In this newest podcast episode I am interviewing Sheila Sims, the founder of “All of Me Counts”. Sheila is a certified teacher with 18 years of experience. All of Me Counts provides resources and services for kids, parents, educators, and organizations to help kids access their best self.
Sheila works with an Inside Out Approach. This “inside-out” approach is based on the premise that what all of us—including children—are experiencing on the outside is a reflection of what is going on inside of us. Philosopher Immanuel Kant already wrote almost 200 years ago that we do not see things as they are, but as we are. And that view of the world already affects us as children.
Every child has as Sheila calls it their own unique “Theory of the World” that determines how they perceive and respond to their experiences. It powerfully impacts their behavior, motivation, relationships, and learning potential. When we can uncover a child’s theory of the world, we can more easily resolve behavior and learning challenges at the root for lasting success. We can help the child to live life with joy and confidence.
Sheila Sims
In Sheila’s own words:
“We all have our own unique theory of the world that powerfully affects how we perceive and respond to every experience. It consists of the subconscious beliefs we have about who we are and how the world works. These beliefs are developed when we are very young at a time when we are personalizing every experience, when we do not yet have the cognitive ability to question and think critically and when our subconscious mind is very open to outside influence.
When a child develops a healthy theory of the world, they will naturally act in the best interest of themselves and others, have positive perceptions of their experience, and will make choices that reflect their highest potential. I have yet to meet a child or adult that does not have some beliefs that are not serving them, but those that are really struggling likely have a theory of the world that is working against them in some way.
When a child has an unhealthy theory of the world, this sets them up for low self esteem, dissatisfaction, challenging relationships, and reduced potential regardless of the opportunities available to them and the strategies used by parents and teachers.
We’ve been led to believe that better opportunities, better parenting strategies and better teaching methods will lead to success, but if kids are taking the world in through the filter of their beliefs than these things can easily be distorted. What a child really needs is better beliefs!
Unless we work to shift the unhealthy beliefs that are leading to surface challenges, then whatever patterns or “themes” that are perpetuating in childhood will follow the child throughout their life. I’m not suggesting that there aren’t other factors at play that affect a child’s behavior, but in my opinion, these unhealthy beliefs are at the core of most imbalances and are most often overlooked because they are not obvious on the surface.”
To find out more about how we uncover a child’s theory of the world join us for our 30 minute podcast, or read Sheila’s article “My Teaching Fail that Revealed the Answer to “Difficult” Behaviors in Kids”.