Category Archives: Education

Education

Invest in education for your child’s future

Investing in education is one of the most powerful things we can do for our child’s well-being from all points of view. When you invest in education you are helping your child develop their full potential and ensure a better future. Whether it’s taking art classes or signing up for an after-school online class, every cent you spend on new educational experiences for your child will be worth it. 

Over the years, we have learned how education can have a lasting effect in children’s lives. Investing in education can put kids on a path towards wellbeing, employment and success. Actually, education is not only useful for our own children and us as parents, it’s also useful at a macro level.

“Evidence shows that, on average, each additional year of education boosts a person’s income by 10 per cent and increases a country’s GDP by 18 per cent. Some researchers estimate that if every child learned to read, around 170 million fewer people would live in poverty.” (Yoka Brandt, Unicef)

Invest in education for the Future

As parents we will always want the best for our children. Education is a life-long process that can include simple habits that can improve our child’s life from a young age. Certainly, this isn’t just in the academic area, but in almost every aspect of their life. Most importantly, a solid education can help children adapting to situations they will face in the future in a effective way.

Invest in educaction for the future

Let’s check out three reasons why invest in education is the best gift you could ever give to your child!

1. Education Enriches Their Vision of Life

Education is an excellent method to try different things with your child’s hobbies, interests, inclinations, abilities, and desires. By giving your child the opportunity to face new circumstances and activities, their mind goes into power mode. Whether it’s getting familiar with sports, art, technology or science, they can start enriching their vision of life.

2. Education Boosts Creativity and Innovation 

Learning and exploring different topics that catch your child’s attention enriches their knowledge. Also education can give them innovative ways to connect the information they have to create new solutions. Education can really extend their vision into the world, adding new data and broadening their viewpoint in any event.

Therefore, investing into education is to stretch the boundaries of their reality and their capacity to innovate further away. By stretching those boundaries, they develop their abilities to think creative thoughts that can make them stand out from the rest.

3. It Will Last Forever

Something amazing about learning is that literally nobody can take it away. Consequently, education it’s an everlasting gift that you can give your child to build their future. Material things can easily disappear, yet nobody could take away something that you’ve learned and experienced.

The time and money you invest in education for your child to develop skills, abilities, hobbies and knowledge will never be wasted. Knowledge will stick with them one way or another forever. In short, investing in your child’s education isn’t just filling them with knowledge. Investing in your child’s future is giving them tools to successfully face any situation that comes their way.

Education

Learning math: 5 exciting ways to learn math at home

It’s a reality, some kids tend to find learning math difficult and, as it turns out, most kids are affected by two common factors:

  1. The myth that it is a challenging and hard subject to comprehend
  2. Old methods of teaching math don’t always make it easy for kids to personally connect to it.

Fortunately for kids, and for parents, these days we have multiple ways of getting kids excited about learning math! 

Math is often one of the most unloved subjects in school; students don’t get amped up for numbers and recipes the way in which they get excited for different subjects. Because math is more complex and harder to associate with real-life examples, it can be less interesting if not taught properly.

Luckily, nowadays virtual learning has opened numerous entryways for kids and parents to have an exciting approach to mathematics. New methods like gamification, simulation, design thinking, live-online classes, online games and even YouTube videos, can get kids excited about learning math, regardless of having affinity or being good in the subject or not. 

Learning math

Learning math, but make it fun!

For little youngsters, and for adults too, dominating a new or difficult skill requires lots of practice. In order to avoid practicing math becoming a constant struggle, finding options to make learning math fun, relatable and interactive is key. 

Gamified learning has had a huge impact on teaching in the last 5 years as it involves using game-based elements like point scoring, competition, team work or score tables to increase engagement when learning new information. That means kids learn best when they are also having fun!

The gamification of learning allows children to see real-life applications and benefits of the subject matter in a highly engaging format. This also helps develop some other important skills for life like confidence, creativity, commitment, teamwork and problem solving. These are skills they can apply not only in the classroom, but in almost every aspect of their life.

Here are 5 fun ways that we find useful to make kids excited about learning math!

