What to Know About ACT Section Retesting

What to Know About ACT Section Retesting High school students who have sat for the ACT test now have a new option to showcase their skills. ACT section retesting allows students who have taken the full ACT exam to select a single section to retake. What this means is that, starting in September 2020, students have the opportunity to retest up to three exam sections in one sitting. This policy change gives students a chance to present potential colleges with test scores that more accurately reflect their skills. Wondering how ACT section retesting can benefit you? Keep reading to learn all you need to know about ACT section retesting. How ACT section retesting works Beginning in September 2020, students can benefit from the ACT section retesting policy. During your section retake, the portion youre sitting for will look the same as it does on the full test. It will contain identical content, as well as the same format. As of now, the retesting option is offered on national ACT exam dates, seven times a yearonline only. This means that there is no paper and pencil option for section retakes. In addition, there is no limit on how many times a student can retake a specific section. Historically, students who didnt perform well on one or more of the ACT sectionsbut excelled on the other sectionswould have to risk lowering each section score on a full retake. Now, students wont have to put sections they performed well on in jeopardy. This offers immense benefits to students who wish to present an ACT score that more accurately represents their academic abilities. The registration process will be similar to the full ACT registration. Students who wish to sign up for ACT section retesting can visit ACT.org for more information. The cost of section retesting will be announced at a later date. [RELATED: What is an Average ACT Score?] What ACT section retesting means for students Students taking the ACT now have the opportunity to present the best test scores possible to potential schools. Students should note, though, that the opportunity to retake sections means that you should closely examine your timeline when deciding when to sit for the initial, full exam. You may want to factor in time following the full ACT exam to prepare and sit for potential section retakes before you need to send your final scores to schools. Many factors can impact how you perform on test day when sitting for the full exam. You can benefit from the ACT section retesting policy if one or more of the following applies to you: You experienced test-day jitters that impacted your exam results on one or more ACT section. You didnt allow enough prep time for a specific section during your full ACT testing date. You performed well on one or more of the ACT sections and only wish to improve your score on select ones. If youre considering retaking one or more of your ACT sections, take time to examine which section you would most benefit from a higher score on, and proceed with registration and test prep accordingly. [RELATED: What to Do After a Bad ACT Test Date] How to prepare for your ACT section retesting Once youve identified which ACT section youre planning to retake, its important to establish a prep plan. First, note how much time you feel is appropriate to allot for prep. Then, plan a testing date that will allow for a prep schedule that isnt rushed. In order to identify the amount of time you should spend preparing, review areas and concepts you need improvement on, and honestly pinpoint where you struggled on your first exam. It can be helpful to take practice tests for that section, since these tests directly mimic the length, timing, and types of questions found on the exam. It can also be beneficial to work with a teacher who specializes in that specific subject who can answer any questions you might have. In addition, an ACT tutor can offer personalized instruction to strengthen your subject-specific skills. [RELATED: How to Avoid Running Out of Time on the ACT] ACT section retesting offers many benefits for college-bound high school students. Students who wish to improve one or more of their ACT sections can focus specifically on the section at hand when preparing for a retake, and therefore increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to Conjugate French Reflexive Verbs

How to Conjugate French Reflexive Verbs Megan L. Need to brush up on French reflexive verbs ? In this lesson, French tutor  Carol Beth    teaches how to conjugate French reflexive verbs in the present and past tenses French (and many other romance languages) include a category of verbs, called reflexive verbs, that are treated a little differently than in English. Indeed, we have the same concept in English. We might say that we wash our face, we dress ourselves, and so on. That is, we are taking action towards ourselves. In French, this type of action is addressed by reflexive verbs. Common French Reflexive Verbs Here are a few verbs that are very commonly used reflexively: se laver   to wash (oneself) se laver les mains to wash ones hands se coiffer to do (ones) hair se coucher to go to bed se réveiller  to wake up se lever to get up sasseoir to sit (down) sappeler to be called sarrêter to stop (oneself) se taire to be/become quiet Some verbs are usually reflexive; some are only sometimes reflexive, depending on the situation. For example: Je regarde un film. I am watching a film. Je me regarde dans le miroir. I am looking at myself in the mirror. The presence of “myself” in the English translation of the second sentence is a big cue to use the reflexive form of the verb in French. How to Conjugate French Reflexive Verbs Now for their conjugation. The main part of the verb (laver, coiffer, etc.) conjugates much like other French verbs. With the exception of the irregular sassoeir and se taire, all those listed above are regular -er verbs. The reflexive portion (the “se”) conjugates as follows: Je me Tu te Il / elle / on se Nous nous Vous vous Ils / elles se To conjugate a full example in the present tense: Se laver (to wash oneself) Je me lave Tu te laves Il / elle / on se lave Nous nous lavons Vous vous lavez Ils / elles se lavent Lets try a few examples. Try conjugating the verbs in parenthesis in the following sentences: 1) Je _______________ (se brosser) les dents le matin. I brush my teeth in the mornings. 