This winter has been filled with lots of snow and time off school for many parts of the country. Some kids may sit in front of a device or lounge in bed on these chilly days. Take advantage of snow days by helping your child strengthen their reading, writing, and math skills with the ideas detailed below.

Reading

To help your child develop their reading skills, try finding a snow-themed article from a newspaper or online source. This article could be a weather report on the anticipated snowfall, an article about snowfall affecting businesses, or a passage about post-snow hazards – really anything related to snow can work. Teach your child that there are three elements they should look for when reading: the topic, main idea, and important details. Have them take out blue, green, and yellow highlighters and explain to them that they will highlight each of these elements in a different color. A topic is typically one, two, or three words describing the passage, like snow, winter, or hot cocoa. They should highlight the topic in blue. The main idea is what the author is saying about the topic. For example, if the topic is snow, the main idea might be: one of the greatest snowfalls in recent history. They should highlight the main idea in green. Finally, they should look for important details describing the main idea, and highlight them in yellow.

Have your child read the passage first, then go back and highlight the topic, main idea, and important details. Next, ask them inference questions about the passage, like, “What do you think will happen after the snowstorm?” or “How do you think most people will prepare for the storm?” They can either tell you their response orally and you can have a discussion about it, or they can write their response in the form of a paragraph on a separate sheet of paper or on a computer.

Writing

Help your child build stronger writing skills during a snow day! Teach them the structure of a simple paragraph, which is comprised of a topic sentence, three detail sentences, and a conclusion sentence. Explain that when they write, they should start by brainstorming, then write, and finally self-check their work. Give them a topic, like: should schools be canceled tomorrow? Have them start by brainstorming their ideas and include three details on why school should be canceled (if that is their stance). For example, they might use web bubbles to write: safety, time with family, outdoor exercise. Then they should work on writing their paragraph using the information from their brainstorm webs. Their topic sentence should introduce their stance, like: School should be canceled tomorrow due to the snowstorm. Then they should write their detail sentences, ideally using transition words. For example, they might write: First, it likely won’t be safe to drive on the roads. Next, a snow day would allow me to spend quality time with my family, baking or reading together. Finally, I can get some exercise if I play outside in the snow. For the last sentence, they can wrap up their ideas with a sentence like: Since we will be getting a lot of snow, I feel strongly that schools should be closed. As a last step, have your child self-check their writing using the COPS checklist, which stands for capitalization, organization, punctuation, spelling.

Math

To build your child’s math skills during a snow day, try making snow-day word problems! Create problems like:

Hot chocolate costs $1 per packet. If there are four members in a family, how much will it cost for everyone to have a cup of hot chocolate?

or

Two inches of snow will likely fall each hour for four hours. At this pace, how much snow will we get?

When solving these math problems, teach your child to circle the key words, highlight the relevant numbers, then break down the problem into four steps. First, they should write down the relevant numbers. Next, they should choose which operation to use. Then they should write the number sentence and solve the problem. Finally, they should write their answer as a full sentence, using proper capitalization and punctuation.

Don’t let snow days stop your child from learning! Have fun with these activities, while still building your child’s reading, writing, and math skills.

EBL Coaching specializes in one-on-one in person and virtual tutoring for students in grades pre-K-12 with specialized learning needs. They use research-based, multi-sensory techniques, including the Orton Gillingham method, to develop students’ reading, writing, math, note taking, test taking, and executive functioning skills. Each student is evaluated and then receives an individualized learning plan to address their specific academic needs. Learn more at http://www.eblcoaching.com/.

Dr. Emily Levy, Founder & Director, is happy to hear from anyone who is in need for their child. You may reach her through her website, and mention you heard of her through MotherhoodLater.

The post Snow Day Activities That Build Reading, Writing & Math Skills appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Does the tutor have expertise in your child’s academic needs?

When seeking a tutor for your child, make sure the tutor in NYC has extensive experience working on the skills your child needs help with. For example, if your child is in early elementary school and needs reading help, ask the potential tutor or tutoring company about their experience tutoring reading to students your child’s age. If your child is older and needs help with high level math, ask about their experience tutoring algebra or geometry if that’s what your child needs help with. Tutors tend to have expertise in specific skill areas, so make sure your child works with someone who can help them with the skills they are struggling with, and has ample expertise doing so.

Does the tutor have experience working with neurodivergent students?

If your child is neurodivergent and has specific learning needs, it’s important that they work with a tutor in NYC who specializes in working with students who have similar diagnoses to your child. For example, if your child has ADHD and struggles with executive functioning skills, including planning, organization, time management, and task initiation, ask the tutor about their experience working with ADHD students and the approach they typically take. If your child has dyslexia, ask if they have experience using specific methods, like the Orton Gillingham approach, to help your child build their reading skills. Students with dysgraphia may need to work with a tutor in NYC who uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching students how to express their thoughts on paper in an organized manner. Likewise, if your child has autism, dyscalculia, language challenges, or other related difficulties, ask the tutor about their experience tutoring students in NYC who have similar neurodiverse needs.

Does the tutor give an assessment and use a structured learning plan?

When your child works with a tutor in NYC, it’s important that a structured plan is in place. Ask the tutor if they typically start with an evaluation to gauge the student’s needs. If your child has an IEP or another evaluation, see if the tutor would be willing to read it before the tutoring begins and incorporate the relevant information into the tutoring. Ideally, your child’s tutor should begin with an assessment to determine their specific needs, including what aspects of a skill they struggle with, before beginning the tutoring. If your child has difficulty with reading, the assessment should gauge whether the challenge is with decoding words, reading fluency, comprehension, or a combination of these skills. If the challenge is with decoding, the assessment should determine the type of word patterns they struggle with. At a basic level, your child may struggle with blending consonant-vowel-consonant sounds together to form words. If that’s the case, the NYC tutor may use a multi-sensory approach like Orton Gillingham to teach your child how to read these types of words, then move onto words containing blends, consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, silent e patterns, multi-syllabic words, and so on. The tutor should also keep you posted about any progress noted as the tutoring progresses.

