The Benefits of a Graduate Degree

May 13, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on the benefits of a graduate degree.  Unfortunately, the global pandemic has confined most of us to our homes. With a quarantine in full swing, parents are finding their groove balancing work and homeschooling.  We should all be proud of what we have achieved during this difficult time.

 

benefits of a graduate degree

 

While many households have young children and are helping with their development, however, many young adults are contemplating their future.  Especially, those who have recently finished their college degree and are ready to head out and start a career.  Since the economy is not in a great place, now might be a great time to discuss the benefits of a graduate degree.   

College degrees are a great stepping stone into a new career, but a graduate degree does offer several benefits.

Here are a few benefits of a graduate degree:

 

  • Potential to earn more 
  • Opens doors to better positions
  • Gives international recognitions
  • Higher potential for promotion
  • Access to advanced equipment and technology

 

The business world is a highly competitive environment. It also requires tremendous dedication. Obtaining a graduate degree can take anywhere between two and seven years to complete. This could add a lot of pressure to the family.  Especially, if your child is thinking about starting their own family. 

However, education is the key to opening many doors.  So, we should speak to our children about their options.  If they have decided this is a route they want to take, it’s a good time to prepare them for the work ahead. Researching degrees, speaking to other graduates and building a network is important steps to take.  

Supporting your child through this stage of their education is going to be challenging.  It’s unlikely that you can help them with my GRE exam preparation.”  So, your role is going to be one of emotional and financial support. For example, supporting them through difficult times when they may feel like giving up. Making sure they eat when they are busy with their thesis. Of course, there is also going to be substantial financial cost involved too.   

There are lots of resources online that can help both your kids and you through this stage of their education. Once you know the Grad school your son or daughter will be attending, you might find there are Facebook groups for the families of students. It can be a useful tool to help you discover how best to support your child. 

 

benefits of a graduate degree

 

It’s also worth looking at the local area if your child will be moving away from home to study. It may not be possible to do this physically, but you can take a virtual tour of most cities and locate the local amenities. Google street view is an excellent way to do this. 

Finally, prepare yourself for the goodbyes! This step is the last of many before your children become adults. So enjoy every moment you get to share with them! 

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: , , ,

5 Reasons to Read Books When Stressed

April 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on reasons to read books when stressed.  Leading a normal life isn’t always easy.  The Coronavirus has gotten worst over the last few months, and is expected to get worst over the next two weeks.  Many states have placed restrictions on the movement of citizens, and boredom is becoming an issue. 

However, there are ways to entertain yourself and your family.  Usually that includes watching television or using your smartphones and tablets.  Electronics are lifesavers during stressful times.  

 

reasons to read books

 

 

As tempting as it is to reach for a mobile device, there are a few downsides to using them.  Using electronics regularly impacts your physical health, your attention span and eyesight.  Although movement is limited, a healthy lifestyle is still imperative. Unfortunately, the internet encourages many to indulge in a sedentary routine rather than an active one.

 

If you’re wondering what the alternative to your electronics is, it’s reading a good old-fashioned book and taking a walk.  Reading is an excellent way for the entire family to pass time and stay entertained.  Taking a walk is a great way to indulge in physical activity after reading a few chapters.  You can think about what you’ve just read while you’re walking.  

 

Here are five reasons to read books:   

 

Reading Is Good For Mental Health

 

The great thing about a book is that it is full of knowledge. They encourage you to come to grips with new concepts.  Your brain will become sharper and your thinking clearer.  This applies to the majority of reading material, from a glasses buying guide to The Count of Monte Cristo.

Reading keeps the mind functioning.   A functioning mind is essential at all times, but especially when your movement is limited.  After all, it’s easy to let feelings of boredom, sadness, and anxiety impact your outlook.  Once these feeling set in, you start to see the negative side of things instead of the positive. 

Read a book on faith or eliminating stress in your life.  Both books will show you why worrying isn’t necessary. Books can transport you into a different place as soon as you open the cover.  