2) La fille _______________ (se coiffer) avant de manger le petit déjeuner. The girl brushes her hair before eating breakfast. 3) Nous _______________ (se lever) à 7h30 du matin. We get up at 7:30 in the morning. 4) Tu _______________ (se réveiller) avant nous. You wake up before us. 5) Vous _______________ (se coucher) à 22h du soir. You go to bed at 10:00 at night. Now check your answers: 1) me brosse 2) se coiffe 3) nous levons 4) te réveilles 5) vous couchez Most other tenses are pretty straightforward, since the same endings still tack themselves onto the end just like other French verbs. French Reflexive Verbs in the Past Tense The tense to watch out for the most is the passé composé. Reflexive verbs always take être (not avoir) as their auxiliary verb. Like verbs of motion, the past participle will agree with the subjects number and gender. The conjugation of être will go between the reflexive particle and the main verb. So se laver would conjugate itself as follows: Je me suis lavé(e) Tu tes lavé(e) Il sest lavé Elle sest lavée On sest lavé Nous nous sommes lavé(e)s Vous vous êtes lavé(e)(s) Ils se sont lavés Elles se sont lavées The optional es and ss following the je, tu, nous, and vous forms depend on the context in which they are used and whether the subject is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural. Lets try a few of these out. Try conjugating the verbs in parenthesis in the passe compose in each of the following sentences: 1) Je _______________ (se brosser) les dents ce matin. I brushed my teeth this morning. 2) La fille _______________ (se coiffer) avant de manger le petit déjeuner. The girl brushed her hair before eating breakfast. 3) Nous _______________ (se lever) à 7h30 hier matin. (Assume the speaker and the friends or family she is including are all women or girls.) We got up at 7:30 yesterday morning. 4) Tu _______________ (se réveiller) avant nous. (You can decide whether you are speaking to a man, woman, boy, or girl.) You woke up before us. 5) Vous _______________ (se coucher) à 22h hier soir. (Assume the speaker is talking to many people, of whom at least one of which is a guy.) You went to bed at 10:00 last night. 6) Le garçon _____________ (se coucher) à vingt-et-une heures. The boy went to bed at 9pm. Now check your answers. 1) me suis brossé 2) sest coiffée 3) nous sommes levées 4) tes réveillé(e) If you decided you were speaking to a man or boy, be sure you didnt add the extra “e.” Make sure you did if you decided you were talking to a woman or girl. 5) vous êtes couchés 6) sest couché If you didnt get them all right this time, dont worry. Either way, keep practicing and using these verbs in context to master them. See even more French verb and grammar lessons here! Do you have any additional tips for memorizing French reflexive verbs? Share them with us in the comments below! Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth teaches  French lessons in San Francisco, CA. She has her Masters in French language education from the Sorbonne University in Paris and has been teaching since 2009.  Learn more about Carol Beth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! 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11 BEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK AT YOUR NEXT JOB INTERVIEW - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 11 BEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK AT YOUR NEXT JOB INTERVIEW - Introvert Whisperer 11 BEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO ASK AT YOUR NEXT JOB INTERVIEW This article was originally published on textbooks.com. “So, do you have any questions for us?” At the end of your job interview, after you’ve been peppered with interview questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?,” you will undoubtedly get asked if  you  have any questions. And the answer is definitely yes. This part of the job interview is the perfect opportunity to show that you did your research, that you’re passionately interested in the position, and most importantly, to see if this is the best next step for you.   You should prepare 5 to 10 questions to ask of the people you’ll be meeting. To get the most out of your time, some interview questions you’ll only need to ask once â€" like, “What is the team structure?” â€" but don’t hesitate to ask the same questions of several people. After all, each employee has a different experience and point of view. A good sign is hearing consistency in the positives â€" and you’ll appreciate being tipped off to conflicting responses, which can imply disorganization or lack of communication (never a good sign). Take in the interviewer’s responses, ask follow-ups as needed (i.e., show off your listening skills), and, of course, do a quick “me” pitch back at them. The job involves overtime or the occasional weekend? “Great! I’m whole-heartedly committed to my performance, my team’s performance, and the success of the company. I worked a lot of weekends at my last company, a start-up, and the hard work paid off. We increased sales by 12%.” Or, “Oh, you’re going to need a full audit of 8 client budgets in the next 6 months? We did it in 4 months at my last job.” Again, the interview is not over at this point â€" you still have ample opportunity to show them why you are the best candidate for the job. To help with your job interview preparation, we talked with 11 recruiters, hiring experts, and career coaches on the best questions to ask in a job interview â€" the ones that will give you the keen insights into your (hopefully) new role and the company. What is a typical day like? “It not only allows you to understand the structure of the position, but the work/life balance. Also, who you’d be interacting with, daily success metrics, and whether this position is highly structured and micromanaged or operates more independently with full decision making authority.” - Kim Monaghan, Career Happiness Coach at  KBMCoaching.com What are the most important projects/priorities for this role/team in the next 3-6 months?   “This question works well for a couple of reasons. 1) It shows the interviewer that you are truly interested in the work and how you can make a difference if hired. 2)  It helps you get a better idea of the day-to-day work and major success metrics to make sure the role is a good fit. 3) It can be asked in just about every job interview and can even be asked of each individual that you interview with at the same company â€" often people view the role from different perspectives.” - Pamela Skillings, Coaching Career Counselor at  BigInterview.com What is the number 1 characteristic you want in the person you’re going to hire?   “I like this question because there is a good chance they won’t tell you the academic, rational stuff that they put in the job description. This is why its hidden information that is vital to the job seeker. It makes the hiring manager think about what they really are looking for. It also sets you up to find subtle ways of reinforcing those qualities as you respond to further interview questions.” - CAREER ACCELERATION Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

Math Fraction Help- Drive Your Panic Away with Math Fraction Help Online

Math Fraction Help- Drive Your Panic Away with Math Fraction Help Online 0SHARESShare Are you sitting in the Algebra classes with a panic stricken face? Do Geometrical shapes drive you to the corner of the earth? What about your homework struggles in Math? Want help? A flexible Math tutor to assist you? Tutor Pace provides one to sooth your heart and drives away your Math panic. Math fraction help-Do fractions with confidence Fractions could bewilder you with their stack of numbers piled upon one another.   Tutor Pace’s Algebra and pre Algebra tutors render Math fraction help with their expert knowledge. They teach you how to do fractions in a simple way with their able guidelines. Math Geometry help-how do you benefit Geometry with its various figures and shapes could tantalize your mind with uncertainty. The Math Geometry help through Tutor Pace is effective in solving the obstacles you come across in working out Geometric formulas. They help you with remedial concepts or stand by you in exploring advanced concepts. Math homework online-do it to rectify your errors Math homework online helps you rectify your errors at once on the spot with a clear understanding of what you are doing. You share the whiteboard with your tutor and interact with him through two way voice chat. Hence you get the individual attention required for doing Math with confidence, as Tutor Pace tutor makes clear your learning gaps. Tutor Pace strives to help you the most with its Math fraction help reduce your phobia with its simplified methods and solutions [starbox id=admin]

Common App vs. Universal College App Which Should You Use

Common App vs. Universal College App Which Should You Use As if you dont have enough decisions to make as a college applicant, you also need to decide which college application to use. Should you go with the Common Application or the Universal College Application (or apply directly through the university)? Both allow you to create a consolidated submission that contains your demographic information, extracurricular activities, grade point average, and other important information all in one place. Using either application can also save you time and prevent you from writing the same information over and over again. So what is the difference between the two, and which should you use? Consider the following factors when deciding between the Common Application and the Universal College Application. Number of colleges served by the Common App vs. the Universal College App Before you choose which type of application youd like to fill out, be sure to make a list of the schools you are applying to and check which application they accept. [RELATED: 5 Must-Do Steps Before Submitting Your College Application] The Common App is by far the more prevalent application, and can be used at more than 600 schools (many of which are private institutions). While both applications allow students to consolidate their application efforts into a single application, the common application does tend to have a more holistic view. This means the Common Application emphasizes factors beyond a students GPA, like extracurriculars, test scores, and experience. The Universal College Application is a much newer application, meaning that there are fewer schools that accept it. Currently, less than 50 colleges use this application, but this number does include Ivy League schools, including Cornell, Harvard, and Princeton, as well as other reputable private schools. Materials needed for the Common App and Universal College App Along with knowing which applications are accepted by the schools you are applying to, you should also take note of the materials required by the schools, as that could sway which application you want to use. [RELATED: 4 Tips to Manage the College Application Process] The Common App is known for looking at the qualifications of the entire