Did you know?
Children studying music from as early as grade 4 get to their first year of high school with an average academic score that is 11% higher than kids who did not study music.
If they continue their music studies into high school, by the time they graduate, their average academic score is 23% higher than kids who did not study music.
Read Music For The Mind »
Kids need to learn money management long before they leave home. When their friends have brand-name shoes or a computer game and your kid wants them too, understanding money is going to be very handy. So if you wonder when it is the right time to learn about money, my answer is: the minute your kid can count to 10.
Unfortunately, handling money is not something we learn at school. Just like many other life skills that we find necessary in adulthood, money management is also neglected while lots of energy is wasted on high levels of math.
Children can be taught at a young age that money is their way to get the things they want in life. It is, after all, your way of getting the things you want in life.
Here is how…
Although suicide is not a topic many people talk about, I believe it is important to discuss it BEFORE it is too late. Whereas in the past suicide was an adult concern, the trends in the last 50 years have changed and more and more teens (aged 15 and above) are at risk.
There are many reasons for suicide, some of which are related to crisis and mental breakdowns due to the loss of loved ones and others events that cannot be prevented. However, the major reason for suicide is depression. Yet unlike losing someone you love, depression can be prevented!
Suicide is one of those things that when it happens, it is already too late. Therefore, we, as parents and educators (and government), must take responsibility and dedicate ourselves to preventing suicide.
I do not think there is such a thing as the “right age gap”. I believe that each family has its own “right gap”. There are two theories on this matter:
1. Have kids close together so they can grow together and be as close as possible socially. There is also a bit of “and let’s get the kids thing over with as quickly as we can and get on with our life” in this approach.
2. Have your children spaced out to allow them to be individuals and give yourself enough time to dedicate to each one of them.
Read What Is The Right Age Gap For Siblings To Have Good Relationship? »
Parents ask me: What is Dyslexia? What is the impact of having it? Will it limit my child’s success in life?
I have worked with many kids, who have had symptoms similar to dyslexia that were actually caused by other problems. Deafness, visual problems, temporary challenges with a second language, gaps in their education or emotional problems may appear like dyslexia but cannot be treated like dyslexia.
But with this learning difficulty come good things too.
Researches have suggested that academic success is not a result of natural born talent but a result of persistence, encouragement and motivation to succeed.
In order to effectively use encouragement, it is good to understand that encouraging a kid to do something focuses on the good things and sends kids a message “You are OK”.
Understanding your kids’ learning styles can be a great help for life, both for you and your kids.
The common belief that there is one way of learning is really far from the truth. There are many ways to learn and each way has its advantages and disadvantages.
Read Learning Styles »
At this point in a teen’s life, wealth is “a grownup word” and does not mean much. Teens value fun, friendship, love and being unique and accepted much higher than financial freedom. Many teens will sacrifice their future wealth for some good partying, which makes them pretty normal, just like we all were when we did exactly the same as teens…
Convincing a teen to save money is not an easy task, mainly because the benefits are in some unknown future, but the commitment and effort start in the present.
Oddly enough, the attitude towards money, saving and wealth passes from one generation to the next ;)
Read Wealth Education for Teens »
My response to David Bogner’s post “Monsters or Victims”, following the rape of a 12 year-old girl by 13 year-old boys.
… what you can do to be your teen’s friend and you may find they want you to set the boundaries and “save them from themselves” when they make mistakes. Being afraid of parenting your teens only sends a message of insecurity. If responsibility needs to be taken, between parents and teens, who do you think should take it?
Read It Won’t Happen to Me »
A couple of weeks ago, I delivered a Parenting Skills workshop for the Mullumbimby High School parents and friends. It was great fun and I was honoured to have the school principal and the mayor of Byron Shire attending. Here is an inspiring true story I told them about the important messages kids & teens need […]
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