Raising Lifelong Learners

When Perfectionism Looks Like Avoidance

Colleen Kessler — Fri, 29 May 2026 05:25:04 +0000

He sat at the kitchen table with his pencil hovering over a blank sheet of paper. Ten minutes passed. Fifteen. When I gently asked if he needed help, the answer was sharp and closed: “I can’t do this. This is stupid.” The paper was shoved aside and he stormed out of the room, tears already...

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Great Books to Read With Your Kids in June

Colleen Kessler — Mon, 25 May 2026 10:00:19 +0000

Summer is here! Long, sunny days, drippy ice cream cones, water play, watermelon…. and of course, books! Let’s keep those kiddo’s minds moving in the right direction with this list of great books to read with your kids in June. First, though, check out my new book, 100 Backyard Activities That Are the Dirtiest,...

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Beating Boredom Without Busy Work: Motivating Neurodivergent Learners at Home

Colleen Kessler — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The words hang heavy in the air: “I’m bored.” It’s the anthem of childhood and the phrase that can send even the most confident of homeschooling parents into a tailspin. You start to question everything – Is my curriculum enough? Should I be adding more activities? Is there something wrong with my child, or with...

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Minecraft Challenge Calendar | Free June Download

Colleen Kessler — Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:17 +0000

Ice cream cones, summer sun, and beachy fun — your kids will find it all on this month’s Minecraft Challenge Calendar. Have them make a space ship or recreate a scence from a Disney movie. Or, if there’s something on the calendar they’re not interested in making, have them figure out their own idea and snap a photo...

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When Passions Turn Into Pathways | Rethinking Motivation and Learning for Neurodivergent Kids

Colleen Kessler — Thu, 14 May 2026 03:51:28 +0000

There’s a certain pride that comes with seeing your kid spend hour upon hour meticulously building in Minecraft, memorizing every prehistoric era and creature, or scripting pages of dialogue for a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. And then, just when you feel like you’ve cracked the “motivation” code, that same child will melt down over a...

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