The 90/10 Principle

It is recorded in Proverbs that King Soloman taught "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." To think that we might truly have control over 90% of our lives because we can determine our reactions is a powerful thought indeed~

Self-control in childhood predicts future success - Boston.com

We are a generation of parents who have the luxury of contemplating our children's self-esteem rather than worrying about their basic needs. However our discomfort with their discomfort has at times resulted in a diminished focus in their character training. This is a great article reminding us of the importance of self-control.

Self-control in childhood predicts future success - Boston.com

Happy Mother's Day

The best academy, a mother's knee.
-James Russell Lowell

Time is Irreversible

With children in their preteen and teen years, I am shocked at how time is truly speeding by. A few questions for us to reflect upon:

-Do I really need to take on this new project/assignment that will cause me to work over the weekend?
-Can I put down this chore and play this game right now because he is asking me to?
-Can I shut my laptop because she is trying to talk to me about her week?
-Is there anyway we can work out our schedules, cut back our expenses, so the children don't have to be at school from 7:15 AM to 6:00 PM?

This is a sobering song; I believe especially poignant to us who live in greater Boston. On that note, I am powering down this laptop and going to check on my girl. She wants to learn how to tie a tie for her outfit~

Curious George - Cause and Effect

Susan Callender Teaches Etiquette

(Photo by Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)

Susan Callender teaches etiquette, beyond the salad fork - The Boston Globe

Love the Etiquette Tips for Children which were on the same page as the article:

1. Children should understand at an early age the importance of eye contact, a firm handshake, and gracious greetings.

2. Children should practice deference and respect for all grown-ups.

3. Children who practice kindness and gratitude at home will find social situations at school and elsewhere instinctively easier.

4. Giving and receiving compliments sincerely builds self-esteem.

5. “Please’’ and “thank you’’ are more than magic words. The former acknowledges not everything in the world belongs to you; the latter affirms that what you have is a consequence of a connection to others.

Salman Khan Talk at TED 2011 (from ted.com)

Of interest:

8:00 Great analogy about mastery and Swiss cheese proficiency

11:15 How to use the valuable teacher-to-student instructional time

This is an amazing example of using real time data

14:00 It's about giving children the right kind of learning or re-learning opportunities in specific skill areas rather than tracking and labeling students as struggling or gifted.