Does Your Child’s Self-Esteem Help or Hurt Their Grades?

A student's self-esteem has a marked impact on academic performance, and affects how they engage in activities, deal with challenges and interact with others. A confident child learns eagerly, enjoys the company of friends and family, and often achieves established goals.  A child with low self-esteem, on the other hand, may have difficulty in school as the result of a lack of interest or an inability to focus on the work. They may be withdrawn, and reluctant to engage in after-school activities or try new things.  

When we work with children who have low self-esteem, our goal is to restore their belief in themselves so they can persist through personal and academic challenges. Their social core - the adults, peers and friends with whom they interact each day – have the most significant impact on their well being, and can help by giving encouragement and support.

Show appreciation for the things they do well.  Offer very specific feedback rather than generic praise. (Instead of “You aced your math test? That’s great!” try “You worked really hard to prepare for that test, and it’s paid off. I’m so proud of you!”)

Encourage their involvement in activities of interest to them.  Help them realize their natural talents, and don’t be overly concerned as their interests change and evolve.  

Help them learn to deal with failure.  If they encounter academic difficulties, help them understand that failure isn’t just a part of learning, it’s a part of life. You can Google ‘famous failures’ for some examples. 

• Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas."  
• Oprah Winfrey was fired from her job as a television reporter because she was deemed "unfit for TV". 
• Stephen King's first book, the horror thriller Carrie, initially received 30 rejections. Despondent, King threw it in the trash. His wife retrieved it and encouraged him to resubmit it to yet another publisher - and the rest is history.   

Demonstrate confidence that they can improve. No one succeeds with every attempt, and it’s important that your child understands that failure isn’t the end of the world.  Acknowledge their frustration, and then work together to develop strategies for improvement.

Growing up as a teen these days is difficult, and whether they’re your kids or not, they need your help.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to the kids nearest to you, with support and encouragement to boost their confidence and self-esteem. 
   
 That’s what we do every day at Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, and the results are magical.  Call us at 268-8556 to see how we can support your child.

To-Dos At School

Being a teacher is a tough job. Most of them use their own money to supplement the school supplies and books provided through the school budget. Their workday begins before students arrive, and extends into the evening as they grade papers and develop lesson plans. They often work after school and through the weekend, with responsibilities for extra-curricular school events and activities.  

Their influence on your child may endure for a lifetime.  Here are some key things you can do to make things easier for your child and for the teachers in your child’s life. 

• Respect Teacher’s Time.  Transition times – in the morning when students arrive, and at the end of the day when they leave – are two of the most difficult times of the day.  Be aware that teachers' focus is on the many students they are responsible for - accounting for all of them and ensuring they arrive and depart safely.  When you see your child's teachers during these times, you can wave, smile, and say hello.  But if you have questions or need to discuss your child’s performance in the classroom, it’s best to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting outside of school hours. 

• Follow the Rules.  These days, unfortunately, school can be a dangerous place.  The school’s rules for visitors (anyone who’s not a teacher or student - that's you!) typically include “Sign In At the Front Desk and Get a Visitor’s Badge Before Entering the School” and “Park in the Visitors Parking Lot”.  Many of these rules have been put into place for your child’s safety. Whether you’re attending a school event or delivering a forgotten lunch – follow the rules.  

• Follow-Up.  A successful school year requires your participation. Make sure to send a spare dose of needed medication to the school’s nurse in the event needed. Read the school communications sent home with students. Send the money for the class trip.  Buy needed supplies. Sign and return forms and permission slips on time. We’re all busy these days, right?  You’re half of the parent-teacher partnership that benefits your child. In just a few minutes each day, you can follow-up and ensure you’ve taken care of the things that need to be done to support your student.  

• Don’t Panic.  Whether it’s a forgotten lunch or a poor test score that has you in a tizzy, keep things in perspective.  Your child will survive whatever happens that day – and then you can work together to address any problems that come up to make sure they don’t happen again.  

If you’re concerned about your child’s performance in school, give the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville a call. We identify, and then fill, the skill and knowledge gaps quickly so your child can get back on track to a successful school year. 

