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Parenting: Ashoka’s Start Empathy Program
Over the past few years, we have heard more and more about the damage and even life-threatening effects that bullying has had on our youth. I think most of us experienced some form of bullying as a kid – but the difference today is the ability for bullying to reach much farther and in some situations more intensely via the Internet. That is why programs like the Ashoka’s Start Empathy initiative are so important to help parents and educators teach children the importance of empathy. I had a chance to speak to the organization about the program and what parents can do to help teach empathy. Tell us about Start Empathy and what its…
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Reflections: The Need to Understand
The Art of Communicating Well: As always is the case, writing a reflections piece for this site with a theme of love or relationships comes out of my personal experience. I teach, and teaching is how I learn. Similar to this reciprocal exchange, writing has long been the tool that I use to teach myself. Today’s idea has been floating around for a while, and I will address it today as means of pinning it down to explore it a little better. Last month I had an ugly breakdown in communication with someone that I respect a great deal. I can count on one hand the amount of times that something like…
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Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph and Hero’s Duty Comic App Review & Giveaway
This week we purchased the newly released Wreck-It Ralph movie DVD and have watched it no less than 20 times! You could say we are big fans of Wreck-It Ralph in this household. My husband and I enjoy watching the movie because it reminds us of the days spent at our local arcade and my daughter loves all the silly jokes. In celebration of the new DVD and Blu-ray release, Disney has provided us with some code to hand out to Penelope’s mates for the awesome Wreck-It Ralph and Hero’s Duty Comic App. I had a chance to review both and really like what each has to offer. Wreck-It…
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In the Spotlight with The Kratt Brothers
Christopher F. “Chris” Kratt and his older brother Martin Kratt grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey. Together they host the television programs Kratts’ Creatures, Zoboomafoo, and Be the Creature (which airs on the National Geographic Channel), and Wild Kratts (which airs on PBS Kids and TVOKids). I had a chance to speak to these energetic brothers who have a real passion for educating kids about wild and sea life. My daughter is quite obsessed with their new show Wild Kratts and had a question of her own to ask the brothers. You have such great enthusiasm for animal and plant life. Have you two always been interested in nature since…
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Parenting: Navigating Pre-Teens with Special Needs
Navigating through the Pre-Teens: For me, the moment my son turned 10 years-old I felt a life as we knew it was about to change. No longer were the days of thinking he’d stay little forever, racing through the house in his undies & a cape, curling up together under the comforter on a cold Saturday morning, or popping him in the good old Radio Flyer and walking around the neighborhood. No, at that 10 year-old moment I felt a noticeable shift in the dynamics of our family…a shift into the unknown. We were headed into uncharted waters, my family and I in a raft, knowingly paddling into…
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Travel: Australia – Your Dream Holiday Down Under
If you’ve ever had Australia on your wish list of places to visit, here’s a taste of some of the amazing things you can see and experience when you visit the Great Southern Land. Harbour Bridge Drive on it, climb up it, walk over it or sail under it, the Harbour Bridge links North Sydney to the city and is affectionately known as the “coathanger”. You can even go on a guided tour and climb up the bridge and enjoy stunning vistas of the city, harbour and beyond. Sydney Opera House You probably recognize this building – Australia’s most famous icon. Perched right on the harbour’s edge, with a magnificent…
