ML Interest Tag: learning-process

33 Tips for New Moms from Moms Who’ve Been There

by Melissa Heckscher

Ahh, new motherhood. You go from dreaming of the day your baby will arrive to holding that tiny, wriggling bundle in your arms and thinking, “What the heck do I do now?” Hang tight! We’re here to help. We asked experienced moms to tell us one thing they wish they’d known when they first became parents, and they really delivered—from wisdom on sleep to life-changing self-care tips, and getting perspective on those intense early days. But the one thing they all agreed on is the most important of all: that you’re doing an amazing job.

Adjusting to Mom Life

“In the beginning, I wish I knew how to roll with it, not get frustrated, and that I would need lots of patience…. I was used to being in control and having some order to my life. My kids came into the picture and all of that was thrown out the window! Now they’ve broken me in and I roll with everything, but I remember that part being really hard for me.” — Kathy

“If I had a dime for every time I did something that I said I would never do when I was a know-it-all childless woman, I’d be rich.” — Jessie

“Do NOT let all the do’s & don’ts of parenting discourage you. As long as you keep your baby safe, healthy, and nurtured… you are doing a beautiful job. DON’T compare yourself to other moms! It’s not healthy!” — Ruthie

“I wish I had spent my time reading about postpartum rather than pregnancy books. During pregnancy, you have a doctor guiding you. But postpartum, you pretty much are on your own, and getting a counselor does not mean you are a bad parent.” — Reyna

“The most profound thing I heard and will never forget… Your baby was attached to you for 9 months. For the first 6 months of their life, they don’t actually realize they are still not a part of you! Love on that baby like they are still attached to you.” — Tara

“You will be a crazy emotional wreck (and a total a-hole at times) for the first ~6 months, but that’s okay because you just created another human being in your body.” — Sanaz

Getting Through Those Tough Moments

“I wish I had known that sometimes babies cry for no reason. They are not broken, and you didn’t do anything wrong. It will eventually get better; just breathe and try to comfort your new human!” — Melissa

“Take each stage as a stage. If things are really hard, just breathe. Your baby will hit a new milestone in a few weeks and things will change. The first year is like a book with all these mini-chapters, and you’ll be on to the next one before you realize it.” — Erin

“He isn’t GIVING you a hard time; he’s HAVING a hard time. (The wisest words I ever received from my mother-in-law.) It has helped me every single day of motherhood to keep their needs and moods in perspective.” — Elizabeth

“There are no mistakes, you learn as you go, and trust that you and your baby will figure it out and grow together. I thought I was so prepared with the books, asking mommy friends and relatives, and at the end of it, I just threw that all out and took those deep breaths and went with it.” — Sheilah

Related: 21 Everyday Victories New Parents Should Celebrate

Breastfeeding: So Much Harder Than It Seems

“It’s okay to breastfeed and be comfortable enough to do so in public. Took until my third child to be able to do so and have no shame or embarrassment.” — Brittany

“Breastfeeding hurts in the beginning, and that’s normal. Imagine washing your calloused hands 30 minutes straight every 2 hours—they’d crack and bleed too! Your nipples are nowhere near as calloused as your hands, so be patient with yourself and baby because it’s a learning process.” — Jeni

“Don’t be discouraged or beat yourself up if your milk supply doesn’t come in like you want or expected. Or if your baby simply isn’t interested. Just keep trying and don’t give up… if that’s what you choose. And if it’s just not working for you and/or baby, then allow yourself to bottle-feed without the guilt!” — Jamie

Related: Breastfeeding Essentials for Nursing Your Baby

Sleep: That Thing You Used to Do Whenever You Wanted

“Not all babies are wired to sleep through the night. I don’t sleep through the night, and neither does my kid. Professionals actually consider sleeping through the night to be 5 hours, not 8 or 12.” — Erin

“You will hear, ‘Sleep when the baby does,’ but for some of us, that is impossible. Ask for help and have a trusted hero [to] give you a few hours of sleep!” — Lauren

“You never know what you’re going to get. Try and rest as much as possible but don’t stress if you can’t. There is always the chance you get a sleep-through-the-night-early baby.” — Sarah

Related: Baby Sleep Guide: Expert Advice & What to Expect the First Year

Getting Used to That Postpartum Body

“Your body will change. Some of those changes are permanent, some are fleeting, some of them hurt, some will take you months to notice. Embracing the changes—good and bad—is the best way to get through them. (I named my hemorrhoids…it felt better than crying every day… just saying.) And at the end of it all, you will be stronger than you ever knew possible. — Paige

“The hair loss! Not once during or after my pregnancy did anyone talk about the possible postpartum hair loss. I thought I was losing all of my hair.” — Madison

“I wish I had known that I would pee a little every time I sneezed for the rest of my life.” — Katie

Related: The Weirdest Permanent Body Changes after Pregnancy

The Importance of Self-Care

“It is okay to let baby cry for a couple minutes. It’s okay to shower and leave them in the crib even if they are crying (if they are crying, they are ALIVE!). And it’s okay to go out and leave baby home with dad. (All learned the hard way.)” — Bella

“Postpartum anxiety is real! Get help and don’t be ashamed. Sometimes, you can’t help how you think and feel. You’re not alone.” — Marisol

“Don’t underestimate the power of support. If you don’t have that built-in (family, friends), hire someone whose main focus is to support you.” — Jacquie

“Remember: Under 2 years, playdates aren’t for them, they’re for you.” — Liz

“YOUR health is still most important. Take care of your needs too.” — Morgan

“Have a good friend who you can call and cry about your actual life, but who you can call too and talk about how amazing your baby’s development is, and how proud you are.” — Tania

“Learn to program your coffeemaker. Such a great self-care thing to do at the end of the day to have something nice in the morning!” — Rachel

Related: A Tribute to All the Moms Who Do Less

a group of first time moms pushing strollers in the park in a city with coats on
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Leave The House During Those Early Days (Yes, Really!)

