High school is a whole different ball game, and the changes in academics and social interactions can seem daunting to some students. Before they leave middle school, you’re still their teacher. Therefore, you should do your best to make the last days of middle school memorable and a time they’ll always remember fondly.

Personal Scrapbook

Pictures make the best memories. At the end of the year, students will leave with a school yearbook, but each student’s book is identical. They need their own personal book filled with pictures and memories.

To make the end of middle school special for your students, start a personal scrapbook project. Every student will create their own scrapbook filled with their favorite memories of middle school. Encourage them to dig deep and go all the way back to sixth grade. Some pictures and memories may come from previous teachers, and others may come from home. Each student’s scrapbook should be a representation of their years.

Superhero Day

High school is a new environment. While it’s exciting, your students will face many changes. You won’t know what all their fears are, but they do. Encourage them to come dressed up as their favorite superheroes or icons.

The goal is to find people they admire to help them feel brave. Whenever they’re faced with difficulty, they’ll try to emulate their heroes. Consider giving a report to their parents telling them what you think their child’s fears are. You might even provide them with creative ways to help their kids with future education.

Class Project

The school year needs to end with a bang. A big class project is fun for everyone—especially a project that ends in a blast. Ask your class what they might enjoy most and share some ideas of your own. There are some year-end rocket projects you might want them to try out.

The end of the year is not here yet, so you have plenty of time to tie a final project into one of your lesson plans. Plus, it will give them something to look forward to—high school promises some exciting and advanced experiments as well.

Memory Jar

A memory jar is the perfect way to make the last few days of middle school memorable. Spend a day sharing memories around the classroom. Have your students write down their favorite memories on a scrap of paper.

Collect the memories in a jar and start reading them the next day. Some will make you laugh, and some will make you cry. Either way, emotion is good. Encourage it because it’s a sure way to guarantee they will always associate the last few days with whatever emotion the memory jar evoked.

When you use these suggestions, your students will always remember you as the middle school teacher who prepared them for high school. They’ll remember you fondly for making the last days of middle school memorable.

If you have a baby or a toddler, you are likely well aware of the progression of their growth. One moment they are babbling and cooing, drinking only milk or formula, and depending on you for everything. In the blink of an eye, you have a walking, talking toddler happily chewing on solid foods and sharing their thoughts and opinions on the world around them.

Babies grow fast—you can say in the blink of an eye. With such growth, their needs also change rapidly, and you have to adapt to each new phase of life.

But when exactly does a child transition from a baby to a toddler? We delve into the critical baby vs toddler question and share everything you need to know about their development, diet, and other important details. This will help prepare you for your child’s growth and know what to expect.

Growth and Development of Babies

Babies are infants between the ages of 0 and 12 months old. At first, they behave instinctually to express their needs—they fuss or cry when hungry or uncomfortable. They respond to touch, and their movements are mostly reflexive.

As your baby’s brain develops over time, they will be able to think more clearly and be more deliberate about their behaviors and actions.

Babies have very good hearing and listen to and soak in language, speech, and information. They will soon start responding to loud, high-pitched sounds. Your baby will also begin interacting and communicating with you through facial expressions, signs, gestures, and sounds. As they learn, they will be more precise about their feelings and emotions.

Baby vision develops very quickly, too, but is still weak at this stage. They start by exploring their fingers and toes and entertain themselves with whatever they can get their hands on.

Babies also quickly form attachments to their parents and primary caregivers. They develop emotional and social skills as they build bonds of love and trust with those around them. How their caregivers interact with them will set the foundation for their associations with others.

Some of the things that babies can do as they grow include smiling, clapping, waving, crawling, picking up things, and babbling. By the time they are five to six months of age, they can sit up with little to no support.

As months pass, your baby will also learn to reach out, focus its vision, stand up, and walk with support, if not independently. They will start recognizing objects by their names and understanding basic verbal commands.

Growth and Development of Toddlers

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that toddlers are between one and three years old.

At this age, your child would have grown to about triple their birth weight. You’ll see so many other changes in your toddler besides physical development. Toddlers will begin to utter a few words and connect more objects with their names. They also become more independent and learn to do things on their own.

Toddlers’ motor skills improve very quickly, and they will be able to walk unassisted, including backward and sideways. But the movements may still be uncoordinated and unsteady, which is where the term “toddling” comes from.

