Tips to Help Your Child Make New Friends

It doesn’t matter what grade your child is in - making new friends can be hard.  If your child is attending a new school, it’s natural to be nervous. Some kids believe the more friends you have, the more popular you are.  The truth is, a child only needs one or two close friends to gain self-esteem and a sense of belonging. 

Here are some tips to share with your child to help them make new friends – good friends – at school.

Take a deep breath. 

Keep things in perspective: you're going to a new school where there will be lots of kids your age. One good strategy is to find other kids who are new to the school. You’ll have this unfamiliar environment in common, with lots to talk about (comparing your classes and the teachers, doing homework assignments, and selecting extracurricular activities).

Take the first step. 

Be open to meeting new people who are different from you - the school will have kids from all different cultures and backgrounds. Keep your head up, and make eye contact with other people. Introduce yourself (to other kids and to adults) and remember that your smile will help make introductions easier. Try to sit in the middle of the class where you have people all around and you can make conversation. You can ask a question (Do you know if the cafeteria food is any good?), talk about the school (I heard they have a great softball team), or offer a compliment (I really like your shoes!) to get a conversation started.

Get involved. 

Probably the best strategy to make new friends is to pursue your own interests. Take part in the after-school activities you like.  Join the choir, try out for the team, or be part of the Drama club! You’ll meet lots of people with different personalities and share a common interest with everyone in the group. 

Practice the golden rule. 

Remember?  Treat others as you want to be treated yourself.  Show kindness and respect toward everyone you meet, and don't judge others before you get to know them. Do nice things because you want to, and not because you need to. Help pick up books dropped on the floor.  Save a seat.  Pay a compliment.  Everyone appreciates kindness.

Be yourself. 

Stay true to who you are.  Don’t fake an interest or change yourself to try to fit in with a particular group. Anyone who doesn’t accept you for you won’t be a real friend.  If you approach others authentically, you will attract people who want to connect with you, and you’ll find your future true friends among them.

Be aware. 

Many kids will already know each other, and there will be cliques – established groups of friends with common interests and personalities. There may be groups of “mean girls” or “thugs” or whatever – people you want to avoid for a while. You don’t want to judge them, because they may be very nice people! Clearly, you want to stay away from the types of kids who are in gangs and involved in criminal activities. Be yourself! Be strong!  Don’t try to please others if it doesn't please you.

Choose well. 

Like it or not, you become like the people you hang out with. Your friends are going to influence your behavior, so choose those who will be a positive influence!  Ask yourself these questions when you select your friends: Will they lift me up or drag me down?  Will spending time with them help me to become my best self? Will I be happier after spending time with them? Can I trust them with my dreams and goals?  If not, find friends who will. 

Remember: when it comes to friends, go for quality over quantity.

OUCH! Your Backpack Is Killing Me!

Florida's tax-free holiday begins today, so you know it's back-to-school season. We’re out there buying school supplies, clothes, and the very necessary things our kids need to begin the new school year. One of the most important of those items is the perennial backpack. 

It’s used to carry your child’s weight in books, folders, binders, notebooks, permission slips, teacher’s notes, calculators, pens, pencils, lunches, keys, and cell phones. Your child may also carry a laptop PC or tablet. Kids involved in sports will stuff water bottles, sports equipment, (dirty!) clothes and shoes into it.

So, what do you need to consider when choosing a backpack for school?  Three things: fashion, fit, and function (not necessarily in that order).  Style is an important feature of a school backpack, especially to elementary and middle-schoolers. Your child will want a bag that is fashionable and looks good. High school students have different needs, and will be more selective about the specific features of the backpack.  And you just want to be sure you get the best value for your money.  

Here are some tips that may help . . . 

FASHION   

• Backpacks made from recycled materials are very fashionable right now. An eco-friendly bag may be a good choice.
• They’ll be wearing the bag every day. Will they want their backpack to match, or at least not clash with, their school clothes? While prints are lots of fun, they may want to consider solid colors too.
• What kind of bag will best handle the kind of load your child will be carrying?
• Messenger bags have one wide cross-body strap, and may be considered more fashionable than a traditional backpack. 
• A bag with two shoulder straps will allow for better weight distribution, and many have waist straps that help distribute the weight of very heavy loads. 
• A wheeled backpack may be a good option to consider if your child routinely carries a heavy load, even though they can sometimes be difficult to navigate in crowded areas.  Be sure your child can handle the weight of the bag when it’s full of books, including the added weight of the handle, frame, and wheels.

