Creativity Unleashed! Child & Teen Activity Guide Download
Download Our 19 Activities PDF and Unleash Your Child’s Creative Potential Tweet We believe that nurturing creativity in children is an essential aspect of their growth and development. Creative activities not only help children explore their imagination and express themselves but also develop problem-solving skills. As parents, it’s vital to provide our children with opportunities […]
Juneteenth: 5 Ways to Inspire a Better Future
It’s more important than ever to actively teach your child Black History. One month of celebration is simply not enough. These are scary times for kids (and parents), especially if you are Black, or a member of other marginalized communities. Hope and positivity are in short supply for many of our children. And the teaching […]
In A Mother’s Footsteps: An Appreciation
My mother loved the original “Perry Mason” show and watched it on TV every week. He was very real to her, and she often commented how thrilling it was to see him solve the case at the end. One day, she announced to me and my dad that she had waited long enough and it […]
Halloween Safety Tips 2022
Trick-Or-Treating While Black Given the current COVID-19 pandemic as well as concerns about recent racial tensions, Black parents have worries surrounding Halloween this year. While Halloween is a time for children to have fun, Black parents oftentimes face unique safety concerns. This year they are caught between two difficult choices: the dangers of COVID-19 and […]
Great Expectations, Unmet
We all have big dreams and hopes for our kids. We want them to do better, have more and be happier than we managed. But how do we handle it when our kids–despite being given all the tools and support we think they need to succeed–have a different view of “success” and do not follow […]
Understanding History – Our Children, Their Future
In many ways, this is the best of times and the worst of times for African Americans. Our stories are getting more public attention; our artists are getting more exposure and recognition; and our images are being portrayed in a more positive and reaffirming light. But this occurs against a backdrop of heightened racial intolerance, […]
A Teachable Moment, Courtesy of Will Smith and Chris Rock
There are lots of different opinions on the Will Smith/Chris Rock fiasco during the Oscars. Even those who didn’t witness the event live, have probably seen a clip or read a description and formed a view. Beccastone is thinking about the occurrence from the perspective of how might this affect kids? Is this something that […]
The Challenges of Homeschooling English Language Arts to Teens and Tweens
Competency in English language arts is an important life skill and one of the most fundamental aspects of education in the US. Without good skills in this area, students can find effective communication difficult and career paths severely limited. But many parents can use assistance in teaching the full range of ELA skills to homeschool […]
Why Critical Thinking Skills are So Important and How to Teach Them to Your Kids
In this era of social media, critical thinking is an essential life skill that students need to filter the barrage of online information that includes fake news, misinformation and half-truths. While social media platforms may try to take down untrue or harmful posts, they simply cannot control the avalanche, and users must rely heavily on […]
Summer’s Coming—Let’s Read!
Has your teen read a book for pleasure recently? If not, they are not alone. Data show that in recent years there has been a steep decline in reading for pleasure among teens. While teens are spending more and more time on social media, gaming and texting, fewer and fewer teens voluntarily choose to read […]
6 Holiday Activities That Will Engage and Give Back
There are many things that will be different about this Holiday season. But the Holidays can still be joyful and filled with activities. Here are some things to do that will both occupy your kids and help them grow. Let’s get cooking! Parents may be spending more time in the kitchen at this time of […]
Mother’s Wisdom
Kelly Rowland is a Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter, actress, model, TV host and philanthropist. Kelly was one of the founding members of the famed singing group Destiny’s Child. As a kid, I thought this was so corny, but now I get it. My mom told me to always be true to you. She would see me […]
10 Classic Black Movies to Watch with Your Kids at Home
We asked award-winning producer Debra Martin Chase, an executive producer of the film Harriet, to give us her top picks for classic films that would give Black kids a sense of culture and history. Here are her suggestions along with some additions by Beccastone. (These movies are generally appropriate for middle schoolers and older). Grab […]
Talking to Kids About Black Lives Lost
Another day, another sorrow. Another black person has been killed, and we have watched another cell phone video capture the tragedy live. It’s hard to talk to kids about these sorrows in normal times. In these pandemic times, it can be overwhelming for both parents and kids. How can we protect our kids […]
Conversation with an Interracial Family
Conversation with Leslie Lewis, a former teacher and mother of two adult children, a son, 32, and a daughter, 23. Leslie lives in Washington, D.C., is Jewish, and is married to an attorney who is black. Q: How long have you been married?A: I first met my husband in 1970 when we were both in […]