Dear Highlights

A special conversation with Christine French Cully Jul 31, 2024

Dear Highlights host Christine French Cully is celebrating her 30-year anniversary of working at Highlights. In this special episode, CEO Kent Johnson interviews her on her career, mission and purpose, and her insights on children.

Help! My kid won’t go to school! Nov 15, 2022

Few parents have heard the term “school refusal,” but many families are experiencing it. In fact, since the pandemic, it is a big problem. Missing a lot of school causes cognitive-academic, social, and behavioral deficits for students. School Avoidance Alliance founder Jayne Demsky joins the podcast to help us understand what is happening, and how parents and schools can help.

Find the helpers, be the helper Oct 25, 2022

Hanh Bui fled her homeland of Vietnam as a child. She remembers the challenges of arriving in a new country with new customs, language, and expectations. Even more – she remembers the adults, and especially the children, who welcomed her, and who gave her the connectedness she needed to make a new home. Today a teacher, children’s author and advocate, Hanh invites us to think about how we can not just look for the helpers, but be the helpers, who make all children belong. Tune in to hear her remarkable journey.

War in Ukraine and Kids (Rebroadcast) Oct 11, 2022

Amanda Morgan from Save the Children joins the podcast to share what the past few weeks have been like for the children of Ukraine, what Save the Children is doing to help children impacted by war and how we can help kids here in the US who are frightened by the war and its possible impacts for the world. Listen in to hear:

● The long-term effects of displacement and war on kids

● What we can do when our kids are worried about the threat of nuclear war

● How kids around the world can support the children of Ukraine

To support Save the Children’s work in the Ukraine, visit https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/ukraine.

Which Scary Movies are Good for Kids? Oct 05, 2022

Kids love Halloween! Scary stuff can be so fun . . . or it can ruin bedtime. Common Sense Media’s Editorial Director Betsy Bozdech joins the podcast to share her tips for seasonal media that is scary, but not too scary. From Hocus Pocus 2 to Zombies to podcasts, tune in for her spooky picks for kids of all ages. For more recommendations, visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/scary-but-not-too-scary-halloween-movies

Suicidal Thoughts (Rebroadcast) Sep 27, 2022

It may be hard to fathom, but children as young as age 8 can have suicidal thoughts, and many parents don’t know when their children are in crisis. In this week’s Dear Highlights podcast and in honor of Mental Health Awareness month, our host Christine French Cully, talks with Dr. John Ackerman, a child clinical psychologist and the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) in Columbus, Ohio, about risk factors and treatments for mood disorders and suicide in children, and how to tell if your child is at risk.

A permanent family road trip? Sep 20, 2022

Parents Trent and Carly Shepherd (Instagram: @shepquest) join the podcast to share more about a major lifestyle change they embarked on with their two sons – traveling the country together, learning, working, and exploring on the road. What can we learn from a family whose family time is 24/7?

Behind-the-Scenes at Highlights with CEO Kent Johnson Sep 06, 2022

Highlights CEO Kent Johnson joins the podcast to answer questions from our readers, talk about why his great-grandparents founded Highlights with their retirement savings, and share what makes carrying on the mission so meaningful today.

When it’s not quite bullying . . . but it’s still so mean Aug 30, 2022

Parenting educator Jennifer Miller joins the podcast again to talk about social aggression, exclusion, and gossiping in elementary school. Being mean at times, and being on the receiving end of meanness, is common in childhood. In a world that isn’t always kind, how can we help children lean into the best versions of themselves? Listen to learn how adults can employ curiosity and compassion to guide kids through mean moments.

How to Read Parenting News Like an Expert Aug 23, 2022

Economist Dr. Emily Oster joins the podcast to talk about how parents can use data to make better parenting decisions, and how learning to read data like an economist can save us from the whip lash of the news cycle. Listen to find out the handful of things data can tell us really matters to raising happy, healthy kids; and how to ignore the rest.

