What to do when your Child doesn’t like their Teacher

picture from Joanne Johnson

It’s inevitable that during the course of your child’s academic career, they will encounter educators that they don’t get along with. Whether the conflict arises from a misunderstanding or a personality clash, it’s important that the situation be dealt with in a constructive and positive way. Teachers are professionals who are trained to treat students with dignity and respect and students must learn to do the same.

Talk about It

Students will often make sweeping statements like: “The teacher hates me.” You need to understand exactly what this means. Ask your child to explain why they think this and give examples of situations in which the teacher has behaved in a way that would make them feel that way. Ensure that they are not misunderstanding the situation or that they aren’t reacting negatively to being disciplined.

Role Play

One of the best ways to work through a difficult situation is to allow your student to deal with it themselves. Over the course of their lives, they will encounter managers, neighbors and people that they don’t get along with. Learning to navigate these difficult relationships is a fundamental tenant of happiness.

Start by discussing ways in which the student can deal with situations that make them uncomfortable. Role play situations that may occur in the classroom and discuss different ways of dealing with these events so that they feel prepared and confident. Allowing them to deal with the situation can be a constructive learning experience.

Be Diplomatic

If the problem persists and you feel like you need to take action, don’t be aggressive or angry. Remember that your child will have to deal with the teacher and try to smooth over the situation rather than inflaming it.

Start by explaining the way your child feels and then ask the teacher if they have any idea why your child feels that way. Really listen to their side of the story. You should say things like: “Jane is upset and I need to understand why she feels this way.” Assume that it is a misunderstanding and don’t make teachers feel like they are under attack. The ideal situation here is to promote understanding and cooperation.

Last Resort

If you feel that the teacher is not responding well to your child or if the situation deteriorates and your child’s academic performance suffers, it may be time to take a trip to the principal’s office. Remember to do so when you are cool, calm and collected. Explain the situation clearly and provide constructive suggestions which can lead to resolution. Perhaps moving the student to a different class may be an option. Be patient and persistent. Having a positive experience at school is essential in maintaining your child’s constructive attitude to education and academic performance. Be an agent for resolution and positive change to turn a negative experience for your child into a positive learning opportunity on how to navigate relationships with authority figures.

Overcoming Test Anxiety

pic by Collegedegrees 360

Many students suffer from anxiety when they have to prepare for and write tests and exams. Some get nervous because they are ill-prepared, while others get bogged down in stress regardless of how well-prepared they may be. When students are anxious, they are unhappy and their stress can negatively impact their ability to prepare for a test and their performance on the day. You can help your students to overcome their exam anxiety for a happier, healthier learning experience.

Symptoms of test anxiety

Anxiety may be accompanied by physical symptoms like head and stomach aches, nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, loss of appetite and vomiting. There can emotional symptoms too like irritability, anger and fear. When students have to operate under this kind of duress for extended periods, they lose focus.

Anxiety can inhibit their ability to concentrate and affect their memory. Higher cognitive functioning also suffers, making it harder for them to solve problems and comprehend complex data. Anxiety also impacts their ability to sleep and reduces appetite. Not getting enough rest or healthy nutrition affects memory and overall academic performance.

Stress busters

Start from the very beginning by setting realistic academic goals for your students. Help them to get organized by scheduling sufficient study time to prepare adequately for upcoming exams. Don’t do all the organization for them, rather teach them how to record all their upcoming papers and tests and how to organize their time.

Ascertain whether their anxiety stems from a genuine feeling of being overwhelmed. Are they struggling with a subject? If they just aren’t coping, help them to catch up and keep up by getting them an in-home tutor. One-on-one tutors can discover the missing building blocks in your student’s knowledge and skill set and can remedy this so that your student has a solid academic foundation to build on.

Tutors are also able to teach study skills and time management while showing your student how to organize information in a way that suits their learning style. They can help them to build confidence and provide the skills your student needs to work independently.

Happy thoughts

A positive attitude and confidence are two of the most vital arrows in your student’s academic quiver. If they have an inner dialogue that says they are dumb, just can’t do it or that they are bad at math or science, then that has to change.

Help them to recognize these negative thought patterns and to catch themselves when they fall into bad attitude traps. When they have a negative thought, they need to stop, take a deep breath and replace it with a positive one. You can help by focusing on positive reinforcement when they are on the right track.

