This document provides tips and suggestions for parents to help their kids have a fun and engaging summer. It recommends allowing more unstructured time for creative exploration and play rather than scholarly pursuits. It lists 10 tips for parents, including being open to new activities, acquiring needed materials early, supporting kids' autonomy, encouraging creativity, being available to listen to kids, setting aside fun family time, emphasizing physical activity, limiting screen time, planning day trips, and involving kids in meal planning. The goal is for kids to engage in discovery, adventures, and imaginative play over the summer months.

1. MENTAL TOUGHNESS TIPS
“The secret of winning football games is working
more as a team, less as individuals. I play
not my 11 best, but my best 11.”
—Knute Rockne (College Football Hall of Fame Coach)
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good
is better and your better is best.”
—Tim Duncan (NBA MVP)
“Luck? Sure. But only after long practice and only
with the ability to think under pressure.”
—Babe Didrikson Zaharias
(Golf, Basketball, and Track and Field Athlete)
Take a look at our Mental Toughness Academy.
Your athletes can develop the skills to block out
distractions and overcome poor performance during
competition. In our 8 Module Course we incorporate
guided visualizations and other training techniques
to teach athletes how to master their thoughts and
emotions while playing at their peak level.
See how the Mental Toughness Academy can
help your athletes by visiting our website!
MENTAL TOUGHNESS ACADEMY
ISSUE 30 • JUNE 2015
THIS ISSUE
A MESSAGE FROM
SPORTSBRAIN
PAGE 1
MENTAL
TOUGHNESS
PAGE 1
BASELINE
CONCUSSION
TESTING
INFORMATION
PAGE 2
AVOIDING SUMMER
BURN OUT
PAGE 2
HEALTHY BENEFITS
OF FRUITS
PAGE 2
DATES OF INTEREST
PAGE 2
SUMMER SAFETY
AND EXERCISE
PAGE 3
SUMMER IS
COMING! WILL
YOU AND YOUR
KIDS BE READY?
PAGE 4
A MESSAGE FROM SPORTSBRAIN
Traditionally, I usually end this section of the
newsletter with a quote. But summer is almost here,
and I think this quote gives a great summation to
how many of us feel, as the warm months begin:
“Aaah, summer—that long anticipated stretch of
lazy, lingering days, free of responsibility and rife
with possibility. It’s a time to hunt for insects, master
handstands, practice swimming strokes, conquer
trees, explore nooks and crannies, and make new
friends.” —Darell Hammond
As adults, we can still remember June as the month
that school ends, and “our summer” began. For many,
this meant 9 or 10 weeks with no school, no teachers,
no recess and lots of opportunities to be outside, with
our friends, with time on our hands. Bicycles and
popsicles are two of my favorite memories, as they
seemed so abundant in the summer.
Our senses come alive in the summer, don’t they?
Imagine, for a moment:
• The sound of crickets in the night or of kids playing
on the beach
• The taste of a hamburger hot off the grill or a
cooling glass of iced tea
• The smell of fresh corn at a roadside farmers table
or the crisp smell of fresh rain
• The touch of cool water, whether in the lake, an
ocean or a swimming pool
• The sight of sounds of Mother Nature all around—
fresh grass, flowers and days of sunshine
As the weeks begin to unfold, I would urge each of
you to take some time and savor whatever makes
the season special to you and your family.
We are all busy and as I often say in this column,
life is hectic. As we rush about in our daily lives, it’s
important to remember that we are responsible for
helping to create memories for the next generation.
Take the time to find out what your family enjoys
during the summer­—whether it’s trying some
new fruits to barbecue or taking some day trips.
This is an ideal time to either revisit or establish new
customs or rituals, which will become part of your
family’s history.
Take the time to visit or call your father this Father’s
Day. I read this powerful quote a few days ago in the
June issue of Real Simple Magazine, and wanted to
share it with you:
“These guys who fear becoming fathers
don’t understand that fathering is not
something perfect men do, but something
that perfects the man. The end product of
child raising is not the child but the parent.”
—Frank Pittman, M.D., Man Enough
Stay hydrated, don’t forget the sunscreen and enjoy
the warm days of summer.
Based on my visit to Staples last week,
they were already loading the floor with back to
school supplies!!!
Barb Wiseberg
Editor
Barb.Wiseberg@SportsBrain.com
QUOTE
“If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn
more, do more and become
more, you are a leader.”