applicant, meaning that supplemental items, like essays and letters of recommendation, are required for the application. The Common App only accepts colleges that share the same broad, holistic admissions process, while the Universal College Application accepts any school that is accredited and follows the National Association for College Admission Counselings ethical guidelines. If the schools you plan on applying to require letters of recommendation and personal essays, you may want to consider using the Common App, as it can streamline this process. However, there may be some items required by the college that are not included in the Common Application. A personal essay is not a required component of the Universal College App; however, many schools will end up requiring them anyway. If a personal essay is required by your prospective school, the UCA does not limit your topics to specific promptswhat each student chooses to write about is open-ended. If the school you are applying to accepts either application, and you have a great topic that you would like to write on or the school doesnt require an essay, you may want to consider using the Universal College Application. Other considerations when choosing between the Common App and Universal College App Each application has a few other bonus features that may be more enticing for applicants. The Common App, for example, has been around for much longer than the Universal College App, meaning that school counselors will have more experience using this type of application and may be in a better position to help you on the Common App if you have questions. [RELATED: The Myths and Truths About Supplemental Essays] On the other hand, the Universal College App opens a month earlier than the Common App, on July 1. If you are looking to get ahead on college applications, this may be a bonus for you. The Universal College App also allows students to link to online content, such as a blog, film project, or a website that youve created. Lastly, the Universal College App interface provides a lot of features that can benefit students, such as the ability to edit your submitted content and an auto-save tool. If you prefer the UCAs user interface, and your prospective schools accept it, consider using the Universal College Application in your admissions.

How to Improve Performance in High School College 5 Basic Strategies

How to Improve Performance in High School College 5 Basic Strategies Improving Academic Performance We are a tutoring company, and as such parents and students tend to seek us out when they realize some extra 1-1 help is needed to perform well in an academic class or on a standardized test. However, using a private tutor is just one way to improve your academic performance.In this article, we’ll explore other, perhaps sometimes obvious yet too often ignored or neglected, strategies to try before investing in private tutoring. There is no “magic” about the number five. In identifying five “basic” strategies, I am trying to highlight what you might call “foundational” things to try doing differently to get better grades or test scores. What follows are five strategies high school and college students (and their parents) should consider when trying to improve academic performance. #1 â€" Ensure you have an accurate, healthy and balanced perspective on intelligence and academic skill development and performance. Adopt a “growth” mindset. We regularly engage with students who try hard, do their homework, study for tests, etc., but still don’t perform very well in certain subjects. When you dig a little deeper, you learn they just think they aren’t wired for a certain class or school in general. They might use language like “I’m just not good at math” or “I’ve never liked reading” or “I’ve never done well in school” and it negatively impacts their motivation, focus, and ability to build new skills and learn new concepts.Putting aside actual medical issues like poor vision or hearing, ADHD (trouble concentrating) or dyslexia (trouble reading) that could lead to these types of statements, often the core issue is a mistaken view that intelligence and academic prowess are traits that you are either born with or not. But people are not, in fact, born as “good at math” or not. There is mounting scientific evidence that intelligence as most people would define it, and even under some very strict definitions, grows just like a muscle. The more you push yourself and practice, the “smarter” you become. Then, the easier certain subjects or classes will be for you. The student who seems like “a natural” often practices a lot behind the scenes or had parents who worked with him or her from an early age. It should be intuitive that if you think of being “smart” as reading or writing well, or knowing how to do math, that the more you practice these academic skills, the more skilled you’ll become. But there is even evidence that as you push yourself intellectually to learn new things, your physical brain changes, more connections between neurons are built, and that over time, even your raw IQ score can change. Another way to summarize this first strategy is to say you want to have a “growth mindset” which means you want to believe and act as if intelligence is something you build, not something you are given. A psychologist named Carol Dweckcoined the term, and has shown how some people have growth mindsets and others have “fixed,” (meaning you do believe in fixed traits and in being genetically wired to be good or bad at various activities). She has shown that academic, athletic, and musical success is linked to having a growth mindset. In other words, you aren’t born with talents, you build them. To summarize strategy number one, approach school with a growth mindset. That’s it. Over time, your grades and test scores, will