During stressful times, it’s nice to get away from what’s happening in the world and avoiding the news.  Both are healthy methods for reducing tension.  A book is a fantastic tool because it encourages your imagination to run wild and create a parallel dimension.  

 

reasons to read books

 

 

Great Way to Educate Kids 

 

Here’s another one of our reasons to read.  Young minds need their brains filled with information.  Just because they’re not sitting in a classroom doesn’t mean their education stops.  As a mom, it’s your duty to continue their education at home.  This means becoming a teacher as well as a parent.  Homeschooling your children should become a regular part of their home life.  There’s plenty of material online.  And, hopefully educators have given your kids lots of homework to help keep them occupied. 

Reading is the perfect solution as it opens their minds to new concepts while enhancing their vocabulary. Reading could turn out to be a passion for your child too.  Unfortunately, parents try to find their kids’ passions all the time without much success.  This blog has a brilliant guide on how to help your child find their passion.  Hopefully, reading will be one of them.  

 

It’s A Way To Socialize

 

As a result of the Coronavirus, many states are limiting the movement of citizens.  For example, states such as California, Washington State, West Virginia and Florida have placed restrictions on residents.   There are severe penalties, barring catching the disease, if your disobey the order.  

Video calling apps are making it easier to bridge the gap, and virtual book groups are taking it one step further. Readers in isolation can form their own virtual book group or join one that is established and discuss the book at hand.  Make sure that your internet connection is stable.  As long as you have access to the same book, geography shouldn’t be an issue. Some guides outline the best clubs to join if you want to get the ball rolling.

What’s great about reading is that online stores are always open. So, even if you don’t have many of the same books, you can order a stack of novels and have them delivered to your door! That way, there’s no reason to feel lonely or isolated.

 

reasons to read books

 

 

Purchasing Books Helps Businesses 

 

When you purchase books, you help a business or an individual who has self-published their book.  Visiting an on-line book store is an excellent option for purchasing books on your reading list.  

In China, for instance, bookstores that have reopened are experiencing an 80% reduction in foot traffic due to the Coronavirus. 

 

You Can Travel

 

You can travel and not have to pack your bags or book a seat on an international flight.  Yes, that’s the ultimate dream, and it can happen.  Grab a spot from the comfort of your garden, armchair, or bedroom.

Now what you ask? The answer is simple – with the help of travel books you can travel where ever you heart desires. Monisha Rajesh will take you ‘Around the World in 80 Trains,” a 45,000-mile trip that starts in London and takes in far-flung regions that include Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The legendary Bill Bryson will make you laugh and cry. But, if politics is your thing, ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ isn’t to be missed. It’s a book about Che Guevara’s awakening as well as the beauty of South America. Whatever travel book you choose, your mind will take you from your home to the most remote places in the world.

 

Apart from inspiring you, it should encourage you to travel more when this crisis is over. With that in mind, don’t forget to read a travel guide and plan your next vacation!

 

Do you agree with these reasons to read books? Why do you love to read?  Leave me a comment.  

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How to Prepare Kids For School

March 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to prepare kids for school.  Parents have a huge role to play in the education of their children. So, it is imperative that we make a huge impact on our children before they set foot inside a school.

 

 

Here’s a few tips on how to prepare kids for school:  

 

Build a Foundation 

There are plenty of early childhood education activities you can spend a little time on each day with your child. Give them a head start by practicing their numbers from 1-10.  Also, teach them the alphabet, how to write their name, and make sure they learn to have a good grip on the pencil.  Teaching these basics will provide a solid foundation for school.  When you start ahead of the curve, then it’s easier to stay ahead of the curve.

 

Read to Your Kids Daily 

The benefits of reading to your child are too numerous to count. But, two of the most important benefits are: it helps your kids to read better and promotes better communication. Furthermore, reading to them daily promotes a longer attention span and teaches them to read independently.  Most importantly, reading at a young age tends to lead to a love of reading as they grow up.  This passion will have numerous benefits throughout their life.

