October 9, 2024 • 17 mins
Unlock the secrets to equipping children with the skills they need for a lifetime of success beyond just academics. Ever wonder why some kids thrive while others struggle? We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll understand the critical role of reading fluency by third grade, the foundational importance of early math and spatial reasoning, and the ways in which curiosity and informed citizenship can be nurtured through science and social studies. With practical advice for fostering independent learning habits, this episode is your go-to guide for preparing kids for the future.
But that's just the beginning. We also tackle how to cultivate grit and a growth mindset in young minds, showing how passion and perseverance can trump natural talent. We dive into actionable strategies for parents to help their kids stay motivated, set achievable goals, and embrace creativity without the pressure of expectations. Whether it's about setting up a study routine or simply encouraging exploration, the insights shared here aim to support parents in guiding their children to discover and pursue what they truly love. Join us as we unravel these essential parenting secrets that could redefine success for the next generation.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everyone, welcome back.
So you know how we all secretlyhope our kids are going to be
like the next.
I don't know tech genius or wina Nobel Prize or something.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Of course, Every parent's dream right.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Totally.
But it's like, what can weactually do to, you know,
encourage that, besides justcrossing our fingers and hoping
for the best, especially whenthey're little?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Right, it's not like wishing on a birthday candle.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Exactly so.
That's what we're diving intotoday those essential skills
that really set kids up forsuccess, and I'm not just
talking about acing everyspelling test.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Absolutely.
We're going way beyond thereport card here.
We've actually got a ton ofresearch that shows how certain
skills, especially those learnedearly on, are linked to some
really incredible long termoutcomes.
Ok, like you're going to haveto give us the goods, Think
graduating college having ahigher earning potential, even
just being a more well-rounded,adaptable person.
(00:53):
It's all connected.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Wow, okay, so sign me up.
But let's break it down.
Where do we even begin?
What are the magic ingredientshere?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Well, the research points to six key academic areas
as being super important forbuilding that strong foundation,
and we'll start with a coupleof obvious ones.
Well, they seem obvious rightReading and literacy.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, I mean, those seem like no-brainers.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
They are, but there's this whole fascinating layer of
nuance here.
For example, did you know thatkids who read fluently by third
grade are statistically fourtimes more likely to graduate
high school on time?
And that, my friend, is a hugefactor in future success?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Wow, four times.
That's insane.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It is.
It's not just about enjoying agood story although we love that
too, of course but it literallyunlocks so many doors for them
later in life.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
So it's about giving them those tools early on, not
just to, you know, bark out thewords, but to truly comprehend
and use information 100%, whichI'm guessing ties into the next
big one, mathematics.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You got it.
Math is key, but again, it'snot just about you know,
memorizing multiplication tablesor whatever.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Right, because who even uses long division anymore?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Exactly, it's about those early math skills,
especially focusing on problemsolving and applying concepts in
different situations.
Those are what really translateinto those higher level
thinking skills we want them tohave down the road.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So it's more about helping them see how math
applies in like real worldscenarios, not just textbook
problems.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Precisely.
It's about making thoseconnections, showing them how
math is relevant to their lives.
And here's a fascinating littletidbit Studies are now showing
that early exposure to spatialreasoning, like basic geometry,
shapes, those kinds of things,can actually predict later
success in STEM fields, evenbetter than early math skills
(02:42):
alone.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Wait, really.
So even just playing withblocks and puzzles, that kind of
thing could be giving them ahead start in science and tech.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Absolutely.
It's all about developing thatspatial awareness, that ability
to visualize and manipulateobjects in their mind.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So we've got reading, writing, math and secret agent
spatial reasoning skills allcovered.
What else is on this list ofyou know, kid power skill?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Okay, so next up is something I think we all want
for our kids right, Criticalthinking and problem solving.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
For sure, because it's like we can't exactly hand
them an instruction manual forevery single situation life
throws at them.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Exactly.
Life doesn't come with ananswer key, so it's about
teaching them to really analyzeinformation, figure out those
patterns, weigh differentoptions and ultimately make
thoughtful choices.
