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 shame when things don’t go right the first … [Read more...]
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 and up. My kids loved playing this game! Buy It HERE. Suction Cups and Thinking Required in New Game, … [Read more...]
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 inner joy, so that we can … [Read more...]
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 … [Read more...]
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 somewhere. And I'm worried. She's living with a fixed … [Read more...]
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 good or a bad thing for kids? And how do we know? I had the opportunity to talk with Lesli Rotenberg, … [Read more...]
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 graders who were proficient at faking it. Since I always let my students choose their own … [Read more...]
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 the strategies that are useful … [Read more...]
Quiz Yourself – Examples of Divergent and Convergent Thinking
Now that you've learned or refreshed your memory on the differences between convergent thinking and divergent thinking, let's look at the application in learning. Can you determine which is which? It's important that you can because it's up to you, parent or teacher, to advocate for more divergent learning in the classroom. Linear thinking, or convergent thinking, is about learning facts, follow … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Convergent and Divergent Thinking
Kids need to be creative. To understand how creativity works in the brain, we must first understand the difference between convergent and divergent thinking. Then, we must address the lack of divergent thinking in education. Divergent and Convergent Thinking Convergent (Stickman) Thinking Linear Convergent Thinking Worksheet-Heavy Early Academic Push Skill & Drill Right … [Read more...]
Creativity Gives Kids Skills for Life
Guest post by artist, educator and blogger, Melanie Sklarz. Part I: 3 Reasons for Creativity Did you know that as humans we have the unique ability to make connections between different ideas and things, understand symbols and metaphors, and use our imagination? By tapping into our personal creativity and imagination we help our brain and positively affect our heart and spirit. So why should … [Read more...]