"I am tired of school! I just want to relax, hang out with my friends, and chill!

 

In the face of that predictable reaction, how does a parent who knows their child has struggled during the school year convince that child to use the summer months to strengthen core skills?

 

We often receive calls from parents who want to know how they can help their son or daughter improve their reading comprehension, math, foreign language, science, or other skills. The questions very often come during the fourth quarter of the school year when parents realize that weak academic performance since September may actually be the result of a deficiency in the student's knowledge base.

 

Our advice to parents facing this dilemma is simple. If your child is experiencing academic difficulties in any subject area in April, allowing ten weeks of summer vacation to pass with no enrichment activities will only compound the problem in September. Ensure a smooth transition in September by taking a proactive approach now. Summer enrichment can take on many forms. It can be flexible, fitting vacation and summer camp schedules. It can also be done in a casual, less stressful manner.

 

Reading does not have to involve Tolstoy; it can take the form of a favorite sports author, a cookbook, an automotive magazine, or a good novel. Math can be tackled with mental math while shopping, keeping statistics for a summer swim team, or engaging in fantasy baseball to hone record-keeping and statistical analysis skills. This can develop simple mathematical processes like percentages, fractions, and proportions - and your child will not even know it is math! All of this can be done in conjunction with a tutor who can provide focus and direction.

 

Our tutors work with clients to select a number of tutoring sessions throughout the summer that will ensure their child is prepared for September. The alternative is to wait until mid-term grades arrive in early October. That, in many instances, is too little, too late.

 

Take advantage of the relative calm and peaceful summer months to build core skills. It is during this time that your child is not burdened with SOL exams, PSAT exams, SAT or ACT exams, Advanced Placement exams and, if they are high school juniors, the pressures of college applications and admissions.

 

With this in mind, responding to your child's plaintive cry will be far easier!

 

Summer Exam Prep

The advantages of scheduling SAT and ACT exam preparation during the summer can not be overstated. A full course load, combined with sports, extracurriculars and college applications is daunting for most students. Planning ahead to take the exams at the early fall opportunities and preparing during the summer can significantly reduce your child's anxiety and stress. That in itself can have a positive impact on their exam performance.

Have a Question?

We are here to help you and your children. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need our assistance or to simply seek our advice.