Archive for the "Parent Tips" Category

How can we encourage stress-free reading? Parents of frustrated learners often share with us that their children dislike reading and avoid doing so when not required. These students can put in tremendous effort, in and outside of the classroom, aimed at improving and achieving their goals, without seeing the desired results. Wanting to focus more on less stressful activities that are more likely…

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If I were to tell you that boys often receive more attention, praise, and encouragement in the classroom than girls, or that girls are usually quieter, talked over, and acknowledged for listening patiently rather than speaking up, would you be surprised?  Or would it simply reinforce what you already suspected or considered to be true? What if I told you that boys often receive lower grades for…

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For students with learning challenges, summer vacation may come with a sigh of relief. For some, it can signal a welcome break from the familiar cycle of effort not matching results. It can mean a temporary reprieve from watching peers respond with confidence and accuracy to assignments or instructions that inspire confusion and trepidation.  It can also mean removal from the spotlight they fee…

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When students excel in a particular area, we tend to notice. We recognize the need to foster their skills and strive to offer the appropriate resources and instruction. Expectations are set higher and the necessary support provided. When learning challenges persist, despite consistent targeted instruction, we tend to notice. We work with the child, educators, and other professionals to determine…

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When I was younger, an experience helped me realize fact or fiction isn’t always as obvious as it may seem.

I had spent a summer living and working in Rwanda. People travel there from all over the world for a chance to observe its mountain gorillas. The movie Gorillas in the Mist had come out a few years earlier, leaving a lasting impression on many, myself included. I talked to friends and f…

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Imagine how much more stressful a lengthy car ride or traffic jam would be without our trusted stereo system. Music can help reduce anxiety, promote focus and calm, and even energize us. Many doctors play selected songs or genres of music while performing medical procedures. A number of athletes use headphones to play chosen songs before a game or competition to help tune out distractions, so th…

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