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Does success actually lead to more success? It does, and encouraging your child to find their success has huge benefits.

Childhood is getting harder. Whether it is staring at relentless (and addictive) social media feeds, playing nonstop (and addictive) video games, eating a steady diet of processed (and addictive) foods, or some other unknown conundrum, children seem to be struggling more and more. According to a study in JAMA Pediatrics, rates of anxiety and depression in children ages 3 to 17 increased by 29% and 27%, respectively, from 2016 to 2020. And these numbers are from before the pandemic! More recently, on May 2, 2023, the Surgeon General released Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community, noting that the rate of loneliness among young adults has increased every year between 1976 and 2019.

Withdraw and isolation appear to be the norm for today’s kids. How do parents combat this vexing and disturbing trend?

By helping their child find success! 

Children who learn differently often do not experience many successes in their young lives. Whether it is ADHD, dyslexia, or speech-language issue, these afflictions make successes hard to come by. But experiencing one success can lead to another!

A study in the journal Science Daily found that success does breed success.  Another study reported on in Psychology Today echoed the results. Factors such as your child’s special talents and networks of supportive contacts – hello parents and your friends! – are important to success.

Keys to success

Success expert (I did not know there was such a job) Richard St. John says the most important skill for success is focus. He has interviewed people such as Richard Branson and Bill Gates and has given popular Ted Talks on success. Once your child begins an activity, the importance of focus is critical to the learning of this new skill. Put another way, replace the word focus with the phrase sustained and prolonged effort, and one can see perhaps what St. John was referring to. 

According to Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing, true success and happiness in life come from being able to create, persevere, roll with life’s punches, and work with others.  To that end, she recommends children practice and reinforce their executive functioning skills. These skills include the ability to plan, manage time, and honestly evaluate one’s progress. She also stresses the importance of letting children be independent and allowing them to fail. There are many famous stories about inventors and creators failing miserably. Children need to learn that it is okay to fail; it is how we learn!

Finally, we need to help children understand that success is more about the process than the destination. As your child acquires new skills, celebrate these little wins along the way. By teaching your child that success is not a final destination, they are more likely to stick to their goal. 

Nurturing your child to help find their activity

A few months ago we wrote about the importance of extracurricular activities. Better grades, more connection to the school community – hello epidemic of loneliness and isolation – and improved self-esteem were all by-products of participation in extracurriculars. In addition, the earned successes that come from these activities are powerful. They can be like rocket fuel for your child, propelling them and motivating them, especially those who have not tasted much success in the past.

At Engage the Brain, we believe every child has special gifts. Some are natural artists while others excel on the playing field in athletics, while still others are gifted performers who can sing and or act. As mentioned above, children with learning differences often do not experience success in any area. These are the kids who need guidance to experience genuine success in their lives. 

There are many great options that exist, though some may not be the most popular. Within sports, some children may gravitate to lesser known activities such as archery or yoga. Perhaps a child is more service oriented and a natural helper. Civic organizations such Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts could be options. The National Wildlife Foundation has a wonderful opportunity with its Kids Garden for Wildlife program, where children plant and maintain a garden to help wildlife in urban areas. The point is children need help to find the activity that best suits them, so each can then apply focus and sustained effort, keys to success and all its powerful benefits.

My child is not interested in finding an activity

Clearly some children will need prodding, pushing, and extra encouragement to keep pursuing different activities until they find the one. It bears repeating that for children who think and learn differently and are neurodiverse, success may have eluded them. So how does a parent walk the line between being demanding and perhaps even called the word that rhymes with glass bowl, and simply giving up and allowing the child to retreat and not participate in activities outside of the required school day? In a word, balance.

One suggestion is to know your child’s friends. What are their interests? Are any of them participating in an activity your child may like to try? Another possibility is to share one of your own passions. If you enjoy photography, bring (drag) your child along so that they can get a sense of the whole process. 

Another option to is be a salesman or saleswoman. Teach your child the benefits of participation. For example, maybe your child will meet new friends who share similar interests. If he shows promise in art, then browse various program options and include him in the decision-making process to identify which activity best matches his comfort level. 

And if your child flat out refuses to join in any type of extracurricular activity? Then it may be time to consult your pediatrician and rule out other more serious issues such as depression and/or anxiety.

Final thoughts

Unlike the chicken and the egg that has been debated on the outer fringes of science and the internet for years, the question of whether success breeds success has been answered. Studies have proven that yes, in fact achieving success in one area is more likely to lead to other successes. With this nugget of wisdom in their parenting toolbox, parents need to nudge their children to find an activity that they can be successful doing. Children who think and learn differently may not have experienced an accumulation of achievements, so extra encouragement and casting a wide net of possible activities is critical.

Once your child selects an activity, fostering focus and extended effort will be important factors in their success journey. Celebrate small wins along the way and remind your child that the path is just as important as the final destination. And once your child gets a taste of success, watch out; a dose of confidence can lead her to great places she never thought she could get to before.

If your child struggles with finding success, contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to learn how a Learning Specialist may be able to help your child obtain the skills necessary to find those elusive successes.

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Children are on screens for up to 8 hours a day. What are the negative consequences and how can parents help their child reduce their amount of screen time?