Do Kids Have Too Much Homework? Aug 16, 2022

Homework researcher Dr. Harris Cooper joins the podcast to help us answer a question from Highlights reader: “What is homework for anyway?” Listen to learn how to establish positive habits and attitudes related to homework, and how homework can be fuel for the parent/school relationship.

How much is too much screentime? Apr 20, 2022

The pandemic has accelerated a trend — kids are consuming more and more digital media. Common Sense Media’s Erin Wilkey Oh joins the podcast to discuss:

What media is aiding kids’ mental health, and which categories are harming it
Why the end of the school year is a great time to reassess media rules
How letting your kids teach you new media can build their media literacy

Kids’ Letters About Sexual Abuse Apr 12, 2022

This episode contains sensitive content about the sexual abuse of children and may be upsetting to some listeners. Tune in for an open, honest discussion about:

● How children tell us something is wrong without words

● What we should ask of children’s schools, camps, and sports teams

● What adults can do to help children who have experienced abuse

For local resources, support, and information about sexual abuse, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.

Sharing Climate Change Hope with Kids Apr 05, 2022

Many of today’s kids are worried about climate change. Climate scientist and expert communicator Dr. Katherine Hayhoe joins the podcast for a hope-filled conversation about how we can inspire children to see a future of climate change solutions — and how listening to kids can inspire adults, too. Listen in as Dr. Hayhoe shares:

Why it’s important to talk to kids about climate change
How to describe climate change to kids in just one minute
What gives her hope that we can still tackle the challenges a changing earth will bring

Recommended resources:

http://www.globalweirdingseries.com

https://sciencemoms.com/

https://vimeo.com/151923918

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Saving-Us/Katharine-Hayhoe/9781982143831

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623543/the-future-we-choose-by-christiana-figueres-and-tom-rivett-carnac/

Children and Grief Mar 29, 2022

The majority of kids will at some point grieve a loved one. It’s a normal part of childhood we often don’t talk about enough. How does a child’s evolving understanding of death impact their grieving? How can we help kids express and process their grief?

Developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. David Schonfeld joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to shed light on the important topic of childhood bereavement. Host Christine French Cully reads letters from grieving children who have lost family members and talks with Dr. Schonfeld about how adults can support children’s understanding of death, model effective coping, and help children to continue to feel connected to their loved one who has died.

War in Ukraine and Kids Mar 22, 2022

Amanda Morgan from Save the Children joins the podcast to share what the past few weeks have been like for the children of Ukraine, what Save the Children is doing to help children impacted by war and how we can help kids here in the US who are frightened by the war and its possible impacts for the world. Listen in to hear:

● The long-term effects of displacement and war on kids

● What we can do when our kids are worried about the threat of nuclear war

● How kids around the world can support the children of Ukraine

To support Save the Children’s work in the Ukraine, visit https://www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/ukraine.

Suicidal Thoughts Mar 15, 2022

It may be hard to fathom, but children as young as age 8 can have suicidal thoughts, and many parents don’t know when their children are in crisis. In this week’s Dear Highlights podcast and in honor of Mental Health Awareness month, our host Christine French Cully, talks with Dr. John Ackerman, a child clinical psychologist and the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) in Columbus, Ohio, about risk factors and treatments for mood disorders and suicide in children, and how to tell if your child is at risk.

How Can Kids Develop a Healthy Body Image? Mar 08, 2022

Kids write Highlights to tell us how they feel about their bodies. And the news is not good. When most adults are also unhappy with their bodies, how can we help kids to relate to their bodies, and to food, in a positive way? Nutritional Scientist Dr. Kendrin Sonneville, who studies the prevention of eating disorders and how to create healthy body image, joins the podcast to discuss:

What a healthy body image actually looks like
What we are getting wrong about kids and eating disorders
Putting kids’ pandemic weight gain in context

Behind-the-Scenes at Highlights Answering Kids’ Mail Feb 22, 2022

Highlights gets thousands of letters from kids each year – and an editor personally answers each one. Highlights Associate Editor Allison Kane joins the podcast to discuss some of her favorite letters, and how we answer kids in a way that lets them know we are listening. Join us to hear answers to kids’ questions like:

Can I believe in Santa when my friends don’t?
How can I build a proper trap to catch more lizards?
How can I make the world better other than running for President?

