Masking has been shown since the beginning of this pandemic to be one of the best methods to prevent the spread of the virus, yet has been incredibly divisive among many. While masking was mandatory in just about all states during the early days of the pandemic, restrictions have been easing nationwide in recent days, especially as vaccination rates have been climbing and more of the general population is protected.

However, two crucial problems are facing schools this fall; firstly, none of the Covid vaccines currently available are fully effective against the Delta variant, which has been sweeping across the country. Secondly, none of the vaccines available have been approved for children under twelve, meaning that every student in elementary schools and many in middle and high schools will be completely unprotected.

Even as schools have yet to reopen for the fall, things are already looking dire for children as the country resumes its lifting of restrictions. Around the country, children’s hospitals and pediatric units are overfull, with the infrastructure of the nation’s healthcare stretching thinner and thinner as it fills beyond capacity. Even children in the hospital with illnesses unrelated to Covid are at risk from this surge, as the available resources to help children with other critical conditions wane as hospitals fill. 

With all of these concerns, many are surprised to see how many schools are fully reopening for in-person schooling at all, especially with few or no options for opt-in hybrid or fully remote students. Remote schooling as it has existed for the last several years, while the best option for eliminating covid transmission amongst children, has presented myriad problems for families, children, and teachers. It has resulted in major learning gaps for many children, stunted social and emotional development, and a serious lack of resources for children who need it most, such as special needs children and those from low-income families. So while in-person schooling does present many health concerns, there are many good arguments for providing options for students to return to school. However, the further decision to not require masking of any students, vaccinated or no, is especially startling. 

Of course, masking is just one of many ways that schools can mitigate the risk of transmission. Providing maximum ventilation, having students socially distance themselves from one another, preventing mixing classrooms of students together, and putting other physical barriers in place can all minimize transmission risk. However, doubts have risen from parents and teachers alike about the capability of the public school system to enforce any of these systems. Managing to separate students is a challenge, especially for younger students who struggle with impulse control and understanding the boundaries in place. Adequately ventilating schools presents a serious logistical challenge, as many school buildings are large, antiquated, and lack robust ventilation systems. 

Given all of these concerns, requiring masking for children only seems logical. However, as masks and vaccines have become so heavily politicized over the past several years, local governments and school districts are hesitant to enforce such requirements for fear of public backlash. 

Most concerning is that these schools without masking mandates are also generally in the places of the country in which there is a startlingly low rate of vaccination among adults and a high rate of infection in the general population. These high-risk communities are the most likely to have further outbreaks among children, but have the fewest protections in place for preventing them. 

One source of optimism does present itself in the vaccine, which public health experts have been racing to approve for use on children for months. Once the vaccine is approved for children, schools may quickly become a much safer place as children have a level of immune defense against covid, even one that is not maximally effective against the Delta strain. However, given that the schools with the most relaxed mask policies are also those with a currently rock-bottom vaccination rate, it’s unclear if vaccines are going to be received by the children who are most at risk and most in need of the protection a vaccine can offer. 

While it’s impossible to fully predict the ramifications of what these mask policies will mean, experts predict that schools will become hotbeds for covid transmission. The already thinly stretched hospitals could become dangerously over capacity, with those needing emergency lifesaving medical assistance being delayed or denied care. Children’s health could start taking a dangerous and tragic turn.

It’s critical that schools start quickly prioritizing the health and safety of their students above convenience or politics before the consequences of these decisions start coming, and the nation’s children are the ones who are forced to pay the extremely high price for a lack of adequate caution.

A Quick Overview of Pets and People

According to the Centers for Disease Control, owning pets provides lots of health benefits. For starters, pets can increase exercise levels and help people get outside and meet new people. Playing with pets and taking them on walks can help lower cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure. Pets can also help quell loneliness and lower the effects of depression by providing genuine love and companionship. 

In fact, scientists have been studying the correlations between humans and animals for over 35-years. And their controlled research has shown that owning pets can: 

• Provide social support
• Buffer stress
• Help people get in shape
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Prevent certain illnesses

The Benefits of Adopting Pets for the Family

However, the benefits don’t stop there. Here are some other benefits of adopting pets for the family: 

Pets May Prevent Allergies

While one may think that people who are prone to allergies should avoid owning pets, this is not always the case, and this is especially true for children. Sure, it’s no guarantee that owning an animal will prevent a child from developing allergies, but evidence suggests that dander from the fur might help. Alternatively, if a person has known allergies to dogs or cats, it will not help provide immunity, so adopting a pet, in this case, will do more harm than good. 

Heart Attack Survivors May Live Longer

Research conducted by the American Journal of Cardiology suggests that owning pets may help heart attack victims live longer lives. In fact, owning a dog is one of the best medicines for those living in a post-heart attack world. During their study, they found that following a major heart attack, only one participant who owned a dog passed away. 

Animals Teach Children Many Important Skills

When it comes to owning pets, the people who tend to benefit the most are children. Not only do animals, especially dogs, teach children concepts such as responsibility, trust, and compassion, but they can also help children with: 

• Learning about grief and the bereavement process. 
• Respect and recognizing boundaries.
• Increased self-esteem.
• Learning loyalty, patience, empathy, and other social skills.
• Providing motivation and increased physical activity

Ease the Parenting Process for Parents of Children with ADHD

Furthermore, parents of children with ADHD may be torn between giving medication and not medicating. According to a study conducted by the Journal of Attention Disorder, children who go through a treatment known as canine-assisted intervention can grow up to have better social interactions, increased prosocial behaviors, and a reduction in “bad behavior,” more so than children who are treated with other cognitive-behavioral techniques. 

Pets Help People Cope with Trauma

By now, nearly everyone has seen at least one video of a soldier being reunited with a dog. But this reconnection is more than simply puppy love, as being around pets can help soothe people who have PTSD. In 2012, a pilot program was created by Walter Reed Memorial Hospital to use trained therapy canines to help rehabilitate soldiers suffering from this disease. 

They Add Structure and Routine to Life

Nowadays, many people could benefit from adding structure and routine to their lives, and pets are great for helping with this. While the same can be true for any type of pet, it’s especially true where dogs are concerned. Just think, dogs require a regular exercise and feeding schedule, so the owner must maintain a consistent routine to ensure the animal remains calm and balanced. Regardless of what mood a person is experiencing, from stressed or anxious to depressed, the person can take one look at their pet and feel well enough to get out of bed and provide care for the animal. 

