CHILDREN LEARN FAST. Their brain is pure, crisp and sharp. The flow of information, knowledge and understanding finds few obstacles as it enters the brain and settles in its compartments waiting to be called into service. "I can’t" or "I don’t know" are rare in the consciousness of a child.
     How openly children learn new things with computers. Give a child a computer and it freely explores the new toy, achieving a great skill in a short period of time. The child’s boundless spirit is aware, computers are easy. A child loves challenges. This salubrious attitude leads to success. The "learning by doing" technique is effective.
     Sabrina is an alert, communicative, intelligent, independent, selfconfident seven-year-old who knows what she wants and knows how to get it. She is always aware of what’s going on in her world. Sabrina is a great actress! She knows how to capture people’s attention. She enjoys being the focus of attention in every activity. Sabrina still likes a firm loving hand to guide her on the journey of selfdiscovery.
     The other day Sabrina was being a naughty girl as she visits her Grandmother Gertrud. She does not do a given chore and is trying to have her own way. She talks back. Sabrina loses her computer privilege for several days. Sabrina shouts and cries.
     I talk to Sabrina. Sitting on my knee I give her a gentle caring hug. I tell her when I was a child, I had to behave and always had to do as I was told. When I did not, I was sent to bed without dinner. I spoke to her about her dad Adrian. Her father has to do as his boss tells him or else her dad has no job. With no job he has no money to pay the rent, buy food, toys, birthday presents and other goodies.
     "You see", I tell Sabrina, "everyone has to do as they are told, even adults! Your mom, your dad, Grandma Gertrud and Grandpa Peter teach you these things early in life so that when you are an adult, it’s easy for you to follow directions. When you learn this selfdiscipline now, you will be a very, very happy person!"
     Sabrina’s face softens. She even smiles as she wipes away her last tear.
"I too learn to behave. You are not alone!" I continue.
     "What must YOU learn?" Sabrina asks, her big brown eyes radiating with curiosity, living in the moment.
     "I learn to listen to my inner voice and follow what it says. When my inner voice says ‘Stefan, you have had enough to eat,’ I do as my inner voice tells me and stop eating."
     Sabrina giggles and says, "That’s funny." Jerôme, her older brother, who listens from a distance, just smiles.
     "Sabrina, let’s work on this," I say, "whenever you do or say something that is not in harmony with the guidelines of the game, I will nudge you gently with my finger, okay! Watch the fantastic things that will come from it as we play this game for a few days."
     I take my forefinger and nudge Sabrina’s arm. A smile spreads across her face. "Write it down so I don’t forget!" Sabrina demands.
     I write Nudge Sabrina! I show it to her, she smiles even more. I put the paper on the dining room table.
     There are a few nudges the next few days. This in itself is a blessing but the biggest blessing is yet to come.
     Sabrina had visited her friend Lara. Lara has a cute female mouse made out of tissue, wearing a colorful hat and a pink skirt. Among elementary school girls, these mice are the fashion. Sabrina takes Lara’s mouse.  Lara’s parents call asking Sabrina to return the mouse at once. Sabrina had lost it.
     From her allowance Sabrina must buy a new mouse for Lara. When the new mouse is purchased Sabrina gives me a big wet kiss and says, "It’s exactly the one I lost!"
     When it comes time to give the present to Lara, Sabrina writes, "Dear Lara, I am sorry I stole your mouse. Love, Sabrina."
     This is a monumental step. For Sabrina who seldom admitted any wrong doing, after two days of "nudging" she makes it all by herself.

-Dr Stefan Strässle