Sunday, March 22, 2020

In-State vs. Out-of-State Colleges How to Choose

In-State vs. Out-of-State Colleges How to Choose Selecting a college that is right for you can seem like an impossible decision. Chances are, your state offers several possibilities, ranging from public universities to private liberal arts schools. There are schools in your town, nearby towns, and other states or even countries. There are colleges offering large campuses, small class sizes, and every student to teacher ratio in between. The act of selecting a school can quickly become overwhelming. While there are many ways to narrow down your search, location can be a big one for some students. So, how do you choose? Comparing in-state and out-of-state colleges can be a good place to begin. Think about where you want to live Before you even begin to think about cost or any number of factors, consider where it is you want to live for the next four-plus years. If you love your home state and hope to end up there someday, you may seriously consider an in-state school. If youre looking for a change, an out-of-state school may be the right choice for you. For many students, it can be easier to find employment after graduation in the town or state in which they received their degree. Students hold internships, make connections, and become a part of the community in which they study, so finding a location you enjoy can narrow down your choices. Consider the cost A great way to compare in-state and out-of-state schools is by looking at a breakdown of what it might cost to attend each. Out-of-state tuition can be very costly, but some schools offer waivers or other forms of financial aid. Find out as much as you can about particular policies regarding tuition and see if it fits realistically within your budget. Some students choose to begin their studies at an in-state school, saving money to transfer to an out-of-state school down the road. Do some investigating to find out if this is an option that might work for you. [RELATED: 3 Questions to Ask Your College About Financial Aid] Look at degree programs of interest If youve got your heart set on studying something specific, it is important to know that not all schools are created equal. Some schools only offer a limited number of majors, leaving you to explore out-of-state opportunities. Some degree programs are location specificif you want to study marine biology, for instance, Idaho may not be the right state for you. Similarly, New York City may not be your ideal location if youre interested in rural wildfires. [RELATED: How to Design Your Own College Major] Certain schools and even degree programs also monitor the number of students accepted in-state and out-of-state, meaning your chances of getting into a school or program could potentially vary based on where youre coming from. This will be good information to find out, no matter your decision. Evaluate potential opportunities If youre a student athlete and hope to pursue your sport in college, location can be a factor worthy of consideration. Some schools offer great ski programs while others specialize in soccerwhere do you fit in? Climate and geography can be limiting factors in these situations. Maybe youre interested in investigative journalism and find a lack of options within your state. In this case, look for out-of-state schools that excel in your chosen field. Youll also want to think about potential experiences available in and out of your state. For some students, college is all about trying new things. For them, an out-of-state college might be just the ticket to adventure and education. For others, in-state schools offer the same amount of opportunities while remaining somewhat familiar. The bottom line Ultimately, the best way to see if a college, be it in-state or out of it, is right for you is to take a trip there. If possible, make multiple visits at different times of year. This will give you a good idea of what the climate and general atmosphere of the school (and location) is like. Youll also see how students interact with one another and youll have an opportunity to discuss possible financial aid options in person. [RELATED: Top 10 Tips for College Campus Visits] In-state colleges are great options for some students, while the out-of-state experience is right for others. Identifying a college that is the right fit will be extremely beneficial in your future academic success. Take your time and find out whats right for you.

