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Classroom learning refers to the traditional way of teaching within the physical confines of a classroom within a structured learning environment. This setup requires students and teachers to be physically present in the school during in-classroom education.

It’s about the teacher taking center stage and doing all the talking while the students are glued to their chairs, listening. The focus is solely on giving pieces of information without regard to teacher-student engagement.

Alternative Activities for Learning

Student-centered learning refers to a vast variety of educational programs, learning experiences, instructional methods, and academic-support activities that help meet the unique learning needs, interests, aspirations, or cultural backgrounds of individuals and groups of students.

Because of this, there have been several fun alternatives to classroom learning that schools and educators use today to help improve students’ learning engagement and performance.

To date, there are multiple options of alternative activities for learning; it’s no longer just confined to a four-cornered room. Some are doable whether a child is enrolled in a traditional, online, or homeschool setup.

1. Learning Through Play

A term used in psychology and education to describe how kids might learn to understand their environment is learning through play. The act of playing can help a child grow emotionally, improve their social and cognitive skills, and increase their self-confidence as they explore new situations.

Children learn through play. The skills they learn include problem-solving, strategic thinking, relating to others, and managing life’s ups and downs.

2. Learning Through Field Trips

Field trips help strengthen a child’s education. It’s an activity where a student or group goes out of the classroom and visits a specific place to learn and explore. Field visits are frequently seen as an essential aspect of the educational process in a school setting. Students often remember them as some of their favorite and most memorable school days.

While field trips can enhance a history lesson about the Civil Rights movement or a textbook chapter on marine life, they also have other educational benefits. They provide teachers and students with an opportunity to interact outside of the classroom. The sharing of experiences strengthens the relationship between teachers and students, as well as the friendships between classmates.

When kids have a shared connection with their classmates, they are more comfortable sharing knowledge and assisting each other in their learning as the school year progresses. In addition, they can develop long-lasting friendships throughout their academic careers.

3. Learning Through Road Schooling

Road schooling may be a unique form of homeschooling, but this can also be a great alternative experience for students enrolled in a traditional school. It is similar to field trips because road schooling combines travel and education.

Going on road trips is a fun and exciting way to explore different regions throughout the country and around the world. Making road schooling easy will be a breeze if you plan it as a family. It’s flexible, as you can plan trips based on your needs and interests. Thus, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen family ties and make priceless memories.

4. Learning Through Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is an activity where the hosts create a list of specified items that the participants must collect or accomplish, usually without spending any money. Scavenger hunts are generally participated in by people in small groups, but you can always modify them to make it an individual hunt.

Scavenger hunts offer kids a practical platform for problem-solving and computational thinking. Students can apply techniques they learned from their parents or teachers, resulting in a more successful learning experience. It is easy to adapt a scavenger hunt to the interests and abilities of your child.

5. Learning Through Role-Playing

Role-playing allows students to directly apply the material by placing them in the position of a decision maker. Using this method keeps students engaged and allows them to communicate with one another while working on the task set for them. Students may work in groups on this activity or act out their roles for the entire class period.

Through this process, students become more engaged with the content as they attempt to respond to it from their character’s perspective. Moreover, it inspires students and improves existing teaching methods by providing real-world examples. As a result, they can develop and use practical skills (negotiation, debate, teamwork, cooperation, persuasion).

Final Thoughts

Alternative activities may be a preferred method for most educators and parents, the foundation upon which we all stand is the traditional classroom. It’s important to note, as contemporary educators, to add and incorporate new, successful teaching methods to adapt to the changing times. Changing little things here and there is never a bad thing if it means students will learn better and love learning more.

Parents always want what’s best for their children, and that includes ensuring they get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to all sorts of problems for kids, including poor performance in school and trouble focusing. In this article, we will discuss some tips that can help your kids get the sleep they need.

Follow these guidelines and your children will be sleeping like babies in no time!

A Consistent Bedtime Routine

One of the most important things you can do to help your children sleep better at night is to establish a bedtime routine. A consistent bedtime routine will signal to your kids that it’s time to wind down and go to sleep. Bedtime routines can vary from family to family, but should generally include some calming activities such as reading or taking a bath.

For example, you might have a bedtime routine that looks something like this:

• Give your child a bath
• Put on pajamas
• Brush teeth
• Read a story
• Turn off the lights and say goodnight

If you can stick to this same routine every night, your children will start to associate certain activities with sleep and will be more likely to fall asleep quickly.

Try a sound machine

If your kids are struggling to fall asleep, a sound machine can be a godsend. The white noise from a sound machine can help to drown out any outside noise that might be keeping your child awake. There are all sorts of different sound machines available on the market, so find one that fits your needs and budget. On the other hand, you can also try sound-blocking earplugs that may help even more with improving sleep quality right away. The important thing is to find something that works for your family. Once you have found a method that appears to work from the beginning, you should stick to it.

