A 2024 study revealed that a growing number of teens were losing interest in schools. Does that sound shocking? To a lot of us, it’s commonplace to find, not only teens but even younger learners throwing tantrums and excuses to skip class.

School engagement is down, first days rarely give our kids butterflies, and back-to-school stories are a tragedy. This is alarming, not because there’s collectively something wrong with a generation. Perhaps the current education system and classrooms fail to inspire creativity and learning.

Human beings are designed to be curious, trying to make sense of the world around them. This happens naturally even from childhood provided the child is busily involved in the learning process. If you suspect that’s not the case in your classroom, it’s time to make some concrete changes.

In this article, we will discuss four practical tips for designing a classroom that inspires learning. The tips focus on deeper engagement, greater intrinsic motivation, and better academic outcomes as the ultimate goals.

Redecorate With a Student-Centered Eye

Visual appeal matters and our first question to you is whether your current classroom inspires creative learning. Most schools take it to the extremes. They design classrooms in extremely bright shades and patterns or keep them beige and bland.

Interestingly, both approaches may fail to stimulate students’ brains as far as creative learning is concerned. Colors can indeed evoke certain emotions and moods, which is why it is important to tread carefully. To keep it student-centered, avoid using too much red or yellow as both colors can make kids aggressive or irritated.

They may be bright, but they’re not a good classroom color choice. You can stick to calming tones like shades of green or blue. Better yet, have your professional commercial painters customize each wall.

EA Pro Painters shares that choosing the right color scheme can seem daunting. If that’s the case, the experts will advise you on color psychology, age appropriateness, and practical considerations like paint types.

Certain walls can be painted with singular colors, whereas others can include murals to boost student engagement. These are particularly useful for students up to seven years whose brain links are not fully mature yet. Hence, they rely more on visual materials to establish communication.

You can use red or yellow but do so sparingly and only in zones where high energy levels are needed. A mix of colors, when used in a balanced way, can make a classroom appear more interesting. Students will be drawn to the learning process.

Keep the Seating Arrangement Flexible

What is the seating arrangement in your classroom like? While modern-day arrangements do allow students to sit in groups or pairs, their seats are often assigned. Even if your classroom uses cushions or beanbags for a more informal setting, active engagement is all about flexibility.

Consider taking the Montessori Approach. Maria Montessori, an Italian educator, firmly believed in fostering a sense of independence, responsibility, and collaboration in students. She discouraged the use of traditional rows of desks and benches but encouraged flexible seating arrangements.

The purpose of this also gets defeated when the teacher always assigns a student’s seat. How about allowing students to sit where they learn best? Give each child the chance to choose their sitting spot, albeit on a condition. They must make their choice based on where they learn best and not where they want to be.

This may require a bit of experimentation and scaffolding in the beginning. Let’s see a few ways to make it happen –

• Provide diverse seating options, including regular chairs and desks, bean bags, floor mats, roundtables, and more. Allow students to explore each option to see what works best for them.

• Ditch the fixed rows and create separate learning zones. Examples would be a reading corner, a quiet study area, a space for group projects, etc.

• Make your expectations clear by communicating the aim of exploration. Each student must find the most suitable study setup. Don’t open up all options at once but keep expanding gradually or during specific activities.

• If some kids are struggling, you can intervene to help them understand their learning styles and preferences.

• Don’t let your students’ choices be set in stone either. Instead, consider periodic rotation so each child has new opportunities to learn and interact with their peers.

Adopt a New Approach to Classroom Rules

Classroom rules designed to foster a safe, positive, and productive environment cannot be done away with. There is currently a dire need to tighten the rules, as a Pew Research Center study found. Around 72% of high school teachers reported that the use of smartphones continued to be a major classroom distraction.

For similar reasons, more schools in California have issued new rules surrounding smartphones. These tech devices have been banned but students keep bringing them. In schools where the rules are followed, teachers report a decline in bullying and a pleasant rise in socialization.

Depending on the age group and learning capacity of your classroom’s children, rules are necessary. However, you can consider adopting a new approach to these rules just to inspire greater learning and creativity. At the beginning of each annual session, ask yourself, “Who is the classroom being designed for?”

