by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team
Member since:
February 19, 2008

How Do You Get Your Kids Interested in Challenging their Minds and Bodies? The Incredible! Group Wants to Know. Join the Discussion TONIGHT at 9:30 pm ET and You Could Win 250 Gather Points™!

May 12, 2009 04:43 PM EDT (Updated: May 13, 2009 10:09 AM EDT)
views: 240 | rating: 10/10 (12 votes) | comments: 247

The American Egg Board has partnered with Science Olympiad to support the hundreds of thousands of students nationwide who are involved with the national science organization. Competing in Science Olympiad competitions takes an incredible amount of mind and body energy, so starting the day with a good breakfast is essential – a breakfast like eggs!

The Science Olympiad national tournament is this weekend in Augusta, Georgia, and the American Egg Board will be on-hand to support the 2,500 students competing in a series of scientific challenges. The American Egg Board thinks these students are… Incredible! and it got us thinking about other incredible students out there.

We want to hear your tips on getting kids motivated and interested in challenging their minds and bodies, be it science, other school subjects, or extra-curricular activities from football to dance to the debate team. Join us for a chat to tell us what you do to help your kids be incredible!

Join other members within the comment field of this article for a chat on TONIGHT at 9:30 pm ET. You’ll need to refresh your browser to see new comments. Five participating Gather members will be randomly selected to win 250 Gather Points™!

Get Science Olympiad experiments, nutrition tips and more at EatIncredible.com! And be sure to nominate the Incredible Student in your life in the Incredible Student contest!

Share more in the Incredible! Group. You must be a member to participate in the chat! Click here to join.>>

 
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Comments: 247

Bridget ♥ May 12, 2009, 4:45pm EDT
I really hope I can make this chat!
Desiree T. May 12, 2009, 4:48pm EDT
I look forward to it.
Alex In Wonderland May 12, 2009, 5:14pm EDT
I hope I remember this one.
Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team May 12, 2009, 6:18pm EDT
Hi everyone! I'll send a reminder tomorrow!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 10:32am EDT
can't wait to join the chat
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. May 13, 2009, 12:04pm EDT
I hope I can make it as well
golds g. May 13, 2009, 12:31pm EDT
play mind thinking games read boooks...
Chloe Berryman May 13, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
I'll try to make this one
d d. May 13, 2009, 7:15pm EDT
I hope the computers free tonight for this one.
Angela A. May 13, 2009, 8:37pm EDT
I will see if I can make it.
☀ Aunt Shanny May 13, 2009, 9:28pm EDT
I don't have kids but I have a pretty special nephew. He's smart, athletic, funny and is respectful. We like to have him come every summer to stay. We like to cook together, and he gets to pick the entire menu.
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:30pm EDT
hello all!
Lisa M. May 13, 2009, 9:31pm EDT
hello!
Lisa M. May 13, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
I think the best way is to let kids find their passions by allowing them to be themselves and being supportive of whatever they choose.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
Hi!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
I totaly agree!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
hey there jenn!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
I think that the main thing is to keep encouraging the kids and let them explore lots of different things until they find what they love.
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
Hello everyone! We just got back from a track meet! Chandler took 4th place! There were 45 kids in his 1/2 mile race! He did an amazing job!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
For my 8 year old son, the only motivation he needs is girls....LOL
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
I am here.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
I'm not stalking you Dana...I swear....LOL
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
Hello everyone!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:34pm EDT
I give Destiny Yogurt each morning for breakfast to get her started the right way. She has achieved so much specially in her speech!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
I'm stalking Desiree....LOL
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
We encourage both our kids to try their hardest and to do their best! If they do those two things, we are proud of them!

We also encourage them to try new things, afterall you don't know if you like something until you have tried it!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
That's awesome Bridget, I bet he is very proud.
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
That is great Bridget! Tell him congrats!
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
Jennifer,

My 8 year old boy still thinks girls are icky! LOL!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
sure lmbo!! lol
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:35pm EDT
Hi everyone!!!
Cooking is a great way to challenge the mind and body~
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
I encourage my daughter to do her best and support her in everything that she does.
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
Let them follow their crazy passions and encourage them along the way. They will learn from each and every experience they've had.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
Seriously my 8 year old son amazes me because he has that inner motivation and he is just so comfortable with himself...it's amazing
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
great news Bridget!!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
I agree about trying new things Bridget. I remember when I was a child that I did not like the things my parents got me started with (dance and handball), and I kept on trying new things until they finally let me join the boys on the soccer team.
Terry M. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
I have a grandson that the school system has no idea what to do with. their advanced classes are to low for him. they can't move him up because of his "size" He is already darn near the smallest one in his class.
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
He ie proud, he set a goal to do better than the 5th place he got a couple weeks ago! He met his goal!

