Affect Academics

09/16/2026

Hey everyone! I am decidedly NOT a social media maven. If you are popping over to learn more about what we do here, I apologize for the lack of updates. I prioritize in person time with children, and it turns out there are only 24 hours in a day. Whose idea was that?? Please know that you can set up a time to chat by emailing Ashley at [email protected]. Half hour initial consults are free of charge and can often help get you on the right path for helping your kiddo thrive.

06/01/2026

As we hurtle down the road of outsourcing human interaction to machines, a little reminder that it's not a good idea for developing minds.

It's okay to wait until there is research showing whether the latest tech is safe for children or not before giving it to them out of fear that they will somehow be "left behind." The research around screen use in early childhood is amassing, and it's not great.

Human brains evolved to learn from other humans, full stop. We are social creatures. Please consider this when evaluating programming for children, both at home and at school.

We may be limiting kids' cognitive and social potential.

11/18/2025

For everyone that has messaged me for a repost, this is one of my favourite dyslexia infographics showing how dyslexia affects more than just reading.

Image: unknown

03/27/2024

I think watching the video is important, but since I often can't do that at work, I figure others can't either, so here it is.

A third grader decided to tally the number of times her classmates interrupted each other after her teacher gave them a lecture. The results:

Girls interrupted girls: 5x
Boys interrupted boys: 5x
Girls interrupted boys: 7x
Boys interrupted girls: 63x

And that's how it begins.

127.8K likes, 1286 comments. “this would never happen in barbieland 😤”

01/22/2024

Hi All, a former student is no longer needing their Fit Desk and is offering it free with donation (of any amount) to World Central Kitchen or HIAS in Portland. Fit Desks are fabulous for students with ADHD, the wiggles, or (like me) get cold just sitting for too long. They are sized for late middle/high school. We have one here at the office and I love it! Please contact Ashley at [email protected] if you'd like it or know of someone who would benefit. Thanks!

01/15/2024

To my educator friends (and parents, please feel free to share with teachers), please take a look. Neuro-affirming education benefits ALL learners, not just neurodiverse ones - they are just the ones who can't thrive without it. These strategies will help increase learning and decrease negative behaviors (again, for ALL students) in your classrooms. Thanks for everything that you do for children!!

12/06/2023

Pretty sure the FB algorithm has given up on me lol, but children are struggling with number sense in school, and there is so much we can do at home to support them through games. So as the holidays arrive, here is my list of games that support math development. If you have an older student who is struggling, games can revisit those early skills in a nonthreatening way. I've starred my faves that I use coooonstantly.

Card games:
7ate9*
SkipBo
Uno
24
Savvy Subitizing
Set
Tiny Polka Dots

Board Games:
Chutes and Ladders
Yahtzee*
Prime Climb*
Equate
Quirkle
Shut the Box*
Robbin' Eggs*
Ten Frame Towers* (this looks like it's for little kids, but my middle schoolers love it too!)

Happy Mathing!

11/16/2023

Many of you may have heard of Structured Word Inquiry as a "new" way to teach spelling. Or maybe you have a child who struggles with spelling, whether due to auditory processing, dysgraphia, dyslexia, or simply the timing of covid on their education, and nothing you've tried has worked. Whatever the reason, teaching spelling matters. It improves reading fluency, the ability to read more complex words, analytical thinking, and even just a love of language. Structured Word Inquiry is a way to use etymology to demystify our spelling system and can be used with children on all parts of the bell curve, from struggling to gifted. Check it out:

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-sense-of-spelling-gina-cookeWhat can spelling tell us about relationships between words? While spelling ma...

11/14/2023

A bit of a PSA for parents and teachers who have children who don't seem to learn language (both spoken and written) as well as others. Developmental Language Disability (DLD) occurs seven times more often than autism, with an expected prevalence of two students per classroom. It has a genetic basis, is not indicative of intelligence, and occurs in all languages. It's also massively under-diagnosed. If you have a student who doesn't seem to be acquiring language in a typical way, please, please refer them to a neuropsychologist for a diagnosis that could change their life trajectory by gaining access to support under IDEA. All children deserve an education.

In response to lobbying from ASHA members and staff, the U.S. Department of Education has clarified that developmental language disorder may be considered a disability under IDEA.