Think About "Smart" Gifts This Holiday Season!

With toy store shelves overflowing and catalogs filled with the latest gadgets, the search for the perfect toys and games can be a daunting task for parents. Luckily, the holiday season comes only once a year and it provides a great opportunity for parents to give the gift of learning that will last throughout the year. Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, encourages parents to make the most of toys and games to inspire their children to learn through play this holiday season.

While toys and games are fun for children, they also help kids develop valuable skills including imagination, creativity, problem solving and confidence. When selecting educational toys and games, parents are encouraged to consider gifts that are appropriate for their children’s ages and skill levels as well as their specific interests.

“Children who regularly engage in play are more likely to be emotionally, mentally and physically fit,” says Derek Strohman of the Sylvan Learning Center. “From a very early age, infants use play to develop motor skills, recognize shapes and colors and improve hand-eye coordination. As children grow, they become more interested in formal games with rules, opponents and explicit instructions.”

Children are encouraged to engage in a variety of play activities to foster learning, but parents have an important role in play, too. Sylvan recommends that families make regular time for play. For example, a weekly game night teaches that playing is a part of everyone’s routine, and instills the basic rules of fair play and teamwork.

Because each child is unique, with different learning styles and academic needs, it is important to personalize the learning process. Children of all ages learn in different manners, so parents should be aware of their children’s learning needs and how it relates to play. Sylvan Learning Center offers the following suggestions to help parents identify toys that encourage active learning and make the most of play this holiday season:

Pre-School Students

Ÿ Consider puzzles to help build critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Ÿ Pre-school students are beginning to recognize colors, letters, textures and sound. To encourage these skills, look for magnetic letters and numbers, flash cards or games like See ‘n Say^â or A to Z Puzzles^™.

Ÿ To develop motor skills, try activity mats, building blocks and Tinker Toys^â. As infants become more advanced, parents should find more challenging games and activities and recognize when it’s time to retire certain toys.

Ÿ For games that help children learn to match pictures/shapes and practice counting, look for Big Deal^® Slapdragon^™ Card Game or Imperial^™ Kids - Go Fish! Card Game.

Ÿ To spark creativity and imagination, consider arts and crafts kits and toy musical instruments. With a Kids’ Play Workshop^® Itty Bitty Puppet Show^™ children can have fun creating, decorating and playing with finger puppets.

Ÿ Make time for independent play to help children develop personality, foster motor skills and stimulate creativity.

Ÿ Younger children are easily overwhelmed, so parents should consider rotating toys regularly, and limiting the number of toys at playtime.

Elementary School Students

Ÿ Elementary school-aged students are beginning to understand and use strategy and probability skills. To foster these developments, look for board games and computer games, including Connect Four^®, Scrabble, Monopoly^â and The Game of Life^â.

Ÿ Science kits, chemistry sets and telescopes help develop critical thinking skills.

Ÿ Games like Talkin’ Tango^® and Petcha Didn’t Know^® encourage children to pay close attention and practice listening and concentration skills.

Ÿ Parents need to recognize their child’s personal learning style, strengths and weaknesses. If children struggle with math, parents can encourage math games and activities to further develop their math skills. If science is a challenge, make science fun with a chemistry set.

Ÿ To build, boost and bolster self-esteem, play The Self-Esteem Game^™.

Ÿ Consider project-based toys such as model airplanes, ships or jewelry kits to help improve fine motor skills. Not only do these projects reinforce motor skills, children also learn to follow instructions and have a project they can work on for days.

Ÿ Make playtime a regular part of a child’s routine – at school and at home. Teachers make time for playtime at recess, and parents should make sure playtime is incorporated into their child’s day.

Middle and High School Students

Ÿ Teenagers don’t like to think of it as playtime, but even older children are still learning through play as they enter their high school years.

Ÿ Science kits become more advanced for older children – and provide an opportunity for children to experiment, be creative and follow directions.

Ÿ Encourage a combination of group and individual play – team sports like a baseball or soccer team and individual activities like reading, scrap booking or journal writing.

Ÿ Help children improve vocabulary skills with board games such as Dictionary Dabble^® and Buzzword^®.

Ÿ At this age, students may be set in their ways, so if parents want to encourage learning through play, pay close attention to their habits and hobbies. Whether it is music, reading, or painting, match toys to your children’s interests.

For more educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit www.sylvanfremont.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

10 things your child’s teacher won’t tell you

Reader's Digest shares the inside scoop on what teachers really think

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33055243/ns/today-parenting_and_family/



This was a really good segment on what teachers would like to say but don't. Click on the link to watch the segment.

Looking for an informative book to read?

We found this great new group to join on Facebook! It is called exercise in the classroom and it is based on the book "Spark" by John Ratey. This book is filled with statistically data on how regular exercise in schools helps kids focus better, retain more, and become healthier! Check it out!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=124460099805

Algebra Challenge

Teacher Motivational Video

Motivational video you have to see!

This is such a great motivational video. It is about 3 minutes long and it was created by Sylvan for our National Conference a few years ago. I think if you are with Sylvan or not that the "Sylvan" can be replaced with just "teacher". I guess I don't want this video to make anyone think that Sylvan is trying to take credit for all the successes of students. I want everyone to know that Sylvan can't be successful without our great teachers that teach our kids everyday. Enjoy!

Interesting Article

Student and Teacher Views About Technology: A Tale of Two Cities?

By: Qing Li

I read this article the other day and I thought I would share my views on it with you.

Computers are going to replace the need to have a teacher in the front of the classroom? This may sound crazy but this was the only theme that showed parallel results in this study. In this article they discussed the difference in views between the students and the teachers toward the topic of integration of technology into schools. They had quite different views on most of the topics. The study looked at 15 secondary Math and Science teachers with experience all across the board from 1 year experience to 30 years experience. Then they also had a total of 575 grade 7 – 12 students, both urban and rural. They looked at technology in classrooms and the affects that it has; both good and bad. Then they compared the data. The topics discussed included:

1) Did it increase efficiency for the students

2) Pedagogy

3) Did it prepare students better for the future

4) Did it increase their motivation and did it raise their confidence.

The students enjoyed the technology, craved more consistent use, and looked for constant upgrades. They said that it increased efficiency, motivation, confidence, and it prepared them for the future. “Their teachers, on the other hand, are far less enthusiastic. Two out of the 15 teachers had used computers frequently, with conditions; that is, 1) students should have strong academic background and 2) the teachers are comfortable with the subjects they are teaching. If the teachers have weaker students or are teaching unfamiliar subjects, computers are not considered. For the rest, computers have been used as no more than ‘souped-up typewriters” (Guerrero, Walker, & Dougdale, 2004)

This article was really interesting to me because it basically proved how far apart our teachers and our students really are in our expanding technology world. I did find it very interesting that the students felt it made them more efficient and it motivated them to learn more. I think a lot of teachers just think of technology as a waste of time and as an expensive pain in the neck. I thought it was great the students actually felt that it made them more confident and prepared them for the future.

The scariest part of the article to me was that at no time did any of the teachers mention that exposing these kids to more technology is going to prepare them for the workplace. I don’t know that I can think of any profession that you don’t need to be proficient in computers. The more proficient and comfortable you are the better. It is disturbing to think that all 15 of the teachers perceived the technology integration as no more than extra workload. That was eye opening to me and very disappointing.

In summary I don’t know that the study was earth shattering. I felt for the most part the article reported what I expected, but there were a few areas that were shocking and upsetting to me. Overall the students were in favor of the technology and wanted as much as they could get and the teachers really viewed it as something extra that the students could use. Most of the teachers viewed technology as extra workload and I think that is disheartening because teachers are the mentors for today’s youth and will impact how technology is used and how successful it will make our students in the future.

References:

Li, Q. (2007). Student and teacher views about technology: A tale of two cities? Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 39(4), 377-397. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/JRTE/Issues/Volume_39/Number_4_Summer_2007/Student_and_Teacher_Views_About_Technology_A_Tale_of_Two_Cities_.htm

How to Make the Most, Academically, of Your Child’s Summer Break

Does Your Child Forget Everything He Learned in School, Once Break Arrives?

Within 24 to 48 hours after learning new concepts, students often begin to forget information unless it is reinforced or applied immediately. That’s why, during summer break, even the best students forget lessons they have learned during the school year.

While a break from school is great for recharging your children’s batteries, if students aren’t using the skills they acquired in the classroom, they could find themselves lagging behind once the school bell rings again. Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers recommendations to inspire academic discovery when away from the classroom.

Writing - To help writing skills, encourage your child to start a diary or write letters to a grandparent or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask your child to keep a travel journal recording where you stayed and what you did. At the end of every day, talk through the activities with your child and help him or her with a journal. It not only improves writing skills, but also creates great family memories.

Mathematics - Helping mom or dad with grocery shopping develops opportunities to use math skills, such as making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking can also familiarize children with weights and measures, organization and planning and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the whole family. Help children pick a recipe, create an ingredients list and go shopping together.

Reading - You can’t start too early. You can’t read too much. Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words and communication. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. Children also learn by example. If parents are setting time aside to read, it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of reading. Local libraries offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children’s programs and clubs.

Research –There are an abundance of sites that provide summer reading lists for children. At www.bookadventure.com, children (K-8) create personalized books lists from more than 7,000 recommended titles, take quizzes on the books they’ve read at school or at home, and earn prizes for their reading comprehension. The program is designed to motivate students to read more often, for longer periods of time and with greater understanding.

Analysis and Logic - Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children to develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis and logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age level.

Summer Enrichment Programs - There are many enrichment activities available for children when school is out-of-session. Sylvan Learning Center offers engaging programs that keep the interest and fun in learning alive through the summer and into the school year. Visit http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/academic-camps/index.cfm for additional information.

By: Derek Strohman

Sylvan Learning Center

Celebrating the Holiday!

Happy 4th of July

Well Sylvan is officially on vacation for one of our favorite holidays of the year! We will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will re-open back up on Monday, July 6th. We hope everyone has a safe and Happy July 4th weekend. We would like to challenge all of you to go out of your way and thank a veteran and/or someone in the armed forces for our freedoms that we are all so lucky to have everyday. Enjoy the holiday and we will blog again next week.

Did You Know

A Great Video That Makes You Think!

Created a Sylvan video

How to create a short video with family pictures:

I found a new website called Animoto. It is so cool, you go there and create an account and within about 5 minutes you can make free 30 second videos with your pictures. You can upload pictures from your Facebook or from web 2.0 sites like picnik or flickr. I learned it in a class that I am taking at UNO. It is a great class and all educators should take this. Here is my video if you want to see what it looks like.

Click here to watch Sylvan Video

Learning the process

Here is our website it has a lot of great information for you.

Sylvan Learning of Fremont

Inaugural Post

Sylvan Learning Center in Fremont is now blogging! I am excited to do this and I hope some of you will follow us along.