Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — As a teacher educator and someone who also helps parents raise their children well, I’ve been teaching frequently about how digital technology effects people’s beliefs and behaviors. Especially many people under the age of 30 have been drastically influenced because they’ve never known life without technology. Because of the plethora of websites, blogs, online videos, Facebook posts, podcasts, print resources, and the ease of finding information with search engines, we’re inundated with knowledge. I’m not surprised when young people don’t know what to do with it all. They’re young and haven’t been … [Read more...]
Paralysis of Analysis? No More
May 22, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — I often say that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. You may be surprised, but this philosophy is even relevant to how we use our smarts. I think easily with questions because I’m very logic smart. Analyzing and comparing come naturally to me. I want things to make sense. To me. When people or things disappoint or confuse me, I think a lot about the situation. I can get stuck. Frustrated. Even angry if solutions don’t come to mind. I’m sure you’ve heard of the “paralysis of analysis.” That used to describe me. Past tense. Have you wrestled with … [Read more...]
Live long. Die old.
April 29, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — I’m not sure when it started, but it’s continued. At some point in almost every program with middle school and high school students, I have them repeat it after me. “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” “Live long. Die old.” Suicide is way too common – it’s the third leading cause of death for 11-19 year-olds. There are no words strong enough to express my grief every time I think about this. Today’s young people are overwhelmed by the amount of information available to them. Be a solid source of truth for … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 8 – Self Smart
April 17, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Howard Gardner’s research that determined we each have eight intelligences has certainly encouraged thousands and thousands of people. I’ve enjoyed writing about each of the eight intelligences in detail these past two months. Today, we finish this series with details about self smart, or intrapersonal intelligence. Although last in our list, it’s not last in importance. The importance of each is determined by our call, passions, and purposes. For some people, this intelligence is key to their success so they’d rate it high in importance. Others wouldn’t. As I explained in their posts, word … [Read more...]
Special Blog Post About the Boston Tragedy
April 16, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
If you’re like most people, you’re wondering how to talk with children about the tragedy that occurred in Boston yesterday. Here’s some advice. I truly hope it’s helpful. Respond to emotion with emotion. Feel your children’s feelings before you analyze them. Hug them. Cry with them. Listen. Listen longer. Keep listening. Even longer. Don’t be afraid of silence. Don’t say anything that would cause them to question if their emotions are right. Depending on your children’s ages, don’t assume they won’t hear about the bombing even if you haven’t discussed it. If you don’t homeschool, chances are good that teachers will bring it up. They’ll want to be helpful and maybe they can relate it to content they’ve been … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 7 – People Smart
April 10, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — I sometimes joke that people-smart children go to school for their friends and teachers get in their way. People laugh. It’s not exactly true. It’s close, though. People smart, or interpersonal intelligence, is the seventh of our eight intelligences I’m presenting in this series of posts. As with the other smarts, everyone has at least some of it. It may be your strength and your child’s strength. Or, it may not be. Those of us with people-smart strengths think with other people. We talk even more when we get excited. You know you’re people smart if your ideas are clarified … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 5 – Body Smart
March 20, 2013 by · 4 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Each of our smarts, or intelligences, is born into us, but must be awakened by meaningful encounters with people and/or things. My body smart, or bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, was awakened when my parents enrolled me in ballet and tap dance lessons when I was about six-years-old. Prior to dance class, I was certainly moving, but I was clumsy and unsure of myself. Dancing increased my confidence and coordination. I went from taking lessons to becoming an assistant teacher. When I got older, I especially enjoyed softball and racquetball. I also spent years on drill teams and in marching bands. These … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 4 – Music Smart
March 13, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — We determine how strong people’s intelligences are by looking at both how much interest they have and how much ability they demonstrate. Both are essential for an intelligence to be strong. Interest in music is high in our culture. Just look at the number of iPods in use, the number of people who have downloaded music to their phones, and the number of iTunes accounts accessed regularly. But, not all the people listening to music have music smart as a strength. Are they interested in a variety of musical styles, are they open to discovering new styles and musicians, and do they remember music … [Read more...]
Welcomed. Precious. Smiled upon. Beautiful. Celebrated.
November 5, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Welcomed. Precious. Smiled upon. Beautiful. Celebrated. … A week ago, it was my joy to share with the faculty of Train Up A Child Preschool and Kindergarten of Abiding Savior Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Like many other teachers I’m privileged to meet and influence, they were teachable, joyful, and unified. I was assigned three topics on Friday and two more for Saturday, when parents and others from the community joined us. Each topic was important and related to raising and teaching children according to God’s best principles. A highlight for me was the first topic on Friday. We read and discussed passages from … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #39: What value have vacations played in your life?
October 26, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — Today, I’m in Sioux Falls, SD, to work with teachers and parents from the Train Up a Child Kindergarten and Preschool and Abiding Savior Church. Privileged! The first non-lake vacation my family took was to this state. I was about 8 and we drove from Wauwatosa, WI, to South Dakota to see the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. I have great memories of that vacation even though it was many, many years ago. Look back on your life. Remember and reflect upon vacations, even if they were just one-day-long breaks from routine. Enjoy the memories. What value have vacations played in your life? Find someone to share your stories with and have them share theirs with … [Read more...]
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