Thursday, March 26, 2020

Why Choose an Online NCSE Accredited Chemistry Tutoring Center?

Why Choose an Online NCSE Accredited Chemistry Tutoring Center?Is an online NCSE accredited chemistry tutoring center a suitable alternative to the traditional classroom setting? Traditional chemistry tutors can provide students with all the tools they need to succeed. While traditional labs have their own set of advantages, traditional chemistry laboratories can present students with challenging concepts that may be difficult to learn in a classroom environment.The NCSE Chemistry Tutoring Center in San Diego, California is one of several centers offering this service. In addition to the hands-on laboratory learning, the online class has an optional non-lab classroom component. The online class contains hundreds of videos that teach the basic principles of chemical chemistry and provides demonstrations and discussion to enrich the content and enhance the learning experience.An online chemistry tutor can give students the practical training and demonstrations that make this service un ique from traditional chemistry classes. An instructor will be present during labs in a traditional classroom setting. During lab demonstrations, a student can get hands-on laboratory experience and learn to manipulate chemical reactions.The NCSE Chemistry Tutoring Center is also available through CD ROM software. Students can download the program to a personal computer and take it at home to learn everything from the fundamentals of organic chemistry to exciting laboratory applications.College admission officers and counselors are increasingly encouraging students to take classes on the internet rather than in a traditional classroom setting. The benefits of taking online courses include reduced costs for travel and transportation, no campus fees, and minimal equipment costs. Online chemistry tutoring helps students who don't have access to an instructor at their school, including disabled students, those who live in remote areas, and international students.To qualify for a NCSE Ch emistry Tutoring Center in San Diego, students must have completed at least 12 semester units (9 quarters) in high school or have received approval for a college-preparatory course or equivalent course. Classes must be taken on a full-time basis at a university or college.Students may choose from a variety of different online courses that combine classroom and lab work in science labs. Science labs may consist of naturalistic lab assignments and are usually conducted over the Internet by a member of the instructor's staff. Other online labs may require lab assignments that are based on lab equipment or other required course materials.

Friday, March 6, 2020

How Online Lessons Make Life Easier for Busy Families

How Online Lessons Make Life Easier for Busy Families Suzy S. Parents, you know the drill: September often means running around town from school to sports to errands and other activities. If your kids are interested in adding music lessons to the mix, why not make life a little easier? Online lessons offer busy families the convenience of in-home lessons, often at a lower cost. Earlier this week, CBS in Phoenix, AZ featured a segment about ten-year-old bass student Kaylin Womack, who has been taking online music lessons with TakeLessons teacher Alex A., based in Tacoma, WA. Check out the interview here! You can also read the accompanying article here.

