Dr. Peter Pierro

Motivating Your Child the Positive, Natural Way

Are your kids personally interested in what they are choosing to do? We parents use the power of intrinsic motivation and be careful about the use of extrinsic motivation . In my work as a consulting sports psychologist, I very often run into the question, "How do I motivate my players?" and I respond first by telling the story of Ben Curtis and his parents: It is Sunday, July 20, 2003, and the... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 114 days ago.)

NPL Scenario #1 – At Home With a Very Young Pat

Note: This is the first scenario of ten (some more will be added later). We meet Pat for the first time. He is quite young and not too young to learn. Someone asked me if his child was old enough to start learning to read. I asked, "How old is he?" He answered, "Three," and I said, "You are already three years behind times." In order to simplify the gender issue, Pat is a boy in these scenarios. Pat can... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 120 days ago.)

NPL and The British Infant School

Some of the concepts in the Natural Path to Learning Program are similar to those that were developed in England in their primary schools and generally called the British Infant School While I was teaching at Elmhurst College, Dr. Ervin Schmidt, our department chairman established a professional working relationship with the Nottingham College of Education in Nottingham, England. Several of their staff visited with... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 122 days ago.)

Player/Character #2 – Clara the Clown

After dealing with Stan the Star we had better lighten up a little and have some fun on the field. Ah! Here's Clara the Clown. As far as she's concerned, everything is funny. With most coaches, she has to be very clever and secretive, because if she gets caught...! That kind of coach just can't wait to catch her in the act. As for you, you can have fun with her, enjoy her humor, and get along just fine, but you... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 178 days ago.)

The Wolf and the Pack

One of the most marvelous books and the best book on management I have ever read is Magic Hoops by Phil Jackson. One of his great commentaries is based on the poem The Wolf and the Pack by Rudyard Kipling from his The Second Jungle Book . Now this is the Law of the Jungle -- as old and as true as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 199 days ago.)

Nuevo Progresso – The Real Game of Soccer

Recently, I was a member of a mission group of 15 people that traveled from Minco, Oklahoma, to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. Among our group were two pre-teeners and two teenagers. The purpose of our trip was to build two concrete block homes for a Mexican family. As we worked, some of the Mexican kids in the neighborhood came over to watch what we were doing and they and our kids got together in that very natural... (posted by Dr. Peter Pierro 4 years 219 days ago.)