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3 Secrets to Raising Happy, Motivated and Fulfilled Children

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3 Secrets to Raising Happy, Motivated and Fulfilled Children

In a previous blog post, I talked about the discussions going on about the future of American education. It is clear that a nationwide reform is necessary here in the United States. However, in doing so, we must consider that whatever changes we make translate into creating happy, motivated and fulfilled children.

We are witnessing some great schools around the world doing amazing things with children. We hear about countries like Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and China that perennially rank among the top in international education achievement rankings. What is their secret to their success? How their teachers are trained and treated? Is it in how the students are assigned homework? How their time is spent in school? The technology infused into the classroom?

Another good example of a country who has demonstrated a high status in global education is Finland. Their claim to success is that their students receive little to no homework and have only one mandatory test at age 16. Their high school dropout rate is nearly zero percent, whereas in some areas of the U.S., the dropout is a staggering 60%. In surveys conducted, students in these higher achieving countries have shown to be happy and enjoy the learning experience, while teachers appeared satisfied and valued. So, what is at the heart of a high graduation rate, happier child, and high academic achievement for the Finnish children?

Secret #1 – Add More Play Time to a Child’s School Day

Going outside for recess shouldn’t be just an elementary school thing and only for 30 or so minutes. The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Research has shown that physical activity is essential for optimal cognitive, psychological, social, and physical well-being. The Finnish allow 15 minutes of free time, typically spent outdoors, for every 45 minutes of studies, which promotes an active, healthy lifestyle.

Secret #2 – Teach Ethics and the Importance of Giving Back

There are many kids around the world who grow up in families who struggle socioeconomically. Financially, it is difficult for them to come up with money to give to someone else in need. However, giving back through service to charitable causes is one of the most incredible acts of prosperity that we can teach our children. Many students around the world are taught ethics courses from primary grades and taught such values.

According to a study done by World Volunteer Web, “youth who volunteer are more likely to feel connected to their communities, and tend to do better in school.” Giving back ultimately serves to empower not only the receiver of the kindness, but also the giver. A child’s overall health and happiness can dramatically improve just by doing random acts of kindness.

What does giving back look like? It comes in many different forms and students around the world can experience firsthand the benefits of donating their time, resources, and money toward many different causes.

There are so many great ways that children can give back and express their appreciation for others, including:

Contributing food and clothing to children in need around the winter holiday season,
Writing letters of appreciation to people in different professions for their time and service to making this world a better place.
Creating personalized cards for military veterans.
Working with service dogs to help train them for individuals in need.
Helping underprivileged students throughout the school day or during afterschool activities.

Secret #3 – Help Children Make Connections with the World Around Them

The classroom should be a place for discovery, collaboration, and interaction that promotes engagement and learning for all students. Some of my best lessons have been ones that are tied into how something can or does directly affect my students’ lives. The projects that I assign my students integrate science, technology, and society and focus on problem-solving. For instance, at the beginning of the school year, my students choose a science career to research and go on to present their project during our “Science Career Fair Day.” This is an exciting time for students to share their knowledge with others and discuss not only the exciting things about their profession, but how their field helps to improve the lives of others. They also examine the global issues, such as the biggest challenges associated with the profession and what skills are necessary to succeed in the profession.

Students also read current event articles in Science World magazine throughout the school year. This connects current science news with pertinent topics that are discussed in class. What is great is that the stories often feature kids around the age of my students, breaking barriers and achieving incredible feats in the world of science, despite facing obstacles in their quest to make a difference in the world. We follow up these lessons through group discussion, debates, and critical thinking activities, which provides students with multiple perspectives on various global issues and also reinforces their capability to have such a profound impact at a young age.

Furthermore, the students in my classroom regularly perform inquiry-based lab activities where they apply the engineering design process to create “functional products.” This allows them to connect this approach to problem-solving into real world science application that involves researching a problem, developing possible solutions, making designs, testing and evaluating them, getting feedback on their product’s efficiency, redesigning, and so on. Moreover, students receive cross-curricular connections of science concepts in technology education, mathematics, ELA and Social Studies and continuously apply prior knowledge to newly learned information throughout the school year.

The Single Ingredient for a Child’s Success

If I had to suggest one thing for all parents and educators to focus on to help a child succeed, it would go back to a basic human principle. The foundation upon which all learning is laid is by making connections. Being able to relate to and connect with children from all backgrounds and abilities in this manner has been highly rewarding for me as a teacher. By creating a safe, caring environment where students can explore different possibilities and discover their abilities and passions through engaging lessons, thought-provoking activities, collaboration among their peers, and authentic assessments, students are best able to “discover and experience their magic.” What I mean by that is that they are able to display their multiple intelligences and tap into their full potential.

