Evaluating Your Child’s Academic Progress: 3 Core Questions to Ask Posted on January 19, 2024December 11, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall As a parent, it’s only natural to be invested in your child’s academic success. Keeping a close eye on their progress is crucial for understanding their strengths and areas that may need improvement. While report cards and parent-teacher conferences provide valuable insights, it’s essential to dig deeper into your child’s learning experience. Asking the right …
Executive Function: Boost Your Student’s Skill Set Posted on January 16, 2024December 5, 2023 by Susie McDaniel If you’re not family with the term, “executive function,” you’re not alone. Sometimes referred to as “the management system” of the brain, this skill set includes working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control (self-control). Working together, these skills help us do things like pay attention, plan, organize, prioritize and see goals through to completion. Although …
Why Kids Get Stuck and How to Foster Academic Resilience Posted on January 10, 2024January 8, 2024 by Maureen Loftus Every parent and educator has witnessed it at some point – the frustrating sight of a child getting “stuck” on an assignment or test, unable to move forward. They knew the information, they started strong, and then like a light switch, their brain shut off. While this can be a common occurrence, it’s essential to …
Is My Child’s Learning Struggle because of the Subject, the Curriculum, the Teacher, or the Brain? Posted on January 5, 2024December 5, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall When a child has a learning struggle, it can be daunting to figure out what you can do to help them overcome it. Learning challenges have far-reaching impacts beyond just grades: learning struggles also affect confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and many other areas of life. So what can you do? The first step is to dig …
Differentiating and Improving Study Skills Posted on January 2, 2024December 5, 2023 by Susie McDaniel You may have heard that there are two parts to smart: knowledge and cognitive skills. The latter, which includes foundational brain skills such as visual and auditory processing, memory, logic & reasoning, attention, and processing speed, are essential for strong study skills. Regardless of your student’s age, study skills create more confident and independent learners. …
Things You Can Do Midyear to Turn the School Year Around Posted on December 29, 2023November 28, 2023 by Dargan Coggeshall The midpoint of the school year can be a pivotal moment for students and parents alike. If the first half didn’t go as planned or if there’s room for improvement, fear not – it’s never too late to turn things around. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of what’s left in …
Adult Literacy: Building Reading Confidence at Any Age Posted on December 27, 2023December 4, 2023 by Sandra Zamalis In a world where information is constantly evolving and communication is key, the ability to read proficiently is more crucial than ever. While much emphasis is placed on childhood literacy, the truth is that literacy is a skill that can be developed and enhanced at any age. Adult literacy, in particular, plays a vital role …
Set and Achieve SMART Goals with Your Kids Posted on December 20, 2023December 18, 2023 by Maureen Loftus As the New Year dawns, it brings with it fresh opportunities to set and pursue meaningful goals for both you and your family. Whether you wholeheartedly embrace the idea of New Year’s resolutions or find them a tad daunting, instilling the art of goal-setting in your children is invaluable. When kids witness how we approach …
5 Fun Cognitive Exercises for Kids That You Can Do at Home Posted on December 13, 2023November 8, 2023 by Sandra Zamalis Parents understand the importance of physical exercise for their children’s health, but what about mental fitness? Cognitive exercises play a crucial role in helping kids and teens develop essential thinking, learning, memory, attention, and reasoning skills. These underlying brain functions, collectively known as cognitive skills, are vital for success in school, work, and everyday life. …
The 411 on Unschooling Posted on December 13, 2023November 29, 2023 by Susie McDaniel Don’t let the term “unschooling” fool you. The educational style might be less traditional than other forms of curriculum-based study, but the approach is still focused on learning. The primary philosophy of unschooling is to let the learning be guided by the child’s innate curiosity, interests, and abilities rather than by a set curriculum. Although …