Raise your hand if you feel inadequately prepared to help your children succeed in school? Have you ever faced a child’s homework assignment that looked like it was written in a foreign language? As a college-educated woman with a degree in education, I was confident that I would be able to help my kids with any assignment that they brought home (math and science not included). But in the time between my college graduation and my kids’ advancements in school, so many (too many) of the methods have changed. When I try to explain a concept or help a child with an assignment, it’s not uncommon for that child to stare back at me with blank eyes.
“That’s not how my teacher told us to do it!”
Very frustrating words to hear from a child.
In mid October, two of my daughters, Necco (6th grade) and Reese (2nd grade) were given the opportunity to join the Kaplan Tutoring’s Test Drive program. After taking a series of pre-screening placement tests, they started the meat of the program. I love how Kaplan teaches the core concepts relative to their grade and skill level with fun, engaging activities. When they get something wrong, they are encouraged to try again. As I watched both of them go through the lessons, I was amazed that there was no frustration, “I don’t get this!“, or discouragement……things that are often present when they are either left alone to figure out a concept or when Dad or Mom steps in to help.
My only regret with the tutoring program was the time. But learning, we all know, takes time. My girls don’t get a lot of computer time as it is, and keeping up with the tutoring so that it actually benefited them did require a good commitment of time. I’m sure that if my kids had a computer of their own (and didn’t have to share it with me) they would have spent more time on Kaplan. They really did enjoy Kaplan, and I think it made a difference in their confidence at school.
What are your kids’ biggest challenges at school, and what has been the hardest thing for you as a parent to help them with?
Get one month of tutoring for free!
And now that the end of the test drive has come, I have a giveaway for ALL of you. Instead of picking one winner, you are ALL winners. Kaplan, through Mom Central, is giving everyone one month of Kaplan tutoring for free (a $29 value). All you have to do is visit this special offer page on Kaplantutoring.com and follow the instructions.
Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Program by Mom Central on behalf of Kaplan and received the products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I will be receiving a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.
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Rolling, Rolling, Rolling in a new year .