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😎 10 Skills to Work on with Kids Over the Summer

Summer break is the perfect opportunity for kids to explore, learn, and grow—without the rush of school schedules. By blending academics, life skills, creativity, and hands-on experiences, you can help your child stay engaged and start the next school year with confidence. Here are 10 essential skill areas to focus on this summer: Good read @ Library while Lego building! 1. Reading Fluency and Comprehension Reading regularly over the summer helps prevent the “summer slide” and builds confidence. Create a summer reading list with picture books, early readers, and chapter books. Read aloud together and discuss the story to boost comprehension. Join library reading programs or create a family reading challenge. Encourage kids to keep a “book log” or draw a picture about each story. 2. Writing and Storytelling Skills Writing builds communication, creativity, and fine motor skills. Keep a summer journal with daily drawings or short entries. Write po...
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Nature Study: Attract Butterflies To Your Garden!

Spring is in the air so what better time so talk about - butterflies!? 

Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory


We took a trip to a Butterfly Conservatory where we learned about the different stages of a butterfly’s life.

We saw all the stages: the eggs, the caterpillars and the  butterflies slowly emerging from their chrysalis and figuring out their wings. 

We also learned that butterflies not only like nectar from flowers but they also really like fruit. More on this later...first let’s answer a question that may be on your mind. 

Apart from being pretty to look at and peaceful creatures...

Why Are Butterflies Important?

Butterflies are natural pollinators and help with the reproduction of crops and plants. A decline in the butterfly (or bee population) can result in a decline or loss of some native plant species or poor performance of crops that rely solely on butterflies for pollination.

How To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden 

Pick a sunny spot. Apparently, butterflies are cold blooded creatures so they enjoy soaking up the warmth of the sun.


Plant flowers that attract butterflies. Plant several varieties to attract different types of butterflies or plant milk weed to attract the endangered species like the Monarch Butterfly. 

Place shallow plates of water and sand or water, sand and soil around so they have a water source. 


Peg a sweet treat to share with them. On our trip we discovered that butterflies really like oranges. Place some wedges on a plate or butterfly feeder for them to enjoy. 

DIY butterfly feeder waiting for
the butterflies

Provide a perch for them (backyard pavers work too). Aside from large leaves and flowers, butterflies like to perch on large smooth stones. Who knows...they may even feel comfortable enough in your own backyard to perch on you!

What are some other fun or interesting facts you’ve observed about butterflies? Share them in the comments below.

Tip: Download the SEEK APP from iNaturalist & National Geographic to identify the different types of butterflies in your garden or park. 

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