Education

An Expert from “On Being Jewish Now”: An intimate collection of essays about what it means to be Jewish and how life has changed since the attacks on October 7, 2023.

By Shirin Yadegar

Fleeing Iran with my family was a decision born out of desperation, a leap into the unknown, grasping for safety amidst the rising tide of antisemitism. As a Jewish Iranian woman, my mother sought sanctuary for my brother and I in the United States. Becoming a mother of four daughters, I always thought my girls would always grow free from the shadows of hatred that had darkened my homeland. Yet, the events since October 7 have stirred the embers of old fears, igniting a flame of sorrow and anxiety that wakes me at night. (more…)

If I’m Not Perfect, Then What Am I?

By Carolyn Mahboubi

The impact of Perfectionism is like the force of Gravity.

Most (I’m hoping all) of us are aware of it, and ignorance doesn’t shield us from its effects.

In other words, not understanding gravity will not prevent us from falling, and in that way, it’s shockingly similar to perfectionism. You see, not understanding perfectionism won’t shield you from its inevitable psychological and emotional damage. (more…)

6 Key Steps to Prepare for the School Year

By Shirin Yadegar

shirin YadegarAs the lazy days of summer wind down, the buzz of back-to-school preparations begins to fill the air. August is a crucial month for ensuring a smooth transition from carefree vacation mode to the structured routines of the school year. Here’s how I tackle the challenge of preparing my kids for the upcoming academic year.

1. Organization is Key
One of the first things we focus on in August is getting organized. This includes everything from decluttering school supplies to establishing a daily routine. According to organizational experts, creating designated spaces for backpacks, lunchboxes, and school paperwork can significantly reduce morning chaos. (more…)

My Infertility Journey

By Emily Felt
Before We Held You in Our Arms is a recently released children’s picture book that draws on the love and desire of parenthood long before the baby cuddles and snuggles. Emily Feit, a Los Angeles native and licensed clinical social worker, wrote this book after her long personal journey with infertility. After having her twins through multiple rounds of IVF and her son through surrogacy, she was inspired to write this heartwarming story after she noticed that many children’s books about infertility did not touch on the emotions that go along with the infertility journey. Authoring this book is Emily’s way of helping to open the conversation between parent and child about how much the child was desired before they were born. Gentle and age appropriate, the book is a love story between parent and child. (more…)

My Father’s Day Card in Heaven

I lost my father on August 28, 2022. This is my Father’s Day card to him in heaven.

By Shirin Yadegar

Dear Dad,
This is my second Father’s Day without your sweet smile, soft voice and strong embrace. The words for this card flow with the same rigor of my tears. There is so much lost in the past 22 months. The loss of hearing your genuine love, smelling your sweet scent and listening to your gentle voice. Camille, who you always called the “professor” hasn’t washed your sweatshirt she took from your closet so when she wears it she can hold on to your scent. (more…)

Final Exam Prep

By Angela B.
AngelaWe’re all familiar with finals season. Most teachers give you notice all year about their final exam. They tell you the things that might appear, give you a multitude of study guides, and yet the final exam always sneaks up on you when you’re least expecting it. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Everyone feels the antsy, jittery rush of May and June. (more…)

Executive Functioning and Kindergarten Readiness

By Janis Adams

Whether your child is developmentally ready to make the move from preschool to kindergarten may depend on whether they are successfully mastering some very adult sounding competencies called “executive functioning.”

Executive functioning is a set of skills: the capacity to plan ahead and meet goals, display self-control, follow multiple-set directions even when interrupted, and stay focused despite distractions, among others.

In other words, executive functioning is the ability to prioritize tasks, filter distractions, and control impulses — lofty goals for a preschooler! (more…)

Finding Creative Ways of Engaging Our Children to Learn

By Nathalie Kunin
NathalieKunin

What education during Covid has taught us, and how we are applying those lessons to how we educate our children today.

Looking back on schooling during Covid gives many of us PTSD, but we have learned many valuable and positive lessons from this experience. We learned how adaptive and resilient our children are. Most pivoted quickly to virtual learning which illustrates how flexible children can be and that there are many different methods of teaching. While an in-person school setting is ideal for most, we have learned that students can thrive in non-traditional environments.

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Teaching Our Children Important Values in Troubling Times

By Shirin Yadegar

Shirin YadegarAs mothers, our hearts ache when we witness senseless acts of violence that claim innocent lives. The recent massacre at the Nova Festival in Israel on October 7, where terrorists attacked peaceful festival-goers, serves as a stark reminder that no corner of the world is immune to such atrocities. That could have been our children dancing at Coachella.

We must show our children by example how to be up standers. We must use our voices to stand up against the deafening silence of the international community. It is our duty, as mothers, to take charge of shaping the future generations. (more…)

The 10 things you need to know about College Essays

By Daniella Emrani

First you’re stuck in traffic- driving to basketball games, karate lessons, and art classes, and before you know it, the whirlwind of college applications is looming over you. Whether your inbox is inundated with emails from college counselors or your Instagram feed starts suggesting the names of test prep companies for the SAT and ACT, this reality is inevitable. If you’re suddenly putting extra pressure on your child, tossing and turning at night because you feel responsible for their future, or scouring the internet to compare acceptance rates, you are NOT alone.

And then- it happens. You remember that beyond the grades, clubs, and extensive extracurriculars that you assumed would suffice, these schools will be judging a college essay. In mere moments, they will decide whether to continue reading or to throw the essay your child labored tirelessly over back into the applicant pile. (more…)