Friday, March 6, 2020

Behaviour Management Techniques that Work

Behaviour Management Techniques that Work Behaviour Management Techniques for Teaching and Tutoring ChaptersWhy You Need Effective Behaviour Management TechniquesThe Classroom Management Techniques that will Change Your Life as a TeacherMaybe you became a teacher or tutor because you love your subject and want to share your passion to the next generation. Maybe you joined up because you find kids inspiring and insightful and wanted to help them grow. Or maybe it was because you just loved the idea of teaching.Something you maybe hadn’t expected was that, in your classroom or your tutoring studio, behaviour management would be something you would be doing the most. Dishing out a reward for positive behaviour and a punishment for those who misbehave â€" or hearing your kids calling out, endlessly off task, or misbehaving in all sorts of other ways.It’s classroom management that teachers find most exhausting â€" beside the paperwork and lesson plans at least. However, it doesn’t need to be. Because effective classroom management doesn’t need to be all about punishing and prais ing. It’s not about discipline or managing kids that aren’t behaving.No, behaviour management is something much broader than this, and much deeper. It’s about the strategies and methods that teachers and educators use to help children make the most out of their learning â€" and achieve success. So, forget the image of the teacher merely enforcing classroom rules or getting angry at disruptive behaviour. This has long been seen to be fairly ineffective.Rather, let’s think about different ways to manage the classroom environment. From cooperative learning to encouraging curiosity, here are some classroom management tips that go beyond merely telling children off. You’ll be a more effective teacher â€" and you’ll have happier kids too. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st l esson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy You Need Effective Behaviour Management TechniquesEffective classroom management strategies are an essential part of effective teaching. Without them, nothing, quite simply, can be done: without classroom management techniques that work, there is no chance of being able to even teach.This makes behaviour management strategies the fundamental elements of a good teacher’s arsenal â€" whether that’s as a school teacher or a private tutor. The possibility of student learning â€" and, later, student achievemen t â€" comes from effective management skills, appropriate behavior, and, ultimately, mutual teacher-student respect.Because, even as a private tutor, you are not only teaching your young student the content of whichever subject they are learning. Rather, through your classes, they will develop their social-emotional skills, their respect for the social contract, and their own interests and curiosity.This is what class management should nurture â€" not just that kids shut up and listen to what you are saying. This approach is good for neither you nor the child.If you want to know about behaviour management theories, check out our article!The Classroom Management Techniques that will Change Your Life as a TeacherBehaviour management is not just about classroom discipline. It’s about building and facilitating a learning environment animated by curiosity, by respect within the teacher-student relationships and among the class, and by willing student engagement. It’s this, rather tha n discipline as such that encourages student learning.Here are the tips that you need to help cultivate such an environment. Kids love to work togetherLet Students Help Decide the RulesRules are something that are really quite necessary within a school context. However, to develop class rules that your students will understand and respect, it is helpful to develop these rules with the kids themselves.Asking your students what they consider to be appropriate classroom behaviour is a good way to start at the beginning of the year. Discuss this with your class and turn the conversation to the appropriate and fair consequences for those who do not stick to the agreed rules.It will be a fun conversation and it will give the students an active role in developing expected behaviour â€" meaning that they will have signed up to it already.Remember the RulesOnce you have agreed on the rules together, you’re going to have to remember what was agreed. Too many teachers are inconsistent with their application of rules â€" and this doesn’t give their students the framework that they need for things like positive rei nforcement to be effective.Consistency is one of the crucial qualities you need when hoping to manage a classroom. It enables the children to remember what to expect â€" and consequently, how they agreed to behave.Being able to whip out the piece of paper on which you wrote the agreed rules makes for a handy piece of theatre in the future too.Remind the Students that They Have Responsibilities TooGood classroom behaviour is not just about sitting still and answering questions when asked. Your students have responsibilities to the class themselves â€" and reminding them of this is an important part of creating a harmonious atmosphere.Giving students responsibilities gives them a stake in the upkeep and management of the classroom â€" and they are usually quite proud to be trusted with such tasks.At the same time, it takes some of the pressure off you too: you don’t need to do everything in the classroom â€" and your pupils don’t want you to either. A well-behaved class?Set Topics and Tasks that are Open-EndedCuriosity is one of the most important virtues in children â€" for self-growth, the development of their own interests and individuality, and for important skills in later life. Enabling your students to develop this is a crucial part of behaviour management too â€" as, usually, when kids are engaged in tasks that interest them, they are much less likely to engage in disruptive behaviour.Setting tasks that are open-ended, student-directed, and led by the children’s own curiosity, interests, and creativity is a great way to develop this virtue. They don’t always need to be led by strict, content-based learning objectives â€" as sometimes the most important lesson is in the search.Encourage Students to Develop Their Own InterestsThe same applies here too. Students, as much as teachers and tutors, can feel a little strait-jacketed by the curriculum and lesson plans sometimes. And even if it is within the context of what ne eds to be learned, it is important to give your class the opportunity to develop their own interests and pursue them with everyone else.Whether this is as part of a particular case study or for a research project at home, giving the class an opportunity to pursue their own interests shows them that their interests are valid â€" whilst they might be informative and interesting for the rest of the class too.Be a Good Role ModelIf you want your students to behave, it is helpful if you stick to the rules that you have outlined too: if you don’t want them to be late, it is best not to be late yourself, for example. Or, if you want them to bring their homework back for a particular day, it is best if you mark their homework for the date that you have agreed too.This is important, because kids do have an acute sense of injustice and unfairness â€" and it is not fair if you something is expected of them that is not expected of everyone.All in all, this amounts to being a good role model. And whilst this might sound like a give with teachers, we know that not all of us are.Encourage Mutual RespectIf your students respect you, then great. If your students respect each other, then even better. Developing an environment in which everyone listens to everyone else â€" and in which everyone feels comfortable â€" is almost the ultimate aim of good classroom management.It’s not good enough that the children only listen to you, and only do what you ask personally. Rather, finding effective ways to get everyone knowing each other and cooperating is the way to build respect among everyone in the class. Behaviour management is so important.Maintain Good Relations with the ParentsIt doesn’t take place in the classroom, but there are few things that have such an effect on the classroom as the attitudes and actions of your students’ parents.Get them onside and keep them there â€" and report to them all the excellent work that your students have been doing. Being congratulated by their parents for work they have done in class is a great way to get your students onside too.Watch Out for Your Response to Situations.Finally, classroom management isn’t only about the behaviour of your students. If you have made a lot of effort to develop their respect, remember that this is easily lost too.Try to avoid ever losing your cool â€" as students remember this.Find out why behaviour management is important!