—John Quincy Adams

2. JUNE
Men’s Health Month
JUNE 14, 2015
Flag Day
JUNE 18, 2015
Ramadan begins
(Muslim Holiday)
JUNE 21, 2015
Summer begins
JUNE 21, 2015
Father’s Day
DATES OF INTEREST
BASELINE
CONCUSSION
TESTING
INFORMATION
SportsBrain
conducts regularly
scheduled baseline
concussion testing
throughout Chicago;
Madison, WI; and
Chester, NJ.
Please see our
website at
www.SportsBrain.com
for specific dates
and times.
SportsBrain offers
Neurocognitive,
Eye Tracking, Balance
and Reaction Time
Testing as part of a
comprehensive Baseline
Concussion testing
model. We provide these
services for individual
athletes, youth sports
organizations, schools,
park districts, colleges
and professional teams.
We have multiple testing
locations or we can
arrange to conduct
testing at your facility for
your specific group of
athletes. With a variety of
cost-effective
and hassle free options
to keep your athletes
safe, SportsBrain fights
concussions. Email
testing@sportsbrain.com
for more information.

3. SUMMER SAFETY AND EXERCISE
In the spring, we welcome the warmer weather and
embrace outdoor exercise.
However, as the temperature and humidity continue to
rise, we must remember to establish new routines and
habits for ourselves and our families, ensuring optimal
health and safety. Summer has different hazards from
the winter months and we have to adjust both our
bodies and our brains to this new environment.
Given the seasonal contrasts in much of North
America, we really do need to acclimatize ourselves
to these changes, both indoors and out. Many people
are less active in the winter months. Hot, sunny days
beckon us to be outside more; transitioning into
the summer months, and a healthier, more active
lifestyle needs some ground rules. Below are 5 tips
that will help you enjoy the “best” months of the year.
1. Warm Up—Putting words into play, before you
head out for that hour long run, it is wise if you try a
few shorter runs first.
2. Hydration—Cold can be invigorating while warm
weather can suck the energy out of us. This means
we need greater hydration, perhaps including a few
more complex carbohydrates in our diet. Drinking
water is essential, but I would suggest combining
this with a good quality sports drink when you are
engaging in an activity exceeding 30 minutes.
This will replace fluid as well as electrolytes
(micro-nutrients such as sodium and potassium), as
well as carbohydrates that are lost during exercise.1
Fluid loss without proper replacement can result
in heat cramps, heat exhaustion or most severely,
heat stroke.
Recommended fluid intake is:
Up to half a quart of a cool drink 30 minutes prior to
heavy exercise. A glassful of fluid every 15 minutes
during the event/exercise. 16 ounces post-event
should replace every pound of weight lost.1
3. Block It—Sun brings with it heat, ultraviolet rays,
more perspiration and different energy levels.
In terms of skin exposure, today’s thinner ozone
layer means the same time spent outdoors is
now far more dangerous that it was 20 years ago.
Winter-weight clothing has kept our skin covered up
for months and sun exposure must be moderate. If
we know that our sun time will be prolonged, it is a
good idea to wear a cool long sleeved shirt.
Remember to reapply sunblock often throughout
the day, especially after swimming or excessive
sweating. There are a wide variety of products on
the market for all members of the family.
4. Perspiration—Summer exercise also involves
greater perspiration which means areas of friction
become apparent. We sweat less in winter and
clothing acts as a barrier. With fewer, thinner layers
of clothing in the summer months, exposed areas,
such as the armpit or the inner thigh are subject to
rubbing, chafing and redness. A smear of petroleum
jelly or baby powder on these areas can make all the
difference in preventing this.
5. Vision—The sun is a great source of Vitamin
D. However, prolonged sunshine predisposes the
person’s eyes to cataracts2
and retinal damage3
over time. If you, or other members of your family,
exercise outside for prolonged periods of time, wear
sunglasses with protection from Ultra Violet B rays.4
Summersportsoftendifferfromthosethatweengage
in over the winter months. Even corresponding
activities (indoor versus outdoor soccer) will require
different equipment and playing surfaces and the
body will have to adapt. Examples of this include:
• Soccer—The outdoor playing surface is softer
with grass allowing more “give” as the player plants
his/her foot.
• Running—The sidewalk or field replaces the
treadmill, hence a less predictable running surface,
wind resistance and different stresses on the body.
• Skiing—Water skiing may replace snow-skiing,
with vastly different clothing requirements! Water
safety will replace the spills and thrills of the ski slope
and sunburn replaces the concern of hypothermia
and frostbite.
