To VPK or not to VPK ?

This may sound counter-intuitive but, in this economy, it seems getting your child enrolled in a 'free' VPK program is more difficult than ever before. The cost of gas is barely affordable for most and not affordable at all for others. That poses the first problem of how to get your child to this free program. The Florida program is approximately 3 hours per day. That requires transportation twice in a short period of time. This can be very difficult to coordinate with other children's school schedules or the lack of having a personal vehicle.

What about the wrap-around program you say? Many moms stay at home because their family cannot afford the additional financial stress of daycare even with a second income. This makes this 'free' program more costly. These facts are all very real to some families. So, what motivation do parents have to ensure their children take advantage of this program? The statistics are out and there are significant increases in Kindergarten readiness for a child who completes the entire VPK process. There are even notable differences in children with just some participation in the program. Here is the link to the facts gathered over the last few years of the success of the VPK program.

VPK Results

What are some things that can ease the stress of getting your child to VPK?

1. Get your child registered as early as possible with the Early Learning Coalition in your area. 
2. Do not leave registration without your yellow form and the list of VPK providers by zip code.
3. Choose a few VPK providers in your immediate area then call first to see if the hours they offer will fit into your schedule. 
4. Once you find a couple that meet your family's needs, visit the facility. Be sure to understand the absence policy as this can cause your child to be removed from the program. * You may switch VPK providers once within the year.
5. If the VPK provider is not within bus or walking distance, set up a carpool. Most children at this age can safely use a high-back booster therefore making it easier to add car seats to your car. 
6. Maybe even ask a member of the staff to help you coordinate carpooling. 
7. These are just a few ideas but be sure to communicate any problems you may have to the staff of the facility so that they may understand your situation and help you resolve issues. 

Even though not perfect, the VPK program implementation is a great resource to provide readiness for your child's school career. If you are still having a hard time, contact your local Parent Resource Center and they may be able to help you with even more options even though your child is not technically in public school yet. They have a lot of resources and information available to them. Check out their site here:

www.knowyourchoices.org

Remember A Quantum Leap is available for all of your tutoring needs.
www.TutoringByCity.com

Earth Day Activities Throughout Florida

Jacksonville Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Party for the Planet. It will held on April 24th and 25th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. There will live entertainment, prize drawings, earth day crafts, bounce houses and face painting. On Thursday April 22nd, at the Anastasia Island Branch Library, the Earth Day movie "HEIMA" will be showing. The movie will start at 6p.m. and free refreshments will be provided On April 28th at the Main Branch there will be fun and eco-friendly Earth Day Kid's Crafts. Everything starts at 3p.m.. Tampa The 2011 Earth Day Tampa Bay festival moves to the beautiful USF Botanical Gardens (one block north of the corner of Fowler Ave. & Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 23! Admission and parking are FREE, but we encourage the use of alternative transportation. Orlando Earth day Celebrations in Orlando include ‘Party for the planet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’ April 22nd 9am to 3pm. At Universal Orlando special events with the theme of conserving the environment will be held around the park through the week starting 17th April 2011 to April 24th 2011. Celebrate Earth on April 24th at Orlando's largest FREE Earth Day Event. The event will be held at Lake Eola from 10am to 6pm. Pensacola

Earth Day Pensacola: Saturday, April 23rd, 10am - 5pm Bayview Park - East Hill Tallahassee

Idle Free and Alternative Transportation Day, April 22, Kleman Plaza, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event features live entertainment, free refreshments, information on environmentally friendly practices. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, take the bus or carpool to work/school and to the event at Kleman Plaza.

April 22, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Going Green Grand Finale. Help plant flowers in the Kids Pointe garden, 3507 Maclay Blvd. S., as part of their weeklong "I Choose to Reuse" Earth Day and Easter Egg-stravaganza.

  

Fort Myers

Friday, April 22nd from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. so plan to take a tour, participate in our lady bug releases, or learn about conservation practices. *Regular admission - $12.95 for adults/ $7.95 for children 4-14. Members are free. Cost: $12.95 for Adults/Free for Garden members. Ticket Phone: 239-643-7275. Friday, April 22, 2011. Naples Botanical Garden 4820 Bayshore Dr Naples, FL 34112-7336.

Over 30 vendors selling farm fresh local produce and food, Organics, fresh seafood, cheeses, cut flowers, etc. Venue: Lakes Park. Age Range: All Ages. Cost: Free. Friday, April 22, 2011, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Lakes Regional Park 7330 Gladiolus Dr Fort Myers, FL 33908-5118.

West Palm Beach area

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens, (561) 691-8550. Earth Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 22. Whole Foods will offer festivities that include riding the Carousel, painting a mural, making recycled arts and crafts, learning about good green practices, etc.

Ft. Lauderdale

Everglades National Park is offering free admission.

Miami

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will offer free admission to all in celebration of Earth Day. April 22^nd.

