Uncategorized Unsupervised Play & Autonomy Reduce Kids' Anxiety NPR ED: Empowering Kids in an Anxious World Most kids no longer engage in unsupervised play without screens or parents watching over them at all times. It prevents kids from developing important life skills: resolving disputes, planning time, managing games. Engagement in manageable risks promotes autonomy, which “feeds self-esteem and
K-12 The Vital Role of Social Connection in our Lives Work and the Loneliness Epidemic The above article, written by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in the Harvard Business Review, focuses on loneliness, the lack of social connection, as a “growing health epidemic.” Dr. Murthy reports that over 40 percent of Americans report feeling lonely, with research indicating
Uncategorized Letting our Kids Practice Planning, Decision-making Allowing our kids to practice planning, decision-making and problem-solving sounds much easier than it is. For sure! It requires us parents to let go of our well-meaning intentions to help our kids and provide space for our kids to do the task themselves. It is hard to let go especially
Uncategorized Reviving Vocational Education Programs For a long time now, many students have been told by their parents and high school counselors that in order to get a ‘good job,’ they must attend college. Such pressure often results in anxiety or depression. Technical and vocational career options are rarely discussed and seem to be reserved
Uncategorized Measure Skills that Our Kids Need in Life 7 things that every kid should master In the above article, Susan Engel, a developmental psychologist in the department of psychology at Williams College, argues that our current K-12 standardized tests do not “measure something meaningful” other than “the likelihood of achieving similar scores on subsequent tests.” Engel suggests to
K-12 Strive for Perfection is Making Our Kids Sick. Time for Reform. Is the Drive for Success Making our Children Sick? This is an excellent article by Vicki Abeles, filmmaker and author of Beyond Measure. We have a nationwide epidemic of school-related stress, anxiety and depression. Students’ average days consist of 7 hours of school, plus sports, clubs, music activities followed by
Uncategorized Lack of Sleep = Increase of Sadness, Hopelessness “Make sure your kids eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. “This recipe seems like a no-brainer, but most teenagers are not taking care of themselves in these simple ways. Damour calls sleep the “silver bullet.” Adolescents are supposed to get nine hours of sleep a night. “Any amount under
Uncategorized The Effects of Chronic Stress on the Brain (This post was originally published on LinkedIN on February 15,2018.) “What happens when the brain is stressed — not for a few seconds, but year after year? Stress hormones end up swamping our bodies for days, weeks, months. Research shows that cortisol, specifically, chews up the brain if it loiters
K-12 Naperville 'State of the Kids' Town Hall: Examine Our Environment, Achievement Culture (This post was originally published on LinkedIN on July 12, 2017.) Naperville City Councilwoman Rebecca Boyd-Obarski’s call for a town-hall meeting to assess the “State of Kids” in our community is a timely one. Alongside a review of student alcohol and drug use data, we need to take a
K-12 Survey: 70% of Naperville Students are Stressed, 50% don't talk about it The Chicago Tribune/Naperville Sun reports: Naperville Student Survey: 70% of Teens are stressed, 50% don’t talk about it. “Seven of 10 seventh-graders and nearly eight in 10 high school sophomores say they experience moderate or high levels of daily stress. About half of both groups say the stress
