ParentMap Learning Issue 2023

13/

The State of Climate Education Take a deep dive into what students are learning across the state

31/

Decoded: Generative AI in Education The risks and rewards of the latest tech innovation

L E A R N I N G 2 0 2 3 / 2 0 24 | PA R E N T M A P. C O M

PNW INSIDE + OUT

The Learning Issue Expert tips and resources to help navigate the school year ahead

ADVERTISEMENT

Why Spending a High School Semester in Israel Can Transform Your Teen's Life

By Joseph Krebs, Jewish National Fund-USA

For American Jewish teens looking to get in touch with their Jewish heritage, nothing compares to spending an extended period in Israel. It’s easy to read about Israel in the classroom or look at photos, yet being physically present creates a special connection that’s impossible to generate from a distance.

Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss) has been creating this connection in Jewish teens for 50 years. As Jewish National Fund-USA’s premier collegeprep study abroad in Israel program, Muss blends an accredited high school curriculum with a unique experiential learning program that uses the land of Israel as a living and breathing classroom.

For Muss alum Lucy Sternthal, who attended in the Spring of 2023, the experiential learning made her time in Israel feel more personal. “The trips were my favorite part,” she said. “I really liked experiencing the different parts of Israel, the culture, food, and people that were there.”

Located on Hod HaSharon’s state-of-the-art campus only 20 minutes from Tel Aviv, Muss students from across the country learn together and live together, forming a close-knit community, experiencing Israeli life, and creating memories that will last a lifetime..

Upon her return home this Spring, Meira Colton,

EARN UP TO $7,500 IN GRANTS TO STUDY IN ISRAEL! Dream Israel helps American high school students like you take the Israel trip of their dreams.

a Seattle native, explained, "Muss gave me a deeper understanding of Jewish history by learning the stories of our past, and then visiting the places they actually happened!". "I feel a lot more connected to my Judaism having gone to Israel," Sternthal added, referencing the "Muss Magic" that creates lifelong bonds between students and Israel.

Students who attend Muss develop a love for the land and people of Israel that will reverberate throughout their community and inspire them to become the next generation’s Zionist leaders.

“Muss had a profound impact on me,” said Shayna Ilyinsky. “It has strengthened my Jewish identity, deepened my connection to Israel, and gave me a sense of purpose and a drive to make a positive impact in the world. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and sharing my passion for Israel and its people with others.”

To learn more, visit

www.amhsi.org FOR MORE INFORMATION

Brynn Tully, Israel Program Admissions Director btully@jnf.org • 303.573.7095 x979

Supported by Samis, the Greater Washington Impact Fellowship helps Jewish sophomore and junior high school students, with the extraordinary opportunity to connect to the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

WEEKLY -and- MONTHLY

SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS BUILDING STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE, COMMUNITY, AND SELF SEATTLE & EASTSIDE LOCATIONS

AGES 4 – 18

wildernessawareness.org

LEARNING / 3

WASHINGTON STATE CHARTER SCH O O LS ASSOCIATION

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS AT wacharters.org

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL STUDENTS. Charter public schools provide parents a greater variety of public-school options so you can find the best fit for your child’s interests and learning styles What is a charter school? Charter schools are unique public schools that foster a partnership between teachers and students. Teachers are given more flexibility to innovate, and students are provided with the personal attention, creativity, and passionate teaching they need to learn.

4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

C ONTENTS

Learning

2023/2024

FEATURES

Protect Your Child From RSV and Other Childhood Diseases 9 Help keep your community healthy by staying up-todate on vaccinations The State of Climate Education in Washington 13 An in-depth look at how Washington state measures up

Until recently the stuff of science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) has suddenly become a middle school homework issue.

31

Keep Your College Savings on Track 23 Saving for college is easier than you think What Parents and Kids Need to Know about ChatGPT 31 Exploring the potential risks and rewards of generative AI Supporting Neurodivergent Kids at Home 41 Gather the tools you need to help your child succeed

13

Seven Ways To Boost Brain Development 49 Discover everyday activities to support learning at home

23

PARENTMAP.COM

Inspiring

Guiding

Advancing

41

Inside: Guide to participating NWAIS schools

2023/2024

Guid e to Part icip atin g

NWAIS SCHOOLS

49

9/11/23 8:20 PM NWAIS_2023.indd

1

LEARNING / 5

Who was your favorite teacher?

DE AR R E ADER

New considerations for family vacations A few weeks ago, my family and I headed north on I-5 to spend a long weekend at Semiahmoo. When we planned the trip last fall, I reasoned a late-summer date would be perfect timing. It wasn’t so early that gray skies and late-summer rains might dampen our plans. And it wasn’t smack-dab in the middle of summer when absolutely everyone is traveling, trying to squeeze it all in before the start of the school year. I figured late summer was just right. We’d have plenty of sunshine and heat so that the kids could swim in the outdoor pool all afternoon, and we could hit the beach afterward to skip stones and look for crabs hiding under rocks at low tide. After twenty years living here, I’ve learned that late August is a pretty safe bet for sunshine and warm weather in Washington.

But what I keep forgetting is that late summer is also wildfire season. And as we made our way north past Everett and into the Skagit Valley, I noticed the gray settling in — not from overcast skies or rain, but from smoke. By the time we got to Semiahmoo, it looked hours later than it actually was, thanks to a dark layer of smoke hanging in the air. So much for our outdoor dinner plan.

Wildfires are just one of the many symptoms of climate change in Washington state. In our “Learning” issue, we take a deep dive into climate science education across the Puget Sound region. How does Washington fare, you ask? There’s a simple answer and one that’s more complex. But after reading about “The State of Climate Education in Washington,” (p. 13) you’ll come away with an accurate picture of where we are and where we need to be.

We’re also tackling another emerging issue in the world of education — ChatGPT. As with all new technologies, AI brings perils and advantages to students in the classroom.

Figure out how to help your kids navigate the internet’s latest temptation when you read our article on generative AI (p. 31).

Beyond these two heavy hitters, parents of neurodivergent children can find tips to help set their kids up for success at home (p. 41). Plus, parents of babies and toddlers are reminded that it’s the little things (you’re probably already doing) that help boost kids’ learning (p. 49). In other words, you’ve totally got this.

— Allison Sutcliffe, managing editor

LEARNING 2023/2024

PUBLISHER

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Allison Sutcliffe

Maita Gassor Houpis, 4th grade

OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney TRENDS AND ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Madison Miller ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kari Hanson CALENDAR EDITOR Julie Dodobara COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons

Mrs. Goldman, 1st grade

CONTRIBUTORS Gemma Alexander, Kellie Schmitt

DIGITAL MARKETING EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST Devon Hammer SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Emily Feely

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS + ADVERTISING SALES Jessica Collet

Mr. Anderson, 11th grade AP US History

SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Ida Wicklund EVENTS + COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS SPECIALIST Brenna McCown CLIENT SERVICES + DESIGN COORDINATOR Angela Goodwin ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST Mallory Dehbod

Mr. Molnar, 11th and 12th grade

DIGITAL ADVERTISING + MARKETING SPECIALIST Taryn Weiner PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Tamryn Nell

ART + PRODUCTION SENIOR DESIGNER Amy Chinn

ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel

Miss Nakamura, 9th grade Science

OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Erika Widjaja

PARENTMAP EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

CONTACT INFORMATION

Benjamin Danielson, M.D. CLINICAL PROFESSOR, UW SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PRACTICING PHYSICIAN, UW MEDICINE

Advertising information 206-709-9026 or advertising@parentmap.com Fax 206-709-9031

Joan Duffell RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN

Calendar submissions calendar@parentmap.com

John Gottman, Ph.D. THE GOTTMAN INSTITUTE PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Laura Kastner, Ph.D. PSYCHIATRY + BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Bea Kelleigh VICE PRESIDENT, DOVETAILING, LLC Yaffa Maritz, M.A. FOUNDER, LISTENING MOTHERS + COMMUNITY OF MINDFUL PARENTING

Editorial submissions editor@parentmap.com Distribution distribution@parentmap.com Administration 206-709-9026, parentmap.com Subscriptions subscriptions@parentmap.com Subscription rate 1 year: $12

Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MINDSIGHT INSTITUTE

6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

ParentMap is published monthly. PMB #190, 7683 S.E. 27th St., Mercer Island, WA 98040 | All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. © ParentMap 2023 • printed in Oregon

Critical Thinking Family Values Strong Academics STEM

Living Montessori Academy Prepared for Life

Enrichment

PRIMARY Ages 3-6

Limitless Academic Progress

Music, Theatre & Arts

At Living Montessori, students explore and discover, collaborate with classmates and build social and practical life skills.

Certified Teachers

Students acquire critical thinking abilities and develop independence, self-confidence and creativity. Visit our school and learn how they gain foundational skills to become lifelong learners.

Year-Round

Organic Meals Extended Day

Schedule a Tour Today

425-373-5437 • livingmontessorienrollment.com Located in Bellevue, minutes from Msft, Google, 520/I-405 Use the code “LIVING” for an application discount.

LM23_living_montessori_1.indd 1

9/11/23 10:41 PM

Decision Making Time Management Critical Thinking Strong Academics Respect for Others STEM Enrichment Music, Theatre & Arts Organic Meals Extended Day

Experience the difference! See how our Elementary program unleashes your child’s full potential.

In our pluralistic, hands-on studying environment, students fully engage in their own learning and community building, acquire critical thinking skills and cultivate creativity, curiosity and a deep love for learning.

Our students broaden their education by regularly going beyond the classrooms, learning about the world around them by visiting other workplaces, interviewing people across disciplines, engaging in community service, and applying their knowledge in practical ways through projects-based activities.

ELEMENTARY Grades 1-6

Living Montessori Academy Prepared for Life

Schedule a Tour Today

425-373-5437 • livingmontessorienrollment.com Located in Bellevue, minutes from Msft, Google, 520/I-405 Use the code “LIVING” for an application discount.

LM23_living_montessori_2.indd 1

L E A R N10:41 I N G PM / 7 9/11/23

/ůĩƢþŦĢ ŎƷǢ 'þűěĩ ŻůƟŦĩǡ ŻŁŁĩƢŎűł Ģþűěĩ ěŦþƪƪĩƪ ŁŻƢ þłĩƪ ѐї ůŻƪ Ӛ ѐї ǢĩþƢƪ ŁŻƢ ŻƿƢ ƪůþŦŦĩƪƷ ůŻǛĩƢƪҷ ůŻů Յ ůĩҸ ěƢĩþƷŎǛĩ ůŻǛůĩűƷ Յ ƷƿůĚŦŎűł ƷŻƷƪ

ŁŻƢ ĢþűěĩƢƪ ѓӚѐї ǢƢƪҷ

A flexible and A convenient way for people living flexible and convenient waywith disabilities to invest in their quality of life.

for people living with disabilities to invest in their quality of life.

Plan website: www.WashingtonStateABLE.com Customer Service Center: 1-844-600-2253 or 1-844-888-2253 (TTY)

WashingtonStateABLE.com • 1-844-600-2253

ĚþŦŦĩƷҸ ŠþǬǬҸ ʼnŎƟ ʼnŻƟҸ ěŻűƷĩůƟŻƢþƢǢ ƷʼnĩþƷĩƢ ŠþǬǬҸ þěƢŻҸ ƷþƟ Յ ůŻƢĩҺ

ǜĩ ŻŁŁĩƢ

0420_wash_state_dept_commerce_1-8h.indd 1

3/6/20 12:26 PM

0920_state_WA_dept_commerce_1-8h.indd 1

8/17/20 12:49 PM

ƢĩěƢĩþƷŎŻűþŦ Յ ěŻůƟĩƷŎƷŎǛĩ ŻƟƟŻƢƷƿűŎƷŎĩƪ

űĩǜ łĩŻƢłĩƷŻǜű ŦŻěþƷŎŻűҺ ѐ ǜĩĩţ ŁƢĩĩ ěŦþƪƪ ƷƢŎþŦ ё ƪƷƿĢŎŻ ƪƟþěĩƪ ĩǡƟþűĢĩĢ ěŦþƪƪ ŻŁŁĩƢŎűłƪ ƟĩƢŁŻƢůþűěĩ Ǜĩűƿĩ ƢĩűƷþŦƪ ƢĩʼnĩþƢƪþŦ ƪƟþěĩ ƢĩűƷþŦƪ

ĩůĩƢþŦĢěŎƷǢĢþűěĩҾěŻů

8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

ED UCAT IO N

Wellness Fall Vaccines: A Helpful Guide for Parents Important information about the new RSV medication, COVID vaccines and more

By Kellie Schmitt Last year, the United States experienced unusually high cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an infection that’s the leading cause of hospitalization for infants.

