The purpose of 401kid.com and this blog is to raise awareness on issues, engage with people of all races and classes around the world, and provide useful solutions in the area of education. A major focus is put on America because well, this is where I was born and raised; as my home country, America is my backyard, and therefore I feel obligated to address problems at home as a top priority. With my business having offices in the U.S. and Asia, and my family from the Middle East and now dispersed through Europe and Canada, I have global connections as well. We are all global citizens first and foremost, which unfortunately our country’s “leaders” and many other world leaders, seem to forget. A good analogy is to think about our country as our home, and other countries as our neighbors. Or our country being equivalent to the individual – you – and others making up the members of your family – brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. We are all related. So while we must take care of ourselves and our homes as a primary responsibility, seeking and providing help to others, and sharing our experiences and best practices, is essential for solving the world’s problems, including education.

How the U.S. goes about fixing its deplorable educational system is, along with healthcare and energy, one of the major challenges of our time. I don’t think we can sit back and depend upon government solutions, although we must pay attention to whose in charge and encourage appropriate investments into formal and supplemental education programs. After all, it is the people’s hard-earned tax dollars at hand, which should be redistributed in service of we the people. Isn’t that the American promise and way the system should work?

Politics aside, by “education”, I am referring to more than just formal education received in schools, although of course that is of central importance. We also consider the following forms of education to be pivotal in shaping the lives of children and influencing their futures:
1. education at home – from parents and family;
2. education from media - which reflects influences from TV, Internet, video games, newspapers, advertising, politicians and businesses;
3. extracurricular education – from coaches and non-formal teachers, such as a piano teacher, religion teacher or camp counselor;
4. education from social influences – friends, activities with friends, and members of one’s surrounding community; and last but not least,
5. self-education – interests which one chooses to pursue as a result of their own inclinations and/or influences from any of the categories above. For example, say your daughter takes a liking to animals, and decides to pick up a book on “Cats & Dogs”. That becomes an important part of her self-education.

There are many ways to slice these non-formal education categories, and there is significant overlap and interplay between these five. For example, media influences can be highly controlled by parents, in terms of what the household rules are for video games, Internet and TV, which may differ from what the rules are in the homes of your children’s friends. Further, you may notice that these five non-formal education categories are less tied into government funding and support, which puts the onus more on parents, communities and children themselves. That’s right, you – young men and women of the world – must take on some of the responsibility for properly educating yourselves, by choosing good influences and activities, and utilizing the modern world’s technology for your own benefit. I can hardly imagine how much smarter I could have been as a child if I had Wikipedia and Google at my fingertips! On the flip side, I could have been that much more distracted and pulled away from playing sports and being a physically active child.

To date, since launching in 2000, 401kid has been focused primarily on providing formal education funding advice through the development of ESP Wizard. The software is excellent and along with the associated calculators, provides a good starting point for a family’s education financial planning.

However, we have always known and I sense now more than ever, that education funding through 529 plans, other savings vehicles and financial aid optimization, barely addresses the education problems faced by most Americans. While continuing to provide sound financial planning advice through 401kid software, we have to expand the scope of our discussion to include other solutions, such as distance learning, studying abroad and other forms of formal higher as well as primary and secondary school education. Let’s start talking more seriously about these non-formal education categories, and how they are significant components of education.

For example, who should be responsible for the state of our youth’s health and rampant obesity and diabetes in the U.S.? It can’t be put squarely on schools and the formal education process, although of course, they must be part of the solution. Remember, it all starts at home, and kids follow what they see, more so than what they hear, from parents. Therefore, we must take the conversation beyond education of kids to education of all members of our society. All of life is an opportunity for us to raise our level of awareness and to better ourselves internally, morally and in practical ways that benefit our families and society at large. Individually, we must take our own education into our own hands, rather than waiting for the government to facilitate our development. Absolutely, we must be aware of political issues and try to elect the most suitable candidate for President – the one who will do their part to address social issues and various aspects of the education problems; honestly, I’m not sure which candidate will actually do a better job, if elected, although Obama seems a lot more sincere and ethical given what I have learned. Let’s see what happens during the debates, but not put all our stock in who wins this election because either way, you have to get up and go to work the next day, take responsibility for your own life and provide the best education – formal and non-formal – to your children.

