Learning How to Learn
Imagine being highly motivated to build a house but never being taught to use tools. That's what we do to learners every day. An essay is assigned without explaining how to get from today to the deadline; a test date is given without the learning science underneath how to remember and apply information.
School Success Post-September
Here's what I know after years of supporting learners and their families: The real learning year doesn't start in September. It starts now. Right when the novelty wears off and the actual work of learning begins. September is the warm-up. October? That's when we build the practices that actually matter.
The Email That Changed Everything
Here's what nobody tells you: That professor you're terrified of emailing? They've probably sent their own share of nervous emails. They've asked for extensions on article deadlines. They've requested meeting reschedules. They've navigated the awkward dance of professional communication.
The Power of Small Steps
Before you can make room for what you want, you need to get honest about what's already taking up space. But here's the plot twist: not all your "must-dos" are actually musts.
Breaking Brain Barriers
Our culture has taught us that thinking happens in one place: the brain. That "smart" students are those who can sit still, focus intensely, and process information in their heads.
But the head- and heart-bursting work by Annie Murphy Paul in The Extended Mind reveals something fascinating: the most brilliant thinkers throughout history have used the world outside their brains to think.
How Your Child’s Nervous System Actually Works
Some children have experienced trauma, chronic stress, or neurodevelopmental differences that make natural pendulation more challenging. If your child seems unable to access calm states despite your best efforts, this isn't a parenting failure—it's information.
Finding Your Off Switch
Think of a pendulum swinging back and forth. That's exactly what your nervous system is designed to do—move between being "on" (alert, focused, maybe stressed) and being "off" (calm, restored, actually relaxed).
The Secret to Supporting Summer Learning
Want to understand what truly motivates your student? Researcher Anne-Laure Le Cunff from Ness Labs has identified four distinct types of curiosity, each driving learning in different ways. Understanding your child's curiosity type can revolutionise how you support their education
Learning Strategies for Summer Growth
As another school year wraps up, you might be feeling a mix of relief, excitement, and maybe some uncertainty about what's next. Whether you're moving from middle school to high school, finishing your first year of university, or anywhere in between—this transition time is the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and set yourself up for continued growth.
The Learning Stategist’s Guide for Parents
What we're really doing here isn't just helping with this year's math test or next month's history project. We're building something much more valuable: the ability to notice what works, to experiment with new approaches, to bounce back from what doesn't work, and to keep growing.