Get them moving during the day

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the best things you can do to help your kids get sleep is to make sure they get plenty of exercise during the day. Exercise will help to tire them out and make it easier for them to fall asleep at night. Just make sure that you don’t allow them to exercise too close to bedtime, as this can have the opposite effect and make it harder for them to fall asleep.

Additionally, when your kids are getting their exercise during the day, make sure they are getting some exposure to natural sunlight. This will help to regulate their internal clocks and make it easier for them to fall asleep when it’s time for bed.

Creating a peaceful sleep environment

Another important factor in getting your kids to sleep well at night is to create a comfortable sleep environment. This means making sure the room is dark and quiet and that the bed is comfortable. If your child’s room is too bright or noisy, try using blackout curtains or a white noise machine to help them sleep.

For a child with a restless mind, a weighted blanket can also be helpful in promoting relaxation. And to further enhance relaxation and comfort, consider adding a self-warming eye mask to their bedtime routine. The gentle warmth can help soothe tired eyes and promote a sense of calm.

It is a well-known notion that children who are not comfortable will wake up more frequently during the night. Keep the room cool; too much or no heat may also disrupt sleep. The bottom line is that you want your kid to feel as comfy as possible when they’re attempting to nod off.

Invest In A Quality Bed

In addition to creating a peaceful sleep environment, investing in a quality bed is also crucial. A good mattress and pillow that are suitable for your child’s age and size will make all the difference in their sleep quality.

Make sure to involve your child in the process of selecting the right bed, so they feel comfortable and excited about it. If you have two children sharing a room, investing in a bunk bed for kids can also be a great option. It can allow them to have their own space while still being in the same room. Bunk beds come in various styles and designs, making it easy to find one that fits your child’s interests and personality.

Limit screen time before bed

It’s important to limit your child’s screen time before bed. This means no TV, computers, or phones in the hour leading up to sleep. The blue light from screens can disrupt the body’s natural sleep cycle, making it harder for kids to fall asleep. If you are struggling to get your child to put down their devices, try setting a rule that all screens must be turned off at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Otherwise, consider investing in a pair of blue-light-blocking glasses that can help to reduce the effects of screen time on sleep.

Encourage them to sleep on their back

One of the best things you can do for your child’s sleep is to encourage them to sleep on their back. This position allows the head, neck, and spine to rest in a neutral position and can help to prevent some common problems like ear infections, headaches, and even SIDS. If your child is used to sleeping in another position, it might take some time to adjust, but it’s worth it for the long-term health benefits.

It may be difficult to get your kids to sleep, but it’s essential for their health and development. You can assist your children to obtain the excellent rest they require to flourish by following the recommendations in this article.

If preparing for a boy’s birthday is on your agenda, this article is for you.  Much different than planning activities for adults, being engaged in the organization of a child’s birthday takes a different mindset.  This is especially true when it comes to decorating, entertainment programs, children’s menu, and more.

Today we will talk about how to decorate a boys’ birthday with balloons. A huge batman balloon is a nice idea, but are there other options? There are plenty!

Ceiling

Launching helium balloons up to the ceiling is the easiest way to decorate a room with your own hands, which does not require special design skills. Depending on the size of the room, you may need two to three dozen balloons for this purpose. You can buy one-color or multi-colored balloons with helium to decorate the room. A combination of any two colors looks good. The balls can also be used for gaming competitions. A budget option is to decorate the room with ordinary rubber balloons inflated with air. With the help of threads or ribbons, they can be hung throughout the apartment: on windows, chandeliers, furniture, and cornices.

Balloons on the floor

Another idea on how to decorate a child’s birthday: balloons inflated with air can be randomly laid out on the floor and furniture. This will undoubtedly please children very much and will encourage them to play.

Compositions

A more complex option is to use various figures and compositions from balls. The decorated wall looks very nice. In order to decorate the wall, you must first consider the motif of the picture. It can be a flower meadow, a congratulatory inscription, or a fragment from a fairy tale. Then you can make design elements (flowers, sun, clouds, fairy-tale characters) and attach them to the wall with adhesive tape. This task is not an easy one. It is better, of course, to seek help from specialists, but if you wish, you can do everything yourself.

Bouquets of balloons

Coming up with truly unique birthday party ideas can be a lot fun for parents.  Balloon flower bouquets are another great idea to add some fun to a boy’s birthday party. They can be placed in vases or fixed with tape in any place you like.

Numbers

Children, unlike adults, are happy that they are getting older every year, so you can amuse the child’s pride and order a balloon number to decorate the room. The easiest option is to buy a foil balloon in the shape of a number and fix it on the wall. A more expensive but effective way is to order a free-standing figure in the form of a figure that displays the age of the child.