Thanks to a recently approved medication, nirsevimab, parents will be able to increase protection for their babies in the future, hopefully as soon as this upcoming fall and winter respiratory season. Nirsevimab is an injection that may reduce the risk of RSV-related hospitalization and healthcare visits in babies by about 80%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While this new RSV antibody injection is exciting news for parents and providers, there has been a concerning decline in overall childhood vaccination rates.

Those lower rates create a higher risk for illnesses like measles to make a comeback. As we head into the respiratory season, pediatric health providers are advising that children stay up-todate on all of their vaccines, including their flu and COVID vaccinations.

A new opportunity to prevent RSV Dr. Mary P. Fairchok, a Tacoma-based pediatric hospitalist for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, expects the new antibody injection to reduce the

burden of RSV on young patients – and the healthcare system. Each year in the U.S., an estimated 100 to 300 children younger than five die as a result of RSV while tens of thousands are hospitalized.

Another very effective protective antibody against RSV, Synagis, has been available for years for infants.

As the country experiences an uptick in COVID cases, that vaccine can help children “face the disease with a coat of armor on.”

Because of costs, though, that option has only been available for infants at the highest risk, such as those born prematurely, Dr. Fairchok noted. Having the new option available to so many young patients is an exciting development in pediatric health.

What’s next for COVID? Staying up-to-date with COVID vaccinations are still important, too, she cautioned. Vaccinations can protect

against severe illness, long COVID, as well as reduce school and daycare disruptions.

As the country experiences an uptick in COVID cases, that vaccine can help children “face the disease with a coat of armor on,” Fairchok said.

This fall, children will likely be eligible for an updated version of the COVID vaccine targeting the latest Omicron subvariant. September and October are also the best times to get the updated influenza vaccine, timing that offers the best protection for the season ahead, the CDC notes.

Keep up on routine immunizations While waiting for those updated vaccinations, it’s important to keep children on schedule for routine childhood immunizations, health experts say.

The COVID-19 pandemic — and the lockdowns, school closures and limited health care visits that accompanied it — created widespread delays to routine well-child visits and vaccinations.

In the US, like in Washington state, childhood vaccination rates have slipped in recent years.

The reasons for the decline are diverse, ranging from healthcare access delays to the widespread misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination, Fairchok explained. Those drops are problematic since the country’s lower vaccination rates could lead to outbreaks of measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and other highlycontagious illnesses. Late last year, for example, an Ohio measles outbreak sickened 85 children, with 36 requiring hospitalizations.

LEARNING / 9

ED UCAT IO N

WELL NE S S

continued from page 9

Local children falling behind on vaccines Locally, Washington has seen a similar decline with vaccine coverage declining in all age groups other than 13-to-17 year olds, according to a 2022 report.

That trend is reflected in local pediatrician Dr. Basma Raees’ experience, too. Before the pandemic, about 90% of her young patients were following suggested vaccination schedules. Now that number has dropped to just 70%, said Raees, who works with Evergreen Pediatrics in Kirkland.

On a recent weekday afternoon, Raees met back-to-back with three families who were hesitant to vaccinate their children for childhood illnesses such as measles and whooping cough. The COVID vaccine and the widespread misinformation that circulated had

spilled over to routine vaccinations.

“We feel sad about it,” she said. “One bad social media post can spoil it.

There’s too much misinformation.”

The decline is troublesome since unvaccinated children are out in the community, attending day care and school, she explained. Without the protection of vaccines, they’re vulnerable to potentially dangerous illnesses while also raising the risk of infecting infants and other people unable to be vaccinated.

Declining numbers increases outbreak risk While figures vary for each disease, measles spreads so easily that immunity in the community requires about 95% of the population to be vaccinated. The United States overall has dipped to 93% of people who are

vaccinated, while Washington state has also recently dipped below that 95% threshold.

“We’re really ripe for an outbreak in Washington state,” Fairchok said.

Measles is so contagious that one person can spread it to 9 out of 10 people around them if they are not protected. In a closed space like a classroom or daycare, the virus can linger even for two hours after the infected person leaves.

The infection commonly causes a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash that covers the entire body. Complications include ear infections, pneumonia and encephalitis, or brain inflammation. Globally, 128,000 people died of measles in 2021, mostly children under age five, according to the World Health Organization.

Our creative, fun, and messy classes promote motor development and provide sensory exploration in a stimulating social environment.

Book your child’s spot today!

9:30-10:30 am on Wednesday mornings • 10/4-11/15 • 18 months-3 years $75 for all or $15 per class • reservations requested • space is limited

wleberman@jds.org • 425.460.0260 • 15749 NE 4th Street, Bellevue

Inquire deeply...Engage joyously Preschool-Grade 8

1 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

Vaccination is highly protective against measles with two doses about 97% effective. Previously the United States’ higher vaccination rate made these infections rare. But, with vaccinations dropping, that’s changing.

Addressing misplaced fears For physicians who remember life without certain vaccines, the drop in vaccinations is frustrating.

During her days as a young physician, Fairchok recalls seeing young patients with a bacterial infection known as Hib, a disease which can cause inflammation of the brain lining and spinal cord.

Before the vaccine was created, about 20,000 young children in the U.S. got serious Hib disease and about 1000 died, according to the CDC. Now, the vaccine is “wildly successful” in preventing that illness, Fairchok said.

When it comes to vaccine hesitancy, Fairchok offers the metaphor of a seatbelt. There is great evidence that safety belts are effective and reduce fatalities. While some may find the seatbelts themselves uncomfortable, when used correctly, they save lives. That is the same logic for vaccinations: they’re safe and effective and reduce fatalities.

When faced with so many disparate sources of information, Fairchok recommends turning to trusted sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (aap.org) and your primary care provider. AAP strongly recommends on-time routine immunization of all children and adolescents and offers a schedule detailing that timeline.

Don’t go down the Google holes that can be alarmist and inaccurate,” she said. “I would trust in the vast bulk of people trained in these areas rather than the outliers.

■

Kellie Schmitt is an award-winning health and science writer.

Sponsored by

The Department of Health (doh.wa.gov) works to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state by leading changes in policies, systems and environments to prevent illness and injury; promoting healthy families and communities; encouraging healthy lifestyles; and focusing on places where people live, learn, work, recreate, seek health care and worship.

LEARNING / 11

Make math into a fun puzzle and STEM aspirations become accessible.

Montessori children love math.

Why? They playfully explore it with ZJPLU[PÄJHSS` KLZPNULK TH[LYPHSZ (IZ[YHJ[ PKLHZ [H\NO[ PU LSLTLU[HY`· like (a+b+c)3·[PL IHJR [V WYLZJOVVS hands-on work, like this Trinomial *\IL 9LJVNUP[PVU IYPUNZ QV`

Learn more at L]LYNYLLUHJHKLT` JVT

INFANT - KINDERGARTEN

1 2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

BELLEVUE • BOTHELL • ISSAQUAH • KIRKLAND • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE

ED UCAT IO N

Climate Ed

The State of Climate Education in Washington How do local schools measure up?

By Gemma Alexander

Politics aside, science leaves no room for doubt that climate change is real and that it’s the result of human activity.

Washington state education standards call for climate education as part of scientific instruction. And in the left-leaning Puget Sound region, there’s not much political objection to teaching kids accurate climate science. But all of that still doesn’t guarantee that your child is actually getting a quality climate education.

Science standards In 2022, a Pew Research Center survey in 19 of the world’s most developed countries found that climate change was considered the top global threat — even more threatening than the ongoing pandemic and issues regarding the global economy. But compared to other advanced nations, Pew reports, “concerns are relatively muted in the U.S.” As we

LEARNING / 13

ED UCAT ION

BEFORE & AFTER CARE SAMENA.COM

425.746.1160

SAMENA

PRIVATE & DSHS WELCOME

USDA SNACKS PROVIDED | SWIMMING HOMEWORK CLUB | GUIDED ACTIVITIES

NOW ENROLLING | 425-746-1160

C L IM AT E ED

continued from page 13

begin to regularly experience the extreme weather and natural disasters associated with climate change, fewer people are clinging to climate change denial. Yet simply acknowledging the climate crisis is not enough. The next generation will need knowledge and skills to participate in a green economy and eliminate global dependence on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, the American education system isn’t exactly poised to provide that learning.

The nonprofit development organization FHI 360 recently released a report outlining strategic recommendations to help strengthen climate education. The first recommendation was to establish policies that support climate education at every level of the educational system. In the U.S., each state has its own education system, and those systems vary widely in quality. When it comes to climate science, only one state’s science education standards earned an A grade from the National Center for Science Education; six states received a failing grade. Washington state scored a B+.

“In many ways Washington state is leading the nation,” says Becky Bronstein, associate director of programs at EarthGen, a nonprofit that provides climate-focused professional development and classroom resources to educators in Washington state. Washington has adopted Next Generation Science Standards.

“Next Generation Science Standards came out a number of years ago as part of a nationwide effort to reimagine how science teaching and science learning looks. There’s also state-specific standards that are particular to climate and human-impact topic areas,” Bronstein explains.

What kind of policies would bring Washington’s grade up to an A? Bronstein says, “The standards can definitely be improved. There’s plenty of room for adding more details, especially as the science and its complex intersections become more clear.” She also suggests that a mandatory professional development policy would ensure that all teachers have some training in climate education.

Join our loving Preschool - 8th grade community! admissions@ecswa.org • (425) 641-5570

www.ecswa.org 1 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

But state policies and science standards are only the first step, and they don’t always translate to effective instruction in the classroom. Sometimes,

they don’t translate into any instruction at all.

State of climate education “There’s a whole mess of variables of why students aren’t receiving science education, let alone climate change and climate justice learning,” says Bronstein. Some of these reasons are pointed out in two of the recommendations made in the FHI 360 report: Effective climate education requires access to high-quality curricula and materials that are grounded in scientific data; and educators need training and professional development to deliver those materials.

“Professional development is not just giving the content knowledge, it helps give the confidence and preparedness to bring it into the classroom.”

the

history and culture

of the Tulalip Tribes

When districts have sufficient funding, they often adopt and purchase curricula for all teachers to use. This adoption process can take years, including a pilot year to test the curriculum before rolling it out districtwide with training (which also costs money) for the teachers who will implement it.

“Curricula quickly can become outdated, sometimes they don’t align with current standards, there might be something problematic about it or the materials that go with the curriculum run out and there’s no funding to get those things.

It’s much more complicated than just ‘This school has curriculum for this topic.’ If they have adopted curriculum, it doesn’t always mean that everything is just going along swimmingly,” says Bronstein. But many schools would love to have the problems associated with purchased science curricula. Every district has its own educational priorities and funding limitations, and science is often the area that is neglected as schools focus on literacy and arithmetic.

CRAFT EVENTS AND MORE! :MWMX SYV [IFWMXI JSV MRJS

HibulbCulturalCenter.org ȰȏȦȉ ȶȴVH &ZI 3* 8YPEPMT ;& ȟȁȶȮȦ ȴȰȉ ȮȦȰ ȶȰȉȉ MRJS%-MFYPF(YPXYVEP(IRXIV.SVK

In the absence of officially sanctioned and provided science curriculum, there are a lot of open-source science resources available online.