Hiring a tutor for your child in NYC can be a great step towards helping them succeed in school. Asking the right questions and choosing the ideal tutor or tutoring company can impact your child’s academic performance immensely.

If your child is struggling in school, contact us today at www.eblcoaching.com to see how we can help them with one-on-one in person and virtual tutoring.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my child needs a tutor?

If you notice your child struggling academically with reading, writing, math, executive functioning, or a combination of these skills, they will likely benefit from a tutor. A tutor in NYC can help your child develop stronger academic skills and build their self-confidence.

Should I hire a tutor with special education experience?

If your child has ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, autism, or another learning challenge, you should hire a tutor or use a tutoring company that has expertise in working with students who have special education needs.

Is online tutoring effective for helping students build their academic skills?

Online tutoring can be incredibly effective for many students in building their academic skills. It offers flexibility and access to more tutors who may specialize in the areas your child needs help with.

The post What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Tutor in NYC? appeared first on EBL Coaching.

If your child has dyslexia, you may see them struggling immensely with reading. Sounding out words may be a long, arduous task for them. They might also have trouble spelling words accurately or expressing their thoughts on paper when writing. If your dyslexic child struggles with any of these skills, specialized dyslexia tutoring using the Orton Gillingham approach can help them tremendously. What kind of tutoring is best for your child with dyslexia?

Best types of tutoring for children with dyslexia

The best tutoring for students who have dyslexia is structured, research-based, multi-sensory instruction, including tutoring using the Orton Gillingham approach. Dyslexia tutoring typically includes decoding lessons, reading comprehension strategies, structured spelling support, and writing lessons. These methods can help students improve their phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and writing skills.

Orton Gillingham tutoring for dyslexia

Orton Gillingham tutoring is considered to be the most ideal approach for helping students with dyslexia build their reading and spelling skills. This method is research-based, systematic, and multi-sensory, and students often enjoy receiving this type of tutoring. Your dyslexic child should typically receive an initial evaluation before the Orton Gillingham tutoring begins to gauge their specific skill levels. They may have trouble reading basic consonant-vowel-consonant words, or perhaps they have difficulty reading words containing vowel digraphs or multi-syllabic words. The Orton Gillingham method typically follows a structured approach, as follows:

• Orton Gillingham lessons begin by teaching students the names of the letters and their corresponding sounds.
• Lessons then advance to words containing blends, consonant digraphs, vowel digraphs, silent e patterns, r-controlled patterns, multi-syllabic word patterns, and so on.
• Sessions include a review of previously taught concepts followed by the introduction of a new Orton Gillingham concept or sound.
• Orton Gillingham lessons typically end with oral reading of words, sentences, and decodable stories.

These phonics tutoring lessons should be tailored to your child’s needs, integrating multi-sensory tools, such as colored sand, magnetic tiles, audio-visual flash cards, and whiteboards, to engage your child and help them retain these key concepts. The Orton Gillingham approach is recommended by the International Dyslexia Association as being one of the most effective reading methods for students with dyslexia.

Learn more about Orton Gillingham tutoring in NYC at What is Orton Gillingham Tutoring? – EBL Coaching

Reading comprehension tutoring for dyslexic students

Some students with dyslexia struggle with reading comprehension and benefit from a multi-sensory approach to tutoring. They may, for example, respond well to a tri-colored highlighting approach for building active reading and reading comprehension skills. With this method, the student is taught to look for three key elements when reading: the topic, main idea, and important details. The topic is typically one, two, or three words describing the passage and should be highlighted in blue. The main idea is what the author is saying about the topic and should be highlighted in green. Finally, the important details are salient pieces of information depicting the main idea, which should be highlighted in yellow. For this type of dyslexia tutoring, your child should learn to read the passage first, then go back and highlight the topic, main idea, and important details using the appropriate highlighters. This multi-sensory strategy can help your child build much stronger reading comprehension and active reading skills.

Read more about reading tutoring for dyslexia in NYC at Supporting Students With Reading Comprehension Issues | EBL Coaching

Writing tutoring for students with dyslexia

Many students with dyslexia struggle with writing. They may have great ideas but have difficulty expressing their thoughts on paper in an effective manner. Dyslexia tutoring can help your child improve their ability to brainstorm, write, and self-check their ideas, a key skill for success in school. They may start by learning how to construct a well-written sentence and can later learn how to expand their sentences with adjectives and adverbs. Next, in writing tutoring sessions, they should learn how to write a well-organized simple paragraph, comprised of a topic sentence, three detail sentences, and a conclusion sentence. From there, the dyslexia tutor should teach them how to expand their paragraph into an extended paragraph, with three additional supporting detail sentences added after each detail. Later, with this dyslexia tutoring, your child can learn how to brainstorm, write, and self-check five paragraph essays and longer research papers.

Learn more about effective writing tutoring for students with dyslexia in NYC at How to Help Your Child with Dyslexia Develop Stronger Writing Skills | EBL Coaching

Specialized tutoring that is individualized to your dyslexic child’s needs can help them improve their academic abilities and self-confidence. Contact us at www.eblcoaching.com to learn how we can help your dyslexic child excel with specialized dyslexia tutoring in NYC, writing tutoring in NYC, and Orton Gillingham instruction in NYC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tutoring method works best for dyslexia?
The most ideal method for helping students with dyslexia build their reading and spelling skills is the Orton Gillingham approach. This approach uses multi-sensory tools and structured lessons to help students with dyslexia build their core literacy skills.

