By Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, Founder of HomeschoolOT
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly common in education, leaving many parents wondering whether it will help their children learn or simply do the thinking for them. As both an occupational therapist and homeschool mom, I share those concerns. I want my children to develop independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. But I’ve also begun asking a different question: What if AI could help us become better teachers without replacing the learning itself?
During a recent conversation on The OT is IN podcast, Jennifer Burns, founder of American Faith Academy, described …
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“Small moments in the kitchen became some of the most meaningful memories of my life,” says Bake Away founder Sahana, who is getting her Master’s in Business Administration at New York University’s Stern School of Business. “Bake Away is my way of sharing the stories behind them. Baking became my language, how I celebrated, connected with others and stayed grounded through change.”
Her company, Bake Away, celebrates baking as personal expression, where every dessert tells a story that is shaped by creativity and rooted in connection.
Sahana’s project began as a cookbook. Since starting her MBA program, she has …
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A note from Jan Du Plain, Executive Director, Co-founder, Washington Educational & Cultural Attache Association — We’d love for you to join us for a moderated panel discussion titled “Kindness in the World,” featuring embassy leaders representing Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The panelists offer their perspectives, share reflections, examples, or cultural traditions from their country that demonstrate how kindness builds understanding, strengthens relationships, and connects people across cultures.
The panel will last approximately 30 minutes, with time shared among the four panelists. Additional program highlights will include a keynote address on “Kindness: People-to-People Diplomacy,” from Sec Gen Francesca Donlan …
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Video by veterancompost.com: A veteran-owned business focused on making great compost and soil blends, the organization operates two compost facilities in Aberdeen, Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia and have a third under construction in Lothian, Maryland. “Everyday we collect food scraps from homes, offices, and businesses throughout Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia and compost those food scraps along with wood chips and make some pretty good stuff.”
Image by Ruth Hartnup, flickr.com
A Note from the Inkandescent Kids editors: Who doesn’t love to carve cool designs into pumpkins and display them on the porch and inside the house at …
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About the book: Fasten your seat belt for an intergalactic adventure with Cosmic, an ordinary, space-obsessed fox celebrating her ninth birthday. Lost in a magical forest, she discovers her powers and mysterious past with husky friends before returning home. Soon, she and her friends find themselves trapped in a space shuttle, battling evil forces and escaping a black hole. Later, Cosmic receives an invitation to Dragonfire, a magical school. Will she embrace her magical destiny or pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut?
Click here to buy the book!
About the author: Ananya Gupta, a middle school student from …
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Space.com, Nov. 4, 2026 — In today’s Space.com article, reporter Anthony Wood wrote, “Heads up, stargazers! The Taurid meteor shower is upon us, bringing multiple peaks of activity that could see spectacular shooting stars and fireballs brighten November’s sky. Here’s where and when to look.
What is the Taurid meteor shower(s)? Every autumn, Earth plows through streams of debris left behind by Comet Encke, a 3-mile-wide (4.8-kilometer) ice body that orbits the sun once every 3.3 years. These debris streams produce two branches of the Taurid meteor shower: The Southern Taurids, active from Sept. 20 to Nov. 20 and …
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Have you ever told your child, “You have 10 more minutes,” only to discover that they’re genuinely surprised when time is up? Or perhaps they insist an assignment will take an hour, but finish it in 15 minutes.
These struggles may be related to time blindness, a difficulty recognizing how much time has passed or estimating how long something will take.
Time management involves much more than knowing how to read a clock. Working memory, attention, processing speed, and our understanding of duration all play a role.
So how can parents help? Try this simple estimate-and-check activity.
Before …
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About the Author: Seth is a 14-year-old author living in Co. Waterford, Ireland. He has been writing books over the last few years with the help of his amazing cats. Together they capture the imagination and sincerity of youth, plus the occasional typo from when they walk across his computer keyboard! His published books include The Boy and the Griffin, How to Save a Kingdom on a Budget, Walk in the Shadows, and many more.