Thursday, March 5, 2020

How to Practice Singing Practical Tips for Memorizing Lyrics

How to Practice Singing Practical Tips for Memorizing Lyrics Suzy S. Need to memorize lyricsquickly? Take a look at these helpful tips from Ann Arbor, MI voice teacher  Elaina R For many people, memorizing words is easier if the words are set to musicâ€"that is why songs are often used in education (there is even a song that lists all 50 states!). That being said, trying to memorize a song on a deadline is not fun. Not many people know how to practice singing lyrics effectively, and singers often need to learn multiple songs on short notice. If you are struggling to memorize lyrics, you are not alone. Plenty of people have trouble memorizing lyrics to songs. Memorization becomes even harder if the song in question has lots of words or is strophic (has a repeated melody with different words each time). Here are some tricks that will help you learn how to practice singing the right words in just a few days. Memorization Methods Without Singing Singing a song over and over while looking at the music can help you memorize, but it can also tire your voice out. Here are some memorization methods that don’t involve any singing at all. 1. Speak or mouth the words: Try reading a passage from the song, then repeating it without looking at the words. Keep doing this, making the passages longer and longer each time. Eventually, you will be able to speak the whole song without looking at the lyrics. If you need to save your voice, try mouthing the words instead of saying them. 2. Write the words out: This exercise is similar to the previous one. Read a short passage from the song, and write it down without looking at the lyrics. Continue doing this, working your way through the song and making your passages longer and longer as you memorize more. Remember to write with a pen or pencil and paper; physically writing has been proven to jog your memory better than typing. 3. Listen to the song: If you have a recording of the song available, great. If not, make a quick one featuring yourselfâ€"it doesnt matter if it doesnt sound perfect, as long as you get all of the words right. Listen to the recording, singing along with it mentally. You can do this anywhere you want as long as you put the recording on an iPod or smartphone. 4. Run through the song in your head: Even if you do not have a recording available, try running through the song in your head, taking care to think each word as you go. If you find you can’t remember a particular word, look at the lyrics and try again. How to Practice Singing Lyrics Of course, singing the song is another great way to memorize the lyrics. Here are a few memorization techniques you can use that involve singing. 1. Sing the song without looking at the lyrics: Even if you think you arent ready, try singing through the whole song without looking at the words; you may surprise yourself. Take note of difficult parts and double-check the lyrics before you try again. You can also alternate between singing while looking at the lyrics and singing without looking at them. 2. Sing along: Play a recording of the song and sing along. If you falter, the singer on the recording will fill in the words for you. Pay careful attention while you do thisâ€"otherwise, you may go on autopilot and not remember the words. Practice Makes Perfect Now that you know how to practice singing the words to a song, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. For any of these techniques, whether you are singing, speaking, or simply thinking the words, the key is to practice every single day. If you have very limited time, you may even want to go over the words multiple times a day. Put in the time, and your brain will do the rest. Happy memorizing! Elaina R. teaches opera voice and  singing in Ann Arbor, MI, as well as through online lessons. She is currently  working on a Master of Music at the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California.  Learn more about Elaina here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  kizzzbeth

