How can parents promote reading at home? Signs your child may be struggling with reading. And what to do if your child encounters difficulty learning to read.
One of my favorite authors wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Any guesses as to who the author is? (Answer below) Some children naturally gravitate to books and develop a life-long relationship with them. Others not so much.
According to NAEP, which essentially operates as the nation’s report card, two-thirds of 4th graders cannot read proficiently. If your child is one of these struggling readers, it can possibly set them up for future difficulties in school and life. The good news is that there are a lot of strategies, tools, and techniques that parents can tap into to help their child not only learn to read, but to use their reading skills to propel them toward the life they want.
Why support your child’s reading at home
Reading is the single most important academic skill your child will learn, because reading drives every other subject in school. A study cited by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to not graduate from high school than students who did read proficiently.
Reading aloud to your child is a powerful way to support their literacy journey. According to Reading Rockets, reading aloud to your child helps build language and literacy skills, including text structure – how a story is put together – and comprehension skills such as inferencing, predicting, and understanding a character’s actions and motivations.
Reading also builds background knowledge. By selecting a variety of texts: fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, nonfiction, biographies, etc., you help your child better understand the world around them. It also helps promote connections between topics.
The Child Mind Institute states that books help children develop empathy and how to handle big emotions. While reading together a parent can ask their child, “Have you ever felt embarrassed like the character in the book? How did you handle it?”
A final reason to support your child’s reading, as the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development shares, is that text in books tends to be more complex than conversation, which can expose your child to vocabulary they may not hear in oral speech. Developing a rich vocabulary will benefit your child in school and on those pesky standardized tests.
Ways to promote reading at home
There are many simple ways parents can promote reading at home.
Make a comfortable space/reading nook
Somewhere in your home set up a reading space. Perhaps it is adorned with big pillows or a beanbag chair. Try to have a variety of reading materials on hand: books, magazines, encyclopedias.
Create routines beyond bedtime stories
Reading at bedtime is a wonderful way to wrap up a day. But develop other routines for reading such as family reading nights, reading to siblings, or relatives via FaceTime. Don’t forget reading to pets! (seriously)
Help books come alive
Make books more relatable. For example, read about certain animals then go visit them in a local zoo. Or read about a person from history then mosey over to a local museum.
Audio books
Allow your child to listen to stories, but have the physical text too so they can follow along, matching the audio version to print version. There are many good platforms such as audible.
Online resources are okay
Boys especially may be more interested in articles on ESPN.com than in a fictional book. Allow and encourage your child to read about their interests. (This writer eschewed books when school age and lived in Skateboarder and Modern Drummer Magazines.)
Finally, if your child is resistant to reading, do not force or demand they read. This will more than likely create an adversarial relationship with reading and only entrench that negative feeling towards reading. Rather, discuss topics of interest and find resources such as magazines or websites that focus on those topics. Offer to read these materials with your child. Allowing your child to “nibble” at information may lead to more consumption and eventual full course meals in books.
Signs to look for if your child struggles with reading
Of course you can set up a beautiful space in your home for reading that would make Martha Stewart jealous, adorn it with a variety of text materials, and your child may still struggle with reading.
Why?
Some children struggle to learn to read for any number of reasons. The National institute of Child Health and Human Development share that a child may have problems sounding out words or have difficulty recognizing sounds and the letters that make up these sounds. Other signs your child may be struggling with reading are that they are poor spellers and or are slow readers. Finally, they may have trouble understanding what they just read.
Another sign of difficulty reading is your child may have trouble reading with expression and fluency.
Yet another reason is dyslexia could be undiagnosed. According to the International Dyslexia Association, “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities.” As many as 20% of the population have it, according to the NIH.
A final possible culprit could be attention issues such as ADHD or ADD, which can certainly affect reading and comprehension. In other words your child’s literacy skills may be fine but he cannot focus long enough to attend to a text and comprehend.
What to do if you suspect your child is struggling with reading
If your child exhibits any these issues that may signal trouble with reading, there are many paths for parents to pursue.
First, rule out any vision issues by making an appointment with your local eye doctor.
Discuss your concerns with child’s teacher. If it is not parent conference time you can still request a meeting to learn about what the teacher is seeing in class and any suggestions she may have to help at home.
If the teacher shares your concern, seek professional help from trained reading instructors who use proven methods like Orton-Gillingham. The teaching of reading has changed and it ought to be multi-sensory, sequential, and draw from developmental and cognitive psychology along with neuroscience.
Another aspect to consider is to limit screen time such as video games or television. Children who struggle with reading will more than likely turn to these activities because they are escapes. These prolonged sessions on screen will only exacerbate reading struggles. Notice we said to limit not prohibit.
Lastly, choose books and reading materials that are on your child’s reading level. If you are not sure what your child’s reading level is, ask their teacher. A good rule of thumb is this: If your child makes more than one reading error in ten words, the reading level is likely too difficult.
Final thoughts
Students who are on grade level in reading by 4th grade tend to stay on grade level throughout their schooling. Conversely, those students who struggle with learning to read and are not proficient by 4th grade tend to face many challenges, including meeting high school graduation requirements.
The good news is that there many things a parent can do to support their child’s reading at home. By making a comfortable reading area, supplying a variety of texts, and fostering a series of reading routines, your child will be in a position to establish a lifelong relationship with reading. As Dr. Seuss stated in I Can Read with My Eyes Shut, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
If your child struggles with reading or you suspect they are not on grade level, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how an Orton-Gillingham trained reading specialist could help your child unlock the confounding code that is reading and develop a love of books.
What does the research say about homework planners? And the critical reasons why your child should use one.
It is August and a new school year is upon us. In addition to new clothes and a fresh haircut, students ought to add a homework planner to their back-to-school supply list. The planner can be a physical one, which the student writes in, or it could be a digital one, such as an app. Whichever version a student prefers, there is strong evidence linking success in school to support using a planner.
Many students balk at using a planner. If they attend a digital school, where students use laptops or iPads for assignments, students may remark that all their class information is online. While that may be true, there are still compelling reasons for students to adopt the habit of using a planner.
Why use a planner
Parents should urge their kids to use one, starting on the first day of school. First, clearly identify the purpose of using a planner: to have everything the student is responsible for all in one place. Using a planner promotes the Executive Functioning skills of organization, planning, and time management.
Edutopia reports three main reasons to use a planner: capture our to-do lists and activities, schedule our actions and represent time, and remind us of future tasks. Many students will need support with starting to use a planner. Parents ought to be prepared to help fill in the appropriate information, such as class assignments, test dates, and any personal information such as doctor’s appointments and or sports games.
Another reason to use a planner is our working memory can typically hold 3 to 5 items. Assignments, due dates, and obligations are going to be forgotten! Using a planner organizes a student’s life, reduces frustration and saves time. And writing something down makes it easier to remember.