“Go out to dinners with your significant other/spouse and baby while they’re not mobile and sleep a lot. It feels daunting to go out in public with a newborn, but that’s when they’re the easiest! And you and your partner can keep the connection going!” — Haruko

“They’re easier when they don’t move. Like, a ton easier. You won’t realize how easy they were until they’re 2 and 3 and you’re pregnant again realizing you feel going to Disneyland seems so doable with a baby that doesn’t move. Life with a newborn seems so simple in retrospect.” — Jeni

What to Buy & What Not to Buy

“Get a simple high chair with no little nooks and crannies — like the IKEA high chair. It is so hard to clean the fancy five-position chairs.” — Sasha

“Don’t buy pajamas with buttons. They are a nightmare! Zippers will make life easier, especially for those diaper changes in the middle of the night.” — Carolyn

“Put Tucks or witch hazel pads in the fridge or freezer. All of your angry parts will thank you.” — Lesley

How Fast It Goes…

“Now that mine is 25 and my grandbaby is 4, the one thing I miss most is the sweet innocence when they are so small. That you are their entire world. Enjoy the cuddles, the softness of their voices, even their tears. It goes so quickly, and before you know it, they’re independent and more interested in everything BUT you.” — Lisa

“I wish I knew that it would be over in the blink of an eye. The first three years are so intense and hard on your marriage and on you mentally…. It feels boring and like you chose the wrong thing, but you aren’t supposed to admit that. So you smile and talk about how it is the best thing that ever happened to you. And it is. But some days you want to choose something else. And then it’s over. Then they eat their food and sleep through the night. They go to the potty and to school. Then those precious baby snuggles turn into a mommy who needs one more snuggle but the baby is too busy. The kids want to go on playdates and sleepovers. They want to spend Saturdays having sleepovers with friends and you are left shuttling them around and missing the days when you could coo at your sweet little baby. Don’t fast-forward. Don’t skip the moments. Don’t tune out and wonder where you’re meant to be or if there is something bigger out there for you. There’s not. This is it and it’s really, really short.” — Trish

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6 Reasons Why Early STEM Education Matters

by Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

For a long time, well-meaning conversations about the mythical left brain/right brain divide have skewed the way that many parents approached learning opportunities for their children. In truth, the common misconception that analytical skills and creative skills are mutually exclusive has been widely debunked by educators, and experts now say that instead of locking young students into rigid learning tracks, giving them access to a myriad of learning options yields many long-term benefits. Whether they show proficiency in the arts or lean towards all things technical, here are six reasons why an early introduction to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education can help kids flourish.

STEM Fosters Curiosity and Critical Thinking

Robo Wunderkind via Unsplash

Education in STEM subjects isn’t just about helping students prepare for future careers in STEM. When taught correctly, STEM subjects can help students hone their curiosity and problem-solving skills, allowing them to develop good mental habits that can be applied across other studies, disciplines and fields of interest. 

British science writer Robert Lewin, author of Complexity: Life at the Edge of Chaos, said, “Probably the most important skill that children learn is how to learn. Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.”

When it comes to critical thinking, STEM subjects can help students focus on logical thought processes, “skills that can be used throughout life to help them get through tough times and take advantage of opportunities whenever they appear,” said Stephen DeAngelis, founder and CEO of Enterra Solutions, an artificial intelligence and advanced mathematics platform.

Early Exposure Can Help Close the STEM Gender Gap

ThisisEngineering RAEng via Unsplash

Despite some recent progress, many girls are still discouraged from pursuing their innate interests in math and science. The damaging “math is hard for girls” trope has long plagued education, leading many girls and women to be systematically tracked away from STEM education, thereby limiting their exposure and ability to pursue careers in these fields later as adults.

According to the American Association of University Women, women comprise only 28% of the STEM workforce and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. Gender stereotyping and lack of role models are just two reasons why the STEM gender gap exists—which has resulted in gender inequity among some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, such as computer science and engineering. 

The good news is that women are starting to make gains, both in STEM education, earnings, and careers, especially in life sciences, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many organizations are working to close the STEM gender gap, including a program focused on girls in STEM from NASA, among others.

STEM Subjects Encourage Engagement and Opportunity

Kuanish Reymbaev via Unsplash

In our quick-fix, short-attention-span culture, STEM subjects demand active learning, which in turn requires greater engagement, attention and focus. Research has shown that engaged students are motivated to practice higher-level critical thinking skills, and STEM education encourages engagement through project-based learning.

Before her passing in 2020, tech entrepreneur Leila Janah, founder and CEO of artificial intelligence data company Samasource, famously said, “Talent is equally distributed, opportunity is not.” STEM education can provide opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access to other educational breaks.