 

 

preparing kids for school

 

 

Practice for the Real Thing

The experience of going to school for the first time can be a little traumatic for children. For many of them, the break to their daily life and the shift away from mom and dad can be quite a shock. Daycare and preschool have been shown to help tremendously.  They are a great way to help with socialization and providing a solid foundation in their most formative years.  Additionally, Day Care and Preschool helps kids get used to the school environment before the real thing. It’s certainly worth enrolling your child in one if you can.

 

Establish a Educational Routine 

Kids can get used to the idea of school whether they’re in daycare or you’re teaching them at home. For instance, packing their schoolbag and unpacking it at the start and end of the day. Get creative and help your children find a routine before heading to school.  When they enter kindergarten, they will be prepared.  

 

Be Active in Their Education

It’s not only the child who has to navigate new relationships, you must do the same.  Establish a good relationship with their teacher.  For instance, you might want to consider joining their PTA.

Taking the time to prepare your child for school socially, emotionally and otherwise.  Preparing your kids for school will help them have a great first year.  Ensuring they have a great school year will influence how they do the year after. 

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The Importance of Encouraging Children to Learn

April 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment

When you were a child your parents would always emphasize the importance of going to school, remember?  Now that you are a parent yourself it is part of your nature to encourage your little ones to always do their best.  Learning is a magic part of life.  So, you will want to immerse your kids into the world of learning.  When it comes to educational activities, start encouraging children to learn.  Here are a few parenting tips, when encouraging children to learn:

 

Kids Educational Tips

 

Sometimes Kids Need an Extra Push

It is very important to work with your children when they don’t feel confident in a certain subject.  It is not uncommon for your child to have a subject they truly hate.  So, it’s your job to make them love it again.  If you are looking for a way to help your youngster solve fractions, check out these equivalent fractions math worksheets.  Enhance their understanding of tricky topics and allow them to grow in confidence with a helping hand.

 

tips on educating children

 

Don’t Let Them Get Behind

It is very difficult to keep on top of all the homework and projects your child is given daily.  Try to encourage your child to tell you about their homework each evening.   This will enable you to keep an eye on their progress. If you suspect they are lagging behind, don’t be afraid to talk to them or their teacher. They might not understand the project or they could just need a gentle nudge in the right direction.

 

educational tips for kids

 

They Will Adopt a Good Work Ethic from a Young Age

When your child knows how to conduct themselves in school, they will start to form good habits over time. Conscientious children will become more reliable employees once they enter the working world.  So, encourage them to develop these skills early.

 

Education Will Instill Discipline

School will not only help your kid to become smarter, but it will also instill discipline into the most rambunctious little ones. Whether they have to wear a school uniform or refer to the teacher by a certain name, this will help to keep your children in line. Never underestimate how school can shape your child’s manners and behavior.   There is only so much you can do at home to support them.  As a result, their school life plays a huge role in their development.

Believe it or not, school life shapes who we are as a person from a very young age.  When your child goes to school they are exposed to people they might never have met before.  They also have a sponge like mind that can absorb information easily.  Use this process as a chance for your children to have a head start in school and make the most of the educational environment they have been given.

 

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ISEE Tips That Will Help Students Ace the Test

March 25, 2019 by Leave a Comment

If you have a children interested in going to a private institution of higher learning we have a few parenting tips on helping them ace the Independent School Entrance Examine (ISEE).  This is a great standard assessment of skills and knowledge.  Every student looking to go into a independent post-secondary education needs to take this test.  It is a single, fair, and standardized test that all students take.  It is a way for universities and colleges to judge who the best, top, and brightest applicants are.  With our ISEE tips, your child will ace the test.

So, one of the things you will need to begin with is the best ISEE prep test book.  A prep test book can help because it allows students to familiarize themselves with the content as well as the format of the ISEE test.   So, let’s go over them:

 

 

ISEE Tips

 

 

  1.  Know Each Section of the Test

As is the case with every test, including this ISEE test, there are going to be standard sections and topics.  It is recommended that your child become familiar with them.  There are 5 main sections that will appear on every ISEE test. These sections include verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and the essay section.  We suggest that you child take sample tests so they are familiar with these particular sections, and what to expect from them.

