-
How Family Meetings Can Help Kids Learn to Use Their Voice
Read More: How Family Meetings Can Help Kids Learn to Use Their VoiceNow that the school year is in full swing, we find ourselves settled into the hectic monotony of rushing kids to school, prepping dinner, and getting ready for bed. How do you connect with your kids and give them a voice in the family amidst the daily chaos? Consider trying out family meetings. Family meetings […]
-
Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the Classroom
Read More: Five Ways to Encourage Student Voice and Share Power in the ClassroomAs educators, we may (often unconsciously) hold on to the power in our classrooms. But we do have the choice to share power with our students. Sharing power and prioritizing student voice strengthens students’ sense of belonging and diffuses power-over dynamics between educators and young people. When we let go of some control, we are […]
-
Ideas for Celebrating the Season!
Read More: Ideas for Celebrating the Season!It was far from normal, and this school year marked the first time since 2018-2019 that most kids were in real classrooms, in person, together. So, when they leave their classrooms and say goodbye to their teachers this month, it will be truly transitional. Celebrating all that they accomplished this school year can help with […]
-
Student-centered Ideas for Wrapping Up the School Year
Read More: Student-centered Ideas for Wrapping Up the School YearAs this school year comes to an end, you are probably feeling a range of emotions! Your students are certainly also feeling a range of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. You and your students worked hard all year building community, getting to know one another’s strengths and areas of growth, and centering student voice and […]
-
It’s Teacher Appreciation Month and We See You
Read More: It’s Teacher Appreciation Month and We See YouWhat a school year this has been! By many accounts, this year proved even more challenging than the previous two years, leaving many educators exhausted and discouraged. And yet, you keep showing up. You continue to be present and attentive to the needs of your students. Even though you may feel depleted, you keep dipping […]
-
5 Simple Ways to Show Appreciation for Teachers (Anytime, Not Just the First Week of May!)
Read More: 5 Simple Ways to Show Appreciation for Teachers (Anytime, Not Just the First Week of May!)The first week of May is Teacher Appreciation week. It’s a great reminder to take a moment and show support for educators. They have such a profound impact on our kids and our world! Ask any teacher and they will tell you that simple, heartfelt gestures go a long way. Here are several ways to […]
-
An Easy Way to Reduce Stress and Strengthen Relationships in Your Family
Read More: An Easy Way to Reduce Stress and Strengthen Relationships in Your FamilyWant to play? What? Too busy doing important things to play? It turns out (check out this research), play is extremely important – for just about everyone and everything, but especially for learning and developing children. But why? Stress: It turns out play reduces stress (and therefore) facilitates learning. We know stress lowers the amount […]
-
The Surprising Benefits of Play in the Classroom
Read More: The Surprising Benefits of Play in the Classroom“Play is a strategy for learning at any age. While older students and their teachers might have more curricular demands than younger students, playful learning still has an important role to play…” – Project Zero Researcher Mara Krechevsky, Harvard Graduate School of Education After years of pandemic disruption, are we feeling pressure to catch students […]
-
Developing Firmness Tools for Educators
Read More: Developing Firmness Tools for EducatorsWhen we can respond to students in ways that are both connected and firm, both adults and students benefit. But how do we do that? Children need compassion and boundaries, connection and high expectations – at the same time. But many of us did not grow up with this model, or learn it in our […]
-
Developing Firmness Tools for Parents
Read More: Developing Firmness Tools for ParentsKind compassion and grounded firmness are critical to effective parenting. If we can do both, our parenting takes on a strong even keel, so that in stormy times or calm, we know we are getting where we want to go with our children in a way that has direction and purpose. Both parents and kids […]
