How Educational Innovation Helps Children Thrive

School is a place where children go to learn, but it can be so much more than that. By changing the way we think about education, we can change children’s lives, thereby creating a better future. At North Tampa Christian Academy, innovation and project based learning are at the core of what we do. Read on to learn about a few of the ways we’ve seen our students thrive over the years. 

Sparks Imagination

Traditional learning methods focus on rote memorization and test preparedness, which doesn’t leave much room for creativity. Project-based learning encourages students to think outside the box. Problem solving becomes part of the journey, rather than the means to an end. The more students think on their own, the more successful they will be. 

Encourages Questions

When the focus is on having all the right answers, there’s not a lot of room for asking questions. However, deeper learning happens when students ask questions to explore each lesson beyond the scope of what’s taught in the textbook. They can ask more about how it applies to their lives. Through questions and curiosity, innovation happens for teachers and students alike. 

Inspires Growth

Children naturally grow as they gain experience in life. Innovative learning takes that an extra step, encouraging students to develop their own genius. Having more classes available to them and learning project-based lessons allows students to understand who they are and grow into the best version of themselves. 

Allows for Unlimited Achievement

At schools that encourage collaboration and project-based learning, student achievement has no limits. Students aren’t bound to learning the lesson plan and moving on to the next one. In fact, teachers actively encourage students to expand their horizons every time they begin a new project. When students know they can achieve anything they set their minds to, you’ll be amazed by what they can accomplish. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we offer more than a place for children to learn. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Helping Your Child Overcome Test Anxiety

Most students experience uneasiness when taking tests. For some, this turns into full-on test anxiety. Students feel the pressure to perform, and they begin to cave under it. Standardized tests can be especially intimidating because, more often than not, how a student scores can determine some aspect of their future. Here’s how you can help your child overcome anxiety over testing. 

Studying Smarter

Reading the same notes over and over may work for some students, but for most, this isn’t the most effective way to learn. For example, have your child create timelines of what they’ve studied in history class, then tie the events together. Consider real-world examples of the lessons they’re learning in science class. See if they can solve math problems in a different order or talk their way backwards from the solution. Mixing up the material can help your child master it. 

Practicing the Test

The aspect of tests that causes the most anxiety is fear of the unknown. Take time with your child to go over the material that is likely to be on a test. For most standardized tests, practice versions of the test are available. The format of the test doesn’t need to be a surprise, and it’s often better for students to have an idea ahead of time. If your child really struggles with testing anxiety, consider having them take a few practice tests before they have to do the real thing. Make sure to keep track of the time during each practice session. 

Boosting Confidence

With the way schools build up standardized tests, some children conclude that the tests are simply going to be too difficult to pass. Children also tend to perceive other students’ performance as better than theirs. This can lead to a lack of confidence. Help your child become more confident by providing positive reinforcement in studying and in other areas of their lives. Give them kudos for solving difficult problems at school. Thank them when they do something kind for yourself or someone else. The more confident they are, the less pressure they’ll feel. 

Relaxation Techniques

Testing puts a great deal of pressure on students. This kind of pressure promotes stress, which causes more physical reactions than we may realize. Deep breathing, stretching and taking breaks from studying to get up and walk around can all ease the tension caused by stress and anxiety. When your child sits down to take the test, they can quietly perform deep breathing exercises without disturbing other students or taking time away from the task at hand. 

Taking tests can be a source of anxiety for students, but that stress doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa private school, students thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Why the Arts Matter in Education

When most people think of education, the first things that come to mind are subjects like math, science and reading. However, for many students, there’s more to life than mastering numbers and memorizing facts. These students often need encouragement to break out of their shells, and studying the arts can do just that. The arts are just as important as STEM subjects when it comes to developing a full understanding of the world around us. Here are a few ways students benefit from the arts being part of their education. 

Meaningful Collaboration

Making art among other students, whether it’s on the canvas or on the stage, gives students the feeling that they’re part of something. They collaborate with other students, even while working on solo projects. This teaches them communication skills that they might not learn in a strictly academic setting. They learn not just to communicate their thoughts but also their feelings, which leaves room for deeper, more meaningful collaboration with others. 

Observation Skills 

All art is inspired by something. Students with artistic gifts and hobbies become aware of their surroundings and allow themselves to be influenced by the world around them. Through their creative ventures, they often observe things that others don’t notice. This can range from their own thoughts and feelings to changes in their surroundings. 

Self-Expression 

Expressing yourself is hard, especially when you’re learning about who you are and how you feel. While self-expression seems like the obvious benefit of arts in education, it shouldn’t be downplayed. Learning how to express yourself, especially for artistic children who can struggle with other outlets, can open up a world of possibilities. 

