Episode Summary
In our Google culture of instant answers, we’re robbing our kids of a crucial learning tool: productive struggle. In this episode, Marina Joy explores why a little difficulty is actually good for your tween and how it builds the resilience they need for life’s bigger challenges.
What You’ll Learn
- Why reaching for Google before wrestling with a problem is actually causing problems
- How struggling with tasks creates deeper, more lasting learning
- The difference between productive struggle and overwhelming frustration
- Practical strategies to help your tween build resilience through manageable challenges
Key Topics Covered
- The power of deeper learning through grappling with ideas
- Why grammar (and other skills) learned out of context don’t stick
- Teaching schedule independence without spoon-feeding
- The “easy plus one” approach to stretching capabilities
- Managing the right amount of struggle for your child
- How to model productive struggle as a parent
Practical Takeaways
Marina shares actionable steps you can implement this week, including:
- When to pause before helping (and what to ask instead)
- How to create manageable challenges just beyond your child’s comfort zone
- Why focusing on process matters more than perfect outcomes during learning
- One area where you can step back and let your child take the lead
Perfect For Parents Who Want To:
- Develop independent learners
- Build their tween’s confidence and competence
- Prepare their child for high school and beyond
Connect with Marina
Subscribe to Marina’s weekly newsletter for tips, tricks, advice, and resources to help you parent your tween and support their learning journey.
Tween Talk: Where we discuss education, homeschooling, communication, organization, and critical thinking skills for middle school years.
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