Bayfront Park will serve as the perfect backdrop for this exciting eco-friendly event that’s fun for the entire family. There will be live performances and seminars, eWaste recycling, a clothing swap, science fun for kids, and much more. April 23^rd.

Sarasota – Seems like Earth Day activities have passed but these are some other fun events this weekend.

April 23, 2011: It's the Take Over Youth Culture Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. From noon - 9:30 p.m. there will be live music, electronic music lounge DJs, live graffiti, skateboarding, BMX demos, theatre performances, a petting zoo and more. $18/under 12 free. Benefits Suncoast Charities for Children.

April 23, 2011: is the 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Games on Siesta Key. For tots only ages 1 - 6. For $10 each, each child receives an Easter Bunny or Stuffed Toy, Goody Bag and Easter Egg stuffed with prizes. It takes place at Beach Access Point #5 at Beach Road and Ocean Blvd. Face painters, trolley, tour fire truck and ambulance, etc. Registration is limited to first 125 paid children.

Start Your Child's Learning Early

Did you know…the human brain is most open for change in the first three years of a person’s life? It’s never too early to start your child’s education. By getting a head start on your child’s learning habits, you can get them on the fast track to success.

We’re not saying your six-month-old should be in a classroom for eight hours a day. There are numerous educational activities you can do with your child to give them a jump start on their education which are not extremely time consuming.

The Goddard School, a childcare franchise, came out with some tips for parents to work on with their children from infants to four-year-olds.

http://www.goddardschool.com/documents/GG_FamilyPlayTips.pdf

Test-Taking Strategies to Finish Strong

Does your child often forget books or notes in their locker at school? Do you notice they do all of their homework but they just can’t pass their tests in class? Test anxiety is mainly caused by a lack of study and organizational skills. At A Quantum Leap Tutoring, we can help students with these skills and therefore help them prepare for their tests more efficiently. 

The Study Guides and Strategies website has more information on test anxiety and its common causes. Elements such as time management, confidence and comfort also play a role in a student’s test anxiety. Don’t wait until it’s too late to see how we can better prepare them for the important tests they will take now, and in the years to come.

Visit our new website today and see how we can help you or your child achieve the grade they desire on their test:

www.TutoringByCity.com 

Want to join the conversation? Check us out on Facebook and Twitter also!

www.facebook.com/aquantumleap

www.twitter.com/aquantumleapfl

How To Ease Test-Taking Anxiety contributed by our guest blogger- Lori Lite

We sought out a specialist for this blog because we know everyone is preparing for some big exams throughout Florida. Whether your child is getting ready for the FCAT, ACT or SAT, these strategies will carry them (and you) through! Of course, call A Quantum Leap for all your test-taking tutoring needs!

Ease Test Taking Anxiety 

By Lori Lite / Stress Free Kids

It’s normal for kids and teens to feel a little nervous before a big test, but anxiety left unchecked can affect grades. A quiz or full blown standardized test can evoke feelings of stress, fear, and even panic. All students eventually face an SAT, ACT, ITBS, CRCT,CTBS, or CAT. Even home schoolers face the PASS test. Studies have shown that students that practice relaxation achieve higher test scores. Empowering techniques of deep breathing, visualizing, and positive statements are easy to implement. Preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, college…. It is never too soon or too late to introduce the following technique.

Here are some signs that a child is stressing or overly worried about tests:

•  Doesn’t want to go to school, especially on test day

•  Cries or has melt-downs during the days leading up to a test

•  Changes eating and sleeping patterns in the days before a test

•  Puts herself down or calls himself “stupid”

•  Has an upset stomach or a tension headache before a test

•  Performs well on practice tests but not on the real test

A powerful stress buster for test taking is positive self-talk. Anxiety can be lowered and confidence boosted with this simple technique. The following statements can be used before and during tests.

When angry or stressed, I take deep slow breaths.

I am calm, focused, and smart.

I am relaxed and alert.

I calmly trust my knowledge.

I know the answer to this question and I will look at it again in a few minutes.

I am smart and relaxed.

I am doing the best I can do, and my best is terrific.

I remember to breathe deeply during my tests.

Breathing deeply brings more oxygen to my brain.

I have enough time.

I have studied and I am prepared.

Being calm helps me to remember more.

Getting proper rest is essential to performing well at school and on tests. The Indigo Dreams CD Series introduces positive statements and 3 additional relaxation techniques for children and teens. Breathing, visualizing, progressive muscle relaxation will all help before, during and after tests.

Stress Free Kids founder Lori Lite has created a line of books and CDs designed to help children, teens, and adults decrease stress, anxiety, and anger. Ms. Lite’s books, CDs, and lesson plans are considered a resource for parents, psychologists, therapists, child life specialists, teachers, and yoga instructors. Lori is a certified children’s meditation facilitator and  Sears’ Manage My Life parenting expert. For more information visit Stress Free Kids and for daily advice follow Lori on Twitter and Facebook .