Like the episode? Let us know!As the loneliness epidemic continues to spread, a new trend of AI powered friendships, familial relationships, and even romantic affairs is sweeping the globe. Sounds like a sci-fi novel gone wrong, doesn't it?The truth is, artificially generated images, text, voice (and soon video) present major challenges for distinguishing what is real from what is false. AND...as more and more of the essential activities of all human relationships are conducted through the disembodiment of a screen, the difference between a genuine human interaction and its artificial replacement becomes harder and harder to distinguish.Join us as we chat with Rev. James Neuendorf about the not-so-impossible world of AI relationships and hot to respond to the reality from a Christian perspective in this episode of the Youth4Life Podcast.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Originally from Michigan and a graduate of both Concordia University Ann Arbor and the Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, the Rev. James Neuendorf is a missionary and church planting pastor in Puerto Rico serving with the LCMS Office of International Mission. He lives in Ponce on the south of the island together with his wife Christel who serves alongside him as a deaconess. The Neuendorfs have worked in Latin America as LCMS missionaries for more than 15 years.Discover your Gospel-motivated voice 4 Life at Y4Life.org.

Positive, supportive interactions with children may help mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences resulting from poverty. Continuing our spotlight series on poverty and early relational health, Dr. Kate Rosenblum, co-Director of Zero to Thrive at the University of Michigan, joins us to talk about how aligning programs like ours can "promote the health and resilience of families from conception to early childhood through research, training and community partnership."

In this week's episode, we dive deep into a topic that's a challenge for many families: sleep. Whether you're homeschooling neurodivergent kiddos, navigating giftedness, twice-exceptionality, or simply dealing with heightened anxiety, quality sleep is essential—and tricky to achieve.   Key Takeaways: Establish Consistent Sleep Routines: Structure is essential for signaling our brains to wind down. Even simple routines like a warm bath, brushing teeth, and reading can make a substantial difference over time. Optimize the Sleep Environment: Tailor the bedroom setup to your child’s sensory preferences. From using white noise machines to experimenting with bedding textures, creating a sleep-friendly environment is foundational. Addressing Anxiety and Screen Time: Tools like worry boxes, guided meditation, and limiting screen time before bed can significantly reduce nighttime anxieties and help improve sleep quality.   Here's a challenge for you -- try to shake up your family's sleep routine, then share what's working! You can share and tag us on social media or hit reply to this email. Let's celebrate improved habits together!   Links and Resources from Today’s Episode Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed. Do Gifted Kids Need Less Sleep? {Establishing Better Sleep Habits} This is Why Your Gifted Child Struggles to Fall Asleep 100 Hints That Your Child May Be Gifted The Anxiety Toolkit   Connect with Colleen You can find Colleen on  Twitter @ColleenKessler,  Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners,  Instagram @ColleenKessler

Did you ever think you were a little different than everybody else in school? Suppose you found out there’s a reason for that and that reason is that you’re actually a witch. That's the story of "The Okay Witch," by Emma Steinkellner. Students from Virginia Road Elementary School in Los Angeles discuss the graphic novel and interview Emma. Actress Diane Adair is celebrity reader. Kitty Felde is host. www.bookclubforkids.org Favorite Books from Virginia Road Elementary School in LA: Ghosts (Fantasmas) - Raina Telegemeier The Spiderwick Chronicles - Tony DiTerlizzi Dork Diaries -Rachel Renée Russel Sisters - Raina Telegemeier Emma Steinkellner’s Favorite Books: Little Women - Louisa May Alcott Holes - Louis Sachar Ella Enchanted - Gail Carson Levine Dianne Adair’s Favorite Books: A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving Bird by Bird - Anne Lamott

Hey Texas! Andrew & Polly are SUPER-excited to finally perform in you! We're taking the stage at Austin City Limits / Austin Kiddie Limits this Friday and Saturday, October 4th & 5th, at 12:30p. Awesome band? GRAMMY-nominated music? Double check. Enough shakers, stickers & bubbles to share? Check, check, check! The good people of ACL are bringing some amazing live acts for all ages along with crafts, activities & snacks to support a full day of rocking and rolling -- so come sing & dance with us? Or tell a friend who can? Thank you for any way you can support family musicians these days, so we can keep making good stuff for your kids - and all kids!

Never accuse a bully of being a bully! Why? Because it gives them more power, and all they have to do is deny it. Whenever we accuse the bully, they’ll always deny it, and they usually do so by saying, “I’m only kidding…" OR "It was just a joke..”By saying it was just a joke, they get themself off the hook and diminish their target once again by pretending the target has no reason to be upset.This is what we’re getting into today. How do we deal with the most predictable form denial: I was just kidding OR It was only a joke?Here’s how to turn their joke around on them when they hit you with "I'm kidding!":Say, “Oh great, so I can just ignore you.” “Oh you’re not serious. Good to know.”OR you can turn them into the joke:Ask, “Okay, so when you (list out what they did), you were trying to be funny? Okay.”But remember, it’s always better to NOT accuse them in the first place. If you already did and they claimed they’re just kidding then use that last bits of advice.However, right when you suspect they are being sarcastic or passive aggressive (before you accuse them of anything), use this approach instead:“When you——, do you really mean——?”The difference is you’ll put yourself in the position of judge vs victim by calling them out be accusing them.Always call them out as the judge would versus accuse them as a victim would.