Rekindling Kids’ Friendships in a Lonely Era Feb 15, 2022

It feels like the pandemic has conspired against friendship. Friendships are one of the most important parts of childhood, and kids’ letters tell us that their relationships have suffered in the last few years. Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore joins the podcast to share how we can help kids connect with each other. Listen in to hear:

The importance of in-person socializing for kids
How technology can be a help, and a hindrance, to friendship
What parents can do to set a playdate up for success

Find more friendship resources from Dr. Kennedy-Moore: https://eileenkennedymoore.com/free-mini-guides/

What Kids Want to Know about Slavery Feb 08, 2022

Everyone is talking about how to talk about hard histories, like the history of slavery, with kids. But what do kids really want to know? Are they even interested in history? We talk with history educator Amber Mitchell of the Whitney Plantation Museum who shares with us:

Why history matters to kids
The surprising questions kids ask the most
How history can make kids feel powerful

Click here for a list of resources for teaching and learning about American slavery.

To post or not to post: kids’ privacy and parents’ social media Feb 01, 2022

The internet was made for posts about cats and kids. But it’s also a massive network storing information about all of us — including kids. How should we think about kids’ privacy online? How do we respect children’s autonomy and help them develop skills to navigate a networked world, while still sharing the most important aspects of our own lives? Listen in as we talk to parents and privacy expert Dr. Michael Robb of Common Sense Media to discuss:

● How kids feel about their parents’ social posts

● Digital “kidnapping,” medical privacy, and other big concerns

● Tools for negotiating what to post and what not to post

Is it too cold to play outside? “Nope,” says author Linda Åkeson McGurk Jan 25, 2022

It’s January, and we’re back to talk to you about what kids and parents are feeling in 2022 — right now, we’re feeling a little stir crazy! Author of There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids (from Friluftsliv to Hygge) joins us to discuss how outdoor play can bring light to the dark days of January for kids and parents alike. Listen in as host Christine French Cully and Linda discuss:

● Why Sweden considers outdoor play a child’s right

● Finding nature experiences in urban environments

● How to find outdoor clothes that won’t break the bank

Parents on Pandemic Worries and Hopes Oct 26, 2021

Pandemic parenting is not for the faint of heart. In this season 2 finale, Highlights talks with four families about the stresses and successes of parenting during the last year. Listen in to hear:

How a gardening club helped a high-risk 8-year-old
How a mom of two pandemic babies is finding hope in her family tree
Why many of us are inspired by kids right now, and our hope to keep that for our future

Conversation with a Friend: Dr. Madeline Levine Oct 19, 2021

In this episode, Highlights talks with Dr. Madeline Levine, author of Ready or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World, about the many challenges of raising children today. Listen in as we discuss:

What grown-ups can do about kids’ increasing sense of fatalism about their lives
Why we should treat school-age kids the same way we treat kids learning to walk
How long-term thinking can ease our stress about day-to-day parenting decisions

Kids’ Letters About Divorce Oct 12, 2021

Highlights talks with Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, author of Putting Children First, about how to help children not just survive, but thrive during the big family change of divorce. Listen in as we discuss:

What to say when you tell your kids your family is changing
Naming the “forever” kind of love you have for your children
Reimagining your former spouse as an important colleague in the business of raising kids

Conversation with a Friend: Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey Oct 05, 2021

Juliana Urtubey, 2021 Teacher of the Year, joins us this week for a candid conversation about her experiences in the classroom. Listen in as we discuss:

Why we shouldn’t fixate on “learning loss” during the pandemic
The magic questions that can get your child to tell you more about their day
How we can help every kid love school

