Many parents are concerned that over the summer, their kids will experience a setback in academic skills, often referred to as ‘summer learning loss.’ Finding a variety of summer camp programs that involve both recreation and academic learning opportunities disguised as fun can help prevent the ‘summer slide’ in math and reading skills. In addition, summer camp programs provide valuable, real-world experiences that your child is not likely to encounter in a classroom setting.  Create a balanced summer camp schedule Summer camp is an opportunity for your child to learn about several areas of interest in depth. Schedule your child for a variety of camps that match his interests, while at the same time challenge him to expand his knowledge and skills even further. For example, your child could focus on his improving his technique at soccer camp one week and then explore his new interest in robotics and computer programming the next week. A week-long camp that focuses on a particular area of interest provides an exploration of a topic to a degree that your child is unlikely to experience during the school year. In addition, the topic of a camp your child attends and enjoys is likely to […]

Supplies clean empty cartons acrylic paint paint brush water paper towel nail or screwdriver string or yarn scissors utility knife bird seed Directions Use a utility knife to cut the sides out of a carton. Place the carton on a protected surface and paint with acrylic paints. Let dry. Poke a hole into the top on each side of the carton with a nail or screw driver. Thread a piece of yarn or string through the carton and knot at the top to hang. Fill with bird seed and find the perfect location outside to birdwatch. Additional Crafts: Ice Cream String Art Lava Lamp Experiment Unicorn Slime

Experts say a significant drop in self-esteem happens between ages 9-12. Instilling confidence in kids during these pivotal years can start with action-oriented activities that promote family time and conversation. “Simple tasks like doing a good deed for others, learning something new or accomplishing a goal, goes a long way in boosting self-esteem for tweens,” said Dr. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist and author of “UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About Me World.” Here are 5 ways you can instill confidence in your tween through action: Spread kindness Encourage your tween to team up with a pal to complete five acts of kindness in one week for people outside of your immediate circle. It could be helping a coach clean up after practice, holding the door, pitching in with a neighbor’s yard work, paying for the ice cream of the person behind you in line or any number of small gestures that help spread kindness. Test out a new activity Brainstorm activities with your tween that he or she has always wanted to learn but never tried like drawing, kickboxing or yoga. Engage your child in exploring how to make it happen. Ask around: many places offer free […]

Self-regulation is an important life skill for all ages to master. It actually is not a single skill but a group of skills. The ability to plan ahead, make thoughtful decisions, persistently work towards a future goal, and moderate emotions and behavior are all included in this group of skills. That is not to say spontaneity does not have a place, because it does, it is just kept within the boundaries you set to keep from being diverted from reaching your goals. Help your child understand the idea of self-regulation The ultimate purpose of self-regulation is to govern our behavior in a way that leads to successfully completing our daily and long-term goals. Help your child relate to abstract concepts associated with self-regulation, like taking turns and delayed gratification, by using real world scenarios. For example, help your preschooler practice taking turns at a playdate. After the playdate, ask him how he felt when his friend was happy because he got a turn and how he felt when it was finally his turn. Yes, he had to wait, but the goal was for everyone to enjoy the playdate, so explain how the delayed gratification was worth it. Help your child […]

For many of us, the arrival of a New Year brings the promise of new beginnings. January represents a fresh start, a clean slate, and the chance to seek out new opportunities. For others, the New Year can usher in a time of stress and uncertainty. Even for people who don’t normally suffer from anxiety, staring down the prospect of twelve months of reaching new heights – personally and professionally – can be daunting. A few common issues people may experience in January include: Post-Holiday Blues These days the build-up to Christmas starts early, with holiday sales beginning the day after Halloween and radio stations blasting festive tunes long before we’ve cut the Thanksgiving turkey. We fret over what gifts to buy for whom and wearing the perfect outfit, but the day passes quickly, and once it’s over we are left with a sense that there’s nothing else to look forward to. Post-holiday blues are a very real phenomenon but can be overcome by taking some practical steps. Practice gratitude. Before going over a list of new things you want to have or happen in your life, be sure to look around and take inventory of everything you already have. Be thankful for the people, the pets, the home and the blessings that are already a part of […]