Welcome back! A Quantum Leap Tutoring is happy to serve you with this blog, and with tutoring in any subject area, any time, anywhere in Florida.
Two weeks ago we discussed bullying in schools - why it can be such a problem and a little bit how parents may be able to help.
In general, both schools and the law take bullying seriously, as well they should. But it's not always easy to find, or to deal with, since in general the worst of the bullying takes place when adults aren't around, and kids may not be thrilled about speaking up.
The US Department of Health and Human Services runs an initiative called "Stop Bullying Now," an initiative to try to reduce bullying through education of kids and adults alike. On the part of the website for adults, you can find a list of signs that a child is being bullied, even if he or she is reluctant to mention it. The site also has great educational activities, videos, and games to educate kids on the seriousness of the matter.
The Nemours Foundation runs a fantastic website, www.kidshealth.org, with a particularly useful article with tips for kids being bullied. Most of the tips are on page 3 and 4 of the article, but don't worry, it's short. The tips are down-to-earth and realistic, and each comes with its own explanation: work on ways to feel good about yourself. Avoid the bully where possible. Get a buddy. Don't bully back!
Once again, also, education.com provides lots of useful information for parents and students alike, including some great resources on the topic of cyberbullying, a form of bullying that can be completely invisible to adults, leave no physical evidence, but be extremely harmful psychologically. In these cases, even home isn't a safe refuge from the victimization. The site provides a factsheet on what cyberbullying might look like to an outside observer.
The best thing you can do for a child being bullied is listen, non-judgmentally. Everyone deals with conflict differently; remember that what you think may be the easiest solution may not be easy or reasonable for the child's situation. But try to listen and help with figuring out a solution - even just a stop-gap measure to ease the pressure a bit if the situation can't be completely resolved immediately.
On Thursday, we'll have some comments on how to help a bullier. Yes, bullies need support too!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Apologies for the recent silence of the blog - our blogger has been ill. We'll be back after Thanksgiving with more!
Have a great holiday. Remember, A Quantum Leap Tutoring is always here for all your tutoring needs in Florida!
Have a great holiday. Remember, A Quantum Leap Tutoring is always here for all your tutoring needs in Florida!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Bullying Epidemic
Bullying has gotten a lot of attention in the news lately, as several recent teen suicides have been attributed to the awful, hostile environments the victims had to endure at the hands of bullies. As an observer, I have found myself wondering: how does it ever get to be so bad? How can bullying get so out of hand as to completely destroy lives? How could it be controlled better?
One of the major problems seems to be that "minor" bullying is considered just a fact of life - part of the world we all have to deal with. It's certainly true that bullying is very common (and, let's face it, not just among children, though children and teens are the focus of most of the current media attention, and of this post). The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry notes that up to 50% of children have been bullied, and up to 10% experience bullying on a regular basis. So why doesn't anything happen to stop it?
Part of it may be the attitude I already mentioned - that bullying is just something to live with. How often do we hear children being told to just ignore it and be tough? Of course we all want our children (and ourselves!) to be able to ignore negativity and just let insults roll off their backs, but there is a line at which it can be too much, obviously.
It sometimes isn't obvious when bullying has crossed the line. As the AACAP points out, most of the worst bullying takes place when adults aren't around to step in and help. Kids inevitably spend some amount of time minimally-supervised, providing opportunities for some pretty awful interactions with other kids.
And kids may not be forthcoming in disclosing the things that happen during this time. Just one question - "Is there anything wrong at school?" or something along those lines - may not be enough, especially if you take their immediate answer as the permanently true answer and stop being available to hear what's really going on. Try to be open-minded and non-judgmental, and available to listen. Try not to minimize and just listen, and you might get the real story of what's going on.
We'll be back Thursday and next Tuesday with some thoughts on how to help victims of bullying, and also how to help those who do bully - often villified, but also in need of some intervention of their own, and some compassion.
For now, remember that A Quantum Leap Tutoring is available for all your tutoring needs, anywhere in the state of Florida.
