Make Your New Year's Resolution to Exercise, a Family Affair

Author: maryparker
We all know that exercise promotes better health, but getting exercise becomes a bit more complicated once you have settled down with a family.  Finding kids\' sports equipment such as mini tennis balls and rackets, for example, can be challenging. Zsig.com is tackling that challenge for families, coaches and schools.
We have all seen little kids trying to copy adults whether it is shaking a finger or trying to wield an adult-sized baseball bat.  It may be humorous to watch them wrestle with something twice their size, but many small children realise that they are not able to participate in adult sports, which typically results in frustration and the occasional clamorous meltdown.
Kids\' sports equipment has been available in primary and secondary schools for a long time, but kids often ask for that same equipment at home.  Even in schools, children often have to work with oversized equipment that proves difficult to master.  This does not exactly help a child\'s self-esteem or provide a positive attitude towards physical fitness.  There are a few retailers that offer kids\' sports equipment, but with a limited selection.

How to Spend Your Winter Break

How to Spend Your Winter Break
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Johny_Young_Lee]Johny Young Lee

Although high school students likely won't be on break yet, for college students, most of us are starting our winter breaks! It is a time where we can rest, even though we had plenty of time throughout our first quarter (or semester, depending on what kind of system you have), but now it's officially our resting time. The great thing that I love about college is that you don't have any winter work, but it's just a break. So, to fill up our times somewhat, here's a list of things we can do during our winter break.

1) The thing that most students need is sleep! I usually catch up on some sleep before I do anything. Just spend the first couple of days lazying around and sleeping to catch up on all the sleep you've missed during school.

2) If you'd rather skip the whole sleeping process, that's fine too. One thing you can do is go to the mountains. By this time, unless you live in an area where it barely rains, there will be some new snow up there. Take this chance to visit the area and play with snow, or go snowboarding or skiing or sledding.

Holiday Homework: 4 Ways To Keep Your Students Engaged During Winter Vacation

Holiday Homework: 4 Ways To Keep Your Students Engaged During Winter Vacation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lauren_Humphrey]Lauren Humphrey

Winter Break is a time for fun, family and friends. It's also a time when assigning homework can be difficult, as you don't want to burden students during their vacation, but you also need them to continue studying the lessons you're teaching in class. How can you assign homework that is both educational and won't detract from student's family time? Read on!

1) Family History: Some students only see their extended family during the holidays. Researching a family history is a great way for students to interact, and to learn more, about their family during this special time. Assign students to pick a family member and interview them. They can ask questions about the person's life, another family member, important historical events, or about an event that happened within the family. Have students present their findings as a mini-biography. They should write-up (and, for advanced students, analyze for historical context) the interview. Give them creative license to present their findings. Let them draw, animate, film or paint their biography, or allow them to write it as a song, poem, comic book, one-act play or short story. The more personal and creative it is, the more the family will treasure this historical snapshot.

Holiday Tricks To Keep Students Learning

Holiday Tricks To Keep Students Learning
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shelby_A_Till]Shelby A Till

The holiday season is on its way here again and you know what that means, teachers will be scrambling to keep their students focused on their work instead of the excited times of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is the time when teachers must be creative and turn to fun activities to keep their students entertained, yet still learning. There are many resources that help educators find educational lesson plans during the holiday season, yet let the children have fun and not get overwhelmed by learning new material.

There has been a lot of controversy over whether schools should be allowed to celebrate holidays due to various reasons such as some children celebrating different holidays or having religious differences; however, schools have done a good job letting students still have fun and celebrating through "fall" or "winter" activities. One good thing about taking a break from the typical curriculum material is that students can focus on a variety of art whether it is creating music, making arts and crafts, or watching educational videos.

Helping Parents to Keep Their Children Motivated to Learn During the Break

Helping Parents to Keep Their Children Motivated to Learn During the Break
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Saundra_Carter]Saundra Carter

It happens every school year. Students return to school in the fall or after the winter break eager to see their friends, to wear the latest fashions, and to learn - not necessarily in that order.

Unfortunately, after several weeks or months of playing video games, vegetating on the couch, babysitting younger siblings, or working outside of the home many students have unintentionally shifted the lessons from the previous semester or school year to another part of their brains.

It is not their fault. If information is not used on a regular basis, it is forgotten. If a student has not factored a quadratic equation in 3 months, chances are that skill will take several minutes and several examples to recall.

The impact of this lapse in memory is problematic for the teacher who must invest time in review instead of introducing new material. In a global economy that requires a global work force, there is simply no time to waste.

It's Time to Go Back to School
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Eikenberry]Kevin Eikenberry

"Back to school" has many meanings - some positive and some maybe not-so-positive.

In my mind, those three words together conjure a whole swirl of thoughts emotions and memories from shopping for school clothes, to new teachers and friends, to fresh notebooks and more than a little anticipation of what is to come.

And while you are likely reading this as an adult and you aren't preparing to put yourself back in a classroom this fall, I`m suggesting you should, though perhaps not in the traditional sense.

Rather than buying a backpack and finding your seat in the classroom, here are five ways you can take the lessons of childhood back-to-school and apply them to your personal and professional life in a relevant way today.

Homeschooling Information - Your Questions Answered

Homeschooling Information - Your Questions Answered
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carletta_Sanders]Carletta Sanders

Are you looking for homeschooling information? Here are answers to the top 5 questions about homeschooling:

1. What are the benefits to homeschooling?

Homeschooling has many benefits for both the student and the family as a whole. Children who are homeschooled have an opportunity to learn at their own pace in a method that suits their primary learning style. They also avoid many of the negative social interactions that take place in public school, and develop close bonds with parents and siblings.

Homeschooling statistics show that homeschoolers outperform public school students academically. Homeschool students are also more likely to be actively involved in their communities once they graduate from high school.

How To Start Homeschooling?