What to Do When Youre Waitlisted by a College

What to Do When You’re Waitlisted by a College Unlike a definitive yes or no response, being placed on a college waitlist means that you can only attend if a space becomes available. It can feel frustrating to get this kind of response from a college, especially if its your dream school. How do you move forward if you know a school is theoretically willing to accept you, but only if a spot opens up? When youre waitlisted by a college, its important to decide whether or not you wish to remain on the waitlist, have a backup plan in place, and touch base with the admissions office of the school at which you were waitlisted. Have you been placed on a college waitlist, but arent sure how to proceed? Keep reading to learn what to do when youre waitlisted by a college. When waitlisted by a college, decide whether or not to stay on the waiting list When colleges send you a waitlist decision, you may be asked to confirm whether or not you want to remain on the list. You should only keep your name on the waitlist if you really want to attend that college. Therefore, this is the time to re-evaluate if this school is the right fit for you. When making your decision, you should consider whether or not there are any consequences of remaining waitlisted. Sometimes, students who are waitlisted miss out on items like financial aid or housing opportunities since they will learn of their admission later than other applicants and cant apply in time. If getting these items is important to you, this could be a downside of choosing to remain waitlisted instead of focusing your energy on getting accepted to another college. Try to find a colleges waitlist admissions rate online or through its admissions office. Finding out where you are on the waitlist may also help you make a more informed decision about whether or not its worth your time and effort to stay involved with that school. [RELATED: 6 Things for High School Seniors to Remember as Graduation Nears] When waitlisted by a college, create a backup plan You might choose to remain on a waitlist if you feel passionate about a school and if it makes financial sense for you to attendeven if you dont get first pick of financial aid, housing, etc. However, you should get ready to attend another college if it turns out you dont get selected for admission after all. Take a hard look at all of the colleges that have accepted you (without a waitlist) and select the one that you feel is the best fit. Fill out any necessary admissions paperwork and send in a deposit right away to secure your spoteven if youd rather go to the school that has waitlisted you. If you ultimately choose to go to the school thats waitlisted you, youll lose this deposit. But since admission from a waitlist is not guaranteed, its best to at least know you have a college to attend. [RELATED: 4 Financial Aid Tips for Students] When waitlisted by a college, contact the schools admissions office Being waitlisted means a college is fairly sure or knows you have what it takes to be a student at their institutionat least based on your academic records and admissions essays. Sending an additional letter to the admissions office of the college thats waitlisted you may help to push admission in your favor. In the letter, you can include the following: Restate your interest in the college Mention any new accomplishmentsacademic and extracurricularthat you werent able to include on your application [RELATED: Is It Important to Declare a Major Before Starting College?] When youre waitlisted by a school, its important not to panic. Take this time to create a backup plan, research the schools waitlist admissions rate, and analyze whether this school is the best fit for you. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

5 Ways to Know Your SAT Test Well

5 Ways to Know Your SAT Test Well 0SHARESShare Even before you start preparing for SAT test, it is necessary to know SAT well, along with its various sections such as SAT writing and SAT subject tests such as SAT Biology and SAT chemistry.  1-  Time Management: One of the critical aspects of the SAT test is time management. Solving SAT or any other competitive tests such as GMAT/GRE are all a race against time. The SAT test time management skills will make you a much better manager than what you are now. 2- Multiple skills, varying degrees: The SAT test is not just about one subject; hence it is known that a student should have multiple skills. If the student can write well then sure that student can do well in English SAT. This is to say that talent should be developed by developing your new skill-sets to manage deadlines and multiple skills. 3- Setting the right priorities:  You know you have a SAT test is due the next week on Friday. Focusing on a particular subject requires one to know what is expected from the student?Setting the right expectations from the online tutoring is essential but at the same time students also make their well-known presence by felt by asking questions and queries? 4- Setting the right expectations: You know, it will be difficult to have a perfect score but it is not impossible. Setting the right expectations will allow you more time to think over problems and appear them thoughtfully, one by one. 5- Know your syllabus: You are good at Math and science and you know the formulas. But you don’t know the syllabus. It is essentials to know all the 4 points along with the syllabus.   [starbox id=admin]

