Blog - Page 4

Transitioning from kindergarten to 1st grade is a big step, especially in English Language Arts (ELA). It’s the point where children start seeing themselves as readers and writers. I’ve learned from my experience in the classroom that summer can either reinforce a love of literacy or cause key skills to fade.  Recreating a school day at home is not necessary however, a little practice mixed with fun  goes a long way. 

Here are the skills I perceive to be the most important ELA skills to review from kindergarten and a few foundational 1st grade skills you can start exploring. Each skill is paired with engaging Kids Academy resources and fun off-screen ideas that will make learning feel natural and playful.

Starting kindergarten is such an exciting time for both kids and parents! It’s totally normal to feel a mix of nerves and excitement. To help make this transition smoother, one of the best things you can do is set up a consistent daily routine. This can really help everyone feel more comfortable and ready for the new adventure ahead!

In my classroom, I prioritize teaching about routines. I explain the importance of following a routine, what routines are, and how they can change. We don’t establish routines without understanding their purpose; instead, we help children grasp these concepts.

From my time in the classroom,  I can tell you that math confidence isn’t something that can  just happen overnight. It grows with small moments of success (seen throughout the year), and summer is the ideal time to add in those moments at home. The skills I highlight below are the ones I used to reteach in the first few weeks of 1st grade, so staying sharp on them makes a noticeable difference.

Mastering scissors develops fine motor skills and improves pencil grip while fostering bilateral coordination and engaging both sides of a child's brain simultaneously. This necessary ingredient will help your child tremendously in completing the academic tasks in class. And it’s good to remember that school isn’t just about internalizing knowledge—it’s also about learning to manipulate and produce things! 

In this article, you'll find exciting and safe scissor activities to help preschoolers develop and reinforce this critical ability.

The summer before a child enters kindergarten, many parents often wonder how to prepare their future student for this major milestone of transitioning from home into the classroom. In this article, we’ll talk about key competences that are good to have before entering Kindergarten. 

Every educator knows: practice makes perfect. Repeated completion of a certain activity helps brain make that skill automatic. This means one no longer needs to stop and think every time they face a similar task, they just do it without any mental effort or even noticing it. 

With that educational purpose in mind, Kids Academy decided to enrich our diverse range of activities with Learning Drills, or Drill Worksheets. 

The start of school is a significant milestone, not just for your child but for you as well. It marks the end of their toddler years and begins a new chapter filled with learning, new friendships, and increased independence. As summer unfolds, now is the perfect time to prepare both your child and yourself for this transition.

When the burgers are on the grill and the kids are anxiously awaiting fireworks, 4th of July games for kids are an easy way to keep the littlest guests busy on this exciting day! Plan memorable backyard games that will delight your friends and family, both young and old. 

This summer, paper packaging doesn’t have to go to waste! Each of the projects will not only help you to be better stewards of the environment, but they offer quality time with your kids while giving them a creative outlet this summer.

Supporting students with additional needs, such as those with ADHD can be challenging, especially in a time of rising reliance on digital devices. This abundance of digital hyper-entertaining content that keeps kids glued to their screens may affect the dopamine reward system in the brain, creating dependance on constant stimulation. This can negatively impact children's ability to concentrate and settle. In this reality, more and more teachers find themselves trying to facilitate mentally overstimulated and disengaged students. 

Our article will explore the ways teachers can overcome these challenges.