Helping Kids learn to LOVE learning during "time out"

Helen - posted on 07/26/2012

Hi all
Tutoring is definitely a good idea for any child. My mother was very big on early learning, and she started teaching me to write when I was around 2 years old. By 3, I was reading and writing, and by 4 I could start on chapter books, in Chinese. Although now I prefer English, Reading in any language became a lifelong hobby ever since. So if you want your child to truly enjoy learning, you ought to start teaching him or her fast. It's never too early or too late.
I live in NYC, and go to one of the best high school in the city, Stuyvesant High School. My classmates and I tutor kids from as young as 3-18, in all subjects. The material is still fresh in our minds and we know, from firsthand experience, what teachers would expect at every age. Many of us have already been accepted into MIT and other Ivy Leagues.
If you are interested, please contact us at our site,
www.checkplustutoring.wix.com/site
Many thanks!

Kirsten - posted on 03/02/2009

Quoting Kirsten: Aside from some runon sentences and the word CHOSE instead of CHOOSE my point should still be the same. Maybe my mother should have done this with me...hehehehe!

Helping Kids learn to LOVE learning during "time out"

HI-
I want to share something I started to do with my eldest and then as my youngest grew into reading age, I did with him as well. We all are familiar with "time out" right? Well who said that we can't make that a constructive time for learning. They are in trouble, having to "think" about what they did.... which we all know they really don't. They cry, scream, pick at their clothes, kick the wall, fuss about however they feel is entertaining enough to live through our idea of punishment. Why not make it a learning time?????
Here is what I started to do..... I had the book, "National Geographic's "How Thing Work" and when my kids were bad and required some "time out", I would sit them in a comfy chair, hand them this book and the rules were..... you must sit here for 15 minutes. In that 15 minutes you have to learn one thing "inside and out" or two things "general knowledge" in 15 minutes I will come back and then you have to "teach" me.
You wont believe the range of things that will interest your children. This book offers them opportunities to explore all different ideas and doesn't limit them to a book JUST about history or something "you" think they should learn about. I do not suggest a school book.
Then when you come back, you aid your child in their social skills and being confident enough to know how to represent a subject in an explanatory way. You strengthen your bond with your children through watching them take opportunities to CHOSE what they will learn. You teach them discipline in their learning and the commitment to the details. The benefits are endless. Not to mention.... YOU learn stuff too!!!!! Bonus!

I'm not saying my kids wouldn't have gone off to be the students they are today without this, but my eldest is studying to be a bio-chemist and my youngest is considering a mathematical direction when he gets into college. Both participated or are currently participating in the Advanced Placement classes. My eldest graduated with high honors and had several college credits when exiting high school. Even if this idea didn't play any role in their scholastic achievements, I'm sure it didn't hurt!