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Learning Summer

Why Should Everyone Learn Basic Swimming Skills?

Swimming is not just a leisure activity or a way to stay fit; it’s a fundamental skill everyone should learn. Whether it’s to ensure safety, improve health, or simply enjoy the pleasure of floating in water, swimming holds immense benefits for people of all ages. Let’s dive into why mastering basic swimming skills is crucial for everyone. 

swimming skills

Safety First

The most compelling reason to learn how to swim is safety. Drowning is a significant risk in any environment where water is present, from oceans and lakes to rivers and swimming pools. That’s why it’s better to consider private indoor swimming lessons at Into the Swim as they keep your safety their utmost priority. 

According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Knowing how to swim drastically reduces the likelihood of drowning and provides the skills needed to navigate water safely. 

A Lifelong Sport

Swimming is a low-impact sport that can be practiced throughout one’s life, from infancy to old age. Unlike high-impact sports that can contribute to joint wear and tear, swimming is gentle on the body. 

It allows people with arthritis, disabilities, or those recovering from injury to exercise without pain. Moreover, because it is a skill that doesn’t depend on high physical strength, it can be enjoyed well into the senior years, providing a fun and healthy activity option for the elderly.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of swimming are vast. It is a great cardiovascular workout that improves heart and lung health, enhances muscle strength, and boosts endurance. Since swimming involves multiple muscle groups, it serves as an excellent full-body workout that tones the arms, legs, back, and abdominals. It also helps in improving flexibility and posture.

Furthermore, swimming has been shown to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being. The rhythmic nature of swimming and the soothing effects of water can decrease anxiety and depression, leading to a happier, more relaxed state of mind.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Swimming is a highly inclusive activity that is accessible to people from different walks of life, including those with physical disabilities. Pools are often equipped with lifts and ramps, allowing those who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues to enter the water. 

Techniques and special equipment are available to assist swimmers of varying abilities and needs. This makes swimming a great option for inclusive physical activity that promotes equality among participants of all abilities.

Social Benefits

Swimming can be a social activity, whether you are taking a class, joining a swim team, or simply enjoying a day at the pool with friends and family. It helps build social skills and provides opportunities for interaction in a fun environment. 

For children, swim lessons are a platform for learning important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and the importance of following safety rules.

Survival Skill

In addition to everyday safety, swimming is a crucial survival skill in emergency situations. Floods, shipwrecks, and other water-related disasters are scenarios where knowing how to swim could make the difference between life and death. 

Even basic swimming skills can help someone keep afloat and move towards safety or help until rescue arrives.

Recreational and Adventure Opportunities

Knowing how to swim opens up a range of recreational and adventure activities. From snorkeling and scuba diving to water skiing and surfing, being confident in and around water greatly expands the range of activities one can enjoy. 

These activities not only enrich one’s life with exhilarating experiences but also connect them more deeply with nature and the environment.

Learning Discipline and Achieving Goals

Swimming requires a level of discipline and persistence, especially when you are learning. For many, mastering breathing techniques and strokes is challenging. 

Overcoming these challenges not only boosts self-confidence but also teaches valuable lessons about setting and achieving goals. This discipline can translate into other areas of life, fostering a mindset geared towards growth and continuous improvement.

Cooling Off and Enjoying Summer

Lastly, swimming is one of the best ways to stay cool and enjoy during hot summer days. A swim on a hot day is refreshing and invigorating. 

Whether it’s a community pool, a beach, or a lake, swimming makes the summer season enjoyable and memorable.

The Bottom Line

Swimming is not just another sport; it’s a critical life skill with numerous benefits. It enhances safety, promotes physical health, supports mental well-being, offers social opportunities, and provides a gateway to a host of recreational activities. 

Therefore, everyone should consider learning at least basic swimming skills—it could literally save a life, perhaps even your own.

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Big Kid Guest Post Learning Parenting

The Science Lab at Home: Easy and Exciting Experiments for Curious Young Minds

It’s never too early to excite young minds about science at home. At its core, science is all about understanding the why and how of the universe we live in. From the tiniest insects to the mysterious vastness of the stars, there’s boundless knowledge to be found, especially for kids. 

