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Welcome to the Hey Smart Girl blog, created to accompany the Hey Smart Girl book series. Here, you’ll find insights and articles for parents who believe in nurturing a love of learning and fostering resilience, independence, and a growth mindset in young girls. If you have a daughter, niece, or granddaughter you want to help navigate today’s complex world with confidence and curiosity, you’re in the right place.

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The science of practice - how your teen or tween can get better at anything
One of the most powerful truths we can pass on to our children is this: you are not stuck. In a world that glorifies "natural talent" and quick success, our tweens and teens need to know that getting better at something—anything—isn't about being born with it. It's about building it. That's what this blog post is all about. The science behind practice, the brain's amazing ability to grow, and how we can teach our kids to believe in progress over perfection.
Toxic Productivity in Tweens and Teens - how to avoid the dangers of toxic productivity
Burnout is no longer just for adults. Teens are feeling the heat too—chasing success like grown-ups, juggling school, side hustles, and extracurriculars like it’s a LinkedIn competition. In a world obsessed with achievement, are we raising kids who can’t stop doing? Let’s talk toxic productivity—and how to raise teens who know how to be, not just do.
Ending Entitlement: How to Raise Grateful, Grounded Tweens
Are your kids growing up expecting more—more stuff, more freedom, more everything—without the effort or gratitude to match? You’re not alone. Entitlement can sneak in early and stick around for life. But here’s the good news: it’s not too late to flip the script. What I discovered about this trait—and how it really shapes our kids—might change the way you parent this week.
Sound experiment for kids, simple at home experiment exploring the science of sound experiment
Turn your child into a sound detective with this fun DIY science experiment! Build a “spy ear” using straws and cups to explore how hearing works—and add a game to make learning even more engaging.
Understanding dopamines and how they impact tweens and teens behaviour and future
Is your child constantly chasing screen time, sugar, or social media likes? You’re not alone—and there’s a science behind it. This blog breaks down how dopamine affects tween behavior, why it matters, and how you can help your child find real joy over quick fixes.
Easy at home STEM experiments, cloud in a jar.
Turn your kitchen into a mini weather lab! This no-prep science experiment shows kids how clouds really form—using just a jar, hot water, and a blast of hairspray. It’s a fast, fun way to teach the water cycle, states of matter, and convection—plus, they’ll want to do it again and again!
Best STEM Books for Girls Ages 8–12
Looking to spark your daughter’s love of science? These inspiring STEM books for girls ages 8–12 go beyond facts—they build confidence, curiosity, and resilience. From bold heroines to real-life role models, discover 10 brilliant reads (plus one must-have series) that turn learning into adventure—and show your girl that science is hers to explore.
Study hack for tweens - brain breaks boost memory, concentrartion during study and exam results
One Tiny Tweak = Big Learning Gains She doesn’t need more pressure—she needs a brain break. Backed by science and loved by kids, these quick pauses boost focus, memory, and motivation. Whether she’s tackling homework or homeschool, this simple strategy makes learning easier, happier, and way more effective. Less stress. More smiles. Real results.
5 Back-to-School Tips for Tween Girls to Build Confidence and Calml
The first day of school can bring more than just excitement—it can stir up worries, morning chaos, and confidence dips. Whether your daughter is racing out the door or learning from home, these 5 simple, expert-backed tips will help her feel prepared, calm, and ready to shine this school year.
STEM at home 20 simple home experiments for your own DIY STEM Summer CAMP for kids 8 -12
This summer, turn your home into a curiosity-filled science camp—no fancy equipment required. With just a few simple items and a sense of wonder, you and your daughter can explore chemistry, physics, and engineering together. These 20 hands-on experiments are fun, confidence-boosting, and made for memories. Let’s make this the summer of science, connection, and discovery.
25 Songs Every Girl Should Hear Before 17 (With Life Lessons She’ll Never Forget)
Music shapes us—especially when we’re growing up. This curated playlist of 25 unforgettable songs offers life lessons in courage, confidence, and change for every tween and teen girl. Play it, sing it, feel it.
the easiest way to boost tween confidence
Want to boost your tween girl’s confidence in just one minute a day? This simple 30-day ritual strengthens her self-esteem, builds resilience, and deepens your mother–daughter bond—with nothing more than a daily note and a lot of love.