The typical American household has 22 connected devices, according to Deloitte. That includes televisions, computers, tablets and smartphones. With census information stating there are 2.28 people per household on the low end of homes and 3.09 per household on the upper end, you can do the math: each family member has access to up to seven devices in the normal American home!

That is a lot of screens for the four to six eyeballs in each home.

And as we usher in the month of May – and the end of the school year here in Florida – that means even more time for children to be seeking out those easily found devices and logging hours glued to them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children ages 8 to 10 spend an average of 6 hours per day in front of a screen, kids ages 11 to 14 spend an average of 9 hours per day in front of a screen, and youth ages 15 to 18 spend an average of seven-and-a-half hours per day in front of a screen.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that kids ages 8-18 now spend, on average, a whopping 7.5 hours in front of a screen for entertainment each day, over four hours of which is watching television. Over the course of a year this equals… 114 full days a year staring at a screen for fun! This does not include screen time for educational purposes at school or completing homework.

What the heck are they taking in for all these hours?! It is a combustible mix of video games, television programming, social media consumption, Youtube, and texting with friends. And of course these same businesses use a sophisticated and eerily successful set of algorithms that keep the kids online and coming back. Whether it is links to other content or suggestions for more viewing, these apps are addictive.

Negative consequences of too much screen time

And like most things that are addictive, there are a host of negative consequences. The National Library of Medicine reports that too much screen time can:

• Make it hard for your child to sleep at night
• Raise your child’s risk for attention problems, anxiety, and depression
• Raise your child’s risk for gaining too much weight

Even the youngest children need supervision with screen time. In a study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, the results suggested that using electronic devices to calm youngsters when they’re upset may inhibit their ability to learn to soothe themselves, leading to more frequent, intense emotional outbursts. When children spend too much time on screens it leaves less time for play, where children learn creativity and how to interact with others and develop social skills and learn non-verbal cues.

If all this is not enough to convince parents to monitor screen time, Healthmatters, a publication of NY Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Jennifer Cross, a child behavioral expert, shared results from a study: “Early data from a landmark National Institutes of Health (NIH) study that began in 2018 indicates that children who spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities scored lower on language and thinking tests, and some children with more than seven hours a day of screen time experienced thinning of the brain’s cortex, the area of the brain related to critical thinking and reasoning.” Looking back at the screen time reported by the CDC, many children’s brains could be in trouble!

What are kids watching 

While there is a plethora of positive programs available to watch both on traditional television and streaming services, many kids are seeking out potentially dangerous content. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shares the following possible types of online content:

• Violence and risk-taking behaviors
• Videos of stunts or challenges that may inspire unsafe behavior
• Sexual content
• Negative stereotypes
• Substance use
• Cyberbullies and predators
• Advertising aimed at your child
• Misleading or inaccurate information

And social media is another whole topic, but according to the Cleveland Clinic some negative consequences of these sites include:

• Cyberbullying
• Online predators
• Sharing too much information
• False marketing
• Dangerous viral trends

Of course children are going to be online and consume content, so the question becomes: how do parents help protect and teach their kids digital safety?

Helping your child navigate the online world

There are many tools and strategies available to parents to help them guide their children to make good decisions around screen time. Raising Children has some suggestions about how to navigate screen time transitions:

• Set expectations before screen time session begins
• Choose timing to get off screens smartly: end of a show or end of a level of a game
• Give your child a warning about time is about to be up
• Allow them to save what they are doing

Other ways to help your child navigate the digital world include:

• Co-watch a program with your child to help add context and discuss the shows plot lines and character interactions.
• Make mealtime, bedtime, and family time screen free
• Employ active screen time – as a family perform exercises during commercial break: push ups, jumping Jacks, etc.
• Limit your own phone and screen time… modeling digital wellness behaviors for your child is a win-win!
• Emphasize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
• Monitor your child’s media usage to ensure that content is safe and age-appropriate. This list from Parents: suggests the best apps.

Final thoughts

The numbers are staggering. Children are spending hours upon hours on screens. Whether it is playing video games, watching videos on Youtube, or scrolling through social media sites, children are glued to devices. And the research on the consequences of all this screen time is frightening, including a variety of health issues and even brain deterioration. Parents, we need to take control: setting limits, modeling positive screen time, and monitoring what our child is consuming. 

Engage the Brain encourages all parents and students to practice proper digital citizenship and positive use of electronic devices.

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Has your child suffered learning loss due to the pandemic? Here are 9 strategies to help get them back on track.

With headlines like “The Pandemic Erased two decades of Progress in Reading and Math” by
the New York Times and “Half of nation’s students fell behind a year during COVID-19
pandemic. How do we recover?” by USA Today, some parents may be panicking and wondering
if their child will ever recover from pandemic learning loss.

Emerging Federal Education department statistics and data are frightening. Recently revealed
scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam (NAEP) or Nation’s Report
Card show stark declines in both reading and math. Losing one point on this test roughly
translates to about three weeks of learning, meaning a student who lost 12 points would need
36 weeks or entire school year to catch up – and would still be behind more advanced peers.

And of course students with disabilities fared even worse due to lack of special education
services during remote learning.

Learning loss due to Covid-19 could produce other long term ramifications. Research has found
that learning loss due to COVID could impact kids’ future earning potential by up to $40,000
over their lifetime or $17 trillion in lifetime earnings for the whole generation.
The federal government is trying address the problem through funding.

