The Benefits of After School Care

After school programs are critical for working parents. Many Brightside Academy families have inconsistent work hours and rely on our after-school program to maintain their work schedule. Parents without after-school care may experience stress, distraction, and lower work productivity.

According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Delinquency Prevention, 80% of parents agree that their children develop stronger social skills while attending an after-school program. Studies show that there continues to be an unmet demand for after-school programs.

Brightside Academy is committed to solving the problem by providing after-school programs at most of our academies. Additionally, some of our locations provide transportation from local schools to the academy. Approximately 28.9% of parents surveyed stated that their child developed stronger social skills as a result of Brightside Academy’s after school programs and 28.2% felt like our programs had a positive impact on their child’s behavior.

Our goal is to provide a safe and enriching environment for children while also providing parents with reliable care during working hours. Not only do after school programs make a substantial impact on the well-being of children and parents, but they also save tax dollars. Every $1 spent in an after-school program saves $9 because these programs have proven to reduce crime and welfare costs. They also improve children’s performance in school, thereby increasing their earning potential as an adult.

Brightside Academy’s after school programs give children the opportunity to socialize with children from other schools. In some instances, the school districts have multiple elementary schools that combine once the children enter middle school. Children in our after-school program are already acquainted with their peers, making the transition to middle school easier.

The after school children also receive homework assistance and one on-one time with a teacher. These children have the opportunity to complete their school work and continue learning after the school bell rings. Brightside Academy’s after-school program also includes projects to empower creative thinking and hands-on learning.

After school programs offer learning opportunities and activities for children to advance their educational and extracurricular experiences. These programs support working parents and give them peace of mind while at work. Brightside Academy is proud to provide enriching after-school programs to prepare children for academic and personal success.

Tips to Help Overcome Bed Wetting

Bedwetting can be frustrating for everyone involved. Parents and guardians struggle to find a solution to help their child while having to deal with soiled clothes, sheets and mattresses, and sometimes even teasing siblings. Your child can also experience shame if the situation isn’t dealt with compassionately and objectively. Fortunately, there are some Dos and Don’ts that can help you and your child overcome this issue.

Do:

1.) Approach the situation empathetically. Understanding that this is embarrassing for your child will help you when talking about it. Referring to it as an “accident” can help them understand that it’s not always their fault. Assure them that many others experience the same thing, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

2.) Be patient. Correcting this behavior can take a long time. Remembering to keep cool in times of distress is so important. Each time it happens, though it’s frustrating, try to remain calm.

3.) Reduce drink intake before bed. Cut your child off from water one hour before bed, and encourage them to go to the bathroom right before they lay down. For extra protection, you can set an alarm halfway through the night so that they can get up and go again.

4.) Make clean up easy: Applying Waterproof sheet liners can make sure that your child’s mattress is safe. This greatly reduces clean-up time and staining. 5.) Encourage accountability. Rather than yelling, encourage your child to help with cleanup. This holds them accountable in a way, without making them feel self-conscious about their mistake.

Don’t:

1.) Get visibly upset. Being overactive in a situation of confusion for your child can greatly hurt their self-esteem.

2.) Allow siblings to tease. Talk with them about being a supportive friend for their brother or sister instead. Also, refrain from comparing your child’s issue with other siblings that don’t.

3.) Ignore the problem. If bedwetting doesn’t seem to have a resolution in sight, don’t chalk it up to a bad habit. Sometimes there are underlying conditions that can cause the problem. If bedwetting continues, see a pediatrician to make sure it’s not a health problem.

So many children experience this little roadblock. If you remember to be patient and supportive in this situation, you’ll both come out on the other side feeling accomplished. Soon you’ll both be able to sleep soundly knowing there are no accidents to clean up in the morning.

8 Toys and Gadgets to Promote Learning

 

With so many toys on the market, how do you make sure that your child is having constructive fun? The following toys promote learning and will be sure to keep the kids busy for hours.

1. Legos. Legos and other building blocks are classic educational toys for kids. It teaches them to build structures and nurtures an interest in drafting and architecture. For older kids that are even more interested in building, try the Kinetix toys. They even come with motor powered pieces that move the structures around.

2. A Magnifying Glass. Something as simple as a magnifying glass can encourage your child to explore their surroundings. They’ll stay busy getting a new perspective on everyday objects. The best part of this toy, it’s super inexpensive! You can get one at a local dollar store.

3. Rocket Stomper. Another inexpensive toy is a rocket stomper. These foam foot powered rockets will teach the kiddos all about gravity. They’ll learn that the harder they stomp, the further the rocket soars.

4. A DIY kit from a craft store. The craft store is an underrated place to find things for the kids to do. There is an entire section of the craft store that is full of super fun DIYs for kids. Whether it’s a fossil dig kit, or a jewelry making kit, this kind of thing is great for teaching kids to create something on their own.

5. Kinetic Sand. Kinetic sand is a wonderful toy for kids of all ages; it brings the beach indoors, without the mess. They can build sandcastles for hours while you can rest easy knowing that it’s very easy to clean up.

6. Build a Terrarium. Building a terrarium is a little more suited for older children. Help your kids foster their green thumb with this very cool and scientific process of creating an ecosystem for a tiny plant.

