Juneteenth has been a recognized federal holiday since 2021, but why and what does celebrating the day look like? We’re glad you asked! Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the day, June 19th of 1865, when slaves in Texas learned about their freedom – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect (January 1st, 1863). It’s an important holiday to note, because it … [Read more...] about Teaching the Significance of Juneteenth to Elementary-Age Students
Parents: 7 Tips for a Successful Summer
Summer is here and it’s time to relax and rejuvenate! Your child(ren) may be thrilled from anticipating lazy days and sleeping in, but summer break isn’t always that stress-free for parents, especially when kids get bored once they run out of things to do. Here are a few tips and ideas to help keep your child entertained and your sanity intact. Tip 1: Prioritize Physical Activity Get the … [Read more...] about Parents: 7 Tips for a Successful Summer
Supporting Youth Mental Health: 5 Tips for Parents
One of the silver linings of the pandemic was bringing mental health awareness to the forefront of everyone’s mind. With the world turned upside down, young people and adults from all walks of life experienced big feelings like anxiety, depression, and frustration. Though COVID-19 is now better managed, we have new tools to support the mental wellbeing and general health of families. Whether or … [Read more...] about Supporting Youth Mental Health: 5 Tips for Parents
The Importance of Summer Break
April showers can bring May flowers, but the week or two of Spring Break is always a reminder that summer is just around the corner. While summer vacation offers children a much-needed break from learning in a classroom setting, it can be challenging for parents to plan for a balanced, enriching, extended break from school without the support of summer programs. At AYS, our team of youth-serving … [Read more...] about The Importance of Summer Break
How Play Strengthens Student Learning
Each person, regardless of age, has a preferred learning style that highlights how we best process, retain, and recall information. There are seven standard learning styles – visual, auditory, kinesthetic, verbal, logical, social, and solitary. Play is one activity that involves each of these styles. Whether it’s guided or unstructured, learning through play allows youth the opportunity to … [Read more...] about How Play Strengthens Student Learning