Putting It All Together: Parent Upskills for Smarter and Stronger Kids
The Education Game promised parents a series of coaching points around “upskilling.” This is a collection of 7 articles written by Dr. Scott and Matt to help parents build life-long, independent learners.
Writing as Learning
Writing is not what you think it is. “Writing is an act of discovery!” “Writing gives us power.” (says, Dr. Robin Reagler, longtime writing expert). Here’s a plan to improve your LEARNING through writing.
Habits of Mind Drive Success
Any parents looking to build Character into your children? We have found that the “Habits of Mind” overlap with key character qualities. Build the Habits of Mind in your kids and you build their Character!
Math, Science, and Social Studies is All About Problem-Solving
This week Dr. Scott takes on problem-solving skills in the areas of science and social studies.
Don’t Teach Your Kids to Read (Part 2 of 2)
I continue the provocative idea of prioritizing Self-Control over Reading. This week, I describe how self-control can be built through “student engagement” and include examples and strategies for families to consider.
Hey John King! Let’s start a neighborhood tutoring corps before we take on a national one.
Dr. Scott responds to past Secretary of Education John King’s idea of forming a national tutoring corps to help kids catch up during this nasty pandemic. Dr. Scott offers the idea of families starting neighborhood tutoring programs, using next door friends as tutors for a group of neighborhood kids.
Don’t Teach Your Kids to Read (Part 1 of 2)
His mother yelled his name as he raced past me. She was close on his heels. The child, probably around age 4 or 5, was holding a package of sausage under his right arm — I’m not making this up — and, given the smile on his face, it was clear that he was having a great time grocery shopping with mom. Mom, not so much.
How Your Child Rocks Learning!
Dr. Scott pays tribute to arguably the greatest rock guitarist ever – Eddie Van Halen – in this blog discussing interest-based learning. Van Halen epitomized the pursuit of interest-based learning as he perfected playing the electric guitar while inventing a number of innovations connected with that same instrument. Parents! Can you form a plan to support your child’s interest/passion/drive? Read on for tips on how to do it.
Is School Blockbuster or Netflix?
Blockbuster failed because they didn’t realize that our world was moving towards “Anytime, Anywhere, Everything.” If your child still sees school as “the place where learning happens,” then they may suffer the same fate as Blockbuster. Learning is now Anytime, Anywhere! Here’s how to do it.
The Great Parent “Up-Skill” (8 Essential Skills for 2021)
Matt and Dr. Scott present an 8 week bootcamp plan to develop adult learning leader skills within the most important person in the life of a child – the parent.
When drowning on dry land, jump into deep water
If your child doesn’t want to learn over the holiday break, it’s likely because they have been “drowning” in a school environment that is dull and uninspiring. Now’s your chance to push them into the “deep water” where the excitement to learn can be reignited! Here’s how…
Two Pathways to a Learning Pod
Learning Pods — which are a form of “Microschool” — are set to revolutionize learning. Parents keep asking us, “how to establish a FUN, FAIR, and POSITIVE learning pod?” Here’s how.
(Part 2) Blame Thomas Friedman
Part 2 of “Blame Thomas Friedman” contains a simple “baby step” suggestion to help parents build self-motivation and self-direction in their children. (Maybe you’ll even thank Mr. Friedman… one day.)
How Do You Eat an Elephant?
I spoke with a parent today whose 7-year-old will be expected to spend many hours on, or near, the computer each day. Really?! This rigid, “More is Better” model of learning will not lead to a love of learning, student engagement, or learning independence.
Instead, consider an integrated, “Less but Better” approach… and decide which will work better for you and your young learner.
What if School Did Not Exist?
Education is being disrupted in real time and basic assumptions about “school” are rightly being questioned. Co-Founder of The Education Game, Dr. Scott Van Beck, leads a new blog series we call “What if…?” Each discussion will compel readers to explore basic assumptions about education that may no longer apply. This week’s question: “What if schools did not exist?” We welcome your comments.
The Unbundling of Education
COVID is massively accelerating the “unbundling of education.” Instead of a “one-size-fits-few” model, COVID is driving innovation, experimentation and personalization (finally!). Welcome to the future of education… don’t mind the mess.
Anxious Parents: Here’s Your 6-Week Playbook to Prepare for the Fall
Parents: Before you decide on virtual, home, hybrid, “Learning Pod”, private tutor, or online courses, walk with me through a 6-week process to develop a plan that can flex with the expected disruption of the coming months (years?!). Here’s your Playbook that looks far beyond COVID.
Alief School District is Starting School Virtually. But Virtual School is not “School-at-Home”
Despite State of Texas restrictions, Alief School District is starting the year virtually. But the difference between “Virtual School” and “School-at-Home” is massive. Let’s get parents ready to instruct at home. Whatever happens, better prepared parents will help kids succeed.
COVID Almost Killed Me and FrankenSchool Tried to Kill My Child’s Education
COVID almost killed me and FrankenSchool almost killed my kid’s education. No one can convince me that restarting traditional school in the fall makes sense. The risks are too high for too many. But there is another way: home learning. It will be hard… but the benefits far outweigh the risks. Let me show you how.
To Parents with Black Boys
Parents with Black boys have been reminded that raising their sons is tricky/dangerous business. But we can be order out of the chaos… if we stay focused.