833 Young Scholars

Have you ever heard the phrase "Like a fish in water"?

This saying is used to describe the tendency of people to forget that what surrounds them feels normal only because it's what they know.

In other words, for a fish, living underwater is just part of life as a fish.

Life as a human can work in similar ways, too. For example, living in a place where entire lakes can become so solid that people put small houses on them and drill through the ice to catch fish may sound a little crazy to a lot of people. However, this idea probably feels perfectly normal to anyone living in Minnesota during winter - and it is. Just not to everyone.

The fact is, we are all fish in water within our own lives, and one place this often shows up is with our children. We see our kids lovingly as who they are within the family culture and structure. However, we may not always realize the exceptional qualities our children possess - likely because, in our eyes, that's just who they are - which is a beautiful way to see it.

Nevertheless, it can be helpful to be able to name what you may be seeing and experiencing with your Young Scholar and to know that other parents and children are experiencing some of the same things, too.

This month, we will explore a variety of Young Scholar characteristics. Giving language to qualities and traits you recognize in your Young Scholar can help build their affirmation as well as increase both your abilities to advocate for and increase access to experiences that grow their potential.

The characteristics in the image and pdf file below are meant as a guide and a way to name and build language around what you may be experiencing with your Young Scholar. As you well know, children are wonderfully unique. The traits will look a little different in every child, and it is not expected that any child will show all of the traits.

Try this:

• Read through and see what feels familiar to you. Focus on your child's strengths.
• Find something you recognize and talk about it with your Young Scholar.
• Brainstorm examples of how they see themselves using that trait in school or out.

Children are fish in water, too. The more they know about themselves, the better they are able to understand their strengths, set goals for growth, and realize their amazing potential.

This month, we'll explore a variety of resources to help affirm and support your Young Scholar as they build and strengthen their Young Scholar traits.

The traits below have been matched with books, puzzles, websites and other resources to help your Young Scholar practice and build their skills - and have fun at the same time!

Resources:

BrainBashers: Online collection of brain teasers, puzzles, riddles, and optical illusions.

Highlights Kids: Online games and puzzles from Highlights magazine.

The Great Big Search and Find Activity Book: Activity book full of puzzles, coloring pages, and fun facts.

Young Scholar Traits:

Finds and solves difficult and unusual problems

Processes and learns information quickly

Sees connections and relationships in surprising or unusual ways

Notices details; Very observant

Has a detailed memory

Guesses and infers well

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Resources:

PBS Kids Design Squad: Watch videos, play games, and build and share designs with a global community.

Minnesota Children’s Museum: A fun place to build, explore, and create. Every third Sunday of the month is free. Check the museum’s website for more details.

Young Scholar Traits:

Thinks about creative ideas

Wonders; Daydreams; Can seem off task

Likes to build or imagine new things

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Resources:

National Geographic Kids Why? Over 1,111 Answers to Everything: A book full of questions and answers for your curious Young Scholar.

Hour of Code: Learn computer coding through hundreds of teaching videos and games for a variety of ages and comfort levels.

Imagine Mars: Work with NASA to answer the question, “What Will It Take To Live On Mars?”

Young Scholar Traits:

Asks a lot of questions; Is highly curious

Is curious about many different topics; Asks ‘What If..’

Concentrates for long periods of time on things that interest them

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Resources:

10 Legitimately Funny Books to Read Aloud with Your Kids: Search Park Grove Library’s website to check out these books and share some laughs with your Young Scholar.

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster: A story of hilarious vocabulary misunderstandings. Also available to check out from Park Grove.

Roald Dahl Website: Introduce your Young Scholar to the humor of Roald Dahl with his official website.

Young Scholar Traits:

Loves to read

Has a more mature sense of humor

Uses complex, interesting, or surprising vocabulary

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Resources:

833 Community Education - Drama Kids and Stepping Stone Theater: Does your Young Scholar like to be dramatic? Here is a chance for them to try it on stage!

Young Scholar Traits:

Discusses ideas in detail; elaborates

Enjoys choosing own learning

Communicates well through play acting

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Resources:

40 Pictures Books for Young Activists: A diverse list of books to read together with your Young Scholar as you support their understanding of these global and sometimes difficult topics.

5 Ways Kids Can Serve Communities: Ideas from PBS.org to help your Young Scholar feel involved in making a difference.

Young Scholar Traits:

Is sensitive to larger or deeper issues; shows concern and compassion for others

Understands more than one perspective; shows empathy for others

Has a strong sense of fairness

Shows strong feelings and opinions

Hi All!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am thrilled to work as the 833 Young Scholars advocate and lead teacher.

I'm a mom of two teenagers, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper. Plus, on top of all of that, I have the happy job of implementing and growing the Young Scholars program here in 833!

I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.

Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833. I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!

Colleen Redmond

651-425-6212

credmond@sowashco.org