likely improve. #2 â€" Focus on building “grit” as the key to academic success. Another scientist (a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania) who operates in similar circles to Carol Dweck is Angela Duckworth. She developed and researches the concept of “grit,” which she has defined as “a distinct combination of passion, resilience, determination, and focus that allows a person to maintain the discipline and optimism to persevere in their goals even in the face of discomfort, rejection, and a lack of visible progress for years, or even decades. Duckworth’s scientific, statistically significant research shows that “grit” is a better indicator of academic success than IQ. You can measure your own grit here.So, to bring together strategies 1 and 2, the worst thought to have would be that you can’t succeed in a math class because you just aren’t a “math person.” It would be better to adopt a growth mindset and realize that it is certainly possible to build your math skills and develop math talents with practice. And, it would be even better to realize that the key to building those talents and achieve your goals is to have grit. Find ways to be interested in a topic, set goals, and be determined and resilient as you pursue them. This will drive your success in that math class, not some innate math talent you do or do not have. In sum, improve your performance in school by recognizing the importance of and building grit. #3 â€" Make sure you are sleeping, eating, and exercising enough. This strategy is a bit different than the first two, and perhaps a little more obvious once written or spoken. But that doesn’t mean the average parent or student is following it. Taking care of your physical and mental health can have a very real positive impact on mental health. There is scientific evidence that: Getting enough sleep is strongly correlated with academic success. If you are falling asleep in class or having trouble focusing or concentrating because of fatigue, you are ultimately going to have trouble learning. Memory and cognition improvements, as well as stress reduction, is linked to exercising regularly. Symptoms of ADHDand overall stress levels are reduced, while cognitive capacity and ability to focus are improved, through improved nutrition, particularly in adolescents. In sum, though it might seem basic, if you want to, or you want your child to, perform better in school, making sure you are taking care of your body is an important strategy. #4 â€" Approach school a little more strategically with a focus on goal setting and better high-level planning and prioritization. We’ve used the word strategy several times in this article already, but let’s stop and define the term. Strategyis about setting goals and making conscious choices about what you will or won’t do in pursuit of those goals.All too often businesses and individuals are influenced by their environment and starting point and somewhat aimlessly “go with the flow” instead of stepping back and behaving strategically to achieve their objectives. What would it mean for a student to “approach school a little more strategically with a focus on goal setting and better high-level planning and prioritization? It would involve: Thinking through, early in high school, what type of college you want to attend? Ivy league, or less selective state school? Or, early in college, thinking about what types of jobs you are likely to seek.Set a high-level goal or objective. Taking a perspective on what you want your GPA to be, given the answer to the first question, as well as what type of “resume” you must build. What GPA are you shooting for overall? How many activities, sports, etc. are you going to need to get involved in? Choose activities that you enjoy and that create a well-rounded student for future presentation to potential colleges, graduate schools, or employers. Make sure you are enrolled in classes that stretch your abilities but also give you a fighting chance of reaching your GPA goalswhile also taking part in many other activities. Don’t take calculus BC if calculus AB will suffice given your goals and situation. Don’t be stubborn andstruggle in a class that is more advanced than you can handle (assuming you are putting in the work to succeed). Assuming you are involved in a lot of different things, as many students are, recognize how important time management is. Plan your calendar out each week, allocate time for homework, think about big projects, quizzes, and tests days or weeks in advance and plan time to work on or prepare for them. Plan to complete things in advance at least a few days before they are due. Set a target grade for every specific class and write it down (or tell someone about it who you feel accountable towards.) In my experience, if you say to yourself that a B would be OK, though an A would be nice, and you don’t tell a soul, you’re likely to just get a B. But you might even “fail” to meet your internal goal and get a C if the you get a little unlucky or the class is particularly hard. However, if you tell a friend you’re aiming for an “A,” you’ll a) be more likely to actually get an Aand b) you’ve established a standard for performance that means if you fail, you’ll probably end up with at least a B instead of a C. Set specific, stretching, performance targets in each class. Prioritize and re-prioritize constantly. Strategy is very much about prioritizing time and energy in pursuit of goals. If your teacher assigns a lot of reading that takes hours, but specifically has told you that quizzes and tests are 90% driven by class notes and homework problems, it’s OK to skip 60 minutes of reading if you are strapped for time before a big test. Prioritize reviewing the class notes or homework problems you were assigned. Or, if you have an extra few days before a big project