Collaboration Is Key to STEM

Adam Winger via Unsplash

While some students prefer working solo and others are naturally inclined toward team projects, STEM education gives students of all sensibilities the chance to balance these dual impulses—but it especially rewards those who seek to collaborate.

When it comes to STEM subjects, rarely does a single person possess all of the answers. In most cases, innovation is derived from teams of people collaborating. Early exposure to the collaborative environment required in STEM can help prepare young students for the collaborative workplaces of their future careers.

STEM Can Help Normalize Failure

stem.T4L via Unsplash

In a society that’s obsessed with winning, education in STEM allows students to confront and normalize occasional failure. The scientific method is rooted in experimentation, and any learning process that fosters thoughtful inquiry can sometimes result in a failed attempt. Resilience is built through the perseverance of trial and error, and STEM subjects allow students to test, learn, and grow.

In the words of philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates: “It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

STEM Careers Are Leading the Future of the Global Economy

Giu Vicente via Unsplash

Guiding kids into future careers in STEM isn’t the only (or even primary) reason to expose them early to science, technology, engineering and math. But future-proofing their job prospects may be a useful side effect. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers are among the 10 fastest-growing jobs over the next decade, and many opportunities will focus on categories including renewable energy, data, and health care. Regardless of what careers kids may want to pursue in the future, a robust STEM education invariably helps prepare them for any path they may choose to follow.

—Kipp Jarecke-Cheng

 

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5 Tips to Get Your Kids Interested in Coding & the Importance of STEM

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7 Ways to Help Close COVID-19 Learning Gaps

by Mimi Nartey

As COVID-19 began to sweep the world in March of 2020, educators, policymakers and parents had to pivot to distance-learning models and reimagine what educational access would look like for millions of kids across the country. As we know now, it wasn’t without its downfalls. Parents often had to choose between their jobs and being home to supervise during school hours. The country saw learning disparities increasing at an alarming rate and noticed that special needs kids were being cut off from their support systems. And just about everyone experienced zoom fatigue. But, there’s good news! With schools re-opening everywhere, parents and educators can work together to close the learning gaps. There are plenty of strategies and resources for kids who’ve struggled during this past year, and we’re sharing seven of the most important ones. 

1. Have your child assessed

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

The first step to solving any problem is being able to accurately define the scope and scale of the problem. If you know or suspect that your child has suffered learning losses during the pandemic, you should seek to have them assessed, particularly in English Language Arts and Math—the two areas where researchers have identified the greatest gaps. Testing is often executed annually or semi-annually through state agencies in public education systems, but teachers often have access to several other platforms that can assess literacy, comprehension and math skills. Many tutoring agencies also offer cost-free assessments to students. These educational assessments are usually more specific than what is generally available to parents for free online. Depending on what behaviors you have observed in your child, you may want to also consider psychological assessments to screen for depression or anxiety. You can speak to a physician about options. Thorough assessments will give you clarity on exactly where and how your child is struggling.

2. Develop a constructive narrative

Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

Once you understand the areas in which your student has fallen behind, you should develop a constructive narrative about the circumstances. Start with gratitude and focus first on the positive. Despite the range of educational outcomes, all children have exceeded expectations in terms of their adaptability. Acknowledge your children for their resilience and the autonomy they have displayed in the distance learning format. Reflect on the maturity they have shown during these unprecedented times. Let them know that the most important priority over the past year was the health and safety of your family and your community. Now that we are emerging from the pandemic, you are committed to supporting them in their educational process.

3. Take a triaged approach

Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay

Taking a “triaged approach” means that you assign different degrees of urgency to decide the order of treatment. The priority is to make sure that all students have sufficient learning conditions, starting with secure housing, food and mental and emotional support. These are the most important factors in their “readiness to learn.” Even though many schools are gradually returning to in-person instruction, technology is still going to be an important component of the learning process, and students will continue to need access to computers and stable Wi-Fi as they are trying to catch up. There are institutional resources for parents and educators, such as the iDEAL Institute, focused on digital equity. Once those foundational pieces are in place, you can work with the teacher to develop a learning plan that addresses the greatest areas of vulnerability for your child. For example, if the greatest learning deficits are in math, you can put the most time and energy into that subject first. As they start to make progress in their weakest areas, you can gradually layer additional plans for other subject areas.

4. Find an ELA Intervention

Image by Vlad Vasnetsov from Pixabay

Preliminary data has shown significant learning loss for kids in some states compared to previous years for Grades 4-9. Students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and English language learners (ELLs) have experienced the greatest gaps in learning. If your student is struggling in reading, writing and comprehension, there are a range of options to intervene and help them get caught up. For example, there are great, affordable reading apps, such as Readability, that you can easily download to a phone or device that can assess and track student progress. Independent research has shown that conversational agents, such as the artificial intelligence in the Readability app or an Alexa or Google Home smart speaker, can simulate effective reading partners and promote language, comprehension and intelligibility. Seek out platforms and programs that are easy for your child to access on a daily basis that can measure student progress. Whether you are integrating technology or not, the key to improving in reading and language is consistency. 

5. Find a Math Intervention

Mathematics is a key area to seek out support for students who have fallen behind. Not only does the data show that “math frustration” is a significant barrier for young learners, but studies also show that many parents struggle with math anxiety when it comes to helping their kids. Fortunately, there are many well-vetted math tutoring options, such as Mathnasium, where students can get support online or in person. Many agencies are offering promotions and discounts to support students and families, but if the cost of a tutoring agency is still not feasible at this time, be resourceful. For example, you may be able to hire a math student from your local college who might have a little more flexibility in pricing.

