What Did This Teacher Do to Guarantee Behavior She Did Not Want?
While Chandler was still in elementary school, he noticed some older guys flipping almost empty Coke bottles high into the air. The...
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Welcome to the Education with Grandma Blog
Below you will find essays, articles and posts. To read about a specific topic, click on one of the links below and scroll down.
Barbara Frandsen
- Aug 26
Natural Consequences Fit Easily
A wonderful parenting goal strives to eliminate punishment by using consequences that teach. Natural outcomes, which require little or no...
Barbara Frandsen
- Aug 14
Stubborn Old, Stubborn Young
Maybe Grumpy Seniors are Children Dressed Up in Older Bodies . . . “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~The Dalai Lama My...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jul 6
No Such Thing as Good or Bad
A Baby’s Behavior Is Neither Good nor Bad Instead of telling an infant, “Bad baby for falling asleep before your tummy got full. Now I’ll...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 22
Dangers of Saying, “This Will Be Easy!”
When talking to either children or older adults, people frequently predict, “This will be easy for you.” Suggesting that the skill will...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 16
Dignifying a Wrong Answer
Most of my life focused on children. Although that prominence remains, I now understand that the communication skills needed for the...
Barbara Frandsen
- Nov 18, 2022
The Story Behind My New Book
Quietly, I thought to myself, “Oh, my goodness! These kids are much too young to have a baby.” To my horror, I heard the words, “OH NO!”...
Barbara Frandsen
- Sep 12, 2022
Nurture Without Spoiling
News flash for new parents: You will never spoil your newborn baby by loving her too much. You will not spoil her by responding to her...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jul 16, 2022
Practice Personal Organization to Facilitate Life
From time to time, I return to my roots as an educator. Through the years, many self-proclaimed and medically diagnosed students with...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jul 16, 2022
Helping Without Taking Responsibility for Homework
I am grateful to Amy Campbell, a school counselor from the Rawson Saunders School for Dyslexia for making another contribution to this...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 27, 2022
Organize, Color Code, & Prompt for Attention
Organizing the Environment for Attention Challenges After spending my life immersed in education, I find it difficult to turn my back on...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 26, 2022
Do ADHD Brains Function Differently?
Years ago, I worked with a young boy whose labels included gifted and talented, learning disabled, and ADHD with hyperactivity. One...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 26, 2022
When Is Saying “I’m Sorry” Not the Best Action?
Anger can be a healthy reaction to inappropriate or unwanted events. Although I never condone hurting someone or breaking possessions...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 26, 2022
Do We Control or Empower?
During the times when life seems to roll over and crush me, I find personal strength in considering my choices. By recognizing options, I...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 25, 2022
How Can We Teach Personal Responsibility?
As a mother, a teacher, and now as a grandparent, I realize how much children want and need sensible limits. I also appreciate that the...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 25, 2022
What Do You Mean — No Punishment Needed?
Logical and Natural Consequences One of the most cherished beliefs in parenting and in teaching insists that we must punish children....
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 24, 2022
Help Others Hear You With— ‘I’ Messages
How often have I expressed a thought or feeling and realized my remark offended someone? Often my delivery rather than the actual message...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 24, 2022
Warning: Bullies on Board —Handle With Care
One of our grandsons just completed fourth grade with pride. Good teacher, interesting assignments, successful achievement levels. All...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 24, 2022
Helping With Stress and Anxiety
I am grateful to Amy Campbell for this contribution. Amy is the counselor at the Rawson Saunders School for Dyslexia. Amy spends her days...
Barbara Frandsen
- Jun 24, 2022
Listening With Intention
Listening With Intention Although I’ve spent much of my life thinking about and working with and for children, I occasionally fail to use...
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