We are all accustomed to giving short answers. “How are you?” receives a “Fine.” “What’s new?” gets a “Nothing much.” So it’s really no wonder that when we ask our students how their days were, they will answer in a similar way. “How was school?” gets a “Good” or a “Boring” or a “Fine.” “What…
Our thoughts are composed of words to explain ideas. If we want to improve our children’s thinking, then we need to improve their vocabularies. A rich vocabulary gives our children the tools to comprehend and explain more complex concepts. It allows them to think and process on a higher level. “Vocabulary is the best single…
In our world of electronics, treasures like the public library often get overlooked. When our children ask us how a windmill works, for instance, we quickly pull up google so that we can provide an intelligent explanation. We often go to a computer to answer curious questions, when we could be giving our children experiences…
When we need to remember something, we use strategies called mnemonic devices that help translate information into forms that the brain can remember better. If we can make the information relatable, instead of abstract or impersonal, the brain is able to store the information more easily. Some devices work better for certain information and…
“I didn’t know I had a test.” “I forgot to bring that book home.” “The teacher didn’t say I needed the paper signed.” If these are common utterances in your home, it is likely that your student needs to learn how to effectively use a planner. Some well-intentioned students already have a planner, but have…
In many homes, peace and harmony are not part of the nightly homework routine. Instead, we have battles, frustrations, and tears. As parents, many of us are left wondering what we are doing wrong and why this time together has to be so intolerable. The main difficulty is that kids have different and fluctuating reasons…
Finding the right tutor can be a daunting task, and it can be difficult to know what questions to ask. A good tutor can make a huge impact in your child’s educational experience, and you want to be sure that you are making a good decision. Ask the following questions to help ensure that you…
