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How Parents and Tutors Can Help Children Recognize Their Learning Styles

Susan Cumberland March 8, 2013

In order to help your child succeed, you and your child’s tutor should spend the time to identify what types of learning styles your child has. Together you can encourage them and work with them during tutoring sessions to use study methods that complement their particular learning styles.

All children are unique. Not one has the exact same personality, likes or dislikes. When it comes to schoolwork, children maintain their differences in terms of learning styles. We often expect that all children should learn in the same way. Traditional educational systems can make some children appear to be excellent learners, while others seem to struggle. This may not reflect your child’s abilities. Helping children recognize their particular learning styles could help them succeed in school. Your tutor can create lessons that bring out the best in your child’s abilities if they are aware of your child’s learning style.

Different Learning Styles to know for tutoring sessions:

Spatial/Visual Learning Style:

Learn best by seeing and observing. They learn well with pictures, charts, diagrams and color-coding. The visual learner may benefit from using flash cards for memorization. Spatial learners tend to be creative and artistic as well.

Audio/Musical Learning Style:

Receiving information aurally is usually the easiest way for an Audio learner. Most children with this learning style also have musical tendencies or abilities. Putting information into tunes or songs can help with memorization and learning.

Verbal/Linguistic Learning Style:

This type of learner uses words to understand the subject matter. They learn well in lecture settings, taking notes and reading subject material. They may want to talk through a problem or write it down in order to get a clear understanding of the subject.

Physical/Kinesthetic Learning Style:

Some people learn best by doing. Even if they read about it or hear about it, the understanding will click when they can go through the motions themselves. Using manipulatives and hands on activities as well as role-playing can be helpful for the more physical learners.

Logical/Mathematical Learning Style:

This type of learner likes to take information and figure out how and why. Some people refer to this learning style as Mathematical because these types of learners often excel in Math and Science. They easily understand number problems and are able to do quick mental calculations.

Social/Interpersonal Learning Style:

These types of learners enjoy social interaction. They may be willing participants in class discussions and group projects. They are able to relate to and empathize with others. Social learners may benefit from study groups rather than independent study.

Solitary/Intrapersonal Learning Style:

Some children learn best on their own. They may need to be able to focus in an environment free of noise and distractions. They may be reluctant to join class discussions even if they have relevant information or know the answer to the question.

All of these learning styles are not distinct or separate. Many people fall into more than one category. Some people learn a particular way pertaining to one particular subject and another way for a different subject.

Regardless of the learning styles that your child may have, there are ways to help them succeed in school. By determining what type of learner they are, you and your tutor can help them to use certain study strategies that will help them do their school work in the way that best fits their particular learning style.

A Winning Tutoring Team: Parent, Student and Tutor Collaboration

Susan Cumberland March 1, 2013

Working together as a team to help your child succeed.

Rather than parents and tutors feeling that they are helpless and unable to do anything to get their children to do their schoolwork they should consider that they are part of a tutoring team. If the Parents, Tutor and Student can work together this will help your child succeed.

1. Communication is the key to making the Tutoring Team work:

The first thing a team does is they get to know one another. Spend some quality time with your child. Talk about things that they enjoy. Encourage your child’s Tutor to also spend the time to get to know your child.

Your child may not understand why they even need to be doing their homework in the first place. Consider having a talk with your child and your child’s tutor to discuss why they need to do homework and how it will help them for the rest of their lives. Much of what we learn comes from repeated practice over time. This will help your child understand why doing homework is important.

2. Establish each member’s role in the Tutoring Team:

Each member of a team plays an important role. A Tutoring Team is no different. There is the need for supportive parents, who care about their child’s success. The student should try their best to work hard and to work with their parents and their tutor. Tutors also play a supporting role to help establish lesson plans that can be adapted to the individual student’s learning styles.

3. Setting Team goals to work toward during Tutoring Sessions:

The next thing a team does is to establish a goal. What are you trying to accomplish as a team? You all are working together so that the student can master the specific skills that they need to learn and be able to advance to the next level. Establish specific goals with specific rewards. Involving your child in this process will help them to take ownership of their schoolwork.

4. Consistency and Keeping up the Moral of the Team: Don’t set your child up to fail

It is important to find ways to help your child succeed at doing schoolwork. Try to set tutoring sessions during a time when your child is the most productive – this could be different for each child. Some children are able to do their homework as soon as they come home from school while others may need some down time to play and release some energy. Others may work better after dinner. As long as you and your tutor are consistent and help your child stick to their scheduled homework and tutoring time- you will see your child is more likely to succeed.

5. Having the Proper Practice (Tutoring) Space and Equipment:

All teams need a place to practice and the proper equipment in order to improve their skills. Make sure that your child and tutor have the space and materials they need for their tutoring sessions. Your child’s Math Tutor may need to use a whiteboard or have access to a CD player or computer. Having the Space and materials can make all the difference!

If you view yourself as part of a Tutoring Team you will be more committed and active in your child’s learning process. When the Team wins a game or when your child starts to improve at school you will feel even more proud because of the part you played to help your child accomplish their goals.

