Ken Robinson: Why We Must Nurture Creativity In School

I am a fan of TED Conversations/Talks. Perhaps after you watch this video you'll know why. I am so grateful to my friends at Children Inspire Design for sharing this video today. 

Sir Ken Robinson is an entertaining speaker, but don't let his jokes fool you. His message is loud and clear. He makes a case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. I was really moved...and it has open my eyes with regards to my own daughter's abilities and innate nature. I would love for you to watch it yourself and tell me what you think...

Fabulous Resources for College-Bound Latino Families

College is a long way off for my kids, who have just entered kindergarten and 2nd grade. But I have been thinking about it even before they were born. I am determined that they both attend college so that they can pursue the careers of their choice.

Already I feel the stress of the financial burden that comes with putting two kids through college. I worry that my husband and I won't have enough saved for both of them.

But I have hope.

I am fortunate to have friends with older children who are going through the process of applying to various universities, and who are navigating the financial aspect associated with this tremendous endeavor. And lucky for me - and others! - they are sharing their experiences online.

But I also have hope because it seems as though almost every week, I am running across great opportunities for Latino students. The number of scholarships is rising across the country.

Here then, are some of my favorite resources for Latino families with college bound children:

College Bound Latinos™ E-Mentoring Group

Created by NewLatina.net, this group is for parents and students interested in academic success and preparing for college applications. It is composed of individuals who are ready and willing to answer any questions regarding academic success in middle school and high school, as well as information on college applications, financial aid, and college admissions standardized tests. Take the time to scroll through the posts. You'll find some good information.


Mariela Dabbah

Mariela Dabbah is a valuable resource. She is the author of numerous books on education, including Latinos in College: Your Guide to Success. Dabbah is also an education and career coach, as well as an education columnist. One of her websites, Latinos in College, is a goldmine for students and parents, and I would encourage you to follow its Facebook page. She is a smart lady, as you can see from this Mamiverse interview.


Vida y Familia

Univision's Spanish-language, digital magazine is dedicated to education and covers everything related to it: from preschool to college, to science, language and more, you'll find some excellent articles to help guide you through your child's education process. I think my favorite is the "Inspírate" section which shares inspiring stories to help keep parents and students motivated. It also has a huge section on scholarships.

MeEncanta.com

A week ago, I was invited to attend a blogger breakfast with McDonald's. I knew that they were active in the community, but I had no idea the amount of focus they place on education and in helping community educational efforts. Most notable, perhaps, is their RMHC/HACER scholarship, which is one of the largest college scholarship programs for Hispanic students. It has awarded more than $20 million in scholarship funds to nearly 14,000 Hispanic students! (Guau!)

Their bilingual website is wonderful and you can find lots of information about the scholarship, as well as an education guide, videos, and a school planner. McDonald's also works with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) to offer free, bilingual college workshops to Hispanic families across the country.

Con mucho cariño...

How To Be an Involved Parent

By now, we’ve all heard it: Children with involved parents are more likely to succeed academically. Parental involvement is purported to affect a whole range of areas including behavior problems, math and science achievement, school preparedness, graduation, and more.

But here’s what it all boils down to: If you are an involved parent, your children (and their teachers!) quickly learn that your family values education. Before you know it, your kids will have the same outlook and will view their education as a way to pursue and achieve their dreams.

No child wants to be a failure. But they quickly learn to live up – or down! – to the expectations of those around them. So it is our job as parents, to have high expectations, and then to help our children meet them.

But how do we do that exactly?

Here are some ideas for getting involved in your child’s education.


Ask Questions

Find out what your child is learning in school. Don’t wait for the parent-teacher conferences. Ask your child every day what he learned. Or ask his teacher. You have to be proactive and find out for yourself. When your daughter sits down to work on her homework, ask if she needs help. If she says “no,” then let her know that you’re available if she needs you.

But what if you don’t know the answer? Admit it up front. Then figure it out together. There is no better way to understand a subject than if you have to teach it to someone else.


Listen Carefully

Sometimes your child just needs a sympathetic ear. There’s so much going on in school, they are bound to have moments when they are frustrated, sad, or angry about a teacher, subject, or even their classmates. But listen carefully. Sometimes you’ll discover that it is more what your child hasn’t said that tells the story.

And once you've listened, find a way to support their emotional needs. Simply being there as an understanding and non-judgmental listener helps to solidify the bond you have with your child and leads to a better relationship.


Investigate Opportunities

If you discover your daughter is studying Ancient Egypt, call up your local museums and find out if they have any exhibits on the subject. Or hop on over to your local library/bookshop and load up on books exploring pyramids, mummies, and King Tut. You can also go online (look at PBS, NOVA, and other educational sites) to find videos on whatever your child is studying.


Invest in Books

Are you a bibliophile, like me, who cannot walk past a bookstore without going in and buying something? Guess what? You now have an excuse to give your spouse! Last year, the journal Research in Social Stratification and Mobility published the results of a study which showed that the number of books in the house directly correlates to the number of years of schooling that a child will complete.

And the more books in your home, the greater your child’s chances are of graduating not just from high school, but college, as well! In fact, children with as few as 25 books in their homes, completed on average two more years of schooling than those children without books.

But the incredible thing is that households with 500 books (or more!) were “as great an advantage as having university-educated rather than unschooled parents, and twice the advantage of having a professional rather than an unskilled father.”

