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5 Ways to Improve Learning and Concentration in Kids’ Brains

Susan Cumberland Published: May 10, 2013 Last Updated Date: December 16, 2024

1. Start the day by walking or biking to school if possible

Fifty years ago it was the norm for children to walk or ride their bike to school. In more recent years it is much more common for children who live close to school to be driven by their parents. This may not seem like a big deal, but studies have been done to show how children who walk or bike to school have increased levels of concentration throughout the school day. We are beginning to see that not only is the activity of walking or riding bikes good for getting oxygen to the brain, but the actual act of navigating and remembering directions works parts of the brain in a way that improves concentration. Kids who mindlessly sit in the car while being driven to school are missing out on the opportunity to use that part of their brain. If it is possible, walking or biking to school is better.

2. Recess during the school day is a must

If you ask a group of 8 year olds what their favorite part about school is, chances are they will respond with “RECESS.” Interestingly enough recess is just as valuable as other academic subjects. Recess is not just a way for kids to let out their energy and have fun, it is also an opportunity to get oxygen flowing to the brain, which in turn will help improve their ability to learn. Without recess, learning subjects like math, science, reading and writing is less effective. Studies have shown that children perform better on tests after participating in recess or other physical activities.

3. Classroom activities that involve movement can improve learning

Children sitting down at their desks and listening to the teacher talk is the most traditional form of instruction but it might not be the most effective. Teachers are starting to realize that there is an improvement in retaining information when the body is doing some form of movement. Young children who are learning to count by 5s can stand up and do jumping jacks while counting “5, 10, 15, 20…” or they can recite their multiplication tables while marching in place. This seems simple, but more and more research is being done that supports the positive impact exercise has on memory and learning.

4. Rewards FIRST make homework time more effective!

When kids get home from school it seems logical to use playtime as a reward for completing homework. But since exercise improves learning and concentration then it makes more sense to encourage children to run around outside or play sports before engaging in homework assignments. If your child has a time with a tutor after school, then it is also better to schedule tutoring sessions after playtime.

5. In home tutoring sessions allow tutors to have the freedom to incorporate exercise with instruction to facilitate learning

The concept of incorporating exercise into the classroom is proving to be more and more effective, but it is not always easy to implement these practices in the classroom setting. Tutors have more flexibility with instruction methods and can easily incorporate exercise into tutoring sessions. Exercise during tutoring sessions will be more fun and engaging for your child, and it will also improve their learning capacity!

Will being a night owl student make you wealthy and wise?

Susan Cumberland Published: April 26, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 4, 2023

With most school schedules starting early in the morning, or getting to bed at a reasonable time can make or break a student’s ability to function in class. For a night owl student, it can be nearly impossible to be alert during an 8 a.m. math class (which, as we will see, can mean that tutoring sessions later in the day can help a student ‘recover’ from lost time in class which was spent being sleepy). Interestingly enough, new research suggests that a night owl student tends to end up with a higher paying, more successful career than early risers.

Can bedtimes affect success?

You’ve probably heard the saying “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. A recent article from The Independent, an online news source, suggests that this saying isn’t necessarily true. Some students have a habit of staying up late and sleeping in, and in turn struggle to function at school. This doesn’t necessarily mean that their brains are not capable of comprehending the subject material, but they may be more productive later in the day, once they’ve had a chance to fully wake up.

More students have late night tendencies

Studies have found that a lesser percentage of students naturally go to sleep early and rise early, and a greater percentage of students are more prone to habitual late nights and later rising times. Regardless of the nocturnal tendencies of this greater percentage of night owls, school still starts bright and early.

Statistics predict better grades for night owls but in reality early risers get the grades

Early rising students are more likely to get better grades in school, but one study showed that late night students ranked higher on inductive reasoning tests. This implies that they should be getting better grades as well, but the reason they do not is because they are learning at the wrong time of day.

Since schools have set schedules that start early in the morning, how can a night owl student be helped to succeed?

