5 Benefits of Christian Education for Children

School is where children go to learn about academic subjects, but it can be a place to learn so much more. Christian schools teach children to be Christlike while they learn the lessons they need to learn to succeed in society. They do this by focusing on values and the gospel just as much as the fundamentals of education. Read on to learn about some of the many benefits of Christian education for children. 

Focus on Character Development

Schools with a Christian foundation teach with the philosophy that who a child becomes is as important as what they learn. Therefore, lessons and activities focus on how students can be the best versions of themselves. Teachers emphasize the importance of traits like honesty and kindness, relating these subjects to what students learn in the classroom. As a result, children have what they need to be good people as well as good students. 

Faith-filled Foundation

While Christian schools discuss faith in the classroom, they also provide faith development opportunities outside of the classroom. These can take place in the form of assemblies, individual Bible counseling and opportunities to serve the community. Students have plenty of room to incorporate faith into their lives. What they learn at school matters. 

Christianity-based Perspective

Christian religions focus on aspects of life like hope and love. While children can find love at public schools if they know where to look, they’re often surrounded by it at Christian schools. Looking at lessons through a faith-based lens allows students to put the subject matter and their faith into perspective. Learning about these qualities inside and outside of the classroom gives these students a unique outlook they can carry with them throughout their lives. 

Opportunities for Family Involvement

Along with faith-based values and perspectives, Christianity teaches the importance of family values. For that reason, Christian schools often encourage participation from all families. Some even require parents to volunteer their time to the school. Family involvement in children’s education sets them up for success and helps them gain the confidence they need to succeed. 

Emphasis on Serving Others

The benefits of Christian school go beyond the student. Students at these schools serve the community as part of the curriculum. Learning to serve others and becoming involved in the community helps children understand from a young age how they can contribute to the world around them. They continue to feel empowered to help others throughout their lives. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we offer more than a place for children to learn. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Fun Activities for Florida Families in the Winter

While Florida isn’t the first destination you may be thinking about for your family vacation, there’s plenty to do in the Sunshine State this time of year. Whether you’re looking for a warmer winter wonderland or something uniquely Florida, there are plenty of places you can go on a tankful of gas. These are some of the most unique family activities Florida has to offer during the winter. 

Swim with Manatees in Crystal River

As the weather changes, so do the habits of many different types of animals. Manatees, for example, can be seen roaming around Florida from around April to October, but when the weather starts to drop, they move to the springs where the temperature is more moderate. Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is one of the best places to go see the manatees in the winter months. You can swim, snorkel or paddle alongside these majestic animals. No matter how you choose to navigate the manatee-filled waters, it’s sure to be a memorable experience for the whole family. 

Watch the Surfing Santas at Cocoa Beach

Florida is home to all kinds of peculiar sights, from the mermaids of Weeki Wachee to the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee. While some are permanent installations, some of the more unique ones can only be seen once a year. Every Christmas Eve starting at 8 a.m., hundreds of surfers dressed as Santa show off their surfing skills at Cocoa Beach. Families gather each year to enjoy the spectacle and participate in family friendly activities on the beach. 

Tour One of Many Florida Citrus Groves

Florida citrus is in peak season during the winter months. This makes it the perfect time to explore one of the state’s many citrus groves. If you want to pick your own fruit as a family when it’s the freshest it will be, there are plenty of places you can go. At citrus groves, you can often tour the space and see where your favorite fruits come from. Some of the most notable orange groves are The Orange Shop in Citra and Hancock Grove in Dade City. 

Enjoy the Snow at Pensacola Winterfest

Walking through a winter wonderland is always better with snow. Bring your family to Pensacola this winter, and your family will have the opportunity to experience artificial snow. Families with younger children will have plenty to do at Pensacola Winterfest, which offers plenty of family-friendly activities, including photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, a Polar Express Tour and more. 

We encourage our students to experience all Florida has to offer, especially during winter break. At North Tampa Christian Academy, we offer more than a place for children to learn. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

Helping Your Child Reframe Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

Everyone makes mistakes. However, this doesn’t stop making mistakes from being an isolating experience, especially for children. While adults have years of experience making and recovering from mistakes, children are just starting this journey. As the trusted adult in your child’s life, you can help your child reframe their mistakes and make them into learning opportunities. Here are a few ways you can work together to transform mistakes into lessons. 

Show Empathy

When facing disappointment, the last thing anyone wants to be told is not to be disappointed. Sit with your child in their initial feelings on a perceived mistake. Talk through it, and help them figure out why it’s bothering them. Active listening shows your child that you care and that they can trust in you next time they make a mistake. 

Be a Role Model

Talk to your child about small mistakes you’ve made that are on the scale to what they’ve done. They might not understand that everyone makes mistakes. Even if they realize that no one’s perfect, they may not feel that way in the moment. If you talk about mistakes and the steps you took to overcome them, your child will learn about ways to do the same. 

