Hello Friends,
Happy New Year! Another year dawns full of possibilities. I don't know if you are like me, but I love blank pieces of paper because anything I can imagine, I can write down or draw a picture of it and glimpse an exciting future. If you make resolutions for a new year, you are taking part in a long history. Humans have been making such self-declarations for many centuries! Read all about them in our feature article for January, "New Year's Resolutions for 2023."
Speaking about New Year's resolutions, trying something new is always a good way to get started. With the help of our bonus article for January you can do just that: "Try a New Recipe in 2023: Potato Chip Cookies." Yum!
I love my job — in no small part because I get to read so many wonderful books. This month you can get a tantalizing glimpse of the novella I picked up over the holidays. Take a look at our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Jonathan Livingston Seagull"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
New Year's Resolutions for 2023
It’s a new month and a new year! We long for a blank slate, a do-over, and so create resolutions for ourselves in hopes of changing an undesirable behavior, accomplishing a goal, or continuing a good practice in order to live a better life. This is what many of us, all over the world, set out for ourselves on January 1st.
How did this once-a-year practice start? According to Wikipedia, the Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus. During medieval times, the knights would take a “peacock vow” to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. Many Christian churches hold “watchnight” or Covenant Renewal services on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and during these gatherings build prayers and resolutions into the liturgy. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, one reflects on one’s wrongdoings over the past year, seek and offer forgiveness, and reflect on self-improvement for the year ahead.
A medieval knight taking a "peacock vow."
Mentions of these New Year’s resolutions can be found as early as 1671 in the diary of religious writer Anne Halkett in Walker’s Hibernian Magazine back in 1802. The complete phrase “new year resolutions” was found in a Boston newspaper on January 1, 1813 which read “And yet, I believe there are multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behavior, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate and wipe away all their former faults.”
Do people really make these New Year’s resolutions or is this all hype? Yes they do! At the end of the Great Depression, nearly a quarter of all Americans reported that they follow this tradition. At the start of the 21st century, approximately 40% to 50% joined in.
But just how successful are we? It turns out that 46% of all people who made common New Year’s resolutions were likely to succeed if the resolution is made at the beginning of January, over ten times as many as those that decide to make life changes at other times of the year. The key is to set realistic and specific goals, track your progress, and to avoid setting too many resolutions.
So have you decided what your New Year’s resolutions will be for 2023? Here is a list of some life affirming, life improving, achievable ideas for you. Remember though, just pick a few!
Vow to be more organized this year
Drink more water
Move more, sit less
Make plans to take a mini adventure
Prioritize eco-friendly choices
Volunteer more often
Volunteering can be an activity for the whole family.
Adopt an attitude of gratitude
Send handwritten letters
Spend 5 minutes a day cleaning
Call parents/siblings/grandparents more often
Live simply, consume less
Perfect one recipe
Turn on music instead of the TV
Try something new
Floss every day
Ditch one bad habit
Create a bedtime routine
Get in touch with your creative side
2023 is a great year to rediscover your creativity.
Make time for self-care
Embrace spontaneity
Use To Do Lists
Clean out your inbox
Take a 24-hour break from social media every month
Take time to appreciate your accomplishments
Make coffee at home more often to save money
Start a journal
Clean out your closet
Go meatless on Mondays
Make a new friend
Friendship makes life wonderful.
Keep a notepad next to your bed for ideas that come to you at night
Start your morning with a stretching routine
Practice the do-it-now rule (avoid procrastination)
Double the amount of time you spend outside
Wear sunscreen daily
Put a kit of essentials in your car (jumper cables, blanket, phone charger, etc)
Organize your photos
Delete unused apps on your phone
Put your phone away an hour before bed
Watch documentaries
Send thank-you cards
Lower your daily sugar intake
Read at least one book each month
Get an annual checkup
Balance your checkbook daily
Do an act of kindness weekly
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop
Try a New Recipe in 2023: Potato Chip Cookies
We all love chocolate chip cookies, right? Here’s a recipe we bet you’ve not tried before. Sweet, salty, crunch on the outside and chewy on the inside. You’re going to love these Potato Chip Cookies!
