Live Better
At-home learning throughout the summer
Tips for keeping students sharp over the long-haul
(Family Features) With the majority of schools across the country closed, many parents are feeling the stress of taking more active roles in their children’s education. As time away from the classroom extends into summer, parents also face the challenge of helping their children maintain what they’ve learned through a summer of uncertainty.
This year’s shift to at-home learning has provided plenty of resources parents can use to keep their children’s minds engaged and actively learning. The shift has also prompted families to create new routines and healthy learning habits. Continuing these best practices over the summer may prove beneficial in setting students up for success when they return to the classroom.
- Set a clear daily schedule with realistic goals and be sure to allow flexibility. A child’s attention span grows longer with age – typically 2-3 minutes per year of age – so the amount of time an elementary school student will focus on a task may be significantly shorter than a high school student.
- Build in time for kids to play. According to the journal, “Pediatrics,” playing promotes healthy brain development and boosts academic skills. Play time also helps children manage stress – making it an important and fun way for parents to support kids coping with stress or anxiety.
- Create a conducive learning environment at home. If possible, set up a designated desk and distraction-free workspace children can use for everything from completing school assignments to playing educational games.
While routines are important, they may not be the only key to summer learning success. Research from Harvard indicates parents who engage with their children in simple activities over the summer – like reading together or talking about baseball statistics – can have a greater impact on their children’s academic performance than popular summer activities, such as summer camps, travel or summer school.
Since education can happen anywhere as part of everyday life, there are many activities families can do together to create a sense of summertime fun while fostering academic growth.
- Spend some time cooking or baking together. Use these experiences as opportunities to practice reading recipes or practice math by measuring and adding ingredients.
- Work with other parents or family members to find summer pen pals. Have kids write letters back and forth to practice reading and writing skills.
- Extend story time with read-and-do activities that lay the groundwork for developing engaged readers. For example, the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program offers free online activities at bookitprogram.com children and parents can do together, such as drawing, letter recognition or sight-word bingo.
- Explore science and nature by taking a walk. Try and identify different types of clouds, trees, plants, rocks and animals. Take pictures of any you find interesting. Then look up additional information when you return home to practice research skills.
- Watch the news or read about current events together. This can provide practical lessons on social studies and help kids raise questions about the world around them.
ABCs of Combating Summer Slide
While on summer break, kids commonly lose some of the learning momentum from the previous school year. It’s a phenomenon casually referred to as the “summer slide.”
A report from the Northwest Evaluation Association found students in third-fifth grades lost about 20% of their school-year gains in reading and 27% in math, on average, during summer break.
After such an abrupt end to formal curriculum, the slide could be a little steeper for kids in the fall. However, summer plans for families likely look different this year. More free time may make it easier to build in time for educational activities, which can also offer an escape during this uncertain time.
Allow for reading aloud. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, reading aloud is the single most important activity for reading success as it helps build word-sound awareness. Encourage your child to play teacher and read aloud books, magazines, or comics to family members, pets or even stuffed animals.
Begin a book club. Read the same books as your children then discuss what you all read over a shared snack or gathered around the dinner table. Joining in shows the importance of prioritizing reading during the summer.
Check into services offered by libraries. If possible, make use of local libraries, many of which offer free online resources and have extended due dates. Inquire about online services offered in your area and how your family can participate in programs taking place over the summer.
Where and How to Access Online Resources
From educators helping their students to organizations lending support in trying times, dozens if not hundreds of online resources have emerged to help parents navigate teaching at home.
Internet Access: While many at-home learning resources can be found online, some families lack access to reliable and affordable internet connections. For information on free or low-cost home internet access, as well as other resources for teachers and families, visit firstbook.org/coronavirus-educator-resources.
Online field trips: While school and family outings are limited, it’s still possible to explore the world from the comfort of home. Zoos, museums and other places of interest are sharing everything from educational videos and live webcams to guided tours on their websites and social media.
Reading programs: Literacy is the foundation for all learning, so focusing on activities that promote reading gives children a chance to practice that essential skill, often in ways that don’t feel like learning. One resource is The Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, the nation’s largest and longest-running corporate-supported reading program. Parents can visit bookitprogram.com to find a number of activities designed to help children find joy in reading. Resources include book recommendations, activity and book pairings, video messages from best-selling authors Tom Angleberger and Kate DiCamillo and printable worksheets, story maps and more.