Finally, many schools and teachers use different platforms to assign work. Some teachers place assignments in a learning management system such as Canvas; others place it in Google Classroom; while still others may have a website. Perhaps a few veteran teachers still write assignments on a whiteboard in the classroom. Students may need to look in three or four different places to collate their assignments. Using a planner allows them to put all their assignments in one place.
Types of planners
Generally speaking there are two types of planners: a physical one that the student can write in and a digital one such as an app. Each has many options. The best planner is one that your child will use, so the first step is to decide which type of planner your child will actually use.
A giant benefit to using a paper/physical planner is it uses two senses: sight and touch, which better activates your brain, and which results in more memory and more stimulation. Also, a physical planner is always available and not at the whims of technology gremlins. Students have a lot more flexibility and creativity with physical ones, too. Students who enjoy being artistic can color code and/or draw pictures to represent assignments.
An advantage of an electronic planner/app is that some can synch between a phone and laptop. Populate information in one device and it appears in another connected one. One such example is the my homework app, which offers a free version and a paid version with upgrades. Simpler electronic versions could be using a Google doc or Google Slide and having a student write down assignments on it throughout their school day.
Whether your child elects to use a physical or digital planner, they may need some coaxing to actually use it. If your child balks or is wishy washy to the idea, try a reward system. Some students, especially those with learning differences, may need extra motivation in the form of a reward in order to try using a planner. Of course you know your child best, but some common reward suggestions include extra time for activities they enjoy or stickers/tokens/money, depending on the student’s age.
Benefits of using a planner
There are so many great benefits to using a planner. A University of Kentucky study found that students who used a planner reported positive changes in their life, including a greater sense of organization and less stress (hello, mental health!). Another study found that students were much more likely to complete their homework when they used a planner. And yet another study found that middle school students who use a planner scored better on state tests.
Another benefit is learning the difference between a do date and a due date. A due date is when an assignment must be turned in. A do date is when your child is going to actually complete the assignment. These are exactly the types of information that should be entered in a planner.
And yet another perk of using a planner is practice for college where professors will assign long term projects. If your child is in high school, college may be on the horizon. Depending on their area of study, many assignments in college tend to be longer term, spread out over the course of the semester.
Lastly, filling out a planner will help your child establish a routine. Perhaps they populate their planner for the coming week on Sunday, placing in any assignments or tests the teacher(s) have posted. Then each day after school they can refer to the planner and prioritize which assignments to work on, when they will study and review for a test, and identify any other conflicts they foresee that week.
Final thoughts
The evidence is clear. Students who use a homework planner do better in school. Using one practices the all-important Executive Functioning skills of planning, prioritizing, time management, and organization, skills that will benefit your child for the rest of their life. Physical planners have advantages such as being always available and activate multiple senses when used. Digital planners, such as an app, can appeal to students who attend digital schools due their ability to synch assignments between devices. While some children will push back against using one, it is so important they have all their assignments and responsibilities all in one place. A student may have to search in three or four different locations: Canvas, Google Classroom, and a website to find all their assignments. Finally, some kids may need an extra boost to use a planner in the form of an appropriate reward system.
If your child refuses to use a homework planner or simply struggles to use one consistently, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can assist your child in developing the necessary Executive Functioning skills to become a confident and successful student in the classroom and person in life.
What are the consequences of too much screen time on children? And how parents can reduce their kids screen time this summer.
A brilliant, yet unknown person said, “There’s no WiFi in the forest, but you will find a better connection.” This quote could not be more apt given that we are in the throes of summer and many children are becoming increasingly glued to their devices. Parents with the best intentions can lose steam by mid-summer and give into screen time requests/tantrums from kids.
However, there is lots of evidence pointing out the damage that excessive screen time can do to children. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy said in a recent interview: “The platforms are designed specifically to maximize how much time we spend on them.” He also advocates for a warning label on social media sites for children, similar to what is on cigarette packages, because the sites are so dangerous!
So how do parents reduce their children’s screen time? While it may not be an easy feat, if you follow this plan of sharing the adverse effects and focusing on the advantages of doing so with your children, they will put down their devices and find a better connection in the real world.
Know the facts about screen time
A Deloitte study found the average American home has 11 connected devices, including 7 with screens! On average, children ages 8-12 in the United States spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours, according to the American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry. However, many experts believe these times are actually under reported.
A good place to start for parents is to know your child’s current screen time and media types: computer, tv, video games, social media, etc. What exactly are they consuming during all these hours? WebMD recommends keeping televisions and computers in shared spaces in the home such as the living room or family room. This way it is easier for parents to monitor what kids are watching.
Are you not sure if your child has an issue with excessive screen time? The Child Mind Institute says that it helps to think about your child’s overall health and wellness. “Do they get plenty of sleep and exercise? Are they keeping up in school? Do they spend quality time with friends and family? Do they enjoy non-screen activities and hobbies, like music or sports?” If the answer is yes to these questions, your child may not have an issue with screen time.
Given the above referenced statistics, chances are your child is on devices more than the two hours per day, recommended by the Mayo Clinic, especially during summer with its extensive, unstructured hours. A great question a parent can ask both literally and rhetorically is: What is all this screen time displacing? A relatively new term to enter to the public lexicon is “technoference:” the moments when technology interferes with relationships and actual human connection.
If your child is suffering from technoference, chances are you will see some negative consequences.
Consequences of too much screen time
Mayo Clinic reports many negative and damaging issues connected to too much screen time, including:
Obesity
One only need to go out to any public space to see that many Americans are overweight. Lousy diets and lack of exercise certainly contribute. However, having a television or other electronics in the bedroom further increases this risk, so parents, remove access to electronics in your kids’ bedrooms.
Irregular sleep
All these hours on screens can lead to sleep loss, which can lead to fatigue and increased snacking. Increased snacking leads to weight issues and the cruel cycle repeats. Help your child establish a sleep schedule, with a consistent bedtime and consistent wake up time. Even during summer!
Impaired academic performance
Students with access to electronics in their bedroom performed worse on tests. The logic is that rather than engaging in studying and review of class material, which helps with school success, the child is fully immersed in an electronic world, far removed from his academics.
Attention problems
Kids whoexceeddaily screen time limits can develop an inability to pay attention. This often manifests itself in school, where a teacher delivering a lesson on fractions simply cannot compete with the explosions, thrills, and immediate gratification provided by many video games. To be successful in school, kids need to be able to sustain focus in the real world and the classroom, where entertaining lessons are not always paramount.
Less interest in non-electronic activities
Non-electronic activities seem like they have gone the way of the dinosaurs. Activities such as playing with toys foster imagination and creativity, according to Health Matters New York Presbyterian. This non-structured play is critical for child development and sets the stage for learning and interacting in the real world.
