Click below to enlarge the image or click on the pdf link to download your own copy of the Young Scholar Traits and Resources document.

These characteristics are meant as a guide and way to name and build language around what you may be experiencing with your Young Scholar. As you well know, children are wonderfully unique. The traits will look a little different in every child, and it is not expected that any child shows all of the traits.

Try this:

• Read through and see what feels familiar to you. Focus on your child's strengths.
• Find something you recognize and talk about it with your Young Scholar.
• Brainstorm examples of how they see themselves using that trait in school or out.

The more your Young Scholar knows about themself, the better they are able to understand their strengths, set goals for growth, and realize their amazing potential.

Young Scholar Traits:

Finds and solves difficult and unusual problems

Processes and learns information quickly

Sees connections and relationships in surprising or unusual ways

Notices details; Very observant

Has a detailed memory

Guesses and infers well

Resources:

• BrainBashers: Online collection of brain teasers, puzzles, riddles, and optical illusions.
• Highlights Kids: Online games and puzzles from Highlights magazine.
• The Great Big Search and Find Activity Book: Activity book full of puzzles, coloring pages, and fun facts.

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Young Scholar Traits:

Thinks about creative ideas

Wonders; Daydreams; Can seem off task

Likes to build or imagine new things

Resources:

• PBS Kids Design Squad: Watch videos, play games, and build and share designs with a global community.
• Minnesota Children’s Museum: A fun place to build, explore, and create. The museum is open but reservations are required. Check the museum’s website for more details.
• Leonardo’s Basement: A maker-space in Minneapolis offering year-round workshop classes for designing and building technology, engineering, and art projects for all ages.

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Young Scholar Traits:

Asks a lot of questions; Is highly curious

Is curious about many different topics; Asks ‘What If..’

Concentrates for long periods of time on things that interest them

Resources:

• National Geographic Kids Why? Over 1,111 Answers to Everything: A book full of questions and answers for your curious Young Scholar.
• Hour of Code: Learn computer coding through hundreds of teaching videos and games for a variety of ages and comfort levels.
• Imagine Mars: Work with NASA to answer the question, “What Will It Take To Live On Mars?”

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Young Scholar Traits:

Loves to read

Has a more mature sense of humor

Uses complex, interesting, or surprising vocabulary

Resources:

• 11 Legitimately Funny Books to Read Aloud with Your Kids: Search Park Grove Library’s website to check out these books and share some laughs with your Young Scholar.
• Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster: A story of hilarious vocabulary misunderstandings. Also available to check out from Park Grove Library.
• Roald Dahl Website: Introduce your Young Scholar to the humor of Roald Dahl with his official website.

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Young Scholar Traits:

Discusses ideas in detail; elaborates

Enjoys choosing own learning

Communicates well through play acting

Resources:

• Play at Home A large collection of short plays specially commissioned during the pandemic. Your Young Scholar can download a script, get practicing, and perform from home!
• Stepping Stone Theatre for Youth Located in St. Paul, Stepping Stone offers educational theater programs and fully staged productions. Check out the Stepping Stone website for information on winter and spring virtual studio classes.

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Young Scholar Traits:

Is sensitive to larger or deeper issues; shows concern and compassion for others

Understands more than one perspective; shows empathy for others

Has a strong sense of fairness

Shows strong feelings and opinions

Resources:

• 40 Pictures Books for Young Activists: A diverse list of books to read together with your Young Scholar as you support their understanding of these global and sometimes difficult topics.
• 5 Ways Kids Can Serve Communities: Ideas from Big Life Journal to help your Young Scholar feel involved in making a difference in difficult times.

This month, our time together focuses on recognizing, affirming, and supporting your Young Scholar's strengths. We will be taking a look at various Young Scholar traits as well as resources to build on those traits and support your Young Scholar's potential.

Click on the download link below for more information about our upcoming meeting on Tuesday, April 13th from 6:00-6:45pm.

See below for more information on the next sessions in the Free Parent Education Series for Student Success.

Click here to access online copies of all past 833 Young Scholar Parent Newsletters.

Hello!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am honored to work as Coordinator for SoWashCo Young Scholars.

I'm a mom, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper.

I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.

Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833 to implement and grow the Young Scholars program.

I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!