For the first time in 20 years, the Daisies, Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts are getting new official apparel! The wardrobe will pay homage to ’90s style and feature eco-conscious touches—plus the Girl Scout uniforms will be upgraded with recycled materials.
If you’re shopping for your younger Scout, you’ll find a collection of fashionable oversized T-shirts, slim fit pants and fun accessories like scrunchies and headbands. All pair perfectly with the iconic sash or vest and allow girls to show off their style and personality. You can buy items starting in late August through the Girl Scout Shop.
The collection will range in price from $10-$39 and is designed with comfort and durability in mind. It’s color-coordinated by grade level and will offer both casual and formal options. Best of all, it offers inclusive sizing options ranging from XXS to PXXL..
Meanwhile, the updated Girl Scout uniforms will feature the same colors and designs, but be made of a fabric that includes 40% recycled material. The Girl Scouts will also begin an upcycling program to turn old uniforms into new materials, like aprons, pillows and totes. Starting in August you can purchase these items through the Girl Scout Shop and select council stores!
Looking for a fun way to keep your kids excited about reading this summer? How about free books!
When you sign your young readers up at Barnes & Noble you can spend the whole summer reading––and earn some free books to tuck them in at bedtime when school starts again. So how does it work?
photo: iStock
When students in grades one through six read eight books over the summer and complete a reading journal, they can earn a free book at Barnes & Noble. All you need to do is download the journal here and print it.
Then, complete the information requested and have your kids log the books they’ve read over the summer. Turn in the journal at any Barnes & Noble location between July. 1 and Aug. 31, 2021.
Once completed, kids are able to choose from a pre-set list of free books grouped by grade level. The list includes titles likeMalala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights, Judy Moodyand the Not Bummer Summer and Because of Winn-Dixie.
Does your child need extra help with their speech therapy services? While school and private therapy provide primary ways to practice and make changes, your child may need more. Here’s where the new TikTalk2Me app comes in!
TikTalk is a new program for children in kindergarten through grade six, available on iOS and Android. Your kiddo’s school or private speech-language pathologist (SLP) activates and guides the app, customizing the app experience.
The app includes engaging video games to encourage at-home practice. Nir Gamliel, U.S. head of business development at TikTalk2me, said in a press release, “This is the most intuitive, engaging and customized speech program available for use on millions of portable devices.” Gamliel continued, “In our efforts to make TikTalk even more accessible, it is now available in the app store. It’s time that patients, parents and SLPs reap the benefits of futuristic therapy today.”
Sandra Laserson, M.A. CCC-SLP, an Ohio-based SLP in private practice who helped develop TikTalk, added, “Some apps are good for encouraging practice. But I never knew how much practice was being done, how accurate sounds were being produced and had limited mechanisms at my disposal to report the success.”
Find TikTalk in the Apple Store here and on Google Play here.
What are kids reading? Now you don’t have to wonder what types of titles are the most popular with different age groups around the country.
Renaissance recently released the 2021 What Kids Are Reading Report—and it has plenty of awesome info for educators and parents to access. The free downloadable report is a comprehensive, national report of student reading habits.
If you’re not sure how to help your child become a reader, what books can fuel their literary appetite, or are just on the hunt for more information on children’s books, this report is a must-download. Some of the study’s highlights include tools such as popular book maps for each grade band and state and popular book lists for each grade level.
The popular book lists tool is broken down into categories, such as popular topics, top print books, top digital books, popular Spanish titles, “New and Now” books and more.
Along with the tools and lists, the report also includes snapshots and spotlights from the past year. Look for topics such as “How Are Kids Reading During COVID-19?” and “How Are Teachers Keeping Kids Reading During COVID-19?”.
To download your free copy of the report, visit Renaissance’s website here.
Wish you held on to that high school Spanish? Si, us too. The best time for your child to learn a language is now—the earlier the better! The opportunity to acquire another language is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids, opening doors and expanding their world in a way that only being bilingual can.
The International School creates an inclusive, multicultural environment where children are fully immersed in Spanish, Japanese, or Mandarin from preschool through 5th grade. Located in South Portland, The International School has provided its young students with a bilingual education for 30 years!
After graduating from The International School, children will not only be bilingual and bicultural, they’ll have the educational foundation needed to excel in school and life. Read on for three reasons why this school is excelente!
The First of Its Kind
The International School is a renowned center of excellence in multicultural education. They are the largest preschool program in Portland and (cue the confetti) are celebrating their 30th Anniversary this year! The International School was the first International Baccalaureate elementary school in the Pacific Northwest. They are one of only two schools in the United States (and perhaps the world) offering full immersion in three separate language tracks under one roof—it’s a one-stop language shop.
Language Program Offerings Like No Other
It is the only program in the country to offer full Japanese language immersion, and the only program to combine Japanese immersion with the renowned International Baccalaureate approach. The International School’s Chinese immersion program is the 8th oldest program in the United States. It’s also the longest-running program in the Pacific Northwest. Impressive stats for an incredibly impressive school (we’re not surprised!).
