An education in the arts is essential. It gives us the tools we need to become fluent in our ability

Have you ever found yourself taking time out of your busy schedule to help your child with homework only to find he or she simply won’t pay attention? Their focus seems to be on everything except what it

Here’s a quick test: Without using a pencil and paper, what are 8x8, 5x9, and 7x6? Mental math, especially with multiplication, can be tricky for many kids (and adults).While memorization of the times tables is the ideal once students und

Avoid winter break learning loss. By Frank Guzzo. Kids can forget a lot of what they learned in the previous semester over the winter break. Here’s how to keep your kids learning.

Even with today’s technological advances, having average to good spelling skills are still very important in life. After all, spell-checkers can only help you if your spelling is close enough to the correct version, and most of us still h

At some point in the year, if you walk into my Grade 4 classroom you will encounter 20 to 30 squealing kids laughing and darting around the room chasing tennis balls as they learn how to juggle. Is this part

Math is a challenge for many students. While there are many ways to improve students’ understanding of math and increase their odds of success, one of the easiest is using some or all of these key problem-solving strategies

Ah, September! The new school year lies ahead like freshly fallen snow – a blank canvas full of promise just waiting for your kids to put their marks on it. While no one can predict all the twists and turns,

Even in an age of ever-advancing technology, handwriting still remains an essential life skill for both kids and adults. It continues to be the primary communication tool in classrooms, and yet, studies in 2002 estimate that 10 to 30 per

Ahhh summer vacation – a time for your kids to kick back and relax, to forget about classroom routines and to lose themselves in some hard-earned play time. But July also offers you and your kids the time to reflect

The Internet is a vast swath of cyperspace, and it doesn’t take much for your kids to get caught up in it. The problem, of course, is that it’s hard to keep track of everything they do online, which makes

Do your kids get frustrated at the thought of taking tests? Your answer will largely depend on how successful they have been in the past—that is, students who usually do well on tests tend to like them, while those who

Children who have trouble with their school work in Grade 1 face a greater risk of experiencing problems with depression by the time they hit Grade 6. That's the conclusion of study—published in the July issue of the Journal of

When summer winds down back-to-school preparations are beginning, even for parents with young preschoolers. Finding the best childcare options, preparing children for starting at or returning to daycare or kindergarten, and re-establishing

The great thing about being a student is that every school year brings with it the opportunity for a fresh start—a chance to begin again. However, for some children leaving the past behind can be difficult. So this month I'm

Back to school is often a time of excitement and enjoyment for children anxious to meet new friends and participate in activities. However, for some shy children the anxiety of returning to school can be a nightmare.
Robert Coplan, C

Even if you homeschool throughout the summer, there are things to get ready at the beginning of the traditional school year.  This is the time of year new curriculum materials come out, and let’s face it, everyone needs a deal

Our children learn new things every day at school, and we often do the same at home or work. But have you ever stopped to consider exactly how we learn a new skill? While it may not be something to

Final report cards are almost here, and with them comes an excellent opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the growth and success your child has achieved at school this year. But what does success look like? Is it just about