One of the major problems seems to be that "minor" bullying is considered just a fact of life - part of the world we all have to deal with. It's certainly true that bullying is very common (and, let's face it, not just among children, though children and teens are the focus of most of the current media attention, and of this post). The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry notes that up to 50% of children have been bullied, and up to 10% experience bullying on a regular basis. So why doesn't anything happen to stop it?
Part of it may be the attitude I already mentioned - that bullying is just something to live with. How often do we hear children being told to just ignore it and be tough? Of course we all want our children (and ourselves!) to be able to ignore negativity and just let insults roll off their backs, but there is a line at which it can be too much, obviously.
It sometimes isn't obvious when bullying has crossed the line. As the AACAP points out, most of the worst bullying takes place when adults aren't around to step in and help. Kids inevitably spend some amount of time minimally-supervised, providing opportunities for some pretty awful interactions with other kids.
And kids may not be forthcoming in disclosing the things that happen during this time. Just one question - "Is there anything wrong at school?" or something along those lines - may not be enough, especially if you take their immediate answer as the permanently true answer and stop being available to hear what's really going on. Try to be open-minded and non-judgmental, and available to listen. Try not to minimize and just listen, and you might get the real story of what's going on.
We'll be back Thursday and next Tuesday with some thoughts on how to help victims of bullying, and also how to help those who do bully - often villified, but also in need of some intervention of their own, and some compassion.
For now, remember that A Quantum Leap Tutoring is available for all your tutoring needs, anywhere in the state of Florida.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
More financial lessons for teens
Earlier this week, we posted some useful links about the cost and value of a college education. One of the links was from thirteen.org, a New York-based public media company with a great variety of resources available on its website. Today I'd like to share two of my other favorite lesson plans from the site, both lessons about finances and money aimed at grades 9-12.
Finance and Responsible Lending is a timely lesson after the housing market crash and the risky lending practices that led to it. The lesson includes a documentary on money in general, then zeroes in on the role of banks and how credit works - and why it's necessary to the economy.
Then, Filling Empty Pockets: Borrowing, Loans and Credit takes a look at the whole process from the other side - the side of the borrower. This lesson focuses mainly on credit cards, and generally discusses the costs of buying on credit. To do this lesson right, you should keep a few unsolicited credit card offers for the part of the lesson on comparing offers. It's great if you can get together offers for a combination of types of credit cards - cards associated with individual retailers, rewards cards, cards offered unsolicited through the mail or in magazines, credit card offers from the internet, and a card from your local bank or credit union, for members.
Having a good sense of how credit and debt work, and what's a good deal, is very important when navigating early adulthood, when income can be low or non-existent but there are still pressing needs, like tuition and regular life costs. Establishing good credit is important during this time, as is the need to avoid accumulating too much unsecured debt. But debt is generally a necessary part of paying for education - so it's best to understand what kinds of loans are a good choice to further one's education, and what kind of loans, like credit card debt, are more likely to go out of control quickly and cost more than they're worth.
These activities are a great combination of social science and math - both topics A Quantum Leap Tutoring is happy to tutor in for any age level, plus any other subject you or your child is struggling in, or just wants an extra boost in. We're all over the state of Florida, so please give us a call so we can put you in touch with your local coordinator to find the right tutor for you!
Finance and Responsible Lending is a timely lesson after the housing market crash and the risky lending practices that led to it. The lesson includes a documentary on money in general, then zeroes in on the role of banks and how credit works - and why it's necessary to the economy.
Then, Filling Empty Pockets: Borrowing, Loans and Credit takes a look at the whole process from the other side - the side of the borrower. This lesson focuses mainly on credit cards, and generally discusses the costs of buying on credit. To do this lesson right, you should keep a few unsolicited credit card offers for the part of the lesson on comparing offers. It's great if you can get together offers for a combination of types of credit cards - cards associated with individual retailers, rewards cards, cards offered unsolicited through the mail or in magazines, credit card offers from the internet, and a card from your local bank or credit union, for members.
Having a good sense of how credit and debt work, and what's a good deal, is very important when navigating early adulthood, when income can be low or non-existent but there are still pressing needs, like tuition and regular life costs. Establishing good credit is important during this time, as is the need to avoid accumulating too much unsecured debt. But debt is generally a necessary part of paying for education - so it's best to understand what kinds of loans are a good choice to further one's education, and what kind of loans, like credit card debt, are more likely to go out of control quickly and cost more than they're worth.
