Over the years, structures get modified for continuing growth. Here you will find the help to encourage life long learning.
Articles are updated frequently.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just these ages. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Articles are updated frequently.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to just these ages. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Your Young People Using Drugs?
How would you know if your young people were using drugs? Cannabis does not create a smell as weed does. Cannabis use by adolescents is increasing and it is scary because it can alter the way their brains develop. Adolescents who use cannabis are more likely to develop schizophrenia which may cause hallucinations and delusions or other changes in their personalities. They are more likely to struggle in school and with new experiences. Drugs interfere with the way their brains work.
Recent tragic events with teens who seemed to be perfect kids but go on to terrorize and kill could be the results of drug use when they have no idea of the effects drugs can have on their developing physical systems, especially their brains. Even experimenting with drugs can be dangerous.
Watch for signs of drug use such as your teen spending too much time alone, losing interest in their favorite things, poor self-image or feeling they just do not fit in, feeling unusually tired or sad, even contemplating death or suicide.
Talk with your young people about any kind of drug use—weed, alcohol, vaping, or dabbing. Research shows that conversations with your teens disapproving of their drug use makes adolescents less likely to start. These conversations are so critically important; they may save your young people’s lives as well as others.
Are They Listening – To Themselves?
The discovery and understanding of one’s own identity contributes significantly to one’s self-worth, self-confidence, and self-belief. Indeed Team
Are your teens listening to themselves and learning to read their inner signals? These thoughts may lead to opportunities they never thought of before. If they make quiet time away from distractions--just a few minutes once or twice a day to listen to themselves, they may uncover a delightful, unique person. If they ask themselves how they are feeling about the last thing they did and the next thing they plan to do and compare the results in their minds or better yet, in a journal, they may find answers about their lives and future. If they have not started to record thoughts and actions in a journal, there is no time like NOW. They do not need a fancy book unless you want to provide it for them. Just a few pages in the back of any of their spiral notebooks will do. This action may be a step toward better mental health. Finding themselves means discovering their values, goals, and determining opportunities.
Opportunities don't just happen. You create them. Chris Grosser
If you wait for opportunities to occur, you will be one of the crowd. Edward de Bono
Teens need to learn to trust themselves, to stand out from the crowd. They must learn to trust their intuition and their inner guidance system, like GPS. They may discover characteristics and talents they did not know they had. They will make mistakes, but they will learn and get better at listening to themselves; it takes practice.
Opportunities are there for each one of them. They must believe that they can stand out for some reason and be on the lookout for opportunities waiting for them. They must develop their trust in their inner guidance systems to explore and develop these opportunities. They have to act on what they feel is the best direction for them.
Encourage them to never stop trying.
Problem Solving As an Essential Skill in Your Teens' Future
The ability to solve problems in their lives should have been developed long before now in your young adult’s lives. Creativity, critical thinking, good decision making, and information processing are skills that are necessary in lives of future adults. Although schools seem to be focusing on these skills more than ever before, parents can help also.
There are 5 problem solving skills that are desirable for employers in 2024 according to Robert Henderson, CPRW. Since your teens may be entering the world of work soon, it is good for them to continue to develop these skills.
Creativity is the ability to examine problems from multiple perspectives, to think “outside the box,” to come up with innovative solutions.
Research skills are essential when solving problems to analyze future projects and to stay up to date on new markets and industry developments.
Communication is necessary to be able to explain—both verbally and in writing—thoughts and ideas one may have for the growth and success of future business.
Teamwork is the ability to work with others to recognize and use the strengths of each team member to achieve a common goal.
Decision-making is to identify problems and possible solutions. Procrastination can delay solutions but allowing ideas to "perk” for a while may be necessary. Setting a deadline to make a decision after analyzing fact and data (not based on assumptions and emotions) and being willing to take risks aware of possible consequences can lead to a desirable outcome.
Labeling skills necessary for good problem solving can guide parents through frequent conversations with their teens to further develop these essential skills.
How would you know if your young people were using drugs? Cannabis does not create a smell as weed does. Cannabis use by adolescents is increasing and it is scary because it can alter the way their brains develop. Adolescents who use cannabis are more likely to develop schizophrenia which may cause hallucinations and delusions or other changes in their personalities. They are more likely to struggle in school and with new experiences. Drugs interfere with the way their brains work.
Recent tragic events with teens who seemed to be perfect kids but go on to terrorize and kill could be the results of drug use when they have no idea of the effects drugs can have on their developing physical systems, especially their brains. Even experimenting with drugs can be dangerous.
Watch for signs of drug use such as your teen spending too much time alone, losing interest in their favorite things, poor self-image or feeling they just do not fit in, feeling unusually tired or sad, even contemplating death or suicide.
Talk with your young people about any kind of drug use—weed, alcohol, vaping, or dabbing. Research shows that conversations with your teens disapproving of their drug use makes adolescents less likely to start. These conversations are so critically important; they may save your young people’s lives as well as others.
Are They Listening – To Themselves?
The discovery and understanding of one’s own identity contributes significantly to one’s self-worth, self-confidence, and self-belief. Indeed Team
Are your teens listening to themselves and learning to read their inner signals? These thoughts may lead to opportunities they never thought of before. If they make quiet time away from distractions--just a few minutes once or twice a day to listen to themselves, they may uncover a delightful, unique person. If they ask themselves how they are feeling about the last thing they did and the next thing they plan to do and compare the results in their minds or better yet, in a journal, they may find answers about their lives and future. If they have not started to record thoughts and actions in a journal, there is no time like NOW. They do not need a fancy book unless you want to provide it for them. Just a few pages in the back of any of their spiral notebooks will do. This action may be a step toward better mental health. Finding themselves means discovering their values, goals, and determining opportunities.
Opportunities don't just happen. You create them. Chris Grosser
If you wait for opportunities to occur, you will be one of the crowd. Edward de Bono
Teens need to learn to trust themselves, to stand out from the crowd. They must learn to trust their intuition and their inner guidance system, like GPS. They may discover characteristics and talents they did not know they had. They will make mistakes, but they will learn and get better at listening to themselves; it takes practice.
Opportunities are there for each one of them. They must believe that they can stand out for some reason and be on the lookout for opportunities waiting for them. They must develop their trust in their inner guidance systems to explore and develop these opportunities. They have to act on what they feel is the best direction for them.
Encourage them to never stop trying.
Problem Solving As an Essential Skill in Your Teens' Future
The ability to solve problems in their lives should have been developed long before now in your young adult’s lives. Creativity, critical thinking, good decision making, and information processing are skills that are necessary in lives of future adults. Although schools seem to be focusing on these skills more than ever before, parents can help also.
There are 5 problem solving skills that are desirable for employers in 2024 according to Robert Henderson, CPRW. Since your teens may be entering the world of work soon, it is good for them to continue to develop these skills.
Creativity is the ability to examine problems from multiple perspectives, to think “outside the box,” to come up with innovative solutions.
Research skills are essential when solving problems to analyze future projects and to stay up to date on new markets and industry developments.
Communication is necessary to be able to explain—both verbally and in writing—thoughts and ideas one may have for the growth and success of future business.
Teamwork is the ability to work with others to recognize and use the strengths of each team member to achieve a common goal.
Decision-making is to identify problems and possible solutions. Procrastination can delay solutions but allowing ideas to "perk” for a while may be necessary. Setting a deadline to make a decision after analyzing fact and data (not based on assumptions and emotions) and being willing to take risks aware of possible consequences can lead to a desirable outcome.
Labeling skills necessary for good problem solving can guide parents through frequent conversations with their teens to further develop these essential skills.