Fostering Creativity and Critical Thinking | A Conversation with Puzzlemaker Eric Berlin
Release Date: 04/24/2024
Nurturing Communication Skills in Your Homeschool
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode of the podcast, we explore the importance of nurturing communication skills at home. From weekly family meetings to a powerful personal story about her daughter Logan's experience with anxiety, Colleen shares invaluable insights on how open dialogue can build stronger relationships and boost children's confidence. Discover how communication entwined with empathy is essential for thriving in today's world, and get tips on fostering these skills in homeschooling and digital environments. Plus, get a sneak peek into next week's topic—the third C, Content! Key...
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Raising Successful Children | The Power of Collaboration in Homeschooling
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration as a foundational skill for our children. From understanding the science behind our social brains to practical homeschooling tips, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiring anecdotes. Key Takeaways: The Six Cs:Dive into the six key skills identified by Dr. Kathy Hirsch Pasek—Collaboration, Communication, Content, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Confidence—that foster lifelong learning. Storytime:Listen to Colleen's heartfelt story about her daughter Molly's innovative approach to a homeschool...
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Overcoming Sleep Struggles: Tips for Neurodiverse Families
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this week's episode, we dive deep into a topic that's a challenge for many families: sleep. Whether you're homeschooling neurodivergent kiddos, navigating giftedness, twice-exceptionality, or simply dealing with heightened anxiety, quality sleep is essential—and tricky to achieve. Key Takeaways: Establish Consistent Sleep Routines: Structure is essential for signaling our brains to wind down. Even simple routines like a warm bath, brushing teeth, and reading can make a substantial difference over time. Optimize the Sleep Environment: Tailor the bedroom setup to your child’s...
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Why Play Matters | Unleashing Lifelong Learning Through Play
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we dive deep into the power of play and why it matters at every stage of childhood! Whether you're homeschooling or just juggling parenting, incorporating play can ignite a lifelong love of learning and create magical moments of discovery. From mealworm mazes to Viking bread, we explore how playful learning leads to unexpected adventures and lasting knowledge. So, gather your kids, embrace the fun, and let's make learning an exciting journey together! Tune in now and discover practical tips and heartwarming stories that will inspire you to add more play into...
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Sparking Curiosity | Nurturing a Love of Learning in Your Child
Raising Lifelong Learners
In our latest episode, we dive into how to ignite your child's curiosity by exploring topics together, even if it means using Google searches or watching fun educational videos. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and foster a growth mindset by focusing on the process, not just the outcomes. This episode, , offers tips for personalized education, especially for neurodivergent kids. Listen now, and let’s create a family culture of learning and make education an adventure! Key Takeaways: Modeling Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: Encourage your children to...
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Finding Wonder and Joy in Everyday Homeschooling and Parenting
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this episode, we explore the beautiful intersections of joy, wonder, and learning in your homeschooling journey. Colleen opens up about her struggles with perfectionism and how it has impacted her homeschooling and parenting. She encourages us to embrace the messiness of life to enjoy deeper connections and create memorable moments with our children. Understanding and meeting our children’s sensory, emotional, and social needs can be challenging. Colleen shares practical ways to foster their interests and paving the way for curiosity-driven explorations. Whether through spontaneous...
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When Homeschool Looks Different: Embracing the Chaos and Finding Joy
Raising Lifelong Learners
In the latest episode we dive deep into the evolving and sometimes chaotic world of homeschooling. Join Colleen as she shares her family's "Not Back to School Day" traditions, how they're adapting amid a jam-packed schedule, and the heartfelt challenges of balancing multiple roles. Key Takeaways: Homeschools adapt from year to year, and new traditions can be fun. The struggle of managing homeschooling alongside numerous activities and professional commitments is challenging for all -- you're not alone. It's important to be present and mindful of the mental load carried by...
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Supporting and Understanding Levels of Giftedness in Homeschooled Children with Deborah Ruf
Raising Lifelong Learners
In today's episode, Colleen had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Dr. Deborah Ruf about homeschooling, giftedness, and the evolving landscape of education. Key Takeaways: Evolving Homeschooling Landscape: With more resources available, being intentional in selecting activities and groups is crucial. Giftedness Beyond Scores: Giftedness is multifaceted, with variations beyond high IQ scores, requiring tailored support. Understanding Personality and Interests: Recognizing personality types and allowing children to explore their interests can significantly impact their...
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A Deep Dive into The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
Raising Lifelong Learners
Today’s episode dives deep into the strengths-based approach to homeschooling, offering valuable insights and practical tips for creating a child-focused learning environment. Key Takeaways: Learn how to adapt curricula like math and history to better suit your child's preferences and learning style. Gain inspiration from Colleen's personal stories about her brother and daughter, emphasizing the power of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Get a sneak peek into Colleen's recently released book The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising...
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Embracing Interest-Led Homeschooling with Lydia Rosado
Raising Lifelong Learners
Dive into this episode of the podcast with the inspiring Lydia Rosado! We discuss the magic of interest-led homeschooling, the power of films in education, and the beauty of embracing each child’s unique journey. Lydia shares her wisdom on nurturing passions, cultivating independence, and trusting the homeschooling process. Plus, get insights on balancing kids' interests with foundational learning and discovering creative ways to make education come alive! Key Takeaways: Using Films in Education: Lydia discusses how movies are not only entertaining but also educational. She...
info_outlineIn the latest episode, we dive into the fascinating world of puzzles and their role in fostering lifelong learning. Eric Berlin, a renowned puzzle maker and author, shares his experiences with puzzles in educational settings and their impact on child development.
Eric discusses the integration of puzzle-solving into educational curricula. He shares a time when his daughter, influenced by puzzle video games, designed video game levels herself, showcasing how such engagement can foster a practical understanding of complex concepts like coding and design.
Key Takeaways:
- Foster Critical Thinking: Puzzles encourage critical thinking and creativity, essential skills in today’s rapidly changing world.
- Tech-Savvy Learning: Incorporating puzzle video games can promote visual thinking and problem-solving skills among children.
- Community Collaboration: Participating in community puzzle events can build teamwork and social skills.
Find Eric and his engaging puzzle books at puzzlesnacks.com and ericberlin.com. Connect with him on social platforms for more puzzle fun!
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or puzzle enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into making learning a playful and engaging journey. Tune in to discover more
Links and Resources from Episode 242:
Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math
- Pre-Order - The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
- Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community - The Learners Lab
- Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.
- The Puzzling World of Winston Breen by Eric Berlin
- Puzzlesnacks by Book by Eric Berlin
- Free Gift: Puzzlesnacks Sampler
- Ever So Logical | PuzzleNation.com Blog
- Creative Thinking Activities for Kids
- How to Encourage Innovative Thinking in Your Kids
- Raising Problem Solvers
- One Person Logic Games that Rock
- The Learning Game | A Conversation with Ana Lorena Fabrega
- Giving Your Child Life Skills | Metacognition
Connect with Eric
To try out Eric’s puzzles click over to Puzzle Snacks: http://www.puzzlesnacks.com
You can find Eric @puzzlesnacks Instagram or Facebook with the handle @puzzlesnacks