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Imagination

skeptic teenager

Skeptic or Cynic? How to Model Positive Skepticism to Children

Skeptics has been given a bad rap in modern society. Why? Because skepticism is often confused with cynicism. Let’s explore the distinctions and why it’s important to teach children the art of becoming a skeptic. A cynic distrusts most information they see or hear, particularly when it challenges their own […]

Curiosity
Caring children

New Strategies to Grow Caring Children & Compassionate Citizens

Do you describe your sons, daughters, or students as caring children? In today’s divided political climate, does it matter if children and teens find meaningful ways to connect with and care about others who are different from themselves? The importance of educating and raising caring children was brought to national […]

Empathy
positive youth development

Positive Youth Development: Research, Principles, and Practices

Positive youth development is the practice of nurturing core internal strengths and abilities in children and teens. It is about providing opportunities for youth to believe in themselves and their abilities to influence their lives and the world around them.  As families, schools, and communities, we share one goal.  We want […]

Compass-Inspired

Good Grades May Harm Student Health

Good grades are positive, right? The answer is not as straightforward as you might imagine. Of course, good grades can be terrific. That is, unless the stress of getting them causes children to feel unworthy or fail to develop abilities that matter much more than grades. Even for children who […]

Compass-Inspired
Parenting Educators to Follow

Parenting Educators to Follow!

Finding exceptional parenting educators can be challenging in the Information Age, even when every conceivable parenting topic can be instantly found via a search engine. Parents can share their experiences with “Mommy or Daddy Bloggers” and get feedback from almost anyone willing to respond to questions. But in the end, […]

Compass-Inspired
Empathy comes from the heart

How to Teach Empathy: A Framework for Parents and Teachers

Learning how to teach empathy begins with the nurturing relationships we enjoy with children. Empathy is our ability to recognize, feel, and respond to the needs and suffering of other people. It is the north point of the Compass Advantage, symbolizing the powerful outward impact that empathy has in our […]

Empathy

The Heart and Science of Raising a Human

When you become a parent, you often have this idealized notion of how it is going to go. You will fall in love with your baby and your baby will fall in love with you. You will figure out how to help them grow. It will all work out. After […]

Compass-Inspired
Family Meetings Can Be Fun, Productive, and Meaningful | Roots of Action

Family Meetings Can Be Fun, Productive, and Meaningful

Family meetings are opportunities for parents and children to discuss important issues, strengthen communication, reinforce values, and nurture positive relationships. Often, parents and kids are reluctant to adopt family meetings because they don’t understand their purpose and structure. Some parents fear it will lessen their authority. Conversely, children may view […]

Compass-Inspired
How Children Learn: Fit, Fairness, and Flexibility | Roots of Action

How Children Learn: Fit, Fairness, and Flexibility

When we understand how children learn best, parents and teachers can be more responsive to young people’s needs as students and lifelong learners. Not all children learn the same way. There are differences in how knowledge is acquired by each child, and this is an often-frustrating reality for parents who […]

Resourcefulness
Benefits of Nature for Children and Families | Roots of Action

Benefits of Nature for Children and Families

What are the benefits of nature? How does nature improve children’s health and well-being? These are a few of many questions addressed by researchers in recent years. The answers provide important insights for families and schools. There are many scientific studies that underscore the benefits of nature, including stress relief, improved […]

Creativity
Creativity Quotes that Inspire Kids’ Inner Genius | Roots of Action

Creativity Quotes That Inspire Kids’ Inner Genius

Can creativity quotes from famous, diverse voices inspire kids to explore their own creative abilities? Absolutely! Like poetry, song, and prose of all kinds, quotes have a unique way of reaching to the core of what humans have learned about themselves for centuries. With the help of adults who take […]

Creativity
Quotes for Kids that Promote Healthy Development | Roots of Action

Quotes for Kids That Promote Healthy Development

If you are wondering how inspiring quotes for kids can encourage self-reflection, critical thinking, and healthy development, this series of articles is for you!  In today’s digital world, adults have discovered an intense interest in quotes and share them widely on social media. Why? Because quotes contain deep seeds of meaning. […]

Compass-Inspired