Some students begin counting down to break time as soon as a new school year begins, and even the ones who enjoy school are often excited to take an extended hiatus from their studies. As a parent, you may wonder how you can sneak in some learning during summer break. Balance summertime fun with educational activities this summer by trying the ideas below. Bring a Book Leave the iPads at home and encourage kids to…
Read More »in News, Summer Tips
One of my favorite memories from elementary school was the week long trip I took to Nature’s Classroom in Ocean Park, Maine. For those who have not heard of it, Nature’s Classroom is an outdoor learning facility that offers residential programs for schools and large groups in the New England area. During the time spent here, student get to learn about a variety of topics through hands on experience in nature. I fondly remember dissecting…
Read More »in Culture, News, Summer Tips
In an article for the New York Times titled, The Families That Can’t Afford Summer, DJ Dell’Antonia wrote about the reality many low-income American families face during the 10- to 11-week summer vacation. “For most parents,” DJ writes, “summer, that beloved institution, is a financial and logistical nightmare.” One reason why summer break is a nightmare for low-income families is its length: Summer vacation in America lasts longer than school breaks in many other developed…
Read More »With the summer season now at its end, that means the beginning of the school year is here for a lot of folks. Developing routines, meeting new teachers, and learning more difficult subjects can be a stressful time for students. Beat the back-to-school blues this September by making this transition into a positive and fun experience for your child. Begin your school routine early. Create a schedule during the last few weeks of summer to gently…
Read More »Get a jump start on establishing your career by applying for summer internships in your field of choice. While most student internships are based on college credit, there’s been a growing number of companies offering paid internship positions. The most valuable compensation, however, are the professional skills and real-life work experience you will acquire. Since college internships typically run a few months during the summer, maximize your time by taking advantage of the following opportunities: Developing…
Read More »in College Admission, College Bound, Events, Stress management, Summer Tips, Time Management
Summer break is a perfect opportunity for students to gain experience through paid or volunteer jobs, internships and other summer activities — pursuits that can also demonstrate a student’s sense of responsibility to college admission officers. 1. Follow a passion Ask yourself, “If you could do anything this summer, what would it be?” For example, a student who enjoys the outdoors and hiking could look into working at a summer camp or national park. 2.…
Read More »in College Bound, Events, News, Parent-Child Advice, Stress management, Study Abroad, Summer Tips
As far as after-high-school plans go, many families and their children have college lined up as the go-to option. For most students, going right to college after graduating high school is a given, provided that their GPAs and SAT scores allow them acceptance. And, in my personal experience, no other options were ever truly offered as a plausible substitute for going to college. In this era of ever-expanding learning, taking a gap year can be…
Read More »Are you looking for educational media for your child this summer? If you’re going to be travelling and need something to keep your youngster busy, there are options out there that are both informative and enjoyable. Read below for some online resources. Sprout and PBS Parents & Kids have games, activities, and streamable shows. There are some great documentaries out there for your child’s enjoyment and learning. Check out the following lists for some inspiration: Great…
Read More »Sadly, beach time is over and this means it’s time for Back-To-School madness! The process can be overwhelming for many children and parents, though often more so for the parents. In my work, I’ve witnessed many families dispose of paperwork and unwanted items simply by stuffing them into bins, and storing them out of sight in the attic or the basement. Eventually, these bins pile up and the next thing you know, your once empty…
Read More »Kids need outdoors time. This is a fact that parents know all too well, and studies show it to be true: Overall student performance—particularly in math and science, and including test scores—drastically improves when outdoor learning is supplemented to their curriculum. Children without access to nature suffer emotionally, mentally, and academically. Ultimately, exposure to nature helps kids become better learners. The good news? The tools are right in your backyard. So whether you choose to…
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