Keeping Your Family Healthy Regardless of Vaccination Status

With summer getting closer and summer camp starting soon, we thought it would be a good idea to send out a friendly reminder that COVID-19 is still prevalent and safety precautions should be taken regardless of your COVID-19 vaccination status.

While we do not require vaccinations to be enrolled in our school, we do want to encourage families to do what is best for them and their health. The vaccine has shown to be at least effective at keeping severe COVID-19 symptoms at bay and might be an excellent choice for your family. However, if you choose to forego the vaccine, we want you to remain safe.

Unvaccinated Families

For families who choose to be unvaccinated, extra precautions will be necessary. No one wants their families to get sick, but the vaccines can be a bit scary too. The newness of the vaccines can make families apprehensive, and we get it. The lack of full approval can also be unnerving. Other families may just wish not to vaccinate for a multitude of other reasons. Whatever the reason, increased protections will be necessary.

Masks

Masks are a great way to protect yourself and your family from transmission. As with any porous cloth, masks are not 100% effective but wearing masks reduces the risk of transmission of COVID particles into the air. The virus is primarily transmitted through airborne vapor. Masks stop much of this vapor from escaping into the air or reaching your mouth and nose.

Handwashing

Just as with other illnesses, proper handwashing will help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. If you come in contact with particles on surfaces, you could be contaminated. However, with proper handwashing, you can avoid much of the risk of infection. Like masks, handwashing isn’t 100% effective, but combining the two reduces risk of infection even more.

Social Distancing

Staying more than six feet from others can also reduce the risk of transmission. The risk is further reduced if practiced along with all of the above suggestions. However, they are not the only thing that will help.

Vaccinated Families

While your family may have chosen to have the COVID-19 vaccination, they are not 100% effective against the virus. Their efficacy rates are nearly 100%, but you can still catch the virus.

Follow Protocols Set Forth by Your Local Government

Local and state government officials follow the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control CDC and the changes in virus infection numbers. You should listen to those recommendations to keep your family safe. While you can generally go mask-free and decrease distance, you will want to continue wearing a mask if you suspect you have been exposed or have symptoms.

Both Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Families

Some precautions are suitable for families regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. The first thing you need is a good functioning immune system. You also need good habits and judgment to avoid exposure.

Excellent Nutrition

No, eating a salad and lean protein will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19, but it can help your body remain strong in the case you find yourself fighting the infection. You should be sure that even if you need to quarantine due to exposure, you are eating healthy meals and exercising when possible. You will build a stronger immune system by keeping up with healthy habits. If you have not been following healthy habits, you can begin today by working to become healthier. Check out our Pinterest where we share healthy and organic child friendly meal ideas!

Evaluate Sources

When choosing what to do for your family, evaluate sources for reliability. One of the things that children learn as part of their education is how to evaluate sources. As an educational facility, we would be remiss not to urge our families to also be critical of all sources. These vaccines have been approved quickly through emergency approvals. We know that can seem unreliable. If you are unsure about what to do, you should consult medical professionals and reliable scientific data. It’s okay to ultimately choose to get the vaccine or wait for more details. It’s also okay to trust the professionals but also trust your intuition. Whatever you do, be confident in the decision and be safe.

Exercise

In addition to diet, exercise is critical to fighting any infection. Since the illness is primarily respiratory, it can help greatly if your respiratory system is operating optimally. Daily exercise does not have to be incredibly strenuous, but it should be strenuous enough to build lung strength.

Disinfect Surfaces

Be sure that your cleaning routine is more rigorous than before. While household cleaners may not remove all traces of the virus, it can only live a short time on surfaces. Consider cleaning objects when they enter your home if you aren’t sure about who has handled them. Your packages and mail are at low risk, though. If your postal worker or package handler seems to be showing signs, you should have them drop them on the porch or by the door and wait a few hours. You can wipe them with disinfecting wipes if you want. Plastic can host the virus for several days, but you will not likely contract the virus from a plastic box.

Parents & Guardians, Consider Quitting Smoking Nicotine

Patients who smoke are at higher risk for complications from any respiratory infection. Quitting smoking will extend your life even if you do not get infected with COVID-19. Following healthy lifestyle choices will help your body be more prepared to fight infections of all kinds.