And that's true whether they'renavigating a disagreement on
the playground or facing achallenging decision in a future
boardroom.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
It's those essential life skills right.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Absolutely.
It's about equipping them tothink for themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Okay, so we're raising these awesome little
thinkers, which is amazing, butwe also want them to be kind,
well-rounded people.
Where do science and socialstudies fit into all of this?
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Such a good question.
So science, especially at thisage, is really about sparking
that natural curiosity they have.
It's less about memorizing azillion facts and more about
asking questions, exploring,experimenting.
Oh, I love that Right Likeimagine your kid instead of just
, you know, watching a bug crawlby.
They're like wait, why is thatbug so attracted to that light?
(04:13):
And then they design a littleexperiment with a flashlight and
a shoebox to test it out.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Right, that's the magic we're talking about.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Okay, so what about social studies?
What's its superpower?
Magic we're talking aboutDanielle Pletka.
Okay, so what about socialstudies?
What's its superpower?
Adam Chapnick.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
It's all about giving them that framework, that
context for understanding theirplace in the world.
We're talking basic geography,historical timelines, even just
the basics of civics, like howtheir community functions and
what it means to be aresponsible citizen.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Danielle Pletka.
So basically equipping them tobe engaged, informed citizens,
maybe even future leaders, right?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Exactly.
It's about empowering them tomake a difference.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
I love it.
Ok, but here's the thing.
All of this learning is great,obviously, but how they learn is
just as important, maybe evenmore important, which brings us
to that often overlooked skillstudy skills.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yes, it's like that, saying right.
Give a kid a fish feed them fora day.
Teach a kid to fish feed themfor a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
I'm all about that lifetime supply.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Right, and that's what study skills are all about
those tools that really empowerthem to learn independently.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
It's like giving them that sense of like I did it
myself, that feeling ofaccomplishment.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Exactly Things like time management, self-motivation
, even just knowing how to sit,still listen and follow
directions.
These are foundational.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
OK, so we've covered the what, all those key skills,
but there's this whole otherpiece of the puzzle that I find
so interesting, and it's whatyou were talking about earlier,
that grit factor.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Ah yes, angela Duckworth's work on grit.
It's truly groundbreaking stuff.
Honestly, her TED talk on thisshould be required listening for
, like everyone, but especiallyparents.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Okay.
So for those of us who haven'thad a chance to catch the TED
talk yet, can you give us theCliff Notes version?
What exactly is grit and why isit so important, especially for
kids?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
So grit, in a nutshell, is that potent
combination of passion andperseverance.
Duckworth's research shows it'soften a better predictor of
success than just raw talentalone.
And think about it we all knowthat kid right, the one who's
like naturally brilliant, acedevery test without even trying.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Oh, I've met those kids.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Right.
But then they get to highschool or college or the real
world and suddenly it's not soeasy anymore and because they've
never had to really work for it, they don't have that grit,
that stick-with-it-ness to pushthrough the tough stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So they kind of fizzle out.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, they never quite reach their full potential
.
Now, on the flip side, imaginea kid who maybe isn't a natural
at everything, but they areintensely curious about, say,
dinosaurs, like they devourevery book on dinosaurs.
They build these elaboratedinosaur models.
They can tell you every singledinosaur fact.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
They become like little paleontologists.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Exactly that's passion fueling perseverance,
that's grit in action.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So it's not just about being like naturally
gifted, it's about that drive,that fire in their belly, to
keep going, keep learning, keeptrying, even when things get
hard right.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
You nailed it and the really cool thing is it's not
like this magical quality youeither have or you don't.
We can actually cultivate gritin our kids.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Okay.
So how do we do that?
How do we sprinkle that magicgrit dust?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, one of the most impactful ways is by fostering
something called a growthmindset.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Okay, growth mindset.
Break that down for us.
What exactly is that?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
So a growth mindset is basically the belief that
intelligence and abilitiesaren't fixed.
You know, it's not like you'reborn with a certain amount of
smarts and that's it.
Instead, these qualities can bedeveloped through dedication
and hard work.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So it's not like you're so smart, it's you're
such a hard worker.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It's about praising their effort over innate ability
.