What are the benefits of dyslexia tutoring?
There are many benefits of dyslexia tutoring! Some of these benefits include:

• Improved decoding skills
• Stronger phonemic awareness skills
• Increased reading fluency and comprehension skills
• Stronger spelling and writing skills
• Improved self-confidence and school performance

Can tutoring improve dyslexia?
While tutoring can’t cure dyslexia, systematic one-on-one Orton Gillingham tutoring can help students with dyslexia build much stronger decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and writing skills.

Learn more about dyslexia challenges at
 Dyslexia Strengths and Struggles – EBL Coaching
Read more about dyslexia at
 https://dyslexiaida.org/

Dr, Levy holds her Doctorate Degree in Education and has been helping students with dyslexia through specialized reading tutoring, writing tutoring, and Orton Gillingham instruction for over twenty years.

The post Best Tutoring for Dyslexia: Orton Gillingham, Reading, and Writing Support for Children appeared first on EBL Coaching.

The core of EBL Coaching’s methodology is a profound respect for the learner. This isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about fostering understanding, building confidence, and equipping students with the tools they need to become independent, lifelong learners. We often hear about students who feel “left behind” or “not smart enough.” These are typically indicators that their learning style isn’t being met by the prevailing teaching methods. EBL Coaching seeks to bridge this gap by offering a learning environment that is responsive, adaptive, and, most importantly, empowering. Every student has the potential to succeed, and EBL Coaching is dedicated to unlocking that potential through a meticulously individualized approach.

The Philosophy Behind EBL Coaching
At its heart, the philosophy of EBL Coaching is rooted in the understanding that learning is not a linear, uniform process. It’s a complex tapestry woven from individual cognitive styles, prior experiences, emotional well-being, and environmental factors. Dr. Emily Levy, the visionary behind EBL Coaching, recognized early on that generic educational approaches often fail to account for this inherent individuality. The philosophy therefore centers on:

• Individualization: Every student is unique, and their educational support should reflect this. This means no two students will receive the exact same program, even if they have similar academic goals.
• Strengths-Based Approach: While addressing areas of difficulty is crucial, EBL Coaching also emphasizes identifying and leveraging a student’s existing strengths. This builds confidence and creates positive learning associations.
• Empowerment: The ultimate goal is not just to improve grades, but to empower students with the skills and self-belief to navigate their academic journey independently and confidently.
• Research-Based Practice: EBL Coaching is deeply committed to utilizing strategies and methodologies that are scientifically proven to be effective.
• Multi-Sensory Engagement: Recognizing that people learn through different modalities, EBL Coaching integrates visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods to create a richer and more effective learning experience.

This holistic philosophy extends beyond mere academic remediation. It seeks to build resilience, foster a growth mindset, and nurture a positive relationship with learning. By understanding the “why” behind a student’s struggles, EBL Coaching can create a supportive environment where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth, not insurmountable barriers.

Dr. Emily Levy’s Expertise and Journey
The exceptional quality of EBL Coaching is inextricably linked to the profound expertise and personal journey of its founder, Dr. Emily Levy. Her academic and professional path is a testament to a lifelong dedication to understanding and improving the learning process. Dr. Levy’s impressive academic credentials, including a Master’s and Doctorate from Nova University and her undergraduate studies at Brown University, provided her with a strong theoretical foundation. However, it was her early recognition of the nuances of reading comprehension, highlighted by her Westinghouse Science and Talent Award for a five-year study on the subject, that set her apart.

This early research likely ignited a deep curiosity about how individuals process information and the diverse factors that influence comprehension and academic success. Her experience presenting at national and international conferences further signifies her commitment to advancing the field of education and sharing best practices. It’s this blend of rigorous academic inquiry and practical application that forms the bedrock of EBL Coaching. Dr. Levy’s personal journey is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about translating that knowledge into tangible, life-changing support for students. Her authorship of the “Strategies for Study Success” workbook series, addressing crucial skills like test-taking, reading comprehension, and executive functioning, and the development of programs like “Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham and Multi-Sensory Math,” are concrete examples of her dedication to creating accessible, effective learning tools that are now used in schools nationwide.

This deep well of knowledge and experience directly informs the individualized approach at EBL Coaching, ensuring that every student benefits from strategies that are not only evidence-based but also developed by an expert who truly understands the intricacies of learning.

How EBL Coaching Delivers Tailored Support
The “EBL” in EBL Coaching stands for Exceptional, Best, and Learned, a powerful acronym that encapsulates their commitment to excellence in educational support. The delivery of this tailored support is a multi-faceted process that begins with a comprehensive understanding of each student.

Initial Assessment and Goal Setting
The journey with EBL Coaching begins with a thorough assessment. This isn’t a superficial quiz; it’s an in-depth evaluation designed to pinpoint a student’s specific learning profile, including their strengths, weaknesses, learning style preferences, and any underlying challenges that might be hindering their academic progress. This assessment might involve diagnostic testing, detailed interviews with the student and their parents, and an analysis of past academic performance. Based on this comprehensive understanding, personalized learning goals are collaboratively set, ensuring that both the student and the coaching team are aligned on what success looks like.

Individualized Learning Plans
Once the assessment is complete and goals are established, EBL Coaching develops a highly individualized learning plan. This plan is a roadmap that outlines the specific strategies, techniques, and resources that will be used to help the student achieve their goals. It’s a dynamic document, meaning it’s regularly reviewed and updated as the student progresses and their needs evolve. The plan might incorporate:

• Targeted skill development in areas such as reading, writing, math, or executive functioning.
• Strategies for improving study habits, organization, and time management.
• Techniques for enhancing test-taking skills and reducing test anxiety.
• Support for specific learning differences or challenges.

