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,”…
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…
The Art of Asking Questions: How to Develop Critical Thinking in Kids
What do you value more – a good grade or a well written paper? The art of asking questions is one of the most valuable tools we can give children to help them grow into confident, thoughtful, and capable individuals. As parents and tutors, we all want to develop critical thinking in kids, but it doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with curiosity, and curiosity begins with questions. If you have a child in the younger years, you might be hearing a lot of questions already! When kids are encouraged to ask good questions, they begin to understand the world more deeply. This habit leads to better academic performance, stronger relationships, and more independent thinking. The best part? You don’t need a classroom or curriculum to begin. Everyday conversations at the dinner table, in the car, or during tutoring sessions provide rich opportunities to nurture critical thinking. Why Asking Questions Builds Thinking Skills At its core, critical thinking is the ability to process information thoughtfully rather than passively. Children naturally ask questions when they’re curious, but over time, that instinct can fade, often due to pressure to find the “right” answer. The art of asking questions helps kids shift from…
5 Ways to Build Executive Function Skills During Summer Break
Would you rather sort digital files or make dinner? Summer break offers a great opportunity to build executive function skills in a low-stress environment. Executive function includes a set of mental skills, including planning, organization, time management, emotional regulation, and flexibility, that are essential for learning and living. With the right strategies and encouragement, middle and high school students can use the summer months to sharpen these skills and prepare for a strong school year ahead. The launching years with teenage children are the perfect time to teach them to cope with the challenges around them. Let’s explore five key areas of executive function and practical at-home suggestions to support growth in each. 1. Planning Setting goals and figuring out steps to achieve them. Without a plan, summer can slip away. Older students can benefit from helping to structure their time, balancing responsibilities, and relaxing. At-Home Ideas: Weekly Goal-Setting Journal: Encourage your child to write two or three goals each week and identify action steps for each. Reflect on progress every Sunday. In the beginning, this may take more input from parents or tutors. Summer Project Plan: Choose a summer-long project (learning an instrument, planning a small business*, organizing…
My Affordable Summer Reading Strategies
How can you get your child to read more this summer? Many parents are searching for summer reading strategies that are practical and affordable, yet many families do not set aside time to read for pleasure. How about your family? Do you have books sitting out in your living room? Do you take regular trips to the library or bookstore? Do you read for fun? Recent research highlights significant benefits of children reading for pleasure, linking it to enhanced vocabulary, improved reading skills, and overall cognitive development. You can make a few easy changes to your summer and help your child improve their reading skills and reading enjoyment now and in the future. Long-Term Academic Advantages Children who engage in reading for pleasure tend to perform better on cognitive tests and achieve higher academic success in adolescence. This correlation emphasizes the role of early reading habits in long-term educational outcomes, and summer is the perfect time to put this into action. Despite the clear advantages, there’s a concerning decline in children’s reading for pleasure. A 2024 survey by the National Literacy Trust reported that only 34.6% of children aged 8 to 18 enjoy reading in their free time—the lowest in…