I Received My Child's NJASK Scores... Now What?

Hello Friends!

Here in New Jersey, parents should have received their child's NJASK scores withing these past two weeks.  For some of you, the letter meant a pleasant end to months of anguishing over the scores that your child earned when they took this test back in May. For others, your realize that your child is not performing at the states expectations.  And still others of you are left perplexed by how to read the score report that you received.  Sylvan is here to help you with all of those things.

Let's first begin with reading the score report and what all of the numbers mean for your child.   In New Jersey, any score at a 200 and above is considered "Proficient" and "Above Proficient" for the upper echelons of the scoring.  Any score less than or equal to 199 is considered "Partially Proficient" and students that fall within this range are often placed in a school's Basic Skills Intervention (BSI) or Academic Support Program (ASP) for that school year.  When this is the case, teachers will be assigned to help your child and any others who also scored low to boost their basic skills in either reading or math.  These classes are taught as a group and the teacher attempts to cover concepts that the group collectively had difficulty with both on the test and in class this year.  Basic Skills teachers are also called upon to teach these classes in one of two ways: In one scenario they "push in," which means they come into the classroom and teach alongside the main classroom teacher and in the second scenario, they "pull-out" which means that students are pulled from their main classroom for 20-40 minutes (depending on the school) and are provided with additional instruction while the rest of the peers carry on with the lesson in the main classroom.

Now the question is- What else can I do for my child to make sure that they 

Attain or Maintain Proficiency next school year?

• Read. Read every day yourself so your child sees you reading and continuing to learn and have them read for at least 30 minutes every day. Your local Sylvan Learning Center provides a Skills Assessment at the outset of every child's program that helps us to target specific skill weaknesses in reading, vocabulary and phonics.  Often, once skill gaps are filled in, students perform better on not only the reading portion of test, but other parts as well since now they are able to thoroughly understand all of the directions.  
• Write every day.  Encourage your child to maintain a journal at home in addition to what they may be writing at school.  Sylvan also offers an Academic Writing Program for 5th graders and up that shows students how to plan, write, revise, edit and publish a variety of essays.  This not only aids them in writing for everyday assignments, but also for the writing portion of the NJASK.
• Practice basic facts.  There are many resources available for this, including a Sylvan Math Essentials program available at your local Sylvan Learning Center.
• Watch for warning signs from the first day of school.  A month before the NJASK is too late to start cramming.  If the scores from last year's test were low, what will this year's scores look like without extra help?  The best way that you can help your child is to get them help as soon as possible in the content areas rather than in straight up testing strategies.  

Looking for more outside help?
Call Sylvan to schedule a Skills Assessment and 

take the next BEST step towards your child's academic future!

Clinton, NJ: (908) 638-6788

Flemington, NJ: (908) 806-4010

What does Sylvan SAT Prep include?

With the weather turning cooler, the sun setting earlier and students back in school, many local High Schoolers' thoughts are turning towards thoughts of their future.  Their first step in that direction?  The SAT.

At Sylvan, we help students to prepare for this very important milestone in our SAT preparation course.  Our course includes 3 practice SAT tests that are taken in the center and timed in the same manner as is done on the day of an actual test.  Our teachers are not only certified by the state (which means that they can teach in a school) they are also trained in Sylvan methods.  All of our SAT teachers teach other subjects here in our center, which means they are experts in their fields and can give your child a broader view while they are preparing for their test.  In addition, we provide your child with a math and a verbal textbook that can keep to continue practice even after their 30 hour individualized course is completed.  In addition, we are very excited to introduce the NEW SylvanTestPrep.com where students and parents have immediate access to graded tests as well as additional activities to further increase their scores.

I know there is one big question that everyone has: Does Sylvan SAT preparation work?  Watch this video to learn about a Sylvan student that demonstrates this:



Need more information?

Please call your local Sylvan Learning Center to learn about our schedule, fees and about the other great courses we can provide for your child to prepare for College.

Clinton, NJ (908) 638-6788

Flemington, NJ (908) 806-4010

GETTING IN GEAR: A BACK TO SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

Despite the warm temperatures and sunny skies, many students are feeling a shadow looming as back to school season creeps closer. After weeks of lazy, summer days, late nights, varying routines and minimal mental stimulation, the return to school can seem overwhelming to students of all ages.


To help parents and children get ready for the new school year, we are offering several tips to ease the transition from the beach to the classroom and jumpstart sluggish summer brains.


STUDENTS:
For many students, the first day of school doesn’t only bring new teachers and new friends - it can also be a source of anxiety with homework assignments and tests just around the corner. Starting the school year off on the right foot can help minimize students’ stress levels throughout the year.


Get Cleaning. A dirty, cluttered room is not conducive to studying. Get organized before homework starts piling up.
• Remove seldom-worn clothing.
• Pack away belongings not used on a regular basis.
• For smaller children, label areas so they can easily see where belongings should go.


Carve Out A Homework Spot. Whether it is in your bedroom, the basement, or a family office, find an area where you can work distraction-free and claim it as your official workspace.

• Pick a place that is always available and where you feel comfortable doing schoolwork.
• Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools that are needed to complete homework.


Get Organized. Organization is key to ensure you stay on top of the requirements for each subject.
• Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class.
• Create files for each subject. The folders can hold assignments, essays, handouts and notes taken during classes.
• Purchase a planner or calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.


Set Educational Goals. Whether it is striving for an A in a certain subject, handing in all homework on time or preparing for tests well in advance, setting goals can help establish a routine for the new year.
• Set goals that are measurable, specific, reasonable and have personal value.


Stay On Schedule. Minimize last minute cramming or deadline mix-ups by creating a detailed school schedule.

• Include all classes, assignments and key dates, such as project deadlines and test dates. Fill in new dates as they arise.
• Schedule specific times for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more thorough the schedule, the more helpful it will be to you.

Know The School. If you ever feel swamped with back to school madness, ask for help. Schools assist students with transitioning from one grade to another. Meet with your guidance counselor and/or teachers. If you are still nervous, ask your mom or dad to drop you off at school on the first day of class.


Be Adventurous. Step out of your comfort zone this school year by trying new things academically and in terms of extracurricular activities.
• Try every type of class and/or activity. You never know what your strengths are until you experience as much as you can.
• Challenge yourself. If you have the opportunity, take the hardest classes - not the easiest subjects.
• Ask questions. There is nothing wrong with not always knowing the answer. Asking questions is the best way to learn!



Think Positive. Yes, going back to school means homework and early mornings. It also means reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people, resuming fun extracurricular activities, learning more about your favorite subjects and improving on your last year’s performance.



