school closure Archives

With our living rooms turned into virtual classrooms, parents everywhere are searching for ways to enhance their kids learning while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 crisis. We want to share some of our recent NAPPA Award winners that bring the fun and learning right to your home.

Foreign Language Made Simple

With so much time at home, why not introduce your kids to a new language. Language Together offers a series of books in various languages including Spanish, French, English, Traditional Chinese and Mandarin. Developed with teachers, the Spot Color Immersion Method® combines picture cues, simple sentences, humor, repetition and a story-based approach. Includes online audio narration by a native speaker.

A Magical Classroom

If your kids love games, they will not even realize they are learning with Adventure Academy. Developed by the creators of the award-winning ABCmouse learning program, Adventure Academy™ is a multiplayer online game for elementary and middle school children. It features thousands of learning activities—games, quests, educational videos, animated series, books and other types of reading materials presented in a fun and safe virtual world. Available on computers, tablets, and smartphones, Adventure Academy builds critical knowledge of essential curriculum topics in language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.

Engage with Math

To help kids better engage with math, the Z-kai’s Zoom-Up Workbook is a great tool. Zoom-Up is tailored to develop children’s mathematical thinking, problem solving and explanation skills that are necessary for their future success in STEM. This Workbook contains 45 challenging problem sets that are designed to be close to children’s daily lives and to optimize their understanding and perseverance. Children will be able to find delight in utilizing math in the real world. Solving challenging tasks will also help them develop confidence and motivation.

Enhance Visual Learning

To have some time away from the screen, but continue the learning, try Star Right Multi-skill Flashcards and the Star Right Multi Math Flashcards Pack – Great for visual learners.

A Card Game of Mental Math

For a challenging card game that reinforces math skills, Proof! is a fast, fun and addicting math game that the whole family can enjoy. Work that mental math magic as you race to find creative equations hidden among nine number cards.

For more NAPPA Award-winning products, visit nappaawards.com

When was the last time you took a deep breath? If you’re like many of us, it’s been a minute. Stressful times (like when you are quarantined at home with your kids) make most of us resort to shallow breathing – or even holding our breath.

This can lead to low-grade chronic stress, says Sandy Abrams, who specializes in sharing calming, empowering breathing tips in the corporate world and is the author of “Breathe to Succeed.” Abrams, mom of sons who are now 22 and 24, uses these techniques in her parenting as well. “I started to use the power of breath in parenting for all sorts of different applications, like patience and being present.” Here are three of her favorites:

Sandy Abrams

Beverage and Breath: Most of us like to enjoy a cup of something (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) to start the day, even when the morning is chaotic. Create a morning ritual by setting an intention for the day, holding your cup, closing your eyes and taking three deep breaths. “Find in that small moment a sort of meditation to empower yourself for the day,” she suggests.

Lion’s Breath: This is one of Abrams’ favorite breathing methods to use with kids. It immediately purges negative energy – and makes everyone laugh. Just close your eyes, take in a deep breath through your nose, then snap your eyes and mouth open wide as you stick out your tongue and breathe out with a roaring sound. Afterward, enjoy the giggles. “Laughter is a great thing to do with your children,” Abrams says. “Laughter is breath, too.”

Bumblebee Breath: To close all the “open tabs” you have running in your brain and tap into creativity, try this technique. Close your eyes and take a long, deep inhale. Close your ears with your thumbs and use your fingers to gently cover your eyes. For the whole length of an exhale, make a humming/buzzing sound like a bee. “After one or two rounds of that, you just breathe normally for a few rounds and then you open your eyes, and you’ve got that blank slate you need for creativity,” says Abrams.

Taking three deep breaths any time (especially with your eyes closed) is a great way to regroup when life throws you a curve. Make your exhales longer than your inhales for a deeper sense of relaxation.

Stay well.

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