Back-to-school has become very commercialized over the years, so it’s easy to forget the things that really matter when it comes to preparing our kids for a new school year – like an eye exam! It is recommended that all children get an eye exam from a Doctor of Optometry before starting school for the […] Read more…
How To *Really* Have Kids Ready For Back-to-School – TV segment
Last night on CHEX Daily I chatted with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson about three non-academic areas you can focus on to make sure your child is really ready to head back to school (or head to school for the very first time): prioritizing sleep, building independence and easing jitters – theirs and maybe […] Read more…
Kate’s Favourite Things – August 2015
I have a jam-packed edition of Kate’s Favourite Things for you this month, because when I’m on holidays I have the time to soak a lot up – especially books! To save time and space, I’ll spare you a personal review of each book (I’m linking to Chapters so you can find them), but rest […] Read more…
Help Me Out, Win a $25 Tim Hortons Gift Card!
Hello, lovely reader! Yes, I’m talking to you! I’m working on an exciting new project (more details to come) and I need some reader input – in fact, as much as possible – from Canadian parents of school-aged children. If you fit the bill and you would be so kind as to answer the questions […] Read more…
Fun and Easy Summer Learning Ideas
In my latest post for Oxford Learning, I’m sharing some easy tips for holiday brain boosting – no textbooks or worksheets required! The list includes reading (with a link to popular family read-alouds), writing, math and questioning. Just because I’m a teacher, that doesn’t mean my kids are overworked on holidays. I’m an admitted screen-lover […] Read more…
Help Your Kids “Measure” Up This Summer
…and by “measure” up, I mean help reinforce measurement skills this summer. It’s so easy, and the kids won’t even know they’re doing math! In my latest CHEX Daily segment (just days before my first anniversary as a guest on the show) I chat with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson about all of the […] Read more…
Parents: 5 Tips For Fostering a Growth Mindset in Your Kids
I’ve written about (and gone on TV to talk about) growth mindset before, and I recently had the chance to write an article all about it for Oxford Learning. In the article, I’m sharing what it means to have a growth mindset and why it’s so important for your kids (and you!) as well as […] Read more…
School Year Wrap-Up Ideas For Parents (TV segment)
In case you haven’t noticed, the school year is quickly winding down! Last night on CHEX Daily, I chatted with hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson about some things to keep in mind as your child’s school year draws to a close, such as: the number one question to ask your child’s teacher before the […] Read more…
My Faves From the Today’s Parent List of Top 100 Canadian Kids’ Books of All Time
When Today’s Parent recently released a list of the Top 100 Canadian Kids’ Books of All Time, (based on expert input from coast to coast) I thought it was a great idea…so great that I decided to chat about it with CHEX Daily hosts Teresa Kaszuba and Mike Judson in my latest Teacher, Teacher appearance. […] Read more…
Hair Donation Day 2015 – Amazing Girls & Generous Sponsors!
As you may remember, last year our school held our first ever Wigs For Kids assembly, where several students (including my two daughers) and one teacher (yep, me!) donated their hair. As soon as the event ended, I had girls lining up to participate for 2015…and this year’s initiative was another success! Here’s one last […] Read more…