Stowell Learning Center Blog

Awesome Even on Your Worst Day!

January 1, 2019

As a competitive ice skater our daughter, Christy, could be quite hard on herself.  We would say to her, “On your worst day, you skate circles around everyone else.”  I don’t know if it made her feel any better, but it was true.  She was (and still is) a stunning skater, even when she’s having a bad day. But what if, on your best day, you still fell far below your peers and your potential? Many parents share with me that their kids are so smart and try so hard, but in spite of all that effort, they fail tests…

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Have a Good Laugh!

December 26, 2018

Did you know that…   Laughter releases endorphins (happy chemicals) into the bloodstream. Laughter supports your immune system. The vibrations from laughter shake the stress out of our organs. Laughter changes our mental state and it’s just plain fun! Laughter is an instant vacation. ~ Milton Berle Wishing you love and laughter in the New Year!         “Helping smart but struggling students dramatically improve or completely correct their learning and attention challenges by developing the underlying learning skills that are not supporting the learner well enough.” We serve children and adults with diagnosed or undiagnosed learning and attention…

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Take a Break!

December 17, 2018

Recess is NOT just for school If you’re like me, you’re frantically trying to get presents wrapped and packages sent.  Here’s a gift you can give yourself and your kids in this last week before Christmas, and going forward into the new year:  a quick break to refresh and regroup. Learning to take a break improves health and productivity.  Too much work and not enough time out can result in mental health problems, memory failure and even heart attack.  The secret to managing stress is to build relaxation breaks into every day so that they become part of your lifestyle.…

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Activate A “Feel-Good Party” In Your Brain!

November 19, 2018

Did you know that when you use the facial muscles to create a SMILE it stimulates a feel good party in your brain?  Smiling distracts momentarily and allows positive energy to recharge.  “Feel good neurotransmitters” are released when you smile!   Dopamine (attention modulator), endorphins (pain reliever), and Seratonin (mood lifter) join the party when you smile! This is really powerful!  Teach this to your child so that he or she always has this special way to help themselves feel better. Tip for Chasing Away Homework Grumpies:  Pre-select a YouTube video that you and your child think is really hysterical.  Watch…

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Bring Independence into Your Home

November 13, 2018

This is my Father-in-Law with my husband David when he was a little boy.  Today is Veteran’s Day.  I’ve been thinking about my father-in-law who went up on the beach in Normandy on D-Day and all of the other service men and women, who throughout all the years of our county, have helped preserve our freedoms and our independence. Independence is something we really prize and have fought hard for.  When I think of the parents who come to us looking for help for their struggling students, independence is very high on their priority list for their children. It’s very…

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“My Son Does His Homework and Doesn’t Turn it in! Why Does This Happen and What Do I Do?”

October 10, 2018

You would be surprised how many parents are tearing their hair out and saying the very same thing about their child or teen.  How can the student possibly put so much effort into getting the homework done and then just not turn it in?  Mind-boggling!  But it happens all the time! Josh, a freshman, was having that exact problem in most of his classes.  He was never late to class, but he was typically a little late tuning-in to the teacher – catching the beginning of the lecture but missing the call for homework.  Here’s how he solved the problem,…

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A Four-Year-Old Shares the Importance of Reading!

September 25, 2018

My daughter shared this Facebook video with me of a very cute and obviously brilliant 4-year-old giving a speech about the importance of reading! This little guy talks about how reading is an adventure that has enriched his vocabulary, long-term memory, thoughts, ideas, and problems solving skills!  He encourages parents and teachers that reading aloud to kids every day and developing their literacy skills is one of the most important things they can do.  Wow!  Out of the mouth of a 4-year-old!  And I think most parents would agree. But what if your child can’t read?  You can still read…

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Waiting Out the Hurricane

August 29, 2018

Hunkered down in our condo, with the food and water hastily grabbed off the nearly empty shelves of the market, we prepared to wait out Hurricane Lane in Hawaii.  As it turned out, we were over-prepared, thankfully suffering no more than spending a windy, rainy few days indoors. If your child has traditionally struggled in school, you may have found yourself bracing for the beginning of the school year, wondering how on earth to prepare and what overwhelming challenges this school year will bring. Struggles in school are not generally something you can “wait out.”  Students may get more savvy…

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What Does it Really Mean When the School Says Your Struggling Student Doesn’t Have a Learning Disability?

August 23, 2018

I recently spoke with a parent who was confused and distraught because he sees his child struggling with anxiety and frustration over school work every day, yet the school testing did not show a learning disability. Does that mean that the parent is crazy?  Over-protective? Does it mean that the student really could do the work if he cared enough? Does it mean that the school is lying so they don’t have to pay for special education services? No, no, and no. Patricia Lindamood’s research tells us that about 30 percent of the population have some degree of difficulty with…

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3 Things You Can Do NOW to Avoid Homework Battles in the New School Year

August 16, 2018

My husband accuses me of being a “Ready, Fire, Aim” kind of a person.  I just want to say, that is probably not the best way to start off the school year! If you are facing Back-to-School with some trepidation, remembering the stress and tears of last year’s homework battles, here are three things you can do: With your child, establish a homework space. Outfit it with needed supplies but keep it quiet and clear – not too much stimulation. Establish a homework time. This may have to vary some from day to day depending upon other activities and commitments…

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