Final Thoughts

We want your family to remain safe no matter what they choose. You should be confident in your decisions, and we will support whatever you decide. As a school, we will practice safety precautions, but although we aren’t requiring vaccinations, we do feel the virus should be taken seriously. No prevention method is perfect, but by combining these suggestions may help your family remain healthy.

This article should not be taken as medical advice, simply a few helpful suggestions based on guidance from the CDC. If you are unvaccinated and seeking guidance, visit the CDC website for more information.

Teaching strategies for students with ADHD (childhood ADHD)

Teaching strategies for students with ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a tremendous hurdle for students to tackle. Regardless of whether you’re a teacher guiding a learning pod, a Science instructor offering a STEAMED summer camp lesson or a parent raising a child with ADHD, you know that childhood ADHD sometimes takes a toll on everyday life. We want to discuss some teaching strategies that will help children with ADHD succeed in school & reach for the stars.

Structure your lessons to provide consistency for your students with ADHD

One of the best approaches to support a student with ADHD is to provide structure. This means providing a predictable and consistent routine that will help the student feel more comfortable and allow them to narrow their focus without worrying about impending tasks. Please start each lesson with a brief review of the material covered in the previous lesson to achieve this.

For example, you can say something like, “No two Zebras have the same two stripes, can anyone else remember a fact we learned about zebras?” You want to help refresh the student’s memory and give them a better foundation for understanding the new material by revisiting the past lesson first.

Next, you’ll provide a clear overview of what will be covered in the current lesson. For example, “today, we are going to explore antelopes.” Once again, The goal is to help the student know what to expect and help them focus their attention. Finally, at the end of each lesson, please summarize what you just taught them in that lesson. For example, “we have said antelopes are herbivores like zebras; they eat grass and wild animals.” Doing this will help solidify the material in the student’s minds and give them a sense of accomplishment.

Reduce the number of distractions & stimulations for children with ADHD

A common challenge for students with ADHD is that they are easily distracted. For example, a passing airplane or the sounds of chirping birds can drag their attention away from the teacher. This can be a massive problem in the traditional classroom setting, where we have a lot of visual and auditory stimuli & neurotypical children are not bothered. To help reduce distractions, please consider relocating the learner from the back of the room or near the windows to the front & closer to you. You want to reduce the number of distractions and allow the student to focus better on the guidance. Try limiting them to bright light exposure, such as sitting right below the bulb.

The use of positive reinforcement as encouragement and motivation

Another well-spoken of strategy for managing with childhood ADHD in the learning and home environment is to use of positive reinforcement. This approach means rewarding students when they display desired behavior. For example, you can give them a sticker or small prize when they sit still and pay attention during a lesson. This will stiffen the student’s resolve to be more positive on the rewarded behavior. If you’re clueless about starting with this strategy, start with verbal praise to reinforce desired behavior. For example, “Great job paying attention!” or “I’m so proud of you for staying on task!” Positive reinforcement will undoubtedly encourage any student to succeed in the classroom.

Provide frequent breaks throughout long lessons

Another strategy that can prove helpful for students with ADHD is to provide frequent breaks. Don’t burn them out. For example, if you are teaching an extended lesson on history or art, try to break it up into smaller chunks with breaks in between. The breaks could be a few minutes of free time to go outside & run as they want or play games. This will protect the students from over stimulation, which happens when they try to process too much and eventually get overwhelmed, leading to body restlessness.

Incorporate visuals within your teaching strategies for students with ADHD

ADHD students often benefit from visual aids. You’ll need materials such as flashcards, posters Montessori or STEAMED materials to help students remember important information. You can also use video clips or pictures to help engage the student and make the material more interesting. If you are teaching a lesson on divisions, you could show a video clip of someone slicing a cake and explain how the fractions work as they measure out the different pieces of cake

So these are just a few tidbits of ideas that can help make your lessons more effective for children with ADHD. We hope that they will be helpful for you and your students. Happy teaching!

Seeking resources for your child with ADHD? We can help!

Quantum Montessori School is excited to partner with KCKS Literacy Program as part of our schoolwide mission to drive literacy to students outside of our institution who may be in need of some extra guidance. We cultivate, strengthen, and invest in the most impactful methods and strategies to enhance learning, interest, and comprehension in our students’ reading and writing.

