No Silly Questions- An Education Podcast for Parents

We spend so much time talking about the dangers of technology. But can digital experiences genuinely contribute to a child’s development, creativity, and relationships? Our guest today leverages his unique background, as both a pediatrician and filmmaker, to explore how media may be affecting our kids. Dr. Michael Rich practices adolescent medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital and is an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Rich is the founder and director of the D...

Many children may be shy or slow to warm—someone who hangs back in a new setting, takes a little longer to join in, or needs time before feeling comfortable speaking up. But how do we know when that’s simply a child’s temperament, and when there may be something more complex at play? That’s what we’re exploring in today’s episode: how to distinguish between a child who needs a little more time to warm up and a child whose difficulty speaking may be rooted in anxiety. In some cases, that anxie...

As AI and EdTech infiltrate our schools, a paradoxical trend is also emerging- a resurgence of classical education. But don’t be fooled. These philosophies are not necessarily in conflict with each other, as today's guest helps us understand. As he puts it , by mastering the classical arts of grammar, rhetoric and logic, students will have the habits of mind necessary for clear reasoning, strong writing, public speaking, and close analysis of texts and ideas. And who can argue with that? Bi...

Today we’ve compiled all of your quick-hit “No Silly Questions” and brought on an expert known for having the answers in a pinch. We’re talking about Brooke Parker from “Just Ask Brooke.” This wide-ranging conversation covers common questions - from routines, to reading, and more- and we’re confident Brooke’s signature combination of research and reliability will benefit all of you tuning in. Brooke Parker is a native New Yorker with deep ties to the independent school community. She holds a ...

All children are special and excel in different ways. But today, we are seeking to gain a precise understanding of what exactly “giftedness” means as a designation in a school context. We are so grateful to be joined by two prominent educators from the Speyer Legacy School to break it down for us. BIO Dr. Jordan Zelinger is a Licensed Psychologist and practices as a School Psychologist at The Speyer Legacy School, an independent school for gifted learners in New York City. In addition to work...

If there’s any enrichment program we get asked about the most- it’s got to be Russian Math. And if you have school-aged children, it’s likely you’ve heard of the Russian School of Math program too and may even be wondering if it’s worth it to you to sign your child up. On today’s episode, we’re thrilled to have a rare interview with the founder of RSM, where we break it all down for you. Www.nosillyquestionspodcast.com

Your child is 6. It’s their first day of kindergarten. And instead of a desk full of papers and pencils, and a backpack with books, they’ve got, well, their tablet. Times have changed since we millennials were in grade school- and a key hallmark of that change has been the introduction of educational technology into the classroom. But are these technologies helping or hindering learning? On today’s episode of NSQ, we bring on a guest who is making it her mission to educate parents on what the...

Today we are doing something different and releasing our first episode together- without a guest- to launch the 6th season of No Silly Questions podcast. We will be opening up more about our own thinking and our own experiences as parents. Topics include: why and how we started the podcastthe guests and episodes that have really made an impact on our parentingthe guests and episodes that have challenged usspecific parenting beliefs that have evolved for us over timehow the podcast has i...

It’s 7:30 AM. Your child comes to the door ready to go to school, but there’s one shoe on, things are falling out of their backpack because it’s unzipped, and the homework folder is nowhere to be found. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why your child may struggle to stay organized, follow directions, or manage transitions, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about executive function, a set of brain skills that effect everything from planning and focus to emotional regulation,...

“My problem with gentle parenting is it’s too much parental talking - when you’re raising a boy you’ve got to learn how to do it in a sentence or two.” This is just one insight that today’s guest, Michael Thompson, shares for how we can support our boys’ development, as well as our relationship with them, in and out, of the classroom. Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, school consultant, and author of ten influential books, includin...

If you’re at all curious about the full scope of parent choice when it comes to schools, this episode is for you. Though Jordana has been in education for a long time, her personal knowledge base on charter schools is limited and this conversation, with two experts - Danielle being one of them - expanded her understanding of the promise of charter schools, specifically Success Academies, the largest and highest performing charter network in New York. Lisa Sun- As Chief Learning Officer, Lisa ...

The good news is that parents may not have to pay for the whole independent school tuition themselves. In this episode, Alisa provides clarification around the process of financial aid - and how it’s changing - to create opportunities for more families. Through Alisa, we learn that a private school education is more attainable than many understand it to be- and may be worth investigating for your family. Alisa Evans, Founder of Mission Enrollment, designated as a Certified B Corporation...

Educational environments should foster exploration, healthy self development, and ripe opportunities to think independently. Instead, as our guest today puts it, we see that our youth experience a ‘poverty of the self,” leading to group think, pressure to conform and a lack of strength and stability from within. On today’s episode, we’ll unpack this idea and discuss how parents can drive against these forces. William Deresiewicz (DEREZOWITZ) is an award-winning essayist and critic, a fr...

Wouldn't we all like to know how to help our kids fall in love with learning and absolutely love going to school? Well, today, we are joined by cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham, who breaks down for us how students learn—and why traditional classroom environments often fail to engage them. We loved this conversation because Daniel has a unique ability to use his scientific research to offer practical advice for parents and educators. Daniel Willingham is a Professor of Psychology at...

Many children receive comfort from a cherished blanket, stuffed animal, or lovey. Today, we’re speaking with the team at Slumberkins, who elevate these comfort items to help parents address tricky topics in an intentional way. Kelly Oriard - Chief Therapeutic Officer- and Callie Christensen - Chief Brand Officer - are the co-founders of Slumberkins, a children’s education and emotional health brand. Kelly is a mother, licensed family therapist and school counselor, and Callie is a mother and ...

More and more, adults are consuming information from podcasts- just like you right now! But what about for our kids? Is podcasting closer to TV watching or reading? What are the unique benefits of this platform? Which programs can parents trust? Today, we sit down with the co-founder of Tinkercast and the star of their hit show “Wow in the World” - who are the very best in this space. BIO Meredith halpern-ranzer is an Emmy-nominated children’s media executive and co-founder / Chief Exe...

Parents who have never heard of any pedagogical philosophy will often have heard of Montessori. With that popularity comes misunderstandings and myths. Is it progressive? Is it structured? Is it rigorous? Is it permissive? Today, we hope to add clarity to the conversation through our conversation with Montessori expert Jesse McCarthy. For 20 years, Jesse McCarthy has worked with thousands of children, parents, teachers and administrators — as a principal for infants to 8th graders...

As parents, we are bombarded with headlines on all different topics and from sources all over the political spectrum. It can be hard to have your finger on the pulse- especially as it relates to your child's education. Today, we are joined by journalist Frannie Block to fill us in on the top news-making stories as they relate to our kid’s schooling and learning. Better yet, she joins us from the Free Press, a media company built on its impartiality and fearlessness. Frannie Block is an...

Emotional intelligence, or the ability to understand and manage our own emotions, and relate to and understand others, is a key skill for success in life and in the workplace. And frankly, in an age of artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence may be our great differentiator: our self-awareness, empathy, social skills, defining features of what it means to be human. We’ve covered multiple intelligences on the podcast, but we’ve never dived deep into EQ- and today we have the perfe...

You may have heard of the book “Bad Therapy” where author Abigail Shrier argues that the mental health industry is harming, not healing, American children. Well today, we are fortunate to be joined by her colleague Carolyn Gorman, who similarly studies mental health solutions- in and out of schools- and their efficacy, or lackthereof. Next week, we will follow up this conversation with an alternate perspective, so stay tuned for the full pairing. Carolyn D. Gorman is a Paulson Policy An...

Let me set the scene. The parent is preparing dinner in the kitchen. All three kids are happily playing at various activities of interest. The TV is off. The iPads are absent. Harmony is in the home, every member in flow. Sounds nice right? Well this is the environment our guest, Myriam Sandler, has been able to foster in her own home through thoughtful play. These are skills she has already taught to so many through her community, MotherCould, and today,we’ll be getting in to all the d...

Last season’s concluding NSQ was “should we be worried about our boys?” So to launch Season Five, we've decided to shift the spotlight to our girls and spend some time understanding the pressures and challenges for girls in particular when it comes to everyone’s favorite topic: social media. Our expert today, says girls are uniquely impacted by the visual content they’re consuming- and it’s effecting both their offline and online worlds. We hope you enjoy this episode. Kara Alaimo, PhD ...

Did you know that if you look at high-school GPA’s, the top 10% is 2/3rds female and the bottom 10% is 2/3rds male? That there are twice as many women flying fighter planes as there are men teaching kindergarten? For years there has been a focus on opening access and opportunities for girls, but now experts are saying our boys are in trouble. Our guest today, Richard Reeves, paints a picture for us on the state of boys and what we can do. More on Richard Reeves: Richard Reeves is president o...

Artificial Intelligence - just the sound of it transports us to a sci-fi movie. But of course, this is no longer a fiction or a future possibility. We see AI already revolutionizing countless sectors and industries, and it’s coming for education- its impact is imminent, if not already in motion. We’re dying to know if this is a story with a happy ending or if we’re in the horror genre. So stick around for our episode with expert Claire Goldsmith to form a conclusion yourselves. More on...

When a parent walks into a toy store, they are looking for toys that will endure and keep their children engaged. And, yet how many times have we walked out with a light-up, siren-blaring hunk of plastic. If you’re a new parent, we bet you’ve heard of Lovevery, the child development company conceived by our guest today Jessica Rolph. With playkits and subscriptions that arrive at your door, it's the modern way to shop for toys - and as educators, we love most that it holds research as i...

In these highly tense and polarized times of geopolitical and domestic turmoil, and with the presidential election a few months away, you better believe we’ve wanted to do an episode for you on civics education. And while it’s our first on the topic, it won’t be our last. Safe spaces, trigger warnings, viewpoint diversity or lack thereof, performance activism, and teacher bias, these are just some of the areas we get into with our guest today, Jon Zajdel, a civics teacher who lives this...

“Bright Kids who Couldn’t Care Less” is the title of our guest Ellen Braaten’s most recent book. And it’s a trend she’s found in her renowned private practice as a clinician. So why do some kids care and others don’t? In our conversation with Ellen we get into childhood motivation, how it all works, and what’s a parent to do when their kid is being - what can even feel like a taboo word- “lazy.” Ellen Braaten, PhD, is an experienced and prominent psychologist, researcher, speaker, and a...

The 'awayness' of sleepaway camp is, as our guest today shares, precisely what makes it so valuable - today more than ever. But how specifically is it a ripe opportunity for growth? Is sleepaway camp for everyone? Our guest Dr. Tracy Benner - who we're calling the Camp Dr. Becky- tells us everything we need to know as we consider this decision for our children. We loved this conversation, reminiscing on our own camp experiences and preparing thoughtfully for the future- and hope you will too....

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re thrilled to be joined by three esteemed guests- Lily Walla, Loren Klein, and Lizza Assa- three amazing mamas who all work in the parenting space - for a special discussion about work and life, the balance of both, and the spaces where they intersect. Mor...

I truly believe that my 10th grade teacher, Dr.Joshua Gaylord, changed the trajectory of my academic future. He taught writing class and it’s a skill I use and rely on every single day, from writing a work email, to a birthday card, to even this introduction. We all rely on our ability to write - so, it’s understandable that we would want our kids to develop enormous confidence in this discipline. But unfortunately, nation-wide data suggets that writing is in fact our children’s weakest skill...

