Raising Thinkers

Today, we are opening up a magical wooden box and stepping inside the ancient game of chess! Chess is like a gymnasium for the brain. In this episode, your K-4th graders will learn Spanish vocabulary for the pieces (la torre, el alfil, el caballo), use their bodies to mimic how the pieces move, and use hands-on addition to calculate the total number of games in a speed-chess tournament bracket. Pa...

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time to stretch our mental gears with a robust new Brain Bender! We are back at Mega Splash Waterpark, but there is a huge problem: the park closes in exactly 60 minutes! To make it to the brand new Aqua Blaster Water-Coaster before the lifeguards blow their whistles, your Thinkers will need to navigate using Spanish directions, multiply Base-10 staircases, and conq...

It’s Tuesday, which means it’s time to get our mental gears turning with a brand new Brain Warm-Up! In today's episode, we are heading to Mega Splash Waterpark! To win the ultimate end-of-summer grand prize, your family will need to solve deductive reasoning riddles, walk your fingers through a Spanish treasure map, and use financial estimation to buy the ultimate snow cone! Parents: Stick around...

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time to stretch our mental gears with a robust Brain Bender! We are heading to the stadium right after the World Cup Final. You and your Thinker are the lead sports reporters, but we’re locked out of the broadcasting booth! To get on the air, your family will need to solve a spatial geometry riddle and use mental bar-modeling to calculate the exact goal difference b...

BIG NEWS: Raising Thinkers is now a family co-listening adventure! Grab your elementary-aged kids, turn up the volume on the way to school, and get ready to solve some puzzles together. In our very first "Tuesday Brain Warm-Up," we are traveling to the biggest sporting event on the planet: The World Cup! But there's a huge problem—Señor Mateo has accidentally locked the players' cleats inside the...

Meltdowns at 30,000 feet? Not this year! Turn stressful holiday travel into an adventure! We share the best free activities, snack strategies, and layover survival tips for raising happy, engaged thinkers on the go.

In this episode of Raising Thinkers, Shelley shares her journey of creating a large-scale art project with her children, emphasizing the importance of messy creativity. She discusses the steps taken to complete the project, the benefits of engaging in art for children's development, and offers practical tips for parents to manage the mess that comes with creative activities. The episode encourages...

Listen in as children's book author Stewart O. Dunn joins us to discuss how to foster a love of reading and writing in kids with tips on curiosity, creativity, libraries, and the role of AI in learning.   Check out her work at: https://www.stewartodunn.com/ Find out more about Raising Thinkers and Mathematicians at: https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/

If you’ve ever wondered how to really prepare your child for the college essay years before they apply… this one’s for you. In my podcast conversation with Carter (a college essay coach and reflective writing advocate of  https://www.carterosbornetutoring.com ), we dive into: – Why students struggle with the “Tell us about yourself” prompt – How AI is tempting, but not a substitute for real thinki...

In this episode of Raising Thinkers, host Shelley discusses the importance of chores in child development. She emphasizes how chores can help children build independence, responsibility, and a strong work ethic from a young age. Shelley provides age-appropriate chore suggestions and encourages parents to celebrate their children's efforts, fostering a sense of belonging and teamwork within the fam...

In this engaging conversation, Shelley Love De Feliu and Beth Vaucher of Inspiring Young Learners explore the importance of supporting multilingual learners. Beth shares her journey as an educator and her passion for helping students embrace their cultural identities while learning new languages. The discussion covers practical strategies for parents and teachers, emphasizing the significance of c...

Read blog episode:  https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/e39-obstacle-courses-building-skills-through-play Obstacle courses = fun + thinking skills! 🏃‍♀️ They boost problem-solving, creativity & goal-setting—all while getting kids moving! No fancy equipment needed, just imagination. 

 Rhymes & songs aren’t just fun—they build early reading skills!  From phonemic awareness to decoding words, these playful moments lay the foundation for strong readers. Tune in to learn how!  #RaisingThinkers #EarlyLiteracy Full episode: https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/e38-the-power-of-rhymes-and-songs-setting-the-stage-for-reading-success-2/

 Blanket forts, stick hideouts, and cardboard castles—fort building isn’t just fun, it’s brain-boosting!  Kids develop spatial reasoning, problem-solving & creativity while playing. Embrace the mess & the magic! #RaisingThinkers #FortBuildingFun https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/e37-fort-building-to-develop-thinkers/

In this episode of Raising Thinkers, Shelly discusses the importance of visible thinking routines from Harvard's Project Zero, which can help children develop deeper thinking skills. She explains the history of Project Zero and introduces several effective thinking routines, including 'What Makes You Say That?', 'See, Think, Wonder', and 'Think, Pair, Share'. These routines encourage children to a...

🎄✨ Looking for festive, fun, and budget-friendly ways to keep your kids learning, thinking, and creating this holiday season? From baking to scavenger hunts, advent puzzles, and more, discover 10 meaningful activities that spark joy and build memories. 🎁🧠 Check out the latest episode of Raising Thinkers now!   https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e35-ten-ideas-for-holiday-fun-as-a-family/

Report card season is here! 📝 Ever puzzled by phrases like 'developing resilience' or 'shows originality'? 🤔 Let's decode 'teacherese' together! Get tips to understand feedback & ask the right questions to support your child. Join us on Raising Thinkers!   https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com//s2-e34-deciphering-teacher-language-on-report-cards/

✨ The holidays are magical, especially through a child’s eyes! Traditions like decorating, baking, or family movie nights create lasting memories. What are your favorites? Let’s inspire each other this season—share your ideas in the Raising Thinkers Community! 🎄🎉 Link:  https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e33-the-wonder-of-holiday-traditions/

Finding the right school for your child is no small feat! 🎓 From educational philosophy to safety, these key questions will help you make the best choice for your family. 🏫✨ Join the Raising Thinkers Community for a handy checklist!   https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e32-how-to-pick-a-school-for-your-child/

Math has come a long way! 🧠 From rigid steps to flexible, creative problem-solving, today’s math is all about building true understanding. Want tips to support your child’s math journey? Join our Raising Thinkers community! https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e31-developing-flexible-mathematicians/

Wondering how to talk about politics with your kids after the election? Our latest post has age-appropriate ways to foster respect, model civil discourse, and help kids understand voting! 🌍 https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e30-talking-with-your-kids-about-politics/

Boost creativity & critical thinking in kids with the RAFT strategy! 🧠 Choose a Role, Audience, Format, and Topic to spark new perspectives. Whether they’re a scientist talking to pets or a teacher giving directions, RAFT makes learning fun & engaging! https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/

Summary In this episode of Raising Thinkers, Shelley discusses engaging, no-materials-required games that parents can play with their kids while on the go. These games not only entertain but also promote critical thinking, observation skills, and learning without the kids even realizing it. From classic games like 20 Questions and I Spy to more challenging activities like mental math and word asso...

In this episode of Raising Thinkers, Shelly discusses the importance of fostering creativity in children and introduces the SCAMPER strategy as a structured way to encourage creative thinking. SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Another Use, Eliminate, and Reverse, each representing a method to inspire divergent thinking. Shelly provides practical examples for each compon...

🎙️ New Episode! 🎙️ In Ep 26 of Raising Thinkers, I’m sharing key questions and tips to help you make the most of your parent-teacher conferences! Get valuable insights and support your child’s success. Perfect for busy parents! 👩‍🏫👨‍👩‍👦 #Parenting #Education #RaisingThinkers https://www.raisingthinkerspodcast.com/s2-e26-prepping-for-parent-teacher-conferences-what-parents-really-need-to-know/