Your toddler will soon be able to climb up and down stairs, jump, squat, throw a ball, and play simple games. They will master the alphabet, recite rhymes and songs, and distinguish between different colors and shapes. During this phase of life, toddlers are incredibly curious and absorb everything quite quickly.

Most of this development seems to be accelerated when toddlers turn one. Kids of this age also begin to sleep through the night for eight to 12 hours—they will no longer wake up hungry in between. They still need a nap or two every day for healthy growth and development.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that toddlers should sleep for a total of 11 to 14 hours every day. Although your child’s active exploration and independence may mean they will resist naps, they will still most likely sleep uninterrupted for most nights.

What Are the Common Diseases Among Babies and Toddlers?

Some illnesses are to be expected in childhood and affect a vast majority of babies and toddlers at some point or another.

Here are the most common childhood conditions:

• Fever
• Cold
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Skin rashes
• Earache
• Asthma
• Bronchiolitis
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Mumps
• Croup
• Urinary tract infections
• Scarlet fever
• Whooping cough

Caring for a sick baby or toddler can be stressful. Consult your pediatrician for advice on your child’s illness. They will diagnose your child’s condition and prescribe the correct medication and treatment.

What Are the Recommendations for Feeding Babies? 

Babies need constant care and feeding to ensure optimum growth and development. It also lays the foundation for a healthy life for the following decades.

Breastfeeding

During the first six months, breastfeeding is best for babies. Breast milk has a unique blend of nutrients that make it the ideal infant food.

Some of the nutrients in breast milk include:

• Lactose
• Fatty acids
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Amino acids
• Enzymes

Breastfeeding promotes healthy digestion, brain development, and immunity. It protects babies from respiratory and ear infections and other illnesses.

Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding as it reduces the risk of the following illnesses:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Hypertension
• Diabetes

You can continue breastfeeding until your little one is a year old (and even after that if both of you are willing). If you begin the weaning process before your baby is a year old, make sure that you feed it iron-fortified infant formula.

Exclusively or predominantly breastfed babies need to supplement their diets with vitamin D, which is crucial for strong bones. They can easily become deficient in this nutrient, more so during the winter when they get low sun exposure. Babies must get 400 IU of vitamin D every day. Consult your pediatrician and ask if you need to think about supplementation.

Breastfed babies eat more often than formula-fed babies—their meals are spaced out between one and three hours. Be prepared to feed your little one on demand, which should be around eight to 12 times around the clock.

Infant Formula

Infant formula is healthy, safe, and an excellent alternative to breast milk.

Pediatricians may also endorse it for breastfeeding mothers in certain situations:

• Low milk supply
• Sore or painful breasts
• Certain illnesses
• Breast surgery

If you choose infant formula, make sure that your product of choice meets the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) stringent safety standards. It should also contain all the nutrients that your baby needs for optimum health.

Note that formula-fed babies usually don’t need vitamin supplementation—infant formula should have all the essential nutrients they need.

Babies fed with formula may go a little longer between feeding sessions than breastfed babies, around two to four hours.

Soft Foods

Once your baby is six months old (time flies by fast!), you can start feeding them soft foods, such as mashed peas, potatoes, carrots, etc. Once they reach this stage, feed them healthy, nutrient-dense foods. They will hopefully learn to appreciate a wholesome diet at a very early age, laying the foundation for a healthy lifestyle in the future.

What Are the Recommendations for Feeding Toddlers?

Here are some important recommendations for feeding your toddler:

A Regular Diet

Once your child is a year old—officially a toddler—they should join you at the table for meals. This will help them learn what mealtimes are: the opportunity for the family to bond and share food at regular intervals each day. Ensure that your toddler eats different kinds of foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins, and dairy.

Many toddlers are very picky eaters. Don’t be surprised if your toddler likes a particular food one day and hates it the next; do your best to roll with their moods.

Serve your toddler small portions of different food groups and colorful, flavorful foods so they will enjoy mealtime. Encourage them to enjoy the flavor, color, and texture to develop a lifelong appreciation of food.

Toddler Formula

Toddler formula is a great way to supplement your child’s diet with essential nutrients. It is especially handy for picky eaters who make a fuss about certain foods. It ensures your child gets all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need for their growth and development.