Experiments don’t need billion-dollar Large Hadron Colliders or NASA-grade rockets. Sometimes, people can accomplish science with bits and pieces from around the household.  Invest in your child’s future by making them interested in science through these easy yet captivating home experiments.

Gravity Tube

What You Need

  • aluminum or copper tube
  • strong magnets

Steps

  1. Hold the aluminum or copper tube vertically.
  2. Drop a strong magnet into the top of the tube and observe as it falls through the tube. 

Scientific Explanation

When the magnet falls through the non-magnetic metal tube, it induces a current in the tube due to electromagnetic induction. This induced current creates a magnetic field that opposes the motion of the falling magnet (Lenz’s Law). This opposition slows the magnet’s fall, demonstrating the principles of electromagnetic induction and resistance.

Frozen Spinning Water

What You Need

  • small bucket with a handle
  • water

Steps

  1. Fill the small bucket with water and place it in the freezer until the water is completely frozen.
  2. Once frozen, take the bucket out and spin it by the handle.

Scientific Explanation

When you spin the bucket, the frozen water inside will demonstrate inertia and angular momentum. Inertia keeps the ice in motion, and angular momentum makes the ice move in a circular path. This activity shows how forces act on objects in motion and the properties of rotational dynamics.

Egg Drop

What You Need

  • Egg
  • foam
  • cardboard
  • anything you can use to protect the egg

Steps

  1. Design and build a structure to protect the egg using foam, cardboard, and any other materials around the house.
  2. Test your structure by dropping it from a height and observing whether the egg survives the fall.

Scientific Explanation

The goal is to minimize the impact force on the egg by utilizing foam, as it absorbs and distributes the energy from the fall. The experiment demonstrates the principles of impact resistance, energy absorption, and cushioning. The design encourages creative problem-solving and understanding of how different materials can protect fragile objects.

Match in a Glass

What You Need

  • match
  • glass cup
  • deep plate
  • water with food coloring
  • small piece of styrofoam

Steps

  1. Fill a deep plate with water colored with food coloring.
  2. Float a small styrofoam piece on the water and place a match on top.
  3. Light the match and quickly cover it with an inverted glass cup.

Scientific Explanation

As the match burns, it heats the air inside the glass. When the match goes out, the air cools and contracts, creating a partial vacuum. This lower pressure inside the glass causes the water to be pushed up into the glass by the higher external air pressure. The experiment demonstrates the principles of air pressure and combustion.

Snowball Cookies

What You Need

  • butter
  • powdered sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • flour
  • salt
  • buttercream frosting

Steps

  1. Mix butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, flour, and salt to create cookie dough.
  2. Shape the dough into small balls to represent planets and bake them.
  3. Once cooled, decorate the cookies with buttercream frosting

Scientific Explanation

You can make cookies at home to teach kids about the science of baking.  Baking is as much a science as it is an art, and the exact measures and timing required for baking should give kids a basic overview of how to mix components to create something new. For decoration, take inspiration from classic sugar cookies or even solar system-shaped chocolates for more scientific immersion. 

Living Liquid

What You Need

  • cornstarch
  • water
  • big tub

Steps

  1. Mix cornstarch and water in a big tub until you get a thick, viscous mixture.
  2. Play with the mixture by poking it, squeezing it, or trying to pick it up.

Scientific Explanation 

The cornstarch-water mixture is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under stress. When you apply pressure, the mixture behaves like a solid because the cornstarch particles are forced together. Once the pressure is lifted, it will flow like the liquid it is. This activity illustrates the unique properties of non-Newtonian fluids. 

Walkalong Paper Airplane

What You Need

  • 8.5 x 11 printer paper
  • phone book page
  • scotch tape
  • big flat cardboard (at least pizza box size)
  • scissors
  • Printer

Steps

  1. Fold an 8.5 x 11 printer paper sheet into a simple glider airplane according to the Smithsonian Magazine’s template.
  2. Use the big flat cardboard to create a wave of air by gently pushing it forward under the glider, making it “walk along” the air current. 