You can shift from the concept of classroom rules to that of ‘classroom norms.’ Let’s be upfront: Most students end up considering classroom rules as white noise by a certain age. Norms, being more fluid and open than rules, give students a clearer picture of what is expected of them.

Norms are like agreements where students collectively agree on how they will treat each other, interact in the classroom, and work collaboratively.

While rules set by the teacher give the impression of governance and control, norms carry a sense of autonomy. They can promote a more positive and inclusive learning environment where each student feels responsible, respected, and validated.

Get the Kids Moving

Have you noticed how children often resent being seated in one place for a long time? That’s not because they are mischievous or restless. It’s simply the nature of a child to be curious, and to enjoy moving about as they learn.

Movement is also an essential aspect of learning and development. Students of all ages (especially young learners) appreciate not being confined to the same spot. Going forward, think about incorporating movement into your classroom schedule.

There are many ways to integrate it, including specific movement breaks or an instructional design that includes movement. You can have the classroom space redesigned to encourage movement from one station to another in flexible seating arrangements.

Another good way to keep the mind and body stimulated is to introduce exercise balls for sitting. Don’t shy away from including a full-blown exercise or stretching class where students get to develop their social and emotional skills too.

These classes do not have to mimic a typical adult exercise class. It can be fast-paced to suit children’s attention spans and full of music, props, and whatnot.

Is classroom attendance a problem? Well, it looks like it is for a majority of American schools. Chronic absenteeism, characterized by missing at least 10% of the school year, is spreading faster than an epidemic.

Our children are displaying negative feelings towards schools due to boredom, bullying, confusion about the ‘rules,’ and transportation challenges. While teachers may not have the solution to every problem, they can play a significant role in fostering student engagement.

We just discussed four practical ways to inspire learning and productivity. Make some changes to your classroom design and culture and watch how students look forward to each school day.

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times by now. It’s that magic phrase, usually tossed around at parties or whispered through lockers, like an incantation. The implication is simple – if everyone’s doing it, it must be okay. Harmless, even.

But here’s the thing: there’s a reason why saying ‘everyone does it’ is one of the biggest myths among teens; it’s not only misleading, but it’s also a trap.

It plants this unspoken expectation that if you’re not participating, you’re missing out – and that someday, you’ll look back at your teen years with regret. And when it comes to alcohol, things tend to get a little tricky – sometimes too tricky.

Does everyone do it?

It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one not drinking when everyone around you seems to be holding a red cup at every party, but facts paint a slightly different picture. Let’s take a look at some numbers from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). These aren’t the kind of stats anyone brings up at the school cafeteria table, but, you know, maybe they should be.

Underage drinking statistics: The quiet majority

In 2023, about 19.9% of youth aged 14 to 15 reported having at least one drink in their lifetime. Sounds like a lot, right? That still means 80.1% of teens in that age range haven’t had a single drink. It’s like standing in a room with ten people, and only two of them have ever sipped alcohol. That quiet majority who don’t drink doesn’t get talked about much, but they’re there.

Now, let’s consider the ages 12 to 20, where around 5.6 million teens reported drinking beyond just a few sips in the last month. That’s roughly 3.0% of all alcohol consumed in the US, a small chunk compared to adults. And yet, when teens drink, they tend to go big – 91% of youth alcohol consumption is binge drinking. A wild number, no doubt about it. However, while these facts aren’t pretty (especially that last one), they reveal something that doesn’t seem to get enough airtime: clearly, not everyone does it.

Why saying ‘everyone does it’ is one of the biggest myths among teens

Let’s break down the biggest myths among teens, piece by piece. Because if you believe that everyone does it, what seems like a harmless habit can become dangerous. And once that idea takes hold, and there’s no one to say that the emperor has no clothes, it’s easy to ignore the warning signs.

Society’s favorite substance

Alcohol is everywhere—on TV, in music, at family gatherings, and woven into cultural traditions. It’s often portrayed as a symbol of fun, relaxation, and even maturity, making it easy for teens to believe that drinking is just a normal part of growing up. The constant exposure can create the illusion that everyone is doing it, reinforcing that having a drink is no big deal.