Letters

Every young boy will feel amazed when seeing his name made of balloons! This option is simple but impressive. Moreover, such a solution is a great area for taking photos.

Figures of fairy tale characters

A helium-filled foil balloon in a cartoon character shape can become not only a holiday decoration but also a true friend for a boy. He can play with it, dance, and participate in competitions. The walking balloon figures have weights placed in the lower part, therefore they do not fly up to the ceiling but seem to walk on the floor, driven by air currents from children running past. Such figures are very popular with children and give them real delight.

Arches, columns, garlands, fountains, and figures

It is pretty difficult to make arches, columns, garlands, fountains, and figures from balls with your own hands, so it is better to order those in an aero design studio. But all your expenses associated with their purchase will pay off when you see the sparkling eyes of the birthday boy.

Theme party

With the help of balloons, you can arrange some kind of theme party. For example, if you want to have a Hawaiian-style birthday party, you can order palm trees. If the topic is Batman, you can order a huge Batman figure, etc.

Surprise balloon

You can decorate a child’s birthday by ordering a surprise balloon. Before hanging the ball from the ceiling, it is filled with small balls, confetti, sweets, tinsel, and small toys. Up to a certain point, it plays the role of decoration, but then it is blown up. This causes a wild delight in children. At first, the children admire the explosion, and then they rush to collect scattered candies and toys. You can even triple a small competition – who will collect the most trophies. Inside the ball, you can hide a gift for the birthday boy. He will definitely be surprised!

Now let’s look at fun ideas to decorate girl birthday party.

Parents with intact marriages do not need to bother about the requirements for child support for their child’s post-secondary education, but what about divorcees or parents in a similar relationship? The case is different, and many factors are weighed to determine a parent’s requirement for post-secondary support.

Post-secondary or post-minority education, such as college, university, or other advanced education programs, is categorized under section 7 or special expenses. And while both divorced parents might voluntarily agree to take care of the post-secondary education expenses, other times, a parent mostly a custodial parent, might raise such a request, or any party in a 50/50 custody child support agreement can do so.

The age for a post-minority child varies across the states in the US, some 18, some 19, others 21. Also, laws like the divorce act and the family law act affect these requirements. Courts can also adjust requirements based on factors such as the parent’s financial circumstances, the child’s needs, and the child’s eligibility for loans or grants. A family lawyer can provide guidance in navigating these adjustments to ensure fair and appropriate arrangements are made.

The court also checks the child’s good academic standing, program cost, willingness to remain under his parent, and other possible factors. Therefore, this article will show you the basic requirements for states in the US.

Requirements for Child Support for Post-Secondary Education across States in US

There are three categories for post-secondary support in the US, namely;

• States that do not require post-secondary educational support, namely; Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Colombia, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

• States that require post-secondary educational support are; Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, and Washington.

• States requiring post-high school education support and have some stipulations: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.

You can check the financial support required for your State’s post-secondary educational expenses below.

States that do not Require Post-Secondary Support for Educational Expenses in the US 

Alaska – The majority age for Alaska is 18 years, and following the Dowling rule does not require Post-secondary school support for the majority except for disabled children.

Arizona – While the majority age in Arizona is 18, post-secondary financial support is required for disabled children and children who are still in high school at the time of clocking 18. If the child in high school is emancipated for reasons other than clocking 18, the legislature does not cover that child.

Arkansas – The majority age in Arkansas is 18. At this age, except for mentally and physically disabled children, the legislature does not require any parent to cover financial and educational costs.

California/Delaware/Maine – Child support for educational expenses is only required for incapacitated children and children who turn 18 while in high school. For a majority child in high school, the grace for this support terminal when the child clocks 19 or at the child’s high school graduation; anyone that comes first.

District of Colombia – Unlike previously listed states, the majority age is 21, and the support ceases once a child exceeds 21. Though, the court requires it in exceptional cases like the case of a disabled child.

Florida – Post-secondary education support is required for mentally and physically incapacitated children past majority age or a dependent high school child between 18-19, or with good academic records. Also, the statute allows courts of competent jurisdiction to decide on increasing or decreasing support for a dependent child until the child’s age is 21.

Idaho – Idaho requirement is exactly like California, but it is decided by the court whether to favor the requirement when a child clocks 18.

Kansas – The post-secondary school support for educational costs is only required if the parents agree.

Kentucky – Post-secondary support for educational costs is only required for a mentally or physically incapacitated child.

Louisiana – In Louisiana, child support for educational purposes is terminated once a child is a majority or emancipated, except till 19 for a secondary school child with good standing and dependent on a parent.

Mississippi – The age of majority is 21, and support terminates at 21 unless the child marries or is recruited into the army.

Nebraska – The majority age in this State is 19, so educational costs are supported till age 19.

New Mexico – The court has no right to enforce post-secondary support for educational expenses. Their majority age is 18.