How To Start Homeschooling?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim]Ricky Lim

Choosing to homeschool your child is not an easy decision. There are many considerations to keep mind when deciding to go the homeschool route.

So how do you get started after you have made the decision to go homeschooling?

Here are the list of things you might want to find out and prepare before even starting your first homeschooling session.

1) Homeschooling Requirements

Each state in the US have their own homeschooling requirements. So be sure to check you are qualified to conduct homeschooling in your local area. Most homeschooling requirements are pretty simple so it should not be a problem.

How to Set Up a Home Classroom and Curriculum For Homeschool

How to Set Up a Home Classroom and Curriculum For Homeschool
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell]Christine Harrell

Deciding to homeschool your children is a decision many families struggle with. It's a difficult choice to make and families may decide to homeschool their children for many reasons. Families may choose to homeschool to provide children with one-on-one lessons and attention, for religious reasons, to allow children to learn at their own pace, or for many other diverse reasons. Once you've decided to homeschool your children, your next step is to find a curriculum and homeschooling supplies.

Setting Up A Homeschool Classroom

A homeschool classroom can be as simple or as involved as you choose. One of the most important things to think about is how your children learn best. Some children need the strict structure of a proper classroom with desks, bookcases and other homeschooling supplies. Other children are fine with a more relaxed environment and can easily learn when sitting on the couch or at the kitchen table. It's important to remember that all children thrive in different educational environments and you should do what works best for your children.

The Transition to Homeschooling

The Transition to Homeschooling
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Judy_Hansen]Judy Hansen and Peter Watly

If you are considering switching to homeschooling from conventional schooling, then there are several things you need to be aware of besides just what kind of homeschool curriculum you would want to embark your kid on. Moving from conventional schooling to homeschooling can be daunting and troublesome for any child, more especially if you, as parents, do not take the time or make the effort to make the transition as smooth and as simple as possible. Preparation is definitely a must here.

Here are the bases that you need to cover when considering switching to homeschooling.

Free Homeschooling Curriculum

Free Homeschooling Curriculum
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim]Ricky Lim

Most people think homeschooling is expensive and is only for the well off. Homeschooling need not be expensive, for example free homeschooling curriculum materials can be obtained quite easily if you know where to look.

Free homeschooling curriculum does not just means a set of books but more than that, it should be part of your homeschooling plan.

Here are some points to take note when choosing a homeschooling curriculum.

Homeschooling and Socialization - 4 Key Answers to the Most Common Issues Homeschoolers Face

Homeschooling and Socialization - 4 Key Answers to the Most Common Issues Homeschoolers Face
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Johnson]Heidi Johnson

Probably the most often asked question of homeschoolers is "What about socialization?" People who don't homeschool have an image that homeschooled children become hermits and don't interact or talk to anyone for the entire day. Parents who homeschool usually roll their eyes at any comments about socialization because they know that their children get plenty of social interaction.

Here are some common answers to the question of socialization and homeschooling:

Preparing Your Child to Go Back to School

Preparing Your Child to Go Back to School
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Celia_Webb]Celia Webb

Going back to school after a summer of fun, without schedules and homework, can be a rough time in your child's life. In addition to the nervousness caused by wondering whether or not he will like his new teacher and classes, there are the challenges of daily schedules filled with activities and reestablishing study habits. Here are some ideas to make the transition go more smoothly.

"Back to School" shopping. Develop a "Back to School" shopping list with your child. Have them write out the list. You may wish to include clothing items or a computer along with school supplies. Most schools have school supply lists available for each classroom. The lists are often in the local stores or you can pick up a copy at the school. Some states offer a few "tax free" days specifically for school supplies. If your area does so, you will want to time your shopping trip to take advantage of the savings. Have your child go with you to do "Back to School" shopping. Have your child read from the list and then check off each item as it is added to your cart.

50 Things to Do When You Are Bored This Summer

50 Things to Do When You Are Bored This Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alissa_E_Carter]Alissa E Carter

-Go berry picking at a local pick-your-own fruit farm, and then make a delicious summer pudding from all the goodies you collected
-Find a nearby village play park and go on the swings
-Share a bag of cherries with your best friend
-Visit a National Trust property, walk around the grounds and marvel at the architecture
-Check out local artists, stop to appreciate the beauty of their work and decide which is your favorite
-Fly a kite on a nearby green
-Spend a day reading all the books on your bookshelf, feel the pure satisfaction of completing a whole book in a day

25 Fun, Cheap, And Easy Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer

25 Fun, Cheap, And Easy Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson]Jamie Jefferson

Summer is a great time to finally squeeze in all of those activities that you don't have a chance to do during the school year. Here are 25 fun, cheap, and easy ideas for keeping your kids busy until the school bell rings again in the fall.

1. Map out all of the different parks in your county and hit each one (on a different day) with a picnic lunch.

2. Teach the kids some jump rope rhymes from your own childhood.

3. Find a new trail to hike.

4. Plan a scavenger hunt. All you need to do is list 20 or so items that are frequently found in nature. Then distribute the list to each of the kids. The first person or team to find everything and bring them back wins a small prize.

Outdoor Summer Activities - Do You Want to Enjoy Nature This Summer?

Outdoor Summer Activities - Do You Want to Enjoy Nature This Summer?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jose_Perez]Jose Perez

Summer is the perfect time for many different activities. If you are looking for outdoor summer activities there are quite a few to choose from. If you have a state or national park local to you there are a lot of activities there for you to do. Hiking on the trails can be a great way to spend the day or even the weekend depending on the amount of trails that they have at the park. Your local park may also have caves to explore or interesting sights to enjoy. Some parks have naturally occurring entertainment like yellow stone national park and the geysers. When you pull into the park there should either be an information station there with someone you can speak to or there will be pamphlets to show you all of the trails and things to do in the park. Once you get to the park you may find that there are many more activities there than you were aware of. State and national parks can hide some of the best-kept secrets. Your local park may have played a huge part in national history.

