52 Essential Conversations to Inspire Children

Jenny Woo
52 Essential Conversations to Inspire Children

Research-backed tips and hacks straight from parents, educators and neuroscientists on raising motivated, confident, and compassionate children. Hosted by Jenny Woo, Harvard educator, mom of three, and creator of the social and emotional skills game used in families, schools, and clinics in 20+ countries. Designed for busy parents: short episodes, knowledgeable guests, and packed insights.

  1. 05/09/2019

    Mastery: How to Support Social Emotional Learning

    In this episode, I chat with Sarah Engle and Bene Webster, co-founders of UsPlus on the topic of mastery in the context of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). We provides insights on the following: Perfectionism vs. Mastery How to support and assess social emotional learning (SEL) SEL trends in the classroom Teacher’s mindsets on SEL Deep listening and Productive disagreements

    33 min
  2. 030: Whiteness and Niceness: How to Talk to Young People about Inequity

    02/20/2019

    030: Whiteness and Niceness: How to Talk to Young People about Inequity

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with educators and professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our seventh topic of the series: Whiteness and Niceness. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Angelina Castagno, Professor of Educational Leadership and Foundations at Northern Arizona University, and the Executive Director of Just Perspective, LLC. She discusses her research around the concepts of Whiteness and Niceness in terms of inequity and injustice with the interaction of race, gender, and social class. Here are just a few examples of the many experiential learning anecdotes and definitions covered in this episode: The price of nice: how the privilege of “colorblindness” perpetuates social inequity and injustice What “Whiteness” means through the lens of identity, ideology, and institution A series of self-reflective questions parents and teachers should be asking themselves on race and racism Unpacking the definitions and implications in Equality vs. Equity Concrete examples of what parents and teachers can do to promote social justice through “sphere of influence” Personal parenting examples on how to talk to children about race and racism

    1h 6m
  3. 029: Model Minority: Uncovering Assumptions on Asian Americans

    01/29/2019

    029: Model Minority: Uncovering Assumptions on Asian Americans

    In this episode, I chat with Dr. Judy Wu, PhD Stanford, Professor and Chair of Asian American Studies in the School of Humanities, at the University of California, Irvine. She shares her personal experience on as an Asian immigrant and anecdotes on raising her children in California and Ohio. The following topics were discussed: Overview of the history of Model Minority Uncovering how assumptions could negatively impact Asian American students in the support they receive for mental health and academic interventions The relationship between model minority and systemic discrimination How to have a conversation with children on race: need vs. opportunity Concrete examples of how schools and public institutions can create an inclusive and global understanding of the United States

    19 min
  4. 028: Language: Myths in Bilingualism and Language Impairment

    01/28/2019

    028: Language: Myths in Bilingualism and Language Impairment

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our fifth topic of the 6-part series: Language. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Elizabeth Pena, Speech Language Pathologist and professor at the University of California, Irvine. She shares insights on issues and myths in language diagnostics in schools based on her 30+ years of experience in the field and in research. The following topics were discussed: Implicit Bias (Language Impairment & Bilingualism) Debunking parenting and schooling myth around language usage The role of bilingualism in Special education Developmental Language Disorder: what it is and ways to diagnose Consequences in overidentification to under-identification of language impairment How parents can advocate for timely and accurate language testing at school

    25 min
  5. 027: Special Education: How to Advocate for an Inclusive School

    01/24/2019

    027: Special Education: How to Advocate for an Inclusive School

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our fourth topic of the 6-part series: Special Education. In this episode, I chat with Melanie, Emmy award winning filmmaker, community activist, mother of 3, and former ward of the state. She shares her personal experience raising and advocating for a daughter with Down syndrome. She discusses implicit biases she had as a new parent and biases she has encountered as an educator and parent. She shares a number of resources in this episode, and in addition: Mainstream biases around learning disabilities and how to deal with it  How to “see to believe” for yourself and others How to set expectations for yourself and your child Persistent, Professional, Polite. Ways to advocate for your child How teachers and educators can find their voice when working with children with special needs. How to select the right school for your child

    25 min
  6. 026: Race: How to Talk to Young People about Race

    01/23/2019

    026: Race: How to Talk to Young People about Race

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our third topic of the 6-part series: Race. In this episode, I chat with Ivonne Ortega about how and when to talk about race and gender biases with your children. We discuss the concept of implicit bias and what it means in families, schools, and society. Ivonne shares tips on how to equip your child with the language of a critical thinker to talk about racism.

    16 min
  7. 024: Implicit Bias: How to Talk to Young People about Gender

    01/22/2019

    024: Implicit Bias: How to Talk to Young People about Gender

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. Our second topic of the 6-part series: Gender. Courtney shares her wealth of knowledge on: How to have conversations with your children about gender identity and gender expression What to do when your child asks questions related to pre-defined gender norms Things to watch out for when talking to your daughter or your son How to select an inclusive school for your child What schools can do to diagnose their culture and climate What an inclusive curriculum looks like TONS of quality and research-based resources related to gender and sexuality, in forms of TED talks, books, and organizations

    28 min
  8. 024: Privilege: How to Talk to Young People about Privilege

    01/21/2019

    024: Privilege: How to Talk to Young People about Privilege

    In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, I'm airing a special series of intimate and insightful interviews with four Harvard educators and two University of California professors on topics related to Implicit Bias. We kick it off today with Privilege: what it is and what it is not, and how we can talk openly about it with young people. As an Equity and Inclusion fellow and Harvard educator, Andrew shares his personal and professional experience on: What privilege is and misconceptions around this word How to talk to our children about privilege Ladder of Inference to frame the sources of our privileges and assumptions Difference between luck and privilege (a question on the 52 Essential Conversations game) How to reevaluate your definitions of a “good” school ...and much more!

    32 min
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About

Research-backed tips and hacks straight from parents, educators and neuroscientists on raising motivated, confident, and compassionate children. Hosted by Jenny Woo, Harvard educator, mom of three, and creator of the social and emotional skills game used in families, schools, and clinics in 20+ countries. Designed for busy parents: short episodes, knowledgeable guests, and packed insights.

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