School House Podcast

24/04/2021

Listening is a valuable skill for both adults and children. Good listening skills help children make and keep friends. Here are some ways your child can build this critical skill in their relationships with peers:

- Encourage your child to ask questions and take an interest in others.
- Encourage your child to take turns while playing and during conversations with friends (This gives their friend a chance to talk and share too.)
- Encourage your child to pay attention to their friend’s involvement in the play (If he or she is not engaging, you might encourage your child to suggest a different activity, or your child could ask the friend what they’d like to do).

🎙️ For more practical tips on coaching your child to be a good friend, head to the link in bio to listen to Episode 26: Coaching Friendship: https://bit.ly/3gnVNFm

21/04/2021

Children need social connections in order to be successful in school and in life. Amid the shifts from building to at-home learning, the opportunity to build social skills and make new friends have taken a hit. It’s important for parents to remember that, like everything else, children LEARN how to be social. They learn by watching the example adults set for them in their own friendships. In this episode, we share specific actions parents can take to teach friendship and how they can coach children to be a good friend.🎙️ Listen now to Episode 26: Coaching Friendship https://bit.ly/2QjiMXf

19/04/2021

Through student-led conversations about learning, your child has the opportunity to take initiative with their schoolwork and goals. These discussions can help them build the habit of self-assessing and determining the actions they need to take to reach those goals.🎙️ In Episode 25: Student-led Conversations, Sumeera Mansukhani, an elementary teacher in the School District of Menomonee Falls, shares how parents can initiate student-led conversations: https://bit.ly/39SYI4F

17/04/2021

Giving children the opportunity to lead conversations about their learning helps build confidence and ownership of learning. As children are leading these conversations, they become independent thinkers and build self-awareness that will help them recognize what actions to take in order to be successful. To help initiate these conversations, jot down some key questions to get the discussion going.

You might ask:
- How do you think you did on the assignment?
- What helped you the most?
- What is something you’re really proud of?
- What’s something you’re working on?

🔗 For more tips on how to teach children to lead conversations about learning, listen to Episode 25: Student-led Conversations 🎙️ https://bit.ly/39SYI4F

14/04/2021

Most parents want to coach independent learners and children who will grow up to be self-sufficient, self-aware, and able to accomplish their goals and dreams. Student-led conversations are a first step in helping our children learn how to know where they are and decide what they need to be successful in reaching their goals. In this episode, Sumeera Mansukhani, an elementary teacher in the School District of Menomonee Falls, joins us to share how you can help your child initiate student-led conversations. Listen now to Episode 25: Student-led Conversations 🎙️ https://bit.ly/39SYI4F

13/04/2021

When it comes to schoolwork meltdowns, sometimes all children need is a break in order to move through them. A 10-minute break can help a child reset after a stressful moment. It could be as simple as having a snack, drinking some water, coloring, or getting outside for some fresh air.

In Episode 24: 4 Tips for a Schoolwork Meltdown, pick up three more tips for helping your child get through a schoolwork meltdown. 🔗 Listen now: https://bit.ly/3sK6hBZ 🎙️

10/04/2021

When schoolwork meltdowns happen, it's a flood of emotions – usually anxiety and frustration -- that causes them. At some point as a parent, you're bound to experience one. Here's one way to help prevent schoolwork meltdowns:

Start the day with a consistent morning routine. This helps your child know what to expect, which is a positive and calm way for them to start the school day. Children crave patterns and routines. It makes them feel safe and reduces distraction and anxiety.

🔗 For more tips on how to prevent schoolwork meltdowns and help your child move through them faster, listen to Episode 24: 4 Tips for a Schoolwork Meltdown 🎙️ https://bit.ly/3sK6hBZ

07/04/2021

When it comes to schoolwork, meltdowns happen sometimes! In this episode we share four tips to help make meltdowns less frequent and also discuss how you can help your child move through them faster. 🔗 Listen now to Episode 24: 4 Tips for a Schoolwork Meltdown 🎙️ https://bit.ly/3sK6hBZ

05/04/2021

Observe what your child is interested in. Tap into what's working for them when it comes to learning. In Episode 23, our guest Basil Kuloba said that hands-on learning is what worked for him as a child. "Some students really like reading, and it's better to give them a story book," he explains in the interview. "Some students are visual learners, so they like to watch Bill Nye the Science Guy or The Magic School Bus."

🎙️ Listen as our Studer Education colleague, Basil Kuloba, who is also Executive Director of shares tips for creating STEAM-powered learning moments. Click to listen to our latest episode, STEAM-powered Learning 👉 https://bit.ly/3rd95Gr

03/04/2021

Teachable moments can happen anytime. They often happen naturally, without us even realizing it. Teachable moments are unplanned moments that become learning opportunities. It's when you help your child make a connection they might not have been able to make on their own. If your child is curious or asking a question, you may be in the midst of a teachable moment.

