StudyPros Today

With mounting pressure on students to learn complex concepts at earlier ages, parents with young children may feel compelled to accelerate learning with early education products or academic preschools, but before you run out and buy Baby Einstein DVDs or schedule an academic evaluation for your 18-month old, you might want to consider the potential effects and approach with caution.

There is much research indicating that the regular use of multimedia educational products may be counterproductive to cognitive development. This seems to be particularly true when young children are exposed to hours of television viewing, whether that exposure is to commercially prepared edutainment or developmentally inappropriate programming. Rather than enhancing intelligence, audiovisual learning programs may delay development by prematurely engaging brain cells otherwise needed for different developmental tasks. If not closely monitored, the constant overstimulation of a child may delay vocabulary and interfere with acquisition of social and attention skills.

In 2001 The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement about visual stimulation that stands today. Parents should “discourage television viewing for children younger than two years, and encourage more interactive activities that will promote proper brain development, such as talking, playing, singing, and reading together.”

That assessment is shared by many education experts who suggest that the best preschool programs provide meaningful play-based interactive programs with caring adults. Academic preschools, they argue, provide no long-term advantages, but instead make students more anxious. The drilling of reading and math at the expense of social skills at a young age may not translate into achievement in Kindergarten, and could put the child at a social disadvantage.

Those who develop and promote commercial educational products and programs often assert that children are like sponges who can easily absorb information through regular repetition, but even The Baby Einstein website, which removed claims of education advantage from its product descriptions in 2007 in response to legal action, now clearly recommends parental involvement and interaction in learning.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

Is academic achievement best accomplished by demanding more of students at a younger age?

Not according to Dr. Regalena ‘Reggie’ Melrose, a licensed clinical psychologist and credentialed school psychologist. Dr. Melrose states that students are experiencing burnout because they are pushed into rigorous academic and technological learning, and organized play before they are developmentally prepared. Further, their lack of connection to the natural environment is affecting their ability to learn.

According to Dr. Melrose, advances in neuroscience have confirmed the education theories of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Waldorf Education. Waldorf schools focus on the whole student, emphasizing education that is commensurate with brain development and that supports equally the functions of the left and right brain.

The healthy development of the neocortex (thinking part of the brain) is contingent upon the healthy development of the limbic (feeling) brain which is built upon the healthy development of the primal (sensory) brain. Each step is important, and nurturing each as a child ages is crucial to the child’s holistic development.

The sensing and feeling parts of the brain control the right hemisphere and the thinking portion controls the left. Mr. Steiner believed that all three areas must be actively engaged for students to learn and become life-long learners. That is why Waldorf schools include time for physical education, art, music, and exploration of nature. Many of us remember a time when those studies were part of our daily school experience.

These days education has taken a decidedly left-brain turn: academic achievement and its measurements are the principle focus of effort, debate, and funding. The other elements that support academic learning and constitute a complete education have been relegated to the sidelines. Sidelined also are the students whose brilliances lie in non-academic endeavors.

The film “Waiting for Superman” has incited heated discussions over charter schools and teachers unions, but what is missing from the discussion of raising academic achievement is the idea of educating the whole child. Now is the time for parents and teachers to express their support for arts education and real physical education.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

Parents are understandably exasperated when their children “bomb” on tests after getting good grades on homework and quizzes. Poor test grades may be the result of a failure to fully grasp the concepts. On the other hand, the student may be suffering from test anxiety; a condition the American School Counselor Association says is almost universal.

Negative emotions, such as frustration, fear, anxiety and anger cause disturbances in the rhythmic activity between the two branches of the autonomic nervous system which, in turn, disrupt our ability to comprehend, memorize, and retrieve information. Positive emotions increase the harmony in our brains, allowing us to think clearly.

The Association offers tips to help children manage their emotions and  develop the healthy physical habits to help students with studying and test-taking. I have condensed the basic ideas here. The full article and links to additional resources are available at  http://www.schoolcounselor.org

Tip 1: When you find yourself worrying about your ability to do well on a test, stop negative thoughts from embedding anxiety in your brain by visualizing the area around your heart and taking long, deep breaths in and out. With each breath, allow calmness to enter and tensions to leave.