Scientific Explanation

The walkalong glider flies by riding on a wave of rising air created by the cardboard. As the cardboard moves, it pushes air upwards, creating a lift for the glider. This demonstrates the principles of flight, including lift, drag, and aerodynamics. The glider stays aloft by continually adjusting the cardboard to keep the air flowing under it.

Final Thoughts:

These experiments are only some of the thousands of scientific experiments you can conduct with your child. Thanks to how easy they are,  kids can get interested in the world of science without being intimidated. 

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Learning

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons: A Comprehensive Guide to Clinical Trials

What Are Clinical Trials?

Clinical trials represent a crucial element in the medical field, providing a structured approach to testing new treatments under controlled conditions. They are meticulously designed to answer specific health questions concerning the safety and efficacy of new medications, procedures, or medical devices. Through these trials, researchers gather valuable data that informs medical practices and policy decisions. A trial’s outcome can lead to breakthroughs in treatment, offering hope and new solutions where standard practices may fall short. Understanding the benefits and risks of clinical trials is essential for participants, medical professionals, and the broader community as it shapes healthcare development.

Pros of Clinical Trials

Participating in clinical trials can be immensely rewarding. One of the most significant advantages is the possibility of gaining access to new and innovative treatments before they become widely available. It is especially pertinent for patients with conditions that have limited treatment options. In many cases, the treatments under investigation may be more effective than those currently on the market, providing a crucial benefit to those in need.

Moreover, clinical trials contribute substantially to medical research and the advancement of science. Participants play a direct role in developing cures and treatments that may save lives or improve the quality of life for future patients. Another often overlooked advantage is the high level of medical care participants receive. In certain situations, the study team’s close observation and meticulous attention to detail might help identify and cure coexisting diseases, giving participants’ health a deeper understanding. 

Cons of Clinical Trials

However, involvement in clinical trials has its cons. The most prominent concern is the uncertainty associated with experimental treatments. Because these therapies have not been fully validated, there exists a risk of unforeseen side effects or adverse reactions. Some participants may find the unknown aspects of the trial, such as the potential for receiving a placebo rather than the active treatment, to be unsettling.

The time commitment for trial participation can also be considerable. Frequent visits to the trial site, extensive follow-up procedures, and the necessity of detailed record-keeping can be burdensome. In addition, while trials are designed to be as safe as possible, they can be disruptive to daily life, creating a workload that some may find difficult to manage alongside their personal and professional responsibilities.

Eligibility Criteria for Participants

Clinical trials only accept volunteers who fulfill specific eligibility requirements to guarantee the validity and integrity of the results. These criteria are established based on the study’s aims and can vary widely from one trial to another. They are often related to demographic information, such as age and sex, medical history, previous treatments and concurrent conditions, and the specific characteristics of the illness being investigated.

Eligibility requirements also help protect participants. By carefully selecting individuals whose profiles match the study’s parameters, researchers can minimize potential risks and improve the trial’s safety. Potential participants should discuss their eligibility with healthcare providers to understand how their unique health profiles fit within the framework of a particular clinical trial.

Understanding the Phases of Clinical Trials

Clinical trials have several stages, each intended to collect specific data on the novel treatment. Phase I studies are usually brief and aid in identifying adverse effects and the safest dosage. If a therapy passes Phase I, it moves on to Phase II, which involves a larger group of individuals to assess effectiveness and further evaluate safety.

Phase III studies are designed to establish the new therapy’s effectiveness, track any adverse effects, and gather data to enable the treatment to be used safely. They compare the latest treatment to the existing standard care and involve more patients. After the medication has been approved for usage in various demographics, Phase IV studies are conducted to collect data on its effectiveness and identify potential long-term adverse effects. 

The Informed Consent Process

Before joining a clinical trial, potential participants undergo a critical process known as informed consent. This process is not merely about signing a document; it requires a dialogue between the researcher and participant about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. This discussion ensures that potential participants understand their role in the trial and the nature of what they’re consenting to, thus fostering ethical transparency and personal autonomy in medical research.

