5 Reasons to Build Communication Skills in Kids
What is one benefit of improved communication skills in kids? Kids don’t automatically grow into great communicators; they learn it through practice, guidance, and example. Every chat, question, and story shared helps shape how they’ll express themselves, connect with others, and thrive in school and life. Building communication skills in kids comes with great benefits. Summary: Communication isn’t just talking. It’s thinking, relating, and leading. When we intentionally nurture these skills, we give kids confidence, empathy, and a voice that will serve them for life. Use these easy activities to build communication skills in kids. Jump to Section Communication skills in kids are one of the basic foundations of life. It’s the exchange of information to tell us they are hungry, tired, worried, or excited, and all the nuances in between. We often assume kids will “just pick up” how to communicate as they grow. After all, talking seems so natural. But strong communication isn’t automatic; it’s a learned skill that shapes how children think, connect, and succeed. From their first words to their first job interview, parents are helping kids build bridges and skills in communication. Every conversation is a building block for how a child learns to express…
10 Tips for Setting Up a Tutoring Space
Would you rather tutor in a home office or the dining room table? Setting up a tutoring space that’s organized, quiet, and comfortable helps you teach more effectively and create a professional learning environment for your students. Here’s how it can look. TL;DR: Setting up a tutoring space that’s quiet, well-lit, and organized helps you create a professional environment where students stay focused and learning thrives, whether you tutor at home, online, or on the go. Jump to Section If you’re starting or growing your tutoring business, one of the first things to consider is where you’ll teach. Whether you’re meeting students in person or working online, setting up a tutoring space that’s organized, comfortable, and professional makes a huge difference, not only for your students’ learning but also for your confidence and focus as a tutor. Below are some of my favorite tips to help you create a tutoring environment that supports success, wherever you teach. Setting Up a Tutoring Space at Home 1. Choose a Quiet, Distraction-Free Area Find a spot away from TV noise, traffic sounds, or busy family spaces. A quiet environment helps both you and your students concentrate and stay on task. 2. Prioritize Good…
The Surprising Benefits of Online Tutoring for Tutors and Families
Would you rather have an online tutor or in person? Do you ever feel like you’re running a taxi service for your kids? From school and sports to after-school activities and tutoring sessions, the endless driving can leave you exhausted. But what if you could get all the academic support your child needs without ever leaving the house? Online tutoring isn’t for everyone, but for me and my clients, the benefits of online tutoring have been a game-changer. My full-time teaching job wasn’t flexible enough to accommodate the demands of being in the “sandwich generation,” a role many of us find ourselves in today. I was constantly balancing the needs of my older kids and my aging parents, needing an hour here and there for a doctor’s appointment or a school performance. I didn’t need to take a full day off, but that was often my only option. Online tutoring has been the perfect solution for me, and I’ve found it’s a solution that works for busy families, too. So, what are the benefits of online tutoring for everyone involved? I’ve seen them firsthand, and they’re more than just convenience. For Busy Families: Less Stress, More Flexibility No More Commuting:…
Help – What to Do If Your Kid Doesn’t Like Reading
Would you rather read a chapter book or a magazine? As a lifelong book lover, it’s hard for me to imagine not enjoying a good story or losing myself in a book. But as a tutor, I hear it all the time: “My kid doesn’t like reading.” Parents are often frustrated, unsure how to encourage their children without turning reading into a battle. Here’s the good news: most kids who say they don’t like reading simply haven’t found the right kind of material yet. Notice that word yet. Just like finding a favorite food, sport, or hobby, discovering a love for reading takes exposure, experimentation, and patience. Why Your Child Says He or She “Doesn’t Like Reading” If your child doesn’t like reading, it may not be because they dislike stories or learning. Instead, they may have: Only been exposed to one kind of text (like chapter books). Struggled with reading comprehension or fluency. Associated reading with schoolwork or tests instead of fun. Not yet discovered a topic or format that excites them. The truth is, every child can enjoy reading; it’s just a matter of finding the right doorway. Expand the Definition of Reading When we think about “reading,”…
10 Tips on How to use an Agenda
What is the read, write, read, write method for homework agendas or planners? Not every student knows how to use an agenda or planner. Or how to use an agenda well. Time management and organization are life skills that are important to teach students. Before a student can understand how to plan out projects, they must first know how to do the basics. Many of my tutoring clients tell me they do not need an agenda because they can just look at the list of assignments on a website, but this does not teach them time management skills, nor does it help them chunk large projects into manageable pieces. Neither are most students capable of keeping all that info “in my head” as their main strategy for remembering all their homework assignments, but I do hear that option quite a bit! I find that sometimes we expect students to automatically know how to use their agenda, and we mean more than just copying down the word “homework” in today’s calendar box. To help students, I created a printable with 10 tips on how to use an agenda for beginners and the easy-to-remember “read, write, read, write” method. For a simple…
The Art of Asking Questions: How to Develop Critical Thinking in Kids
