The Best Way to Teach Your Child The Right Skills

The Best Way to Teach Your Child The Right SkillsThe first and best thing to do in order to make your child a good student is to take tutoring sessions. There are many who will tell you that taking education lessons from tutors is only a waste of time. Although this is true in the case of most kids, but if your child needs more instruction on how to read or work on their mathematical skills, then it would be helpful for them to take these lessons from tutors.Aside from learning to read, children need to learn how to use books and pens as well as how to write letters and numbers. If your child needs to know some basic skills such as math and reading, then it would be beneficial for them to see tutors.Family members can also teach your child certain skills. For example, if you and your husband know a lot about shopping, then your children would be taught how to shop. In this way, the lesson of how to shop will be passed down to your child, thus, making it easier for them to learn the s kills needed to shop.Math is a very useful skill in this world today, and this is why tutoring sessions are very important to parents. With many different math related lessons to choose from, you can find something that fits your child's learning style. You will need to select a math lesson that your child would enjoy as well as that will teach them the necessary skills to do well in school.To help your child with the math lessons, you need to make sure that you are able to set a lesson plan. This way, you will be able to determine which lesson will be the most effective for your child. Make sure that you give them enough time in each session, so that they will be able to finish the lessons.If you have problems organizing your child's lesson schedule, then you can consider using an activity calendar. This will help you see the overall progress your child has made in the previous lessons and on which topic they will be learning next.Not only do you need to take tutoring sessions for your child, but you also need to make sure that your child is attending to the right courses. For example, if your child is still not interested in learning to read, then it would be better if you send them to a teacher who can teach them how to read. This way, you can ensure that your child learns to read.

Mastering Your MCAT Prep Consistency is Key

Mastering Your MCAT Prep Consistency is Key MCAT Medical School Admissions In my years as a scientist, I have found that in a world as diverse and unpredictable as our own, it is paramount to remain consistent in the ways we study the world and conduct experiments. Good studies need to have control groups that do not receive treatment and reflect the status quo. Likewise, when preparing to battle the beast that is the MCAT, consistency is key. While the ideas below are broadly relevant to any type of standardized exam, they are particularly important when preparing for the MCAT. Why? Because the MCAT requires memorization of so many facts across multiple subject areas, understanding of a broad range of concepts, and the ability to focus to apply these facts and concepts to correctly answer difficult questions. The GMAT by contrast, a test taken for admission to graduate business school, requires absolutely no knowledge of business subjects at all. Here are a few factors to consider keeping consistent when preparing for the MCAT. Do you use caffeine regularly? Do you always have a cup or two of coffee and ride that caffeine buzz while you’ve been studying over the last 1-3 months? If yes, you should try your best to avoid making any drastic changes (and thus, your physiology) leading up to your exam. If you’re always stimulated with caffeine or other stimulants while studying, you want to make sure you’ve recreated those same conditions on test day. Your brain actually stores the information you’re learning in a fashion where recall is easier if you are able to reproduce that same state of mind. Therefore, try not to start or discontinue use of caffeine before the exam. What is your posture/position like when you study? Are you someone that likes to sit in your bed and study? How study about lying down? Perhaps you regularly study in a hammock out on the beach by the ocean…If yes, you’ll probably want to change your study strategy for several reasons. As you may know, you will be sitting down, in a chair, at a desk and in front of a computer on test day. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, sitting with good posture is important! It really allows your whole body to function better as well as offers the psychological benefit of feeling more powerful, confident and strong as opposed to slouching. Confidence is another key element to success that we will discuss is another article. What does it sound like where you study? The exam room will be quiet with the option of putting on noise cancelling headphones. Try not to listen to music when you’re taking practice tests and in the month or so leading up to the exam. Do your best to try and find a quiet place to study. While this may be challenging for some people, there are significant benefits. If you do choose to listen to music earlier on, classical music has been shown to be beneficial for the mind when learning math and science. How are you taking your practice MCAT tests? Take all practice MCAT exams (the best thing for you is to take as many of these as humanly possible) in the morning, at the same time the test is to be scheduled, in a quiet room in your house with no distractions. Bring a paper bag with snacks, even though you’re in your own home. Don’t go to the fridge and turn on the TV during break…try to feel yourself at the testing center instead of feeling totally comfortable in your own home. The idea is to eventually feel more comfortable at the testing center and these practices should help do that. Of course, study regularly and pace yourself so that you are consistently strengthening your knowledge and test taking skills every day. The only way to climb this mountain is one step at a time. The MCAT is a challenging exam and using these techniques to condition your mind to get accustomed to testing conditions along with keeping its physiology consistent is critical to achieving the score you need. Be sure to stay tuned for more great MCAT Test Prep advice!