The transition between seasons is huge. It is not
just a change in activity, but the clothing needs
and temperature and effect of the sun needs are
totally different. Outdoor exercise is particularly
invigorating with fresh air replacing the fish bowl
existence of the cold winter months. Outdoor activity
is to be encouraged, but we must always be mindful
that caution and common sense can protect us from
its hazards.
ABOUT
JONATHAN
“There may be people
that have more talent
than you, but there’s no
excuse for anyone to
work harder than you do.”
—Derek Jeter
QUOTE
Jonathan Maister is a Canadian
trained Athletic Therapist,
Massage Therapist and Sport
Massage Therapist.
He has been in private practice
in the Metropolitan Toronto
area since 1998. His lecturing
on various Sport Massage
and Sport Medicine topics has
taken him across Canada, most
recently at the 2014 annual
conferences of the Canadian
Athletic Therapists Association
(Winnipeg). He has authored
articles that have appeared in
various journals across North
America, including Massage
Therapy Canada, and Massage
Magazine (USA), The Journal
of Soft Tissue Management,
as well as newsletters of the
Canadian Athletic Therapists
Association and The
Registered Massage Therapists
Association of Ontario. He is
the Education Chair for the
Canadian Sport Massage
Therapists Association for
whom he has also presented at
numerous conferences.
1
Hartley, Anne. Shaw, Jean. “Sport Injuries”, published by The Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association
2
National Eye Institute https://www.nei.nih.gov
3
BrightFocus Foundation: http://www.brightfocus.org
4
Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org
Mental performance is a big determining factor of success in competition.
Help your athletes improve their mental abilities by going through our
BrainWare program which develops their cognitive skills. This program has
a proven track record of success and the skills developed along the way will
benefit the athletes academically, personally and professionally.
See how the BrainWare program can help your athletes by visiting our website.

4. ISSUE 30 • JUNE 2015
We are a national organization concentrating on the implementation of comprehensive
baseline concussion testing and concussion management programs for youth, high school,
college, and professional sports organizations. SportsBrain also provides cognitive,
mental toughness, and leadership development training to maximize mental performance
both on and off the field. At SportsBrain, we fight concussions by offering flexible
schedules with multiple locations to make baseline concussion testing more accessible.
500 Lake Cook Road, Ste 350, Deerfield, IL 60015 • T: 855-32-BRAIN (322-7246) • F: 888-253-5997
www.SportsBrain.com @Sports_Brain
SUMMER IS COMING! WILL YOU AND YOUR KIDS BE READY?
Synopsis—Kids have been waiting eagerly for summer—and
rightfully so. It should be a time of creative, playful, happy
discovery. And, it’s definitely not too early for parents to be
wondering, “How can we make this the best summer ever?”
Here are some tips.
Put aside scholarly pursuits!?!? Yes, it’s okay to do that.
It is true that intellectual focus is important for achievement and
personal fulfillment, however it is also vitally important for kids to
engage in creative exploration, imaginative play, and invention.
Recreational, physical, and creative activities (including devising
and playing new games, sharing ideas—and then figuring out what
to do next), are educational opportunities in their own right, and are
the stuff of exciting new experiences and adventures. Children who
are active in these ways are much more likely to take ownership of
their own learning, throughout the summer months, and beyond…
Here are ten practical suggestions for parents who want to help
their kids have the best summer ever:
1. Be accepting of your children’s changing interests.
Encourage them to take a stab at new, unique, or challenging
activities that they’re unsure about trying or that they aspire toward
but can’t seem to devote time to during the school year. Whether
these are structured or unstructured, offered at home, through
camps or community centers, the idea is to devote time and effort
to something new, or to delve deeper into an existing interest.
Brainstorm some ideas with your children. A list might include
some of the following suggestions: astronomy, improvisation or
drama activities, writing a newsletter or producing a video show,
volunteering, creating a family scrapbook, leather crafting or
macramé, gardening, or searching the family tree (www.Geni.com
or www.Ancestry.com have the ability to connect you to multiple
branches of your family).
2. Get an early start on acquiring the materials you need.
Develop a budget, and co-create a plan to get the best deals
possible on provisions you may want to have on hand, such as
camping or sports gear, updated safety equipment, or art supplies.
Think: are there any unusual materials that might augment
children’s creative impulses? Instead of buying some supplies, is it
possible to borrow them from family, friends or neighbors?
3. Support kids’ autonomy. The world is full of wondrous places,
people, and things. Spend time discussing the possibilities with
children, empowering them to be active in deciding what they’d like
to do, where they’d like to go, or whom they’d like to visit. What
can you facilitate, and what might you check out together? As
children enter their pre-teen and teen years, allow them to begin
travelling independently, in small groups and possibly solo, and
reinforce your family’s framework for safety and communication in
all circumstances.
