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Playful Teaching Practices: A Little Book of Leadership Resources, Techniques and Activities, written by Dr. Bill Michaelis and Ezra Holland. Parker, CO: Outskirts Press, Inc. 2019. 100 pp. softcover. ISBN: 9781977202093 The authors, Dr. Bill Michaelis …

A backyard playground serves several functions. It gives your kids a safe and protected place for free play; it serves as a source of creative expression and unstructured learning; it encourages time spent outside in nature; a playground can also be a …

Most parents know that encouraging their kids to spend time in nature is important to their health and well-being. Did you know that babies can benefit from being in nature as well? According to 2020 research published in PLOS One , spending time in …

Fitness might be a lifelong journey, but that doesn’t mean that you’re supposed to keep working out no matter what life might throw at you. Sometimes, you’re just too swamped with work to make it to your training sessions consistently, while other times …

When COVID-19 began traversing the world, it quickly became apparent that daily life needed to change. The disease was spreading too fast for hospitals to keep up with, so areas that usually saw large gatherings shut down. Playgrounds closed and left kids …

When I am in my local park, I follow the footsteps of the famous poet Walt Whitman.  West Hills Park in Melville, NY is up the road from Walt’s birthplace. I think of Walt often as I walk down the trails and wonder what he would write about this pandemic. …

Develop an atmosphere of reading Reading not only helps children develop a much richer vocabulary but also helps their brains learn to deal with concepts and formal communication. And the skills acquired in reading extend far beyond increasing performance …

Moving from one location to another isn't an easy feat. Aside from making sure that all of your valuables are packed properly, you also have to exert time to look for the best long distance movers and make necessary adjustments when you arrive in your new …

The Covid-19 virus pandemic has affected everyone. The world has changed and may never be the same. The pandemic has many downsides to it, but children are benefitting from this time period. They are finally getting the chance to be kids, have time to get …

The sounds of children playing filled the air. Besides an occasional trip home for a snack or bathroom break, their entire day was spent outside. Climbing trees. Catching critters. Living life. And without an adult in sight. Adults often look back on …

Our playgrounds and the surfacing beneath them are not usually the primary focus of our day until our organization is choosing new playgrounds or renovating the ones we already have. When playground safety concerns increase in priority, we may consider …

Educational play is so powerful that a student does not experience or see the activity of learning as work or simply not fun. Hearing a student say “I don’t want to go back inside for class!” after playing Mathematics games outdoors for a full hour on the …

Sports activities are fun, but if you aren't careful, you can increase your chances of getting injured. Although it's not possible to completely prevent all sports injuries, you can take a few steps to decrease your chances of getting injured while …

Play is important for children, especially for children with ADHD. For all children, play is a means of using their creativity at the same time as they develop fundamental skills including imagination, dexterity, and strength. They develop not only …

Even your home may be unsafe for the child and his health. In this article, we will talk about what dangers await him here, and how to avoid them. Let Your Children Be Safe in Your House There is a well-known saying - “our house is our fortress”. The …

The three alternatives refer to how things have changed now with the virus among us. New rules have now been enacted to provide guidance before returning to a new normalcy. We know what for now we must abdicate : all sports conducted indoors. Bowling too …

Every parent wants to raise a child who can tackle life’s challenges. One who doesn’t give up despite failures, mistakes or setbacks. This quality is known as grit. Grit is a distinct combination of passion, resilience, determination, and focus that …

CBD seems to be on everyone’s minds lately, from teachers to gurus to athletes and busy professionals, but there’s another population that can potentially benefit from this natural compound: children.  Children are prone to all manner of conditions, just …

Hunting for seashells is likely one of your children’s favorite beach trip activities. Seashell hunting is a fun (and budget-friendly) way to keep the whole family entertained and learn about marine life with your kids.  Seashells, when collected …

What is a Product Recall? A request from a manufacturer to return a product after the discovery of safety issues or defects that might endanger the consumer or put the user at risk. As a public sector risk manager, I am always looking out for product …

The benefits of after school activities for your children far outweigh the costs and travel time usually associated with such activities. When they participate in after school activities they exercise, socialize with friends and the activity becomes an …