Since we can’t change the hours of day that the public school system operates just yet, parents with children who stay up late should still help their kids get to bed at a reasonable hour so they can get at least 8 hours of sleep. Some teenagers need even more sleep than younger children. On average teens get less than 8 hours of sleep, leaving them tired and unable to function at their full capacity during the school day.

If your late night teenager is struggling in school, consider setting an established study time or tutoring session in the late afternoon or evening for your child to work on schoolwork. It could be that they learn the subject matter just fine during a tutoring session later in the day as opposed to morning classes at school. If your child is a homeschooler, consider homeschooling tutoring appointments later in the day to see if it helps with comprehension.

Helping Kids with Autism Through Special Education Tutoring

Susan Cumberland Published: April 19, 2013 Last Updated Date: November 9, 2023

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often struggle in a large classroom setting. A variety of factors such as the language used for giving instructions, a noisy atmosphere, being surrounded by people and an ever changing activity schedule can lead to the child becoming confused, frustrated, or over stimulated.

Whether a child has a form of autism or aspergers syndrome, working with a tutor can benefit children with ASD and help them cope with the larger classroom setting. The ability to learn information is not usually the main obstacle for children with ASD, but rather the social interaction that goes along with the school environment.

Developing social skills with a private tutor

Tutors are trained to use different methods to help children develop acceptable social skills for school. Tutors can review basic skills such as saying please and thank you, learning when and how to share with others and knowing how to respond to questions. By practicing these skills and responses to questions and situations they can then implement these skills at school.

Tutors can teach kids how to recognize emotions

For children who experience difficulty recognizing emotions and expressing empathy towards others, tutors can work with the child to learn what different emotions look like and how to respond to someone who is expressing that certain emotion. Tutors can use flashcards with pictures of faces portraying various emotions to help the child identify the particular mood of the person in the picture. The tutor can then teach the child what to say to someone who is sad, such as “what is wrong?” or “are you okay?”.

Kids with ASD benefit from having a set schedule

Creating a detailed schedule for each day at school will help a child with ASD to avoid confusion. This schedule should be laminated so it can be taken with the child to school. It may be useful to tape the schedule on the child’s desk so that it is visible at all times. If they know what to expect they are more likely to go along with the rest of the class. Tutors can go over the schedule with the child and show them how to keep it with them and refer to it throughout the day. The schedule can include pictures for younger children and children with language delays.

Overstimulation in the classroom? Solution = in home tutoring sessions

Being able to focus and work on assignments while in the busy environment of the classroom can be difficult. In home tutoring provides a quiet, less distracting environment that benefits most children, but especially those on the autistic spectrum. Giving an autistic child a scheduled tutoring session where they can do schoolwork in a quiet, familiar space will help them immensely. Tutors can also give the child tips on how to focus on the paper on the desk rather than looking around the room. This can help the child when they need to focus in the classroom. Arranging for the child to be seated in the front of the classroom can also help free them of the distraction of other children.

Children with high-functioning autism and aspergers may have obsessive behaviors like organizing and arranging objects. If this is a problem in the classroom, the tutor can allow the child to engage in these types of activities after a tutoring session as a type of free-time activity. This can also be suggested to the classroom teacher as a form of rewarding the child for good behaviors.

Going through the education system for children with ASD is not easy, but with the right help and tools from teachers, parents and tutors who are willing to work together, these children can make it through. The sooner a child begins special education tutoring, the more likely they are to develop the social skills they need to succeed in life.

Book Review on Parenting the Teenage Brain: Understanding a Work in Progress

Susan Cumberland Published: April 12, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 23, 2023

Raising teenagers can be a difficult, confusing and frustrating but it can also be exciting, rewarding and full of new experiences for parents and teenagers. The book, Parenting the Teenage Brain: Understanding a Work in Progress, is a great resource for parents, teachers and tutors who interact with teens on a regular basis.

This fascinating book, by Sheryl Feinstein, looks at the developing brain of teenagers and explains why adolescents behave the way they do and how adults can help foster teenagers’ growth and development during this crucial stage in life.