If the state of education does not improve in the U.S. through drastic policy change, which is possible, we are in for greater financial challenges, that must be met admirably through our own creative solutions at the community and family level. More will be said on this topic over the coming months. For now, the main message that I want to convey is the following. We must take matters into our own hands, in terms of both non-formal and formal education. As a proactive parent, you can educate your child, manage what influences they have, and be involved in what they’re learning at school. If the teachers are no good, encourage them to learn more actively from their books, online research and current events. If college seems too expensive, consider local colleges, technical schools or study abroad programs. In this competitive global economy, the value of a traditional four-year higher education programs is coming under question; so if the expenses are out of budget, consider alternatives which may actually teach your children useful trade skills that manifest in technical job opportunities, either here or abroad. We have to start thinking out of the box a little bit more, and coming to terms with the fact that there are many aspects of education, and ways for young individuals to develop important life and career skills.

As always, I invite your comments and feedback.

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I know that most parents worry about their children’s future economic security as a top priority. This is why 401kid has taken the pains to develop such a comprehensive education planning solution as ESP Wizard. However, at 401kid, we seek to engage parents, kids and communities in broader, more immediate issues, such as the quality of health, fitness and education that our children are experiencing right now. How can we continue planning effectively for the future while addressing today’s important needs, for ourselves as well as our kids? It is of no use being a martyr to your kids. Too many parents pride themselves on the noble idea that they are ‘putting the kids first’ at all costs. This could turn out to be a destructive attitude at the end of the day. Your kids need you as do you, to be healthy – physically, mentally and emotionally. What are you doing to ensure that?

Kids Learn By What You Do, Not What You Say.
Parents, uncles, big brothers and sisters, teachers and coaches – you are the role models that give kids a chance to mold themselves. Your every action counts. Think about the habits and emotional states that you picked up from your childhood, and you will recognize the power that your parents and childhood influences had upon you. Aside from my parents, I had a big brother who I idolized, and a very influential soccer coach, whose mentoring gave me a lot of discipline in the area of fitness and team work. That has stayed with me to this day. Do your kids have that type of positive influence outside of the household?

What Do You Do For You?
Ironically, one of the best things that you could possibly do for your kids is to do more for yourself. So many working mothers and fathers are crunched between work and home life, running the kids around, that they don’t make or reserve any time for themselves. Nothing can be more unhealthy in the long run. How can you change this as soon as possible? Here are some suggestions -
1. 15-minute workouts. If you don’t have time to get to the gym, then do something – whether it’s a run, some push-ups and sit-ups or yoga – for 15-minutes in the morning or evening every day.
2. Meditation and breathing exercises. Pick up a book or search the Internet for meditation and breathing practices, which you could do 2-3 times per day for as little as 5-minutes at a time. During this time, clear your mind as best as possible of all responsibilities and thoughts. You will be amazed at how rejuvenated you will feel, and as a result, how much more you will be able to give to your kids and others.
3. Plan some time off. This could entail long weekends if you can’t afford to get away for an extended trip. We all burn out at some point. Try not to wait too long between vacations or days off. When you do get time off, make sure that you do not spend it running around all day.
4. Something for you each week. When you sit down to plan your upcoming week, make sure that there is at least one activity or time slot where you – either by yourself, with your partner or some friends (i.e. without the kids) – do something that you chose, that you thoroughly enjoy. Whatever it is, make at least an hour for it. This is your time. Enjoy it.

It is very easy to start these kinds of things only to lose steam after a few weeks. Try making a checklist that goes on your fridge or desk, where you can refer to it daily. This might help keep you on track, and not to forget about yourself! Your kids will benefit more than anyone from your ’selfish’ behavior.

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Due to a recent tax change, UGMA account owners between the ages of 18 to 23 years old will be subject to the Kiddie tax (i.e., will be taxed at their parents’ tax rate) for unearned income in excess of $1,700 beginning in 2008. [This is provided that they are full-time students under age 24 whose earned income does not exceed one-half of their support]. If you or someone you know falls into this situation, you could be well advised to sell appreciated investments prior to January 1 in order to ensure the resulting capital gains are taxed at the child’s presumably lower tax rate. For more information, see this article . We recommend that you consult an independent legal or tax advisor for specific advice about your individual situation.

