Time to reboot? Is your life in a panic, doing too much at once?  I remember that old saying: “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get”… Like when all of a sudden you find your energy gets the “spinning ball of death”  If that happens to your computer, then you know it’s time to […]

DID YOU READ ALL ABOUT THESE FOUNDATIONAL CHARACTER POSTERS? Click on the image below to begin your download of all 4 of Emmy Award Winning Artist Ruth Elliott’s Building Blocks of Character posters, plus the 3 Bonus Posters: DID YOU KNOW? For only $1 (+ S&H), you can also get all 7 of of these high […]

Have you ever heard the saying, “The Cobbler’s children have no shoes”? Well, in our case, the COBBLER himself needs shoes! We are in dire need of funds to keep up the good work we do. I’ve been terrible at asking for donations, and now I have a choice to make. Either give up the […]

One of the directors of Edu Designs is a First grade school teacher. I love that she has the kids version of the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People (by Steven Covey) on her walls and always reminds them it is their responsibility to choose wisely:  These important habits are just habits. Like brushing your […]

LOVE IS A DECISION  –  not a FEELING. Feelings are important and shouldn’t be ignored. We may cringe at someone’s outward appearance and feel repulsed.  Or sometimes our instincts may say we should run in the opposite direction for safety. But you can still choose to ‘love’ a person you don’t ‘like’. I’m not talking about […]

HATE CHANGING DIAPERS? THIS LADY’S CHANGED 36,000 OF THEM! I must confess there were times in the beginning, when the constant pressure of motherhood (and the smell!) could have gotten me down. But looking into the fragile and impressionable little faces reminded me their emotional security was more important than my momentary inconvenience. I told […]

The breakdown of the parent/child relationship can affect us as adults. And stress is a big culprit. I’ve come to realize that a lot of my own personal anxiety can be traced back to my early experiences as a child. Was I important to my parents?  Now that I AM a parent, I KNOW how […]

These kids were just a smidgen of the 549 students who attended  24 classes I gave in one week! At the end of the lessons, each was given a flip book I printed and bound myself, plus a blank one with instructions to make their own flip book. They LOVED it!  It’s just one of […]

What a fun time we have at Ruth’s Art Workshop at the Library – We all gain drawing tips – learn about animation and link to Ruth’s Art book that shares everything she’s learned in 30 years about art!  Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a FLIP BOOK, too! Which FLIP BOOK will YOU Choose? Check them […]

Learn to be a MASTER NEGOTIATOR! (Works for adults, TOO!) Helping kids to settle arguments is very important to their ability to get along in life. When children are taught to calmly express themselves in a ‘safe’ environment and to listen patiently as they give others the same courtesy, it will go a long way […]

Lovely song, “In My Paper World” by Jas Hilsdon, singing with his daughter, Mavis! 5 Essential Creative Skills Your Child Can Learn in 2019 Art sharpens the brain, but if you thought that all artists were born that way, think again! A study published in the journal NeuroImage has found that beginners’ classes in painting or drawing […]

Is it safe to use Cannabis while pregnant? New studies show it’s better to abstain. Read more here…

This is a true story! One Christmas night many years ago, I was driving our old station wagon in the pouring rain. Among my seven kids in the car, 10 yr old daughter Lisa was very excited. For years she had begged us for an umbrella of her very own. “I want a big sturdy one, Mom, like […]

We find character in ALL kinds of places, especially in KIDS!  Students are expressing character and loving kindness through the many classes given by EDU DESIGNS volunteers. They are learning to respect life while they are learning to sketch, analyze draw and animate birds. [dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#e7f8fe” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ] When they took art out of my son’s school […]

In Fontana, these kids are “for the birds” – in a very positive sense. They are enjoying the combination of science and art enrichment thanks to Lisa Elliott who received a grant from the Community Foundation and the EEC, allowing students to learn about birds and draw them, too! Lisa teaches them to become citizen scientists by observing and identifying different birds […]