In the end, pets make wonderful additions to the family. They provide long-lasting friendships that a person will remember for a lifetime and provide so many health benefits that it makes all the care and cleaning well worth it. So, if you’re on the fence about adding a pet to your home, go ahead and take the leap – you’ll be happy you did!

References

• https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(99)80343-9/fulltext

• https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/index.html

• https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/blog/10-benefits-of-adopting-a-pet/

• https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/companion/owner-information/health-benefits-pet-ownership

• https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_of_a_family_pet

• https://bestlifeonline.com/adopt-a-pet/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201108/

When I was seven, I took seriously the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I prayed about it, and considered some jobs I would like: a veterinarian or a teacher. Yet every time I prayed about one of these jobs, I felt an unexplainable tugging toward another occupation: missionary.

As a kid, I didn’t realize that women could be pastors. The pastor was the man at my church who spoke in the front on Sunday mornings. Although we had a female worship pastor, I knew I didn’t want to lead music.

Yet I read so many stories of women who became missionaries, and that word seemed right for me. As I finished elementary school and entered my middle school years, I often said that I wanted to be a missionary to the United States.

The church I grew up in was very affirming of my call to ministry. I was given responsibilities like helping the ushers or teaching elementary students during Vacation Bible School. I threw myself into the study of Scripture, and wrote my first “sermon” when I was about twelve. My best friend heard my rambling thoughts on Psalm 1 in the half hour between Sunday service and our Sunday school class time.

My High School Years

In high school, I struggled with my call to ministry. I knew the label of “missionary” didn’t fit what God wanted me to do, but I had never met a female pastor. Even with pastoral ministry in mind, I wasn’t sure exactly what ministry would look like in the future.

At the beginning of high school, my family stopped attending church. My dad’s alcoholism developed into a full blown meth addiction. His drug-induced delusions had religious overtones, which made church difficult in many ways.

Despite my chaotic home life, an abusive relationship in high school, and chronic health problems, I knew I wanted to pursue ordination in my denomination. The Church of the Nazarene is a Wesleyan-holiness denomination, fairly similar to the United Methodist Church.

I set my eyes on Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where I was accepted as a Theological Studies student.

College & Defining My Calling

When I arrived at school, I was still unsure what ministry would hold for me. I was attending class and taking the required courses to work toward ordination. In the Church of the Nazarene, ordination candidates are required to serve in ministry and complete a list of courses before they can be ordained.

Compared to requirements in some denominations, the Church of the Nazarene has one of the more vigorous ordination processes. Even as a freshman in college, I knew it would be many years before I was officially ordained as a pastor.

My sophomore year, the pastor at the church near my school shared about a time in his life that he skipped lunch in order to pray and fast. During this time, he received clarity about his life’s direction.

For a week, I did the same. It was during this time that I felt a deep calling to hospice chaplaincy. In the months that followed my time of fasting, I had the opportunity to shadow some hospice chaplains. I felt a deep sense of purpose and belonging as I worked with patients on hospice care. Without a doubt, I knew this was what I needed to do.

Chaplaincy Requirements

The requirements to become a board certified chaplain are even more rigorous than the requirements to become ordained in my denomination. Chaplaincy candidates need to complete a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree, complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and seek ordination in their denomination.

The Master of Divinity is not a small program. With nearly eighty credit hours, it is longer than many doctorate programs! On top of that degree, I would need to complete approximately two years of CPE to be certified for medical chaplaincy.

Nazarene Theological Seminary

In 2016, I was accepted to Nazarene Theological Seminary. Around this time, I received a call informing me that my dad was in congestive heart failure and likely only had months to live. Despite our estrangement, this was shocking news.

Not knowing what the months ahead would hold for me, I decided to delay entering seminary for a year. By this point, I was married and living nearly three thousand miles away from where I grew up. I didn’t know when I would need to rush back home to be with my family, and didn’t think I was in the right position to begin another degree.

A year later, my dad was somehow still alive. However, I felt like I couldn’t delay any longer. I began my first semester of seminary, a dream I’d had since childhood.

My Master of Divinity program would be a four-year journey. The classes were challenging and formational, making me into the pastor I am today. Against all odds, my dad has long surpassed doctor’s expectations and remains alive in 2021.

Atypical Migraines & Endometriosis

No story about my journey to become a pastor would be complete without mentioning the illnesses I faced along the way. In 2013, I was diagnosed with an atypical migraine condition after experiencing a migraine with stroke-like symptoms. After three days in the hospital, I was referred to a neurologist and began migraine medication.

I’d had migraines from the time I was fourteen, so it was no surprise to have these atypical migraines. At my age, my older cousins had similar migraines. Both of them had temporarily lost eyesight during these attacks, so I was a little more prepared when my condition began.

After years of having seven to fifteen migraine days a month, I had managed to get down to four to eight pain days each month. Still, my chronic migraines often left me behind in school and unable to commit to ministry activities.

In 2019, my migraine condition finally seemed to be getting better. I was on a good combination of medication that was allowing me to do more.

At that time, I was serving as an associate pastor at a larger church in town. I mostly served with the children and youth, although I began preaching at a smaller campus on occasion.

While serving at that church, I began to have crippling pain in my abdomen. After many emergency room visits, doctors tentatively diagnosed me with endometriosis. Once a surgery confirmed the diagnosis, I began my two-year search for relief.

In early 2021, I had surgery at the Cleveland Clinic to remove endometriosis from my abdomen. Endometriosis was found around my abdominal wall, on my ovaries, and on my appendix. Although I am still in the early stages of recovery, the surgery seems to have resolved my chronic pain issues.

Pastoral Transition

With all of my health problems consuming my personal life, things at my church also began to decline. When the smaller campus where I was preaching closed, I felt displaced. Although I still had a position within the church, I knew that preaching was a part of my calling and struggled with the idea that I may not preach again for the foreseeable future.

It was at that time that I was asked to preach for one month at a nearby church while the congregation searched for a pastor. On the first Sunday at Warsaw Church of the Nazarene, I shared a message on 1 Thessalonians. 

