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Category: Parental Concerns

Feb 26 | Feed your kids celery: Improve their memory

The brain's memory area is called hippocampus. When there is destructive inflammation in the brain's memory center, memory loss is experienced. Over time, inflammation in the brain can cause significant memory loss. This can accelerate dementia or cause one to have magnified depressed feelings. All of this could play a roll in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Why is celery an important roll in prevention of memory loss?

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Feb 21 | Do you or someone you know have difficulty reading?

Provided by Kim Ashby

Answer the following questions:     YES     NO

Do you skip words or lines when reading?        
Do you reread lines?        
Do you lose your place?        
Are you easily distracted when reading?        
Do you need to take breaks often?        
Do you find it harder to read the longer you read?        
Do you get headaches when you read?        
Do your eyes get red and watery?        
Does reading make you tired?        
Do you blink or squint?        
Do you prefer to read in dim light?        
Do you read close to the page?        
Do you use your finger or other markers?        
Do you get restless, active, or fidgety when reading?        

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, then you might be experiencing the effects of a perception problem called Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, which can interfere with your reading efficiency. Now, for the first time, there is a simple method Irlen Colored Filters worn as glasses or contact lenses, that can help people overcome this problem quickly and easily.

Copyright © 1991 by Perceptual Development Corp/Helen Irlen.  All rights reserved.
For other self tests including the long test, headache test, light sensitivity test, autism test <a href="http://irlen.com/index.php?s=selftests">click here</a>.

Categories: Educational News, Learning Differences, The Gifted Child, Educational Activism, Parental Concerns, What Children Learn At Home, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Special Offers, In The News | PermalinkPermalink | Send feedback »

Dec 05 | Top 5 Tips for Keeping Kids Thinking During the Holiday Break

It’s The Holidays: But Don’t Let Your Kid’s Brain Go On Vacation | Top 5 Tips for Keeping Kids Thinking During the Holiday Break

They’ve spent the first semester of school learning a world of new concepts and skills. But, 21 days out of the classroom can be a setback for some kids. Jan Van Blarcum, founder of Creative Tutors, says there are fun activities for families that will keep kids actively learning while they enjoy a break from the traditional classroom setting.

 Here’s the short list of fun activities for the winter break.

  • Read for pleasure. Encourage your child to spend 45 minutes reading each day. Fifteen minutes alone and 30 minutes with a parent or grandparent. Ideas/Visuals: Best-selling books, popular magazines, like Sports Illustrated and Tiger Beat.
  • Practice multiplication. Or addition and subtraction, if the child is younger. All math is done more efficiently when these facts are committed to memory — and it takes practice. Ideas/Visuals: Math card games, dice games, math quiz web sites.
  • Write in a journal. Buy a cool journal and suggest your child write about his holiday break, as well as any goals, dreams, fantasies or problems he or she may have. Drawing is another great way to express feelings in a journal. Ideas/Visuals: A journal and pen.
  • Play educational games. Turn off the TV and have fun with words and numbers. Ideas/Visuals: Word search books, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, card games, Sudoku, Rubix Cube.
  • Slow down and enjoy life. Decide what events are really important — and skip the rest. Stay home and re-group as a family. Talk about your hopes and plans for 2010. Play board games, snuggle by the fireplace, and tell stories from the past.
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Oct 19 | Exit TAKS Test On Line Resources For Parents And Their Child

I wanted to provide this resource for parents and their children. This will be an easy place for you to check and see how your child will score on the Exit Level TAKS Test for 11th and 12th grade students.

English Language Arts (ELA)

Writing Prompt

Social Studies

Social Studies [Glencoe]

Science

Mathematics

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Oct 03 | 6 Signs Your Child May Need A Tutor

Students may need tutoring for a variety of reasons. Whether to improve a grade or increase their understanding in a certain subject area; to stay organized and on track in all of their classes; or prepare for entrance exams and standardized tests, a tutor can be just the boost they need.

But for some students with slumping grades and rising frustrations, tutoring may not just be a boost but a necessity. Parents should consider when and why a child might need the extra help and support of a tutor.

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Oct 02 | Preparing For A New Year

by Plano franchise owner, Jan Coltrain-Sapp

With the beginning of the school year comes the challenge of what to tell your child’s teachers about their learning differences, how much or how little and what form of communication do you use. You certainly don’t want the teachers to spend 6 weeks or more getting to know your child, or make incorrect assumptions about your child. Although teachers are the experts in the classroom, you are the expert on your child!

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Oct 01 | Build Positive Self-Esteem

Helping your child be successful in school is obviously a priority to you. But, success is not just about achieving the highest grade. Success also hinges dramatically on supporting and encouraging your child's sense of self-worth. Healthy self-esteem is an important part of every successful child. Other factors such as a clear understanding of boundaries in their daily activities; a solid awareness of the line separating right and wrong; a strong sense of tolerance; and a great sense of humor are equally important.

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Jan Van Blarcum | Founder | Successfully completed Creative Tutors' Advanced Training Program.

Meet Jan Van Blarcum | Founder

In 1999, Jan Van Blarcum, Ph.D. founded Creative Tutors. As an educator, Dr. Van Blarcum understood the importance of personalized attention in a child's educational growth. Her passion for learning grew into a business endeavor that provides customized, one-on-one, in-home tutoring to children with a variety of learning needs. Every child receives personalized attention from certified/degreed educators. Jan has acquired invaluable experience through living abroad, teaching in many educational environments and has acquired business development experience. These unique experiences, coupled with her fervent desire to provide all children with the tools needed to achieve their potential in today's educational environment, led her to establish Creative Tutors and their sister organization Creative Learning 4 Kids, Inc. a 501(c)(3) company.

"The great thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B. King