In a time of social media, TikTok trends, and difficult school years, many teens are currently struggling with their mental health. It’s easy to discard this as teens always having it tough, but there are many novel problems we face in society. One example is Facebook actively identifying teens feeling ‘worthless’, then targeting them with ads. Imagine this, but from all angles and on all platforms.

But, technology is a two-sided coin. And, on the other side of it is a tech-savvy generation that can use their smartphones to access services like online therapy. This is perhaps the main driver behind the rise of online treatment – it’s simply made more accessible. Equally, with each passing decade, therapy becomes de-stigmatized. …

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As a parent, giving your child the best education possible is likely a top priority for you. It gives them a foundation for their future endeavors, be it in their careers or personal life. Let’s explore what International Baccalaureate is and how your child can benefit from the program.

What Is International Baccalaureate?

International baccalaureate is an internationally recognized curriculum for students aged three to 19. It was established in Switzerland in the late 1960s. This curriculum gives students a sense of freedom, global awareness, and the option to choose the subjects they’re interested in, making it one of the most popular globally.

The key characteristic distinguishing this curriculum from others is its emphasis on critical thinking, which helps students to be more practical and productive later on in their lives and careers. According to Sage International Network of Schools, only schools that are authorized by the IB Organization are allowed to offer either of its four programs: the CP (Career-related Programme), the DP (Diploma Programme), and the MYP (Middle Years Programme), or the PYP (Primary Years Programme).

Benefits of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum

Each educational system offers unique benefits to students. Here are some of the major advantages of the International Baccalaureate Program for students.

1. Students Become All-Rounders

Every parent wants to see their child excel in all their educational endeavors. That’s one of the primary objectives of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. From an early age, children are taught how to communicate effectively, which equips them with debate, essay writing, and research skills.

These skills give kids more confidence when communicating. Great communication skills are a key requirement among those seeking employment. Additionally, students become part of the international baccalaureate alumni network, which is considered an accomplishment in itself, according to most students and parents. The students also get to interact with diverse cultures, which teaches them not to jump to conclusions based on cultural stereotypes.

2. Students Have an Academic Edge Over Others

According to the Global Indian International School, a U.S. 2009–2010 survey indicated that students attending the top five international baccalaureate schools outperformed those attending non-international baccalaureate institutions in terms of academic performance. This can be attributed to the fact that students aren’t confined to learning the same subjects.

They get to choose the subjects they’re passionate about. Freedom benefits students academically and makes them more aware of recent developments in their chosen fields. Even with this freedom, students at private secondary schools are 50% more likely than those in public schools to enroll in AP or IB science and math courses.

They outperform their colleagues from non-international schools in all areas across multiple grades. Not only does the US study demonstrate this, but also the UK and Australian studies have supported the validity of the results. It’s no secret that students from international baccalaureate schools get into reputed universities and land top jobs in the world’s leading companies.

3. They’re Exposed to Real-World Situations

An international baccalaureate school offers an extensive and well-rounded curriculum. By observing the natural world and studying the problems that occur in everyday life, students gain an independent understanding of the concepts. This equips them with analytical and reasoning skills that most of their counterparts lack. Notably, children who go through the IB curriculum develop the ability to reason by the age of five.

Students who attend an international baccalaureate school often compose letters and essays that are of high-level quality in their earlier years. Since they’re not confined to studying any particular subject, they get to pick the subject they’re most interested in, giving them a sense of control over their education. The freedom to choose subjects based on their passions gives them room to be creative and develop original solutions to real-life problems.

The International Baccalaureate Curriculum is a great choice for most students. It’s a fantastic option if you’re searching for a globally focused education system that’ll set up your child for success in their future endeavors. Consider this option for your young learner today!

Valentine’s Day is coming soon! I thought I would share with you some FUN Valentine’s Gift ideas that don’t include just a heart shaped box of chocolates.

