Teaching & Homeschool Articles - Page 2

Here at Kids Academy, we’re constantly striving to provide families and teachers with innovative new education solutions that make life simpler while also making learning more fun. That’s why we’re so excited to announce our brand-new products! From a new standards-based lesson section to a wide variety of interactive assessment options, we’re beefing up our website and adding a parent and teacher portal to make all our content readily available from any web browser, no app required! Keep reading to learn what amazing new features we're offering our users in 2024!

Think back to your earliest childhood memories; how did you spend your time? Unlike today’s kids, your memories likely don’t include playing for hours on your parent’s smartphones. By contrast, modern children are considered digital “natives”, meaning that from the moment of birth they live in an environment where the use of mobile devices and the Internet is the norm.

This new normality poses new questions and challenges to parents and teachers. The former may be wondering how to make the most of their kids’ screen time to ensure that they have the best balance of online and offscreen activities. While for the latter it’s natural to be wary of incorporating screen devices into the classroom, especially with the already limited time within a school day.   

Luckily, high-quality digital learning tools can help both parents and teachers make the best out of their kids’ and students’ time with screens. Thanks to highly engaging elements, such as interactive apps, games, and videos, online content enhances the learning process by making it playful and fun. Whether at home or in the classroom, screen time offers a dynamic and engaging educational experience that prepares kids for navigating today’s technology-driven world. 

Ever heard of a real-life superhero for the African community named Nelson Mandela? Well, every year on July 18th, we celebrate Mandela Day, honoring this amazing man and his extraordinary life. Nelson Mandela was a fighter for human rights who stood up against apartheid, a system of severe racial segregation in South Africa. In this article, we will dive into the story of Nelson Mandela.

“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful country will once more suffer the tyranny of one over another!” Nelson Mandela proclaimed these words in 1994 during his first speech as President of South Africa. He became a shining beacon for those fighting for fairness and freedom around the world.

But what did he actually do?

As soon as kids can play outside, parents teach them to stay away from the street, and when older to look both ways before crossing. These common-sense steps are vital for children to learn the bare basics of road safety, but do not go nearly far enough to keep them safe. When playing outside, they are exposed to a plethora of hazards that vary based on the neighborhood and community. Not only is it important for them to look both ways before crossing a road, but it can be lifesaving to know where appropriate places to cross are located.

In essence, play-based learning serves as a cornerstone in early childhood education, with experts touting its benefits and importance. It is no doubt an essential component of childhood, but as a parent or teacher, you may be wondering about the details of how play can develop your child’s specific academic skills or how to know if the games they play are useful. Join us as we explore answers to the most commonly asked questions about play-based learning to gain deeper insight into this important topic.

Have you ever encountered the term 'neurodivergent' and wondered what it means? Or are you familiar with the term and looking for ways to better support the needs of the neurodivergent children in your care? Well, you're in the right place. We'll go in-depth on the topic of neurodiversity, explaining its nuances and outlining concrete steps for creating an inclusive learning environment.

School is almost back in session, but for some kids making the transition back to the classroom can be an arduous task. If you have any concerns whatsoever about your child’s transition from summer to school, this article will offer helpful advice that responds to a wide range of special needs.  

Afraid of the summer learning slide? Put your child to work in a fun and meaningful way by creating a unique summer learning plan tailored to the needs and interests of your child. Select rewards, create goals, and plan exciting activities that will energize your child for summer learning! This article offers you a step-by-step guide to designing your child’s very own summer learning program that will keep him and her learning each and every day this summer break!

In this article, Lori Toney, a secondary school teacher and a parent of three elementary students, reflects upon the current situation with chat GPT and how it is affecting the educational process in schools. She reviews the possible dangers and benefits of the new technology and shares her ideas on how to anticipate its potential detrimental effect on the quality of school education.

Children, more than ever before, grow up in a world facing many ecological and environmental challenges. Parents and educators cannot shield kids from what is happening but should strive to educate and encourage them to work toward solutions. Children armed with knowledge can take a stand and be ready to make real changes in their homes, communities, and their world.