We are very proud of him!
Dana W. May 13, 2009, 9:36pm EDT
hey queen E!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
Mine has always liked them. He was seven when he wanted to join the boys and girls club.
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
kids just need love and support they have amazing strength!
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
Oh a stalker! I need one I added pictures tonight hehe! At least you are pleasant Jennifer!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
"They have girls there, it's on the sign!"
Kristina P. May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
Hi all. The only motivation that my 6 year old needs is computer and/or tv time. He seems addicted to anything techonological. My 3 year old just needs praise.
Christina L. May 13, 2009, 9:37pm EDT
I don't have kids, but I do have a niece and a sister who is 15 years younger than me. I had to babysit my sister a lot when I was a teenager.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
I'll be watching Desiree....LOL
Terry M. May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
This boy if given the choice of anything to eat will take a salad and if he can't get that then it better be loaded with lots of veggies. He is not muchof a meat eater
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
with 36 acres my boys have no option but to challenge their minds! they can create things out of anything :>} my oldest just learned how to make a bow and his own arrows!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
My six-year-old just started becoming interested in writing books, and I know that one of the reasons is because he has watched me type away on several novels. I now encourage him by giving him small assignments, but really he doesn't even need the assignments. He just sits down and write and draw little books and then he comes to show them off and bring them to school.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
j-Frugal....my son was more than happy to take dance.
Heidi Cole May 13, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
I actually don't have to encourage my kids in this area... they would rather play outside and be active than inside watching TV and playing video games any day. The trick for me is to be proactive enough with the housework so that I can stay "caught up" SO that I don't use the TV as a babysittter while I try to get chores done! My kids will do anything healthy for them AS LONG AS I am willing to help make it happen. So the challenge for me is managing 3 preschoolers, a household, AND keeping the kids active and mentally challenged!
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:39pm EDT
My daughter loves books! I think books are a great way to challenge the mind!
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:39pm EDT
LOL Jennifer! I'll have nightmares.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:39pm EDT
He was the only boy in a room full of girls...he doesn't understand why the other boys don't do it
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:39pm EDT
That is so cool Elizabeth.
My kids have always been interested in learning, but my oldest is starting to get into the habit of not doing her homework. My youngest is having a hard time learning to read- though I think it has more to do with her not having the patience to sound out longer words than anything. My son does great in school, but struggles socially, and with adhd, he has a hard time being in the classroom.
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
Oh reading is such a good one JK
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
I agree, books are great for young minds~
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
He has solved a secret that men usually never figure out. If you do the things that girls like.....girls will like you....duh
One thing I'm going to do is focus on learning from home this summer. I am not approaching it as home school, but I'm focusing no doing things that involve learning- day trips to museums, historical locations, and such.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:41pm EDT
LOL Jennifer~ my oldest says that is why he learns to cook!!
Shannon W May 13, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
Yes my oldest moans and groans about homework.
We are taking a 6 night camping trip up north right after school lets out. To help them learn about the many historical sites we'll be visiting, I've been finding and printing off work sheets that are geared at the grades they are in, or will be in, and setting them aside. They all deal with the history of the area, as well as some fun things like word searches, coloring pages, and activities.
Shannon W May 13, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
Bookcloseouts.com is having a 99 cent sale on educational learning materials for kids. I just placed an order tonight to help out my kids this summer.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
that is an excellent idea! I wish we had museums and such here!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
Jayden got the reading award this year from his class. He liked reading but when he heard he got prizes for reading so much he just went crazy and read everything. They had to move him up into another series of books--the teacher said he had not expected to need them and had only had like 1 student ever get to them....and she only got to the first one and Jayden was already on 3 or 4
I bought a booklet of "reward" type stickers like teachers use (Good Job! Great Work! that sort of thing) to "grade" the papers with. Today, I bought 6 books- 2 for each of them. They'll each get 1 new book at the start of the trip, and then, if they do a good job at learning while we are having fun, the will get their 2nd book for the ride home (it's almost a 4 hour drive).
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:43pm EDT
I'm lucky my daughter doesn't mind homework.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:44pm EDT
We use a lot of humor and silliness to learn. His teacher always love Jayden "He's the only one that gets my jokes."
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:44pm EDT
I've got to start looking into summer reading programs for this summer. We go through books like crazy around here when school is out.
So, that is what we are doing this summer. I have about 4 day trips tenitivly planned for museums. We live 20 minutes from the state capitol, and there are some free museums there. Then, there is a museum here in town with some local history in it, which is free on Wed's.

The Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum is only an hour away, and just across the street from a wonderful Public Museum, as well.

