Boys Education Series

Studies have shown that schools that utilize restorative practices see an improvement in classroom behavior. These same methods can be used at home to improve behavior and foster better parent-child relationships.

In a time when teens turn to social media for both entertainment and as a news source, it is more important than ever for them to be able to decipher fact from fiction.

Encouraging boys to develop original writing ideas promotes imagination, creative thinking, observational skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

Though there is much about this school year that is different, parents and teachers can work together to foster a sense of calm and resilience amid the uncertainties of starting school.

It is an interesting predicament when a school that is built on strong relationships between teachers and students is swept into remote teaching and learning. In this episode, University School’s Associate Head of School & Director of College Counseling, Jen Beros, shares how both teachers and parents can work to keep boys connected in mind and heart with their school.

Sports can play an important role in the development of many boys. Apart from the physical and social benefits, there is also a tremendous amount of value to be gained in the leadership, empathy and resilience. In this episode, University School Director of Athletics Jr. K-12, Sean McDonnell, offers some of the enduring lessons of athletic competition.

Screen time and 24-hour connectedness can take a toll on the social-emotional well-being of boys. As parents, we need to create clear expectations while providing a good example. In this episode, Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Libraries at University School gives parents some methods for cutting through the virtual clutter.

The sciences, math, English, history, language, athletics, the arts–these areas all play an integral part in boys' education. But what we are ultimately striving for is for them to grow into good men. In this episode, Head of School at University School, Patrick Gallagher, provides some foundational support on character development for boys.

Given that regular and open communication with our sons is essential, how do we encourage our sons to communicate openly with us? In this episode, University School’s Director the Upper School, Dr. William Daughtrey shares how presence and trust can help establish those lines of communication.

Preparing our boys for a future of uncertainty can be an intimidating thought for parents and educators. In this episode, University School’s Academic Dean Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, Dr. William O’Neil suggests an evolved liberal arts education to shape confident, resilient, and dynamic young men.

It is no secret that the world is at our boys’ fingertips and as parents, we want to help our children understand what it means to be a global citizen.

From first days of school to college applications, anxiety comes at boys at every stage of their growth. In this episode, we will hear from Lisa Ulery, Director of Technology and Libraries at University School as she provides strategies to help you and your son deal with the inevitabilities of life.

Summer is here, but not for long. In this episode, we will hear from Dr. Sarah Spannagel, Clinical Psychologist at University Hospital and University School as she explores how we can make sure that our family is ready for when we put away the swimsuits and pull out school books.

The Benefits of Coding for All by University School

Chores are, by definition, routine and typically unpleasant. No one relishes doing these activities and they have suffered witty lashings by insightful social commentators such as Mark Twain. Piquant observations aside, regular chores like taking out the trash, washing the dishes, and cleaning are essential to the development of the minds of young people.

It is no secret that boys and girls tend to approach their friendships differently. Seventh Grade Dean at University School, Brooke Littman understands how boys can develop healthy relationships with their peers that will last a lifetime. In this episode, Brooke shares with you the insight she has gathered in nearly twenty years as a teacher and administrator.

What captures young boys’ musical interests? How do boys learn that music making is so rewarding? Why is “learning through play” so valuable and does every boy really sing? Boys in my classroom learn quickly that the music classroom is a place to have fun. Musicianship is developed while building skills through singing, playing instruments, speech, and movement.

Athletes want to be successful. They want to win and at times are willing to do whatever is necessary to make that a reality. We’ve seen the stories, watched the news, and stared at the images of athletes holding the championship trophies, celebrating the culmination of all the hard work they’ve put forth for that moment, the moment they’ve become champions. Our media-savy children see these messa...

It’s nearly the end of summer break, and as you seek structure and relief from the constant Fortnite, SnapChat, and Instagram rotation, you anxiously count down the days until the kids go back to school. Your kids, however, are dreading that day when it starts again.

If you are like me, you can remember so vividly the first moments when your son started to memorize the letters of the alphabet. It seemed like absolute magic as he began to associate letters with sounds, and then string them together to create a word. I remember the pride on my son’s face when he finally got it. If your son felt such accomplishment and wonder in reading then, why is it a battle t...

As a college counselor, I often hear from families whose sons are just beginning the college selection process who ask, “What schools should my child visit?” They will mention a certain location tied to an upcoming family trip, or perhaps a major that the student or parents have in mind and they would like to consider schools with strong programs in that field. I will suggest a range of schools, y...

Is your son sleeping through the night? What time does he go to bed? What is his bedtime routine? When is naptime? We are regularly bombarded with analysis of the sleep of our newborn babies and young children from our friends, family members, and pediatricians. Yet, we don’t give the same level of thought and care to this topic for our 8-year olds, 12-year olds, 14-year olds, and 17-year olds!

Many weekends I have emerged triumphantly from under a pile of laundry or work emails and thought, “what an awesomely productive day!” But then, as the silence of the house starts to sink in, my stomach drops as I realize why I have been so productive. My kids had just spent the last four hours playing video games. If you are like me, you may have found yourself cringing at the realization of how...

I am the father of three boys, and around the time my youngest was five, an interesting thought began to develop. My wife, Tracy, and I had started to notice that we were raising our third child very differently than our other two, ages twelve and fourteen at the time. We were much more relaxed in bringing up our third, as much of the intensity, fear, and questioning was gone.