Tag Archives: childhood development

Parenting Blues during the Middle School Years!

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Parenting Blues during Middle School IN all my work with middle school families over twenty seven years in independent school, this is still a truism: when they are at their most variable and vulnerable, so are we… Thanks, Mary Murphy, … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescent development, body image, childhood development, education, parenting middle school aged children, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, wall street journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Atlantic: parental pressure…

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am forever pushing back against the demonization of parents. Many of us are doing the best we can, or at least the best we think we should be doing. There are some sobering facts here, and again, I am … Continue reading →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, body image, childhood development, education, fear, grit, leadership in children, The Atlantic Monthly | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

young children and language

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I love the concept behind this. Everything is language. All language counts. Brains are malleable. Having very young children in a language-rich environment can have a profoundly positive impact. Love live early childhood literacy. Great lessons and ideas about the … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How work is more like preschool; and is this a good thing?

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The beauty of the social emotional curriculum at Seven Hills is that it begins with our youngest learners and follows them all the way through their experience at school. This year, some of our youngest learners are working with KIMOCHIS, … Continue reading →

Posted in childhood development, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Great New Yorker piece on teenage brains!

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This very well written article in The New Yorker, by Elizabeth Kolbert, coalesces some great research and opens up the conversation about WHY teenage brains are so different from adult brains. Fascinating reading, and “sobering” (pun intended!) The Terrible Teens

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Great opening day advice; thanks Jon Eckert!

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a great reminder of why we do what we do. This Op Ed from August 2013 is timely. At Seven Hills School, Jon Eckert would be very happy indeed with his children’s experience! backward design? check make them … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, childhood development, education, parenting 2013 | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment