Dear Highlights

Highlights talks with Free-Range Kids author Lenore Skenazy about how long, boring afternoons are fertile ground for growing and nurturing creativity during childhood. Listen in as we discuss:

● Why Lenore was once dubbed “America’s Worst Mom”

● How remembering our own childhood pastimes can help give us confidence

● If there is still room for boredom in a world filled with digital entertainment

This episode contains sensitive content about the sexual abuse of children and may be upsetting to some listeners. Tune in for an open, honest discussion about:

● How children tell us something is wrong without words

● What we should ask of children’s schools, camps, and sports teams

● What adults can do to help children who have experienced abuse

For local resources, support, and information about sexual abuse, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.

Author and Freakonomics Radio host, Stephen Dubner joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to discuss why public policy doesn’t always put kids at the center of the conversation. Listen in to learn:

● How an amazing 4th grade teacher introduced Stephen to Highlights

● What car seat policy can teach us about how we consider what’s best for kids

● How long-term thinking could help us make better policy for kids

With the new Delta variant of COVID-19 on the rise, this school year is kicking off with much more uncertainty than anyone expected. The Ohio State University’s Dr. Barbara Boone joins us this week to share insights from her research on family-school relationships, and offer tips on how adults can support the kids in their lives and help them work through big feelings about the new school year. Listen in as host Christine Cully and Dr. Boone discuss:

● How to establish a strong line of communication between school and home

● Remembering that while teachers are doing heroic work, they’re still human

● The importance of taking time to really lean in and listen to what kids have to say

Highlights talks with Nelba Marquez-Greene, founder of the Ana Grace Project, about how we can help communities, children, and their caregivers to heal from trauma. Nelba shares with us:

•            How we can help kids be rich in relational wealth, even during a pandemic

•            Why music is central to her work, and its power to help kids

•            Her hard-won wisdom on how we empower ourselves and young people to move forward through trauma

Two million American kids don’t eat meat. Does yours want to join team vegetarian? When faced with a kid who, inspired by love of animals, care for the environment, or committed pickiness, wants to cut out meat, what is a caregiver to do? Who should decide what kids eat? And can harmony be found at the dinner table without a grownup becoming a short order cook? Our guest Jennifer Anderson, a registered dietitian, and the founder of Kids Eat in Color, joins the podcast to give us her answer – yes, yes, yes! Tune in to hear Jennifer’s advice on how food can stop being a battleground, and start being a way to connect.

The majority of kids will at some point grieve a loved one. It’s a normal part of childhood we often don’t talk about enough. How does a child’s evolving understanding of death impact their grieving? How can we help kids express and process their grief?

Developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. David Schonfeld joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to shed light on the important topic of childhood bereavement. Host Christine French Cully reads letters from grieving children who have lost family members and talks with Dr. Schonfeld about how adults can support children’s understanding of death, model effective coping, and help children to continue to feel connected to their loved one who has died.

Helping your school-age child adjust to becoming a big brother or sister can be hard. After all, your child has grown used to your current relationship, whether they have all your attention or share it with an another sibling. And now their world will turn upside down. Are there ways to better prepare your child(ren) for the birth of a sibling? Welcoming a new baby is the subject of this week’s Dear Highlights podcast. Host Christine French Cully talks with New York University Professor of Early Childhood, Erin O’Connor, co-founder of Scientific Mommy--a platform designed to bring together parents, researchers, and teachers around issues of child development--for tips on how best to approach your child about the new baby, when to start an age-appropriate discussion, what should happen on the big day, and living together peacefully once the new baby comes home.

In honor of Father’s Day, we’re talking about dads in this episode of our Dear Highlights podcast. We know that kids look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father helps promote a child’s inner growth and strength. Yet many children write to us about their dads, longing for a different relationship, one that is more connected. Our podcast host, Christine French Cully talks with John Badalament, author of The Modern Dads Dilemma: How To Stay Connected With Your Kids In A Rapidly Changing World and the Director of the acclaimed documentary for PBS All Men Are Sons: Exploring the Legacy of Fatherhood about the role today’s fathers play in family life. He offers insight and tips on how dads can become more connected with their kids, starting when kids are very young.

This week’s Dear Highlights podcast focuses on kids who want to save the planet. Host Christine French Cully talks with Highlights Science Editor Andy Boyles, who provides tips for parents on supporting kids’ interest in caring for the planet and how to talk to kids about the environment. For years, kids have written to Highlights about animal rights, conservation, climate change, littering, pollution, and more. This podcast will help families learn the many ways they can get involved to help save our planet.