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Archive for July, 2012

‘Summer slide’ can be slippery slope for young readers

July 31, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Teachers dread it. Parents lament it. Kids often regret it once school starts in fall. It’s the summer slide – that annual dip in educational activity that causes kids to “lose” some of what they learned during the school year. Researchers say children may lose two months of reading achievement, on average, during summer, and […]

Heat-stress awareness important for athletes, parents, coaches

July 31, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

High school athletes across the state have spent the summer preparing for rigorous preseason workouts. Most healthy children and adolescents can safely participate in outdoor sports and other physical activities in whatever weather summer throws their way. But as the temperature rises, so does the risk for heat stress from over-exertion, as well as other […]

First day of kindergarten is a big step for everyone

July 31, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary

Anticipation about starting kindergarten followed a similar path for all three of my children. They couldn’t wait to be “big kids,” and talk about how excited they were for “the big day” filled our summer. That is, until about a week before school started. “What if I don’t make friends?” “Will my teacher be nice?” […]

There are a number of ways to have fun with math in summer months

July 31, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

Finding ways to work math activities into summer fun might require a calculated effort, but taking a vacation from numbers can have a detrimental effect on academic success. According to the National Summer Learning Association, students can lose two months of grade-level math skills, on average, if they don’t practice during the summer. It’s known […]

Stepping back rather than stepping in may be right move for sibling squabbles

July 13, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

We love that we have the opportunity to spend more time together as family during the summer. What we don’t love is the increased opportunity for sibling squabbles. It’s a fact of life: Kids don’t always get along. As much as we’d like to step in and wave our magic wand to stop the arguments, […]

Leaving home is harder than it sounds (and it sounds pretty hard!)

July 13, 2012 | Posted in: High School, Middle Years

The months after high school graduation can hold big changes for young people. This is the second contribution by Capital Region BOCES Communications summer intern Ean Dunn, who shares insights from experience he’s gained as a college student. Growing up I went to summer camp and on extended school field trips, but nothing really prepared […]

Cellphones are useful, but parents need to set some rules

July 12, 2012 | Posted in: Elementary, High School, Middle Years

There are times as a parent when it is hard to stick to your guns. That was the case several years ago when our second child desperately wanted a cellphone. “When you are 13,” we said. That was the age at which her older sister had gotten a phone, and we felt it was an […]

Parent activity level creates lifelong habit for children

July 12, 2012 | Posted in: Early Learners, Elementary, High School, Middle Years

It should come as no surprise that the activity level of parents plays a key role in determining their children’s activity level. A new study emphasizes the importance of parents setting the stage for their children to becoming active adults – so it’s information worth repeating. Researchers at Oregon State University studied 200 families with […]