6. Maintain consistent communication with instructors

Parent advocacy is extremely important during this time. Teachers, parents and other providers and mentors should maintain consistent communication. The adults and educators in the child’s life need to coordinate efforts to help the children catch up in areas they have suffered. Your engagement and involvement are key in a student-centered approach that focuses on strong trust and communication between family and school. Pre-schedule a few meetings with your child's teacher to check in. With the communication preset, it is not likely that anything will go under the radar.

7. Support your kids with encouraging accountability

No matter what plan you develop to help get your kids caught up, the most important factor is going to be consistency. You need to offer your kids support through discipline and incentives to keep them on track and motivated. Help them get organized with their schedule using time-blocking and prioritizing. Pick process-oriented goals over outcome-related goals. For example, focus on reading consistently for 30 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days rather than focusing on reaching a specific reading level. Help them set and track their progress towards their goals in a journal or on a calendar so that they can see their own improvement.

—Mimi Nartey

 

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This School Offers Classes for Future Leaders of the World

by Jamie Aderski
Partner Content

Have a brainiac in your life? Keeping them challenged can be, well, a challenge. Dedimus Potestatem provides fun, academically challenging programs for students in elementary, middle and high school. Dedimus Potestatem‘s student-focused programs aim to create the next generation of well-informed, well-spoken leaders, advocates and diplomats. Their programs include Debate, Model UN, Model Congress, Mock Trial, Etiquette, STEM, Leadership, speech writing and more. They’re currently offering both virtual and in-person private and semi-private classes, group sessions and after-school programs. Read on to learn more about this cool school that will send your kid straight to the head of the class in no time!

To register for Dedimus Potestatem classes or private sessions, click here or email info@potestatem.co.

Leadership Skills for a Lifetime of Success

All of Dedimus Potestatem's programs strive to empower students and integrate essential leadership skills sought after by top universities and employers. Through action-packed and exciting programs, Dedimus Potestatem teaches students to communicate, delegate, negotiate, resolve conflict, take initiative, adapt to new situations, empathize, effectively plan, manage time and more. (Do they offer these classes for adults?!)

Fun fact: Studies have shown that students who are highly engaged in their learning process learn more and retain information longer. Dedimus Potestatem has it covered, by emphasizing student proactivity and practical application of skills taught (because use it or lose AND practice makes perfect!).

Innovative Classes for the 21st Century

Dedimus Potestatem's curriculum is packed with classes to develop your kiddo's leadership skills, critical thinking abilities, and their creativity!

Many of Dedimus Potestatem's programs help learners become engaged citizens. Through Speech and Debate, students will build their literacy and multi-media research skills, work on public speaking and learn about civil engagement. With Fairy Tale Mock Trial, kids will get to experience a hands-on simulation of the American judicial system done through the role-playing of characters in children's favorite stories. Model Congress and Model UN let students take on their own worldly challenges, debate international policy and understand how to create compromises with other delegates.

Dedimus Potestatem's also has classes like STEM Bioethics to challenge kids' ethical thinking (while learning all about DNA) and programs to encourage creative thinking, including a new Visual Storytelling class that teaches kids how digital platforms are changing the arts and activism (What kid wouldn't get excited about a TikTok class?) and Finding Your Voice; Understanding and Writing Poetry—a course on understanding and building a love for poetry.

Too advanced? They've got Little Leaders covered with a Pre-K and Kindergarten class that gives students the skills they need to succeed in life. The play-based syllabus centered around character traits most sought and admired in leaders: initiative, honesty, self-control, adaptability, empathy, persuasiveness, resourcefulness, diligence, tolerance, determination, generosity, punctuality, courage, reliability, endurance, deference, creativity and integrity.

To register for Dedimus Potestatem classes or private sessions, click here or email info@potestatem.co.

Classes That Get Results

Read what top schools and parents have to say:

“The benefit of Dedimus Potestatem’s enrichment programs for the students went beyond raising one’s self-confidence and debate skills. The programs teach leadership and critical thinking, empowering students to stand up for what is right, fight for the truth, learn to value teamwork, develop goals, become engaged in civic discourse, and feel empowered to become beacons of peace for a better world. Just a fantastic leadership organization!”
— Dr. Lidana Jalilvand, Director of After-School Programs, The United Nations International School

“Having a debate team at our school has boosted the confidence and curiosity of our participating middle-schoolers. I’ve seen huge growth in critical thinking skills and a more polished approach to expressing thoughtful opinions,”
— Monica Masterson, Director of auxiliary programs, BASIS Independent Manhattan

"As a mother to a tween who first met Ms. Elizabeth at age 8 and grew up with her leadership, mock trial & debate classes, I'm simply astounded by her at 3 levels. First is her ability to connect with children. My son simply adores her, as does my 6-year-old daughter. All of her other students love her, to the extent that the parents are all fighting to have her teach their children’s classes! Second is the passion she has for her mission: to create a young generation of intellectuals with morals and integrity who critically appraise what they are presented with. When faced with an unfounded accusation of academic misconduct, instead of fear or defense, my son cautioned me against the use of ad hominem in my email response to the teacher. I was simply dumbstruck. And humbled. No price for guessing whom he’s learned that from! Last but not least is Ms. Elizabeth's ability to connect with her parents. Her smile, her enthusiasm, and the intellectually stimulating conversations are simply the best!
 — Vicki Tse, parent