Call us at 268-8556 to schedule diagnostic testing to identify the gaps and enroll your student.  Tell us you read the To-Dos At School blog post, and receive 50% off testing services. 

What's Your Child's Test-Taking Strategy?

Traditionally, high school Juniors and Seniors have selected either the SAT or the ACT standardized assessment exam based on the differences between them, and determining which test best plays to their strengths: the SAT, which tests specific skills independently, or the ACT, which puts more focus on the student’s overall knowledge of subject material.

·   In Math, the SAT includes more word problems and requires a creative application of the basic rules of geometry. The ACT includes basic trigonometry and tests a wider range of concepts. 

·   In the English section, the SAT is notorious for its emphasis on vocabulary, while the ACT focuses more on grammar and syntax.

·   The ACT includes a section on science, as well as graphs and charts which require analysis and interpretation.  These are missing completely from the SAT.

The College Board has successfully created a new SAT that tests skills more relevant to college success and everyday life, which begins in March 2016.  Critics note that the new SAT is very similar to the ACT.

Tutoring Club of Jacksonville can help your child develop their test-taking strategy for the college entrance exams, and increase their scores by an average of 200+ points! Call us at 268-8556 to enroll your student today!

What Do You Know About Your Child's Friends?

Your six-year old tells you she’s been invited to a birthday party for classmate Sally. “It’s at her house, and we’re going swimming!” she says excitedly.  But you don’t know Sally and you haven’t met her parents. 

Or, your seventh-grader tells you he wants to attend the school dance – with Francine! Who the heck is Francine?  What’s she like?  And just how do seventh-graders ‘date’?   

Knowing other parents at school isn’t just important to your child’s safety and well-being, it can be a lifesaver. Being able to borrow a book, catch a ride, get information about school assignments . . .  the fact is, both you and your child will benefit from the connections you make with other parents at school. 

Here are some ideas to help get you started.

• Attend school events    Attend the school orientation, the open house, and other events that provide an opportunity to meet teachers and parents.  It’s always interesting to meet your child’s classmates and their parents, and you’ll learn more about the school.

• Have a playdate    If privacy regulations prevent your child’s school from sharing classmates’ phone and address information, you can volunteer yours.  Send a note for your child to give to a friend, inviting them to a playdate. When the new friend comes over, you can invite the parents in and get acquainted over a cup of coffee while the kids do their thing.

• Host a parent party    Many schools accommodate our busy lives with before- and after-school child care. It’s a great convenience, but it doesn’t offer much opportunity to meet other parents or learn about what’s going on at school. You can host a cookout or party for other parents in your child’s class.  No matter how many or how few show up, you’ll become familiar with who’s who, learn the ins and outs of the school, and get caught up on school happenings.

• Volunteer    Most schools have volunteer opportunities where you’ll get a chance to work with, and get to know, other parents. If your schedule allows, become a regular volunteer for bake sales or field trips.  Otherwise, you can join the parent-teacher association or attend a meeting, you’ll learn about issues that may be of concern to you.

You may feel like your child did on the first day of school – a bit shy and reluctant to step out.  Other parents likely feel the same way. Becoming acquainted with others at school will help you and your child feel like part of the school community. You’ll be more relaxed and your child will be happier, guaranteed!

Is Your Child Behind Before the School Year Begins?

As we approach the end of summer, parents should consider their child’s readiness for the challenges they’ll face in the upcoming school year. The sooner you can identify skill gaps, the better your chances to correct any shortfalls before they become overwhelming for your child. 

Begin by discussing these questions with your child to help determine where potential problems may exist.

• Does your child manage their time wisely to complete assignments and prepare for tests?

• Does your child understand how to prioritize tasks?  Do they correctly identify and work on the most important tasks first?

• What are your child’s favorite subjects in school? How can you build on them as opportunities for higher learning? 

• Does your child have difficulty in completing work in one or more subjects? Which ones does your child enjoy the least?  Are there skill and knowledge gaps that contribute to those feelings?

You can help your child prepare for the new school year by creating a dedicated quiet area at home where school supplies can be stored and work can be done; establishing specific timeframes for homework and studying; and making schoolwork a priority, over and above extra-curricular activities.  