But using them puts the burden on teachers to organize the information, collect any relevant materials (often with their personal money), and

LEARNING / 15

ED UCAT IO N

CL I M ATE ED

continued from page 15

tie the content to district requirements and state standards. Teachers are already overburdened, but this effort is especially challenging when it comes to climate science.

“Climate change is complex, and it has also been such a politicized issue. It’s scary and brings up a lot of different emotions. Teachers need support in how to navigate all those different complexities and how to bring that into their classroom,” says Bronstein. Climate science was not taught in schools back when most teachers were students themselves, and it is rarely taught as part of teacher training, which usually focuses more on pedagogy than content. Professional development is needed to ensure that teachers understand the science they need to teach.

“Professional development is not just giving the content knowledge, it helps give the confidence and preparedness to bring it into the classroom,” says Bronstein.

Many teachers do not feel confident that they are prepared to teach climate science. Their comfort level in presenting this information may be further undermined by the culture of the community and level of support from their school administration in responding to any potentially negative feedback they may receive.

“When understanding all the different factors that a given community is facing, for some communities, even just equipping educators to bring the words ‘climate change’ into the classroom is a huge step forward,” says Bronstein.

But when all those factors align, schools may provide an interdisciplinary approach to climate science that can

Two Great Preschools - One Great Community In Wallingford Play-based, outdoor program • Ages 2.5–5 Part time and full time NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2023–2024 SCHOOL YEAR

fremontcommunityschool.org • tarastots.com 3530 & 3534 Interlake Ave. N., Seattle 98103 1 6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M LM23_fremont_comm_school_1-4.indd 1

8/31/23 2:32 PM

extend beyond the classroom to the community.

“Students are actually taking action around climate change, thanks to the learning that they have had in the classroom, which is thanks to professional development that their teachers received,” says Bronstein. Most communities fall somewhere in between the extreme of no science and the ideal of empowerment to take action.

State of local schools So, is your child learning climate science?

“It’s kind of the nature of our education system that it’s hard to ensure that every student is equipped to perform to a particular standard’s expectations. [Results vary] depending on resources and methods of evaluation. I’m sure that parents have heard about state testing,” says Bronstein. Standardized testing is indeed its own can of worms. Although standardized tests are often used to judge individual student performance and determine their placement, the tests are actually designed to evaluate the school’s effectiveness. OSPI’s Washington State Report Card provides a sometimes sobering perspective on that front. Statewide, just under 43% of students met science standards last year.

In the Puget Sound area, “People have not just heard of climate change, they want to do something about it. But this area of the state has a lot of those conflicting variables — differences in resources and other challenges with supporting students in other ways — so climate change is often put on the back burner. Even though teachers might be excited about it and want to do something, they just might not have the time or the energy or the capacity to do it,” says Bronstein.

You might find out which science curriculum your child’s school uses on the school or district website. But unless you’ve been involved in a curriculum selection process (and you really should, if you can), that information might not mean much to you. The best way to know for sure what, or if, your child is learning about climate change is to ask. Talk to your student and their teacher about what they are learning in their classroom. Talk to the district administration and school board about what’s being taught at different grade levels.

Pre-K to 5th Grade

in Seattle's North Capitol Hill neighborhood 206-324-5476 | www.bertschi.org | admit@bertschi.org

The daily experience at Bertschi School is a celebration of childhood.

Visit Bertschi School OPEN HOUSES Saturday, November 4 from 2:00-4:00 PM Saturday, January 6 from 1:00-3:00 PM

TOURS Monthly on Tuesday mornings, October-January Afternoon on October 26 & November 30

Where

Back-To-School is Cool!

Across nine Seattle locations, our programs for children 6 weeks to 12 years foster a love for learning, friendship, and play.

Now Enrolling!

Kidscountryinc.com • 360-668-5145 Kid’s Country accepts all subsidized care.

L E A R N I N G / 17

ED UCAT IO N

CL I M ATE ED

continued from page 17

Quality climate education should include three things: Scientific fundamentals It should answer the questions “What is climate change?”

“How do we know the climate is changing?” and “How do we know humans are causing it?” The lessons should be connected to data and help students understand how data is used to inform conclusions.

Local impacts Climate science is complex, but it is not abstract. Students should learn about specific, local impacts of climate change.

“Here in Seattle, I don’t necessarily need to learn about polar bears and melting ice caps. That just makes me sad and makes me feel a bit powerless. But if I’m learning about flooding and erosion happening on the coast, or about how I’m living in a place that now experiences smoke regularly in late summer, that impacts me and makes me want to understand why. And then I want to know what I can do about it,” says Bronstein.

Agency to action The science is clear: Human activity is responsible for climate change. That means human activity is required to stop it.

A theoretical understanding of climate change is useless unless students learn how they can be part of the solution.

Learning about solutions is not just pragmatic. It also provides students with a sense of agency, which is a valuable social-emotional learning experience as well.

Take action If your child’s science education falls short, you can take action yourself.

“We need everyone on board, including parents — now more than ever,” says Bronstein.

At home, you can engage in environmental action as a family and read books to learn about the environment. At school, parents can take leadership roles in projects like after-school green teams or cafeteria food waste programs.

Especially in our part of the state, many environmental education organizations can help with projects like these and also provide free resources to teachers.

0RVW )DPLOLHV 4XDOLI\ IRU )UHH RU 5HGXFHG 7XLWLRQ

6SRWV 6WLOO $YDLODEOH

7Z @^cYZg\VgiZc GZVYn VHDWWOH JRY DSSO\VSS

1 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

([WHQGHG 'D\ &KLOG &DUH 2SWLRQV

Community organizations that support environmental and climate science This is just a handful of the many organizations supporting parents and teachers in our area with educational programs and resources.

EarthGen • earthgenwa.org Nature Vision • naturevision.org Washington State Conservation Districts • scc.wa.gov King County Green Schools • kingcounty.gov

UCDS.ORG • 206.547.8237 • SEATTLE

Strong focus on Social& Emotional Development

PRESCHOOL-5TH GRADE

Engaged & committed to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Small class sizes (8:1) Individualized instruction Innovative thematic curriculum designed by UCDS teachers Rigorous curriculum for academic success Dedicated classes for Science, Tech, Art, Music, Spanish, Library & P.E.

City of Tacoma EnviroChallengers • cityoftacoma.org

INFANT-TODDLER EDUCATION Inquiry-based explorations

NatureBridge • naturebridge.org

Individualized experiences Relationship-driven & student-centered

IslandWood • islandwood.org

Highly experiential

“There’s all sorts of interesting programs and great work done by community-based organizations like EarthGen and others that directly engage with students,” says Bronstein.

“EarthGen provides NGS-driven [Next Generation Standards], culturally sustaining resources that are fun and interesting. They all move students toward taking some kind of action so that they feel they have agency and are empowered by their learning.”

Parents can also advocate with the district to allocate resources for climate education and encourage integrated learning approaches that don’t pit academic subjects against one another. When you vote, from the school board to Congress, be sure your candidate supports education and the environment. The National Education Association produces an education scorecard for Congress.

Washington Conservation Action endorses environmentally minded candidates across the state.

■

Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

Children are given the assurance to explore, discover, connect & create

Accepting Applications for Age 3-Grade 8

“Eton School has done an excellent job preparing my children to be compassionate leaders and problem-solvers.” ~Parent of Alumni

Open House: 4 November 2023 and 6 January 2024 From 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Learn more about our program, schedule a tour, and get answers to your questions! www.etonschool.org/admissions 2701 Bellevue-Redmond Road Bellevue WA 98008 425-881-4230 @etonschool.washington

@EtonSchoolWA

@ etonschoolwa

LEARNING / 19

Getting an education doesn't have to be the same for everyone.

Personalized learning

with Washington-certified teachers is available for your student. Scan this QR code to learn more and enroll!

®

Where healthier futures begin Bothell • Factoria • Issaquah Highlands Redmond • Redmond Ridge Sammamish • Totem Lake (425) 827-4600 AllegroPediatrics.com

2 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

For more than 25 years, TODDLER, EARLY CHILDHOOD, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL 2024-2025 PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: JAN. 15, 2024 An authentic Montessori education for Toddler through 12th grade Bothell & Woodinville campuses Development of strong personal values & social emotional skills Low student-teacher ratios where all students are known Curriculum designed for college-bound students with Honors options

Redefining the Middle School Experience • Confidence-building outdoor education • Challenging & engaging academics • 3 years of Drama, Art, & Music • Nurturing teachers • Small classes • Grades 6-8

WEEKLY TOURS & NOV. 4 OPEN HOUSE woodinvillemontessori.org

F OR

gifted kids WHO love to learn

Weekly tours available! Visit our website for information about financial aid and admission events.

INSPIRING TEACHERS | K-8 | AUTHENTIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE | STRONG COMMITMENT TO DEI

www.openwindowschool.org

206.935.0495 explorer-west.org

LEARNING / 21

This fall, join us for

U I O F S C O U N R E !

F Atenas Morales

¡Artastico!

Spooky Kooky Workshop

Botanical Beauty: Scarf Dyeing

Spooktacular: Where the Wild Things Wander

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with a night of art, music, and dance!

It’s sure to be a creative journey for the whole family!

FRI, SEPT 29, 5–8pm

Featuring local artist Atenas Morales of Scarabajo, families will concoct their own natural dyes and use them to create patterned scarves to take home and wear just in time for fall.

FRI, OCT 13, 5–7pm

Become a mad scientist as we experiment with things that glow, stretch, and float. Learn the science behind things spooky and kooky.

Check out our virtual workshop option too!

THU, OCT 26 and FRI, OCT 27, 5:30 –7pm

Celebrate Halloween at KidsQuest and experience ‘Max’s Monster Mercantile’ while building secret forts that transport you to the land where the Wild Things Wander!

This monster-ific event is fun for all!

SUN, OCT 29, 9:30am–5pm

Visit the Museum to discover the possibilities!

Love of learning starts here.

Free and discounted tickets available for those who qualify. info@KidsQuestMuseum.org

Exhibits include: a real semi-truck cab, live bees and worms, a play-pretend corner stage with costumes, and a 2.5-story climber!

Reserve your tickets to play today!

KidsQuestMuseum.org

ED UCAT IO N

Paying for College Keep Your College Savings On Track Saving for higher education is easier than you think

By ParentMap staff With summer over and school back in session, we are finally settling into new school year routines. In addition to making sure the lunches are packed and we’re on time at the drop-off/pick-up line, we need to make sure we’re still attending to our college savings goals.

Fresh out of my own ideas on how to best save money for the future, I turned to the utmost authority on the topic — my 3-year-old daughter.

“Well, you could put it in your piggy bank … or your wallet … or your pocket! But if you do a cartwheel when it’s in your pocket, it might fall out,” she said.

So, with a bit of help from my little girl, here are three quick tips to keep your savings on track this year.

Feed your piggy bank first When it comes to saving for college, the sooner you start, the better. If you don’t already have a college savings account, check out Washington College Savings Plans’ website (529.wa.gov) to learn more about Washington’s 529 plans. These programs help boost your savings efforts by offering exclusive opportunities to Washington residents.

These can include special tax or financial incentives, or unique programs such as prepaid tuition plans that act as insurance against rising in-state tuition costs. Once you start your savings journey, keep it going with regular contributions. Most 529 plans make setting up automatic monthly withdrawals from your bank account easy.

Keep a good inventory of your wallet The beginning of the school year is a great time to check in on your family budget to keep a firm grasp on your spending habits and find opportunities to free up additional funds.

You could consider a staycation in lieu of more exotic destinations and take advantage of low and no-cost local

activities. You might also want to use this time of year to identify new or newly freed up funds, such as a raise at work or reduced daycare costs when your child starts school. However you can free up funds, it’s essential to refer back to our first tip and redirect them into savings when possible.

