SNACCMS: Sports, Nature, Arts, Culture, Clubs, Music, Spirituality
A large body of psychology and child development research confirms our parenting instincts: positive and relationship-oriented activities are good for kids. But the benefits are far greater than most people realize. SNACCMS activities have the potential to increase “executive functions”, higher brain processes in the brain’s frontal lobes, by building more and stronger neural connections to the front of the brain. Executive functions help children manage their emotions, enhance their critical thinking skills, enhance their ability to consider other peoples feelings and needs (empathy), and avoid drug use. SNACCMS activities build “moral fiber”, build strong healthy bodies, promote healthy respect and curiosity, and help kids stay on a positive living path which can last a lifetime.
To be effective at building moral fiber, SNACCMS activities should not only promote mastery and autonomy, but also offer: 1) a safe, stable, and consistent environment; 2) a challenging but inviting and warm teaching environment with gentle tolerance of mistakes; 3) modeling of good executive functioning such as emotion and fear control, respect, and patience; 4) social connectedness by promoting awareness of the larger group membership and equality (and not use harsh punishment or social exclusion to force compliance; 5) encourage reflective thinking about experience over time.
This page provides some examples of SNACCMS activities. Please send us your activities to post on this site (Clallam County activities are posted here and also below), and any feedback about programs that may not have a positive and relationship-building focus. Information about parenting education in Clallam County is listed here.
For current upcoming and weekend events, see the Peninsula Daily News calendar, and the Prevention Works! of Clallam County news feed lists some activities. Organizations are encouraged to apply to the Baumann SNACCMS Scholarship Fund.
SPORTS
Soccer
– Port Angeles Youth Soccer Club, soccer (and skill building) for all children
– Storm King Soccer Club, elite level soccer, licensed coaches
Baseball, softball, T-Ball
Basketball
Martial arts,
– White Crane Martial Arts “Little Dragons” program teaches life skills – self defense, discipline, respect, in addition to being a form of exercise and an outlet for feelings.
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Tennis
BMX
Skateboarding
Skiing
Chess
Games, board games
Specialty summer camps
NATURE
Organized
Nature bridge, at Olympic National Park, [email protected]
Boy/Girl scouts
Science on Wheels, hosted by Pacific Science Center, www.pacificsciencecenter.org.
Fiero Marine Laboratory
Unorganized
Visit every park in the county (discover what the park has to offer, notice what your child finds interesting, then find activities to expand on that interest)
Hiking
Hunting, fishing, crabbing
Nature observation, tracking, animals, birds, insects, plants, geology
Weather observation
ARTS
Library activities: reading, shows (libraries offer many activities)
Marine Debris Arts Club, www.coastsavers.org
Block Fest, math-based activities for young children. Events are occasional.
Art galleries
Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, and Webster’s Woods Art Park
CULTURE
Native American, Makah Days, Quileute Days, Makah Museum
Museums
CLUBS
Forte After School Club, Sarah Tucker, director, includes Marine Debris Sculptures, Exploring Art, Forte Drama Club and Elements of Dance ($75)
Volunteering information, www.volunteeringinamerica.gov
MUSIC
Individual music lessons
Band
Dance
Listening to nature
SPIRITUALITY
(This of course involves organized and unorganized religious and other spiritual activities)
Yoga
Mindfulness practices designed for children
Other activities:
CAREER PREPARATION
Offering support, information, advice, verbal encouragement, imagining a future
Visiting career related places
Spending time at a workplace
TRAVEL (theme and education oriented)
Tour Washington exploring a topic, like geology, Native American history, pioneer history, museums, industry, geology, park environments.
Shakespeare plays in Ashland, Oregon.
Example: visit Universal Studios, and make a theme of exploring the movie/entertainment industry.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Block Fest
PLEASE MAKE SUBMISSIONS
Any activity that is consistent with the SNACCMS concept can be posted here. Please send us your information.
We are grateful for SNACCMS contributions from Diana Velasco, Amanda Hall, and all of our clients who have shared their activities.
SNACCMS was created by Mark Baumann and is a component of his Integrative Client Centered Model (ICCM). For more information: http://www.icc.institute. The acronym is intended to capture in a simple way the many activities that promote positive neural development in children. Mr. Baumann is available for presentations about the neuroscience of childhood development and attachment theory.