As our 15 year college reunions approach, we can still vividly remember how much we dreaded studying for the SATs and the stress we felt waiting for our college acceptances. But will this be the same for our kids? Today, we bring on Michael B. Horn to help us understand what’s changed since our day- what’s stayed the same- and how we can get better at “Choosing College” - which is in fact the name of his book! More on MICHAEL B. HORN: Michael B. Horn is the author of several books, including ...

Preschool - and early childhood learning - plays an essential role in the lives of many parents and children. Working parents rely on preschool, and research shows that a HIGH QUALITY preschool program can have a lasting positive impact on the life of a child. According to the NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, providing a high quality education for children before they turn 5 yields significant medium and long term benefits for children, including being: Less likely to repeat a gradeLess like...

If you’re a parent whose child’s birthday falls within a few weeks - or in some cases a few months - of the cutoff date, perhaps you’ve thought about whether you should delay your child’s entry to Kindergarten so they can be one of the oldest in the class - a practice known as redshirting. Depending on where you live and what school choices you have, redshirting may or may not be an option for you. In today’s episode, our guest Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach will make you think twice about...

In the ever more competitive race to secure the best possible future, today’s students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. Our guest today- award-winning reporter Jennifer. B Wallace- investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture in her book “Never Enough”- and finds out what we must do to fight back. If you find your schedule jam-packed with activities and extracurriculars, your wallet stretched thin with tutoring fees- this episode is for you. More on Jennifer: Jennife...

Our guest today was one of Time Magazine's most influential people in 2022- so maybe you’ve heard of her? Or perhaps, the name sounds familiar because you were recommended her first book “Expecting Better” over and over again when you were pregnant? We’re excited to bring Emily Oster to No Silly Questions today. Applying her training in economics to issues of parenting- her signature style- Emily joins us to share what the data has to say about the early school years. More on Emily: Emily Os...

Today’s question is truly “not so silly.” In fact, it’s one of the most serious questions we’ve ever asked and answered on this podcast- “what is happening with antisemitism on college campuses?” Schools are meant to provide an education and a safe space for students to exchange ideas, and expand and challenge their thinking. You’re supposed to learn how to think, not what to think. At least that’s how we would answer our own rapid fire question. For the most part, we see ourselves as objecti...

Welcome to a special episode of No Silly Questions: Educators Unplugged. Today we’re thrilled to be joined by two well-known guests who are both experienced literacy educators and who use their social media platforms to help parents and teachers support children in building their literacy skills.

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by three esteemed guests who all work in the news media space for a discussion about how we expose our kids to current events and how we teach information literacy skills. More on each guest: Jamie Stelter has been waking up New Yorkers for over 13 ...

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. Today we are joined by a panel of “Parents in The Arts” - parents who work in both the visual and performing arts. In this discussion, we hear how our panelists think about fostering creativity in their homes and the power of arts education in their lives.

Welcome to an episode of NSQ Parents Unplugged- where we hear from parents and professionals about their experiences with school and the educational choices they're making for their families. Today, we’re going to be putting on our own oxygen masks, so to speak- and shifting focus from the kids back to the grownups. Because we know that our ability to care for our kids and care for ourselves are inextricably linked… “you can't fill from an empty cup.” as they say… And so tod...

For any parent, the decision of who will care for their child is an intimate one, and a conversation we began last episode with author Erica Komisar. There are different childcare paths to explore, and today, we’ll be diving into the world of daycare, and how Vivi founder Ben Newton is on a mission to reimagine its potential. More on Ben Newton: Ben Newton is a leader in the education industry, with deep expertise in corporate strategy and developmental operations. As the co-founder an...

Our guest today, Erica Komisar certainly thinks so. She believes that mothers in particular should spend significant time being present with their children in the first three years of life - quitting their jobs if necessary. To say that this topic is complex is an understatement, and it may lead to strong feelings on both sides of the conversation. As we value the opportunity to engage with experts who share differing perspectives, next week we’ll be bringing you an episode with Vivvi daycare...

