Funderstanding is pleased to be presenting the final article in a series of three by contributor Lori Day. The series has focused on providing tools for parents, students and educators to effectively navigate the often challenging middle school years. In case you missed the first two articles, they can be found here and here. Sometimes I don’t know what is harder—being a middle schooler, or being the parent of one.  I’ve always felt that the wounds your child receives cut you more deeply than those received personally. I sometimes say that seventh grade was the worst year of my life. Many [...]

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Funderstanding is pleased to be presenting the second article in a series of three by contributor Lori Day. The series will focus on providing tools for parents, students and educators to effectively navigate the often challenging middle school years. In case you missed the first introductory article, it can be found at: http://www.funderstanding.com/gurus/a-middle-school-survival-kit-for-students-parents-and-educators/.

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  Funderstanding is pleased to be presenting this first article in a series of three by contributor Lori Day. The series will focus on providing tools for parents, students and educators to effectively navigate the often challenging middle school years. 

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As a parent, we want to encourage our kids to think for themselves and make smart, positive decisions. But, sometimes, we get stuck on wanting things to be done to our own expectations and a helping hand is offered before the child can think or do something or themselves. And there are those moments where we become “helicopter parents” where more time is spent focusing on directing the child’s behavior instead of nurturing it. The developing brain is an amazing thing, and all these aspects play a role on how it advances.

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Language is a funny thing. As parents, we spend many months encouraging our little ones to utter their first words and begin their voyage through language. During the school years, teachers pound proper grammar into kids’ heads. It usually is not until children reach the middle years of their schooling that they are potentially offered the opportunity to learn a second language. But, is it too late? What is the optimal age for learning a foreign language? The Brain and Learning a Foreign Language The brain learns in amazing ways. Our brains have many compartments that are in charge of [...]

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Things are pretty quiet in the other room and you begin to wonder what your child is up to. You sneak a peak around the corner and observe her sitting with a stuffed bunny delicately wrapping its ear with a napkin. You continue to watch as she gently places the wounded stuffed bunny on a blanket and pretends makes a nice pot of hot tea to share. You may think it is just fun and games, but your child is learning through that imaginary play, expanding her vocabulary, and encouraging brain development. Imaginary Play and Learning The understanding that playing [...]

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At twenty four months, your baby can remember the faces of the people closest to him or her. Often, this is why a child will cry when separated from their primary caregivers. This visual stage is very important to future development. “The ability to see and hear forms a crucial part of brain development in children. At this stage, parents must introduce the child to various colors, shapes and sounds to stimulate this area of brain,” according to Buzzle. There are many other ideas you can use to introduce your child to other influential factors. Influential factors There are a [...]

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Children go through developmental stages in art helping them hone their budding skills and explore their creativity. Once a child figures out they can make somewhat representational squiggles, they have embarked into the Preschematic stage of art. These potato shaped figures with stick arms and legs might not seem like much, but are a child’s first representations of people. Encouraging his drawings aides in his future cognitive and creative development.   The Preschematic Stage of Art Viktor Lowenfeld, author of Creative and Mental Growth, describes the Preschematic stage as a time when the schema (the visual idea) is developed. A [...]

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back to school, your child decides differently. Upon arrival, he screams, wails, clutches your clothes with a grip of steel, and refuses to be dropped-off. Many parents dread returning to school after the long summer break knowing full well they will be dealing with child separation anxiety issues. Along with understanding what separation anxiety is, there are several simple ways to save the morning from separation anxiety meltdowns that should help you and your child have a wonderful day. What is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is a healthy and normal way children express [...]

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