According to U.S. News and World Report, “The federal government provided $190 billion
through three tranches of emergency aid in an effort to help the U.S. public school system
recover from the coronavirus pandemic. But K-12 funding provided through the American
Rescue Plan – the most recent aid package – only requires districts to spend 20% on academic
recovery.” And diving even deeper into the government funding, Brookings reported that
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) investments from the American
Rescue Plan provided nearly $200 billion to public schools to spend on COVID-19-related
needs. Of that sum, $22 billion is dedicated specifically to addressing learning loss using
“evidence-based interventions.”

And of course none of these statistics begins to quantify the mental health crisis that is raging in
children. Incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges are all up for all
ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, according to the CDC.

What is a parent to do? Sitting back and believing everything will work out is not an option.
Rather, there are strategies and interventions parents can turn to to help their child recover and
come out of the pandemic better than before. More resilient. More confident. And more self-
aware of their strengths and challenges.

Missed learning or learning loss?

There is a battle of semantics taking place in education circles. On one side you have the
“missed learning” group, which believes that students simply missed instruction during the
pandemic, especially while in remote instruction. On the other side you have the “learning loss”
group, which posits that students lost instruction much like during the summer break when
students experience a regression in skills. Honestly, it does not matter which side is correct
because the results are the same… students are behind!

Accelerated learning vs remediate

Another debate, way more important than what we label the academic mess we are in, is the
approach that educators ought to take. One camp believes schools and teachers should push
forward with the curriculum and engage in “accelerated learning.” They essentially believe
students should continue with their current grade level instruction and can be supported in a
variety of ways to achieve success.

The other camp believes remediation must take place in order to create the foundations
students will need to succeed in more advanced classes. They know students need the
instruction they missed. Think math. Math is the ultimate “building block” subject, where prior
learning is required in order to move up the ladder to more challenging concepts.

How to help your child

Now that the “doom and gloom” is covered, what can a parent do to help their child?

First and foremost, stressed out students cannot learn to the best of their capacity. Post-Katrina
studies reveal the importance of building and maintaining supportive relationships with students
(children) following disasters. The connection between children feeling safe, seen, and
connected to the adults in their lives and academic success has been long studied as a
protective factor. Ensure their mental health is healthy.

Ask your child’s teacher exactly how they are doing in class. How did they score on state tests?
How are they performing on class assessments? What resources can the teacher share to help
you support your child? Armed with information is the best way to begin helping your child.

Good grades do not necessarily equate to being on grade level due to the practice of grade
inflation. Some schools or teachers may extend too much grace for late assignments. Others
may allow extra credit projects to boost grades. While still others may (overly) reward
participation. Just because your child has straight A’s does not mean he is on grade level.

Consider high dosage tutoring, which is defined as two to three times per week for a minimum
of 30 minutes per session. It is recommended that you select a Learning Center that has highly
skilled Learning Specialists trained to provide targeted interventions.

Know your child’s reading level and encourage her to read challenging books, not just reread
favorite or too easy ones. States publish grade level book recommendations such as Florida’s
Sunshine State reading list.

Help your child adopt a growth mindset. According to Positive Psychology , children with a
growth mindset outperform those with a fixed mindset and are more likely to bounce back from
failures. One of the keys to developing this is for parents to model a growth mindset. Share
struggles you have had and the strategies you used to overcome the problem. A critical aspect
to promoting a growth mindset is praising effort over ability or intelligence.

Ask your child to teach you what they learned in school today. As all of our lives have become
busier and more hectic, it is important that parents stay well-informed about what their child is
doing in school each day. A wonderful way to do this is to ask your child to teach you something
he learned in school today. This goes beyond a simple conversation. Sit and invest in your child
and let them know you truly want to learn the skill they are presenting.

Create and insist on a routine. Extra curricular activities are great, but insist your child maintain
a routine. Cook healthy meals, ensure there is a homework time, play time, and a consistent
sleep time. Routines provide structure and allow children to thrive, knowing what the
expectations are.

Be patient.. this will take time!

Final Thoughts

Just about every student missed learning – or suffered learning loss – during the pandemic. The
recent flurry of statistics coming out backs this up. However, there are actionable steps parents
can take to help guide their child back to grade level and to a place where they love school
again. By determining how a child is currently performing in school, becoming more active in
your child’s day to day schooling, and ensuring your child’s metal health is healthy, parents will
put their kids in the best position to succeed.

If you think your child is has suffered Pandemic Learning Loss and are concerned about their
progress, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discuss how a Learning
Specialist may be able to help.

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How do you help your child set and achieve goals? By following this 5 step plan and focusing on SMART goals.

As the ball drops in New York City’s Times Square with the strains of Auld Lang Syne fading in the background, and you begin the dreaded clean up of your New Year’s Eve celebration (maybe with a slight headache), many people begin the obligatory process of setting New Year’s resolutions. Improve diet, exercise more, and save more money are popular aspirations. And according to recent research, by the end of January over 60 percent of people will have already abandoned their resolutions. 

Why is this case? Perhaps the simplest explanation is focusing on the difference between a resolution and a goal. A resolution is more general and a statement of hopeful change. I will join a gym in 2023 and begin working out. A goal has a specific target and steps to achieve it. I will work out three days a week for 45 minutes each day. 