In season one we spoke with the toddler whisperer Tovah Klein all about how to navigate tantrums, and today, we’re bringing you the teen whisperer - Dr. Lisa Damour - who has catapulted into the parenting scene to help us understand the emotional lives of teenagers and what those of us with littles - like you and I danielle - have in store! More about Dr. Lisa Damour: Dr. Lisa Damour is the author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives...

Finding great toys that are engaging and fun for your children is a win win for all. One such game in our family is Rush Hour, and you may have seen me on the floors of restaurants, airports and certainly our apartment scavenging for the mini toy cars and trucks so my kids can move on to the next challenge. So you can imagine our delight to speak with our guest who heads the company that makes this game and so many others. More on Rachele: Rachele Harmuth is passionate about play, crea...

As our guest Lauren Melissa explains- the world is full of neurodiversity- just as it is full of biodiversity. And yet, the extent of many parents’ education on autism are from social media reels like “four early signs that my child has autism.” We have a better source for you today, and that’s because Lauren Melissa speaks from her personal experience as an autistic person. Whether you are a parent to an autistic child, or a parent who just wants to help your own child build empathy fo...

Our guest today is clear in his view: popular trends in modern parenting are wreaking havoc on our children. In fact, when we asked Dr. Leonard Sax “what gives him hope for the future?”- which you regular No Silly Question listeners will know we ask every guest at the close of the episode- he surprised us as the first guest to answer “he doesn't have hope” because he is not in fact optimistic about where we’re headed as parents. Regardless what your ultimate take is, Dr. Sax is an original vo...

What is the role you play in your child’s learning at school? Have you ever thought to ask your child’s teacher what their approach to reading is? What program do they use? If it’s backed by science and research? These are the questions that we’ve been thinking about since we were captivated by our guest Emily Hanford’s now viral podcast, “Sold A Story.” More on Emily Hanford: Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media. Her work has won numerous hon...

What is the role you play in your child’s learning at school? Have you ever thought to ask your child’s teacher what their approach to reading is? What program do they use? If it’s backed by science and research? These are the questions that we’ve been thinking about since we were captivated by our guest Emily Hanford’s now viral podcast, “Sold A Story.” More on Emily Hanford: Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for American Public Media. Her work has won numerous hon...

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast. On this week’s panel, we speak with a panel of “Moms with Littles”- inspired by our episode on the history of childhood in America with Dr. Paula Fass. We cover: How wa...

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast. On this week’s panel, we speak with founders of popular play space and community Union Square Play- inspired by our episode on multiple intelligences with Dr. Thomas Hoer...

Come "Unplug" with us all month long! Over the next few weeks, instead of our expert episodes, you'll notice a new series- "Parents Unplugged with NSQ." We've had the opportunity to chat with some really interesting and dynamic moms and dads to bring a new perspective to the topics we cover on our podcast. On this week’s panel, we speak with a group of moms in the food industry- inspired by our episode on pediatric nutrition with Ali Bandier. We cover: How was your experi...

The future of higher education has arrived - and transformation in this space is coming sooner than you think. For many of you listening, like us, there was a very straightforward path from high school that led to a four year liberal arts degree. That will not be true for our kids. This episode with futurist Abby Brody will require you to hold on to your hats as you learn, alongside us, just how quickly and dramatically things are changing. More on Abby Brody: Abby Brody is a lifetime ...

In a culture that focuses so much on the product and the outcome, our guest today highlights the value of process - not just in art - but in life. Meri Cherry is an art educator who catapulted into the homes of parents during the pandemic, and brought a refreshing approach to arts and crafts at home - just as she had done in prior school settings and in her popular LA art studio. You don’t have to be Da Vinci to appreciate the insight that she shares on today’s episode. More on Meri Cherry: ...

Over the course of a 13 year journey through the school system, it is natural that parents will experience a conflict or two that they have to confront with their child’s teacher or administrator. But what if the nature of the conflict is larger than and requires a parent to seek legal counsel? On today’s episode, we speak with Regina Skyer, founder and manager of Skyer Law, New York’s premier special education firm. She explains, in detail, what to do when a parent feels their child is not r...

