August Newsletter

How much schooling do children really need?

Ever wondered how much school your child actually needs?

Here are some quick facts:

* Compulsory Schooling: In most states, kids must attend school from around age 5 or 6 through age 16–18.

* Daily Time: Students spend about 6–7 hours a day in school.

* School Year: That adds up to 175–180 days per year (nearly 1,000 hours in the classroom!).

* Total Years: By the time they graduate high school, most children complete 13 years of schooling.

Why It Matters

✔️ Academic Growth – Builds strong reading, math, and problem-solving skills


✔️ Social & Emotional Skills – Kids learn teamwork, empathy, and resilience


✔️ Future Success – High school graduates enjoy higher lifetime earnings and better job stability

✨ Fun Fact: By age 18, your child will have spent over 12,000 hours learning in school — not counting homework!

How is speech impacted?

Children’s speech and language skills grow rapidly once they enter school. The classroom — with its reading, writing, and social interactions — gives kids daily opportunities to practice communication.

Early Elementary (Ages 5–7)

Vocabulary expands quickly — children learn thousands of new words each year. Speech becomes clearer, though some sounds (like r, th, or s) may still develop. Kids begin telling short stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end. They start following multi-step directions and asking more complex questions.

Middle Elementary (Ages 8–10)

Sentences become longer and more detailed. Children understand humor, sarcasm, and wordplay. Vocabulary grows with reading — kids begin using subject-specific words (science, math, etc.). They can summarize, explain ideas clearly, and hold back-and-forth conversations easily.

Upper Elementary & Beyond (Ages 11–14)

Speech sounds are typically mastered by this stage. Children use abstract language, metaphors, and persuasive arguments. They adjust speech depending on the setting — talking differently to friends, teachers, or adults. Skills like debate, presentations, and writing essays strengthen communication.

Mental Health for Teens during the School Year

School brings excitement — but also stress. Between homework, friendships, and activities, teens can feel overwhelmed. Here are some simple ways parents can help:

-Prioritize Rest:

Teens need 8–10 hours of sleep each night.

Set a routine with limited screen time before bed.

-Fuel the Body, Fuel the Mind:

Balanced meals with protein, fruits, and whole grains boost focus and energy.

Encourage water over sugary drinks.

-Manage Stress & Schedules:

Help teens break homework into smaller steps.

Encourage balance: academics, activities, and downtime.

Keep Communication Open

Ask open-ended questions (“What was the hardest part of your day?”).

Listen without jumping to fix every problem — sometimes they just need to be heard.

Encourage Coping Skills

Breathing exercises, journaling, music, or physical activity can reduce stress.

Model healthy coping by showing how you handle challenges.

Parent Reminder

Your teen doesn’t need perfection — they need support. Showing up with consistency, patience, and empathy goes further than you think.

The Curious Garden: Another classic book about a little boy who loves to be outside. He wants to make his world a greener place. While exploring he discovers a struggling garden and takes care of it, transforming his world.

End of Summer Books

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'neill

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett

The Girl With Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee

Grow Happy by Ph.D. Jon Lasser

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy

Sometimes Shy by Julie Bliven

August Craft:

How to Make Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

DIY Dinosaur Fossils for Kids Material:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

Plastic dinosaurs

Mixing bowl

Circle cookie cutter or glass

Optional: parchment paper

Optional: brown acrylic paint

Optional: paintbrush

Instructions:

Combine salt and flour in the mixing bowl.

Add the water a little at a time, stirring as you go. Continue until you achieve a dough-like consistency. If you add too much water, you can always add a little bit more flour.

Knead the dough with a spoon until it comes off the sides of the bowl. Then use your hands to knead the dough for at least another 5 minutes.

Roll the salt dough to approximately ¼ – ½ inch thick.

Use the circle cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles of the dough.

Press the plastic dinosaurs into the dough.

Tip: Some dinosaur toys are curved to show the dinosaurs twisting their heads or tails. Therefore, if you just press the toys straight down, the heads or tails will make too shallow of an impression. You may need to press the heads and tails of the dinosaur toys into the salt dough after making the initial impression.