Welcome to the Element is Everything Blog

May 14, 2025

Rekindling Courage and Curiosity: Learning in the Age of Technology

Rekindling Courage and Curiosity: Learning in the Age of Technology

In today's fast-evolving digital world, the greatest challenge — and opportunity — in education isn't technology itself, but how we use it to build passion, purpose, and agency in young learners.As Terri Novacek and Michael Hernandez d…

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Oct. 20, 2023

Healthy Roots, Thriving Learners: What Children Need to Flourish

Healthy Roots, Thriving Learners: What Children Need to Flourish

In the Element Is Everything Podcast two-part series featuring Dr. John J. Ratey, bestselling author of Spark and co-author of Go Wild, Terri Novacek explores a question that has never been more important for parents:What does it take for children…

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June 23, 2023

Standing By the Water: Owning What You See

Standing By the Water: Owning What You See

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Standing by the Water: Owning What You See," Terri Novacek explores one of the most challenging—and empowering—skills a person can develop:Personal accountability.The timing of this conve…

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June 10, 2022

What If the Future of Education Is Less About Teaching and More About Learning?

What If the Future of Education Is Less About Teaching and More About Learning?

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Heading for Open Waters, A Reflection on the Purpose of School," Terri Novacek explores a question that many parents began asking during and after the COVID years:What if our children need something di…

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Nov. 1, 2021

Are We Too Busy to Focus on What Matters Most?

Are We Too Busy to Focus on What Matters Most?

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Make Time to Find Your Element," Terri Novacek sits down with Connor Swenson of Make Time at Work to explore a challenge that affects students, parents, educators, and professionals alike:How do we foc…

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Oct. 1, 2021

Whose Definition of Success Is Your Child Following?

Whose Definition of Success Is Your Child Following?

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Redefining Success," Terri Novacek sits down with Scott Schimmel, founder and CEO of YouSchool, to explore a question that many parents—and adults—quietly wrestle with throughout their lives:…

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Sept. 17, 2021

Are We Focusing on the Wrong Outcomes?

Are We Focusing on the Wrong Outcomes?

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Learning as a Fountain, Not a Drain," Terri Novacek sits down with internationally recognized education expert Dr. Yong Zhao to explore a timely question:What should education look like in a world…

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Aug. 6, 2021

Why Free Play May Be One of the Most Important Forms of Learning

Why Free Play May Be One of the Most Important Forms of Learning

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "All Is Not Lost When There Is Play," Terri Novacek explores the work of Dr. Peter Gray, developmental psychologist, researcher, and author of Free to Learn. Dr. Gray has spent decades studying how c…

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July 30, 2021

The Hidden Element in Your Play History

The Hidden Element in Your Play History

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "The Hidden Element in Your Play History," Terri Novacek explores the science and significance of play through the work of Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play and author of P…

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July 9, 2021

Are We Preparing Children for School or for Life?

Are We Preparing Children for School or for Life?

Most parents want the same thing.We want our children to become capable adults. We want them to solve problems, make good decisions, communicate effectively, and pursue meaningful goals. We want them to be confident enough to navigate challenges a…

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July 2, 2021

How Do You Homeschool Different Learners Under One Roof?

How Do You Homeschool Different Learners Under One Roof?

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Different Learners, One Roof," Terri Novacek sits down with three experienced homeschooling mothers to discuss one of the most common questions prospective homeschooling families ask:"What if my childr…

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June 4, 2021

Why Environment Matters in Learning

Why Environment Matters in Learning

In the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Turning a Space Into a Place," Terri Novacek sits down with Mariaemma Pelullo-Willis, co-author of Discover Your Child's Learning Style and co-creator of the Power Traits Assessment, to explore a topic t…

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April 16, 2021

Second-Hand Stress: How Parent Anxiety Impacts Children and What We Can Do About It

Second-Hand Stress: How Parent Anxiety Impacts Children and What We Can Do About It

Second-Hand Stress: How Parent Anxiety Impacts Children and What We Can Do About ItIn the Element Is Everything Podcast episode "Second-Hand Stress: A Roadblock to Your Element," Terri Novacek sits down with clinical neuropsychologist Dr. William …

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April 15, 2021

The Executive Function Connection

The Executive Function Connection

Executive Function is like air traffic control for your brain. It is where working memory, thinking, and self-regulation work together to get you through the day – learning, making decisions, interacting with others, and dealing with life. R…

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March 25, 2021

Your Element – The Genie in Us (genius) by Terri Novacek

Your Element – The Genie in Us (genius) by Terri Novacek

 Your Element – The Genie in Us (genius)It is one year since our local schools and businesses closed or changed their operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The battle of when and how to open our schools cont…

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