Before most children can even read, they have already been told gender stereotypes like boys are strong, and girls are weak. Research shows that by age three, children begin absorbing these stereotypes. By age 10, boys are more likely to see themselves as leaders, while girls internalize limits on their abilities. One study found that 6 in 10 boys said boys are naturally better than girls at sports, and by age 14, girls are dropping…
Read More »The start of the school year brings a new schedule, additional activities, and budding demands on everyone’s time. Forget New Year’s Eve: the start of the school year is when parents often make resolutions to get organized! Getting ready for back to school may cause some stress in your life, but you don’t have to let school send your family life into chaos. Use these back to school organization ideas and tips to handle the…
Read More »Making friends looks a little different for everyone. We all want our children to make and have friends, but what can parents actually do to to help? Here are some tips for helping your child make friends. 1. Teach conversational skills. To make new friends, kids need to learn how to introduce themselves to others and think of appropriate things to say. They also need to learn how to listen well and to provide conversational…
Read More »Speech and language development play a crucial role in a child’s overall communication skills and social interactions. For kids facing challenges in speech, speech therapy exercises offer a valuable and effective approach to improve their communication abilities. These speech therapy techniques and exercises are designed to be engaging, fun, and tailored to address specific speech difficulties. Let’s explore some effective speech therapy exercises at home for kids and adults that can make a positive impact…
Read More »Video games captivate students in a way few other mediums can. Their immersive worlds, engaging challenges, and instant feedback loops naturally draw learners in. But for many parents and educators, the idea of “game-based learning” – specifically learning through video games – can feel daunting. Is it just playing games? How do you ensure real learning happens? Game based learning is a strategic instructional choice, not just a fun distraction. While there are many games marketed…
Read More »Social media can help teenagers with healthy development, but it can also create risks. Psychological research shows it is critically important to focus on how teens use social media and the type of content they see. As a parent or caregiver, you are the expert on your child, and you know what experiences will fit with their strengths and areas of vulnerability. These recommendations from the American Psychological Association are based on research and will…
Read More »The summer slide is a decline in a child’s academic skills that occurs over the summer vacation when school is not in session. Summer slide goes by a number of names, including the summer learning loss and the summer brain drain, but in essence, they all mean the same thing: over the summer vacation, children are likely to forget a lot of the information and knowledge they have picked up over the past academic year. Summer…
Read More »If you’ve been the parent of a young child, you know that children are curious and eager to learn. Their wide-eyed wonder as they discover spiders, rainbows, and other amazing things that most adults take for granted is one of the great joys of raising a family. To help you make the most of those moments and to inspire even more of them, we offer several easy strategies for sparking better conversation. There is a…
Read More »It is never too early to start practicing good money habits. In fact, the earlier teenagers are exposed to good financial habits, the better chance they will become financially savvy. This is an important life lesson in general, but especially if college is on the horizon for your teenager. Becoming a college student is one of the most exciting and immediate milestones for high school students. Teenagers feel a sense of freedom and it’s often…
Read More »For many teachers, building relationships is a priority in the classroom – they put in time and effort to incorporate strategies into lesson plans and daily routines to forge bonds with their students. But what happens when there’s a breakdown in communication or a relationship degrades over time due to conflict or disagreements? Developing a relationship is one skill; repairing that relationship when it becomes fractured is another, according to author and high school history…
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