504’s, IEPs, neuropsychological evaluations - what the heck do these numbers, letters, and big words mean? Our guest today knows that parents aren’t given a handbook, and so today’s episode is all about breaking it down and helping you navigate support for your child’s learning needs. More on Dr. Nicole Katz: Dr. Nicole Katz is a pediatric neuropsychologist, New York State licensed psychologist, and New York State certified school psychologist. She specializes in providing comprehens...

Or are they “Technology’s Child?” These are the titles of our guest this week, Professor Katie Davis’ two books. In this episode, we talk all about “ digital media’s role in the ages and stages of growing up.” How do children engage with technology at each stage of development? Are there good apps and bad apps? Youtube vs. Netflix? Does technology have an impact on creativity? Katie Davis gives us an inside look, from the front lines of academia and research, into the interplay of tec...

The call that no parent ever wants to receive: “There’s been a school shooting and we need you to come to the building.” Our guest today, Nicole Hockley received that call from her sons’ elementary school, Sandy Hook, in 2012. This infamous school shooting resulted in a heartbreaking tragedy, one that changed Nicole’s life and also set her on a path to making incredible gains in school and gun violence prevention. In today’s conversation, we talk about how to reverse this public health ...

We experience our schools at a local, community level- but nonetheless they are supported and organized in our nation’s capital by the Department of Education. Today, we have a real treat to get a glimpse inside this office from a senior advisor to the Secretary of Education and learn about their top priorities. More on Nick Simmons: Nick Simmons serves as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Education at the United States Department of Education. He led the Department and Biden Administratio...

Parents instinctively push their kids to succeed. Yet well-meaning parents can put soul-crushing pressure on kids, leading to under-performance and serious mental health problems instead of social, emotional, and academic success. So where are they going astray? According to Drs. Chris Thurber and Hank Weisinger, our guests for today, it all comes down to asking the right questions. Instead of “How much pressure?”, you should be thinking “How do I apply pressure?” and this ...

How often does your child ask you a question that you don’t know the answer to? And maybe you google it, ask Alexa or find a book at home that can help. For many teachers and parents, BrainPOP is where they turn for a reliable resource so we don’t have to be walking encyclopedias. On today’s episode we speak with the chief product officer at this wildly popular education company to understand what are the attributes of quality educational content that parents can feel good about- that both en...

All parents want their kids to receive a quote unquote “good education.” But what about a great education? An excellent education? What does the ceiling look like? Our expert today, Professor Jal Mehata, has made a deep study - of what he calls “deeper learning.” We speak with him about how this can be achieved within a classroom, across a school campus, and even in our own homes. More on Jal: Jal Mehta is a Professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A sociologist by ...

We’re back with a new episode in the series: Parent Panels with NSQ! After hearing from so many moms and dads about their real experiences with topics covered in our podcast, we’ve decided to bring these candid conversations to you. We’ve heard from the experts… now let’s hear from the parents! In this panel, we are joined by three dynamic women: Stefani Berkin- real estate broker and President of R New York, Amanda Roth- founder of popular community resource Scarsdalemoms, and Allyson Bronne...

Maybe you too have had that experience where you travel to a foreign country and realize you can’t remember any of the highschool french or spanish you used to know. Why is that? What does excellent foreign language instruction look like? And is computer science the second language of the future? On today’s episode we learn from our guest, Raina Gilchrist, all about language immersion education at Avenues: The World School in New York City. More on Raina Gilchrist: Raina is a 5th grade ...

As parents, we want to trust that our school and state are using evidence-based practices for the teaching of reading. But despite growing research on the topic, educators across our country simply don’t agree on which approach is best. Today’s guest can comment on this from both angles - as a mom and as the state literacy director of Mississippi- a state that continues to see amazing gains in reading achievement. We are so honored to be in conversation with Kristen Wynn. More on Kristen: Kr...

