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Skill-Building Opportunities

Turning challenging moments into skill-building opportunities.

Picky Eating, Bedtime Fears, Meltdowns, Constant Crying, Sibling Rivalry: what's a parent to do?

Mind in the Making is here to help you discover the skills that every child needs. We've researched the questions parents most frequently ask each other, their families and the professionals in their lives. And we’ve taken those questions and created 1-page guides for parents and professionals to help them turn common behavioral issues into opportunities to promote life skills in children.

Taking on Challenges

Life is full of stresses and challenges. Children who are willing to take on challenges (instead of avoiding them or simply coping with them) do better in school and in life.

Perspective Taking

goes far beyond empathy; it involves learning what others think and feel, and forms the basis for children’s understanding of the intentions of parents, teachers and friends. Children who can take others’ perspectives are also much less likely to get involved in conflicts.

Focus & Self Control

involves paying attention, remembering the rules, thinking flexibly and exercising self-control (not going on automatic, but doing what’s needed to pursue a goal). Children need this skill to achieve their goals, especially in a world filled with distractions and information overload.

Making Connections

is at the heart of learning - figuring out what’s the same and what’s different - and sorting these things into categories. Making unusual connections is at the core of creativity. In a world where people can “Google” information, people who can see connections are able to go beyond knowing information to using this information well.

Critical Thinking

is the ongoing search for valid and reliable knowledge to guide beliefs, decisions and actions.

Communicating

is much more than understanding language, speaking, reading and writing, It is the skill of determining what you want to communicate and realizing how communications will be understood by others. It is the skill that teachers and employers feel is most lacking today.

Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

It is through learning that we can realize our potential. As the world changes, so can we, for as long as we live and as long as we learn.

Skills:

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Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Caring for Pets

Q: My son wants a family pet. I’m resisting because I fear that the bulk of the responsibility in caring for the pet will fall on me. Any advice on choosing a pet that my son can reasonably contribute to its care?

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Critical Thinking

Cheating on a Test

Q: My daughter was caught cheating on a spelling test last week. I am completely disappointed, angry and embarrassed. How can I deal with this situation so she learns not to do it again?

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Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Complaining on Family Trips

Q: Whenever we go on family outings or trips, my daughter constantly complains that she’s bored. It takes the fun out of it for everyone. How can I help her enjoy these experiences?

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Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Constantly Asking Questions

Q: My daughter constantly asks questions, even questioning what I ask her to do. I feel like she’s turning into a defiant child. Should I make her stop questioning everything?

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Perspective Taking

Divorced Parents with Different Rules

Q: When my daughter goes to her dad’s house, he has different rules. When she comes home, she thinks she can do whatever she wants. I am tired of the battle. How can I help her adjust between the different house rules?

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Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Doing Chores

Q: My daughter can’t seem to get her chores done unless I nag her. How can we avoid this daily battle?

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Taking on Challenges

Encouraging Exercise

Q: I’m worried my daughter isn’t getting enough exercise. Her mood and her behavior seem negative, and I think if she had more physical activity, it would help. What can I do to help her?

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Taking on Challenges

Encouraging Leadership

Q: I worry that my child is too much of a “follower” with her friends. Sometimes it seems like she will do whatever they say and do or believe whatever they tell her. How can I encourage my daughter to be her own person?

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Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Encouraging Your Child to Develop Interests

Q: My son doesn’t have many interests. I worry that he isn’t excited about many things. How can I help him find some interests?

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Making Connections

Expanding Interests

Q: All my kids want to do is play video games and watch television. It’s a daily battle. How can I help my kids develop new interests?

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Perspective Taking

Getting Along with Classmates

Q: My son has some trouble getting along with his classmates. He complains that other kids are “mean” to him, and sometimes he hits them when he feels he’s been treated unfairly. His teacher doesn’t think he’s being bullied, and she suggested that he might just need some time to mature. How can I help him interact with his friends more successfully?

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Critical Thinking

Good Spending Habits

Q: My son receives a weekly allowance for doing his chores, but he spends it as soon as he gets it. How can I encourage him to develop good spending habits?