While many adults go through this annual ritual of resolution setting in early January, children can benefit from guided goal setting, too. According to PositivePsychology, encouraging your child to sift through a series of possible goals – and formulating a plan to achieve them – has great benefits including:

• improving self-image
• increasing awareness of strengths and weaknesses
• building responsibility
• improving decision making
• giving kids a lead role in their future
• providing a successful experience 

In addition to these amazing perks, reflective self-improvement, also called a growth mindset, has been found to be a better predictor of future success than IQ.

But of course children need help with this process. Here is what research says are the best strategies to use to help your child set and achieve their goals.

SMART goals

Many people have heard of the acronym SMART when planning to set up some goals. SMART goals were developed by George Doran, Arthur Miller and James Cunningham in their 1981 article “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management goals and objectives.” Let’s break it down.

S: specific – goal is identified and has a specific purpose and benefit.

M: measurable – it can be deemed successful. I will achieve at least an 80% on weekly spelling tests.

A: attainable – your child can realistically achieve the goal. If your child is 8 years old, dunking a basketball on a ten foot high rim is not going to happen.

R: relevant – the goal has a clear connection to your child and he sees the benefit of it.

T: time-bound – there is timed part of the goal. I will earn at least an 80% on my weekly spelling tests for the 3rd quarter of school.

Choosing goals with your child

Right at the outset it is critical that your child select the goal. That doesn’t mean you cannot suggest and guide them to the best one. One way to do this is to employ the Three Stars and a Wish model, which is especially effective for younger children. Start by picking a category such as math or basketball and list three “stars,” or areas of strength and one “wish,” an area for improvement. The area for improvement may be a possibility for a goal. 

Perhaps your child does well on math class assignments and homework but scores relatively low on tests. You could lead your child through the SMART goal steps to establish a goal to improve on the math tests.

Of course that leads us to types of goals. In short there are school-related or academic goals and non-school related goals, such as learning a new instrument. Each area has many fruitful possibilities. If selecting a school-based goal, ensure it meets all of the SMART goal steps and is something your child truly wants to accomplish. In the area of non-school or non-academic goals, guide your child to think about character goals such as caring, courtesy, and/or generosity. Again, it is imperative that your child want to achieve this goal if she is going to have a chance to be successful.

Steps to goal setting

Once you and your child have settled on an appropriate goal, it is time to plan it out. Having a sequence to follow is important so that your child can see the steps and ensure they are manageable and achievable.

1. Select the goal:  In addition to the above referenced ideas, ensure the goal is of the right challenge level – think attainable in the SMART goal acronym. Too easy and there is no payoff or growth. Too difficult and frustration will emerge and feelings of ineptitude could appear. 
2. Plan the steps:  Your child will probably need lots of guidance during this step. Help your child work backwards from the goal and brainstorm all the steps that will be necessary to achieve it. Emphasize smaller, more manageable steps and realistic time frames to accomplish each step. Write these steps down and place them where they can be checked frequently and updated. 
3. Brainstorm any roadblocks: Most good and challenging goals will have set backs.  Anticipating these – or as many as you can – will help prepare your child for the misstep. For example, if your child’s goal is to earn an 80% or higher on weekly spelling tests and she receives a 75%, plan what she could do differently. Perhaps she needs to write each word down three times AND have a parent quiz her nightly.
4. Monitor and adjust as necessary: Because you generated possible roadblocks, this step is important in keeping your child on track. As the life span of the goal unravels, help your child evaluate what has gone well and what, if anything, needs adjusting. Perhaps it is a small tweak. In other cases there may need to be a major shift. Guide your child to determine what changes need to be or should be made.
5. Celebrate both small and big successes: Please celebrate your child’s journey in goal setting. Whether he accomplishes the goal or not, point out any successes achieved along the way. For example, if your child’s goal was to earn a 90% or higher on math tests during the 3rd quarter and he ends up with a 84%, and that is an improvement over the 2nd quarter scores, celebrate! These celebrations will improve your child’s self-esteem and provide a boost of confidence that they can be successful in other parts of their life, too.

Final thoughts

As the calendar flips to January and a new year begins, encourage your child to set a goal in place of making a traditional New Year’s resolution. In addition to elevating their self-esteem and confidence in accomplishing other tasks, goal setting has the added bonus of boosting their Executive Functions, which includes time management, organization, and self-monitoring. While it is important that your child ultimately select the goal, parental guidance and feedback is critical to your child choosing one that meets the SMART goal parameters. And do not forget to model your own goal setting in either your personal or professional life. Your children are watching!

If your child struggles with setting and achieving goals or has an Executive Functions weakness, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discuss how a Learning Specialist could help your child develop the necessary skills.

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There are many educational apps. Which are the best ones for elementary, middle and high school age students?

“Holy Shipt,” screamed Santa from his workshop. Mrs. Claus, within earshot and appalled, said, “Santa, language!” 

“No, honey. Shipt is an app. They will deliver everything from food to drinks to toys. What is this world coming to? Next thing you know they won’t need me! Ho ho no!”

Mrs. Claus offered Santa some hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and encouraged him to sit down in his comfy chair. Rudolf, the emotionally intelligent reindeer, sat nearby with an eye on Santa hoping the cocoa would do the trick.