Sweet dreams and healthy meals

Getting enough sleep is essential to a stellar academic performance. Ensure that your student doesn’t stay up too late studying, limit sugar intake and make sure they get enough sleep.

While most students like to live on sugar and junk food while they hit the books, opt for healthy, nutritious meals. The brain only takes up 2% of your body mass, but it uses 20% of the energy. So give your rocket the right fuel to function.

For More Information

Family Education Network: www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,66-2127,00.html

The American Institute of Stress: www.stress.org

How to Choose the Right College

It’s that time of year when prospective students are eagerly awaiting acceptance letters into their favorite schools. No doubt you have applied to more than one college and if you have several attractive offers, you want to make the right choice. It can be really difficult to decide between schools, so here is a little guide on how to go about making the right choice. 

Make a list, check it twice
Write down all the things that you are looking for in a school in order of importance. The most important option should be the course you want to take so that should go on the very top of the list. Follow this with other factors and facilities that you find essential to the success of your academic career. The second half of the list should contain the considerations that you would like to have in your future school. These could include things like size; some students prefer the intimacy of smaller colleges while other students like big schools because they can meet new people. 

Take a holistic approach
When finding the best fit for you, consider not only your academic needs, but also your personality and interests. You need to find a school that suits you in order for you to excel. You should include factors like location, sports, your budget, the facilities provided by the school, the lecturers who will be giving your chosen courses, course requirements, etc. Now you can compare schools in terms of how many boxes they tick on the ‘essentials’ list and on your ‘wish’ list. This helps you to accurately select the best school for you.

Ask all the questions
By the time you are ready to make your choice, you should have visited each of your colleges and you should know everything you need to know in order to make your decision. Do your research on each school so you know exactly what you will be getting. 

Set a deadline
There’s nothing worse than waiting in limbo, so set yourself a deadline for making your final decision. Take enough time to carefully consider your options, but don’t get bogged down in indecision. Set a date, make a decision and then more forward with your planning. 

Communicate
Your family, friends and teachers are all excited and invested in your decision. While you may feel pressure from different quarters to make a decision, don’t shut down communication. Listen carefully to advice, then take time to make your own decision. Communicate with your counselors, parents and teachers so that they can help you come to the right decision for you. Choosing the right college is a tough decision and it will affect the next four years of your life, so take your time and trust your instincts. Good luck!

Deal with Exam Stress Like A Pro

As exam season approaches, most students experience heightened anxiety. Compounded by lack of sleep and pressure to perform, exam stress can be your worst enemy and prevents you from performing at your peak. While it’s a fact that your grades will be better if you are calm during exams, this often easier said than done. If you suffer from exam stress, then here are some practical ways you can regain control. It’s all in the Planning Part of the reason you feel nervous when taking exams is because you don’t feel prepared. If you plan ahead and ensure that you have enough time to study for your exam, this won’t be a problem. Start early and give yourself tons of time to study. If you feel confident in your knowledge and abilities, you will be able to perform at your peak. Ask your teacher for previous exams so that you can practice. This means you can also get accustomed to the way in which your teacher asks questions. Ask your tutor to help with your exam preparation. Your tutor can identify gaps in your knowledge, help you to create a study schedule and go through old exam papers with you. Get enough Sleep Don’t stay up late cramming; lack of sleep will lead to poor academic performance. Getting your eight hours is the best way to ensure that you are able to use your higher cognitive functions when you are writing your exam. A good night’s sleep will mean you are able to remember more, concentrate longer and problem solve with ease. If you are having trouble sleeping, try exercise and drink lots of water. Avoid stimulants like coffee and sports drinks, and eat a healthy diet. On the Day Don’t leave home late – ensure that there is no pre-exam rushing around. This only adds stress that you don’t need. Leave home with tons of time to spare. If you arrive early, walk around and breathe deeply. You can say hi to your friends, but avoid talking about the exam. When you get your exam paper, read all of the questions and don’t worry if there are some you aren’t sure of. Decide how much time you are going to spend on each question so that you don’t run out. Now start with the easiest questions first. This will help to build your confidence and get your brain working. After the exam is over, try to forget about it. Don’t go over the answers with your friends and get worried about what you did or didn’t write. Instead, go home and relax. The exam period is a long one and you don’t want to stress yourself out about exams you have already written; focus instead on the exams that you still have to write. Relax, you’ve Got This! Your greatest enemy is often yourself. If you start thinking negatively or start to worry that you don’t have enough time, are going to fail or wish you had started earlier… Stop! I know it sounds easier than it actually is, but negative thinking will have a damaging effect on your exam results. If your brain gets on the hamster wheel of doubt and negative thoughts start going round in your head, get up and go do something fun. Take a walk, visit a friend or go for a run. Moving around and distracting yourself will help you to stop being a worry wart. Now replace that negative thought with a positive one. Every time you catch yourself thinking: “I’m not going to make it”, replace that with something positive. After all, you got this! See more here:

Eat Your Way to Academic Success

While your brain only takes up 2% of your body weight, it consumes up to 20% of the energy you eat. Whether you are studying, writing an exam or listening to a lecture, your brain needs fuel to function optimally. In fact, your brain cells need twice as much energy as any other cells in your body. That means that the better you eat, the better your brain will function. Your brain needs a constant supply of fuel. Without glucose, your memory and cognitive functioning is impaired. When your brain has no fuel to function, you will have trouble concentrating and solving problems which makes it very difficult to perform academic tasks well. Not all fuel is created equally so if your brain doesn’t get the right food, it may have the same effect as having no food at all. This means that refined carbohydrates and sugar can deprive the brain of glucose which means you will have trouble concentrating, solving problems, remembering and learning. This means that junk food, candy, donuts and fried foods won’t help to fuel your brain. You need to get the glucose and other fuel for your brain from healthy sources like whole grains, proteins, fruit and vegetables. Brains need iron which can be found in green leafy vegetables like spinach. It also needs B vitamins which can be found in grains, eggs and nuts. While vitamin supplements can help, they are no substitute for proper meals. Eating regularly helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable, so ensure you eat at least three meals a day. If you go too long between meals, you will feel tired and you will have trouble concentrating. 

For breakfasts, choose whole-wheat breads and cereals, eggs, fruit and yogurt over muffins or donuts. 

For lunches, opt for a vegetable soup, a salad, or a healthy sandwich. 

For dinner, focus on protein (fish is brain food!) and vegetables. 

If you need to snack, go for fruits and nuts rather than candy. 

Here are some foods that your brain will really love: 

Wild salmon: packed with essential fatty acids like Omega-3, salmon is a great source of protein. 
Whole grains: bran, whole wheat, oatmeal, brown rice and wheat germ all contain lots of vitamin B6 and folate which increases the flow of blood to the brain. 
Leafy greens like spinach, kale and cabbage which are filled with vitamins B6, B12, Iron and folate. 
Seeds and nuts: from peanuts and pecans to pistachios and sunflower seeds, natural nuts and grains contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which lift your mood while the thiamine and magnesium improve your memory. 
Green tea: Much better than coffee or soda, green tea is packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. Akai berries and blueberries: Berries are packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins and protein. Akai berries also have omega-3 fatty acids. -

 See more at: http://tutordoctor.com

Does your student have X-Skills?

A few years ago, the ACT Company released the results of a study titled The Forgotten Middle which concluded that how a student performs by the end of 8^th grade is the best indicator of how successful they will be in college and beyond and their evidence proved this by an overwhelming margin. To some this might be a surprising revelation. Many would intuitively assume that high school academic performance would be more of a predictive factor; however, the results of The Forgotten Middle study demonstrated that, by the time a student starts high school, the die may have already been cast. 

An interesting facet of the report's conclusions was that the single greatest factor which influenced success was not academic knowledge, but academic discipline. This includes skills such as planning and organization; follow-through and action; and sustained effort. All of these X-skills fall into a category known as Executive Functions, which are described as the skills human beings develop to execute tasks independently.

Within this context, it is not surprising that 8^th grade performance provides an early-warning system for post-secondary college or career readiness. If a student is not well on their way to developing the skills necessary to organize, prioritize and execute a multitude of competing tasks at the middle school level, they may find themselves falling further behind in high school and less prepared for the rigor of college or establishing a career.

Of course, students with limited or fragile academic foundations will feel the effects of this more than students who have established strong academic foundations prior to 8^th grade. However, even those students who have been very successful in their academics through middle school may find that they need to work on their organizational and prioritization skills to sustain that high level of academic performance while pursuing an advanced high school curriculum. In particular, they may find that they need to focus more effort on their prioritization and time-management skills.