PARENTS:



While the idea of waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare lunches, fighting over appropriate school attire and regulating the amount of television watched might have you frazzled, take solace in the fact that you can play a big part in getting your children motivated and excited to tackle a new school year.

Depending on your child’s age, your role in the above-mentioned tips will vary. The following are helpful ideas to ease kids of all ages back into learning mode:

Help Your Child Discover His/Her Learning Style. Because each child is special, with different learning styles and academic needs, it is important to personalize the learning process. People learn in at least eight different ways, according to the Multiple Intelligences Theory: visually, verbally, physically, mathematically, musically, naturalistically, through group activity or through quiet thinking time. Talk to your child’s teachers about your child’s learning strengths and how best to support them.



Get Back In The Routine. Ease the transition from lazy summer days to the structure of the school year by re-establishing bedtime, mealtime, reading and homework routines. Talk with your child about the importance of structure and how routines help ensure that he is not overtired or overly anxious about schoolwork.

Develop A Family Event Calendar. One of the most helpful tools for getting organized is a family event calendar. To ease the chaos, track school programs, volunteer work and after-school activities. Family time management is essential if you are going to avoid the tumultuous frenzy of disorganization.

• Depending on your children’s ages, this calendar can be on construction paper with large squares to write in all necessary information, or it can be produced on a white board so that it is easy to revise.

• If it is color-coded by family member, you can clearly see who has an activity scheduled and when the event occurs.

• Place the calendar near the telephone, so when a friend’s mother calls to invite your child to a birthday party, you will know instantly whether it fits within your family plans.
Purchase School Supplies In Advance. Avoid the last-minute rush by purchasing supplies at least one week in advance. Take your child. She can feel excited and in control by choosing her favorite colors and designs.
Be a Cheerleader. Encourage your child to share any concerns he has about returning to school. Reinforce positive feelings by talking with your child about learning and achievement. Support his academic interests and encourage him to get involved in extracurricular activities at school.

Have Questions about Sylvan?

We've created a series of short presentations that can help you to see what kinds of things we offer in our Sylvan. Click through the presentation to get answers to our Frequently Asked Questions:

Sylvan Learning Center FAQ on Prezi

Middle School Year – Transition Your Way Up To Success

Tips and ideas to help your student navigate through typical

Middle-school challenges

While it may be summer now, school will begin soon enough. For students who said goodbye to elementary school earlier this year, this fall represents the start of a critical transition to middle school.

Middle school means new beginnings, experiences and challenges. And while these changes —new friends, new teachers and new school environment — can be exciting, they also can be a bit unnerving for new middle-schoolers.

“These transition years can be exhilarating and full of promise, but they also can cause some measure of anxiety,” says Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., senior vice president of education outreach for Sylvan Learning.

“Research and common sense tell us that the first year in middle school is critical,” Bavaria says. “During this single year, a new middle-schooler must assimilate, make new friends, set goals, establish new habits and attitudes, take tougher courses, discover talents and interests, learn new skills, and begin to build confidence in this new environment. Making sure a child handles this transition year well should be an important goal for parents. In fact, a primary indicator of a successful middle school experience is a positive transition from elementary school. And the key to that positive transition is good preparation.”

Here are some of the most daunting changes students will encounter during this year of transition — and some tips from Sylvan Learning on how to work through them successfully.

Challenge: Negotiating the New Environment

The Locker Scare: One of the biggest concerns incoming middle-schoolers have is the locker. Instead of lugging their stuff around in one bag, students now have a place to store everything safely. The best part about the locker is being able to personalize it with photos, drawings, magazine clippings, and anything else that makes it feel comfortable. Ease locker fears and purchase a combination lock and practice before school starts.

New Campus: If your student has to go to an entirely new school, it may seem overwhelming at first. Explore the school's Web site with your child and better yet - explore the new campus.  The better your child understands the school layout and rules, the more at ease she’ll feel on the first day.  Ask the school if there are any campus tours or orientations available to parents and incoming students. Get a map of the campus and take your child to explore. Be sure to check in with the school office to get an OK for your explorations.

New Schedule: With different classes in different rooms on different days, middle school schedules can seem confusing and scary at first. A few weeks before school begins, check with your school to see when schedules are ready so that your child can have some time to get comfortable with the new routine. If your student needs help finding something or keeping track of where he has to be, encourage him to ask a teacher or other school staff for help.

Challenge: Acquiring New Academic Tools

Time Management: Work together on a schedule and develop an organizational system with your student. Acknowledge and make allowances for her anxiety; at first, she may need to carry everything for all classes all the time in order to feel prepared.

General Skills Preparation: Summarizing, paraphrasing, and identifying main or important ideas and details are three skills that are essential in all content areas. After reading a book or watching a show/movie, have kids summarize what happened orally. Or have them recount the most important events. 

Note-Taking: The workload and pace really pick up in middle school, so note taking is going to be critical for them to keep up.  Start encouraging your child to develop a method of shorthand to prepare for note-taking.  Writing grocery lists and directions are simple ways for kids to practice. Show them your own writing shortcuts. Note-taking is not automatic; the more examples kids see, the quicker they’ll acquire the skill. 

Build their Problem Solving Skills: Common Core State Standards outline the knowledge and skills K-12 students need to acquire for post-high school success. Included in the CCSS are Standards for Mathematical Practice, many of which focus on academic behaviors and attitudes such as perseverance, constructing viable arguments, critiquing others' arguments, and paying attention to precision. As a parent, you can do your part to help a student acquire these key behaviors and attitudes. Encourage perseverance by having your child work through problems — rather than you stepping in to fix them. Encourage your child to formulate opinions and back them up with sound reasoning. Encourage your child to do things correctly rather than just finish them.

Challenge: Addressing Social Concerns

New friends:  One crucial area of worry for middle-schoolers is the social scene. You can help ease their trepidation by opening lines of communication and providing a sympathetic ear. Kids' worries and concerns about fitting in and making friends may seem trivial to adults, but for kids, these worries often trump worries about academics. Listen to their concerns and advise them on basic social skills. Encourage your child to join group conversations. Discuss how to join in without interrupting, to add something relevant to conversation in progress, etc.

Socializing Online: Online use of social media will ramp up during middle school. In fact, the average teenager sends over 3,000 text messages a month[1]. Make sure your kids understand that what they say and do online may come back to hurt them — or hurt others. Be aware of and set guidelines for use of social media on both computers and hand-held devices. Make sure you are able to regularly monitor your child’s access to text messaging and social media sites like Facebook. Increased awareness allows parents to step in and talk to their children before issues spiral out of control.