Childhood trauma can lead to adult addiction. It’s scary, but true. This article gives a great view of the facts in a nutshell. “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree” Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events, such as abuse or neglect, that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being.  “An […]

Embrace the challenge Children bring – and you will gain skills you need in every part of life!  KIDS TEACH YOU — 1- To Observe They teach you to PAY ATTENTION to another. And if you don’t watch them they’ll do something to force you to notice them! 2- To Plan Ahead If you fail to plan, […]

Can Comics teach character? Of course they can! It’s all about the STORY! At my art presentations to kids, whenever I ask the question, “Does anyone here like cartoons?” I get a howling “YES!” from everyone! The overwhelming popularity of events, such as Comic-Con, are proof that comics and cartoons hit a universal nerve: The […]

If you are feeling Outsmarted by your toddler, it’s no surprise. Your toddler’s BRAIN outperforms yours! Toddlers ‘terrible’ reputation is due to the fact that their brains are growing so fast, parents can’t keep up with them. According to “Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture your Child’s Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence”, […]

THESE LITTLE FLIP BOOKS INSPIRE KIDS! They sure inspired ME! At 8 years old I wanted to learn how they did it.  How was I to know that one day I would become an animator myself?  When you buy mine, the proceeds help our non-profit to continue bringing art and character development to kids! FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED! […]

Words are powerful things. My mom used to tell me, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” I thought sadly to myself, “Yeah. They only hurt your FEELINGS”. And somehow concluded that meant that feelings didn’t matter. Or they weren’t supposed to. So I began dismissing my feelings, ignoring […]

We rescued a fledgling baby bird a couple of weeks ago, and are new parents again at 69 years old!  Here’s a photo of when we first saw her, sitting stunned, on a walkway.  We put some water in front of her, but she wouldn’t drink it.  She seemed so depressed we brought her home.  […]

As the Keynote speaker to a large group of students recently at a college and career event, various educational organizations offered their options for study in many fields, including Business and Industry, Medical, Veterinary schools, the Navy, and the Arts.  I asked them this question: What do these things have in common? An Apple…  A Peanut…  and a BABY? What is it? POTENTIAL […]

[dropshadowbox align=”center” effect=“lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ][/dropshadowbox] LIFE TAKES UP MOST OF YOUR TIME, doesn’t it? And when we turn around, it’s the steady plodding forward, that gets us anywhere.  You can’t change the waves, but you can adjust your sails. When we look at successful people, we might think they just went […]

Do you ever find yourself running out of ‘love juice’? When my kids were little, even if I started with a full pitcher of love in the morning, sometimes by the end of the day the pitcher would be dry.   There was a pattern. When we were all tired and hungry, frustration could get the better of me. Didn’t have dinner […]

Now that the digital world seems to be everywhere, the concern is, how much screen time is safe for kids? We are all affected by it, and especially young children and infants.  The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents, “…to avoid television viewing for children under the age of 2 years… research on early brain […]

Stories are a powerful way to get a message across. All the great teachers, Lao Tse, Plato, Jesus, Mohammed and countless others through the centuries used stories and parables to impart wisdom to people. Everyone loves a good story!  In one of Aesop’s Fables, the Wind and the Sun competed to see which of them was stronger. The Challenge? Who could get […]

Babies LOVE seeing pictures and reading books  – especially of themselves!  You can thrill your little one and encourage them with how they are growing by making an “I CAN DO” book! Science has clearly shown that the brain of a toddler is faster than ours, so we need to keep them busy learning good things! When […]

Do you already shop online at Amazon? When you ‘smile’ first, they will donate to our Non Profit if you do – and it won’t cost you a penny more! Just go to smile.amazon.com, and choose Edu Designs as the Non Profit you wish to support. Amazon will do the rest. You shop. They give. Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com […]

