The Learn to Play initiative aims to be the gold standard for youth hockey programs with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community. Learn to Play changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first-time participants complementary head-to-toe equipment, eight (8) to ten (10) weeks of age appropriate on-ice instruction, and certified coaching in a fun and safe atmosphere.
Sponsored
When should school students have a formal introduction to information technology? Earlier than they currently are, according to ICDL Ireland
While computers and IT are central to everyday life today, including education, formal training in core digital skills has often continued to lag. The problem is that while technology is being embedded more and more into teaching and learning at schools, being exposed to technology in school cannot be equated with the ability to use it.
ICDL, a recognised training and certification provider, wants to address this with its new modular programme called Digital Student Essentials.
Many schools do already teach both digital skills and computing, said Linda Keane, general manager at ICDL Ireland, but the problem is that students are already working with devices long before they get any training.
“Given the proliferation of devices and the incorporation of technology into teaching and learning in our secondary schools, when is the appropriate time to teach our students to use such technology, responsibly and effectively,” she said.
Due to timetable constraints, digital skills instruction traditionally took place during transition year. Realistically, it should be sooner, she said.
“At 15 or 16 years of age, students are already exposed to technology in and out of the classroom, so this is effectively too late to embed good practices and acquire the skills to use technology and maximise learning.”
With this in mind, ICDL Ireland has launched its Digital Student Essentials – a modular programme specifically designed for first year students in secondary school to provide them with a digital skills foundation for school, for work and for life.
Acquiring the essential digital skills that will support students through the rest of their school journey should be an objective of year one, Keane said.
“At a time when students are getting to grips with second level structures, exploring subject specialisations, and taking on greater responsibility for their own learning, it is important that students become safe and confident users of technology.”
ICDL Digital Student certification provides students with the skills they need to use technology safely, think critically and be more productive learners. The modules (Application Essentials, Computer & Online Essentials, Information & Collaboration Essentials) can be delivered as self-directed learning with engaging e-learning or with tutor support, and the course specially designed for the age cohort of students starting in secondary school.
The programme includes not only learning to use applications to support project work for continuous based assessments, but also using technology to facilitate teamwork, critically evaluating the validity and value of online information, and being social media ‘savvy’ are all part of this three-module programme, with online assessments and digital certification to validate learning.
Keane said that the course fits well with schools’ need to educate students on how to stay well.
“The Junior Cycle curriculum has blocks of timetables that the school can divide. Digital skills can come under the wellbeing programme, where each school designs its own. It's about staying well, and one of those areas is the safe, responsible use of digital technology,” she said.
Indeed, ICDL’s Digital Student Essentials meets Junior Cycle curriculum objectives in published key skills of: managing information, working with others, being literate, communicating, along with the ‘staying well’ elements of Junior Cycle.
“Based on content, focus and format, ICDL Digital Student Essentials can be easily embedded into a schools’ Junior Cycle Wellbeing programme,” Keane said.
The course is delivered in an interactive manner without putting added pressure on teachers.
“We’ve designed the programme based on e-learning with an online assessment that leads to verification, and that certification has value outside of school,” she said.
As ICDL is an international organisation, it also means that the qualifications will have value outside of Ireland and form part of a portfolio of widely recognised digital, IT and computing skills that can be acquired by students.
“Best of all, the investment in the globally recognised ICDL certification for students in schools is one which will pay dividends for the rest of their lives. It’s the start of a lifelong learning journey and a digital skills passport to employment through Europe and beyond,” said Keane.
Do you want to live in the same residence hall with other students that share similar interests to make studying and building friendships more comfortable and convenient?
Living in a Living Learning Community at UMass Lowell can make that happen!
Based on your major or interest in a major, you have priority to be in a building closest to your classes and to live near other students who may also attend those classes. You will be able to walk to class together, study in the same space, and hang out all in the convenience of your residential hall.
Within each LLC, a dedicated faculty/staff member is also paired to provide further mentorship beyond the classroom, run programs and day trips dedicated to career development, as well as make transitioning to college life more comfortable.
Why Participate in an LLC?
Students participating in Living Learning Communities live together within various residence halls across campus based on their chosen LLC. It is required to live in the dedicated hall of the LLC in order to be a part of the LLC. In addition to living together, each LLC is designed to engage students by providing intentional experiences based on its associated interests. These intentional experiences include community-building events, career exploration, networking opportunities, and dedicated faculty/staff that support and guide students as they navigate college to prepare for their future.