Risks and Safety Measures

While clinical trials open opportunities for new treatments, they inevitably come with risks. By nature, the tested treatments are less understood than standard-approved medicines, and there can be side effects or adverse events that have yet to be observed. This is why clinical trials are subject to rigorous safety standards mandated by regulatory bodies, ethical review panels, and health authorities. Numerous safety checks throughout the process, such as Data and Safety Monitoring Boards and independent committees that regularly review the collected data.

Additionally, every effort is made to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of participants. Personal health information is protected rigorously, with only essential study personnel having access to the data identifying individuals participating in the study. Standards of practice dictate that all trial data be handled with the utmost care, reassuring participants that their involvement is safe and confidential.

Fostering global awareness about these trials and encouraging informed participation is indispensable. Establishing a dialogue about participation, as seen through resources like those provided by the World Health Organization, can enlighten individuals on the implications of becoming involved in clinical research.

Making the Decision to Participate

Deciding to participate in a clinical trial is significant and requires thoughtful consideration. Individuals should meticulously evaluate the potential benefits and weigh them against the possible risks. Consulting with one’s healthcare providers, discussing with family members, and thoroughly considering one’s health and personal responsibilities can aid in making an informed decision. The opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medical science and potentially benefit from cutting-edge treatments is a compelling reason to consider participation. Still, it must be balanced with a clear understanding of the commitment.

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Learning Parenting

Ways To Support Your Child’s Education When You Move Abroad

As a parent, you will want to help your child with their education even more when you move abroad. The move will be more for your benefit, but they will soon settle in, and it will feel like home. However, you will want to ensure they are happy and receiving the best education to benefit their future. It requires you to support your child and their education, doing what you can to make it easier for them. 

Here is how to guarantee the best education for your child when you move abroad. 

Send them to a world-class school

If you want to guarantee your child gets the best education, consider sending them to an international school known for providing the best education. Speaking to the government and locals will help you understand the best school to send your child to.

For instance, if you are moving to Bangkok for work, you will want to find an international school so your child can understand if they do not speak the local language. KIS International School is a great one to send your child to so they can gain a good education and finish with a world-class education. 

Offer learning opportunities at home to Support Your Child

Another way to support your child’s education when moving abroad is to provide them with learning opportunities from home. 

They will want to learn if you make things fun. Playing educational and interactive games with them will guarantee that they continue learning even when they’re not at school. It will further their learning and guarantee to enhance their skills.

Get them to speak to tutors for further education

Offer your child a tutor to further enhance their education when moving abroad. Asking your child to meet local tutors allows them to choose one they feel comfortable with. A tutor can assist with any subjects they find difficult.

Or, a tutor can educate your child on the local language so your child can start making friends at school.

Speak to the teachers

Although your child will interact with the teachers at their new school daily, you might lack communication. You’ll want to speak with the teachers to get to know them and learn how your child is settling in.

You might understand that your child has made friends and is learning well. Or, you might find out that your child could use extra lessons to understand the new learning style. Communicating with your child’s teachers will help you adjust their educational life to promote the best educational experience possible.

Recap: Support Your Child and Their Education

It is important to support your child with their education when you move abroad. Although you will be adjusting, too, they will find it more challenging as it wasn’t their choice. Be sure to find them the best education so they can flourish and enjoy the experience.

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Learning Parenting

4 Ways to Make Homeschooling Fun and Engaging

When you first started homeschooling your kids, you vowed to make it a fun experience for everyone involved. Homeschooling is not just about giving your child the best possible education, it’s about providing them with the tools to become the best possible human being you could imagine. Making homeschooling engaging can be done through different methods. You can involve learning on the go by trying out practical tasks. When it comes to education, you always want to give your child a helping hand in the right direction, so these ideas can get you started.

Carefully Consider Your Lesson Plans

As a homeschooling parent, you still need an adequate lesson plan to help you and your child reach objectives. Carefully planning your lessons will help you feel more confident and prepared when the school day starts. It will also give your child the best possible chance for success. Learn Bright offers a whole host of age-appropriate lessons to choose from, and it will save you a lot of time too. Enjoyment is key when teaching your child from home and is a surefire way to bring a smile to their face.