Watch your pockets – especially while cartwheeling Our finances are most vulnerable when they’re burning holes in our pockets. While we should be mindful of this, moderation is everyone’s best friend here. Life is short, after all, so we don’t want to continuously deprive ourselves of doing those cartwheels and treating ourselves from time to time. One way to balance things here is to set family ground rules before you leave the house about what type of thing you might want to splurge on or how much money you will earmark for that purpose, rather than leaving it to impulse in the moment.

Sponsored by

WA529 (Washington College Savings Plans) helps Washington families save for educational expenses, with a vision of fostering a welleducated community by helping students and families overcome financial barriers to education and avoid future debt.

LEARNING / 23

ED UCAT ION

PAY IN G F O R C O L L EGE

Understanding Washington State’s 529 Plan Options Washington offers two 529 plans that will cover most families’ needs: DreamAhead College Investment Plan and Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET). Families can participate in either or both programs. For more information visit 529.wa.gov.

DreamAhead Operating much like a 401K, DreamAhead offers parents a variety of mutual fund options. Parents can manage their own investments but with the tax advantages of a 529 plan. If you are already comfortable with investing, the flexibility of DreamAhead may be right for you. It can also be a better choice if you’re getting a late start on college planning and don’t have many years left to save.

Don’t borrow your children’s future. Build it.

GET ENROLLMENT OPENS NOV - 1

529.WA.GOV GET and DreamAhead are qualified tuition programs sponsored and distributed by the State of Washington. The Committee on Advanced Tuition Payment and College Savings administers and the Washington Student Achievement Council supports the plans. DreamAhead investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. If in-state tuition decreases in the future, GET tuition units may lose value.

2 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

GET The GET prepaid tuition program is Washington’s original 529 plan. Each November, GET establishes the price of its tuition units for the next enrollment period. During that period, parents can open up new pay-as-you-go accounts to buy lump sum amounts of whole or partial units. Or they can set up a custom monthly savings plan and commit to purchasing a certain number of units at the current price by making monthly payments for a fixed amount of time (usually based on the child’s graduation date).

Once your child reaches college, they can use their units. No matter how much tuition has risen since the initial enrollment period, 100 GET units will always be equal to the cost of one year of tuition at Washington’s most expensive public college (which is currently the University of Washington).

GET is often the simpler choice for families because they can “set it and forget it” without having to manage investments.

■

— Gemma Alexander

ADVANCED MATH CLASSES

Now Enrolling The Russian School of Mathematics is an award-winning, after-school math enrichment program. We use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop our students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life.

Fall Classes Now Enrolling!

RSM is “among the top 10 schools in the world.”

– Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

3 Locations in WA MathSchool.com

Bellevue

(425) 518-6114

Schedule a FREE Math Evaluation!

Factoria

(425) 230-6452

Redmond

(425) 616-3511

QUESTION. IMAGINE. CREATE. CONTRIBUTE. SERVING GRADES 6-12 ON CAPITOL HILL IN SEATTLE.

SEATTLEACADEMY.ORG

LEARNING / 25

Arrive Curious. Leave Inspired.

Asia Pacific Language School Academic Success With A Second Language

CHINESE & JAPANESE Preschool to First Grade

Pre-K & Kindergarten • Enrichment Classes • Summer Language Camp • STAMP & AP Prep Chinese & Japanese virtual learning & computer application • Small size classes & tutoring

www.apls.org • 425-641-1703 • 425-747-4172

LM22_asia_pac_lang_school_1-8h.indd 1

Explore school experiences focused on global health, gender equality, design thinking & more!

Across from Seattle Center Wednesday – Saturday 10 am to 5 pm Public tours at 2 pm

Always Free discovergates.org/education

@discovergates

2 6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

EDUCATORS: Now booking in-person and virtual school tours!

8/30/22 4:40 PM

northwestschool.org

The

Tools to Take

You Any-

where

PRESENTING SPONSOR: PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Parent smarter, not harder!

Parent smarter, not harder!

12 can’t-miss talks for parents 12 can’t-miss talks for parents

ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks series continues with a tremendous lineup of expert speakers who will help boost your parenting IQ. Topics include tips for raising technology-savvy kids in a ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks series continues with a tremendous lineup of expert speakers who will help screen-obsessed world; deepening connection with our partners and children; fostering the key traits boost your parenting IQ. Topics include tips for raising technology-savvy kids in a and habits that are predictors of children’s success and good health — and much more. screen-obsessed world; deepening connection with our partners and children; fostering the key traits and habits that are predictors of children’s success and good health — and much more.

BONUS! FREE access BONUS! to interview

FREEauthor accessof with to interview “Never Enough” with author of with one-click “Never Enough” registration. with one-click First 25 registration.

receive First 25 book! receive book!

Don’t miss out! One quick registration gains you access to the entire lineup.

Don’t miss out! One quick registration gains you access to the entire lineup.

Don’t REGISTER miss out!

NOW: Don’t REGISTER miss out!

ParentMap.com/talks NOW: ParentMap.com/talks

Turn the page to see the full slate of all-star speakers and topics Turn the page to see the full slate of all-star speakers and topics

PLATINUM EVENT PARTNER

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

PLATINUM EVENT PARTNER

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS LEARNING / 27

To best nurture others, we must expand our capacity to nurture ourselves. In this can’t-miss talk, veteran mindful self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton and Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate a habit of restorative self-compassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-reflection, self-care and emotional resilience.

Nate and Kaley Klemp, two of the most respected voices in the field of modern relationships, will impart key insights of their 80/80 marriage model, which is based on the concept of “radical generosity.” Learn game-changing strategies for redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and principles that will result in shared success and lasting satisfaction.

In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom Project executive director David Heppard and T.E.A.C.H. (Taking Education and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways we see ourselves and others, reflecting on the wisdom they gained from their experience of incarceration and subsequent leadership working toward criminal justice and prison reform.

From toddlers exploring their immediate environment to twentysomethings charting their place in society, children’s “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspect of growing up.

Professor and author Katie Davis, Ph.D., draws on her expertise in developmental science and design research to clarify what parents need to understand about technology’s role at each stage of their child’s development.

Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog, Ed.S., will share her conscious discipline playbook in this talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline principles into everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm.

With Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents About Raising Changemakers | March 27, 2024

ParentEd welcomeshost, host,Laura LauraKastner, Kastner,Ph.D. Ph.D. ParentEd Talks Talks welcomes What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024

Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024

ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner, Ph.D., as the host of its 2023–2024 ParentMap is honored to present Laura Kastner, Ph.D., as the host of its 2023–2024 ParentEd series. Kastner Kastnerisisthe theauthor authorofofaanumber number parenting books, ParentEd Talks Talks series. ofof parenting books, including acclaimed “Getting “Gettingto toCalm” Calm”series, series,and anda a clinical professor including the the acclaimed clinical professor of of psychiatry behavioral sciences sciencesat atthe theUniversity Universityofof Washington. psychiatry and and behavioral Washington.

Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Digital Age | March 5, 2024

Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Feb. 6, 2024

Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child development specialists from the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, will join Mike Browne, senior director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington, for an engaging conversation about the brain science of play and the critical role of play in our lives.

The Power of Play: The Most Underrated (and Fun!) Way to Grow for YOU and Your Child | Jan. 23, 2024

Upcoming ParentEdTalks Talks Upcoming ParentEd

Atypical and Beauty Beautyof ofYour YourDifferently DifferentlyWired Wired Kid| Oct. | Oct. 2023 AtypicalApproaches: Approaches:Unlock Unlock the the Brilliance Brilliance and Kid 10,10, 2023

Whenparents parentsare arestruggling struggling with challenging accepting their child’s neurodivergence, When challenging behavior behavioror orhaving havingaadifficult difficulttime time accepting their child’s neurodivergence, theparent-child parent-childrelationship relationship can suffer.

Debbie Reber willwill share transformative the suffer. Parent Parentactivist activistand andbestselling bestsellingauthor author Debbie Reber share transformative strategies— —what whatshe she calls calls “tilts” — for parent that their exceptional child needs strategies for caregivers caregiversto tobecome becomethe theexceptional exceptional parent that their exceptional child needs orderto tothrive. thrive. ininorder

ThePower Powerof ofRelationships: Relationships: Nurturing Nurturing Compassion | Oct. 24, 2023 The Compassionand andResilience ResilienceininChildren Children | Oct. 24, 2023

Oneofofthe thestrongest strongest predictors predictors of of success Goldstein, Ph.D., and Robert B. Brooks, Ph.D., One success in in life lifeisisperseverance, perseverance,and andSam Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., and Robert B. Brooks, Ph.D., wrote the book on how parents can cultivate the essential instincts that power perseverance in their children. wrote the book on how parents can cultivate the essential instincts that power perseverance in their children.

Brooks and Goldstein’s compassionate approach will inspire you to rethink how you parent, socialize and educate Brooks and Goldstein’s compassionate approach will inspire you to rethink how you parent, socialize and educate your children into adulthood. your children into adulthood.

The Future Is Now: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI and What to Do About It | Nov. 14, 2023 The Future Is Now: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI and What to Do About It | Nov. 14, 2023

Christine Rosen, Ph.D., a leading expert on the intersection of technology and education, will share her insights on the Christine Rosen, Ph.D., leading expert on the of technology and education, will share her insights the on the groundbreaking — andadisruptive — impacts of intersection emerging generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, illuminating groundbreaking — and disruptive impacts ofsafely emerging generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, the ways parents and educators can — help children navigate the positive potentials and possible pitfallsilluminating of AI. ways parents and educators can help children safely navigate the positive potentials and possible pitfalls of AI.

Unplug and Rewire: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in the Tech Era | Dec. 6, 2023 Unplug and Rewire: Raising Screen-Savvy Kids in the Tech Era | Dec. 6, 2023

, will share her insights on the ch as ChatGPT, illuminating the nd possible pitfalls of AI.

.D., and Robert B. Brooks, Ph.D., verance in their children. arent, socialize and educate

ng their child’s neurodivergence, ber will share transformative at their exceptional child needs

2024

It | Nov. 14, 2023

Oct. 24, 2023

ashington.

linical professor of

id | Oct. 10, 2023

In this essential talk, suicide risk assessment expert Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LISW, will guide parents through the sensitive and challenging topic ofassessment supporting their child’s mental health. Among powerful strategies Freedenthal In this essential talk, suicide risk expert Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D.,the LISW, will guide parents through the will outline is brave listening, which not only helps our children feel seen, heard and supported, but can literally be sensitive and challenging topic of supporting their child’s mental health. Among the powerful strategies Freedenthal the difference between life and death. will outline is brave listening, which not only helps our children feel seen, heard and supported, but can literally be the difference between life and death.

f parenting books,

tner, Ph.D.

e host of its 2023–2024

Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health | Jan. 10 2024 Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health | Jan. 10 2024

maging technology overuse of raising screen-savvy kids

Joe Clement and Matt Miles are veteran teachers who have witnessed firsthand how damaging technology overuse andClement misuse and has been to ourare kids.

In thisteachers energizingwho talk,have theywitnessed will outline firsthand the challenges of raising screen-savvy kids Joe Matt Miles veteran how damaging technology overuse andmisuse providehas practical strategies well-balanced and been to our kids.for Inpromoting this energizing talk, theytechnology will outlinehabits. the challenges of raising screen-savvy kids and provide practical strategies for promoting well-balanced technology habits.