These activities are a great combination of social science and math - both topics A Quantum Leap Tutoring is happy to tutor in for any age level, plus any other subject you or your child is struggling in, or just wants an extra boost in. We're all over the state of Florida, so please give us a call so we can put you in touch with your local coordinator to find the right tutor for you!
Monday, November 8, 2010
The economics of college education
Last week we talked about how to keep the house civil during the college searches of the teens in your household. This week, we talk about one of the big looming issues that can make that search so stressful - the cost of college.
Thirteen Ed Online has a great online lesson plan about calculating "the REAL cost of college," including an online video about the costs of moving out on one's own. This activity is designed for grades 7-12, but the results of all the calculations can be illuminating for parents, too!
When looking at the cost of college, it can seem like a little too expensive an investment. However, the long-term impact of a college degree in one's economic status is incredibly long-lasting and important. The College Board released a study this fall tracking the economic value of a college degree, summarized in this Chronicle of Higher Education article. The Chronicle's article shows how even some college is better than none for earning potential, but also includes input from some critics of the idea that everyone should go to college without thinking through the financial aspects. It's food for thought as you or your teen considers the college options available.
Of course, to get into college in the first place, one needs a strong educational background. For those struggling in school, before, during, or after college, A Quantum Leap Tutoring is always here to help in any topic you can name - all over Florida. From pre-K to high school science to college composition to law school, we can match you with a tutor in your area.
Thirteen Ed Online has a great online lesson plan about calculating "the REAL cost of college," including an online video about the costs of moving out on one's own. This activity is designed for grades 7-12, but the results of all the calculations can be illuminating for parents, too!
When looking at the cost of college, it can seem like a little too expensive an investment. However, the long-term impact of a college degree in one's economic status is incredibly long-lasting and important. The College Board released a study this fall tracking the economic value of a college degree, summarized in this Chronicle of Higher Education article. The Chronicle's article shows how even some college is better than none for earning potential, but also includes input from some critics of the idea that everyone should go to college without thinking through the financial aspects. It's food for thought as you or your teen considers the college options available.
Of course, to get into college in the first place, one needs a strong educational background. For those struggling in school, before, during, or after college, A Quantum Leap Tutoring is always here to help in any topic you can name - all over Florida. From pre-K to high school science to college composition to law school, we can match you with a tutor in your area.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The College Search and Family Tension
A Quantum Leap Tutoring offers tutoring at all levels - pre-kindergarten, K-12, college level, and adult education. What that means is that plenty of the students we work with here in Florida are thinking about college... or will be eventually.
When it comes to choosing a college, there can be a lot of different confusing aspects. If Mom or Dad went to college, there may be a lot of pressure to pick (and get into!) their alma mater. If Mom or Dad didn't go to college, it can be really difficult to know what solid advice to give.
Even parents who applied to and went to college themselves a couple of decades ago aren't necessarily up-to-date on what the process looks like right now. For instance, even though my parents went to a public university near where I grew up - one I applied to, and one most of my high school friends ultimately attended - when they applied, the process was as simple as signing up on a list as long as your GPA was over a 2.0. By the time I applied, admission was competitive and quite involved, requiring multiple multi-page essays and a 7-page application to be completing partially online, partially via the mail. And it's even different now!
The simple fact is, applying to and attending college continues to get more and more complicated and competitive, not to mention more expensive and more necessary to compete in the job market. It can feel like an overwhelming losing game, whether you're an applicant or the parent of one. The high cost and high stakes can make this process fraught with potential conflict fodder.
With that in mind, I have a link from AlphaMom on how to keep a happy household during your teen's college search. It has a few simple tips that can be hard to keep in mind during such a stressful time. It's a good, quick read and great if you're feeling the tension rise every time you even contemplate bringing up the search and application process.
Next week, we'll bring you a quick economic activity for teens and tweens on calculating the real cost of college - a useful exercise in and of itself, with the added bonus of reinforcing math skills. Until then, have a great weekend, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep when you "fall back" this weekend to go back to Standard Time!