Don’t tackle this hurdle alone, give us a call at +1 (855) 515-6465 or connect with us below to learn more! Thank you for reading.

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May 24, 2022

Montessori Inspired Summer Fun and Learning

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The weather is getting warm so that means it’s time for summer fun in the sun and delicious treats! We love to have fun while we learn, play and beat the heat! Right away we think about some of our favorite refreshing beverages. What can be more refreshing than a tangy lemon – those deliciously refreshing summer fruits that also look fantastic.

Lemons themselves are perfect way to thematic exploration as well as sensory integration, making the following activities fun, tasty and educational!

Cut the lemons with a knife or stay busy by pouring, and creating homemade recipes for sensory exploration!

Spend an hour with your children preparing a yummy pitcher of lemonade following Montessori Method of learning. Kids can perform this summer fun activity the Montessori way further developing the following skills:

– By cutting lemons children are able to develop Practical Life skills.

– By learning the ingredients and method of preparing lemonade, children develop Language skills and also sharpen their stereognostic senses by exploring the lemon.

– By counting and measuring the quantity of ingredients, children develop their Mathematical skills.

– By holding, pouring and squeezing the lemon and other utensils, Motor skills are developed.

Make lemonade:

For sensory learning, make lemonade! Tasting the lemons as well as the sugary sweet lemonade is a must to do! Kids will enjoy squeezing their own lemons for this activity and that makes it even more meaningful. Squeezing the lemons also helps to build up their muscles for better writing.

Crafts Activity:

Lemons are a great summer activity and DIY craft theme – the iconic yellow and green…your DIY is practically done! I realized that we had quite a few Lemon themes DIY Craft Ideas on the site and thought it was about time to share them with you all in right place.

Let’s start this Lemon Craft round up with some super fun and easy Lemon Paper Craft. Paper is inexpensive with this free printable and real fun to make!!!

You only need to have:

yellow poster color
A few drops of lemon extract
Paintbrush
A4 paper with printed lemon

-Add few drops of lemon extract to yellow poster paint with a paintbrush.

-Paste lemon scented poster color onto the lemon for a yummy smelling art project. Have a wonderful experience!

Have a great summer! We hope to see you for Summer Camp!

May 17, 2022

What are learning pods and why should I enroll my child in one?

How children pursue education has changed significantly throughout the past few years. One of the most prominent new additions that enriches the educational experiences of kids is learning pods. A learning pod is a small group model, where a child is provided the opportunity to learn as a part of a group of around 4 to 8 fellow students. This model can provide a less overwhelming and more connected learning experience to any child.

In a learning pod, children of the same age range, attend the same school and follow the same course set together. Every learning pod would meet online or in-person, and the time duration can range anywhere from 10-32 hours per week. Students who attend a learning pod will be able to receive the assistance of a relative or a private teacher as well. No matter what, every learning pod is unique, and it can cater to the specific learning needs of kids. While keeping that in mind, let’s explore the benefits that come along with learning pods.

Learning Pods provide a risk-free long-term learning experience

Though learning pods don’t completely remove danger, they do aid in the management of everyone’s safety and health. Families in pods decide on their own safety procedures to provide in-person interactions that provide youngsters with long-term learning opportunities.

Learning Pods rekindle a passion for learning

Students are challenged to think critically & generously in small learning groups, which creates a pleasant learning atmosphere. Individualized education may help rekindle a passion for learning that has been smothered by rote memorization and heavy labor. Pods go beyond to-do lists and tasks; they make students feel much more engaged in their study.

Learning Pods offer personalized support for students

Students are much more successful when they have mentorship and professors who care about them as individuals. To genuinely meet students where they are, pod learning enables for personalized and comprehensive learning, considering kids as more than simply test scores.

Small learning groups create an ideal environment for socialization

Online learning highlights the importance of students interacting with one another in a common physical area. Students may use pods to improve their interpersonal skills, create empathy, and enhance soft skills.

Learning Pods assist in reducing parents stress

The epidemic has put a lot of pressure on caregivers, both at home and at work. Pods allow parents to concentrate on their job while knowing that their children’s education is in excellent hands.