"One of the best things to happen to my son, Sasha, was starting after-school debate and court trial classes with Elizabeth. At that time he was a nine-year-old 5th-grade student. Fast forward almost four years and he is a confident 8th grader, ready to argue what he believes in and open enough to engage adults and kids alike. Working with Elizabeth and participating in these classes has taught him teamwork, public speaking and the importance of fact-checking. Elizabeth knows how to work with kids, how to motivate them and always encourages them to do their best. She's fun, warm and always there for them—we're truly fortunate to have her be an influence in Sasha's life."  
— Ivana Krizanic, parent

Assemblies with special guest speakers are offered throughout the year. Click here for more info or to join their upcoming

assembly, The Frontlines of Peace, with special guest Dr. Severine Autesserre.

 

To register for Dedimus Potestatem classes or private sessions, click here or email info@potestatem.co.

 

—Jamie Aderski

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7 Tips Every Parent Needs to Know for Effective Virtual Learning

By Grant Smith

Let’s face it online learning has been a struggle for everyone—kids, parents, and teachers. As the virtual classroom continues, many kids may be losing momentum and parents are certainly feeling drained (there are only so many times parents can yell “turn the mic on!”). With no end in sight anytime soon, I wanted to share some virtual learning tips to keep kids engaged and us parents sane.

1. Plan Ahead, Emotionally & Technologically. Kids can pick up on stress or pessimism quickly. It is going to be draining, and not everything is going to go perfectly, but make sure to keep in mind what NOT to say to them. Stay positive, share the joy with them that you would have shared every day when sending them off to school. Technical issues are also inevitable, so be sure to be proactive and have a back-up task to keep kids busy and engaged until the problem is resolved.

2. Set Expectations. Kids need to be reminded of what is expected of them. Just because the classroom is in the kitchen doesn’t mean it’s recess or lunchtime all day. When setting expectations upfront, your kids will have something to keep them accountable and present. Present these on a mental and physical basis—I expect you to pay attention, not to speak over other people, and to get dressed every morning as if you were going into the classroom. Even just getting them out of those pajamas and into actual clothes can make an incredible difference in their ability to concentrate! Even with clear expectations, you can bet things will be rough in the beginning. It took at least a week for my kindergartener’s meltdowns before each Zoom session to go away. Kids are built for routine, once you get them adjusted to the new routine things will be much better.

3. Environment Is Key. As virtual learning becomes more long-term, it’s important to set your child up in an area that is their own—just like in a classroom they have their own desk. Even if it’s a little desk in the corner, your kids will know that this is their space to learn and complete their assignments. I encouraged my kid to decorate their desk with their pictures he drew and school assignments he’s proud of. This helped him take ownership of his space and look forward to spending time there.

4. Help Them Minimize Distractions. Distractions are inevitable in the physical classroom, and now that the classroom is at home, everything can count as a distraction, especially when kids are surrounded by siblings, pets, and all of their toys! One of the hardest parts of virtual learning is that parents have to compete with the distractions around them. Kids can’t multitask, even if they claim that they can watch TV while doing homework or listen to a Zoom call while scrolling through social media, they aren’t multitasking. In fact, they are “task switching” which means their brains quickly switch back and forth between activities and leads to a decrease in performance, retention, and accuracy. A great way to keep your children focused is by engaging them in tasks completed off the computer.

Your little ones might need more time being taught, however, having them practice how to do simple things such as unmuting themselves or teaching them how to turn on their cameras is a good start. Take that time to actively practice these actions before the class starting to avoid a future stressful situation.

5. Maximize Face Time. No, not using their iPhones to communicate. Maximize the time that their main screen is their face, and make sure the teacher can see them most of the day. In the classroom, kids can easily switch focus from the board to the teacher’s face, but now the shared material takes up much of the screen and the teacher is very small. By having their cameras on, teachers can quickly engage them with a quick question or task.

6. Make the Most Out of Semi-Synchronous Learning. The vast majority of schools are providing semi-synchronous learning options for students. That means, they are not on the virtual call actively being taught the entirety of the day, but they also are not just given directions and expected to finish everything on their own, with no supervision. To me, this is the right way to do virtual learning.

It’s important in the virtual learning process to blend both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Asynchronous learning is learning that kids do on their own time. Synchronous learning is when students and the facilitator meet via Zoom. This is a critical part in not only keeping your kids engaged but in having them effectively understand the information they are being taught through a screen. This also allows us parents to have a little break from monitoring their Zoom calls–finally a little time to relax!

7. Use Different Ways to Increase Interaction. In-person learning built community and relationships, allowed for individual support, and was fun for the kids. So, now that we’ve transitioned to online school, it’s important to also adapt those qualities into virtual learning as well. To keep the sense of community going, parents should coordinate Zoom play dates with other classmates while they work on a project or even just for fun (kids need a break too!) this allows social interaction and for kids to show off their projects and help each other.

There are so many more tips and tricks when it comes to virtual learning that are worth sharing and learning from each other. None of us are going to be able to get through this with no mishaps or technical glitches, but with some of these tips, your little ones or even teens will have an engaged and effective learning experience. Most importantly, you should be proud of yourself and your kids for navigating the virtual classroom during such an uncertain time!