Tip: While we may prefer thinner chips for casual snacking, we recommend a sturdier variety, such as a kettle chip, for this recipe. This type of chip will hold its own when folded into the batter, helping to create that chewy center we’re looking for, and the pieces on the outside will stay crisper for longer too.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
2/3 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
2 3/4 c. crushed kettle-style potato chips, divided
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat brown sugar, butter, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Beat in egg and vanilla until combined, then reduce speed to low and beat in dry ingredients until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and 2 cups potato chips. Cover bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.
Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place remaining 3/4 cup potato chips in a small flat dish.
Scoop dough into balls about 3 tablespoons each. Roll in potato chips, gently pressing to adhere. Arrange on prepared sheets, spacing about 1" apart. With a clean palm, flatten balls into pucks about 2 1/2" in diameter.
Bake cookies, rotating sheets top to bottom and back to front after 7 minutes, until puffed and golden brown around the edges, 11 to 14 minutes.
Let sit 2 minutes on baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
What Is Betty Reading? Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Prior to the Christmas holiday, I looked through my alphabetized bookcase to decide which books I was going to read during my time off. Quickly the novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach jumped out at me. I do not know when or how I acquired this well-kept 1973 version of the book, but as soon as I picked it up, I was brought back to my high school days!
The book is a short story interspersed with pictures of seagulls in flight. It sends the message that we can all be more than we think we can, as long as we believe in ourselves.
Since reading the book, I have learned that in 2013 Bach added a fourth part to it after he had a near-death experience in 2012. I have not read it yet, but I plan to in the new year!
Letter from Betty for December 2022
Hello Friends,
Deck the halls with books a-plenty, fa la la la lah, la la la lah! For the young avid reader, there is no gift more magical than a new book. So with gift-giving in mind for this holiday season we offer a selection of great 2022 titles in our feature article for December, "Great Books of 2022 for Teens and Kids."
And while you're feeling the spirit of giving, we have a gift suggestion you can assemble and decorate yourself in our bonus article for December: "You Can Do It! Hot Cocoa Gift Jar." Yum!
They say if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life. I think of that saying every time I sit down to read a great book for my work as a tutor. Find out what I've been enjoying recently in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? The Things They Carried."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep. Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Best Books of 2022 for Teens and Kids
Still doing your holiday shopping? Here are some recommendations for 2022’s Best Books For Teens, and Best Books For Kids, from the New York Public Library.
Best Books for Teens 2022
Crumbs, by Danie Stirling
Ray, a talented seer who dreams of being on the ruling council, falls in love with Laurie, a barista at an enchanted bakery who aspires to be a musician. Can they chase their dreams together even if that pushes them apart?
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, by Axie Oh
In this Korean folktale–inspired read, Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God to save her family and discovers a world of magic, deceit, and love.
The Last Session Vol 1: Roll for Initiative, by Jasmine Walls
What happens when a bumbling newcomer joins the never-finished D&D campaign that brought this tight-knit friend group together all those years ago? A romping tale of adventure, magic, and the messiness of growing up—but not apart.
Unretouchables, by Sofia Szamosi
In a world dominated by influencers and impossible beauty standards, Olive's internship makes her question her morals and the authenticity of everything around her.
Wandance, by Coffee
Kabu has always flown under the radar because of his stutter... but when he sees carefree classmate Wanda dance, he's inspired to try this new way to express himself. Together, who knows how high they'll fly.
What The Fact?: Finding the Truth in all the Noise, by Dr. Seema Yasmin
What is a "fact"? Is TikTok a reliable source? How do you win that argument with your uncle about if the moon landing was real? Do you really know what you think you do? Discover all the answers in this fascinating guide.
Best Books for Kids 2022
Days Like This, by Oriane Smith
From a beautiful poetic introduction to an ending that may pleasantly surprise readers, this charming and extraordinarily detailed picture book presents experiences in nature from two perspectives.