Some parents may now be feeling a lot like Santa. Most schools have gone digital, meaning every student is issued a laptop and most assignments are completed and submitted electronically. And with this relatively new way of schooling taking over – and here to stay – being proficient with learning management systems and apps is more important than ever.

But like most things in this digital world, some are better than others. Engage the Brain is here to help parents sift through the electronic world of educational apps and help offer some insights and guidance into the best ones for different age students.

Best apps for elementary age students

Khan Academy Kids is great for lower elementary age students. It has everything from math and English lessons to activities that can be printed. According to the website, the content was developed in collaboration with learning experts at Stanford and aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards.

Prodigy is another great site for learning both language arts and math. They boast a big goal: to make every student love learning. A nice feature of Prodigy is it allows parents to track the progress of their child, which can motivate children to see how they are progressing through the skills. Both the math and language arts activities are set in story mode which can make it feel like playing a video game.

ABCmouse.com is a subscription based site. It offers a variety of learning skills including reading and language arts, math, social studies, and even art. Your child will create an avatar and then work through the lessons, which allows parents to track progress. Children are motivated by earning rewards and tickets. And there are options to print activities for off-line practice.

Swift Playgrounds is an app that teaches younger children how to code. If you are raising a future Steve Jobs, this app will lead your child through the app development process. According to the site, your child needs no experience with coding and uses puzzles and challenges to teach the skills. 

Write About This is a great creative writing app. It includes 175 pictures and over 375 prompts to spark creative writing in children. The app also allows parents to upload photos and add in their own prompts, making it almost endless with possibilities. Download it onto an iPad and encourage your child to write anytime anywhere.

Best Apps for middle school age students

Quizlet is a great site for studying a variety of material. Students can make digital flashcards – or search the vast library of already-prepared-cards – then play a series of different review games to help learn class material in a fun and engaging way. This app could easily be on the high school list as well.

Citizen Math, formerly known as Mathalicious, is a fantastic site for students to practice math problem solving. The goal of the site is to connect math to the real world, something that most middle school math students see little connection to. Most parents have heard the refrain, “When am I ever to going to use this?” Now you can point them here.

Duolingo boasts that it is a fun way to learn a foreign language. Set in a video game-like mode, students earn points and unlock rewards as they progress through the lessons. The app uses AI to better meet your child where they are and help them to learn the material, which includes learning to read, listen, and speak the language.

Grammaropolis comes to the rescue when students need a deep dive into grammar. In middle school, often teachers begin the (nasty) introduction to diagramming sentences and going way past nouns and verbs. Suddenly parts of speech begin dangling and modifying! For those parents old enough to remember, think School House Rock cartoons back on Saturday mornings as the site uses music videos and animated shorts to teach grammar concepts.

Cam Scanner allows your child to use their phone’s camera to scan a document and turn it into a PDF or any number of other formats. This is perfect for when your child is working on a research project because documents can be scanned then stored for later use. Or, if homework is forgotten – which we know never happens – your child can scan a classmate’s then have it to complete with no penalty for late work.

Best apps for high school age students

Google Docs is a must for high school students. Most teachers prefer it and it allows students to work collaboratively, in real time, with other classmates, which is a 21st century skill teachers ought to be emphasizing. Google docs also works seamlessly with its sister apps such Google Slides and Google Sheets. It also features Smart Compose, which allows the user to focus on their ideas and AI to suggest spelling and phrasing corrections.

The Homework App is an online version of a school planner. For whatever reason, many students – who need them the most! – refuse to use physical planners, where they can record homework assignments and upcoming tests and projects. This app allows students to quickly enter information and even color code it for added layers of organization. Students can set reminders and even upload photos if desired.

Kahoot is great study platform. While the app serves many age groups, high school students will enjoy the creative way it allows them to study information. Many teachers use Kahoot to help students practice skills both in and out of the classroom. Students can search the site for games and flashcards that are already made or they can create their own, then practice in a fun environment.

Mathway is a students’ and parents’ best friend. By high school, math can get challenging. When those pesky problems present themselves, students can enter a problem on the screen, using an easy-to-use keyboard. The site then prompts the student to ask how it would like the answer presented: graph, x or y intercepts, etc. then finally reveals the solution and steps to arrive at it. This app is a life saver for those late night homework sessions.

Insight Timer is perhaps the most important app on our list. It bills itself and the number one app for sleep, anxiety, and stress. Students are quite simply more stressed than ever and this app has both a free section and a premium section that is available with a subscription. Content includes featured speakers, guided and sleep meditations, soothing music, and even courses. Do your child (and yourself) a favor and check out this app.

Final thoughts

Schools’ and teachers’ presentation methods are changing. Even the youngest parents would not recognize what a typical classroom and learning environment looks like in a school today. Digital schools are now the norm, and students complete just about all their assignments on laptops or iPads. Even textbooks are loaded onto school-issued devices. Students need to be tech savvy in order to thrive in today’s schools. While some people may not like it, it is here to stay. This list of the best apps for each age group is an attempt to help parents sort through the clutter that exists in the digital space. Who knows, maybe even Santa will try an organizational app!

If your child struggles with learning in a digital environment or you have questions about technology and apps, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain.