Then, we're also only 30 minutes from Battle Creek- home of Kelloggs. There are some fun things down there. I need to look and see if they do factory tours, as well.
Christina L. May 13, 2009, 9:45pm EDT
I got to see quite a bit as a child, but it didn't make sense to me then. My dad used to like to take us to see historical stuff, but we were too young to appreciate it. I would enjoy that stuff much more now as an adult.
Terry M. May 13, 2009, 9:45pm EDT
Where will you be going too, Heather? I live in NJ and this house is over 200 years old. It i the second oldest house in the area and the one acoss the street from me is the oldest.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:45pm EDT
I have to use stickers and such with two of my boys, they respond well to them thank goodness! lol
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:46pm EDT
I think my next splurge with my swagbucks is to get a little video recorder to get some of him in action. He can be hilarious....best comedic timing ever!
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:46pm EDT
JK apparently you have quite a lead at the coke code contest. Great job!
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:46pm EDT
J-

That's GREAT about the writing! A couple weeks ago Chandler started writing a chapter book! He's currently on chapter 3, I can't wait to share it with you guys when he's done!
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:46pm EDT
Wow Heather~
Sounds like some good field trips for this summer!
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Heather I love the way you are going to integrate learning with your camping trip this summer. Last summer I took the boys on many little adventures, and we would talk about the history and the people there used to live there etc. I did the same thing during the summer we spent in Denmark, and although Roshane was only four, he still remembers a lot of the stuff we talked about, and touring a bunch Danish castles definitely created memories for life.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Man, I wish I could fold myself up in your suitcase Heather! hehe
I want to focus heavily on the history of Michigan, I think, but I'm also going to work on specific topics for each kid- reading for Gilly because she's having a hard time. Math for Rae because she hates doing it. Chris gets all A's so far, so I'll let him pick and choose some of what he wants to learn.

I also want to try and do some science experiments this summer with the kids.
Desiree T. May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Oh I would love a camocorder. I actually have a whole list of things I want to use the extra $ for.
Bridget ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
You have a great summer planned Heather!

We will be going to the Children's Museum, a few others as well as doing the summer reading program at the library! Learning doesn't stop at this house just because it's summer!
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Thanks Desiree!
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:47pm EDT
Elizabeth--Jayden always likes the "bling" when he goes to the treasure chest at school...little plastic rings or necklaces for mom and the like
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:48pm EDT
We also do tons of bug raising and exploring during the summer!
(ick)
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:48pm EDT
Bridget that is so awesome, the fact that he is able to use his creativity and make it into something he can share with everyone will make him so proud.
Kristina P. May 13, 2009, 9:49pm EDT
My oldest loves school and doesn't have too much trouble doing his homework. I do have to follow up with his work to make sure that it gets done. It only takes a couple of minutes for him to complete his homework. My youngest is practically begging us to teach him to read. We are slowly working on that.
I am hoping if they look at it as something fun, they'll be more open to it. I've talked with all 3 of them about it, and so far, Gilly was the most resistant, but I have a lot of fun things to make it fun for them, so hopefully, she will be open to it.

Kids learn better when it's hands on, instead of hearing it from a book. Or, at least, I did.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:49pm EDT
Jennifer, my Justin does too, they earn tokens in class for sitting, using words ect. and he will go for the bling too...he dunna let mom have them though he is like a magpie, he hoards :>P
♥¤ J K¤ ♥ May 13, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
My daughter also likes to write. We encourage her to write short stories and I've included some in photobooks that I've done of her. It's a great way to encourage creativity and she get's to see her work in print.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
If I get a camcorder then you all can see Jayden in a leotard doing his impression of justin timberlake doing the single ladies video...He may end up being the next Jim Carrey because he will do anything. Either that or he will make his fortune in bar bets at college "I bet $50 you wouldn't do ......."
ROFL- I don't use a suitcase, but you are welcome to my smelly old duffle bag ;)
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:50pm EDT
JK that is cool that you do bug raising. I don't think I will go that far (although we do have a lizard inside at the moment and lots of bugs outside, but I have thought about getting a book about the animals and insects in Florida, because I too could learn something from teaching the boys.
Jennifer O. May 13, 2009, 9:51pm EDT
Jayden will share some but I think he has a certain amount of the Eddie Haskell from Leave it to Beaver in him. He knows who he should kiss up to....lol
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 13, 2009, 9:51pm EDT
Heather I completely agree that hands-on learning is the best.
Elizabeth B. May 13, 2009, 9:51pm EDT
Heather, that is exactly the way I feel, hands on means to the brain better :>}
cooking and candy making is great way to teach science~
Gilly is actually going to be attending a Reading "Camp" (school) this summer 3 days a week for 4 hours a day, for most of July and the start of August. It's aimed to help kids individually who are behind where they should be. She did great until the words got longer or harder. Now, we get so frustrated (both her and I) when trying to read through things, because she won't try to sound words out. She looks at the first letter, and just starts guessing, no matter how much I slow it down for her. :(
Jan S. May 13, 2009, 9:51pm EDT
I envy the moms with young kids. I miss all the fun of learning things together and playing. My baby is 22! She's incredible - a senior in college. She is attending a leadership workshop this week to help her with her planned career in criminal justice and forensic anthropology.