Keep your eyes and ears open to spot these valuable moments. The more you stay open to seizing teachable moments, the more teachable moments you’ll identify. When you're in a teachable moment, listen to your child and ask questions to help them make connections. You're not only helping them connect the dots, you're also feeding their curiosity.

🎙️ Find tips for making the most of these unplanned learning opportunities by listening now to Episode 22: Teachable Moments>> https://bit.ly/38XeeMx

02/04/2021

*SLIME RECIPE* 🔬✨ If you're looking for something fun to try this weekend with your child, make some slime together!

Here are the ingredients you'll need:
- Cornstarch
- Liquid - water
- Food coloring
- Glitter (there's an edible version out there too!)

In Episode 23: STEAM-powered Learning, our guest, Basil Kuloba explains why this is a great learning activity and shares tips for making learning fun. 🎙️ Listen now: https://bit.ly/3d18TVy

31/03/2021

STEAM-based learning is an integrated approach to learning that prepares students for success beyond the classroom and stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Integrating STEAM-based learning activities into children's day to day can be easy-- and a lot of fun to do! Hear more in this episode.

🎙️ Listen as our Studer Education colleague, Basil Kuloba, who is also Executive Director of Inertia, joins us and shares tips for creating STEAM-powered learning moments. Click to listen to Episode 23: STEAM-powered Learning 👉 https://bit.ly/3rd95Gr

29/03/2021

Look for opportunities to talk with your child about what they’re learning and to show them how to use what they’re learning...

Maybe your child has a question about something they've seen in the news and there is a lesson you can teach them, or perhaps they've saved their money to buy something and you can help them understand what it means when the price of an item is marked down. Maybe your child has learned something in school and you see an opportunity to help them make a connection in real life.

🎙️ As our guest in Episode 22 puts it, “When you demonstrate the value of what your children are learning in school, your children are more likely to see the value.” 🔗 Hear more from Dr. Holly Ellis by listening now to Episode 22: Teachable Moments >> https://bit.ly/38XeeMx

27/03/2021

Mistakes are valuable opportunities to learn a lesson, as our guest Dr. Holly Ellis explains in Episode 22, Teachable Moments. "Let your child reflect on what could have been done differently and then be patient and flexible and create a learning environment that is tolerant of mistakes," she explains.

🔗 Hear more tips for seizing teachable moments by listening now to Episode 22: https://bit.ly/3lBrH1x

24/03/2021

🎙️New episode! With learning at home being something so many students and parents are doing, there are now more opportunities than ever to turn regular experiences into learning experiences. In this episode, we’re breaking down when you might be in the middle of a teachable moment and what to do in that moment. Our guest and colleague, Dr. Holly Ellis, joins us to tell us all about teachable moments and how to seize those opportunities. Listen now to Episode 22: Teachable Moments >> https://bit.ly/38XeeMx

22/03/2021

Connection is so important and will get us through challenging times. Connect with other parents regularly. Consider joining a parent group on social media through your child's school or starting your own if there isn't one. Share ideas and encouragement with one another.

🔗 For more tips specifically for parents on getting through tough moments, head to the link in bio and listen now to Episode 19: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Parent. 🎙️ https://bit.ly/3q79sBO

20/03/2021

Think about opportunities your child currently has to move throughout the day. Where are some gaps you can help them fill with intentional movement? Here are some ideas you might consider:

- sneaking in a 15 minute walk with your child after breakfast
- 10 minutes of shooting hoops or jump rope before or after lunch
- a play break with friends outside after school and before they start on homework
- a team sport or dance or yoga class to get in some coordinated movement

What's your child's favorite way to get up and active? We'd love to hear! Leave us a comment 👇

🔗 Learn more about how valuable movement breaks are for supporting learning and thinking by listening to Episode 20: Movement and Learning >> https://bit.ly/3rDljZ 🎙️

17/03/2021

It's natural for children to experience different emotions as they learn. When they have the ability to identify and process emotions, it enables them to move through those experiences so that they don't get stuck in a negative or unhealthy space. This is a skill that sets up kids for success in the classroom and later in life.

🔗 In this episode, Dr. Gayle Juneau-Butler joins us to share tips for parents who want to coach their children to identify emotions. Listen now to Episode 21: Coaching Kids to Identify Emotions >> https://bit.ly/30A1bMm 🎙️

Tag a parent friend who could use this tip!

15/03/2021

Hello from your School House hosts!!! 📚🚌 We want to hear your ideas for future School House episodes. What topic should we cover?
Also, please follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolhousepodcast/

15/03/2021

Movement increases blood flow, which leads to sharper thinking! We share tips for incorporating movement into your child's schedule in Episode 20: Movement and Learning and discuss just how much of a benefit movement is when it comes to learning!