WORDS ARE POWERFUL Words and images are powerful things. A picture once seen, can’t be ‘unseen’. A word cannot be ‘unheard’. It becomes part of your ‘thoughtlife’.  There were times people said bad words around my kids, and just like the story of Pandora’s box – once they came out, there was no putting them back. My […]

When I was a kid, the story of Cinderella gave me hope. I identified with her. My two older sisters were sometimes mean. They bossed me around and made me work harder than they did. I felt trodden upon. But when I’d remember what Cinderella went through it encouraged me to take heart and not become bitter. Her […]

When it’s getting cold outside and you struggle to answer the question, “What are we going to do today?”, keep reading and say goodbye to boredom with these activities! We offer a few ideas on ways you can utilize technology to tank tedium and give your kids an opportunity to learn something new.   Music Your kids should learn […]

Why Cycling Is One of the Best Exercises for Children The ultimate wish a parent has for their child is for them to live a long, happy, and healthy life. Teaching children cycling is an invaluable and empowering skill that can help them do just that. Not only is it great for the body, it […]

Are you smiling? I am. Thanks to you, WE DID IT!   All the votes from supporters, earned EDU DESIGNS the Top Rated Award from Great NonProfits for 2017! Here’s another way to help: Do you shop online at Amazon? Every time you do, Amazon will donate a portion to EDU DESIGNS… All you need to do is go […]

by Joyce Wilson Middle school, which is typically comprised of grades six, seven, and eight, is a time of great change for students, most of whom are beginning to form their identity. While some students’ middle school experience can be made even more stressful by moving towns or cities, the struggles which face middle school-aged […]

  I was 6 years old when my family got our first TV. Mom would only let us watch The Mickey Mouse Club. I remember the excitement at 5 o’clock when the show would begin – and then the feeling of letdown when it was over. Then Mom would say, “GO OUT AND PLAY!”  She limited us to a half […]

Being thoughtful, caring and sensitive to others is a good thing. Right? Sure. But if you are an empathetic person who hasn’t learned to care for yourself, too, you can easily fall into the trap of being used, but not respected. A Doormat.  Feeling Stepped On? With my first child, I unconsciously feared that if I said ‘no’ to […]

Carl Rogers coined the phrase, “UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD” which has become synonymous with what children need in order to grow to their full potential as healthy human beings.  It includes: An environment that genuinely and openly: SEES the good in them, LISTENS to them with empathy and ACCEPTS them unconditionally.  We all need that. But especially in infancy, […]

Though her CD was titled, ‘Awkward Annie’, this talented artist, singer, copywriter, and volunteer for non profit causes, proves you always get more by giving. Annie Elliott was recognized as a powerhouse by the organization She Runs It, who flew her to NY to receive an award for NEXT GENERATION FEMALE LEADER at Forbes, on Sept. 13, 2017.  Associate […]

When Hope Seems Lost | Emergency Suicide Help Resources [dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”500px” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ][/dropshadowbox] When feelings of depression make it feel as though you have nowhere to turn, take one more step and you will find a network of support. You can’t do this alone. Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800.273.8255)   The […]

[huge_it_slider id=”2″]   Click to DOWNLOAD The PRINTABLE Version.  7 SUPER STRATEGIES to SUCCEED IN SCHOOL!   SUCCESS TO YOU! Kids and Parents need all the help they can get. EDU DESIGNS and GoMommyGO® are there to help. Please donate!

Being a parent is humbling. Anything you thought you knew about parenting before you had kids, soon vanishes as you find out how little you really knew.  It’s a miracle any of us survive! Making mistakes is inevitable and usually the way we learn.  However, the best way is by learning from someone else’s mistakes! That […]

I love the taste of most non dairy creamers, like Coffee mate, but the corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) they contain promote inflammation, the precursor to most diseases like arthritis and cancer. Honey (or real maple syrup) is better for you than corn syrup or refined sugars. Both Coconut oil and Turmeric contain anti-inflammatory, anti-alzheimer’s properties, […]