Highly Trained and Dedicated Tutors
The effectiveness of any coaching program hinges on the quality of its coaches. EBL Coaching employs a team of highly trained and dedicated tutors who are not only experts in their subject areas but are also skilled in implementing research-based, multi-sensory teaching methods. These tutors undergo continuous professional development to stay abreast of the latest educational research and best practices. They are passionate about fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, building strong rapport with their students, and celebrating every milestone achieved.

Flexible Delivery Options
Understanding that students have diverse needs and schedules, EBL Coaching offers flexible delivery options. Tutoring can be provided in-person, allowing for direct interaction and immediate feedback, or online, offering convenience and accessibility. This flexibility ensures that students can receive the support they need, where and when they need it, without compromising the quality or personalization of the instruction.

Multi-Sensory Methods and Research-Based Strategies
The cornerstone of EBL Coaching’s success lies in its unwavering commitment to employing multi-sensory methods and research-based strategies. This approach is not arbitrary; it’s grounded in a deep understanding of how the brain learns most effectively.

Traditional educational methods often rely heavily on auditory and visual input. While these are important, they can leave out students who learn more effectively through physical engagement or tactile experiences. Multi-sensory learning, as implemented by EBL Coaching, engages multiple senses simultaneously, creating stronger neural pathways and enhancing memory retention. For example:

• Visual: Using diagrams, graphic organizers, color-coding, and visual aids to explain concepts.
• Auditory: Explaining concepts verbally, using mnemonics, rhymes, and encouraging students to explain concepts in their own words.
• Kinesthetic: Incorporating movement, role-playing, building models, and using manipulatives.
• Tactile: Using hands-on materials, tracing letters or numbers, using textured objects, and writing on different surfaces.

These methods are not just engaging; they are proven effective. Dr. Levy’s work, including the “Flags and Stars Orton Gillingham” program, is a prime example of applying these principles in a structured and highly effective manner. Orton-Gillingham, in particular, is a renowned approach for literacy instruction that is systematic, explicit, and multi-sensory, making it highly beneficial for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges. Similarly, the “Strategies for Study Success” workbooks are designed with these principles in mind, offering practical tools and techniques that students can immediately apply.

The research-based aspect means that every strategy and technique is backed by scientific evidence. EBL Coaching doesn’t guess; they implement what works. This commitment to evidence-based practice ensures that students are receiving the most effective interventions available, maximizing their potential for growth and achievement. It’s about providing learners with the tools and techniques that have been rigorously tested and proven to enhance understanding, improve retention, and build lasting academic skills.

The Impact of Personalized Learning on Student Success
The impact of EBL Coaching’s personalized approach extends far beyond improved test scores. While academic gains are certainly a significant outcome, the true value lies in the profound and lasting transformation of the student themselves. When learning is tailored to an individual’s needs and strengths, several key areas experience significant positive shifts:

• Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem: Students who have struggled often internalize their difficulties, leading to feelings of inadequacy. Personalized support helps them experience success, fostering a belief in their own abilities. As they master new skills and overcome challenges, their confidence soars, spilling over into other areas of their lives.
• Enhanced Motivation and Engagement: When learning is made relevant, engaging, and achievable, students are more likely to become intrinsically motivated. They move from viewing learning as a chore to seeing it as an exciting opportunity for growth. This renewed engagement leads to greater participation and a more proactive approach to their education.
• Development of Independent Learning Skills: EBL Coaching doesn’t aim to create perpetual dependence. Instead, it focuses on equipping students with the strategies and metacognitive skills they need to become independent learners. This includes teaching them how to problem-solve, self-monitor their progress, and adapt their learning strategies as needed.
• Reduced Academic Anxiety: The pressure and frustration associated with struggling academically can lead to significant anxiety. By providing targeted support and breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, EBL Coaching helps alleviate this anxiety, creating a more relaxed and productive learning environment.
• Long-Term Academic Achievement: The skills and confidence built through personalized coaching create a strong foundation for continued academic success. Students who have experienced the benefits of EBL Coaching are often better equipped to handle future academic challenges and pursue their educational goals with greater assurance.
• Improved Executive Functioning: Many students struggle with executive functions such as organization, time management, planning, and impulse control. EBL Coaching often incorporates explicit instruction and practice in these areas, which are critical for overall academic and life success.

The anecdotal evidence and testimonials from students and parents alike consistently point to these profound changes. It’s about more than just getting better grades; it’s about fostering a love of learning, building resilience, and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

Resources and How to Connect with EBL Coaching
The journey towards enhanced learning and academic success is accessible, and EBL Coaching is dedicated to making their expertise readily available. If you’ve been inspired by the philosophy and methods discussed in this post, or if you know a student who could benefit from this tailored support, here’s how you can learn more and connect:

The primary hub for all things EBL Coaching is their official website. Here, you can find detailed information about their services, the methodologies they employ, and the team of dedicated professionals who make it all happen. It’s an excellent resource for understanding the full scope of what EBL Coaching offers and how they tailor their programs to meet the unique needs of each learner.

In addition to the website, Dr. Emily Levy and EBL Coaching maintain a strong presence on social media. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram can provide valuable insights, tips, and updates. These platforms are often used to share success stories, educational resources, and announcements about upcoming workshops or events.

For those who would like to reach out directly to inquire about services, schedule a consultation, or simply ask questions, the contact information provided on their website will be your best resource. They are committed to responding to inquiries and guiding potential clients through the process of understanding how EBL Coaching can support their specific academic goals.