What's your favorite way to incorporate movement into your day? Make our day and let us know in the comments 👇

🔗 Listen now to Episode 20, and tag a parent friend who could use this tip! https://bit.ly/3rDljZV 🎙️

13/03/2021

“Talking to fellow parents is really important because it helps us not feel alone in what we’re going through.” In Episode 19, school social worker, Robin Matarazzo, encourages parents to reach out and support one another. As she puts it, "Connection will get us through this."

🔗 Listen to Episode 19: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Parent, and find more tips to help you break through tough moments: https://bit.ly/3q79sBO

10/03/2021

Movement is fuel for the brain. Is your child getting enough of it? In this episode, we give you ways to get your child moving through play and coordinated activity. 🔗 Listen now to Episode 20: Movement and Learning, and pick up tips for incorporating different kinds of movement into your child's day to support their learning: https://bit.ly/3rDljZV 🎙️

08/03/2021

Cheering your child on for the progress they make will help them stay motivated and engaged. Celebrate those moments -- even the small victories!

🔗 For tips for helping keep track of your child's progress in school, listen now to Episode 6: Is My Child On Track At School? 🎙️ https://bit.ly/3rn1tli

04/03/2021

Don't underestimate the power of having an arsenal of self-care practices that both you and your child can turn to in stressful moments. Model the way for your child by showing them your list of techniques and practicing them. Then help your child create their own list of go-to self-care practices...

Here are some ideas for children:
- Play outside
- Talk to a friend on the phone or via video chat
- Write in a journal
- Draw or paint
- Shoot hoops, dance, exercise -- any form of movement they enjoy.

In Episode 18, our guest Robin Matarazzo, offers valuable tips for helping your child overcome overwhelm.

🔗Click to listen now to Episode 18: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Child https://bit.ly/3siK3Xj 🎙️

03/03/2021

School can be stressful at times not only for students -- but for parents, too! And that's especially understandable during a pandemic. In the previous episode, our school social worker friend joined us to share tips for parents looking to coach their kids through tough moments. In this episode, Robin Matarazzo returns to share tips for parents who are feeling overwhelmed as they try to support their child's learning.

🔗 Listen now to Episode 19: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Parent, and pick up tips to help you break through tough moments: https://bit.ly/3q79sBO

01/03/2021

Feeling pressure or stress as your child shifts from school to virtual learning and vice versa? Maybe you feel pressure that your child should be doing everything right or perhaps you feel pressured to help them be able to do their work correctly and get it in on time. In episode 18 of the , our guest Robin Matarazzo, a school social worker, has a message for parents who feel this way: It's okay...

It's okay if an assignment doesn't get turned in on time.
It's okay if you aren't sure how to help your child with homework.
It's okay if your child isn't as ahead now as they would be in an actual school building.
It's okay if your child needs to take more breaks from school work.

🔗 Hear practical tips from Robin on how to overcome feelings of overwhelm and how to coach your child through those moments by listening now to Episode 18: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Child https://bit.ly/3siK3Xj 🎙️

School can be overwhelming for kids. In this episode, we share tips for parents looking to coach their children through these tough moments.

26/02/2021

Small victories matter. What small win can you help your child see from the week that you can celebrate together? You can't praise your child enough. Celebrating small wins is powerful. Tag a parent friend who could use a reminder :)

Have a great Friday! | 📸 :

25/02/2021

When children play and engage in unique experiences, it allows their curiosity and imagination to take the lead. By coaching your child's curiosity, you can help open up their minds to new learning. 🧠 💡 Try any of these to cultivate their curiosity through play:

- Go on a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or conduct a science experiment.
- Turn your living room into a scene from your favorite time period, book or movie.
- Turn the backyard into a stage for dance or for a musical performance if your child plays an instrument.
- Let your child create a colorful work of art or tell a story using visuals in the driveway with sidewalk chalk.

🔗 For more tips on encouraging curiosity in children, listen now to Episode 11: A Case for Curiosity https://bit.ly/3bfX6BZ

24/02/2021

School can be overwhelming for children at times, and amid a pandemic, feelings of stress and anxiety are understandably heightened. In this episode, a school social worker joins us to share insights for parents looking to coach their children through these tough moments. Listen as our guest, Robin Matarazzo, offers valuable tips for helping your child overcome overwhelm.

🔗 Listen now to Episode 18: Overcoming Overwhelm as a Child: https://bit.ly/3siK3Xj 🎙️

22/02/2021

Mistakes are a normal part of learning. Help create a sense of safety around making mistakes for your child. Try this:

If your child makes a mistake, share about a time you made a mistake and learned from it and how you moved forward. By modeling that thinking for your child, you'll help them see that mistakes are nothing to be afraid of. Instead, they are essential for learning and growing.