Being connected made the difference. When I was a child my mom and I would walk a long way to the grocery store. It was hard to keep up unless she would hold my hand. When she did hold my hand, somehow her energy would be transmitted to me, and it was easier to go the distance. Connectedness is […]

What will YOUR kids stand for? What’s the old saying? “If you don’t STAND for SOMEthing, you’ll fall for anything!” When my kids were little, I was losing ground. My utopian dream of bringing loving, creative people into the world was turning into a nightmare.  Just being a ‘good example’ wasn’t working. The ‘nicer’ I became, the […]

Some people are only GOOD at being a BAD EXAMPLE! My Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich never made it to school in good shape… Every day in Elementary school I ate the same thing for lunch: an apple and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which of course would get squashed by the apple before lunchtime arrived. […]

A PRIZE for POTTY TRAINING!! Potty Training can be a JOY, and NOT a CHORE – IF YOU MAKE IT A GAME! This worked for my 7 kids: Make a ladder like the one here, (from adding machine paper, etc., or print this out), and tape it on the wall right near the potty. Choose […]

by Jenny Holt: The Emotional and Physical Impact of Workplace Bullying Did you know a higher percentage of people are bullied in the workplace than in schools? It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? When we think about bullying, we always think of the picked on kid in school. Our culture is geared toward it and […]

Kids are WORTH it. They need to know they have a future and a hope! We are scraping bottom to do all we can, but our non profit needs YOU! Will you help us meet the expense of reprinting our books? I have something for you when you do. Keep reading!   Gosh – If each one of […]

HELP YOUR CHILD ORGANIZE with my ACTIVITY CARDS! Download Free with any donation! Use them to make a CHART to show WHAT TO DO NEXT! 1- Tape a strip of stiff paper (or cardboard) across poster board to make a pocket to hold activity cards. Top row is for things to DO. Bottom row is where to […]

Before I had kids, I thought I knew all about child rearing. Sound familiar? After they started coming along however, all pride went out the window and humility took it’s place. It’s been almost half a century since my first darling baby (of seven) was born. Along the way there were seven thousand challenges to […]

My good friend Arthur saw Roscoe the baby squirrel fall out of a tree. He hoped that the mother squirrel would come back for him, but the next morning Arthur’s cat brought the baby into the house, carrying him by the scruff of his neck like a kitten. He had no fur, even on his skinny tail […]

They hit you sooner or later… No way around it. Troubles hit you. Some financial. Some personal. Like Rudyard Kipling said, how do you hold on when all about you are losing their heads and blaming it on you? Even more, how do you keep trials and troubles from your door? The answer is: You […]

I’M SO HAPPY! Our animated short is now a CHILDREN’S BOOK! SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU has a powerful message that shows kids the character traits of caring and empathy for others! Kids need to learn to be helpful!  Don’t wait. As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. Help them learn to pay attention. BUY A COPY OF […]

MY mom always told me, “A job worth doing, is worth doing WELL!”   And I REALLY TRIED! But when my seven kids were little, I could never get everything done WELL.  To get the house clean, I’d have to ignore the kids. When I paid attention to the kids, I would neglect the house. And […]

Thanks to Mindi for suggesting I add a picture of “clean your room”, to GoMommyGO’s free illustrated behavior charts.       The simple command, “Clean Your Room” might have been enough for some kids, but it wasn’t for mine!   Many get overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the task and need it broken up into smaller pieces, so they […]

Welcome to the Land of “I’M SORRY” I heard on the the news one day that a young boy in Japan had committed suicide after he’d made a mistake he thought would embarrass his family and was trying to ‘save face’.  I felt so sad to think he believed he had no other choice.  I cried for […]

“The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world.” The things a mother does will affect her child for life, and ultimately the world.  As I said in my last article, You Can’t Spoil a Baby, infants need to be loved and treated with what Carl Rogers calls “Unconditional Positive Regard”. [1]     I think there’s a little […]