Remember, the conversation about personalized learning is ongoing, and the insights shared by Dr. Emily Levy on The Coaching Corner with Dori DeCarlo are a powerful starting point. This blog post has aimed to expand on those foundational ideas, offering a deeper look into the “EBL Coaching Difference.” Whether you’re a parent seeking support for your child, an educator looking for effective strategies, or a student aiming to unlock your full potential, EBL Coaching offers a path forward built on expertise, personalization, and a genuine commitment to learning.

Thank you for joining me on this exploration. I encourage you to listen to the full episode and explore the resources provided by EBL Coaching. Until next time, happy learning!

The post How EBL Coaching Provides Personalized Tutoring for Student Success appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Best strategies to improve organization for children with ADHD

When students with ADHD have multiple assignments to complete and activities to partake in after school, they may feel overwhelmed. They might not know where to start or how to fit everything into a limited time window. Creating a visual schedule can help! Together with your child, create a schedule of all activities and assignments they have on a given day on a large poster board or even a smaller sheet of paper if that works better for them. Write out an organized schedule for completing these daily tasks. For example, a visual after-school schedule might look like the following:

• 3:15-3:30pm snack
• 3:30-4:30pm work on homework
• 4:30-6pm soccer practice
• 6-6:45pm dinner
• 6:45-7:30pm complete any remaining assignments
• 7:30-8pm shower and get ready for bed

You can even draw or cut out pictures depicting each item and paste them on the visual schedule – like a picture of an apple for snack, an image of a homework sheet for homework time, and a picture of a shower in the getting ready for bed section. By creating a visual schedule, your child will feel less overwhelmed, more focused, and more in control of completing their tasks in a structured, organized manner.

Learn more about executive functioning strategies for your child at Executive Functioning Strategies for Your Child | EBL Coaching

Create an organized homework workspace

Creating a designated homework space for your child with ADHD can help them avoid distractions and stay focused when completing their schoolwork. This space should ideally be a desk in their room, but a spot on a communal table in the kitchen or dining room can work too. The key is consistency; your child should always complete their homework in this designated space. You should also make sure this space is fully stocked with all the supplies they may need for completing their assignments, including pens, pencils, scissors, paper, etc. If the supplies run low, refill them right away. This will help prevent your child from wandering around your home mid-homework session, searching for missing supplies and finding distractions as they look for these materials. Additionally, if your child works on a communal table, create a portable homework bin containing all the supplies they may need for completing their work, which they should bring with them to and from their room when they complete their schoolwork. This approach will help your child build their organization and executive functioning skills.

Use the Pomodoro Method for homework sessions

The Pomodoro Method is a great technique for helping students with ADHD stay focused for longer stretches of time. To use this strategy, your child should sit down at their designated workspace to begin working on their homework. They should set a timer for 25 minutes, work for that period of time, and then when the timer rings, take a 5-minute break. After that break, they should set their timer again for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break when it rings and do this same cycle four times. After four Pomodoro cycles, they should take a longer 15–30 minute break before starting the next four cycles. This system will help build structure into their study time and should increase their executive functioning skills and their ability to stay focused for longer periods of time.

Learn more about study skills strategies for your child with ADHD at Study Skills Strategies for Your Child with ADHD | EBL Coaching.

Active reading strategies for helping children with ADHD focus

Many students with ADHD lose focus when reading, which can negatively affect their ability to comprehend the material. To combat this challenge, teach them a tri-colored highlighting strategy to help them become a more active, rather than a passive, reader. To use this strategy, do the following:

• Explain to your child that when we read, there are three elements we should look for: the topic, which is one, two, or three words describing the passage (like snacks or rain). They should highlight the topic in blue.
• The second element they should look for is the main idea, which is what the author is saying about the topic (like types of afternoon snacks). They should highlight the main idea in green.
• Finally, they should look for the important details, or salient information describing the main idea, and highlight these details in yellow.

When sitting down to read a passage, your child should read it through once, then go back through the passage and highlight the topic in blue, main idea in green, and important details in yellow – making them an active reader and improving their ability to stay focused when reading.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD affects roughly 11.4% of children in the United Stats ages 3-17, and those with ADHD benefit from structured routines when completing homework. As students move through school, the academic and focusing demands increase rapidly. Help your child with ADHD stay focused and on-task with these strategies and they will be well on their way to success in school. If you notice your ADHD child struggling with focus, time management, organization, or other executive functioning skills, EBL Coaching can help with one-on-one in person and virtual executive functioning coaching and academic tutoring programs. Learn more at www.eblcoaching.com.

Frequently Asked Questions about ADHD and Focusing Skills

How does ADHD affect school performance?
Students with ADHD often have difficulty with their executive functioning skills, including planning, time management, organization, and task initiation. These executive functioning skills play a large role in school performance, so learning strategies to build these skills through executive functioning coaching can be very beneficial for students with ADHD.

What is the Pomodoro Method and how does it help students with ADHD?
The Pomodoro Method is a great strategy for improving time management skills. It involves setting a timer and working for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break, and repeating this cycle four times before taking a longer break. This technique helps students with ADHD learn to focus for increasing increments of time and feel less overwhelmed with their workload.

How can I help my child with ADHD stay focused while doing homework?
You can help your child with ADHD stay focused when doing their homework by setting up a study space that contains all of the supplies they need to complete their schoolwork and that is free of distractions. Have them turn off sounds and notifications on all devices when working on their homework and even try a method like the Pomodoro Technique to help them stay focused for set periods of time before taking a break.

Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching and has been helping students with ADHD build stronger academic and executive functioning skills for over twenty years.

The post How to Help Your ADHD Child Improve Focus: Four Proven Strategies appeared first on EBL Coaching.