The Power of Play: The Most Underrated (and Fun!) Way to Grow for YOU and Your Child | Jan. 23, 2024 The Power of Play: The Most Underrated (and Fun!) Way to Grow for YOU and Your Child | Jan. 23, 2024 The Power of Play: The Most Underrated (and Fun!) Way to Grow for YOU and Your Child | Jan. 23

Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child development specialists from the Institute for Learning Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child development specialists from the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, will join Mike Browne, senior director of Community Engagement for Cultivate Learning atfor theLear Amelia Ph.D., and Marley Jarvis, Ph.D., child Engagement development specialists from the Institute & Brain Sciences, will Bachleda, join Mike Browne, senior director of Community for Cultivate Learning at the University&ofBrain Washington, for anjoin engaging conversation about the brain scienceEngagement of play and the critical role of Sciences, will Mike Browne, senior director of Community for Cultivate Learning a University of Washington, for an engaging conversation about the brain science of play and the critical role of play in our lives.

University of Washington, for an engaging conversation about the brain science of play and the critical ro play in our lives. play in our lives.

024

,

Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier | Feb. 6, 2024 Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Kids Feb. 6, 2024 Conscious: Curious, Connected Discipline Strategies for Happier, Healthier Kids | Feb. 6, 2024

Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Ed.S., willher share her conscious discipline playbook Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Julietta Skoog,Skoog, Ed.S., will share conscious discipline playbook in this in this talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline principles into talk that compassionately translates research, child development andwill Positive principles into playb Parenting expert and Sproutable cofounder Juliettaexpertise Skoog, Ed.S., shareDiscipline her conscious discipline everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm. everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and calm. talk that compassionately translates research, child development expertise and Positive Discipline princ everyday parenting solutions that have helped countless families discover greater joy, connection and c

Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Age | Age March 5, 2024 Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting inDigital the Digital | March 5, 2024 Technology’s Child: Empowered Parenting in the Digital Age | March 5, 2024

vergence, mative ild needs

ks, Ph.D., en. ucate

s on the ting the I.

eruse y kids

ough the edenthal ally be

FromFrom toddlers exploring their their immediate environment to twentysomethings charting their place society, toddlers exploring immediate environment to twentysomethings charting theirinplace in society, children’s “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspect of growing up.placeup. children’s “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspect growing From toddlers exploring their immediate environment to twentysomethings chartingof their in socie Professor andchildren’s author Katie Davis, Ph.D., draws on her expertise in developmental science and design research Professor and author Katie Davis, Ph.D., draws on her expertise in developmental science and design “screen time” and digital social relationships have become an inescapable aspectresearch of growing to clarify whatProfessor parents need to understand aboutPh.D., technology’s role eachatstage their of child’s to clarify what parents to Katie understand about technology’s role each stage theirdevelopment. child’s development. andneed author Davis, draws on heratexpertise in of developmental science and design re

to clarify what parents need to understand about technology’s role at each stage of their child’s develo

With Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents AboutAbout Raising With Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents Raising Changemakers March 27, 2024 With| Conviction: What Formerly Incarcerated Leaders Can Teach Parents About Raising Changemakers | March 27, 2024

Changemakers | March 27, 2024

In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom Project executive director David Heppard and T.E.A.C.H. (Taking Education In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom Project executive director David Heppard and T.E.A.C.H. (Taking Education and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways we see ourselves and and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways and we see ourselves andE In this thought-provoking talk, Freedom executive director David Heppard T.E.A.C.H. (Taking others, reflecting on the wisdom they gained from their Project experience of incarceration and subsequent leadership others, reflecting on the wisdom they gained from their experience of incarceration and subsequent leadership and Creating History) founder Kimonti Carter will decode the systems that shape the ways we see ours working toward criminal justice and prison reform. working toward justice and prisonthey reform. others,criminal reflecting on the wisdom gained from their experience of incarceration and subsequent lea working toward criminal justice and prison reform.

Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024 Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024 Stronger Together: A New Model for Modern Marriage | April 16, 2024

Nate and Kaley Klemp, two of the most respected voices in the field of modern relationships, will impart key Nateofand Kaley Klemp, two model, of the most voices in the field of modern relationships, insights their 80/80 marriage whichrespected is based on the concept of “radical generosity.”

Learn will impart key insights ofNate their 80/80 marriage model, which is based onpartnership the concept offield “radical generosity.”

Learn will impart and Kaley Klemp, two of most respected voices in the modern relationships, game-changing strategies for redesigning thethe structure of your based onof practices and principles game-changing strategies for redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and principles that will resultinsights in shared andmarriage lasting satisfaction. of success their 80/80 model, which is based on the concept of “radical generosity.”

Learn that will result in shared success and satisfaction. game-changing strategies forlasting redesigning the structure of your partnership based on practices and prin

that will result in shared success and lasting satisfaction.

What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024 What’s Love Got to Do With It? The Power of Nurturing Yourself First | May 1, 2024 Love Gotwe tomust Do With It? Power of Nurturing First |talk, Mayveteran 1, 2024 To What’s best nurture others, expand ourThe capacity to nurture ourselves.Yourself In this can’t-miss mindful

self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton andour Yaffa Maritz,to LMHC, will ourselves. teach caregivers to cultivate a habit mindful To best nurture others, we must expand capacity nurture In this how can’t-miss talk, veteran of restorative self-compassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton and Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate habit To best nurture others, we must expand our capacity to nurture ourselves. In this can’t-miss talk,a veteran self-reflection, self-care and emotional resilience. of restorative self-compassion, equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-awareness, self-compassion facilitators Blair Carleton and Yaffa Maritz, LMHC, will teach caregivers how to cultivate

self-reflection, self-careself-compassion, and emotional resilience. of restorative equipping them with powerful techniques for developing greater self-aw self-reflection, self-care and emotional resilience.

Calm and Connected: Coaching Coping Skills in Your Children | June 5, 2024

Calm and Connected: Coaching Coping Skills in Your Children | June 5, 2024 Mental health and author JanineCoping Halloran, Skills LMHC, will draw on her decades of experience Calm andcounselor Connected: Coaching in Your Children | June 5, 2024 working

with children and families to impart practical and effective strategies to help kids and teens develop the coping, Mental health counselor and author Janine Halloran, LMHC, will draw on her decades of experience working self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common mental with children andhealth families to impart practical effective strategies to draw help kids and teens develop the coping, Mental counselor and author and Janine Halloran, LMHC, will on her decades of experience work health challenges. self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common mental with children and families to impart practical and effective strategies to help kids and teens develop th health challenges. self-regulation and social skills they need to manage stress, reduce anxiety and manage other common health challenges.

Radhika, patient at Seattle Children’s

Hope. Care. Cure.™

Seattle Children’s is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2023–2024 ParentEd Talks series

Keep your family safe and healthy Scan the QR code below to sign up for Seattle Children’s Good Growing e-newsletter. Each issue shares timely tips to keep your family as safe and healthy as they can be.

3 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

ED UCAT IO N

Artificial Intelligence

What You (and Your Child) Need to Know About ChatGPT Exploring the potential risks and rewards of generative AI

By Gemma Alexander

Unless you’ve been meditating in a cave since spring, you are probably aware that the internet is freaking out about the impending robot uprising. Until recently the stuff of science fiction, artificial intelligence (AI) has suddenly become a middle school homework issue. In May, my child’s English teacher sent out an email that read: “ChatGPT is not an acceptable way to complete assignments for Language Arts. It has pros and cons in other contexts, but in my class, I hope you’ll understand that when I find students using ChatGPT, they’ll see significant negative consequences in their grades.”

Parents must gain a better understanding of those pros and cons if we’re going to set healthy boundaries around artificial intelligence. Because while parents are trying to understand what ChatGPT even is, kids are already using it.

LEARNING / 31

ED UCAT IO N

AI responsible use, and ongoing monitoring.... It is crucial to consider ethical implications, address biases, and ensure transparency and accountability in AI systems to harness its potential for the benefit of society.”

continued from page 31

What is it?

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by the company OpenAI. Think of it as Alexa or Siri with an advanced degree (although the technically minded are quick to point out that it works differently under the hood).

Released in November 2022, ChatGPT is technically still in the testing phase and currently free to use, but a paid subscription option is available and may be required in the

ChatGPT collects a lot of data from its users. Every single interaction with ChatGPT is recorded. It also collects geolocation data, IP addresses, transaction histories and all the cookies. future. Although ChatGPT gets most of the press, it’s not the only generative AI out there. There are at least a half dozen would-be competitors in different stages of evolution, including ChatSonic and Google’s Bard. There is even one marketed to kids, PinwheelGPT, which comes with parental controls. All of them are designed to answer questions and follow instructions to complete tasks such as writing emails, articles, code — and homework assignments.

In one “interview,” ChatGPT explained itself: “AI is like having a super-smart computer friend. It learns from information and makes smart decisions. The more it learns, the better it gets at solving problems.

But just like people, it can make mistakes and show biases.… AI is a tool that requires careful development,

When asked how it would affect teenagers’ lives in the future, ChatGPT replied: “AI will bring both opportunities and challenges for teenagers. By embracing AI, developing complementary skills, and understanding its implications, teenagers can position themselves to thrive in a future where AI plays an increasingly prominent role in various aspects of life.”

Despite the hyperbole about the revolutionary impacts of AI, for parents, the areas of concern remain the same as for any other internet-related technology: data safety, inappropriate content and digital citizenship.

Data safety It is illegal to capture personal data from technology users younger than 13 without parental consent. So, like those of many apps and most social media platforms before it, ChatGPT’s terms of use state that people younger than 13 aren’t allowed to use it, and those between 13 and 18 must have a parent’s permission. However, the company takes no real steps to bar underage users from getting an account.

All you need is a valid phone number.

ChatGPT collects a lot of data from its users. Every single interaction with ChatGPT is recorded. It also collects geolocation data, IP addresses, transaction histories and all the cookies. Even if OpenAI only uses that data to train its AI, your information may not be secure. Users have found ways to query ChatGPT and get it to reveal user input. Personal data risks are not unique to ChatGPT (think of all those online personality quizzes), so parents need to teach kids not to share personal information — such as their full name and address — online.

Helping Young Writers Thrive Home School Core Classes After School Outdoor Classes NOW LING! ENROL

Online Teen Creative Writing Classes

froghollowschool.com 3 2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M LM23_frog_hollow_school_1-8h.indd 1

8/31/23 12:49 PM

Building Confidence, Community, and Academic Mastery in Northeast Seattle since 1906. concordiaseattle.com

Inappropriate content Another parental concern with AI is the risk of exposure to inappropriate content. If you supervise your child’s use of AI, you can reduce the risk of inappropriate content by specifying kid-friendly answers in the prompts. Without such guidelines in the prompts, kids’ innocent queries can generate results that range from vaguely disturbing to wildly inappropriate. Aside from discovering violent imagery and hate speech, it’s almost inevitable that tweens and teens will use AI to generate dirty jokes, ask questions about sex they are embarrassed to ask an adult or look for porn.

Unlocking POTENTIAL | Transforming FUTURES COED | GRADES 6 - 12 | CATHOLIC | SMALL CLASS SIZE | COLLEGE PREP INSPIRING TEACHERS | TUITION ASSISTANCE | BUS SERVICE

OPEN HOUSE DATES: OCT. 8, NOV. 5 & JAN. 10 Learn More & Register: eastsidecatholic.org/visit

That leads to a new kind of inappropriate content risk: misinformation and falsified images.

In her podcast Brave Writer, Julie Bogart warns against “the volume of misinformation that can be created because ChatGPT does not vet what it offers you. It just acts as a crawling tool to collect whatever’s out there. So if there’s a lot of misinformation on a topic, it’s just going to gather it and put it in nice paragraphs for you.”

As Bogart points out, generative AI is really just very advanced predictive text, but sometimes it really does generate something new — and wholly inaccurate. Known as hallucinations, AI-generated falsehoods have even included professionallooking citations of references that don’t exist.

Although it would be possible to watermark AI-generated content, there doesn’t seem to be much interest from AI companies to do so.

Companies like OpenAI claim that guardrails blocking hate speech and criminal advice from being put into their algorithms should be sufficient.