What starts as occasional social drinking might initially seem harmless, but over time, it can turn into something more serious. A casual drink at a party can slowly become a regular habit, especially when used to cope with stress, peer pressure, or social anxiety. As tolerance builds, occasional use can escalate into dependency, affecting decision-making, academic performance, and mental health. The belief that “everyone is doing it” makes it easier for teens to take risks they wouldn’t normally consider—driving under the influence, experimenting with other substances, or making impulsive choices that have lasting consequences. Therefore, recognizing the reality behind the myth is the first step in making informed, responsible decisions about alcohol.

The logic of peer pressure

The thing about peer pressure is it’s sneaky. It doesn’t always come in loud commands – Drink this, now! – but more often, it’s that subtle feeling of being left out if you don’t join in. You’re at a party, and suddenly, that cup in your hand feels like a ticket to belonging. If you don’t drink, what will the people think?

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a powerful motivator. But the irony here? Half the people at that party probably hold that same cup because they feel like they should, too. Everyone’s looking around, thinking: well, if they’re doing it, I should, too. But what if that cycle’s based on a lie?

Pop culture’s influence on teen alcohol consumption

Now, here’s a question: when did you last watch a teen movie that didn’t have a wild party scene? Think about it – whether it’s high school drama or college comedy, there’s always that moment when someone’s passed out in a bathtub or dancing on a table with a beer in hand. It’s like pop culture has decided that teens and alcohol go hand in hand.

While these movies might aim to show real teenage experiences, they often romanticize drinking in a slightly off-putting way. While they want to reflect reality, they also create it. By constantly showing alcohol as this cool, rebellious thing teens do and have always done, they feed the myth that it’s universal.

And even if everyone were doing it…

Here’s the thing: even if the myth were true (and we know it isn’t), that still wouldn’t make it the right move. Just because many people do something doesn’t mean it’s good for you. If everyone were jumping off a cliff – wait, let’s not finish that sentence. We all know how it ends. But you get the point.

Alcohol, particularly when you’re young, can suddenly spiral into something much bigger. It starts as a way to relax or to fit in, and before you know it, it’s a crutch or a problem. The real challenge here is recognizing that alcohol isn’t as universal as it seems – and that skipping it won’t put you on the outside.

Conclusion

The myth that everyone does it is simply misleading and, above all, not on the safe side. It aims to create an artificial sense of normalcy around something that, for many teens, doesn’t even have to enter the picture. The story abruptly changes once you step back and look at the facts. It turns out that most teens are drinking every weekend, despite what you might’ve heard or seen in the latest high school dramedy.

So the next time you hear someone say that everyone’s doing it, just remember that saying ‘everyone does it’ is one of the biggest myths among teens and that it is much more than just an empty phrase. It’s a way of thinking that deserves a closer inspection. And once you do that, you might realize you’re not the only one choosing to sit this out. You’ve got a lot more company than you think.

Outdoor activities are crucial for toddlers as they develop their physical, social, and emotional skills. However, outdoor activities by themselves are not the only important factor, keeping toddlers comfortable and safe is equally essential. Parents and guardians should consider the clothes and gear that enable their children to have fun while being active.

Today, we’ll look into how you can keep your toddlers comfortable and safe outdoors from choosing the right gear to establishing an appropriate space. There are many activities such as park outings, nature walks, and water play, each of them allows children to be active while ensuring their safety.

Fostering a Safe Space for Outdoor Play for Your Toddler

The next step involves making sure that the outdoor setting is as safe as it can be for your toddler. Wherever you are, be it in a park, backyard or even near a beach, securing a safe space to play is very important for their safety.

Look for possible Risks in the Outdoor Setting

Regardless if it’s a public park or a personal backyard, make sure to check for any injury prone risks like sharp objects, broken equipment, or uneven ground that can result in accidents. Ensuring a hazard free and smooth space is absolutely necessary.

Supervise The Children and Clearly Define Areas of Play

It can be very easy for toddlers to roam around, especially in large open spaces, which is why there should be clearly set boundaries for playing, accompanied with close supervision to keep the toddlers safe whilst enjoying themselves.

Appropriate Play Equipment for Your Child’s Age

Please remember to select appropriate toys and equipment for that specific age for your toddler. Climbing toys or swings for example, should be age appropriate for their use in order to prevent any injuries.

