791
Downloads
124
Episodes
Kara brings her quirky perspective to parenting, education, connection and at times, the randomness of the world. She is a mom of two, married 28+ years, former educator, parent blogger, and children’s author. Her goal is to simplify the life of moms and help them find connection.
Episodes
10 hours ago
10 hours ago
There are many benefits for our children to reading non-fiction. Non-fiction serves as a window to understanding our world. It also improves academic performance, vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and knowledge expansion to name a few reasons to encourage non-fiction in early education.
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
- 5 Reasons Nonfiction Books Are Important for Young Learners
- Why every child benefits from reading more non-fiction books
- Building World Knowledge: Motivating Children to Read and Enjoy Informational Text
- Discovery Education
- National Geographic Kids
- Smithsonian Learning Lab
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Anxiety in children is a growing concern, but by understanding its roots and learning practical strategies, parents can empower their kids to navigate challenges and thrive. By making small changes, we can collectively create a less anxious world for our children, helping our kids to find calm in a chaotic world.
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
- Book: The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing https://amzn.to/41TBpUl
- Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health
https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html - Evolutionary aspects of anxiety disorders https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3181631/
- Blog: How much sleep does your child need?https://epicpublisher.com/parenting/how-much-sleep-does-your-child-need/
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Embrace the joy of learning together - that is right - all of your kiddos can do the same projects and activities! In this episode, Kara shares 20 activities that lead into many more because learning together isn't just fun, it's powerful! When families share these adventures, it’s not just about the knowledge, it’s about the connections.
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Writing prompts are a fun and effective way to unlock your child's creativity and empower them to express themselves. In this episode, Kara shares 50 Spring Writing Prompts that can help your kids be inspired in a world of words and unleash the joy of writing!
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Struggling readers often face unique obstacles that hinder their ability to enjoy reading. In this episode, Kara shares effective techniques that can help parents support their children’s literary development. By learning to decode, hear, and read aloud, your child experience the transformative power of books.
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
- Blog post: 8 Easy Ways to Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading
- Blog post: Engage Your Child in Reading with a Book Tracker
- Blog post: Create an Outdoor Story Hunt for Your Child this Summer
- Reading resource: 10 Research-Based Benefits of Reading Aloud to Children
- Blog post: Create a Kid’s Cozy Reading Nook
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Playing games and puzzles is a fun way to help kids learn! It's a great chance for parents to make learning exciting and effective for their children. In this episode, Kara shares how this approach lets kids reach their full potential and develop a love for learning that goes beyond school.
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
- Freebie: Idaho Puzzle Pack
- Blog post: The Power of Cooperative Play in Child Development
- Blog post: 10 Ways Competitions Enhance Learning
- Blog post: Board Games that Teach Financial Literacy to Your Kids
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Hosting a problem-solving workshop for your kids can be a rewarding experience that fosters critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and teamwork. When you incorporate real-world scenarios, open-ended challenges, and a variety of puzzle and game types, your children will be begging you so that they can learn more!
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
- Blog post: Why Teaching Problem-Solving Skills is Essential for Student Success
- Blog post: Problem solving skills: 6 amazing benefits for kids
- Blog post: Create an Outdoor Story Hunt for Your Child this Summer
- Blog post: The 5 Best Homeschool Choices for Your Family
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Rubrics enable students to identify their goals and set realistic targets for themselves. As children see complex tasks being broken down into manageable components, they are able to focus on making improvements and being successful. These wins boost their confidence. This also helps children learn to self assess.
Mentioned links and resources in this episode:
Connect with Kara here:
- Join Kara’s mailing list! (Get her special freebie each week, with links to her blog, podcast, and other finds!)
- Check out Kara's free resources and more on the Epic Publisher Website
- Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube
- Follow Kara on Instagram
- Epic Publisher on Facebook
- Epic Publisher on Pinterest