In this section, we offer guidance on everything from helping your child with mathematics to options for making college affordable.  Click on a link below to be directed to the proper article:

 

Study Skills 

STUDY SKILLS
The Foundation for Lifelong Learning

 

Good study habits are essential for students of all ages. Certainly, no two children have the exact same style of learning, and what works for one student may not work for another. However, when it comes time to do homework, every child can benefit from a little organization. Read on for a few tips on how parents can help children form strong study habits early in school that will carry them through college and beyond:

 

Create a system for keeping track of homework and tests.
Homework for early-elementary school children may be in the form of worksheets, but older children may simply be told by their teachers what to do and when. No matter how great a memory your child has, every student should develop some kind of simple technique to keep track of unfinished homework, due dates and upcoming tests or quizzes. For a younger student, consider investing in two-sided folders for each subject: your child can store blank paper and unfinished assignments on one side and completed homework on the other. Younger children may also do well with a blank notebook labeled “Homework.” Older students might enjoy feeling grown-up by using a small calendar or day planner. Have your child accompany you to the office supply or bookstore to pick one out, and show them your own method of tracking appointments.

Set a schedule.
Just as adults must set aside time for things they want and need to do, children need to allocate time in their busy days to do homework. Some children may do well with a structured routine—6:00 to 6:45 dinner, 6:45 to 7:00 relaxation, 7:00 to 8:00 homework, 8:00 to 8:30 television—while others may be more diligent about completing their homework on time without much prodding. Clearly, the length of study time and amount of parental involvement with assignments will vary depending on a child’s age, but no matter how old, children do better in school when they reserve some portion of their day for studying and homework.

Designate a quiet study place.
Whether doing math and science problems, reading a chapter or writing an essay, effective comprehension and learning requires concentration. And though your child may try to convince you otherwise, doing homework in front of the television will make it nearly impossible for your child to get much done. While a clutter-free desk in your child’s bedroom is an ideal study spot, other good places include a dining room table, kitchen counter or parent’s home office or study, as long as the area is quiet, well lit and has all the supplies your child will need (pencils, paper, erasers, etc.).

Encourage breaks.
When children come home from school, they need and deserve some downtime. Encourage your child to play (outside if the weather is nice) with siblings or friends so that your child can get a little exercise and social time. While many children will want to watch television as soon as they walk in the door, too much television may make it difficult for them to reenergize for homework time later in the evening.

No child—or adult—should study for hours without small breaks. Encourage your child to take five-minute timeouts in between subjects and stand, stretch, walk around or get a glass of water.

Whenever possible, allow for some amount of fun or relaxation after homework and before bedtime. Children will be more efficient during study time when they know they’ll get to watch a television show or talk on the phone after they’re finished.

Give your child choices.
While homework time should never be negotiable, let your child to have some say in his or her study schedule and approach for homework. If your child prefers to start with a favorite subject first, don’t force him or her to do the opposite just because it would be your preference. Establish ground rules for homework, but still allow your child flexibility.

As children move into middle and high school, most teachers will assume students already have strong study habits. Children will receive less “hand holding” and will be expected to take notes and stay apprised of the semester’s schedule for homework, projects, quizzes and exams. Lay the groundwork early on by teaching your young student the importance of homework and study time. Treat studying as a subject of its own that requires practice and commitment like all other homework.

 

Huntington helps thousands of children refine their study skills and tackle subjects where they may be struggling. If your child needs additional help, don’t wait to correct the problem. Call Huntington today to find out more about our customized tutoring programs.

 

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TAKE STOCK OF ALL OPTIONS FOR MAKING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE
For many students and their parents, the arrival of a college acceptance letter is a time to celebrate the years of hard work that it took to prepare for higher education - and a cause for concern over how much it's going to cost. Year after year, at most colleges and universities across the nation, expenses for tuition, fees, books and lodging have increased, and according to most experts that trend will continue. Fortunately, the total amount of student aid available, including grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs and other sources has also increased, making college more affordable than many students and families realize. Here are some tips for tracking down the support that will put your child's dreams within reach.

Step One: Talk with school counselors. Advising students on financial aid options is one of the most important roles of school counselors. They should know about the different types of aid available and guide you and your child through the application process, which can be daunting. Counselors can also provide information on grants and loans from your state government, and those offered by the colleges and universities you’re considering.

Step Two: Make sure your child is eligible for most types of available aid. To qualify for financial aid, your child must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. If your son would like to receive federal aid, he’ll need to register with the U.S. Selective Service when he turns 18 (Selective Service registration is in fact required for all men aged 18 to 25). All students must also graduate from high school or earn a GED before receiving aid.

Step Three: Order the FAFSA. Most of the available aid comes from the federal government, and to access it you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll use the information from your tax returns to complete the FAFSA, which you can submit by mail or online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. The FAFSA site is a good source of information about all of the federal aid available, and it includes a link to the financial aid offices for most states as well.

Step Four: Understand the full range of federal aid options available. Grant options include The Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which are offered to students from families in the lowest income brackets. Loan options include the Federal Stafford Loan, which has a variable interest rate, and the Federal Perkins Loan, which has the lowest fixed rate of any federal student loans. You can also consider Federal Work-Study programs, which provide jobs that pay minimum wage or above.

If you show significant financial need, your child might also qualify for a Subsidized Stafford Loan, which does not start accruing interest until after you graduate from college, saving you a considerable sum. If you don’t show enough need, your child may be eligible for an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which isn’t based on need. Unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the money is disbursed, which means the debt will grow while your child attends college, although interest rates on student loans are generally very low. You can learn more about Stafford Loans at www.staffordloan.com, and about many more loan and grant options at the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Web site, located at: www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Step Five: Pursue the full range of available scholarships. Many scholarships are available to students interested in a particular field of study, which makes them perfect for students who already have careers in mind. Having an athletic or artistic talent can also open the door to scholarships for students who earn special recognition for those talents. Awards are also available for those in underrepresented groups, such as Hispanic and African-American students, and those who will be the first in their family to attend college. Many scholarships are based on academic merit, but others – from businesses, civic and religious groups and corporate and financial organizations – are awarded based on family income or demographic factors. Creating a checklist of your child’s talents, interests, and demographic factors will help you both hone in on the various angles you can pursue.

Step Six: Remember the value of high achievement. Many loans and grants are increasingly based more on academic merit than financial need. This is one more reason your child should develop good study skills and get extra help to address any issues that are impacting grades. It’s also important to raise the bar as high as possible by taking Advanced Placement, honors or other advanced courses. Good performance in these courses is especially crucial if your child is hoping to receive aid from colleges and universities because it shows decision-makers that he or she is well-qualified for college-level work – and well positioned to ensure the institution’s financial investment pays off.

 

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MAKE A MATHMATICAL CONNECTION TO CHILDREN'S ACADEMIC SUCCESS