Opt for Practical Tasks to Make Homeschooling Fun

Children often learn better when given practical tasks that they can see with their own eyes. Show them how to cook a delicious dinner, do their laundry, or other life skills. There are so many practical skills they can learn and enjoy simultaneously.

Get Outside

There are so many benefits that go hand in hand with learning outside, so why not give it a try? Consider outdoor activities for fun and engagement because your kids will easily remember them. Growing vegetables and cooking a delicious soup could be the ideal activity that gets your child outside while teaching them valuable life skills.

Go on Field Trips

Just because you homeschool your child doesn’t mean that you can’t leave the house every once in a while. Getting out is great for your mental health and your child’s too. Field trips are one of the most exciting parts of going to school, so try planning them into your year. Whether you take a trip to a local farm or head to an industry-specialist factory, there is much to learn.

Recap: Make Homeschooling Fun

These ideas may help you to create more fun and engaging lesson plans for your homeschooled child. You will gain many skills to show your child, so never underestimate the effectiveness of being organized.

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Learning Parenting

7 Benefits Of Online Learning For Children

It’s important to give every child an equal opportunity to learn and benefit from extra learning materials outside of the classroom. It’s hard to get the help and attention a child needs when in a classroom with 20-30 other children. That’s where online learning can come in handy.

Although you don’t want to oversaturate them at home, a bit of extra work here and there can be beneficial.

There are plenty of online learning resources to take advantage of, and you should take advantage of these resources. Here are the benefits of online learning for children.

Benefits of Online Learning

It offers flexibility for additional learning

With online learning resources, you don’t need to check in at a specific time or travel. While in-person classes are helpful, it’s not always possible for everyone to do.

Offering that flexibility to parents is essential, which is why you should check here for online courses that are highly adaptable for households of all shapes and sizes. Whether you homeschool or your kids go in person, this online learning resource provides additional learning. For many families, having this flexibility gives them the opportunity and motivation to give their children more learning resources.

More cost-effective 

Children are already expensive when it comes to spending money on school uniforms, stationery, and school trips, so the added expenses of anything extra-curricular might be challenging for some parents to afford. Online courses are often very affordable and cost very little to access. Unlike extra help in person, online resources are more affordable for most families.

A variety of resources are available

With online learning, there are a variety of resources available. It might include extra study time for math, science, or English. There’s a whole catalog, depending on which sites you explore of courses and training materials to use.

This variety is essential because not every child has the same struggles with a subject. It might be that your child struggled with one area that their peers didn’t. On the other hand, their peers may have found it hard to tackle something your child understood the first time.

Improves time management and organization skills

Online learning resources can provide the child with more than just education on the topic they’re studying. These online resources will help improve their organizational skills as they handle a more intense week of school, activities, and extra learning.

Time management and organization are skills they’ll need when they start adulthood and seek the jobs they desire. While it may feel too early for them to think about their careers, building these skills should begin in childhood.

A personalized approach to learning

As a parent, you want to give your children the best opportunities regarding learning and education. With these resources, you create your timetables and can personalize the approach when providing learning materials.

Perhaps your child lacks knowledge in one subject area in particular. It means you can direct all the resources to that subject to help give them that much-needed boost.

They learn in their own time with online learning

Every child is different, and online resources help provide that extra helping hand needed to understand the topic or subject. Giving your child the opportunity to learn in their own time is essential and adds less pressure to their lives. Adult life comes with enough stress, so preventing this for as long as possible for your child is important.

It’s a great way to bond with your child

Finally, online learning resources offer an opportunity to bond with your child. You can cover these online classes together so that you’re both learning something!

Recap: Online Learning

The benefits of online learning are worth it, so make sure to utilize them this year for your child. Do you use any of these options with your child, or is there one you’d like to share? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Learning

5 of The Best Benefits of Adaptive Learning

Have you ever heard of the term adaptive learning technology? Every person in a class at school is different. They all have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning. What may work well for one child may not work well for the other, and vice versa. And if you are not aware of this, then children might struggle with learning. However, you can learn about the best benefits of adaptive learning to help your child succeed. 

