Blog

Cultivating Cooperation: Teaching Children to Think Win/Win
  • Child Development
Cultivating Cooperation: Teaching Children to Think Win/Win
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we continue our exploration of Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, let's delve into Habit 4: Think Win/Win. This habit is about fostering a mindset of mutual benefit in all human interactions. It encourages us to approach conflicts and negotiations with the belief that everyone can win.

Insights from Part 2: The Decline of Play-Based Childhood
  • Child Development
Insights from Part 2: The Decline of Play-Based Childhood
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

This week, we revisit Part 2 of The Anxious Generation, titled "The Decline of Play-Based Childhood." In this critical section, Jonathan Haidt explores the important roles that unstructured play and risk-taking have in childhood development and how recent shifts away from these have impacted our children.

Reflections on Part 1: A Tidal Wave
  • Child Development
Reflections on Part 1: A Tidal Wave
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we move forward in our series, this week we pause to reflect on the first part of The Anxious Generation, titled "A Tidal Wave." This section provided a foundational understanding of the significant increase in mental health issues among youth, setting the stage for the deeper explorations that followed in the book.

Best Denver Private School | Top Greenwood Village Middle School | Weather closure information
Keeping Our School Community Informed about Weather Closures
Aspen Academy Safety Team

It’s the time of year we experience blizzards, icy road conditions, extreme cold, and more. We understand that school closures due to weather can be disruptive and create challenges for your family. We want to assure you that the decision to close our schools is never taken lightly

Reimagining Modern Childhood: Bringing It Back to Earth
  • Child Development
Reimagining Modern Childhood: Bringing It Back to Earth
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we near the conclusion of our series on The Anxious Generation, this week we delve into the final chapter, Chapter 13: "Bring Childhood Back To Earth." This chapter synthesizes the ideas presented throughout the book and offers a comprehensive plan for restoring balance to our children’s lives in the digital age.

Empowering Parents: Effective Strategies for a Healthier Childhood
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Empowering Parents: Effective Strategies for a Healthier Childhood
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

This week, as we continue to explore Part 4 of The Anxious Generation, we delve into Chapter 12: "What Parents Can Do Now." This chapter offers practical guidance on how parents can support their children in managing the challenges of the digital age, complementing the efforts of schools and communities.

Celebrating Growth and Gratitude at AMLE
  • Gratitude
  • The Aspen Difference
Celebrating Growth and Gratitude at AMLE
Dana Kohls and Jennifer Gravlee

As educators, we understand that the journey of learning never ends—not just for our students but for us as well. This past week, Jennifer Gravlee and I had the incredible privilege of attending the Association for Middle-Level Education (AMLE) Conference, a gathering that unites more than 35,000 educators across the globe. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to learn from peer-reviewed research, engage with best practices, and dive deep into professional development explicitly tailored to middle school education.

Educational Innovations for Child Well-Being
  • Child Development
Educational Innovations for Child Well-Being
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we advance our exploration of The Anxious Generation, this week we engage with Chapter 11: "What Schools Can Do Now." This chapter discusses the significant role educational institutions play in shaping safer and more supportive digital environments for students. It aligns closely with our ongoing efforts at Aspen Academy through our Leadership, Finance, and Entrepreneurship (LiFE) program.

Actionable Steps: What Governments and Tech Companies Can Do
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Actionable Steps: What Governments and Tech Companies Can Do
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

This week, as we continue exploring Part 4 of The Anxious Generation, we delve into Chapter 10: "What Governments And Tech Companies Can Do Now." This chapter outlines practical measures that larger institutions can implement to address and mitigate the negative impacts of digital technologies on our children’s development.

Laying the Groundwork for Change
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Laying the Groundwork for Change
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we transition into Part 4 of The Anxious Generation, this week we delve into Chapter 9: "Preparing for Collective Action." This chapter outlines the steps that communities, schools, and policymakers can take to collectively support healthier childhoods in this rapidly changing digital age.

Spiritual Impacts of the Digital Age
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Spiritual Impacts of the Digital Age
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

This week, continuing our deep dive into The Anxious Generation, we explore Chapter 8: "Spiritual Degradation and Elevation." This chapter examines how the rapid changes in technology and society are impacting the spiritual lives and moral development of today’s youth.

Fostering Curiosity, Belonging, and Understanding
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Fostering Curiosity, Belonging, and Understanding
Jessie Skipwith

At Aspen Academy, our core values — Be Kind, Do Good, Work Hard, Make the World Better — are woven into everything we do. This week, students across multiple grades participated in a series of enriching experiences that nurtured curiosity, a sense of belonging, and deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Exploring the Shifts in Boyhood
  • Child Development
  • Health and Wellness
Exploring the Shifts in Boyhood
Ben Sothmann and Andrew Flynn

As we continue our journey through The Anxious Generation, this week we explore Chapter 7: "What Is Happening to Boys?" This chapter shifts our focus towards understanding the unique challenges that digital environments pose for boys, complementing last week’s discussion on the impact of social media on girls.