The North Carolina End of Grade Tests are fast approaching. These tests “are designed to measure student performance on the goals, objectives, and grade-level competencies specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.” The end-of-grade tests in reading comprehension and mathematics are administered to students in grades 3-5 as part of the statewide assessment program. The testing window for the end-of-grade test is the last three weeks of the school year.

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A child’s developmental level, not just the chronological age, is vital to learning success.  Developmental maturity demonstrates that the brain is able to take in sensory information and then process the information in the higher cortical areas of the brain.  We are all meant to be born with certain primitive reflexes established. These primitive reflexes assist the mother and baby through the birth process.  They then allow the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and to begin the process of training the body and the brain to work together.  Typically, these reflexes are inhibited and replaced by more advanced postural reflexes sometime between 6 months - 3 years of age.

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Vision therapy is a subspecialty of optometry that strives to improve, enhance and/or develop visual performance through a prescribed treatment program that is designed to build new neural pathways. (Vision and Learning)  As with any therapy, vision therapy takes time to correct a problem.  Being consistent and committed to the program will help ensure success.  If you have concerns about your child's vision or want to learn more about vision therapy, here is a good resource: Vison and Learning

"The visual system is a significant part of how we process information and a key factor in how we learn.  80% of what you perceive, comprehend and remember depends on the efficiency of the visual system." ( Vision and Learning )

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6,440,000. That's how many results you get when you do a Google search on "music and brain development." Certainly there's no shortage of information backing up the idea that our brains and music are as compatible as Adam and Eve or Romeo and Juliet. The fact is: our brains love music. Our brains thrive on music. Our brains physiologically change in response to music. In Dr. Oliver Sacks' book, Musicophilia, he states: "Anatomists would be hard put to identify the brain of a visual artist, a writer, or a mathematician - but they could recognize the brain of a professional musician without a moment's hesitation." Dr. Michael Thaut writes in his book, Rhythm, Music, and the Brain, "The brain that engages in music is changed by this engagement."

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Developing the sense of hearing is also crucial to learning success. As a child grows, his brain learns to interpret sounds in the environment in order to attend to important information and to block out background noise.

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Are you looking for some great ideas to help celebrate Johnny Appleseed? Check out this website from Midge Frazel for an excellent source of information, great ideas and activities. http://www.midgefrazel.net/appleseed.html  Homeschoolers will be able to utilize this resource for a Unit Study on Johnny Appleseed and Apples. Themed units are an excellent way to bring in lots of hands-on activities for multi-sensory learning and to combine several subjects under one theme.

Parents can use Theme Units as a fun way to supplement school work and practice the reading and writing skills your child is learning at school. Be sure to ask your Creative Tutors tutor to make additional suggestions for fun ways to supplement your child learning experiences at home!

Play-Doh, originally a non-toxic wallpaper cleaner, was released as a child’s toy in 1957.  The first Play-Doh came only in an off-white color.  By 1957, the company added yellow, red and blue Play-Doh.  A US Patent was granted to Noah and Joseph McVicker who founded Rainbow Crafts.  Hasbro are the current owners of Play-Doh.

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September is National School Success Month.  An excellent way to plan for a successful school year is to structure your home as an environment that fosters learning. 

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The kindergarten movement began in Germany in 1837.  The focus was on spontaneous play and closeness to nature.  The first kindergarten in the US opened in St. Louis, MO on August 26, 1873. The scope and sequence for most kindergartens today include literacy skills such as letter recognition, blending sounds, identify common sight words; writing skills such as correct printed letter formation, spelling and dictation; math skills include number recogniztion 1-100, counting 1-20, skip counting by 2, 5 and 10, tell time to the hour.  Additionally, kindergarteners are studying social studies, science, computer/informational technology, library skills, Spanish, Fine Arts and much more.