At UMass Lowell, Residence Life’s LLCs have been built from the research that shows Living Learning Communities set the stage for college students to feel an increased satisfaction with their overall campus living experience. As we have assessed our students’ needs, we have been able to identify additional outcomes our students experience beyond increased overall satisfaction with their campus living experience. Additionally, LLCs can help create an increased sense of belonging, boost academic student success indicators such as GPAs, and Excellerate students’ desire to live on campus throughout their college experience.
With a strategic plan intentionally developed to support these additional outcomes, we simplified the LLC’s program structure, and have provided clarified definitions and robust descriptions while laying the groundwork for the future. As a result of this plan, students will be provided with more flexibility and access to LLCs, paving the way for student growth and success.
Aug. 21, 2023 — Children's views of inequality may be influenced by how its causes are explained to them, finds a new study by a team of psychology researchers. The work offers insights into the factors that ...
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July 13, 2023 — Researchers found that people with strong mind studying abilities -- the ability to understand and take the perspective of another person's feelings and intentions -- are more successful in ...
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July 5, 2023 — Encouraging adolescents to feel capable and purposeful -- rather than just happy -- could Excellerate their academic results as well as their mental health, according to new research which recommends ...
June 30, 2023 — Climbing trees, making mud pies, or simply playing outside, parents and educators know that being in nature is an important part of every childhood. But when it comes to messy or risky play, ...
June 29, 2023 — Children do better at maths when music is a key part of their lessons, an analysis of almost 50 years of research on the Topic has ...
June 29, 2023 — A new study suggests young children are more vocal when interacting with toys and household items, highlighting their importance for developing language ...
June 27, 2023 — Have you ever studied hard for a test the night before, only to fail miserably the next day? Alternatively, you may have felt ill-prepared after studying the night before when, to your astonishment, ...
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For many, the Spanish class you took in high school wasn't enough to really learn the language.
You showed up to class, took the notes, aced the test — but you just weren't able to master it. Perhaps you can understand bits and pieces of a conversation, but you would really like to be fully conversational, or even fluent, in a foreign language.
Understanding other languages truly broadens your horizons, but it's not an easy feat.
LEARNING NEW LANGUAGE AT ANY AGE HELPS THE BRAIN
Truly learning another language takes time, dedication and practice.
If you are ready to learn a new language but need tips on where to begin, look no further.
Here are tips and tricks that will have you speaking a new language in no time.
There are lots of different language learning education tools out there. (iStock)
- Use a language teaching education tool
- Put pencil to paper
- Listen to songs in your target language
- Watch TV in the language you are trying to learn
- Read a children's book
- Take a trip
1. Use a language teaching education tool
There are many apps, programs and classes that can be valuable tools for you.
These programs can help you get the basics down when learning a new language.
SUMMER'S A GREAT TIME TO DIVE INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Popular ones include Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
2. Put pencil to paper
The good old method of writing things down can be an efficient way to learn and a great memorization technique.
Taking notes with a pen and paper can be a great technique when trying to pick up a new language. (iStock)
Simply writing common words and phrases down can help you learn more efficiently.
3. Listen to songs in your target language
When you're commuting to work, jam out to music in the language you're trying to learn.
Simple methods of incorporating the language naturally into your day-to-day life can help you pick it up faster.
Hearing it daily and combining that with a class or program can be extremely beneficial to your learning process.
4. Watch TV in the language you are trying to learn
Just as listening to music can help you learn a language, watching TV in the language you are trying to learn can also be helpful.
Next time you're watching your favorite show, watch it in the language you are trying to learn. (iStock)
Begin by watching shows that you are familiar with and then branch out to new shows you haven't seen.
Again, mixing this with a class or program is a way to incorporate the language into your daily life.
Many popular streaming services like Netflix allow you to play audio and/or choose subtitles in multiple foreign languages.
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Usually this will include French, Spanish and Portuguese, but increasingly more exotic foreign languages such as Arabic, Russian, and Japanese are available as well.
5. Read a children's book
It might seem silly to read a children's book, but this can really help you pick up basic words and phrases in a different language.
Once you get more comfortable with the language and start to really grasp it, you can move on to adult-level books. When you get stuck on a certain word and can't figure it out with context clues, look it up and write it down so that you can broaden your vocabulary.
If you are able, choose a vacation destination where the language you are trying to learn is spoken. (iStock)
6. Take a trip
While this tip may not be possible for everyone, if you can, take a trip to a place that speaks your desired foreign language.