When I stepped down from the platform, no one moved. “We just want to hear more!” one of the ladies said. So I sat and talked to the small congregation for an additional half hour. They asked me questions about my call to ministry and learned about the medical problems I was facing.

That week, the District Superintendent (the Nazarene version of a Bishop) received calls from several members of Warsaw church. They asked him if I could stay as their pastor. After discussing it with me, I was installed as their pastor at the end of June 2019.

Finding My Rhythm in Ministry

Now that I was preaching every Sunday, I had to figure out a good rhythm for researching and preparing sermons. Because I was still in seminary, I was able to draw from my classes to prepare sermons.

Although my goal is still to one day become a hospice chaplain, I am still years away from that goal. I am one year from the experience requirements to be ordained by my denomination. My current licensing makes provisions for me to be a lead pastor, although I am still not officially ordained. Under the supervision of the District Superintendent, I am able to carry out all the responsibilities of a pastor.

Even after ordination, I still have to finish all of my Clinical Pastoral Education. I am currently applying to programs, with the hope to enter a CPE program this fall.

Because many chaplaincy positions are part time, I’ve often thought about leading a small church like Warsaw Church of the Nazarene while performing my chaplaincy duties. Additionally, I have written some Bible study curriculum for the Church of the Nazarene. That curriculum for middle school students was published this past year. I consider writing just one more area of calling in my life, and I enjoy it tremendously. 

My Advice to Future Pastors

Ministry is one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have ever done. There have been nights where I’ve cried endlessly because of painful events or hard decisions. Yet there are many days where I’ve smiled all night because of the joy I get from teaching people from the Bible.

There are six pieces of advice I’d like to give to future pastors:

1. Find out what your denomination requires as soon as possible.

I wish I had known all of the ordination requirements earlier in my schooling. While many of my classmates have been ordained for years, I am still a year away from my own ordination. Although the church offers provisions that allow me to work as a pastor without ordination, ordination is a sacred initiation that grants me all of the responsibilities of a pastor in my denomination.

Some denominations have very few requirements. Others have more extensive training than what’s required by my own denomination. For women especially, it’s important to find out what the journey will look like. Although many denominations ordain women, there are still many that do not. Find out what your denomination requires so that you’re more prepared to meet those requirements.

2. Never stop studying the Bible.

I wish I had discovered Bible commentaries sooner. They have truly been a game changer these past ten years, as I have learned to use these resources to understand difficult portions of Scripture.

Some of my favorite resources are BibleHub.com (a free online resource with a collection of older commentaries), the Interpretation commentary series, the NIV Application Commentary series, and the New Beacon Bible Commentary series (which has just been completed). 

3. Find both local and non-local ministry friends.

Ministry can be isolating at times, and the people who understand this best are other pastors. I’ve benefited so much from having both local and non-local ministry friends.

My local mentor has helped me come up with ideas for my congregation. By providing support to me locally, she’s been able to answer questions I’ve had as I get used to leading a church on my own.

Non-local ministry friends, though, are incredibly valuable. Because they are not involved in nearby churches, there is room for more openness and accountability, without fear or repercussion. My dearest friend, who pastors a church on the other side of the country, has talked me through my darkest days in ministry. I would not be where I am without her friendship.

4. Tend to your physical and mental health.

Since the bulk of ministry involves caring for the needs of others, it is absolutely essential that you take care of your physical and mental health needs. Ministry is incredibly rewarding, but also extremely draining.

I often see a counselor to process both my childhood trauma and the difficulties of day-to-day ministry. Regular appointments with my family doctor, chiropractor, and psychiatrist all ensure I am tending to things before they spiral out of control.

One of the most important things I do to tend to my own mental health is to make space to recharge on Sunday afternoons. Preaching is very draining, so I often spend the bulk of the afternoon sleeping. In the evening, I spend time doing something I love (often watching a movie with my husband and crocheting).

5. Prioritize family relationships.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the demands of ministry. Ministry can take its toll on a pastor’s family, so it’s essential that you take time to invest in your family relationships.

My husband and I make sure to get out for a date night every week. Although some weeks involve crazy schedules, we never allow ourselves to go more than ten days without some time away together.

For pastors with kids, it’s important to shield them from as much ugliness as possible. Churches are not always kind to their pastors’ kids, and it’s important that as the pastor and parent you set appropriate boundaries.

6. Always remember your calling.

There will be days that are more painful that you can imagine. Without a strong sense that you’re called by God for this work, it will be far too easy to walk away.

Shortly before I started at my current assignment, I found out that three of my close friends in ministry were resigning from my church. I remember sitting outside on my front steps and sobbing well into the morning hours. Goodbyes have never been easy for me, and the number of goodbyes I had to process overwhelmed me. 

Without my sense of calling, I would not have gone back after that night. Yet because of my deep belief that God has called me and will equip me, I was able to pull myself out from that darkest depression. If God has called you, God will help you do it. Always.

Conclusion

My journey to become a pastor has never been straightforward. For every two steps forward in my journey, a new setback has taken me one step back. No matter where the next part of my journey leads me, I trust that God is in control. I trust that God works all things for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). My journey to becoming a pastor has only begun.

We could speculate that fewer people are getting married because the social pressure to get married is decreasing, and more people see marriage as a financial hurdle they can’t afford as they struggle to pay off student loans.

Whatever the case may be, in the US, there are still over 62 million married adults, and roughly 61% of unmarried adults would like to get married, according to the Pew Research center.

With all these people getting married, we want to know: how can you increase your chances of a happy marriage?

So, here are some essential marriage and relationship statistics you need to know if you want to answer that question.

The Best Time for Marriage is Between Ages 28-32

It’s common for people to worry about their marriage prospects as they enter and live through their 20s, but the truth is that getting married young decreases your chances for a successful marriage.

In fact, people who marry between the ages of 28-32 are statistically less likely to get divorced.

Holiday Stress May Lead to Divorces

In the US, there is a seasonal spike in divorces between January and March. The reason? Researchers claim the holidays cause a perceived strain on familial relationships. So, if you’re considering getting married, a test run through your holiday rituals might just save your marriage.

