We love spring crafts! The bright, beautiful colors, along with flowers and bunnies, make everything cheerful. Here are some great ideas for the little ones, and even the big ones, to get creative this Spring!
Stained Glass Kites: There is nothing more perfect than kite flying on a windy day in Spring! While you wait for a windy day, have your little ones decorate the windows with these super-easy, no-mess, cute and colorful tissue paper stained glass kites from Make and Takes.
Cupcake Paper Flowers: Spring is about blooming flowers and bright colors. Here is a great, simple craft for children, especially toddlers or preschoolers, from Laughing Kids Learn. It teaches them about the beauty of Spring and how seasons change over time.
The last day of school--students look forward to it throughout the school year (even if they secretly love to learn). Students, teachers, and parents yearn for the slightly less structured days of summer and look forward to a well-deserved break from tests and homework! The tricky thing about summer is that students have a tendency to get a little rusty in mastering academic skills. Education circles call this the “summer brain drain phenomena.”
Did you know that students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months? When you compare standardized test scores taken at the end of the school year with the same test scores taken at the end of summer, there is a significant dip in student achievement. Summer brain drain is a fact, but it's not inevitable.
Studies show that quality summer programs keep the learning going all year long. This boosts a child's academic achievement and confidence ahead of the new school year. Here are five reasons to consider summer school for your child:
Extra practice and review of key concepts in reading, writing, and math help reinforce academic skills and fill any gaps in a child’s education over the past year.
The smaller class sizes often available in summer school classes foster closer student and teacher engagement. A child may feel more confident to speak up and ask for help.
The relaxed environment that summer school provides is more beneficial to a child’s brain development than hours of watching TV or playing video games. Plus, during summer camp, a child has opportunities to engage with friends while building character and participating in a variety of rewarding activities.
The slower pace of summer school allows a child to "play" while learning new subjects, discovering new areas of interest, and developing important problem solving skills.
Overall, summer school helps children build confidence in academic abilities, and a little confidence can go a long way in helping your child to succeed in the coming school year.
Find out more about Fairmont's summer programs including day camp, summer school, and enrichment programs by visiting www.fairmontsummerprograms.com. Save 10% on summer school and summer camp if you enroll by April 30th!
Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
A parent’s involvement in their child’s recreational screen
time is important particularly in the preschool, kindergarten, and early
elementary school years according to Dr. Rebecca Osborne, Technology Enhanced
Curriculum Specialist for Fairmont Private Schools. Studies show that spending too much time
passively staring at a screen can affect brain development, especially among younger
children. Sherrelle Walker, M.A. lists the
reasons why parents should pay close attention their children’s passive screen
time in her blog post entitled “Why Limit Screen Time? Reasons You Should Limit Screen Time.”
To help children avoid too much passive screen time viewing,
parents should track the amount of free time a child spends in front of a
screen and set limits to encourage their child to engage in other activities. Screen
time refers to the use of tablets, smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles,
desktop computers, and good-old-fashion television. Parents are also encouraged
to set an example by limiting their own passive screen use. Together, children
and parents can turn off their screens and together play a board game, take a
walk, or enjoy some time at a park.
Helpful tips to help parents manage their child’s screen
time:Talk to the child’s teacher to understand the amount of
classroom time devoted to iPads and computers each day as beneficial interactive
educational tools. Parents can then set a time limit at home that balances well
with their screen time at school. The rule is simple: when time is up, turn off
the screens and begin another activity.
The Time Lock app ($0.99 in the iTunes App Store) allows
parents to set a time limit for iPad, iPod, or iPhone use. Once the time limit has been reached, the
device will lock and require a parent pass code to unlock it. Similar apps are
available for Android devices. For children under the age of five, it is
recommended that recreational screen time at home not exceed two hours per day.
For children five and older, passive screen viewing on a daily basis should be
limited to four hours per day.
Introduce the principles of time management and add variety
to a child’s day. By limiting screen
time, parents can encourage their children to engage in a mix of creative and
physical activities each day. For example, when the time comes to switch off
the game console, encourage children to get their bodies moving by engaging in
outdoor physical activities such as riding a skateboard or playing basketball. Activities
such as reading a book, drawing a picture, and figuring out a puzzle help
exercise the brain.
Encourage children to use their screen time to engage in
interactive games that promote critical thinking. Some great puzzle games that
develop problem solving and critical thinking skills include World of Goo
($2.99), Dwelp ($1.99), Magnetized ($2.99), and Luminosity (Free, with in-app
purchases). A few subject-specific apps
that offer interactive features include Flags Fun (Free) and Art by Puzzle
World Games ($0.99).
By managing screen time, parents will help children
appreciate the benefits of a well-balanced day of activities that foster healthy
academic, personal, and physical enrichment.
Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
Maximize Your Students’
Athletic Performance and Recovery with Meals and Snacks that Make Sense!
Start the Day Strong
with Breakfast Food is fuel. The body needs protein, carbohydrates, and fat
at every meal. Most food contains a combination of each of these
nutrients. Whole grain cereal and milk (dairy, soy, or almond) contribute carbs
and protein with the right amount of fat. Protein is important for building
muscle. Good sources of animal protein include eggs, turkey bacon, and dairy
products. Vegetarian sources include tofu and nuts (PB and jelly anyone?)
Carbohydrate Fuels
Muscle Cells Carbohydrates, stored in the body in the form of glycogen,
power muscles during exercise and replenish the liver after physical activity.
Maximize glycogen reserves during meal time with complex carbohydrates
such as whole grain rice, potatoes, quinoa, potato, corn, sweet potato, and
legumes (baked beans anyone?)