When it comes to choosing a college, there can be a lot of different confusing aspects. If Mom or Dad went to college, there may be a lot of pressure to pick (and get into!) their alma mater. If Mom or Dad didn't go to college, it can be really difficult to know what solid advice to give.
Even parents who applied to and went to college themselves a couple of decades ago aren't necessarily up-to-date on what the process looks like right now. For instance, even though my parents went to a public university near where I grew up - one I applied to, and one most of my high school friends ultimately attended - when they applied, the process was as simple as signing up on a list as long as your GPA was over a 2.0. By the time I applied, admission was competitive and quite involved, requiring multiple multi-page essays and a 7-page application to be completing partially online, partially via the mail. And it's even different now!
The simple fact is, applying to and attending college continues to get more and more complicated and competitive, not to mention more expensive and more necessary to compete in the job market. It can feel like an overwhelming losing game, whether you're an applicant or the parent of one. The high cost and high stakes can make this process fraught with potential conflict fodder.
With that in mind, I have a link from AlphaMom on how to keep a happy household during your teen's college search. It has a few simple tips that can be hard to keep in mind during such a stressful time. It's a good, quick read and great if you're feeling the tension rise every time you even contemplate bringing up the search and application process.
Next week, we'll bring you a quick economic activity for teens and tweens on calculating the real cost of college - a useful exercise in and of itself, with the added bonus of reinforcing math skills. Until then, have a great weekend, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep when you "fall back" this weekend to go back to Standard Time!
Monday, November 1, 2010
On managing Halloween candy
Everyone who has spent half a day around kids knows that sugar intake has a very real, strong effect on their behavior and focus. The sugar high and its hyperactivity, the crash and its negative emotional effects... these are probably becoming just a little too familiar and predictable in the fallout from Halloween.
I was prepared to write a post, today, about taking control of the Halloween loot and carefully doling it out in small doses to minimize sugar spikes and crashes... but while looking for some good information on that topic, I actually came across something intriguing. Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen at Raise Healthy Eaters actually makes a persuasive case for letting kids manage their own Halloween stash (within limits). The idea is that by letting kids overdo it when they first get all the candy, it takes that little forbidden edge off eating sweets. For older kids, she argues, letting them totally control their own candy intake can be an extremely useful for teaching them about snacking. After a couple of days, the sugar will lose its allure and it will become a snacktime treat again.
This post was related to a larger series on the Raising Healthy Eaters blog about managing sweets, and though it went against my first instinct I have to say it makes sense. If parents micromanage too much, kids don't get to make their own (relatively low-stakes) mistakes and thus never learn to make healthy, smart decisions in the first place. We can teach by example, of course, but what we learn through doing is always going to be the easiest to remember.
What do you think? Is it worth braving a few days' chaos to let kids take control of their own decisions about sweets for a little while?
This blog is brought to you by A Quantum Leap Tutoring, here for all your tutoring needs in Florida!
I was prepared to write a post, today, about taking control of the Halloween loot and carefully doling it out in small doses to minimize sugar spikes and crashes... but while looking for some good information on that topic, I actually came across something intriguing. Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen at Raise Healthy Eaters actually makes a persuasive case for letting kids manage their own Halloween stash (within limits). The idea is that by letting kids overdo it when they first get all the candy, it takes that little forbidden edge off eating sweets. For older kids, she argues, letting them totally control their own candy intake can be an extremely useful for teaching them about snacking. After a couple of days, the sugar will lose its allure and it will become a snacktime treat again.
This post was related to a larger series on the Raising Healthy Eaters blog about managing sweets, and though it went against my first instinct I have to say it makes sense. If parents micromanage too much, kids don't get to make their own (relatively low-stakes) mistakes and thus never learn to make healthy, smart decisions in the first place. We can teach by example, of course, but what we learn through doing is always going to be the easiest to remember.
What do you think? Is it worth braving a few days' chaos to let kids take control of their own decisions about sweets for a little while?
This blog is brought to you by A Quantum Leap Tutoring, here for all your tutoring needs in Florida!
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