About Half of All Marriages End in Divorce

This one is pretty common knowledge—and you should take it to heart. Between 40-50% of marriages in the US end in divorce, and many newlyweds (between 45-67%) claim that the belief a marriage will last forever is unrealistic.

So, why do people still get married?

Most People Believe Marriage Equals Love

Well, over 80% of newlyweds believe that marriage is the ultimate expression of love. And over 93% of married people say love is a very important reason to get married. In fact, love wins out as a reason for marriage over companionship, children, financial stability, and a lifelong commitment.

But what does marriage bring that a serious relationship can’t?

Women are Less Satisfied in Marriages Than Men

In various areas of the relationship, including how their partner parents, communicates, and divides household chores, women are less satisfied than men. This may indicate that women are more likely to do more physical and emotional labor regarding their marriage, home life, and raising children.

In the same study from the Pew Research Center, both men and women reported satisfaction rates in these areas between 38-55%, revealing that roughly half of all married individuals (of both genders) are not satisfied with the communication, parenting, and chores in their marriage.

Is Rushing Marriage a Mistake?

The divorce rate in the US is one of the highest worldwide, and it seems that most couples recognize that divorce is a reasonable part of marriage—even likely.

So, why enter the legally binding commitment of marriage? For some people, it’s about experiencing the ceremony. Others believe that getting married is the grandest gesture of love that one can make.

But a grand gesture isn’t all it takes to love someone. What happens after the ceremony is just as important—so before getting married, you should ask yourself:

• Am I getting married because I hope it will change our relationship?
• After I get married, will I be happy as this person’s partner and roommate?
• Is our relationship healthy now?
• Do we already have honesty, trust, equality, support, and open communication?

Sources:

• https://legaljobs.io/blog/divorce-rate-in-america/ 
• https://www.creditdonkey.com/average-marriage-last.html
• https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/02/13/love-and-marriage/
• https://hernorm.com/marriage-and-divorce-statistics/
  https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/01/25/for-american-couples-gender-gaps-in-sharing-household-responsibilities-persist-amid-pandemic/
• https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-life/emotional-labour-eroding-your-marriage/

PBSKids (Ages 2-5)

PBS has always been home to some of the best free educational content, and now it’s available online! Home to both videos of beloved PBS Kids shows and interactive games, the PBS Kids website and accompanying app are a great way for kids to have fun while learning valuable early skills in math, reading, and science. The best part is that it’s 100% free!

ABCMouse (Ages 2-7)

A fantastic all-around learning platform for young children, ABCMouse offers lessons in reading, math, science, and art for young children. The lessons have varying levels and grow in difficulty as your child learns, so your child will have plenty of material to keep entertained for a while. The games are fun and simple so little ones shouldn’t need much parental assistance in order to operate the games – a must-have for busy working parents! The program is a paid subscription of $12.99/month, but they offer a free one-month trial for new families. The program can be played on a computer, tablet, or phone, so it goes wherever your family goes!

Khan Academy Kids (Ages 2-8)

Khan Academy is a longstanding pillar of the online educational community, but for years its content has been targeted towards teenagers and adults. With the launch of its children’s platform, now your little ones can get in on the learning, too! Available via the app store on your devices, Khan Academy Kids has lessons and curriculum for literacy and math skills for early learners. It even includes supplemental printable worksheets and parental learning planners! The best part is that the entire experience is 100% free and sans advertisements. 

Montessori Preschool (Ages 2-10)

With dozens of activities and apps to choose from, Montessori Preschool has an activity for every subject and learning area. Earlier games are well set up for young children who don’t yet know how to read and are easy to understand. The games for young children teach simple skills like understanding numbers, shapes, colors, and letters, while the more advanced games teach skills like geometry, spelling, addition, and subtraction. Pricing depends on the game selected, but most are between $3-5. 

ReadingIQ (Ages 2-12)

ReadingIQ is an entire digital library of books for children, starting with picture books and including popular chapter books. It’s a great way to satisfy the voracious reader in your life, as it includes an unlimited number of books in their library! The platform includes built-in reading assessments and comes with books from hugely popular publishers, with Star Wars and Marvel books included. A monthly subscription is $7.99/month or you can purchase an annual membership for $39.99/year if you’d like to save some money.

TurtleDiary (Ages 4-9)

Turtle Diary is a collection of games, printable activities, and educational quizzes for kids ranging from Pre-K up through 5th grade. Covering topics such as shapes, spelling, grammar, money, and math, there’s an activity to supplement whatever they’re learning about. They even have a broad library of educational videos and assessment quizzes so parents can easily assess their child’s skills at home without worry. The entire game, video, and quiz library is free to use for all! 

SplashLearn (Ages 4-10)

With both web applications and apps available for phones and tablets, SplashLearn is full of learning activities in math and reading for Pre-K and elementary kids. Available for both classrooms and families, kids adore getting a chance to play SplashLearn and learn a full curriculum of mathematical and literary skills. The platform is completely free to sign up for and is uniquely tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of your child’s learning! 

Scholastic Learn at Home (Ages 4-10)

Scholastic Learn at Home is an incredible library of at-home lessons for children ranging from Pre-K through 5th grade. With a variety of simple, short videos and full lessons, topics range from dinosaurs to space to the human body. Focusing largely on science and special interest topics, kids will have absolutely no problem finding something interesting to watch. There’s even Reading Quests where kids can take on special challenges to research and analyze new subjects. The whole platform is completely free to use for families, so get on it! 

TicToc Time (Ages 5-8)

Reading analog clocks can be a challenge for young learners. It’s often deeply counterintuitive for many young learners, and in recent years schools have been removing it from their standardized curriculum. Fortunately, TicToc Time is here to help them through it! Through simple, fun, graphic activities and interactive games, TicToc Time helps kids learn how to read a clock face. The app is available for $5.49 on Android and Apple devices.

Grammaropolis (Ages 5-10)

No kid is excited to learn about grammar. That is, unless they’re learning with Grammaropolis! This site gamifies grammar learning to make it fun and engaging to learn about language, spelling, and grammar. Kids get to watch fun videos, play games, and read books to learn about grammar, all while exploring the exciting cartoon world of Grammaropolis! Parents can even track their child’s progress through the activities and see their results in real time. A limited section of the site is available for free, or you can upgrade to the premium membership for full access for $29.99 per year, which allows you to create up to 10 student accounts. 

