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.

Welcoming Mrs. Sharen Woodley as the Assistant Vice President for Philadelphia

Brightside is proud to announce that Ms. Sharen Woodley has now joined us as the Assistant Vice President for Philadelphia. With over 20 years in the ECE field holding various positions which include Assistant Teacher through Vice President, Sharen brings extensive experience as a trainer, leader and operational specialist. Sharen has trained locally and nationally on topics such as diversity, leadership, classroom management, succession planning; difficult conversations and behavior modification. In 2017 she had the honor of presenting in Auckland, New Zealand on leadership coaching. In her spare time, she is Co-Vice President of Affiliates for NJAEYC and Vice President of National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). She holds a BA in Psychology (William Paterson University); a Masters in Education (specialization in Early Childhood) Ashford University and is currently pursuing her Ed.D in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Sharen brings experience and a proven track record of success in training and leading early childhood organizations to success, she will be an invaluable asset in ensuring the continued growth of Brightside’s Philadelphia region. 

We are very excited to have Mrs. Woodley on board.

Choosing the Perfect Summer Camp Program

 

With so many summer camp programs available, how is a parent to choose? There are several factors that go into picking the perfect summer camp for your child including money, location, and the overall interest of your child. A summer camp program should not only be affordable and convenient, but also include activities that your child will truly enjoy. The following steps are what every parent needs to consider and ensure that their child has the best summer ever!

Choosing a Camp Type


Decide what you want the overall goal of the summer camp to be for your child. Do you want them to further their education during the summer? Then pick an academic camp! Does your child love martial arts? Choose a martial arts camp! When you are able to pinpoint what you want your child to gain from their summer experience, choosing a camp will be that much easier. Consult your child and allow them to have some say in what they would like to do for the summer. Align that with your expectations and budget. A six week summer camp in Disney World may sound exciting to your child but may not be practical. In that case you might want to find a summer camp that allows the children to participate in Disney-themed activities.

Choosing a Location


Now that the type of camp you’re interested in has been chosen, it is now time to decide where the camp should be. Take into strong consideration the commute of dropping off and picking up the child. Would you prefer a camp near your home, a relative’s home or the area where you work? Brightside Academy camps are located near parks and public transportation, something that many of our parents point out as a plus in choosing our programs. Most parents have a long work schedule and it is important that the summer camp’s hours are adaptable to the parent’s availability. If you or anyone else is not able to provide transportation for the child, seek summer camp programs in which transportation costs to and from camp activities is included.

Deciding How Much to Spend


Although, you want your child to have the best summer experience, but you also have to consider the expenses associated with the program. Make a list of all your needs for the summer camp. These could be things like:

  • Safety
  • Affordability and cost
  • Education program
  • Fun activities
  • Staff preparation
  • Convenient location
  • Meals included

Think of a reasonable amount you are willing to pay for these must haves. Remember that specialty camps, which are camps that focus on one type of activity, are more expensive than traditional day camps. At these types of camps every field trip may not be included in the weekly or monthly payments. If you don’t want to spend a lot on one summer camp program, find a camp that offers a day to day schedule but also allows the child to go on several field trips. Brightside Academy summer camps are structured this way. In addition, the cost of our program includes a t-shirt, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks, and also field trips fees.

Learn about Brightside Academy’s summer camp program here!

Following these steps choosing the perfect summer camp program becomes much easier! All there is left to do is to search your favorite local directory and keep in mind what you are looking for. Google and Yelp are always a great place to start! There are also several summer camp online directories including the American Camp Association’s website. Have any useful tips for choosing the perfect summer camp? We would love to hear from you! Be sure to like and share our article and leave us a note in the comments!