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“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.” – A.A. Milne

Engage the Brain is not unlike the sun-splashed Hundred Acre Woods featured in the classic
Winnie the Pooh stories written by A.A. Milne. We are populated with a variety of characters
who each brings vast experience, diverse personalities, and a love of our mission to help
children ease through school (and childhood) by supplying them with strategies and
interventions all covered in dabs of honey in the form of genuine care, compliments and positive
reinforcement.

We do not take our mission lightly. In fact we are oozing with gratitude for the parents who trust
us with their children. According to Harvard Health Publishing, in positive psychology research,
gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It goes on to state that
gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, improve their health, and – not surprisingly –
build strong relationships. That is what we strive for at Engage the Brain: strong and trusting
relationships with the children we serve.

How do we accomplish this lofty goal? By offering a suite of services that is unrivaled in Central
Florida. If a child is struggling in school, Engage the Brain can help. Whether it is reading
comprehension, decoding the confounding letters of the alphabet, math struggles, Executive
Functioning issues, or just an overall malaise towards school, we have Learning Specialists
trained to help.

Services offered by Engage the Brain

Orton-Gillingham instruction

Orton-Gillingham has long been declared the gold-standard of instruction for students with dyslexia. According to the website, it is a “method based on the Science of Reading research that focuses on multi-sensory techniques that teach reading and spelling.” Engage the Brain has 20 people trained in O.G.: 8 at the Classroom Educator level (30 hours of training) and 12 at Associate level (60 hours of training). These professionals continually collaborate to bring a child the best in dyslexia instruction practices.

Multi-sensory math instruction

Math is much more than a series of operations and numbers on a piece of paper (or computer screen). To build true understanding and mastery over an abstract concept, instruction must be multi-sensory and directly taught. To that end, three Specialists are trained in Marilyn Zecher’s Multi-sensory math approach. It mirrors “recommendations from current research and suggestions from the National Math Panel regarding instruction for struggling learners.” Additionally, Jennifer Disch is trained in On Cloud Nine, which is a program developed by Lindamood Bell. Like our Orton-Gillingham instructors, the math specialists meet and share best practices so each child receives hands-on instruction tailored to their needs.

Reading comprehension instruction

Students who are not diagnosed with dyslexia but still struggle with comprehending text receive valuable instruction in a variety of researched-backed approaches. One such program that is popular is Visualizing and Verbalizing, also created by Lindamood Bell. This program is perfect for “word callers,” or those children that can read fluently but do not comprehend. Often these students do not create an image in their mind and then miss significant parts of the passage. Benefits of the approach, according to the website, include “development of concept imagery improves reading and listening comprehension, memory, oral vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing.”

Executive Functioning instruction

If a student exhibits a weakness in their executive functions, it will affect just about every area of learning. According to the Center on Developing Child at Harvard, Executive Functions “skills are the mental processes that enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully.” An exasperated parent may view their child as having no idea how to study. Engage the Brain has Specialists trained in several leading Executive Functions programs including Seeing My Time and the Landmark School, known for their expertise in working with the students with language-based learning disabilities.

Written expression

Written expression can be challenging for students because of the heavy load required to string together sentences. Skills required include:  expressive language, receptive language, decoding/encoding, studying, self-regulation and self-efficacy, and fine motor skills. Specialists have been trained a series of approaches including The Institute for Excellence in Writing  (IEW), which emphasizes prewriting and constructing sentences orally first to help build towards competent and logical sentence structures. In addition to IEW, Specialists have also trained in methods prescribed by the Landmark School referenced above.

Speech and Language Therapy

Engage the Brain currently has 6 Speech-Language Pathologists.  Each offers traditional Speech and Language Therapy, which focuses on students’ speech/articulation needs, as well as receptive and expressive language needs.  Many SLPs also work with students with reading difficulties. As a bonus, they tend to incorporate the Speech/Language needs into an Orton-Gillingham lesson. 

Occupational Therapy

Engage the Brain is proud to announce the recent hire of an Occupational Therapist. Her main goal is to focus on OT principles such as sensory, self-regulation, fine-motor, and attention.  Like our Speech-Language Pathologists, the Occupational Therapist will also work in academic interventions during the sessions.

North Park Learning Group

In addition to all these services, Engage the Brain also offers homeschool students a hybrid school option with the North Park Learning Group. Students ages 7-14 work in small groups in an experiential and academically-focused environment. Project-based learning and direct instruction focus on real-world applications of academic material. Classes are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and follow the OCPS calendar. 

Gratitude conclusion

Engage the Brain truly is the Hundred Acre Wood, a magical place where students can come and discover the best versions of themselves. We are incredibly grateful to all the families that have trusted us to assist their children. Not unlike a tire with too much air and pressure building, Engage the Brain prides itself on being the valve, to help release the pressure built up and allow a child to relax and learn. Jennifer Disch, our Christopher Robin, leads the Specialists and matches each to the child they can best help. 

We have a lofty goals at Engage the Brain. We do not want your child to remember us; rather we want them to never forget us. From the bottom of our hearts – and with our bellies full of honey – thank you to everyone who has supported us during the past year.

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How can parents best prepare for parent-teacher conferences? By establishing a supportive partnership with teachers and doing their homework prior to the meeting.