That's huge Because it teachesthem that they have the power to
improve, to learn, to grow,simply by putting in the effort.
And, just as importantly, it'sabout how we frame setbacks.
So, instead of I'm bad at math,we want them to think, okay,
I'm not there yet.
But Instead of I'm bad at math,we want them to think, OK, I'm
(08:06):
not there yet, but I can getbetter with practice.
I just need to figure out theright strategy that yet is so
powerful Right.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Such a small word, but it completely changes the
whole conversation, totally OK.
So we've covered the what,these key skills, the importance
of grit and this idea of agrowth mindset.
Now for the how, because, let'sbe real, this is where things
get tricky.
Now for the how, because, let'sbe real, this is where things
get tricky, but luckily, oursources offer some really
practical strategies for parentsto actually put all of this
into practice at home.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I have a feeling we might all learn a thing or two
ourselves.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Oh, for sure, I'm already taking notes over here.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Let's start with something that seems so simple,
but it can be surprisingly toughcreating a study routine, ah,
yes, the holy grail of parenting, because, let's be honest,
sometimes homework time at myhouse feels less like a
productive learning session andmore like a I don't know.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
A three ring circuit.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Exactly Complete with aminals and a trapeze artist.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
And probably some popcorn being thrown around for
good measure.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Oh, absolutely, and think about it.
If we as adults struggle tofocus when there's chaos
swirling around us, imagine howmuch harder it is for kids,
whose brains are literally stilldeveloping those executive
functioning skills, thoseimpulse control muscles.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
It's like expecting them to do calculus when they
haven't even learned their timestables yet Exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
So even just small things like setting consistent
times for focused work, mayberight after school or after
dinner, whatever works for yourfamily's schedule or having a
designated study space, like adesk in their room or a quiet
corner of the kitchen table eventhat can make a world of
difference.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
It's like creating that mental association.
Yeah Right, this is wherelearning happens.
No distractions allowed.
My own little productivity zoneExactly.
Okay.
So speaking of distractions,that's a big one, right?
Our sources talk a lot aboutthe importance of minimizing
those digital interruptions, andthis is a tough one for me.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Oh, I hear you.
It's a constant battle betweenhomework and screens at my house
.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay, so any tips, because it feels like a losing
battle sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah Well, this is where those time management
skills come in, and not just forthe kids, for us parents too.
It's about setting thoseboundaries.
Maybe it's having designatedtech-free zones in the house,
like the dinner table orbedrooms, after a certain hour,
or maybe it's setting a timerfor screen time and sticking to
it no matter what and this iskey Modeling that behavior
(10:23):
ourselves, oh man.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
You're saying we have to practice what we preach.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
I know it's painful, but we can't exactly tell them
to put down their phones whilewe're scrolling through social
media, right?
Speaker 1 (10:34):
next to them, touche.
It's the whole.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Parenting dilemma.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Exactly, but leading by example as much as possible.
It really does make adifference.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Okay, I'm adding model healthy tech habits to my
to-do list.
What else you got?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Goal setting is another big one.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Okay, but not just vague goals like do well in
school, right, Because thatfeels kind of overwhelming and
abstract.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You got it.
It's got to be specific,measurable, something they can
actually, you know track theirprogress and feel good about
achieving.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Okay, I like it.
So like, instead of just sayinghey, you should work on your
writing, we should.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Exactly Think smart goals.
You know specific, measurable,achievable, relevant and time
bound.
So instead of just saying getbetter at writing, it's like
okay, tonight let's try writingone paragraph about this topic
and let's really focus on usingdescriptive words to paint a
picture in the reader's mind.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Oh, I love that.
It's like giving them thoselittle stepping stones, those
mini goals, to reach that biggergoal.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Exactly.
It breaks it down intobite-sized pieces that feel way
less overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
It's kind of sneaking in that yet mindset too right
Like I'm not a great writer yet.
Right but I'm working on it.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Exactly, you got it.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Okay, so we've got those SMART goals.
We're breaking things down.
