Community Learning Center Blog

Fun Science Experiments for Kids

April 19, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, School No comments

Glowing Water: Create this by adding a highlighter ink cartridge (the part that contains the fluorescent ink) to a cup of water. Let it soak for a few hours and then shine a blacklight on the water to see it glow. This experiment demonstrates fluorescence and can be a visually striking demonstration.

Homemade slime: Mix together equal parts of white school glue and liquid starch in a bowl. You can add food coloring or glitter for extra flair. Stir until the mixture forms a slimy consistency and knead it with your hands until it reaches the desired texture.

Egg in a Bottle: Place a hard-boiled egg on the mouth of a glass bottle. Light a match and drop it into the bottle, then quickly place the egg back on the mouth of the bottle. As the match burns, it consumes the oxygen inside the bottle, creating a vacuum. The difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the bottle will push the egg into the bottle.

Static Electricity Butterfly: Cut out a butterfly shape from a piece of paper. Charge a balloon by rubbing it against your hair. Hold the charged balloon near the butterfly, and watch as it sticks to the balloon due to static electricity.

Rainbow in a Jar: Fill a clear glass with water, leaving some space at the top. Carefully pour different liquids with varying densities on top of each other, such as honey, corn syrup, water, dish soap, vegetable oil, and rubbing alcohol. You can add food coloring to some of the liquids beforehand to make it more colorful. Each layer should float on the layer below it, creating a colorful rainbow effect.

Fun Division Games For Kids

April 5, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, School No comments

Bingo: Create bingo cards with division problems instead of numbers. Call out division problems, and have your child solve them and mark the answers on their bingo card. The first to get a line or a full card wins.

Tic-Tac-Toe: Create a tic-tac-toe grid and write division problems in each square. Players take turns solving the division problems to claim squares. The first player to get three in a row wins.

Memory: Create pairs of cards with division problems and their solutions. Place the cards face down and take turns flipping over two cards at a time to find matches. If a player correctly matches a division problem with its solution, they keep the pair. The player with the most matches at the end wins.

Teach Your Child How to Use a Dictionary

March 28, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, Parenting, School No comments

1. Introduce the dictionary: Start by explaining what a dictionary is and its purpose. Show your child a physical dictionary. Explain that dictionaries contain words, their meanings, pronunciations, and sometimes additional information like word origins.

2. Help your child understand that words in a dictionary are arranged alphabetically. Practice with simple word lists or alphabet cards. Emphasize the importance of knowing the order of letters in the alphabet to locate words in the dictionary. Show your child how using the guide words at the top of the page can help speed up finding your word.

3. Practice pronunciation: Teach your child how to read pronunciation symbols in the dictionary. Practice pronouncing words together, paying attention to vowel sounds.

4. Encourage your child to look up words they encounter while reading or during conversations. Provide assistance as needed, but allow them to locate the word independently once they’re able to. Praise their efforts and reinforce correct usage

Free Group Tutoring for 1st – 5th Graders!

March 25, 2024 Jen Nickerson Educational, Students, Tutoring Services No comments

How to Help Your Child Learn About the 50 States

March 20, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, Parenting, School No comments

Start by introducing your child to a map of the United States, pointing out each state and its location. You can use songs or rhymes to help him remember the names of the states. Make it a hands-on experience by incorporating flashcards, puzzles, and interactive games that challenge him to match states with their capitals. Encourage exploration by sharing interesting facts and discussing the unique features and their landmarks. Regular review and practice will help solidify knowledge of the states over time. With patience, you can inspire your child’s curiosity about the world around him.

Did you know that we offer ESL Tutoring?

March 13, 2024 Kristen Harper ESL Tutoring, Tutoring Services No comments

English as a Second Language Tutoring is a one-on-one Professional Tutoring program where students learn the English language on a gradient while getting plenty of practical application. Give us a call at (727) 441-4444 for more info about our many tutoring programs.