BrainPOP (Ages 5-12)

BrainPOP is a fun, engaging series of videos and lessons on every subject imaginable, from core subjects like reading, math, and science to exciting extracurricular subjects like art history and engineering. There’s even resources for social emotional learning and coding skills! Kids love the fun, quirky videos and the platform includes a full curriculum. Family plan subscriptions are $14,95 per month, or can be bundled for an annual discount at $95.20 per year.

National Geographic Kids (Ages 5-12)

National Geographic has managed to compile an immense amount of educational resources into a single platform with National Geographic Kids. Full of videos, games, and interactive activities, the site covers a huge diversity of topics. Learning about geography, animals, space, and reading is all just a click away on National Geographic Kids. It’s also a completely free resource, so you can let your child spend hours watching their fun, engaging educational videos without having to worry about the cost one bit! 

The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids (Ages 6-12) 

This is a great resource for kids to check in with daily to always find something new to learn! The site updates daily with new things to learn about the current phase of the moon, historical events that took place on the day’s date, the current weather, fun new facts to learn about animals and science, and even riddles and puzzles to play along with! The website is completely free to use and doesn’t even require you to sign up or log in to use it. Set it as your child’s web browser home page so they always open their internet browser to new things to learn! 

MetKids (Ages 7-12)

If your little learner is craving a visit to the museum, look no further! The Metropolitan Museum of art has compiled tons of learning resources for kids to explore right from the comfort of their own homes. With tools like an interactive museum map to explore, behind-the-scenes videos of the artifacts in the museum, and tons of creative projects to try, it’s just as fun as an in-person trip. There’s even a “time machine” where kids can explore through the past and learn incredible things about history and art. The entire site is also completely free to use, courtesy of the Met! 

Prodigy (Ages 7-14)

If your student is struggling with math, Prodigy could be just the thing to help. Prodigy gamifies mathematical learning and tailors the experience of playing based on the mathematical assessment of your child’s skills. Kids will be excited to reach milestones as they earn special in-game rewards, like their own Prodigy pet and custom character building. You can even create a parent account where you can see your child’s progress over time and look at the data of their mathematical skills. The game itself is free to play, or unlock special extra features and activities with a premium membership for $4.99 per month. 

MissionUS (Ages 8-13)

MissionUS is a series of “serious games” about “serious history,” with compelling and historically accurate educational games about various times in US history. Six different games feature six different storylines from across the history of the United States, starting with the Revolutionary War and including slavery, westward expansion, the industrial revolution, the Great Depression, and World War II. The games do need to be downloaded onto a computer in order to play, and some of the games may feature difficult content, so parents are warned to check beforehand and ensure that the game is appropriate for their child. All of the games are free and available for both Mac and PC computers.

Adventure Academy (Ages 8-12)

Adventure Academy, made by the same creators as ABCMouse, is a game that’s sure to grab your little one’s attention. While the format and experience of Adventure Academy is much like playing an RPG video game, it’s chock full of educational content for the elementary school student in your life. Covering math, science, reading, and social studies, kids have a chance to learn their core subjects while feeling like they’re playing an exciting video game that takes place at a school for fantastical adventurers! Available on computer, tablet, or phone, the monthly subscription is $12.99 per month after a one-month trial.

DOGO News (Ages 8-14)

For kids who are interested in current events but aren’t quite mature enough for adult news, there’s DOGO News. DOGO News updates with new articles on current events and fun science topics in a way that challenges young readers without overwhelming them with adult topics. The site covers science topics such as environmentalism and animals, as well as civic, global news, and social studies. The site is even available in both english and spanish for multilingual learners with a fascination for news and current events. It’s completely free to access and has a huge archive of fantastic articles to read! 

CodaKid (Ages 7+)

If you have an avid video gamer kid, they’re going to love CodaKid. CodaKid is a way to learn coding skills through playing video games, learning coding languages like Python, Scratch, JavaScript, and HTML by playing games they’re already familiar with like Minecraft and Roblox. For computer newbies, there’s even courses available for typing skills and computer usage basics. Available through self-paced online courses or one-on-one tutoring sessions, your kid will be coding his own video games in no time! Monthly subscriptions are available for $25 or you can get 50% off by purchasing the annual membership. 

Smithsonian Learning Lab (Ages 8+)

The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a collection of lessons, videos, and research made available to the public for free. Whether your child needs help researching something for a school project or is simply curious to know more about the night sky or art history, there’s plenty to find on the Learning Lab. Massive numbers of research collections have been digitized to explore, as well as a number of interactive lessons and learning games.

The Vaccine has Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA For Kids

Johns Hopkins Medicine pens an excellent resource about the safety of emergency use authorization COVID vaccinations for children. Authors Anna Christina Sick Samuels, MD, MPH, and Allison Messina, MD., cover many of the concerns parents have about the recent approval of Phizer for adolescents ages 12 to 15. Currently, permission is still pending for Moderna, the maker of the other vaccination approved for individuals ages 16 and older in the U.S. 

The doctor’s recommendation to parents? Yes, vaccinate your children for COVID. It’s true. Most kids indeed get milder versions of the virus than adults. However, the data shows that’s not always the case. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as of May 20, 2021, nearly 4 million children have tested positive for COVID-19. In the week ending on May 15, 2021, around 40,000 kids tested positive for the virus. Sadly, that’s the lowest number the medical community has recorded in months. Overall, kids make up 14% of the coronavirus cases in the U.S. 

Although hospitalizations aren’t as high as adults, 1.3% to 3.2% of children were hospitalized because of severe COVID symptoms. Similar to hospitalizations, death from the coronavirus is rare for children. However, 43 states have reported a mortality rate for kids. The U.S.’s mortality rate is upwards of 0.20%. Yes, that’s a minimal number. But, would that matter if it was your child?

Testing is Ongoing for Children Ages 2 to 12

What about children under 12? That’s an excellent question. Unfortunately, while the science is close, pharmaceutical companies are still finalizing the studies. Nonetheless, the companies believe emergency approval for use will occur before the beginning of the next school year. However, if the efficiency for children under 12 matches those 12 and older, it looks good. Vaccine manufacturer Moderna stated that their vaccine is 93% effective two weeks after the first dose. 