By starting now, you can help your rising elementary student prepare for these key challenges before they transition into middle school. Helping them know what to expect in terms of the social, academic and physical dynamics of middle school — and how to deal with this new environment — will do a lot to ease the anxiety every kid feels approaching this year of transition.

For additional resources, visit us on the web at www.sylvanlearning.com or your local Sylvan Learning Center:  Clinton, NJ 908-638-6788 or Flemington 908-806-4010 to reach us directly or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS at night or on weekends. 

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[1] http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/new-study-average-teen-sends-3339-texts-every-month/

Great Vocabulary and Spelling Websites and Apps for iPad, iPod or iPhone

Hello everyone!  I know it's been a while since I updated, but I've been away on vacation in Disney World! 

I have some great websites that I've found that we've used in our Clinton Sylvan Learning Center as well as that I've used in a classroom.  Please make use of these websites this summer and feel free to add some more that you have used in the comments section below.  We can all benefit from shared knowledge, especially our kids!

http://www.freerice.org/

This website is especially great for preparing for the SAT- for every correct answer, they donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme to help end hunger—learn and do good at the same time!

http://www.vocabulary.com/

You answer questions, they find words you may not know and help you to build your vocabulary.  This is a great website for Middle Schoolers and up, but again especially useful in preparing for the SAT.

http://www.vocabtest.com/

If your school uses the Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Book, pictured below, this is a must visit website to review words that were from previous school years or will see in the future. 

  

Flashcards+

 Free iPad & iPod app, pay only for voice component in any language--- they have libraries of stacks with anything from Spanish to SAT words

http://www.spellingcity.com/

This website uses dolche sight list words, lists that you create or lists from others- has games, practice and quizzes. 

http://www.kidsspell.com/

Spelling games using basic words.

Scramble with Friends, Words with Friends & Hanging with Friends (Free-Believe it or not- these are great for word building skills!)

Remember, these websites and apps are just SOME of the ones that we personally recommend and we have not been paid to sponsor any one of these links.  Please explore and see what is out there, but keep in mind that these are not meant to replace the great things a teacher can provide your child.  If you are still looking for additional help for your child, call the Clinton Sylvan at 908-638-6788 or the Flemington Sylvan at 908-806-4010.

Great Reading Websites and Apps

There are many things that I love about using a computer and some of them include all of the wonderful websites that are available for our children to use both in a classroom setting or to continue learning at home. Not only have I placed websites on this list, but I've also included Apps that can be downloaded to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, or even on your child's version of the same. 


I've compiled a list of some of my personal favorites here for you to use with many different ages of kids and I've included a short description of each so that you will know what they are about before you click through to each one to see if it is appropriate for your child or even children to use.   If these look interesting t you, just click on the title (bold and blue) and it *should* take you directly to the website as I've linked everything I can.  

So without further ado... Let me introduce you to my favorites!




Starfall -- This is a great website for young readers, including those just beginning to read.  The top link is "ABCs" where littler readers can practice their letters.  As you read down the short list of options on this main page, the options grow more difficult where students can "read" increasingly more difficult books and can have entire passages or select words read to them by clicking-- Make sure to have the volume up or headphones handy!

Starfall iPhone, iPod touch and iPad App Similar to the website, but it has much more portability!

BookAdventure  Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can find a book,  take quizzes on what they've read and earn prizes  for their reading success.  This is one favorite of mine for parents and teachers since teachers can set up an entire classroom full of students and see what they're reading and how they answer quizzes.

SmartyGames   This website has multiple subjects, but I've linked this directly to the reading and language arts section.  This is similar to Starfall, but there is also a games piece to it as well as some writing activities (which I will cover in another Blog entry). 

 TumbleBook   When you visit this site, you can sign up for a free trial before you subscribe as it is a subscription based website.  Check with your child’s school librarian as well, though, to see if they have a log-in from the school already as many public school librarians have taught students how to use this resource already. 

Project Gutenberg    Free copies of books that are out of copyright or are older.  These books can be read right on your computer, printed or downloaded to an e-reader such as Kindle. 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode  Anyone who knows me or who has visited my office knows that I love everything about Disney and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is no difference, especially now that I have an infant at home.  While your 2-3 year old is not reading yet, you can help them be active participants in what they are watching by watching along with them with this iPad app. Your little one gets to help Mickey Mouse and the gang in a race by touching, shaking, dragging and saying the magic words along with them (Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!) as they race to the finish line as a team.

That's all that I have for you for now.  Please share ones that you have found for your child in the comments below, I would love to know about more that are out there!  

Until next time, it's a great day at Sylvan!!

~Stefanie, Center Director of Flemington and Clinton, New Jersey Sylvan Learning Centers

How Parents Can Help Their Children Hone Study Skills - and Life Skills

We know it is getting close to the end of the school year, but it seems that we are getting more and more questions from parents about how they can help their child at home to hone their study skills while we also work with their child at Sylvan. I thought that I would revisit a post from a few months ago for this week's entry... Try to remember. When you were a student, did you ever ask, “How will grammar (or geometry or social studies) benefit me later in life?” Be honest. Now, return to today. When was the last time you took notes at a meeting? Or prioritized your “to-do” list? Or organized a project from start to finish? The skills you use to do these tasks at work and at home are the same skills you learned and honed in English class (and geometry and social studies). Now, your children are developing those skills that will enable them to read analytically, write and speak expressively and think strategically. And when they ask, “What good is this going to do me?” - you know that it all starts with taking notes in history class, studying for that bio exam and juggling time to accommodate school, sports and social calendars!

Organization, time management, note taking, test taking and strategic reading are all essential study skills that are first introduced to young people in the classroom, but ultimately transfer far beyond school. To help your child develop these skills in a way that is meaningful to them – mainly applying them to their “job” which is school – Sylvan Learning recommends tips that parents can follow:
Organization and Time Management • Have students use a planning calendar to track daily, weekly and monthly assignments and responsibilities. • Encourage children to break down large, complex tasks into manageable pieces. • Have children prioritize homework and other tasks when they get home from school, then complete the tasks in that order.

Note Taking • Don’t panic if a child’s notes look sloppy and disorganized. It’s often just a sign of a student with an active mind who is organizing things in ways that work best for him or her. • Encourage students to review their notes and even rewrite them, if necessary, to be sure they make sense. • As they review their notes, have children identify the most important points and highlight them.

Test Taking • Urge a student to study over a period of days or weeks instead of cramming the night before. • Be sure students go into the test with the right equipment, whether that means a calculator, class notes, textbooks or simply a pencil. • Encourage them to answer test questions they know first and then go on to the more challenging questions.