Encouraging Children’s Active Play

Apart from taking measures to foster safety, the environment is expected to encourage aid to aid in the physical and active exploration of the toddlers, thus building their muscle strength and coordination.

For additional child safety tips during outdoor activities, visit the CDC’s Child Safety Guide.

Embrace the Outdoors

Remember that walks around the neighborhood remove the boringness of life and can also be fun and a good learning experience. Encourage them to animal watch, let them climb trees, pick flowers, and explore their surroundings, as this helps them appreciate the world around them.

Patio and Yard Games

Games such as capture the flag, ball catch, and even scavenger hunts are ideal for energetic toddlers. These activities will help improve their social interaction and motor skills. They can play these fun games outside or in the gym.

Water Fun

Water play can be very engaging for toddlers on hot sunny days. Always remember to watch your child closely when near water whether it’s in your backyard, a lake or a pool. Proper children’s swimwear will allow children to move freely while having fun in the water.

Addressing Unique and Wild Behavior in Children

While toddlers thrive on routine, they should also have some downtime from the rigors of structure. It’s perfectly acceptable to let them run wild outdoors, so long as it complements their specific tasks for the day.

Let Them Have Some Flexibility with Their Schedule

Although outdoor play is a must, make sure to allow some wiggle room in their daily schedule. If your child is tired, sick, or simply not in the mood, let them have some quiet time or relax with a book.

Choosing the Appropriate Clothes for a Toddler Going Outdoors

Toddlers go outside to play and explore and during this, they should be wearing clothes tailored for their comfort and safety. As for active toddlers, one should consider clothes that enable unrestricted movement whilst providing protection from extreme weather conditions.

Select Fabrics That Are Lightweight and Breathable.

For toddlers, trees, and outdoor activities, fabrics such as cotton prove to be the most efficient. These fabrics tend to keep your toddler cool and dry, preventing overheating. Heavy weight or clothing that hinders movement should be avoided entirely.

Ensure The Safety Changes Are Incorporated into Toddler’s Clothing.

Besides the comfort factor, safety should be given equal weightage. Non-slip soles placed on shoes should be an option to help your toddler prevent falls, thicker hats to shield sensitive skin from the sun, and pants with stretchable waistbands that ensure maximum movement should all be essential choices.

When heading outdoors for an active day, dresses for toddlers make for the perfect choice. These dresses keep your toddler comfortable while assisting in movement during play. There are some good toddler dresses options online that can be explored here.

Never Skip Over Water Safety and Swimwear.

Proper kids swimwear is a must for toddlers who love water activities. Swimwear with built in UV protection provides sensitive skin protection from the sun, and added stretch means freedom of movement so getting the fit just right is important. Browse here for an assortment of kid friendly swimwear.

Rest Encouragement: Give them Breaks

If your toddler is active? Don’t forget to schedule regular break sessions. Rest is especially important in between sessions of active play so ensure that they take plenty of fluids and sit back for a while before indulging in more action packed outdoor fun.

Conclusion: Parents in 2025 Need to Know

For children around the age of 2 years old, outdoor activity is a must.  It will encourage a lifelong pursuit of fun outside, which is healthy for all ages. As we step in 2025, ensuring toddlers are dressed in comfortable and safe clothing such as a supportive toddler dress and a swimsuit for water related fun takes them one step closer to being healthy and active outdoors. Be sure to monitor them, scan the surroundings for any possible dangers, and let them engage in unstructured and imaginative play to develop important physical and social skills.

The good news is that with the right outlook outdoor play could be a fun time for the entire family, creating cherished memories while nurturing your toddler’s development.

Cybersecurity is no longer an ignored discipline in this digital world of today. With online threats growing more sophisticated, the demand for skilled security professionals has never been higher. Lots of professionals desire to advance their careers and thereby enhance career opportunities by pursuing the CISSP.

To accomplish that, you will need to find the best CISSP course for you. Considering that there are plenty of courses floating in the market today, deciding which one to pursue is perplexing. What you’d like to learn and know pertains to key factors that let you make good decisions.

1. Understand the importance of CISSP certification:

CISSP certification is held in high respect globally and greatly within the world of cybersecurity. The certification of expertise in the security practices, policies, and procedures is maintained. More organizations will be employing people who hold a CISSP as proof that they know and are equipped to face all security-related challenges. It is indeed not easy, and so the proper preparation has to be done.

