Raising Lifelong Learners
Colleen Kessler
The Raising Lifelong Learners podcast helps homeschooling parents encourage their differently-wired kids to learn, explore passions, cultivate creativity, and become fascinated by the world around them. Join host Colleen Kessler -- educational consultant, gifted specialist, author, and speaker -- for interviews, audioblogs, tips, and encouragement to help your differently-wired kiddos become lifelong learners -- children who know that they can find the answers to anything they want to know if they can just view their world with play, passion, and fascination.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2020 • 1h 18min
RLL 68: Self-Directed Education with Peter Gray, PhD
Today, Colleen speaks with Peter Gray, PhD and author of “Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life.” Peter and Colleen discuss his journey to understanding how self-directed learning is a most successful model of education, empowering kids to take ownership of their learning from young ages.
May 6, 2020 • 47min
RLL 67: Ideas for Nurturing Our Kids' Strengths
Research shows that when we encourage our learners to pursue their interests and utilize their strengths in their learning, we can also see gains in areas that they aren't as strong in. Colleen dives a little deeper into understanding what strength based learning is and how there are simple, practical steps we can take to nurture our kids’ strengths.
Apr 29, 2020 • 1h 6min
RLL #66: Strength Based Learning With Differently-Wired Kids
In today’s podcast, Colleen talks with Shawna Wingert of Different By Design Learning about taking a strength-based approach and using it in our homeschooling in a way that encourages and empowers our differently-wired kiddos in their learning.
Apr 22, 2020 • 9min
RLL #65: Navigating Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Kids
Gifted children have characteristics that can often cause them to struggle socially and emotionally. In today’s episode, Colleen shares an audioblog — an article that first appeared on the site — outlining some common challenges facing gifted kids and offering real guidance to help you help your child manage his or her emotions.
Apr 15, 2020 • 28min
RLL #64 What To Do When School Doesn't Work
School choice is extremely personal. It really comes down to what are you most comfortable with, what can you afford and what kinds of sacrifices are you willing to make with regards to this decision for educating your differently-wired kiddos. In today’s solocast, Colleen discusses the different options to best meet your children’s needs when school just doesn’t work.
Apr 8, 2020 • 42min
RLL #63: Creating a Business with Kids with Sara Tullos
Today, we talk with Sara Tullos about the genesis of her "My Zoo Box" subscription box and how she meets the needs of her inquisitive and quirky five year old by homeschooling.
Apr 1, 2020 • 12min
RLL#62: Why Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child?
The longer I homeschool my gifted children, and the more I see and talk to other parents of gifted and twice-exceptional kids, the more I believe that homeschooling is the best educational option for our nation’s above-average children. In today's episode, Colleen shares an audioblog -- an article that first appeared on the site. She makes a strong case for how best to meet our gifted children's needs while spelling out the very real benefits of homeschooling.
Mar 25, 2020 • 29min
RLL #61: Let's Talk About Anxiety
While this podcast episode was recorded before all the COVID-19 stuff hit, and things were relatively normal, I felt it important to share it with you. In this episode I talk about five simple things you can do with your anxious kiddos to help them right now. Right now, anxieties are high. Kids are worrying. Adults are worrying. We're all kind of in this big ole anxiety boat together. We could really use some solidarity and support right now.
Mar 11, 2020 • 39min
RLL#60: Raising Differently-Wired Kids with Debbie Reber
Differently-wired kiddos require a major shift in parenting philosophies and practices, and today's guest is no stranger to shaking things up. Debbie Reber, founder of the Tilt Parenting podcast and author of Differently-Wired: Rasing an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, has a lot to say about bringing up neurodiverse kiddos. Join Colleen and Debbie as they talk school choices, parenting shifts, and the news of the brand-new paperback version of Differently-Wired in bookstores everywhere!
Feb 26, 2020 • 13min
RLL #59: [Audioblog] Gifted Kids Are Gonna Gift
I laugh, I shrug, I shake my head. My kids are gifted, and sometimes they're just gonna gift. It's time that we stop apologizing for it... In today's episode, Colleen shares an audioblog -- an article that first appeared on the site. Written by contributor Jen Vail, this audioblog uses humor to help parents appreciate their quirky kids for exactly who they are.