Have Some Fun This Summer and Visit Your Local Water Parks

Have Some Fun This Summer and Visit Your Local Water Parks
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anders_Abadie]Anders Abadie

If you feel that this summer is going to be one of the hottest you have experienced, then you need find some places you can go to help you and your children escape the heat. In addition to going to your local beaches, there are water parks you can go to. One great thing about aquatic centers is that you can enjoy more activities on the inside where the temperature is regulated. That means you don't have to worry about anyone getting sunburn or suffering from heat exhaustion.

Just because you feel the need to get away and have some fun, that doesn't mean that you have to spend a ton of money or travel. You can save money on fuel as well. You can still have a great time by vising some of the places around ton. There are plenty of things for you and your loved to do in order to keep busy. You don't have to get up early in order to get the best spots, you just need to know how to get to these places.

Keeping the Kids Active This 4th of July Weekend

Author: Jennifer Gold
There is no way around it, summer is HOT! With temperatures reaching over 100 degrees, you may be having difficulties motivating your kids to go outside and stay active in addition to helping them maintain a healthy diet. However, it is important for children to go outside and play, regardless of the temperature!
It is important to remember, that there are lots of outdoor activities that children can participate in even if the weather outside is a little toasty.  4th of July celebrations are a great way to keep your children active for this three day weekend and to allow them the opportunity to eat healthy this Independence Day.
It may be fun to have a 3-legged race, or to toss the Frisbee around. If you have a pool, cool off in the refreshing water! The idea is to motivate your children to enjoy the fresh air instead of staying inside. In order to keep from heat exhaustion, try setting up a picnic under some shade. After a long hot day of exercise in the sun, treat your children (and yourself!) with delicious and refreshing Independence Day Gift Baskets from Edible Arrangements.

A DIY Fourth of July Party

Author: nickyjarvis
Planning parties of any kind can be very difficult and tiresome especially when working with a tight budget, but a smart DIY-er would know how to stretch that budget and still pull off a fun and festive party with a little help from friends and family.
With the Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner, have you gotten ready with your party plans? Let us give you some DIY suggestions that\'ll help you mazimize your resources.
The Decor
Here\'s a basic truth: Colored craft paper or tissue and a pair of scissors are your best friends! Cut up some red, white and blue craft paper and create pinwheels of different sizes that you could use to decorate your walls, windows and tables. Smaller pinwheels could be used as pretty cake/cupcake toppers too.
If pinwheels are too complicated for you, try cutting up stars and flaglets and breathe life into them by putting some glitter on them. String them together with a piece of twine or ribbon, and you already have a sparkly garland to adorn your table or garden plants. Meanwhile, use the tissue to make pretty pompoms and hang them around your house or porch along with white running lights (perhaps you kept the ones from last Christmas?) and you\'ve got yourself an eye-catching set of decors.
To jazz up your dining table, choose a bright red table runner or placemats and scatter some of your cut up, glittered stars around. A vase with red, white and blue flowers in it could serve as your simple centerpiece, or you could add small balloons and flags to make it look more cheerful and festive. It\'s up to you if you want to light up some candles on the dinner table, just look out for the kids who might want to play with them.

Amusement And Theme Parks - Favorite Summer Destinations

Amusement And Theme Parks - Favorite Summer Destinations
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Frederick_Hail]Frederick Hail

With all the summer vacation destination choices online, it is so hard to choose one. All of them are so alluring. The task would be easier if the choice will be based on your need or even whatever you have dreamed about for so long. If you are an outdoor person, you will need some thrill and excitement. Go camping or fishing, mountain climbing or skiing. You can even go to amusement parks with so many special events and activities always ready for visitors.

Throughout the years, there have been innovations and development when it comes to amusement parks. They have thought of something more exciting for all ages. From the general amusement park, they have come up with a more specific park called theme parks. This is also an amusement park but is presented with a specific theme. It may be a zoo or animal theme, safari theme, cartoons theme for children or historical theme for adults and teens.

How to Build a Summer Reading Program for Your School

How to Build a Summer Reading Program for Your School
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jane_Thursday,_Ed.D.]Jane Thursday, Ed.D.

Building a summer reading program for your school can be a fun way to engage young minds in reading. Don't let your students go the whole summer without reading! This article is chocked full of ideas for what your reading program shouldn't be, how to connect with the public library, how to get parents to document time, appropriate reading material, and incentives.

What the Reading Program Shouldn't Be

1. Difficult for parents to use: Parents should spend way more time reading with their kids and not trying to write down every book and author.

2. Focused only on fiction-heavy reading lists: As an adult you read lots of types of reading materials, and if you force your child to focus on fiction then you limit him or her from the magazines, websites, newspapers, and information texts with which he or she could be connecting.

3. Inflexible: The successful reading program gives parents lots of options. Let books students listen to on audio and books read to them by an adult count. Encourage day cares and children's' summer programs to complete parts of the documentation.

Connecting with the Public Library

Great Free Summer Activities For Kids

Great Free Summer Activities For Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jose_Perez]Jose Perez

There are many great free summer activities that are planned for kids. You can keep your children entertained and out of trouble without breaking the bank. If you check with your local library they may have many fun free kids summer activities planned. Many of these activities include snacks and drinks for the kids. Some libraries even have summer clubs that include things such as Lego's and kinetics. Libraries will also host ice cream socials and book readings during the summer. All of these activities make your local library a great place to check out. If you have a community pool or a Y in your area they run great summer activities as well. A lot of times they will host free activities for children.

There are many movie theatres such as Regal Cinemas and some AMC's host children's film festivals in the summer with free admission. They play movies that are orientated towards children usually rated G or PG. Some theatres have once a week showings that are free and some do them every morning. It is a great way to entertain your children. If you have a state or local metro park in your area they usually have free kids summer activities as well. They host everything from lunch with a ranger to nature walks and animal meet and greets. The lunch with a ranger program is very informative and fun for the kids. They get to ask questions and learn a lot about their local environment.

