Picking a new school for your child can happen at any grade. Most commonly, you’ll find yourself looking for a new school after preschool, sixth grade, 8th grade, and 12th grade should your child go to college. How do you decide on a school? Whether you are choosing public, private, or homeschool, there are things that you should think about tuition or no tuition. After all, this choice can and will affect the future opportunities your child will get.
First, Write Five Important Factors Think about the most important factors in this decision. These should be the five most important factors that will come into play when choosing a school in your final list. As you go through the process, there is a high chance that you will revise this list to be open to change. In addition, think about what could make this listing change. If you can say, I would think about X unless Y, make sure Y is higher on your list of five. Next, Think about Your Child and Family Obviously, the first factor in what school to attend will be what your child needs. This can be simple things like preferences or more complex and demanding factors like a peanut allergy or special needs. Go into factors like the environment structure, challenge level, attention level, and learning styles that each school displays. If your child learns best by doing, then make sure that your schools have a focus on hands-on learning rather than at desk testing. If your child loves to read, find a school that still has reading lists and a library for the children to explore. On the other hand, some children need a more creative environment to let their artistic skills thrive while some love math and science and hate art-focused schools. Only you know what is best for your child’s learning. Lastly, think about family needs in this situation. If your child needs to be within walking distance of the home, think about your options. Is there an opportunity for your child to be bussed, or can you drive? Are you looking to have your child in school with their local friends or siblings? This information will be helpful in further determining what will be best for your child, whether they are looking for a preschool in Biose or a college in Atlanta. Gather Information Once you have a list of requirements for both the child and the family, it’s time to gather information. If you were to buy a car, you would make sure you’ve checked around, looked at the MPG and safety ratings and more. The same or higher level or research should be looked into when looking for a new school to ensure that all details were accounted for. Think about the curriculum, their approach to learning, the safety, academic performance, behavior policy, approach to learning, special offerings, facilities, and services, admissions, and more to ensure that you are getting what you think you are. Paying special attention to the core programs to ensure that they are strong and will help your child succeed will ensure that they have the base knowledge to do anything they want. Looking at how hands on each school are versus how many standard tests they give a year will help to determine what you are looking for in a school. Also, think about how the school’s test scores compare and how new students transition into the programs. All kinds of questions will be needed to ensure that your child is going to the right place. Visit The Top Five Schools on Your List Once you’ve done all the research and picked your top five schools, it’s time to go to each and watch a class or two. This will help you to learn the truth behind the online stories and reviews. Make sure to pay attention to the culture in the school, the beliefs and actions of the principle, how the teachers handle conflict and , and how the students react on a day to day basis. If the students seem stressed and unhappy, then you should think twice, even if that school has the best testing scores and programs around. Finally, Apply to the Top School(s) on Your List. Depending on your final choice, you may not have to complete this step. However, if you are interested in private or home school programs, you’ll need to apply to the top few schools just in case you can’t get into the top school. If you are attending a public school, though attendance is much more likely, it’s not a bad idea to apply to more than one to be certain you’ve made the right choice. Now that you’ve picked and applied for the schools for your child’s future, you can rest easy. The school should tell you what to expect, what you’ll need, and when everything will happen. If you decide not to go forward with one, let them know. At the end of the day, your child will have a bright future in a school perfect for them.
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As the summer has gone longer, you’ve realized that your child is already out of things to do. However, you still have over half of the summer left. That can cause you to worry that they’ll sit around home, or even worse get into trouble trying to find something to do. As such, you’ve wondered if there are any summer camp options left for last minute lookers like yourself.
