We Speak Playground

This is a different world that we live in. Kids are exposed to life at a far more rapid pace than ever before, which can lead to serious issues such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. According to MentalHealth.org, an alarming 70% of children and young people who experience mental health problems have not had sufficient medical intervention at an appropriate age. The CDC defines mental disorders among children as situations that seriously change "the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, causing distress and problems getting through the day." 

When most people think of cell phone addictions and kids, they often think that people are referring to teenagers. Teenagers use their cell phones for many things, including staying in contact with their friends and social media. While teens can become addicted to their cell phones, they are not the only children that can. Young kids are beginning to show signs of cell phone addiction and actually becoming addicted to their parents cell phones or electronic items, such as tablets. As a parent, here is what you need to know about cell phone addiction and your young children. 

Kids have a lot of imagination and will often come up with plenty of fun things to do on the playground. But they also lose interest pretty quickly or don't agree with each other on an activity. When they need some inspiration, it's always good to have ideas ready in your arsenal. Here are some ideas of fun playground games you can suggest. Some require certain materials or equipment, while others only require kids who want to play.

If you suspect your child is being bullied, it’s important that you intervene before long-lasting damage is done to your child. A child’s formative years need to be shaped by positive social experiences. Children who experience bullying sometimes end up experiencing social anxiety or depression. Later in life, it can be challenging for those adult individuals to build healthy relationships in light of ingrained traumatic memories.

With the brisk breezes and changing leaves, fall is an exciting time of year. It's also the perfect opportunity to plan some fun activities with your kids before the weather turns cold for the winter. Below are some of the best activities to do with your kids during the fall. 

Children are naturally inquisitive, and they are sure to notice differences between themselves and other people they meet. When a child comes into contact with someone who has a significant difference from them, such as a disability or different skin color, it is normal for the child to have questions. However, if you hope to raise responsible, caring adults, you need to teach your child to be kind, respectful and welcoming to all people, regardless of their differences. Below are some tips to help you teach your child how to be inclusive. 

Celebrate May as National Physical Fitness & Sports Month! Outdoor play and exercise used to be a natural part of every childhood. But with the temptations of electronics and video games, loving parents are challenged with getting kids outdoors, according to 39% of adults polled. It’s crucial to keep kids physically active and playing outside. With proper exercise, kids can have improved muscular fitness, better bone health and protection from heart disease.

Here are some of the proven benefits from studies around the world. 

When it comes to child development, play goes far beyond simple entertainment by acting as a building block to learning. Regular playtime allows the brain neurons of children to change and grow, which aids in their ability to pick up new skills rather quickly. Through free-play sessions, children can increase their knowledge about how the world works and build skills that will help them through every stage of life. Parents and caregivers can aid this process by better understanding the role of play in learning and child development — and offering their kids ample opportunities for growth through play.

Especially in this day and age, kids are consumed by electronics. From games on their phones to games on the Xbox, PlayStation or computer, these games are consuming the lives of kids all over the world. Although there are many games responsible for this video-game addiction, Fortnite is currently leading the pack. Fortnite is an online game where players fight against each other in player vs. player combat. Especially over the past decade, kids are spending less time outdoors and more time playing video games. Not only does that lead to social issues in kids, it can also contribute to obesity and other health problems. In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of getting outside, the many activities that your kids can do, and how to encourage your kids to put down the controller.

Over the last 20 years, due primarily to the enactment of No Child Left Behind in 2002 and the adoption of 2010's Common Core State Standards, test scores have become increasingly more important for schools in the United States. Sadly, uninterrupted and unstructured playtime in the form of recess has simultaneously become increasingly more rare.