Volunteering is a powerful way for teens to try something different that benefits them and their community. Whether it’s building a house, teaching a younger student, or cleaning up a local park, volunteering opens doors to new experiences and perspectives. This worthy endeavor isn’t just about helping others — it’s about growing as a person and feeling a sense of accomplishment. With any of these volunteering ideas, you’ll develop valuable life skills like empathy, teamwork,…
Volunteering is a powerful way for teens to try something different that benefits them and their community. Whether it’s building a house, teaching a younger student, or cleaning up a local park, volunteering opens doors to new experiences and perspectives. This worthy endeavor isn’t just about helping others — it’s about growing as a person and feeling a sense of accomplishment. You’ll develop valuable life skills like empathy, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Most importantly, you…
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents, affecting nearly 1 in 12 children and 1 in 4 adolescents. Anxiety disorders include specific phobias, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Risk factors include parental history of anxiety, socioeconomic stressors, exposure to violence, and trauma. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for anxiety in children eight years and older. Symptoms include excessive anxiety,…
There’s a difficult reality students and teachers are contending with in classrooms: there’s no foolproof tool to detect a student using artificial intelligence (AI) as a form of cheating on an assignment. Some students are using AI to cheat. But many insist they are not, even when software flags their assignments as AI-generated. While detection software is marketed as the solution to singling out cheaters, a chorus of educators and students insist that it doesn’t…
There are many February activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area this year. Check out our list of February activities and events happening in the Boston area. Full Moon Snow Walk Sun, February 1, 2026 This in-person event is perfect for nature enthusiasts and moon gazers alike. Immerse yourself in the moonlight beauty of the winter landscape as we take a leisurely stroll on Nature Linc’s trails. Frostival Ferris Wheel on The Greenway…
Journaling, often seen as a helpful tool for adults, is proving to be just as valuable for children. As kids go through the complexities of growing up—school pressures, social dynamics, and emotional development—they can greatly benefit from having a space to express themselves. Journaling offers a creative and safe outlet for emotional and mental exploration. When utilized regularly, journaling has been shown to improve behavioral health, support mental well-being, and help children manage stress, anxiety,…
Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day is a U.S. federal holiday on the third Monday of January, honoring the life and legacy of the civil rights leader by recognizing his fight against racial discrimination through peaceful activism, and it’s also designated as a national day of service to encourage community volunteering and building Dr. King’s “Beloved Community”. It falls near his January 15th birthday and became a federal holiday in 1986 after a long campaign.…
ADHD can make it harder for kids to focus, finish work, and interact with others in school. This can affect how they learn and build friendships. According to the CDC, about 7 million children in the U.S. between ages 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. While these challenges can feel overwhelming, the right strategies and support can help students with ADHD focus in school and succeed in life. Here are some learning strategies…
Every year, librarians and staff at The New York Public Library select noteworthy new kids books for readers and recommend them as their Best Books of the Year. Here are some of their recommendations for kids books in 2025. 1. Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship by Shifa Saltagi Safadi; illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel. Amina is eager to make friends after moving to Indiana from Syria. She’s sure her formula will lead to success,…
It’s been more than a year since ChatGPT’s ability to produce astonishingly humanlike writing sparked fundamental questions about the role of artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Most school districts are still stuck in neutral, trying to figure out the way forward on issues such as plagiarism, data privacy, and ethical use of AI tools by students and educators. Glenn Kleiman, a member of the advisory committees for the TeachAI initiative and the Consortium for School…