5 Homework Tactics For Parents And Tutors To Get Kids Learning

Susan Cumberland February 22, 2013

If your child has a hard time doing their homework and you feel like you are constantly fighting with them to get them to sit still and concentrate, then here are some useful homework tactics for parents and tutors that will make your child’s homework time more pleasant and productive.

1. Schedule Homework Time and Tutoring Sessions

Your child might put up a fight any time you ask them to do their homework, but in most cases children actually do want and need some structure and guidelines for their schedule in order to be productive. Just like adults need to keep a schedule in order to be productive, children benefit from knowing exactly what needs to get done and when it needs to be completed. Enforcing a scheduled homework time for your child might seem harsh, but it will actually show your child that you care about them and they will appreciate that, even if they don’t show it.

2. Positive Reinforcement and Rewards

All children need some motivation. You and your child may decide that if they complete their homework for five days in a row they will receive a reward, like their favorite dinner or dessert. Sticker charts are an excellent way to keep a record of your child’s progress. Make the chart visible so that your child can be reminded of what is required of them and how they are doing in terms of completing their goal. During tutoring sessions this same method can be used by your tutor so you are all working toward the same goal.

3. Parents and Tutors Setting a Good Example of Learning

You can be a positive example to your child by learning new things yourself. The best way human beings learn is by observing and mimicking behaviors. If your child sees that you are learning new things (such as reading educational books or learning a new language), they will realize you are not forcing them to do something you are not willing to do yourself. Talk to your child about something that you learned that day and ask your tutor to spend time during tutoring sessions to talk with your child about things that they are learning and what helped them in the learning process.

4. Homework is for Students NOT Parents or Tutors!

Don’t do your child’s work for them and don’t let your child’s tutor do it for them either. When it comes time to doing homework, parents need to realize that helping too much and doing your child’s homework for them really isn’t helping them learn the subject matter. The teacher sends work home with the students so that they can find out how the students are doing, how much they have already learned, and what they need more help with. What you can do is to help your child focus, sit with them and explain the assignment to them, but don’t do the work for them.

5. Proper Learning Environment for Homework Time and Tutoring Sessions

This last tactic is so basic that it may be overlooked by most parents. All children need to have a proper workspace to do their homework. This space will differ based on the child, but could be at their personal desk in their bedroom, at the kitchen table, or a table in a quiet room free from distractions. This same principle can be applied to a space for tutoring sessions by making sure the tutoring session occurs in an environment that is conducive to your child’s learning.

All of these tips can be geared toward your individual child. If you have more than one child- you may need to adapt these tactics in ways to meet each of your child’s different needs. Ultimately, regardless of your child’s style of learning, personality, and interests your role as parents is to support them to be independent learners.

Maximize the Benefit of Having a Math Tutor in Vancouver Island BC, And Run Errands at the Same Time!

Susan Cumberland November 26, 2012

If your child is struggling with Math they will benefit from having an in-home tutor. There are local Math Tutors in Vancouver Island, B.C who are skilled at making learning easier. They create lesson plans and activities that will make Math applicable to your child and make learning interesting and exciting to them. Because your Math Tutor can only spend a few hours a week with your child, there are ways you can help your child learn and maximize the benefit of having a Math Tutor in Vancouver Island, B.C.

Can going grocery shopping help your math tutor in Vancouver Island BC? You bet it can!

Going to the grocery store can be turned into one of the most useful and practical educational experiences. Your Math tutor cannot take your child to the store with them, but this is a normal weekly or even daily activity for most families in Vancouver Island.

As adults, we use mental math and estimation each time we do our shopping. We are comparing prices, considering what brand of milk is worth more per gallon, estimating about how much chicken broth will fit in the crock pot for tomorrow night’s soup. Even quickly multiplying how much chicken to buy for your family and the guests coming over for dinner. You probably don’t realize that you are using Math skills because it is such a normal part of everyday life. As your children grow up, they will also be required to use these same skills.

Why not include your child in the grocery shopping process. It may take them a little longer to figure out what to buy, but it will be good practice for using Math in every day life- and they may even enjoy it and want to go shopping with you more often!

Turn shopping into a game instead of a chore. Formulate a story problem by asking your child to figure out how many chicken drumsticks to buy if every one will eat 2 pieces and there are 5 guests coming for dinner and also including the 4 members in your family. They will need to do some addition and multiplication to figure out that they need 18 pieces of chicken. Then follow up the question by asking them how many total kilograms the packages of chicken weigh or how many dozen pieces there are.

You can even incorporate some healthy learning into your shopping trip as well. Give your child the challenge of finding the yogurt with the least amount of fat and the one with the greatest percentage of fat. Then ask them how many grams less the lowest fat yogurt has. Then let them choose the yogurt they think is the healthier option.

When buying toilet paper most companies advertise the number of sheets in each roll. Ask your child to find the toilet paper with the best value. Even if it takes you a little longer to accomplish your regular shopping, consider it an extension of your Math Tutoring sessions.

