Building Boys’ Reading and Literacy Skills

Guests, School Life, , , , ,

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Reading and literacy are important life skills. But many boys struggle with reading and writing — and resist parents’ and teachers’ well-intended efforts to help them. Lots of boys are reluctant readers. Many hate writing. Teaching boys to read Middle school literacy instructional coach Todd Feltman says, “reading has to be taught in increments,” especially … Continue reading Building Boys’ Reading and Literacy Skills →

Coffee with Jen & Janet

Parenting

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What does Janet’s 8-month-old grandson have in common with a bunch of guys throwing darts at each other in a dark basement? A fascination with objects moving through space —  a nearly universal male tendency that Janet is witnessing in real-time as her grandson delights in pushing, pulling, and moving objects that are bigger than … Continue reading Coffee with Jen & Janet →

Listener Q & A: Boy Communication, Socialization, & Girl Power

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — )

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Why do boys….? Bringing up boys brings up all kinds of questions! Jen & Janet have answers. Tamara asks: Why do boys communicate through physical touch/aggression and use sarcasm for communication rather than regular conversation? Katrina worries that her son may be alienating himself from his friends — and missing out on social opportunities — … Continue reading Listener Q & A: Boy Communication, Socialization, & Girl Power →

Parenting, Privilege, & Building a Just World

Guests, Parenting, , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:05 — )

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We want to build boys — AND a just world. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable challenges, and tempting to not take action on big societal issues like inequity because, well, what can we do anyway? But while it’s true that none of us can individually create the systemic changes that are needed … Continue reading Parenting, Privilege, & Building a Just World →

Holding the Calm with Hesha Abrams

Guests, Parenting, , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:02 — )

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Holding the calm, says Hesha Abrams, is an essential skill for resolving conflict and diffusing tension. Conflict and tension trigger an individual’s amygdala, the “reptilian” part of the brain that initiates the flight-flight-or-freeze response. And when the amygdala is activated, the human body goes into a refractory state for about 20 minutes. Our eyes and … Continue reading Holding the Calm with Hesha Abrams →

Parenting Through Health Challenges

Guests, Health, , , , , ,

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Parenting inevitably includes health challenges. Kids get sick. Parents get sick. And injuries and accidents happen more often than we’d like. Learning how to manage a medical diagnosis — and navigate the health system — is a crucial parenting skill. “Boy mom” and COVID, cancer and heart failure survivor Jen Singer has more medical system … Continue reading Parenting Through Health Challenges →

Gender Equality, Boys and Men

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Doing more for boys and men does not require an abandonment of the ideal of gender equality. In fact, it is a natural extension of that. — Richard V. Reeves Those words are from a new book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to Do About … Continue reading Gender Equality, Boys and Men →

Step in or Step Back?

Parenting, , , ,

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Independence is good for kids.  Helicopter parenting is bad for kids. But figuring out when to step in or step back…well, that’s a challenge! When another boy punched her 11 year old son in the face during hockey practice, writer and “boy mom” Caren Chesler acted immediately. “I had one leg over the half-wall and … Continue reading Step in or Step Back? →

Braden Bell Explains Middle School Boys

Guests, Parenting, , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:33 — )

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Middle school boys may seem messy and mysterious, but they’re also entertaining, challenging, and inspiring, says Braden Bell. The middle school years are “a wonderful, magical moment,” says Bell, an experienced educator, father, and grandfather. “It’s important to keep in mind that we are not raising 6th graders, we are not raising 7th graders — … Continue reading Braden Bell Explains Middle School Boys →

Michael Gurian on Raising Boys

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.redcircle-link:link { color: #ea404d; text-decoration: none; } .redcircle-link:hover { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:active { color: #ea404d; } .redcircle-link:visited { color: #ea404d; } Powered by RedCircle   When Michael Gurian published The Wonder of Boys in 1996, there “wasn’t any national consciousness about boys’ issues,” he says. A quarter century later, there are dozens of books … Continue reading Michael Gurian on Raising Boys →