Winter Reading Challenge

Being homebound during winter can serve as a great time to do lots of reading. Instead of simply telling your child to go into their room and read, create a fun experience. Set up a reading challenge for your child and the rest of your family (that includes parents too!). Make a chart that details reading times for each family member and devote time each day to reading – ideally together as a family, perhaps before or after dinner, but individual reading time counts too. At the end of the day, log each person’s daily reading time on the chart and keep track of the minutes. At the end of the week, have your child add up the reading time totals for each family member (yes, you can integrate some math skills too!). Choose a prize for the winning family member – perhaps a toy for young children, a movie rental for older kids, or even an hour of alone time for a parent.

Winter Book Writing

Staying indoors during winter can be a great time for your child to further develop their writing skills. Just like with the reading challenge, try to make the writing activity fun. Help your child pick a winter topic to write about – perhaps polar bears, a day playing outside in the snow, or warm winter drinks. Give your child a blank journal and ask them to write a story about their topic of choice. Tell them not to focus on spelling (and to avoid asking you how to spell words) and to just write freely. Then have your child read their story aloud to you and discuss details, including the characters, plot, and setting. For younger children who aren’t able to write on their own, tell them to dictate their story to you while you write it.

Graphing

By tracking the chilly temperatures outside while hunkered down indoors, you can work on math skills with your child. Select a given week to focus on; each day when your child wakes up, have them check the temperature and write it down on a sheet of paper with two columns: a column on the left for the date and a column on the right for the temperature that day. At the end of the week, ask your child to gather markers, stickers, and glitter, and create a fun, colorful bar graph depicting the temperatures, one bar per date. Teach them that the dates can go on the bottom and temperatures can go on the left side, and show them how to create colorful bars in the form of a graph that shows the changes in temperature. It’s a great way to make math fun!

Snowflakes

Use a snowflake-making craft to help your child build their vocabulary skills when stuck indoors. Each day, pick a new vocabulary word for them to learn. You can find these words online by grade level, or even above or below grade levels if they are advanced for their grade or struggle a bit. Look up the definition of the word together, then have your child summarize it in their own words to make sure they understand it. Next, have your child cut out a large snowflake from a blank sheet of paper. They should write the word on the front of the snowflake and the definition on the back. They can also write a sentence on the back using the word and even draw a picture depicting the definition for an added visual touch. For example, the word on the front of the card might be “frigid.” On the back, they would write the definition: extremely cold. They would also write a sentence, like “I love sledding, but not when the temperature is frigid!” and then draw a picture depicting someone who looks very cold.

Don’t let being homebound during winter stop your child from learning. Enhance their academic skills with these fun, engaging, and productive ideas.

The post Academic Activities to Do with Your Child When Homebound During Winter appeared first on EBL Coaching.

What Is the Task Timer App and How Can It Help Students With ADHD?

Task Timer – Task Management App – App Store

Task Timer is a great executive functioning tool for helping students with ADHD strengthen their time management skills. Using this app, they can set times for specific tasks using a built-in visual timer, and can break down homework assignments, projects, and other school assignments into manageable steps. Students can add new tasks, like projects or upcoming tests, then set deadlines, receive notifications, add notes to tasks, and even filter them to just show overdue tasks. There are many useful features on this app to help students with ADHD build stronger time management skills.

What is MindNode and how can it help students with executive functioning challenges?

MindNode

MindNode is a useful app for students with ADHD that helps them organize their ideas into visual maps and outlines. This tool is useful for brainstorming before writing a paragraph or essay, along with taking notes when reading or listening to a lecture. Using the app, students can connect their thoughts with branches, group them together, and create visual maps to help them present information in an organized manner. The visual maps can also be converted into outlines, helping students see their ideas in different formats. The app offers customized colors, themes, and stickers.

What is the myHomework app and how can it help students who struggle managing their homework?

myHomework Student Planner & Digital Hall Pass System

myHomework is a digital assignment book that helps students with ADHD track their homework, projects, upcoming tests, and schedules. It allows users to create customized themes and includes reminders of upcoming due dates, the ability to prioritize tasks, and calendar synchronization. It’s easy for students to enter new tasks and then organize them by specific classes or due dates. The app can be used to break tasks down into individual, more manageable steps, helping students feel less overwhelmed and more on top of their workload. This is a great app for building time management, focusing, and study skills. It is a great organization app!

Opal

Opal – The #1 Screen Time App

Opal is a great app for helping students with ADHD build their focusing skills and avoid distractions so they can stay on task when completing their schoolwork. With the app, users can set a list of websites and apps that will be blocked or limited when they are working. It helps prevent mindless scrolling and surfing online for hours on end. Instead, it tracks app usage, gives students scores and information about their habits, and even integrates rewards to help them stay focused and motivated.

What is the app Flashcards Deluxe and how can it help students improve their study skills?

Flashcards Deluxe Lite App – App Store

Flashcards Deluxe is a useful app for helping students with ADHD create digital flash cards that they can use when studying and memorizing information for quizzes and tests. They can create their own flash cards or download shared ones and then can organize their cards into different categories and themes. It allows students to create visual drawings on their cards or add pictures, and integrates repetition of cards students struggled with, helping to ensure they learn the information before they are tested. Additionally, the app offers a text-to-speech feature and includes quizzes on the information they are studying with multiple choice answers.

Students with ADHD often struggle with the rising organizational demands of school. Encourage your child to try these apps to help them build stronger time management, planning, organization, and overall executive functioning skills.

While apps can be helpful tools for students who have ADHD, most students can benefit from one-on-one executive functioning coaching to further develop these skills.

If you are looking for individualized tutoring or executive functioning coaching in NYC, contact us at www.eblcoaching.com to see how we can help your child.

Frequently asked Questions

How do I choose the right app for a student with ADHD?
When choosing an app for your child with ADHD, consider the specific difficulties your child is having. If they need help with time management, choose an app that helps them build time management skills. Likewise, if they struggle with organization, staying on task, or study skills, find apps that can help them develop those skills.

