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…
Read More »When kids feel bombarded by difficult emotions, they may feel a sense of helplessness, as if there is nothing they can do to pull themselves out of the storm. As parents, we know effective strategies are out there to manage emotions, but knowing which ones to use in the moment can feel overwhelming. In his new book, “Shift: Managing Your Emotions – So They Don’t Manage You,” neuroscientist Ethan Kross shares the most current research…
Read More »It is not enough to celebrate “girl power” without also providing examples of strength. We can’t tell girls they can change the world without equipping them to take on the task. If we encourage young girls to dream big, we must provide direction and skills to help them make those dreams a reality. All of us can positively impact how girls see themselves and their possibilities. Here are three tips to get you started. 1.…
Read More »On her son’s first day of kindergarten, Ruth Whippman, author of BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, stood by as a parent volunteer welcomed each child at the gate. Two nervous little girls walked in first, and the volunteer crouched down, his voice warm and tender: “Hi, sweetheart.” Then came Whippman’s son. The volunteer straightened up, his tone dropping an octave as he gave a hearty high five and said, “Hey, buddy!”…
Read More »For parents, teens, and children alike, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by stress and anxiety in our fast-paced, ever-changing world. Chances are that everyone is dealing with stress and anxiety in their bodies and minds at one time or another. Thankfully, there are tips and techniques to help children and teens respond skillfully to stressful situations. Dr. Katelyn Anderson, a pediatric psychologist at CHOC, offers various skills to help combat anxiety. Here are some techniques…
Read More »Critical thinking is one of the most crucial life skills to have; it not only builds a strong character, but also creates a savvy and successful adult. Schools can only do so much to nurture critical thinking abilities due to a standardized syllabus, but you as a parent can encourage your children to think critically with some activities you can do at home. Here are some examples of activities to teach children critical thinking. 1.…
Read More »Team building games for kids serve a variety of purposes, but most importantly, they help children develop essential social skills. By participating in team activities, kids learn to work together, understand the importance of collaboration, and develop empathy towards others. Moreover, these games promote communication skills, as kids are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas with their teammates. Through team building games, children become more aware of their role within a group, learning to…
Read More »Think about any time you’ve seen an army boot camp portrayed in pop culture: the traditional drill sergeant, ordering his troops to do endless laps and push-ups as punishment for their errors that day. Now, with that scenario in your mind, imagine it being played out by children and teenagers at school, and instead of drill sergeants, their teachers are at the helm. Believe it or not, it’s actually quite common in certain areas of…
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