Educational websites: Many academic websites have opened their subscription-based content for free or reduced access. You can find videos, interactive programs, lesson plans and more. Before creating an account, check if your school has secured free or discounted access codes.
New skills: From learning the basics of keyboard typing to trying a new instrument or mastering a new language, there are sites dedicated to helping students develop new skills while they’re at home.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
(Family Features) Homeowners may not realize it, but one compound impacts their lives nearly every day: refrigerant. Capable of transforming from liquid to gas and back again, it absorbs and transfers heat as a key part of air conditioning and heat pump systems that keep you comfortable no matter the weather.
As part of your air conditioner or heat pump system, it helps transfer heat and humidity out of your home for cooling or draws heat from outdoor air and brings it inside for heating. However, while concerns about climate change heat up, government leaders are enacting policies that enforce greater control over the anticipated global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is limiting the GWP of refrigerants in equipment starting in 2025. At the same time, the EPA is implementing a phasedown on the supply of existing, higher GWP refrigerants.
The changes include a phasedown of high-GWP refrigerants commonly used in home air conditioning and refrigeration, introduction of alternative refrigerants with lower GWP that maintain efficiency and requiring manufacturers to comply with new standards for energy efficiency and environmental impact.
Despite these policy updates, you may not necessarily need a new air conditioner or heat pump. Here’s what homeowners need to know, courtesy of the experts at Carrier, a world leader in high-technology heating, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions:
Environmental Awareness and the Impact on Existing Home Systems
Transitioning away from high-GWP refrigerants contributes positively toward reducing your carbon footprint. These anticipated changes aim not only at reducing environmental impact but also at promoting technological advancements in heating and cooling solutions that benefit both consumers and the planet over time. If you have an existing system using older refrigerants like R-22 or R-410A, it can still be serviced; however, it’s possible repair costs may increase due to reduced availability.
Maintenance and Servicing
Regular maintenance becomes more crucial as systems age. Ensure your HVAC technician is knowledgeable about the new requirements and safely handling different types of refrigerants.
Considerations for New Purchases
When purchasing a new air conditioner or heat pump, be sure to check for energy efficiency ratings that align with the updated regulations and look for models using low-GWP refrigerants. For example, Puron Advance from Carrier will replace existing refrigerants in all its residential ducted and ductless and light commercial products. This innovative refrigerant, also known as R-454B, not only meets the EPA’s anticipated GWP limits for refrigerants but exceeds the new requirements with a GWP of 466, a 75% reduction compared to R-410A.
Incentives and Rebates
If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner or heat pump, keep an eye out for government incentives or rebates aimed at encouraging homeowners to upgrade their systems in compliance with new standards.
Consult Professionals
Owning a home is a lot of work on its own, and EPA regulations on your cooling and heating systems may be the furthest thing from your mind. If you believe you’re due for service or a new system, engage HVAC professionals – like the trusted experts at Carrier – who are up to date on regulatory changes. Always check local regulations for specific details applicable in your area since policies can vary by region beyond federal guidelines.
To find more information on the changes or connect with an HVAC professional, visit Carrier.com/Residential.
SOURCE:
Carrier
(Family Features) Most people don’t want to think about death – let alone talk about it. When the time comes, families often find themselves overwhelmed, not only by grief but by the many decisions that need to be made quickly.
Funeral directors witness this every day. They see the stress and confusion that can come when there is no plan in place and the peace of mind that comes with thoughtful preparation.
After consulting funeral directors nationwide, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) uncovered five things they wish families knew before a death occurs.
- It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning
While everyone knows death and taxes are inevitable, conversations about death are often avoided.
Simply documenting your wishes and discussing your preferences with your family can alleviate the difficult decisions your loved ones will have to make in the future. Speak with a funeral director to explore the many options for planning a meaningful funeral.
- Legal and Financial Details Can Cause Unexpected Issues
Families often don’t realize power of attorney ends at death, meaning a designated person can no longer make decisions or access bank accounts once an individual dies.