If you want to identify skill and knowledge gaps in specific subject areas, the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville can help.  We conduct assessments for all academic levels in Reading, Writing and Math. When you enroll your child, we create a personalized plan specifically for your student to address their individual needs, to fill existing gaps and build on their strengths.  

Parents who engage professional help to support their children’s learning send a message to their child that learning is important.  “With the help of our tutors, students overcome their learning gaps and regain their confidence – and that’s the key,” says Dana Edmonds, Director of the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville.  “When I get these kids to believe in themselves, that’s when they succeed.”  

At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we focus on your whole child by Improving Academics, Instilling Confidence, and Building Character.  Call us at 268-8556 to discuss how we can help your child be ready for the new school year.   * Tell us you read our blog and receive 50% off diagnostic testing.

It's a New Horizon on Tuesday July 14!

Today we’re not going to talk about parenting, or testing, or school. Today we're going to talk about PLUTO! You know, the tiny non-planet that travels the outer edge of our solar system? I Can Barely Contain My Excitement!  Today is a milestone in America’s aerospace history as NASA completes the last step in the quest to explore each of the planets in our solar system, starting with Venus in 1962. 

The New Horizons spacecraft, about the size of a baby grand piano, has traveled three billion – that's THREE BILLION - miles over the past 9½ years.  Traveling at an astounding pace of 36,000 miles per hour, it’s the fastest spacecraft ever launched, and it carries the most powerful suite of science instruments ever sent on a scouting and reconnaissance mission of a new, unfamiliar world.

New Horizons’ scientific instruments will be going full force as it arrives at its closest point to Pluto, just over 7,700 miles away, at 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday.  Just fourteen minutes later it will pass Pluto’s jumbo moon, Charon. Because the spacecraft will be busy collecting data most of the day, scientists won’t be assured of the mission’s success until Tuesday night when New Horizons “phones home”.  

This is a once-in-a-lifetime exploratory opportunity for NASA scientists, who expect to see craters and possible volcanic remnants on a very active and dynamic world.  Pluto has a jumbo moon named Charon, and four known ‘baby’ moons called Styx, Nix, Hydra and Kerberos.  New Horizons will be on the lookout for others, and will collect extensive data about Pluto and each moon.  Scientists believe a liquid ocean and a rocky core may lie beneath the icy shell that covers Pluto.

NASA’s New Horizons team is hoping its mission will be extended indefinitely as the spacecraft moves toward the edge of the solar system, behind NASA’s Voyagers 1 and 2, and Pioneers 10 and 11.  They look hopefully at Voyager 1 as its example. Originally launched in 1977, the same year "Star Wars" was released, it was originally designed for a four-year mission to Saturn.  Now, 36 years later, the spacecraft is nearly 12 billion miles from Earth, still hurtling away from Earth and deeper into interstellar space. After months of analysis, scientists determined that the spacecraft exited the Milky Way solar system on August 25, 2012.  Data collection continues to this day.

It will likely be Wednesday before New Horizon's close-up photos of Pluto will be released, and late in 2016 before all the data is transmitted to Earth.  It all promises to be very exciting. 

You can click on the link to NASA's web site, below, to learn more. 

NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto

 Be patient, my fellow Earthlings. 

Observe, learn, and be amazed.

Is Your Child Overstimulated?

Not likely. The biggest problem most of our children have during the summer break is a lack of stimulation.  Here are some ways you can help your children stay at the top of their game through the summer. 

Read   Reading is one of the best ways for students to expand their vocabulary and stretch their imagination. The most important thing is to make sure they’re reading something.  So whether it’s a book, a magazine, the newspaper, or a comic book – reading is worthwhile!

Community Service   Spending time helping others is a great way to feel more connected and meet new friends. 

Build a Portfolio   Have your student create a portfolio of projects they have worked on and include a narrative that provides context and explains what they are.  When presented to colleges and potential employers, it creates a compelling case for acceptance. Portfolios should be updated each year.