Tip 2:  Much of the anxiety we feel is a result of negative “what-if” thoughts — projections that are often not reflected in the final outcome. Instead of “What if I can’t remember the formulas?” ask yourself “What if I remember everything I’ve been studying?”

Tip 3:  Think good thoughts about moments you’ve enjoyed with your friends, your mother, your dog. Hold those feelings in your heart and practice returning to them regularly.

Tip 4:  Prepare well in advance, then do something fun the night before and get a good night’s sleep (at least 8-10 hours). You’ll be calmer and more focused for the exam.

Tip 5:  Eat a healthy, hearty breakfast that includes protein and complex carbohydrates. Foods such as eggs and cheese, and whole grain cereals and breads support brain function and will sustain your energy and concentration for an extended period.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

I collected my receipt, glanced at the clerk’s badge, flashed him a smile, and thanked him by name. He responded with a genuine smile of his own as I whisked my bags off the counter and headed out the door. That solitary moment of recognition may have made his day a little brighter. I know I felt like a better person for making my appreciation known.

Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to recognize and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives and to share our blessings with others. Whether we offer our time or our money, we make the world a better place and we become better, more compassionate people in the process.

If you haven’t already done so, your family could volunteer to serve others through organizations such as the Santa Clarita Valley Emergency Winter Shelter and the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. Having an opportunity to witness need firsthand provides children with some valuable perspective.

You might ask family members to record each day one thing for which they are grateful — a possession, a person, even a personal talent. We are often so busy focusing on what we lack, that we take for granted what we have and thus squander opportunities.

We can teach our children that blessings often come as difficulties. A sprained ankle might take us out of the game, but it allows us time to get the rest we need before a critical exam. The obstacles we come across teach us lessons about our own attitudes and capacities, and allow us to consider alternatives we might not have otherwise considered.

In this painful period, we are presented the chance to reassess our priorities and make more deeply satisfying choices. We can teach our children to distinguish between needs and wants; to chose the long-term joy of self-discipline over the fleeting sensations of instant gratification; and to develop resiliency that will guide them throughout their lives.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

Besides the bare basics like getting sufficient sleep and a nutritious breakfast, what teachers keep telling me they would like their students to bring to class is a measure of self-discipline. This requires consistency on your part, and that calls for a plan.

Start by creating clear rules for appropriate behavior and expected participation in the home and in the classroom. Then determine appropriate consequences for infractions that are age appropriate, logical for the offense, realistically and consistently enforceable, and that convey the lesson to be learned.

Conduct a family meeting to discuss the rules and consequences. Invite your children to share their ideas and help craft a “contract” by which they are willing to abide. Have everyone sign off on the final agreement and post it where everyone can see it. Revise it as your children grow, but keep the kids involved in the process. That way, they’ll be more likely to comply.

Accept that rules will be broken. It’s part of the maturation process. Kids will always test boundaries and parental resolve, especially when older children become more social creatures whose friends are apparently allowed unlimited access to such goodies as computer games, late-night parties, and money.

When bad behavior arises or rules are otherwise broken, calmly review the family contract and the agreed-upon consequences with your child. Hard as it may be, resist the urge to yell. To teach the lesson that must be learned, your best role is that of dispassionate administrator of the mutually accepted rules and consequences.

Then follow through with the consequences. If you don’t, your child will know that he can finesse the situation. He’ll challenge the rules and their enforcement until he knows you’re serious. If you make an exception (and we all have), explain your reason.

Children want a safe and predictable environment. They need reasonable boundaries and our steady guidance to become self-aware, self-disciplined, self-directed students and responsible adults.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

There is tremendous emphasis these days on education in math and science. While these subjects are certainly important, I’d like to discuss today how a deficiency in the fundamental skill of reading could lead to difficulty in all subjects.