World-Class Educators
They boast having a highly-qualified and loving staff, hailing from over 17 countries. Kids get the attention they need and deserve with no more than 19 students per class, with the average class size being even smaller. All The International School teachers have native-level fluency, so kids learn native accents, speech patterns and expressions. It’s the ideal way to learn a language (and to fool someone into thinking you’re from another country).
Give an education that expands beyond borders and watch your child grow. They’ll acquire a new language and culture as they learn to pursue knowledge beyond the classroom and throughout life—all before the 6th grade!
Virtual personal tours are offered daily and they are now accepting applications for Fall 2021. Financial aid is available.
WubbaNub is doing its part to help The Children’s Heart Foundation. According to the organization, almost 40,000 babies are born with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) every year in the United States, with 25% of them needing surgeries or other solutions to survive.
The Heart Warrior Collection by WubbaNub is an annual lineup that helps support babies born with CHD, with a portion of proceeds going to The Children’s Heart Foundation. This year it’s made up of The Heart Warrior Bear pacifier and lovey.
Both products come with a scar across his chest, just like the tiny heart warrior babies they support.
Carla Schneider, Founder and CEO of WubbaNub shares “We hope this will bring all the little heart warriors and their families some soothing comfort and joy when they need it most.”
Each WubbaNub is made with a medical grade, latex free pacifier that is BPA, PVC and Phthalate-Free. The plush animals help babies use the pacifiers on their own, and each one is hand or machine washable.
You can start shopping The Heart Warrior Collection on Feb. 7 starting at $15.99 each on WubbaNubOnline.com.
Museums may still be closed but that doesn’t mean kiddos have to miss out on all the fun. In a new announcement, PBS has shared it is now collaborating with the Smithsonian Institution to bring tons of content for PreK through 12th grade to educators across the U.S.
Starting today, you can access a huge collection of free, standards-aligned Smithsonian content on PBS LearningMedia. Everything on the hub is aligned to Common Core and national and state standards and available in a variety of formats, including lesson plans, videos and interactives.
Paula Kerger, CEO of PBS says “PBS and the Smithsonian Institution have a shared commitment to education and helping teachers and learners connect with relevant and meaningful resources. As this challenging year has made abundantly clear, it’s now more important than ever to make high-quality, educational content readily accessible to Americans nationwide. Through this partnership, we hope to build on this commitment to students across the country, helping to prepare them for success in school and beyond.”
Resources available on PBS LearningMedia focus on three main areas for caregivers, parents and educators.
Interdisciplinary resources that bring content from the Smithsonian’s museums by teaching science through art or history through research
Content on contemporary local and global issues
Signature Smithsonian collections and programs, such as virtual tours and the National Air and Space Museum’s Emmy-winning STEM in 30 serie
Users can browse content and filter by standards, grade level, subject and special collections. To access the entire library of Smithsonian learning-ready resources, visit PBS LearningMedia.
If we’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that being a teacher is an incredibly challenging job. Trying to wrangle little learners poses even more challenges, and keeping them engaged throughout the day at home is a major feat of strength (and patience!).
Parents, listen up: Chicago City Day School meets those challenges every day. This independent private school boasts a 40-year track record of academic excellence serving students in junior kindergarten through grade eight. They offer a rigorous academic program that is rooted in tradition and embraces innovation. Their students learn in a culture of kindness, one that gives them the support they need to take risks, challenge themselves and succeed. Sound good? Read on for three reasons why we love Chicago City Day School, especially for the younger set!
Well-Rounded Education
Look no further for a big education for your littles: Junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten classes provide nurturing, play-based activities that build a love for learning. Guided by expert teachers and City Day's "culture of kindness," kids will learn how to share and collaborate, and hone cognitive and fine/gross motor skills. The school’s youngest learners also participate in a slate of “specials” classes, including P.E., a design-based tech program, art, drama, music, and study of either French or Spanish.
By first grade, students take an important developmental step as they begin to explore the school's immersive curriculum. A key feature of their first-grade program is the emphasis on public speaking, something that continues throughout the City Day program. Students show incredible growth over the course of the year, as tentative first attempts at giving speeches become polished presentations by year’s end. Wish you had this opportunity when you were six? Us too.
Expert Educators
Step aside and take a breather, moms and dads, expert help is here! What’s brilliant about City Day is how they balance academics and social-emotional growth in a way that inspires children to love school. They stand out because of the autonomy, resources, and faculty they devote to an elementary school population.
City Day curates an expert group of passionate, caring, and energetic educators. Their teachers specialize in differentiated instruction, ensuring that each student is engaged. All classroom teachers hold advanced degrees and have substantial experience, bringing sound educational thought and practice to their classrooms each day.