The right structured course can offer all the required direction, study material, and practice exams, so the candidate can pass. It is a tested and respected credential by international security standards, adding to one’s resume.

2. Finding a Course That Matches Your Learning Style:

Everyone has a unique learning style. While some might want to study books, others need video lessons or interactive sessions to learn more effectively. First and foremost, a course needs to be suited to your style of learning. Courses are often offered with recorded lectures, or one can even get live classes taught by an instructor.

Many options are available in self-paced programs, enabling people to go at their speed. Before choosing a course, consider which type of learning method works best for you. A good course will keep you interested and absorb the material.

3. Reviewing the Course Content and Structure:

A good CISSP course should cover all domains of the exam. These domains include security and risk management, asset security, security architecture, and more. The course should provide detailed explanations of each topic.

It should also include practice questions to test your understanding. Some courses offer case studies and real-world examples to make learning easier. When reviewing a course, check if it provides structured modules that guide you step by step.

An effectively managed course will make it easier to understand complex topics and retain important information. The use of interactive elements like quizzes, and discussion forums, enhances the abilities of comprehension and retention of material.

4. Role of Practice Tests:

The actual test contains complex and tricky questions. Pre-final tests allow an individual to get accustomed to the format as well as to the level of difficulty. In most courses, practice exams can be found simulating the testing environment. Conducting multiple pre-final tests develops confidence and specifies areas that would require more work. When picking an online course for CISSP exam prep, ensure the course has many practice questions as well as explanations for every answer.

Reviewing the wrong answers and understanding the reasoning behind them is essential to improve performance. Periodical mock tests will enable the tracking of progress, determining the weak areas, and knowing what to intensify.

5. Flexibility and Accessibility of the Course:

Many professionals preparing for the CISSP certification hold a day job and have hectic schedules. Therefore, the course chosen must be accommodating with a flexible schedule. Some courses enable students to access the study materials anytime, while others have a set schedule. This gives online courses the advantage of studying from anywhere with ease.

Most courses offer a mobile app version, making it easy to carry out studies wherever you are and at whatever time. Make sure that the choice of course does not interfere with your daily schedule and keeps you on track as some courses have flexible learning programs. Downloadable materials for off-line study could be an added advantage for a professional who frequently travels.

6. Assessing Course Reviews and Student Feedback:

Reviews and feedback from past students are always helpful before registering for a CISSP course. This will help know if the course is effective and its material is excellent. Good reviews from passed-out students speak well about the course. Also, negative reviews may point out some shortcomings of the program.

Many platforms provide vast ratings and comments to help you decide. Besides that, it would be nice to join the discussion forums and groups, for inquiry about best recommendations and the experiences of other students. The community relationship motivates and provides useful tips in the learning process.

7. Determination of Cost and Value of the Course:

The courses based on CISSP vary according to their formats and materials. So, the cost differs from course to course. While some courses are expensive but ensure quality study material and instructor support for completion. Others might be more affordable but avoid live sessions or practice tests for effectiveness.

A good course can increase the chances of passing the exam on the first attempt, saving time and money in the long run. Budget is a factor, but value should be considered over just cost. A well-structured course with good resources is money well spent.

8. Creating a Study Plan for Exam Success:

Signing up for the best CISSP course is just the first step. It is proper planning of the study schedule that will determine success. Candidates need to set a specific time for everyday studying and stick to a structured plan. The combining of various resources for study, such as books, video lectures, and practice tests, would further strengthen the learning aspect.

Consistency is the key and frequent revisions will ensure retaining of the information. Being part of a group of students may add more motivation and support to pass the exam.  The Cissp exam preparation course online demands careful consideration. It must fit your learning style, be a comprehensive package with practice tests, be flexible, and have experienced instructors. The CISSP certification is a great career booster in cybersecurity.

The right course selection and proper study time by candidates enhance their chances of passing on the first attempt. Choosing the right course and dedicating the appropriate amount of time to studying ensures better results and a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles. With proper preparation, even sitting for the CISSP exam becomes easier, opening up new career opportunities.