This situation isn’t unique. Many parents start the summer determined to keep their children doing fun things at home. Most believe that they don’t have to worry about a summer camp because they can do it all themselves. However, parents quickly realize that this is not the case. Today, we’re answering this commonly asked question and also offering advice on finding a summer camp at the last minute and what to do if one isn’t available. Can You Find a Last Minute Summer Camp? The answer to this question will depend on where you live, what you are looking for, and how flexible you can be. If you live in a small town, can’t drive out of it, and need a space camp, then you might not find what you are looking for. However, if you are willing to drive a bit and choose, for example, a ninja warrior summer camp rather than a space camp, your options may open. In this way, it will be about calling around. While the pages online may say spaces open or no spaces left, there is always a chance that a child dropped out at the last minute or their site hasn’t been updated. Important Notes About Funding a Last Minute Summer Camp
What if There Isn’t a Camp? If you’re signing up at the last minute and nothing is working, you still have a few options. First, summer programs that can work with your child and keep them entertained. Examples of these can be anything from daycare to clubs like the Boys and Girls club. Alternatively, different versions of summer school allow children to continue to learn during the summer. Remember, your children should still be having fun this summer, so make sure it’s something they will enjoy as well. If none of those strike your fancy, then think about forming a summer camp if you have a group of parents going through the same issues as yourself, think about gathering together to create a summer program for your kids. If you can get five sets of parents, then you’ll have more than enough parents and creative minds to keep your children entertained all summer long. Simply get each parent to take off five days and send all the kids to that parent. Create plans for fun things to do and themes for each week so that each parent will watch the kids, and each week, the kids will have something fun to do to keep them busy. People that volunteer have a close connection to the issues in their community. However, they also have a close connection to the people and the success in their community as well. When children can volunteer, they learn many skills that they might not have any other way.
After school activities like our Ninja Warrior class or summer programs teach children confidence, determination, and skill. Going to preschool and continuing their education by finding the right elementary school can set them up for a lifetime of success. However, nothing can teach compassion, understanding, empathy, and community like volunteering. Learn about Unknown Talents Introducing age-appropriate options for children to volunteer gives them the perfect way to explore their talents and feel like they are part of something for the first time. If they’ve shown a passion for animals, then perhaps taking them to an animal shelter where they can clean, take care of, feed, and help pets will be great for letting them explore a future as a vet or animal rehabilitator. In addition, volunteering will often help in teaching lessons learned in the classroom or at after-school activities or summer camps. If your child has a wonderful time at an animal adventure themed summer camp, perhaps helping at a wildlife refuge can further instill how important taking care of animals is and what each animal needs and has. Feel a Connection to Your Community Children have no direct way, in many cases, to feel a connection to the community around them. However, through volunteering at an animal shelter, a homeless shelter, a tree planting organization, a collection drive, or a charity walk that can directly participate in helping make the community a better place. Through experiences like this, they will learn what it’s like to have a community. They will learn and understand how each person in the community must help to keep the community going. Volunteering requires maturity, patience and kindness. Children can be all of these things and in many cases, can learn and cultivate them further for a better life. Tips for Volunteering with a Child 1. Ask Your Child It’s important that you think about and talk with your child when making this decision. If you make all the decisions, then your child won’t feel a connection to the event. You’ll also need to talk about what will be expected from them and that they should look to get out of the event. 2. Ask the Organization if they Allow Kids Many Nonprofit organizations don’t allow children to take part in their activities. Usually, this is due to their inability to take the risks that children will present depending on the work that they do. As such, you should ask if the child is allowed to come and what they will be allowed to do at the event. 3. Determine the Workload After signing up for the date, it’s time to determine what you and your child will be doing the day of. While some organizations might not know the specifics, they should be able to give you an idea of what you can expect and what your child’s main goals will be. This is a great way to help your child get excited about the work that they will be doing. 4. Prepare In many cases, nothing much will be needed should you decide to help at a local place. However, if you take a trip to help clean trails at a national park, then it’s important that you have everything that you need for the trip. Involve your child in this process to help them feel in charge and connected to the help that you both are bringing. Volunteering is all about attitude. Ensure your child knows to come in with an open mind and a humble attitude. If you or they walk in as if to bestow knowledge on everyone else, the event won’t be fun. However, if you walk in with open arms ready to help and learn about the community, then you and your child will walk away with new memories, lessons, and understandings of how the world works. Being fit doesn’t have to involve running every day of the week. Staying in shape is all about having fun and trying new ways of being active. In Boise, there are many ways of staying active and many classes that you can try.