I'm an educator fascinated by the challenge of teaching children computer science. As VP of Education with Code Ninjas I am able to share coding with kids around the world. I'm the author of Everything You Need to Ace Coding and Computer Science in One Big Fat Notebook.

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A Delicious Way to Grow Your Child’s Love of Science

by Jamie Aderski
Partner Content

If you’re like us, your quarantine menu may have been leaving something to be desired; namely fruits and veggies. It’s hard to find time to keep up healthy eating habits, especially when you’ve also taken on the job of homeschool teacher! Del Monte Foods has you covered, with a variety of packaged fruits and veggies that make healthy eating convenient—not to mention, more cost-effective since you don’t have to worry about uneaten, wilting produce in your fridge haunting you. Fun fact: packaged fruits and veggies have the same amount of nutrients as fresh produce. Del Monte Foods has been a family’s healthy eating sidekick for over 130 years, picking and packing fruit and veggies at their peak, and creating wholesome snacks that are fueled by fruit power. As if keeping your family well-fed wasn’t enough, now Del Monte Foods helps you homeschool, too? Read on to learn more about this overachiever!

Del Monte Foods has partnered with GrowingGreat, a non-profit with a mission to empower every child to cultivate healthy eating habits through science-based garden and nutrition education. With education moving remote, Del Monte Foods and GrowingGreat are bringing STEM education home! These fresh and innovative learning tools they’ve put together teach kids about the science behind foods: how fruits and vegetables grow, why their nutrition is ideal and even the science behind canning! By involving kids in the process of how their food grows, they’re more likely to reach for healthy foods. (That being said, it’s a good thing you can’t grow cupcakes.)

Lunch Break Lessons

Del Monte Foods is one of the original plant-based food companies. We love how their delicious fruits and vegetables are accessible (and convenient) for everyone, and now their partnership with GrowingGreat is too. These two super-food powers combined make it easy for kids to learn about nutrition, and the timing couldn’t be better with distance learning. The lesson plans are fun and easily accessible, just like Del Monte Foods’ products. Mobile-friendly PDF’s of plans are great for learning on the go, at home, and even printable—perfect for some lunch-break fun!

A Fruitful Lesson Plan

Fun with the whole family is all a part of the plan! Using materials readily available at home, Del Monte Foods and GrowingGreat helps you engage with your kids in the learning process, or let them explore on their own. Whether it’s family night, weekend fun or weekday educational entertainment while you work from home, this free learning program has plenty of goodness to unpack!

Del Monte Foods and GrowingGreat’s immersive lesson plans also offer video options and are available in English and Spanish. Each lesson plan includes a challenge or experiment, exploration questions, a simple recipe and taste test, and a parent’s page filled with fun facts, science discoveries, further reading suggestions and more!

Activities include exploring carbohydrates through a tortilla’s journey from harvest to table, graphing groceries from labels with the most ingredients to the least, developing a fruit drink without any added sugar, growing new veggies from old veggies, and creating a design to house corn, green beans and zucchini all in the same pot!

 

Del Monte Foods and GrowingGreat’s free Distance Learning Curriculum is available now. Check them out and grow your child’s learning and love of nutrition today!

 

—Jamie Aderski

 

All photos courtesy of Del Monte Foods

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4 Ways to Help Find Balance & Grace during Difficult Times

By Megan Malagoli Patterson

The best piece of advice I’ve received from a friend was to be gracious. To try to find balance and grace in any way that you can. I aim to live by this phrase every day and tackle things one step at a time. But there’s no way we could have predicted how quickly life would change this year.

In 2019, I was blissfully working my job from home in Sports & Active Lifest‌yle Marketing for a globally distributed company halfway around the world. With the help of an amazing full-time nanny, I was caring for my two children, my thirteen-year-old son Noah, and my eight-year-old daughter, Amelia. My husband works as a contractor and we had fallen into a pretty good daily groove, and we adored our nanny, Christina.

Our incredibly brave and wonderful daughter, Amelia, has special needs. She was just three-weeks-old when she stopped breathing and suffered a massive seizure that led to acute ischemic stroke. We found out that she has a complex vein of Galen malformation, quadriplegic cerebral palsy, acute complex brain injury, and ischemic stroke and a high level of care is needed in case of seizures. No one knew Amelia’s expected life span, but we did know that she’d be lucky to make it past her first birthday. Now she’s eight. Amelia is non-verbal, on a Ketogenic diet fed through a G-tube to help treat her epilepsy, has to take medications at certain times, and relies heavily on a schedule. 

So we had our routine and then, just like that, 2020 reared its ugly head and everything changed for everyone. Not only is Amelia medically fragile, I have Hashimoto’s disease, which is an auto-immune disorder, putting me at a higher risk as well. For our family’s safety, we made the difficult choice to pause working with our nanny Christina. I knew that we were in for a challenge and managing everything was going to take a lot of juggling and balance. This is simply a new challenge that life has presented. Be gracious and find balance. You can do this. 

