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Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents
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Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents

Montessori, Parenting, Raintree

Three Important Points for Toddler and Primary Parents

Heather2019-12-05T16:41:10-06:00September 5th, 2019|Categories: Montessori, Parenting, Raintree|Tags: parenting, separation|

1. Quiet and Peacefulness Essential Montessori called the classroom a “children’s house,” a warm and inviting place scaled to the child’s size. Our job is to protect and nurture this special place. Please help us by…. Being quiet when you enter Raintree. Noise in the hallway distracts children who are working and awakens children who are sleeping in the afternoon. Please help us follow the same guidelines the children follow during the day by being quiet in the hall. Giving your full attention to your [...]

Seven Harmful Traits
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Seven Harmful Traits

Parenting

Seven Harmful Traits

Heather2019-12-05T16:30:07-06:00September 5th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: community, grit, parenting, self-regulation, soft skills|

by Maren Stark Schmidt Ever notice how a word, a phrase, a quote or a book title keeps popping up? Over the past couple of years the following Gandhi quotes keeps showing up in my studies. Every time I read these seven statements I am astounded at the wisdom conveyed in so few words. Gandhi is attributed with saying that these seven characteristics, the most spiritually perilous traits to humanity: Wealth without work Pleasure without conscience Knowledge without character Commerce without morality Science without humanity [...]

Interruption Disruption: Why You Should Never Interrupt a Child at Work
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Interruption Disruption: Why You Should Never Interrupt a Child at Work

Parenting

Interruption Disruption: Why You Should Never Interrupt a Child at Work

Heather2019-12-05T16:42:17-06:00August 4th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: concentration, flow, parenting|

By Catherine McTamaney Imagine it: you’re at your work, fully absorbed in the task in front of you. Your attention is focused on your project. You’ve finally hit a pace and you’re getting it done. And the phone rings. What happens to your work? For most adults, getting interrupted from our work means broken momentum. The rhythm of our work is disrupted. It’s hard to get back on track. If we’re concentrating deeply, absorbed in our work, the impact is even more significant. We may [...]

Empathy? In Denmark they’re learning it in school
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Empathy? In Denmark they’re learning it in school

Parenting

Empathy? In Denmark they’re learning it in school

Heather2019-12-05T16:42:23-06:00July 4th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: empathy, happiness|

Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world. This is according to the UN’s World Happiness Report, an important survey that since 2012 classifies the happiness of 155 countries in the world, and that for seven years has placed Denmark among the top three happiest countries on a global level. The fact that teaching empathy has been mandatory since 1993 in schools in Denmark is a factor that contributes to the happiness of the country. Empathy helps build relationships, prevent bullying and succeed [...]

Why Simplifying May Protect Our Children’s Mental Health
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Why Simplifying May Protect Our Children’s Mental Health

Parenting

Why Simplifying May Protect Our Children’s Mental Health

Heather2019-08-04T22:47:16-05:00June 4th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: creativity, self-regulation|

By Tracy Gillett When my Dad was growing up he had one sweater each winter. One. Total. He remembers how vigilantly he cared for his sweater. If the elbows got holes in them my Grandma patched them back together. If he lost his sweater he’d recount his steps to find it again. He guarded it like the precious gift it was. He had everything he needed and not a lot more. The only rule was to be home by dinner time. My Grandma rarely knew [...]

Let Children Get Bored Again
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Let Children Get Bored Again

Parenting

Let Children Get Bored Again

Heather2019-08-04T22:34:54-05:00March 4th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: creativity, parenting, self-regulation|

Boredom teaches us that life isn’t a parade of amusements. More important, it spawns creativity and self-sufficiency. By Pamela Paul “I’m bored.” It’s a puny little phrase, yet it has the power to fill parents with a cascade of dread, annoyance and guilt. If someone around here is bored, someone else must have failed to enlighten or enrich or divert. And how can anyone — child or adult — claim boredom when there’s so much that can and should be done? Immediately. But boredom is [...]

The Value of Not Knowing

Heather2019-02-28T11:09:31-06:00February 28th, 2019|Categories: Montessori|Tags: brain development, Montessori|

By Pilar Bewley Margaret, a veteran elementary Montessori teacher, overheard a conversation between Steven and Paula, two children who were conducting a science experiment. Steven lifted up a half-full test tube. “Hey, the solution isn’t turning blue the way it’s supposed to!” Paula scratched her head. “What do you think we did wrong?” Steven sighed and said, “I don’t know, let’s ask Ms. Margaret.” With a dismissive gesture of the hand, Paula replied, “Nah, don’t ask her. She doesn’t know anything! I saw a chemistry [...]

Why Are Kids Impatient, Bored, Friendless, and Entitled?
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Why Are Kids Impatient, Bored, Friendless, and Entitled?

Parenting

Why Are Kids Impatient, Bored, Friendless, and Entitled?

Heather2019-02-28T10:53:17-06:00February 28th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: brain development, parenting, technology|

By Victoria Prooday Kids today are in a devastating emotional state! Most come to school emotionally unavailable for learning. There are many factors in our modern lifestyle that contribute to this. I am an occupational therapist with years of experience working with children, parents, and teachers. I hear the same consistent message from every teacher I meet. Clearly, throughout my time as an Occupational Therapist, I have seen and continue to see a decline in children’s social, emotional, and academic functioning, as well as a [...]

How to Encourage Kids to ‘Give Back
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How to Encourage Kids to ‘Give Back

Parenting

How to Encourage Kids to ‘Give Back

Heather2019-02-28T11:14:50-06:00December 28th, 2018|Categories: Parenting|Tags: Grace and Courtesy, parenting, soft skills|

Washington Post "On Parenting," Journalist Amy Joyce Here are tips from the Family Dinner Project, a grassroots movement to encourage eating well and talking over dinner about things that really matter, about how to encourage children to give back. Text or call someone you appreciate. Talk about people your family appreciates, then take the time to text or call them, telling them so. Talk as a family about the person’s reaction and how it felt to share your gratitude. Discuss ways to “pay it forward.” Explain that [...]

Kansas Citizens and Business Community Say Students Need More Than Academics to Succeed

Heather2019-02-28T11:21:40-06:00October 28th, 2018|Categories: Raintree|Tags: brain development, education, soft skills|

By Denise Kahler, Director of Communications The Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) is reviewing the tabulated results from the Community Conversation events held throughout the state three years ago where education officials asked Kansas residents and members of the business community what they want from their state education system. The board is using these results to support the development of its vision for K-12 education in Kansas. Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and members of the board conducted 20 events across the [...]