5 Ways to Bring Music into Your Summer Vacation

By Sarah Lyding

Sarah LydingFor all of us who smile when we hear our favorite song, or turn to sad music when we’re feeling low, we understand the power of music. But the fact is that the benefits of music go beyond changing our mood. When children listen, play, or dance to music, they experience a range of benefits for their development and wellbeing. In the summer, when schedules change and the weather heats up, it is a perfect time for families to experiment with new ways to add music to everyday routines.

As the executive director of The Music Man Foundation, I spend my time working to bring music to more people in impactful ways. Our Foundation partners with organizations that are permanently changing the way music is embedded in our schools, health care systems, and communities. We’re laser-focused on this because we’ve seen the research which supports music’s potential to improve lives. (more…)

Kids’ Gardening Workshops

tessagrows Join us for an exciting, intimate and educational urban gardening workshop this summer! This 1hr15 workshop is perfect for kids ages 4-9 who want to partake in the wonders of gardening.

Participants will get hands-on experience planting their own growbag with seeds and seedlings to take home and harvest later this summer. Students will also learn essential tips for successful gardening including watering and how to feed their plants and will leave with an organic and nourishing seaweed treatment for weekly home-feeding. (more…)

TikTok Safety Tips

TikTok’s Head of Family Safety & Developmental Health ensures a safe space for children by helping parents control their children’s online experience.

By Tracy Elizabeth

TracyAs a mom and the Head of Family Safety and Developmental Health at TikTok, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, especially teens and families, is my top priority. With the support of over 40,000 talented safety professionals, we’re constantly working to develop new features and resources that promote digital well-being. (more…)

Ideas for Nurturing Curiosity and Learning this Summer

By Shirin Yadegar

By Shirin YadegarSummer break is an important time to allow our children to relax and take time away from stressful assignments and homework, while still cultivating their curiosity and preventing the summer slide. Here are some ideas that have worked in my household over the years that I want to share with you.

Start a Summer Reading Challenge: Create a reading list with age-appropriate books and set a goal for your child to read a certain number of books during the summer. Discuss the books together and encourage them to express their thoughts and opinions. (more…)

Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics: What is the difference?

By Elissa Goodman

Elissa GoodmanDid you know that there are currently trillions of microorganisms living in your body? That’s about ten times more microorganisms than cells! And while some of these “bad” microorganisms do hold the potential to make you sick, most are considered “good” and live in the body harmoniously to provide incredible benefits for a healthy human host.

In recent years, research surrounding these fascinating microorganisms has flourished. Many studies focus primarily on the gut microbiota, which is a dynamic combination of vital microbes in the intestine. But why are researchers so concerned with the bacteria in your gut? Well, the diversity of your gut microbiota influences the development of certain health conditions, such as immune function, inflammation, metabolism, gastrointestinal diseases, and colorectal cancer. (more…)

Happy Mother’s Day

By Shirin Yadegar

Shirin YadegarMotherhood is a never-ending cycle of wiping noses, cleaning up messes, and trying to remember where you left your sanity. As a mother, you’re constantly tired, constantly busy, and constantly surrounded by a never-ending stream of chaos. It’s like being stuck in a game of “Whack-a-Mole,” where every time you think you’ve got one problem solved, another one pops up. (more…)

Self Empowerment is Saying Yes to Yourself

By Desi Bartlett

Desi Bartlett“Mom takes care of everyone, but who takes care of Mom?” This can feel like an overwhelming or daunting question. Sometimes it feels like you have to take care of everyone first before you can think of self-care, and all too often, mom becomes last on the list. Putting yourself first can sound selfish, but taking a few minutes each morning for your mental and emotional health can set you up for success. Beginning each day from a place of mental clarity and acting, as opposed to reacting, can set the tone for purposeful choices throughout the day. (more…)

The Power of the Determined Client

By Carolyn Mahboubi

Carolyn MahboubiTransformational Coaching takes skill, creativity and commitment. But more than anything else, it takes time.

Can one conversation be full of insights and deeply valuable? Can it be unforgettable and impactful?

Absolutely.
But, when done right, this is life-changing work. And anything worthy takes time. That’s just a fact of life.

Philip is a smart, thoughtful and handsome young man. When we began working together, Philip was receiving his Master’s degree from one of the top universities in the world. But he wasn’t happy. (more…)

Summer Plans: Use your time wisely to support your college application plans

By Sonali Bridges

Every year, students look forward to summer break – a chance to unwind, have fun, enjoy time with family, and maybe make new friends at summer camp. In high school; however, the plan for summer starts to feel like it might carry a bit more weight than just having a good time. But how do colleges really view those few months between school years and how can students endeavor to use that time fruitfully?

In talking to students and parents each year, we often hear the same myths continually passed around. Things like students must have a certain number of service hours, or have to try a sport, or even that students should do a summer program at the college they wish to get into. Avoid the rumor mill; instead, students should view the summer as an opportunity to try on something they may not have the time or ability to do during the school year. What colleges really want to see from a student’s summer is that they’ve been productive, but that productivity is not narrowly defined. The activity or activities should be meaningful to the student and align well with their interests or needs. If it seems too early in this brand new year to be thinking about the summer, you’ve been fairly warned – many summer programs that require applications begin taking them (and may even have deadlines) in January! Below, we’ve shared our top recommendations for using summer like a pro (and why) – many students may do more than one in a single summer: (more…)