When we were kids, we would often play a game where we tried not to step on the cracks in the sidewalk. Necks crooked down, eyes laser focused on the ground, we hopped around as we sang- and some of us believed-: “Step on the crack, break your mama’s back!” And then there were the 10-step bedtime routines: “I won’t go to bed unless you read me a bedtime story, tuck in every one of my stuffed animals, give me three kisses on the cheek. Check the closet for the boogy man. So on and so for...

Is it just us, or are you also seeing on your social media feed, a trend where everyday materials are being used for play. There’s actually a formal name for these materials- they’re called Loose Parts and our guest today, Miriam Beloglovksy, is here to help us understand their value. More on Miriam: Miriam Beloglovsky is a professor of early childhood education, sought-after public speaker, CEO of Playful Transformation, and author. Her goal is to engage, inspire, and motivate audiences wor...

Food is one of the great joys of life, but many modern day parents are left feeling like short order cooks. In this episode, we ask registered dietitian Ali Bandier of Senta Health- everything on nutrition and the kitchen sink- from the optimal meals to serve at home, what to send in the lunchbox to school, how to handle picky eating, what she believes around vitamins, and much more food for thought. More on Alexandra Bandier: Ali Bandier is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Nutritio...

Questions and theories about how to approach behavior in children abound. With our guest Michelle today, also known by her popular instagram account “Thriving Toddler,” we are breaking down the questions about behavior that we get the most from our listeners, and that stand out to us as educators. You will also learn how to create better alignment between the behavior management protocols in the school and at home, so everyone is on the same page. More on Michelle: Michelle Tangeman is...

The depth of Peter Gray’s beliefs about a better way to learn are matched only by his profound content knowledge and contributions to the field of psychology and child development. This is a provocative, boundary pushing conversation - about reimagining learning without the curriculum, the tests.. and even the teachers. You will without a doubt be talking about this with your friends at your next coffee date. More on Peter Gray: Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscien...

Do you know what a 401K is? How about a 529? Or a 403B? If you know what these investment accounts are, we bet you didn’t learn about them in school. Because financial literacy- at even a basic level- is conspicuously left out of the curriculum in most K-12 programs. Our guests today from Benjamin Talks- two former Goldman Sachs employees and moms- are here to make sure all families are financial fit and literate. More on Benjamin Talks: Nikki Boulukos is the Co-Founder and Co-C...

Many will tell you that the social experience of school made as big an impact on their lives as the academic one. Jordana, was that the case for you? Yes, and some of my closest friends to this day are still the friends I made in Kindergarten. You know what? That’s true for me too. And a tremendous blessing in my life. But we know this is not always the case. On today’s episode, we speak with renowned psychologist Aliza Pressman of the podcast Raising Good Humans all about fit...

Say hello to our new series: Parent Panels with NSQ! After hearing from so many moms and dads about their real experiences with topics covered in our podcast, we’ve decided to bring these candid conversations to you. We’ve heard from the experts… now let’s hear from the parents! In this panel, we are joined by three dynamic women: Molly Knauer- dietician and founder of The Motherhood Method, Aliza Stone Howard- painter, and Liza Lieberman- stylist and software sales. We hope...

So, your child is ready to move on to kindergarten, middle school, high school, etc. and you have to consider what school to send them to. For some in New York City, there are many possibilities and it can take some navigating to find a good fit. Today, we are in conversation with Whitney and Taryn from Admit NY to provide you with insight into the hows, whats and whens of the New York City school admissions landscape. More on Admit NY: Admit NY is a boutique New York educational consu...

The terrific twos or the terrible twos? Toddlerhood brings us moments of complete joy and intense frustration, and it’s in those difficult moments that we need help and may turn to friends, experts and social media figures. But where do our instincts come into play? Today we dive into this tension and bring in the expert of all experts to answer your most pressing questions. More on Dr. Tovah Klein: Dr. Tovah Klein is a child psychologist, the Director of the Barnard Center for Toddler Deve...