Eureka Math

Eureka Math is a free, open-education resource for parents and teachers of kids from pre-K to high school. You can get worksheets, teacher guides and tips for parents.

Khan Institute Recordings

Khan Institute offers a great amount of math preparation content. From essential classes to optional school learning, there is something for everybody. For example, there is a sub-channel called Khan Institute Early Math. It covers points like checking and calculation. 

Learning Math with Minecraft

Yes, Minecraft isn’t just one of the most popular online games for kids in the world, it is also a great tool to engage kids with math and STEM concepts. We designed a one-of-a-kind, amazing MathCraft program where both parents and students truly win as parents get to watch their students thrilled to do math!

UNO Flip

Another simple way for the family to practice math in a fun way, Uno Flip game creates simple math problems your child will need to solve! You could easily do this for addiction, subtraction, multiplication, or even division. Check how to play it with your family here.

Food fractions!

Food fractions are a great and delicious way to learn math! Cut up your lunch sandwiches, tortillas or pies and learn with your child about fractions, addition and subtraction while you enjoy a family picnic!

Education

3 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed When They’re the New Kid

Being the new kid in school can be scary and many kids simply aren’t sure how to handle it. As a parent, you may wish that you could tag along with them to make sure they make friends. Unfortunately, that’s not a realistic option – but it is realistic to following these three tips that can help you prepare your child for their first day as the new kid.

1. Encourage your child to be open to new ideas

At your child’s previous school, they likely got used to the way things worked. They may be resistant to doing things in a different way, and they may end up continuously telling their new teachers and classmates, “That’s now how we did it at my other school.” Explain to them that this can come across as though they’re being combative and encourage them to be open to doing things differently. When they’re the new kid, there’s nothing wrong with smiling, even if they don’t feel like it. In short, explain the advantages of acting better than they feel.

2. Teach them the one strategy that can help in almost any situation: Listening

If your child starts to become uncomfortable, tell them to concentrate on listening instead of trying to figure out what they’re supposed to say. The goal is for them to be interested, curious, and patient students. Learning to be a good listener can take some effort so be sure to teach them the basics of active listening.

3. Help them appreciate the adventure of starting a new school

The great thing about starting a new school is that it actually offers your child an opportunity to have an interesting and exciting adventure. Yes, they’ll miss their old friends and they’ll miss knowing where everything is and how it all works. They may feel lonely at first and they may feel less than confident about how to act. Make sure that they know this is normal but that they can use it to their advantage.

If your child is moving during the summer months, why not bring them into CodeREV Kids coding classes? They’ll get some practice talking to kids they don’t know and can start the school year already having some new friends. And of course, they’ll get some great skills by learning to code, how to use Minecraft, and much more. Reach out to us today to learn more!

Education

Turn Your Good Student into a Great Student

Has your child settled for being a good student when you know they could be a great student? If you see that your child is performing well, but know that there’s intellectual potential that’s not being used, then you may search for ways to help your student to become the great student you know they can be. The good news is that CodeREV Kids has a few ideas on how you can do that.

Be inspiring, be supportive – but set clear expectations

A good parent knows that praise is important to their child’s success, but don’t let your child assume that the praise you give them means you don’t know they could do better. For example, if your child goes from mostly Cs to mostly Bs, you want to reward their hard work – but you also want to be clear that you know they’re capable of As.

The easiest way to make this change is to tell your children that you believe in their abilities, but make your praise not about their grades but about their potential. Remember that you’re really trying to foster a love of learning. If they get too hung up on earning As then they could end up being discouraged.

Pay attention to what works for your child

Making even the smallest changes in your child’s study habits can help accommodate their personal preferences – and can make a huge difference. For example, what if you’ve always said that your child must complete their homework before playing video games? This may lead to them rushing through their homework just so they can get to their games. Another option is to let them play their video games for a set amount of time first. Letting your child begin with what they want to be doing could help them focus more when it comes time to get the work done.

Remember that your child has more going on than just school

It’s easy as a parent to focus on your child’s grades and how they’re doing in school. However, at CodeREV Kids we encourage you to think beyond school and remember that your child has other interests that should be explored. While you may think of extracurricular activities as competing with school, the truth is that they can supplement it. For example, our spring classes give kids hands-on experience with coding – which can help boost problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and more.

