As we propel headlong into the 21st century, there is increasing interest in teaching kids to program computers. A few schools have been teaching kids to program for decades. Others are seeking ways to include it now. Yet, programming has often been treated as a specialized technical skill. It … [Read more...] about Teaching Kids to Program Computers
Parenting Teens
Tiger Moms Eat Their Young: A Parenting Style to Avoid
A common stereotype holds Chinese mothers to be strict authoritarians, mercilessly ruling over the children with iron fists. The thought of adopting a parenting style that exerts such extreme control may be hard to think about for many European-American parents. Yet, there is the nagging … [Read more...] about Tiger Moms Eat Their Young: A Parenting Style to Avoid
World History Videos for Kids
Looking to elevate your kids' video watchlist a smidgen? Perhaps add in some light reading to boot? A few years ago, I decided to read a kid friendly world history book to my children (aged 7 and 10 at the time), and settled on Gombrich's, "A Little History of the World." Beyond the book, I … [Read more...] about World History Videos for Kids
How to Nurture Persistence with (the Right Kind of) Praise
Sure, you praise your kids. And they look at you with beaming little faces. Such a warm feeling, if only for a moment. But, is that all there is to praise? What’s simmering in the brain behind those sparkling eyes? It may well depend on the precise nature of the praise you … [Read more...] about How to Nurture Persistence with (the Right Kind of) Praise
Teach Your Teen How to Stop Procrastinating Homework (without Nagging)
“Trust me?” You send him off to school. Drive him to soccer practice. Then there’s dinner. And, you know, a little TV. Says he’s getting homework done. But there doesn’t seem to be that much. Gets it all done in school. Hmm. Trust me. Hmm. You want to trust him. You don’t have time to … [Read more...] about Teach Your Teen How to Stop Procrastinating Homework (without Nagging)
Motivating Teens: 3 Ways to Answer When Your Teen Claims School is Pointless
Imagine your son comes home from school. He’s frustrated about Biology. Today they covered, “balancing equations.” That completely drained his enthusiasm. Ouch. You haven’t got a clue what those are about. You don’t recall learning about them yourself. Never use them. You ask him what it … [Read more...] about Motivating Teens: 3 Ways to Answer When Your Teen Claims School is Pointless