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Critical Thinking

Influence of Commercials

Q: It seems like every time my child watches videos and television she starts asking for the things she sees advertised. How can I curb this behavior without getting rid of media altogether?

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Focus & Self Control

Learning and Video Games

Q: My son LOVES his video games. I’m not opposed to him playing them since knowing how to use electronics is important in today’s world. I want to make sure that when he does play with video games, he’s also developing his mind. Any suggestions?

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Communicating

Making Reading Interesting

Q: My six-year-old loathes reading. How can I make it more interesting for him?

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Making Connections

Marching to a Different Drummer + School Problems

Q: My son often gets answers wrong in school because he seems to be marching to a different drummer. He has a creative way of looking at things, especially things that are not yes or no questions. When we discuss what he’s thinking, his answers are often deep, but this way of thinking isn’t helping him in school. How can I help him succeed in school without harming his creativity?

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Making Connections

Math

Q: My daughter struggles with math at school. What can I do at home to help her?

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Critical Thinking

Morning Routine

Q: It’s a constant struggle to get my daughter up and out of the house in the morning. She refuses to wash her face, brush her teeth, get dressed or let me comb her hair. I’ve tried getting her to bed earlier, but it doesn’t make the mornings any better. How can I speed up my morning dawdler?

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Critical Thinking

My Child Always Wants The Newest Technology

Q: Every time a new version of my son’s cell phone comes out, he wants me to buy it for him. How can I get him to stop asking for the latest thing?

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Perspective Taking

My Child Only Wants To Play Their Way

Q: My son gets angry and refuses to play with his friends when they don’t want to do what he wants to. How can I help him understand that he’s not always the boss?

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Taking on Challenges

Praising Children

Q: I have read that praising my child is important for her self-esteem, but then I have also read that too much praise can spoil my child. I’m confused. How should I praise my child?

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Communicating

Refusing To Talk After Arguing

Q: When my ten-year-old daughter has an argument with me, she uses the silent treatment. She refuses to talk to me or even be in the same room with me until she decides she isn’t upset anymore. What can I do to help us communicate better so this doesn’t keep happening?

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Focus & Self Control

School Age Focus

Q: When I ask my son to pick up his shoes or start his homework, it is like he doesn’t even hear me. How can I get him to focus on what he needs to do instead of being completely focused on his toys and games?

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Focus & Self Control

School Age Homework

Q: Every day, my child and I seem to battle over his homework. How can I help him focus on his assignments instead of procrastinating and getting up to play?

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Communicating

Self Expression

Q: My son rarely shares how he feels about something. In fact, he rarely has an opinion about anything. How can I help him express himself and develop his ideas?

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Taking on Challenges

Shy and Anxious

Q: My six-year-old is an only child and has always been a little shy and anxious around new people and situations. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m helping or hurting when I try to protect her from situations that I’m pretty sure will be hard for her to manage on her own. How can I help my child deal with these difficult times?

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Perspective Taking

Sibling Rivalry

Q: My children have trouble getting along. How can I help them?

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Taking on Challenges

Sleepover Fears

Q: My daughter is afraid to go on sleepovers, even at a family member’s house. How can I help her build up her courage?

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Taking on Challenges

Stress Management

Q: I worry about my eight-year-old becoming too stressed. On top of the demands of his schoolwork, he is also involved in a lot of extracurricular activities. I don’t want him to feel “overscheduled.” How can I help him learn to deal effectively with whatever stress he experiences?

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Focus & Self Control

The Importance of the Arts

Q: My daughter loves ballet class, but now that she’s getting older, I want to make sure she focuses on her schoolwork. How can I encourage her interest in dance without distracting from her school responsibilities?

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Focus & Self Control

Too Competitive

Q: My daughter has become extremely competitive with her friends and classmates in sports, video games, board games and even tests at school. She wants to be the best at everything. She gets angry when she’s not. How can I help her control her anger before she crosses the line while competing?

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Taking on Challenges

What to Do When Studying Is Stressful

Q: My son gets so nervous and stressed when he has to prepare for a test. How can I help him study, but not feel stressed and anxious?

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