If you already have a trip planned, this could be a great opportunity for you to start to learn the language, even just the basics, so you can better communicate during your travels.
Another interesting way to learn a language is to join a language exchange program.
Such activities are gaining popularity worldwide; they often feature a social practice hour followed by a festive party environment. Some even offer half a dozen foreign language tables.
You might meet for coffee and offer to speak 50% of the time in English and 50% of the time in Spanish.
You can also meet a new friend who wants to learn English and then offer to do an informal language exchange. For example, you might meet for coffee and offer to speak 50% of the time in English and 50% of the time in Spanish. This way, you learn in a low-pressure environment and don't need to pay for formal classes or a tutor.
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Finally, if you have the funds, enrolling in a private language school, or paying a tutor, is also a valuable option. Private language classes range greatly depending upon the country and city, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $10 to $50 per hour of instruction.
Sidney Crosby's Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey is an introductory program for children ages 5 to 9 to learn the fundamental skills of hockey in a fun and safe environment. The program consists of eight to ten sessions of on-ice instruction by certified coaches. Little Penguins participants will receive head-to-toe equipment, a monthly newsletter with exclusive content, discounts on Penguins tickets, exclusive program rewards at Penguins games, special event opportunities, as well as a welcome packet and gift. . The Little Penguins program is presented by the NHL and NHLPA with the support of Crosby, DICK'S Sporting Goods and USA Hockey. The Learn to Play program began in Pittsburgh in 2008 and has since become a league-wide initiative for the NHL.
Registration Information
- There are three sessions of the Little Penguins program offered annually: fall, winter, and spring. Host locations vary each session. Registration for the next session will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
- Equipment sizes must be submitted during the registration process. Please utilize the Equipment Fit Guide to determine sizes PRIOR to registering. Equipment sizes cannot be changed once submitted.
- Registration MUST be completed online through LeagueApps. Limited spots are available at each location.
- Equipment pickup will take place on a specified date at the DICK'S Sporting Goods location selected during registration. Please double check the selected location, as it cannot be changed. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Please check your SPAM or PROMOTIONS folder as this e-mail may not arrive straight to your inbox.
Dates (subject to change):
- Fall: Registration opens on Friday, July 14th
- Winter: Registration opens in mid-November/On-Ice starts in January
- Spring: Registration opens in early February/On-Ice starts in April
For questions, please contact littlepenguins@pittsburghpenguins.com
Please note the following program eligibility requirements:
- Participants must be between the ages of 5 and 9 years old.
- Offered to new, first-time participants only. Participants must not have been previously registered with USA Hockey or participated in an ice hockey league/program.
- It is strongly encouraged that participants complete a Learn to Skate class through their local ice rink prior to enrolling in Little Penguins.
- Children who previously participated in the Little Penguins program, are NOT eligible to participate again.
*If the host facility becomes aware that a registered child has previous hockey league/program experience, the child will be removed from the Little Penguins program.
Each participant's equipment set includes the following:
- Helmet (with a cage)
- Shoulder pads
- Elbow pads
- Hockey gloves
- Hockey pants
- Shin guards
- Skates
- Hockey Socks
- Jersey
- Stick
- Equipment bag
The only equipment we suggest you purchase is a athletic supporter, hockey stick tape and a mouth guard, from your local DICK'S Sporting Goods store.
About Little Penguins
The program provides complementary head-to-toe equipment for your child to keep as they continue exploring youth hockey. However, there is a participation fee associated with the program which offsets ice and coaching expenses. The participation fee may vary by facility.
The Little Penguins Learn to Play program is offered to new, first-time participants (boys and girls), between the ages of five (5) and nine (9). First-time participants are those who have not been previously registered with USA Hockey or previously participated in a hockey league/program (house/rec league, learn to play, mini-mites, camps, etc.). It is strongly encouraged the participants complete a Learn to Skate class through their local rink prior to enrolling in Little Penguins.
*If the host facility becomes aware that a registered child has previous hockey league/program experience, the child will be removed from the Little Penguins program and the parent/guardian(s) will be charged the full retail price for the equipment.
It is strongly recommended that children complete a "Learn to Skate" class through their local rink prior to enrolling in Little Penguins. Most rinks have regular ice skating sessions which are open to the public and are a great way to gain experience and confidence on the ice. For those looking to register for a "Learn to Skate" program, please contact your local rink.
