We must support the bully if we want to stop bullying! Bullying! It’s an ugly word because it involves ugly actions. This little word can stir the strongest emotions in people from all walks of life. Why? Because bullying doesn’t discriminate, and a substantial portion of the population have been scared by a bully. Bullying…
When one of your children, (student or biological) is hysterical because they’ve just had an accident or some sort of perceived trauma, what’s your first challenge? You need to understand what has happened, so you can soothe them. This of course is impossible if the child is blabbering and sobbing incomprehensibly. Your naturally wise self…
In September of 2005, Martha Cothren, a social studies schoolteacher from Arkansas did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal, and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom. The kids came into first period, they walked in;…
When we teach children to be kind to animals, we’re showing them the importance of extending compassion and empathy to other living beings. It’s an important and valuable lesson that will help them connect on many levels. Animals can teach kids about empathy, kindness, and self-esteem. One research paper said: “Studies on pet ownership and social…
You often talk about the positive influences of teachers on Ripple Kindness, and I couldn’t agree more, and I want to share how a teacher has helped me. I’m a student and I was struggling recently with an issue that I didn’t feel comfortable sharing with my family. I have a teacher who is a…
Gratitude … goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past, I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude…
Some children spend more of their time awake at school than they do in their own homes. That’s a big thing when you’re still growing and learning. It’s a big thing too for parents to entrust their precious ones to others, sometimes strangers, during these vital years. Especially as much of a child’s developing personality…
You’ve heard the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child”. When it comes to their education, the same principle should be applied in the form of a positive and proactive partnership between teachers, student and parents. I’m a huge advocate for clear, open communication between all parties to avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary…
The Knit-For Service Club began in 2004 with twenty members and has grown to eighty-plus boys and girls who knit to help others. The first year, we made one patchwork blanket to donate to Harold, the King of the Valentine’s Day Dance, at his retirement home. Since then, we have collectively knit over two dozen…
Inside: Simple and effective ways to build resilient, mindful, and focused learners through SEL, brain breaks, and calming classroom strategies. Includes practical tips, real examples, and free mindfulness printables to help students regulate emotions, manage stress, and thrive at school. As a mother of three teenage daughters and an experienced elementary school teacher, I am…
Learn about body safety from child advocate and author Jayneen Sanders We teach our children water safety and road safety — it is equally important to teach our children ‘body safety’ from a very young age. As both a teacher and a mother, I strongly recommend to all parents that ‘body safety’ become a normal…
What is the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? Have you ever been asked to do a task – maybe you were starting a new job – and you believed before you started that you wouldn’t be good at it? Maybe you thought to yourself, ‘I am not going to be able to do this,’ only to try it…