There are many December activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of December activities and events happening in the Boston area. Copley Square Tree Lighting & Grand Reopening 2025 Monday 12/1/25 The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Friends of Copley Square will welcome revelers to the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting. The celebration will feature appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph. A Celtic Christmas by…
We live in a catch-up culture, where people feel perpetually behind and forced to hustle near the finish line after being waylaid by hurdle after hurdle. This contributes to the false belief that we can make up in intensity what we lack in good pacing, but we can’t cram kids’ way to reading. This advice on teaching reading comes from “Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six” by Maya Payne…
Students with ADHD can have a hard time focusing in class. They might also have trouble remembering directions or act impulsively even if they know the rules. But there are teaching strategies you can use to help students with ADHD — and all students — thrive in the classroom. Here are some strategies that can help students with ADHD focus and do better in the classroom. 1. Break directions into chunks. Students with ADHD can…
Your involvement in high school extracurriculars can help you gain a competitive advantage when applying to college. These activities can also show what makes you unique beyond your transcripts and test scores while demonstrating leadership ability and a willingness to serve your community. While different schools put different stock in extracurriculars, almost every college considers them when deciding which students to admit. The right high school activities can make a big difference during the admissions…
RESPECTfully is a social norms campaign designed to speak to teens directly with key messages that articulate everyone deserves mutual respect in relationships, and today’s tips were sourced from them. Youth-serving individuals and organizations can encourage parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs of unhealthy behaviors, educate teens on what respect looks like, and have clear conversations about consent. Parents, teachers, coaches, and caregivers can help increase the capacity for teens to experience…
Now is the time to remember those in need! As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, food banks and other charitable organizations all over Massachusetts are now accepting donations. Please consider getting into the spirit of giving and help those who really need it. You can make a monetary donation or collect food to drop off at a food bank. Recommended donation items include cereal, oatmeal, rice, beans, low sodium soup and canned vegetables, stew, chili, pasta, low…
Autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) is diagnosed four times more often in males than in females. Some research suggests that it could be because of the way ASD is diagnosed. Specifically, the symptoms that are included in the assessment for obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis might be more applicable to the ways males behave as opposed to females. On the other hand, it could be true that males do indeed experience autism more often…
Kids love the magic of a Happy Halloween, but costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. To help ensure adults and children have a Happy Halloween, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won’t cause safety hazards. If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes…
Lego makes a great variety of toys and buildable sets, but did you know about their realistic MRI scanner sets? Lego’s MRI scanner sets, which feature a scanner, patient bed, waiting room, staff figures, and medical instruments, were designed specifically to help children learn about the procedure through hands-on play. The miniature MRI machine table even moves back and forth, mimicking a real procedure. The toy company recently announced that more than 1 million children…
Figuring out what extracurricular activities to do or join in school isn’t easy. Everyone knows that extracurriculars look good on a college application; however, you don’t want to spread yourself thin by doing too many at once. In fact, colleges value being able to see commitment and excitement for a few activities that you are passionate about; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful. By joining clubs that reflect…