Reading Keeps Summer From Turning Kids' Minds Into Jello

Reading Keeps Summer From Turning Kids' Minds Into Jello
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Maellaro]John Maellaro

As another long summer away from school approaches, many parents are wondering how to keep their children busy doing something constructive. While certain T.V. shows and video games can be educational, nothing seems to beat good old fashioned reading. Or for very young children, being read to. Summer reading programs are a great way to provide children regular opportunities to read books, play writing games, and listen to stories. While children might be more focused on the fun and prizes involved, educators know that these sorts of programs help little kids get ready to read and help big kids raise scores.

    A study conducted by Jimmy Kim at Harvard's Center for Evaluation found that reading four or five books over the summer months had an impact on fall reading achievement comparable to attending summer school. Another study concluded that children who read more than a half an hour per day during the summer had significantly higher reading comprehension gains by the fall compared with children who did not. In addition, the study showed that children whose parents read to them at least twice a week over the summer also improved comprehension skills more than children whose parents did not.

Fun Summer Activities With the Kids

Fun Summer Activities With the Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kristie_Patel]Kristie Patel

School's out for summer! How long until you hear the dreaded "I'm bored". Planning ahead can help keep the days running smoothly. Here are some activities you can do with your family this summer that wont break the bank.

Library - many libraries have summer reading programs or story times. You can also just visit the library to check out books. Check out local bookstores for summer programs as well.

Zoo - Avoid the heat of the day and go in the early morning to get the most out of the zoo. Look into memberships or discount days.

Children's Museum - These can be less crowded during the summer months since there are fewer school field trips. Call ahead to find a day where there are no camp or school visits.

Outdoor Fun - Make time to play in the front or back yard. Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, scavenger hunt, kites, frisbee, and scooters all make for great outdoor fun. If you have an area with dirt invest in a small shovel and pail.

Summer Reading Picks For Teen Girls

Summer Reading Picks For Teen Girls
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marlene_Wallach]Marlene Wallach

The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are perfect for JAM summer reading. Whether you're lying on your camp bunk, lounging on a beach chair, or camping out in a tent, make one or more of these great reads part of your summer.

We've compiled a special list just for you, with some classic reads and contemporary picks that we're sure you will want to check out.

So here goes:

Two Classic Picks

Thrifty Ideas for Summer

Thrifty Ideas for Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Heather_Brickell]Heather Brickell

Wow! Can you believe it's that time of the year again? The kiddos will soon be out of school for the summer and we will be planning our family vacations!

I don't have to tell you that the price of gas is at an all-time high; therefore, many of us may opt to stay closer to home for vacation this year. Living in Central Florida definitely has its perks to lots of variety when it comes to things to do.

Here are some fun and frugal things for you and the family to take advantage of:

* Take a day trip to Orlando to visit Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney is FREE to the public and is filled with everything Disney! You can stroll from store to store and eat in Disney inspired restaurants without paying the price of admission to Disney World! Don't forget to visit the Lego Store (My son's favorite) and the Ghiradelli Chocolate store for a FREE piece of yummy chocolate!

Guide to Creating an Awesome Summer Reading List

Guide to Creating an Awesome Summer Reading List
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jules_Mariano]Jules Mariano

The art of reading is not dead - far from it, in reality. Students and other young people are still picking up books and indulging on reading, especially during the summer time. After all, during the summer, there is a lot of uninterrupted time to read. But with all the books you can pick up in the bookstore, which ones will you start with?

If you are feeling lost with regards to which books to read this summer, you can follow this simple guide:

21 Summertime Activities That Extend Learning

Author: lizziemilan
Research shows that except kids continue summer learning, they may lose up to 30during the summer of understanding gained during the school year. Can your teenagers afford to lose this information? Instead, try these free or reasonably priced ideas that focus on language arts, math, science, art, social studies--all part of the prospectus last school year. Both of you will make this a summer to remember.
1.Fragrance bouquet. Gather wild flowers to add a pleasurable scent to indoor space. Strip the leaves and take away blooms from stems. Let to dry and place in a small basket. Wild roses, honeysuckle, and wild phlox make a lovely fragrance.

ADHD Summer Camp Can Help You to Develop Your Kids

Author: bachman summer
Being different is one of the main things that you have to deal with life because if you are different then people would blame you as people don\'t accept anyone who is a bit different than others. Now if your child is different and he had been dealing with certain problems then you should try and support him in the best possible manner because the more you support him, the more confident he would feel. You should also be careful in not only supporting him in all the steps of his life but also should not criticize him as it would let his moral down.
ADHD Summer Camp can one of the options that you may consider while thinking about learning and development of your kid as your kid would not only enjoy these camps but would also learn new things. He would be able to learn new things in life that he can test in his day to day life so as to see that how much he has learned and how much is left. This would motivate your child to not only to learn more and more but after attending these types of camps you would also see that he would start setting targets for his own development and would have fun in achieving them.

Smart Kids: Use it or Lose it This Summer

Smart Kids: Use it or Lose it This Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Dean]Nicole Dean

The brain is like a muscle -- you use it or lose it. During summer vacation is your child "losing it"?

Picture two different athletes. Athlete A is on a schedule where she trains ten months and then takes two months off. Athlete B trains year round. When Athlete A goes back to training after her two months of being a couch potato, she's going to feel sluggish, slow, and frustrated, while Athlete B is still in prime shape.

So, how do we, as parents, keep our children's brains in tip-top shape? Exercise your children's brains with these activities.

Writing Skills: Do your children have a favorite series of books, like The Magic Tree House or Harry Potter? They can write the next book in the series! Brainstorm the plot with your children. Provide them with a special notebook for writing the story -- and let their imagination take them on a journey. A chapter each week will really add up!