With October galloping in with ghosts and goblins and a heavy dose of candy, there is another (potentially) scary event that usually takes place this month: parent-teacher conferences.

For many reasons these time-tested events can strike nerves in all the participants, leaving some to dread the actual 15-minute-ish meeting. But it does not need to- and should not- be this way.

By preparing properly and establishing a supportive partnership with the teacher(s), parent-teacher conferences can be a time for information sharing, questions being answered – by both parties –  and formulating a plan to best move your child forward in their academic, social, and emotional growth.

Prior to the conference

As children grow and enter their school-age years, sometimes we can forget that parents are still their child’s first and most important teachers. In theory, your child arrives in the classroom each morning properly fed, well-mannered around other human beings, and ready to learn. If your child’s social-emotional well-being needs assistance, please read our blog post about how to build resilience and support children with these critical skills.

Next, know your child’s teacher’s preferred method of communication. Perhaps during Meet-the-Teacher night or through an early-in-the-school-year email, the teacher sent this information out. Some teachers prefer to use their formal school email; others may use the LMS (Learning Management System) such as Canvas to send and receive messages. 

Once you know the preferred contact method, reach out to the teacher a week or two before the conference and ask if there is any information they could send home for you to review prior to the conference. Is there any testing or Progress Monitoring that took place? Or is there any information they would like you to bring to discuss? This way you can generate some questions and feel more informed about your child rather than learning this information at the conference.

Another important step to take prior to the conference is to review your child’s grades through the school’s online grading system. Most every school uses some version of a grading system such as Power School, Renweb, or Edmodo. Typically you will need your child’s username and password to log in and see their current grades.

Finally, talk with your child before the conference. Do they have any concerns or questions they would like answered? Sometimes kids have the best questions to ask, and hearing the teacher’s response/s may be the best way to spend the limited time of the conference. Not sure what to ask? Then these questions from Understood can give you some suggestions.

During the conference

As you head into the school for the conference, remember that your child’s teacher is probably meeting with many parents back to back to back. It is equally stressful on the teacher, who is presumably trying their best to stick to the tight conference schedule. So be prepared to respect the structure and timeframe of the meeting that the teacher has set.

The Harvard Family Research Project has some general information parents can review to help understand the purpose and goals of a typical parent- teacher conference.

If you have a concern about the teacher, one that could get awkward, try using the Oreo method to address it. First, start with a compliment or positive statement for the teacher. “We appreciate the passion and energy you bring to the classroom.” Next, share the concern. “We are concerned that recess is being taken away as a behavior consequence, and we wonder if together we might consider an alternative approach.” Finally, share another positive statement about the teacher. “Addison adores the way you teach addition, and we appreciate your extra efforts to make learning fun.” By sandwiching the concern, you build good will, and hopefully the teacher is more responsive to your concern.

Of course this should be obvious, but in case it isn’t: you need to keep your cool. If the Oreo method does not diffuse a concern, act like an adult! Perhaps the issue will need to be addressed at a later time with a principal or other administrator present.

Bring something to write with and on. It could be as simple as a pen and notebook, or use the notes app on your phone. Recording notes of the interactions can be beneficial later as you try to recall what was and was not discussed.

An important part of the conference is to learn how your child is doing in their academics. But do not forget to ask about those parts of your child that cannot be tested, such character and friendships. How are their social emotional skills doing in comparison to classmates?

Finally, practice active listening and make sure you understand all the information the teacher is sharing. Often times educators can slip into jargon or lingo they use daily, forgetting that non-educators will not know what BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) or an IEP (Individual Education Plan) is. If you are not sure of something, ask!

After the conference

After the conference, it is important that you follow up on any recommendations. For example, if your child is still mastering their basic math facts in any or all of the four operations (add, subtract, multiply, and divide), then set up a daily practice schedule for 10 minutes each day that your child will use. Or schedule an appointment with the eye doctor to see if your child truly has a vision issue, or if they are just “math blind” and numbers send them into temporary blindness!

Commit to communicating regularly with the teacher. Depending on your child’s needs, perhaps a check-in email every other week is appropriate. Keep it short and simple.

And of course talk with your child! Inform them of the results of the conference and any necessary adjustments to their schedule. Will the child start seeing a specialist once a week or engage in some other intervention? 

Finally, sending a thank you note or email to the teacher continues to build good will and sends the message that you view yourself as part of your child’s education team. 

Final thoughts

October ushers in lots of scary things,  such as ill-fitting – and perhaps ill-designed – costumes and an overabundance of pumpkin spice. Parent-teacher conferences need not be on the list of scary events that you encounter. By establishing a cordial and supportive relationship with your child’s teacher from the first day of school and doing your homework prior to the conference, you will put yourself, and more importantly your child, in the best position to succeed.

If you would like assistance with preparing for your child’s parent-teacher conference or have questions after the conference about the recommendations, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to set up a meeting. 

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Children who feel connected and a sense of belonging perform better. How do parents develop these critical attributes?

As adults we can reflect back on our childhoods and painfully remember times when we were not included. Perhaps it was in gym class when two captains were picked by the PE teacher to select the teams for that day’s game. One player at a time was called by the captains as the less athletic and/or less popular kids stood on the sideline, gazing downward, awkwardly waiting to be called last – a loud and unuttered message that they were not wanted. 

