How do you teach your kids mastery?

Question from a Reader: My wife and I have become increasing convinced that unschooling is the right path for our boys (grades K, 1, and 2). I love the idea of giving our kids the freedom, time, space and trust to learn by following their curiosity. At the same time, we think it’s important for […]

The media lies about childcare

Culturally it is not okay to say that all children should be with a primary caregiver for the first 18 months. We have enormous data to prove that this is true, but parents don’t like to be told that childcare is not okay. So the media doesn’t say it. 

Teachers are not the problem with school

There’s a new TV show called Dream School. It’s so offensive that I normally wouldn’t even think twice about it. But it’s on the Sundance Channel, and the people involved with it are remarkable:  Suze Orman, Steven Spielberg, 50 Cent.

Kids are better than adults at managing screen time

You don’t need to worry how your kids use technology because you have no idea what is going to matter when they are older. You have no idea how people will communicate when it comes time for your kids to pay their mortgage and put their kids through college – although you can be pretty […]

Stop putting the onus on kids to make school work. And Teach for America sucks.

The New York Times has a parenting advice columnist who answers a letter from a parent whose kid thinks school is boring. The advice to the parent is amazing. First of all, the kid should talk to the teacher directly. Really? What will the kid be able to accomplish that The Gates Foundation has not […]

What about Waldorf?

At this point, I’m sure you know that I’m going to tell you I don’t like Waldorf. Because I don’t like public school  and I don’t like Montessori and I don’t like Sudbury. So of course I don’t like Waldorf.

How to be an overachiever and homeschool your kids

It’s funny that we have studies to show that the kid who can look at a marshmallow and not eat it will do better in life than the kid who eats it right away. But what about the parents?

Does my kid need college? Does it have to be a good college?

This is a guest post from Ian Peters-Campbell, vice president of engineering for Green Dot. He originally wrote this piece on Quora.  A top school is good for two things: a network and a first-glance pop on your resume. It’s absolutely not necessary, but it can help when you’re new to the industry.

Montessori schools don’t work for young boys

Once you realize that school is a ridiculous place for your kids, you start looking for alternatives. Many people ask me what I think of Montessori as an alternative to public school.

Kids innovate when you leave them alone

I was with my kids at Build-A-Bear, engulfed by toy-marketing genius, when I misplaced my iPhone and left the store without it. My mom called to tell me.

© 2023 Penelope Trunk