RLL 28 Sarita Holzmann: Using Books to Make Learning Come to Life
Books can be a great way to get kids excited about learning. GREAT literature can go even further and make learning come alive for the whole family. Today, Colleen talks to Sarita Holzman, founder of the Sonlight Curriculum all about using books to ignite a love of...
The Non-STEM Gifted Kid
You’ve got an image already conjured up in your mind, a stereotype if we’re honest, of a gifted kid. She’s got glasses, probably, or maybe he’s even wearing a bowtie and suspenders. She’s at the chalkboard solving a math problem several...
RLL 27: Challenging Gifted Kids vs. Pushing Them
Parents of gifted kiddos often worry whether they’re challenging their kids enough or pushing them too hard. In this episode we examine the difference between pushing and appropriately challenging our kids, while acknowledging that those who aren’t raising...
RLL LIVE | Anxiety and Gifted/2e Kids
Gifted and twice-exceptional kiddos often struggle with anxiety. Join us as we chat about what that might look like and how we can help our kids out. This video was originally recorded on Facebook Live. To see real-time comments, watch it here. Links and...
RLL 26 Tiffany Dahle: Cooking with Your Kids
There are so many wonderful benefits to getting kids in the kitchen early on, but have you ever thought about cooking as a way to build confidence and combat perfectionism? Really! Today, Colleen talks to Tiffany Dahle, author of The Ultimate Kids’...
When You Have to Say “No” | Respecting Your Child’s Sensory Needs
It really was a cute invitation. It was brightly-colored, covered in exciting graphics, and littered with exclamation marks. Everything about this party invitation screamed fun. It was going to be at a local trampoline park, one of our favorite places, where they were...
RLL LIVE | Survival Mode for Parents of Quirky Kids
Sometimes parenting differently-wired kiddos is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. Gifted and twice-exceptional children think differently, process differently, and have different levels of intensity. And it means that sometimes we’re just in survival mode....
Games to Help Improve Your Kid’s Emotional Intelligence
We all want our kids to develop a strong emotional intelligence. Let’s give them a hand by using play to strengthen their skills. Since we know that emotions can be overwhelming for kids, it’s our job to give them the tools they need to cope with the ups...
RLL 25: Fall Plans for Eclectic Homeschooling
It’s back to school time, and all over the internet — in your Instagram feeds, on your favorite bloggers’ sites, and on Facebook — you’re faced with a peek into what everyone’s doing to get ready for back to school. And,...
Code Your World | 4-H National Youth Science Day
My daughter was asking me the other day about 4-H — a few friends of hers participate in various activities and she was interested in learning more. Truthfully, I didn’t know much about 4-H when she asked me about it, and like so many people out there, assumed that...
Using Drawing to Promote Learning in Your Home
“Mom! Can I read you the book I wrote?” My daughter came running towards me, waving a once-blank book in the air, a huge smile on her face. This kiddo struggles to read, but has been a writer for years. She’s forever sketching out the things she...
Let’s Talk About Emotional Overexcitability
One of my favorite movies will forever be Mean Girls. I had no idea when I was quoting it as a teenager that I’d still be quoting it as an adult, but here we are. Glen Coco and fetch and grool – they all have their place in my daily speech, but the line...
The Best Books for Teaching About Executive Functions Skills
It is incredibly difficult to watch your child struggle when it comes to planning, staying organized, and regulating their emotions. When we witness this struggle, as parents, we know there has to be a way to help them find not only tools, but tools that really work....
What Makes the Best Umbrella STEM Challenge
STEM activities are a lot of fun and educational, but the best kind of STEM activities are open-ended, allowing children to think for themselves. In this umbrella STEM challenge, kids are challenged to make an umbrella from household supplies. They must follow all...
The Self-Driven Child Book Club
“Mom! I’ve read about book clubs — you know, where a group of people get together after reading the same book, and then talk about the book. Doesn’t it sound amazing? My friends and I were over there talking and we want to start one. May...
Getting Away with the Girls | Visiting Frankenmuth, MI
“Oh! You just made my night,” my husband’s aunt exclaimed as I answered her call. “I heard your message while I waited in the ER.” It had been a rough night for her, ending with a trip to the emergency room because she’d cut herself...
Make a Paperclip Float Science Experiment
Surface tension is an interesting scientific concept that is difficult for most kids to understand. But with this paperclip experiment, it becomes much easier for kids to understand as they can see it work right before their eyes! The floating paperclip science...
RLL 24: Asynchrony, Intensity, and Motivation | A Listener Question
Today, Tiffany asks about asynchronous development in gifted kiddos, how to help manage intensity, and tips for motivating gifted kids. It’s a jam-packed half hour and there are loads of resources to sift through in the show notes. You’re going to need...
Marshmallow Shape Towers STEM Challenge
STEM activities are a lot of fun and educational, but the best kind of STEM activities are open-ended, allowing children to think for themselves. In this marshmallow shape towers STEM challenge, kids are challenged to make a marshmallow tower, but not only make a...
RLL 23 Mahayla West: Trusting Your Kids
It’s so easy for homeschool moms to doubt. We’re in the thick of things, right? Doing it all… worrying about it all… and not able to see what will happen on the other side. There are no guarantees in parenting, nor are there in...
What You Won’t Find at a Homeschool Convention
It’s no secret that I love Great Homeschool Conventions. I’ve had the privilege of attending and partnering with them for years now and I am always impressed with how GHC cares about homeschool families, how they respond to needs and bring in speakers to...
RLL 22: Finding a Homeschool Co-op and Creating Killer Classes | A Listener Question
As homeschooling parents of outliers, we sometimes feel isolated, and co-ops can fill a need for both our children and ourselves. In this episode, Colleen tackles a question about creating an amazing co-op class from listener, Wendy, but also dives into the different...
Make a Paper Plate Maze STEM Challenge
STEM activities are a lot of fun and educational, but the best kind of STEM activities are open-ended, allowing children to think for themselves. In this paper plate maze STEM challenge, kids are challenged to make a marble maze using household materials. They must...
RLL 21 Kaylene George: Embracing Autism
“Autism is NOT the Big Bad Wolf… Your child is going to have joy. Your child is going to have a life…” This inspiring episode challenges all of us to rethink autism and how we interact with autistic friends and family members. Kaylene...Welcome!
Hi! I'm Colleen, gifted specialist, educational consultant, author, speaker, and homeschool mom of four gifted/twice-exceptional kids.
Grab a cup of coffee, some of that chocolate you're hiding from the kids, and join me as I learn, experiment, and explore with my kiddos -- and hopefully inspire you a little in your journey alongside smart, quirky, creative kids, too!
Inspire Creativity… Effortlessly!
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