RESPECTfully is a social norms campaign designed to speak to teens directly with key messages that articulate everyone deserves mutual respect in relationships, and today’s tips were sourced from them. Youth-serving individuals and organizations can encourage parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs of unhealthy behaviors, educate teens on what respect looks like, and have clear conversations about consent. Parents, teachers, coaches, and caregivers can help increase the capacity for teens to experience…
The presence of cell phones in schools has ignited one of the most enduring debates in modern education. Educators, parents, and students often find themselves split between the benefits and the drawbacks of allowing cell phones in the classroom. Should schools ban them entirely, or can they be harnessed as powerful tools for learning? One of the strongest arguments for banning cell phones in schools is the distraction they pose. Research has shown that students…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