Every Dog in the Neighborhood, by Phillip C Stead
How do you survey a neighborhood to determine if it already has enough dogs? Follow Louis and his grandma in this door-to-door adventure, where readers will discover new details and humor with every read.
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza, by Mac Barnett
A mind-bending, laugh-out-loud story about a cat, a toenail-clipping robot, and a lunar princess who are tasked with saving the moon from being eaten by a sea of rats. Will the moon be saved in time? Will the cat ever get a slice?
Sir Ladybug, by Cory R Tabor
What's all the buzz about? It's Sir Ladybug, a beetle always looking for his next heroic quest!
The Wolf Suit, by Sid Sharp
Terrified of the rumored wolves in the woods, Bellweather the sheep makes himself a wolf costume to blend in and enjoy berry picking in peace. When his plan begins to unravel, he realizes things may not be exactly what they seem.
Yoshi and The Ocean, by Lindsay Moore
"Hello from Yoshi. I am here." Yoshi the sea turtle is rescued as a baby, but after years of rehabilitation she is tagged and released into the ocean, where she follows her instinct to her natural home. This true story features powerful images of nature and survival.
You Can Do It! Hot Cocoa Gift Jar
Here’s the perfect, hand-made gift that is fun to make and fun to give! The ingredients are readily available in your grocery store, and you’ll find 4-ounce mason jars in your local craft store, along with any items you might like to use to decorate them.
Ingredients / Supplies
4 4-ounce mason jars
1/2 cup instant dried milk or coffee creamer
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
48 mini marshmallows
1/4 cup crushed candy canes (optional)
Instructions
1. In each of the four 4-ounce mason jars, layer in ingredients in this order:
2 Tablespoons dried milk or coffee creamer (bottom)
Pinch of salt
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Tablespoon granulated white sugar
1 Tablespoon chocolate chips
Sprinkle of crushed candy canes (optional)
12 marshmallows
Each item should have its own layer. (Don't mix or shake!)
Gently tap to get the ingredients to settle, if needed.
You can also add different layer or change up the ingredients:
- Dark chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
2. Place lid on mason jar and seal.
3. Add a handmade label with the following:
HOT COCOA IN A JAR
- Pour mix from this jar into a mug.
- Add 1 cup of boiling water.
- Stir and enjoy!
4. Decorate your homemade jar gift with ribbons, twine, candy canes,
chocolate or peppermint stir sticks/spoons.
What Is Betty Reading? The Things They Carried
I am currently rereading Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. If you have not read this book yet, please do so. Using both fiction and nonfiction, O'Brien chronicles the literal as well as figurative belongings he and those in his platoon carry to and throughout the Vietnam War. I am currently reading it with a high school junior, but it speaks to those in upper middle school and adulthood.
Letter from Betty for November 2022
Hello Friends,
One of the great comforts of life is a good night's sleep. But there are many obstacles to achieving this simple pleasure, especially during the teen years. Read about the importance of sleep and how teens can improve their night-time rest in our feature article for November, "Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?"
To learn unusual and fascinating tidbits about sleep and dreams, take a look at our bonus article for November, "Did You Know? Facts About Sleep." Dream on!
I love my job — in no small part because I get to read so many wonderful books. This month you can get a tantalizing glimpse of some great short stories I am digging into in our special feature, "What Is Betty Reading? Three Short Stories."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
Is Your Teen Getting Enough Sleep?
It turns out that, although the teen stereotype has them sleeping weekend mornings away and catching naps on the couch whenever they get the chance, the reality is that teens probably are not getting an adequate number of hours of good sleep. With increases in homework, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs, it’s difficult for them to get to bed before 11 p.m. Add to that early school start times, the stress to perform well in their studies, social pressures, and hours of internet use, and chronic sleep deprivation may be a real issue that needs a parent’s attention.
Without adequate sleep, a teenager's day-to-day functioning is greatly affected. They may be vulnerable to an increased level of depression, struggle with sleepiness in class, poor concentration, problems with cognition, memory, or understanding, emotion regulation, and impulse control. All of this could lead to issues involving poor decision-making, risky behaviors, and behavior or temperament changes.