Each child having different learning requirements is where adaptive learning comes in. Adaptive learning involves changing how you teach a child or switching the materials you give them to support them in class. Customizing the work allows you to help them develop quickly and easily instead of taking the approach where one shoe fits all. You can do it in lessons or use this approach as part of remote learning. It helps motivate the people you are working with, the learning becomes more purposeful, and it can help change their behavior.

Below we look more into the benefits of adaptive learning 

The Best Benefits of Adaptive Learning

Improves motivation 

Feeling motivated is essential in anything you do in life. The more motivated you are, the more success will come your way. Plus, it makes it easier to work or study. Adaptive learning can help increase the motivation levels of the student because they can understand the instructions you give more clearly as the instructions get tailored to them. It is a lot more valuable and helps them feel more positive.

Increase the confidence of learners 

Learners want to feel confident with what they are doing. Adaptive learning is ideal for helping increase confidence in the subject they are learning. Through adaptive learning you can show them they have been learning and lead them to discover the things they do know and didn’t know. By adjusting the content you give them, you will be able to teach them what they struggle to learn instead of teaching them things they already know well enough.

Progress through the course quicker 

Part of adaptive learning is teaching people what they don’t know instead of repeating what they know very well. Focusing the learning materials on the things they are struggling with will help them progress through the course more quickly. If you are repeating what they know and are good at, you will find they get bored and start to find distractions instead of actively listening and learning.

Training has more purpose – Best Benefits of Adaptive Learning

A rule of thumb when training others is to make your lessons as purposeful as possible. If they are not, people get bored, their minds wander, and you’ll find engagement lower than you would like. By applying adaptive learning, you’ll find you will benefit from better engagement as the lessons have more purpose as you will tailor your teaching to each individual. Learners will feel inspired when you teach as they learn new things based on their knowledge gaps.

Directly addresses the learner’s needs 

We mentioned above that when teaching children, one method doesn’t fit all. Everybody is different, meaning you should tailor your teaching to their strengths instead of their weaknesses. Adaptive learning directly addresses the learner’s needs, helping them progress and benefit from the information you give them. The main goal of adaptive learning is to target the areas you want to improve in the learners instead of playing to their strengths and developing them. 

Recap: Best Benefits of Adaptive Learning

Overall, adaptive learning is a beneficial way to teach people. It not only helps them progress the course quicker but also helps with motivation and confidence. When applying adaptive learning, you’ll come across many other benefits you may not have thought of before. If you want to discover more about adaptive learning, there are plenty of videos online to learn more about it. Make sure you view the highly rated one to ensure you are getting the best information. Alternatively, a quick Google and you’ll find more information.

What benefits have you discovered from adaptive learning? Which of the above benefits do you most agree with? Are there any benefits we haven’t included that you feel we should? Have you got anything to share that will benefit our readers? Let us know in the comment box below. We would love to hear from you.

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8 Fun Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids: Non-Toy Gifts for Kids

Instead of buying toys for special days, you can consider monthly subscription boxes for kids. These non-toy gifts for kids are fun and won’t clutter up your space as much as toys do.

Helping kids recognize and develop their skills at an early age can give them an advantage later in life. They are already scientists, explorers, cooks, bakers, artists, and many other things. The best thing you can do for your kids is to provide them with what they need to learn and grow in these areas.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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Monthly Subscription Boxes For Kids

1. Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a nature-based STEAM subscription box for kids aged 2-10. The activities included in the box inspire creativity, discovery, and learning about the world. This monthly box can be the perfect arts and crafts gift for kids.

You can shop by theme on the Green Kid Crafts website, too. The themes include:

  • Arts and crafts kits and projects
  • Fun science experiments
  • Exciting animals and ecosystems
We Craft Box

2. We Craft Box

We Craft Box is geared toward kids between the ages of three and nine. If you have a younger child, they’ll need more help. As kids do the themed monthly project, they’re experiencing creativity and making memories.

All of the materials the child will need, except water and scissors, are included in the box. My favorite part is that each kit comes with enough material for two kids, so it’s perfect for sharing.