As of May, 144 children ages five and under are participating in the vaccine trials for Pfizer. The trial will follow the young children for two years to monitor for side effects. So far, no significant problems have been reported. So why are some parents subjecting their children to trial vaccinations?

Angelica LaCour, one of the mothers, explains,

“I think it’s just really important to highlight that we’re not going to get to herd immunity as a country if children are not vaccinated. We don’t know the long-term impacts of the virus. And we know that this is a well-tolerated vaccine that’s saving people’s lives. And it’s important that our children get that as well.”

Vaccine maker Pfizer, which already has approval for children ages 12 to 15, also hopes to be eligible for emergency use approval by September. As of March, all trials showing the vaccine is 100% effective in the 12 to 15 age group.

mRNA vaccines are Safe

Adult vaccine hesitancy is leading the way for children. Therefore, it’s essential to provide all factual information about the COVID-19 vaccine to get people to look past their fears and get vaccinated. One of the fears is based on the mRNA vaccine process. However, it’s vital to know this isn’t a live virus and won’t change your DNA. Instead, it plays a messenger and uses data from a similar virus to train your immune system to fight COVID-19. Scientists have been working with these vaccination types for decades and believe the mRNA vaccine is the future of immunization.  

Help Protect Your Community 

Vaccinations are about more than the individual. They’re about protecting the community. When 70% or more of the population is vaccinated, it provides life-saving protections for people who can’t get vaccinated. If you’re wondering,  “Who medically can’t be vaccinated?”

There are many reasons to object to vaccinations. Many people claim religious and personal exemptions. Unfortunately, some people can’t safely get any vaccinations. For example, immunocompromised individuals, such as those undergoing cancer treatment or taking autoimmune disease medications that reduce natural immunities, can’t get vaccinated. Another group that can get vaccinated, but must take precautions, includes individuals with past allergic reactions to any ingredients in the vaccine. 

Additionally, after approval is given for ages two to 12, children under two still can’t receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Although trials will start with kids under age two, approval is most likely at least a year away, if not more. So when you choose to vaccinate yourself and your children, you’re helping protect these people, including newborns and young kids, that aren’t eligible for the vaccination. 

How are Teenagers 16 and Older Doing?

A recent study found some adolescents 16 and older vaccinated experienced myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle. But, despite the uptick in reports from the press, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices investigated reports and did not find it was occurring more frequently in vaccinated youths.

Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, advised CNN,

“You’re as likely to get myocarditis if you were vaccinated than if you weren’t vaccinated. There’s every reason to think this isn’t a problem. There’s every reason to think this is nothing parents should be worried about.”

Following the review, experts believed misinformation might slow down the vaccination rate. So, to ease fears, the CDC issued the following report,

“CDC continues to strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccination for individuals 12 years of age or older given the risk of COVID-19 illness and related, potentially severe, complications. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your family from COVID-19.”

Pfizer offered parents more good news regarding their vaccine. They plan to apply for full FDA approval of the vaccination by the end of May for ages 16-95. Additionally, the company expects to get the okay for more safety confirmations on pregnant women by early August at the latest. 

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

With the most up-to-date information about COVID vaccinations for kids, you can make an informed decision about the safety of your child, family, and those you encounter regularly. Yes, it’s not 100% formal approval from the FDA and CDC. The final go-ahead will take months to confirm, which is much faster than many vaccine approvals in the past. However, these pharmaceutical companies went through a thorough review to achieve emergency use authorization, including clinical trials involving thousands of participants. 

Nonetheless, no matter what decision you make, consider talking to your children about the vaccination. Explain your reason to vaccinate or not vaccinate them against COVID-19. It could be an eye-opening experience for everyone in your family. If you choose to get the COVID-19 vaccine for your kids and they’re concerned, talk to your family doctor. Also, encourage them to trust the science.

On the other hand, if you’re not ready yet, discuss that with your children and family physician as well. Additionally, continue to review the available research. The updates and data coming in regarding the vaccine and COVID-19 are changing rapidly. Not because scientists are wrong. Instead, it changes because they’re learning more. Then, when school begins in the fall, you might have enough information to change your decision.

Language & Speech 

Language & Speech skills are hugely important for young toddlers, and the skills involved often encompass much more than parents realize. In order to speak and understand speech, children need to know how a word sounds, understand its meaning, be able to replicate the same sounds with their own mouth, understand the back-and-forth nature of conversation, and be able to synthesize auditory input, determine the meaning, decide on their own response, and speak it back. It’s a lot for a little brain to handle! You can make it easier on them by introducing these simple, fun activities that will build each of those skills to mastery. 

1. Reading books 

The absolute best thing you can do for your child’s emerging language skills is to read lots of books together! Children should both have time to read with an adult and spend time exploring books independently, so make sure that plenty of books are within their easy reach in their usual play space. Make sure they’re board books or another sturdy material so they don’t get torn to bits! 

When reading together, incorporate ways that your child can interact with the reading experience. Ask them to turn the page, or identify what’s happening in the book’s illustrations. For more verbally capable children, you could ask them to interpret the feelings or actions of the characters in the book. 

2. Singing songs 

Songs are a great way to introduce vocabulary and speech into your child’s mind in a way that will be easy for them to remember and repeat. Songs that have motions to go along with them, like Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Five

Finger Family are all great for also helping them connect the meaning with the word and improve their comprehension. 

3. Puppets and stuffed animals 

Using puppets and stuffed animals with your child is great for building social understanding and gaining an understanding of the back-and-forth nature of communication. Having pretend conversations with a favorite puppet or pretending a stuffed bear is eating a snack is fantastic practice for real-life conversations and social situations and gets young kids excited to try and communicate. 

4. Introduce baby sign language 

If you haven’t already, 12 months is a fantastic time to introduce baby signs. Start with a few simple signs, like “more,” “all done,” and “milk,” and model the sign every time you use the word with your child. Once they seem familiar with the sign, you can try and help them copy the sign by moving their hands in the right position for them. 

Sign language is fantastic for helping children practice communicating before they have the physical ability or vocabulary to be speaking their words. It especially helps with children who become frustrated with their inability to communicate their needs. As an added bonus, it also is great for emerging fine motor skills! 