What about when they'retackling those bigger, more
challenging projects, like aresearch paper or, you know,
building a volcano for thescience fair?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Well, our sources are really big on something called
active learning strategies.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Active learning Okay, I've heard that term thrown
around, but honestly I'm notsure I totally get it.
What does that actually looklike in action?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
So it's basically about moving beyond that kind of
passive way of learning whereyou're just, you know, reading a
textbook or listening to alecture and hoping some of it
sticks.
It's about getting them toreally engage with the material
to get those brain juicesflowing.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
OK, so how do we do that?
Give us the insider tips.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, one really effective strategy is having
them summarize information intheir own words.
Maybe they have to teach theconcept to a younger sibling, or
even to like their stuffedanimal collection.
Everyone needs an audience,right?
Speaker 1 (12:40):
I love that.
I used to teach fractions to mydog.
He's a very attentive student.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Right and visual aids are huge, like mind maps,
timelines.
Even just encouraging them todoodle in the margins of their
notes while they're listening tosomething can make a big
difference in how much theyretain.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Oh, I'm a huge fan of mind maps.
It's like creating this visualmap of the information.
It just makes those connectionsso much clearer.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Exactly.
It helps them organize theirthoughts and see those
relationships between differentconcepts.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Okay, so active learning check what else you got
.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, this one might seem obvious, but it's amazing
how often we forget to do it,even as adults, and that's
simply celebrating thosesuccesses, no matter how small.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Oh, I am all about the celebrations.
Bring on the confetti and thedance parties.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Right, because it's those little wins, those moments
of yes, I did it, I figured itout that really fuel their
motivation to keep going,especially when things get tough
Totally.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Because, let's be real, learning isn't always you
know rainbows and unicorns.
Sometimes it's just plain hardwork.
So knowing that their effortsare being recognized, that
they're on the right track,that's huge for building that
confidence and resilience.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Absolutely.
It's about creating thatpositive feedback loop where
effort leads to progress, whichleads to a sense of
accomplishment, which then fuelsmore effort, and so on.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
It's like a snowball effect of awesome.
Okay.
So we've talked about theimportance of study skills,
setting those SMART goals,embracing active learning,
celebrating those wins Anythingelse we should add to our parent
toolkit.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
You know, I think the most important tool we have as
parents and it's not somethingyou can buy on Amazon is simply
our unwavering belief in ourkids' potential.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I love that because it's so easy to get, you know,
caught up in wanting our kids toexcel in all these specific
areas, to check off all theboxes Right up, in wanting our
kids to excel in all thesespecific areas, to check off all
the boxes right.
But at the end of the day, thisisn't about molding them into
mini versions of ourselves orlike pushing them towards some
finish line that we've decidedon for them.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
It's about giving them the tools and the support
to discover their own uniquepath, to figure out what they're
passionate about, what makesthem tick.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
And, you know, it makes me think back to something
Angela Duckworth said in herTED Talk, something about how
the key to grit to that passionand perseverance.
It's not about forcing kids towork harder at things they hate.
It's about helping them findthose things that truly light
them up.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Oh, absolutely.
That's the secret sauce, right?
That intrinsic motivation whenthey're genuinely interested in
something, learning transformsfrom a chore into an adventure.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Think back to your kid who's obsessed with
dinosaurs, right?
You don't have to force them tomemorize dinosaur facts.
They're already doing it forfun.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Exactly.
They're driven by that pure joyof discovery, that thirst for
knowledge, and that's what wewant to nurture.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
So, as we wrap up this deep dive, I just want to
leave our listeners with thisthought what is it that makes
your child's eyes light up?
What are they naturally drawnto, even if it seems kind of
quirky or offbeat?
Because those passions, thosesparks of interest, those are
the seeds of something trulyspecial, and our job as parents
is to nurture those seeds, tocreate an environment where they
(15:43):
can blossom.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Beautifully said.
And remember, it doesn't haveto be something big and fancy.