Additionally, these sections always come in the same order as we have just listed.  Your child will need to score in the top 50th percentile to get into any school of their choice.  Elite schools often only accept students in the top 85th percentile.

 

  1. Answer All Questions

People who do not score well on the ISEE test, or even fail it, often make one big mistake.  Students think that if they don’t know the answer to a question, or are not totally sure of the answer, that they should just skip the question.  This is detrimental to the test score.

There are no deductions made for wrong answers. As a result, losing points shouldn’t be a concern.  However, if your child does not answer a question that they are unsure of,  they will not get points if their answer turns out to be correct. Simply put, encourage your child to throw a Hail Mary, rather than not answering the question at all.

 

ISEE Tips

 

 

  1. Be Prepared For Test Day

Another reason students do not fare well on the ISEE is a lack of preparation for test day. Yes, this includes many variables.  However, your child needs to be prepared for all of them.  One of the biggest ISEE tips is to start studying early.  But, not the day before.  Allow your child to take the day off  before the ISEE to let their brain rest.   Encourage your child to get a good night’s rest, so their brain will be in top condition the day of the test.

Additionally, wear a watch to help manage time, and bring enough writing utensils  in the event that one breaks or stops working. Also, leave your phone at home, eat a good breakfast, and wear comfy clothes.  You child will better prepared to ace the test if they are comfortable and rested.

 

  1. Practice, Practice, Practice

As we mentioned in the introduction, one of the absolute best ways to ensure that you ace your ISEE test is to practice. Yes, studying, reading, and being familiar with the test helps a lot. However, there is really nothing better than an ISEE prep test or multiple ones.  The more test preps you complete, the more familiar you will be with what is expected of you.  And, this counts for your allotted test time,  materials, and the format of the test as well. Get some practice books immediately!

 

  1. Time Management

Yet another big tip you need to adhere to in order to ensure success on your ISEE test is to engage in effective time management. There are too many test takers that will stress out over single questions, or a few of them.

This is bad because you will end up spending way too much time on one section of the ISEE test, while potentially neglecting others.  This could result in the last several pages of the test being unanswered due to a lack of time.  Know how much time you have for each section, and if you run out of time, move on to the next one.

 

  1. Read & Build Vocabulary

The last of our ISEE tips is to read as much as you can in the months leading up to the ISEE test. We are talking about high quality books, intellectual books, and any other kind of reading material that will both further your knowledge of the world and build your vocabulary. Simply put, the more vocabulary you know, and the more information you have in your arsenal, the better your chances of succeeding on the ISEE test.

 

Conclusion

So, we hope that you find the ISEE tips helpful.  Make no mistake about it, this test is not for the faint of heart. However, it will determine your child’s future.  So, you should do everything in your power to ensure they are adequately prepared for it!

 

 

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: , , ,

Investing In Education Is Investing In Our Children’s Future

April 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment

In recent years spending on education in America has decreased by 4%.  However, the average for the rest of the world is 15%.  We know that formal education can give children much more than just qualifications.  They learn socialization, teamwork and concentration skills.  We must invest in our children’s future.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on investing in education.  Education must be invested in and valued by all.

investing in education

Why The Lack Of Investment Matters

It isn’t only in the investment that America lags behind, but the education of our children has suffered too.  The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international gold standard for the comparative effectiveness of different education systems.  However, despite our country leading the free world by many measures we are falling sadly behind on PISA.  The United States results for Science and Reading turned out to be average.  But, they fell significantly below average for mathematics.  Out of the 71 countries measured, the United States came in 38th.

