The crucial age for developing the prefrontal cortex, where the “bright mind” resides, is in the teen years, turns out. We’ve heard lately that the brain totally rewires itself during this critical time span, and doesn’t finish until the early to mid-twenties.

And the crucial activities for developing the bright  mind involve, you guessed it, critical thinking.  Problem is, teenagers may have to be pushed to do this. “They don’t have a strong desire to think things through … They can meet their needs and survive the ups and downs of teen years without working hard on cognitive skills they don’t even know exist.”

Of course, one great source of critical thinking and logic is computer programming skills, such as you will find in MotherboardBooks.com’s Logo programming lessons found in Computer Science Pure and Simple and Logo Adventures. Check it out!

Source: http://www.buildingpersonalstrength.com/2012/04/will-your-child-to-develop-brilliant.html

“After the first three lessons my oldest two (ages 11 and 9) decided they were ready to complete each lesson on their own without me ‘hovering’ over them.  I think it is fantastic because I can rarely get them to do anything on their own… actually, they don’t do anything else on their own… I could get used to this (smile).

“Logo Adventures was designed to be used as weekly lessons. However, my children enjoy this so much that they are already on Lesson 8 … we have only had this program for 2 weeks!   They are learning so much more than I could have imagined (hello Geometry!) The best part is: they are ASKING to do this, ON THEIR OWN!”

Victoria’s got a giveaway going for a brand-new copy of Logo Adventures today. http://blog.denschool.com/logo-adventures-review-giveaway/

MP3 players. Speed loaders. … and eight more ideas. Do you have some thoughts to add?

http://www.internetservice.net/2012/10-ways-technology-could-have-improved-mayberry/

You can get this and also something from me. I am partnering with Kerry at “How To Homeschool My Child” to bring you a special gift from me on Friday, February 3. But I can’t tell you what it is yet!

Go to http://www.HowToHomeschoolMychild.com now to sign up on the home page for 14 February Freebies.The Freebies start on Feb 1 with this free ebook- 83 Things to Do to Celebrate Valentines, and my gift to you on Feb 3.

Kerry at “How To Homeschool My Child” will also send a special gift from all of her homeschooling partners on each day of the first 14 days of February, but only to her subscribers. So don’t miss out on  some wonderful offers to keep on homeschooling the best way possible this year!

Phyllis Wheeler, the Computer Lady from MotherboardBooks.com

ps.  Sign-up now so you don’t miss a thing!
http://www.HowToHomeschoolMychild.com

How can we homeschoolers encourage our kids to consider entrepreneurship?

Starting small and early would be a good idea.  Perhaps your child would be interested in making baked goods, chocolate, or jewelry to sell at craft fairs, yard sales, or kids’ soccer practices. Or creating computer images for peers, such as avatars. Starting small is how Jasmine did it.

ttp://dreamerent.com/2009/11/interview-with-young-entrepreneur-jasmine-lawrence/

Homeschooling and writing a book are both time-consuming activities. Yet that’s what God has called me to do. I’ve questioned Him over and over, but He leads me to the same conclusion every time. Why would He ask me to add a second all-consuming project to my already busy schedule? I still don’t know the answer; I just know I need to obey.

The next question becomes, “How do I do it all, Lord?” The simple answer is that I don’t. I’ve had to learn to relax my standards and let go of some of the tasks that I think are important. Although I still make lists (I love lists!), I seek God’s guidance each morning, and pray, “Lord, what is it that You know I need to get done today? Direct my thoughts to those activities and chores.” I’m far from perfect at sensing God’s guidance, but I have found that when I actively listen for Him, things seem to get done. I’m not sure how, but they do.

I thought my plate was already heaping with homeschooling, writing, blogging, networking (it is necessary for authors to have an on-line presence), then a publishing house offered me a contract on my first book, PERIL: A Fast Track Thriller. Now I had to add a third time-consuming activity to my schedule: marketing. I tried to do it all, but it only led to frustrations and tears.

I finally went to the Lord again. This time I didn’t ask how I could do it all, I confessed that I couldn’t do it all. God reminded me that His timing is perfect. My children are older now. They don’t need my constant involvement or supervision. There’s no way I could have accomplished writing and homeschooling, much less networking and marketing when my children needed me almost every single moment during schooltime.

Once I finally realized I couldn’t do it all myself, God directed my attention to Matthew West’s song, Strong Enough. I now think of it as my theme song, especially when it comes to marketing. The first few lines really say it all.

God calls each of us to do things that are beyond our abilities. My call is to write Christian fiction, but there are as many calls as there are people. What is God calling you to do? He promises that He will equip those whom he calls, and I have seen that time and again throughout my writing journey. The fact that I am now published is a testament to His faithfulness, not my ability. Whatever the call on your life, say yes to God. It may seem insurmountable to you, but only in your own strength. When we lean on Him, we can truly claim the promise in Phil. 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

Thank you for hosting me today, Phyllis. I hope my story has been an inspiration for your readers. I would also like to invite your readers to join me in celebrating the release of  my debut novel, PERIL: Fast Track Thriller #1, by entering in my Kindle give-away. Entries will be accepted until 12/16. To enter, click here: WIN A KINDLE (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com/2007/01/kindle-give-away_01.html)

The Fall 2011 digital issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is full of encouragement for homeschooling families with a special focus on Grandparents & Homeschooling, and Homeschooling High Schoolers.

Enjoy these articles and more:

Eight Common Myths About Homeschooling in High School
Confessions of a Homeschool Grandma
Too Busy to Make Time for Daddy
An Education in Relationship

Just click this link

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/freegift

to read the entire issue, absolutely free.

I hope this is a blessing to you!

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine-digital.com/thehomeschoolmagazine/christmas2011

to find yummy holiday recipes, ideas for Christmas with your family, and personal greetings from TOS columnists, staff, and friends.

Please feel free to share these links with your friends too!

By trial and error children are able to learn a lot about navigating through the internet…but what about being able to build their own websites?  Being able to add their own knowledge, opinions, and products to the World Wide Web would be the next best step.

Also, building a website creates new challenges!  Your child will have to design layouts, create content, and learn about graphics.  This brings them artistic, grammatical, and technological obstacles to overcome.

The business and personal worlds are all becoming connected through the internet.  It’s the go-to whenever you need any information.   Children who learn to build websites will hold a skill they can take wherever they end up in the future.  Whether they start their own business or want a personal site, there are many benefits to learning web design.

Talk with your children about web design!  When they hear they can create a whole site on their favorite animal or how to build their own race car…they’ll be anxious to start!

My son is only 10 and has been able to do almost everything on his own, so that is a testament to how well done your book is.  Thanks again!  Jenny

Shared with permission.