Benefits of reducing screen time
Helping your child reduce screen time may take some convincing. Researchers at Stanford Medicine research have tackled this pervasive issue of excessive screen time by children. They found that kids who stayed under weekly screen time budgets gained less weight, were less aggressive to their peers and asked their parents to buy them fewer advertised products.
Here are some more benefits your child may reap:
Feeling connections with others
Feeling connected to other people can help ward off symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety, according to the Mayo Clinic. Even if your child is chatting with other people while online playing a game, the virtual distance does not replace the benefits received from in-person communication.
Reduced eye strain
Even children who spend too much time staring at screens can get symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. Removing eyes from a screen and returning them to other non-electronic pursuits will help the eyes recover. If one must be on a computer for school for extended periods of time, it is wise to take screen breaks.
Enhanced posture
Excessive screen time has been linked to poor posture, leading to shoulder, back and neck pain. Perhaps you have heard your child complain of some of these maladies after a long day at school and working on their computer. Encourage your child to simply stand and take breaks. If you are so inclined, here are some healthy and simple stretches that help with posture from Healthline.
Simply reduces time to participate in other activities
Time is a zero sum concept. There is a finite amount each day and if you spend chunks of it online or staring at screens, quite simply you are not doing something else. For a child, there are so many other wonderful activities available such as hanging with friends, playing a sport, practicing an instrument, or even – heaven forbid – spending time with family.
Final thoughts
The evidence is clear and overwhelming. Excessive screen time damages children in numerous ways, including both physical ailments along with mental and social developmental disruptions. But it is never too late to impose screen time limits.
Children with weak Executive Functioning skills may need help with decision making and reducing screen time. If your child struggles with reducing their screen time and or making age-appropriate decisions, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can work with your child to strengthen their Executive Functioning skills. Reducing screen time is possible. Parents, please help your child find a better connection with their family, friends, and school, all waiting out there for them in this big beautiful world.
Children with ADHD can struggle during the summer vacation. How can parents best help them navigate this challenging time?
School is out and summer vacation is in full swing. Many parents look forward to the end of the hectic school year schedule, when the stress of rise early, pack up, and race off to school, repeats daily for 10 months. Summer can be a time for kids – and parents – to recharge their batteries by focusing on social connections and joining in activities that truly resonate with kids’ interests.
However, if your child has ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – then very quickly that utopian summer schedule can turn dystopian and down right nightmarish! Why? Mainly because summer often lacks the structure that children with ADHD need to successfully navigate their day. Boredom rears its ugly head and emotion control can be a challenge, especially if you have elected to give your child a “pharmaceutical-free summer holiday.” Spats with siblings pop up frequently, and suddenly that promise to yourself to reduce your child’s screen time this summer vanishes and the video game system appears like an oasis, offering a zen nourishment to your dehydrated and frazzled soul. And it is only day two of summer break!
What is a parent to do? How can parents of children with ADHD, which is 11.3% of kids, according to the CDC, create a summer schedule that permits their children to thrive and enjoy the summer break and at the same time maintains the parents’ sanity and well-being? By following this curated list of strategies and techniques. Some are suggestions; others are non-negotiable. Read on to determine which are the best ones for your child.
Strategies for a successful summer
Create and maintain a summer schedule
Yes, it is summer and each day does not need to be run to military precision. However, children with ADHD tend to need – dare we say demand – structure. The schedule can be tailored to best fit your family’s needs, but establishing a wake-up time and bedtime are a good place to start. If possible, serve meals around the same time each day.
The benefits of maintaining a schedule include helping kids better manage transitions without meltdowns and will help make the transition back to school after summer break less difficult.
Establish routines
Similar to making a summer schedule, developing a daily and weekly routine will help your child know what to expect each day. Routines can reduce anxiety because your child will already know the day’s itinerary, even if is loosely put together. For example, on Mondays you can go to the park in the morning; Tuesday afternoons it is off to the public library; Wednesday morning is craft time, etc. A bonus of establishing routines is they strengthen Executive Functioning skills like organizing and planning, according to Understood.
Get plenty of exercise
According to the CDC, children ought to get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. Children with ADHD especially benefit from movement and physical activity. The 60 minutes do not necessarily have to be accomplished all at once. The time can be broken up into three 20 minute exercise sessions consisting of bike riding, swimming, and or kicking a soccer ball out in the yard or nearby park. A study in Science Direct found that children with ADHD had significantly reduced symptoms during the summer due perhaps to more light and its affect on the circadian rhythm. So the more time outside the better!
A bonus of physical movement for children with ADHD is a period of calm and focus that follows the exercise. After a work out, plan to have some down time (more on that below) that can include activities such as reading or journaling.
Set screen time limits
The Mayo Clinic recommends two hours per day of screen time for children. This would include time on video game systems, computers, television, and or smartphones. While it is tempting to allow a screen to become a pacifier or even a temporary babysitter, excessive screen time has significantly harmful effects; is linked to depression, obesity, sleep disturbances, and anxiety, according to the National Institutes of Health.
In place of screens, parents need to offer viable and child centric options. Some examples include playing a board game such as Monopoly, building a model or playing with Legos, or designing and creating a craft.
A final word on screen time: as the parent, be a role model. Put your phone down and allow your kids to see you engage in alternate activities. Perhaps chat with a spouse or friend, read a book or magazine, or join in a game with the kids.
Stay current with extra support services
ADHD Online suggests keeping appointments with any services your child may receive during the school year. If he sees a therapist, continue with the sessions. Or if he receives tutoring for an academic subject, maintain those sessions. One of the biggest reasons to do so is the gains that can be made during the sessions when school is out. Your child does not have the stress of the school year and can focus only on the service he is receiving.
Take a prescription holiday?
One big question parents of a child with ADHD wrestle with is whether to continue medication over the summer. Some refer to this as taking a “Structured Treatment Interruption” or a drug holiday. Child Mind Institute reminds that medicine can do more than affect performance in school. Medication can help with following rules in sports or getting along with others at a camp as well as help control impulses and/or manage emotions. Of course you know your child best, but this decision can made in consultation with the prescribing doctor to help set your child up for success.
Schedule down time each day
Getting enough exercise is critical for kids with ADHD, but so is having down time. What does this look like? Quite simply it is time for quiet and stillness. Activities that fit this include reading a book or listening to an audiobook, relaxing outside in a comfortable chair, listening to music, or practicing yoga. Kids with ADHD tend to become bored quickly, so this down time can be as short as 15 or 20 minutes. The important part is the quiet allows the nervous system to reset and gives your child – and you – a healthy break.