I’m The Chef Too! – This is a baking kit created by a mother/educator that infuses educational concepts into recipes to make learning fun, engaging, and tasty! Each month, new adventures are released that blend food, STEM, and the arts into educational fun! The stained glass mystery cookie kit is a fun way to spread love on Valentine’s Day! There’s never a shortage of STEAM ideas to get young minds thinking and learning in the kitchen! (Available as a subscription or single boxes).

Prospector Gourmet Popcorn – This isn’t just any fancy popcorn, Prospector Gourmet Popcorn is a tasty treat on a mission. When you snack on our sweet and savory combinations, you’re helping to create competitive and integrated employment for people with disabilities. These delicious bags of popcorn can be purchased individually on their website but if your Valentine really loves popcorn, they also offer customized popcorn packs where you can choose a variety of flavors that are sure to be a hit.

Bumpas Dolls  – They are the plush dolls that hug you and are weighted for soft, cozy comfort. The dolls with their weighted arms, have hands shaped in half hearts that join to create a full heart, a perfect representation of love on Valentine’s Day. Bumpas are for everyone, especially those who crave a special warm embrace, emotional support, and sensory calming this holiday. Be sure to enter my Bumpas Doll Giveaway for your chance to WIN one!

Hopefully every one of my readers has a Happy Valentine’s Day. Feel free to leave me a comment below with what you think of these gift ideas or maybe suggest a gift idea that you think others will like.

When selling your home, there’s no doubt about the fact that there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way. You need to make sure to stage your home right so that potential buyers are attracted to your home enough to buy it at a great price. With this in mind, read on to see some essential home staging tips that can help you stage your home perfectly for a fast and straightforward sale.

Polish Your Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal is going to help you convince more people to give your home a chance when they’re looking for one to buy. This is because a house that’s attractive from the street will set a great expectation for anyone viewing your house. Keep in mind that a whopping 90% of Americans prefer to live in homes that are surrounded by grass lawns. This is enough to let you know that the better your landscaping is, the higher the chances of attracting a buyer for your home. Apart from the landscape, you could update your front door and clean up the exterior of your house to make it a lot more attractive.

Remodel the Bathroom and Kitchen

Next, the kitchen and bathroom are important spaces for you to remodel when staging your home. This is because these are spaces that get a high amount of traffic on a daily basis. Potential buyers will be attracted more to a home that has a kitchen and bathroom in a complete state. This is because making improvements will be an additional cost to them, and this is something most people on the market for a home aren’t likely to be attracted to.

Check the Plumbing and Electricity

Your home’s plumbing is another element that could make or break your home sale. The same goes for the electrical setup. This is because plumbing and electrical issues can be expensive and time-consuming to fix, especially for someone who has just spent a good amount of money on buying a home. Note that 33% of new home buyers in Florida were keen on avoiding problems and renovations with electricity and plumbing. A further 33% wanted to have the ability to choose and customize design features in their home. That said, make sure that your home doesn’t have problematic plumbing and electrical aspects, since these will chase potential buyers away, fast.

Paint It Afresh

It’s amazing what a big change can be made by a simple coat of paint. This is why painting the home is an important tip to staging it the best way possible. Keep in mind that staged homes, according to NAR, sell up to 25% faster than those that aren’t staged. Clearly, the better the staging, the better your chances of securing a buyer for your home. When picking a color, you could either simply refresh the existing shade or pick a different but neutral shade. Bold and bright colors may make it harder to find a buyer since people have different tastes. What seems like an amazing color to you may not have the same effect on another person.

Finish Unfinished Spaces

Finally, if your home has any unfinished spaces in it, it’s a good idea to finish them. These may include the basement, garage, or even a seldom-used room inside the house. Buyers will be happy to buy a home that looks finished since they’ll have less work to do after they make the purchase. Try to do a professional job as this will make it easier for you to stage the house and you can get a better outcome.

Use these home staging tips to increase your chances of successfully selling your home. If you do, you may even get a better price than you would have under other circumstances. This shows that it’s worth making the effort, so don’t hesitate to do so.