That’s why this week Bodies in Motion has taken the time to search the web for the five best fitness classes in Boise that will allow you to try new methods of staying in shape. Try one or try them all. In the end, you might decide that sticking with one fitness type a month is just too dull. CrossFit CrossFit is a combination of many types of sports designed to push your body to grow further than just any one kind of workout. It’s a hard course that required dedication and perseverance. However, it’s perfect if you are looking for something new and challenging. Often, you’ll find that a gym is more like a family with many members staying for years at a time. Any level is welcome to join. Kickboxing Bodies in Motion is happy to add this fitness class to the list of options intended to get you trying something new and fun. Each time you strap glozed on, you know the rest of your life will take a backseat for 60 minutes. During these 60 minutes, you will be able to improve your strength, cardiovascular health, and even your confidence. Classes are designed for women and man of all experience levels through easy to grasp and practice movements and sequences. In addition, Bodies in Motion is a MyZone enabled the facility. For no extra monthly charge, you will be able to track your heart rate, zone, and calorie expenditure in real time. Now you can be sure you’re having fun and getting in shape. Pole Dancing Although it might not sound family friendly, pole dancing classes are one of the newer ways to improve coordination and tone muscle mass. In general, these women only courses allow you to grow your confidence while losing weight and having fun with a group of like-minded women. Feel free to go alone or as a group with little or pro levels of experience. Pound If you like the drums, then this might be the fitness class for you. Your endurance, agility, coordination, and flexibility will be testing during this hour-long workout. It’s a class that combines cardio, strength training, pilates, and HIIT to form a streamlines class that conditions and stabilizes the body, all while playing the drums! A jam session intended to distract participants and keep them moving. Barre Barre is a class that uses a combination of ballet and yoga-inspired moves to allow you to tone muscles and gain coordination and flexibility. The course uses isometric holds with small and repetitive movements so that your body can focus on one group at a time. Though often a female-oriented class, many men have found Barre to be the perfect way of changing up their routine. After all, if football players practice ballet, there must be something to it. Whether ballet & yoga, pole dancing, or punching is your way of staying in shape, there’s nothing wrong with trying something new. Changing up your fitness routine is the perfect way to keep yourself motivated and happy with your progress and activities. In addition, working out each day in the same class or with the same sport can give you burnout. Mixing it up can keep you in love with your old sports while introducing you to something new. Preschool is a time where learning and exploring will help to ensure a future of growth and a passion for learning. As a preschool, we make sure that our children can learn about all subjects with both examples and hands-on exploration.
As such, today's post is about animals and where you can take your child to see what nature has to offer. We've rounded up the seven best wildlife parks and zoos in Idaho that you and your child can visit for the day or the weekend for a few lessons about nature and the earth. Yellowstone Bear World Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this wildlife park is dedicated to the bears. Here, you will be able to get a view of what free-roaming and wild bears live like and do daily. It's not all about bears though, during a drive through you might see elk, bison, whitetail deer, mule deer, goats, moose, and even wolves! In addition, you can learn about the bottle fed cubs that are being rehabilitated and even play with deer in the petting zoo. Admission will get you into the zoo, the amusement rises, and unlimited driving trips through the park. The Wolf Education and Research Center Located in Winchester, Idaho, this park is for the dogs. Specifically, the wolves. It's important to remember that taking your preschooler on this tour will require at least 24-hour notice as this place can't give tours on a moments notice. The center will connect your children with wolves, their environment, and how they live in the region. Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park The Idaho Falls Zoo is the perfect place to watch lions, sloth, wallabies, or bears in a small environment that they call home. Though it's closed October through March, this zoo is perfect for summer trips for your child to learn about what lives in the world outside the USA. Also, for a special treat, make sure to check online for any events that your preschooler would love to attend. Zoo Boise The second zoo in our list, this educational wonder will teach your preschooler about over 200 animals from 80 different species from around the world. Make sure you check the website for open hours and costs as well as any rules that you might need to think about. For example, they don't allow food or drink into the park. Zoo Idaho Located in Pocatello, this 25-acre zoo is the biggest on the list. As such, you should