The Little Penguins Learn to Play program is offered at over twenty local ice rinks throughout the Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia area. Although, not every rink hosts each session (Fall, Winter). A list of locations hosting during the current/upcoming session, can be found under the "Open Registrations" section. A list of all our host locations, can be found under the "Rink and Address Locations" section.
Registration
We are sorry to hear that! If you are able to give notice prior to picking up your equipment, you are able to cancel your registration, and our staff will work towards processing your refund. Please e-mail littlepenguins@pittsburghpenguins.com with any cancellation requests.
We have waitlists for all Little Penguins programs. If you are interested in a session that is full, please register for the waitlist. We will do our best to contact participants on the waitlist should a spot become available.
If you successfully registered your children for the same session, then yes. All participants will be on the ice at the same time. Coaches may split the class into groups for drills throughout the program.
USA Hockey is the national governing body of ice hockey in the United States (https://www.usahockey.com/). USA Hockey provides a number of resources for the Learn to Play program, including; age-appropriate training modules and practice plans, coaching certification, background screening and insurance for all Learn to Play participants. Each Little Penguins participant receives a free USA Hockey player membership for the season in which they complete the program. Once processed, the membership confirmation email is sent directly to each participants' primary e-mail used during registration. This e-mail includes the participants USA Hockey confirmation number.
On-Ice Sessions
It is strongly recommended that participants arrive 30-60 minutes early to the first on-ice session. Please arrive in enough time to ensure that your child is able to get checked in, dressed, and on the ice on time. Please be aware that it can take longer than expected to get your child dressed, especially in the first few sessions.
Please make sure to let your Coach know that you will not be attending a certain class.
Equipment
Upon registration, each participant will receive complementary head-to-toe equipment. The equipment provided includes: a helmet with cage, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey pants, shin guards, gloves, hockey skates, a hockey stick, jersey, socks, and an equipment bag. We strongly encourage participants to purchase their own athletic supporter (jock/jill), hockey stick tape, and mouth guard. All equipment is required to be worn during on-ice sessions. Participants keep the equipment upon graduating from the Little Penguins program.
Next Steps/Continue to Play
The Pittsburgh Penguins encourage all Little Penguins participants to continue playing hockey! Talk to your Coach or Rink's Hockey Director for the best next step program.
Unfortunately, no. The Little Penguins program is offered to only new, first-time participants. Sessions are not progressive and participants may only register for one session (Fall or Winter). Host facilities/organizations will provide participants with direction on transitional, next-step programming available.
The program provides complementary head-to-toe equipment for your child to keep as they continue youth hockey. However, there is a participation fee associated with the program which offsets ice and coaching expenses. The participation fee may vary by facility.
Summer Office Hours
Monday–Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tutoring Hours
Summer Session Tutoring will be available Monday - Thursday.
Beginning on June 5th and ending on August 8th.
Contact
General Inquiries
mary.rajner@bc.edu
Tutoring Inquiries
617-552-0611
One person was injured when an aspiring driving instructor at a Lakewood Learn to Drive school crashed a gray hatchback through the center’s front window and wall Tuesday, forcing people to dive out of the way, police said.
The driver was cited for a traffic violation after the crash, according to a Lakewood Police Department posting on X, the social media site formerly called Twitter.
The crash happened Tuesday morning at the Community Driving School, 2099 Wadsworth Blvd. The instructor drove the Hyundai Tucson almost entirely into the school, smashing through a wall and breaking a large plate glass window adjacent to a large Learn to Drive sign and advertisements for “Walk-in Drive Tests and Permit Tests Today!”
“Thankfully, there was only one minor injury,” police said. “Several people were able to dive out of harm’s way.”
The driver was not identified.
“We should be re-opened by tomorrow or at the latest Friday,” Community Driving School owner Steve Rohman said Wednesday morning. “He was a new employee. He was not yet certified as a driving instructor. It was his second day. He had not started any in-car instruction with students.”
Editor’s Note: Sign up for CNN’s Stress, But Less newsletter. Our six-part mindfulness guide will inform and inspire you to reduce stress while learning how to harness it.
CNN —
A mental health break seems to have done the trick for champion gymnast Simone Biles.
The four-time Olympic gold medal winner returned to competition after a two-year hiatus to claim first place at the Core Hydration Classic on August 5.