Steve Van Ert is a dynamic high school teacher in Anderson, CA, with a diverse background in military service, entrepreneurship, and media contributions. Beyond teaching, he excels as a safety manager, app developer, and writer, leaving a lasting impact on students and the community through his innovative approach to education.

It’s another election year, and we’re talking with Gina Roberts of the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission about the Civics Classroom Curriculum, a free and available resource to all Arizona teachers.  3Ps host Donnie Dicus welcomes Gina Roberts, the voter education director of the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission, to the podcast. The Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission is the state’s non-partisan voter education agency. The commission helps people learn about the logistics of voting and the candidates and the roles they’re running for. It also advocates for participation in the political process. The curriculum includes lesson plans designed for grades 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12 with a variety of hands-on activities that can work in both an in-person or virtual setting. The curriculum is also aligned with Arizona State Standards. Gina speaks to how the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission is a voter-created state government agency that is mandated by state statute to provide non-partisan, non-influencing voter education. The curriculum reviews the election processes, the roles and responsibilities of different elected offices, and media and information literacy skills. She also shares about ways students can become more civically involved aside from voting in elections. Gina also announces that the commission will soon be releasing a comic book to supplement their Civics Classroom Curriculum. The comic book follows the conflict between the hero Captain Activate and the villain Doctor Apathy who aims to create apathetic voters.  Find this free Civics Classroom Curriculum at azcleanelections.gov/civics-curriculum. Learn more about the Arizona K12 Center at azk12.org.

In this compelling final episode of season four of "Educator Yarns," co-hosts Jessica Staines and Belinda Huntriss, renowned for their work with Indigenous perspectives, thoroughly explore the implementation and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early childhood education. The episode explores Outcome Five of the EYLF, storytelling as a tool for education and cultural continuity, the importance of authentic resource selection, and the need for genuine community engagement. Jessica and Belinda discuss practical approaches to incorporate these rich cultural histories and perspectives into everyday educational frameworks, ensuring they are not confined to occasions like NAIDOC Week but are celebrated and acknowledged consistently throughout the year. Key Takeaways: ·       Cultural Storytelling: Storytelling remains a vital cultural practice that offers an engaging method for teaching and preserving Aboriginal traditions. ·       Consistent Integration: It's crucial for educators to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across all curriculums and not just during cultural observances. ·       Resource Selection: Choosing appropriate, culturally sensitive books and materials helps deepen students' understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultures. ·       Community Engagement: Establishing and maintaining relationships with local Aboriginal communities enriches educators' approach and authenticity. ·       NAIDOC Week Education: NAIDOC Week serves as a prime time for focused cultural education but should also act as a catalyst for ongoing cultural engagement. ·       Resource Auditing: Regularly assessing teaching materials for appropriate cultural representation ensures educational content respects and accurately reflects Indigenous cultures. ·       Contemporary Representations: Educators are encouraged to highlight both traditional and contemporary depictions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lives. ·       Professional Growth: Ongoing professional development is necessary for educators to adequately critique and employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. ·       Annual Reflections: Leveraging events like NAIDOC Week should renew and invigorate commitments to integrating Indigenous perspectives in education continuously. This episode offers invaluable insights for educators aiming to weave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives respectfully and accurately into their teaching practices. Jessica and Belinda bring a wealth of knowledge and experience, providing listeners with practical advice and thoughtful reflections on enhancing cultural competency within early learning environments. By absorbing the lessons shared in this episode, educators can take actionable steps towards fostering more inclusive and culturally aware classrooms. The discussion underscores the importance of routine reflection on educational practices and continuous engagement with both historical and current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Resources & full episode show notes: https://kooricurriculum.com/blogs/news/educator-yarns-season-4-episode-11-community-culture-and-classroom-building-connections-that-educate 

Send us a Text Message.What fabulous flipper-footed fauna will we meet in this episode? Here's a clue...this salty sea species is a symbol of good luck! Listen to learn more, and see if you can solve this WILD mystery!Join us for the WILD Summer Challenge! Go out in nature, even your own backyard, and find something NEW! Research and catalogue your own WILD Mystery and share it with us to be featured! Grab your WILD Summer Challenge freebie HERE.Grab your episode bonus freebie and sign up for the WILD Mag digital monthly subscription at chickieandroo.com/wildmagPurchase individual issues of the WILD Magazine here.Order your GO WILD Nature Journal here.Visit the contributors to this team: Laura Stroup: @fireflynatureschool Fireflynatureschool.com Lauren Giordano: @chickieandroo Chickieandroo.com Stephanie Hathaway: @stephhathawaydesigns Stephaniehathawaydesigns.com