What are the 3 best TOEFL and IELTS grammar courses

What are the 3 best TOEFL and IELTS grammar courses Are you concerned about your English grammar for the TOEFL and IELTS exams? You can learn English extensively by writing meaningful messages and getting feedback on errors using a grammar checker like the Virtual Writing Tutor. You can also learn English intensively by taking a grammar course. Both methods work. If you feel you need a grammar course to help give a boost to your English writing, you will probably be interested in my selection of three of the most highly-rated English grammar courses on Udemy. Depending on your level, I can recommend either an advanced course, an intermediate course, or a basic course. I will let you choose which level is best for you. AdvancedEnglishCourseforTOEFLandIELTS (4.6 stars) If you make occasional errors, especially when you attempt to write complex sentences, an advanced grammar course might be what you need. Annamaria Ibos has created two courses on Udemy, both are highly rated. She says she has been teaching English for more than 10 years and her superpower is to make English grammar easily understandable. I believe her. The reviews left by her students attest to her teaching skill. She seems to be able to make learning English fun and efficient. 5-star review 5-star review Take the Advanced English Grammar Course if this describes you: You have at least intermediate English knowledgeYou are serious about sharpening your English grammar knowledgeYou are preparing to take the TOEFL and/or IELTS exams Learn Advanced English Grammar Intermediate English Course for TOEFL and IELTS (4.7 stars) Annamaria Iboss most highly-rated English course is her Intermediate English course. If you make frequent errors in your English writing and if you make a range of different grammatical errors, an intermediate level course might be what you need. 5-star rating You should take this course if you have the following: You have at least pre-intermediate English grammar knowledgeYou have some familiarity with English verb tensesYou have a basic understanding of how English grammar works Learn Intermediate English Grammar Basic English Grammar and Structures (4.6 stars) If you need a more basic introduction to English grammar, you might benefit from an introductory course to English grammar. The Basic English Grammar and Structures Course on Udemy is also highly rated. The videos provide slow and clear explanations in English. There are activities at the end of each video. And you can ask questions to the instructors to get help at any time. 5-star review 5-star review Learn Basic English Grammar Whichever course you choose, dont forget keep using the Virtual Writing Tutor and keep writing. Please follow and like us:

Explore the Outdoors and Learn!

