Core Learning Skills

You made it!  This year more than ever, with all the changes that the Coronavirus has brought, the end of the school year is a big relief. I remember the excitement of the last day of school – both as a student and as the parent of school-age students.  No more worries about getting to…

From Break to Meltdown in 30 seconds – How Did that Happen? At mile 20 of a 21-mile bike ride, my husband and I stopped to take a little break.  It had gotten warm and we wanted to remove a few layers.  When we started riding again, my legs let me know that “enough is…

Pay attention!  Pay attention!  Pay attention! How many times can you tell a kid to pay attention before they finally get the message?  For some parents and teachers, it feels endless. Having worked with thousands of struggling learners over the years, I recognize that ADHD is a real and sometimes a devastating challenge for families.…

Next year, struggling students will have more schoolwork than this year, and it will be more difficult. What can be done to prepare struggling students for the new challenges this fall? Common Questions About Summer Intensive Programs “What kinds of students make the greatest gains?” “Is it for everyone?” “Do some get greater gains than…

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…

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…

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…

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! Three Ways to Avoid Homework Battles If you are facing Back-to-School with some trepidation, remembering the stress and tears of last year’s homework…

Dear Parents, Can we make the opening of school easier for you? Parents have asked and we listened: We’re holding a FREE Back-to-School Planning Event for PARENTS! In just 2 hours you’re going to get: What You Will Get in 2 Hours Strategies for helping your child keep from falling behind before the year has…

Do you remember the first time your child rode a bike all by herself?  You let go of the seat and ran alongside while she wobbled along?  It was thrilling and a little terrifying at the same time, but very shortly, she was loving the feel of riding comfortably and independently. Learning to Read Is…