Learn A Useful Life Skill   If your student will be heading to college, make sure they know the key self-sufficiency skills.  Cooking – doing the laundry – cleaning the bathroom – balancing the checkbook . . . so much to know!

Learn A New, Fun Skill  Have your child learn something like a new sport, drawing, or cooking - and get really good at it.  This builds self-confidence that will carry over to the other many new experiences coming their way.  

Internship   If your child believes they know their desired career path, this is a perfect time for an internship with a local business in that industry. This valuable experience can help them confirm their interest in that field or decide to look elsewhere. 

Test Preparation  If college is in the future, SAT/ACT test preparation may be worthwhile.  Strong test scores can result in recurring annual scholarships worth tens of thousands of dollars.  And remember - we can help!  

How to Help Your Child Be Successful and Self-Assured

Consider Your Compliments  If you tell your child "Good job!" with every accomplishment, or exaggerate your praise (“You’re the best player on the team!), they may have a hard time recognizing when their work is really worth celebrating.  Instead of praising your child when they do something they’re supposed to do, try a simple “Thanks” instead.  Make every effort to give very specific feedback. Instead of saying their artwork is beautiful, maybe you could praise them for their design or use of a particular color.  

Let Your Child Make Decisions   When your child has the opportunity to make choices, they’ll gain confidence in his own good judgment.  When they’re young, it’s best to give them two or three choices.  Rather than asking what they want to wear, for example, allow them to select between two or three outfits you’ve put together ahead of time.  And let them know there are other things that aren’t up for a vote, like swimming lessons, or weekly trips to the library. 

Cooking in the kitchen with Mom

Encourage Special Interests   Expose your child to many activities, and encourage them when they find interests they want to pursue. Kids who have a passion are proud of their expertise. And hobbies can be helpful for kids who find it difficult to fit in.  A student with a talent for painting, for example, may lead the pep squad in creating posters supporting the school’s sports team. 

Look for Ways to Help Others   It’s empowering for a young child to help you with a project.  Seeing the effort and planning that grown-up tasks require, and watching their parent taking mistakes in stride, will make kids feel better when they have to work at their own projects in the future.

Don’t Save Your Child   We all want to keep our child from getting hurt, but when you intervene you’re not doing them any favors.  Kids will learn to succeed by overcoming obstacles, not by having the obstacles removed for them.  They need to know they can take risks without feeling their parents will criticize or correct them for doing something wrong.  We all learn by doing – and by being allowed to make mistakes without being reprimanded - or seeing you mess up without making a big deal about it - will help your kids understand that mistakes are part of life, and something to be learned from.

These are just a few things you can do to help your child be happy, healthy and confident. At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we focus on your whole child, by improving academics, building character and instilling confidence.  Our kids love to come here; more importantly, they love the results they get from their work with us.  Call us at 268-8556 to see how we can help your child.    

Keeping Off the Summer Slide

What’s on your schedule for summer?  The family vacation, camp, trips to the pool . . . and something you didn’t think about, the summer slide. That’s what we call the educational ground children lose during the three-month break from school, especially when it comes to reading.   

According to the authors of a report from the National Summer Learning Association: "A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year . . . It's common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills."

Summer learning can erase early reading deficits   

The transition from third to forth grade marks the change from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”.   Summer learning programs have been shown to mitigate summer learning losses in reading and to help children gain needed proficiency in reading skills as they enter the fourth grade. 

The summer before high school is one of the most critical transitions    

The transition from eighth to ninth grade is one of the most pivotal moments in a student’s education.  Students who receive extra support of adults in summer learning programs are more likely to navigate this transition successfully. 

High-quality summer learning programs level the college entry playing field

Evidence shows the need for remedial coursework in two- and four-year colleges has created a sense of urgency around college preparation programs, particularly for first-generation college attendees.  Students who participate in SAT / ACT test preparation courses can increase their scores by 200+ points.  This may be the differentiating factor between winning a one-time $500 scholarship award and a more valuable 4-year scholarship. 

Make sure to put reading on your list of things to do this summer.  Make a weekly trip to the library a fun family event.  Read to your kids, and ask them to read to you.  For more help in preparing for school in the fall, call the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville at 268-8556.