Community youth programs are innovating to fill gaps and ensure kids from low-income families in particular are equipped with learning materials and supplies, enrichment activities and food. For example, when schools closed, local corps of The Salvation Army started adapting creative alternatives to their youth programs to provide activities, snacks and educational materials like coloring sheets, scavenger hunts and more to keep kids entertained and learning.
If you’d like to make a similar impact in your community, consider lending a hand in one of these ways:
Tutor or mentor students. Although most kids across the nation face the same challenges with academics, some are at more of a disadvantage because their access to remote learning resources is limited or parents are unable to assist at home. You can help by volunteering to tutor students as they practice learned skills and get back into the swing of a new school year.
Donate supplies. There are 30 million children in the United States whose parents will have to choose between buying school supplies or other necessities like putting food on the table. Consider adding extra common items like crayons, markers and glue when you shop for your own children and dropping them off at your local youth center. Campaigns like The Salvation Army's "Stuff the Bus" events allow shoppers to purchase and drop off requested items at collection bins located at the front of participating retailers.
Get involved with extracurricular activities. If you have a particular skill set or experience, for example as a high school or college athlete, lending your knowledge to a local youth group can help provide a constructive outlet for kids while enriching your own life.
Volunteer for meal distribution. Many children rely heavily on schools for meals; in fact, the food some students receive through their schools’ breakfast and lunch programs may be the only meals they get in a day. Across the country, organizations have partnered with local school districts to provide meal kits, coordinate food distribution routes and pickup locations to get meals to kids and families. Depending on the needs in your area, you may be able to donate food, assist with organizing the meal kits or help coordinate deliveries.
Help fund youth programs. Uncertainty caused by COVID-19 has many people reconsidering their finances, and that means the donations and contributions many programs rely upon have slowed. If your situation allows, consider a monetary contribution to a youth-oriented cause, which can help deliver programming even if you’re not able to volunteer in other ways.
While many children from low-income families rarely experience life outside of their immediate neighborhoods, youth programs can help kids discover new skills, passions and hobbies while connecting with others in a safe, healthy way.
Along with community centers dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional and spiritual growth of moms, dads and kids, organizations like The Salvation Army provide after-school programs for students of all ages and numerous music, art and athletic programs at its 7,600 centers across the country.
The organization's "Stuff the Bus" program also helps make activities and programs more accessible to low-income youth in local communities, including:
After-school programs offer homework assistance and counseling for children of all ages, as well as one-on-one assistance with homework, study skills and literacy advancement. Dance, art and music programs are offered in no- or low-cost environments. Classes range from choir, band and dancing to drawing, writing and acting.
Sports, clubs and extracurricular activities give children from low-income neighborhoods a chance to play team sports and learn valuable athletic and life skills.
Parental involvement coaching equips parents with the skills needed to support and sustain their children’s educational needs.
Learn more about getting involved in your community at salvationarmyusa.org.
SOURCE:Consider these tips from the experts at KinderCare to help you emotionally prepare your children to return to school with confidence, optimism and excitement.
Address your feelings (and theirs)
Children often take cues about how to react from their parents. Think about what it takes for you to feel calm and prepared (or even excited) for the start of a new school year. That could mean talking with your child's teacher or school about the safety precautions they're taking so you can feel more at ease, taking a few minutes to establish a morning routine or stepping away from news that makes you anxious. Focus instead on the positive aspects of school, like the opportunity your child will have to learn, make friends, interact with others and grow into his or her own person.
"Children need a sense of belonging, and school provides an important connection point for them," said Dr. Elanna Yalow, chief academic officer for KinderCare Learning Centers. "Nothing builds a sense of community like personal contact with friends and teachers. That connection is essential in supporting a child's growth and development."
Set expectations about what to expect before the first day
Some children may feel ready to go and eager to explore, while others can be more reserved or even fearful of new places, faces and routines. When your child knows what to expect, it can go a long way in soothing any worries he or she may have about leaving home and going to school.
It's also important to respect your child's growing independence and empower him or her to help others. As you explain safety precautions like covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, or proper hand washing, emphasize how your child's actions can help keep family, friends and teachers safe.
"Children may already be apprehensive about returning to school, let alone trying to cope with new safety practices," said Dr. Joelle Simpson, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and medical director for emergency preparedness at Children's National Hospital. "Explaining these precautions ahead of time can help your children see them as part of the school day routine instead of something to fear. For parents, remember that while children can get sick from this virus, it occurs less frequently than in adults and at lower rates than the flu."
Celebrate the start of a new school year
Try to plan a special activity or some extra family time the week before school starts and encourage your child to participate in the planning.
"Remember, children didn't have time for a clean break and celebration at the end of the last school year, and this can help your child mentally adjust to a new routine and schedule," Yalow said.