I’d like to claim that the balance was perfect from the start, but that would be a lie. The first day was a hot mess! I’m not ashamed to admit that. While I’m trying to work, my son struggled with Zoom, there were loads of laundry, Amelia’s feeding tube went everywhere, and on top of that, there was a diaper blowout in the middle of my workday. If you could envision the worst possible day, this was it. My amazing son is a tremendous help, and through a bit of teamwork, we managed to get everything done that day. Back when Amelia had her first stroke, I decided that we can’t just cry in the corner, we have to simply figure each day as it comes. That’s what we are doing now. Here are a few things that are getting me through and conserving my sanity:

Be as patient as you can be. Take deep breaths. Being patient can be really tough because none of us are in control. When I feel myself starting to lose patience, I remind myself to be grateful for all the blessings in my life, which include my kids, my husband, and my job. Yes, those things that can cause me the most stress are also what I am most thankful for. Keeping gratitude in your heart and mind will help get through these challenging moments.

Don’t be afraid to take a break. I’ve been reserving time that allows me to focus on myself and using that time to do something that makes me feel grounded. For me, it’s exercising, meditating, music, baking, or a mindfulness class online. I can’t stress enough how important it is to take care of yourself. It helps me stay motivated, focused, and ultimately maintain my goals personally and professionally. It’s okay to decline a call, push back, or take a day off if you need to. This is about survival and self-preservation is the new normal. It’s a learning process and it takes practice. 

Be honest with yourself and practice cautious optimism. We made the choice not to have our nanny come back to work, and that’s been tough and scary. But I’m used to scary—my daughter has been on a ventilator seven times. I also wasn’t planning on having to teach an eighth-grader who should be graduating. All I can do is go with it and release my expectations. I’m not going into this thinking that everything will run smoothly because it hasn’t thus far. I remain cautiously optimistic about the situation and I put faith in the amazing people around me—my husband, my son, my daughter, and my work team.

Spend time together as a family when you can. Quality time together is important now more than ever. And yes, I often need to force myself away from my computer even if everything isn’t entirely done for the day. We are baking, cooking, and working out together. We’re finding the fun in puzzles, movies, and board games. I cherish the moments when my attention isn’t split between five different things. My husband and I also stay connected as much as possible. So our relationship doesn’t feel stagnant, we are staying up later, getting up earlier, and talking more. My quality family time gives me life and energy.

Most importantly, remember that we can’t control what’s going on in the world around us. Give yourselves time to get into a schedule that works for you and your family. This is not a time to worry about keeping up with the Joneses at work or in life. My goal is to simply be in control of writing this chapter for myself, and that may mean working hard at my job, being there for my kids, but also expanding my mind and my abilities. Just slow down, take a few deep breaths and find the grace and balance that works for you.

Megan Malagoli Patterson
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

My husband Brent and I have two children - Noah and Amelia, also known as “Miracle Mia”. I can often be found reading a book, running, or sweating it out at my local OrangeTheory. I also enjoy traveling and have a deep passion for raising funds and volunteering.

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We Must Help Our Girls Take Off Their Masks

By Lindsay Sealey

Superheroes have made a real comeback these last few years and I am especially pleased to see the burgeoning popularity of girl power and empowerment with heroines such as Bat Girl, Super Girl and Super woman. Girls need strong and positive role models and it’s great there are so many out there that rely on both physical strength and confidence.

I know how much some girls like to dress up as their favorite superheroes and this can often include wearing a mask. In this sense, a mask hides her true identity and allows her to be someone that is both unrecognizable and unknown.

Yet in my work with girls, I have also noticed a growing trend for girls to wear different kinds of masks: the metaphorical mask that she “wears” to hide her true feelings and her authentic self from others when she feels afraid, attacked, insecure and uncertain of herself. The masks can provide the emotional armor they want and the protection they feel they need.

These masks make sense to me as they proffer girls both safety and security when they feel too vulnerable to show their deepest thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, masks will serve her well, especially, when she meets new people who have not yet earned her trust. However, I can’t help but wonder if these masks are preventing girls from really connecting to others and experiencing true connection and belonging. Being a preteen girl can be difficult, scary, unpredictable, and, at times, overwhelmingly challenging and yet girls’ masks are causing separation and loneliness when they need security and inner strength the most.

The four most common “masks” I notice with girls include: the mean girl mask, the popular mask, the know-it-all mask and the perfectionist mask. With a better understanding of each mask and what she is really hiding, we can help her take steps to unveil herself and become more relatable, approachable and human.

The Mean Girl Mask

This mask is hiding a deep insecurity. Girls wearing this mask are often afraid of having no friends and no power. So, they use their mask to gain power and dominance over other girls by being cruel and unkind to ensure that they will never be alone.

To help her unveil her mean girl mask, suggest connecting with other girls in positive ways, so it’s less about control and more about care and cooperation. Encourage her to take small steps towards healthy friendships by asking questions, finding common interests, and inviting girls to be included in games and activities. Once the mean girl mask is unveiled, she can learn feel empowered by a new kind of “power” and to be an influential leader.

The Popular Mask

Similar to the mean girl mask, this mask is hiding the fear of loneliness and not being liked. However, girls who wear the popular mask are also overly concerned with social status and what peers think of them. They worry about not belonging, so they become preoccupied with fitting in.

Instead of focusing on being better than other girls and attaining superior social status, speak with her about firstly, accepting herself—the good and the not-so-good parts of her and secondly, accepting and respecting differences in others. When she can see other girls as different and interesting, she can learn that she shares more with other girls than she may realize. Then, she can focus on real friendships and togetherness, not division and separation. Once this mask is unveiled, she can become a loyal friend and much less concerned with her ranking.

