Balance Fun & Learning This Summer

Are you looking for ways to keep your children's minds sharp while still having fun this summer? As a responsible parent, you value balancing learning and leisure.

To help you make the most of your child's summer experiences and avoid the dreaded academic slide, below are some useful tips on intertwining learning with everyday experiences, regardless of your child’s age or the activity.

Embark on Exciting Volunteering Adventures

Encouraging your children to volunteer is an excellent way to teach them about empathy, community, and the impact of their actions. You can plan a family outing to a nearby food shelter where they can lend a helping hand and experience the joy of assisting others. This kind of activity will help them understand the value of giving back while building their teamwork and communication abilities. Moreover, it's an opportunity to create unforgettable memories as a family.

Acquire Essential Life Skills with a Job 

Encouraging your teenager to get a summer job can have multiple benefits. It can help them recognize their strengths and weaknesses and improve vital communication, organization, and time management skills. A seasonal job also allows teens to experience the concept of teamwork and make new friends. And by earning and managing their own money, they will learn about financial responsibility. 

Unleash Your Child's Inner Explorer at Summer Camp

Summer camp offers many opportunities for kids to have a blast while learning new skills. Whether it's a sport, art, or science camp, children can engage in hands-on activities that foster their interests and boost creativity. Encourage them to share their experiences with you, allowing them to reflect on what they've learned and develop storytelling abilities.

Discover the Thrills of Backyard Escapades

Transform your backyard into a treasure trove of learning adventures! Create a mini-garden to teach your children about plants, insects, and the marvels of nature. Motivate them to maintain a nature journal depicting and detailing findings. With activities ranging from observing birds and butterflies to planting seeds and monitoring their growth, the backyard offers limitless opportunities for scientific exploration.

Unlock their Inner Chef with Kitchen Creations

The kitchen is a haven for learning disguised as fun. You can involve your child in baking or cooking activities where they can practice math skills by measuring ingredients or following recipes. Encourage them to be creative with flavors and textures. Not only will they develop a taste for culinary arts, but they'll also learn about nutrition, teamwork, and problem-solving!

Foster the Joy of Beach Reading

A day at the beach is the perfect opportunity to indulge in reading adventures, so why not suggest they pack their favorite books? Create cozy reading spots with blankets and beach chairs, and let their imaginations soar as they dive into captivating stories. Discussing the books they read will enhance comprehension skills and expand vocabulary.

Create Lasting Memories with Grandma

Spending time with grandparents or extended family is a source of joy and a treasure trove of wisdom and shared experiences. Plan sleepovers at Grandma's, where children can learn about their family’s past, participate in storytelling, and even try their hand at an old family recipe. Encourage them to ask questions and actively listen to the stories shared by grandparents or loved ones. These cherished moments create strong connections while building an appreciation of family heritage.

In Conclusion: Find a Happy Balance

As parents, it is essential to balance fun and learning for children over the summer months. By intertwining education with everyday experiences, parents can ensure that children continue to grow intellectually while making unforgettable memories. From volunteering and summer camp adventures to backyard explorations, kitchen creations, beach reading, and family sleepovers, the opportunities for fun-filled learning experiences are endless. 

For more ideas on avoiding the summer slide, check out our blog called Want to avoid the summer slide? Here's How. 

Here’s to a happy summer full of adventures that combines excitement, growth, and the joy of learning!

Written By Keating Quigley | Educational Consultants

Conquer Those End of Year To Do Lists!

There's no disputing it: time flies! And now that May is closing in, the last day of school will be here in the blink of an eye. With all the art shows, dance recitals, graduations, award ceremonies, field trips, team banquets, and recognition dinners, the final weeks of the school year can be a whirlwind. To help you stay an top of the craziness of it all, we’ve put together our top tips. Check it out…There’s something for everyone whether big or small!

What you can do At school…

1. Avoid ‘springitis’: Make sure your child puts in maximum effort right up to the last minute to ensure a strong end to the academic year. Consistency and accountability are crucial, so make sure they maintain their routine and stay on top of year-end projects, assignments, and finals.

2. Consider teacher options: If you think your child would react more favorably to a specific teacher’s personality and teaching style next year, now is the time to submit a request to the Division Head or Head of School. These discussions take place in early summer, so get to it!

3. Discuss class placement: Similarly, if you believe your child's classroom experience is being negatively impacted by a classmate or your child is too socially reliant on a friend, talk to their teacher and ask them to be placed in separate homerooms next year. Every child deserves the chance to grow into their own space at their own pace.

4. Crunch standardized test scores: And lastly, if you need guidance to decipher your child's recent standardized test scores and how they impact class placement, eligibility to advanced classes, or basic skills programs, contact your child's counselor, advisor, or teacher. They will help you make sense of the complicated percentile, stanine, and composite score data on the report.

What you can do At home…

1. Help your high schooler find a summer job:  Encourage your teen (assuming they’re old enough) to research summer employment or volunteering opportunities. Work experience is an excellent way to stay active over the long summer months and also teaches high schoolers the power of earning pocket money and helping others. And on another note: although the college application process might be a few years into your child's future, be aware that colleges prefer to see seasonal jobs listed in the Student Activity Log section of the Common App!

2. Sign your rising senior up for essay support: Summer is the ideal time for your child to work on the Common App essay before the demanding workload of senior year begins. Check out our recent blog, It's College Essay Season: Let's Get It Done!, for more info.

3. Show gratitude: There are most likely some staff members who made a positive impact on your child this year. Whoever they may be (a homeroom teacher, someone in the Main Office, the Head of School, or a member of the custodial staff), take time to thank them for their hard work and dedication personally. It may be a small gesture, but trust us, it goes a long way. 