7. Magnetic Refrigerator Letters. Refrigerator letters are such an underrated toy! Help your kids learn spelling and reading by arranging the letters into little notes for the rest of the family to see.

8. Sidewalk chalk. Another really great underused toy is sidewalk chalk! Show the neighborhood how imaginative your children are. Maybe even put on a mini sidewalk art show. This cultivates your children’s artistic side, which is a very important part of learning as well.

It’s hard to find toys that can keep your little ones busy, that you also feel comfortable letting them play for long periods. These sure-fire activities will keep them learning and away from the screens for a while.

A Mother’s Guide to Getting More Rest

Finding the time to rest is ridiculously hard when you have children. You learn to savor those short-lived naps and a 4 hour sleep night sounds like a dream. As a mom, your children usually come first, however, when you neglect your self-care, it can affect other aspects of your life. Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, which makes it more difficult to be patient with a little one around. So what small steps can you take to make sure you’re well-rested?

Turn your screens off earlier than usual. We’re all guilty of staying up later than we planned, laying in bed endlessly scrolling through social media, and for a lot of us, that’s the only time that we have to be social. Turn your TV and phone off and wind down by reading with your child. This will help them get into a nighttime routine that signifies that “it’s time for bed.” Try looking through social media in the morning instead. The light of a bright screen will help wake you up as well.

Take your loved ones up on their offers to help out. As a new mother, there is so much anxiety associated with being away from your baby, but those moments away can help tremendously with your own mental health. Giving others control can be very stressful, but it’ll help socialize them with. Perhaps they can suggest something that worked for their child in the past that can help you further develop your parenting style.

For new mothers that are comfortable with this parenting style, sharing a bed with your baby can be helpful as well. Co-sleeping makes nightly feeding so much easier if you’re breastfeeding every 3-4 hours. Your child has less time to be agitated and hungry, alone in a separate room. When you have a quick approach to solving the problem, it helps lull your baby back to sleep faster.

Sleep When They Sleep. I’m sure that you’ve heard that phrase so many times, but sometimes daily naps can really help rejuvenate your body. Take the opportunities when your little one dozes off to wind down yourself. If you’re not the type that can easily nap in the middle of the day, take those moments as an opportunity to relax. Have a cup of coffee, listen to music, or sit outside and enjoy nature for a moment. If you prefer to catch up on chores, you can use those moments of peace to make your life a little easier in the future.

Putting time aside for yourself is very important, and following these steps can help get you there. Remember to take little breaks from your full-time mommy job to collect yourself. It will reflect positively in so many other aspects of your life. 

A guide to choosing your family’s first pet.

Pets can make wonderful comrades. They will be your best friend, they’ll be an endless source of smiles, and they can also be support or therapy animals for children with disabilities. However, deciding to get a pet is a large commitment. So many things could influence the compatibility of a pet in your home like allergies, amount of time spent at home, and the number of family members per household. Utilize this guide to ensure that your family makes the right decision when choosing your first pet.

1.) A fish is a great starter pet for very young children. Setting a schedule for your child to feed your fish is a great way to introduce responsibility to them. It allows them to get used to a routine, while still having minimal care effort. There is still plenty of research to be done when getting a fish, however. You must first be sure that you have the correct size tank, the right environment (is it a saltwater or freshwater fish?) You also must make sure that your little guy has the proper food and supplies. Your local pet store staff will be happy to help you select what is right for your new friend.

2.) Dogs are in fact a man’s best friend. They are playful and active, and if your kids have similar personality traits, a dog could be the best choice for you. They require a ton of work, however. They need lots of attention during the day and to be taken on walks, they are also the most expensive animal to care for. Things like vaccinations, emergency visits, and ample space for them to run around, are good to take into consideration before choosing to introduce a dog into your home. They also have the longest lifespan so if you are considering a dog be sure to keep your families future plans in mind as well.

3.) Cats are great pets for people of all ages. They are normally very docile and welcoming to lots of petting and snuggles. They do however sleep for 16 to 20 hours a day, so they are best for families with busier schedules who aren’t home during the day. Rescue cats make the best companions, but you must be careful to pay attention to personalities. Some abused animals can be aggressive towards children and other pets. Be sure to ask the animal rescue facility what cat is right for your family situation.

4.)  Guinea pig, hamster, or gerbil Smaller mammals are another introductory pet. They require less effort than something larger, but are a little bit friendlier to touch. You must still take precaution when introducing a tiny pet to your little ones because they are very delicate, and over handling could cause skin irritations in some. Hamsters and Gerbils are best for less interaction, while guinea pigs are the best for a little more cuddles. Guinea pigs are very intelligent and most are welcoming to grooming by their owner, they do best with a companion of the same gender, so you may want to consider getting two.

5.)  An uncommon animal can be a fun choice as well. Pets like reptiles and arachnids are some of the more uncommon animals. It is a little bit more difficult to find care information on these animals, so they are best suited for older children and teens. Some pets like snakes require careful handling so they are best for someone who can safely do so. Extensive research is required before selecting one of these pets because they can be dangerous if they are not cared for properly.

A pet can make a great addition to your family. They teach valuable life skills and ensure companionship for years to come. Whatever pet you chose, try to follow these steps to make sure you are selecting the right pet to fit your family dynamic.