Which apps help students with ADHD build their organizational skills?

There are many apps that can help students with ADHD build their organizational skills. Some of these apps include myHomework, Task Timer, and MindNode.

Do apps really help students with ADHD focus?
Yes! There are many apps that can help your child with ADHD improve their focusing ability. The apps can help them set reminders, reduce distractions, and learn tips for improving their executive functioning skills.

Dr. Emily Levy has been helping students with ADHD build their academic and executive functioning skills for over 20 years.

The post 5 Best Apps for Students with ADHD appeared first on EBL Coaching.

The holidays are filled with festivities, treats, and loads of family time. However, the break from school is also a time when kids tend to do little if any academic work. As a result, the shift back to school in January can be a tough one for many students. Help your child have a successful transition back to school with the ideas detailed below.

Re-set routines

Before the holidays, your child may have finally settled on their school routine: each morning they woke up, got dressed, packed their backpack, ate breakfast, then came home from school and completed their schoolwork on a regular basis. Yet during the holidays, routines and schedules often go awry and your child may need some routine re-setting before school starts again. To help them, reset routines gradually. If they went to bed very late during holiday time, start setting their bedtime 15-20 minutes earlier each day for four or five days before school starts. You may want to also create checklists to remind them of their morning and afternoon routines before school begins. For example, a morning chart might include waking up at a certain time, brushing their teeth, eating breakfast, and packing their backpack. An afternoon checklist might include unpacking their backpack, having a snack, completing their homework, putting their finished homework in their backpack or turning it in online, eating dinner, and getting ready for bed. You might want to also try limiting screen time before school starts to help set the stage for a focused, organized return to school.

Academic activities during break

Your child may become accustomed to lazy, school-free days during the holiday break. To help them transition back into school-mode, start to integrate academic activities before school starts. For example, read with your child for 20 minutes each night and discuss the plot, characters, and setting with them. Ask them to create predictions about what they think might happen next or make inferences about certain events in the story to help engage them in the book. Older children can read independently for 20 minutes each night but ask them similar questions about their book even if you aren’t reading it with them, to make sure they fully comprehend the material. You can also do math exercises when cooking or grocery shopping with them, or have them write in a journal about their favorite activities during the holiday break. The more academic activities you can integrate now, the better!

Discuss expectations

Your child may be nervous about returning to school and may face similar jitters that they felt before the new school year started. Talk through these feelings with them. Are they nervous about their workload? Anxious about waking up early again? Worried about friendship issues? Whatever the issue is, be there for them – listen to their worries and help them come up with solutions to help ease these anxieties. You can also discuss any assignments or projects they may have coming up and help them create a plan for competing them in an organized fashion.

Executive functioning strategies

Your child likely wasn’t focusing on executive functioning strategies during the holiday break. They probably didn’t have to worry about organizing their school assignments, planning their after school activity schedule, or organizing their academic work. Help them re-integrate executive functioning strategies before school starts again. Make sure they have a dedicated homework space where they will complete their assignments each day, filled with all necessary supplies. Discuss with them what time they will work on their homework daily after school and keep that time consistent. Help them set up an assignment book, especially if they started using one at the start of the school year but then used it less and less in the fall. If they have lengthy homework assignments to complete, help them break the assignments into steps and put each step into their assignment book. For time management, have them predict how long they think each assignment will take to complete, then compare it to the actual time it takes. The more systematic executive functioning strategies you can integrate, the better, and if your child continues to struggle with these skills, executive functioning coaching can help them tremendously.

The holiday break should be a fun-filled time that all kids enjoy. Yet the transition back to school can be a tough one. Try using these ideas at home with your child to help them start the new year on a positive, organized, and successful note.

The post Help Your Child Transition Back to School After the Holidays appeared first on EBL Coaching.

December holidays are often filled with parties, family gatherings, and loads of fun. During this time, many kids veer off their routines and do little, if any, reading or school work. Help your child start the new year with strong reading skills by trying the ideas detailed below.

Create a daily reading habit

Before school starts again, help your child set a daily reading routine – ideally 20 minutes per day. For younger children, you can read books aloud to them. Let your child pick the books they want you to read to them and make the ritual fun and engaging. The books they choose can even be holiday themed! Try to set a regular reading time and create a cozy, welcoming environment – perhaps a corner in their room with a comfortable chair and light – and make the reading experience enjoyable. Older kids can read on their own, also for 20 minutes or so per day, but ask them questions about the book after their reading session to make sure they understood it. You can also create family reading hour (or half hour, or even fifteen minutes), perhaps before or after dinner, where everyone in the family selects a book of their choice and reads their book in a communal space together. Once everyone is done reading, you can even go around and ask each person to talk about what they read, their favorite parts, and whether or not they’d recommend the book.

Develop reading fluency

Reading fluency is a key component of reading, and a skill that tends to lead to overall improved reading skills. To help your child build stronger reading fluency skills, try this choral reading strategy. Select a passage from a book and perform the following steps:

1. Have your child read the passage aloud to you as a cold read.

2. You read the same passage aloud to them, modeling good fluency.

3. They read the passage aloud with you, trying to keep up with your pace.

4. Your child reads the passage aloud one more time, and you praise them with how much their fluency has improved from their initial cold read.

The more your child’s fluency improves, the more their comprehension and overall reading skills will likely improve as well.