Explore the Outdoors and Learn! Explore the Outdoors and Learn! It may not come as a surprise that spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety. But did you know that it can also help kids focus and learn? Studies have shown that taking a walk in nature improves peoples’ moods, raises short-term memory test scores, and even increases concentration levels in children with ADHD. In one experiment, teachers holding lessons in nature noted far fewer interruptions from students than when the same lessons were taught indoors. Nature’s benefits are endless. Take advantage of them with these four tips. Bring the outside world inside. Research has shown that natural environments improve children’s ability to focus and learn. However, if you live in a city or are experiencing inclement weather, you may not be able to spend much time in nature itself. Why not bring nature indoors, instead? Create an atmosphere that is more conducive to learning by incorporating plants and encouraging the use of natural light in your kids’ study area. Adding just a little bit of greenery can brighten your kids’ moods and even improve their health. Integrate learning with nature. Turn the natural world around you into a learning opportunity. Do your kids enjoy gardening? Encourage your little ones to count out the seeds needed for a planting and see how many colors they can identify in your flower garden. Older kids can learn about volume by filling planting containers with soil or can help plan out a large vegetable garden by calculating the perimeter and area needed to accommodate all of your plants.   The learning opportunities are endless! Math is everywhere in natureâ€"even in plants themselves. Take the Fibonacci sequence, for example. The Fibonacci sequence is a numerical pattern that begins with 0 and 1, continuing its sequence with the sum of the previous two numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…), and is found almost everywhere in the natural world. You can find the pattern in the florets of a sunflower, the branches of a tree, even in the spirals of galaxies. Geometric shapes like triangles, cylinders, arcs, and lines can also be found throughout nature. Build nature into your children’s learning by selecting and reading books about specific topics such as galaxies, oceans, geology, and plants. Kumon’s Recommended Reading List features books about children exploring nature, such as  The Secret Garden  and  In the Tall, Tall Grass,  which will help pique your children’s interest in the natural world. Opt for a change of scenery Encourage your children to learn outside. Suggest reading books in the backyard or at a nearby park. By planning ahead, you can spend the entire day learning outside. Pack a picnic, books, and plan some fun outdoor games to play. Whether your kids simply take their Kumon to a park bench or you turn the woods into your own classroom, the trees and fresh air will give your kids’ brains a boost! Play with nature Turn your natural surroundings into the setting for a game. Scavenger hunts are a lot of fun, but can also be very educational. Have younger children find objects in every color of the rainbow, like red maple leaves and yellow dandelions. Older kids can identify different types of flowers and trees or even try to find as many examples of the Fibonacci sequence as possible. The opportunities are endless! Looking for more ways to explore the outdoors? Check out these helpful resources from our friends at PBS Kids. And explore the outdoors along with Jet in four all new episodes of Ready Jet Go! airing on PBS Kids this week! You might also be interested in: Explore the Outdoors Giveaway Reduce, Recycle, Reuse 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon? Explore the Outdoors and Learn! Explore the Outdoors and Learn! It may not come as a surprise that spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety. But did you know that it can also help kids focus and learn? Studies have shown that taking a walk in nature improves peoples’ moods, raises short-term memory test scores, and even increases concentration levels in children with ADHD. In one experiment, teachers holding lessons in nature noted far fewer interruptions from students than when the same lessons were taught indoors. Nature’s benefits are endless. Take advantage of them with these four tips. Bring the outside world inside. Research has shown that natural environments improve children’s ability to focus and learn. However, if you live in a city or are experiencing inclement weather, you may not be able to spend much time in nature itself. Why not bring nature indoors, instead? Create an atmosphere that is more conducive to learning by incorporating plants and encouraging the use of natural light in your kids’ study area. Adding just a little bit of greenery can brighten your kids’ moods and even improve their health. Integrate learning with nature. Turn the natural world around you into a learning opportunity. Do your kids enjoy gardening? Encourage your little ones to count out the seeds needed for a planting and see how many colors they can identify in your flower garden. Older kids can learn about volume by filling planting containers with soil or can help plan out a large vegetable garden by calculating the perimeter and area needed to accommodate all of your plants.   The learning opportunities are endless! Math is everywhere in natureâ€"even in plants themselves. Take the Fibonacci sequence, for example. The Fibonacci sequence is a numerical pattern that begins with 0 and 1, continuing its sequence with the sum of the previous two numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…), and is found almost everywhere in the natural world. You can find the pattern in the florets of a sunflower, the branches of a tree, even in the spirals of galaxies. Geometric shapes like triangles, cylinders, arcs, and lines can also be found throughout nature. Build nature into your children’s learning by selecting and reading books about specific topics such as galaxies, oceans, geology, and plants. Kumon’s Recommended Reading List features books about children exploring nature, such as  The Secret Garden  and  In the Tall, Tall Grass,  which will help pique your children’s interest in the natural world. Opt for a change of scenery Encourage your children to learn outside. Suggest reading books in the backyard or at a nearby park. By planning ahead, you can spend the entire day learning outside. Pack a picnic, books, and plan some fun outdoor games to play. Whether your kids simply take their Kumon to a park bench or you turn the woods into your own classroom, the trees and fresh air will give your kids’ brains a boost! Play with nature Turn your natural surroundings into the setting for a game. Scavenger hunts are a lot of fun, but can also be very educational. Have younger children find objects in every color of the rainbow, like red maple leaves and yellow dandelions. Older kids can identify different types of flowers and trees or even try to find as many examples of the Fibonacci sequence as possible. The opportunities are endless! Looking for more ways to explore the outdoors? Check out these helpful resources from our friends at PBS Kids. And explore the outdoors along with Jet in four all new episodes of Ready Jet Go! airing on PBS Kids this week! You might also be interested in: Explore the Outdoors Giveaway Reduce, Recycle, Reuse 5 POPULAR CHILDREN’S BOOKS-TURNED-MOVIES TO EXPLORE THIS SUMMER What are the School Readiness Skills that Preschoolers Learn in Kumon?