It could be as simple as youknow setting up an art easel in
the corner of the living room,or getting them a bug catching
kit, or taking them to thelibrary and letting them pick
out a giant stack of books onwhatever topic they're currently
obsessed with.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Yes, it's about giving them the freedom and the
space to explore, to experiment,to discover who they are and
what they love, and sometimes itmeans letting go of our own
expectations and just lettingthem lead the way.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
And trusting that they'll find their own path to
success, even if it looks alittle different than what we
imagined.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
You got it, so as always.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
It's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
And remember, parents , you've got this.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning and keep those
deep dives going.
Hey, everyone, welcome back.
So you know how we all secretlyhope our kids are going to be
like the next.
I don't know tech genius or wina Nobel Prize or something.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Of course, Every parent's dream right.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Totally.
But it's like, what can weactually do to, you know,
encourage that, besides justcrossing our fingers and hoping
for the best, especially whenthey're little?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Right, it's not like wishing on a birthday candle.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Exactly so.
That's what we're diving intotoday those essential skills
that really set kids up forsuccess, and I'm not just
talking about acing everyspelling test.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Absolutely.
We're going way beyond thereport card here.
We've actually got a ton ofresearch that shows how certain
skills, especially those learnedearly on, are linked to some
really incredible long termoutcomes.
Ok, like you're going to haveto give us the goods, Think
graduating college having ahigher earning potential, even
just being a more well-rounded,adaptable person.
(00:53):
It's all connected.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Wow, okay, so sign me up.
But let's break it down.
Where do we even begin?
What are the magic ingredientshere?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Well, the research points to six key academic areas
as being super important forbuilding that strong foundation,
and we'll start with a coupleof obvious ones.
Well, they seem obvious rightReading and literacy.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, I mean, those seem like no-brainers.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
They are, but there's this whole fascinating layer of
nuance here.
For example, did you know thatkids who read fluently by third
grade are statistically fourtimes more likely to graduate
high school on time?
And that, my friend, is a hugefactor in future success?
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Wow, four times.
That's insane.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
It is.
It's not just about enjoying agood story although we love that
too, of course but it literallyunlocks so many doors for them
later in life.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
So it's about giving them those tools early on, not
just to, you know, bark out thewords, but to truly comprehend
and use information 100%, whichI'm guessing ties into the next
big one, mathematics.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
You got it.
Math is key, but again, it'snot just about you know,
memorizing multiplication tablesor whatever.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Right, because who even uses long division anymore?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Exactly, it's about those early math skills,
especially focusing on problemsolving and applying concepts in
different situations.
Those are what really translateinto those higher level
thinking skills we want them tohave down the road.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
So it's more about helping them see how math
applies in like real worldscenarios, not just textbook
problems.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Precisely.
It's about making thoseconnections, showing them how
math is relevant to their lives.
And here's a fascinating littletidbit Studies are now showing
that early exposure to spatialreasoning, like basic geometry,
shapes, those kinds of things,can actually predict later
success in STEM fields, evenbetter than early math skills
(02:42):
alone.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Wait, really.
So even just playing withblocks and puzzles, that kind of
thing could be giving them ahead start in science and tech.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Absolutely.
It's all about developing thatspatial awareness, that ability
to visualize and manipulateobjects in their mind.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So we've got reading, writing, math and secret agent
spatial reasoning skills allcovered.
What else is on this list ofyou know, kid power skill?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Okay, so next up is something I think we all want
for our kids right, Criticalthinking and problem solving.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
For sure, because it's like we can't exactly hand
them an instruction manual forevery single situation life
throws at them.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Exactly.
Life doesn't come with ananswer key, so it's about
teaching them to really analyzeinformation, figure out those
patterns, weigh differentoptions and ultimately make
thoughtful choices.
And that's true whether they'renavigating a disagreement on
the playground or facing achallenging decision in a future
boardroom.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
It's those essential life skills right.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Absolutely.
It's about equipping them tothink for themselves.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Okay, so we're raising these awesome little
thinkers, which is amazing, butwe also want them to be kind,
well-rounded people.
Where do science and socialstudies fit into all of this?
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Such a good question.
So science, especially at thisage, is really about sparking
that natural curiosity they have.
It's less about memorizing azillion facts and more about
asking questions, exploring,experimenting.
Oh, I love that Right Likeimagine your kid instead of just
, you know, watching a bug crawlby.