Reading • Encourage young readers to use all the clues available to them while reading, such as headlines, pictures, captions, charts, tables and graphs. • Urge them to read different types of writing, such as books of fiction and nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, letters and Web sites. • Talk with kids after they read a book or article. Have them tell you what the story was about, why it did or didn’t interest them and how it related to their life.

Studies show that the more involved parents are with their children’s education, the better the children do in school. What the studies don’t say is that this involvement is not just in the children’s school, but in the children’s lives. Because life is a balance of basic core skills (reading and math) and personal skills, such as communication and responsibility skills (organization and time management), parents need to nourish all of these skills, not just the ones that yield a grade. Along with this, comes the language we use when talking with our children. Saying things like "You're never going to get into college at this rate," is something that we sometimes in a heated moment when we're upset with our children, but these words are hurtful and often compound the problem. Instead, try phrases that use "I-Statements" ex. "I'm upset that this is difficult for you" or "I want the best for you, how can I help you?" in some situations. In other situations where a child is just not doing their work, as in the case of homework, check their teacher's website, their online gradebook, their agenda and in some extreme cases, be in almost weekly contact with the classroom teacher.

For some students, though, the lack of higher grades on tests and quizzes might not be an issue of their study habits, it may be a sign of deeper frustrations in their Reading, Math or Writing skills.

Quiz Your Kids

by Guest Blogger, Dr. Rick of Dr. Rick's Blog Research has shown that when students take their studying seriously enough to quiz themselves on their progress, they up the ante for success. This is, after all, why teachers give no-risk pre-quizzes a few days before a major spelling, algebra, or social studies test. Students get an idea of what they’ve mastered and where they need to spend additional time and effort. Here are some suggestions for no-risk, no-stress, pre-test quizzing that can be fun as well as helpful. Watch those grades and confidence rise.

Give quizzes yourself. When your child has a test coming up, encourage her to begin studying several days ahead of time. Each night during homework and study time, spend some time with her asking questions from her notes, textbook, online reading, or teacher materials.

Make flash cards together. Flash cards are particularly helpful for material that needs to be learned with “automaticity,” or with such mastery that you don’t even think about it. Quizzing with flash cards can be fun, especially for younger kids, who feel a real sense of accomplishment for correct answers.

Encourage study buddies. When kids quiz each other, they’re particularly serious about doing well. They want to succeed in front of each other, and they enjoy thinking up questions that are even tougher than anything the teacher will throw at them.

Use a stopwatch. Timed quizzes add another dimension to studying. Set a simple stopwatch for a minute or two, or use an egg timer, and ask a series of questions to see how many your studier can get. This can be particularly helpful for material he’ll need to know off the top of his head.

Keep a chart of progress. Kids like to see their progress in tangible form. Together, create a simple chart of correct answers, new concepts mastered, improved times, or thoughtful interpretations. Let her see how her studying improves her learning and grades.

Talk about the results. Talk about improvements and the valuable impact of studying. Remember, you’re laying the groundwork for future achievement and good study habits.

Talk about test-takingstrategies. Remind him of good practices for the important test day. Relax. Read directions carefully. Answer first the questions he’s surest about, then go back and deal with the others. Keep an eye on the time. Encourage him to remind himself of the work he’s done to prepare.

5 Parent Tips to Increase Students’ Math Success

And Overcome Math Challenges Mathematics Awareness Month is held each year in April and a perfect opportunity to encourage the love of math in your children. In helping children learn, one goal is to assist them in figuring out as much as they can do for themselves. Here are top five math tips that you as a parent can start using right now, to help your child become an independent math learner.

1. Strengthen Core Skills – Effort in Math matters because math skills build in time. Miss one component and you will continue to have difficulties with math. As a parent challenge your child to become better problem solvers.

2. Leverage Technology – Technology should support math instruction, and today’s ‘Net Gen’ students find technology-infused instruction especially engaging, helping them gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving.

3. Instill Math Confidence in Your Child. – Praise your children’s academic progress. Tell them that you are proud of their math efforts even when they struggle. When students are confident in their abilities, they enjoy learning.

4. Make Real-world Connections – There are many opportunities for parents to make math connections to everyday life – and help students to see the value of math. Think of tasks that you do every day that can be ‘teachable math moments.’

5. Encourage Your Child to Take Math – Early and Often – Many students don’t take math classes beyond their school’s minimum requirements. But math offers critical learning skills that are needed throughout life. Children should take algebra early in their educational careers if they are academically ready. Students who do not take courses covering algebraic concepts early, risk missing important opportunities for growth.

Algebra is Fundamental It is now clearly understood that algebra is the foundation for not only higher-level math and science skills, but it helps lay a solid foundation for the technological world we all now live in. Looking for resources to check your student’s algebra health? Sylvan Learning is offering a FREE, online Algebra Readiness Check-up to help determine if your child is ready for the math challenges that lie ahead. After taking the screener, you will receive a personalized Algebra Fitness Breakdown, which highlights your child’s strengths, as well as areas that require more training. You will also gain access to free online resources to help your child get in tip-top shape for algebra!
To take the screener visit - http://letsgolearn.com/fit4algebra/

Are you College Bound?

Top 5 Tips to Help You Prepare For College Life

Obtaining a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working together. But, preparing for college is much more than the flurry of activity during those last few months of a student's senior year. In many cases, college preparation actually begins before high school, and it is never too early to start thinking about what kind of college experience you or your parent is looking for and how the college preparation process works.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers simple tips to help students prepare for their college entrance exams and develop the skills needed for lifelong success.

1. Start Early – Consider taking summer enrichment classes for key subjects like math, reading and creative writing. Nothing shows that you're serious about academic work like dedicating the last few weeks of your summer to intellectual and academic pursuits.

2. Prepare for Tests - April and May, throughout the summer provide the perfect opportunity to take a prep course or obtain academic assistance to prepare for the SAT and ACT autumn exams. If you have not already taken the SAT or ACT, it is important to spend the remainder of summer preparing for these standardized tests. Spend at least a few minutes each day reviewing vocabulary or practicing math problems.

At Sylvan, our college prep experts will tailor a personalized plan that builds the skills, habits and attitudes to your needs in order to score higher on test day and apply to college with confidence. Our highly personalized and targeted approach focuses on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions. For many students, skills can be mastered to raise test scores in as little as five to twelve weeks.


3. Don't Miss Opportunities - It's important that students take charge of their education. Seek out opportunities proactively rather than reactively. As you prepare for college and admission tests, look for classes and other resources like free, SAT/ACT practice tests provided by Sylvan Learning.