Sleep deprivation may also affect their grades. A 1998 study from the College of the Holy Cross and Brown University Medical School, found that students who received lower grades got about 25 minutes less sleep and went to bed 40 minutes later than students who were earning A’s and B’s.
And just to add one more scary scenario, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drowsiness and fatigue cause more than 100,000 traffic accidents each year, and teens are the drivers in more than half of those crashes.
So how much is enough? Believe it or not, teens need 9 to 9½ hours each night. That’s an hour more than was needed at age 10. The reason? Teens are going through a new stage of cognitive maturation, their brain is developing, and they’re going through physical changes and growth spurts as well.
High school and college-age students may also experience trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or even have some insomnia due to anxiety and the daily stressors they experience in this new stage of their lives. Other causes could include chronic pain from injuries or growth spurts, changes in hormones, or the side effect of medications.
There are several strategies teens can implement into their bedtime routine to help them settle down, calm a racing mind, and hopefully get a good night’s sleep? Here are a few suggestions:
At the end of the day, take 10 minutes and make a to-do list. Doing a short brain dump like this will eliminate the need to hold on to these thoughts overnight and reduce the stress of possibly forgetting something important.
Turn off all screens and allow yourself respite from not only the information overload that comes with internet use, but also blue light that is emitted from them, which has been shown to cause sleep depreivation issues.
Eat a light carbohydrate snack before heading to bed. Avoid high protein or highly processed foods which can actually stimulate the brain by causing a release of norepinephrine. Instead, reach for popcorn or crackers, which releases serotonin, a sleep hormone in your brain.
Once in bed, read a book or listen to a podcast for about 20 minutes. Audio books are great too since you won’t have to turn on a light, and you can rest your eyes.
Consider trying a white noise, or brown noise machine. It may help to create a relaxing environment.
Focus on breathing. Sounds too simple, right? It actually takes some concentration to really focus on your breathing, and that concentration is good because it will direct focus rather than letting the mind wander. Deep, slow breathing can also slow the heart rate, which will help if dealing with anxiety or the stress of the day. Suggestion: try yogic breathing: breathe in through the nose for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, gently exhale through the mouth for 8 counts. Just a few of those cycles will calm and soothe.
Did You Know? Facts About Sleep
Interesting facts about sleep from the Sleep Matters Club at Dreams.co.uk:
12% of people dream entirely in black and white. Before color TV, only 15% dreamed in color.
Two-thirds of a cat’s life is spent asleep.
A giraffe only needs 1.9 hours of sleep a day, whereas a brown bat needs 19.9 hours a day.
Humans spend 1/3 of their life sleeping.
The record for the longest period without sleep is 11 days.
It’s not uncommon for people who were born deaf to use sign language in their sleep.
Dysania is the state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning. (Yes, there’s a name for it!)
Parasomnia is a term that refers to unnatural movements during your sleep. Some people have even committed crimes including sleep driving.
The sensation of falling when half asleep and jerking yourself awake is called “hypnic jerks.”
Up to 15% of the population are sleepwalkers. Btw, it’s a myth that you shouldn’t wake someone who is sleepwalking.
People who were born blind experience dreams involving things such as emotion, sound, and smell, rather than sight.
Within 5 minutes of waking up, 50% of your dreams are forgotten. After an additional 5 minutes, 90% is gone.
Pain tolerance is reduced by sleep deprivation. Scientists are not sure why this is the case.
41% of the population sleeps in a fetal position.
Ideally, falling asleep at night should take you 10-15 minutes.
Humans are the only mammals that willingly delay sleep.
Sleeping on your front can aid digestion.
Fear is said not to be the main emotion in nightmares. Researchers found that it’s most often feelings of sadness, guilt, and confusion.