Involving them in shopping for ingredients and choosing items at the store will keep your child engaged instead of bored and dragging their feet following you up and down the aisles. There are many more ways to incorporate educational activities into your daily life. Your Math Tutor will thank you!

How to help your French Tutor in Vancouver Island, B.C. by encouraging French Learning at Home

Susan Cumberland November 23, 2012

Learning a language can be difficult for a child if they are only studying it a few hours a week. The best way to learn a language is to be fully immersed in it. If you moved to a French speaking country, your child would pick up the language in no time. However, there are ways to facilitate your child’s learning and help your French tutor in Vancouver Island, B.C. by encouraging French learning at home and in your daily activities.

1. Your French tutor may be teaching your child French songs. Try to learn these with your child so that they can practice the language at home. Singing is one of the best and most ancient ways of memorization. You can even ask your French Tutor to sing more songs to your child so they can grasp the subject easier.

2. If your child is learning about French culture, consider cooking French food with them. Ask your French tutor to spend some time introducing French foods and recipes during the tutoring session. You can also help your child use their French by using the French names for foods you eat regularly like fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, etc.

3. Do role playing activities together. After making a French meal, set up the dining room like a French restaurant. They can write a script with their French tutor. First they can practice being the server, explaining what the food is and how to take the orders. Then they can also practice being the guest and learn the proper way to order their food just as if they were in a restaurant in France. Take this a step further by taking your child to a local French restaurant in Vancouver Island and let them order their meal in French.

4. Play familiar card or number games (using French). Any opportunity to count in French will ingrain the French numbers into your child’s memory. Play games that require counting such as dice or card games. Cribbage is a game that uses counting as well as addition, so they can practice French and Math at the same time.

5. Find children’s books written in French that your child can read with you and with the French Tutor. Try to find a book that your child is already familiar with and that they enjoy reading. Encourage them to read aloud so they can practice their pronunciation.

6. Turn your house into an interactive flash card. Ask your French Tutor to make labels for things around the house such as the window, table, refrigerator, closet, light, etc. and post them around the house so that your child gets used to seeing the French word when they look at the objects.

7. Let your French Tutor know about the subjects that interest your child, so they can use them as conversation ideas during their tutoring sessions.

These are just a few ways you can increase your child’s interest and practice of the French language. You will see improvement in their skills and at the same time they will be enjoying the learning process with you and with your French tutor.

How to Make Math More Fun during Math Tutor Sessions

Susan Cumberland October 14, 2012

Teaching young kids as a math tutor is one of the most enriching experiences you are going to have. Their innocence and perpetual sense of wonder will warm your heart but their fragile ego and short attention span will make teaching difficult. You might be facing a lot of challenges as a math tutor because it is a subject that tends to get boring without the help of visual aids. Use imagination, creativity and some simple tricks to transform your math tutorials into sessions the kids will look forward to.

Integrate Math tutoring with real life

As a math tutor (whether you are a parent or hired help), tell the kids about the history of math. How mathematics was invented, what are its applications in real life, what were the ancient methods of counting (like the barter system), how math is a part of almost all daily activities and so on. Once children know how the subject relates to real life they will be more interested in learning it.

You can use the daily sports section in your newspaper and relate it to math problems. Calculating winning percentages, baseball scores and batting averages directly out of the newspapers will excite the kids and give them something different to do than solving textbook problems.

Use real coins to teach currency values instead of plastic/cardboard cut outs. Kids love to touch and use “grown up” things, and real money is sure to hold their interest.

Use the names of your students in the math problems. This will make them laugh and then listen carefully. For example, if there is a girl named Daisy in your tutoring sessions, say “Daisy had three chocolates and lost two.”

Give Incentives to motivate while tutoring Math

Foster healthy competition. Arrange informal competitions like “math wiz of the week” for the best performer of the week. You can also announce small treats like candy or marshmallows as prizes for solving an especially difficult problem or asking intelligent questions.

Publicly acknowledge sincere efforts as kids love to be praised. You can also tell their parents about how well their kids are doing in the math tutorials. Kids are generally super-sensitive, so never insult, mock or scold them in public. Treat them with patience and respect and they will fall in love with the subject.

Some work and some play while being a Math tutor

Include recreational activities in your math tutorials. Allow the kids to count with interesting pasta or breakfast cereal. Create a pool of used toys from your friends and neighbors and make the tutoring environment a kid friendly place.

Colorful Lego blocks can be used for teaching shapes, as they are a fun substitute to the textbooks that almost all children hate.

Involve the parents too as good teaching is a team effort. Ask for genuine feedback about the kid’s interest level in math and whether the pupil is more inclined towards the subject after the math tutoring sessions.

Customize your teaching style according to the personality of the student. When talking to a little girl, introduce pink teddy bears or dollhouses in the math problems. Similarly, if a little boy loves hockey, give him an addition problem to solve about hockey sticks. Make mathematics fun for the kids and they will love you as their math tutor!