To avoid complications, consider adding a trusted loved one to your bank account and ensure life insurance beneficiaries are up to date. Too often, deceased individuals leave minor children, deceased spouses or former partners as beneficiaries, leading to legal and financial challenges.
- Final Wishes Shouldn’t Be In Your Will
Many people believe the best place to document their final wishes is in their will. However, wills are often not read until after funeral services take place, making them an unreliable way to communicate last requests. Instead, discuss and document your wishes with family members or a trusted funeral professional who can keep your wishes on file until there is a need.
- There Are a Variety of Memorialization Options
End-of-life planning offers more choices than many realize. While burial remains a common preference, cremation is an increasingly popular choice and can even include a viewing and funeral service. Additionally, eco-friendly options, such as alkaline hydrolysis, natural burial and natural organic reduction are becoming more widely available for those seeking green memorialization. In fact, according to NFDA’s 2024 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study, 68% of respondents expressed interest in green funeral options.
Exploring these possibilities with a funeral professional can help ensure your final arrangements reflect your values, traditions and personal wishes.
- Funeral Directors Don’t Just Manage Funerals – They’re Trusted Guides In Honoring Life
Funeral directors play a vital role in helping families create meaningful services that reflect their loved one’s life, values and traditions. Whether planning ahead or facing a recent loss, funeral professionals provide expertise, compassionate care and personalized guidance during one of life’s most difficult moments.
Choosing the right funeral director is an important decision and finding someone who understands your needs can make all the difference in honoring your loved one in a personal and meaningful way.
Start the conversation today by talking about end-of-life planning. It isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones. A little planning today can make a world of difference tomorrow.
Use comprehensive resources like RememberingALife.com, which is designed to guide families through every stage of the journey, including planning, funeral options and grief resources. The site offers valuable tools and support, such as the “Find a Funeral Home” tool to connect families with compassionate, local funeral directors and much more.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
(Family Features) As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to fire up the grill and elevate your outdoor cooking game. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, success comes down to three essentials: quality ingredients, the right seasonings and reliable equipment that gives you full control over heat and timing.
If you’re ready to turn up the heat this season, explore high-performance grilling solutions from Nexgrill – built to match every cooking style and skill level. From backyard barbecues to weeknight dinners under the open sky, its lineup is designed to help you serve up unforgettable flavors all season long. Visit nexgrill.com to learn more and get inspired.
Unlock a New Level of Outdoor Cooking Versatility
Transform your backyard into a chef-inspired kitchen with the Gourmet Pro 6-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Grill featuring the Griddle Max Cooking System. Designed to go beyond traditional grilling, this powerhouse lets you grill, saute, griddle and smoke all at once or on demand. The innovative system makes it easy to achieve restaurant-quality results, delivering unmatched versatility for any meal. Built with stainless steel burners, angled flame tamers and porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grids, it ensures consistent heat and fewer flare-ups. With 811 square inches of cooking space, six main burners and a high-heat searing side burner, you’ll get 75,000 BTU of total cooking power.
Take on Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
From sizzling fajitas at your backyard bash to early-morning pancakes before your next adventure, the Daytona 4-Burner Propane Gas Griddle delivers the heat, flavor and performance you need. Designed for versatility, this powerhouse features a 792-square-inch cooktop and four stainless steel burners, giving you the space and control to cook multiple dishes at once. Built-in convenience comes standard with dual side shelves, a lower storage rack to keep tools within reach and a removable grease cup for quick and easy cleanup. When it’s time to pack it in, a heavy-duty lid protects your cooking surface.
From Kitchen to Patio, It Goes Where You Go
Grilling isn’t just for the backyard. When weather or space keeps you inside, the Fuse 22-inch Electric Griddle delivers bold, flame-free cooking anywhere there’s an outlet. Ultralightweight and easy to transport, it’s built for seamless indoor-outdoor use. With 308 square inches of edge-to-edge heat, a durable nonstick surface and digital temperature control, this electric flattop offers precision and power. A hinged lid with a built-in viewing window locks in heat and flavor so you can cook efficiently. From weekday breakfasts in the kitchen to weekend feasts on the patio, it can be your all-access pass to delicious, flexible cooking – wherever life takes you.
SOURCE:
Nexgrill
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