What Is Betty Reading? Three Short Stories
To help a student with a project, I am reading several short stories that have been assigned to her. Together we will read and annotate each story and then choose two to compare and contrast. The stories we are reading include:
The Tell Tale Heart, by Edgar Allan Poe
You, Disappearing, by Alexandra Kleeman
War of the Clowns, by Mia Couto
Three short stories that send their own message. Try reading all three and think about which ones you would want to analyze.
Letter from Betty for October 2022
Hello Friends,
It seems there isn't any one single moment when we stop being a child to become an adult. In fact, most of us spend a lifetime learning how to be adults. This perspective is important as we give our love and support to our teenage children during their preparations to leave the nest and fly away to college. Learn more about teen preparedness for adult life in our feature article for October, "Is Your Teen Ready for College?"
Of course there is an alternative to your teen rushing straight from high school to college. Consider the wise advice in our bonus article for this month, "Benefits of a Gap Year."
Riddle: What is romantic, funny, and sometimes sad? Answer: The Sweet Island Inn book series by novelist Grace Palmer. Learn more about it in this month's "What Is Betty Reading?"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
What Is Betty Reading? Sweet Island Inn book series
As summer turns to fall, one of my college students and I are finishing up our beach reads. We have been enjoying Grace Palmer's Sweet Island Inn. A romantic, funny and at times sad series of books that takes place in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Palmer identifies the struggles a family goes through living on the island. As my student and I finish this final book, we are somewhat disheartened, but look forward to reading Palmer’s next series of books, Willow Beach Inn. Grace Palmer’s novels describe portraits of love and loss against an emotional backdrop of family, friendship, motherhood, and marriage.
Is Your Teen Ready for College?
Not every teen is going to be ready for college upon high school graduation, so if your child struggled during his school years, you may be right to take a good look before leaping. After all, it’s perfectly normal that some 17- or 18-year-olds may just not be ready to strike out on their own into the rigors of college life.
Consider:
Maturity Level
Just as children don’t grow at the same rate physically, They do not mature at the same rate. We certainly do not want to send our children off to college before they are mature enough to handle life in the real world. Some teens need a little more time before they are ready to handle independent living as well as the academic challenges they will be facing in college.
Life Skills
Parents have spent 18 years doing for, caring for, and providing for thier children, but to be successful in college they are going to have to function independently. Amongst other things, they have to take care of basic needs, manage time, do laundry, shop for food and prepare meals, and build enough study time into their day. All activites that have been managed for them.
Ask yourself these questions: Does my child get out of bed in time for school each day without my nagging? Does my teen build study time into each day without being told to do so? Does my teen respect the curfews and other rules of the house and have the discipline to get done what needs to be done?
College applications and deadline
If it hasn't already happened, you’re going to be immersed into a world of challenging requirements when it comes to college applications, and your children need to be responsible for the bulk of the work. It’s important that your high-schooler leads the way in researching schools, deciding which schools to apply to, getting together everything needed for the applications, and meeting the deadlines. There are very real skills needed when planning, managing time, and making decisions, and all hint at how successful the transition to college will be.
If after reading the above, you have concerns about your children's readiness, do not be dismayed. Have a discussion with them; engage in a healthy back-and-forth talk about college readiness. Speak frankly about their desires and concerns. You also need to raise the issue of areas of concern that you have, particularly those that may have been mentioned in the preceding paragraphs.
Above all, understand that taking a year before jumping into a four-year college might be the best decision. An extra year to develop better independent skills and to be ready for higher learning can be important to their academic success once they get there.
Other Options
Consider a 2 year/live at home community college. Many 4-year colleges and universities accept classwork and degrees from these 2-year schools when rolling into their 4-year programs. That easily amounts to both time and money well spent.
Your children might also consider enrolling in a technical program, where learning applied skills can prepare them for fields requiring knowledge of specific machinery, technology, craftsmanship, or programming. There are many high-demand, high-paying professions and, like the community college route, they are stay-at-home 2-year options.
“Gap Year” Option!
Taking a year off between high school and college can be the perfect answer for some teens. During this time, they work, volunteer, and travel, while building life skills, saving some money, and gaining maturity before heading out on their own.