is due, but a big test tomorrow you aren’t prepared for, push back working on the project. In sum, as you work your way though school, ensure you have established goals and objectives, are intentional about how you spend your time, and prioritize constantly. #5 â€" Develop a relationship with your teacher. Go in for extra help whenever you need it. Share rough drafts for feedback. Although getting help from your teacher for free may reduce the need for support from a tutoring company, we would be remiss if we did not remind our students that their teachers are a powerful resource. Many students find teachers hard to understand, unrelatable, awkward, or unreasonable in their expectations around homework, quizzes, projects, and tests. But in fact, leveraging your teacher to get better grades is an extremely under-utilized strategy for doing well in school. There are three major elements to this. First, in many classes, teachers are grading papers somewhat subjectively. If you attend all the classes, participate, and go in for extra help when you need it, they will notice your positive attitude and interest in succeeding, and will want to reward you. Second, if you are struggling with a concept, going in for extra help will, obviously, help you better understand it. And finally, many teachers, within reason, will review early drafts of projects or papers for you and give feedback. If they have provided you with feedback that you have implemented, your chances of getting a good grade improve drastically (i.e., you are literally implementing the advice provided by the same person who will be doing the grading. It’s hard to go wrong here). So, use your teacher as a resource to succeed, not a barrier to overcome. In Conclusion A basic five-pronged approach can lead to better grades and test scores: Adopt a growth mindset about how intelligence works Demonstrate grit in pursuit of goals Take care of your body through better nutrition and more sleep and exercise Approach school more strategically Cultivate a positive relationship with and ask for help from your teacher

Digital Devices, Family Guidelines and Parental Controls

Digital Devices, Family Guidelines and Parental Controls In recent weeks, the Internet has been buzzing with talk about the impact of smartphone use on child and adolescent mental health following the publication of an open letter to Apple from investors asking the company to, develop new software tools that would help parents control and limit phone use more easily and to study the impact of overuse on mental health. As a mental health professional, I am acutely aware of the need for a better understanding of how sticky digital devices and apps (smartphones, social media, games, etc.) affect our children. Improved parental controls on phones and other digital devices are sorely needed, especially for parents of kids who struggle with attention challenges and impulsivity. While we will need to wait for research to be conducted and new parental controls to be released, there are things that parents of kids with ADHD can do now to gain more control over digital device use in their home. Create Technology House Rules. In general, kids (and especially kids with ADHD) are not capable of setting their own reasonable limits around screen time. Just like you wouldnt let your child be fully in charge of deciding how often and how much cake, candy, and cookies he or she can eat, you cannot expect your child to make healthy decisions about how often and how much he or she uses digital devices without parental guidance and limit setting. The best place to start with limit setting is by creating house rules that are discussed and posted at home. This lets everyone know what the rules are in advance, so it doesnt come as a surprise when they are enforced. Deciding on what the rules should outline can be challenging, so set aside some time to really think this through. Consider: (1) how often can your child use devices, (2) how long can your child use devices at any given time, (3) what is your child allowed to do with the device, (4) how will you monitor his or her activity, and (5) what will happen if he or she violates a technology rule? While there arent any hard and fast rules around how much screen time kids should be getting in a day, I generally recommend that parents keep it to no more than 30 minutes - excluding homework-related activities or FaceTime with family members. So, thats 30 minutes to spend watching YouTube videos or playing games each day. Most parents make exceptions for snow days, sick days, or the occasional Saturday or Sunday, but otherwise, its important to be consistent. If 30 minutes seems like far too little time, resist the urge to simply bump it up to 1 hour or more. First, consider alternative activities for your child, whether these are scheduled activities, or things they can do at home. Is there a way to shift the focus of his or her time from devices to non-screen activities? Most of the time, making the shift isnt hard if the activities are things that your child really enjoys. Once youve outlined your technology rules, have a family meeting. Talk about some of the challenges your family has been having with screen time (arguments, less quality time, lack of interest or time for other activities, etc.). Let your kids know that scientists are learning that too much time spent using phones, tablets, and videogames can make kids and adults unhealthy, just like eating too many sweets can take a toll on your health over time. Give your kids an opportunity to talk about some of the things theyve noticed are a problem with digital device use at home. Dont be surprised if they call out your own smartphone use as a problem! Be willing to make some compromises with your own device use, to be a good role model for your kids. In