What do you value more – a good grade or a well written paper? The art of asking questions is one of the most valuable tools we can give children to help them grow into confident, thoughtful, and capable individuals. As parents and tutors, we all want to develop critical thinking in kids, but it doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with curiosity, and curiosity begins with questions. If you have a child in the younger years, you might be hearing a lot of questions already! When kids are encouraged to ask good questions, they begin to understand the world more deeply. This habit leads to better academic performance, stronger relationships, and more independent thinking. The best part? You don’t need a classroom or curriculum to begin. Everyday conversations at the dinner table, in the car, or during tutoring sessions provide rich opportunities to nurture critical thinking. Why Asking Questions Builds Thinking Skills At its core, critical thinking is the ability to process information thoughtfully rather than passively. Children naturally ask questions when they’re curious, but over time, that instinct can fade, often due to pressure to find the “right” answer. The art of asking questions helps kids shift from…
5 Ways to Build Executive Function Skills During Summer Break
Would you rather sort digital files or make dinner? Summer break offers a great opportunity to build executive function skills in a low-stress environment. Executive function includes a set of mental skills, including planning, organization, time management, emotional regulation, and flexibility, that are essential for learning and living. With the right strategies and encouragement, middle and high school students can use the summer months to sharpen these skills and prepare for a strong school year ahead. The launching years with teenage children are the perfect time to teach them to cope with the challenges around them. Let’s explore five key areas of executive function and practical at-home suggestions to support growth in each. 1. Planning Setting goals and figuring out steps to achieve them. Without a plan, summer can slip away. Older students can benefit from helping to structure their time, balancing responsibilities, and relaxing. At-Home Ideas: Weekly Goal-Setting Journal: Encourage your child to write two or three goals each week and identify action steps for each. Reflect on progress every Sunday. In the beginning, this may take more input from parents or tutors. Summer Project Plan: Choose a summer-long project (learning an instrument, planning a small business*, organizing…
My Affordable Summer Reading Strategies
How can you get your child to read more this summer? Many parents are searching for summer reading strategies that are practical and affordable, yet many families do not set aside time to read for pleasure. How about your family? Do you have books sitting out in your living room? Do you take regular trips to the library or bookstore? Do you read for fun? Recent research highlights significant benefits of children reading for pleasure, linking it to enhanced vocabulary, improved reading skills, and overall cognitive development. You can make a few easy changes to your summer and help your child improve their reading skills and reading enjoyment now and in the future. Long-Term Academic Advantages Children who engage in reading for pleasure tend to perform better on cognitive tests and achieve higher academic success in adolescence. This correlation emphasizes the role of early reading habits in long-term educational outcomes, and summer is the perfect time to put this into action. Despite the clear advantages, there’s a concerning decline in children’s reading for pleasure. A 2024 survey by the National Literacy Trust reported that only 34.6% of children aged 8 to 18 enjoy reading in their free time—the lowest in…
Ignite Learning with My Printable Escape Rooms for Kids
How do you get kids off their screens and into discussions with peers? As a teacher and tutor, I know the struggle is real. Whether you’re a parent looking for engaging activities, a tutor needing fresh ways to connect with students, or a teacher searching for that perfect lesson or sub plan, keeping kids truly engaged and thinking critically can be a challenge. That’s exactly why I create Printable Escape Rooms for Kids – activities that spark critical thinking, teamwork, and reading comprehension in the most fun way possible! Common puzzle types for printable escape rooms for kids are rebus, atbash, word scramble, final four, combination locks, sequencing, comprehension, polybius, hidden pictures, maps, matching, jigsaw, codes, number turns, cipher, and maze. For me, making them is almost as fun as playing them! 🔥Printable Escape Rooms for Kids Forget the complicated setups. My escape rooms are designed for super simple print-and-play. Just print the pages, grab some pencils, and you’re ready to go in minutes. But don’t worry, I also include tips for making them a bit harder, even turning them into a fun scavenger hunt around the room! What makes my Printable Escape Rooms a game-changer for you? Educational Powerhouse:…
Reading Fluency vs Reading Comprehension
What’s the difference between reading fluency vs reading comprehension? Reading fluency vs reading comprehension might sound like “teacher talk,” but with a few clear explanations, it becomes easier to understand, spot the differences, and support children in developing both of these foundational reading skills. Many parents assume that if a child can read words out loud, their reading skills must be fine. If they can pronounce a list of grade-level vocabulary, they must be on track. But true reading comprehension goes far beyond saying the words—it’s about understanding, interpreting, and engaging with the text. Without strong comprehension, students often struggle with tests, writing assignments, and thinking critically across subjects. Both reading fluency and comprehension are essential. A child might be strong in one area and weak in the other, and identifying the gap is the first step to helping them grow. What is Reading Fluency? Reading fluency includes the ability to recognize words automatically, use decoding skills, and read with expression. A fluent reader reads smoothly, accurately, and at an appropriate pace. However, fluency doesn’t guarantee comprehension. Some students may read aloud beautifully but have no idea what the text actually means. In tutoring, I often see older students who…