Professional articles from the school
Education
School starts at 8:00 – the cause of all problems?
At Wonderland Academy, classes start at 8:35. We try to make sure the kids are as prepared and focused as possible. More and more people are having trouble with sleep and falling asleep.
For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting school at 8:30 or later. In no case should it be earlier. More in the article:
School starting at 8:00 – the cause of all problems? | Secret Teacher (Czech)
Unified entrance exams for everyone?
Entrance exams for high schools are slowly approaching. This important life test often directs young people toward their future. But are these tests also designed for applicants with a different mother tongue? The following article discusses this:
https://inkluzivniskola.cz/jednotne-prijimacky-aneb-potrebujeme-chytaky-vyjimky/
Music as one of the most powerful skills
Experts widely recognize music as one of the most powerful skills children can learn, with profound effects on brain development, focus, confidence, and long-term success. According to GreatSchools org, playing an instrument engages the same brain regions involved in language, memory, and critical thinking. Music training strengthens neural pathways, improves auditory processing, and enhances verbal memory, skills that directly support academic achievement.
Stanford researchers even found that mastering an instrument improves how the brain processes spoken language, making music especially beneficial for children struggling with reading or communication.
Music also boosts emotional and social development. As noted by Psychology Today, learning music activates the brain’s dopamine reward system, which increases motivation, mood, and perseverance. Children who experience progress in music often develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence, which carries over into other areas of life.
Furthermore, Lonestar Neurology highlights that music stimulates multiple brain regions simultaneously, promoting better problem-solving, pattern recognition, and hand-eye coordination. These cognitive benefits are long-lasting and contribute to overall mental agility and resilience.
Source: Brainy Monkey
Psychology
4 steps to mastering communication with your child
How to handle a difficult conversation with a child? We all know it. Not everything goes smoothly, and you keep replaying in your mind which words to use, how your child will react...
Here are 4 steps on how to do it.
4 steps to handle a tough conversation with your child (Czech only)
First grade without worries: tips from a school psychologist (Czech)
September 1st is the start of a whole new world for kids. Can you even prepare for such a big day?
There are things we can influence and things we cannot. One thing parents can definitely prepare for is getting to know the school, its documents, and rules, so nothing takes us by surprise. We can ask the kids what their ideas are, how they think the first day will go, and what they might be afraid of, so that we can ahead of time …
First grade without worries: tips from a school psychologist (Czech)
Cognitive Function Test
The school now has a new diagnostic tool for measuring developmental level and intelligence – IDS. It's a standardized diagnostic tool, and you can even use it to measure IQ.
Health
Source (Czech only): https://baagl.cz/blogs/novinky/jak-spravne-vybrat-aktovku-poradili-jsme-se-s-fyzioterapeutkou
Individualized probiotics
Personalized probiotics are lately being mentioned more and more in the health field. Czechs were the first in the world to start working on them.
If probiotics are chosen inappropriately, they can actually cause us problems. You can hear more in the podcast 'Guest of Lucie Výborná' with Petr Ryšávka, an expert in human and animal microbiome research, who has long been involved in developing probiotics aimed at influencing the microbiome of the gut, skin, and oral cavity, with the goal of caring for the health of people and our four-legged friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBWxE5rpMeg
At Wonderland Academy, we kicked off the new school year with a whole bunch of changes. One of the big ones was setting up our own kitchen. We wanted our students and teachers to really enjoy their meals and for lunchtime to become a pleasant part of the day. At the same time, our vision was clear – to focus on a balanced menu, include so-called superfoods in our dishes, and of course make sure the meals not only meet standards but also bring joy..
The full interview here (in Czech): https://www.wonderlandacademy.cz/2025/04/26/chef-mira-odpovida/
Educational counseling
How to raise boys and girls?
In the latest episode of the Sugarfree Podcast, we chatted with psychologist, psychotherapist, crisis intervener, and mom of four Vlaďka Bartáková about how to raise boys and girls. Why do boys need a different approach than girls? How big a role does neurobiology play in children's behavior and experiences? What role do hormones play, and how is a boy's brain different from a girl's brain? Find out more here (in Czech):