fact, Id recommend reading this recent Washington Post article on this very topic before your family meeting so youre fully prepared for the conversation. Create a Digital Use Contract. It may seem like an unnecessary or formal step, but research shows that when kids (and adults) sign off on something, they are more likely to stick to their commitments. Contracts should include specific guidelines for each child and age group, each device (phones, computers, tablets, etc.), each platform/technology (example: social media, web browsing, etc.) and each situation (example: dinner time, bed time, friends over, etc.). Common Sense Media has some excellent sample contracts on their website. Good contracts also require discussion, compromise and negotiations. Give your child the space to share his or her point of view, and if he or she has reasonable requests, then you should honor them. If your child has some say in the rules, he or she will be even more likely to hold up his or her end of the bargain. Use Parental Controls. Setting restrictions on the devices to protect your child from inappropriate content or off-limit apps and websites is important. While the parental controls that are currently available arent perfect, they do include basic functions that control at least some of what your child does on his or her device. Smartphones and tablets all include built-in features that allow you to lock everything from the Internet browser, FaceTime or Skype, iTunes, app purchases, app access, etc. There are also third-party apps available with some advanced features. Videogame consoles also include parental control functions that allow you to block games by age range or rating and disable in-game purchases. Some videogame consoles even allow you to limit the amount of time your child spends playing in a day once that daily limit has been reached, the console turns off automatically! Managing a childs digital device use is one of the biggest challenges faced by many parents of kids with ADHD (often its second only to dealing with homework time!). Your guidelines, strategies, and rules will need to evolve and adapt as your child grows and technology changes. Fortunately, there are great resources available online that can help you make smart decisions, and set the technology limits that your child needs. Additional Online Resources: Family Online Safety Institute https://www.fosi.org/ Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ The Social Institute https://thesocialinstitute.com/ ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Back-To-School 4 Ways to Help Your Kids Adjust - TutorNerds

Back-To-School 4 Ways to Help Your Kids Adjust - TutorNerds Four Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids With Back-To-School Four Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids With Back-To-School Some parents are happy to see their kids head back to school, while others might get a little sentimental. Either way, every parent wishes for their kids to do well in school. After a long summer, many students are a bit rusty. They’ve been out of the classroom and have adjusted to a summer schedule. Now it’s time to get back on a routine and stay focused. The good news is that parents can help their kids adjust back to school life. Here are four tips from a private Los Angeles tutor to get you started! 1. Set a Schedule at Home For many, school schedules are much different from the summer schedule. Late nights, few responsibilities, lunch at different times each day. In other words, summer is a bit more chill, which is why it’s often hard for students to adjust back to a daily schedule where meals, classes, and after-school activities happen at the same time every day. Odds are it will take a week or two to adjust, so don’t rush the process. You can do your part at home by sticking to a schedule of when you wake your kids up, when you eat dinner after class, and an allotted homework hour helps them stay on track. 2. Encourage Your Kids to Be Vocal in Class Too many students fall behind in their studies because they are either too embarrassed or shy to speak up and say they need help. Most teachers are more than happy to go over something again or explain differently, but they won’t do it unless you say something. Telling your kids that it’s okay to ask for clarification or extra help will set them up for success. 3. Book a Private Tutor We’ve said this before, and we will repeat it, don’t wait until your first report card or exam to find out you need a tutor. Tutoring builds confidence, establishes effective study habits, and helps kids learn in their own way. The best thing you can do is to book a private Los Angeles tutor before you start failing tests and falling behind. If your kid struggled in math or science last year, give them the confidence to improve by booking a private in-home tutor from the first day of class. Our experienced Los Angeles tutors work around your schedule and are available seven days a week. How convenient is that? Call us today to book your tutor. 4. Talk to Your Kids About School Ask your kids about what they learned in class that day; be curious and ask a lot of questions. If they only seem to talk about a subject they enjoy, ask them about the others and how they feel they are doing. When your kid summarizes what they learned in class, it helps with their mastery of the topic. The more they talk about it, the more they will remember what they learned and will appreciate your interests in their day. This dinner conversation is also an excellent opportunity for you to take notice of a class they might be struggling in and get them help before they fall too far behind. Dont wait until your first report card to learn you need a private Los Angeles tutor! Call TutorNerds today. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.