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey for making connections with your child. In my book The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens, you will discover the necessary tools for opening lines of communication, making meaningful connections and helping children make wise choices for a bright future!

“Magic is the complete enjoyment of the process of life.”

For Children!

Sources:

Pisa tests: Singapore top in global education rankings

The AHA’s Recommendations for Physical Activity in Children

Happy Teaching, Happy Learning: 13 Secrets to Finland’s Success

Secrets to Raising Happy Successful Children

SCHOOL CHOICE vs. NO CHOICE – What Really Matters In Education (From the Eyes of An Educator)

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This past week, there has been a lot of talk about the confirmation of the new Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Those in favor of her position on school choice are excited about the possibilities of competition among schools to have better educational options for children and the voucher program. This would award families opportunities to spend money toward the school of their choice (public, private or homeschooling) for their child. Those who are not in favor of school choice fear that this may erode the public education system, diverting all taxpayer dollars to private schools, and encroach upon the separation of church and state in schools.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN EDUCATION

When you think about one school being a “school of excellence” over another, there are many factors to take into account. First, we must understand that education isn’t a one-sized fits all approach. Each child has their unique learning styles and abilities and should be given a multitude of opportunities to succeed at a high level. No matter where that is – in public or private education – developing a school climate where achievement and efforts are recognized is important to a child’s success.

A solid infrastructure needs to be put into place to ensure that a child gets the best education possible. What does that look like? This requires the educational institution to have the following:

School policies imparted and reinforced for a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
Having adequate professional development for educators to improve their instruction, assessments, and ability to connect with all learners.
Having a school improvement plan that takes into account the needs of educators and the student body.
Providing the necessary resources to accommodate all students to progress at their unique pace.
Making available extracurricular activities and enrichment programs for students to explore beyond the scope of the general curriculum.

Whatever side of the fence you are on regarding school choice or not, I can tell you first hand as a teacher working in the classroom with teens and tweens for 17 years, the root of a child’s success is not based on legislation and passing a voucher program for families or instituting Common Core and more testing into the curriculum. At the end of the day, the real key factors to consider for a child’s education is the support of the community, support given to students and the teachers, and the school climate created for the social-emotional well-being of all children and educators.

THE 3 Cs

Connections, care, and compassion are at the cornerstone of my practice as an educator and the work that I do within my community. In speaking with so many teachers, they agree that the relationships they have with children are the driving force behind their love of teaching and what makes the difference for student motivation and achievement.

When students leave my classroom, I want to ensure that they have developed an understanding of gratitude and appreciation. It is important for young people to internalize respect and celebrate each person’s similarities and differences to help foster trust and strong, genuine connections with others and the world around them.

These are the kinds of discussions we should be having in education, public and private, and at all levels of administration and government, in order to appropriately address the root causes of lack of motivation, failure, dropouts, violence, bullying, and other issues affecting our youth. From there, we can come up with viable solutions to ensure all students an excellent education and experience along the way.

I am excited to announce the launch of my new book The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens in which I discuss this topic of the right kind of education to choose for your child in more detail.

For Children!

The Top 3 “Fake News” In Your Life

Well Parent

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W

e’ve been hearing the term “fake news” flying around and quite possibly it may be the 2017 “political term of the year” – if such a category exists. But don’t worry, I am not going to get all political on you with President Trump this or President Trump that. I think you hear enough of that kind of stuff bombarding you from all angles. Instead, I want to share with you things that you are told about you and your life that simply ARE NOT TRUE!

It’s time that amid the banter and turmoil going on, we reclaim control over our own life. In order to do that, we must decipher fact from fiction.

Fake News Alert #1 – I HAVE TO STAY IN MY JOB BECAUSE IT’S ALL I KNOW AND IT PAYS THE BILLS (even though I really don’t like it)

I realize that it is easier said than done when it comes to “having the job of your dreams.” However, ask yourself, “Are you worthy of having a life worth living that is fulfilling, exciting, meaningful, stimulating, and something you enjoy doing the majority of the time?” The answer is of course a resounding: YES! Everyday may not be peaches and cream, but most days you should be waking up anticipating a day that is fulfilling and joyful. We want to be “filled, fully” and that is all you can ask for when it comes to this life.

To make any change, it starts with a thought – a vision you might say – about what it is you truly want. From there, it’s about putting the wheels into motion and taking action to move toward achieving your goals. The thing to remember when faced with challenge is two-fold. One is something my father would tell me: “If it were easy, everyone would do it!” Second, is that if another human being is doing what you want to do, why can’t you also do it?