Plan for at least one success per day
Children with ADHD often struggle with self-esteem and finding success. The summer is a great time for you to help your child locate those elusive wins. If your child is a talented artist, ensure there is drawing time each day. If your child is a musician, allow them an opportunity to practice and play each day. If your child enjoys cooking, join them in the kitchen and encourage them to cook to their heart’s content.
Set non-academic goals
As just mentioned, success can be difficult for children with ADHD to find. Given that, work with your child to set a goal that has nothing to do with school or grades. Perhaps your daughter has wanted to learn to play the guitar. Create a plan that allows her to achieve that goal. Or perhaps your child already plays an instrument. A goal could be to learn a new song – hello Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses! Finally, setting goals and creating milestones, or smaller steps, along the way to the goal will strengthen your child’s Executive Functioning skills.
Final thoughts
The vision of a relaxing summer vacation with your kids can quickly turn into a bumpy reality if your child has ADHD. But just because it’s summer does not mean you must let all structure and organization disappear. To help your child navigate longer blocks of unstructured time, create a structure and routine that your kid can follow each day. Limit screen time and facilitate a healthy amount of exercise. Help your child set a non-school related goal and ensure they achieve at least one success each day. If you follow these suggestions, your ADHD child will thrive and you will beam with pride.
If your child struggles with ADHD and has trouble with academics or following routines, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can help your child develop strategies to manage their ADHD and succeed both in and out of the classroom.
How can parents help their middle or high school student prepare for final exams? By starting early, creating a study schedule, and employing these specific study techniques.
As the calendar flips to May and the end of the school year comes into squinting distance, it is important that your child begins to properly prepare for final exams. Some students have been ardently preparing since last August, keeping meticulous notes and acing every test the teacher tasks them with. On the other end of the spectrum, other (gray hair-inducing) students are blissfully oblivious to the fact there are final exams and have little to no intention of preparing for them, all the while confidently claiming, I got this. And of course most students fall somewhere in the middle of these two shockingly real cohorts.
For parents, where should you begin? First, it is never too late to introduce your child to the study cycle. The study cycle, developed by Frank Christ, breaks down the different parts of studying: previewing, attending class, reviewing, studying, and checking your understanding. Your child ought to be creating a routine that includes each distinct segment of the study cycle. Students who skip steps in the learning cycle tend to lose valuable opportunities to practice class concepts and use multiple modalities for learning.
Beyond employing the study cycle, as final exams week approaches, encourage your child to practice self-care. This includes eating a proper diet, getting in their exercise, and maintaining a sleep schedule. And self-care becomes even more important as the end of the school year can be stressful, with concerts, choir performances, and sports continuing on.
What else can parents do to help their child prepare for final exams? Lots actually. Read on to learn about the most effective strategies and techniques that will put your child in the best position to succeed on their final exams.
Study strategies and techniques
While this list of strategies is set up a la carte, where you can pick and choose which ones might work best for your child, clearly the more strategies they employ the better prepared they will be, and ultimately will perform their best on each of their exams.
Get and stay organized – Use a daily planner to allocate time and folders to keep subject review material together for each class. Sometimes we underestimate the amount of mental energy disorganization can wreak, leaving the student exhausted and flustered before the study sessions even begin!
Make a study schedule – Exam schedules have been posted for weeks! Decide when you are going to study for each exam. Remember to build in breaks; study in 20-45 minute windows.
Start preparing early – Not one or two days before the exam but one to two weeks prior. No cramming! Studying all night does not help – a 2007 study stated that this can disrupt reasoning and memory for up to four days!
Take a close look at current grades – What is each exam worth? Some can be 50% or more of the grade! What grade do you need to or want to earn? Prioritize the exams you need to do well on.
Ask teacher about the exam – What format(s) will the test take? Multiple choice, matching, short answer, essay? What material should you study: notes, handouts, text, other? Your child should not be surprised about the format of the exam or not know what material to study.
Take advantage of any teacher-led study groups – Some review sessions may be after school, so plan to attend when the schedule allows. Of course enter these in the planner!
Join a study group – If a teacher does not offer a formal study group, join one or create one. According to the University of Nebraska study groups can help battle procrastination tendencies and help absorb information more efficiently.
Avoid multitasking – Do not check phone/social media, favorite website, etc. Use study tools such as Focal filter, which allows you to block all social media sites for as long as you need to.
Lean into learning style – Are you a visual learner? Auditory? Tactile? Study with your learning style preference in mind.
Mix up where you study – A New York Times article stated that retention is increased when a person alternates locations when they study. Possible study locations include in the home, at a library, at school.
Predict and practice test questions – A classic and effective test preparation technique, your child should write out test questions they think will be on the exam. Teachers have different ways of revealing this information. Some write it on a whiteboard or Smart board; others include it in Powerpoint presentations; yet others state, “This will be on the exam.” All these are clues that the information is important.
Chunk material into smaller segments – This is especially important for students with attention issues. Don’t try to memorize long lists of definitions or dates or formulas all at once. Break the content into more manageable sizes and over several days of rehearsal your child will retain the information.
Use accommodations – If your child has an IEP or a 504 plan and they receive test accommodations such as extra time, encourage your child to communicate with their teacher and make arrangements to use them.
Employ a tutor or Learning Specialist when necessary – Some subjects are simply challenging for some students. If your child is struggling with a particular class – hello, Algebra and Geometry and Chemistry – seek out professional help. A tutor or Learning Specialist can be the difference between passing and failing the exam and or class.
Teach the concept to someone else – This another classic study strategy. You truly need to know a concept to teach it to someone else, so encourage your child to put on their “teacher hat” and explain a particular concept to a family member or friend.
Embrace the power of yet – Studying for finals is stressful and frustrations will boil over as your child tries to manage and learn all of the information from each of their classes. Encourage them to embrace the mindset of: I have not learned this material yet, or I do not understand this yet.
Prepare the night before for the next day – The night before an exam, have everything organized so the next morning out the door is stress free. All papers should be put away into folders and backpack loaded and organized at night at the conclusion of the study session.
Celebrate the process – Acknowledge the effort and time your child spends preparing. Have they used these effective strategies in their preparation? The exam grade truly is secondary, though if they prepare properly, the grade ought be good.
Final thoughts
Though many students wish there was a simple way to prepare for final exams, there simply is not. Students must start early, use a planner, and create a study schedule, so they know exactly when they are going to prepare for each exam. Knowing finals week is stressful, it is critical students maintain their self-care by eating nutritious food, getting in the proper exercise, and keeping to their sleep schedule. Take advantage of teacher-led study groups and/or join a study group to help with motivation, procrastination, and retention. And finally, celebrate the effort your child puts into their exam preparation.
If your child struggles with preparing for final exams, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can help your child acquire research-backed test preparation strategies and techniques.