About the Book: Twelve-year-old Daren has spent his whole life among the snowy peaks of the mountains, and he’s perfectly happy with snowball fights, dangerous …
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By Vivienne K., 8, InkandescentKids.com reporter for The Zebra newspaper • With Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, InkandescentKids.com
Saturday, October 17 — More than a thousand people gathered near the waterfront on King Street tonight to watch a flash mob dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to raise money for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.
As an Inkandescent Kids magazine reporter, I was on site to cover the event for InkandescentKids.com online and Alexandria’s newspaper, The Zebra.
Here’s what I discovered just before King Street went quiet at dusk — and the dead-icated dance began.
Meet the women behind the Thriller: Coldwell …
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InkandescentKids welcomes Austin Graff, a journalist and author of 111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss.
The book will be available for sale at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair on August 8, 2026.
Reserve your tickets to win our grand prize.
About Austin: There’s profession, and there’s passion. Sometimes they collide. Curiosity & Connection is the collision of 14 years leading social media, digital, and influencer marketing for top brands professionally while exploring Washington, D.C. and the world personally. Growing social platforms into the millions and launching award-winning campaigns while publishing travel guides for The Washington …
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Popular Science, September 14, 2026 — In addition to hats, lost items at Yellowstone include hair ties, dozens of lens caps, AirPods, and an inhaler.
With more than 4.5 million visitors from around the world every year, sightseers arrive well prepared to admire the hotsprings, geysers, scenic lookouts, and wildlife.
But experts agree, there is only so much anyone can do about life’s little unexpected accidents. Each season, Yellowstone’s gusty winds are responsible for blowing away hundreds of hats, maps, and even sunglasses from the heads and hands of onlookers. Each season, park workers scour the grounds to …
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In the News: The European Union is moving to ban social media for under 13s across the bloc and impose restrictions on the digital technology for older children, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Wednesday.
The move to develop EU-wide rules comes after several individual EU member states have introduced social media limits on teenagers amid a global push to restrict children’s access to social media. Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for under 16s in December 2025.
“No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age …
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“HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT. BUILD IT.”
That’s the message today from the International Union of Architects. Created in 1985, World Architecture Day is celebrated each year on the first Monday of October, in parallel with the United Nations’ World Habitat Day.
The theme of World Habitat Day 2026 is “Adequate Housing for All”, drawing attention to the global housing crisis. Within this context, the UIA Council has chosen “Housing is a Human Right. Build It.” as the theme for World Architecture Day 2026, to be marked on Monday 5 October 2026.
This theme aligns with global …
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Dolly Parton once helped slash the dropout rate in her home county by offering students money to finish school. In 1991, she launched something called the Buddy Program in Sevier County, Tennessee. At the time, the dropout rate for the participating classes was around 35%. So Dolly made students a deal.
Every 7th and 8th grader was paired with a buddy. If both graduated high school, Dolly would give each student $500. The idea was simple: Give students a reason to encourage each other to stay in school.
And it worked. For those participating classes, the dropout rate reportedly fell …
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About the Heart of the Beast: On a continent-sized island, four dragons must learn to work together to defeat a rising evil. These four unlikely heroes will have to reveal their secrets and who they are to have a chance of victory. One secret might put the whole dragon world in peril.
Best for young adults: This book has some scenes of heavy amounts of violence, gore, and genocide.
Click here to read the first chapter • Learn more about the book here!
About the author: Hello! My name is A. P. Stenstrom. I am 23, and am a …
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Please welcome our new columnist: Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan!
About Father Bob: An esteemed Episcopal priest and author, Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan has dedicated his life to spiritual transformation and caring for others. With a profound connection to his faith and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need, he has touched countless lives through his ministry, writings, and teachings. Bob’s book, “Letters of an Unexpected Mystic,” was a 2023 Selah Book Award finalist in the Bible study category.
“We thrive when we relate to who and what is around us in a healthy manner. We can discover ourselves—who …
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Good morning, Space Fans! In our Science column, we love to share exciting updates and news about how things work on planet Earth and beyond.
