Protecting Summer

For children and youth, summertime presents a unique break from the traditional structure, resources, and support systems that exist during the school year. For some students, this time involves opportunities to engage in fun and enriching activities and programs, while others face additional challenges as they lose a variety of supports, including healthy meals, medical care, supervision, and structured programs that enhance development. Children that are limited by their social, economic, or physical environments during the summer months are at higher risk for worse academic, health, social and emotional, and safety outcomes. In contrast, structured summertime activities and programs support basic developmental needs and positive outcomes for children and youth who can access and afford these programs. These discrepancies in summertime experiences exacerbate pre-existing academic inequities. While further research is needed regarding the impact of summertime on developmental domains outside of the academic setting, extensive literature exists regarding the impact of summertime on academic development trajectories. However, this knowledge is not sufficiently applied to policy and practice, and it is important to address these inequalities. Shaping Summertime Experiences examines the impact of summertime experiences on the developmental trajectories of school-age children and youth across four areas of well-being, including academic learning, social and emotional development, physical and mental health, and health-promoting and safety behaviors. It also reviews the state of science and available literature regarding the impact of summertime experiences. In addition, this report provides recommendations to improve the experiences of children over the summertime regarding planning, access and equity, and opportunities for further research and data collection.

Become an empowered skincare consumer and uncover your best skin SkInformation is a must-have handbook for the skin-savvy woman who wants to cut through the hype and choose the best for her skin. Cosmetics companies will tell you anything to convince you to buy their latest skincare lines. Millions of women fall for these marketing campaigns designed to look like science – potentially to the detriment of their skin (not to mention bank accounts!). Cosmetic chemist and educator Terri Vinson exposes the misinformation and ‘white noise’ about miracle products and ingredients, debunks current skin ‘mythology’ and empowers you to make your own smart skin choices. If you have an interest in skin health and want to understand the science behind the cosmetics you purchase, this book will take you to the next level of understanding and make you a truly informed consumer. SkInformation is written in an easy to digest manner so you don't need to be a science graduate to understand it.From sunscreen and mineral formulas to skin-friendly nutrition and lifestyle tips, SkInformation covers everything you need to know about your skin. You’ll also find special sections on the skin issues that matter most to you. Terri Vinson covers acne, skin aging, enlarged pores and many other concerns, teaching you the scientific explanations of these phenomena and explaining which skincare products really work – and why they work. Use this new knowledge to amp up your skincare regime and cut out the products that don’t serve you. Familiarise yourself with the basic science of skin, including how essential skincare products work Become an empowered reader of labels to avoid harmful ingredients and marketing hype Improve your skin and guard against aging with diet and lifestyle tips from a cosmetic chemist Discover the skincare routine that will work best for your unique skin challenges For ladies (and gents) who love to learn, this book goes beyond the average beauty and skincare advice guide, diving into skin conditions and concerns in a way that anyone can appreciate and enjoy!