They're like wait, why is thatbug so attracted to that light?
(04:13):
And then they design a littleexperiment with a flashlight and
a shoebox to test it out.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
Right, that's the magic we're talking about.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Okay, so what about social studies?
What's its superpower?
Magic we're talking aboutDanielle Pletka.
Okay, so what about socialstudies?
What's its superpower?
Adam Chapnick.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
It's all about giving them that framework, that
context for understanding theirplace in the world.
We're talking basic geography,historical timelines, even just
the basics of civics, like howtheir community functions and
what it means to be aresponsible citizen.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Danielle Pletka.
So basically equipping them tobe engaged, informed citizens,
maybe even future leaders, right?
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Exactly.
It's about empowering them tomake a difference.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
I love it.
Ok, but here's the thing.
All of this learning is great,obviously, but how they learn is
just as important, maybe evenmore important, which brings us
to that often overlooked skillstudy skills.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yes, it's like that, saying right.
Give a kid a fish feed them fora day.
Teach a kid to fish feed themfor a lifetime.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
I'm all about that lifetime supply.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Right, and that's what study skills are all about
those tools that really empowerthem to learn independently.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
It's like giving them that sense of like I did it
myself, that feeling ofaccomplishment.
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Exactly Things like time management, self-motivation
, even just knowing how to sit,still listen and follow
directions.
These are foundational.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
OK, so we've covered the what, all those key skills,
but there's this whole otherpiece of the puzzle that I find
so interesting, and it's whatyou were talking about earlier,
that grit factor.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Ah yes, angela Duckworth's work on grit.
It's truly groundbreaking stuff.
Honestly, her TED talk on thisshould be required listening for
, like everyone, but especiallyparents.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Okay.
So for those of us who haven'thad a chance to catch the TED
talk yet, can you give us theCliff Notes version?
What exactly is grit and why isit so important, especially for
kids?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
So grit, in a nutshell, is that potent
combination of passion andperseverance.
Duckworth's research shows it'soften a better predictor of
success than just raw talentalone.
And think about it we all knowthat kid right, the one who's
like naturally brilliant, acedevery test without even trying.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
Oh, I've met those kids.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Right.
But then they get to highschool or college or the real
world and suddenly it's not soeasy anymore and because they've
never had to really work for it, they don't have that grit,
that stick-with-it-ness to pushthrough the tough stuff.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
So they kind of fizzle out.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Yeah, they never quite reach their full potential
.
Now, on the flip side, imaginea kid who maybe isn't a natural
at everything, but they areintensely curious about, say,
dinosaurs, like they devourevery book on dinosaurs.
They build these elaboratedinosaur models.
They can tell you every singledinosaur fact.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
They become like little paleontologists.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Exactly that's passion fueling perseverance,
that's grit in action.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
So it's not just about being like naturally
gifted, it's about that drive,that fire in their belly, to
keep going, keep learning, keeptrying, even when things get
hard right.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
You nailed it and the really cool thing is it's not
like this magical quality youeither have or you don't.
We can actually cultivate gritin our kids.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Okay.
So how do we do that?
How do we sprinkle that magicgrit dust?
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Well, one of the most impactful ways is by fostering
something called a growthmindset.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Okay, growth mindset.
Break that down for us.
What exactly is that?
Speaker 2 (07:30):
So a growth mindset is basically the belief that
intelligence and abilitiesaren't fixed.
You know, it's not like you'reborn with a certain amount of
smarts and that's it.
Instead, these qualities can bedeveloped through dedication
and hard work.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
So it's not like you're so smart, it's you're
such a hard worker.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It's about praising their effort over innate ability
.
That's huge Because it teachesthem that they have the power to
improve, to learn, to grow,simply by putting in the effort.
And, just as importantly, it'sabout how we frame setbacks.
So, instead of I'm bad at math,we want them to think, okay,
I'm not there yet.
But Instead of I'm bad at math,we want them to think, OK, I'm
(08:06):
not there yet, but I can getbetter with practice.
I just need to figure out theright strategy that yet is so
powerful Right.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Such a small word, but it completely changes the
whole conversation, totally OK.