5. Ask questions 

Even if your child can’t communicate perfectly yet, talking to them as though they can respond and asking them questions can hugely improve their communication skills. This gives them a chance to think through the question and their feelings, even if they aren’t capable of providing a detailed response. 

It also helps to introduce to them some conversational structure and social awareness, so that your little one doesn’t just have a growing vocabulary but robust social skills as they grow into their speech. 

6. Label their emotions

When children have extreme emotion, they have a difficult time expressing their feelings. If your little one is a major tantrummer or screamer, that’s why! Help them develop their language and social-emotional skills by helping them to label how they’re feeling. 

This can look very different for each child, but a good model of a response would be “I can see that you’re mad that you don’t have any more milk. Would you like to ask for more?” Acknowledging and naming their emotion while explaining why they might feel that way is helpful because it helps them develop the emotional language they need to express themselves. Following up with offering a solution helps them understand how to solve problems and ask for help when needed, building their bond with their parents and their problem solving skills. 

Gross Motor Skills 

Moving, jumping, running, skipping – building strength in large muscle groups and learning to coordinate them is a big job, and having underdeveloped gross motor skills can have an impact on related areas of learning, too. Try using some of these exciting, action-packed gross motor activities to build strength, get some exercise, and have fun! 

1. Kicking 

To be able to effectively kick a ball, a lot of gross motor skills need to be in place. The balance to stand on one foot, the strength of the leg and foot, and the coordination of the feet with visual information are all very challenging for a young toddler. 

To introduce kicking as a gross motor coordination skill, start with a large, light ball, like an inflatable plastic ball or a lightweight soccer ball. To start, simply model kicking the ball and encourage your child to try and copy you. If your child is still uncertain about their standing and walking skills, they can try to kick the ball while holding onto a surface for balance or kicking it from a sitting position. 

As their skills begin to emerge, you can try to give them a target, like a soccer net, to improve their coordination and challenge them further. 

2. Playing catch

Getting a chance to play catch with a child is a treasured moment that every parent looks forward to! And even though your little one can’t quite catch a baseball in a mitt just yet, you can start building the gross motor coordination skills required. 

To start with, try simply rolling a ball back and forth with your child on the floor. Just being able to push the ball so it rolls in the desired direction and with enough force to reach its destination can be a great gross motor coordination activity for a young toddler. Once they have mastered rolling the ball on the floor, you can move on to throwing the ball back and forth. 

Start with gentle, underhand tosses made from a short distance to help your child get the hang of catching and throwing, then you can start making the distance between you two farther and farther as they grow more comfortable. 

3. Climbing 

Little ones are natural climbers, and finding safe places for them to climb is critical for their gross motor coordination. Being able to coordinate arm and leg movements while pulling one’s own weight upwards and keeping balance is quite a feat, and it is a fantastic source of exercise for little ones! 

Make sure to visit plenty of toddler-appropriate playgrounds with your little one so they get regular access to this activity. If you have the space, you could look at finding an indoor low climber for toddlers to put in their regular play space so they can climb any time they want! 

4. Riding toys 

12 month olds may not yet be ready to be riding a bicycle, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a sweet ride! A simple push riding toy is a great way to build gross motor strength in the legs and feet, practice coordinating movement between both legs, and a great source of exercise. It’s also a great way to build the skills needed to ride a two-wheel bicycle when they’re ready in a few years! 

Fine Motor Skills 

Being able to use fine motor abilities well is a challenge, and can take a lot of time and practice for little ones to perfect. Things like writing, using scissors, or lacing a shoe feel like second nature to adults, but to young children those tasks seem

impossible, and gaining enough strength and control in the small muscles of the hands and fingers can be a real challenge. Try using some of these fun activities to help your little one turn into a fine motor master in no time! 

1. Pipettes 

Pipettes, also called liquid droppers, are simple tools used to move small amounts of water. They’re used by pinching and releasing the top bulb of a flexible plastic tube to suck up and release liquid. This is a favored activity of young children because of its exciting sensory applications with various liquids. 

Young toddlers can find the coordination of pipettes challenging. Fortunately, many toy stores or educational supply stores offer pipettes made larger with toddler-friendly bulbs that are easier for little hands to manipulate. 

Pipettes are great for a variety of activities. You can use pipettes to splash watercolor paint onto paper to make a beautiful piece of art, or use it to apply colored vinegar to baking soda as a fun art project. Whatever you use them for, they’ll be sure to build amazing fine motor skills for your toddler! 

2. Stickers 

Stickers are a great source of fine motor practice for little fingers! The small coordinated movements needed to remove a sticker from a sheet are actually quite a challenge, but the reward of having a sticker is more than enough motivation to focus on the task for most young toddlers. 

To start with, using puffy stickers or oversized stickers can help younger toddlers gain the basic skills needed to peel the stickers off the sheet, then smaller and more difficult stickers can be introduced over time. Stickers also come in a huge variety of sizes and styles, so you can customize this exciting learning activity to your child’s own special interests. 

3. Lacing/threading 

Lacing or threading is massively popular, and part of its appeal is its simplicity. Lacing can be done with lacing cards or blocks, which are wooden or cardstock cutouts of various pictures with holes along the edge. Children can then take a wooden blunt “needle” and “sew” along the

4. Coloring 

Coloring may seem like a simple activity to fill a child’s time, but it is actually a critical learning activity. Holding a crayon, marker, or colored pencil is a fantastic way to practice for writing with a pen or pencil in a few years. 

While at 12 months your little one likely won’t be doing much other than scribbling with their chosen coloring implement, they’re still building important fine motor coordination skills and strengthening the tiny muscles in their hands and fingers that will become important for their writing ability. 

Cognitive Skills 

Cognitive skills are what most people would associate with “traditional” learning skills – counting, sorting, building, and critical thinking all fall under the category of Cognitive skills. Don’t be fooled, though, cognitive learning can be filled with fun and is often the very favorite of young toddlers! Try these activities and see how simple and fun it can be to learn cognitive skills. 

1. Shape sorting 

Shape sorting activities are a fantastic way for your little one to begin categorizing, shape recognition, counting, and critical thinking. You can purchase a shape sorting activity at any toy store, or you can simply make one at home with paper and markers! 