Physics Online Tutoring Can Rescue From Tough Physics Topics

Physics Online Tutoring Can Rescue From Tough Physics Topics Every child when is in school thinks of reaching college level. They think college to be a different place where they can live their life to the fullest. Movies always have a bigger impact in our lives. We always tend to get drenched into the life what is portrayed in movies. But it is not always possible. Movies can never be depicted in real lives and vice versa. It is very certain for all of us to know that movies do inspire us, but when you are a teenager then it inspires you more. You begin to think your life as an ongoing movie and move away from the reality of life. Every movie that has college life in it shows the life to be larger than life. In reality things are not as that is shown in movies. Yes, it is true that college lives are different from school days. You can play pranks, bunk classes, and go for outing and all such stuffs which is never possible during school life. But along with all these you also need to have studies beside it. Studies are a big part in college days as well. Without the help of studies college life lands nowhere. The number of subjects is very less in college life as compared to school. You have to concentrate on only one subject and its various parts. It is quite natural that during school days we need private tutors more than in our college days. School days help you to create our base and college helps us to make that base stronger. It is very essential that one should be very much dedicated towards their studies so that they can have a much better future ahead. Private tutors are very essential for any school student as school do not help anyone in that manner. Some amount of extra help is always needed for them to uplift their knowledge as well as grades. Nativities of private tutoring But with time everything is changing and thus the teaching process is also changing to a great extent. Private tutors are also least concerned about the students they are teaching and they do not belong to any responsibility of helping the student to get more support. This decreases and affects the grades of students largely. With lack of good and proper guidance they are not able to reach to a certain limit and fall off hitting themselves. A good guidance is very important at this high age. Without the help of a good teacher it is not at all possible for anyone to lead a better life. Private tuitions fail to provide you with all the facilities and guidance that you being a student truly deserve. Good opening for online tutoring services It is a situation of lot of pain as tension as now from where will you get some other help. But it is no more a cause of worry for you as with the advent of various technologies newer ways of help has been introduced. Online tutoring is an entirely new concept which is being liked by people largely and students are taking a chance to enroll oneself into these institutes to get help from them. The number of institutes is increasing day by day and this is helping students lot. Today internet is being used by all students and it is helping them. Physics online tutoring is also a great way and can be said as one of the easy way through which you can get into the nerves of the subject and the subject properly. It helps you to raise your marks very instantly and with ease. Online tutoring has many features that help a student and their parents to get attracted towards it. Let us now note down some of the features that will help them to know the subject better. The teachers who are involved with this process of online teaching make it a point to know the subject deeply so that they can know how to teach a weak student as well. They have lot of knowledge with the subject which they can pass on to their students. All the weak students can be benefitted by their teaching and can increase their grades easily. With the increase in their grades comes a high level of self confidence in them. This high level of self confidence helps them to lead a much focused and new approach towards life. The online teachers help in making you look deep into the subjects and not only with the topics but it also helps you to know the subject better. It helps you to complete your homework and get good response in the class by knowing the topic beforehand. The assignments and projects are also controlled by the online tutors and thus they turn out to be perfect in all respect. The no limitation to time is one of the best factors that online teachers provide you. When you are into no time bondage then you can explore and fly high. Whatever and whenever you have doubts, you can easily clear it off and this is because of the fact that you can attend the class whenever you want as per your convenience. The charges are very affordable for any parents to bear it. Today each parent wants their child to be better than other and they make every possible help to make it true. But sometimes due to high charges it is always not possible for each parent to afford such tuition classes. Online tutors bring relief in such cases with the amount that they charge. Every middle class parent also can afford it that easily. TutorPace and its help Today you will get many such institutes those who help you for a better life. But very few are there who conduct the entire process is a much better way than other. College physics online tutoring  is a service that is enlisted in TutorPace service list that is not found anywhere else.  