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Service Learning–it’s a big trend gaining increased popularity on college campuses nation-wide. Do you know someone–a son or daughter, niece or nephew, grandchild or friend–currently in college who is participating in a Service Learning program? If so, you may be quietly wondering about the specifics of this experiential education approach and feeling eager to learn more.

So, what exactly does “Service Learning” mean? When students enroll in a Service Learning course, it indicates the professor has included a community service component as a class requirement. The hands-on service component represents a large assignment, but it doesn’t necessarily replace other traditional requirements such as a research paper or final exam.

In a Service Learning course, students demonstrate an in-depth understanding by integrating the course material with the lessons gained from their direct service. This learning objective is typically accomplished through a paper, presentation, or other reflection method such as a journal. The amount of service and reflection required is decided by the professor. Consequently, Service Learning programs do vary depending on the academic focus, integration activities, and level of civic engagement.

Curious about the advantages of Service Learning? What do students gain from a Community Based Learning approach?
Benefits include:

Understanding the integration of theory and practice

Making a vital contribution to serve local community’s needs

Gaining civic skills and competencies

Sharing learning and service with peers

Acquiring leadership and mentoring skills

Learning in a real-world environment

Feeling enthusiasm for relevant coursework and community based problem-solving

From the Ivy League to state schools, many institutions of higher learning are now providing community based learning (CBL) for students. Currently, some of the most respected and innovative Service Learning and Civic Engagement programs are offered by: Northeastern (MA); Alverno College (WI); Antioch (OH); Brown (RI); Duke (NC); Georgetown (DC); Marquette (WI); Michigan State; Providence College (RI); Stanford (CA); Trinity College (CT); University of California-Berkeley; University of Colorado-Boulder; University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Notre Dame (IN); University of Pennsylvania and Colorado College. Opportunities for Service Learning abound from coast to coast.

With so many colleges designing and implementing Service Learning programs, there are more choices than ever for community-service oriented students. Encourage your college-bound children to check out schools, that implement Service Learning, in the geographic region(s) of interest to them. When students learn more by helping their local communities grow stronger, it’s a win-win for everyone!

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Hi Dr. Crespin,
My son just finished his junior year and is a dual major in Psychology and Government at a small liberal arts college out West. He mentioned he’s going to do a Service Learning program when he gets back to campus in the fall. I have some real concerns about his plan, as a parent, that I wanted to discuss with an educational specialist and career coach like you.

His grades have been good (mostly A’s, some B’s) and I want to make sure they stay that way. As you know, college now costs a small fortune; I don’t see any point in him taking on extra responsibilities that give him less time for homework and studying. Wouldn’t that hurt him when he enters the job market?

Also, I am wondering what Service Learning actually means? I’m not sure we had that at my school, but college for me was back in the day! I guess I’m just worried that Service Learning really isn’t worthwhile for my son, given the cost of college tuition these days.

Thanks for your advice.
Sincerely,
Concerned Mom

Dear Concerned Mom,
Thank you for your terrific questions! I’m happy to act as an educational and workplace consultant on your behalf. Now, let’s tackle the concerns you shared. For a detailed explanation of Service Learning, please take a look my other blog on this topic. It will orient you to this exciting, hands-on educational approach. You won’t want to miss it!

Participating in a Service Learning program will detract from neither your son’s coursework, nor any other academic plans. In fact, it’s an especially good match with your son’s dual major in Psychology and Government. Why? Because most Service Learning programs provide not just opportunities to serve the community, but also germane classes in civic engagement, leadership, and social justice.

Service Learning programs also vary somewhat. Northeastern University and Colorado College, for example, both offer exceptional but unique opportunities for students. For a better understanding of your son’s specific program, just go to his college’s website and enter the words “Service Learning” in the search engine. It’s perfectly alright to contact the Service Learning director by phone or email, too. Once you research it a bit, you’ll gain more clarity regarding the many benefits of his Service Learning program.

A final word of reassurance? Your son’s employability will be enhanced when he graduates. Service Learning experience impresses employers; it demonstrates maturity, empathy, teamwork skills, and a commitment to serving those in need. Coursework is also considered important, but as far as businesses are concerned, there’s no substitute for real world experience. After learning more about all the positives inherent in Service Learning, I hope you feel proud of your son’s decision. It’s a great one that will serve him (and the community) well!

Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia A. Crespin

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