Introduce the shape sorting activity to your child gently at first, discussing the different shapes and showing them how to tell them apart. Then you can start to show them how the shapes can match together as they begin to show some familiarity. 

Your little one may not respond by matching the shapes together right away, but that’s okay! Just sitting down to play with an adult and familiarizing with the different shapes is helping them adopt the same cognitive skills. 

2. Color matching

Color matching, much like shape sorting, is great for learning about classification and finding the similarities and differences in given objects. Color matching is fantastic because there are so many ways you can apply it to an activity. 

Color matching can be putting flashcards together, but it can also be grouping toys based on their color, or playing an I Spy game of looking around the room to find a given color. It can be done with your child’s favorite toy, food, or art activity. 

3. Block building/stacking 

Building and stacking with blocks and other building toys can be hugely beneficial for young children. Understanding structure, balance, symmetry, and gravity are great ways to start building early critical thinking and analysis skills. There are many, many incredible building toys for children to play with, such as magnetic tiles, bristle builders, and interlocking construction pieces. However, don’t underestimate the power of simple wooden blocks! 

Young toddlers may need something of an introduction to the idea of building for structure or stacking with some adult assistance and modeling. However, don’t impose too many prescriptive ideas on your little one about how they should be building with their toys. After all, following their imagination and curiosity is how they learn best! 

4. Musical instruments 

Playing with musical instruments may seem like more of an enrichment activity, with plenty of opportunity for fun but very little potential as an academic activity. However, playing with musical instruments is a fantastic cognitive learning opportunity for young toddlers. 

A critical cognitive skill for young toddlers is an understanding of cause and effect, and being able to predict the result of a given action. Musical instruments are a wonderful chance to experiment with cause and effect by playing with the different effects a toddler can have by hitting a drum hard or soft, pressing different keys of a piano, or shaking a tambourine gently or firmly. The music they make is a wonderful reinforcement of this curiosity, and leads to hours of endless learning and fun! 

5. Cooking projects

Cooking with your child is a great way to introduce cognitive skills. Even children as young as 12 months can participate in a cooking project with their parents! Cooking introduces measurement and a knowledge of how food is made, while also being an incredible source of sensory enrichment. Cooking also involves following a detailed list of instructions, so children can begin learning to carefully listen and retain multistep directions. 

Of course, be careful with any projects that involve the stove or oven! Starting out with a simple no-bake recipe or just helping to plate up some fruit and crackers may be a good idea for little ones with wandering hands to help keep them safe. 

Sensory Skills 

Sensory activities are often hard for adults to understand the educational value of. After all, splashing in some water or digging in sand doesn’t appear at first to have any special learning element to it. However, sensory activities are critical for developing the neural pathways that children use to understand their sensory experiences. Get ready to get messy with these fun hands-on sensory activities! 

1. Digging and scooping 

One of the most beautiful things about sensory play is just how many variations you can create. The most basic form of a sensory activity is a simple “digging and scooping” activity. To start, you’ll want a large waterproof basin in a location where a bit of spillage won’t harm much. If you have a sensory table with a built-in basin, that works great, but a simple plastic storage bin set on a table will also work just fine. 

You can fill the basin with just about anything you want. Common selections include water and sand, but you can also use dirt, clay, shaving cream, soap bubbles, slime, hair gel, kinetic sand, shredded paper, pebbles… there’s no wrong answer! 

Once your material is in the basin, add a few simple tools to the basin. Shovels, cups, spoons, and bowls are great to start, though you can also add water wheels, sponges, paintbrushes, sandcastle molds, toothbrushes, or pipettes. Just about anything that will offer your child a way to play with the material in a new way is a great addition to the table!

And just like that, you have a fantastic sensory activity that your child will be amused by for hours. You can even create specially themed sensory tables for different holidays or special interests your child might have! If you have a toddler who loves construction and vehicles, you might make a sensory bin full of dirt and rocks with small toy construction vehicles so they can drive them over the dirt and load them up with rocks and dirt. If your child loves fish, you can make a water and bubble sensory bin full of toy fish, play fishing poles, and toy boats. The opportunities are endless, and the learning is invaluable! 

2. Mixing materials 

Mixing materials is a great way to enhance sensory activities. For this one you will need two separate basins with two separate materials inside. Think about different materials that may create an interesting result when combined. Combining paint with hair gel could create an interesting, sticky slime, while mixing water with shredded paper can create soggy paste that’s fun to squish and rip. 

Mixing materials is great because it also teaches children about the physical properties of material and cause/effect, building cognitive skills at the same time! 

3. Adding sensory play to other favored activities 

The versatility of sensory play means that it can also be applied to other activities. If your little one loves their hot wheels cars, you can build a sensory activity around driving hot wheels cars through clay. If their favorite activity is drawing, you can introduce finger painting into their art routine to add some sensory engagement to their arts and crafts time. 

4. Play dough 

Play dough is a great on-the-go, space-conscious option for sensory play. Play dough’s consistency makes it great for building or creating structures for some cognitive learning, or can be manipulated with the hands and experimented with for some simple sensory play. You can add tools, cookie cutters, and utensils to further enrich the learning experience. 

You can also make your own play dough at home! Try a simple recipe that allows you to have your child assist in putting the ingredients together and rolling out their own dough.

5. Sensory bottles 

Sensory bottles are another opportunity for a lot of customization for your needs and your child’s interests. Sensory bottles are made by simply taking an empty water or soda bottle and filling it with a variety of materials. To create a fun lava lamp effect, combine oil, water, and food coloring into the bottle to create a fun, hypnotic effect in the liquid. 

Sensory bottles can be enhanced with glitter, small toys, buttons, rocks, or beads. Anything that can withstand being submerged in water that can fit in the bottle will work! Much like sensory bins, sensory bottles can be themed around a given special interest or activity. You can make a beach-themed bottle with sand, water, blue food coloring, and seashells. You could create a space-themed bottle with black food dye, silver glitter, and little toy planets, aliens, and astronauts. 

Sensory bottles are great calm-down activities for children who are upset, or just a nice quiet activity for some sensory enrichment. Shaking and moving the bottle creates a fun whirlwind of all the items inside, and has a very soothing effect on little ones who are drawn in by its hypnotic movements.