FUNCTION

• Take a good look at the size of the bag – will it accommodate the size and types of objects your student will be carrying?  Does the main pocket have enough room for the number of books and binders your child will be carrying at one time? Are there separate pockets for lunch, gym clothes, and cell phone?  A protective pocket for the laptop or tablet? 
• The fabric the bag is made of should be durable, breathable and lightweight. Synthetic fabrics are more lightweight and water-resistant than natural materials like leather and cotton. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly bag, consider a bag made of a natural fiber, like hemp.  Many backpacks can be machine-washed.
• The zippers, hardware and pocket closures should be sturdy and easy to close, made of quality, heavy-duty materials.
• Some manufacturers offer guarantees on their backpacks - make it a point to look for these great deals!

FIT    

• Your bag should have wide, padded, adjustable straps so you can position the bag against the strongest part of your back, about two inches above the waist.  Some bags have added padding on the back to make it more comfortable for the user.
• If you shop for your backpack online, you’ll usually have the widest selection and the best prices. Online sellers like Amazon and Zappos have a wide selection of bags and often offer free shipping.
• It's best to shop for your backpack in brick-and-mortar stores so your child can try on the bag, make sure it fits well, and examine it inside and out to understand all its special features. Luggage stores, sporting goods stores and outdoors retailers often have specialized salespeople who can help you select a bag with a proper fit.

The bottom line? Your child may not agree, but they do need your help with this important buying decision.   Happy Shopping!

Benefits of Tutoring!

The purpose of tutoring is to help students help themselves and to assist or guide them to the point at which they become independent, successful learners. The Tutoring Club of Jacksonville is a great partner to help you get your child to t...his point!

There are many possible reasons why you or your child might need tutoring:
•Teacher or counselor recommends tutoring
•Grades are dropping
•Homework seems increasingly difficult
•Extreme anxiety before tests
•Self-esteem is dropping
•Loss of interest in learning
•Feelings of wanting to give up
•Resistance to doing schoolwork
•Reluctance to go to school

If any of this sounds familiar to you, please call us right away at 904-268-8556!

Tutoring can be beneficial in many ways:
•Provides personalized attention
•Improves grades
•Increases knowledge and understanding of subjects
•Increases motivation to succeed
•Provides intensive practice
•Allows progress at own pace
•Leads to better use of study time
•Improves self-esteem and confidence
•Encourages higher levels of learning
•Encourages self-directed learning
•Reduces competition
•Provides praise, feedback, and encouragement
•Provides review of skills not mastered but no longer taught

We can help - give us a call!

Have you prepared for the first day of school?

School starts in less than a week!  At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we are so excited for our students as they enter their new grades, complete with their new set of challenges!  We are intently determined to partner with you, parents, to make this a fabulous school year for you and for your kids!

Have you bought school supplies?  Has your child finished their summer reading or math packets?  Have you been to orientation?  Have you started that new sleep schedule?  Have you gotten that sports physical or immunizations?

Well, if you haven't, don't panic.  But do at least try to get some of these things done and crossed off your list!  In the end, what matters is that your child is excited about the new school year, excited about seeing friends and taking new classes, and most of all, excited about taking that next step of independence and learning in the process.

Do all you can to help them be prepared.  And give them encouragement!  This really is an exciting time, no matter how chaotic the first week may end up being.  Help them be safe and secure.  Pay attention to school zones and buses, and walkers and bikers.  Be involved in their learning and help structure an environment conducive for homework.

And please, let us help.  Enroll  your child for curriculum that will enable their success in school  Whether it's tutoring for reading, math, study skills, SAT prep, or tutor-up for more advanced studies, we are there for you and your child!

We are looking forward to all the buzz in our center this week and next!  Keep smiling!