What exactly is self-esteem? And seven ways to boost it for lasting effect.
Life has many puzzling questions such as: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? or How do you get a job with no experience but, then how do you get experience without a job? The same quizzical paradox can be applied to self-esteem. Do you need self-esteem in order to succeed, or do you need to earn success to foster self-esteem?
The answer to this question can help parents effectively boost their child’s self-esteem. Children who think and learn differently often struggle with self-image and thinking about themselves in a positive way. Even if a child does not have a learning difference, there is a clear and present mental health crisis with today’s youth and many kids’ self-esteem is in desperate need of first aid.
Self-esteem defined
What exactly is self-esteem? Young Minds defines it this way. First, a person feels good about themselves most of the time. Second, they believe in themselves and their qualities and strengths. And finally, they believe they are worthy and deserving of all the good things in life, including love, friends, and wonderful experiences.
Having a healthy self-esteem is important for children for many reasons. Perhaps most critical is that it allows them to cope with mistakes. Failure is a part of life and learning how to deal with it appropriately stems from a positive belief in ourselves. Children with poor self-esteem may let others mistreat them and or may have trouble joining in social activities. Finally, possessing a healthy self-image encourages kids to try new things. It makes school more palatable, knowing one has the ability to tackle potentially challenging concepts.
What causes low self-esteem?
Of course there is no one single contributing factor that causes low self-esteem. As mentioned above, kids who think and learn differently have often built up scar tissue from repeated failures in school and subsequently develop a poor self-image; they are wounded learners.
Children’s Medical Center attributes low self-esteem in children to their feeling unsupported or criticized by important people in their lives, especially their parents. No parent is perfect, and most if not all will at some point allow a hurtful exchange to take place between themselves and their child. However, a steady stream of critical comments will take their toll.
Another reason children’s self-esteem can suffer is due to academic pressure. As kids reach middle school and high school they become more acutely aware of how they measure up to peers. If that comparison falls short, negative feelings can take seed and grow.
Yet another factor is a chemical imbalance or other underlying health condition, which can cause anxiety and depression. If a parent believes they are doing all the right things and supporting their child, perhaps a discussion with the pediatrician is in order.
Further, Young Minds encourages parents to watch the words they use when labeling their child. Of course, avoid such terms as naughty, stupid, ugly, bad and weird. When a child makes a mistake, do not criticize. Rather, use it as a teachable moment and help your kid learn how to handle the situation better the next time. And finally, do not put too much pressure on your child to succeed at every single thing they try. Notice when your child tries something that they are not particularly good at and compliment their effort.
Finally, with ever present social media, kids are comparing themselves to their peers more than ever. Many children are not savvy enough to recognize that social media can be a careful curation of the best of someone’s life, which many teenagers are brilliant at producing. Feelings of unworthiness and emptiness can percolate and land as shortcomings, which can foster low self-esteem.
Signs your child is suffering from low self esteem
Parents know their child best. And if something seems off in their mood and or behavior, they may be wrestling with low self-esteem. Your child may:
- say negative things about themselves
- make negative comments about their appearance
- withdraw from social activities
- seem extremely anxious when they make a mistake
- increase complaints about physical ailments including headaches and stomach aches
- change their sleep routine to either more than or less than usual amounts
This is in no way meant to be an exhaustive list nor be conclusive that if a child is exhibiting one or more of these descriptors they are suffering from low self-esteem. But the list certainly is a starting point for a conversation with your kid.
Ways to boost self-esteem
As referenced at the beginning, self-esteem is a tricky concept. One’s self-image typically improves as one’s sense of agency and sense of control take hold. Helping your child find something they are good at is a great place to start, too.
Some research backed approaches include:
- Show unconditional love and support
This is especially important if you suspect your child is suffering with their self-image. Hugs and encouraging words are first aid for the hurting child.
- Help them learn how to fail and to respond to it appropriately
Kids with low self-esteem may feel like the sky is falling if they fail a test. Assist them in adjusting their perspective and how the test is just a score on one set of information. How will they study differently for the next test?
- Give responsibilities that prove successful
Most kids respond well to having chores around the house. Make sure you teach your kid exactly how to complete the task and what success looks like when it is done. For example, if the chore is to keep their bedroom clean and organized, take a picture of a clean version of the room so they know exactly what the expectation is. Support them in the beginning with forming a plan and working in steps. Gradually release full responsibility to your child.
- Identify and challenge negative thought patterns
When you hear your child announce a negative thought, point it out and challenge its validity. If your child is looking at a classmate’s Instagram page and lamenting that your family never travels anywhere, remind your child that your family values time together and the location of that bonding time is not important.
- Foster independence
Developing agency and the belief that their actions do make a difference in their life is critical to building a positive self-image. To that end, provide the necessary structures and support when your child is learning a new skill or taking on a responsibility. Use the classic teaching model of I do – We do – You do to promote independence.
- Mindless/pointless praise can actually do harm
Be surgical with your praise. Focus on effort, not outcomes. Most kids have a razor sharp BS antenna and will know and recognize hollow compliments, which could be internalized as They know I can’t do anything well.
- Encourage them to be kind to themselves
In order for them to be kind to themselves, they must first feel good about themselves. If you hear negative self-talk such as I am so dumb I can’t pass a spelling test, immediately call them out on it. A great conversation starter is: Would you say that to a friend? If not, then we do not say that to ourselves. Repeated negative self-talk and self-berating will take its toll.
Final thoughts
Because so many children are struggling with their mental health, focusing on your child’s self-esteem is a wonderful way to nurture and promote a positive self-image. By being intentional in your praise, teaching your child how to handle failure and to use it as a learning opportunity, and by fostering and promoting independence, you will allow your child’s self-esteem to grow in a lasting and effective way.
If you feel like your child is struggling with their self-image due to academic concerns, please contact Jennifer DIsch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist could help your child learn tools and strategies to become a confident and successful student.
When parents read picture books aloud to their kids, attitudes towards math, interaction with math concepts, and school performance all improve.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But can a picture convert a child from being a numeral-phobic, math-loathing, number-avoiding, anti-calculating kid into a math-loving, pattern-seeking, shape-identifying, adding-subtracting-multiplying-dividing guru?
The right picture books can!
There are many reasons to use picture books for introducing and teaching math concepts. Typically they are written to entertain and are non-threatening for math. Many stories are populated with lovable animal characters and or adorable children who are out on adventures. Numbers, shapes, patterns, and even measurement come to life as these tales unfold. And even higher level math skills can become more approachable and understandable when using the disarming pedagogical technique of reading aloud picture books.
The research behind using picture books
According to a study by the American Psychological Association, the strongest predictors of later achievement are school-entry math, reading, and attention skills. A meta-analysis of the results of the study shows that early math skills have the greatest predictive power, followed by reading and then attention skills. Think about that – early math skills such as number recognition, counting, and sorting are stronger predictors of future success than even reading!