How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer

How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer Oh, summer nights! They bring us right back to memories of eating ice cream on the porch, watching a baseball game, or playing with friends. These are the carefree nights filled with experiences that you and your kids will remember for a lifetime. Summer is also the perfect time to teach your children about the stars. Treat your kids to a late night (they don’t have to worry about waking up for school, after all!). Grab some blankets and head out to your backyard for a fun, educational evening gazing at the night sky. Here are some tips to make it the perfect night: Choose a Moonless Night A bright, full moon may be beautiful, but moonlight can make it more difficult to see the stars in the sky. Choose a clear night during the new moon when it is just a sliver in the sky and won’t obscure your view. You can take this opportunity to teach your kids about the phases of the moon. Discover Constellations Constellations are groups of stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. Many of the constellations we still look for today were discovered and named over 2,000 years ago by the Ancient Greeks. Explain to your kids that viewing constellations is just like playing connect the dotsâ€"in the sky! Before you go stargazing, try these fun activity sheets from Ready Jet Go! on PBS Kids. Kumon is a proud sponsor of Ready Jet Go!, an animated series that teaches kids about science and astronomy. Your kids can “connect the stars” in several constellations on paper before they see them in the night sky. Bring the completed sheets with you on your stargazing adventure to help guide your experience. Start With the Big Dipper The Big Dipper is one of the easiest constellations to spot, and a great starting point to find others. Once you find the Big Dipper, follow the two stars at the end of the cup to see the North Star, Polaris. Polaris is the final star in the handle of the Little Dipper, also known as Ursa Minor. If that’s all you spot in the night sky, you’ve already learned a lot! Photo Credit: Jerry Lodriguss Did you know that the Big Dipper is actually just a small part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major? Like its smaller counterpart Ursa Minor, Ursa Major is in the shape of a bear. See if you can connect the stars for the entire Ursa Major constellation. Source: PBS Kids After you’ve found Ursa Major, your options are endless. You can try to find more constellations, like Draco, which is most visible in July. Or you can look for planets, which may appear at first to be stars, but don’t have the same twinkle. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch a meteor shower! Keep Learning The fun doesn’t have to stop just because of a rainy or cloudy day. If you can’t see the stars in the sky, watch an episode of Ready Jet Go! and get transported into the stars yourself! Jet and his friends Sydney, Sean, and Mindy will take you with them as they explore space. Learning opportunities are all around us, including in the sky! Summer is an exciting time to explore the world around us. Discover 6 more ways to make summer learning fun. You might also be interested in: 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code What Could Your Kids Gain (or Lose) This Summer? Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer How to Teach Your Kids About the Stars This Summer Oh, summer nights! They bring us right back to memories of eating ice cream on the porch, watching a baseball game, or playing with friends. These are the carefree nights filled with experiences that you and your kids will remember for a lifetime. Summer is also the perfect time to teach your children about the stars. Treat your kids to a late night (they don’t have to worry about waking up for school, after all!). Grab some blankets and head out to your backyard for a fun, educational evening gazing at the night sky. Here are some tips to make it the perfect night: Choose a Moonless Night A bright, full moon may be beautiful, but moonlight can make it more difficult to see the stars in the sky. Choose a clear night during the new moon when it is just a sliver in the sky and won’t obscure your view. You can take this opportunity to teach your kids about the phases of the moon. Discover Constellations Constellations are groups of stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. Many of the constellations we still look for today were discovered and named over 2,000 years ago by the Ancient Greeks. Explain to your kids that viewing constellations is just like playing connect the dotsâ€"in the sky! Before you go stargazing, try these fun activity sheets from Ready Jet Go! on PBS Kids. Kumon is a proud sponsor of Ready Jet Go!, an animated series that teaches kids about science and astronomy. Your kids can “connect the stars” in several constellations on paper before they see them in the night sky. Bring the completed sheets with you on your stargazing adventure to help guide your experience. Start With the Big Dipper The Big Dipper is one of the easiest constellations to spot, and a great starting point to find others. Once you find the Big Dipper, follow the two stars at the end of the cup to see the North Star, Polaris. Polaris is the final star in the handle of the Little Dipper, also known as Ursa Minor. If that’s all you spot in the night sky, you’ve already learned a lot! Photo Credit: Jerry Lodriguss Did you know that the Big Dipper is actually just a small part of a larger constellation called Ursa Major? Like its smaller counterpart Ursa Minor, Ursa Major is in the shape of a bear. See if you can connect the stars for the entire Ursa Major constellation. Source: PBS Kids After you’ve found Ursa Major, your options are endless. You can try to find more constellations, like Draco, which is most visible in July. Or you can look for planets, which may appear at first to be stars, but don’t have the same twinkle. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch a meteor shower! Keep Learning The fun doesn’t have to stop just because of a rainy or cloudy day. If you can’t see the stars in the sky, watch an episode of Ready Jet Go! and get transported into the stars yourself! Jet and his friends Sydney, Sean, and Mindy will take you with them as they explore space. Learning opportunities are all around us, including in the sky! Summer is an exciting time to explore the world around us. Discover 6 more ways to make summer learning fun. You might also be interested in: 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting Meet Etash, a Kumon Program Completer Who is Using his Technology Skills to Teach Kids to Code What Could Your Kids Gain (or Lose) This Summer? Soar Past the Summer Slide with Kumon’s Summer Learning Roundup