🔗 For more tips, listen to Episode 2: The Emotional Side of Learning https://bit.ly/2ZAmxZH 🎙️ Please tag a parent friend who could use this tip!

19/02/2021

Let's help our kids cultivate a mindset. Learning is a journey and the discomfort that comes from going from not knowing to knowing is part of the process. If your child gets stuck or discouraged, help them shift their by responding to them with statements like those in the right column. Happy Friday! | 📸 :

18/02/2021

Opportunities to succeed can help build ownership of learning. Tip: Give your child responsibilities-- these don't have to be big things. Think small things like make the bed every morning or spend a few minutes self-reflecting at the end of each school week. As they experience small wins, their confidence will increase.

Tag a parent who could use this tip!

🔗 Hear more tips on how to help your child own their learning by listening to Episode 16: Build Ownership of Learning. 🎙️ https://bit.ly/2Yguq5I

17/02/2021

Communicating concerns to the teacher doesn't have to be nerve-racking. In this episode of the , we discuss a simple framework for expressing concerns that leaves both parent and teacher feeling clear and confident about next steps to support the learning. Listen as we share how a successful conversation can sound.

🔗 Click to hear Episode 17: Communicating Concerns to the Teacher https://bit.ly/3rDZQj0

15/02/2021

We love this tip from our parent friend, Dee Dee Thompkins, who appeared as guest on a recent episode. Each morning, she has a huddle with her two sons before they start the school day and before she begins working from home...

“We’ll start at 7:00, and say, this is what you’ll have for breakfast, this is what you’ll have for lunch," she explains. "These are the times mommy has between meetings and breaks, and remember, if the door is closed, unless you’re dying, do not go in. So we go over key points every morning just to make sure they understand. They’re 9 and 11, so do they remember everything? No, but they get the gist of it. It absolutely helps with our schedule and our flow for the day.”

Tag a parent friend who could use this tip!

🎙️ For more tips on minimizing distractions while working from home, listen now to Episode 15: It's All Great Until I'm On A Call https://bit.ly/3qATiRC

11/02/2021

Between building and virtual learning, is your child struggling to stay on top of schoolwork and figuring out when to do it? You can help your child stay on track by building a schedule.

Try this: Check the parent portal, the class web page or the virtual classroom for assignments and what’s expected each week.

Next, list all assignments for the week and make note of when they’re due on a blank calendar.

Then, each day you can make a list of what is due for your child, writing down each assignment they are expected to turn in. Consider making schedule-building a routine practice to help keep your child on track with schoolwork.

🔗 For more tips about staying on top of assignments, listen now to Episode 14: Keeping up with Schoolwork: https://bit.ly/3qXDFns

10/02/2021

Taking ownership and initiative can be taught. It might take time, but it is possible. In this episode, we talk about reflection, self-assessment and small wins as keys for parents who want to build ownership of learning.

https://bit.ly/2Yguq5I

08/02/2021

Create opportunities for your child to experience success as they learn. After setting a goal with your child and help them determine the right next steps, make sure they have opportunities to experience small wins along the way. Small wins are confidence boosters. A small win might be reading a sentence without stopping or reading a full paragraph out loud. 🔗 For more tips, listen now to Episode 13: Boost Learner Confidence: https://bit.ly/2YhUXzp
What small win is your child working on?

05/02/2021

It’s never too early to help your children learn to practice mindfulness. One easy way to do this is to take a walk with your child in nature. According to Psychology Today, consider moving at your child’s pace during the walk — whether that’s fast or slow. Allow your child’s curiosity and sense of adventure to lead the way. Seize the opportunity to take in the beauty of the outdoors, observing flowers and colors and the sounds of nature with your child.

Enjoy some fresh air this weekend with your child and reap the benefits together! Happy Friday 🌳🍃🪵🌞

03/02/2021

Working from home while your child is learning from home has its ups and downs. We invited our virtual colleague and parent-friend, Dee Dee Thompkins to give us her best tips for minimizing interruptions during work calls and meetings. https://bit.ly/3qATiRC
Tag a parent who is working from home with a child learning from home. They won’t want to miss this episode!

02/02/2021

Is your child distracted and avoiding schoolwork? To help them overcome it, start by assessing their learning space:

- Does your child do homework in a noisy part of the home? Do siblings play in the same room? Is the TV on within earshot?

- Is there something in the room distracting them that they would rather be doing? Is the video game or toy or instrument your child would rather be playing visible?

- Is there a way to make the space more focus-friendly or enticing to your child-- perhaps by including their favorite colors or colorful pens, pencils or other school supplies?

🔗 For more tips about how to help your child overcome distraction, listen now to Episode 12: When Homework is a Challenge: https://www.studereducation.com/schoolhouse-when-homework-is-a-challenge/