So it’s true: The more books in your home, the greater the chances of your child’s academic achievement. You can read more about this fascinating study - and others - in this article by Laura Miller.


Teach Time Management
 
Let's face it: your son/daughter is a child. They aren't born knowing how to manage their time. But you can help guide them so that they can learn how to manage it effectively so that they can successfully accomplish their goals. Help them set realistic time frames for finishing homework, attending extra-curricular events, and time to just play and relax. Remember to use TV time wisely and don't let your kids be vegetables!
 
 
Volunteer
 
Take the time to get to know your child's teachers and friends. And there's no better way, than by volunteering in their classroom. This is easier to do with younger children (just imagine your teenager's angst when you show up for their science lab!) and their teachers who are often looking for an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands in the class. 
 
Con mucho cariño...

Top Five Reasons Why Latino Children Need to Go to College

My seven-year-old daughter takes it for granted that she will go to college. In fact, the other day we were driving through the university campus where my stepfather works and both of my kids became totally fascinated when they learned that’s where I went to college.

What is that building there?

How about that one?

What did you learn in that big one over there?

I smiled as I drove and tried to answer their questions as best I could… and make it as exciting as possible. I want my kids to look forward to their time at college. And I don’t ever want there to be any question as to whether or not they will go to one.

THE FACTS

Almost 30% of Latinos live in poverty. That translates into about 13.2 MILLION people. And out of that, more than 6 million are Latino children. The New York Times recently reported that Hispanics have been hit the hardest by the recent recession, which comes as no surprise, really, since we know that some of the biggest casualties of our country’s economic hardship are the construction, hospitality, and restaurant industries – for which Latinos form the backbone.

As a result of their financial instability, many Latino students and their families don't see college as a viable option. Although college enrollment is up among Latinos, we still have a long way to go. The financial aspect of putting a child through college is a big concern for parents. I know I wonder if I’ll be able to afford to send my children to a good university. But it seems like every week I have been learning about more and more scholarships and financial aid opportunities for Latino families. I’ll be sharing some of my favorites on Thursday. 

The top five reasons why Hispanic children should go to college

In my opinion, here are the top five reasons why I think every Latino child in America should go to college:

To break the cycle of poverty

Persistent poverty has been linked to chronic illness and low cognitive skills. And if your parents live in poverty, or you are born into it, chances are greater that you, too, will live in poverty. But receiving a college education increases the chance that you will get a good paying job after you graduate. As I mentioned yesterday, most STEM graduates could potentially earn a six-figure salary upon graduation. 

To enter fields where Latinos are not represented

The number of Latinos in the innovation fields is paltry. This is SO surprising because Latinos are some of the most ingenious, creative, and innovative people on the planet. Just imagine what our people could accomplish if they had the knowledge gained from a college education! Let’s inspire and encourage our children to enter these STEM fields and make a difference. Not only does it benefit our children, but it also benefits society as a whole to have the ideas and skills of Latinos contributing to these fields.

To find their voice

College is a time to explore the things you like and dislike. You can take a class on watercolors or 18^th century literature or biochemistry and discover your passion in life. You have time to read everything Cervantes ever wrote, or experiment with different art styles and media. This is really the moment where personal beliefs and interests are discovered, explored, and solidified. Look at Occupy Wall Street! This movement was created largely by college students and graduates who have come together to voice their opinions and make a change. 

To realize their dreams

This is America, where supposedly ANYONE can make their dreams come true with a little determination and a lot of hard work. But the reality today is that many of the poor work hard for their money and never seem to be able to get ahead. Perhaps we need to modify the concept and instead think of America as the place where you can go to find the tools to help you make your dreams a reality. And going to college is one of the MAJOR tools that Americans have at their disposal. Going to college allows students to explore career fields that they might otherwise never even know about. They can also develop specialized skills and network with others of like mind, which may in turn open doors that lead to a successful career. It is where our children find a career that they love, rather than a job that they hate. 

To create change

Latino children need more role models to help inspire and encourage them to try their best in school. They need to see their own faces reflected in our success stories so that they can understand that they are precious and valuable and worthy members of our society. They should learn that they can make a difference. Latino college graduates can fill this role.

Most of all, in these difficult times, Latinos need leaders who love nuestra gente and are willing to fight for change. We need people who have the knowledge and expertise to help our communities. Think about just some of these issues facing Latinos today:

• Eighty percent of Latinos live in areas that failed to meet one U.S. EPA air quality standard. As a result, 60% of Latino children are more likely to suffer from asthma, and Latinos are three times as likely to die of asthma.  

• Latinos have the highest high school dropout rate. They may quit school to go to work and help support their families, or simply because they don’t see college as a viable option. Students also quit when they are failing because they do not understand the subject, and no one is willing to help them.

• The current immigration debate is the biggest issue facing Latinos today. It doesn’t just affect one person, but families and communities and even the whole country can suffer from poor handling of this issue.

We need leaders who have a vested interest in our people, and who will create and enact laws that help ALL the citizens in the United States – including Latinos.

Other Posts You May Enjoy

• Thanks to the College Board
  
  
• CLEP Study Guides for High School Students
  
  
• Book for Latino Parents on Raising College-Bound Children
  
  
• The Empowered Community College Student
  
  
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund Makes College a Reality for Latinos

top image credit: © Can Stock Photo / rmarmion