As spring glides toward summer, thoughts of time off, vacations, hanging out with friends and just relaxing can distract kids’ thinking. Some kids will head for summer camp or travel to spend a few weeks with friends or relatives. For some, it’s a chance to ‘catch up’ on reading, math or another subject. But, while […]
What’s the big rush? When the measuring stick is applied to how one child learns compared to another, the pressure mounts for children and their parents. When academic standards are imposed on children too soon, believing that an earlier start means increased accomplishment, children miss out on the joy of learning. The competitive angle of […]
Without creative thinking, nothing new would ever materialize. Without creative thinkers – those brave innovators who forge ahead regardless of criticism or doubt – the world would become unbearably dull and lifeless. So, what is creativity? Can it really be defined? Perhaps it is many different things all in one. Creativity is inventiveness. If you […]
What a difference it makes to have the freedom to “do what you love” without concern of cultural or political implications. Perhaps an educational environment that supports discovery learning, critical thinking and self-knowledge is the bridge to such enlightened education. That is exactly what Yorktown Education offers. Amidst a turbulent public education system that tries […]
If anyone asks you why goals are such a big deal, here’s a great answer: Goals give life to our dreams. Simple, right? Yet setting goals and accomplishing them can be difficult for some people. That’s why it’s a good idea to begin the ‘goal-setting’ habit early in life. After all, goals are what catapult […]
Taking notes in class may seem like the most normal thing to do for some people, but not everyone knows the long-term value. Students who understand the importance of note taking and devise some form of strategy usually excel more often in their classwork. While there are many ways to jot down information while listening […]
Creativity is to learning like ice cream is to cake – they complement each other well. Sadly, too often creativity is tied more to the arts than to academics. The fact is that artistic ability is only a component of creativity. Innovation is a big part of creativity. Having the insight to see that something […]
While learning is the main reason students go to school, it’s not always their highest priority. Friends’ opinions and perspectives rank high with most students, even if they don’t openly own up to it. Peer pressure is considered by most people to be just part of the social learning curve, but new studies shed light […]
Officially it’s called Project-Based Learning or PBL, but it is basically the same thing as good, old-fashioned ‘learning by doing’. Some of the greatest minds in history have been proponents of project-based learning and educators know the value of it in developing critical thinking skills through questioning, research and inquiry. Students retain more from experiencing […]
Grit: Don’t confuse it with that old Western movie or a Southern breakfast corn staple. And it’s more than just a grainy substance found in sand or gravel. So, what is grit? According to psychologist and scholar, Angela Duckworth, grit is the substance of an indomitable spirit; the perseverance and driving passion personified in most […]