You must first figure out what course of action you must take to get a better job and go do it. It may mean going back to school to get a college education, or obtain another degree. Or it may require relocating to where there is more opportunity for the field you are looking to get into? How about just sitting down at the computer and putting together your resume and submitting applications? Whatever you decide is the best way to go, realize that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Anything good takes time and every expert was once a beginner. Get the skills you need to achieve the dream you are looking to receive and breakthrough beyond the fear of the unknown.

Fake News Alert #2 – YOU’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

In today’s culture, there is a lot of pressure and expectations to live up to. There are these subtle societal norms and pressures that may adversely affect how you feel about yourself. For instance, looking “beautiful,” getting married and having kids by a certain age, making a certain amount of money to be respected, behaving in a manner that is accepted by people in your circle, and “doing what everyone is doing.” Being “good enough” is highly overrated and in truth is a figment of our own thoughts or misperceptions that may lead us down an unhappy and unfulfilled road.

People don’t feel good about themselves for a number of reasons. Maybe their social circle isn’t big enough and they aren’t able to keep up with the Jonuses. The kiss of death for self-worth and confidence lies in a comparison to others socially, financially, living quarters, or status in society where it becomes a reflection on what they “are or aren’t doing” with their lives. What you achieve does not determine how much you succeed. Rather than focusing your thoughts on how things are in a “negative state of affairs” or what you are lacking, be appreciative and live in a state of gratitude. Tell yourself that you are enough just the way you are and love every ounce of your unique self. There is no one quite like you in this world so embrace and love yourself first!

Don’t believe everything you hear or all the thoughts that go on in your mind. The English writer H.G. Wells once said “Cynicism is humor in ill health.” Your challenge is to replace those thoughts with hope and love so you are able to discover your greatest gifts.

Fake News Alert #3 – PUTTING OTHER PEOPLE’S NEEDS FIRST

I will come right out and say it. You are NOT SELFISH for putting your needs first. Only when you are healthy can you be of service to others. Only when you are happy can you be uplifting, positive, and helpful for others. Only when you are doing what you love to do will you then set the world on fire and be of service to the world! Plain and simple.

If you let someone else’s happiness go in front of your own and influence your own happiness, then you are living from a state of withOUT and not from withiIN. What I mean by that is that if you are searching for happiness outside of yourself, you will be largely dependent on external things or sources to provide you this emotional state of joy, which can lead to disappointment. This approach can turn unpredictable and out of your control, which may exacerbate an emotional roller coaster that becomes perpetual.

Please realize that putting your happiness as a top priority is not selfish at all, despite what you may have been told or heard from others. It’s just the opposite. It is one of the most unselfish things you can do for everyone in your life. During one of my “Empower-Hour” podcasts, I had an opportunity to speak with one of the leading experts on the topic of happiness, author and transformational leader Marci Shimoff.

Marci summed it up by sharing a Chinese proverb which stated:

“When there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.

When there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.

When there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.

When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in this world.”

Happy Discoveries!

Creating “Organized Chaos” in Your Home

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Have you ever felt as if things never slow down in your life and that chaos is part of every minute of every day, starting from the moment you wake up until you get home from work? Whether it’s hearing, “What’s for dinner tonight?” or seeing your children fighting over something for the thousandth time or seeing a path of mud trampled across the floor, or how about another e-mail you have to respond to… there is never a dull moment! Something or someone is always vying for your attention.

As overwhelming and exhausting as it may seem, chaos isn’t always a bad thing, though. The key to balancing the chaos is by finding a way to organize it at every level so it doesn’t take over your life. For instance, the next time you come home and feel like you’ve hit a breaking point, try transforming things into an environment that is peaceful and harmonious for everyone by applying the following tips.

Strategies for creating more balance in your household and turning the madness into an organized chaos

Declutter and simplify your schedule

Organize your schedule by making a small number of priorities in your life. If you feel that you have too much on your plate with work-related responsibilities and chores at home and that there is way too much to accomplish in so little time, start to downsize your priorities. You can make things much more efficient by scheduling what you absolutely need to do first and what can wait thereafter. Getting into regular routines will help you make the best use of your time. It is very important for you to find that “me” time in each day where you can be mindful and take care of yourself. I like to keep my gym clothes and a pair of sneakers in my car so there is no excuse why I can’t go to the gym right after work and get in a good workout, even when I may feel like going home instead.

Delegate responsibilities to others

Assigning children with daily chores to fix their beds, clean their rooms, empty the dishwasher, and set the table for dinner not only get kids into a daily routine that will help you, but it teaches them the importance and value of being a contributing member of the family. It also teaches them to do for themselves and become self-sufficient, which over the long run will save you the time, energy, and aggravation spent on getting your kids to do for themselves and positively contribute to the family.

