Newsletter May 2008
May 08, 2008

Welcome to the first digital edition of "How to Succeed in School," the A+ Home Tutors monthly newsletter.

We strive to bring you the most helpful and up to date information every month, and this month's newsletter is no exception. You can scroll down through the articles below, or you can click on a headline you like to go directly to that article.

This Month's Headlines:
How tutoring can lower stress levels

Planning ahead for tutoring success

Parenting tips for preschoolers and elementary school students

The role of gender in equal education

We recently received a very encouraging note from a parent of one of the students we tutor. The mother claimed that our tutor had helped her daughter get her “kid’s life” back through the tutoring A+ provided. Her daughter—a middle school student—was able to get her writing, English, math and science work prioritized, organized and completed. The tutor A+ set her up with is an English, math, writing, organization and study skills tutor all rolled into one. Mom said by the time she returns home from work, her daughter is stress and guilt free, and hard at play, with no worries about her schoolwork. “The tutoring is well worth every penny,” mom concluded.

Too Much Stress for Children?
Sometimes we overlook the amount of stress that can build up on a young child, particularly when the child is in a high performing school in an educationally competitive neighborhood. It is important to recognize and look for signs of stress in your children, so you can help them deal with and manage this stress and they can better enjoy their childhood.

Overfilled Schedules
As education standards become more stringent, many schools have begun to reduce recess and play time, even for the youngest students, replacing this time with more supervised learning. The intentions behind these decisions may be good ones—to ensure student’s paths to success and responsible adulthood, to build a better future for our country with better educated citizens—but they may be coming at a cost to our children’s stress levels and imaginations. Add other organized after school activities, sports, and community service to children’s busy schedules and they may begin to become overwhelmed.

The Value of Homework
There is no doubt that homework is a valuable tool in a child’s education. Home assignments allow children to learn important skills such as scheduling, prioritizing and time commitments. As they grow older, these skills become more valuable to their continued success in the world. With parental or tutoring support a child can master these skills, and also learn to estimate and project their time, so they can complete all the tasks expected of them. This teaches them that there is plenty of time for everything if they plan ahead.

Achieving Balance
It is vital that students have the opportunity to strive for balance at a young age. This is a key skill to a happy and healthy life as they reach adulthood. Physical activity is important to counteract the hours spent at a desk concentrating on school and homework and to avoid childhood obesity and other health problems. Working toward this balance allows their bodies and minds to be healthier and stronger, building good habits and a strong foundation for the future.

The Importance of Play
It is extremely important that children have free time to play. This does not mean scheduled activities or physical education, but actual free, self-driven play. Every parent knows their child’s imagination is limitless, and that each child has different interests and passions. When they are able to engage in their own creative play at their own pace, these interests can flourish, and they become more confident and self-motivated. Play enhances imagination, reduces physical and emotional stress and most importantly allows children to be what they really are—children.

It is never too early to begin planning future tutoring sessions for your child. As the school year starts to wind down, your tutor may be asking you in the coming weeks about your future needs. The sooner you let us know what those needs are, the sooner we can create a customized plan for you and your child, with a perfectly matched tutor.

Summer Tutoring Options
As many of you already know, summer tutoring can provide crucial preparation and help for a summer course, a difficult class approaching in the fall, or anything else your child might have in his or her future. It can also be beneficial to extend existing tutoring sessions into the summer months to keep your child fresh and ahead of the game. If you are interested in summer sessions, let your tutor know, or give us a call and we’ll make arrangements.

Get a Jump on the 2008-09 School Year
For those not interested in summer tutoring, we can still help you plan for the 2008-2009 school year. We can work with you now to determine your child’s needs, or if you prefer, we can contact you right before the school year starts and discuss your options.

Tutors
In most cases, the tutor your child is working with now will be returning and available to continue helping your child achieve success if he or she needs. However, in some cases, our tutors move on to other tasks over the summer or in the fall. But don’t despair; we have many high quality tutors that we can pair your student with. We’re still committed to working with you to find the perfect match for your child.

As children grow up, they begin to assert their independence and test their boundaries. Here are some tips to help you be a good parent as they continue to grow.