Learning in smaller groups is highly effective

Learners learn better in small groups, according to research. Kids may develop important cooperative, collaboration, and communication skills in a learning pods of 3 to 10 students.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, learning pods can offer nothing but a great learning experience to students out there. Therefore, there is no need to think twice before you introduce this way of learning to your child.

Are you interested in starting or joining a learning pod near you? Contact us to learn more about our school and our learning pods.

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May 10, 2022

How to Provide Support to Dyslexic Children

If you have a child that has been diagnosed with dyslexia, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Dyslexia is a learning disability that mainly impacts reading skills. It can make it difficult for a child to read accurately and fluently, thus causing them more struggle in school. We want to explore some ways that you can support your dyslexic child and help them succeed. Let’s begin by looking at dyslexia characteristics.

Characteristics of dyslexia

Difficulty Reading accurately and fluently

One of the most noticeable symptoms of children with dyslexia is that they might have great difficulty reading accurately and fluently. This can occur in several ways, such as skipping, omitting, or reading the same word multiple times. Often, the child may have to read a sentence several times before understanding it.

Challenge Decoding words (sounding them out)

Another common symptom of child dyslexia is difficulty decoding word pronunciation. This means that individuals have trouble sounding out words correctly, making reading and spelling difficult. This can cause frustration for the child as they may feel like they cannot keep up with their peers.

Putting thoughts into writing

Many dyslexic children also have difficulty with writing. This may manifest itself in several ways, such as having trouble organizing thoughts, expressing ideas clearly, or using proper grammar. The child may also have trouble with handwriting, making it difficult for them to take notes or write essays.

Tips for supporting dyslexic child at home

There are several incredible ways to support a dyslexic child. Let’s look at some of them.

Provide them with books of larger fonts

Smaller fonts can be more difficult for dyslexic individuals to read. Opting for books with larger fonts can help make the reading experience less daunting and more enjoyable. If the child is preparing for a test with their peers, consider getting them a copy of the same test in larger font size.

Break the task into smaller chunks

Another way to support dyslexic children is by helping them break down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. A big project (such as history subjects) can feel overwhelming, but it can be much less if broken down into smaller steps. This will also help the child to focus better on each task.

Use visuals rather than lectures.

Dyslexic individuals often benefit from visual aids. If you’re trying to explain a concept, it can be helpful to use pictures or diagrams along with your explanation. Consider using cartoons, videos and charts if you’re teaching trigonometry. This will help the learner to understand better what you’re saying.

Positive reinforcement

It’s essential to provide positive reinforcement when a dyslexic child is making progress. For example, if they’re working on a difficult task and managing to complete it, praise them for their accomplishment. This will help to motivate them and encourage them to keep trying.

Limit long lectures

Dyslexic individuals can often have difficulty processing large amounts of information at once. When possible, try to limit lectures and instead provide group discussions which will help the child better engage with the material. For example, if you’re teaching a history lesson, consider having the child act out a scene from the period instead of just listening to a lecture.

There are many other incredible options to support a dyslexic child & every child is different and will require different accommodations. Probably the vital part is to be patient and understanding. With a little bit of extra support, dyslexic children can succeed just like any other child.

We can help!

Quantum Montessori School is excited to partner with KCKS Literacy Program as part of our schoolwide mission to drive literacy to students outside of our institution who may be in need of some extra guidance. We cultivate, strengthen, and invest in the most impactful methods and strategies to enhance learning, interest, and comprehension in our students’ reading and writing.

Give us a call or connect with us today to get started! Thank you for reading.

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May 3, 2022

Tag: blog

Keeping Your Family Healthy Regardless of Vaccination Status

Keeping Your Family Healthy Regardless of Vaccination Status

MORE BLOG POSTS

Teaching strategies for students with ADHD (childhood ADHD)

Teaching strategies for students with ADHD

More from our blog

Montessori Inspired Summer Fun and Learning

Add Your Heading Text Here

What are learning pods and why should I enroll my child in one?

What are learning pods and why should I enroll my child in one?

More from our blog

How to Provide Support to Dyslexic Children​

How to Provide Support to Dyslexic Children

Characteristics of dyslexia

Tips for supporting dyslexic child at home

We can help!

More from our blog

How to Provide Support to Dyslexic Children