A Dream Campus
"Is this real life?!" City Day’s campus is a true oasis of learning in the bustling, urban setting of the Lakeview East neighborhood. Their two-acre campus includes welcoming classrooms, the dynamic Shorey Shop, the professional-grade Hunt Theater for drama and music productions, multiple technology labs and unique outdoor learning spaces, including an 8,000-gallon koi pond—wow. This sounds a lot better than our backyard!
Your kids will be begging for more bricks when their breakfast is in the shape of blocks. Hammacher Schlemmer’s Building Brick Waffle Maker made its debut on Kickstarter and quickly surpassed its goal. Now it’s available for purchase!
The Building Brick Waffle Maker takes meals to the next level, literally. Create a house or a towering skyscraper made of delicious waffles, then cover it in syrup and demolish it.
Bake up interlocking bricks in this waffle maker that makes10 short bricks, two long bricks, and two individual bricks at the same time. The finished products can be easily stacked, making any structure you can dream of.
The Building Brick Waffle Maker is made from die-cast aluminum with a food-grade, non-stick coating that is easy to clean. It currently sells for $59.99 and the next batch will ship in January. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?
One of the best things about living in Denver is that there’s no shortage of amazing hikes all over town. Our friends at AllTrails shared their favorite stroller-friendly hikes around Denver and they are perfect for days when you need to get everyone out of the house PRONTO. These hikes offer flat trails and many of them are paved making them perfect for strollers and even tiny bike riders. We know you’ll love them too!
1. Sloan's Lake Loop
Jess Santiago/AllTrails
Sloan's Lake Loop is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Wheat Ridge, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, running, bird watching, and road biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
2. Berkeley Lake Park Loop
John Cassidy/AllTrails
Berkeley Lake Park Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Wheat Ridge, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail surface is paved concrete and typically at least four feet wide. The estimated grade is gentle (all 3% or less) so will likely be traversable for most wheelchairs/mobility equipment or strollers.
Distance: 1.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
3. South Platte River Greenway Trail East
Jason Hahn/AllTrails
South Platte River Greenway Trail East is a heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Denver, Colorado that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail surface is paved and typically at least six feet wide. The grade is mostly gentle (all estimated under 5%) so most wheelchair and stroller users will likely be able to traverse the trail.
Distance: 13.9 miles Difficulty: Easy
4. Lakewood Gulch Trail
David B/AllTrails
Lakewood Gulch Trail is a lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Denver, Colorado that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking and running. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This paved trail is popular with biking commuters and runners.
Distance: 4.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
5. Bluff Lake Nature Center
Brian Wert/AllTrails
Bluff Lake Nature Center Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Aurora, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Bluff Lake has a 1-mile Lake Loop with an additional ½-mile Sand Creek Loop. The 123-acre wildlife park is located within Denver, Colorado city limits. It is mostly flat, with both stairs and an accessible entry ramp. Wildlife abounds and varied ecosystems offer year-round activity options.
Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
6. Central Park Denver Loop
David B/AllTrails
Central Park Denver is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Denver, Colorado that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Distance: 2.9 miles Difficulty: Easy
7. Clear Creek Trail and Prospect Lake Loop
Christin Cordova/AllTrails
Clear Creek Trail and Prospect Lake Loop is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Wheat Ridge, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This family-friendly loop follows Clear Creek past Prospect, Tabor and West Lakes. It is paved on the north side of the river for bicycles and unpaved for most of the southern portion of the river for foot traffic only. There are many access points for Clear Creek Trail, so you don't necessarily need to start at the trailhead shown on this page.
Distance: 6.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
8. Crown Hill Lake Loop and Nature Trail
Ben Reddin/AllTrails
Crown Hill Lake Loop and Nature Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Wheat Ridge, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until December. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The trail is partially paved and partially dirt. It is typically at least five feet wide. The estimated average grade is 2% and the max grade is 5%. The most accessible trail in this park is the 0.7 mile Nature Preserve/Wildlife Sanctuary loop trail in the northwestern section of the park, which is considered fully ADA accessible.
Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
9. Cherry Creek Reservoir Loop Trail
Coco/AllTrails
Cherry Creek Reservoir Loop Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located near Aurora, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. It is suggested to park in the Tower Loop parking lot and take the route counter-clockwise, beginning with the Dam Trail.
Distance: 8.8 miles Difficulty: Easy
10. Bear Creek Greenbelt Lakewood Trail
Dan Douds/AllTrails
Bear Creek Greenbelt Lakewood Trail is a heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Lakewood, Colorado that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The main trail surface is paved and typically at least five feet wide. The grade is mostly gentle, all estimated 4% or less, so most wheelchair and stroller users will likely be able to navigate this trail.
AllTrails helps connect us to the outdoors and makes getting outside easier and more accessible. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, with AllTrails you can search for and navigate trails, parks, and green spaces, or use filters to find your next favorite trail.