So we've covered the what,these key skills, the importance
of grit and this idea of agrowth mindset.
Now for the how, because, let'sbe real, this is where things
get tricky.
Now for the how, because, let'sbe real, this is where things
get tricky, but luckily, oursources offer some really
practical strategies for parentsto actually put all of this
into practice at home.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I have a feeling we might all learn a thing or two
ourselves.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
Oh, for sure, I'm already taking notes over here.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Let's start with something that seems so simple,
but it can be surprisingly toughcreating a study routine, ah,
yes, the holy grail of parenting, because, let's be honest,
sometimes homework time at myhouse feels less like a
productive learning session andmore like a I don't know.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
A three ring circuit.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Exactly Complete with aminals and a trapeze artist.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
And probably some popcorn being thrown around for
good measure.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Oh, absolutely, and think about it.
If we as adults struggle tofocus when there's chaos
swirling around us, imagine howmuch harder it is for kids,
whose brains are literally stilldeveloping those executive
functioning skills, thoseimpulse control muscles.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
It's like expecting them to do calculus when they
haven't even learned their timestables yet Exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
So even just small things like setting consistent
times for focused work, mayberight after school or after
dinner, whatever works for yourfamily's schedule or having a
designated study space, like adesk in their room or a quiet
corner of the kitchen table eventhat can make a world of
difference.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
It's like creating that mental association.
Yeah Right, this is wherelearning happens.
No distractions allowed.
My own little productivity zoneExactly.
Okay.
So speaking of distractions,that's a big one, right?
Our sources talk a lot aboutthe importance of minimizing
those digital interruptions, andthis is a tough one for me.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Oh, I hear you.
It's a constant battle betweenhomework and screens at my house
.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay, so any tips, because it feels like a losing
battle sometimes.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah Well, this is where those time management
skills come in, and not just forthe kids, for us parents too.
It's about setting thoseboundaries.
Maybe it's having designatedtech-free zones in the house,
like the dinner table orbedrooms, after a certain hour,
or maybe it's setting a timerfor screen time and sticking to
it no matter what and this iskey Modeling that behavior
(10:23):
ourselves, oh man.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
You're saying we have to practice what we preach.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
I know it's painful, but we can't exactly tell them
to put down their phones whilewe're scrolling through social
media, right?
Speaker 1 (10:34):
next to them, touche.
It's the whole.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Parenting dilemma.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Exactly, but leading by example as much as possible.
It really does make adifference.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Okay, I'm adding model healthy tech habits to my
to-do list.
What else you got?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Goal setting is another big one.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Okay, but not just vague goals like do well in
school, right, Because thatfeels kind of overwhelming and
abstract.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
You got it.
It's got to be specific,measurable, something they can
actually, you know track theirprogress and feel good about
achieving.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Okay, I like it.
So like, instead of just sayinghey, you should work on your
writing, we should.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
Exactly Think smart goals.
You know specific, measurable,achievable, relevant and time
bound.
So instead of just saying getbetter at writing, it's like
okay, tonight let's try writingone paragraph about this topic
and let's really focus on usingdescriptive words to paint a
picture in the reader's mind.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Oh, I love that.
It's like giving them thoselittle stepping stones, those
mini goals, to reach that biggergoal.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Exactly.
It breaks it down intobite-sized pieces that feel way
less overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
It's kind of sneaking in that yet mindset too right
Like I'm not a great writer yet.
Right but I'm working on it.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Exactly, you got it.
Speaker 1 (11:46):
Okay, so we've got those SMART goals.
We're breaking things down.
What about when they'retackling those bigger, more
challenging projects, like aresearch paper or, you know,
building a volcano for thescience fair?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Well, our sources are really big on something called
active learning strategies.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Active learning Okay, I've heard that term thrown
around, but honestly I'm notsure I totally get it.
What does that actually looklike in action?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
So it's basically about moving beyond that kind of
passive way of learning whereyou're just, you know, reading a
textbook or listening to alecture and hoping some of it
sticks.