Let your child know how proud you are to see him or her growing up, learning how to be a good friend and exploring and learning about the world. Be sure to talk with your child each school day - what was learned, funny things friends said, the things that seem little but are important to your child.
For more tips about how to help your child prepare for the new school year, visit kindercare.com.
SOURCE:(Family Features) With the majority of schools across the country closed, many parents are feeling the stress of taking more active roles in their children’s education. As time away from the classroom extends into summer, parents also face the challenge of helping their children maintain what they’ve learned through a summer of uncertainty.
This year’s shift to at-home learning has provided plenty of resources parents can use to keep their children’s minds engaged and actively learning. The shift has also prompted families to create new routines and healthy learning habits. Continuing these best practices over the summer may prove beneficial in setting students up for success when they return to the classroom.
While routines are important, they may not be the only key to summer learning success. Research from Harvard indicates parents who engage with their children in simple activities over the summer – like reading together or talking about baseball statistics – can have a greater impact on their children’s academic performance than popular summer activities, such as summer camps, travel or summer school.
Since education can happen anywhere as part of everyday life, there are many activities families can do together to create a sense of summertime fun while fostering academic growth.
While on summer break, kids commonly lose some of the learning momentum from the previous school year. It’s a phenomenon casually referred to as the “summer slide.”
A report from the Northwest Evaluation Association found students in third-fifth grades lost about 20% of their school-year gains in reading and 27% in math, on average, during summer break.
After such an abrupt end to formal curriculum, the slide could be a little steeper for kids in the fall. However, summer plans for families likely look different this year. More free time may make it easier to build in time for educational activities, which can also offer an escape during this uncertain time.
Allow for reading aloud. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, reading aloud is the single most important activity for reading success as it helps build word-sound awareness. Encourage your child to play teacher and read aloud books, magazines, or comics to family members, pets or even stuffed animals.
Begin a book club. Read the same books as your children then discuss what you all read over a shared snack or gathered around the dinner table. Joining in shows the importance of prioritizing reading during the summer.
Check into services offered by libraries. If possible, make use of local libraries, many of which offer free online resources and have extended due dates. Inquire about online services offered in your area and how your family can participate in programs taking place over the summer.
From educators helping their students to organizations lending support in trying times, dozens if not hundreds of online resources have emerged to help parents navigate teaching at home.
Internet Access: While many at-home learning resources can be found online, some families lack access to reliable and affordable internet connections. For information on free or low-cost home internet access, as well as other resources for teachers and families, visit firstbook.org/coronavirus-educator-resources.
Online field trips: While school and family outings are limited, it’s still possible to explore the world from the comfort of home. Zoos, museums and other places of interest are sharing everything from educational videos and live webcams to guided tours on their websites and social media.
Reading programs: Literacy is the foundation for all learning, so focusing on activities that promote reading gives children a chance to practice that essential skill, often in ways that don’t feel like learning. One resource is The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, the nation’s largest and longest-running corporate-supported reading program. Parents can visit bookitprogram.com to find a number of activities designed to help children find joy in reading. Resources include book recommendations, activity and book pairings, video messages from best-selling authors Tom Angleberger and Kate DiCamillo and printable worksheets, story maps and more.
Educational websites: Many academic websites have opened their subscription-based content for free or reduced access. You can find videos, interactive programs, lesson plans and more. Before creating an account, check if your school has secured free or discounted access codes.
New skills: From learning the basics of keyboard typing to trying a new instrument or mastering a new language, there are sites dedicated to helping students develop new skills while they’re at home.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:(Family Features) If the words “happy little trees” and “almighty mountains” slow your pulse and bring a sense of calm, you’re probably already a fan of Bob Ross. Now you can take in the soothing sights of Ross creating his famous art for free from virtually any device you own.
Ross painted more than 1,000 landscapes for the classic PBS TV show “The Joy of Painting.” Now, 25 years after his passing, nearly 400 episodes are available on Tubi, a free video-on-demand service.
Whether you’re a budding artist or simply enjoy getting lost in the art of creating, Ross is an icon who has inspired generations of fans.
“My mother first discovered Bob more than 35 years ago, and since that time he’s become a global phenomenon,” said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. “I can’t think of a better time for people to listen to Bob’s soothing voice and hear his peaceful words of wisdom. I’m really happy that everyone can watch Bob create his ‘happy little accidents’ whenever they want for free on Tubi.”
The service offers more than 20,000 movies and TV shows from nearly every major Hollywood studio on virtually every platform, from smart TVs and video game consoles to mobile phones, tablets and more. Since it’s ad-supported, the massive library of films and TV shows is available for free without the hassle of credit cards and subscription fees.
Viewers can indulge in genres of all kinds from Hollywood blockbusters and independent films to specialty content, children’s programming and more on the growing platform.
To find your own relaxing programming, visit Tubi.tv.
Photo courtesy: Bob Ross Inc. Used with permission.
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