4. Encourage children’s creativity. Help them to stretch their
curiosity, make inquiries, and welcome every opportunity to be
free-spirited and imaginative. They can start by considering how
to build on what they already know, by brainstorming with you and
others, letting their minds wander, and thinking in different and
unexpected ways.
Don’t forget to be silly. For example, discovering innovative ways to
celebrate assorted yearly holidays (even in July!) is a great thought
starter—and ideas such as this will help your children use their
imaginations, and develop a collaborative “thinking outside of the
box” mindset, which is critical in our ever-changing world.
5. Be available and pay attention. Observe, listen, and respond.
Be attuned to what matters to your children. Reading? Swimming?
Community-based involvement or volunteering? Team sports?
Family get-togethers? Talk about how to make ample time for these
pursuits over the summer. Anticipate and take into account factors
such as financial constraints, scheduling logistics, or other matters
that may require some juggling.
Remember that as they grow, it is essential that children try a
variety of different activities. If the community pool is jammed on
a summer afternoon, don’t give up. Is it possible to come back in
the early evenings? Perhaps the pool attendant is able to suggest
a better time, or even another nearby facility that tends to be under-
utilized during certain hours of the day.
6. Set aside time to have fun together! Playfulness enhances
well-being—for adults, too. Plan to have treasure hunts, go star
gazing, construct a fort, chase bubbles, build and fly kites, set up a
garage sale—whatever strikes a passion. Help kids appreciate the
splendor of natural settings including beaches, farms, forests, and
conservation areas—and the many surprises to be found therein.
7. Emphasize the importance of physical activity. Encourage
kids to stay active—preferably outdoors. This leads to better health
and productivity. Model an energetic lifestyle all year long, and
explore new ways to be energetic during the summer.
8. Keep a manageable pace. Summer can quickly become
over-programmed and jam-packed. Avoid overscheduling. Help
kids learn to prioritize, and to decide which sports, arts, practice
sessions, books, or other pursuits are must-dos. And, be mindful
that summer is a break time, so be sure to leave plenty of time for
rest and daydreaming.
9. Tech-down. Kids have fewer academic responsibilities over the
summer months so it may be tempting for them to want to spend
more time gaming, or parked in front of a screen or a device.
Moderation and balance are key. Work out together (preferably in
advance), what’s fair and realistic, setting limits, and chatting about
how best to adhere to them.
10. Maintain some consistency and routines. Children function
best when there’s stability and guidance, especially during times
of transition. As they move from school days into summer, and
back again to the more rigorous demands of school, try to retain
the natural rhythms of family life and the daily dynamic. Changes
are inevitable (and present opportunities for kids to learn about
adaptation and resilience), but be sure to offer supports and buffers
as needed.
Help children make the most of the upcoming summer months
by sharing ideas now about how to spark curiosity and creativity.
Support kids’ interests in physical, artistic, or other areas, and
encourage them to participate in new and appropriately challenging
experiences, while ensuring that there will also be adequate down-
time. Discuss the options for maximum pleasure, plan together, and
then enjoy the times ahead!
Related Resources:
• Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids by Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster (House of Anansi, 2014)
www.beyondintelligence.net
• About children’s playtime: 6 Ways To Protect Our Child’s Playtime by Andrea Nair
• About being active: Sitting Can Drain Brain Power and Stifle Creativity by Christopher Bergland
• For Smarter, Happier, Healthier Kids, Keep Moving! by Dona Matthews Ph.D.
• About game-playing: Young Children and Game-Playing: Ten Suggestions for Parents and Care-Givers by Joanne Foster, EdD
• About summertime fun: Need Summer Plans? 10 Teacher-Approved Summer Activities by Erin Chawla
ABOUT
JOANNE
Joanne Foster is a parent,
teacher, consultant,
researcher, and education
specialist. Dr. Foster teaches
educational psychology at the
Ontario Institute for Studies
in Education at the University
of Toronto and has over 30
years of experience working
in the field of gifted education.
She writes extensively about
high-level development, and
presents on a wide range
of topics at conferences and
learning venues across
North America.
She is the co-author (with
Dona Matthews) of the award
winning book Being Smart
about Gifted Education
(2009, Great Potential Press),
and Beyond Intelligence:
Secrets for Raising Happily
Productive Kids (2014,
Anansi Press). Her latest book
is Not Now, Maybe Later:
Helping Children Overcome
Procrastination (2015,
Great Potential Press).
For additional information, visit
www.brainpowerinitiative.com