Positive things we can say to our children!

At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we are ALL ABOUT instilling confidence and self-esteem into our students while at the same time, teaching them accountability for their choices and actions.  We ran across this photo as a reminder of the many ways we can positively impact our children, and wanted to pass it along to parents and teachers.  A kind word can really, truly, go a long way!

Great Opportunity to Get Books!

Who can resist this opportunity?  Starting today, you can get some great savings on Books, CDs and DVDs!  You should check this out and take advantage of the opportunity to stock up on your personal collection of relevant books for you and your kids.

At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we encourage parents to read to their children for 10 minutes a day and ask them 3 questions.  Then have your child to read to you for 10 minutes and ask you 3 questions.  This is one of the most effective ways you can help your child improve their comprehension capabilities.  This exercise is good for kids of all ages and grades!

Trust Your Gut, Parents

“Progress reports are a hint of what’s to come,” says Ms. Dana, Director of the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville. She spoke about progress reports when she appeared on First Coast Living, WTLV Channel 12. 

When the first progress report arrives, you and your child may become aware of emerging academic shortfalls. “Trust your gut. You know your child best. If your child is struggling in school, it’s not all about academics. It’s about how they study, and prioritize . . . “ Dana tells parents. 

If you’re unsure as to how to how you can help, here are questions to ask about issues often at the root of academic struggles.

• Time Management   Does your child use time wisely in preparing for assignments and tests? Are specific times reserved for studies and learning activities at home?

• Social Balance   Does involvement in too many extracurricular activities take needed time and attention away from academic subjects? Do you help your child create the right balance among various types of activities?

• Setting Priorities   Does your child understand how to effectively prioritize tasks and work on those that are most important first?

• Homework Habits   Does your child find it difficult to complete homework assignments or projects on time? Does your child have a quiet place at home that’s free of distractions where study tools are accessible and project work can be done?

• Educational Interest   What are your child's talents or interests? How can you use them to motivate your child to higher learning? How can your child’s talents and special interests be used to encourage them to explore areas of academic passion?

• Academic Gaps   What classes or subjects does your child enjoy the least? Do diagnostic tests reveal academic, skill, or knowledge gaps? What about gaps in organizational, study, or test-taking skills?

“It’s early in the school year – now is the time to get help, before your student gets too far into the school year to catch up with any learning losses,” advises Dana. What can you expect when you bring your child to Tutoring Club? “We can give an assessment to uncover your child’s areas of strength and weakness, determine the root causes of their academic struggles and develop a customized learning plan to fill those gaps.”    

"We’ve found that when children learn to master the skills they’ve missed, they regain their sense of confidence,” says Dana. Students have 24x7 access to their grade portal, and Dana asks all her students to use planners and to track their grades. “Students need to take ownership of their learning. We give them the ability and the confidence to improve their level of learning.  Confidence is everything – and that’s what we do best. We help children feel better about themselves. Anyone who wants to learn better can come to Tutoring Club.”

You can contact the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville at 268-8556 to learn how our TutorAid programs and our highly skilled tutors work together to elevate your child’s academic performance. 

The Link Between Teens, Their Tech Devices, and Sleep

Today we share an article recently published in HealthDay News about the effects of tech devices on school-age children. In it, author Alan Mozes cites a recent study of tweens and teens who were exposed to high-tech devices (you know, smartphones, tablets and laptops) at varying levels of brightness just one hour before bedtime.

The results of the study are not encouraging . . .  

Click here to read more: [healthday.com-Teens,Tech,and Sleep]

HealthDay News is a leading producer and syndicator of evidence-based health content for consumers and physicians. 

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.