This was a big week for exploration. On Monday, September 28, SpaceX launched the largest rocket ever built — Starship and Super Heavy megarocket — into orbit for 1st time. The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built, it finally reached orbit, but the launch from SpaceX’s Starbase site in South Texas was not without drama.
During liftoff, one of the six engines on Starship’s Ship upper stage failed, raising doubts about …
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About the Author: She’Meka Wilson is a passionate children’s book author and creative storyteller, best known for her uplifting series featuring Jade the Hippo. Inspired by her own experiences as a mother and veteran, She’Meka creates heartfelt stories that empower young readers to face their fears, express themselves, and believe in their unique strengths. Through her publishing brand Life in Pink, she’s on a mission to bring joy, representation, and confidence to children everywhere, one colorful, rhyming story at a time. When she’s not writing, She’Meka enjoys spending quality time with her family in Maryland.Learn more: lifein-pink.com
About the Jade …
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Animals are the heroes across the country as many towns are bringing in goats and sheep to clear invasive plants!
In Alexandria, VA: City officials say using livestock is safer and more cost-effective than sending human crews with heavy equipment onto steep or rocky terrain. The goats will target invasive plants growing along the park’s steep slopes. City officials say using livestock is more cost-effective than sending human crews with heavy equipment onto steep or rocky terrain, which can pose safety risks. The city says the method offers an environmentally friendly way to eliminate invasive weeds and support a …
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The Old Town North Alliance presents the 3rd Annual Chalk-A-Block from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, September 19th.
Visit the newly completed TideLock project in Old Town North (1055 N. Fairfax St.) for a free, family-friendly event featuring chalk artists, live music from The Okays, local makers and artists showcasing their works, and an array of food and drinks for sale from neighborhood favorites Jula’s on the Potomac, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hank’s Pasta Bar, and Royal Restaurant plus a special appearance from Dream Catcher’s Coffee!
Artist/architect Anila Angjeli, who captivated the crowd last year with her colorful “Wings in …
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Research shows many members of the animal kingdom rival human intelligence.
Here are 8 of the top smartie pies, courtesy of SentientMedia:
African Gray Parrots are thought to be one of the most intelligent species on the planet, rivaling even apes. In some areas, they surpass the abilities of five-year-old children. The reason, scientists believe, is that they can use deductive reasoning to solve problems, specifically determining which of two cups contains a food reward. More advanced versions of the same test revealed the parrots’ ability for logical thinking. In one such experiment, Griffin, the test …
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This week, Step Afrika is celebrating what happens when young people step into the arts.
- In classrooms, at summer camp, and in theaters across the country, stepping brings students together, gets them moving, and gives them a chance to discover something new.
- Step Afrika!’s award-winning Arts Education programs serve students from PreK through 12th grade through high-energy performances, interactive workshops, and immersive residencies. Rooted in the values of teamwork, commitment, discipline, and academic achievement, each program builds confidence, fosters cultural understanding, and empowers students through the transformative power of stepping.
- Want to bring some stepping into your school
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When something is hard for our kids, we naturally want to fix it. If handwriting is messy, we practice handwriting. If shoe tying is hard, we practice tying shoes. Sometimes that is exactly what a child needs. But as an occupational therapist and homeschool mom, I’ve learned to ask another question: Where else am I seeing this? One Hard Thing Doesn’t Tell Us the Whole Story.
Let’s say handwriting has become a struggle. Your child complains that writing takes too long. They lean across the table, constantly reposition themselves, or avoid assignments that require writing. Now zoom out. Is tying …
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Every September 17, we celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day to commemorate the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 delegates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It recognizes all who are born in the U.S. or become citizens through naturalization.
A little history: On February 29, 1952, by joint resolution (36 U.S.C. 106), Congress officially designated Constitution Day. It begins the first day of Constitution Week, which continues through September 23. Before this law was enacted, the holiday was known as I Am an American Day and Citizenship Day and …
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About the author: Valerie D. Johnson is an author, educator, math whisperer, and owner of West Oak Lane Kids, LLC. Her superpower is making learning math easy to understand, engaging, meaningful, and fun. Her mission is to ignite a love of math in all children, one book at a time!