Feinstein uses different scientific studies that show the spike in neural activity that is going on in certain parts of the teenage brain. This period of growth in the brain allows adolescents to absorb information and develop new skills. It also affects how they think about certain things, changes in their emotional responses, decision-making skills, how they view themselves and even the consideration of how they are viewed by others.

Most teens don’t understand what changes are taking place in their minds and bodies, therefore, they can’t explain why they do or say certain things. You may try to talk to your child about their behavior or attitude but their response is full of anger and frustration or they may tell you to just leave them alone. You are not the only one who doesn’t understand your teenage child.They also don’t understand themselves.

Teens need structure and stability at home and in school. They also need good role models to look up to. Part of helping your child to succeed is being an active part of their lives. If your teenager is having a hard time, try to talk to them about it. If there is another adult, like your child’s tutor, who your child is comfortable opening up to, ask your tutor to spend time during tutoring sessions just talking with your child. Having a tutor who is a good role model can help your teenager learn how to cope with new situations. Your child should know that they are not alone, but are part of a team.

An interesting concept, which Feinstein points out in the book, is that during adolescence, certain skills are getting hard-wired into the brain. This means that whatever teens are doing during this crucial developmental period could possibly shape their brain for the rest of their lives. For example, if a teen spends their time reading, studying, exercising, playing musical instruments etc., these parts of the brain will maintain these skills. If they are sitting around all day watching TV then their brain will not be able to develop and lock in other functions of the brain. This is referred to as the “use it or lose it” principle.

Knowing that if teens don’t use certain parts of the brain could cause them to lose the ability to develop those areas later in life is not just good for parents and teachers to know, but this principle can motivate teens to use their brains while they are young. If teens are helped to see that doing homework, reading, tutoring sessions, and sports activities will have a positive impact on their adult lives, this will motivate them to use their brain while it is still developing.

This book is full of helpful examples of how to effectively communicate with teens, parenting tips on how to make it through the teenage years, scientific facts to help adults understand typical teen behaviors, book club discussion questions and more. The more adults understand the developing teenage brain the more they will be able to accept and adapt to these changes and help facilitate this life-changing transition from teen into adulthood.

Why Certified Teachers Make For More Effective Tutors

tatvasoft Published: March 29, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 4, 2023

When looking for a tutor it is easy to assume that all tutors can provide the same services. If this were true then finding the cheapest tutor would be the way to go. However, this is not always the case and not all tutors are equally trained or qualified. In fact, tutors often have varying levels of education and teaching experience, thereby creating a wide range in terms of quality. If you are looking for someone who can help your child learn in an effective way with lasting results you should consider hiring a tutor who is a certified teacher.

Why should you hire a certified teacher as a tutor?

Certified teachers are familiar with the grade level requirements and the curriculum taught in schools. Your teenage neighbor might have the top Math and Science scores at their school, but they probably are not trained to teach the material in the most effective way. Certified teachers, on the other hand, are not only knowledgeable in different subject matters, but also have the necessary teaching skills to help students learn the subject and make noticeable progress.

Teachers care about your child’s success

A certified teacher views tutoring as a way to give students the extra instruction and attention they need in order to develop proper skills. Ultimately, as a result of the tutoring sessions, students should be able to continually excel in school, and not just to pass a test or get a good grade on a paper. Teachers who are tutors want their students to succeed in life and not just in school.

Certified teacher tutors create personalized lesson plans for each tutoring session

Lesson plans in the classroom have to be created for an entire class full of different students at varying levels. Rather than merely presenting information in a general way, as they would in a classroom setting, teachers who are tutors get to focus on one individual student. They have the flexibility to spend more time on areas that the student is struggling with. They can stop at any time during a tutoring session and work with the student on particular areas until they master the concept.

Certified teachers apply professional techniques during tutoring sessions

Certified teachers are able to perform professional assessments to determine the student’s level of understanding on particular subjects. Knowing where the student is at allows teachers to develop appropriate lesson plans for that student. Teachers are trained to keep detailed records of their student’s assessment scores so they can easily track their progress and ensure that they attain their goals.