Or perhaps it was the time a classmate handed out invitations to a birthday party only to exclude some of the class, sending that same message that was sent in gym class that some children are not welcome or accepted. 

Not feeling connected to or having a sense of belonging to school affects many children. In fact, if you walk into the average classroom, one in three students would claim to not feel a sense of belonging. This raises massive concerns. According to Child Watch, not belonging can be linked to feelings of worthlessness, self-doubt, isolation, and sadness. It can affect relationships with others and even grades.

Conversely, students who did feel connected and a sense of belonging tend to perform better. Child Watch shared that “a sense of belonging has been found to help protect children against mental health problems and improve their learning. Children who feel that they belong are happier, more relaxed, and have fewer behavioral problems than others. They are also more motivated and more successful learners.” Furthermore, according to the CDC, connectedness also reduces risk-taking behaviour and violent and antisocial behaviour, as well as the likelihood of emotional problems.

Road blocks to belonging

There are many reasons why a child may not develop a sense of connection or belonging in school. Some common causes include:

Neurodiversity: Children with ADHD, Dyslexia, or Autism Spectrum Disorder often have a difficult time making friends or fitting in.

Low self-esteem: Children who struggle in school often have a poor self-image. This can translate into lack of confidence in social situations and with making friends.

Cliques: Cliques are a part of most middle and high schools social environments. Some students are simply not as adept at navigating these seemingly ruleless and ruthless packs.

Fear of Failure: Some children just do not like to take risks of any size or shape due to the potential perceived negative consequences. This can result in a lonely and disconnected social life.

The benefits of belonging and connection

When children engage with other children it provides opportunities to develop connection and belonging. For most kids these times are during school. The website Raising Children lists three important benefits for children to create a sense of belonging. First and perhaps obviously, it provides opportunities for children to learn about getting along with others. Second, it develops a group of people that children can go to when they need help. And third, it provides a network as your child ages from which they can learn about different jobs, skills, and opportunities in the community.

How do you know if a particular group would be good for your child? ACECQA’s National Education Leader, Rhonda Livingstone lists four traits that make a “sense of community”:

• Belonging: Feeling you are part of the community.

• Influence: Feeling you ‘matter’ and can make a difference.

• Integration and fulfillment of needs: Feeling your needs can be met.

• Shared emotional connection: Feeling of an attachment through shared experience, place or history.

Use these four traits of a positive community when discussing possible school or after school activities with your child. 

Developing belonging and connection

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a popular psychological axiom. It is divided into five levels with the basic or bottom level including physiological needs such as food and shelter; the second level of safety, which includes health and employment; and the third level of love and belonging, which includes friendship, family, and a sense of belonging. The psychological theory is a pyramid stating that the lower levels of human needs must be met before the next level can be achieved. The goal, according to the model, is self-actualization which is desiring to be the best version of one’s self.

Our focus is on Maslow’s third level. Of course as mentioned above, children need opportunities to connect and feel that sense of belonging. Here are some typical places children might look to to find their community with like-minded people.

Sports team: If your child is athletic and is interested in sports, joining a team can provide amazing opportunities to make lasting friendships and quality relationships. Numerous studies reveal that high school students who participated in sports graduated at a higher rate than those who did not compete and had higher grade point averages. Sports also teach valuable life lessons such as accountability, respect for others, and determination.

School band or choir: Encouraging your child to play an instrument or sing in the choir can pay academic dividends. According to a study in Psychology Today, students who participated in music programs had higher standardized test scores than non-participants. And most communities offer after school music programs if the school option does not appeal to your child.

After school clubs: Most schools – elementary, middle and high – offer some selection of after school clubs. They may range from photography to student newspaper to art and even playing board games. By encouraging your child to seek out information about their school’s offerings, it places them with other kids who have a shared interest, raising the chances of forging meaningful friendships. 

Volunteering: Many high schools require community service hours to graduate. Beyond that mandate, volunteering can provide a child with the chance to interact with other like-minded people who share their interests. Most communities have ample options for teens to get involved with agencies such as pet shelters, food banks, and/or the Red Cross. A quick search engine peek should reveal some great options in your community.

Theater: Whether through school or an organization in your community, perhaps your child is a budding thespian. Or maybe they are the more “off-stage” type and would enjoy making sets and props. Either way, joining in with a group of people that have a shared goal is a wonderful way for children to develop friendships and that sense of connection.

Scouts: All levels of Scouting (Cub, Brownie, Boy and Girl) offer great opportunities for your child to develop valuable skills and relationships. As your child works towards certain badges or goals, they are bound to foster friendships with their other den or troop members.

Final Thoughts

Having a true sense of belonging and a connection to a group is critical for children. Kids with these traits develop a sense of armor that helps them through difficult times. Of course school is one of the more important organizations that your child hopefully feels connected to. But there are other options to build this sense of connection with. Whether you have a little linebacker who thrives on the field, a groovy guitarist who jams with other musicians, or a skilled scout embarking on a badge quest, encouraging your child to explore their interests is essential for them to develop a strong sense of connection.

If your child struggles with fitting in and/or feeling like they are not connected to their school or other organizations, please contact Jennifer Disch at Engage the Brain to discover how a Learning Specialist may be able to help.

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