Get Organized With the Latest Smartphone Apps

Who says organization has to be boring? With the latest smart phone applications, your child can keep track of school assignments and have fun along the way. With stunning graphics and state of the art design, the newest apps will keep even the most reluctant students on track. The truth is that the more organized a student is, the better grades they tend to receive. Read more…

5 Back-to-School Homework Tips Every Parent Must Have

The ritual of back to school time is here once again. Some parents can't wait to get their kids out the door, while others don't want those lazy summer days to end. Regardless of how parents feel about a transition to a new school year, they all have one thing in common — a universal desire to see their children succeed. Read more…

Parenting Styles and Why They Matter

With the publication of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua, the topic of parenting styles has become very popular. Ms. Chua believes that the "Chinese" way in which she raised her two daughters produced excellent outcomes. Although not allowed to have sleepovers, play dates, or even earn less than an A in school, she claims they turned out to be productive, happy members of society. Read more…

What Not To Do This Summer

Many parents, and kids alike, have grand plans of taking a break from learning over the summer to recharge, but studies show that this is not a good idea. In fact, students can lose up to 15% of their academic ability over the summer if they don't read, write, or practice math. Read more…

My Teen Won't Read — Is It Worth the Power Struggle?

Getting any child to read can be a challenge, but trying to encourage a teenager to read is even more of an undertaking. If you're like a lot of parents you have tried several tactics to get your teen to read from ordering the latest teen bestseller, to trips to the library, and even rewards. Read more…

Why Is Learning Style So Important?

Most people have a preferred way to learn. Some learn best by listening, some have to observe every step, while others have to do it to learn it. The fact is that individuals need all three modalities to truly commit information to memory: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. While most are typically stronger in one area than another, the trick is figuring out the preferred modality and capitalizing on strengths. Read more…

10 Easy Tips to Help Your Elementary-Age Child Study for a Test

Helping your child to study effectively for tests is vitally important in the elementary years. When the groundwork for good habits is set early on, students are more likely to experience success and increased motivation. You can make a difference in your child's academic performance now and in the future by trying some of the following tips. Read more…

5 Solutions to De-stress the After School Schedule

In a recent KidsHealth survey, almost 90 percent of students said they felt stressed day in and day out. And so often, when kids are stressed, their parents are as well. Just as much pressure can be felt after the school bell rings as during school hours. If your after-school schedule feels more hurried, stressful, and complicated than you would prefer, try the following the solutions to make life a little simpler for you and your child. Read more…

How to Help with Math

A recent Gallup poll asked students to name their most difficult subject. Not surprisingly, mathematics topped the list. Why is math so challenging for so many kids? The answer is that it requires two very important abilities — patience and perseverance. Read more…

The Keys to Remembering What You Read

Learning is an active process, not a spectator sport. It requires energy and most important of all, concentration. For many students, focus is not a problem when they are reading about subjects they enjoy. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In the course of their studies, students have to plow through a good deal of material they find dense and boring. And this is when taking the time to take good notes while reading becomes so useful in enhancing learning. Read more…

Sorting Out Your Disorganized Child

Some children are naturally organized while others struggle to maintain any semblance of neatness. The latter are the children who stuff crumpled papers in their backpacks, struggle to keep track of assignments, and don't get started on long-term projects until the night before. There are ways parents can help — without standing over them night after night. Read more…

Calming The Homework Rush

"My kid always rushes through her homework!" I hear this complaint from many parents. As adults, it's difficult for us to understand why our children can't slow down, take time to focus, and check their work. Rushing is not a serious issue if your child occasionally races through homework because she has "better things to do." Rushing only becomes a problem when your child can't slow down, seems unmotivated to do well, and often turns in work that is inaccurate and contains careless errors. For this type of student, rushing is frequently a daily habit. Read more…

6 Ways to Cope When Your Teen Says "No" to Homework

Arguments over homework often occur at stressful times, especially when a deadline is approaching. Pick one evening every week to preview the upcoming workload. If the week is going to be particularly stressful, determine what extra-curricular activities can be skipped. Teens tend to hunker down and resist support when they're feeling overwhelmed. If this is what's happening in your household, plan a weekly meeting to work out a less hectic schedule. By planning ahead, both you and your student will be more at ease. Read more…

Summertime and the Learning Is Easy

If you're like most parents at this time of year, you're relishing the days of summer. No more homework struggles, standardized tests, or jam-packed afternoons of carting your children to and from extracurricular activities. The summer is a time to unwind and relax for parents and kids alike, but learning should not come to a halt. Read more…

An Inspirational Interview

AmericaSpeakOn.org

Over the last two years my tutoring company, Educational Connections (ectutoring.com), has had the pleasure of partnering with the Higher Achievement Program in D.C. Higher Achievement's mission is to develop academic skills and attitudes in academically motivated and underserved middle school children to improve their grades, test scores, attendance, and opportunities — resulting in acceptance to college preparatory high schools. Our tutors prepare their 8th grade scholars for the Secondary School Admission Test, which is a required entrance exam for many private high schools. Most rewarding to me, my staff, and our teachers, is the positive contribution we make to helping close the achievement gap. Read on for a great interview with Marcus Gray, Director of Higher Achievement Scholar Services. His words inspire me — and I hope you! Read more…