High carb snacks include yogurt, whole-grain bagels with
peanut butter, fruit or juice, energy bars, and trail mix (nuts, dried fruit,
seeds and maybe some dark chocolate chips). Lean meat combined with vegetables
and a starchy side dish (potato, rice or whole grain) balance out the dinner.
Hydrate What you drink is as important as what you eat. Staying
well hydrated is essential for sustaining optimal energy levels, as well as
preventing muscle cramping and maintaining a safe core body temperature. Yogurt,
soup, smoothies, fresh vegetables, and fruits (especially watermelon) all have
a high fluid content. Drink plenty of water and stay away from drinks that have
heavy amounts of sugar or other forms of sweeteners.
Food is Fuel Athletes should eat throughout the day to maintain high energy
levels. It is recommended to have a healthy meal or snack every three to four
hours and avoid long stretches of time without eating.
*********************************************** Submitted by Leslie
Kay-Getzinger, MS RD Regional Dietitian for
Nutrition Management Services Company
While shopping, your first grader asks if they can buy candy. You explain that it’s too close to dinner time and it’s not the right time for candy. Your child says: “THAT’S NOT FAIR!” This is something most parents have heard before. How do children define “fairness”? Children tend to define what is “fair” according to what they want and need. That want and need is usually in the moment, not something which has been thought through over time. Though tempting at the time, parents should not allow their child’s definition of fairness to overcome their better judgment. There are some rules families can establish that will allow a child to better understand the concept of fairness. Parents should talk to their child about these guidelines and set good examples. While teaching about fairness, it is important to always listen to why they feel something is fair or unfair. By listening, you can better address each specific instance properly – sometimes your child’s situation may indeed be unfair! Here are some great principles of fairness that you can share with your child:
Play by the rules
Teach your children this principle while playing a board game with your family! It is an easy way to teach the importance of playing by the rules, as board games already come with a written set of rules to follow.
Take turns and share
Your child can learn to take turns and share when they are playing with their siblings or friends. When they share and wait their turn, it instills patience and helps to build friendships. After all, “sharing is caring.”
Listen to others
Listening is a very important fairness skill that will help children in all aspects of life. Listening to both sides of a discussion or in a situation or conflict supports fairness. One must know and understand both sides of a point in order to make a well-informed and fair decision.
Give your children the tools to succeed in life by teaching them about fairness and the immense value it brings to their lives!
“Surf’s Up!” This Summer with Fairmont! The days are becoming warmer and, before you know it, summer
will be upon us! Fairmont Summer Programs offer a one-stop destination for children to have fun in the
sun, foster confidence in academics, and gain personal enrichment. The theme
this year is “Surfin Through Summer With Fairmont.” Yes, SURF's UP!, and we are
looking forward to an "EPIC" summer! The buzz is now out about the
many exciting opportunities that await your children. Register today by visiting
www.fairmontsummerprograms.com.
Since 1953, Fairmont Private Schools has provided children
with countless summertime memories of fun and adventure while sharpening their
academic skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. At the end of
summer, children leave with a greater determination to succeed in life, a deeper
appreciation of teamwork, and a broader understanding of the importance of
character.
Our Summer Program is Accredited! At Fairmont, we take our summer programs very seriously. We
are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the leading 100-year-old authority on youth development
working to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. ACA
accreditation guarantees that the Fairmont Summer Program meets or exceeds more
than 250 standards for student health, safety, and program quality.
The ACA highlights the four "C's" of
the camp community: compassion, contribution, commitment, and character. These
important values practiced during summer camp help students grow personally and
develop essential leadership qualities. Camp counselors provide children with a
network of caring adults to look up to, and an organized camp program creates a
safe environment for discovery and exploration.
The ACA lists the following benefits and anticipated outcomes
of the camp experience:
Social Skills Development
Leadership
Communication
Participation
Self-Respect and Character Building Responsibility
Resourcefulness
Resilience
Community Living/Service Skills
Caring Fairness Citizenship Trustworthiness
Developing these key life skills and character traits at a
young age gives children an advantage as they grow and mature. We are looking
forward to giving your child a wonderful, fun-filled summer of discovery and
adventure.
Contributed by Doug Fleischli, Fairmont Private Schools
While taking a young granddaughter to the zoo, a grandmother
affectionately imparts lessons about the importance of education and hard work.
In a similar setting, a grandson learns from his grandfather about how his
grandparents endured to build a life and legacy for their children in the U.S.These lessons and stories are invaluable for
children.
Passed down like family possessions, they provide children
with cultural pride, security, and a sense of identity. Some believe that the relationship between
children and their grandparents is only second in importance to that between a
child and their parents. Here are a few of the many reasons why grandparents
are more important than ever:
·Grandparents Make a Difference in their
Grandchildren’s Lives
Involved grandparents make a big difference in the lives of
their grandchildren. Some grandparents see their grandchildren at least once a
week. Some grandparents help teach their children to read, write, and spell.
Others influence their grandchildren’s imagination by taking them to museums,
plays, and concerts. For example, what better way for a child to spend an
afternoon than by taking a stroll with a grandparent in the Los Angeles County
Museum of Natural History! Exploring the museum and learning about dinosaurs
and our natural world can leave a lasting impression on a child. It can open a
door for a possible future in archaeology or anthropology! This time and care contributes
to happier and healthier grandchildren.
·Grandparents Have Valuable Experience
When you think about it - who could better provide advice
and help in raising children than someone who has many years of experience?
Grandparents put their past parenting experience to use in their interactions
with grandchildren. They can influence the lives of their grandchildren with
values and behaviors. The advice, stories, and lessons imparted to them leave a
lasting impression, one that will hopefully have a positive influence and be
passed on again and again to future generations.
At the end of the day, the saying rings true, it really “takes a
village to raise a child.” What better way to raise your child than with the
support and unconditional love from grandparents!