Set a schedule for your kids

Kids respond very well to structure and routines. Set a time when kids should be working on homework and when they can go outside and play. Try and limit your child’s use of electronics as much as possible. These days, kids can become very inactive and sit for an exorbitant amount of time playing video games or plop themselves in front of the television for prolonged periods. Having too much screen time can lead to a loss of face-to-face social interaction skills. A study conducted at UCLA showed that kids at an outdoor education camp in Southern California who had no access to electronic devices scored significantly higher at reading facial emotions or other nonverbal cues than students who had access to their electronic devices.

Listen to soothing music

Sometimes all it takes to calm us down is the soothing sounds of music. For me, it’s all about what I am in the mood for listening to. When I am looking to get invigorated, I listen to an upbeat song. When I am looking to be uplifted, I listen to an inspirational song. But then there are those times when soothing, calm sounds help me regain balance and bring much needed peace to a very active mind. Research has shown that people who listen to nature sounds have a reduction in cortisol levels, which is the hormone that is released when you are stressed.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

If everything doesn’t go as you planned or if you didn’t accomplish all that you had in mind that day, there is always tomorrow. The important thing to remember is that kids whose parents show love and respect and spend time being there for them emotionally are more likely to grow up happy and become well-adjusted adults. Do you want to learn how you can regain balance in your life while handling daily responsibilities? Click here to receive your free 25-page WHOLE LOTTA LIVING guide for you and your family.

Happy Discoveries!

Five Fountain of Youth Secrets for the Busy Mom

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Five Fountain of Youth Secrets for the Busy Mom

Wondering how to achieve that natural glow on your face and shine of your hair? What about preventing wrinkles and keeping skin healthy and clear while balancing work and life as a busy mom? Fortunately, it is not as time-consuming as you may think. I will reveal “five fountain of youth food secrets” that I recommend to serve as your beauty-building nutrition and help you become a healthier, more beautiful you.

EAT YOUR WAY TO A YOUNGER YOU ON YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE!

1. Reactivate dying skin cells with green tea

Copious research conducted over the past decade demonstrates the many benefits of green tea for the skin. Green tea possesses chemical compounds called polyphenols and the most abundant one in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), acts as a fountain of youth by rejuvenating dying skin cells! The polyphenols in green tea contain powerful antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals, which can damage your skin. Antioxidants help prevent blemishes or acne breakouts and leave your skin with a radiant glow. How many cups should you have? A study done in the UK suggests that adding lemon juice to green tea and consuming at least two cups every day can help you avoid skin cancer throughout your life!

2. Protect your beautiful eyes with carrots

Vitamin A is vital for maintaining good vision! Carrots are a superior source of beta carotene, which is an antioxidant that helps decrease the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. They also contain antioxidants that help prevent damage to skin cells. You can easily add carrots to your salads and soups or eat them as a snack with some hummus during your busy day. Looking for a burst of energy? A glass of carrot juice would be the healthy choice! It provides twice the amount of vitamin A and C as in a serving of whole carrots!

3. Heal damage to your hair, nails and skin with salmon

The omega 3-fatty acids have won again! The anti-inflammatory properties, in combination with the protein found in salmon, help protect against the sun’s damaging UV rays and aid in the skin’s ability to repair itself. Calcium deficiency can be the cause of brittle and dry nails. Salmon is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. This helps regulate calcium metabolism, and in concert with protein, help benefit brittle and dry nails – considering nails are made up of a type of protein called keratin.

4. Protect your gums and beautiful smile with yogurt

Findings published in the Journal of Periodontology show that after analyzing dietary intakes from nearly 1,000 adults, individuals who consumed the highest levels of dairy – specifically yogurt and yogurt-type drinks – had the healthiest gums! Researchers speculate that the probiotics (healthy bacteria) in yogurt may be responsible for protecting teeth and gums. Spruce it up by adding some granola to this great on-the-go food to make a parfait. The crunchiness of granola causes an increase in saliva production. This is a great anti-microbial defense against plaque buildup, which can give rise to cavities.

5. Flush out toxins with good ole’ water

You know there are those days when you just feel blah. You can energize your mood and start to glow again by drinking the recommended daily dose of about eight 8-ounce glasses of good ole’ fashioned H2O. Water both satisfies your cells’ desires to process nutrients effectively and shuttles toxins out of your body! As dehydration progresses, the skin loses its water content and becomes less elastic. Furthermore, hair begins to dry out, and fatigue sets in. Nutrition expert Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN says that you don’t need to run out and buy expensive bottled water and that the minerals in your hard water are preferable anyhow.

For a complete guide for all things healthy living, pick up a free PDF copy of The WHOLE LOTTA LIVING Guide for You and Your Family.