Lolliop vs Ponytail
Cookie: “Dandy, is the doctor a girl or a boy?”Dandy: “Boy.”Cookie: “Why is he wearing a ponytail?”Dandy: “Boys can have ponytails too. Would you like one?”Cookie: “Yes.” Silence… Cookie thinking… Cookie: “Does that mean I’ll never see a barber again?”Dandy: “That’s right.”Cookie: “No lollipops or haircuts?”Dandy: “None of those.”Cookie: “I don’t want a ponytail.” And…
Can Math teach leadership?
Many years ago, I had the privilege of working under one of America’s top leaders in the information technology space—an experience that transformed my perspective on leadership. My manager wasn’t just deeply involved in the day-to-day operations; they were also strategic, pragmatic, and incredibly supportive. This rare opportunity to work for someone who trusted and…
Cobweb Cameras
This past week, as temperatures dropped sharply, I hurried back home after walking my child to the school bus. That’s when I noticed something unusual in the grass—tiny spots glinting like mirrors or glass. My first thought was, Did some garbage spill over? But as I took a closer look, my concern turned to delight….
Unlocking the Brain’s Superpower: Learning Without Limits
Did you know the human brain can store 2.5 petabytes of data? That’s 2.5 million gigabytes—enough to hold 500,000 movies! For perspective, Yahoo’s computational center, which processes 24 billion events daily, is 20% smaller than the capacity of your brain.Let that sink in. The next time a child (or you!) struggles with learning something new,…
The Wisdom in a Glass of Water
Cookie: “Dandy, you should refill the water filter with gas water!”Dandy: “You mean aerated flavored water? No, tap water is healthier.”Cookie: “But tap water comes from the ocean.”Dandy: “No, ocean water is salty. Tap water comes from rivers. The county adds chlorine to clean it, and then I use a filter to remove the chlorine….
Math needs a story
Math often gets boxed into clear steps and quick answers—a race to the right solution. But let’s face it: not every brain works that way. Some kids grasp math instinctively, seeing patterns others don’t. That’s amazing, but why should the rest of the class miss out on the joy of mathematics?Math is the language of…
Talk to kids when you are faced with a problem.
Most of us never discuss our work challenges with our children. We think their little minds and hearts should be shielded from complexity. But maybe, just maybe, we’re underestimating them—and ourselves. My older son loves math, and many of my picture books are inspired by our homeschooling adventures in STEM. One day, I was drafting…
How Will a Fish Climb a Tree?
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” This popular quote often critiques standardized testing in schools, but let’s dig deeper.The issue isn’t the fish’s abilities or the challenge itself—there are underwater forests where fish might…