Help Them Find the Lesson

Some lessons are simple. If your child fails a test, next time, they’ll have to study harder. Others require a little more exploration. When your child asks for your advice after making a mistake, help them navigate through it. Let them steer the conversation, and provide helpful input where they need it.

Focus on the Positive

It’s important to remain upbeat when your child makes a mistake, as difficult as that may be. Almost any mistake your child makes is not the end of the world, even if your child feels like it is in the moment. Look forward, and focus on what can be learned from the experience. This may mean taking a deep breath before you respond, or it could come naturally to help your child find the positive in the situation. 

Practice Coping Methods

Help your child learn about healthy ways to process their emotions. These skills will become crucial when they make a “world-ending” mistake. Talk about the benefits of coping methods such as talking it out, private journaling and going for a walk. The more tools your child has in their arsenal, the better prepared they will be for next time they need to turn a mistake into a life lesson. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we believe learning from mistakes is an important way for children to grow. Our school offers more than a place for children to learn. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

How to Nurture Your Child’s Mental Health

Adults have a tendency to remember childhood as an easy time. However, children can struggle to cope with a world that always seems to be changing around them. They may also be influenced by outside influences, such as being bullied and the pressures of social media. You never know what your child is facing unless you talk to them. Here are some important steps you can take to nurture your child’s mental health. 

Practice Active Listening

When your child talks to you, listen. Pay attention to tone, body language and other indicators of how your child feels. Consider how they’re saying what they’re telling you. If your child tells you they’re not doing well, they’ve taken a brave step that they may have mulled over for a while. Let them know you’re there for them, and if action is required on your part, take it as soon as you can. 

Provide Sufficient Structure

Children thrive when given routines and activities that keep them engaged. Making plans with your child — and keeping them — can set you apart as a solid foundation in their ever-changing life. Being reliable may not feel like much if it comes naturally to you, but it can make all the difference in a child’s life. This is especially true when things don’t go their way.

Avoid Over Scheduling

Scheduling is good, but over scheduling can lead your child to be overwhelmed. If your child is never bored, they don’t have a lot of time for independent thought. Having time to themselves to do whatever they want is essential to having balance in life. People of all ages could benefit from setting aside a little more time for play. 

Allow for Failure

It can be hard to watch your child fail when it’s something they’ve put a lot of time and energy into. However, failing is an essential part of life. Your child needs to know how to fail and overcome their failures after feeling what they feel in the moment. Giving your child permission to fail is as important as celebrating their accomplishments. This is the only way to build resilience, which will become essential as they grow older and more independent.  

Encourage Healthy Habits

Taking care of your body is crucial if you want to have a healthy mind. Children may not make this connection. When they lose a few nights of sleep to their new favorite game, they might be perplexed about why they’re starting to feel depressed or anxious. Encourage your child to get in a few minutes of moderate physical activity a day, eat nourishing foods and get adequate sleep every night. This can extend to personal hygiene as well, especially for teenagers who often let it slip. The better your child feels physically, the better they’ll generally feel mentally. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we recognize the importance of mental health for students, especially as they grow and develop. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.

What to Look for in a Christian Private School

Sending your child to the perfect school can involve a great deal of research. You may think you’re done when you look up “Christian school near me” and find one in a reasonable driving distance. However, not all Christian private schools are the same. They come in all shapes and sizes, similar to any private school. Finding the perfect one for your child takes careful consideration. Here are a few things you should look for when choosing a school for your child. 

Faith Development Programs

There’s more to Christian school life than praying in the classroom and having a minister on campus. Christian schools should focus on teaching the whole child, from integrating gospel teachings into academic lessons to providing opportunities for faith development. The more children relate to faith as an aspect of their lives, the more meaningful they will find their Christian school experience. 

At NTCA, students participate in UNCOMMON, a faith development program that offers service, discipleship and celebration activities to keep everyone on campus immersed in their Christian faith. 

Emphasis on Student Wellbeing

Going to school can be a great experience for some students and less so for others. Children who frequently feel sick, for example, may see school as a burden. On-campus resources like the Health Office at NTCA allow students to take a breather and get back to class when they’re feeling better. In addition to health resources, programs that deal with bullying between students on campus can help resolve conflicts and get to the core of issues that cause bad behavior. Consideration for physical and mental health is essential.  

Extracurricular Activities

Private schools are often limited in their extracurricular offerings, partly because there are fewer students to participate in each activity. However, it’s important to make sure that your child has access to sports and other activities that will keep them engaged. NTCA offers volleyball, basketball, golf, soccer and Esports, as well as partnerships with local sports facilities, to provide a variety of options.  

Innovative Teaching

The world is always changing. Teaching techniques that worked well enough for a long time aren’t always a great fit for the modern world. Look for a school that offers an innovative approach to education. NTCA emphasizes real-world project-based learning, allowing students to achieve more and emphasizing each individual child’s gifts and creativity. These lessons are often integrated with serving the community, which is an integral part of their Christian faith. 

At North Tampa Christian Academy, we offer more than a place for children to learn. Students at our Tampa Christian school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.