Such resources are excellent opportunities to practice and assess your skills while preparing for college. There are many great resources that you can utilize for your benefit. Fully engage in the resources of the library, guidance counseling center, teachers' office hours, tutors, after-school programs and fellow students. Make sure to get the best education possible by using all of your school and personal resources.

4. Seek Support and Help from Your Family - The college preparation process can be stressful for you – and for your parents. Your parents want to help you reach your goals and act as a resource during this critical time.

5. Enjoy the Journey – Have fun and enjoy the rest of your summer, but make sure that you keep yourself active. Take a summer school class, get a job or consider volunteering at a variety of community-based organizations or charities. Now is the perfect time to get involved in those endeavors while you have additional time in the summer. These initiatives can allow you to learn more about potential careers and areas of interest. The last weeks of the summer months can be an excellent time to help you prepare for college while providing compelling experiences to use on your college applications.

Make the most of the remainder of this summer. Take the challenge. Use these simple tips to prepare for the next phase in your academic life and enjoy the years of discovery ahead!


For more information and back-to-school resources, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

Be a D.E.A.R. Day: Encourager For Your Kids on April 12th

12 tips for April 12th show it’s never too early to start reading

April 12th marks the celebration of the National Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E.A.R), a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. Sylvan Learning is celebrating National D.E.A.R. Day by providing parents with simple tips to encourage a love of reading year-round.

Strong reading skills are incredibly important for all subjects in school, therefore it’s critical that parents help their children develop these skills early on. The more children read, the more they’ll enjoy reading, and the better readers they’re likely to become.

Sylvan recommends that parents set aside at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – to do some form of reading activity with their child.

Since it’s never too early to start reading with your child, here are 12 tips in honor of National D.E.A.R. Day to help parents nurture their children’s reading behaviors:

1. Begin at birth by sharing picture books with your babies. Talking, reading, singing, and listening to newborns and toddlers helps build the knowledge required for success in reading.
2. Recite nursery rhymes and lullabies to newborn babies.
3. When talking with an infant or toddler ask questions and allow pauses to help them develop an understanding of conversation.
4. Narrate your activities to young children to connect the words and their meaning. For example, “I’m putting on your coat.” To connect a word with its meaning, point to an object and repeat the word several times.
5. When reading aloud to young children, point to the words as you speak them. You can also follow the sentence with your finger so that children begin to recognize how words appear in a book.
6. Re-read the same book often because children enjoy hearing the same stories again and again. Hearing and seeing familiar words and pictures may help them have an easier time learning to read.
7. Encourage talk and discussion, as this contributes to the development of language skills and can help with reading. Ask everyone around the dinner table to talk about his or her day or current book that he or she is reading.
8. Model the reading behavior. Set aside time every day to read.
9. Check with teachers and librarians to confirm the appropriate reading level for you child’s age. Get recommendations from them on good age-appropriate books.
10. Research and select books about your children’s interests, such as a sport or hobby.
11. Read newspapers and magazines with your children. Reading and telling stories together sparks the imagination and helps stimulate good reading and writing skills.
12. Lastly, set up or designate shelves in a child’s room for his or her own library.

The Internet can also provide many opportunities for children looking for new and exciting things to read. A free interactive, reading motivation program created by Sylvan Learning - Book Adventure (www.BookAdventure.com) - allows students to choose their own books from more than 7,500 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teachers and parents resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.

Help Your Children Hone Study Skills

Try to remember. When you were a student, did you ever ask, “How will grammar (or geometry or social studies) benefit me later in life?” Be honest.

Now, return to today. When was the last time you took notes at a meeting? Or prioritized your “todo” list? Or organized a project from start to finish? The skills you use to do these tasks at work and at home are the same skills you learned and honed in English class (and geometry and social studies).

Now, your children are developing those skills that will enable them to read analytically, write and speak expressively and think strategically. And when they ask, “What good is this going to do me?” - you know that it all starts with taking notes in history class, studying for that bio exam and juggling time to accommodate school, sports and social calendars!

Organization, time management, note taking, test taking and strategic reading are all essential study skills that are first introduced to young people in the classroom, but ultimately transfer far beyond school.

To help your child develop these skills in a way that is meaningful to them – mainly applying them to their “job” which is school – here are tips that parents can follow:

Organization and Time Management
* Have students use a planning calendar to track daily, weekly and monthly assignments and responsibilities.
* Encourage children to break down large, complex tasks into manageable pieces.
* Have children prioritize homework and other tasks when they get home from school, then complete the tasks in that order.

Note Taking
* Don’t panic if a child’s notes look sloppy and disorganized. It’s often just a sign of a student with an active mind who is organizing things in ways that work best for him or her.
* Encourage students to review their notes and even rewrite them, if necessary, to be sure they make sense.
* As they review their notes, have children identify the most important points and highlight them.

Test Taking
* Urge a student to study over a period of days or weeks instead of cramming the night before.
* Be sure students go into the test with the right equipment, whether that means a calculator, class notes, textbooks or simply a pencil.
* Encourage them to answer test questions they know first and then go on to the more challenging questions.

Reading
* Encourage young readers to use all the clues available to them while reading, such as headlines, pictures, captions, charts, tables and graphs.
* Urge them to read different types of writing, such as books of fiction and nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, letters and Web sites.
* Talk with kids after they read a book or article. Have them tell you what the story was about, why it did or didn’t interest them and how it related to their life.

Our older Math Students

Do you hear from your child when it comes to Math, "How is this going to help me in life." Well here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick discussing the usefulness of higher level math.

16 Days until PI Day!!

Push Kids Up the Math Ladder
by rbavaria

All this month we’ve been discussing ways to improve kids’ math skills – getting them to master their math facts, singing about math, playing math games, ignoring the girls-are-no-good-at-math whopper, and easing parents’ own anxiety about math. Scroll down, and you’ll see February’s math blogs. If you have a child who’s insecure about math, you may be able to pick up a tip or two.

Today, let’s focus not on our youngest learners but on older kids, middle school and above, who still need to keep up those math skills. Maybe more than ever.

In today’s math-centric world it’s not enough just to be able to do simple arithmetic, important as that is. If we want the best for our kids – and what parent or teacher doesn’t? – we must continue to keep our expectations high, our support strong, and our eyes vigilant.

Expectations. Are our family-determined goals high? Support. Are we providing helpful encouragement, healthy routines, positive attitudes, and serviceable study and homework environments? Vigilance. Are we monitoring homework, report cards, teacher communications, and changing behavior?