Growth minset for tween and teens - fun family science experiment that proves practice makes perfect!
Looking for a powerful way to teach your tween that practice really does make perfect? This growth mindset experiment for tweens shows how the brain grows through effort—proving that a growth mindset isn’t just a nice idea, it’s science.
Teen activist changing the world - inspire your teen today
What do a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a climate crusader, and a book-loving 11-year-old have in common? They’re all teens who’ve sparked real change. Discover their stories—and how to inspire your own child to take action.
Teens changing the world through science - meet 5 inspiring teens that changed the world
Think only adults can change the world? These stories of teens changing the world through science will challenge that idea—and inspire your kids to start exploring.
Home science experiments for kids, extracting DNA from a strawberry
Children are naturally curious—especially about themselves. “Why am I shorter than my friend?” “Why is my hair curly?” Now you can help answer those big questions in a fun, hands-on way that helps them truly understand (and remember!) what makes them unique.
Teach your teen to think critically so that they dont believe everything they read online - dont want your teen to blindly follow trends - teach them critical thinking
In a world overflowing with information—some true, some misleading, and some outright dangerous—teaching our kids how to think critically isn’t just helpful…it’s essential.
DIY pinhole camera obscura, fun science experiments for home
Looking for a fun, meaningful way to engage your older kids for an afternoon (who isn’t?)? Try building a DIY shoebox camera together. Not only will they be deeply engaged, but they’ll also discover incredible science concepts while strengthening their confidence, critical thinking, and resilience. It’s a simple way to spend quality time and ignite their natural curiosity!
parent helping a child overcome a struggle by encouraging a growthmindset
Not sure what to say when your teen is struggling? These 10 phrases can turn setbacks into comebacks.
growth mindset for teens, 5 steps to develop growthmindset in teens
Research shows that mindset plays a crucial role in academic success, motivation, and even mental health. Help your teen adopt a growth mindset, start with these 5 simple actions.
5 expert driven steps to take to help reduce anxiety for teens
Is your teen struggling with anxiety? Do you need help to guide her through it? Here are five techniques proven by research to help reduce stress and anxiety. They are so simple that you can start to implement them today!
Help your teen develop a growth mindset, why a growth mindset is important and how you can nuture a growth mindset in your teen
Do you know what it means to have a growth mindset? Research has proved that a growth mindset fosters resilience and confidence making your child more likely to succeed. But what exactly is a growth mindset and how can you help your teen develop one?
Teen suffering with anxiety help with reducing teen anxiety
Do you feel helpless when it comes to your teen's anxiety? Research shows how these 5 exercises can help reduce anxiety with immediate effect.
Easter fun chocolate science experimetns to try at home
If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on way to explore science with your kids, then grab some chocolate and get ready for some melty, messy, and mind-blowing experiments!
Teen hack - Turn your vacation planning into a opportunity for you teen or tween to build confidence and develop life skils
Turn your family vacation planning in to a team project for the whole family. Teach your teens and tweens valuable life skills. Get them involved and watch them grow in confidence and mindset, here's how:
Teen hacks for ultimate study success, growth mindset cctivities to help your teen study effectively
78% of high school students feel frequently or always stressed by their schoolwork - help your teen avoid study burnout by implementing these basic strategies.
Empowering books for teen and tween girls. Judy Blume's stories and their protagonists inspire confidence and resilience in teenage girls, helping them be brave in times of teenage challenges and struggles.
“I wanted to be honest. I wanted to be real. I wanted kids to feel that they weren’t alone.” - Judy Blume
10 empowering teen books. Inspiring coming of age stories for smart curious girls.
10 Amazing empowering books that your teen or tween should read. Stories with strong relatable characters can help tweens through teenage ups and downs with confidence and resilience. These books have some of the best protagonists to help your girl get through teenage challenges.
STEM experiments for kids, fun science activities for all the family to do at home
These super fun science experiments for kids will have the whole family laughing and learning. Quick and easy to set up, using items found around the home, these STEM games create a bonding experience like no other. Plus they show kids that failure isn’t the end—it’s how real learning begins.
Raising smart confident girls, top skills for girls
"Research shows that the most critical life skills aren’t just about academics or talents; they’re about resilience, self-belief, and communication—qualities that build confidence and unlock future potential" (Sutton Trust 2017)