Toddler formula is designed for kids aged 12 to 36 months.

Note that toddler formula should not be your little one’s sole source of nutrition. Use it to complement your child’s transition to a regular diet of healthy solid foods and milk.

Else Nutrition: Something Else, Something Better

If you’re looking for the highest-quality products for your child’s health, check out Else Nutrition. This plant-based toddler formula is organic, non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free, and chemical-free.

98% of the formula only contains three simple, healthy, and natural ingredients: buckwheat, tapioca, and almond. The remaining 2% is derived from responsibly sourced natural ingredients.

Together, these tolerable and easily digestible ingredients give your toddler all the essential nutrients. There is little to no risk of unpleasant intolerances, sensitivities, and allergies.

Choose a healthy, clean, sustainable toddler formula for your child’s nutritional needs—choose Else Nutrition.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is a highly respected instruction programme used in schools across the globe. It offers a broad range of subjects taught at different levels, from infancy to senior years. There are four areas of study: language acquisition, literature and language, mathematics, sciences and technology.

The curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically, inquire, solve problems and be creative. Students must study six subjects to graduate with an IB qualification

International Baccalaureate (IB) is a highly respected instruction programme used in schools across the globe. It’s been around since 1968 and offers an internationally recognised curriculum that prepares students for university-level study and future careers.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) was designed to be challenging, broad and balanced; it encourages students to pursue their passions while also developing skills needed for success at university and beyond.

As part of our mission to prepare students for life after graduation, we offer all three levels of this internationally recognised curriculum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) or Diploma Programme (DP).

IB Is Recognised By Universities Worldwide

The IB curriculum is recognised by universities worldwide. It’s not just a thing for the top international schools.

Universities recognise the IB curriculum as being of high quality, which means you’ll be well prepared for university and your credits will transfer from one institution to another. Some universities even have agreements with specific schools that allow students who completed the IB program at those schools to receive credit towards their degree.

It offers a broad range of subjects taught at different levels, from infancy to senior years.

There are many benefits to an IB education. The curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically, inquire, solve problems and be creative. The IB curriculum offers a broad range of subjects taught at different levels, from infancy through senior years. Students can choose from a wide range of subjects offered by their school or home country’s education system; however, each student must take 6 mandatory courses (4 in primary years) with an additional 3 electives for secondary school students.

There Are Also Certain Requirements That Must Be Met When Selecting Elective Courses

Students must take at least one course from each academic subject area (language arts/literature; languages other than English; science; mathematics/computer science). They are also required to take one core course in either arts or music.”

There are four areas of study: language acquisition, literature and language, mathematics, sciences and technology.

As you might imagine, the IB curriculum is quite a bit more detailed than what you’ll find in most high schools. There are four areas of study: language acquisition, literature and language, mathematics and sciences/technology.

Language acquisition focuses on basic skills like pronunciation or conversational ability–it’s not really about learning grammar or vocabulary. It also includes some cultural studies.

Literature & language focuses on reading fiction as well as poetry and drama from different time periods (from ancient Greece up through modern times). Students learn how these pieces were written so they can better understand them when reading them themselves later on in life!

In math class students will work on problem solving skills by applying concepts from algebraic reasoning (which helps us understand relationships between things) through calculus (which helps us solve problems involving rates of change over time). They’ll also learn about statistics so we know how many apples we need for our apple pies every year before Thanksgiving dinner at school!

The curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically, inquire, solve problems and be creative.

Students Must Study Six Subjects To Graduate With An Ib Qualification

The IB curriculum requires students to study six subjects in order to graduate with an IB qualification. Students must choose one subject from each of the four areas of study (language, humanities and the arts; sciences; mathematics and computer science; social sciences) as well as one additional subject chosen from any area. The choice of sixth subject is very important because it can have a big impact on your final grade. For example, if you choose History (HL) as your fifth subject instead of Economics (SL), then this will lower your overall score by 0.25 points on average.

IB offers a well-rounded course suited to the needs of today’s students who want a broad education not just for university but also for life after school. IB graduates are known to be more globally aware and open to new ideas, which makes them attractive candidates in the job market.

The IB curriculum at international schools in Singapore aims at providing students with an internationally accepted qualification that will enhance their future prospects both within Singapore and abroad.