Math shouldn’t scare us parents or teachers. If we’re anxious about math, we can be sure our kids are picking up on that anxiety. Don’t let it happen.

Here are a half dozen reasons why higher levels of math like algebra and geometry are more important for our kids than they were for us. And a couple of resources at our service to take some of the worry away and steer us in the right direction.

1. Algebra helps us to reason. Algebra is all about analyzing, logic, and reasoning. The more practice our kids get in the classroom, the more ability they’ll have out in the world – in higher education, in job training, and in their occupations.

2. Algebra helps us to solve problems. Algebra teaches us to look at problems from many different angles. “What would happen if I changed this approach?” And from past experiences. “How did I solve a similar problem? How’d that work out? Could I have solved it more easily and efficiently?” Solving problems is one of life’s most constant challenges. Start exercising their problem-solving muscles now.

3. Algebra helps us to learn persistence. Learning how to stick to a worthwhile goal, to be motivated and not intimidated by challenge, and to feel the powerful reward of a job well done are all gratifying advantages of persistence.

4. Algebra helps raise our confidence. Succeed in algebra, and you’re ready for even more intense learning, more exhilarating challenges, and who-knows-how much richer potential. Confidence builds on itself.

5. Future jobs depend on algebra. Employers more than ever are demanding strong math skills of their employees. The U.S. Commerce Department (2011) reports that 75% of employers place a “very high level of priority” on math (and science) skills. And in today’s economy, with more job applicants than jobs, employers can be picky about whom they hire. Manufacturing jobs, for instance, require precise measurement and computation skills. That’s algebra.

6. You can get free help. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning , has thirty-plus years’ experience of helping kids who struggle with algebra. Check us out. For kids who haven’t even started algebra yet, Sylvan also provides a free algebra readiness check-up, Fit 4 Algebra . It helps parents determine if their children are ready for this critical subject, often referred to as a “gateway” to higher level mathematics. Kids take the check-up online, and they and their parents get an understanding of their algebra fitness. They’ll get a breakdown of their strengths and needs as well as links to resources to ensure they have the help they need to get fit for algebra. It’s free.

So, it’s really up to us parents and teachers. We simply have to encourage our kids to become math-friendly and math-curious early. As early as we get them to be ready for reading. Support them as they learn. Be enthusiastic about math in their everyday lives – just as we are about reading in their everyday lives. And show them, by our examples, a healthy respect for math skills and the promise the future can hold for those who are unafraid to keep learning.

Charging up for Math

As we continue to draw closer and closer to March, we are reminded about the importance of math in our everyday life. Whether it is to figure out how many pounds of strawberries a chocolate shop dipped for Valentine's day or to figure out how much groceries are, math is everywhere. There are some students who love math and pick up concepts quickly. They can find math in everything that they do and enjoy it. Here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick talking about these students.

23 days until PI Day!!!

Really, Really Smart-in-Math Kids
by rbavaria

Every math teacher can tell you about a few. Every student knows a couple. Many parents claim they have one. The really, really smart-in-math kid.

We know them when we see them. These kids learn concepts quickly. No lengthy practice sessions necessary. “Got it. Let’s move on.”

They’re curious. They see math everywhere. They notice patterns in everything – nature, architecture, music, human behavior. Their favorite question is “Why?”

They’re persistent. When they set their minds to figuring out a concept or a puzzling challenge, they focus on it, try many hypotheses, and keep striving, analyzing, and testing until they figure it out. They love to ask, “How?”

They’re deep thinkers. They’re not satisfied with just memorizing. They want to understand why a formula works, why a problem can be solved in many ways, and which way is the simplest and most elegant.

Sometimes they’re “gifted,” where their special acumen comes naturally, without work. Like, well, a gift. It’s “given” to them.

Sometimes they’re “talented,” ready to work hard and put in time and sweat. Not necessarily the same as gifted, but just as valuable. (Some say even more so. Perhaps we value what we work for more than what’s given to us.)

If you know a really, really smart-in-math kid, and you’re wondering what you can do to help her along, here are a few ideas I’ve learned from experience and from some really, really smart math teachers.

1. Enrich. Encourage the deep thinking that often comes naturally to these kids. A constant barrage of “Why?” questions might become exasperating, but think of them as signs of curiosity and cognitive growth. You don’t have to provide all the answers. Sometimes answering a question with another question is a good strategy. “Why do you think the seven-times-tables are harder than the two’s?”

2. Accelerate. Every teacher knows the value of picking up the pace for those students who “get it” right away and need to move on before they succumb to boredom or mischief. Have puzzle books, stimulating games, and other brain-exercising activities around the house for those “I’m bored” moments.

3. Stretch. Challenging his imagination and curiosity with a question that requires him to stretch his abilities can lead to all kinds of new skills and knowledge. Just as kids need to stretch their bodies daily, they need to stretch their brains.

4. Group. Put a bunch of like-minded kids together in a room, give them a problem to solve, and then get out of their way. Watch the brain power in action, the ideas fly, and the possible solutions emerge. Notice how the math group may be different from the writing group, which may be different from the music group and the art group.

5. Talk. Support him by talking about what interests him. Encourage him to talk about the math questions he’s curious about. Ask him to “teach” you what he’s learning.

6. Play games. There are lots of games especially appropriate for super-smart kids. Here’s a website I like.

7. Play with toys. Same with toys. Try this website for ideas.

8. Branch out. Encourage her to learn about other subjects into which she can sink her teeth. Math-smart kids are very often perfect fits for technology, music (there are those patterns again, right, Herr Bach?), science, and engineering. Don’t forget writing, painting, and other arts. They’re all connected through precision, problem-solving, and expression.

9. Get a tutor. Sometimes a talented tutor can make a huge difference. Someone who’s an expert in a particular subject, someone who can inspire excellence, someone who’s maneuvered the obstacles. A little individual attention, a little motivation, a little guidance. Try a National Honor Society high schooler. Try Sylvan.

10. Research. There’s no shortage of information, research, and resources. One of the best is the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth .

A word of caution. Balance. Don’t push too hard. Even the quickest elementary school kid probably still needs the cognitive development and maturity to tackle the highest level math and understand it. Just because he can memorize and go through the motions doesn’t mean he’s ready for advanced algebra and geometry. Follow your common sense and his behavior. He’s a kid, remember.

Math Facts

March is known as National Math Month and Sylvan is celebrating in a couple different ways. Pi day being one of them. How many digits of Pi can you recite? Here is an article from our guess blogger Dr. Rick.

Master Those Basic Math Facts!
by rbavaria

March is National Math Month, so here at the Dr. Rick Blog we’ve been preparing for it by anticipating the topics of conversation we’ll inevitably hear next month. Nothing like being prepared.