The Golden Thread of Truth

INTERFAITH INTERFA AITH YOUTH YOUTH & FFAMILY AMILY PPROGRAM ROGR AM INPERSON & ONLINE

Learn about world religions and spiritual traditions through stories and spiritual craft activities.

Sundays at 11am in-person. Lessons posted online weekly to follow along at home.

Center for Spiritual Living Seattle Program for K–12th Grade 6318 Linden Ave N, Seattle

SpiritualLiving.org/youth/ LEARNING / 33

ED UCAT IO N

AI

continued from page 33

But tests have shown that these guardrails are getting weaker. The newest version of ChatGPT spreads more misinformation than the last one. ChatGPT may be able to teach your kids how the water cycle works, but it can also explain how the lunar landing and 2020 election results were faked. Teaching kids media literacy skills to recognize when algorithms are feeding them false information should be a top priority both at home and at school.

Digital citizenship Bullying is an age-old problem that has pushed itself into the digital world, and bullies are already finding ways to use ChatGPT to send abusive messages and spread rumors. AI can generate and distribute en masse nearly untraceable anonymous messages — and worse, messages made to look as though they came from someone else. AI art can be used to create embarrassing deepfake images of classmates almost as easily as funny memes.

When it comes to homework, ChatGPT raises both educational and ethical concerns. Seattle Public Schools eighth-grade English teacher Nichole Lau explained in her email to parents, “An AI-generated paper is basically

ChatGPT can be much more efficient — and less distracting — than sorting out practical guidelines from personal stories on blogs and YouTube channels. equivalent to cutting and pasting text off the internet, or to not doing the assignment at all. We’re learning by doing.

Students who aren’t writing aren’t learning.”

The technological context may make it harder for kids to realize that turning in homework you didn’t generate yourself is cheating. But AI-generated homework has a second ethical issue: It could also be considered stealing. A classmate who slips you the answers for a test is complicit in your cheating. But when AI recombines information on the internet to generate new art or history reports, the original author has no say in it.

In her podcast notes about ChatGPT, Bogart writes, “There

• 12.5-acre campus for investigation and discovery • Blended indoor/outdoor learning • Small student-to-teacher ratio • Preschool through 5th grade in Bellevue, WA

admissions@thelittleschool.org thelittleschool.org/explore

3 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

Schedule a campus visit today!

are many unsettling questions about what this means for creators and writers. Where is it getting its information? Who could you unknowingly be plagiarizing by using it? As a structure, it’s appropriative.”

It’s a point on which reasonable people can disagree. Some people feel that this is not essentially different from human creativity; that there is nothing new under the sun and most of our so-called original ideas are simply iterations of things that others created before us. It is incredibly valuable to have a discussion about originality and plagiarism with your child before letting them use AI. Even very young children can explore this question when you ask them, “Where did you get the idea for this drawing?” and “How would it feel if someone copied your story but changed some parts?”

Family music classes for children ages birth through age 5and the grownups who love them!

sunshinemusictogether.com

Opportunities It’s always tempting to avoid complex and problematic topics. Some local schools have already tried to ban ChatGPT. But just as comprehensive sex ed is a better approach than silence, it’s better to teach kids about technology than to avoid it. Kids need these lessons because technology is going to be a significant part of their adult life.

And generative AI does provide opportunities for learning. Whether you’re looking for recipes or DIY instructions, ChatGPT can be much more efficient — and less distracting — than sorting out practical guidelines from personal stories on blogs and YouTube channels.

Used wisely, AI can be helpful in doing homework, too. Apparently, ChatGPT is better than search engines when you’re looking for answers to a specific question, and it’s great for finding

T FO R

MI E FA H OS

, CH P I H RS

LI E

LU T VA A H ST

C TE A R A

E

R,

Y T I N U LE M M O C AND ADE

OF NT S E N PO .

ION CO M L A C AT I T U D N E SS E D’S AS E CH I L R I THE

PRESCHOOL – 8TH GRADE

www.stthomasschool.org CHARACTER • CURRICULUM • COMMUNITY LEARNING / 35

ED UCAT ION

DEVELOPING LEADERS, ONE CHILD AT A TIME

Open House Events: October 21, 2023 January 6, 2024

Kindergarten-Fifth Grade www.chestnuthillacademy.com

Bellevue, WA 425.372.2800

AI

continued from page 35

books when you don’t remember the title. Kids have used it as a “proofreader” to identify bugs in their coding projects. There are even appropriate ways to use AI in writing some of those language arts essays. A student working on an essay could ask ChatGPT, “What would someone who disagrees with my thesis say?” and then address those arguments in their paper. From creative writing prompts to personalized bedtime stories, there are myriad ways that AI can be used mindfully for learning. The New York Times presented a list of 35 creative possibilities.

A healthy approach Fortunately, you don’t really need a deep technological understanding of artificial intelligence to parent around it. For parents, the principles and issues raised by AI programs like ChatGPT are the same ones we’re already dealing with. General parental best practices for the internet should be extended to ChatGPT and other sources of AI. That means it should only be accessible to younger kids through a parent’s account and with direct supervision that tapers off with age and practice. If you haven’t already established clear boundaries and guidelines for your kids’ cell phone and internet use, now is the time to do so.

As ChatGPT itself said, young people need to develop the “complementary skills” to responsibly use AI. Chief among these is critical thinking. Not only will critical thinking skills help young people evaluate the ethical questions that arise from the use of AI, but it can also help them identify and resist the misinformation that AI seems poised to spread.

Kids who have learned empathy, good citizenship and “upstander” power in person will be less likely to engage in cyberbullying and more likely to recognize it and call it out when they see it. On the flip side of empathy, small children anthropomorphize everything, and since AI is specifically designed to sound like a person, it’s easy for even older users to start thinking of it as someone, rather than something. But kids need to understand that chatbots are not human or even sentient, and it is not a good idea to ascribe human intent or values to them. As Mr. Weasley reminded Ginny in “The Chamber of Secrets,” you should never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.

3 6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

Resources Parents’ Guide to Critical Thinking Broken down by age group, the Reboot Foundation’s (reboot-foundation.org) guide gives parents a better understanding of critical thinking and information on how to help their children develop critical thinking skills.

SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR Preschool - Grade 8 Faith Focused Student Centered Inspiring Excellence

HLS.HopeSeattle.org

PinwheelGPT • pinwheel.com Free kids’ version of an AI chat app with parental controls.

ChatGPT in School An online training program for teachers that prepares them to lead “Day of AI” (dayofai.org) activities in their classrooms.

Talk to your kids about reliable versus unreliable sources, and how the content they see online is subject to the biases of its creators and to algorithms that often favor the most extreme views.

Kids also need to understand that what happens in ChatGPT does not stay in ChatGPT. Nobody knows where their OpenAI data goes or who might get hold of it. So, like everything else on the internet, kids should assume that it could show up anywhere. It should also be among a family’s internet rules that parents have access to ChatGPT logs.

It’s natural for some people to have knee-jerk reactions against new technologies, while others are unquestioningly enthusiastic about them. But technology is just a tool, and we need to remember who is in charge. Tools can be dangerous, but approached mindfully with appropriate preparation, families can use artificial intelligence to promote their kids’ education and even have fun with it. And if you’re really not a fan of ChatGPT, maybe you could use the CatGPT (the GPT-Meow version of ChatGPT) as a distraction that your kids will prefer over the original.

■

Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

Bright Water Waldorf School offers a child-centric, experiential, and academically rigorous curriculum delivered in a nurturing, unhurried environment.

Come explore and be a part of Seattle’s urban Waldorf community!

ENROLLING NOW Pre-K through Grade 8

1414 S Weller St, Suite C Seattle, WA 98144 www.brightwaterwaldorf.org (206) 624-6176 LEARNING / 37

Graduation & Beyond!

When learning is fun, it lasts a lifetime.

Visit to learn more!

Seattle Nativity School is a tuition-free middle school with graduate support through high school and college.

Information Night | Thursday, October 26, 2023 Open House | Saturday, February 3, 2024 Visit our website for details: www.seattlenativity.org

Learning is exciting, and your child is built to learn with a natural curiosity that knows no bounds. Through a balance of play and nurturing guidance, Primrose school teachers foster that curiosity and help your child feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Primrose School of West Bellevue

425.315.7305 | PrimroseWestBellevue.com

206.494.4708

4 2 0 0 S . M E A D S T R E E T,

SEATTLE, WA 98118

Each Primrose School is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2022 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

FUELING CURIOSITY THROUGH EDUCATION STEM CAMPS | GUIDED TOURS | WORKSHOPS

americascarmuseum.org 3 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

WONDERS

AWAIT

SIGN UP TODAY!

FALL & WINTER CIRCUS CAMPS! SEASONAL CAMPS: EMERALD CITY CAMPS: TURKEY CAMP NOV. 20 - 22 AERIAL CAMP* NOV. 20 - 22 HOLIDAY CAMP DEC. 18 - 22 ADV. AERIAL CAMP* DEC. 18 - 22 CAMPS 9AM - 3PM

SCHOOL’S OUT DAY CAMPS: OCT. 13 AND NOV. 10TH

AFTER CARE 3PM - 5PM * NO AFTER CARE

WWW.SANCASEATTLE.ORG WWW.EMERALDCITYTRAPEZE.COM

LEARNING / 39

ParentMap_Learning_8-16-23.pdf

3

8/16/23

12:40 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Open House October 7 th Apply Today!

Come see what cooperative means to you!

Open House Saturday, January 20, 2024

K-5 Elementary

kapkaschool.org

bȶɽʋơɭǫȥnj ǿȶˊljʠȍ࡫ ơȟɢȶˁơɭơƎ ȍơŔɭȥơɭɽ ɽǫȥƃơ ࠀࠈࠇࠈ ࢱ Ŕɽʋǫȥnj -ȶȟȟʠȥǫʋˊ -ȶȥȥơƃʋǫȶȥɽ bȍơˉǫŹȍơ -ȶȟȟǫʋȟơȥʋɽ 4 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

ED UCAT IO N

Your Learner

Supporting My Neurodivergent Child With Schoolwork at Home Gather the tools you need to help your child succeed

By ParentMap Staff

Every fall, one word strikes fear into the hearts of returning students and their parents: homework.

Kids hate it. Parents hate it. Teachers and administrators fight over its value. Yet every school year, you are likely to find yourself faced with the homework beast. And if you are supporting a neurodivergent learner, you know this beast can be tough to slay.

I am not here to discuss whether homework is good or bad, or whether it should or should not exist. The work my son is doing at home is almost

LEARNING / 41

ED UCAT IO N

YOUR LE A RNER

continued from page 41

always classroom work that he did not finish (or start) during the school day. He has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and support in the classroom, but as he gets older, the reality is that he has to do schoolwork at home on occasion to pass his classes. But for simplicity, I will refer to this work as “homework,” since, you know, we do it at home.

Any time I can get my son off a screen and engage his physical body, things go smoother. I print out everything I can, from reading packets to math sheets.

I also want to acknowledge that there is a range of diversity in neurodivergent people. The ideas below are what have worked for our family; however, this is by no means the definitive guide for homework support. You know your child and your family best. I hope that you find some of the

suggestions helpful; feel free to ignore those that are not.

Here is what’s worked for our family over the years as we’ve helped our neurodivergent child put on his armor and slay that homework beast.

Make a clear plan. The first step to homework success is having a clear plan and sticking to it. Will you check in with your child about homework every day? Twice a week?

Not at all unless they ask for help? Every child is different and responds best to different levels of engagement. The important thing is that you set up a plan together and stick to it. Can you change the plan if it all starts to fall apart? Of course! But you will need to sit down with your child again and discuss what’s working, what’s not and the changes that are necessary.

Once a plan is established, write it down. This will leave less room for the “but that’s not what you said” arguments in the future. At our house, we come up with the plan, write it down (or print it), read it together and everyone signs it. We all buy into this plan as one unstoppable team!

