Posted on April 3, 2014
What’s the newest buzzword in education? Not new math, not common core, not even emotional intelligence. It’s “grit”. UPenn psychology professor Angela Duckworth, who coined the term, defined grit in an NPR interview as the “quality of being able to sustain your passions, and also work really hard at them, over really disappointingly long periods of time.” Essentially, grit is perseverance through setbacks in order to reach a long-term goal. Professor Duckworth says that her research shows “grit is actually…
Posted on March 31, 2014
Today we’d like to introduce you (or reintroduce you, if you’re already familiar with her) to speaker and writer Brené Brown. In The Gifts of Imperfection, she writes a manifesto that every parent needs to hear and instill in their children, “”No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough.” We all struggle with feelings of inadequacy and fears that we are not worthy of love or attention. Brown writes that instead, we need to…
Posted on March 21, 2014
Now that spring is officially here, the weather is ripe for all kinds of outdoor activities. Beach days, camping trips, and picnics at the park are just some of the ways to enjoy the beautiful world we live in. Both planned activities like these and more impromptu things like digging in the dirt are ways to connect with your children. Free from external distractions like TV, homework, dishes, or iPhones, you and your child can discover the world together. Whether…
Posted on March 14, 2014
Recently the Wall Street Journal published an article (complete with flow chart!) about child trackers and how to choose the right one for your child. Included are a backpack leash suitable for toddlers, a smartphone app for teenagers, and a two part device that alerts the parent if the child is more than 30 feet away. Not included, however, is any serious question of whether these devices are helpful in a long term sense. (There is a tongue in cheek reference…
Posted on February 28, 2014
This week’s blog is contributed by a TOG team member and mom, Elizabeth Y. In our house, we sing a very silly little song while our daughters (4 years and 21 months) brush their teeth before bed. We started when our oldest daughter got her first teeth and have continued since then. It’s an integral part of our bedtime routine and, by now, happens without conscious thought. This simple little act means that a) the girls’ teeth get thoroughly brushed…
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