Want to raise kids with a genuine passion for curiosity? Discover effective ways to raise children who love to learn — and not because they have to. My son was in the kitchen trying to turn an empty box of strawberries into an airplane. He had attached a propeller from another toy to the front and strapped a rubber band he'd hoped would sling it forward. It even came equipped with landing wheels. The airplane never moved, much less flew, but this is the kind of learning I want to encourage in my kids. Not doing homework begrudgingly or even perfect grades, but the willingness to try … [Read more...]

Want to help your kids remember the information they learned for the long run? Get tips on how to make learning stick and encourage real learning. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. I've done my share of cramming for tests, memorizing formulas and drilling information a few minutes before an exam. But did I really learn anything? After all, I can barely remember the details of the American Revolution or the anatomical parts of a frog (shudder). This is the topic of a recent book I … [Read more...]

Raising children who can think for themselves is important. Learn two effective strategies to raise a child who can think critically. I learned a big lesson on raising a critical thinker when my son scoffed at me to leave him alone. He had been playing with a drawing tool—a spirograph set—minding his own business. At one point, I heard heavy sighs and mutterings under the breath. I chimed in with, "What's up?" "I can't put these two pieces together," he admitted. "I'm trying to make a design but they don't fit." "Oh yeah, that looks tricky. Here—let me show you how to do it," I … [Read more...]