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Review Series Pivot Terms

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Review Series Pivot Terms GRE/MAT Graduate School Blog In this continuation of ourMAT review video series, we approach working through a standard MAT style Analogy via a technique using the “Pivot Term.” A “Pivot term” is a term that cannot relate to the blank in the analogy; ithelps you correctly determine the relationship between the given terms in the original analogy before evaluating answer choices.It’s imperative to identify thisrelationship before looking to the answer choices, as you will be better able to narrow your focus to pair the blank to one term vs. anything in the list of choices. Key pointers from this video: Identify the pivot term in the analogy Articulate the original analogy and identify the specific relationship between the pair Apply this relationship to help you fill in the blank by eliminating answer choices which don’t fit the relationship The MAT likes to pair one familiar term to one unfamiliar term in the given analogy, which can make it harder to eliminate answer choices. Avoid trap answer choices which offer a simple relationship such as, A is like B C is like D. This video was produced byMyGuruDirector of Online Instructionand expert online MAT tutor Stefan Maisnier. Visit ourYouTube channelfor more MAT analogy videos.

Summer Vacations with ADHD Managing Screen Time When Youre Traveling with Kids

Summer Vacations with ADHD Managing Screen Time When You’re Traveling with Kids Everyone looks forward to summer family vacations! This fun, memory-making, quality family time can be the highlight of the summer. Unfortunately, before the fun can begin parents of kids with ADHD must endure the long trip to the vacation destination. Without fail, long car and plane rides stir up some of the most challenging ADHD behaviors in children and cause sibling squabbles to reach new heights. In an effort to keep the peace and minimize boredom, most parents rely heavily on tablets, phones, and in-flight movies. They do this with good reason - screens can be very effective at keeping behavior in check. Unfortunately, for kids with ADHD, long stretches of screen time can have negative effects on their attention and behavior for hours (and sometimes days) after the journey is over. Many kids with ADHD have difficulty regulating their attention around screens. They become hyper-focused when theyre watching a show or playing videogames, but when the screen is taken away struggle to transition to another activity. In fact, research shows that some kids with ADHD continue to crave screen time for hours after they have spent a significant amount of time in front of screens. For these kids, taking the device away at the end of the trip can lead to meltdowns and outbursts, as well as seemingly constant begging for more screen time during the entire vacation. Not an ideal way to start off your family holiday! So, what should parents do? If your child struggles with regulating his or her attention and transitions around screen time, then keeping videogames and movies off limits during the trip is your best option. If this doesnt feel manageable or realistic, then follow these three guidelines to keeping screen-related disruptions to a minimum: Limit screen sessions to 30 minutes. Keeping your childs screen sessions relatively short, with longer screen-free breaks in between, will help your child regulate his or her attention. He or she will have an easier time transitioning off the screens, and he or she should have fewer screen time cravings after the trip. Create a screen schedule and stick to it. Plan out times when screens will be allowed and share this schedule with your child ahead of time. Keep track of screen session time by using the timer on your phone (its very easy to lose track and accidentally allow your child a much longer session then was planned). Do the same for the time between screen sessions. This way, when your child asks you when he or she can have the device back you can simply tell him or her to check the timer. Reward your child. If your child is not used to having limits around screen time, then adjusting to a schedule may be challenging. Acknowledge this when you discuss the schedule and your expectations with him or her ahead of time. Let your child know that he or she will earn a reward at the end of the trip if he or she keeps a positive attitude while sticking to the schedule. Make sure to praise him or her along the way and let him or her know that he or she is well on the way to earning a reward. Wondering what you should do to keep your child entertained in between screen sessions? The best activities are those that your child is able to look forward to and feel excited about. So, start by asking him or her to come up with some ideas. Bring some of your own ideas to the table too. Look for special activities that your child doesnt typically have an opportunity to do every day, to keep the novelty and interest high. Here are a few ideas to get you started: No Mess Creative Toys. No mess creative toys and art supplies, like molding and sculpting Wikki Sticks (wikkistix.com), Travel Spirograph (www.originalspirograph.com/), and dot art created with inexpensive school supply stickers (https://tinyurl.com/yb9f276d), can keep kids entertained for hours. Mad Libs. Mad Libs (http://www.madlibs.com/) fill in the blank stories will have everyone laughing, and will help the time fly by. Comic Books and Graphic Novels. If your child is a resistant reader, then reading a chapter book during a long car or plan ride isnt going to seem like an appealing activity. Instead, substitute with graphic novels or comic books. Many kids wish they could choose graphic novels or comic books as their assigned reading during school year, so having the opportunity to pick them as their vacation reads will feel like a treat. This family vacation, keep screen time to a minimum and fill the time with fun activities that your kids will enjoy. With a little planning and creativity, your vacation will be off to a great start this year! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.