Kids’ Letters About Cell Phones Sep 28, 2021

Highlights talks with Common Sense Media’s Erin Wilkey Oh about a modern-day rite of passage for children: their first cell phone. When are kids ready? Listen in as we discuss:

● Signs your child is ready to handle a cell phone

● Why telling kids what you are doing on your phone is good modeling

● Teaching our kids to recognize “red flag” feelings

A Conversation with a Friend: Stephen Dubner on Kids and Public Policy (Ep.16 Rebroadcast) Sep 21, 2021

Author and Freakonomics Radio host, Stephen Dubner joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to discuss why public policy doesn’t always put kids at the center of the conversation. Listen in to learn:

● How an amazing 4th grade teacher introduced Stephen to Highlights

● What car seat policy can teach us about how we consider what’s best for kids

● How long-term thinking could help us make better policy for kids

Kids' Letters About Grandparents Sep 14, 2021

Celebrate Grandparents’ Day by joining our conversation with Stanford Children’s Health’s Nancy Sanchez and Marilyn Swarts, who share tips from their class on grandparenting. Listen in to learn:

When they realized a class on grandparenting was needed
Why social media is often the first conflict between grandparents and parents
What grandparents can do to be welcomed into their grandchildren’s lives

A Conversation with a Friend: Lenore Skenazy on the Value of Free Time Sep 07, 2021

Highlights talks with Free-Range Kids author Lenore Skenazy about how long, boring afternoons are fertile ground for growing and nurturing creativity during childhood. Listen in as we discuss:

● Why Lenore was once dubbed “America’s Worst Mom”

● How remembering our own childhood pastimes can help give us confidence

● If there is still room for boredom in a world filled with digital entertainment

Kids’ Letters About Sexual Abuse Aug 31, 2021

This episode contains sensitive content about the sexual abuse of children and may be upsetting to some listeners. Tune in for an open, honest discussion about:

● How children tell us something is wrong without words

● What we should ask of children’s schools, camps, and sports teams

● What adults can do to help children who have experienced abuse

For local resources, support, and information about sexual abuse, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.

A Conversation with a Friend: Stephen Dubner on Kids and Public Policy Aug 24, 2021

Author and Freakonomics Radio host, Stephen Dubner joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to discuss why public policy doesn’t always put kids at the center of the conversation. Listen in to learn:

● How an amazing 4th grade teacher introduced Stephen to Highlights

● What car seat policy can teach us about how we consider what’s best for kids

● How long-term thinking could help us make better policy for kids

Kids' Letters About Back to School Aug 17, 2021

With the new Delta variant of COVID-19 on the rise, this school year is kicking off with much more uncertainty than anyone expected. The Ohio State University’s Dr. Barbara Boone joins us this week to share insights from her research on family-school relationships, and offer tips on how adults can support the kids in their lives and help them work through big feelings about the new school year. Listen in as host Christine Cully and Dr. Boone discuss:

● How to establish a strong line of communication between school and home

● Remembering that while teachers are doing heroic work, they’re still human

● The importance of taking time to really lean in and listen to what kids have to say

A Conversation with a Friend: Nelba Marquez-Greene on processing trauma Aug 10, 2021

Highlights talks with Nelba Marquez-Greene, founder of the Ana Grace Project, about how we can help communities, children, and their caregivers to heal from trauma. Nelba shares with us:

• How we can help kids be rich in relational wealth, even during a pandemic

• Why music is central to her work, and its power to help kids

• Her hard-won wisdom on how we empower ourselves and young people to move forward through trauma

Kids' Letters About Becoming Vegetarian Aug 03, 2021

Two million American kids don’t eat meat. Does yours want to join team vegetarian? When faced with a kid who, inspired by love of animals, care for the environment, or committed pickiness, wants to cut out meat, what is a caregiver to do? Who should decide what kids eat? And can harmony be found at the dinner table without a grownup becoming a short order cook? Our guest Jennifer Anderson, a registered dietitian, and the founder of Kids Eat in Color, joins the podcast to give us her answer – yes, yes, yes! Tune in to hear Jennifer’s advice on how food can stop being a battleground, and start being a way to connect.

