children, negative comments at home, compounded
by damaging remarks from classmates, can leave
their emotional bank account pretty empty. A child
experiencing this soon perceives they are worthy of
negativity, and over time, put-downs are expected, and
self-esteem is depleted.
Just as the power of negative words can have harmful
effects, the power of positive words can exponentially
have healthier outcomes on a student of any age. A
child encouraged at home can handle harsh words
from a disgruntled classmate a little easier. Affirmation,
praise, and genuine kindness to a child or adolescent
can buffer the harshness of the playground hierarchy
and dreaded bus rides where students tend to play verbal
“King of the Hill.” Praise and positive encouragement
can equip a child to let things “roll off” a lot easier.
This school year, as your child, or your neighbor’s
child, heads off to school, be generous with kind,
encouraging words. Fill a child’s emotional bank
account so full that if they have multiple withdraws of
the negative kind, they are not left feeling overdrawn.
The greatest investment of no financial cost is the
power of encouragement given to a child. It always
reaps eternal rewards.
LaGrange County Council on Aging, Inc.
New Address: 125 West Fenn Street, Suite 400, LaGrange
Phone: (260) 463-4161 - Fax: (260) 572-2238
September 2011 Calendar of Events
Call COA for prescription assistance appointments and SHIP counseling.
Senior Mart open daily from 8 - 4.
1 Blood Pres./Glucose........ 8 - 9
Coffee/Donuts.................. 8 - 9
Bingo...................................... 9
Bring food item if you want to play
2 AARP................................. 1:30
Mt. Zion Church. All are welcome!
5 Office Closed - Labor Day
NO Van Service
6 Aging in Place................... 8:00
9 Paint Class......................... 9-12
12 Sturgis WalMart trip..... 10 - 12
Call to reserve your spot.
13 TRIAD............................... 8:00
Sheriff’s Luncheon, RSVP.11:30
Alzheimer’s Meeting.....6-7 pm
1
4 NEW! Exercise Class...2:30 pm
No Bible Study
8 Blood Pres./Glucose........ 8 - 9
Coffee/Donuts.................. 8 - 9
Wii Bowling............................ 9
16 Movie Day:......................... 9:30
free popcorn
Rio;
Footcare clinic
Senior Pak
Bring food item if you want to play
Bring food item if you want to play
Call COA for appointment
20 Senior Pak
Diabetic Ed Class.......... 10 - 11
Dev’t Meeting.................. 11:00
Exec. Meeting................. 12:00
21 Bible Study...................... 9 - 10
22 Blood Pres./Glucose........ 8 - 9
Coffee/Rolls...................... 8 - 9
Wii Bowling............................ 9
Bring food item if you want to play
Stroke Support Meeting... 6:30
27 Board Meeting................ 11:30
28 Bible Study...................... 9 - 10
Footcare clinic
At COA, call for appointment
NEW! Exercise Class...2:30 pm
Page 25
7 No Bible Study
15 Blood Pres./Glucose........ 8 - 9
Coffee/Rolls...................... 8 - 9
Bingo...................................... 9
Indiana State Tax Credits
available for any donation to
COA over $100
Phone: 260-463-4901 • Fax 888-439-6528 • The Hometown Treasure
Well, another school year is underway. With the end
of summer comes excitement and the usual questions
flooding the minds of kids as they go back to school:
• What will my classes be like? Will I like my teachers?
• Will my friends be in my class? Will I make better
grades?
And in the heart of most students, additional
questions creep in:
• Will I fit in this year?
• Will I be accepted?
Every person, no matter what age, wants to be
accepted. This longing is accentuated even more in
childhood and adolescence. It just takes one unkind
comment, a harsh word, or crude remark from a
classmate for a child to question themselves and their
worth.
“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words
can never hurt me” is an old nursery rhyme most
school children from ages past have had repeated to
them when hurt by the remarks of others. While the
idea of letting hurtful words “roll off” is good advice,
the reality that harsh, hurtful words don’t wound like
physical pain is a false perception.
It’s general knowledge that it takes several positive
comments to “undo” a negative one. For some
September 2011
Healthy Hearts, Healthy Homes