What can travel teach you? One of the joys of home learning is that you can travel without the burden of a traditional school schedule on your shoulders. Visit national monuments in May? Why not? Head south of the Equator in January? Certainly! Travel is also a teacher. Through travel, children experience new places and cultures. They learn the importance of scheduling – not missing trains. They learn the importance of enjoying the moment – the opportunity to try a new food that you might never encounter again. But let’s crib off Seligman and Peterson’s Character Strengths and Virtues for … Continue reading →

Does your child see a need in the community? Does he love to create art, fix computers, or teach others math skills? Creating a small business or organization is an excellent way to build character. What does building a business or a nonprofit teach your child? Building an organization teaches children how to find a passion and pursue it. This zest for an interest and the dogged pursuit of this interest will get you far. Starting an organization or a business gives children and teens the opportunity to determine what they like to do in a very practical, real world … Continue reading →

This week, Paul Tough of the New York Times wrote an article called, “What if the Secret to Success is Failure?” He references the work of Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson, psychologists who have studied character traits and how they shape a person’s success in life. I heartily agree with his line of questioning. What if we don’t learn best by sailing down the smooth path of life? What if we can learn much, much more from our mistakes and the challenging situations that make us pause, worry, and cringe? What then? You see, there’s this worry parents have about … Continue reading →