Children and Grief Jun 29, 2021

The majority of kids will at some point grieve a loved one. It’s a normal part of childhood we often don’t talk about enough. How does a child’s evolving understanding of death impact their grieving? How can we help kids express and process their grief?

Developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. David Schonfeld joins us on this week’s episode of Dear Highlights to shed light on the important topic of childhood bereavement. Host Christine French Cully reads letters from grieving children who have lost family members and talks with Dr. Schonfeld about how adults can support children’s understanding of death, model effective coping, and help children to continue to feel connected to their loved one who has died.

Preparing Siblings for New Baby Jun 22, 2021

Helping your school-age child adjust to becoming a big brother or sister can be hard. After all, your child has grown used to your current relationship, whether they have all your attention or share it with an another sibling. And now their world will turn upside down. Are there ways to better prepare your child(ren) for the birth of a sibling? Welcoming a new baby is the subject of this week’s Dear Highlights podcast. Host Christine French Cully talks with New York University Professor of Early Childhood, Erin O’Connor, co-founder of Scientific Mommy--a platform designed to bring together parents, researchers, and teachers around issues of child development--for tips on how best to approach your child about the new baby, when to start an age-appropriate discussion, what should happen on the big day, and living together peacefully once the new baby comes home.

Father's Day Tribute Jun 15, 2021

In honor of Father’s Day, we’re talking about dads in this episode of our Dear Highlights podcast. We know that kids look to their fathers to provide a feeling of security, both physical and emotional. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father helps promote a child’s inner growth and strength. Yet many children write to us about their dads, longing for a different relationship, one that is more connected. Our podcast host, Christine French Cully talks with John Badalament, author of The Modern Dads Dilemma: How To Stay Connected With Your Kids In A Rapidly Changing World and the Director of the acclaimed documentary for PBS All Men Are Sons: Exploring the Legacy of Fatherhood about the role today’s fathers play in family life. He offers insight and tips on how dads can become more connected with their kids, starting when kids are very young.

Saving the Planet Jun 08, 2021

This week’s Dear Highlights podcast focuses on kids who want to save the planet. Host Christine French Cully talks with Highlights Science Editor Andy Boyles, who provides tips for parents on supporting kids’ interest in caring for the planet and how to talk to kids about the environment. For years, kids have written to Highlights about animal rights, conservation, climate change, littering, pollution, and more. This podcast will help families learn the many ways they can get involved to help save our planet.

Importance of Play Jun 01, 2021

I have so much homework, when will I have time to play? This kid lament is one many parents hear daily and to help, this episode of the Dear Highlights podcast tackles the importance of play in a kid’s life. Host Christine French Cully talks with play expert, Temple professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, about how children really learn and why they need to play more and memorize less. Yet many parents, educators, and policy makers worry that playtime takes children away from precious academic activities. Dr. Hirsh-Pasek discusses why play is important, the purpose and need for play in a child’s life, how play influences learning, and simple ways parents can encourage playful learning at home.

Suicidal Thoughts May 25, 2021

It may be hard to fathom, but children as young as age 8 can have suicidal thoughts, and many parents don’t know when their children are in crisis. In this week’s Dear Highlights podcast and in honor of Mental Health Awareness month, our host Christine French Cully, talks with Dr. John Ackerman, a child clinical psychologist and the Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research (CSPR) at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) in Columbus, Ohio, about risk factors and treatments for mood disorders and suicide in children, and how to tell if your child is at risk.

