College Students Work to Explore Careers

Last summer EJ completed an incredible job of self-discovery as a camp counselor in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) summer program at Stanford University. He worked with middle and high school students who were guided to the program through their parents’ selection or were returning campers who were passionate about the program.

What Students Can Learn Through Career Jobs

EJ found that it was easier to work with the high school students who were focused on exploring a career in S.T.E.M. occupations. These students were more engaged in the program and had more confidence when participating in various activities. Through these wonderful and challenging experiences, my son learned the following:

He has incredible leadership skills.
As he became more engaged in the program, the students were excited about their learning.
It was amazing to observe the students’ performance and growth during the program.
As an employee, EJ was excited to receive his first formal performance evaluation that reflected his leadership successes.

Reflection

Now EJ is busy with a demanding college year of upper division science classes. The confidence he gained during his summer employment continues to inspire him in his current career path of study, discovery, and growth.

May your children value their many learning experiences!

Yvette

Giving Thanks This Holiday Season

During the start of the Thanksgiving week and other winter holidays, I typically help my kids and grandkids prepare for the season by:

Organizing a toy giveaway drive for local charities
Baking and preparing food for various family celebrations and community events
Preparing food and gift baskets for those in need
Helping in community service activities
Volunteering at local school holiday events
Participating in church and community celebrations

Gratitude Reflections

In addition to these events, I also focus on all that is good in my life and help my grandkids reflect on what they love most about the holidays and their daily lives. These reflections help them center themselves on appreciating the many activities that their families participate in each day. This focus helps the kids feel gratitude for all that is good in their lives. It also helps them to not become so demanding about wanting things for themselves. They can start to think of others first and foremost.

Play Dates with Family

When we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, family members can share all of the fun times we enjoy with each other and how we value each other. We can discuss plans for celebrating the upcoming holidays. I will schedule play dates with the grandkids to make gifts, cards, and food items for family members and those in need.

May your Thanksgiving celebration be full of gratitude for your family, friends, and all that you have been given in your daily life.

Much serenity and peace this holiday season!

Mary Ann

What Our Kids Learn Through Taekwondo Classes

My grandson starting taking Taekwondo classes in Kindergarten. During his first year of classes, he became passionate about:

the kicks
punches
physical fitness games that required cognitive thinking while completing a pattern of activities

Becoming Culturally Sensitive

As my grandson worked through his program, he became more culturally sensitive when learning the Korean words for the various moves. A significant experience is the spirituality and respect the children learn for others that is reinforced in all individual and group activities. This respect is reinforced when my grandson:

Learns how to bow and make eye contact with his instructor and with his classmates when starting an activity
Is taught courtesy and self-defense when completing his kicks and punches
Becomes respectful of others and the environment
Is taught how to center himself in in relation to others and the environment

Learning Core Values and Confidence

When considering the relevance of what my grandson and peers are learning in class and how this applies to their daily lives, I have observed that:

Kids become more respectful with their teachers and peers at school and with their family at home.
They feel more self-confident when managing their emotions and care for their body.
The children are taught to seek support from their teachers and other adults when threatened by another child acting out.

Overall, Taekwondo has helped my grandson become more confident in managing daily life stresses.

Much success in helping your children become self-confident in their daily lives!

Joyce

Keeping Balance in My Daily Life

Last summer, I made a commitment to expand my own personal growth when I discovered that I would not have my college son living at home during the summer break. When reviewing the list of activities that I planned to complete during the summer, I found the following mixed results:

I increased my exercise routine by walking at least three times a week. Now I am focusing on moving and exercising daily. I am also committed to finding a friend to walk with to increase my exercise goals throughout the school year.
Although I read many work-related books, I still have not found the time to enjoy leisure reading. I plan to find more time for relaxing with books in the future.
As a commitment to make time for visiting friends, I walk every Saturday that I am home with my cousin. On Sundays, I started meeting a friend for coffee. I am also participating in a series of leadership seminars in northern California and plan to see friends when traveling.
I continue to take the time to be a kid for a day with my spouse. We traveled to Chicago and bicycled along Lake Michigan. We took leisurely walks along the Santa Monica Pier. We visited Northern California and Camarillo for added play dates this fall season.
Finally, I excelled at getting my house organized for another school year. I cleaned out my kitchen cabinets and one of my bathrooms. I gave away over 10 sacks of papers, brochures, and collectibles. And I donated over 100 professional books to the library or gave them to teachers.

Reflection

Although I accomplished much this past summer, I continue to increase my daily exercise routine and play with my friends to feel relaxed and refreshed during another busy school year.

Relish the beauty of these lovely fall days. Play hard, work hard, and take the time to reflect on all that is good in your life.

Yvette

Learning About My Grandson When Cleaning

A couple times a month, I help my grandson sort out school papers and clean his room. Although it looks like we are helping mom accomplish a difficult task, I love helping my grandson because I am able to learn more about his interests and what he is learning in school.

A Shared Experience

Our room cleaning project has provided the following insights:

We occasionally sort through his toys to identify what he wants to keep and what he no longer needs and would like to donate to other children.
As we sort the toys, we discuss happy memories playing and what we would like to do in future on various play dates.
We discuss various interests and how his toys can help him explore new interests. For example, Lego can be used for various science explorations.
My grandson is able to reflect on what he values and I can share my experiences.
We brainstorm new activities and outings we can share together to explore new and expanding interests.
Sometimes, we sort through his book collection and talk about our many memories of reading various books together. We may start reading the book together again and relive various interests and outings that are relevant to the story. My grandson may also decide that some of the books should be donated to other children.
When sorting artwork, we discuss how he felt when making the art piece and what it represents. My grandson may describe a wonderful adventure that he was thinking about when creating his masterpiece. Other times, he will share a silly story about how his art piece was developed and what it represents. We have wonderful laughs and discussions as he selects which artwork he wants to hang up in his room.

A Final Thought

When I help my grandson organize and clean his room, it is not about organizing his possessions. The focus is to gain a greater insight into what he is thinking about when he creates his projects. I also learn more about his passions and interests. The activity is just a vehicle that brings us closer together with many shared memories and special discussions.

Much joy in helping our kids organize their rooms!

Joyce