How is your Child Learning?

Every child has a different method to comprehending and retaining information.  Grasping a child’s learning style enables parents and educators the knowledge of how to best present material so that it is effectively learned. 

There are four broad areas of learning style: Visual, Kinesthetic, Auditory and Tactile.

To help explain each learning style we have included a great article from Dr. Mary Ann Smialek www.maryannsmialek.com/resources/articles/how_learn.html.

Visual: These learners retain information from what they see.

• ·       Take notes
• ·       Close eyes to remember
• ·       Better with face than names
• ·       Learn more from illustrations and visual presentations
• ·       Make a picture in their hand

Kinesthetic: Learn by doing.  Through experimenting and being involved these learners remember through a hands on experience. 
  

• ·       Speak with hands and gestures
• ·       Build things
• ·       Body movements

Auditory: Learn from what they hear.  Names are easy to remember as well as lectures.

• ·       Enjoy reading aloud
• ·       Remembers best when verbalizing

Tactile: Using hands and fingers will help these individuals learn.  Through writing, drawing and doodling these learners are able to retain information.

• ·       Enjoy designing new things
• ·       Illustrates written work
• ·       Sculpts and Paints to relax

Knowing and understanding a child’s learning style will be extremely useful when helping with homework or teaching a new concept.  The undivided attention at Kumon helps to focus on these styles and enable a child to learn at their own pace and style.

What is your learning style? https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kumon-of-West-Worcester/272005642850078?sk=wall

Extra Curriculum = Extra enthusiasm

Do you have a child that constantly feels frustrated when it comes to math?  Many parents tend to feel defeated when their child says, “I just don’t get it, I don’t understand, this is awful.”  The feeling of not knowing an answer to a math problem or struggling to understand a story is discouraging, especially when the rest of the class “gets it”.

As parents it is hard for you to sit back and watch your child dread learning, lose confidence and lack the motivation to participate in the classroom.  Just how exactly do you begin to build your child’s confidence and most importantly, the enthusiasm to learn?

Today there are many different after school academic programs available.  Kumon is the world’s largest after- school math and reading enrichment program because it works for the long term.  Working with 253,088 students in centers across the United States to achieve success in retaining information and having fun, learning has set Kumon above the rest.  As a parent it is hard to feel that your child should be enrolled in an enrichment program just to keep up with the other students pace.  Typically after or before school help is available to students looking to receive the much needed attention to grasp the curriculum.  

Unfortunately teachers can only divide their attention so much and many students still are left with unanswered questions and more frustration. 

At Kumon every child dictates their progress in order to allow them to grow and excel at their own pace.  Learning material in a one on one setting creates an atmosphere that is not only calming and fun, but embraces the tools necessary for the long term learning.

Put an end to frustrated homework nights, embarrassing classroom participation and begin encouraging enthusiasm to learn and be a part of the action. 

To learn more visit www.kumon.com/west-worcester

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The collide between Homework and Perfectionism…how do you handle it?

Homework is assigned to students but often parents feel the added pressure of assignments as well.  So why is it that so many children lack the ability to sit and complete homework?  Between the school work and excitement of the school day along with the over stimulating bus ride home, it comes as no surprise that the simple line of, “Sit down and do your homework” is not usually welcomed with children.

After surrendering to the chair, a pencil and inevitably their homework, many children are faced with the stress of unsatisfied work.  Constantly erasing and rewriting problems and answers is not only time consuming but frustrating.  Perfectionism is in many circumstances a great characteristic. However it can also prove to be time consuming when a task needs to be completed. 

Perfectionists create stress among themselves and family because they rarely can move on to the next problem or homework tasks because they are so focused and concerned with the current work.

Here are three ways to win the battle on homework and perfectionism:

1.     Create a homework schedule.  Work with your child to develop time slots for each task.  Once the time has run up it is on to the next task.

2.     Stay ahead of procrastination.  Be consistent by starting homework at the same time each day.  Incorporate a healthy snack and encouraging music to help calm your child and make it easier to begin working on homework.  http://braingym.com/store-music1.html

3.     Reward efficient time management skills.  Place a star next to each task for being completed on time.  For students in high school and middle school decide on an appropriate prize.  For example, a certain movie that they have wanted to see or a special meal they would like.

Homework does not have to be a battle each night.   Your child will learn the time management skills needed for their future education when working with professional Kumon instructors.

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How do you keep the peace this New Year?

The holiday season is over, children are back to school and now it is utter chaos trying to achieve New Year’s resolutions, second semester homework and oh yes let us not forget the freezing weather that brings everyone instead. 

It is easy to begin feeling stressed in a matter of days for the simple fact of New Year overload.  We did the research for you to discover how families are keeping the peace and kicking chaos out into the cold.  According to article, Sharing the Love, Keeping the Peace these quick tips will help navigate you through the start of 2012.

1.    Talk it out:  Just as adults voice their concerns in the work place so should children.  Showing your children that talking about what is causing them stress, anxiety or anger will help eliminate them lashing out at siblings and family.

