What can parents do at home?
What is the process if someone wants their child to go to Sylvan?
It seems so simple, but reading with your child is the single best thing you can do. Some form of reading should be done every day for a minimum of 20 minutes. If this is a real struggle, try changing up the material they chose. It does not always have to be novels. Try magazines, newspapers, sports journals, animal books - as long as they are engaged, it is helping! Another way parents can get involved in their child’s education is to help them become more of a problem solver and critical thinker. Ask them questions about all kinds of things. Big ideas or little, it doesn’t matter what the topic is, just get them thinking about the world around them. We want to develop a culture of asking in depth questions from multiple sources so we can make our own informed opinions. Remember, it’s not always about getting the one right answer, it’s also about all the different possibilities. To quote Albert Einstein, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.“
Typically, a parent contacts me with concerns or questions they have about their child’s academics. First, it’s important to clarify how many subjects the student is struggling with and for how long it has been a concern. For students K-9, I recommend getting a Sylvan insight assessment. The assessment analyzes proficiency levels in math, reading and writing. It determines what academic skills the child can do and which ones they are not ready for yet. Based on the Sylvan assessment, I create an individualized learning plan that will target their specific skills needed to move forward with more confidence.
Suggestions:
Don’t wait too long. If you sense your child is struggling, take steps to help as soon as you can. Communication is key. Check with his/her teacher and see what they notice. Perhaps they need to reach back to help build some foundational skills. Your child’s teacher can also tell you if a school resource is available. Keeping a positive mindset is so important. Once a child’s confidence increases, you’d be surprised how quickly things improve. Sylvan offers assessments, academic coaching in reading, writing, math, study skills, homework support, and French. Also, enrichment, exam proctoring, and video game design.
Technology in schools
Technology has become a huge part of our education system. The one parents are probably most familiar with is Google Classroom. Basically, it’s like a digital agenda. Each teacher updates their class with homework, assignments, tests, and any other important information. It allows parents, students, and teachers to feel connected and keep up to date on how the child is managing their workload. Chromebooks are also very common to see in classrooms. Students have many different forms of assistive technology available to help them write notes or complete assignments. Each student has an account which allows them to work seamlessly from school to home.
Sylvan PEI ann@peilearning.ca 902.367.3678 www.SylvanPEI.ca
WINTER 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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