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Dinosaurs Living in My Hair 2! touches on bullying. The intent was to start a conversation between the reader of the book and the child about bullying. It gives four examples a child can do to ward off bullying attempts. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Throw mean words into the trash. Tell an adult at school. Teaching children to “stand up straight and make eye contact” is critical. These two simple acts show confidence and self-assurance. Children are less likely to be picked on if they exude strength. This needs to be practiced and reinforced often. Adults should use...

One of the first things the Rose-Vallee Children’s Foundation undertook was to create our “Tattling versus Telling” handout. When Heather and I attended the Decatur Book Festival in September 2018, we distributed over 400 copies to parents, teachers, and grandparents. Here’s our flyer. Pass it on. Tattling versus Telling What is the difference between telling & tattling?   Telling someone is reporting. It’s done to keep people safe. The teller is concerned about safety. The problem is important and urgent. Someone could be in danger. Some adult needs to help solve the problem. Telling is necessary. Telling is helpful.  ...

Self-Esteem. Two words when combined mean absolutely nothing to a young child. Self-Esteem has a huge impact on how children engage in activities, work through challenges, and interact with others. What we think and feel about ourselves has a lasting effect on academic performance. “Low self-esteem can lessen a student’s desire to learn, their ability to focus, and their willingness to take risks. Positive self-esteem, on the other hand, is one of the building blocks of school success; it provides a firm foundation for learning.” The question seems simple. How do we keep a child’s perception about themselves positive? Home...

"How many dandelions does it take to cover your entire lawn? Only one, given a little time." Laura Thomas writes an article dated 7/13/2018 for Edutopia where she makes the correlation between dandelions and teachers. She advocates teachers stay stubborn in their efforts to reach students and move their learning in directions they are not comfortable in.  "Be beautiful but don't take yourself too seriously." Don't be afraid to stand out boldly and proclaim your presence when the going gets rough. "Feed something." Dandelions are birds first go-to meal in the springtime. "In addition to feeding minds, teachers feed hearts...

My driver picked me up in Williamsburg, NY – a part of Brooklyn which has drastically transformed the last few years. Our destination . . . Basis Independent Brooklyn School in Red Hook.This is my second visit to this amazing school. I am nervous, apprehensive, excited, fearful among a variety of other emotions racing through my body. “Will they like my book?”“Will I find words to convey what a community is?”“Are my tips for bullying prevention good enough?“Do I have the physical strength to do this?”“Will my hair get in my mouth while I’m speaking?” The numerous questions of doubt...