What This Means In Real Terms

For the past 3 years the United States has been suffering from a skill gap.  Unemployment remains relatively high.  However, the number of people being hired is lower than the number of job openings.  There are job vacancies, but there are not enough people with the skills needed for the jobs. Private investment (such as that of the Fullerton Technology Foundation) is beginning to provide schools with laptops, iPads, digital microscopes, interactive whiteboards and other similar technologies.  Education investors from entrepreneurs like Jason Sugarman is taking the pressure off school budgets.  As a result, funds can used for investing in education.

investing in education

Unless the Federal Government increases educational spending,  the gap between the United States and the rest of the world will only increase.  In the end American productivity and the economy as a whole will suffer.  So, investments from private individuals and companies are real solutions to the issue.  Long sighted individuals realize that an investment in our children is an investment in our future.

Our children deserve the best possible start in life.  We need to allow our children access to a solid education so they can understand the world around them.  Unfortunately, our teachers and schools spend to spend too much time and effort finding creative ways to deliver the curriculum without funding.  We should not have to rely on private investment to save the future for our children.  However, we should at least recognize that it represents a solution to the problem.  Most importantly, we should be investing in education so we can secure our children’s future.

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Job Tips for Teens: How to Expose Them to Jobs

February 24, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Ever heard a child state, “I could never do that” when discussing jobs. Helping your teenage children see beyond the first impressions of an occupation can help them change their perspective.  Today, we have parenting tips on exposing teens to jobs.  They don’t understand the intricacies of various occupations, they form an opinion without really understanding what it entails.

First, helping your child create an appreciation of the work options available is not complicated.  The solution is to expose your children to occupations.  Here are some job tips for teens that will help them appreciate the wide-range of occupations and work options in the world.

job tips for teens

 

 


Expose your children to different occupations 

Next, whenever a person with an unusual profession is mentioned have you children look the profession up.  They can learn about social workers to baristas to medical procedures that involve endovascular training.

Additionally, the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has a great section on job industries. Each category or job type includes a description of the type of work that is performed in that career, the education needed for the occupation, and the average salary per year.  Additionally, they have a great game section for kids too.

Furthermore, check out books at the library on careers that catch your eye.  A Google search can reveal age-appropriate books with the career you wish to highlight.  Similarly, TV shows that feature a certain profession can be a great way to catch a glimpse of the inner workings of those in that career.  For example, Food Channel for chefs, Home and Garden for landscaping or  flipping homes, and Fashion Runway for fashion design.

Learning the details of a job and the people doing the job will help your child better under the roles.

Play a what-if game with your children

What would happen if sanitation workers stopped collecting garbage?  It is likely many parents would prefer their children chose a different profession. However, discussing what could happen if collection stopped can lead to appreciating these workers.

So, take a career that you or your children might have preconceived ideas about and play the game. Discuss what would happen if nobody chose a certain career.  For example, what if teachers stopped teaching?  Or lawyers stopped practicing law?

This can lead to a great conversation around the dinner table.  Listening to your child and their perceptions on a topic is important.  The benefits of bonding with your child over dinner are numerous.  The conversation can be beneficial for younger children too.  Young children learn words from dinner conversation.


Take your children onsite to see a career firsthand

Other job tips for teens is reading and talking about various careers.  Some children learn best through hands-on experience.   As a result, consider taking them onsite to your workplace.

Next, many companies have a Take Your Child to Work Day.  Parents are allowed to bring their children to work for the day.   Furthermore, many companies have job shadowing as well.  Employees, high school or universities partner with a business and allow students or employees to sit with a person already in the position.  It’s short-term, but a great way to see what is expected.  Most importantly, it allows employees or students to assess their current skills and improve them if needed.

Our job tips for teens include asking family or friends if they will allow your child to visit them on the job.  Some ideas of people to approach include…

 

  • farmers of a livestock farm
  • dog trainers
  • horse breeders
  • veterinarians
  • pilots
  • firemen
  • policy maker
  • wedding planner
  • financial planner
  • cake decorator
  • florist
  • baker

 

Furthermore, one of the best job tips for teens is to have them prepare questions in advance regarding their job.  For example, what is the best part and the least favorite part of your job?  How did you decide on your career, and what is something most people do not know about your line of work or career?

Last, your child will likely walk away from the experience with a deeper appreciation of the profession.  Most importantly, this deeper appreciation can lead to more respect and fewer judgments of various job and those who occupy.

