Introduction As summer lingers on, many Black youths are enjoying their breaks from school. The two-to-three-month break from school has been linked to many Black children falling behind their peers. The summer break can lead to a stagnation of academic development. However, this is not the core reason for the academic struggles of Black youth. According to the … [Read more...]
Message to the Parents:
Parents are the First Teachers and Home the First School
Practical advice from education experts enabling parents to assist with their children’s learning; how-to tips for preparing preschoolers and supporting older children’s school experience; help navigating school bureaucracies; historical perspectives on cultural factors of particular interest to African Americans; all with the intent of helping reduce the state’s unacceptable educational achievement gaps
Bedtime routines for school-aged children
As a child, I remember coming in the house when the street lights came on and going to bed at 7 pm. My siblings and I thought this time was too early, especially when it was bright and sunny outside. I would toss and turn, then would eventually doze off to sleep. Of course, my parents had a rationale for this bedtime pattern — no tired kids in the morning! The … [Read more...]
How doing chores can help your kids — and you
As an adult, I have had moments when I struggled to stay on top of housework. I reflected on how my parents got it all done, and then I remembered that they had lots of help. My siblings and I had chores to do each week, and that experience gave me the knowledge to take care of my own home. According to Better Homes and Garden Magazine, household chores help … [Read more...]
A guide to summer fun for your children
As summertime approaches and the weather gets warmer, children become more eager to get out of the house and play outside. Summer is definitely a fun time of the year for kids, but for parents summer can be a challenging time, especially when it comes to finding things for your children to do if they are not enrolled in summer school. Every year, parents with young children … [Read more...]
Help children stave off summer hunger
Be sure your community has enough meal sites The Summer Food Service Program tries to meet the need and helps to deliver the dollars to pay for the basic nutrition every child needs every day. For communities that use it, the benefits are enormous. It not only feeds children but also provides much-needed summer jobs for youth and adults, often in communities where jobs are … [Read more...]