Willingness to Take Risks

Art has a unique ability to inspire students to try new things. Every time they explore a new medium, a new genre, or even a new character, they’re immersed in a new world they never knew was there. For many artists, this willingness to dive into new challenges translates to more confidence in life beyond art. 

Enhanced Cultural Understanding

Every culture creates art in some way, shape or form. From the beginning of time, and all around the world, art has been a fundamental part of the human experience. By studying the arts, students gain an understanding and appreciation of other cultures and perspectives.
The more they learn about different styles and cultural customs, the more well-rounded they become as artists and citizens of the world.

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we encourage students to learn about and explore the arts. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

6 Ways to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Children

While most children are naturally inquisitive, critical thinking is a skill that most develop over time. When your child asks you a series of questions, you may be tempted to pass them onto Google. However, in some cases, taking a moment to ask some questions back can get them thinking and put them in problem-solving mode. Here are a few ways you can help your child develop critical thinking skills. 

Encourage open-ended questions

When a child has a question, they often expect one simple answer. To encourage them to start thinking critically, consider reframing the questions they ask to be more open-ended. For example, instead of asking a closed question like “Do you like pineapples on pizza?” ask a question like “What do you think about pineapples on pizza?” 

Engage in imaginative play

Choose age-appropriate ways to incorporate more imagination into your child’s routine. Whether it’s coming up with backstories for their dolls or playing board games that involve improvisation, you can always incorporate more critical thinking into play. This will encourage your child to think critically and have fun in the process!

Promote problem solving

You may want to fix all your child’s problems for them. However, it’s important for your child to branch out and learn to come up with their own solutions. When they ask you about a situation they’re dealing with, talk through it, and allow them to come to their own conclusion. If that conclusion needs refining, you can add your input after the fact. 

Lead by example

Show your child what critical thinking looks like. Talk to them about problems you’re having in your life and how you were able to solve them. If they want advice that’s more relevant to them, consider discussing ways you resolved conflicts when you were younger. 

Encourage categorization

One important aspect of critical thinking is organizing your thoughts. Similar to naming emotions to tackle hard feelings, categorizing thoughts can help your child think things through. Discuss how thoughts relate to each other, and encourage them to stay on track by categorizing thoughts into the respective areas of their lives. 

Ask probing questions

Some people don’t like being questioned, but it’s an important part of life. If your child becomes stubborn about an assumption they’ve made, talk through it. Ask questions like “Why do you feel that way?” or “Did someone tell you that?” This can help them think more deeply before drawing a conclusion, which is at the core of critical thinking. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we encourage students to think critically. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

4 Tips for Helping Your Child Master Group Projects

At some point in your child’s education, they will be participating in group projects. This special type of assignment is meant to inspire collaboration and camaraderie among students. However, it doesn’t always work out that way. In many group projects, someone gets sick, someone procrastinates, and someone — often one or two people — ends up doing all the work. If your child needs help getting motivated to work on group projects or needs help getting their classmates involved, here are some tips to set them up for success. 

Understand the Assignment

Make sure the instructions for the group assignment are clear. Take time with your child to review the guidelines set by the teacher to ensure that everyone in the group knows what needs to be done. Encourage your child to review the instructions in depth with their classmates so no one feels left out or in the dark. This is a great way to ensure that each student will be held accountable for their role. 

Create a Schedule Together

Most students start out with good intentions when assigned a group project. They plan to do their part to make the project successful. However, some students have a tendency to procrastinate and, in some cases, forget what needs to be done. Others get frustrated by this behavior and decide to do everything themselves. Helping your child build out a schedule that includes all the tasks at hand will make delegating those tasks easier. 

Encourage Communication

High-achieving students often feel like they need to do everything themselves to get it done right. Therefore, even if they’re great when working individually, they can struggle with group projects. If your child does everything on their own, encourage them to use that energy to delegate tasks. If your child is more of a procrastinator, have them ask the group leader about their deadlines if they’re unclear. The more the group communicates, the more engaged each child will be in the experience. 

Prepare for the Worst

You could also call this preparing for all outcomes. No matter how much planning happens in the initial phase, there’s always a chance of plans falling through. One child could get sick during the project and not be able to complete their part. Everyone could get swamped with other obligations, and deadlines may have to move. Children often get discouraged when things change in the middle of a project. Encourage your child to be flexible and plan ahead. By making contingency plans and collaborating, your child and their classmates can complete just about any project successfully and on time.

Collaboration is the name of the game for students at North Tampa Christian Academy. At our Tampa private school, students thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.