Another study of using picture books to teach math, found that student attitudes towards math along with their academic performance improved when picture books were used to teach math concepts. Further, research suggests that learning within a story context increases the retention and recall of the learned knowledge (e.g., Mishra, 2003). In laymen’s/laywomen’s terms, this is a win-win!
How to use picture books for math instruction
First of all, there is no wrong way of using any picture book to teach math. If you are reading them aloud, and your child is enjoying the story, you are already succeeding! But to get more out of the stories, get your kids asking questions. The Development and Research in Early Math Education at Stanford University suggests using two different types of questioning:
Lower level are simple and concrete. Examples are basic recall and labeling. How many birds do you see on the page?
Higher level are complex and abstract. Examples are to predict or infer. How many birds do you think will be on the next page? Why?
Use a mixture of these two types and ask follow up questions. Finally, model complex thinking.
Dr. Carrie S. Cutler, author of Math-Positive Mindsets suggests reviewing various parts of picture books before selecting them for math purposes.
When selecting books consider:
Accuracy: How accurate is the factual information? Terminology used correctly?
Visual appeal: Does it look like a textbook or a story book?
Connections: Provides contexts for readers to make connections between the math presented and their own experiences.
Audience: Presents concepts to a range of ages and abilities.
Interest factor: Goes beyond predicable; offers a new or exciting view.
Research Schools Network states the importance of how you use a book is important. Do not just read it. “Crucially, this means engaging in sustained back-and-forth multi-turn conversations, encouraging children to talk about the skills and concepts they are learning.”
Indeed, make it fun. Get the kids talking and asking questions.
Books to teach math concepts
Now you know the research and are convinced to use picture books, but where do you start? Engage the Brain has put together these particular books through Dr. Cutler’s considerations, and here is the perfect list to get you going:
Are We There Yet, Daddy? by Virginia Walters
On a 100 mile car trip, a son learns about spatial awareness and distance by counting by tens and asking the incessant question, “Are we there yet?”
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander Illustrated by Wayne Meehan
The characters Sir Cumference, Lady Di of Ameter, and Radius travel through a castle in an adventure that leads them to a magic number about all circles. If your kid(s) enjoy this one there are more in a series.
One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl & Tom Lichtenheld
Counting, subtracting, patterns and silliness come to life in this funny adventure. What child doesn’t smile when you say the word “underwear?”
Elevator Magic by Stuart J Murphy, illustrated by G. Brain Karas
Subtraction comes to life as the character Ben travels down an elevator and opens the door to various scenes. Predicting what comes next adds to fun.
Anno’s Counting Book by Mitsumasa Anno
Great for the youngest mathematicians. Each page adds more details to correspond to a number.
Who Eats First? Ae-he Yoon, illustrated by Hae-Won Yang
Classification, organizing data, and predicting come to life as a variety of animals decide who gets to eat a delicious peach first.
How Many Jellybeans? by Andrea Menotti, illustrated by Yancey Labat
Using candy and great pictures, kids can count large numbers.
100th Day Worries by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Arthur Howard
Alice, the main character, needs to find 100 things for the 100th day of school, but she cannot decide what to bring.
100 Hungry Ants by Elinor Pinczes, Illustrated by Bonnie MacKain
Ants introduce some slightly higher level math concepts including factors, prime and composite numbers, square numbers, and skip counting.
How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz, Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
The book offers concrete ways to picture one million. For example, to count from one to a million, it would take about 23 days!
Higher level math skills
The Grapes of Math by Greg Tang, Illustrated by Harry Briggs
Teach problem solving in a fun and creative way. Visual cues help readers discover new ways of grouping numbers to make then easier to count.
Great Estimations by Bruce Goldstone
This book uses jellybeans to help teach readers how to estimate large quantities of items. With practice and techniques you could win an estimation contest one day!
The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns, Illustrated by Gordon Silveria
Follow along on an adventure when a bored triangle visits a shape shifter and he starts to grow and change. Readers learn about polygons and angles as a triangle continues to add sides to his shape.
One Grain of Rice by Demi
Readers learn about exponential growth as the main character takes a grain of rice and begins doubling it. The amount of rice quickly adds up.
The Math Curse by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith
Math is everywhere and readers learn about patterns, fractions and even Fibonacci numbers.
Final thoughts
There are so many fantastic reasons to use picture books to teach math skills. By introducing children to math in non-threatening ways, their attitudes towards the subject improves, they are more willing to engage in math conversations and their classroom performance will improve. But just reading them is not enough. Encourage your kids to ask questions… get them talking! As a bonus, select these books from your local public library (these structures
still exist, right?). Now you are spending quality time with your child and introducing them to a love of reading. After reading a few of them, return to the library and select the next group.
If your child struggles with math concepts, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can help your child discover a love of math by using multi-sensory tools and picture books.
What is driving the mental health crisis in children? And what to do if you suspect your child is struggling.
With apologies to The Who, the kids are not alright. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among children and teens are rising at an alarming rate. Some point to the pandemic as the cause, but a closer look at the statistics reveals that the decade prior to 2020 – and the beginning of the pandemic – children’s mental health had already begun the slippery slide down with emergency room visits up.
According to the Children’s Health Council, a group of medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, has declared that the mental health crisis in children has become a national emergency. Research backs this up. According to a poll by the Pew research Center on CNN, 40% of parents said that they are extremely or very concerned about their child’s mental health.
To further emphasize the shocking increase, the National Institutes of Health reports that pre-pandemic research in 2015 reveals anxiety disorders in children and adolescents was 6.5% and depressive disorders was 2.6%. Post pandemic anxiety disorders have skyrocketed to 25.2% and depressive disorders shot to 20.5% in children and adolescents.
Further, 42% of high school students in 2021 reported feeling so sad or hopeless for two consecutive weeks that they stopped engaging in their usual activities, which is up from 26% in 2009.
What is causing this mental health crisis?
So what is driving this horrifying and scary national emergency? There is no one single determining factor. According to the American Psychological Association, social isolation, academic disruption, loss of a caregiver, and parent loss of a job are some of the more identifiable causes. Of course these are associated with the pandemic. In addition to those contributors, use of social media, threat of mass violence, natural disasters, climate change, and political polarization are all to blame, too. And for horrible measure, throw in cyberbullying, a focus on body image, and overwhelmed parents.
And if this lousy laundry list isn’t enough, the University of Michigan reports there is a lack of mental health providers. More than half of all U.S. counties lack a practicing psychiatrist. And even if you are lucky enough to live in an area that has mental health professionals, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is reporting there is an average wait of six weeks for behavioral health services.