Keep Kids Learning This Summer

Author: Matthew Sharp
Your child\'s education doesn\'t have to stop for two months, just because school\'s out. In
fact, summer offers many opportunities for learning and enhancing your kids\' abilities.
Here are some tips to keep your child learning throughout the summer:

• Expand the classroom into the natural  environment of home and community. Take your child along when you go to  the store, post office or library, and encourage his involvement in the  tasks at hand. At home, allow your child to help put away the groceries or  sort the laundry.
• Encourage choice-making. For  instance, allow your child to choose between a day at the beach or a walk  in the park.
• Any outing can offer the  chance to learn. Take your child to the movies, and allow her to practice interaction by ordering and paying for her own ticket and choosing a snack
  from the concession stand. 

How Will You Turn Your Summer Time Into Summer Fun?

Author: Della Turner
Most summer camps are basically a good fusion of fun, adventure, and creative sessions and are basically cover the time span of one or two weeks.

There are overnight camps, which are organized for older children, include food and accommodation. While the most of summer camps are planned keeping teens and children in mind, there are many that can suit adults as well.

Every summer camps are conducted by skilled coaches. They arrange a range of outdoor adventures to challenge the endurance of campers. Mountain hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and cycling are some of the outdoor activities that you may expect from summer camps.

There are also waterfront activities like swimming, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, and snorkeling can also be included in a summer camp depending on the field you choose for your summer camp.

Summer camps also include a variety of entertaining sessions like tennis, basketball, golf, and archery to introduce children to new sports. Many summer camps also cover lessons in pottery, ceramics designing, mask making, sketching, calligraphy, collage, painting, and beadwork to expose kids and teens to latent skills and simultaneously exercise their imagination.

Keeping Your Brain Active Over the Summer

Author: Ellen Richards
Tips on preparing for exams and applying to schools.
Parents set the tone for their children\'s academic success.
Many people mistakenly believe that education begins in high school when students realize the competition involved in gaining admission to college. Parents and students do themselves a huge favor to remember that the earlier one fosters an appreciation for education, the more likely they will achieve academically.

What are some ways to bolster interest among students?

1. Consider summer enrichment programs in an area of the student\'s passion, such as sports, music or language. It is important that students explore various areas of interest to foster the development of a passion.
2. Encourage children to learn a foreign language. Knowledge of other languages prepares students to excel in an increasingly global economy, while also exposing them to a them to another culture which can enrich their overall learning experience.
3. Discuss your child\'s academic expectations in a meaningful way. Engage your child when he asks questions or seeks more information about a topic. Mentoring your child in this manner encourages intellectual exploration.

Lead your child down the path of self-discovery. Send the right message early: education is not about getting into college, education is about learning from new experiences and thinking critically about the world.

Join A Summer Tennis Camp To Learn, Play, And Enjoy With The Entire Family!

Author: cristcromartie
With the summer season approaching, joining summer tennis classes in a summer camp or an academy can be a great idea. There are also tennis camps organized by a tennis academy which help children learn the techniques of tennis. What if a tennis training academy comes to your doorstep? Well, it is not strange because there are mobile services offered by some companies which take family tennis sessions.
This means the entire family can participate and learn the game together. This sounds like lot of fun. Private session for tennis lessons is also part of such services in which a professional tennis coach helps the students learn and enjoy while keeping their body fit and healthy. From beginner to a tournament-level player, anybody can take such summer tennis lessons and develop their skills to move up the next level of learning.
Why Join a Summer Tennis Camp?

This Is Why Summer Is The Perfect Time To Get Started On Learning Music And Dance Classes

Author: Melissa Homme
As spring rolls along, it\'s time to start thinking about what to do with those summer months. For kids, summer is the perfect time to relax and enjoy youth. For parents, it\'s a tough time to figure out exactly what to do with all of the new time the kids have! There will be ample time for beach days, vacations and play-days with friends, but summer is also a great time for kids to experience something new outside of the normal curriculum provided during the year. Music and dance summer camps provide a great opportunity for kids to learn a new skill and build an appreciation for the arts during their time off. For adults, summer provides a more relaxed environment to pick up a musical instrument or dance class.
Studies have shown that children can benefit from learning with friends and peers, the same type of environment that they have at school. This type of learning allows them to build social skills, talents and communication abilities. Summer camps focused around dance and gymnastics provide the same social elements found at school, but they are structured in much smaller groups that provide more interaction. It\'s easy for kids to sit in front of a TV or video games for hours during the long summer days, but getting them in front of a teacher who is energetic and exciting during a summer camp is a great way to continue the learning process outside of school. As kids learn dance, aerobics, gymnastics and performing arts, they are having fun outside of the school environment but are still learning the basics of following directions and challenging their minds and bodies. Summer camps also provide the much-needed exercise that children should get during the year. Not only can children benefit from dance camps during the summer, but adults can benefit from taking dance classes during this time of year too.

How to Have an Awesome Summer Vacation

How to Have an Awesome Summer Vacation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_T_Dupree]Jonathan T Dupree

Vacation Bible School is a great week of Bible stories, games, crafts, music, and more. In these tough economic times, VBS might be the perfect get away for you and your children. Saddle Ridge Ranch is a western themed Vacation Bible School that offers children the opportuntiy to spend a couple hours every evening playing with other children, learning about the Bible, and having fun!

VBS also gives parents a break for a few hours every evening. This gives you and your spouse the opportunity to sneak away to the movies and have free child care!;) You're able to make sure your children have a great week learning Christian values and you get a week off from your kids. You both win!

Register for VBS at your local church. Most churches do not charge anything for their VBS. They even provide a snack, or for evening Vacation Bible School's, a meal. You can't beat a week of VBS for free and a week off for mom and dad!

Online Summer School Resources

Use Free Online Summer School Resources
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Claudette_Upshur]Claudette Upshur

There are many free online summer school resource that give instruction for elementary grades through high school students. Search for sites that will help your child review subjects that were difficult for him/her or to prepare for upcoming classes. Also, the summer is a great time to introduce an upcoming topic or enjoy an elective.