Helping children develop effective reading skills during the preschool years sets the stage for future success. Without this effort, a domino effect may be created in which the child does not become familiar with books, nor learns how print and sounds relate to each other. This leads to greater reading challenges, which leads to lower motivation and fewer opportunities to practice reading, which leads to a restricted vocabulary, and so on.

Reading aloud every day is the best way to prepare children to learn to read and to support lifelong appreciation of reading in children of all ages. Invite your young child to read along with you in her favorite books and move your finger from word to word to help her learn word recognition and the order of reading from left to right. Read a variety of books including poems, fantasy and factual material. Ask questions about the story, the characters, and the meanings of new words. Have a family reading night where each person takes turns reading.

Continue to motivate your growing reader by helping him build a personal library with books and periodicals that interest him. Tell stories about your experiences and your family history, and talk about current events to build your son’s listening and thinking skills. Go out and do fun and interesting things together to broaden his background knowledge, build his vocabulary, and expand his understanding of the material he reads.

Encourage your daughter to write stories, poems, and song lyrics, or create a comic strip. Read and talk about her creations and ask questions to help her expand upon the concepts. Communicate with her teacher about her progress and provide additional assistance when needed.

As always, it is important to be a good role model by reading regularly and sharing what you’ve learned with your child.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206, or www.studypros.com

Dear Friends,

As a 17-year resident of Santa Clarita, I have advocated for good city government both as a private citizen and as a city planning commissioner, reviewing community development over the past 8 years, promoting the arts, and working to preserve open space, among other efforts.

I write to you today not in an official capacity but as an involved citizen who believes we need to elect city council members who are on the job, fully prepared to critically examine proposals and offer new ideas.

This year the city will open public hearings on our new general plan, called One Valley-One Vision. It is a blueprint that will guide Santa Clarita for the next 20 years. The choices made by our city council will have far-reaching effects on traffic, public safety, housing, schools, air quality, open space, and our economy. Our quality of life and the city’s long-term sustainability are at stake.

That is why I have endorsed Mayor Pro-Tem Marsha McLean, former Councilmember TimBen Boydston, and business advocate David Gauny.

Marsha McLean has worked tirelessly for 30 years to protect and preserve our community. Now finishing her second term on the city council, she is on the job every day, responding to constituents’ concerns, and representing our interests on regional and state committees. You can read more about Marsha McLean and contact her at:   reelectmarshamclean.com.

TimBen Boydston earned my respect when he was appointed as an interim city council member. He was a quick-study who thoroughly reviewed reports, conducted independent research, and arrived at meetings prepared to listen to everyone and ask probing questions. TimBen has demonstrated a commitment to good public policy. Find more about TimBen Boydston and contact him through his website:  timben.com

David Gauny is a small business owner and co-chair of the newly created Economic Development Corporation. He founded Smart Growth SCV to promote responsible development on the Henry Mayo medical campus and throughout the city. David offers fresh ideas and energy, and a new vision of leadership that balances city objectives with the needs of constituents. Read more about David Gauny and contact him through his website:  electdavidgauny.com

I support Marsha McLean, TimBen Boydston, and David Gauny because each brings unique insights and skills to the formidable task of city governance. And each of these candidates is willing to engage in respectful, open public discussions.

The Santa Clarita City Council election is April 13th. Whether you cast your ballot by mail or in person, I urge you to vote for these worthy candidates and, if possible, make a contribution to their campaigns on their websites.

Sincerely,

Diane Trautman

The back-to-school nights and parent-teacher conferences are over, but communications between parents and teachers should continue to help children get the best out of each day they spend in the classroom. Building and maintaining good relationships with your children’s teachers will also help parents avoid those scary report cards that make you gasp in horror.

Teachers are eager to partner with supportive parents, but keep in mind they are very busy and their time is limited. Help them get to know you by introducing yourself, if you haven’t already done so. Find out the teacher’s preferred method of communication and send her a note or an email with information that may help her better assist your son in the classroom.