Filed Under: Parenting Tips, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Homework Tips: 5 Ways To Help Your Child With Their Homework

October 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There are plenty of parts of being a parent that are harder than others. One thing that is particularly difficult is to get your child to do their homework.  Most likely, they have had a long day at school and the last thing they want to do is more school work.  Today, we’re sharing parenting tips on ways to help your child with their homework.

However, doing homework is incredibly important.  So, how can you encourage and help your child with their homework? Here are 5 homework tips that you can try out for yourself:

 

 

homework tips

 

 

Don’t Try to Multi-task

When you are helping your child with their homework focus  on that particular task. There are plenty of parents who will try and help while they are cooking, making tea or  ironing clothes.  However, this may take your focus away from the homework and lead to confusion for both of you.

 

Google If  You Don’t Know

It can be a little embarrassing if you simply don’t know how to help your child.  So, rather than muddling through and frustrating your child,  utilize the tools that you have at hand.  For example, Google. It isn’t cheating, it is making sure that you get to the right answer.

 

Know When to Get Them Extra Help

It can be hard to admit, but sometimes it becomes apparent that your child needs more help with their homework that you can’t give. This means that you may need to speak to a tutor or your child’s teacher for additional help. This is a much better idea than trying to pretend that everything is going okay.

 

Pick the Right Place To Do Homework

There is no point trying to get your child to focus on their homework with the rest of the family around and the TV on. Instead, you need to head to a place where the distractions are at a minimum. Bedrooms with desks, at the dining room table, even out in the garden if the weather is nice. The main thing is that your child give 100% to their homework and not be distracted.

 

Be Patient

There is nothing more frustrating than knowing the answer to something only to find that your child doesn’t. This is particularly true if the answer is obvious or it is simple to work out. The thing to remember is that you have to stay calm. They are still learning and it can take them some time to come to grips with some aspects of their education. They will appreciate your patience and it will help to keep them calm too.

 

No-one wants to have to force their children to do their homework. So, if there are ways that you can make things easier, then it makes sense to try these homework tips out for yourself.

 

 

Filed Under: Education, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,

6 Tips to Make Homework Fun for Children

September 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Homework Tips for Children

 

Your children may illicit moans and groans when you prod them to do homework. But focusing on reading, writing and math is important for kids academically. If you’re not up for the constant battle that comes with their studies, you may want to find a more positive approach. The following are 6 tips will make homework fun for children.

Create a Fun Environment

As you’ve probably noticed throughout your own career life, work can be mind-numbingly and boring at times. Even people with the most exciting of jobs can find it difficult to focus at times. If you’re looking to instill productivity in children after a long day of school, design a creative and fun setting for your kids to work in. Busy areas of the household may hold a variety of distractions, so you want to pick the right location.

You also want to set limits on the use of technology such as smartphones and television. Include your child in the process when you’re looking for a place. You may also want to paint the room an exciting color that instills brilliance and creativity. Prepare the environment with essentials your child will need to tackle their homework. This could include a calculator, pencils, paper, scissors, pens, crayons and a stapler. If your child is assigned books to read, find a cozy chair that is comfy enough for them to peruse the literature, but won’t promote falling asleep.

Be Productive Together

It can be challenging for your child to focus on homework when you’re busy running all over the place handling laundry and other household chores. According to a maid service out of Atlanta, you can enjoy having a germ-free and spotless home every day by leaving it in the hands of the pros and still be free to work beside your child. Whether your time is spent catching up on work, personal emails, bills or planning a vacation, this time together makes it easier for your child to concentrate.

Enrich the Senses

Fidget spinners are a popular tool that engages your child’s sense of touch. It’s also a method that can ease stress and help them focus. If you’re looking to enrich your child’s other senses through learning, stress balls and white noise machines are essentials for stimulating their sense of hearing and touch. Baking cookies or a cake is another learning tool that helps hone a child’s math skills through measuring ingredients. It also engages the sense of smell. You can make learning about the body’s senses fun by placing a silk scarf over your child’s eyes and finding objects that they can touch, taste and smell. Reward them with stickers or a treat when they guess correctly.

