The Self-Driven Child

Parent educator and admissions expert Wendy Wilkinson shares valuable insights on finding the right school for your child, handling learning differences, involving children in school decisions, and navigating the school admissions process. Tips on identifying when a school change might be necessary and evaluating schools for a good fit are also discussed.

Kaity Broadbent, Head of learning at Prenda, shares insights on creating nurturing learning environments. Topics include the impact of empathy on child development, ineffective motivational methods, importance of stress management, and strategies for fostering supportive relationships with children.

Join me as I chat with Kaity Broadbent, a trailblazer in education! We explore mastery-based learning, student autonomy, and the revolution of micro-schools. Kaity shares insights on individualized learning, self-determination theory, and the importance of relatedness, competency, and autonomy in education.

Psychologist William Stixrud, Ph.D., discusses college readiness, emphasizing emotional resilience over academic preparation. They cover mental health challenges, stress management, life skills, self-care, and the importance of sleep for adolescent brain development. Strategies for high-achieving students, self-evaluation, and stress relief are also discussed, highlighting the transition to college and sustainable success.

Seasoned higher education expert Jeff Selingo delves into the chaos of college admissions, discussing the evolution of early decision strategies, the commercial dynamics of admissions, the emotional toll on students, the quest for diversity, and the pursuit of a vast applicant pool. He encourages students to broaden their college search, debunking the myth of the 'perfect applicant' and exploring alternative pathways.

Journalist Lisa L. Lewis discusses the importance of sleep for teens and her role in changing school start times in California. She explains how sleep deprivation affects learning and behavior, and provides tips for ensuring teens get enough rest. The episode covers the science of sleep, the impact of irregular sleep on academic performance, and the emotional resilience of sleep-deprived teens.

Discover unique parenting strategies from indigenous communities like the Maya, Inuit, and Hadzabe that focus on cooperation and trust. Learn about emotional regulation techniques and the importance of personalized guidance in raising children. Explore the shift towards collaboration in parenting and the impact of cultural practices on shaping happy, helpful little humans.

The podcast discusses intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, natural consequences, coping skills, and ambivalence towards change. They share advice for parents, laugh about a story from their book, and wish everyone a happy new year.

I have spent over 25 years talking with parents about supporting their kids' education and wellbeing. After a turbulent few years dealing with the pandemic, I offer compassionate reflections on what I’ve learned about helping kids heal up before catching up academically.Episode Highlights:[02:22] - Kids tend to heal up before they catch up academically after disruptions like COVID.[05:11] - Focus on balancing healthy inflows and outflows of stress for families.[07:33] - Importance of parents being a non-anxious presence for kids.[09:44] - Let kids solve their own problems; don't take over.[12:11] - Anecdote about letting his son handle his own last-minute paper crunch.[15:55] - Excelling in college after years of school struggles.[19:22] - Kids want to do well even if they seem resistant.[21:33] - Changing the energy from pressure to support with a struggling student.[25:44] - Taking the long view and having confidence in kids.[27:11] - Things can get better even after really tough years.If this episode has struck a chord with you, remember to rate, follow, and share the Self-Driven Child Podcast. Your support helps us reach more people and create more content that makes a difference. Here's to growing, learning, and thriving as adults in this wild world. Until next time!If you have a high school aged student and would like to talk about putting a tutoring or college plan together, reach out to Ned's company, PrepMatters at www.prepmatters.com

Former Stanford Dean and bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims delves into the exhilarating journey of adulting, emphasizing humility, vulnerability, and the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones for personal growth. Discussions include the power of human connection, embracing diverse narratives, and the vital role of mentors in personal development.