With families around the world spending unprecedented amounts of time in close quarters – and under varying degrees of stress – emotions can run high. In good times and in hard times, parents can take steps to help their children strengthen their emotional competence. Parents may not always feel up to this task – especially in challenging moments – and yet parenting can be an opportunity for adults to strengthen their own emotional intelligence.
What are your feelings about the first days of school? With families returning to learning routines this fall, Caribu is featuring school-related stories to help you and your kids ease into new schedules. For the final week of summer reading, we’re highlighting books with “School Vibes” that take you back to class (even if your classes will be online!). Explore topics that range from social-emotional learning to academic subjects. Schedule a Caribu video-call with your loved ones to share stories about school days, and build on Caribu’s library to practice reading, math, science, and more.
Saturday is National Tooth Fairy Day, and it’s a great reminder to look out for your family’s dental health! Caribu is featuring some terrific tooth tales in the Summer Reading category this week. Pick your favorites to read in your next Caribu video-call, and connect with your loved ones about your Tooth Fairy memories.
Vroom Vroom! Friday is Truck Day at #CampCaribu! We’re featuring some fantastic books about trucks in our Summer Reading Challenge. Dump trumps, garbage trucks, fire trucks—which is your child’s favorite? Invite a little one you love to bring their toy trucks to your next video call, and pick a book to read together in a virtual playdate. Also, try our trucks coloring pages! In honor of Truck Day, we reached out to the Caterpillar Visitors Center and Museum, in Peoria, Ill., to learn some fun facts about heavy machines and big wheelers. The Visitors Center features hands-on exhibits with videos and images that detail the company’s history and technology.
One of our favorite books about space is V.R. Space Explorers, Titan’s Black Cat. Author Bruce Betts is a space explorer and planetary expert. He is the Chief Scientist at The Planetary Society, the world’s largest non-profit space organization. The organization focuses on education, advocacy, and funding to support innovative programs that further space exploration. We spoke to Betts to learn more about space exploration, LightSail, and being an intergalactic author for kids.
On the first day of school, teachers of all grades usually kick things off with special games, crafts, or activities to ensure that kids go home pumped about being back in the classroom. Even though the classroom part will be missing for many students returning to school this year, there are still plenty of ways to get kids excited about a return to structured learning after summer break.
While some students thrived during distance learning in the spring, many others struggled with the format or with other challenges, such as concerns about safety, family finances or health. Whatever form school takes, here are four ways parents and educators can help children cope with change and uncertainty as we face the new school year.
All aboard! It’s Transportation Week at #CampCaribu, and there’s a lot of fun in motion prepared for readers in the days ahead! From trucks to trains, to space shuttles and boats, this week features books that can carry you on a variety of journeys across the globe and beyond! What’s your favorite vehicle? Pick one of the books from our Summer Reading Category this week, and share it with a loved one in a Caribu video-call.
The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will be not only welcome but exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with going back to school.