Online Tutoring To Do or Not To Do

Online Tutoring To Do or Not To Do Image via: www.pexels.com Pro: It’s pretty convenient Online tutoring is pretty easy for your schedule and the schedule of the student you’re tutoring. You will both save gas money and time by simply meeting through a Skype call or a chat room service. It’s also helpful if the student has a difficult schedule and can only have short sessions. With online tutoring, sessions can be pretty quick and easy. Also, with online tutoring, you have some pretty great resources on your side. With the Internet, you can use Google platforms, screen capture, and websites like Lynda or Khan Academy to find answers to the things you might not know off of the top of your head. You can even show your students how to store notes from your sessions on their computer for later access! By being an online tutor, you will have access to a lot more resources than you would if you were a traditional tutor. Con: It can be challenging Although the Internet has its fair share of positive resources, it definitely has some negative ones too. For instance, computers can be a source of distraction for students, especially if they’re kids. It can be difficult for students to keep their attention on the lesson at hand instead of emails and Facebook messages. This can result in a huge waste of your time and theirs. Also, it could be difficult giving a student the attention they need from a tutor in a digital sense. For instance, if a student is more of a hands-on learner, they will not benefit from a PowerPoint presentation or digital whiteboard. It can be hard for a tutor to recognize issues a student could be having through a computer screen. At the same time, not all subjects are equal. It can be difficult to teach lessons in mathematics or science over the phone or computer, when these subjects typically need to be written out and solved physically. While online tutoring has its advantages, it also has its fair share of issues. Image via: www.pexels.com Pro: It pays well Depending on how successful your brand and business is, along with the platform you work for, online tutoring can be a seriously lucrative career choice. For instance, some services allow online tutors to make $9 to $13 per hour. Others allow them to make $30 or $40 per hour. Often, this depends on each individual tutor and the skills and experience they’re bringing to the table. For instance, if you have your Bachelor’s or Master’s in a certain subject, you are likely to be paid more in that subject than someone still in college or someone with only their high school diploma. If you begin your own services, you can charge as much or as little as you would like. Con: It’s not always reliable As much as we all love technology, it’s no secret that it’s not the most reliable service out there. With online tutoring, unreliable technology can be a serious problem. Since Internet connections aren’t always dependable, it can be a major pain and inconvenience to suddenly be kicked out of a session or suddenly lose connection from a student. With problems like this, you can find your Skype calls or sessions riddled with errors and issues, which can ultimately result in complete disconnection and a complete delay in productivity. If this is a recurring issue, it can result in a major blow to your business and your wallet. Image via: www.pexels.com Pro: It can be successful Being an online tutor allows you to spread your business to dimensions wider than your hometown. You can find yourself working with students in other cities, states, and even countries! Because of this, you will virtually never find yourself running out of business or out of students. Online tutoring is such a lucrative career because all students need help in a subject, but not all of them have time to seek a traditional tutor. As an online tutor, you can fill in the blanks. Online tutoring can be a lucrative and successful part-time and full-time career, but it comes with its fair share of issues. By taking these pros and cons into account, you will be able to make the decision of whether or not online tutoring works for you.

Language Challenge Prizes!

Language Challenge Prizes! Throughout the challenge we will be  giving away prizes  to challengers who  promote us on social media. We have awarded our first spot prize to  @CabildoSpanish on twitter, a free OXFORD English Online Placement Test!!! To enter in the drawing for the next prize which will be a subscription to video language lessons: Make a post on facebook/weibo  with the hashtag:  #italkichallenge or TRIPLE (3x) your chances  of winning by doing the following: Take a picture of yourself holding a sign with the hashtag: #italkichallenge and post it on facebook/weibo. Here is an example: We know you can do it! Keep it up! If you ever have questions, or need any help contact us at support@italki.com Language Challenge Prizes! Throughout the challenge we will be  giving away prizes  to challengers who  promote us on social media. We have awarded our first spot prize to  @CabildoSpanish on twitter, a free OXFORD English Online Placement Test!!! To enter in the drawing for the next prize which will be a subscription to video language lessons: Make a post on facebook/weibo  with the hashtag:  #italkichallenge or TRIPLE (3x) your chances  of winning by doing the following: Take a picture of yourself holding a sign with the hashtag: #italkichallenge and post it on facebook/weibo. Here is an example: We know you can do it! Keep it up! If you ever have questions, or need any help contact us at support@italki.com