Skipper Rich Wilson has taught us many incredible lessons so far on his trek around the world. In the Adventure At Sea program, Rich receives support from teams of inquisitive students around the world while he sails in the Vendée Globe race. As part of the program, students learn about the different the importance of teams and support of others.

During the holiday season, acts of kindness are found everywhere. Whether it’s in a form of money, gifts or time, the holiday spirit shines through with these heartfelt gestures of giving. Volunteering is one of the best forms of giving and should be a shared experience with your child.

The month of September is one of the most exciting times for me. Our children return to schools and FasTracKids centers to reset the circadian rhythm of life that was left behind during lax periods of school holidays. I especially enjoy September because it marks one of my favorite subjects in the FasTrack^® Fundamentals and Tots programs: Speech, Drama and Art.

Fear can hold a child back, especially the fear of public speaking. The good news is that as a parent, you can do much to combat these fears. To do this, one must first understand why communication can be so difficult for a child.

Trying new foods, especially those native to other cultures, can be daunting for a child. Even adults get squeamish when they travel outside their culinary comfort zone. This is why adults should lead by example by trying new foods and encouraging their children to join them.

Cooking and baking are great ways to fill young tummies with delicious food and nourish growing bodies. But did you know that working together in the kitchen with your child can also nourish their developing brains and fill their young minds with skills that they will need later in life?

Fairy tales are much more than entertainment, in fact, they teach children how to think. By reading a young child stories about dragons, princesses and magic, a parent is actually nurturing the development of their growing brains.

International Women’s Day is celebrated as a day when women are recognized for their achievements. This celebration is without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

Can you remember the last, great conversation that you participated in? Did you do more talking or listening? When we have a conversation with our children, we have the tendency to talk, talk, talk and wonder why they do not understand what we say.

Leonardo da Vinci is still considered to be one of the world’s greatest thinkers and an unparalleled genius. That is why FasTracKids refers to his principles when describing what our programs can do for a child.