Agenda versus Plan : What Racehorses and Children can Teach us

12/20/2012

As a breeder and owner of registered Thoroughbreds as well as a Child Cognitive Psychologist in private practice, I have realized that understanding the difference between an Agenda and a Plan is important when developing the strengths of both young racehorses and students.
Agendas are rigid and without tolerance and adhering to AGENDAS when working with young horses or children's literacy learning does not work as effectively as having a PLAN.
A plan means you have a specific outcome or goal in mind , however the HOW of plans are flexible and can change , depending on the specific characteristics/ strengths of the child or the young horse.
In essence , one size does not fit all and those AGENDA followers who are not flexible, end up frustrating everyone. Having a Plan allows us to change with the circumstances, eliminating the methods that do not work for the child or the young horse , while still focusing on what is important . All involved appreciate the focus on a positive learning atmosphere and interactions which will help reach the desired results.
Dr. Brenda E. Abbey

3 Comments

Dr. Brenda E. Abbey

12/21/2012 07:12:42 am

As I have been researching other Reading and Literacy and Math intervention services, I am seeing in their advertising a belief in their own set regimented " AGENDAS". I say this because their program's advertising has the pre- requisite of a certain number of sessions being contracted in order that the child completes the skill instruction their company has designed .
My framework is very much looking at developing a "PLAN "- a vision of what my parent clients want for their child and then a determination of the needs and GOALS in collaboration with the child's parents and other professional who are involved. After many years of experience, I realized that flexibility and strength - based strategies work best , rather than focussing on a rigid set timetable of what and when skills will be taught ."Knowing where you are wanting to go with an intervention" is very important , however as an experienced professional I would suggest that many commercial Reading Skills or Math Programs are rigid and do not account for child- specific variables.

Lois Winters link

1/11/2013 04:13:34 am

Hi Brenda,

How true your blog is and something that I had to learn when starting to work with both horses and kids as I came from an office environment where everything is so task oriented. Luckily I met a special horse man that helped me learn to drop the agenda and go with the flow. Thanks for putting this so well Brenda.

Erika

10/27/2015 04:04:51 pm

Thanks for your comments! I was searching for the difference between a "plan" and an "agenda" and you explained it perfectly.

Dr. Brenda E. Abbey

Agenda versus Plan : What Racehorses and Children can Teach us

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