Laura Uchoa

Summer is one of the most anticipated times of the year for children. With school out, no daily homework, and fewer structured routines, it feels like the perfect opportunity to relax, play, and enjoy a well-deserved break. For many parents, however, summer also brings a common challenge: how do you keep your child active, engaged, and learning without turning the break into an extension of the classroom? When the school routine pauses, screens naturally begin to take up more of a child's...

It’s not always possible to take your child to the volleyball court. Between busy family schedules, the weather, summer season and everyday commitments, many parents look for simple ways to help their kids practice volleyball at home without needing much space or special equipment. And those moments are well worth making time for. Research highlighted by the Project Play initiative from the Aspen Institute shows that children who participate in sports develop important cognitive skills,...

Summer should be synonymous with fun, movement, and new experiences. But for many parents in Maryland, this time of year comes with a common concern: how to keep children busy, active, and away from screens during the holidays? Without the school routine, it’s natural for the time spent on cell phones, video games, and tablets to increase. And while moments of rest are important, too much sedentary time can impact children’s physical, social, and emotional development. Guidelines from the...