Elementary teachers tell me the importance of kids mastering their “basic math facts” of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by the end of fourth grade. Research bears them out. Kids should have a fluent recall of basic facts in order to move on to more advanced math like algebra and geometry.

Students’ recall should be effortless, without hesitation, automatic – hence mathematicians’ term – “automaticity.” It’s really no different from the automatic reflexes of the well-conditioned athlete, the well-practiced musician, or the well-rehearsed actor. The brain automatically processes the information. (“Oh, yeah, I know this drill. Piece of cake.”)

Besides allowing kids to move up to more challenging math – those higher level skills upon which so much of 21st century success depends – automaticity lets kids build their confidence along with their skills.

Confidence leads to more learning. Math anxiety? Never heard of it.

Have a kid approaching fifth grade and still hesitant in his math facts? Here are some ways to increase kids’ mastery. Quickly. Use one or more every day.

1. Make flash cards. A great way to practice. They may be low-tech, but flash cards work. Kids making their own has at least two benefits. First, they’re thinking about math and the facts necessary to go on the cards. Second, they’re learning as they’re creating. Make it a family activity and have fun in the process.

2. Play games. Math games can promote math fluency. And, besides, there’s nothing wrong with having fun while you’re learning. Here’s a website I like .

3. Sing songs. Kids learn quickly when they can remember facts with song . Make up your own math songs if you have to.

4. Use money. Coins and bills are easy and useful ways to learn math facts. Play “store” and use make-believe money. Make change. Subtract discounts. Figure out multiples of prices. “Mr. Manager, these apples are twenty-five cents each. How much for a half-dozen, please?”

5. Use clocks. Telling time is a great way to learn math, too. “We have to be at school by 8:45. It takes twenty minutes to get there. What time should we leave?”

6. Have speed trials. Let your child time her “sprints” of five or ten math facts. Get an inexpensive stop watch – or just use the second hand on yours – and let her see her improvement over time. Make a progress chart. Have reasonable, meaningful rewards – a favorite treat, some extra bedtime minutes on weekends, or special time with you, without siblings.

7. Encourage study buddies. Study buddies allow kids to learn from each other, to recognize each other’s talents, to challenge each other, and to celebrate with each other. Sometimes kids ask each other questions they don’t ask us. Sometimes they explain better than we do, in their own language.

8. Give “pop quizzes.” Every day pop some math questions on them . “Quick, Emily, what’s nine times nine?” “Aaron, one hundred minus twenty?” To motivate them and to let them learn by doing, let them quiz you. Turnabout is fair play.

9. Monitor homework. Make sure your child’s homework is complete, accurate, and neat. Make sure he turns it in. (Check that backpack often. Parents tell me they’re frequently amazed at what they find in there. “You’ve had this note from Mrs. Porter for how long?”)

10. Be a role model. Show that math is important to you. From time to time talk about cool jobs that rely on math – musicians need timing, sports writers need statistics, pilots need geometry, high-tech industry needs precision. If you disliked math in school, for heaven’s sake keep it to yourself.

You can also find lots of help on the internet. There are plenty of websites that can give you good ideas. Here’s one .

Lots of kids need a little help now and then. If your child has fallen behind in math, if he’s dreading math class, if his grades are dipping, if he’s lost his confidence, get help right away. He won’t be able to build on a weak foundation, and his confidence is sagging. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning , has helped thousands of kids catch up, keep up, and get ahead with their math. Just get help.

Sing a Song

Have you ever realized that some kids learn better when they are singing songs to remember things or listening to music. Here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick.

Learn Math by Singing
by rbavaria

Kids love to sing. That’s why creative elementary teachers have so many songs at their fingertips – songs about history, songs about books, songs from other countries, songs about Bible stories, songs that help us remember things. Songs help kids stay focused. Singing together creates group-learning. And, let’s face it, singing’s fun, especially for the youngest learners who haven’t become self-conscious yet. The louder the better. That’s the only rule they know.

I’ve written about kids singing. There’s something joyful about seeing a bunch of kids singing to their hearts’ content. I’ll bet each of us adults can remember the lyrics of TV commercials for long-gone, useless products long after we’ve forgotten, say, the Pythagorean Theorem or the causes of the War of 1812.

So why not use songs to help kids learn their math? Math, more than any other subject, can make some kids anxious and reticent. (More on this in future blogs.) And it certainly tops the list of the homework-helping subjects parents are the least confident about. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning, sees it every day in our centers. (“I just can’t help with the math anymore! Help!”)

There’s lots of musical help out there for parents and kids who want to make learning math easier. Here’s an example from a website I like . “Numbers Everywhere” is simple, fun, and effective. It’s catchy and “sticky,” meaning it will stay in your kids’ minds (and yours, too – one of the parental occupational hazards) as they become aware of numbers that surround them every day.

Just like the alphabet song lets them recognize letters and words that surround them every day.

Here’s another one. Mr. R’s World of Math and Science has fun songs you can listen to or download. Songs about addition, subtraction, multiplication facts, counting by tens, place values, even simple geometry.

Here are a half-dozen reasons why you should at least consider singing about math with your kids.

1. Singing helps them pay attention. Music gets our attention, and that’s the first step in learning. I’m all for trying whatever gets kids’ attention and holds it.

2. Singing helps them stay engaged. When kids are learning together, they’re always motivated by how their peers are doing. Singing together – whether it’s with their friends and classmates or with you at home – lets them feel a part of a group of learners.

3. Singing helps them remember facts. Familiar songs cement words and concepts in our minds. A teacher told me once she loved to watch the kids lip synching as they worked individually on their math. “They were singing the songs in their heads.” Whatever works.

4. Singing is fun. Nothing wrong with injecting a little enjoyment into learning. When kids associate a good time with their classroom learning and their study time at home, they’re motivated for more learning, primed for new skills, and on the road to increased confidence.

5. Singing is creative. More often than not even the least math-oriented kids become little Einsteins when they’re encouraged to make up silly – but factual – lyrics to math songs. When you’re helping him study for his long division quiz, ask him to explain the process, then both of you put the process into song. Use favorite melodies – Mary Had a Little Lamb, The Farmer in the Dell, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, hip hop. Whatever works, remember?

6. Singing uses rhythm. Kids react to rhythm. It’s elemental and moving. I’ve written before about the teacher who taught his kids their spelling words by having them jump rope. The rhythm of the jumping helped them learn the words. Same for singing.

Of course, if you want to break out that old guitar you haven’t touched in years and accompany the kids in full-throated math song, feel free. Like I’ve said, whatever works.

