Back-to-School and Friendships

It’s back-to-school time, and that means back to friendships too. Making and maintaining friendships can be challenging at times for kids. Given the wide range of social skills in a single classroom, it’s no wonder that friendship struggles unfold. For many kids, the return to school and their social worlds is filled with unknowns. Will their friends stillContinue reading “Back-to-School and Friendships”

Middle School Stuff #8: Mean and Bullying Behaviors

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #8 – Mean and Bullying Behaviors.  If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity,  #4 – Crushes & Dating, # 5 – Cliques & Groups, #6 – Gossip and #7 – SocialContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #8: Mean and Bullying Behaviors”

Middle School Stuff #7: Social Media

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #7 – Social Media. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity,  #4 – Crushes & Dating, #5 – Cliques & Groups, and #6 – Gossip. While researching Middle School – Safety GogglesContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #7: Social Media”

Middle School Stuff #6: Gossip

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #6 – Gossip. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity,  #4 – Crushes & Dating, and # 5 – Cliques & Groups. While researching Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, IContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #6: Gossip”

5 Surprising Statistics About Kids and Screens

The technology train has left the station and reshaped childhood in the process. The following statistics illustrate the influence of screens and tech on the daily life of kids. It’s important to note that not all of the statistics are negative. Depending on its use, technology has positive, neutral, and negative effects on the livesContinue reading “5 Surprising Statistics About Kids and Screens”

Middle School Stuff #5: Cliques and Groups

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post # 5 – Cliques & Groups. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, #3 – Popularity, and #4 – Crushes and Dating. While researching Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, I visited 7th-grade classroomsContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #5: Cliques and Groups”

Middle School Stuff #4: Crushes and Dating

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #4 – Crushes and Dating. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #1 – Judgment, #2 – Friendship Changes, and #3 – Popularity. While researching Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, I visited 7th-grade classrooms and talked with students about schoolContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #4: Crushes and Dating”

5 Ways to Foster Healthy Digital Habits in Kids

Let’s face it, tech companies do not have the best interests of our kids and teens in mind. On top of that, laws to protect kids online cannot get through congress. This leaves it to parents and caregivers to help kids learn to stay safe and build healthy digital habits.  So where do families start?Continue reading “5 Ways to Foster Healthy Digital Habits in Kids”

Middle School Stuff #3: Popularity

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #3 – Popularity. If you missed earlier posts, here are links: #2 – Friendship Changes and #1 – Judgment.  While researching Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, I visited 7th-grade classrooms and talked with students about school social dynamics. When I askedContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #3: Popularity”

Middle School Stuff #2: Friendship Changes

This series of posts explores the tricky side of middle school. Here’s post #2 – Friendship Changes. If you missed the last post, here it is: #1 – Judgment.  While researching Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised, I visited 7th-grade classrooms and asked students about school social dynamics. I wanted to understand the challenges that surface duringContinue reading “Middle School Stuff #2: Friendship Changes”