Each We Craft Box comes with a story about the project, which helps get your child inspired and feeling creative. It also includes photo instructions that are easy to follow.

We Craft Box, We Craft
subscription box for kids
craft box

3. Bookroo

Bookroo is a monthly subscription book box for kids ages 0-10. It is super simple to sign up, and you can count on awesome books being delivered for your kids. There are three different book clubs you can join including:

  • Board Books (ages 0-3)
  • Picture Books (ages 3-6)
  • Chapter Books (ages 7-10)

Since March is reading month, you could consider starting the subscription box as a way to make National Reading Awareness Month even more exciting.

Amazing books kids love!

4. Coding Subscription Box

This monthly subscription box is best for ages six through 12. The child will receive monthly coding projects, learning how to make video games, simulations, greeting cards, and so much more.

One of the best parts is that each box comes with a guide for grownups and unlimited email support. You won’t have to worry about getting stumped when there’s help and references readily available.

monthly subscription boxes for kids

5. Highlights Magazine Subscription Box

The Highlights subscription box is available for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders. They offer a fun way to learn skills based on their age group and skill levels. Using this box for only 15 minutes a day can improve your child’s skills, and you can track the changes on included progress sheets.

6. History Subscription Boxes

Suitable for ages six through 11, this history box is perfect for kids who love history. Kids can learn about the world around them and other cultures with the included activities. Some of the skills it’ll help children improve are literacy, geography, STEAM, history, and vocabulary.

monthly subscription boxes for kids

7. Monthly Subscription Box for Tweens or Teens

Many of the subscription boxes target younger kids, but tweens and tweens can enjoy this Strong self(ie) monthly subscription box. The tween box is geared towards eight to 12-year-olds, while the teen box targets 13-17-year-olds.

Examples of Tween Boxes

monthly subscription boxes for kids
monthly subscription boxes for kids

Examples of Teen Boxes

monthly subscription boxes for kids
monthly subscription boxes for kids

8. Baketivity Monthly Subscription Box for Kids

The Baketivity subscription box involves a monthly recipe and includes pre-measured ingredients. Each recipe is easy to follow and has illustrations to help the child along.

One of my favorite parts of this subscription box is that the kids can watch and follow a chef creating the recipe. It also comes with a chef hat and apron so your child can embrace every aspect of being a baker.

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Monthly Subscription Boxes for Kids

Monthly subscription boxes for kids are the perfect solution to having too many toys. Birthdays and holidays don’t have to be all about toys, and these subscription boxes are the best gifts for kids.

What subscription boxes for kids do you love? Leave a comment and let me know!

If you want an adult subscription box, check out my post 10 Reasons to Try Bean Box Award-Winning Coffee.

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Learning Parenting

4 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe as They Go to School

Kids going back to school can be difficult and emotional for both of you. One of the emotions you may experience is fear because you’re unsure of what happens all day with your child. You might worry that something is wrong and won’t know until later. You’ll get used to it, but it’s easier knowing you did everything possible to keep your kids safe at school.

How to Keep Your Kids Safe at School

Equip Them With Knowledge

The most important thing you can do is to equip them with knowledge so that they know what they should do in a variety of emergencies. It might seem like a lot of information, but you’ll feel better knowing they know what to do.

Keep Your Kids Safe

Credit – CCO License

Get Them An ID

It is becoming increasingly common for parents to provide their children with child IDs. These can be helpful in more circumstances than you might think of, including when your child gets lost somewhere. If you are worried about that kind of event, giving an ID can help you feel less anxious. Make sure you don’t send them to school without an ID if possible – it can make a difference.

Keep In Touch With The School

You might find that it helps you to keep in touch with the school so you know how it’s going. It can help you feel some line of connection between you and your child while they are there. Of course, at some point, you will need to make sure that you overcome this urge. But, if you are worried at first, you should keep in touch with the school. They will probably be happy to oblige, and it’s a helpful way to ease yourself into your kid starting school.

Keep Your Kids Safe

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Look For Troublesome Signs

Although you should not expect the worst, you should be sure to look out as best as possible for the troublesome signs that something is wrong. It includes indications of abuse and other issues that can sometimes happen in a school setting. Looking for the signs helps you spot them early and make a difference in how you look after your child.