Why Exercise is Important for Children’s Education

March 8, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, School, Uncategorized No comments

Regular exercise has been linked to improvements in skills like attention control and working memory. These cognitive abilities are essential for effective studying, problem-solving, and maintaining focus amidst distractions. Exercise can also positively influence sleep quality and duration which are critical factors in thinking clearly and concentration.

Incorporating regular physical activity into children’s routines can have profound benefits for their ability to study effectively. PE will always play an important role in our children’s lives and should be included in their regular routines.

Fun Syllable Games for Kids

February 23, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, Methods, School, Students No comments

Word Building Blocks:

Give your child letter blocks or tiles and multi-syllable word cards. Have them build the words by arranging the blocks according to the syllables. This visual approach helps reinforce the structure of multi-syllable words.

Syllable Clap and Count:

Say multi-syllable words aloud and have your child clap or tap out the syllables as they say the word. This helps them break down the word into its individual parts and improves syllable awareness.

Word Race:

Divide a group of children into teams and set up a relay race where they have to run to a board, pick a multi-syllable word card, and correctly sound out the word before the next teammate goes up.

Syllable Sorting:

Write multi-syllable words on cards and have your child sort them based on the number of syllables. For example, they could sort words into categories of two-syllable, three-syllable, and four-syllable words.

Should your child need help with learning multi-syllable words, contact us at 727-441-4444. Our tutors can help.

Fun Phonics Activities for Kids

February 12, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, Methods No comments

Letter Sound Matching:
- Create flashcards with letters and corresponding pictures of objects that start with that letter sound. For example, a picture of an apple with the letter “A”. Have the child match the letter with the correct picture.
Phonics Bingo:
- Make bingo cards with simple words or pictures representing words. Call out the words or letter sounds, and children can mark the corresponding word or picture on their bingo cards.
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt:
- Hide alphabet cards around the room or outdoors. When children find a card, they can say the letter sound or a word that starts with that letter.
Word Family Sorting:
- Create word family cards with a common ending (e.g., -at, -en, -ig). Have children sort picture or word cards into the correct word family category.
Rhyming Games:
- Play rhyming games where children identify words that rhyme. For example, you can say a word like “cat” and have them come up with words that rhyme, such as “bat,” “hat,” or “mat.”
Phonics Hopscotch:
- Draw a hopscotch grid with letters instead of numbers. Children can hop on the letters while saying the letter sounds or words that start with those letters.
Letter Sound Relay Race:
- Divide children into teams and set up a relay race where they have to run to a board, pick a letter card, and say the letter sound before passing the card to the next teammate.

These games and activities can make learning phonics engaging and enjoyable for young learners, helping them build a strong foundation for reading and literacy. If you need extra help, feel free to call us at 727-441-4444

Tips for Young Children Learning Addition

January 31, 2024 Kristen Harper Educational, Kids, Methods, Uncategorized No comments

Skip Counting:

Instead of counting by ones, try skip counting by twos, threes, fives, or tens. This not only reinforces multiplication skills, but also adds variety to counting.

Counting Objects:

Use everyday objects like toys, fruits, or candies to practice counting. This makes the process more tangible and relatable for young learners.

Counting with Songs:

Use counting songs or rhymes. There are many educational songs that teach counting in a catchy and memorable way.

Number Hunts:

Create scavenger hunts where kids have to find a certain number of items in the house or classroom. This encourages observational skills along with counting.

Number Puzzles:

Use puzzles that involve arranging numbers in order. This can be done with physical puzzles or digital ones on educational apps.

Number Flashcards:

Create or use number flashcards for quick drills or matching games.

Number Line Games:

Utilize a number line for counting activities. You can ask questions like “What comes after/before a certain number?” or play hopscotch on a number line.

Digital Apps and Games:

There are numerous educational apps and online games that make counting interactive and entertaining. Look for apps that align with your child’s age and learning level.