Have the right supplies on hand.

Visual timer. Many neurodivergent kids have trouble fully grasping time. If I tell my son we will be working on home-

Discover how Washington’s #1 private school cultivates courageous, independent learners to be ready for the world.

Best new playgrounds for play hounds Attend a virtual preview to learn more!

Register at aw.org/preview 4 2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

A bonanza of fantastic new playgrounds opened this past year — let’s go play!

Growing confident, curious, courageous learners since 1958

work for 20 minutes, I might as well say 17 hours.

It doesn’t quite compute. A visual timer takes that fuzzy concept and turns it into something physical he can see. These timers work great for almost any situation when kids need to do something for a specific amount of time, such as wait for a turn.

Epiphany School is an independent, non-parochial elementary school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood.

Visit our virtual admissions hub for videos, tours, and open house info! epiphanyschool.org

Calculator. Yes, my son’s phone does have a calculator. But you know what else that phone has? The internet, social media and about a million other distractions. The goal here is to stay focused and get things done, and if a phone makes an appearance, you can kiss that focus goodbye. (Parents, when was the last time you pulled out your phone and only used the calculator, without checking messages or Instagram or …?

Exactly.) Bonus: Kids don’t use a simple calculator very often anymore, so my son thought it was pretty novel and cool!

Pens, pencils, paper. Again, any time I can get my son off a screen and engage his physical body, things go smoother. I print out everything I can, from reading packets to math sheets. (Talk to your school; sometimes teachers will provide hard copies.) Again, I have found that my son can focus much better when he is holding something physical and writing his answers down. Do we sometimes need to type? Of course, especially for essays or when homework can only be submitted electronically. But whenever possible, I have him use pens, pencils and paper rather than a screen.

LEARNING / 43

ED UCAT IO N

YOUR LE A RNER

continued from page 43

Clipboard. Part of the challenge with my son’s ADHD is the “out of sight, out of mind” way he works. If he can’t see something, it simply does not exist to him. When he shoved

Noise-canceling headphones can help block out distractions, too, if your child works better when it’s quiet. that homework assignment into his backpack, it might as well have disappeared off the face of the earth. So, when we go through his backpack and pull things out at home, those papers need to be put somewhere visible. We keep a clipboard on the wall right next to the area where we store our shoes, and when homework (or a permission slip) makes its way out of the backpack, that is its first stop.

often put it off until the very last day, or not do it at all.

(Cue the email from his teacher.)

Calendar or whiteboard. When my son has several weeks to accomplish a more substantial project for class, he will

When this happens, it can feel overwhelming to face. For example, imagine thumbing through a multipage history

Chickadee Music Together

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 24/25

PRESCHOOL - 8TH GRADE

holyrosaryws.org Ignite your child's spirit & mind at Holy Rosary Seattle!

Music and movement classes for children birth through five and the grown-ups who love them!

Join Our Musical Community

Indoor and Outdoor Classes

Nurturing Baby • Hip Hop Family Dance • Dance & Art Caregiver/Child • Modern Creative Dance • Ballet Adaptive BrainDance

chickadeemusic.com

creativedance.org

(206) 334-8002

Enroll Now! 206-363-7281

4 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M 0922_chickadee_music_together_1-8v.indd 1

8/9/22 10:09 PM LM23_creative_dance_center_1-8v.indd 1

8/22/23 1:30 PM

packet, feeling the pressure to get it done in one sitting. To make big projects feel manageable, I write out the days of the week (or use a paper calendar or a whiteboard planner) and under each day, list the work that needs to be done (broken down into very small amounts), with a check mark box next to each piece of work.

Completing a 10-page packet? Impossible! Doing one or two pages on Monday? Doable.

Sometimes the goal of at-home learning isn’t to complete an assignment so much as it is to get the information to stick.

If a packet is large, I sometimes will take out the staple and only present him with one or two pages at a time, since just holding the whole thing can be overwhelming. He checks each task off the list as we go, which is satisfying and brings a sense of accomplishment and success.

Headphones. My husband is a software engineer.

When he is working and really in the zone, he always wears headphones and is listening to music. While this might not always be possible at school (it is sometimes allowed, although it can be a slippery slope to those other phone distractions mentioned earlier), it is possible at home.

Music can help my son focus, so headphones are a big help.

Alternative ways to take in information (Kindle, audiobooks, etc.). Sometimes the goal of athome learning isn’t to complete an assignment so much as it is to get the information to stick.

My son also has dyslexia, so reading a novel can feel like climbing Everest. Enter the audiobook. Sometimes we just listen; other times, we follow along in a print copy of the book, pausing frequently to talk about the story or underline an important piece of information.

An e-reader has also been a hugely useful tool. My son likes to make the font quite large, and while holding a 200-page novel might feel intimidating, a small, sleek e-reader does not.

A device that is designed just for books (without color or quick and easy internet access)

27+ + Years

Small World Small World Montessori Montessori

of Service!

Preschool at Maltby Elementary Preschool ages 3-5 Preschool at Maltby Elementary in Everett/MillSnohomish/Monroe Creek

Snohomish/Monroe smallworldmontessori.com 425-338-7771 Preschool and Kindergarten in Please email: info@smallworldmontessori.com Everett/Mill Creek Preschool in or call to schedule a tour and Kindergarten Everett/Mill Creek

$50.00 off registration with this ad.

1/13/23 4:59 PM

0223_small_world_montessori_1-8h.indd 1

Now Enrolling for Fall 2014 $50.00 off registration with this ad.

Visit our website for more information or call to schedule a tour.

Now Enrolling for Fall 2014 Personalized Visitwww.smallworldmontessori.com our website for more information or call to schedule a tour. education for 425-338-7771 students via www.smallworldmontessori.com 425-338-7771 one-on-one instruction.

1:1 Instruction | Accredited | Grades 1–12 | Gifted | Neurodiverse

(425) 885-6296

dartmoorschool.org LEARNING / 45

ED UCAT ION

YOUR L E A RN ER

continued from page 45

is key, for reasons similar to the calculator.

Reading on a phone or color tablet can work, but when distractions are a swipe away, it’s hard to resist.

A C-Pen can also be a big help for kids (and adults) with dyslexia. Simply glide the pen scanner over the text you need to read, and the text-to-speech pen reads it out loud.

These devices are an investment for sure, but they allow people who struggle with reading to work more independently and gain confidence.

At YWA, we provide every student with the tools and encouragement needed to pursue their own personal journey.

Stay in touch with teachers. At the beginning of the school year, I email all of my son’s teachers, introducing myself and letting them know I am here and able to help with schoolwork at home.

• 1:1 (one teacher: one student) and small groups • Grades 4 through 12 • Academically rigorous with personalized pace • Wide range of courses including core academics, 3D printing, world languages and more yellowwoodacademy.org info@yellowwoodacademy.org

LM22_yellow_wood_1-4.indd 1

8/23/22 10:48 AM

In my view, the teachers and I are a team, helping my son make his way through school with as much success as possible. Sometimes I need to email them for clarification about an assignment, when my son just can’t figure out what to do. Other times I let them know that I am aware of the work he is missing, and that we have a plan for getting it done. This might not work at a school (or with a teacher) with strict deadlines, but in our experience, his teachers are glad to hear from me and happy there is a plan for completing the missing assignments.

Most of all: Listen to your learner. This one took me too long to learn. I used to think, Kids are supposed to work at a desk and would insist that my son sat at (or stood next to) a table to get his work done.

One afternoon as he was working on answering some questions while stretched out on a bed, he flopped over on his stomach and started writing away. (Thanks to our handy clipboard, he had a hard surface to press on.) Much to my surprise, the work went quickly and easily. It turns out, lying on his stomach is my son’s preferred way to work, so we went with it.

• Preschool Ages 2½ – 6

Getting schoolwork done at home can be a big challenge, but having a plan can help. As this next school year gets underway, take some time to connect as a family and make a plan to defeat the homework beast once and for all.

• Summer Camps • Fall Focus Camps

■

woodinvillecds.com 4 6 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M 0823_woodinville_country_day_1-4.indd 1

7/17/23 4:33 PM

Eastside Academics School Enrolling at both Bellevue and Issaquah campuses

• Weekly Private & Group Classes

• SAT and ACT Prep

• Tutoring & Test Prep (AP, IB, etc.)

• Language Arts

• Free Assessment & Consultation

• Innovative curricula

• Students Grades 3-12

Classes In-Person & Online

425-922-6792 Jennifer@eastsideschool.org

1022_eastside_academics_1-4.indd 1

• College Counseling

Visit our website for course descriptions and enrollment information.

Inquiries welcome.

• Small class sizes • College prep • Dual enrollment eastsideschool.org

Experienced Counselors & Instructors Providing Exceptional Academic Support

Established 1999

9/14/22 LM22_mercer_education_1-4.indd 2:35 PM 1

-HZLVK 0DNHUVSDFH

9/8/22 10:00 AM

Upcoming Open Houses!

0RQWKO\ RQ 6XQGD\V DP SP DW 7HPSOH %ÌQDL 7RUDK

ȍǡǷǘ৹ǽǷ৹ΘǽȚȍ৹ǁȍNjƲȗǡΑǡȗΘ৹ƲǷLJ৹LJǽ৹:NjΒǡȐǞह৹ BƲǯNj৹ȚȐNj৹ǽǗ৹ǽȚȍ৹ȗǽǽDZȐष৹ǶƲǁǞǡǷNjȐष৹ƲǷLJ৹ǁȍƲǗȗ ȐȚȊȊDZǡNjȐ৹ƲȐ৹ΒNj৹DZNjƲȍǷ৹ƲǀǽȚȗ৹:NjΒǡȐǞ৹ǞǽDZǡLJƲΘȐ৹ƲǷLJ ǁȍNjƲȗNj৹:NjΒǡȐǞ৹ȍǡȗȚƲDZ৹ǽǀǬNjǁȗȐा৹ $ǡǷLJ৹৹ǽȚȗ৹ǶǽȍNj৹Ʋȗ৹ȗNjǶȊDZNjǀǷƲǡȗǽȍƲǞाǽȍǘ

October 21, 2023 Pre-K & Kindergarten 9:30 a.m. sǷȭǴॗǮȣLjȭǷȭȰǝǡॗȭȓॗȭǴǡॗCLjȭǷȓȍLjȇ ǡȍȭǡȣॗȭȓॗ ȍǗȓȰȣLjǮǡॗ:ȰǝLjǷȦȌॗǭȓȣ ȭǴǡǷȣॗǮȣLjȍȭॗȦȰȠȠȓȣȭǷȍǮॗȭǴǷȦॗȠȣȓǮȣLjȌ

Grades 1–8 12:30 p.m.

Register at ravenna-hub.com/schools/18

An Education for the Future L E A R N I N G / 47

Joyful Learning

Bellevue Campus 10723 NE 38th Pl, Bellevue, WA 98004 New Toddler Program!

Ages 2-6

425-822-6001

info@chestnutmontessori.com chestnutmontessori.com

Visit our website to schedule a tour!

FULL YEAR & SUMMER SCHOOL FOUNDATIONS GRADES 2-8 MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES 6-9

Kirkland Campus 10239 Slater Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033 Ages 2-6

Become a credentialed Montessori Teacher!

info@morningsideacademy.org New location! Fall 2023-2024

425-822-6233

info@montessoriteachereducation.org montessoriteachereducation.org

4 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

0923_chestnut_montessori_1-2v.indd 1

0623_morningside_academy_1-4.indd 1

8/15/23 6:00 PM

5/11/23 1:23 PM

ED UCAT IO N

Your Child’s Brain Seven Ways to Boost Brain Development Discover everyday activities to support learning at home

By Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D.

The new school year comes with the promise of fresh starts, and along with it a renewed focus on learning. The reality, of course, is that children are learning all day, every day. But fall is often a welcome opportunity to reset and come up with a new routine after a busy summer season. As your family sets up a routine, it’s natural to wonder what helps boost learning. Is it those routines? The worksheets?