Nevada/Oklahoma/Ohio – Post-high school education costs only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

Pennsylvania – Post-secondary education support is not required.

Rhode Island – The court can order post-secondary educational support for high school students for 90 days or more after their eighteen birthday but not beyond their nineteen birthday.

South Dakota – supports paying post-high school education costs only last till a child clocks 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

Tennessee – The statute in Tennessee allows parents to provide post-secondary support till a child is 18 or till a child in high school or his class graduates from high school.

Texas – Post-high school education expenses only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school.

West Virginia – Support can last more than the majority age (18) unless the child has physical or emotional disabilities.

Wyoming – A child can be supported until 18 or 20 years if still in high school or its equivalent.

Kentucky – Support can last more than the majority age (18) unless the child has physical or emotional disabilities.

Wisconsin – supports paying post-high school education expenses only last until a child ages 18 or 19 if still in secondary school

States that Require Child Support for Postsecondary Education Support (PES) and with Stipulation

Colorado – The Colorado legislature does not require PES after a child is 19 unless the parties agree. Otherwise, the child is physically or mentally disabled, or the child is still in high school.

Connecticut – Support end at age 18 unless the child is in secondary school, unmarried, and still living with one of his parents. This exception ends after the child finishes 12^th grade or reaches 19. The court can also compel support for a child in exceptional cases.

Georgia – The support for post-minority in Georgia terminates once a child reaches majority age, dies, marries, or after emancipation.

Maryland – Supports last till 18, or 19/graduation, if the child is in high school. The court may check the court order or existing separation or property settlement agreement to determine if a case is appropriate.

Michigan – After a child reaches a majority, a court can still order for support of a full-time student until the child is 19 years and a half.

Minnesota/ North Carolina – Allows support for a child till 18 or 20 if the child is a high school student or disabled.

Montana – Allow support for a child till 18, or 19/graduation if still in high school, and more than 19 if disabled.

North Dakota/Virginia – The support last till 18, or 19/graduation, if the child is in high school. The court may extend this support in critical situations.

Utah – A child can become a post-minority child when he clocks 18 or gets married, and the support end then. The court can extend this period for exceptional cases.

Vermont – The support end at the majority age; 18. But support ends at 21 if the child is still in school, college, university, or vocational training. Also, during the statutory period, a trial court can increase the postsecondary educational cost the husband remits, notwithstanding the stipulation incorporated in the divorce judgment allowing paying child support beyond the statutory timeline.

States that Require Post-Secondary Support for Education Expenses in the US

Hawaii – The support terminates when the child reaches 19 years. Also, a 3-month notice must be sent before the clocks 19. When the child is a full-time student in a college or university before age 19, the court has to be notified by the child or the custodian parent not to suspend the support.

Indiana – In Indiana, there might be a child support order to pay a summation of the education costs in higher learning institutions where necessary. Where it is not the case, child support ceases when a child is 21.

Iowa – In Iowa, the extent of post-minority support depends on the child’s financial capability, age, and self-sufficiency to cater to his need. Hence the trial court might order child support for a child age 18 – 21 if the child is a full-time student, has accepted an admission, or has a good academic standing.

Massachusetts – After the majority age of 18, support can be extended to 21 if the child stays with either parent and is already enrolled in an educational program. The court can also order an extension till 23 if the child is dependent on the parent because of the course the child is enrolled in, but not beyond the undergraduate degree.

Missouri – While support lasts until 18, Missouri requires support for a child enrolled into a higher institution until the child is 22 or graduates, whichever comes first.

New Hampshire – Support lasts till 18, or when the child completes secondary school above 18. Marriage, emancipation, and joining the army can also terminate support.

New Jersey – Support last till 19 years and till 23 if the child is still in high school, college, or disabled.

New York – Support last till 19 but can also be extended to 21. In most cases, the court determines whether to place a child support order for post-high school educational support for college, private school, or special academic programs.

Oregon – Support last till age 18. However, it can be extended to 21 for an unmarried child in high school or college.

South Carolina – Support last till 18. But a family court can request parents to cater to a child’s high school or college education in cases where the child’s attitude indicates that he or she will benefit from college. Or the child has good academic standing, or the child has to go to school, or the parent can afford the cost of the education.

Washington – Support last till 18 and may extend above that if the child still depends on a parent. Based on many factors, the court determines whether the adult child is dependent on the parent for cogent necessities of life.

Note:  You might need to consult an attorney or click here for better clarification if you are confused.

Conclusion

Since these requirements from parents vary, it is essential for divorcing parents to keep themselves updated with changing statutes in individual states. Also, parents can agree to cater to their child’s educational expenses beyond the laws.

Additional Resources

• Co-parenting tips for divorced parents with joint custody.
• Understanding custody appeals success rates and factors.