Build decoding skills

When students read, it’s important that they learn to decode, or “sound out” words, rather than guessing at them. Orton Gillingham instruction is a great research-based approach for building stronger decoding skills, but you can practice this skill at home too. When your child comes across a word they aren’t sure how to read, encourage them to sound it out rather than asking you what the word is (the same is true for spelling a word). For example, if they come across a word like “plug”, remind them to break the word into its individual sounds and try to sound it out. Likewise, for words such as “cupcake” or “sandwich”, encourage them to break the word into its individual syllables and sound out the word accordingly. If your child continues to struggle with decoding words, Orton Gillingham tutoring may be very helpful for them.

Ask questions!

Help your child become an active reader and improve their reading comprehension skills by asking them questions about the book you are reading to them or they are reading themselves. If you are reading aloud to your child, stop every 2-3 pages or so and ask them questions about the story, such as: Who are the main characters? Which events have happened so far in the story? Where does the story take place? You can also ask them to create inferences and make predictions about what may happen next in the story. If your child is reading to themselves, ask them similar questions. They can even use sticky notes to write 1-2 line summaries about what they read after every three pages or so and stick them in their book. They can also create character maps describing each character and plot summary sheets at the end of each chapter as they read.

Holidays can be lots of fun, but make sure your child doesn’t stop reading during this time. Try these ideas at home to help your child keep their reading skills strong and start the year on a positive note.

The post Help Your Child Start the New Year with Strong Reading Skills appeared first on EBL Coaching.

How can Nessy Reading & Spelling help students with dyslexia?

Nessy Reading and Spelling

Nessy Reading & Spelling helps students with dyslexia improve reading and spelling skills using the Orton Gillingham methodology. The app utilizes an individualized, engaging approach, including games, videos, and interactive exercises to help students build their phonics and spelling skills. Students start with an initial assessment to gauge their reading and writing strengths and weaknesses, and the app then creates an individualized learning path. Each student is given lessons and activities specific to their levels and needs. Students love the fun, engaging lessons and integrated rewards called “Nessy nuggets” that they can earn along the way. Detailed progress reports are also included! This is a great app to use in conjunction with Orton Gillingham tutoring.

Why Is Phonics Hero helpful for early readers with dyslexia?

Phonics Hero – Growing Reading and Spelling Superheroes with Phonics!

Phonics Hero is a helpful tool for early readers with dyslexia. It is an evidence-based app that helps students ages 4-7 develop their reading and spelling skills. It uses a systematic, phonics-based approach for developing these key literacy skills. Students learn individual letters and their corresponding sounds, how to blend them to form words, and how to read and write sentences. They love playing the over 850 interactive games that are part of the app. Parents and teachers also enjoy reading their child’s progress reports, which show which skills the student has mastered and other skills they need to work on. This is a great app that can be used with reading remediation sessions.

How Does Montessori Words & Phonics Help with Phonemic Awareness?

Montessori Words & Phonics – Apps on Google Play

Montessori Words and Phonics helps students ages 3-8 build their foundational phonemic awareness and phonics skills – key components of reading. The app offers interactive activities, including moveable alphabet letters that students can manipulate to form words. There are also pictures and audio cues that students can use to create words, a sandbox for exploring letters, and visual rewards, including colorful animations when students successfully complete an activity – all great for students with dyslexia, including those who need reading remediation.

Is Epic helpful for students with dyslexia?

Epic 

Epic is a large library of digital books and audio books designed for students in grades prek-6. The app is particularly useful for students with dyslexia, as it helps with reading and processing information while listening. Users can choose a book, then read along while listening, helping to build decoding, fluency, and reading comprehension skills. Students love having access to such a wide array of books and being able to choose the ones that interest them. Each child is given their own profile that is customized to their age and reading level and is presented with book recommendations based on their profile. Students can also search in the app for specific topics of interest or types of books, and parents can monitor their reading activity. The more kids have a choice in their books and enjoy practicing their reading skills, the better!

Can Read & Write help students with dyslexia improve their writing skills?

Read&Write For Education – Reading, Literacy & Assistive Software

Read & Write is a great speech-to-text app for students with dyslexia that can help them improve their writing skills. Many students with dyslexia struggle to express their thoughts on paper when writing, and this app helps alleviate that challenge. In addition to speech-to-text, where students can dictate their ideas and the app transcribes them, it also offers text-to-speech and word prediction features. Additionally, it includes grammar check, picture dictionaries, and fonts that are optimal for those with dyslexia. This app can help students improve their overall literacy skills and encourage them to enjoy reading and writing, and is great to use in conjunction with dyslexia tutoring.

The International Dyslexia Association indicates that multi-sensory approaches like the Orton Gillingham method are highly effective for students with dyslexia. Students with dyslexia often struggle academically as they progress through school. In addition to Orton Gillingham tutoring, these apps scan help them build their core reading, spelling, and writing skills, and ultimately thrive in school. Learn about our Orton Gillingham tutoring program and how we can help your dyslexic child at www.eblcoaching.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apps for students with dyslexia?
There are many apps that can help students with dyslexia improve their reading and spelling skills. Some of the best apps that build these skills include Nessy Reading & Spelling, Phonics Hero, Montessori Words & Phonics, Epic!, and Read&Write for Education.

Can apps replace Orton Gillingham tutoring?
Apps are great tools to use for extra Orton Gillingham practice and as a supplement to Orton Gillingham tutoring lessons, but they should not replace Orton Gillingham tutoring. Orton Gillingham tutoring lessons should be tailored to your child’s specific needs and levels, and these individualized tutoring sessions are much more effective at building their skills than using apps alone.

Can apps help students with dyslexia improve spelling?
Yes! There are many apps that can help students with dyslexia improve their spelling skills. Some great apps for spelling include Starfall, Reading Eggs, and Word Wizard.

Dr. Emily Levy, the director of EBL Coaching, has been helping students with dyslexia build their reading and writing skills for over 20 years.

The post 5 Best Apps for Students with Dyslexia appeared first on EBL Coaching.