Firmness
Preschoolers and elementary school students are still apt to throw temper tantrums when they don’t get their way. The good news is they look up to authority figures, like doctors, teachers and, of course, you. Use this to set firm rules and stick to them. Being consistent helps them know what to expect.

Foresight
As your child discovers their likes and dislikes, they may become picky eaters. When they realize the control they have in refusing to eat certain foods, a power struggle can ensue. Rather than giving in to their demands, have a variety of healthy choices for them. Also try getting them involved with making dinner by helping or choosing some of the (healthy) ingredients. This will make them feel like they’re in control too.

Imagination
A child’s imagination knows no boundaries. Help foster their imagination by encouraging them. But be sure not to take over; let their playtime go where they want it to.

Indifference
In some cases, acting indifferent can help with behavior issues. Kids can say some hurtful things and the more you react, the more likely they are to repeat them. Make it clear it’s not okay to hurt anyone’s feelings and move on.

Empathy
It can be tough to be a kid too. Remember that sometimes even children need to unwind and feel sympathy from you. Be there for your children to talk about their frustrations and let them know you are there to help them work through problems. It will also provide a great example for them on how to treat others.

Stoicism
It can be hard to let go as your child grows and becomes more independent, but it is important to encourage them to try new things. Comfort children when they are scared, but don’t indulge their fears by letting them give up too easily.

Source: Tilsner, Julie. “7 Qualities you need to be a great parent to a preschooler,” www.cnn.com.

Recent changes to Title IX, the federal law which prohibits gender discrimination in education, has opened the door to new debates regarding gender separation in schools. Title IX did for gender equality what Brown v. Board of Education did for race equality—ensuring that schools educate both genders together and equally.

When the U.S. Department of Education lifted limitations on single-sex education in 2006, single-sex classes and schools began popping up throughout the country.

Time for Change
This change comes during a time when there is a strong movement toward expanded choices for parents who choose public education for their children. In poor urban districts where schools are failing, new choices for education are often rare and therefore have been welcomed. Some of the single-sex programs have targeted these schools and students who are classified as high risk, such as 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto, where students share common areas but spend most of the day in single-sex classrooms. Students were the ones to give the thumbs up to sex-segregated classrooms, saying they make them feel more comfortable.

The Gender Debate
Feelings about these trends are understandably mixed, as this is a complex issue with many factors involved. Many private single-sex schools have proven their graduates will go on to great accomplishments. But, opponents argue this may be less about the gender divide and more about small class sizes, increased funding, and more academic focus found in these particular schools.

Girls are From Venus, Boys are From Mars?
Some proponents of single-sex education cite differences in educational needs and learning styles between the sexes as one of the pushes for segregation. When these differences can be catered to, students are more poised for success and greater self confidence. Girls in gender-segregated classes or schools, they argue, are more able to pursue academic success without pressure to be pretty, especially as puberty sets in. Boys, they argue, can be boys without having to try to impress girls.

Those opposing the separation argue that individual learning needs are specific to personality, more so than gender and that there is no concrete evidence suggesting otherwise. They worry about the effects of emphasizing the differences between the genders, especially when we expect men and women to work together in adulthood. In their eyes, diversity teaches groups to work together more effectively. Also, they fear that each sex’s education will be based on or subject to gender stereotypes that will reinforce antiquated ideas of gender roles.

Realistic Concerns
One of the most realistic concerns is one we examined many years ago—that separate does not always mean equal. Regulations call for “substantially equal” opportunities for both sexes, but are unclear as to how this will be enforced or even defined. Many are concerned that this may lead to expensive lawsuits, or funding and staffing challenges for schools and districts as they become obligated to offer duplicate options for each sex. Some districts have turned away from the single-sex option because of these budgetary and logistical complications.

The Freedom to Choose
Perhaps the ultimate lesson is the value of individuality and choice. While some students may not benefit from single-sex education, others may thrive in those circumstances. It should be a matter of choice, as students and their parents decide what serves them best. Ultimately, we should use differences not as a way to segregate, but as a way to help everyone gain access to a fair and equal education.

Source Articles: Silva, Elena. “Boys and Girls are More Alike in School Than They are Different,” Delaware News Journal, March 16, 2008.

Standen, Amy. “Gender Matters: Dividing Boys and Girls,” www.edutopia.org.