Brain Games for Senior Adults and the Whole Family
Would your rather play Quirkle or Scrabble? If you are in the sandwich generation or living in a multigenerational arrangement, you may be looking for fun and meaningful ways to support the older adults in your life. One of the best tools? Critical thinking activities and brain games for senior adults. Highlights: If you’re part of the sandwich generation or living in a multigenerational household, brain games for senior adults can boost memory, problem-solving, and social connection. From puzzles and strategy games to creative arts and family-friendly activities, these engaging options improve cognitive function while strengthening relationships. Jump to Section Statistics show that brain games for senior adults enhance memory, problem-solving skills, mental flexibility, and concentration. Even better, they provide laughter, conversation, and multigenerational connections. Types of Critical and Creative Thinking Activities Puzzles Sudoku, crosswords, and jigsaw puzzles Strategy games Chess, bridge, Quirkle, checkers Word games Scrabble, Wordle, Bananagrams Creative outlets Learning a new musical instrument Painting, drawing, knitting Exploring a new language Social activities Book clubs Game nights Debate clubs Family dinners These activities are not just pastimes. They increase neuroplasticity, improve cognitive function, enhance mental flexibility, and support overall mental well-being. Most importantly, they bring people together. Getting…
Advocate for Your Child at School: Questions Every Parent Should Ask
What questions can you ask to advocate for your child at school? Being an advocate for your child at school can feel overwhelming. You want to give them the skills to speak up for themselves, but at the same time, you may not know what to say, what to ask, or how to navigate the school system either. The good news? You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need the right questions, a willingness to listen, and the confidence to use your voice as an advocate for your child at school. Summary: Knowing how to advocate for your child at school helps parents partner with teachers, counselors, and principals. Across U.S. public, private, and charter schools, using your rights under IDEA, Section 504, and FERPA ensures your child gets the support they need to succeed. Jump to Section This guide breaks down what to ask and how to advocate for your child at school during the elementary, middle, and high school years. Each section includes practical questions you can take to teachers, counselors, or administrators, along with suggestions to help you partner effectively with your child’s education team. Elementary School What Questions Can You Ask to Be…
The Surprising Benefits of Online Tutoring for Tutors and Families
Would you rather have an online tutor or in person? Do you ever feel like you’re running a taxi service for your kids? From school and sports to after-school activities and tutoring sessions, the endless driving can leave you exhausted. But what if you could get all the academic support your child needs without ever leaving the house? Online tutoring isn’t for everyone, but for me and my clients, the benefits of online tutoring have been a game-changer. My full-time teaching job wasn’t flexible enough to accommodate the demands of being in the “sandwich generation,” a role many of us find ourselves in today. I was constantly balancing the needs of my older kids and my aging parents, needing an hour here and there for a doctor’s appointment or a school performance. I didn’t need to take a full day off, but that was often my only option. Online tutoring has been the perfect solution for me, and I’ve found it’s a solution that works for busy families, too. So, what are the benefits of online tutoring for everyone involved? I’ve seen them firsthand, and they’re more than just convenience. For Busy Families: Less Stress, More Flexibility No More Commuting:…
In Case of Emergency Binder
Where do you store your In Case of Emergency Binder? Table of Contents Do you have a single place that holds all the important information you or your next of kin would need during a crisis, an In Case of Emergency Binder? When my kids were little, I had babysitter instructions on the counter and an accordion folder with school, medical, and household documents. Now my conversations with friends sound different: Would we even know where to find all the important paperwork in our parents’ homes? Do they have an in case of emergency binder or anything close to it? This binder goes by many names: family emergency binder, next of kin box, in case of emergency file, even the slightly morbid “death binder.” Let’s just call it what it is: an In Case of Emergency (ICE) Binder. Why You Need an In Case of Emergency Binder Life happens. Instead of worrying about “what if,” spend a little time pulling together the information your loved ones would need if they had to step in. It’s not just about death. It can be as practical as leaving your house sitter instructions for how to shut off the water main and who…
Help – What to Do If Your Kid Doesn’t Like Reading
Would you rather read a chapter book or a magazine? As a lifelong book lover, it’s hard for me to imagine not enjoying a good story or losing myself in a book. But as a tutor, I hear it all the time: “My kid doesn’t like reading.” Parents are often frustrated, unsure how to encourage their children without turning reading into a battle. Here’s the good news: most kids who say they don’t like reading simply haven’t found the right kind of material yet. Notice that word yet. Just like finding a favorite food, sport, or hobby, discovering a love for reading takes exposure, experimentation, and patience. Why Your Child Says He or She “Doesn’t Like Reading” If your child doesn’t like reading, it may not be because they dislike stories or learning. Instead, they may have: Only been exposed to one kind of text (like chapter books). Struggled with reading comprehension or fluency. Associated reading with schoolwork or tests instead of fun. Not yet discovered a topic or format that excites them. The truth is, every child can enjoy reading; it’s just a matter of finding the right doorway. Expand the Definition of Reading When we think about “reading,”…