Certified teachers are familiar with learning disabilities

Teachers are trained to recognize learning disabilities and can thereby adapt teaching methods and use various strategies to enable students to learn according to theirlearning styles. If a student has a limited attention span, such as someone with ADHD or other behavioral disorders, the teachers will know how to facilitate learning during tutoring sessions. Teachers have experience with behavior management so they can use certain techniques to help the student focus during tutoring sessions and can even teach the student to apply these focusing techniques at school.

Benefits of having a Certified Teacher as a tutor:

Tutors spend regular one-on-one time with a student, which is not usually possible in a classroom setting. A teacher who gets to spend personal time with the student will get to know the student’s specific strengths, needs, learning styles as well as their attention span and capacity. Being able to focus on developing specific needs during one-one-one tutoring sessions will have more effective results than being in a large classroom setting.

Hiring certified teacher tutors might be more expensive than hiring a high school or university student. However, having a tutor who is a certified teacher can make a huge difference in the quality and effectiveness of tutoring sessions. The quality of the tutor will show in the advancement and progress of the student. Furthermore, certified teachers can also offer advice to parents on activities to do with the student that will benefit their education and make tutoring sessions even more profitable.

Math Tutoring Tips for Children with Different Learning Styles

Susan Cumberland Published: March 15, 2013 Last Updated Date: May 18, 2023

Math can be a challenging subject for many children. This does not mean that your child is incapable of learning how to do Math. Math Tutors may need to get creative in order to help students with different learning styles, but it can be a fun learning process for the student and the Math Tutor.

Here are some math tutoring tips you can try out in your tutoring sessions with a child:

“Draw Out” Your Math Tutoring Sessions

Visual Learners benefit from working with charts and diagrams and drawing pictures. The perfect way to make Math Tutoring sessions more profitable for visual learners is to let them draw pictures. Using a dry erase board with different colored markers will allow the student to draw as many pictures as necessary until they understand the concept. Math tutors can also make flashcards for students learning addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division tables. Consider drawing pictures next to the numbers. For example, instead of writing 5+5 on the front and 10 on the back, add 2 sets of 5 apples next to the numbers with ten apples on the back.

Turn Your Math Tutoring Session into Story Time!

For the Verbal Learner, staring at pages of numbers is a nightmare. Verbal learners benefit from being able to use words to solve problems. The solution is Story Problems! This will take Math Tutors some extra preparation time, but it will be worth it. By turning the plain number problems into story problems you can turn the Math Tutoring session from frustrating to entertaining. When solving the problem, encourage the student to talk through their thought process. Once they solve the problem they can write out their answer using words. This type of learning will be much more meaningful and useful to the verbal learner.

Musical Math Tutoring

For Audio Learners one of the best ways to learn is by turning the subject matter into a song. Again this will take some preparation. Math Tutors don’t need to worry about composing a masterpiece. Just a simple tune to memorize multiplication tables can help the Audio learner keep the facts in their memory. Try using a familiar song like “The Farmer in the Dell and then singing “2 times 2 is 4, 2 times 2 is 4, Heigh-ho, the derry-o 2 times 2 is 4” it is a simple tune and it will help the student remember the equation. Plus it will make the Math Tutoring session a lot of fun.

Turn A Math Tutoring Session into a Pizza Party

The Kinesthetic Learner may struggle to sit still during Math Tutoring sessions. Instead of forcing them to sit still and concentrate on a paper full of Math problems let them do some hands on activities. Using manipulatives is very effective and easy to incorporate into Math learning activities. Use blocks or small objects to demonstrate addition and subtraction. For a division problem such as 15 ÷ 3 = 5) Math tutors can ask the student to gather 15 blocks. then have the student divide the blocks into 3 equal groups so that they can see that there are 5 blocks in each group. When dealing with fractions, rather than looking at a diagram of a pie, why not use an actual pie or a pizza to talk about fractions at the end of your Tutoring Session you can enjoy eating it together!

Try out these Math Tutoring tips during your next Math Tutoring Session. Get creative and come up with your own new ideas. The most important thing is to remember that there are simple things you can adapt to benefit each different learning style and to help each individual student succeed.