expect the most educational and face to face zoo for your preschooler possible. They will be able to see everything from bobcats to bison and foxes to snakes. Also, the petting zoo will allow them to be hands-on with the learning opportunities around the park. Don't forget to check the website for more information. Aquarium of Boise Though less hands-on, this an aquarium allows for new teaching opportunities for preschoolers. Here they will be able to see everything from clownfish to sharks. You can expect over 250 species of animals as well as all the plants and environmental factors that each would need to live. Have fun learning at this family-friendly spot with special feeding areas and talks throughout the location. Ruth Melichar Bird Center We've looked at animals on the ground and under the sea. However, our smart preschoolers haven't had an opportunity to look at birds and what it means to be a wildlife rescue. At the Ruth Melichar Bird Center, you and your child will be able to see what Idaho does to keep hurt and recovering animals safe before they can return to the wild. This nonprofit location helps to rehabilitate all manner of wildlife and also love to help bring the next generation into the game by offering tours and talks about what it means to be a wildlife rehabilitator. Preschoolers love to learn and try new things. As such, it's important that we give them every opportunity possible to expand their knowledge and grow into the person they were meant to be. Let us know if you know of any more great places for preschoolers to have fun on the weekends while they learn about nature and the creatures that live in it. As an adult, running through the park playing tag might seem a bit childish if not exhausting. The same can be said for running circles around the kitchen table, playing in the backyard for hours on end, and dancing to songs in the living room. However, that's what makes kids better at staying active. Children often don't have to be reminded to get outside and run.
Often, it's in their DNA, something that they want to do. As such, they are often healthier than we are. As we get older, we go outside less, run around less, and become more sedentary. However, by channelling what it was like to be a child, we can bring back what it's like to be active without trying. Go Outside for Lunch When a child is young, they like to spend every moment outside or somewhere having fun and running around. As they grow, they get pushed into a routine where they have things they must do intermixed with things they want to do. Recess is an example of this. As an adult, you can take advantage of your break. All you have to do is go outside on your lunch break. At first, you might sit in the shade. Next time, go for a walk. Eventually, you'll want to eat in the shade and spend most of your break walking outside. It's the perfect way to become more active passively as well as calm yourself and de-stress from the ongoing work day. Play with Your Kids The best way to bring the activity of a child into your life is through children. If you have a child, or a niece or nephew, then playing with them is a sure way to be healthier and more active life. Next time they want to play tag, hide and seek, or pretend to get up and play with them. It's effortless to want to sit and watch TV or to think that the games are boring. However, not only is this type of play great for a child's bond with you, but it's also great for your imagination and creativity! Go on a Bike Date While you might not have had a choice in mode of transportation to your friend's house, how you do. Chances are, you haven't ridden a bike in some time, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, if you want to bring childlike healthiness into your life, then renting two bikes for the day is a perfect idea. As a bonus, it will give you and your partner something new to try. If you go on a weekend vacation to a small town, then you can rent bikes and spend the weekend making new memories and having tons of fun. Do a Dance Workout If you enjoy dancing, then why not dance in your living room. However, it doesn't have to be to Baby Shark. Instead, try dancing to something like the Fitness Marshall or Popsugar Fitness on YouTube. Both offer simple to follow and easy to understand workouts that will allow you to get more active with the songs and tunes that you enjoy. As a bonus, try a few workout songs. Listen to Thunderstruck while doing jumping jacks and do squats for each Thunderstruck. Alternatively, try Roxanne and do a burpee each time you hear Roxanne. While these are less dance and more fitness, you will be left surprised at the fun you can have while getting an incredible workout. Having childlike fun doesn't have to be childish. However, it can be perfect for both your body and your mind. Going on a bike ride with a loved one, walking outside during lunch, dancing in the living room, and even playing with a child will enable you to be more active while improving other areas of your life as well. Remember, the more you get up and move, the better. Everyone has seen at least part of an episode of the American Ninja Warrior. Many of those reading have probably seen seasons worth of events. You're not alone. In fact, that's why there are ninja warrior classes all around the nation and Bodies in Motion is no exception. One major question that we get is, "what does a ninja warrior class teach students?"
