While “Montessori” probably conjures up thoughts of wooden toys and independent play, there’s a whole lot more to understand about the teaching method that’s used across many of New York City’s most popular private preschools and elementary schools. Yes, specially-designed materials and child-led activities are definitely part of the package, but there are many differentiators that set the Montessori style apart from a more traditional approach to education. With a focus on children’s individual interests and needs, the approach promotes hands-on, self-paced, collaborative learning, which tends to really resonate with kids and parents alike.

The teaching experts at Guidepost Montessori offered to provide their expertise and breakdown the features you’ll find in a tried-and-true Montessori school. With over 80 campuses across the United States and Asia–including five locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, plus virtual programs, Guidepost is the largest Montessori network in the world, empowering and nurturing kids ages 0 to 14 for more than 7,000 families across the globe.

Kids and parents alike look forward to the carefree days of summer, but it’s also a time when activity-related accidents and injuries in children tend to rise. With families gearing up for backyard BBQs and beach vacations, we teamed up with Connecticut Children’s–the only health system 100% dedicated to kids–to share their 2022 Summer Safety toolkit.

In the toolkit, Connecticut Childrens’ experienced pediatric experts provide parents with everything they need to know about the most common summer safety concerns, at home or on your summer travels. From ticks and sunburn to dehydration and drowning, you’ll learn safety and prevention tips, plus when it’s time to call a doctor or visit the emergency room.

In this article we’re highlighting the top six summer safety tips for kids and families. Click through to the Connecticut Children’s website to see the full toolkit or explore their other children’s health and safety resources.

While the majority of instruction happens online at your typical cyber school, the virtual elementary or high school experience can extend well beyond the computer screen. Between school-run offerings, local programs, and parent-led groups, there are plenty of in-person opportunities that can be meaningfully incorporated into an online education.

“The pandemic has taught us how much we value those face-to-face interactions,” said Brian Hayden, the CEO of PA Cyber—one of the largest and most experienced online tuition-free public schools in the nation. “Families have expressed to me their appreciation over the years for the hundreds of in-person field trips and enrichment activities that we put on. We brought back those activities as soon as it was safe to do so.”

Known for creating endless in-person opportunities to enhance their personalized live and self-paced online K-12 curriculum, PA Cyber helped us compile a list of five meaningful ways to take virtual learning offline. Read on to find new ways to expand your child's online schooling with “real school” experiences.