4. Return & pick up ‘stuff’: Remember to trawl through closets and bedrooms at home and drop off IT equipment, library books, school supplies, or general classroom items on loan during the school year. Similarly, don't forget to pick up your child's yearbook, awards, art projects, etc., from the classroom before the last day of school.

5. Donate gently worn items: As the year winds down, this is the perfect opportunity to give your child's closet a once-over to determine what gently used uniforms and clothes to keep, donate, or toss. We promise you'll feel satisfied - not to mention lighter!

KQ: The Voice of Gentle Guidance & Reason

If you are looking for an educational consultant to advise you on any aspect of your child’s educational journey, email or call us. We’re always here to help...

Happy (almost) summer!

Written By Keating Quigley | Educational Consultants

College Chronicles by Charlotte G - The Final Installment

Thanks to Charlotte for the third installment of her blog highlighting academics, dorm life, and the joys (and challenges) of being a college student!

Hello again everyone! The last time we talked we were just settling in to the school year, and now look at us… our college year is rapidly coming to an end!!!

I am so proud of you!! You have grown and accomplished so much. However, the semester isn’t over yet! Some of us still have to get through finals and truck through the next few weeks. 

To me at least, spring semester is the most challenging. I am not sure if you agree, but when it starts to get nice outside and flowers start budding, my motivation wears thin. So as your mind drifts outside, I’m going to share some strategies on how to keep your stamina up, when all you truly want to do is enjoy the beautiful weather and be on a beach somewhere! So, here we go: 

1. Make a schedule and give yourself free time… cramming only makes your motivation low and stress levels high. 

2. Stressed or anxious? Go for a walk. Especially in the spring, it is so relaxing and grounding to breathe fresh air and let yourself connect with nature. 

3. Stay healthy. Most importantly make sure you are getting enough sleep. Without sleep, you will wear your body down which will only do more harm than good, especially for your grades.

4. Call your parents. Let them know you're hanging in there during finals week… they will cheer you on! 

5. Plan a post-finals trip or a fun activity with friends. With something exciting in the works, you will be able to push yourself to finish strong.

6. Remember, the end of the year doesn’t have to be a dreaded time, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. Not only are your parents and friends there for you always, but so is your school.

one More piece of advice

When it comes to packing up and moving out, many universities, including my own, have storage services that will keep students' belongings safe until the next school year. Parents, this is something I couldn’t recommend enough. It saves a lot of trouble and stress as it can be hard to lug a TV or dorm bed headboard all the way home and all the way back for the next year. I know my mother thanked her lucky stars she didn’t have to drive down to my school and pack up the car with all my stuff!

And lastly…

You will be okay, actually, more than okay! You should be so proud of yourself for finishing the school year. So enjoy your last days on campus and ace those finals: I just know you are more than capable. Happy summer!

Written by Charlotte G. | Blogging Intern | Keating Quigley

College Chronicles by Charlotte G - The Sequel

Here’s Charlotte’s second blog on academics, dorm life, and the joys (and challenges) of being a college student!

Hey, Freshman! How’s it going? I know my year had a crazy start, so I can only imagine that you felt it too!

I’m so proud of you guys. Can you believe it’s almost November? How time flies! For some of you, I know it’s been a hard adjustment, but I promise you, you’re not alone. Everyone is still acclimating, so don’t be afraid to confide in your friends: they’re possibly feeling the same way and would find comfort in a good heart to heart.

So now that you guys are settled in, it's time to talk about options for opening both your social and academic life. College, even more than High School, is a time to explore your interests. Luckily, joining a club, greek life, or athletics is easier than you thought! 

Getting involved in your campus community is something that I couldn’t recommend enough. Not only is it important to take breaks from academics, but it’s also essential to find people who share the same interests as you. I’ve been at College for over a year now, and I wouldn’t have had the same experience or met the amazing people if I didn’t join service clubs, IM sports teams, and also a sorority.

So let’s take a quick look at just some of the many opportunities at College…

Clubs and Volunteering

Clubs usually aren’t a huge commitment but are super fun. It’s such an amazing part of the college experience to be surrounded by a group that all want to participate in the same efforts as you. I love the clubs I am a part of, even though I was really nervous and hesitant to join. I especially love the Green Club, which helps make campus more sustainable (something I have been passionate about since my APES class junior year of High School). Clubs like the Green Club are just one of the many service organizations at colleges that embrace volunteering. It always feels fulfilling to give back to your college community and the communities surrounding campus.

Greek life

If it appeals to you, Greek life is a great experience, is an awesome way to meet new people and have a smaller sense of community on campus. At some schools, I know that Greek Life is considered to be “necessary.” However, being part of a fraternity or sorority is exactly what you make of it! If one chapter appeals to you because of their philanthropy, support, academics, and social scene, I recommend you take it into consideration!

Intramural/Club Sports

IM and club sports are another excellent way to get up and active at college. These teams are always looking for members and if you played a sport in High School or want to start playing a sport, be sure to try it out! Some schools have different requirements for their club teams. For example, I know the club women's lacrosse team at my school is more intense than our club women's soccer team, so they have more rigorous tryouts. Through research and word of mouth feedback, you can learn all about the sport you're interested in, and what it takes to get involved at your University. 

and finally…

Although it was challenging to get involved last year because of COVID, I have never felt such a sense of community as I do now at my school. Clubs are so happy to have new members, so go out and take full advantage of all opportunities at your fingertips. 

I know it can be scary to go outside your comfort zone, but the benefits outweigh the costs, and it's also important to take risks! Apply for a position, try out for a team, and stand up for what you believe. You won’t regret it.

Written by Charlotte G. | Blogging Intern | Keating Quigley