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August 17, 2019 | Special Advertising Supplement

SCHOOL Reading can help get kids ready to go back to school

After-school Program Tips for finding the right one for your child

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3 tips for establishing a successful homework area

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A good work environment at home can help kids live up to their academic potential.

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High school students have a lot on their plates. Today’s parents often lament that kids’ schedules are far more hectic than their own schedules were when they were teenagers.

But for many high school students, a familiar foe their parents have no doubt encountered is proving a considerable source of stress.

Homework has long been the bane of high schoolers’ existence. Studies regarding just how much homework is being assigned to teenagers are somewhat outdated, which makes it difficult to determine just how much work kids are being asked to do after school lets out. A 2014 survey from the University of Phoenix found that high school teachers assign, on aver-

age, 3.5 hours of homework per week.

Multiply that figure by five, which is the number of different teachers many high school students have in a typical school day, and the survey concluded that high school students may be expected to complete as much as 17.5 hours of homework per week.

Though the study, which is the only one of its kind to be conducted in recent years, is older, there’s little reason to suspect today’s high school students are being asked to do any less than their predecessors were in 2014.

While parents might not be able to do much to lessen their children’s homework workload, they can take steps to ensure their homes are as

homework-friendly as possible. The following are three ways to do just that.

1. Create a communal homework table.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education notes that youngsters who seem reluctant to do their homework may benefit from doing their afterschool work at a communal table.

With parents nearby, such students may feel less lonely and may be less likely to procrastinate if they know mom or dad are nearby. Students who are not reluctant to do their homework may benefit from working quietly in their bedrooms.

2. Clear the area of distractions.

Distractions like televisions, devices that are not necessary to complete assignments and even younger siblings can make it hard for teenagers to concentrate on their work.

Designate a time each day for home-

work, ensuring that the television is off and that devices have been placed on “Do Not Disturb.” In addition, high school students with younger siblings can expect their brothers and sisters to be finished with their homework first. Make sure youngsters recognize the importance of staying quiet until everyone has finished their homework. Encourage younger siblings to leave the homework area and play quietly or read elsewhere in the home.

3. Include a break between school and homework time.

Much like parents may like a few minutes to unwind when getting home from work at night, kids likely won’t want to dive right into their homework after getting home from school. A break between the school day and homework time can help kids clear their heads so they’re more capable of concentrating when they sit down to do their work.

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Music instruction both in and out of the classroom can be a benefit to young learners. ing to the National Association for Music Education. · The relationship between music and academic performance has been studied for decades. As far back as 1988, studies have been conducted about the benefits of music education. An analysis of data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 demonstrated a significant correlation between participation in school music groups and achievement in math and English.

And a 1996 study published in Nature found first graders who participated in special music classes as part of an arts study program saw their reading skills and math proficiency increase dramatically. · Introducing music lessons to young children can have profound effects on their social development. Music fosters greater trust and cooperation, as well as a sense of community and belonging. · Another benefit of music education is it allows children to harness their creativity and express it in a healthy way. · The music instruction company Music U says children with developmental disorders and mental health issues might be able to unlock their potential with music. Music therapy has been shown to affect significant change in children with autism-spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, attachment disorders, cerebral palsy, and more.

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Many children are introduced to music instruction at school. After being introduced to band, chorus and various instruments, students may be eager to explore music.

Young students are often introduced to the recorder or ukulele in the early grades and then given the opportunity to join primary bands as they move through elementary school and into middle school. Some children also may want to supplement school music lessons with private music tutors, who can provide more in-depth instruction.

Parents considering making a commitment to music instruction may find that kids benefit from being involved with music in many ways, some of which may be surprising. · The New England Board of Higher Education says several studies show that consistent music education improves vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Emerging evidence points to an area of the brain that controls both musical ability and language comprehension as being more closely related than previously thought. · Music education may help young children learn words and how to pronounce them, as learning to play music enables them to process the many new sounds they hear from others. · Researchers have discovered a strong relationship between participating in school arts and academic success as demonstrated by students› grade point averages, accord-

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Music instruction benefits young learners

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Reading can help get kids ready to go back to school

Saturday, August 17, 2019 |

Reading is an important part of getting into the back-to-school groove. Make sure students set aside ample time for reading throughout the day, even during extended breaks from school.

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Ross

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ing tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures. Reading for pleasure also bears more influence on a child’s academic performance than his or her social or economic background.

Summer reading assignments may not be mandated, but children can take it upon themselves to continually push themselves through recreational reading and language arts pursuits. Here are ways that parents can facilitate that process. · Set up a reading time. Children should have a set time each day that

books and periodicals over time spent on digital devices. · Read in the world around you.

Stop and read signs, menus, cereal boxes, billboards, and anything with the written word. Jot down difficult words and look them up together and discuss the definitions. · Consult with the teacher. Educators have tools they use to assess reading levels and abilities. Knowing a child›s reading level and choosing the appropriate reading materials for that level can set kids up for success.

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It is common for children to backslide during summer vacations as they get further away from their daily school year routines. The rigors of schoolwork may come as a shock as children return to school and must reacquaint themselves with studying and doing their homework. But there are some steps students can take to keep their minds sharp as they ease back into school.

One of the most effective ways for students to stay sharp over summer is to continue reading. Pearson Education says evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better on read-

they devote to reading. Many find a regular reading time later in the evening before bed or as a precursor to other activities, such as watching television or playing video games, can help make reading a priority. · Keep fresh reading materials. Stock the house with new books, magazines, newspapers, and even graphic novels.

The more reading materials children have access to, the more likely they are to become habitual readers. · Parents can lead by example.

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Tips for finding an after-school program

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After-school programs are invaluable to families in which both parents work.

Finding the right program may involve a combination of strategies.

Today’s children grow up differently than their parents did. Technology has changed the way students learn in the classroom, but perhaps the biggest difference between how today’s kids grow up and how their parents were raised concerns the dynamic at home.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018 both parents worked in 63 percent of households that were home to married-couple families with children. Many of those parents likely did not grow up in households in which both of their parents worked full-time throughout their childhoods, marking a significant difference in the dynamics of modern families compared to those of yesteryear.

After-school programs take on heightened importance when both parents work full-time, especially if neither parent works from home.

Many schools and community organizations offer after-school programs.

While it’s great to have options, too many options can make it daunting for parents to find the program for their children. The Afterschool Alliance (www.afterschoolalliance.org), which works to ensure all youth have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs, offers the following tips to parents as they look to find

after-school programs for their children. · Contact educators at your child›s school. Many schools have afterschool programs on school premises.

Speak with school administrators or teachers about school-sponsored afterschool programs. Even if a school does not have such a program, educators might be able to provide a list of nearby programs other students attend. · Contact community organizations.

The Afterschool Alliance notes that many community organizations, such as the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the 4-H Council, may offer after-school programs. Local churches, synagogues and mosques also may offer after-school programs to local families, regardless of their religious affiliation. When speaking to community organizations, discuss how kids are typically transported from school to the program. · Speak with fellow parents and neighbors. Your community is a great resource. Fellow parents and neighbors, even those whose kids may be in high school or even out of the house, may be able to recommend local programs. Reach out at school-sponsored events or via social media. · Contact your local government.

Local government offices and officials also can help parents find after-school

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programs in their communities. Local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (www.childcareaware.org)

can be valuable assets for parents having trouble finding after-school programs for their children.

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