From Problems to Solutions: Creative and Critical Thinking Activities for Kids
What are 5 items you could use in a dinner menu that begin with the same letter as your name? One of the best ways to sharpen critical thinking skills is to practice them! Whether it’s bell ringers in the classroom or a conversation at the dinner table, make critical thinking activities for kids routine, not random. Constructing solutions to problems will become more natural and less risky to experiment with and discuss as you build real skills with guided support. Here are explanations and examples for creative and critical thinking activities to help you get started, whether you are a parent, tutor, or teacher. Why This Matters We all know kids and adults who freeze when there’s no clear answer to a question. Are they afraid of giving a wrong answer, or are they uncomfortable with critical thinking? Critical thinking is an important life skill. Rote learning is not enough. Students need to be able not only to solve problems but also to understand them and rethink them. The good news is that these are skills that can be taught with creative and critical thinking activities for kids. Critical thinking focuses on analyzing information and making judgements or drawing…
10 Tips on How to use an Agenda
What is the read, write, read, write method for homework agendas or planners? Not every student knows how to use an agenda or planner. Or how to use an agenda well. Time management and organization are life skills that are important to teach students. Before a student can understand how to plan out projects, they must first know how to do the basics. Many of my tutoring clients tell me they do not need an agenda because they can just look at the list of assignments on a website, but this does not teach them time management skills, nor does it help them chunk large projects into manageable pieces. Neither are most students capable of keeping all that info “in my head” as their main strategy for remembering all their homework assignments, but I do hear that option quite a bit! I find that sometimes we expect students to automatically know how to use their agenda, and we mean more than just copying down the word “homework” in today’s calendar box. To help students, I created a printable with 10 tips on how to use an agenda for beginners and the easy-to-remember “read, write, read, write” method. For a simple…
Easy At Home Preschool Plan
What is your weekly plan for at home preschool? The internet is overflowing with amazing ideas for doing simple “school” at home preschool, but it can be overwhelming to sift through it all. If you’re looking for a starting point that’s simple, meaningful, and flexible, here’s a weekly plan you can begin today, plus a free printable planning sheet to help you organize your ideas. Real-Life Learning: My Approach With a degree in education, many people assumed I’d have my kids memorizing flashcards and reading novels before kindergarten. But instead of formal lessons, I leaned into play. I naturally wove in numbers, letters, and Bible verses into our daily routines while building a joyful foundation for lifelong learning and critical thinking. Letting learning unfold through play is a beautiful thing, but a little structure can go a long way. Just like you’d stock a homework corner with sharpened pencils and paper, having a few simple resources on hand helps parents, grandparents, and caregivers build learning moments into everyday life. The goal is to create plans that were simple, flexible, and joyful. Weekly Themes to Guide Your Week A great way to begin is by focusing on a Letter of the…
Are You a Risk Taker
What are your views on taking risks? I was recently asked about my views on taking risks. Good question! I’m a risk taker to a degree. I like to research my options, create a flexible plan, and then try it out. I’m not reckless, but I’m also not afraid to pivot when needed. That blend of preparation and adaptability has served me well in both life and business. The definition of risk taking, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the act or fact of doing something that involves danger or risk in order to achieve a goal. It’s a decision made even though there’s uncertainty about the outcome, cost, or benefits. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting Tailor Joy LLC. I left a full-time teaching job without a mapped-out future, knowing only that I needed work that fit my “caregiving for aging parents” season of life and still allowed me to do what I love: teach. I didn’t have a business plan, an elevator pitch, or branding. But I got started anyway, and I learned as I went. That risk turned into a thriving business that I love. I’ve also taken risks to open my home and…
Smart Budgeting for Teens Who Struggle with Planning
What is the most important financial literacy skill teens need before becoming adults? Teaching smart budgeting for teens who struggle with planning requires tailored strategies that account for executive function challenges. By making financial concepts visual and concrete, simplifying choices to reduce overwhelm, and implementing consistent routines, parents can empower their teens. These financial skills are crucial for independence for any teen, but may be harder for some to learn than others. Patience and modeling will help make these skills part of everyday life for families. Here are 4 tips for budgeting for teens, including practical budgeting activities especially for neurodivergent youth. 1. Make it Visual Abstract concepts like “money” and “saving” can be very difficult for kids and teens with executive function challenges to grasp. They benefit from seeing and touching. Tip: Continue to use visual aids and physical money, but transition to digital tracking alongside physical. Emphasize how money moves and grows (or shrinks). Practical Activity: Digital + Physical Tracking Combination: Help them set up a simple spreadsheet or a beginner budgeting app (like Monarch or You Need A Budget – YNAB, or even a simple notes app) for tracking income and expenses. However, still have a physical…