Conclusion

IB is a well-rounded course suited to the needs of today’s students who want a broad education not just for university but also for life after school. The curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically, inquire, solve problems and be creative. Students must study six subjects to graduate with an IB qualification.

The IB curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically, inquire and solve problems. It also encourages students to be creative and innovative.

In IB classes you will find that teachers encourage you not just to memorize facts but also how we learn them; they want us to understand what makes us unique as individuals as well as in groups: our strengths, weaknesses and passions. The aim of this approach is for students to develop an understanding of how learning works so that when they encounter new information or skills they are able to apply their knowledge effectively without being overwhelmed by it all at once!

Read about the benefits of ISP international learning for students.

Social workers are essential members of society who work to promote the well-being and social welfare of individuals and communities. They provide a variety of services to support vulnerable populations, including counseling, advocacy, and education. Social workers tackle a range of social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, and inequality.

By working to build a strong and resilient society, these unsung heros understand the unique needs of all people and are able to provide tailored interventions and support. Social workers are also powerful advocates for social justice and policy change, working to influence government policies and promote equality for all seeking available resources.

According to data collected by the National Association of Social Workers, 81% of Americans who had interacted with a social worker agreed that they improved their situation or that of a loved one.  But how?

In this article, we will explore the vital role of social workers, highlighting ways in which they are making a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole.

Addressing Social Issues

Social workers play a critical role in addressing a wide range of social issues, such as family violence, mental illness, and substance abuse. They are trained to support families in crisis with an emphasis on protecting kids.  This is achieved by providing necessary resources or by intervening directly, with the help of law enforcement, if necessary.

Social workers use a variety of approaches, including counseling, case management, and advocacy, to address social issues and promote social justice. They also work closely with educational institutes to raise awareness. Ohio University, for example, organizes an annual domestic violence awareness program designed to sensitize both students and community members about this issue.

Social workers also work with other organizations and community members to provide comprehensive services to those who need them the most. In short, social workers are the unsung heroes making a positive impact in everything they do by addressing social issues head-on.

Building Strong Communities

Social workers understand that communities that are connected, supportive, and inclusive can prevent social problems from arising. This creates a foundation for positive change. Working closely with leaders they create a shared vision of a better future, building trust and collaboration among them.

They also lend their expertise to help with issues that the community might not be able to handle on their own. According to the American Psychological Association, 72% of mental health practitioners are witnessing a higher flow of patients than before the pandemic. In this situation, social workers are picking up the slack, where the mental healthcare industry is falling short.

Social workers are very much like community organizers who bring people together and encourage them to work towards common goals.

Advocacy & Policy Change

Social workers are passionate advocates for policy change at the local, state, and national levels. They work tirelessly to promote social justice and ensure that the needs of vulnerable populations are met. They promote the idea that many social issues are deeply rooted in policy decisions and work to change policies that are unjust or ineffective.

Social workers engage in political advocacy to encourage policies that support the well-being of individuals and communities. They also collaborate with policymakers and other stakeholders. By advocating for policy change, a systemic change can take place and have a lasting impact in the lives of marginalized people groups.

According to research conducted by ‘Social Workin’ there are five different roles social workers play in policy making.

1. They advocate for pressing issues to be noticed by policymakers.
2. They help identify the nuances of the issues that need to be addressed.
3. They help with research and data collection.
4. They monitor the policy-making process to spot any negligence.
5. They take part in policy implementation.

The Future of Social Work

Social work is a dynamic and ever-evolving field that is constantly adapting to meet the needs of individuals and communities. The future of social work is shaped by many factors, including emerging social issues, technological advancements, and changing demographics. Social workers must stay informed about these factors and continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of those they serve.

They must also continue to advocate for policies and programs that address social issues and promote social justice. The impact of social workers on communities is only increasing to meet growing needs.  Their value is also becoming more prominent in the eyes of society. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for social workers is growing at a rate of 9% per year, which is much faster than the average.

The critical role of social workers is fueled by their dedication to promoting social justice and improving the lives of those they come in contact with, as well as countless others who need support.  Social workers are an inspiration to us all and should encourage us to do our part, no matter how small.  Let’s continue to support and recognize the vital work they do striving to create a better world for all.