The new school supplies? What can adults really do to support learning and brain development in kids?

Research conducted by the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) and other child development experts tells us that one of the best ways to support children’s learning is through meaningful everyday interactions. The following research- based tips won’t tell you how to teach the ABCs or 123s, but they will help children build foundational skills for a lifetime of learning and discovery.

1. Play it out

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. In fact, it shouldn’t. Play is a powerful vehicle for

LEARNING / 49

ED UCAT ION

YOUR C H IL D’ S B R A I N

continued from page 49

615 S 200th St, Des Moines, WA | maritime.highlineschools.org

learning. Play allows children to focus on exploring tasks and ideas that are meaningful to them.

This focus helps children test new ideas, solve problems, and push the limits of their physical and social skills. We can help children reap all the benefits that play has to offer in three key ways: • Protect children’s free time. Time to play exactly as they please is essential to children’s learning and development. Ensure that children do not have so many scheduled activities that they no longer have time for free play.

Application opens on October 2 for the 2024-2025 school year!

•Tuition-free public school •Personalized learning •Field experiences every week •Graduate ready for career or college •For any student interested in the sea!

• Play along. While independent free play is important, adults can help boost children’s learning by playing along. Follow their lead as you ask questions or make suggestions to stretch their thinking. For example: “I love the tower you are building. What could we do to make it even taller?” Open-ended questions that ask children to respond with more than a “yes” or “no” build their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Check out these activities (modules.ilabs.uw.edu/at-home-activities) for more fun ways to play together.

• Increase the challenge. Structured play, like board games or other games with rules, are great tools to help children build important life skills. For example, board games help older children flex problem-solving skills and build key social skills like taking turns and sharing. Games like “Simon Says” and “Red Light, Green Light” are wonderful for building executive function skills. Executive functions are a suite of skills that includes attention and focus, impulse control, flexible thinking, and memory. Finding opportunities to build these skills is just as important as helping children learn academic topics. In fact, research suggests that children’s executive function skills in kindergarten predict academic performance across all subjects in later years.

2. Practice makes progress When we learn something new, we either develop or strengthen neural pathways in our brains. This means that as we learn, we are physically changing our brains. The more often we do something,

5 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

St. Monica Catholic School EDUCATING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

Catholic Liberal Arts Education Integrated Curriculum Full Day Preschool Elementary through High School

StMonicaSea.org | 206-232-5432

@MatheiaSchool

4320 87th Ave SE Mercer Island, WA 98040

Independent PK to 5th Grade School in Ballard Open Enrollment Limited

Call to schedule a tour today!

206-283-1828 www.matheia.org

While we can and do learn throughout our lives, our brains will never be as flexible and open to new experiences as they were when we were children. To support this period of growth and development, give children plenty of opportunities to practice their new skills in ways that are meaningful to them. Again and again and again.

Remember: No one is perfect, and perfection shouldn’t be the goal. Instead, encourage children’s natural love of learning and exploration by providing them with settings that are meaningful and exciting to them. This will give them the tools

LM21_matheia_1-8h.indd 1

8/20/21 8:42 AM

Classical Dance Education for ages 3 to Adult

Photo: Suzy Petrucci ARC Ballet School Students©

the stronger the neural pathways become and the better we are at that task or skill. Children, especially very young children, have an incredible capacity to learn new things. Scientists estimate that between birth and age 3, children’s brains make 1 million new neural connections every second. This period of rapid brain growth and development is the best time for kids to learn foundational skills, such as language. For example, children at this age are quite capable of learning more than one language quickly and distinctly.

Class sizes of 10 and under, hands-on learning, personalized instruction led by subject matter experts

Marie Chong, Director

arcdance.org LEARNING / 51

ED UCAT ION

es asssse Clla ce C nc an Da D ess ge ag alll a or a ffo

YOUR C H IL D’ S B R A IN

continued from page 51

they need to build new skills over the course of their lives.

3. Make it social

From babies learning their first words to grandparents playing a new game with friends, we all learn best in social settings. There is something magical about social learning, and that is especially true for young children. For babies, back-and-forth social exchanges cue their brain to pay close attention.

Research shows that babies can learn and imitate language sounds during even short periods of exchanges with

also won’t be surprised to learn that toddlers ask over 100 questions per hour. While it probably isn’t possible (or reasonable) to answer all those questions, listening to and building on a child’s innate curiosity is an important way to support learning. Having all the answers is not what matters most.

Instead, modeling curiosity and exploration will help children build lifelong problem-solving skills.

It will also not be news to you that children are creative. So creative that research shows children are even better at solving certain types of puzzles

AY DA OD TO ER T TE ST EGIIS RE R allthatdanceseattle.com

Now Now enrolling enrolling K–5 K–5 Now enrolling K–5

Tilden Tilden School School is is an an independent independent K-5 K-5 school in in West West Seattle, offering offering small school Tilden School isSeattle, an independent small K-5 class sizes with academically engaging, class sizes with Seattle, academically engaging, offering small school in West individualized education.

Our individualized education.

Our curriculum curriculum class sizes with academically engaging, balances core core reading, reading, writing, writing, math, math, balances individualized education. Our curriculum science, and technology skills the science, and skills with with the balances coretechnology reading, writing, math, arts. We We graduate graduate confident, confident, caring caring arts. science, and technology skills with the students who thrive in public and students thriveconfident, in publiccaring and arts.

We who graduate private around the region. private schools schools students who around thrive the in region. public and private schools around the region. info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628 info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628 info@tildenschool.org ~ 206-938-4628

5 2 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

their caregivers. Children are also more motivated and focused when they feel like they are part of a team or a group. This can be an especially powerful strategy for educators to use to build confidence in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math). For example, to create camaraderie, teachers might say, “Hello, mathematicians! Today we are working on some puzzles together.”

4. Explore together

Children are curious — super curious — but parents already know that. Parents

and problems than adults. One of the main reasons is that children haven’t learned as many “rules” about how the world works; in their minds, almost anything is possible. As we grow and learn more about the world, we develop a better understanding of how things work, and we become better at navigating life. But in the rush of our everyday lives, it is easy to be disconnected from the creativity we tapped into as children.

Encouraging children’s curiosity and creativity from an early age will help

them integrate these skills into their daily lives.

Play along with children and try giving them some creativity prompts. For example, “How many different things do you think this pencil could be? I think it could be a magic wand! What else do you think it could be?” Who knows, playing together just might help boost your creativity, too.

5. Conversation is key

You have probably heard that it is important to talk (a lot) to babies. And while this is true, new research tells us that it is not only what you say, but how you say it, that matters. In a recent study from I-LABS, researchers found that the number of back-and-forth “conversations” between 6-month-old babies and their parents was a better predictor of brain maturity at 2 years old than the number of words children heard.

In other words, our conversations with children, even before they are using words, help build and strengthen key language areas in the brain.

Another key to helping young children learn language? Speaking “parentese” — the singsong speech we tend to use with babies. Often confused with baby talk, parentese uses real words and correct grammar, but has several features that support language learning, including variations in pitch, word repetition and a slower pace. These elements make it easier for children to discern the patterns, rhythms and sounds of language.

Although parentese is often associated with female caregivers, research shows that men use this type of speech, too, and that is a very good thing. The more parentese that children hear as babies, the larger their vocabularies are as toddlers.

Spruce Street School Kindergarten - 5th grade

Educating with kindness and curiosity since 1982 Schedule a school tour today!

(206) 621-9211 SpruceStreetSchool.org

Pre-K - 5th Grade At The Valley School, we ignite children’s natural passion for learning. Our students develop an academic foundation and become joyful learners through playful work, purposeful play, and the practice of community. To learn more about our school, visit www.thevalleyschool.org.

6. Do as I do

From a young age, children are looking to adults to learn how to interact with and respond to the world around them. Many children can imitate simple facial expressions within hours of birth, and their capacity to imitate and learn from our actions grows from there. As busy adults, it can be easy for us to forget just how much children learn from watching us and what a powerful learning tool modeling is.

Research shows that children even learn key problem-solving skills like persistence from

LEARNING / 53

ED UCAT ION

YOUR C H IL D’ S B R A I N

continued from page 53

LEARNING SET IN MOTION

Kids find their place by being themselves at The Kineo School, a private K-5 community that brings out the best in every student by giving them a safe space to unlock their learning potential, form meaningful friendships, and confidently prepare for the future.

Contact us at info@kineoschool.org 7525 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA

;nf[h_[dY[

_d j^[ Iekj^ IekdZ

modeling, watching adults try, try, try again before ultimately succeeding. Let this be your official permission to make mistakes in front of the children in your care. Spilled the milk? Wonderful!

Talk through how you are going to solve the problem together. Frustrated because you can’t figure something out? Even better! Share your thought process with your children. Lost your temper? It happens to everyone, and it is a great opportunity to talk through how you were feeling at that moment.

Children also have a sophisticated ability to read our emotions, and they pay close attention to how we interact with other people. For example, research from I-LABS shows that young children learn biased behaviors from adults just by watching them. Keep this in mind as you move through the world and interact with your community. We all have biases and are bound to make mistakes. When we do, don’t be afraid to talk about what happened and what you would do differently next time.

7. Dance to the beat It is almost impossible not to sing or dance when we hear our favorite song. Music is central to our lives. Humming to and rocking babies come naturally to us, and almost as soon as they can move, babies are bouncing and wiggling to the beat.

But music is more than simply comfort. Research shows that listening and moving to music helps babies recognize the rhythms and patterns of language, too. For older children, moving together in harmony can even boost their ability to collaborate and solve problems together. So, look for opportunities to listen to music and move together.

The type of music does not matter — no one genre is better than another. Pick some music that you love and enjoy moving and grooving with the ones you love most.

For more fun ideas and hundreds of free research-based resources, visit modules.ilabs.uw.edu.

■

Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D. is a child development specialist at University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences. Bachleda will be presenting on the Power of Play at ParentMap’s ParentEd Talks series on January 23, 2024.

See p. 28 for more information or visit parentmap.com/talks.

5 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M

Do you have a Seabury Kid? curious abstract thinker opinionated sensitive imaginative funny problem solver intense perfectionist debater skeptical big thinker persistent passionate strong willed daydreamer observer idealistic

early talker needs little sleep risk taker justice seeker early reader alert high energy large vocabulary good memory logical empathetic moved by beauty bored with routine creative artistic introvert extrovert

good student poor student active self aware socially aware anxious strong math skills unusual insight quirky deep clever precocious puzzle master unusual seeks adults high expectations zany

To find out our more about our PreK-8th grade school year program and our classes and workshops visit us at

www.seabury.org

• PS – Grade 12 • STEM and Arts • Christian • Scholarships • College Prep • Tuition Assistance VisitBearCreek.org | 425-898-1720

LEARNING / 55

DAY SCHOOL

AFFORDA B I L I TY IN IT IAT IVE

Get an exceptional, private, 0 Ȧȶ /I[MWL HE] WGLSSP IHYGEXMSR JSV PIWW XLER ]SY IZIV MQEKMRIH 3IZIV TE] QSVI XLER Ȧȍ ȏȍȉ SV Ȧȍ SJ ]SYV EHNYWXIH KVSWW MRGSQI [LMGLIZIV MW PIWW +EQMPMIW QEOMRK YT XS ȴȍȉ0 UYEPMJ]

+MRH SYX MJ ]SY UYEPMJ] EX WEQMWJSYRHEXMSR SVK IPMKMFMPMX] IWXMQEXSV SV GEPP XLI &HQMWWMSR 4JJMGI EX XLI IEXXPI EVIE /I[MWL HE] WGLSSP SJ ]SYV GLSMGI 8LMW MRGVIHMFPI STTSVXYRMX] MW TVSZMHIH F] XLI EQMW +SYRHEXMSR