Checking on your child’s mental health
Of course you the parent know your child best. When children have good mental health they can quite simply think clearly. They are capable of learning new things – hello school – and carry themselves with a sense of self-confidence. Additionally, they can mange those pesky and difficult emotions such as anger, frustration, and sadness. Finally, they have been taught effective coping skills so that they do not turn to ineffective behaviors such as substance abuse.
Younger children may not have the words to match what they are feeling, so it is important as a parent or caregiver to ask gentle questions. Seattle Children’s Hospital suggests listening more than talking and trying your best to hear what your child may be truly saying. Help younger kids name emotions and feelings. Doing this can reduce their power and impact. Finally, brainstorm coping strategies to help deal with emotions. Model yours! For example, when daddy gets upset he goes out for a walk and thinks about possible solutions to the situation.
Signs of mental health concern
Mental health is tricky and as a parent you need to decide if your child is just having a bad day or if there is something more possibly going on. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some signs to watch for:
- Sadness, worry, or fear that lasts more than two weeks
- Withdrawing from or avoiding social situations
- Outbursts or extreme irritability
- Changes in eating habits
- Weight change
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in academic performance
Of course this is not a complete or thorough list. If you suspect your child is struggling with their mental health, here are some ways to help.
Strategies to help with your child’s mental health
If your child is in crisis, please get them to a doctor or hospital immediately. However, if your child shows one or more of the signs above, here are some ways to help from Very Well Family:
- Show unconditional love
This may seem like common sense, but if your child is struggling or acting out it can be challenging, so double down and love them even more. Hugs and kind words are like a salve for your child’s heart.
- Praise their character
Often times parents go too far and comment and praise every little thing a child does, especially younger kids. Focus your praise on effort and persistence, not the results.
- Spend time together
Again, this may seem like you do this already, but if your teen is in a nasty, irritable mood it can be difficult to seek them out and enjoy a family outing. Find something your family enjoys and do it.
- Communicate regularly
Communication can take many forms, from the obligatory how was your day to something more specific such as tell me the best part of your day. Try to get a conversation going.
- Joyful movement – or exercise they enjoy
There is so much research to back up that movement is good for mental health. Encourage your child to move in a way they enjoy such as swimming or riding a bicycle. Get those endorphins popping!
- Add daily practices
Daily practices such as keeping a gratitude journal, eating healthy meals, and getting the proper sleep are all powerful tools to help promote good mental health.
- Build agency
Prop your child up and share with them how they have handled a negative situation before. Building agency – or that mindset that they do control their outcomes – is so important. With agency your child can be proactive and deal with their concerns.
Final thoughts
The research is clear, and medical professionals are sounding the alarm and have declared a national health emergency. Take a peek at any national publications and you are bound to see a headline with children and mental health crisis in it. Though mental health can be a pejorative term, it is critical that as parents you check in on your child’s well-being. One out of every four of you who read this may have a child in need of help. Know the signs of possible distress and some strategies to help and support your child if you suspect they are struggling.
Engage the Brain supports our students’ mental health by providing academic interventions including Orton-Gillingham instruction for dyslexia, Executive Functioning coaching, and multi-sensory math instruction and, equally importantly, by establishing a relationship built on care and trust with each student we see.
What exactly are 21st century skills? And 7 effective ways they can develop them.
There is a story about a time traveler who arrives in 2024 from the 1800s. He enters a supermarket and is amazed to learn that this is how people procure their food. Next, he strolls along the sidewalk and is shocked to see everyone holding a small device in their hands and staring straight at it. He passes by an airport and is dumbfounded at large metal things taking off and landing with ease. Finally, he steps into a school and feels a sense of comfort and familiarity because school has not changed in almost 200 years.
Schools are grappling with a changing set of skills required of the 21st century worker. The three Rs: reading, writing, and arithmetic are outdated. They have been replaced with a set of skills that better reflect what students ought to be mastering to be successful participants in the 21st century global economy.
21st century skills
The National Education Association breaks 21st century skills into three categories:
1. Learning
Critical Thinking: The Foundation for Critical Thinking defines it as “the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” In other words, the higher order thinking skills that Bloom has defined.
Creative Thinking: Career Services at the University of Pennsylvania defines it as “all about developing innovative solutions to problems. Creative thinkers brainstorm not only a large number of ideas but also a variety and range of them.” Even in math and science classes, creativity is a necessity to go beyond a basic understanding of concepts and creating new applications for these skills.
Collaboration: This is simply two or more people working together to achieve a defined goal. Students need opportunities to practice working in groups and developing the social skills to navigate interpersonal dynamics.
2. Literacy
Information literacy: According to the American Library Association, “Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” Google has become the new librarian, but this skill goes beyond just a simple Google search. Can a student get the right material in a timely fashion? Can they read it and truly comprehend it?
Media literacy: The ability to critically analyze stories presented in the mass media and to determine their accuracy or credibility. Think of the current climate with political polarization, rise of AI, and the erosion of trust of mainstream media. It is imperative a student develops a sense of when something doesn’t seem right. Can they confirm it with another reliable source?
Technology literacy: SimpliLearn defines it as the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively and responsibly use technology tools, devices, and resources. According toTime Magazine the Educational Testing Service unveiled a new, computer-based exam designed to measure information-and-communication-technology literacy. A pilot study of the test with 6,200 high school seniors and college freshmen found that only half could correctly judge the objectivity of a website.
3. Life skills
Flexibility: The University of Manchester defines it as the ability to change plans, priorities and ideas to suit changing circumstances. This is one of the Executive Functioning skills that so many students struggle with. Being able to “roll with the punches” is a critical skill for students to develop.
Initiative: The ability to work and complete a task without always being told what to do. Someone can think for themselves and take action when necessary. Many students wrestle with this skill, and they need opportunities to put this into practice.
Leadership: Combines many of the life skills; good leaders take initiative, have strong social skills, and are productive. When learning cooperatively in a small group, this provides chances for students to develop this important skill.
The new four C’s
As one can see the original 3 R’s are antiques. According to the University of Massachusetts Global, the New Four C’s are: critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity. In a global economy workers must think abstractly, work cooperatively in teams, distinguish good information from bad (or fake), and even speak another language.
20th Century schooling had compartmentalized instruction, that was teacher-centered, with memorization of facts emphasized. 21st Century schooling is student-focused with intertwined disciplines, collaboration and is project-based. And perhaps even more evidence for students to master these 21st century skills is a Department of Labor statistic that indicates that 65% of school-age children today will grow up to have jobs that do not yet exist!
Developing 21st century skills
1. Use your child’s interests. If they are fascinated with flight, encourage them to learn more. Perhaps visit a museum that focuses on flight. Locate websites and or books that share information about the topic. Let them lead the investigation; your job is to support them.
