As a child, daydreaming was one of my favorite activities. Or should I say, non-activities? I spent hours alone in my room with random thoughts wandering through my mind. I loved to think about patterns, people, and the mysteries of how things were connected. My parents believed I was doing […]
Creativity
Do you have green spaces within walking, driving, or public transport distance from your home? If you’re looking for positive ways to feel connected as a family, it’s time to get yourselves and your kids outdoors—into green spaces, parks, beaches, forests, backyards, and neighborhoods! The latest research is compelling about […]
Sociability
Your encouraging words for kids can help them thrive in school and life! How do your words matter? Positive words from parents, teachers, and mentors are a rich source of internal motivation and guidance to children and teens. Often, kids recall your words of encouragement for years to come. At […]
Compass-Inspired
At its core, creativity is about brewing new ideas. If you carefully observe children before the age of six, you’ll notice they are idea-generating enthusiasts! Why? Because humans are uniquely creative beings, born with a gift to create new ideas and innovative outcomes that evolve from their ideas. What happens […]
Creativity
Successful kids get excellent grades, right? They play at least one sport very well. Successful kids do regular community service and, of course, take Advanced Placement courses. They attend the best colleges and attain great-paying jobs. Wait. If you’ve ever envisioned this fairy-tale definition of kids’ success, it’s time to […]
Compass-Inspired
“Social anxiety disorder,” according to the Child Mind Institute, “is characterized by intense self-consciousness and fear of embarrassment that goes beyond common shyness, causing a child to go to great lengths to avoid social interactions,” In other words, a psychologist might suggest that whether your child has social anxiety or […]
Sociability
Have you taken time lately to witness your child’s imagination at work? Just stood and observed as creative play unfolded in front of you, without prompts or coaching? Children at play are in their most natural and happy state. Through your child’s play, you can witness the development of character […]
Creativity
“A growth mindset is when students believe that their abilities can be developed,” says Carol Dweck, renowned Stanford University psychologist. Dweck coined the phrase growth mindset after decades of research on how children and teens become successful. Dweck’s groundbreaking book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, explains that success and […]
Creativity
Many scholars have studied and written about the benefits of play for children. According to psychologist and research professor Peter Gray, play “serves many valuable purposes. It is a means by which children develop their physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral capacities.” For quite some time, my daughter was afraid […]
Creativity
My favorite group to speak to about reducing screen time and living a more present and joy-filled life is school-age children. When I tell my eager listeners that the purpose of my book, Hands Free Life, is to show people how to turn away from the daily distractions of screen […]
Sociability
Don’t you love the excitement an unexpected gift brings to a child? I remember the way my daughter eagerly anticipated the arrival of Santa Claus and how each gift brought joy to her face. Some toys or stuffed animals became favorites for many years to come. But most gifts brought […]
Compass-Inspired
If you’re like most adults, you probably have an opinion about the effects of video games on children and teenagers. In fact, you might be a bit skeptical about their value. I’ll be the first to admit my own bias, particularly against violent games. As I’ve watched my grandchildren play […]
Resilience