It's about getting them toreally engage with the material
to get those brain juicesflowing.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
OK, so how do we do that?
Give us the insider tips.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Well, one really effective strategy is having
them summarize information intheir own words.
Maybe they have to teach theconcept to a younger sibling, or
even to like their stuffedanimal collection.
Everyone needs an audience,right?
Speaker 1 (12:40):
I love that.
I used to teach fractions to mydog.
He's a very attentive student.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Right and visual aids are huge, like mind maps,
timelines.
Even just encouraging them todoodle in the margins of their
notes while they're listening tosomething can make a big
difference in how much theyretain.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
Oh, I'm a huge fan of mind maps.
It's like creating this visualmap of the information.
It just makes those connectionsso much clearer.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Exactly.
It helps them organize theirthoughts and see those
relationships between differentconcepts.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Okay, so active learning check what else you got
.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, this one might seem obvious, but it's amazing
how often we forget to do it,even as adults, and that's
simply celebrating thosesuccesses, no matter how small.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Oh, I am all about the celebrations.
Bring on the confetti and thedance parties.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Right, because it's those little wins, those moments
of yes, I did it, I figured itout that really fuel their
motivation to keep going,especially when things get tough
Totally.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
Because, let's be real, learning isn't always you
know rainbows and unicorns.
Sometimes it's just plain hardwork.
So knowing that their effortsare being recognized, that
they're on the right track,that's huge for building that
confidence and resilience.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
Absolutely.
It's about creating thatpositive feedback loop where
effort leads to progress, whichleads to a sense of
accomplishment, which then fuelsmore effort, and so on.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
It's like a snowball effect of awesome.
Okay.
So we've talked about theimportance of study skills,
setting those SMART goals,embracing active learning,
celebrating those wins Anythingelse we should add to our parent
toolkit.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
You know, I think the most important tool we have as
parents and it's not somethingyou can buy on Amazon is simply
our unwavering belief in ourkids' potential.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
I love that because it's so easy to get, you know,
caught up in wanting our kids toexcel in all these specific
areas, to check off all theboxes Right up, in wanting our
kids to excel in all thesespecific areas, to check off all
the boxes right.
But at the end of the day, thisisn't about molding them into
mini versions of ourselves orlike pushing them towards some
finish line that we've decidedon for them.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
It's about giving them the tools and the support
to discover their own uniquepath, to figure out what they're
passionate about, what makesthem tick.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
And, you know, it makes me think back to something
Angela Duckworth said in herTED Talk, something about how
the key to grit to that passionand perseverance.
It's not about forcing kids towork harder at things they hate.
It's about helping them findthose things that truly light
them up.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Oh, absolutely.
That's the secret sauce, right?
That intrinsic motivation whenthey're genuinely interested in
something, learning transformsfrom a chore into an adventure.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Think back to your kid who's obsessed with
dinosaurs, right?
You don't have to force them tomemorize dinosaur facts.
They're already doing it forfun.
Speaker 2 (15:16):
Exactly.
They're driven by that pure joyof discovery, that thirst for
knowledge, and that's what wewant to nurture.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
So, as we wrap up this deep dive, I just want to
leave our listeners with thisthought what is it that makes
your child's eyes light up?
What are they naturally drawnto, even if it seems kind of
quirky or offbeat?
Because those passions, thosesparks of interest, those are
the seeds of something trulyspecial, and our job as parents
is to nurture those seeds, tocreate an environment where they
(15:43):
can blossom.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
Beautifully said.
And remember, it doesn't haveto be something big and fancy.
It could be as simple as youknow setting up an art easel in
the corner of the living room,or getting them a bug catching
kit, or taking them to thelibrary and letting them pick
out a giant stack of books onwhatever topic they're currently
obsessed with.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Yes, it's about giving them the freedom and the
space to explore, to experiment,to discover who they are and
what they love, and sometimes itmeans letting go of our own
expectations and just lettingthem lead the way.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
And trusting that they'll find their own path to
success, even if it looks alittle different than what we
imagined.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
You got it, so as always.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
It's been a pleasure.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
And remember, parents , you've got this.
Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning and keep those
deep dives going.
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