It's a good question. Many would automatically think of all the ways that the class can help you get into better shape, but that's not all. Today, we're going to talk about how our Bodies in Motion Ninja Warrior Class teaches students of all ages about teamwork, determination, passion, confidence, and body health. Teamwork Though the Ninja Warrior is a single person sport, it's a team endeavour. Working to get in Ninja Warrior shape involves everyone in the class working to overcome new obstacles and bad days. Teachers and coaches will help students push themselves farther and think about challenges in new ways. Other students will help you keep going through positive encouragement and compliments when you've made it. While at the end of the day, you are only competing against yourself in the Ninja Warrior class, it still takes a group of teammates to help you get there. Determination Unlike running or basketball, the Ninja Warrior class is about a combination of upper body strength, lower body strength, problem-solving skills, endurance, and determination. The most important, determination. Without this attribute, many would give up before even getting to the end of the course. Determination is a skill that is fostered and grown through the ninja warrior classes. Students are shown what they can accomplish if they keep trying and never give up. It's essential that the coaches remind each student of how far they've come and how far they can continue to go if they keep trying. Passion Similar to determination, this is a skill that is needed to run the ninja warrior but is also grown through practicing for it or in classes. Passion is defined as "strong and barely controllable emotion" by Google. Having a passion for a gym class might sound crazy, but it's a great thing. Passion shows the students what it's like to love what they do. If the student is still a child, this can be transferred to their future career path. Having laid the foundation and given them examples of what it feels like to love "work," they will be able to find something that they have a passion for again. Confidence When a student first starts a ninja class, chances are they can't make it through the first optical without help. However, just a few courses in, they might be able to get through the whole course slowly and with only minor assistance. This accomplishment teaches them confidence. Each time they do something better, they become more confident. Also, teachers and classmates will let them know how great they did. Over time, this can help build self-confidence not only in the gym but in the real world as well. As a bonus, the further in shape a student gets, often, the more self-confident they become tripping the benefits. Body Health You might have guessed it was going to end here when you saw the name of this post. The Bodies in Motion Ninja Warrior Class is excellent for our student's bodies. However, it's more than just getting in better shape and creating healthy workout habits. The ninja warrior classes teach students how to read their bodies and know their limits. Creating healthy habits is excellent and can set the child up for a lifetime of success. However, knowing how your body is doing and being able to test and push your limits safely will ensure that those healthy habits can grow and become better over time. Your child’s birthday is coming up, and that means you need to plan a party. It’s important to think about the theme, location, what the kids will be doing, and many other factors within the party. Today, we’re going to talk about active birthday parties and why those are important.