2. Encourage cooperative activities. Kids can learn cooperation in a variety of ways. Playing on a sports team or playing an instrument in the school band or joining Scouts are all great ways to foster cooperation skills. When difficulties arise – the coach doesn’t play your kid, the band director does not want four tuba players, etc. – help them navigate these seemingly difficult circumstances, but do not fight their battles for them.
3. Encourage out-of-the-box-thinking. Challenge your child to come up with a new rule for a familiar game. Maybe they add a twist to Uno or Monopoly. Change the rules during the game to practice flexible thinking. This keeps everyone on their toes!
4. Have your child teach you. There is no shortage of opportunities for children to explain things to their parents. Whether it is how to play Roblox or Minecraft or why a certain YouTuber has 25 million subscribers, ask your child to teach you about these different topics.
5. Participate in challenges. There are many appropriate challenges that can be found online. No, not the Tide pod challenge! More like the egg drop challenge or Balloon Rocket challenge- these fun hands-on activities require your child to think creatively and develop persistence to successfully complete the activity.
6. Focus on transfer of knowledge. How many times has your child come home and complained, “When am I ever going to use this?!” Help your child make those connections. If they are in high school and are studying triangles and the Pythagorean theorem, help them see its use in architecture and engineering design. Explain to them how you use “academic” skills such as reading in your job.
7. Discuss artificial intelligence. There are many AI programs that students may be using right now. Hello, ChatGPT. These programs should not be forbidden; your child needs to learn how to use the tools responsibly and correctly, with your guidance.
Final thoughts
The concept of school is changing. If the pandemic taught us anything, it was that school does not necessarily have to be in a physical building from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students have options such as virtual school, home school, or even hybrid programs and are free to select the best option for their learning needs. But not only is the school setting changing, so is the curriculum. The 3 R’s of reading, writing, and arithmetic are outdated. In their place are 21st century skills, which include critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration, communication, and creativity. As a parent you can help your child practice these skills. Model them! Remember, your child is probably preparing for a job that does not exist yet.
If your child struggles with school or needs more opportunities to learn these critical 21st century skills, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist can help.
What exactly is artificial intelligence? And what are the best AI tools for K-12 students?
Parents, buckle your seatbelts! Over the past few years Artificial Intelligence (AI) has grown so rapidly that your high school child can now produce an essay for their English class in less than 60 seconds – not with a command to a Genie or some science fiction contraption – but with one simple visit to ChatGPT. The essay will be well written but may contain a few factual errors. (More on that later.)
Let’s try to understand exactly what Artificial Intelligence is and what it is not. According to Google, AI is a set of technologies that enable computers to perform a variety of advanced functions, including the ability to see, understand, and translate written and spoken language, analyze data, make recommendations, and more. A calculator is not AI because the user must input numbers for the calculator to process the result. The calculator will not “learn” from each entry and predict what the user will enter next. AI will.
Like many industries, education is grappling with the presence and disruption of AI. Some schools and/or teachers are prohibiting its use. Other more progressive schools and/or teachers are acknowledging its existence and are embracing its powers to help students learn.
While there are many viewpoints about AI’s use in educational settings, there are some objective positives and negatives to its place in schools and classrooms.
Positives of AI in education
- According to Forbes, AI-powered educational tools can analyze data on student performance and provide tailored support to improve their grades.
- AI can also provide instant feedback. For example, AI-powered educational tools can provide students with immediate feedback on their work, allowing them to identify and correct mistakes quickly.
- E-learning Industry says AI can personalize learning by tailoring lessons to individual students’ needs, providing immediate feedback, and offering guidance.
- Gamification or the use of game scenarios that interest the students can provide immediate feedback and boost engagement.
- 24/7 access to technology can meet students when and where they are ready.
- Virtual Speech reports that some neurodiverse students who may struggle with traditional settings or learning methods thrive in AI powered environments.
Negatives of AI in education
- Forbes shares that while AI can provide personalized learning and instant feedback, it cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed, and relying too heavily on AI-powered educational tools may impact students negatively.
- Educators Technology states that plagiarism and factuality of information are also two serious concerns underlying the use of AI technologies in education.
- Privacy concerns proliferate the use of AI – or any internet visit – as students’ personal information can become at-risk.
- Cost of implementing AI in schools can be prohibitive for many districts and schools.
- Some teachers view AI as a threat to their job and may not embrace its true power out of fear for their continued employment.
Best AI tools for students
Now that you have your Cliff Notes version of AI, what are some tools that your child could benefit from using? Below is a wide range of AI apps, websites and programs that can support and enhance your child’s progress in school. Perhaps they are already using some these.
Slidesgo creates slide shows out of Google Slides or Power Point from student content. There are many themes and styles to select from that will “jazz up” any presentation, great for the non-artsy student. Best is that it is free.
Otter.ai records lectures and transcribes them into text in real time. It can even join Zoom sessions and record the meeting. There is a free option or paid options with more features.
Duolingo is a researched-backed approach to learning a foreign language. With bite-sized lessons students earn points and unlock levels, like a video game. And it is free.
Girls Who Code- Code at Home Program is an organization that allows girls to learn computer science and coding- and it is free.
Speechify coverts just about any text to speech. Students can choose from over 100 different voices including Snoop Dog. Prices vary.
Knowji is a tool that helps students learn vocabulary words in a fun and effective way. Using a built-in memory coach, Knowji ensures that each word you learn is maintained and stored in your long-term memory. Students preparing for the SAT or ACT may benefit from this program. Price $9.99.
Cognii: is a virtual learning assistant with conversational chatbot replies. They purport personalized deeper learning and intelligent tutoring among some of the features. Students can ask questions and receive immediate responses in a variety of subjects. Pricing not available.
Plaito is another learning assistant great for homework help and studying. There is a free option.
Hello History allows a user the opportunity to chat with a historical figure or fictional character that responds in their voice and style. It is great for research and learning more about a person. Cost not available.
ChatGPT is perhaps the best known AI tool due to its proliferation in the media. It is a form of generative AI, which means it literally generates responses based on the input. As mentioned at the beginning, ChatGPT can write an essay or tell a joke. There is a free version.
Concluding thoughts
No matter where you sit on the AI knowledge continuum, the education field is being transformed from the various AI applications available to both teachers and students. Like all new and innovative developments, there is a scary element to it along with a wide range of feelings and opinions about it. Positives include the efficiency in which AI can analyze a large set of data and and transform it into recommendations and feedback for student learning. Negatives include the lack of personal connection and emotional support that a teacher or tutor would provide. Whether your child’s school prohibits or embraces AI, these 10 applications are worth reviewing and sharing with your child.
If you have questions about AI or how it could be better harnessed to help your child with their schooling, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to learn more about these fascinating programs.