ADHD is the most searched term on the internet, and for good reason. In recent year we’ve seen a 43% increase in the identification and diagnosis of ADHD, and parents are looking to get their questions answered from experts. Well, boy do we have the expert today. This conversation with Dr. Yamalis Diaz is packed with incredibly valuable information for anything and everything related to ADHD. More on Dr. Yamalis Diaz: Dr. Diaz is a Child Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of chil...

You may recognize our guest today Neily Boyd from her popular instagram account CountingWithKids. Neily, a former math director for schools, began making her math resources available to parents on social media- and her popularity exploded during the pandemic. Today, she is giving our listeners a special digest version of how to support mathematics development at home. More on Neily Boyd: Neily Boyd has more than a decade of experience as a math educator, working with students and teach...

Our guest for this episode. Dr. Kelly Fradin, started the popular instagram account AdviceIGiveMyFriends- and today she shares advice with our listeners about all the opportunities, and missed opportunities, for collaboration between families, doctors and schools.. After listening to Dr. Kelly Fradin, we won’t be approaching our annual doctor’s visit the same way again! More on Dr. Kelly Fradin: Dr. Kelly Fradin is a pediatrician, a mom and a passionate advocate for children’s health...

On today’s episode, we learn about the history of parenting and focus on what has made American childhood unique. With her deep knowledge on this subject matter, Paula gives us a lot to consider as we reflect back and look forward. More on Paula S. Fass: Paula S. Fass is a renowned historian of childhood and is the Margaret Byrne Professor of History Emerita at the University of California at Berkeley, where she taught for thirty-six years. She has also been a Distinguished Scholar i...

Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Language Immersion…The list of educational approaches can sound like a foreign language and be confusing for families trying to select the right educational environment for their child. We are excited to break down these pedagogies for you, starting with our guest today Jennifer, an expert practitioner in the Reggio Emilia-inpired schooling approach. More on Jennifer: Jennifer Carvajal is the Senior Educational Director of Teaching Beyond the Square and...

On this episode our guest Anne breaks down one of the most essential and frequently referred services for children in schools, and also explains how the techniques and treatments involved can benefit every individual in the classroom. Not only is she an expert OT provider, but she’s also a yoga guru and helps us understand the power of the mind body connection. More on Anne Buckley-Reen: Anne Buckley-Reen is a pediatric occupational therapist and yoga therapist who has been providing t...

Cancel culture, collecting receipts, watermarking nudes, comparison quicksand and digital pacifiers. These are the complex realities that teens face everyday in their online life. This episode will, without a doubt, help every parent better understand what their kids are going through and how to help. More on Dr. Emily Weinstein: Dr. Emily Weinstein is a Principal Investigator at Project Zero, a research center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. For the last decade, her work has ...

Our guest today helps us understand that there are many other smarts, beyond the classic book smarts and street smarts. And enormous possibility can exist for kids when we recognize their unique aptitudes, in school and at home. We hope today’s episode expands our perception of what it means to be quote- “good at school.” More on Dr. Thomas Hoerr: Dr. Thomas Hoerr led schools for 37 years and is currently a Scholar In Residence at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, teaching in the Educat...

In this episode, we get Chancellor Klein’s candid take on his time running the whole New York City school system and how he tried to drive reform in schools. His wins, his setbacks, and his reflections. This was a bold conversation with some courageous revelations. We can’t wait for you to listen. More on Joel Klein: In addition to being a lawyer, executive, and author, Joel Klein served as Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education for eight years in the early 2000’s under ap...

This episode explores how much independence we give our kids- physical, mental, emotional- and how frankly, that’s changed over the years, from when our guest Lenore Skenazy was a child walking herself to school at age five. We think this is an important and thought provoking topic, and we hope you enjoy Lenore’s sensational humor. More on Lenore Skenazy: After her column “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone” prompted massive media attention (2008), Lenore Skenazy was ...