Exercise Boosts Fitness & Brain Power!    

 
We know that exercise promotes physical fitness.  Now, a University of Illinois study has confirmed one way that exercise boosts brain power. Researchers have demonstrated that exercise can increase the size of of the hippocampus, a structure deep within the brain that is associated with spatial reasoning and other cognitive tasks.  Doctoral student Laura Chaddock explains, "In animal studies, exercise has been shown to specifically affect the hippocampus, significantly increasing the growth of new neurons and cell survival, enhancing memory and learning, and increasing molecules that are involved in the plasticity of the brain."   This is one more reason to make sure that your children have many chances to enjoy interactive games and sports.  And, if they can try a wide variety of activities, they'll probably find ones that fit their temperaments and are easy on the family budget.    

With May as National Bike Month, why not go for  a ride along one of Miami-Dade's scenic Bike Trails?  Before you go, be sure everyone brushes  up on Bike Safety with online tips from Kids Health .  Parents, kids, teens, and educators all have their own sites within this website.  For example, kids can link to such interest areas as Staying Healthy, Growing Body and Mind, Kids Talk, and Cooking & Recipes in the Kids section.  

However you can, try structuring a more active lifestyle for your family.  It may not always be easy to change habits, but when you are feeling great, try to "hold that feeling" and stay on top of healthy-living choices. Your children will benefit tremendously!  

Remember to check out the high quality, low cost health insurance program for children,  Florida KidCare.           

 Summer Learning Discoveries 

 
If you are looking for something enriching to make summertime special, check out The Children's Trust Summer and After School Programs Guide. The
tri-lingual listing of programs via zip codes covers program details, fees, and special-service categories, and includes informative articles to help you help your children make memories while learning and having fun!  A unique opportunity for students with and/or without disabilities is available at City of Miami's Camp Shriver.  This free six-week program currently has a waiting list for students with disabilities but no waiting list for students without disabilities.   

      Delights for Haitian Heritage Cultural Month 

The Haitian Revolution that ended in 1804 fueled movements for freedom throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.  Haiti, the first independent Black nation in the world, has the motto,  L'Union Fait La Force ("in unity we find strength") woven into the national flag, which is celebrated every May 18th on Haitian Flag Day. Here in Miami, we will be celebrating Haitian Heritage Cultural Month throughout May. Experience this year's 12th annual Haitian Heritage Cultural Month's celebrations, Rediscovering the Pearl of the Caribbean: Celebrating an Explosion of Culture." 

Family Learning Keeps Growing

More than 4,000 people attended the Parent Academy's most recent Family Learning Events at the Miami Children's Museum and Miami Science Museum.  Many, many thanks to Title III, Signature Sponsor Amerigroup, and TARGET for making these events possible, and many thanks to our wonderful partners who brought these events to life.  Read more.  

As we pass the milestones of another school year, our sights may be set to look both backwards and forwards.  One unique way to commemorate is to pack up a picnic supper and take in the monthly full moonrise at a local beach.  A truly beautiful phenomenon, the rising moon on full-moon eve appears on the horizon within minutes of the sunset and is cast in a fiery glow.  The awesome sight is a reminder that while milestones pass, some things on Earth do not change but repeat themselves in all their splendor! 

Please take a retrospective look at our Family Learning Events Photo Gallery, and keep checking our website www.theparentacademy.net for Upcoming Events and much more.