Archive for the ‘Podcasts’ Category

[Podcast #243] Emerging Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #2

Brave Writer Emerging Writers Natural Stages

Welcome to our second podcast episode in our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! Today we cover the Emerging Writers stage, which typically occurs around ages 8-10. 

We explain that the key to the Emerging Writers stage is partnership. Parents need to partner with their kids while writing, just like parents naturally partner with their kids while teaching them how to drive a car, or any other major life skill. We dive into exactly what this looks like, and all of its benefits.

Plus, we talk about the Brave Writer Emerging Writers Bundle and the Dart and Partnership Writing Bundle.

Show Notes

Development Stage

At this stage kids can read and write, but they aren’t fluent in either. They’re just getting to the point they can read chapter books. They can verbally tell a great story, but they struggle to put it all down on paper with the correct:

  • grammar,
  • spelling,
  • and structure.

They have all the pieces they need to write well, but it’s hard for them to put it all together at once. 

The Key: Partnership

The key to the Emerging Writers stage is partnership. Parents need to partner with their kids while writing, just like parents naturally partner with their kids while teaching them how to drive a car, or any other major life skill.

What this looks like in practice is parent and child sitting down side-by-side, both with pencils in hand. The parent can take notes or even dictation of the story the child tells. Then the child can work from those notes, or trace that dictation.

In this role, the parent is sharing the load of the heavy transfer of verbal words into written structure.

Benefits

There are several benefits to this partnership approach. One is that you’re keeping your student’s creative mind and confidence undimmed. Another is that this approach lends itself to “writing back”—the innate human desire of wanting to write back a reply to what someone has said. Siblings can be great partners in this.

For more details on how to partner with your Emerging Writer during this stage, check out the Brave Writer Emerging Writers Bundle and the Dart and Partnership Writing Bundle.

Resources

  • Big juicy questions. Memories that last a lifetime. Meaningful ways to learn grammar, spelling, and punctuation. If this way of homeschooling speaks to you, check out our Brave Writer programs: Quill (ages 5-7), Dart (8-10), Arrow (11-12), Boomerang (13-14), Slingshot (15-18). On sale through the end of June. Sale includes a free lifetime membership to Brave Learner Home. Purchase by June 30 to take advantage of this deal!
  • Check out the Brave Writer Emerging Writers Bundle, on sale through the end of June.
  • Check out the Dart & Partnership Writing Bundle, on sale through the end of June.
  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #242] Beginning Writers: Natural Stages of Growth in Writing #1

Brave Writer Beginning Writers Natural Stages

We’re re-recording our Natural Stages of Growth in Writing series! If you’re a longtime listener, you may remember our first series on the topic. It was made up of conversations between Julie and her son. Now we’re recording in an updated format with more lessons learned and observations gleaned over the years.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we cover the Beginning Writers stage, also known as the “Jot It Down” stage. This stage actually starts when your baby says their first word and you reflexively write it down. As they grow older and break out into passionate stories like toddlers do, jot down those stories right there in the moment. In this stage you’re teaching your child that writing is simply capturing thought in words that can be preserved for an interested audience.

Julie and Melissa share adorable anecdotes of when they did this with their own children, not only building a foundational concept of writing, but also preserving invaluable family moments.

Be sure to stick around for the end of the episode to learn about the Beginning Writers Bundle and the Quill & Jot It Down Bundle.

Show Notes

The “Jot It Down Stage”

This first writing stage actually starts when your baby says their first word and you reflexively write it down. Don’t stop there. As they grow older and break out into passionate stories like toddlers do, jot down those stories right there in the moment. This stage lasts until your child starts to pick up a pencil themselves… but of course you don’t ever have to stop writing down their cute moments!

The Foundation for Writing

The “Jot It Down” stage lays the foundation for your child’s writing for the rest of their lives. You’re:

  • teaching your child that writing is simply capturing thought in words that can be preserved for an interested audience.
  • showing them that what they think and express matters.
  • transforming their thoughts and words into something they can physically hold and even play with.

For example, when Julie jotted down her four year old son’s Lego character stories on a clipboard, he then carried around the clipboard around him as he played Legos. 

Family Archives

Not only does the Beginning Writers “Jot It Down” stage lay the conceptual foundation of writing for your kids, but it also acts as a family archive. Melissa’s young adults love to go back and look at what they said when they were little.

Resources

  • Big juicy questions. Memories that last a lifetime. Meaningful ways to learn grammar, spelling, and punctuation. If this way of homeschooling speaks to you, check out our Brave Writer programs: Quill (ages 5-7), Dart (8-10), Arrow (11-12), Boomerang (13-14), Slingshot (15-18). On sale through the end of June. Sale includes a free lifetime membership to Brave Learner Home. Purchase by June 30 to take advantage of this deal!
  • Check out the Brave Writer Beginning Writers Bundle, on sale through the end of June.
  • Check out the Quill & Jot It Down Bundle, on sale through the end of June.
  • Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention!
  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684.

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #241] The Parenting Map with Dr. Shefali

Brave Writer Podcast

Parenting is not just about managing behaviors but about building meaningful relationships that help both parents and children grow. Dr. Shefali, New York Times bestselling author of The Conscious Parent and The Parenting Map, proposes an approach that prioritizes connection, embraces playfulness, and redefines success.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, Dr. Shefali discusses the essence of conscious parenting, focusing on the parent’s mental biases and belief systems rather than the child’s actions.