Communicate your questions or concerns, and your appreciation regularly. Share your insights about your child with the teacher. Compliment her when your child makes positive remarks about a lesson. Also, let her know when your daughter seems to be struggling with certain concepts. Perhaps the teacher can take a different approach to the material that benefits the entire class. Maybe there are steps you can take to help your daughter when it’s time to do homework or study for the next test. Tell the teacher if there is an event or transition pending at home, whether pleasant or stressful, so that she will understand your daughter’s frame of mind during that time.

If you have time to volunteer in the classroom, a special skill you can apply to an upcoming lesson, or items to donate, tell the teacher you would like to be of assistance.  Most teachers are thrilled to get helping hands and extra materials for their students.

Treat teachers as you would have them treat you — with kindness and respect. Teach your children to do the same, even when a teacher is having a rough day. We all have those! If your child complains about a teacher, remain neutral until you’ve had a chance to speak with the teacher to get her perspective. Resolving conflicts as they arise will be much easier than dealing with your son’s resentment and resistance both in and out of the classroom throughout the school year.

Much has been reported lately about adult obesity, but did you know that seventeen percent of adolescents between two and 19 are overweight? This represents a quadrupling of obesity rates over one generation.

So why am I discussing diet in a column normally devoted to education? Children who eat a variety of nutritious foods are more likely to be successful in school, while those on a poor diet who fail to consume key nutrients tend to have difficulty in school.

Various genetic, cultural, and environmental factors can lead to overweight, but there are steps that parents can take to prevent obesity. Here are some recommendations from the Office of the Surgeon General.

Help kids stay active. Whether through natural or structured play periods, 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day, whether consecutive or broken into shorter periods, is the goal.

Limit TV and other screen time to less than two hours per day. Keep televisions and computers out of the bedroom and off during meal time, and provide alternatives that will get the kids moving.

Encourage healthy eating habits. Serve healthy meals that provide the recommended balance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. Rid your pantry of foods full of empty calories.

Make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast every day. Starting the day with an egg and fruit or whole-grain cereal and low-fat milk, will help your child maintain his energy and focus throughout the morning and maintain a healthy weight.

Sit at the table and eat together as a family. Children tend to eat more fruits and vegetables when the share healthy meals with their families.

Know how much food to serve your child. Learn more about healthy portion sizes and teach your children to eat only appropriate servings. Learning portion control will help them learn self-control when presented with outsized meals.

Promote healthy choices. Make sure your children get sufficient sleep each night. Encourage them to help with food planning, shopping, and preparation.

As parents, we can ensure that our children have the best chance for success in school and in life by making good nutrition and regular exercise priorities for them and for us.

For more information, contact Diane at StudyPros at 661-296-9206 or visit www.studypros.com.

Right now there is a raging legal battle over a state requirement to teach Algebra to all eighth grade students. Though I believe students should be provided with the tools to excel, I have serious concerns about a one-size-fits-all standard that doesn’t consider the individual student or the repercussions of early failures on future learning.

In July 2008, the California State Board of Education (CBE) voted to make Algebra a required course for all students in 8th Grade. For now, the Algebra requirement is on hold. The CBE’s action was swiftly challenged in court and it is currently going through the appeals process. Critics pointed out that even though more 8th grade students are taking Algebra and passing the standards test in junior high, a considerable number of students fail and have to retake the course in high school.

While experts debate the pros and cons of this change, parents and students may ask why it is important for all students to master Algebra and why there is a push to complete the course in junior high.

Educators believe that Algebra helps students develop logic skills and introduces abstract thinking that can be applied to mathematical equations or real-life situations. The ability to work with symbols in increasingly complex and changing formulas teaches students to look at problems in new ways and to organize their thinking.

Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills are extremely important in our knowledge-based economy, whether a student pursues a technical apprenticeship or a college degree. Algebra is a prerequisite for an Associates Degree. It is the first of several mathematical disciplines required for acceptance to the UC and CSU systems. And completing Algebra before high school better positions the student to take a rigorous series of high school math and science courses prior to the college application process.

As the discussion continues, I will keep you informed. In the meantime, please call us if your child needs assistance.

Diane Trautman can be reached at StudyPros In-Home Tutoring, 661-296-9206 or studypros.com