Senior Dad

During the 1980’s Todd Risley and Betty Hart conducted breakthrough research on how the number and type of words a child hears from birth to age three effects IQ and determines the child's vocabulary potential for life. I interviewed Todd in December 2006, he passed away in December 2008, and was impressed with the amount of time that was needed to tabulate the results. Now that we are in the computer age techniques are being developed to automate the process and use the results for autism detection as well as vocabulary development. The Lena Research Foundation has invested over $50 million dollars to date for this research. Last year I interviewed one of the team Steven Warren from the University of Kansas, who shared some of the implications of the research. Later in the year I spoke with Kim Ollier from the University of Memphis another key advisor to the Lena team about the results of this new research based the original Risley/Hart research. In this show we hear all three interviews that can form the basis of our understanding of the education gap and the language and IQ we carry through life.

This week we hear a "First Person" account from Katie Russell, a mother of a first grader whose family life is at risk because of homework. Our Homework "Guru" Sara Bennett gives Katie some advice.

Stan has a conversation with Amy Lanou the author of "Healthy Eating for Life, for Children". What should your child eat at lunch? Plus other reveling subjects. Look at our Lunch Box page for useful downloads.

We have a candid conversation with Middle School expert Gayle Andrews about paying for our schools, also what works best when teaching and some new approaches to teaching.

Stan tells us about a stomp rocket tale. Stan asks for the Hijacked Family Time to be freed.

Dana Woldow a San Francisco volunteer is co-chair of SFUSD student nutrition and physical activity committee and feels that Catering trucks should be treated like Medical Marijuana Clubs, and kept 1000 feet from schools. Hear her in our nutrition segment.

Sharp rise in girls pressured to have sex, Zephira Derblich-Milea tells us what's behind the numbers. Download the 2006 study from Liz Claiborne and listen along.

Ellie Goldberg updates us on Asthma in the schools and we have 3 downloads about Asthma on our Healthy Schools page.

Stan tells us about a power outage.

" The quality of education a child with a disability receives is directly related to the advocacy skills of the parent". Say's Pat Howey a parent whose child's illness turned her into an advocate for children with extra needs. Pat tells us how.

Mary McFarland, Oakland California Psychotherapist helps us to understand some of the mental stress facing young people today, from the young student to the teenager.

Amy Lanou our Nutrition specialist shares what is best to feed a child for lunch.

Stan tells us of boundaries assigned.

Mary McFarland, Oakland California Psychotherapist discusses the need for 'Parent Brainstorming" sessions at public schools and how this will help develop "community linkage". She also talks about students and alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders and diabetes.

" The quality of education a child with a disability receives is directly related to the advocacy skills of the parent". Says Pat Howey a parent whose child's illness turned her into an advocate for children with extra needs. Pat tells us how to be an advocate in part 2 of 3.

The San Francisco Unified School District is improving because of increased parent involvement. Dana Woldow (a 20-40 hour @ week volunteer) committee co-chair of the student nutrition and physical activity committee wanted to feed more disadvantaged kids breakfast. Hear how far they have gotten and the adjustments they made along the way.

Stan tells us of friends lost.

Denise Pope, Stanford Professor and Author of "Doing School" starts a two part interview with a story of over programmed and misdirected kids striving to become robots in an leave no prisoner environment. This far reaching two part series covers homework, parenting, playtime and parental stress and needs for the future.

We are testing a new homework survey. This survey can be used by a school or PTA as a barometer to gauge the status of homework issues at the school. We can adjust the survey to enable a school or PTA to receive their data separate from the total data. To get a special survey send Stan an email at [email protected] . To download a standard survey click the yellow box on the left to get the PDF file.

Sara a sophomore in High School dates the wrong boy. Her world is spun around and she almost dies. Hear her story of "dating the boy down the street"

" The quality of education a child with a disability receives is directly related to the advocacy skills of the parent". Says Pat Howey a parent whose child's illness turned her into an advocate for children with extra needs. Pat tells us how to be an advocate in the last part of a three part series.

Stan tells us he wishes he had three hands.

Ellen Notbohm, Author and mother found out her youngest child had Autism, hear her journey in first person.

We have a new homework position on the Homework Primer page.

Andy Krackov, Senior Director of Public Information for the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health helps us understand what is in their 2007 study "How Bay Area Parents Say their Kids are Faring-2007".

Denise Pope, Stanford Professor and Author covers homework, parenting, playtime and parental stress and needs for the future.

Stan tells of the Farmers Market.

Nutrition- Steve Joseph started a war against Trans fat. He went up against the largest food companies in this country and won! He was instrumental in getting the Federal Government to require all food manufacturers to list Trans Fats on their product labels. Hear his story.

Healthy Schools- Barry Blesser is a retired MIT professor. He is creative, innovative and one of the creators of digital sound in computers. Barry now directs his energy towards teaching parents how to save their children's hearing while there is still time. Hear the always interesting Barry Blesser.

Healthy Mind- Ellen Notbohm has a child with Autism. Today 1 in 150 children have been diagnosed with Autism. Hear what she did to help her child and how the family became closer and how her son is doing at 13.

Ellie Goldberg gives us a quick tip

Stan tells of a supermarket dictator.

Healthy Mind- David Elkind Internationally renowned child psychologist joins us for the first of a two part conversation. We talk about if computer games encourage violence, is there value to homework and are there benefits to play.

Healthy Schools- Laura Plunkett's son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 7. It took the help of the entire family to pitch in and see that he remained well. A story of a family becoming stronger by fighting an issue together

Briefing Room- Barry Blesser is a retired MIT professor. He is creative, innovative and one of the creators of digital sound in computers. This week Barry tells of sound and space and how we are becoming disconnected. Hear the always interesting Barry Blesser.

Ellie Goldberg gives us a quick tip

Stan tells of playdates to build friendships.

Briefing Room- Eric Mar is a father, husband, full time educator, activist and incidentally a member of the school board of San Francisco Unified School District. What motivates a man to take such a thankless job. Is it a stepping stone or is there something deeper? This week we start a three part series, learning what makes Eric tick. We learn his feelings on all the major issues facing us now and for some time in the future. Some of what he says may upset you.

Healthy Mind- David Elkind Internationally renowned child psychologist joins us for the part two of a two part conversation. David is most direct and shares the best way to give your child a great advantage.

Healthy Schools- Laura Plunkett's son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 7. It took the help of the entire family to pitch in and see that he remained well. A story of a family becoming stronger by fighting an issue together

Stan tells of another step towards the moment of truth.