While most children’s birthday parties are active, we’re talking in particular about birthday parties at open gyms or play gyms. These parties take activity up to the next level by creating birthday parties designed around moving and being active. With that, comes many benefits that you might not have thought about. Safety First, these parties, especially at Bodies in Motion, take place in safe and closed environments with trained staff at your disposal. You won’t have to worry about other people joining your fun day at the park or sitting down at the tables you reserved. In addition, should someone get hurt, the staff is trained and has first aid supplies right around the corner to take care of everything. All Weather Next, these types of birthday parties are perfect for any weather. As we all know, the weather in Boise can be unpredictable. As such, it can be hard to plan an active birthday party outside when a month or two in advance. With this type of birthday party, you’ll be inside and dry no matter what is happening outside. Planned Activities While everyone loves time on the playground and inflatable castles, it can be hard to get everyone on the same page having fun at a party. With a Bodies in Motion birthday party, children can take part in planned activities that keep them all having fun and talking together. Relaxed Parents Children require watching all the time. While birthday parties at open gyms are no different, they are much safer and enclosed. A such, you don’t have to worry about following your child around to keep them safe. Simply keeping an eye on them while you talk to the other parents will be enough. That means you can relax just a little while everything goes according to plan. Physical Activity When you work with children at a birthday party, you know how hyper they can get. It’s made worse by the cake, candy, pizza, and ice cream that generally accompany a birthday party. However, this won’t be as much of a problem at a birthday party at an open gym. Now, they can get all their energy out on obstacle courses and challenges so that when they go home, they’re not bouncing off the walls with pent-up energy. Simplify Themes When you pick a birthday party at home or a park, you are in charge of finding all the tables, decorations, and themes. When you go to an open gym, chances are they can provide a room with tables and chairs if not a set of decorations for you to use. That’s one less thing you have to worry about in the big rush to plan a birthday party for your child. Overall, planning a birthday party for a child will always be something that requires time. You’ll usually have ways for the children to run around a play. However, if you choose an open gym like Bodies in Motion, you give your children to the ability to play in any weather in a safe space where you have fewer worries and more time to enjoy your child’s birthday. Contact us today if you want to know more about hosting a birthday party in a gym for your child. There are two types of people when it comes to team building day. The first loves the idea of team building. They might relish the idea of having a paid day to do “fun” things, or they might enjoy team building. The other type of person wants to call in sick. However, most of the people focus on the silly things that they have to do rather than the rewards that come from them.
Team building activities focus on activities that allow you to work together on important tasks that allow everyone to serve as both a leader and a team member at least once. Since their inception, these tasks have allowed teams to flourish and grow stronger and more effective. However, what is it about these tasks that gets everyone improving? Building Teamwork Skills Perhaps the most obvious way that team building workshops are effective is their ability to improve your teamwork skills. Working together on well-designed games allows each team member to take charge of a distinct set of responsibilities and ensure that the whole group wins overall. This is because the goals of the team get placed above the intentions and feelings of the members at that moment. When working on reaching a fun but a challenging goal, cooperation and collaboration become a necessity. When back in the workplace, this lesson transitions over to the companies vision and goals. Raising Morale It’s important to remember that happy employees do better work. If your employees aren’t enthusiastic, they won’t be as motivated to work fast and provide excellent results. A team building day can help with this issue two-fold. First, it allows your employees to take a fun day where they can relax and socialize. Second, the events often improve personal skills while working on the team. Examples include:
At the same time, employees will often receive praise and compliments throughout the day. In tandem, these two forces can make even the most disgruntled employee happy and confident in their place within the business. Cross Company Networking In large companies, it can be hard to promote networking outside of certain areas. Many times the marketing department won’t talk to the security department unless something dows wrong. However, this isn’t helping the business function overall. Having all departments maintain close ties can help in moving the company forward and working towards goals that might not just require the use of one part of the business. Additionally, this also allows for the individual employees to meet new people within the business. This can be good for building cross-department teams or even finding a better fit for one person in the company. Foster Creativity Lastly and perhaps most importantly, teambuilding is a great way to foster innovation and creativity in business. You want your employees to help grow the business and move it forward. Think about this example. Tim is a project manager with a new project for the business. He might not know just hot to get the job done. However, taking a day to do teambuilding exercises gives him an idea that not only gets the job done but opens a whole new line of growth for the business as a whole. This is common in teambuilding days. It’s the effect that taking a step back from the problem has. Once you step back and rest your mind, you’ll find the solution was a lot closer than you had thought. Overall, team building isn’t all about funny tasks and bragging rights. Both your employees and your business, which in reality is a double boost for your business, will be positively affected. After a team building day, you’ll find that your employees are better able to work together, they are more confident in their abilities, and they are coming up with new ideas that they wouldn’t have been able to before. |
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February 2024
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