Dr. Shefali
Dr. Shefali

We explore:

  • the importance of maintaining a playful approach in parenting and education,
  • redefining success based on individual growth,
  • and navigating challenges with empathy.

Dr. Shefali’s insights on self-awareness, the inner child, and the imposter ego are enlightening and transformative.

Tune in to hear more about these valuable parenting strategies and how they can lead to a more fulfilling and joyful journey for both parents and children. Join us as we delve into the wisdom of Dr. Shefali and learn how to nurture the next generation with love and understanding.

Show Notes

Connection Over Control

One of the most transformative ideas we’ve embraced, inspired by Dr. Shefali, is prioritizing connection over control. Traditional parenting often emphasizes control, where parents dictate rules and expect compliance. However, we’ve found that true influence comes from a deep connection with our children. When children feel understood and supported, they are more likely to engage positively and learn from their experiences.

Embracing Playfulness and Curiosity

Children naturally learn and communicate through play. Dr. Shefali highlights the importance of maintaining a playful approach in parenting and education. By joining our children in their playful world, we not only bond with them but also foster their creativity and problem-solving skills. Playfulness should not be seen as a distraction from serious learning but as a fundamental way of understanding the world. Incorporating playful activities in daily routines makes learning enjoyable and effective.

Redefining Success

Dr. Shefali also emphasizes redefining success in parenting. Instead of measuring success by societal standards such as academic achievements, true success lies in the growth and development of our children’s unique abilities and interests. We encourage parents to celebrate small milestones and individual progress rather than comparing their children to others. This approach helps children develop a healthy self-esteem and resilience.

Fostering connection, playfulness, and curiosity in parenting leads to a more fulfilling and joyful journey for both parents and children. By redefining success and navigating challenges with empathy, as inspired by Dr. Shefali’s teachings, we build a strong foundation for our children’s future. Let’s embrace this beautiful adventure together, nurturing the next generation with love and understanding.

Resources

  • Dr. Shefali’s podcast: Parenting and You
  • Dr. Shefali’s website: drshefali.com
  • Go to the Brave Writer Bookshop to buy Dr. Shefali’s book, The Parenting Map
  • Follow Dr. Shefali on Instagram
  • Start a free trial of CTCmath.com to try the math program that’s sure to grab and keep your child’s attention.
  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #240] Struggling with Math? An Interview with Pat Murray of CTC Math

Brave Writer Podcast

There are two major pain points in homeschooling: writing and math.

Our guest today on the Brave Writer podcast helps us with the math part. Pat Murray is the founder of CTC Math, which should sound very familiar to listeners as CTC Math has been an incredible sponsor for many of our episodes.

Pat Murray, CTC Math
Pat Murray, CTC Math

Listening to how Pat has designed his program, why he makes all levels available to subscribers, and the stories he’s accumulated over the years is a real treat. We’re so glad he joined us!

Show Notes

The All-To-Common Math Trajectory of Students

Pat describes to us the all-too-common trajectory of many students. When they are very young, they’re fine with math. Then as they start to get older and learn fundamental skills, they miss something. Maybe they zoned out during a long lesson, maybe they didn’t write it down to help with retention–there are a million reasons. Then as the weeks, months, and years go by, other skills are built on top of that missing skill and things start to fall apart. Instead of slowing down and figuring out the missing skill(s), they get pushed to keep up with where they “should” be. Soon, they just identify themselves as someone who’s not “good at math” and that story is baked in for life.

CTC Math’s Approach

Pat has built CTC Math to specifically prevent and respond to this trajectory. He keeps the video lessons around 5 minutes long, with super clear and concise explanations. He has students immediately do practice questions so they can implement what they just learned. This helps the concept stick, and it provides quick wins for the student. CTC Math’s tests are designed to identify any missing or weak skills, providing a full library of lessons for remediation or moving to the next level with confidence.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

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[Podcast #239] Tools to Buy Instead of Curriculum

Brave Writer Podcast

When parents map out the annual homeschooling budget, there’s a tendency to only focus on curriculum. In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we encourage you to prioritize tools that really bring learning to life. Plus, we give you tips on how to get them on the cheap.

The right tools make all the difference in having a happy learning life. We hope our suggestions spark creativity and joy in you and your kids! 

Show Notes

Affordability 

Keep in mind, there are ways to get many of these tools at low-cost.

  • A secondhand shop like Goodwill can be a great place to start.
  • Look for local tool libraries or traditional public libraries where you can check out items like sewing machines.
  • Buy in bulk (with the added benefit that then you always have what you need on hand).
  • Keep an eye out for informal groups like puzzle swaps.

And remember, family and friends are often happy to buy these kinds of tools as holiday gifts for your family.

Physical Tools

We give you a long list of tried and true tools that have made our homeschooling lives better. We group them into six buckets:

  • writing utensils,
  • art and handicraft supplies,
  • baking ingredients and tools,
  • science kits,
  • games and puzzles,
  • magazines and field guides.

Be sure to check out the Tools for the Art of Writing page on our website for some links.

Experiential Tools

We also give examples of experiential, rather than physical, tools that are great for homeschool families. We’re big fans of annual memberships to art museums, zoos, botanical gardens, science museums, etc.

Volunteering at local theaters or animal centers can be a great way to access fun learning environments. By returning to an experiential site over and over, your kids can deeply connect with the material and feel at home with it.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

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