The Know-It-All Mask 

The girl who wears this mask knows something about everything and isn’t afraid to share what she knows. She is smart but holds deep feelings of not being smart enough, especially by comparison to other girls. So, she works really hard to impress others with facts, figures, and factoids. She yearns to impress and prove just how much she knows.

Teach girls who want to prove they know it all that—well, they don’t—and truly, nobody does, either! Shift from a focus on what she knows to a focus on what she can learn from others—by listening and asking questions and understanding that everyone has something to offer her—a unique perspective or a different story. Also, explain that it’s okay not to know and this is an opportunity to discover what else she can learn. Not knowing is every bit important in the learning process as knowing. Once this mask is unveiled, girls feel the freedom to embrace learning in every way.

The Perfectionist Mask

This mask hides not feeling “enough,” whether it’s smart enough, pretty enough, talented enough or good enough. She is hiding her fears and worries about her own self-worth and so she works really hard to show how polished and perfect she is so that nobody ever knows the truth—she doesn’t feel very worthy at all.

This mask can be unveiled by teaching that there is no such thing as perfect and it is neither a healthy, nor realistic goal. She can keep trying and striving for excellence but the goal is process and practice by taking baby steps along the way instead of trying to be perfect. Encourage her to take risks and fail but to fail forward—meaning, learning from mistakes, and being kind to herself as she continues growing. Once this mask is unveiled, she can become more empathetic and compassionate with herself and others as well.

We need to notice girls’ masks and explain that although we understand their choose to hide and empathize with how scary it can feel to become more known and vulnerable to others, it is also important to consider unveiling her masks to allow her authentic, superhero self to shine through.

I am a girl advocate and girls champion; the founder of Bold New Girls, teaching and coaching for girls and their parents. As well, I am the author Growing Strong Girls and Rooted, Resilient, and Ready (available on Amazon and Audible). I am an international speaker and an instructor with Udemy. 

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The Most Important Thing to Teach Your Child About Failure

By Amy Webb

Photo: pexels

Are you familiar with the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Remember than song about failure? Here’s a reminder:

Every bursted bubble has a glory! Each abysmal failure makes a point! Every glowing path that goes astray, Shows you how to find a better way. So every time you stumble never grumble. Next time you’ll bumble even less! For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!

Well, it turns out that there’s some real research to support this idea of persisting in the face of failure.

If you have a child that is of school age, you have probably encountered issues of how to deal with a situation in which your child has not done as well on a task or event as she/he expected. This situation often rears its head in the form of competition, but it can show up in academic tests or other settings where there is some sort of evaluation made on the child’s performance. In short, your child feels like a failure.

None of us like to feel as though we are not good at a task or skill. We all want to be good at everything we try. For children, however, how we help them understand failure can be crucial to their future understanding of their own intelligence and skill.

Growth or Fixed Mindset

Research has told us for awhile now that it is best for us parents to encourage a “growth mindset” in our children. That is, to help them understand that intelligence is not a fixed trait but one that we can grow with practice and diligence. You can see why this mindset would have a significant impact on a child’s motivation and persistence. If a child feels that intelligence is a fixed trait and that a person is either “smart or not” then they will have little motivation to persist in a task that is difficult. They will simple feel that they are not “smart enough” to accomplish this task. On the other hand, if a child feels that intelligence is a trait that we can grow through hard work, then they will be more likely to persist in a task, knowing that they have a chance of success if they persist.

Okay, that’s great to know, but how do we instill a growth mindset in our children? Further research has shown that parents do not typically pass on their mindsets about intelligence to their children.

Failure is Not all Bad

So how do kids learn either a “growth” or “fixed” mindset about intelligence? It seems they learn it from a much less obvious force in their lives–failure. More specifically, they learn their mindset from how we parents react to their failure.

A recent study showed that if parents view their child’s failure as a negative event, then the child is more likely to adopt a “fixed” mindset of intelligence. Ultimately, the child comes to see that the parents are concerned more with performance than learning.

In contrast, if parents view their child’s failure as an opportunity for learning and understanding how to improve, the child is more likely to adopt a growth mindset.

We All Fail Sometimes

As parents, it is hard to see our kids not succeed at something. I think it hurts us sometimes as much as it hurts them. Helping them see how failure is all part of the learning process, however, is key to them learning to persist in the face of discouragement.

I have faced this issue recently with my 6-year-old son who is learning to play chess. He’s just starting so he is not as good as some of his friends at school. He is very competitive and wants to win so badly. I have actually heard him say things like, “I am just no good at chess” or “I never win at anything.” I knew I had to intervene before that “fixed” mindset took hold in his mind. I started a discussion with him of how we have to persist to learn a new skill, etc. I think some of my words sunk in with him, but now that I know this research, I have a better idea how to address this issue in the future.

As always, our kids learn more by our actions than through our words. This research clearly shows that children pick up and internalize our feelings about failure and its role in our life. With my son, I pointed out several examples in my own life when I failed at something and what I learned from it and was able to move on in a more productive way. I think he understood, but it’s an ongoing process of helping our children respond to the challenges they face in life.

In our ultra-competitive world where status and success seem like the ultimate goal in life, it’s just as important to learn how to fail with grace.

Lyrics credit

Amy is a scholar turned stay-at-home mom of two young boys. When she's not stepping on Legos, she writes at The Thoughtful Parent. With this blog she brings child development research into the lives of parents in the trenches of child-rearing.

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