Sproutable

Building a healthy relationship with food for kids - https://mailchi.mp/besproutable/making-dinner-6093734

Why you shouldn't pay your kids to do chores -

Why you shouldn't pay your kids to do chores Paul Tough, author of the bestsellers “How Children Succeed” and “Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why”, distills the fascinating research by University of Rochester professors Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. Their research suggest that children are more likely to display positive ha...

Get your art on -

Get your art on

How do I teach kids to share? -

How do I teach kids to share? It is completely unrealistic, developmentally, to expect young children to share. What you CAN teach them, explicitly is what it means to share (usually taking turns) and the skills they need to be practicing mutually respectful sharing.   You will likely need to teach this over and over until they...

This summer, try a few fun, simple ways to help your kids feel confident and ready for the school year ahead. A little practice really does go a long way for their growing development! We asked teachers what they wish students would brush up on before heading back, and here’s what they had to say.

“I've noticed a significant drop overall in inherent empathy/perspective-taking since 2019-2020. Having real life socialization experiences, even failed ones, have much more profound impact than socialization in the digital space. In a digital space, you can turn off a console or pay to play to overcome adversity. Playing, teamwork, arguing... Even if it's not all positive language, direct and in-person feedback can't be replaced when it comes to socialization and learning to build meaningful relationships and overcoming adversity.”

🌱Sproutable tip: Let kids play! Plan some play dates so they can get some high reps and practice, along with reconnecting with friends before the school year starts. This is also a great time to process tricky friendships and prepare them for navigating friendships.

Swipe through the cards to see three more suggestions from teachers, skills kids can with Sproutable tips for how to practice.

A little intention now goes a long way in helping your child feel confident and capable as they head into a new school year. Keep it light, keep it playful, and focus on connection. You don’t need a full curriculum—just real-life practice, a few games, and some good old-fashioned follow-through. You don’t have to cram it all in—just follow their lead, make it fun, and know that every little effort counts. You've got this (and so do they).

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"Juneteenth (June + nineteenth), also termed Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day is the observance of June 19, 1865 — the day that enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free. This now official U.S. federal holiday has a rich, deep history. " - Tonya Abari

This is a special day! It is about recognition, restoration and celebration. Take time to celebrate with your children by reading one of these books, recommended by the awesome Tonya Abari and :

💜Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

💙The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini (Author) and Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)

💛Opal Lee And What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth by Alice Faye Duncan (Author) and Ketura A. Bobo (Illustrator)

🧡Juneteenth Jamboree by Carol Boston Weatherford (Author) and Yvonne Buchanan (Illustrator)

❤️All Different Now: Juneteenth, The First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson (Author) and E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

💚Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle (Author) and Alex Bostic (Illustrator)

📚The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole-Hannah Jones and Renée Watson (Authors) and Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator)



Juneteenth is a federal holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African American people in the United States. Additionally, Juneteenth is a day to reflect on the atrocities and inequalities that African Americans have faced throughout history and in the present day. Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the new law was not widely enforced throughout the entire United States. In Texas, it took two and a half years for many enslaved people to learn they had been freed. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger and his federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas. He told the enslaved people that they were now free, and he shared the news that the Civil War was over. It is a day of celebration and hope. And, it is also a day to pay honor and respect to the many people who suffered greatly under slavery.

🌱🌞Summer is finally here! The solstice also brings a change in routines. While some sweet lazy days, adventure opportunities, and extra time with siblings can be a bonus, it also means screen time might ramp up. Here are some Positive Discipline tips to (mostly) avoid power struggles, save your sanity, and keep your kiddo’s brain from getting short circuited.

Get curious:
Using connection and curiosity, sit down with your child (or go for a walk!) and ask them what they are excited about for the summer. Ask them what their expectations are for screen time and listen to their answers. What about video games? Messaging with friends? After giving them a chance to share THEIR point of view, then you can share yours. What are your expectations? Goals? What is your “why”? Remind them that you love them and you are excited to spend the summer together and help them continue to grow a healthy brain and body.

Make agreements:
Ask them to start the first draft of the agreement for what screen time will look like this summer. Get specific, get it in writing, and keep going back and forth until the whole family is on board. Use the family meeting space if needed to check in with the draft and come to a mutually respectful agreement, then establish it as part of the routine.

Let routines be the boss:
When they beg, want more time, or ask when they can watch their show, simply ask “when is your screen time?” Stay consistent and firm. As tempting as it is, avoid using screen time for rewards and punishment. Instead, focus on solutions and follow through.

When things go sideways, remember they are practicing and growing new skills. It takes a lot of executive functioning to handle technology (it's powerful!).

Expect progress, not perfection, and approach it from a brain development based lens.

Each child is different for how it affects them and how responsible they are; use this summer as an opportunity to bring awareness and create healthy screen habits that feel right for your family.

DM me with your questions!

What are your summer plans?
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