Respectful Conversation May 18, 2021

For many parents, a child talking back or being rude is met with immediate anger or sternness—perhaps an instinctual response from their own upbringing or beliefs about respecting our elders. In this week’s Dear Highlights podcast, we tackle dealing with disrespect in terms of back talk and how a rude exchange can become a teachable moment. Mom and educator Dr. Chawanna B. Chambers talks with our podcast host Christine French Cully on how to teach a child who is seemingly acting disrespectful to manage their responses. For Chambers, her 6-year-old speaking rudely was an opportunity to teach a lesson about our brains and how we can head off a problematic interaction before it starts.

Big Feelings May 11, 2021

This Dear Highlights podcast focuses on mental health for kids. Host Christine French Cully interviews pediatric psychologist Parker Huston, PhD, Clinical Director of On Our Sleeves, a national movement to break stigmas around children's mental health, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. They discuss concrete strategies for parents about tweens and mental health, such as when to know if a mood swing is just that or something more. How can parents tell if their child’s anxiety over attending a birthday party is a phase or a sign of a deeper issue? Many children occasionally experience fears and worries or display disruptive behaviors. This podcast offers advice on assessing children’s mental health.

Mothers/Moms May 04, 2021

We created a special Dear Highlights podcast as a Mother’s Day tribute. Host Christine French Cully shares how kids feel about their moms with a few letters, poems, and stories they’ve written to Highlights over the years. We’ve all experienced or at least heard about the additional roles moms have had to take on in this pandemic--teacher, social director, creative muse, and more! To honor them and all they do for children every day, we dedicated this podcast as a Mother’s Day tribute. (note: there is no main guest on this podcast; the mom will be a staff mom)

Navigating Friendship Apr 29, 2021

Today’s Dear Highlights episode discusses navigating friendships, both the fun and the challenge. Highlights receives more mail about friendship, a vital part of a kid’s social-emotional development, than any other subject. By making and keeping friends, kids learn important life skills, such as getting along with others and resolving conflicts. Positive interactions with friends help build self-esteem and provide kids with a sense of belonging. In contrast, negative interactions with friends, such as being betrayed or feeling hurt by a friend, can dampen their self-confidence. Our guest, child psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, is the author of Growing Friendships, A Kids’ Guide to Making and Keeping Friends and of Kid Confidence, Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience and Develop Self Esteem. She provides insight to parents on how to navigate the ups and downs of their child’s friendships and offers actionable advice on the best ways parents can help their child.

Sibling Rivalry Apr 29, 2021

In this Dear Highlights episode about sibling rivalry, host Christine French Cully talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life and founding editor of AhaParenting.com, about sibling rivalry, the role siblings play in family life, why siblings fight, and how parents can best keep a peaceful, happy home. Dr. Laura offers simple yet powerful ways to cut through common sibling squabbles and to foster a loving, supportive bond between siblings, while giving each child the vital connection they need

COVID 19 Feelings of Anxiety Apr 29, 2021

This Dear Highlights episode discusses how the pandemic affected children as their worlds turned upside down, and how parents can nurture optimism in their kids as we move to a new normal. This past year, kids have had to tackle distance learning, face-mask wearing, social distancing, and more. With that, many children were worried about parents who were front-line workers or about the health of their elderly grandparents. One recurring theme was the anxiety that kids felt due to the pandemic. Now that the world is beginning to open up, how will kids feel about the future? Additionally, how can the parents who love them best guide them to have a sense of optimism? Our guest, educational psychologist Michele Borba, EdD, author of the new book, Thrivers, and TODAY show contributor, offers sound, realistic advice to parents, teachers, and advocates for children about helping children thrive.

Welcome to Dear Highlights Apr 29, 2021

For 75 years, Highlights’ magazine has received thousands of letters and email from kids every year, and we answer every single one. ‘Dear Highlights’ has always served as a way to help ease children’s concerns and help encourage them to become their best selves. In so doing, we’ve sustained an ongoing, authentic dialogue with kids that has deepened our understanding of their worries and fears, as well as their hopes and dreams. Our goal of the’ Dear Highlights’ podcast is is to elevate the voices of children from these letters and help parents raise kids to be curious, creative, caring, and confident.

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