Here's what I know after years of supporting learners and their families: The real learning year doesn't start in September. It starts now. Right when the novelty wears off and the actual work of learning begins. September is the warm-up. October? That's when we build the practices that actually matter.

Our culture has taught us that thinking happens in one place: the brain. That "smart" students are those who can sit still, focus intensely, and process information in their heads.

But the head- and heart-bursting work by Annie Murphy Paul in The Extended Mind reveals something fascinating: the most brilliant thinkers throughout history have used the world outside their brains to think.

Some children have experienced trauma, chronic stress, or neurodevelopmental differences that make natural pendulation more challenging. If your child seems unable to access calm states despite your best efforts, this isn't a parenting failure—it's information.

As another school year wraps up, you might be feeling a mix of relief, excitement, and maybe some uncertainty about what's next. Whether you're moving from middle school to high school, finishing your first year of university, or anywhere in between—this transition time is the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and set yourself up for continued growth.

What we're really doing here isn't just helping with this year's math test or next month's history project. We're building something much more valuable: the ability to notice what works, to experiment with new approaches, to bounce back from what doesn't work, and to keep growing.