Designate Office Hours

Your child may need assistance with their homework. While you may want to hover as they sift through their book work, set up allotted times your children can come to you with questions. This method may sound regimented, but it can prevent you from taking over their homework. It also allows them the self-esteem children need to do their own work. You can model good academic behavior by teaching them the importance of reading a book instead of watching T.V. or listening to the radio while your child studies.

Use Visual Aids

Children are visual learners, so you want them to see their progress.  Another way to make homework fun for children is to set up bulletin boards.  Yocan display work assignments and when they are due. Place encouraging messages or posters that instill positivity. Post graded work assignments both good and bad. If the homework received a good grade, this can encourage them to keep up the good work. If they received poor marks, find ways to lift their spirits, so they will do better next time.  Silly jokes and anecdotes can ease tension if your child is stressed over a test or finals.

Prepare Smart Snacks

If your child is hungry, they may be tired, unmotivated and cranky. You can provide your child with the energy they need to focus on their homework by preparing smart snacks. Allow your child to help in the preparation and choose from a list of healthy foods. Apples with nut butters provide energy. Your child may also benefit from healthy grains such as whole-grain crackers and cheese cubes or baked tortilla chips and salsa.

After your child has spent the entire day at school, motivating them to do their homework can be a difficult feat. But don’t sweat their lack of motivation. Using the above 6 strategies, you’ll be able to transform their math or vocabulary lessons into a fun adventure.  Make homework fun for children!

Filed Under: Education, Parenting Tips Tagged With: , ,

Simple Tips For Families To Consider For Studying Abroad

May 5, 2017 by 2 Comments

Graduation is an exciting time in a young adult’s life.  Many head into the next stage of their life, college. While some decide whether to go to college, attend a junior college, or wait and save money, there are other options. For example, you can decide to devote one or more semesters studying abroad.  Here’s a few parenting tips that families should consider and discuss when considering kids studying abroad:

 

studying abroad

 

 

 You Can Make Connections

 While some parents may look at a semester away as an opportunity for a child to goof off, there are opportunities for the child to make potential business and career connections while overseas. There is no reason why the student can’t start networking abroad, and start building partnerships and relationships.

 The Time Is Now

Getting an opportunity to travel can be a once in a lifetime opportunity.  You may think that your child will have a life time to travel. Yet things happen and some never again get the opportunities they had when they were young.  Graduation, a job, marriage, and children become priorities.  Seize the moment and opportunity. It could be decades before your child gets to travel again if ever.  When it comes to studying abroad, remember that now is as good a time as ever.

 Some Things Books Can’t Teach

As parents, there are insights only gained through experience.  They cannot be found in a book or teacher lecture. Studying abroad will place your child in another land and culture.  It will take your child out of their comfort zone.  They will learn to be more independent, how to respect other people and cultures.  Additionally, they will realize that the world is a lot larger than the city and environment they are used to.  Read about what awaits them at Cambridge summer school.

 Who Will Pay Tuition

Cost is likely to be a top reason that parents won’t be receptive to their child studying abroad.  Make an agreement that the child help pay for the tuition or part of the trip.  Furthermore, some universities have work and study programs to help students balance their life while making an income. Discuss expectations of the student helping to pay for the experience.

 Show Interest in a Place

Consider how many wants and interests your child has had since they were very young.  They have grow interested and then quickly disinterested in a few things.  Have them research universities with foreign study programs, the foreign exchange rate, the language and culture of the place they where they want to study.

 Prove the Destination is Safe

There is a lot of unsettling news stemming from areas all of the globe. As parents, you may not like the idea of your child going overseas or to a certain place.  Research the intended destination, and consider if it’s safe for students to live, study, and prosper there.  Also, contact the school and ask if their is a way to contact current or previous teachers and students who have studied abroad.  They will be able to offer insight into studying abroad.

 

 

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