2.    Work together:  Remember the saying, “The busy bee gets the honey?”  Well, keeping your children entertained and busy eliminates the chaos created from mere boredom.  “Have your children make snowflakes out of napkins, paper or tissues, and hang them in the windows. Help your older children plan and make dinner one evening. Let them get creative with themes, and guide them toward healthy decisions. For instance, give them a list of possible healthy ingredients to help them experiment and create a meal. “

3.    The family that plays together stays together!  Although you do not get to enjoy a winter break, your children are in vacation mode.  Spending time with them doing activities that they normally cannot do while in school such as sledding, skiing and seeing a movie is a great way to bond and learn more about your children.

The winter is filled with not only warm clothes but holiday spirit as well; carry that feeling throughout the beginning of the New Year to keep the peace.

Share what you do in order to keep chaos and stress out?

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Is Learning your New Year’s Resolution?

Each year we are excited for change and opportunity.  Usually setting our New Year’s Resolution is the start to this whole New Year and new you, but does your resolution make the top 10 list of most popular?

According to online article http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/holidays/tp/resolutions.htm  learning something new is number 8 on the top 10 list.  Setting goals whether you are an adult or child is a great way to enjoy achievements.  Sharing your goal of learning for 2012 with your children is not only fun but will be one of the most beneficial New Year’s Resolutions you have ever made.

Many of us are familiar with the quote, “You learn something new each day” and in most cases it is always true.  Whether your children are playing during recess or in the classroom, each experience is a learning experience.  Introducing children to the fun of learning is one of the most under estimated gifts.

At Kumon Learning Centers children not only learn something new every day, they retain what they learn and have fun with the experience of learning.  When do your children ever come home and tell you that their teacher sat with them one on one in order to modify and support them through their work for an hour?  

With increasing classroom sizes and added pressure on teachers to stay on track with teaching the curriculum, we cannot blame them for not being able to sit with our children individually.  Can you imagine if teachers were able to do that?  That would be 24 hours a day just to sit with each child!

Education in schools is invaluable, however many children just need the extra attention and guidance to help retain the curriculum that is taught in schools.

Will learning something new be your families New Year’s Resolution?

Born to learn…Kumon style

It may seem obvious that children learn in school yet according to online article, howchildrenlearn.homestead.com/, babies are born knowing more than you may think.

We are born to learn- nine months of hearing voices, music, emotions and movements add up to us being born knowing familiarity.  Each day we learn something new or at least make the attempt.  Children are constantly exposed to learning and absorbing new environments, surroundings, noises and familiar faces.  How do we as parents encourage the love of learning without the added pressure of being the best?

The simple fact of promoting learning is an A+ for parents.  Knowing how your children learn and respond to new things and every day experiences, helps to build a solid foundation for expanding their minds and intellectual capacity.

We as parents have the greatest power to make the largest impact in our children’s lives.  Do you remember the saying, “Money doesn’t buy everything?”  It doesn’t ring more truth than raising children.  As parents we want to provide the best for our children; home, transportation, health care, education, food and clothing.  However, despite how well cared for your children may be, without parental involvement in the encouragement of learning, everything just falls short.

So how do we go about improving and promoting learning to make it fun and effective?  Be proud of the tiny milestones that may seem small to adults but to children they are enormous.  For example, tying shoes, zipping up a coat, putting toys away, getting dressed, writing, speaking, cleaning are all important milestones that deserve a "wow"!

With crazy schedules and hectic careers it is so easy to come home from work and shut off our ears.  Listening is the most powerful tool in learning about our children and finding opportunities to guide and teach. 

What have you learned, shared and taught your children today?

To encourage learning visit our Kumon Learning Center at http://www.kumon.com/west-worcester

To Kumon or Not to Kumon?

With soccer practice, dance recitals, school plays and play dates it seem that there is just not enough time to devote to a learning center.  Children are so busy that when the school bell rings for dismissal they have forgotten homework and are off to the next adventure.

Just with any sport, in order to get better we must practice- this is true for school work.  To improve not only your child’s grades but class participation, enthusiasm and most importantly confidence, Kumon should be at the top of the extracurricular activities list.  It is not a matter of becoming smarter and faster but for your child to learn how to learn.  This is the most valuable lesson through their life.

After school, sports and other activities children must sit down, focus and complete homework based on what they have learned.  With the over stimulation of finally being home, dinner being prepared, the news broadcasting on the television and siblings conversing, it is no surprise that focus is much easier said than done.  At Kumon children enter the center, sit down and work.  The environment encourages critical thinking with help and guidance right by their side ready to assist in their learning. 

With the rising costs of education and the increased pressure to do it all, it is so important to prepare our children with the tools necessary to succeed, not just in elementary or high school but college and beyond.

Practice, Practice, Practice and you will achieve success.

What have you focused on today?

To learn more about the many benefits of Kumon Learning Center

Visit www.kumon.com/west-worcester