Write Away

April 16, 2016

How to Discipline Kids: Moving ON, Part III

In the last post, I gave you a good framework to use when addressing back talk with your child. The last step to take is moving on, bringing her back into the family’s tasks and rhythms. Of course, neither you nor your daughter may feel like falling into each other’s arms at this point. That’s okay. By Continue reading

Home environment, Relationships, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

backtalk, discipline for kids, effective discipline
April 15, 2016

How to Discipline Kids: Managing Lip, Part II

Your child is in her room, device free, cooling off during a time out. Choose a reasonable amount of time to leave her alone. Don’t make it too long. You want to make a point without ruining the whole day. The biggest lesson you’re about to show her is that in your family, you recognize Continue reading

Relationships, Social and emotional development, Speaking and listening, Teaching and Learning

Appropriate punishment, back talk, Family rules, Moving on
April 14, 2016

How to Discipline Kids: Giving Lip, Part I

There isn’t a child on earth who hasn’t given lip. Or back talked and made nasty remarks at you, their parent. Developmentally speaking, children mostly use this language (or the accompanying tone of voice) as part of their separation from you. At the time, they have a strong reaction to something, or feel peevish or mean–and punching Continue reading

Rituals, Social and emotional development, Teaching and Learning

back talk, giving lip, How to Discipline, parent discipline
April 13, 2016

On Kindergarten Skills for Children

Did you know that today’s kindergartens look like yesterday’s first grades? A kinder garten is supposed to be a “child’s garden,” which means that a kindergarten curriculum centers on child development rather than gulping chunks of academics. Education policy makers and politicians started pushing this change years ago, with the result that everything is now driven Continue reading

Relationships, Speaking and listening

kindergarten curriculum, parents, social emotional development
April 12, 2016

Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

When I teach science, I look for opportunities to integrate the arts because the arts are means of expression for everyone. To me, it doesn’t matter if you know much about classical music. It’s more important to use music and help others to enjoy it by making direct connections with other disciplines. You can do Continue reading

Arts, Music, Science

classical music, parents, planets

How to Discipline Kids: Moving ON, Part III

How to Discipline Kids: Managing Lip, Part II

How to Discipline Kids: Giving Lip, Part I

On Kindergarten Skills for Children

Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity