When Should I Get Help?

Worries That Kindergarten Parents Have..

Late one afternoon, I was talking to one of my clients that sent her son to Kindergarten just a few weeks ago. She told me to call her so that we can catch up and also, to find out the secret language of "educationalese" she was now hearing as parent of a primary school student.

I realized that this conversation would be a very delicate one because I normally have to sit on two sides of the coin - one side being "for the teacher" and the other side being "for the parent". It is hard to wear these two hats, but at least it will give her (and hopefully you) a better understanding of what is happening both in and out of the classroom. I called her right before she picked up her son from school so that we could actually talk. Some of the highlights of the conversation are listed below.

This is some of the information that she had shared with me:

"I've had my student in a pre-k program and they told me that my son has learned everything that he needs to learn for Kindergarten. But when he started kindergarten, they put him in the Early Intervention Program. What does that mean?"

My response to her is that it would be very difficult to see how prepared a child would be for kindergarten unless they were evaluated right in front of me. Not all pre-kindergarten programs are made equal. Some of them do a fairly nice job preparing students for kindergarten while others may not adequately prepare students for what they need to know for that first year. The bottom line is, just because a student has spent an entire year singing the alphabet song does not automatically mean that he or she knows how to read. The expectations for a kindergarten student is beyond identifying letters and numbers. If that were the case, then we would have kindergarten begin at 2 years old. Think about what you want your child to know before they walk into school. Now multiply that time ten (it's so much more than what you would expect. Really -some of the kindergarteners are studying Algebra, some first graders are learning basic Economic concepts such as "Opportunity Cost". Okay, I think that is cool, but then again, I'm not your typical educator...).

"My son says that there are students in class that know things so much faster than he does."

True, in life there will always be individuals that are better than you, and those that you are better than. Your role as a parent is to ease the discomfort of your child that has made this observation and make him/her feel comfortable in their own skin. It's too early for a child to make these observations about the world. The first few years are essential in the learning and growth process and I would encourage you to make it one that is positive and filled with bliss. As a sidenote, I would also like to encourage you to help your student in realizing the importance of individual achievement and effort. They do not need to be the best in the classroom - they just always need to put forth their personal best!


"My son says that the class is too easy for him..."

Learning should be accessible, but not "too easy". Perhaps I would even venture to say that the process of learning be considered enjoyable or engaging for the student.  Sometimes when things are "too easy" for a student, negative behaviors appear and that may not be a good thing for the overall learning environment in the classroom.

My thoughts on the entire conversation is that when you notice that your student is struggling in their overall academic performance, please find a way to help them get back on track. Most students want to succeed and feel good about what they accomplish in life. If you, as a parent, are able to help them in achieving this goal, it will make both you and your child feel better in the long run.

If you are in the Kennesaw/East Cobb/Atlanta/Roswell/Cherokee/Alpharetta/Johns Creek/Dunwoody/Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Gwinnett, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the JATP, CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Kindergarten Preparation, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

Joint Admissions Test Program in Atlanta

There are several fine educational institutions in the Atlanta area that use the JATP process for admissions. These twelve schools have created a very helpful website that has been used to streamline the process of admissions for many qualified candidates.

One piece of advice that the Admissions Directors have given me as I have visited the schools is to ask families to tour the schools. There is so much that an individual can learn from attending these meet and greet events at schools and it is also a time for one to become better acquainted with the students and staff of the school.

As the Admissions Preparation season is starting, I am very excited in guiding families onto their path to success, whether it be in helping them select a school or to determine which school fits their student's needs. It is always a very exciting time of year for me, and for them as well!

To learn more about the Joint Admissions Test Program (JATP) in Atlanta, please visit their website at www.jatp.org.

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

Next Sensory Friendly Film: Dolphin Tale on October 1!!

Put this on your calendars...we are only days away from the first of October!

Here is another Sensory Friendly Film to be shown here in Atlanta, GA. It is called "Dolphin Tales" and the movie starts at 10:00am.

The following theaters will be showing the film in Georgia:

AMC Phipps Plaza 14
3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30326

AMC Discover Mills 18
5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Ste. 415, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043

AMC Southlake 24
7065 Mount Zion Cir., Morrow, Ga. 30260

Make plans to see this with your kids!

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

Is Your Child Overscheduled?

I cannot help but ask parents what activities they have planned for their children. I remember one of the first activities that my parents put me in was piano. I was in the third grade and was learning how to play piano one time a week and had to practice everyday. Needless to say, it was certainly an activity that I did really well in but decided to tell my parents to find me another activity because at that time, "piano was not my thing.."

Fast forward to many years later - I am surrounded by the nicest and most caring parents that want to offer the everything to their children. They fill their schedules with play dates, piano, cello, swimming, football, tennis, basketball, girl scouts, boy scouts, choir, German school, Japanese School, Chinese School, Korean School, acting and singing lessons - name it, it's on their calendar. Sometimes when I arrive I cannot help but ask my tutees, "Are you okay?" I come from a family of six so I know that competition is in my blood but some of these kids may need to just be - a kid.

Here are some things you should consider when you plan activities with your child:

1. "Consider" playing sports for "exercise" not for competition.

I know so many athletes that have played for college and professionally that have permanent injuries to their body as a result of all the stress during the years. Those trophies are really nice to have on your fireplace mantel, but is it worth a replaced knee cap or back surgery when you are in your early 20's?

2. Schedule "Nothing Time"

I help a variety of students in the Atlanta area be successful not just with school, but with life. One of my clients has a pretty nice set of parents that only have one activity (other than my pre-designed math and study skills lessons) each week. This young 7th grader spent a few months last year creating a marketing idea that has turned into a $3000 profit for him during his "Nothing Time". His parents gave him free license to do as he pleased and actually used his time wisely. How's that for doing "nothing"!

3. Cherish Family Time

I remember taking naps in the car waiting for my younger brother to be done with his cello lessons. Those were the days where I not only was able to watch my younger brother grow up to summon his inner musician (it comes from my grandmother and great grandmother who were both opera singers), but it also gave me the opportunity to take the sibling to a favorite restaurant as a treat. Never cease those opportunities to make a memory come alive!

4. Assist in "Problem Solving" Moments

One time during the summer, one of my students told me of a "bully" situation that he encountered while he was in summer camp. It took me two seconds to think about what I would need to say before I acted as his surrogate mother asking for information to track this delinquent down. In exposing our children to problems, we must help them in becoming assertive and creative problem solvers. Your role as a parent does not end by you saying that you are "going to fix this", it begins by you asking your child what they think the best way to handle a situation would be.

Have confidence in how you raised your child in learning how to think, and act independently -  and you will know that you did a wonderful job in contributing a valuable person into the community.

5. Know When, Is When!

Is it necessary for one student to have four activities each day and another to only have one a week? Yes, but it all depends on the child. If you find that your student is overextended and is falling asleep in class or in the car more often than they should, then take a second to re-evaluate the activities that you are putting on them.  
The natural reaction that most children have is in wanting to please their parents (up until adolescence that is - and that will be the topic for another blog article) so they want to make sure that they are doing everything at their very best.

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Summer Tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at christine@learningridge.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

Great Toy To Help With Focusing

This is a great toy that I found at Target that helps students focus and stay on task. What a treat:)

Orton Gillingham - Why?

More than seven years ago, I began teaching in the public school system in Georgia. I was very happy to be working with the students that I had in my small group classroom. My students were energetic, had charming personalities, and were very challenging to work with day in and day out. I quickly discovered that some of the strategies that that they teach you during your undergraduate and graduate years falls short of preparing you for that "first day".

After a few months, I started a search that extended beyond the classroom walls. I spoke with colleagues, administrators, professionals in the community who knew anything and everything about education. Whenever someone talked about a strategy - I was there to ask questions and to fill my brain with knowledge that may prove to be useful to someone in my circle later on. Ever since then I realized that the success of a good teacher is based on their ability to be a great learner. I pride myself on that each and every day.

Orton-Gillingham happens to be one of the true passions that I have acquired in my repertoire of skills. This multi-sensory based method of teaching phonics and reading was eye opening for me. Orton Gillingham came as an opportunity from one of my favorite Atlanta clients to learn how to teach - using one of the best methods ever created. She spent weeks asking me if I knew of this technique and convinced me to take the class as a means to help her most precious son. I am so very grateful to not have passed it up because that one singular experience has helped shape the way that I view learning today.

There was no better feeling in the world than to help that young 2nd grader learn how to read in such a short amount of time. After working with him during the summer at their beach home in Florida, I remember receiving an email from the mother saying that her husband was "amazed" at the improvement. They had no idea that I was amazed too... This happens more often than not that with patience, hard work and an encouraging voice that my students achieve beyond my wildest expectations.

Oftentimes, I observe how my students learn and I am left breathless and teary eyed because they have come so far - and allow me the privilege to share in that moment. Each and every student that comes to me with the mission to learn in their own special way leaves an imprint in my heart that I carry with me for a lifetime. It's  my passion - my love - to finally see that glint in a young child's eyes that says, "I've got it!". 


If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Singapore Math, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at mailto:christine@learningridge.com.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.

Homework Policies Examined in New Jersey...

As an educator, it has been quite interesting to see how parents view the role of homework in their student's success. I have seen parents complain about the amount of homework assigned stating that it is either too much or too little. It seems as if the homework debate is something that just will not go away because we are just too busy to command the importance of it. Some counties actually have real conversations about the issue instituting policies about homework. For example, when I worked in Cobb County the homework could not constitute more than 10% of a child's grade. When I heard of this policy I did not understand why the county had to set a standard on what constituted a child's grade but then again, I never complained about homework as a student because I always viewed it as an opportunity to view material that I could not view during the school day. It seems as if our societal view has changed on this - so much so that homework is becoming obsolete in one part of the country.

One recent news article has recently found one school district in New Jersey modifying its homework curriculum. Dr. Annette Giaquinto, Superintendent of the Galloway School District in New Jersey expressed the new directive stating that homework will be prohibited from being assigned for weekend completion. She has stated that this position that the school district is in is a result of parents' complaining that their schedules are too busy to handle the additional responsibility of homework due on "Mondays" or the first day students are back from the weekend. Furthermore, she stated that these policies will not transfer to the middle school or high school but only to elementary schools.

What are your thoughts on this new verdict? A link to the interview is found below:

Homework Policies In New Jersey

If you are in the Atlanta/Marietta/Kennesaw/Vinings/Sandy Springs/Buckhead area (Cobb County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, Cherokee County) and have any questions about the CRCT, SSAT, SAT, GED, Singapore Math, Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Writing Strategies, or any methodologies or instructional methods that may help your child succeed, please contact me at mailto:christine@learningridge.com.com or visit my website at http://www.learningridge.com/.  If you need immediate assistance, you can call me at 404-964-8533.