Many parents and teachers agree that valuable instructional time can be lost during a child's summer and vacation breaks. Let's see. If you study a subject for ten months and then put it aside for two months, how likely are you to remember what you previously learned?

Why not make good use of your child's time and involve him in a productive activity like studying, at least for a portion of the summer?

How to Keep Your Kids Entertained During Summer Break

Summer Fun - How to Keep Your Kids Entertained During Summer Break
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Frank]Beverly Frank

Kids look forward to summer break most of the school year, while parents often dread it. Not only because they may have to employ babysitters, and keep kids out of trouble, but because they lack ideas for how to keep kids entertained during the summer break. The following are a few fun ideas for keeping kids entertained during summer break so that they have fun, and you do not go crazy.

1.    Have it be a learning summer. One of the most important things to remember as a parent is that while it is good for kids to be entertained during the summer, it is also important that they retain their knowledge from the school year, and not let their minds become too inactive. So, choose activities for their summer that will keep their minds working, and provide them with fun as well. One great idea is to create a summer learning calendar. You can choose one topic each week that your children would be interested in, and a corresponding activity that they get to do. For example, the first week of summer they could learn about sea life. On Monday you could take them to the library and they could check out books on the ocean. Then, on Friday you could take them to a local aquarium where they get to see what they learned about in action. Come up with different learning subjects and fun activities for each week of the summer.

Prevent Loss of Learning Over the Summer

Prevent Loss of Learning Over the Summer - Tips For Parents of Public School Students
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason]Lisa A Mason

One problem that I have had to face as a parent to students in public school is how to prevent loss of learning during Spring break or the summer months. We try to stay as involved as possible with the education of our children, although they are in public school.

This means during the summer months and school breaks, we want to be sure our children stay fresh on their studies so that school won't seem so difficult when they return.

I spoke with home school parent, Lyn Lomasi about what parents like myself can do to help their children stay up to date on their studies during time off from school. The advice she has to give is amazing!

Lisa: How can parents of public school students prevent loss of learning over the summer?

Avoid the Summer Slide by Making the Most of Summer

Avoid the Summer Slide by Making the Most of Summer - Combine Fun and Learning!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Joseph]Andrew Joseph

Summertime is here, and so are all the camps, beach visits, video games, and parties for the kids. But along with all this fun that the summer brings, it also brings the "summer slide" - a dreaded phenomenon, which parents and educators acknowledge alike, but are at a loss on how to arrest it!

According to the National Summer Learning Association, an average student loses about 2 months of learning over the summer, even more in the case of low income group families, and most if it affects reading and math. Educators realize that besides all the fun, students need to make sure they stay on top of class for next year, and for this, they need to refresh what they learnt in the previous year and take a preview of what can be expected once they get back to school. Parents realize that kids need to be better prepared and really do well in academics to secure their future.

Summer Bible Camp Themes for Kids Fun Sun and God

Author: askinrobbins
Summer Bible Camp Themes for Kids: Fun, Sun, and God

Summer camps are a great way to get your kids out of the house during the summer months and to ensure they stay active, have fun, and learn something along the way. One of the most popular kinds of summer camps in the world are those that center on religion and on the Bible. However, no two summer camps are the same, even if they incorporate the teachings of God. Thus, you should consider the different summer Bible camp themes for kids as much as the location and cost of attendance of the camp. The following are just some of the most common summer Bible camp themes for kids.

Sports

The DS and Kids Learning Games

The DS and Kids Learning Games - A Great Way to Keep Them Occupied on a Long Trip
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Josephine_Pizarro]Josephine Pizarro

While recently on a long drive to Connecticut, I was with my family including one of my younger nephews. We knew we would be in for a two hour and thirty minute drive. Not having any children of my own, I wasn't sure about now to keep a seven year old occupied for such a long period of time. Fortunately, his father brought a Nintendo DS with some learning games. I asked him why he wouldn't just use regular action games and he responded by telling me that the learning game will keep him occupied with difficult puzzles for a much longer time than a traditional game would.

A traditional action adventure game can easily be completed in the span of one hour or two hours which would be acceptable in traveling on long trips if they were one way but in this case it wouldn't have helped. More educational games and learning games which can contain all sorts of puzzles could take a much longer time for a child (or adult for that matter). In the process, since the puzzles are more hidden and not so obvious, the kids are being entertained while improving their logic and problem solving skills.

6 Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss

6 Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Allwein]Nicole Allwein

Did you know that many kids experience a phenomena called Summer Learning Loss every year? Essentially, they forget the information they learned in the previous school year over the summer months. In fact, studies have shown that kids lose an average of over 2.6 months worth of math skills in the summertime. For kids that were already struggling in a subject like math, this means that they will start off the next school year even further behind.

During the summer months, kids are less likely to practice any time of mathematical computations. Most will not practice math skills outside any formal classroom setting. Other subjects such as reading, also show a learning loss as well. In reading, students will lose an average of 1 month of learning.

Think of your favorite sport. Pick your favorite basketball, football, or soccer player. What would happen if they did not continue to train and exercise during off-season? They would then return to their sport and experience a lag in their performance. The brain is no different. It too, needs to be exercised.

So how can you keep your kids learning over the summer? Here are a few simple ideas:

Summer Learning Activites For Children

Summer Learning Activities For Children
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M_Patelle]M Patelle

During the summer, it's important to keep your child busy and active even if school is over already. Although it's time for rest, those two months aren't meant for your child to be sitting around the house eating and playing video games. The best ways to get your child up and about are by getting them interested in an activity that corresponds to their interests and having generally fun activities lined up as well. Just because school is over, it doesn't mean that your child has to stop learning. They can learn through various experiences as well during the summer. Sitting them down with textbooks and worksheets may not be the best approach. That is the strength of schools. A parent has other teaching strengths. Use those strengths to enrich your child's learning in a way they can't get in school.