We offer up more information about the “gap year” in our bonus article for this month, "Benefits of a Gap Year" - see below.
There is a lot to think about, but if you feel like your children could use an extra year before jumping into college, consider the above options. After all, in the end, success and happiness is what we want for our teens, and we want to arm them with the necessary skills.
Benefits of a Gap Year
The Gap Year Association defines this time as “a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or post-secondary education, in order to deepen one’s practical, professional, and personal awareness.” Unfortunately, this time is often thought of as an opportunity for slacking off and carrying a risk of never returning to the school environment. However, these ideas are far from the truth.
Facts:
90% of gap year students enroll in a four-year college within one year of their break
Studies show that taking a gap year is tied to increases in college GPAs
94% of those who spent their time abroad said it helped them communicate with people from other backgrounds
93% reported an increased interest in other cultures
84% said time abroad helped them learn new skills that helped them become more successful in their work.
77% shared that their gap year helped them find their purpose in life
75% said it helped them find a job
73% beleived it helped them better prepare for college
Other benefits:
Taking a gap year can help to determine goals before selecting a college major or career path, thus saving tens of thousands of dollars “finding yourself” while in college.
A gap year can broaden your teen’s horizons as they learn about “real life” in the “real world”
If travel is the goal for the year, young people can get cheap economy tickets, stay in inexpensive hostels, and join work/study/volunteer abroad programs.
My Impressions of the Executive Functioning On-Line Summit
Over the summer I had the pleasure of attending a free three-day Executive Functioning On-Line Summit organized by Seth Perler. This free seminar was designed for proactive and compassionate parents and teachers of struggling students of all ages. There were 10 1-hour sessions a day with well known and respected educators, psychologists and doctors. Listed below are the names of the most interesting contributors and paraphrased tidbits from their presentation:
1. Eric Tivers: “EF and Self-Awareness, Productivity, Tips and Tricks”
Website - ADHD Rewired
Tidbit - Sometimes easy things are very hard for ADHD kids. For example, remembering to close a door or put a period at the end of a sentence can be difficult to remember.
2. Debbie Steinberg Kuntz: “College Transitions with EF Challenges”
Website - Bright and Quirky
Tidbit- When teaching someone something new, use the I Do, We Do, You Do approach. Show them how to do it, do it with them and then have them do it on their own (when they are ready).
3. Bob Dietrich and Alma Galvin: “How to help your child Naturally Overcome ADHD Challenges”
Website - Creative Brain Worx
Tidbit - When we (as educators) are comfortable, our child leans into us (literally & figuratively), but when we are stressed, they move away from us (literally and figuratively).
4. Sean McCormick: “Three Keys to Fostering EF Skills at School and Home”
Website - EF Specialist
Tidbit - Don’t SHOULD on students. In other words, don’t tell them what they SHOULD do, help them to realize and accept what they SHOULD do.
5. Adele Diamond: “EF: A Thorough Explanation into how to support EF Needs”
Website - Devcogneuro.com
Tidbit - When spending time with a child, the quality of your listening is more important than the wisdom of your words. See, hear and understand them!
6. Gretchen Wegner: “How To Actually Study Creatively with EF Challenges”
Website - Gretchwegner.com
Tidbit - Hone it until you own it. (Work on your skills until you own them!)
7. Leslie Josel: “How to do it Now: Tips and Tools to Help Students with EF Challenges”
Power through Procrastination Website - Order out of Chaos
Tidbit - Allow your child to make choices-even WRONG choices. They need to know that the older they get the more control they have in their life and that there are consequences for poor choices. (However, as parents set some parameters.)
8. Dr. Lynette Willis: “Transforming Triggers and Increasing Connection Through Self-Awareness”
Website - DrLWillis.com
Tidbit - Engage your child in conversation about their learning, ask their opinion on how certain situations should be handled. They will appreciate that you asked their opinions.
Letter from Betty for September 2022
Hello Friends,
Attention parents of students transitioning into high school: You are not alone! Our feature article this month will help you cope with the many issues and challenges this educational shift brings. Please take a look at "A Smooth Transition To High School" and empower yourself with helpful tips and tactics.
