Think of something your parents taught you as a child that you have felt (or would feel) confident teaching your own children. Maybe how to do the laundry or to cook an egg; how to knit; how to brush your teeth; how to throw a baseball; how to ride a bike; how to drive a … Continue reading Reaping a harvest of delighted readers
Category: Curiosity
Does Star Wars Count as Learning?
Perhaps you are sold on the fact that free play is important for small children, but once they reach a certain age, shouldn’t kids be getting down to the business of actual learning? Here’s an example of how the concept of play, or self-directed learning, might...um...play out in the lives of our older children. … Continue reading Does Star Wars Count as Learning?
How “play” increases the hire-ability of your children.
It turns out that all work and no play could affect your child's chances of landing the job of his dreams. In her book, Prepared, Diane Tavener observes that in “the 1950s, the top skills employers wanted were: 1) The ability to work rapidly and for long periods of time, 2) Memory for details and directions, … Continue reading How “play” increases the hire-ability of your children.
“School at Home” vs. Home Education: Is there a difference?
In recent days, with everyone at home and attempting some form of schooling with their children, we have gotten comments like, “at least you guys are used to this, right?” Well, yes and no. I would hate for our temporary-homeschooling friends to somehow think that what their kids are having to do via online Zoom … Continue reading “School at Home” vs. Home Education: Is there a difference?
Why do I have to learn this?
How many times did we say it over the years of our schooling? How many times have we heard our children or students say it? Why do I have to learn this? And how do we reply? You’ll need it for the test; you need it for your life; you'll need it for your transcript; for college; … Continue reading Why do I have to learn this?
How to climb into someone’s skin-a lesson in empathy
I sat in a chair like everyone else in the circle, but was different than everyone else. They shared their stories and I listened because there was nothing for me to say. They all connected. I was the outcast. It was about 8 years ago, and a friend had invited me to sit in on … Continue reading How to climb into someone’s skin-a lesson in empathy
The Power of a Good Question
“Mommy, why doesn’t the UPS truck come anymore? Do they still deliver packages?” What do you mean? “It was the Amazon Prime truck that delivered the last 2 times.” Oh I see. Why do you think Amazon would send an Amazon Prime truck to deliver their packages instead of UPS? “So they can get more … Continue reading The Power of a Good Question
The best thing you can teach your child
My daughter shared with some friends we had for dinner about the cupcake business she and her best friend started. A week earlier, they had set up a stand in front of the house and had made a small fortune (to them) selling the cupcakes. Our friends, wanting to encourage my daughter’s entrepreneurial spirit, said … Continue reading The best thing you can teach your child
Embracing the awkward conversation
Starting sometime in middle school, I began to understand the idea of social awkwardness (didn't we all?). There are a few people (you know them when you see them) who have reached adulthood and have yet to grasp the idea. My husband always jokes that he wishes he could be one of them because they … Continue reading Embracing the awkward conversation
What is your educational “Why”?
In Simon Sinek's book, Start With Why, he says that all businesses can tell you what they do and most can tell you how they do it, but what so many are lacking (to their detriment) is the ability to tell you why they do what they do. This typically leads to uninspired customers who … Continue reading What is your educational “Why”?