Keeping on top of the progress of five children in school can be tough. I’ve got a couple of kids who are very independent and self motivated. And then I’ve got a couple of kids who need a little bit more help and prodding. AJ, my kindergartener, is yet to be decided.
My kids are all good students, but they each have unique needs when it comes to learning concepts and completing assignments. I could spend hours every day going over each problem and each concept with each child. But I don’t. While parental involvement in schooling is essential for success (in my opinion!) I also think teaching children how to study and figure things out on their own is a huge asset as well.
Because I can use all the help I can get with raising not only good kids but kids who are good students, I was thrilled to join up with Kaplan Tutoring as one of their Kaplan Test Drive Moms. Necco (sixth grade) and Reese (2nd grade) are helping me with my “research” and benefiting along the way as they get to participate for the next 8 weeks in Kaplan’s online tutoring program.
The girls started out by taking grade-appropriate pre-tests in both math and reading. The tests began by explaining to the girls that some questions would be very easy and some would be things they’d never learned before. I noticed that their statement took the pressure off of Reese right away. She didn’t feel like she was being “graded” so she relaxed and answered the problems.
The pre-tests then determine where each child is academically and what concepts they need more help on.
Next, the girls will get to dig in and master those concepts…and I will be reporting back at the end of next month to let you know how they did, what they liked, and what they didn’t. I can’t wait to see what a difference this extra push will make!
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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the kids I have nannied for have used their SAT courses and online programs. They liked it.