Helping Children Take Ownership of Their Own Learning

In today’s world, we have the opportunity to be involved in so many aspects of our kids’ learning experience. We can check grades in real-time, communicate with teachers instantly, and monitor every assignment. These tools are wonderful, but they can inadvertently communicate to our students that we don’t trust them to manage their own responsibilities. […]

The Human Element of Education

Throughout history, there has been a continuum of tools used in education. From the first Mesopotamian clay tablets and the use of papyrus in ancient Egypt to the invention of the printing press in 1440, each advancement has moved learning forward. Accessibility has expanded, communication has accelerated, and the ideas captured have increased exponentially. The […]

Choosing Construction Over Criticism

As parents, it’s easy to slip into critique when our children bring us the ‘finished product’ of their efforts. A test score, a project, or even a decision can spark more criticism than encouragement. But what if we leaned into the process instead of the outcome? I was listening to a sermon this morning about […]

The Better Part

You probably remember the well-known story in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha. Martha was busy working hard, preparing and serving. Mary was still, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. Both loved Jesus, but Jesus reminded Martha that Mary had chosen “the better part.” As parents, it’s easy to slip into “Martha […]

BEWITHNESS

BEWITHNESS… It’s not a real word, but it’s a fantastic one. Our very own Coach Gilkeson made up this word in a text last week as he invited a group a men to join together early for breakfast. He said that there was no agenda except BEWITHNESS, that is, it was to be a time […]

Praise Language

One of the most common areas of disconnect between parents and students when it comes to school is a misunderstanding about what parents actually value. So often, conversations with parents highlight the parents’ desire to see their child do their best, be happy in life, grow and stretch themselves, and find something that they’re passionate […]

Nutrition

One of the most commonly overlooked elements in providing a great education for students is nutrition. While the typical Western diet doesn’t generally leave kids malnourished from a calorie perspective, it often suffers from deficiencies in key nutrients and leads towards fluctuations in blood sugar that can have detrimental effects on the learning process. Here […]

Freedom and Responsibility

Everyone hates being micromanaged, and everyone hates being left unsupported. Just as we feel this tension as adults at work, our kids also feel it growing up in our homes. As parents, how do we manage this tension while raising our kids to become responsible, independent adults? On the one hand, we want our kids […]

Exams – A Recipe For Success

It’s that time of year! While we as parents are experiencing all of the hustle and bustle of holiday preparation, our students are busy getting ready for semester exams. While a single test never tells the whole story when it comes to student learning, a lot of students find exams stressful, and they want to […]

Tips to Encourage Decision-Making

Tips to Encourage Decision-Making As parents, we’ve all been there: standing in the kitchen, holding up two dinner options, while our child stares at us like we’ve just asked them to solve a difficult mathematical equation. Whether it’s choosing an outfit for school, deciding which extracurriculars to join, or weighing college options, decision-making can feel […]