thinking

5 Parenting Strategies to Develop a Growth Mindset

I have a daughter who dislikes challenges. She’d rather give up than persevere. This is probably hugely affected by her sensory processing disorder and ADHD. How, I don’t really know. But I do know that she does not have what professor Angela Duckworth calls grit and author Carol Dweck calls it a growth mindset. Or at least it’s hidden […]

How to Help Kids KEEP an Innovator Mindset

written by Katey Howes, picture book author of Magnolia Mudd and the Super Jumptastic Launcher Deluxe Our children are born with the mindset necessary to be top-notch innovators. From day one, they are curious, flexible, and persistent. As babies and toddlers, every development milestone is achieved through trying, failing, and trying again. No blame, no […]

Suction Cups and Thinking Required in Game Akin

You got to think fast to play (and win) the game, Akin from Funnybone Toys! See if you can spot cards with qualities and objects that are RELATED (akin) to each other and make sets. If you’re like us and love playing family games, this is a fantastic new addition for families with kids ages 8 […]

Teaching Mindfulness to Kids

I believe in the power of mindfulness which is why I’m teaching mindfulness to my kids. What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is being aware of what’s going on in the present moment. For kids, it helps focus attention, improve self-regulation (impulsivity and decision making,) build resiliency to stress and develop a positive mindset. “With mindfulness, we can preserve our […]

Color Psychology: How to Use Color in Learning #colorize

Color. Marketing departments spend millions of dollars on it. Because people see color before anything else. Color triggers physical, emotional, and cognitive effects. In consumers. And in students. So if color affects learning (and it does) let me share how you can use color to benefit a child’s memory, performance, and concentration. How to Use Color in Learning Kids will pay better […]

Is Screen Time Killing Our Kids’ Brain Cells? (It Depends)

A new survey of parents released this month by PBS KIDS says more than half of kids will find a tech gift under the tree. Wow! And, most of these gifts will be tablets. (Edging out video game consoles.) Which made me think . . ., if all of us are buying technology for kids, is this a […]

Help Your Child Improve Reading Comprehension

Are your kids comprehending what they read? Because if they aren’t, you need to know how you an help your child improve his reading comprehension. And you need to know how to help them at home. Especially over the summer. Some kids don’t stop when they’re confused, they just keep going! (Aaah!) I had 5th […]

Teach Kids to Think About Their Thinking — Metacognition

Teaching children to think about their thinking, or metacognition, is essential. Confucius said, “A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it is committing another mistake.” Or, as Dr. Phil asks his dysfunctional guests, “How’s that working for you?” When learners become conscious of their thinking, they can become aware of their strengths and […]