Summer Learning- 8 Fun Ways

Summer Learning - 8 Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Learning All Summer Long
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Jefferson]Jamie Jefferson

Most kids look forward to three months of nothing but fun and games, but, as a parent, you know that learning should take place year round.

And while it can be hard to get your child's attention among all the swimming pools, video games and television shows that they'd rather be spending their time on, it's important that you keep the learning going (at least at some level) during the summertime. That way, when they return to school in the fall, they'll be enriched and ready to learn.

Here are eight fun ways to keep your kids learning all summer long, including some educational websites your kids will love.

Keep Kids Learning All Summer Long

Keep Kids Learning All Summer Long
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jacqueline_Itson]Jacqueline Itson

During summer vacation, learning need not fall to the wayside. Parents have many options available to keep children's brains active during the summer months. Research has shown that when not in school for an extended period, students can lose precious knowledge unless their minds are consistently engaged. However, parents shouldn't need to spend a fortune on expensive enrichment programs or enlist the help of full-time tutors to help children maintain their academics. Many easy and affordable opportunities exist for parents to help summer vacation become a productive time of fun and learning.

A good place to start is online with the local school district's web page. Many districts offer academic resources for parents. Some share suggestions for summer reading, links for recommended sites and ideas for projects to keep children's minds sharp. In addition, many local libraries offer programs free of charge during summer months. Even without special programs, the library is a wonderful resource for families. Finding a book or two on topics of interest to a child can go a long way in supporting academic growth during vacation.

Summer Fun Learning for Kids

Summer Fun Learning For Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Greenhalgh-Davis]Shelly Greenhalgh-Davis

They say that over the summer children forget about a third of what they learned during the school year. That's why the first third of school books are review of previously learned material. It's also believed that children who do some steady reading through the summer do not lose that third of what they learned, even though the summer reading they do doesn't pertain to the subjects they learned. Reading is just good mental exercise and helps keep the brain in tip-top shape.

So one of our summer traditions that has proven to be super fun for both me and my kids is something we call 'theme studies' where I become the student and the kids teach me. They each take a turn teaching for a week at a time. They pick any subject they want, and for five days they present lectures, demonstrations, storytelling, audiovisual materials, games, crafts, assignments, field trips, etc. pertaining to the subject. They can take anywhere from five minutes to an hour to present their daily lesson.

Avoiding Summer Learning Loss

Secrets from the Classroom - Avoiding Summer Learning Loss
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rob_Stringer]Rob Stringer

In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as they packed up their bags for the final time, and began a much awaited summer vacation. For many this two-month academic hiatus is cause for celebration. However, it can also be a factor in a long standing, yet little publicized, childhood affliction: Summer Learning Loss (SLL).


In 1996, in a synthesis of 39 separate studies, researchers found that the average student, returning to school in September has lost the equivalent of 1.0 to 2.6 months of previous learning-in effect, erasing this amount of learning from their mind. According to the report, the biggest losses occur in the areas of spelling and computational math (multiplication, addition, etc.).

Summer Hobbies for Kids

Fun Summer Hobbies For Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Emma_Darling]Emma Darling

The most obvious hobbies for children to take up are sporting hobbies. Any sport makes a great hobby for a child, and through the summer they have the chance to really invest in one to get really good at it. A lot of parents want their children to do well in sports both in and out of school, and by encouraging a sporting hobby for the summer they'll accomplish both. Parents can even join in with their children and help them get better by playing with them every chance they get, be it on holiday or just on the weekends. This gives not only the child, but the whole family the chance to keep fit or get fit as a unit rather than individuals.

Summer Fun For Kids

Summer Fun For Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nikki_Willhite]Nikki Willhite

Summer can be a lot of fun for your family. However, in many cases, come August, moms are more than ready to put their children back in school. When the novelty of summer wears off, and the family vacation is over, the kids can get bored. They may get hot and irritable, and mom may have trouble coping.

The moms I've seen handle summer the best are the ones that have lots of activities planned for their kids. With that in mind, here are some of the things you can do in the summer to make it more enjoyable for everyone.

Summer Break Workbooks

Why Elementary Workbooks Are Effective Learning Tools

Author: Randy Johnson
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Young children have the capability to learn at a rapid pace. In a sense, children are learning machines, constantly acquiring new knowledge as they see, feel, listen, discover, bang, talk, run, drop, poke, sing, rummage, break, and interact. At the same time, early learning develops the neurological connections in a child\'s brain, which shape their ability to learn for years to come. Because of this, the early years of education are integral to the future intellectual development of a child.
As scientists develop a better understanding of how children learn, methods of teaching are becoming more effective than ever. Many methods being developed are groundbreaking in their approach, yet some can also be costly. Interactive television, DVDs, and websites can all be engaging and effective resources, however, they can be expensive and therefore less accessible. One way that many parents find effective and economical is elementary workbooks.

Learning This Summer

Keep Kids Learning This Summer

Author: Matthew Sharp
Your child\'s education doesn\'t have to stop for two months, just because school\'s out. In
fact, summer offers many opportunities for learning and enhancing your kids\' abilities.
Here are some tips to keep your child learning throughout the summer:

Summer Reading

Elementary Reading During the Summer

Author: Maria O'Keefe
I\'m a very hands-on mom to say the least. I\'m protective of my kids, always running around with a bottle of sunscreen during the summer and hats and mittens during the winter. And since the kids have been out of school for the summer, I was not about to let them slack off and not participate in educational activities. That\'s where Reading Rainbow came to play.
They have great episodes correlating to my kids\' elementary curriculum. I\'m not sure how many other parents are as worried about elementary reading skills as I am, but I wasn\'t going to let my kids fall through the cracks. Elementary reading is so crucial. If kids don\'t develop a love for reading when they\'re young, they won\'t really enjoy it as they progress through their academic careers. And I want my kids to love school enough to stick through eight years of medical school if they want.