Keep Your Kids Safe at School

You can always be there to protect your child, although you want to be. It’s not always easy to place them in the care of the school district, but these steps can help. Preparing your child and yourself for back-to-school time can make all the difference.

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Learning Parenting

Some of the Unexpected Challenges You’ll Face as a Homeschooling Parent

There are many good reasons to homeschool your child, and that’s why so many parents choose that option. There are also challenges that a homeschooling parent will face along the way. Don’t let these challenges stop you, though, because you can overcome them.

If you understand these challenges before you get started, it’ll be easier to deal with them. And that’s what we’ll talk about today, so read on to learn more about those challenges.

Challenges You’ll Face as a Homeschooling Parent

Having the Confidence to Go For It

One of the hardest things when it comes to the prospect of homeschooling is simply going for it. Taking that leap and making it happen is often one of the things that’s hardest. You don’t want to rush the process, but you can’t put it off forever. Having the confidence to go for it is an important step. Sometimes, you just have to go for it.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

Even when you finally take the plunge and start with your homeschooling plans, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by self-doubt. You might also be unsure of the direction you should take with your teaching. Overcoming that and focusing on doing the work and doing the best for your child is most important. When you become paralyzed by self-doubt, your child’s education suffers. Nevertheless, it’s something many homeschooling parents go through at one time or another.

Staying Organized and Keeping Records

Teaching is difficult work, and it can sometimes be hard to stay on top of everything. If you fail to organize things such as lesson planning, the job can start to overwhelm you. Keeping records of the work and tests your child completes is essential too. Tracking their performance will help you target your teaching and lessons in the future.

Creating an Adequate Curriculum

You need to have a good curriculum in place because these are not just for schools but for parents who are participating in homeschooling too. It’s a plan for the content that you’re going to teach your child in each of the different subject areas. You’ll have to put one together if you’re going to give your child the best possible learning experience. A big part of it is about ensuring all the most important topics and subject areas get covered.

Preventing Sibling Arguments

If you’re not just teaching one child at home but multiple siblings, it’s essential to keep them on track. Keeping them focused on their work rather than arguing with one another can make all the difference. Homeschooling two or three kids is harder than homeschooling one. Divide your time effectively and give each child the one-on-one time they need while also keeping them focused. It will make it possible for you to achieve the best learning outcomes for each of them.

Finding Opportunities for Socialization

One thing that kids often miss out on most when they’re learning at home is socialization. They’re not learning alongside other kids or having that time between classes to socialize with other children. It’s essential to find ways to provide those opportunities to make friends and develop their social skills. Ignoring those things can negatively impact your child long-term.

Finding the Best Learning Resources as a Homeschooling Parent

There are many great learning resources out there when it comes to educating your child in a home setting. Finding the ones that are best for your child and that you enjoy using can sometimes be tough. Just because there are many great learning resources out there doesn’t mean there aren’t also lots of bad ones. An example of a good learning resource is this force and motion vocabulary set of flash cards. It’s resources like this that will make your life easier when homeschooling your child.

Sports Provisions as a Homeschooling Parent

Schools tend to have far better sports provisions and equipment than the majority of suburban family homes. So looking for other ways to get your child involved in sports might be a good idea. It’s something you can’t replace or replicate at home, so have them join local sports teams. There are likely plenty of local options that you can embrace if you do some research into it. And again, it’s not something you can afford to overlook.

Having to Solve Every Problem Alone

The final challenge you’ll face is dealing with the daily problems of an educator. There’ll be days when your child is less willing to cooperate and work hard. And there’ll be all kinds of other unpredictable problems that you have to deal with. That’s just the nature of homeschooling your child. You’ll be more or less alone with overcoming those day-to-day problems, even if there are resources to guide you.

Final Thoughts: Homeschooling Parent

It’s not going to be a smooth or easy journey when it comes to homeschooling your child. If you want to embrace the benefits of homeschooling and you’re ready to deal with the challenges discussed above, it could be right for you and your child.