For the most part, students can be coached to improve the skills which contribute to strong academic discipline. In order to be effective though, this type of coaching does require the willing participation of the student, as well as, the participation of a mentor or parent to provide accountability. For parents who are interested in learning more about how to develop their students' executive skill set, they can call Tutor Doctor of the Hamptons for a FREE consultation.

Source: Rob Rosedale

Handling ADHD: Tips from Teachers

What do Howie Mandel, Justin Timberlake, Richard Branson, Michael Phelps and Jim Carey have in common? They have all been diagnosed with ADHD. Knowing that successful people not only cope with ADHD, but use all that energy and enthusiasm to fuel their careers can be a wonderful motivator for students and parents. With a few tips from the experts, you can find an academic solution that helps your students to shine.

Talk to your teachers
This is the most important step in the process. Your teachers will have experience dealing with ADHD students and they can help to set up a routine at school and communicate with your student in a way that they both find helpful.

Speak to your teacher about where to place your student in the classroom to minimize distraction.

Communication is key for your student to get the most out of every class so make sure that you speak with your teachers regularly to discuss issues or upcoming assignments and tests.

Routine
Try to perform daily tasks at the same time as this helps to focus energy and gives a pattern to the day that will help you and your student to stay organized and on top of homework.

Communication
Students may seem willful but often they just get distracted when you are speaking with them. When giving instructions or directions, use concise language and keep it short. Ask your student to repeat instructions to ensure that they have heard you.

Visible Schedules
Make sure homework tasks, assignments and upcoming tests and exams are listed on a schedule that is very accessible. Use a white board in the kitchen, or a smartphone app or a calendar in the bedroom; anything to help remind your student of the tasks that need to be completed.

Homework space
Ensure that the space where your student studies is well lit, quiet and free from distraction. Ensure that other siblings don’t offer additional distractions and that there is an environment conducive to learning.

Regular bedtimes
Ensure that your student gets enough sleep or they may have trouble concentrating in class.

Break it down
When students begin to feel overwhelmed by a particularly big task or when they feel like they have too much to do, help them to break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. Set out a schedule with each small task written down to show that it’s manageable. Focusing on small short term goals will help to keep them focused and involved.

See more at: http://tutordoctor.com

How Social Media makes Social Learning more Effective

Social learning has around since the 1970’s when Albert Bandura suggested that learning is a social activity. Social learning theory postulates that learning occurs when students observe behaviors and mimic them. This includes the observation of rewards and punishments for behaviors. When harnessing this theory to effect change in the classroom, teachers can use social media to create a wider conversation and include other influential players. If used correctly, social media can be a real asset when teaching through social learning.

As parents you have already experienced social learning as your young students mimic your behavior and learn from your actions. Now with social media, you can augment the social learning opportunities at home and in the classroom by introducing your students to a wider audience of influencers. What this means is that our educators and tutors are still mentors and models, but they are required to relinquish some of their authority to the community of learners as students learn from each other.

With social media, this community is not restricted to the students in the classroom, but can also include students from around the world and all the resources that the Internet makes available. Now we have an entire network of teachers, tutors and learners all contributing to our body of knowledge and sharing their experiences. While social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest can provide a wealth of learning opportunities, they can also serve as distractions that eat up an enormous amount of time without contributing anything to your student’s body of knowledge. This means that social media can be a blessing or a curse and needs to be managed effective to achieve the desired results. Teachers and tutors need to outline lesson plans, goals and guidelines to direct social media actions and continually enforce these guidelines to add a structure to social media interactions.

Social media is a wonderful tool to use in social learning, but it must be structured in order to be effective. Students learn more when there is a human connection to their content. This means that they are more likely to remember an exciting video on a lab experiment than if they read the experiment in a text book. Social media makes this possible as students can watch videos of scientific experiments on YouTube and discuss them with other students in forum portals. Social media also caters for all learning styles thanks to its multi-media capabilities. Students can talk to other learners, tutors and teachers, read blogs, watch videos and study graphics. No matter what kind of style your student responds to, they are bound to find the information they are looking for in a format they like. Social media also caters to students with different learning speeds. The faster they learn, the more there is for them to discover. Students who work quickly have an endless wealth of resources to explore on the internet. Social media gives active learners the opportunity to explore and discover. They can work as fast or as slowly as they like and interact with their community and with the information in a format that suits them best. -copied from:Tutor Doctor