Compliment a Kid Today

I've noticed that kids love to be complimented on what they wear or what they do. Some of them though just don't know how to take it. Here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick.

Teach Kids How to Accept a Compliment
by rbavaria

For the past couple of posts, we’ve been concentrating on teaching kids certain crucial social skills, talents that will serve them well as they learn to make friends, as they’re in school, and as they work as adults.

First we discussed teaching kids how to apologize. Then, how to accept an apology . Followed by how to give a compliment . And today, how to accept a compliment. Seems lots of kids don’t know how to respond when someone says, “Nice job at the concert, Elijah!” or “What a pretty sweater, Bethany.”

A blank stare, mute shoe-gazing, or ignoring nice comments just won’t cut it.

When they learn to compliment they’re learning to recognize the talents of others, to appreciate their friends and classmates, and to think of other people besides themselves. When others give them a compliment, it’s useful and respectful to acknowledge it.

So, in the spirit of arming our kids with the simple know-how of making it through a day with confidence and maybe even a little poise, here are a half dozen or so suggestions that can help.

1. Recognize a compliment. When someone says something nice, it’s good to see it as the little gift it is. And since we’ve already taught them to say thank-you when they receive a gift, it’s perfectly natural to expect the same words now.

2. Start early. Teach kids to say a simple thank-you when they receive the gift of a compliment. For shy kids, just those two words are perfectly acceptable. As they gain more confidence, a few more words will be easier. “Thank you. I worked hard on practicing my clarinet.” Or, “Thank you, my mom gave me this sweater for Christmas. It’s one of my favorites.”

3. Be a role model. Let kids see you graciously acknowledging compliments. This doesn’t have to be a big production, just a natural part of daily living. When they see you doing this with ease and simple words, they’ll get the hang of it.

4. Make eye contact. This is a hard skill for some kids to learn, but it usually gets easier as they get older. Especially if it’s your expectation. Tell them to look someone in the eye when they’re talking to them – it shows respect and interest.

5. Smile. We smile when we get gifts, right? So, smile when someone’s said something nice to us. It shows that we’re grateful and we appreciate the other person’s thoughtfulness. For especially bashful children, at the very least a charming, shy smile will do for the time being. Shy kids want confidence-building skills.

6. Be sincere. You don’t have to fall all over yourself with flowery words, but the words should show sincerity. That’s why a smile and a thank-you are just right. They show you mean it.

7. See the innocence. Some people, let’s admit it, are suspicious of compliments. Some of us can’t help but wonder what that other person has up his sleeve. Why’s he being so nice? Kids are too young to be cynical. Don’t teach them suspicion.

Just like teaching kids how to give compliments, accepting them doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Expressing our admiration to others and saying thank you to those who do it for us are just common, daily courtesies that show our friends and classmates that we care for and respect them. Just regular life skills that smooth the way in a complicated world. It’s that simple.

Reading with Kids

This week's article from our guest Dr. Rick talks about the importance of Reading with your kids. I also find that kids like reading with a Kindle, Book Nook, or some other form of technology.

A Dozen Ways to Keep Reading with Kids
by rbavaria

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the importance of parents’ being involved in their children’s learning . I referred to a recent study that confirmed what we parents and teachers already know – that kids do better when we’re actively involved in their learning, when we read with them, when we show a lively interest in their school activities, and when we talk with them daily about interesting topics.

Parents matter.

And parents who encourage reading matter most. It’s the fundamental skill, remember?

We’ve discussed reading many, many times in the Dr. Rick Blog. (Type “reading” in the search field at the right and you’ll find past blog postings.) Now’s as good a time as any, as the new year gets underway, to reinforce our commitment to reading with our kids.

So, here are twelve reminders of ways to encourage our kids to keep up their reading. Few things we do for our kids are as valuable.

1. Remember, it’s our job. It’s our job as parents and teachers to get our kids interested in reading early. Before they even go to school. Kids who come to school from homes where reading is valued and encouraged, where adults read to kids, where books and magazines are present, and where conversation is free and relaxed arrive with a tremendous leg up over kids who don’t.

2. Make the library a special place. Kids love going to the library. The more they go, the more grown-up they feel, especially if they have their own library cards. Give them some guidance, but also give them plenty of opportunity to make their own choices.

3. Go online for ideas. There are lots of websites for kids’ book choices. ReadKiddoRead is excellent. Oprah Winfrey is, unsurprisingly and beneficially in the act with her Kids Reading List – Oprah. And Book Adventure is a veteran, happily motivating kids to read for over a decade.

4. D.E.A.R. Drop Everything and Read is a national reading motivation program that encourages exactly what its name says. I’ve seen it in action in schools all over the U.S. When kids are cheered on to read what they find interesting, they respond.

5. Be a role model. Show kids that reading is an important part of your life, too. Let them see you reading often. For information, for directions to do something, or for the pure enjoyment.

6. Support reading. When your school or local library has a children’s reading activity, show your support. Let the folks at school know that you’re a reading advocate and that you expect your kids to be doing lots of interesting, informative, and fun reading.

7. Read aloud. Kids love to have you read to them . They also love to show off their reading skills by reading for you. Take advantage of their enthusiasm.

8. Do seasonal reading. Read about favorite sports during their seasons. Read about religious holidays at their proper times. Read about historical events during anniversaries. Read about popular, new movie releases at their premieres. Don’t forget about summer reading when school’s out.

9. Reward reading. Have reasonable and easy rewards for meeting reading goals. Finished the first chapter book? The long brain stretcher? The fourth book by a favorite author? Go out for a special treat, just the two of you, without siblings. Make it a special time.

10. Read as a family. It’s so easy to schedule family reading night. Take a half-hour – or longer if you want – and everyone brings a favorite book. Read favorite parts aloud. Serve chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy one another’s company.

11. Tell about your favorites. Spend some time telling kids about your favorite childhood books. You’ll be surprised at how interested they’ll be. They may even want to see what those Hardy Boys are up to if you make it compelling enough.

12. Read the book. Watch the movie. Few things make kids feel more “superior” than comparing and contrasting a movie to the book it’s based upon. “That’s not the way it was in the book!” Let them explain the differences, talk about why a director made those changes, and then talk about which version they preferred.

It’s really not difficult to instill a love of reading and, therefore, learning if we start early enough, if we’re good role models, and if we support lots of reading choices. Kids will amaze themselves at how much they discover about the world and about themselves. And they’ll find their school reading (and other language arts like writing, speaking, and listening) becoming stronger, too.

Everyone wins!