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...]
Fun Literacy Activities to Help Your Child Learn
Encouraging early learning is easy with fun literacy activities! Learn why simple activities like talking, reading and singing will help your child learn. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of First 5 California. The opinions and text are all mine. From Day One, I wanted to engage my kids toward healthy brain development. I knew I couldn't control everything, but I was determined to do what I can to raise lifelong learners. So I read child development books and scoured the internet for baby activities. I even read aloud to my pregnant belly. Turns out that helping … [Read more...]
Top Ways to Help Kids Remember What They Learn
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. 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, Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel (affiliate link). The … [Read more...]
How to Motivate Children to Do Their Best
Can't get kids to finish tasks like chores and school projects? Learn techniques on motivating children to do their best and follow through with their responsibilities. For many parents, it can already be a struggle to convince kids to do tasks like chores and homework. The bigger challenge then becomes how to get them to finish once they've started. An SSBE reader emailed me about this exact situation, and many of us can relate. The desire simply isn't there, leading to potential arguments and nagging. So, how can we get kids to actually finish important tasks they need to … [Read more...]
Want a Child Who Can Think Critically? Start with This.
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...]
Why We Should Encourage Competence, Not Confidence, in Children
While confidence is important, competence is a better trait to nurture. Learn why you should encourage competence not confidence in children. We hear tons of advice about how to instill self-confidence in our kids. We want them to feel confident and believe in themselves. We see confidence as the key to thwarting self-doubt. And self-confidence seems to be an effective way to rebuff peer rejection. These are all great reasons, but I'm learning there's something even more important. A trait that doesn't get much recognition but paints a more realistic picture of our kids' … [Read more...]
As Frustrating As It Is, Your Child’s Behavior Is Normal
Struggling with your child's behavior? Learn the importance of child development and behavior and how it can help you stay calm when the kids misbehave. I sometimes imagine what a day would look like if my kids behaved like adults. They'd share toys all the time. They'd know better than to run with a plate full of crumbs and instead place it slowly in the sink. Or they might understand it's the end of the day, and I don't have the mental energy to listen to endless stories. Of course, that isn't what happens—the opposite, in many cases. And I'd find myself feeling exasperated, … [Read more...]
6 Traits You Can Teach to Guide Kids to Success
Want to cultivate the traits your child needs to succeed in school and as an adult? Teach these 6 important traits to encourage success for kids. Encouraging success in kids seems to get a bad rap. We've got Tiger Moms who don't accept anything less than an A. Parents pressuring kids to succeed at all costs. Kids who can't cope with losing. Admissions tests at the preschool level. No wonder we're hesitant to wish ambition and guide kids to success. But when we look at success for our kids in a different way, we see it's not always competition and stress. Success is tapping into their … [Read more...]