Being organized is a great feeling. A place for everything and everything in it's place. And one of the best and simplest tricks of an organizational system is the use of color. Learn more about this multi-hued strategy in our bonus article for September, "Getting Organized: Color Coding."
I love my work, in no small part because I read so many amazing books! You can learn about one of the books on my reading list, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil in a new special feature, "What is Betty Reading?"
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, as well as assistance in overcoming or coping with Executive Function Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability.
Please call 610-207-7811 or email betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
A Smooth Transition To High School
If your is child transitioning to high school, read the thoughts and ideas listed below.
This transition brings with it many uncertainties for students and parents. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when many parents decide to become less involved in their children’s education because their teens are more independent. It is important to let your children make their own decisions, but you still want to be involved in their education. Staying involved can greatly influence your children’s success and confidence, helping them to dive into all the new experiences that come along in the upper grades, as well as building new friendships and setting high expectations for success, in school, in their extracurricular activities, and in life in general.
The first day of school is right around the corner; here's what can you do right now to help with the transition?
Talk with other parents and students about their high school experiences, and find out from them what clubs, teams, activities, and other extra curriculars are available and recommended.
Sit down together and check out the school’s web site.
Ask your teens about their expectations for high school, help them to set high and realistic goals.
Tell your children about your own hopes for their future.
Attend open house, parent orientations, and planning meetings where courses will be chosen.
Encourage your children to meet new people, try a new club or activity (sports, music, art, etc) and develop relationships with students that have those similar interests.
Be aware of your own expectations for a smooth transition and remember that the adjustment will take some time. If your children see that you have confidence in them, they will have a positive outlook as well.
Make sure that your teens know that they can talk to you about any anxieties or questions they may have, and when they do, listen without judgement. Maybe even share your own experiences with similar situations back when you were in high school. Remember to acknowledge accomplishments and give praise of past successes. This will not only make them feel good, but will show them that the door is open to talk. Communication is important right now.
If you are concerned that your teens' anticipation might be causing their anxiety level to be running a bit too high, understand that their reaction is pretty normal with such a big change on the horizon. Equip them with stress reduction techniques: daily meditation, yoga, dancing, progressive muscle relaxation, and positive self-talk, amongst other soothing activities, can help to reduce those butterflies.
We hope that these ideas and tactics are helpful to you. The high school years are important and we want both you and your teens to embrace them with confidence and excitement. Happy first day of school!
Getting Organized: Color Coding
Your rising high schoolers are going to have to juggle a lot this year. There are multiple subjects, teachers, assignments, schedules, notices, and so on, and keeping them all straight might be a challenge. If your teen could use a little help getting things organized, doing so right from day one is important. Below is a tool that might be helpful to your student and to you too! Who couldn’t benefit from being a little more organized!
Purchase a 3-ring binder for each subject, a set of stacking desk-top files, colored paper, colored sticky notes, and a set of colored markers.
Select one color for each subject that your teen will be studying, and insert a sheet of that color into the cover of a binder and a strip of the same color into the spine of that binder. If your student is using just one binder for all subjects, create a different section for each subject and use the same color coordinating system as above. For example, history is yellow, math is green, science is blue, etc. If allowed, cover each text book in the same coordinating color.
Next, set the stacking files on your student’s desk and add a strip of each color to the front of each file, so that there is a rainbow of files that coordinate with each differently colored subject binder. Your teens can keep everything related to that subject in the same color file, such as hand-outs, notices, assignments, etc.
Colored sticky notes and colored markers can be used to create subject tags in planners, to attach to a calendar, to a bulletin board over the desk, or any other means used to keep track of due dates or other important reminders. Just remember to use the coordinating color for each subject.
If your children are using a laptop, tablet or other device rather than a textbook or workbook, simply change font colors or even file colors, just use the same coordinating color for each subject.
This system will take a wee bit of work to set up initially, but once in place it can be a really handy way to stay organized throughout the year and a super simple way of finding things quickly.