Why Do Kids with ADHD Seem to Have Difficulty with Sleep

Why Do Kids with ADHD Seem to Have Difficulty with Sleep For many kids and teens with ADHD, getting a good nights sleep is a struggle. In fact, up to 70% of kids and teens with ADHD have ongoing sleep problems. These sleep challenges range from having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, to having extreme difficulty getting out of bed in the morning and feeling very sleepy throughout the day. It can seem like sleep problems stem from the fact that having ADHD seems to give kids so much energy at night, but the relationship between ADHD and sleep is actually quite complex and influenced by many factors. Fortunately, most sleep problems in ADHD can be treated successfully. Developing a clear understanding of your childs sleep problems is the first step determining which intervention will be most helpful. Inconsistent or prolonged bedtime routines. Kids with ADHD often struggle to get to bed on time, and at the same time, each night. For many kids, especially those who struggle with inattention, following a bedtime routine is a challenge. They start their bedtime tasks late, and take a long time to get everything finished, leading to a much later bedtime. Other kids with ADHD who are also oppositional may resist going to bed. They tend to have outbursts and refuse to do things like brush their teeth or turn off their electronics. These nightly battles delay bedtimes, and make it hard for them to settle down once they are in bed. Many kids and teens with ADHD also struggle with anxiety. Anxiety and ADHD can both make it difficult for kids and teens to turn off their thoughts when its time to go to sleep, leading to insomnia. Anxiety can also make it harder to fall back asleep for kids who wake up in the middle of the night. Stimulant medication side effects. Difficulty falling asleep is a common side effect of stimulant medications. When a child or teen starts a new stimulant medication, increases a medication dose, or takes medication too late in the day, he or she is especially susceptible to having his or her sleep disrupted. Screen time. Research has shown that kids with ADHD spend more time watching screens (television, videogames, tablets, phones) than kids without ADHD. Screen time throughout the day and especially in the evening, around 1 or 2 hours before bedtime, is associated with greater sleep problems. Secondary Sleep Disorder. For some kids, a secondary sleep disorder, like sleep apnea or periodic limb movement disorder (similar to restless leg syndrome in adults), may be a driving factor. Studies have consistently shown that sleep disorders occur more often in kids with ADHD than in kids without ADHD, and can exacerbate problems with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Kids with these secondary sleep disorders often get the recommended amount of sleep, but are not well rested in the morning and feel very sleepy throughout the day. Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase. Kids, and especially teens with ADHD, are also more likely to have delayed sleep-wake phase cycles. In these cases, a child or teens natural sleep cycle is delayed, so his or her body doesnt prepare to fall asleep until late into the night or and isnt cued to wake up until late the next morning. Kids and teens with a delayed sleep-wake phase have significant difficulty falling asleep and getting up on time in the morning. They also find it difficult to be alert in the morning, and are often much more focused and engaged in the afternoon. If your child or teen has ongoing sleep problems that make it difficult for him or her to fall asleep, wake up in the morning, or stay alert throughout the day, then talk to your childs pediatrician. A thorough sleep assessment will help uncover the cause of the sleep problems, and will help determine which intervention is best for your child. ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Thursday, March 5, 2020

For and Since - What is the difference [examples + exercises]

For and Since - What is the difference [examples + exercises] A lot of our students have trouble understanding the difference between for and since.Its easy to see why. Ask any native English speaker (who doesnt happen to be an ESL or EFL teacher) and it will probably take them a few minutes to explain the difference.The Difference between  Since and ForHeres the main difference explained simply:For tells the duration of something.Since is used to indicate when something began.When to use For with ExamplesFor tells the duration of something.We use it with a quantity of time. So you can say:I have lived here  for a long time.I lived in Argentina for a few years.I have been an English teacher for 10 years.When to use Since with ExamplesWe use it with the name of a time.I have lived here since I was born.I havent been to Mexico since 1998.I have been teaching English since 2006.Grammar Exercises for For and Since:I have lived here ___ six years.I have lived here ____ 2005.Weve been friends ____ we first met.Weve been friends ___ a long time.Find the answers at the bottom of the article. If you had trouble with those, review the information at the top again, then try the next section.I havent had a beer ____ this morning!Ive been drinking beer ___ four hours.They have been drinking beer ___ 10 this morning.Have you been home ____ you finished school?Have you been home ___ 4 hours?Ok, here are the answers below. Still having trouble?  Schedule an English class with LOI.Want to keep learning? Read our lessons on English phrasal verbs and English Idiomatic Expressions.Section 1:ForSinceSinceForSection 2:SinceForSinceSinceFor

?? Our Top 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School Routine

?? Our Top 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School Routine Our Top 10 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School Routine The glorious summer holidays are slowly but surely grinding to an end. For your child, that means school is right around the corner. For you, it means a last-minute dash around the shops for that one pencil case your child “has” to have.Getting back into the school routine can be a little jarring, both for you and your child. That’s why we decided to share our top 10 tips for a stress-free transition.These will help make that first week back a breeze!1) Set bedtime habitsSleep is essential for your child. Without it they won’t be able to concentrate on their work, they’ll be restless, and, let’s face it, they’ll be a nightmare.Over the holidays, you probably got a bit more relaxed with bedtimes. After all, if your child doesn’t go to bed until the early hours of the morning, they can just sleep in the next day and recover.Unfortunately, that’s not going to work when it comes to term-time. But suddenly forcing your child back into a regular sleep schedule can be diff icult.The key is to build up their bedtime habits gradually. In the last couple of weeks before school, start bringing forward their bedtime. Do it slowly but surely, and your child will end up developing a healthy sleep pattern without even realising it.2) Practise your morning routine One of the worst things about the back to school period is actually getting your child to wake up and function in the morning. This problem becomes even worse if your child doesn’t particularly want to go to school.A good way of preventing these morning woes is to practise your morning routine in advance. A few days before your child returns to school, wake up and act like your child is going to school. Like a fire drill, but far less scary.Treat it like a game. Tell them they need to complete all of these tasks before a certain time. You could even follow them with a stopwatch, as if you’re a coach. Running through their morning routine helps your child get used to it. When they start back at school, they’ll know exactly what they need to do.3) Get your uniform ahead of timeThere’s nothing worse than getting your child ready for their first day of school, only to realise their shoes don’t fit.While it might be tempting to leave school uniform shopping until the last minute , that can add unnecessary stress to an already stressful time.The obvious solution to this is to go uniform shopping with weeks to spare. We know it’s a pain but take your child with you and make sure they try it on so you can be confident that it fits.Also, if your budget can stretch that far, be sure to buy a few extra items. You’re going to need them when your child comes home covered in mud, food, and lord knows what.4) Buy everything your child needsKids “need” a lot of stuff when they go back to school. Pens, pencils, calculators, a bag. The list can often seem endless.The last thing you want, however, is a child refusing to leave the house in the morning because they don’t have their protractor. The best way of avoiding these meltdowns is to make sure you buy everything your child needs long before they go back to school.Try to combine this shopping with the uniform shopping above. One slightly stressful day now is far better than a really stressful week later on.R elated: The Ultimate Back To School Checklist5) Prepare lunch the night before The morning of the first day back at school is going to be hectic, no matter how much preparation you do.One way to make the morning go that slightest bit smoother is to prepare your child’s packed lunch the night before.In fact, you could go one step further and enlist your child’s help. This will teach them the basics of food preparation and give them a bit more responsibility.They’re also more likely to eat their lunch with no fuss if they’ve helped make it themselves. Here are some great packed lunch ideas.6) Plan out your scheduleThe relative peace of the Summer Holidays is going to end very quickly when your child returns to school. They’re going to have after-school clubs and play dates, which you’ll need to fit around homework time, other hobbies, and your own schedule. If you have more than one child this becomes even more complicated!Planning out your schedule in advance will help you to juggle all of the different activities, and ensures your child will always be where they need to be.Use a large family planner and fill in as much information as you can. It might end up looking a little daunting, but it’s a lot better than realising you’ve forgotten to collect your child from football practice.7) No more snackingEveryone is a little guilty of snacking more throughout the Summer Holidays. Yes, even the parents!When your child returns to school, they’re going to find they can’t scour the cupboards for their next snack. This can cause them to feel hungry and lose concentration.As you approach that first day back, you should start introducing healthy snacks to your child, if you haven’t already. Providing your child with the likes of fruit, nuts, and yoghurt can work wonders for their focus and concentration.It might also help to eat lunch at home at the same time they’ll be eating lunch at school, just to get their stomachs back into the routine.8) Do some stress-busting If you feel that you and your child are getting increasingly stressed in the run-up to the first day back, then you aren’t alone.Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can reduce the stress that you and your child are feeling. Why not try some of them out together?Some popular techniques include deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. These will help calm you and your child down, reduce anxiety, and prepare you mentally for what’s to come.You might also find that you have a lot of fun doing it.9) Have a final fun dayThe Summer Holidays are packed full of fun activities for the family to enjoy. Going back to school marks the end of that fun.One way to make it a Summer worth remembering is to go out with a bang. Plan a really fun day, packed with activities and games, to mark an end to the holidays.Let your child make suggestions and join in with the planning. The aim is to unleash every bit of energy your child has at once.Give them so much fun that they won’t even care about going back to school.10) Make it a celebrationRather than see this as the end of the holidays, why not see it as the start of a new school year? That sounds like something worth celebrating.Sure, it’s a little stressful, but it’s also exciting. Think of all the new opportunities your child has. New things to learn, new experiences, possibly even new friends. It’s exciting!Plan a nice family activity, like a meal or a day out, for the weekend after the first week back at school. This gives you and your child something to look forward to, and turns a potentially negative experience into a positive one.Relax!Take a deep breath, put your feet up. The back to school period is often stressful. But if you follow some of the tips we’ve shared, then it might at least be more bearable.Above all, remember that it won’t last forever. After a few weeks your child will have settled into the school routine, and life will carry on as normal.You’ve got this!

Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect

Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Casey, 11-years-old, Math Level K Reading Level HI The age-old saying “practice makes perfect,” is often said by our teachers and parents. This saying relates to just about anything we’re learning. From riding a bike without training wheels to baking a delicious cake, all new skills need time and practice. For 11-year-old Casey, she recognized the importance of daily practice and discovered that it’s the key to unlocking her success. At a young age, Casey developed a passion for music and has dedicated time to strengthening her skills on the piano. Like any instrument, playing the piano is a complex activity that combines coordination and the use of multiple senses like hearing, sight, and touch. To master a new solo piece or perfect her technique, Casey adopted a daily practice routine. When Casey enrolled in Kumon, she quickly realized how transferable those skills were to her studies. “Kumon helped me establish a daily routine,” said Casey. “Overall, the most beneficial thing Kumon has taught me is that practice makes perfect. Putting in the time always pays off in the end.” In 2017, Casey was presented the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. Musicians and vocalists from across the globe auditioned for their chance to perform on stage at the world famous Carnegie Hall. Casey was committed to practicing and was more than ready for the world to hear her talent. It’s no surprise that she impressed the judges and placed third in the competition. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? In the Kumon Reading Program I enjoy discovering new books. I also love the feeling of making it to a new level and mastering a difficult concept. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon helps me establish a daily routine. Knowing that I have to complete my worksheets, I’ve learned to balance and schedule my other chores and activities. I don’t waste time by sitting around watching television or playing video games. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Beneficial. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a human rights lawyer or even a delegate in the General Assembly for the United Nation. Who is your biggest inspiration and why? Every day I am inspired by many different people and can’t choose just one person. I motivate myself to reach my goals and continue to work hard. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling. I love this book because despite dark moments, the characters always work together and remain motivated to work towards their goal. What was your experience like at the 2019 Kumon Student Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference was a motivating experience and I enjoyed hearing from former Kumon Students. It was great to hear their struggles because it showed me that I am not the only one who gets stuck on challenging worksheets once in a while. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? Don’t get discouraged when working on challenging worksheets. Be patient and continue to try and solve the questions. If you don’t give up, they will become easier for you. It’s worth putting in the time! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Focus And Confidence Help This Young Musician Achieve His Goals Accomplished Pianist Applies Focus and Discipline in Her Everyday Routine Perseverance Helps This Young Tennis Player Win On And Off The Court Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Young Pianist Proves Practice Makes Perfect Casey, 11-years-old, Math Level K Reading Level HI The age-old saying “practice makes perfect,” is often said by our teachers and parents. This saying relates to just about anything we’re learning. From riding a bike without training wheels to baking a delicious cake, all new skills need time and practice. For 11-year-old Casey, she recognized the importance of daily practice and discovered that it’s the key to unlocking her success. At a young age, Casey developed a passion for music and has dedicated time to strengthening her skills on the piano. Like any instrument, playing the piano is a complex activity that combines coordination and the use of multiple senses like hearing, sight, and touch. To master a new solo piece or perfect her technique, Casey adopted a daily practice routine. When Casey enrolled in Kumon, she quickly realized how transferable those skills were to her studies. “Kumon helped me establish a daily routine,” said Casey. “Overall, the most beneficial thing Kumon has taught me is that practice makes perfect. Putting in the time always pays off in the end.” In 2017, Casey was presented the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition. Musicians and vocalists from across the globe auditioned for their chance to perform on stage at the world famous Carnegie Hall. Casey was committed to practicing and was more than ready for the world to hear her talent. It’s no surprise that she impressed the judges and placed third in the competition. What do you enjoy most about Kumon? In the Kumon Reading Program I enjoy discovering new books. I also love the feeling of making it to a new level and mastering a difficult concept. How has Kumon helped you outside of the classroom? Kumon helps me establish a daily routine. Knowing that I have to complete my worksheets, I’ve learned to balance and schedule my other chores and activities. I don’t waste time by sitting around watching television or playing video games. If you could sum up your Kumon experience in one word, what would it be? Beneficial. What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a human rights lawyer or even a delegate in the General Assembly for the United Nation. Who is your biggest inspiration and why? Every day I am inspired by many different people and can’t choose just one person. I motivate myself to reach my goals and continue to work hard. What’s your favorite book and why? My favorite book is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling. I love this book because despite dark moments, the characters always work together and remain motivated to work towards their goal. What was your experience like at the 2019 Kumon Student Conference, and what was your favorite part? The Student Conference was a motivating experience and I enjoyed hearing from former Kumon Students. It was great to hear their struggles because it showed me that I am not the only one who gets stuck on challenging worksheets once in a while. What advice would you give to kids just starting Kumon? Don’t get discouraged when working on challenging worksheets. Be patient and continue to try and solve the questions. If you don’t give up, they will become easier for you. It’s worth putting in the time! Discover even more student success stories. You might also be interested in: Practice is the Key to this Young Cello Players Success Focus And Confidence Help This Young Musician Achieve His Goals Accomplished Pianist Applies Focus and Discipline in Her Everyday Routine Perseverance Helps This Young Tennis Player Win On And Off The Court

Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away

Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away We typically think of running, jumping, and skipping as activities that should be confined to the school gym or playground. But did you know that they might be the key to your kids’ success in social studies or science class? Numerous studies have shown a link between physical activity and improved cognitive ability â€" both in the long term and immediately after exercising. Early humans spent almost every waking hour in motion. According to John Medina in his book, “Brain Rules,” our ancestors walked and ran up to 12 miles a day, all while teaching themselves how to start fires and figure out which plants were edible. Our brains simply adapted to learn better during exercise. A study conducted by the University of British Columbia also showed that regular aerobic exercise results in a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls verbal memory and learning. Scientists have many theories on exactly why exercise improves learning, but most agree that it only takes moderate activity a few times a week to see the benefits, and that any movement is better than none. Exercise doesn’t just cause a long-term improvement in learning â€" it can also have an immediate impact on academic performance. Several studies have shown that moderate exercise can improve student’s scores on tests taken directly after the activity. It’s thought that physical activity boosts kids’ moods and attentiveness, which leads to better performance in school. Kids are naturally more active in the summer. Without hours spent in the classroom, kids have more time to run around and play with their friends. Why not take advantage of the brain-boosting power of exercise to combine active play with learning? Here are some fun ways to couple exercise with learning. Play Hopscotch All you need for this classic recess game is a piece of chalk, a rock, and some pavement. Draw out a court, toss the rock onto a square, and hop away! Jumping challenges both balance and aerobic ability, and young children can get a brain boost by reciting the numbers as they hop in each square. Skipping the square that the rock landed in and counting backwards on the return trip will help to develop your young one’s number sense. Jump Rope Teach your kids the jump rope rhymes you chanted on the playground when you were their age. These rhymes can be a fun introduction to poetry, and many of them include counting exercises that can help develop numeracy skills. These can be made more difficult for older children by requiring them to count by twos or threes. They’ll have so much fun they won’t even realize they’re exercising! Go for a Walk Going for a walk around your neighborhood can offer numerous learning opportunities. Ask your kids to read the numbers on each house as you pass. For young children, recognizing numbers out of order can be quite challenging! You can also squeeze some learning into your stroll by encouraging your kids to read street signs or count the number of houses on your block. Play Catch Count how many times you can throw the ball without dropping it. Count by twos or only using odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7…) for a challenge. Complete Kumon Worksheets After a morning spent playing outdoors, your kids will be more attentive and ready to study! Take advantage of the benefits that exercise provides and schedule time each day for your kids to complete their Kumon Worksheets after they’ve spent time playing and being active. It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to see an improvement in the classroom. Your kids can benefit just from playing with their friends at the playground. We still have a lot to learn about the brain, but the connection between activity and learning is clear. Read more about the impact of learning on the brain. You might also be interested in: 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting 4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun What Could Your Kids Gain (or Lose) This Summer? Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away Better Grades are Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Away We typically think of running, jumping, and skipping as activities that should be confined to the school gym or playground. But did you know that they might be the key to your kids’ success in social studies or science class? Numerous studies have shown a link between physical activity and improved cognitive ability â€" both in the long term and immediately after exercising. Early humans spent almost every waking hour in motion. According to John Medina in his book, “Brain Rules,” our ancestors walked and ran up to 12 miles a day, all while teaching themselves how to start fires and figure out which plants were edible. Our brains simply adapted to learn better during exercise. A study conducted by the University of British Columbia also showed that regular aerobic exercise results in a larger hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls verbal memory and learning. Scientists have many theories on exactly why exercise improves learning, but most agree that it only takes moderate activity a few times a week to see the benefits, and that any movement is better than none. Exercise doesn’t just cause a long-term improvement in learning â€" it can also have an immediate impact on academic performance. Several studies have shown that moderate exercise can improve student’s scores on tests taken directly after the activity. It’s thought that physical activity boosts kids’ moods and attentiveness, which leads to better performance in school. Kids are naturally more active in the summer. Without hours spent in the classroom, kids have more time to run around and play with their friends. Why not take advantage of the brain-boosting power of exercise to combine active play with learning? Here are some fun ways to couple exercise with learning. Play Hopscotch All you need for this classic recess game is a piece of chalk, a rock, and some pavement. Draw out a court, toss the rock onto a square, and hop away! Jumping challenges both balance and aerobic ability, and young children can get a brain boost by reciting the numbers as they hop in each square. Skipping the square that the rock landed in and counting backwards on the return trip will help to develop your young one’s number sense. Jump Rope Teach your kids the jump rope rhymes you chanted on the playground when you were their age. These rhymes can be a fun introduction to poetry, and many of them include counting exercises that can help develop numeracy skills. These can be made more difficult for older children by requiring them to count by twos or threes. They’ll have so much fun they won’t even realize they’re exercising! Go for a Walk Going for a walk around your neighborhood can offer numerous learning opportunities. Ask your kids to read the numbers on each house as you pass. For young children, recognizing numbers out of order can be quite challenging! You can also squeeze some learning into your stroll by encouraging your kids to read street signs or count the number of houses on your block. Play Catch Count how many times you can throw the ball without dropping it. Count by twos or only using odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7…) for a challenge. Complete Kumon Worksheets After a morning spent playing outdoors, your kids will be more attentive and ready to study! Take advantage of the benefits that exercise provides and schedule time each day for your kids to complete their Kumon Worksheets after they’ve spent time playing and being active. It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to see an improvement in the classroom. Your kids can benefit just from playing with their friends at the playground. We still have a lot to learn about the brain, but the connection between activity and learning is clear. Read more about the impact of learning on the brain. You might also be interested in: 6 Simple Ways to Make Learning Fun this Summer 6 Practical Tips for Summer Parenting 4 Ideas to Make a Rainy Day Fun What Could Your Kids Gain (or Lose) This Summer?

7 Powerful Benefits of Being Bilingual Thatll Change Your Life

7 Powerful Benefits of Being Bilingual Thatll Change Your Life 7 Benefits of Being Bilingual Thatll Change Your Life Want a new job?Wish you had better health?Want a more fulfilling personal life?Learn a second language!When discussing the benefits of learning a foreign language, most people think of the straightforward perks right away. You know, that its useful to be able to ask where the bathroom is  when you visit Beijing, or  to be able to ask for  directions when you get lost in Barcelona.But did you know that the  benefits  of being bilingual  go much deeper than that?Recent research on bilingualism has  found that speaking another language can improve your life in many ways. Being bilingual can provide new  career opportunities, improve your personal life and even lead to better health.Heres a review of what the current research tells us about the benefits of knowing a  foreign language. 7 Benefits of Being Bilingual Thatll Change Your LifeWorkplace Benefits of Being BilingualKnowing more than one language can give you a big boost professionally, and in todays economy, thats something eve ryone can  use.1. Bilingualism can improve your competitiveness in the job market.Knowing a second language makes your resume stand out  and can boost you to the top  of the interview list with potential employers.Companies today serve increasingly diverse, multilingual  populations at home and abroad. Managers  know that multilingual consumers are a huge commercial force and represent a significant opportunity for future business.  A recent report  goes as far as saying that marketers and advertisers who grasp and activate the multicultural edge will be poised to connect with rising super consumers.Many companies have international offices, sell their products abroad and have production facilities in other countries. These companies want to hire versatile employees who can speak other languages and navigate different cultural expectations. So  once youve got a second language under your belt, you might be fighting off job offers!Even knowing just a few words of a foreign language c an be helpful. Taylor Diaz-Rogers, a student at Florida International University, found this out when she interviewed for an internship at the marketing company  Optimum7.According to the FIU  career services department  website, Diaz-Rogers said, The COO of Optimum7, who was at the fair and with whom I got the chance to speak to, was from Turkey I had visited his country 5 years ago and still knew a few words in Turkish. Because of that, we were able to build a good rapport.It was partially because of her knowledge of Turkish that Diaz-Rogers was offered an internship at the company!2. Knowing a second language can open up new career opportunities.Foreign  language skills can be particularly beneficial if youre interested in changing  careers to a new and growing field.Jobs as translators and interpreters are in the  top 15 fastest-growing occupations in the United States, with  nearly 25,000 translation and interpretation jobs expected to become available by  2020. This estimate d oes not even include jobs in the military, which actively recruits people with a variety of language skills. (They then use  the  DLIFLC GLOSS to teach languages to recruitsâ€"which is surprisingly available to the public, so you can use it to learn a language too!)Other fast-growing fields like  travel and tourism, healthcare  and  national security  need employees with bilingual language skills and the ability to work across cultures. Fields  such as journalism, education  and international development are always in search of bilingual employees. And knowing a second language can give you an an edge if you want to apply for the  Peace Corps or become a  Foreign Service Officer.3. Bilinguals can earn  more money.The financial returns of learning a foreign language vary by language and job, but they can add up to a lot.  Salary.com  found that  jobs with  pay differentials based on bilingualism usually pay 5-20% more per hour for bilingual employees.MIT economist Albert Saiz  discov ered  that college graduates who speak two languages make an average of 2% more than those who do not. This  can add up to a lot over time, as an  article in The Economist  points out. At retirement, the extra earnings could mean an additional  $67,000 in your retirement account!Life Improvements Gained by  Being BilingualAside from improving your career prospects, speaking another language is just plain  fun, and can add great value to your personal life.4. Being bilingual opens up social and cultural opportunities.Speaking another language lets  you interact with different people and understand the nuances of another culture. This means you might have more opportunities to make friends, explore different hobbies and better understand your favorite foreign music, film  and literature.Even if you dont start interacting with native speakers right away, you can start benefiting from cultural knowledge right away by learning with authentic videos on FluentU. FluentU takes real-world vi deosâ€"like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talksâ€"and turns them into personalized language lessons.Travel  can also be cheaper and more rewarding when you speak the language of the country youre visiting. You wont be  limited to staying in expensive foreigner hotels, eating at restaurants where the staff speaks English or  traveling with a tour group.Instead, you can find your own way and experience  the country the way a local would.  You might  enjoy cheaper access to museums because you dont  have to pay for a foreign-language guide, and you will certainly have more opportunities to meet people, engage in conversation and learn about the culture.5. Speaking another language gives you a new perspective.Even if you dont travel abroad, becoming bilingual  can help you see the world in a different way  and understand yourself better.Research  has found that bilinguals literally see the world differently. People who regularly speak a second language perceive differ ences in color variations that are not recognized by monolinguals!  Hows that for a new perspective?Many people who speak more than one language also report feeling like a different person when they speak the other language.  Research  by a professor at  the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has found that bilinguals emphasize different character traits depending on which language they are  speaking. The professor interviewed Parisian adults who were fluent in French and Portuguese and found that they acted differently when speaking one language or the other. For example, one  girl sounded like an angry, hip suburbanite in French and a frustrated, but patient, well-mannered bank customer in Portuguese.Another study found significant levels of frame-shifting, or changes in self perception, among bilingual participants. Researchers interviewed Hispanic women who were fluent in Spanish and English and found that many  classified themselves as more assertive when they spoke Sp anish. The women also had different perceptions of the same advertisements when they saw them in English and in Spanish.So if you want to understand yourself better, learning another language might be the key!Health and Well-being Advantages of  BilingualsOne of the best reasons to become bilingual is the enormous health benefits it can have, particularly for the brain.6. Speaking a second language improves problem-solving, multitasking and decision-making.Numerous studies have found that bilingualism can improve brain functions like  the ability to focus attention and perform mental tasks.A study  in Scotland and Italy found that bilingual children  were significantly more successful than their monolingual peers in problem-solving and creativity tasks.  Another study  found that people who speak more than one language can process information more efficiently and easily.As a bilingual, you are constantly choosing in which language to say a word, and this gives you a lot of practice choosing important information and ignoring extraneous details. This seems to help bilinguals do better at tasks that require multitasking and  blocking out distractions.Speaking another language can even help you make more rational decisions!  A study  conducted by a team of psychologists at the University of Chicago found that forcing people to rely on a second language when making decisions reduced their natural human  biases. The scientists concluded that using a foreign language provided increased cognitive and emotional distance that allowed people to focus on the information rather than their own emotions.The next time you want to make the most rational decision possible, consider thinking about it  in a foreign language!7. Bilingualism can slow the effects of old age.The benefits of being bilingual are lifelong, but they seem especially important  in old age.  Cognitive flexibilityâ€"the ability to adapt to unfamiliar or unexpected circumstancesâ€"tends to decline as we age, but speaking a second language can  block that decline or at least significantly delay it.Research  shows that  bilingualism can improve cognition and delay dementia in older adults, particularly related to general intelligence and reading abilities.And while bilingualism cannot prevent Alzheimers disease, it can delay the onset of symptoms as much as five years.  A recent study  found that the brains of people who suffered from Alzheimers show the same physical deterioration whether they were monolingual or bilingual. But the people who speak two languages do  not exhibit  the typical symptoms of Alzheimersâ€"such as memory loss, confusion and difficulties with problem-solving and planningâ€"until much later than those who only speak one language.Get started soon!There are numerous  benefits to gain from speaking a second language, from professional and personal to  health benefits. Moreover, learning a foreign language is just fun!The sooner you learn and the more frequently you use your second language, the greater the benefits will be. So why not get started right away? Find a class, grab a conversation partner  or get started with  a website like FluentU.Youll thank yourself both during the journey, and when youre reaping the benefits of being bilingual! And One More ThingIf youre ready to start reaping these benefits right now, youll love learning with FluentU. FluentU makes it possible to learn languages  from music videos, commercials, news and inspiring talks.With FluentU, you learn real languagesâ€"the same way that real people speak them. FluentU has a wide variety of videos, like movie trailers, funny commercials and web series, as you can see here:FluentU App Browse ScreenFluentU has interactive captions that let you tap on any word to see an image, definition, audio and useful examples. Now native language content is within reach with interactive transcripts.Didnt catch something? Go back and listen again. Missed a word? Hover over or tap on the subtitles to instantly view definitions.FluentU Interactive TranscriptsYou can learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentUs quiz mode. Swipe left or right to see  more examples for the word you’re learning.FluentU Has Quizzes for Every VideoAnd FluentU always keeps track of vocabulary that you’re learning. It uses that vocab to give you a 100% personalized experience by recommending videos and examples.

The Options For Learning With A Markem Tutoring School

The Options For Learning With A Markem Tutoring SchoolWhether you are interested in an ongoing curriculum or simply wish to learn to read English by tutoring, a Markem Tutoring School is the perfect solution. The options for learning have never been greater and this year alone has seen the introduction of several new and more exciting online programs.When you sign up with a Markem Education program, you will find that you will learn a great deal about the language, the basics of grammar and usage, and the literary history of English. There are also several other courses that you can take that will give you even more insight into the language, and the way it is used today. So you can learn at your own pace and in your own time. This means you can take this on whenever you like.You can also enroll and attend classes in your real life, to improve your conversational skills. This will give you the opportunity to practice your English with your friends and family. You will also develop a bond with them that can last throughout your education.If you are not happy with the class you attend then you will be able to choose from the many other options that are available. There are retreats, travel programs, and special events. These can all help you get in touch with the language and enable you to interact with other students from all over the world. At this time you will also benefit from a lot of professional development that will be offered.Many of these programs can be taken online or you can take them from the physical location. Whatever you decide, whether in person or online, it is important that you do it wisely. By choosing the wrong school you may end up missing out on a lot.There are many other things to look for in a MarkemEducation program. It is important that you know if they will offer the same level of care as they would when they were taught at their home institution. You need to feel that you are in the same room with someone who can respond to your ev ery need.It is important that you check out many Markem Education opportunities to get a sense of the range that they offer. Do your research and compare prices and options so that you are sure you are getting the best value for your money. It will also help to go with someone who has experience teaching at the same school.