“I worked on myself a lot, I still do therapy weekly, and it’s just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before,” Biles said in an interview with CNBC after the event in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
In the time since she pulled out of several events during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 — citing the “twisties,” a mental block that causes gymnasts to lose track of their position in midair — Biles has become an advocate for the prioritization of mental health.
Dr. Chloe Carmichael, New York City-based clinical psychologist and author of “Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety,” shares what we can learn from Biles’ break.
This conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
CNN: What can we learn from Simone Biles’ mental health break?
Dr. Chloe Carmichael: I think that her strong performance validates the wisdom of her withdrawal and taking a break. It appears that she really did use that time to recharge and that the break was in service of growth as an athlete and as a professional, which was what she announced.
Now, she’s demonstrating that in her own judgment, she’s in the right place to perform well. And the proof is in the performance.
CNN: Is this kind of time off for everyone?
Carmichael: It’s important that we find the right balance. When you have a professional athlete, we’re talking there about somebody who likely has no shortage of self-discipline. When somebody who tends to err on the side of overdiscipline and overdoing feels that they need to step aside and take a break, it’s a sign of maturity.
It doesn’t have to be a high-profile person. Some of those high-performing people are soccer moms. They’re everyday ordinary people, but they’re just people who are very high on conscientiousness, self-discipline and personal drive.
There are people who, for their mental health, need to learn to build what’s called frustration tolerance skills. Building resilience and learning to stay in that gym class even when you’re sweating and you’re uncomfortable is a good thing for your mental health.
There are other people who tend to err more on the side of a lack of self-discipline, and they can be seduced by a fad around taking a mental health break. What is good for their mental health, what might be most productive, is learning to stay engaged and overcome feelings of discomfort.
We do have to challenge ourselves and overcome stress in order to grow. The simplest example is when you’re lifting: Lifting weights when your muscles shake — that’s when you’re growing.
Of course, there’s a spectrum and we might even have different domains in life. Maybe at work you go hard all the time too much and you need to learn to take a break, but in relationships, you’re always the first to bail.
CNN: How do you know whether you need a mental health break?
Carmichael: I don’t think that there’s a set formula.
I would encourage you first to understand “what is my bias?” When you look at college, you look at work, you look at your relationship history, or when you look at your home, does it tend to reflect somebody who drops out a little early? Do you feel like there are a lot of balls you’ve dropped or things you’ve walked away from? Where, you know, you look back and you say, “I wish I had not given up,” or do you tend to look back and say, “I really got a little obsessed with that”?
CNN: What makes for a good break?
Carmichael: It’s going to depend on each person. For some people, being with your friends is what really nourishes you. You might plan for when you’re finishing a big work project and think, “I’m going to hang out with my girlfriends. That’s the kind of rest I need.” And for some people, it’s just being in bed and sleeping.
Define your break plan from the beginning and be thoughtful about it. Suppose that you’re a student and you’re going into a grueling semester of college. You would do well to say, “OK, there’s going to be a lot of times when I’m going to be pulling long hours. It’s going to be uncomfortable, but I’m going to power through it. I won’t give up. But I will notice that on the syllabus the teacher has told us the dates of the final exam, and I’m going to plan a yoga retreat to occur immediately after my last exam.”
When we feel ourselves on the brink of a breakdown, certainly taking that mental health break, excusing ourselves, is the thing to do. But what we can also do is try to plan so that we don’t end up with some big overload avalanche of stress that comes upon us in the first place.
For people who have a lot of drive. it’s about starting to recognize that rest is not in competition with drive — it actually is supporting drive.
CNN: Are there skills we can hone for better mental health maintenance?
Carmichael: Mindfulness. And I know that’s such a such a vague word. It can mean so many different things for people.
Do even one or two minutes of mindfulness every day, where you just observe your baseline mental state, even if it’s just to notice that your mental state is perfectly normal, noticing that, and it’s kind of boring.
Because every day you’re taking a snapshot of it. And that will help you to have that awareness when you maybe wake up that one day and you do the mindfulness and you think, “Wow, I’m noticing that my mind is super jumpy today. I’m noticing I’m really stressed out. I think it may be that combination of all these deadlines, plus my friends coming into visit, plus the fact that we just finished the holidays.”
That prepares you to notice when you’re going off-kilter.
Driven people can get so goal focused and so mission oriented, that one of our skills is learning how to put aside kind of emotional impulses or mild discomfort. We can almost get too good at that to the point where we don’t register them until they’re kind of at a fire alarm mode.
