Deb is in third grade. She is in class. While the teacher stands at the front of the room and teaches math, Deb looks out the window. She imagines. “What would it be like if this whole building was a home, and each room could be transformed to create an open space with all sorts…
Our two-year-old granddaughter Molly is tired. It is 3:30 pm, and she will have to wait until bedtime to go to sleep. We’re in my car, and my cousin calls to chat. My cousin is one of my favorite people, but she is a talker. We talk for a half hour, and the little one falls…
Some individuals maintain equilibrium under very trying conditions. These people are able to stay in control of their emotions and make rational and wise choices. When we lose emotional control, we respond with the fight or flight response. Our brains respond to stress as a perceived danger, with the fight, flight, or freeze effect. When…
Richie is in 8th grade. He is assigned to general education classes. Academic testing indicates that Richie decodes and comprehends text in the average range. In math, computation and concepts and applications fall in the below average range. In math class, Richie has difficulty controlling his impulses. When the bell rings, his classmates sit in…
https://www.easel.ly/infographic/qhoqm2 Brad is a 13-year-old 7th grader. He is full of energy and enjoys the attention of adults and peers. Brad is responsible and well liked at home and in his neighborhood. In contrast to home, Brad avoids most class work, teases less popular classmates, calls out, uses profanity, and throws objects during class. In writing, Brad’s…
This is a perfect example of design based on user preferences. We started with my husband’s favorite soup, which was a ready to eat vegetable soup. The problem was, I wanted to serve a fresh soup that I could enjoy as well. I created this version using organic and fresh ingredients after several months of…
This summer, I’m blessed to be working with some talented, creative kids. Channeling that talent while they also work on reading, writing, and spelling is not easy. It’s easy to fall into the habit of over functioning while the kids sit back and take a passive role. That’s why one of the most important skills…
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I often babysat for the Meier family. The father was a hands-on Dad. I remember learning charts on the kids’ wall when they were still babies and toddlers. He was also intuitive and caring toward me. I must have shared some of my epic (to me) failures with…
“You’re not in America” is important to remember when out and about in Israel. While #dt could help streamline consumer experience, safety has to come first right now.