Make-Ahead Food Ideas For Memorial Day

Make-Ahead Food Ideas For Memorial Day and 4th of July BBQ Picnics
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jane_Doiron]Jane Doiron

Like many folks on Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends, you might be making plans to go camping, or planning a BBQ, or even going somewhere for a picnic.


Whatever the event, if you are the one in charge of the meal planning and cooking, if time allows, please try some of my make-ahead food ideas before, so that you can have more time to relax and to enjoy yourself and your family on the actual day of the event!


Just because you are the one in charge of the planning and cooking, it doesn't mean you have to be busy doing EVERYTHING food-related that day. Consider these make-ahead food ideas:


Make-Ahead Marinated Chicken and Steak


Adding steak and chicken to the hamburger and hotdog menu is easy.

Summer is Coming! Time to Work!

Homeschooling Teens: Summer is Coming! Time to Work!

Author: smanuva123
I was doing a Bible Study on Work. I remembered all those summers with my homeschool high school boys. It\'s so important to teach a strong work ethic! Perhaps it\'s a good time to take a moment with your teens and reflect on these verses. These could be great for memory work and discussion topics before summer.
God created man to work (Genesis 2:15).
The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
God works (John 5:17) and we are created in His image.
Jesus said to them, 'My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.'
Work is hard (Genesis 3:19).
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground Work is satisfying (Ecclesiastes 5:12).
The sleep of a laborer is sweet
Work hard for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Work is a key to a full life (Proverbs 13:4).

Where to Start? Summer Jobs for Students

Summer Jobs For High School Students - Where To Start?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Thao_Tran]Thao Tran

Looking for a summer job? So is everyone else. Where should you start?

The first thing you need before looking for a job is a resume. It is best to ask your parents for help with that one. If you're on a worker's permit, you might need a few letters of recommendation. Make sure you look into that before going job-hunting.

What you can do right away is start networking. You need to get yourself out there and start talking to your friends, neighbors, counselors, and others to let them know you're looking for a job. You'll be surprised what kind of jobs you'd find. Another place you can look at is at places you or your parents usually shop. When you're at these stores, you can politely approach the manager and ask if there are any job opportunities available.

Summer Jobs for Students

Summer Jobs for High School Students - How To Encourage Your Teen to Join the Workforce
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adnan_Masood]Adnan Masood

Are you the parent of a high school student? If so, summer is fast approaching. Many teens spend their summers hanging out with friends, but do you want something different for your child? Would you like to see them obtain a summer job? At first, your teenager might not be so keen on the idea. Keep reading on for some helpful tips that will encourage your teenager to get out there in the workplace:

Introduce Them to Jobs That Fit Likes/Hobbies

Summer Lesson Plans

Summer Lesson Plans For Homeschoolers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Camille_Rodriquez]Camille Rodriquez

If you are a homeschool family, chances are you have just about stopped working on school for the summer. Or, perhaps you are working on enrichment activities that will go on throughout the summer, but at a slower pace. Either way, you may be forgetting an important lesson plan that needs to be done for the summer months. If you haven't created your summer lesson plan, now is the time!

Summer lesson plans should include projects, either personal or homeschool related, as well as any unit studies or activities that have been planned. They might include vacations or homeschool conferences, trips with family or organizational changes around the home. Whatever you have included when you said, "This summer I'd like to..." then those items need to be listed. Create a simple list of these projects and activities and prioritize them. Which are the most important? Which will give the most value to your home? Etc.

Stop Summer Learning Loss

4 Easy Ways To Stop Summer Learning Loss

Author: Hannah McCarthy
While all kids invariably look forward to the summer as a time of fun and relaxation, away from the stresses of school work, it\'s increasingly believed that long holidays have a serious impact on their education. The phenomenon of \'summer learning loss\' is now widely recognised by the teaching profession as a matter of concern. Over the summer, kids forget on average about a month\'s worth of school learning, meaning teachers have to spend a significant part of the next school year bringing everyone back up to speed.

So, what can we do to combat summer learning loss? Schools are currently exploring the idea of five-term school years to reduce the length and impact of the summer break, but parents also have a big role to play. There are loads of simple ways to keep children stimulated and exercise their maths, reading and writing skills. Here are 4 easy-to-implement ideas for you to try out:

Delight Directed Learning

Delight-Directed Learning: a Homeschooling Natural for Summertime

Author: Tom Michael
Delight-directed learning necessitates helping your kids pursue whatever interests come naturally to them. If perhaps your kids have been aching to go to a health care camp, or dive into a new orchestra performance, that\'s delight-directed learning, which takes place naturally. Often this is most obvious in sporting activities. Our family did summer swim team. Other families will really dive into music and art.

Quite a few kids will do nothing but read books. I had a son who constantly had a book in front of him. A lot of kids will do volunteer work; they\'re really into being a candy striper at a hospital, and summer may just be their only opportunity to undertake that. Others really love working with children, so they go from vacation bible school to vacation bible school helping out with different churches. Other kids will do the majority of their projects like scouting or 4H.

Keeping Summer Fun and Educational

Author: Ryan Carl
If you're wondering how to keep this summer educational but fun for your homeschooled kids without creating extra work for yourself as teacher, summer classes are a great idea to explore. Maybe you just haven't had time to squeeze in an art class and your child is really interested in art, or perhaps you've always wanted them to experience team sports, but it just hasn't fit into your school year--summer is the time! Perhaps you want your child to take a class to fill a specific hole in their learning. I talked to a mom recently whose child was not doing so well in their SAT math, and they decided that summer was a great opportunity to take an SAT prep class, because somebody else would do the actual teaching and mom would get a bit of a break. No matter your needs or your student's interests, there's sure to be an interesting class out there for you!