 

Education

Is STEM as Important as the Hype Suggests?

Most parents at this point have heard of STEM but not everyone was taught what it means. It stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It’s being promoted as of the utmost importance in part because occupations in STEM fields are growing at about 17% while other occupations are growing at less than 10%.

It’s not a stretch to see that people who work in math, tech, engineering, and science have important roles in the world – and they make more than people in other roles, too. STEM education doesn’t just give kids information either, it actually teaches them to think critically, increases their ability to understand science, and helps to create innovators.

The unfortunate truth is that students in the United States are falling behind other countries in STEM and other fields. That’s one of the reasons that CodeREV Kids created our unique programs to not just give kids STEM skills but to make the learning process fun.

You may be surprised by who can benefit most from STEM

At CodeREV Kids, we have kids of virtually every age and background at our summer camps, after-school classes, and all our programs. However, studies have shown that there are a few demographics who benefit even more than others from learning STEM fields.

Some studies show that there is a serious bridge between the genders and different ethnic groups in schools and the workplace, and this is certainly true in scientific fields. That’s why there have been initiatives all over the country that have helped to increase the roles of minorities and women in these fields.

In order for this to continue, we believe that kids need to get involved as early as possible. The truth is that the ideas that women or minorities don’t belong in these fields is something that children learn. We encourage parents to get their children involved before they ever hear that STEM fields are no place for women or minorities.

Come to CodeREV Kids for all your STEM needs

At CodeREV Kids, we know how important it is for kids to learn STEM from an early age, but we also know that kids aren’t going to learn if they aren’t having fun. We’ve managed to create some programs that are fun, informative, and motivating to kids. We teach them critical thinking skills, teamwork, and a lot more. Reach out to us today for more information on the variety of programs we have available.

Education

5 Ways to Increase the Chances That Your Child Will Choose to Go to College

In this day and age, it’s more important than ever that kids go to college, yet too often they make the choice not to. Whether it’s because they’re afraid of the cost, they don’t think they need it for the career they want to go into, or they’re just sick of schools, it can be difficult for parents to see their child decide to pass on what could be such a useful opportunity.

At CodeREV Kids, we think it’s important to remember that the college prep doesn’t start when your child is a senior in high school – it starts much earlier. Here are a few things you can do to help steer your child toward the rewarding track of college.

1. Let your children know you value college

If you went to college, talk about it fondly. If you didn’t, talk about how it could have opened doors for you.

2. Ask your child what they want to be when they’re older

Of course, you’re not looking for your seven-year-old child to pick a career they’re going to stick with, but you can show them that you’ll support their goals. Encourage whatever their dreams are and put your child in touch with anyone you know in the field. Then connect that job to the need for a college degree.

3. Start your child off with challenging coursework

Studies show that if a high school student takes a single college-level course, their chances of going to and completing college go up.

4. Show them learning can be fun

The biggest obstacle you have is not letting your child think that learning is boring, too hard, or something that’s not necessary. At CodeREV Kids, we offer technology classes that are fun, useful, and will foster a love of learning in your kid.

5. Visit colleges when you’re traveling

The next time you go on a family trip, take a few hours to tour the local university or college. Talk to your child about the programs available at that school and whether or not it would offer the type of programs they need.

These are just a few ideas to help improve the chances that your child goes to college. All parents want their children to succeed and college can make that more likely in a wide range of fields. Reach out to the instructors at CodeREV Kids if you need more ideas on incorporating tech into your child’s learning program.

Education

4 Tips to Improve Your Child’s Test Taking Skills

Is your child struggling with tests? While helping them to learn the material on the test itself is an important part of test prep, don’t forget to actually teach them how to take tests. CodeREV Kids is here with four tips that can help boost your child’s test taking skills.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute

This may seem like obvious advice, but remember that your child will do best if they don’t cram in the days before the test. Study after study has shown that spacing out study sessions is much more effective than a single, long study session. To teach your child to do this, encourage them to group topics into different sessions, show them how to take on smaller chunks of material, and make sure they’re covering each topic more than once.

2. Practice several test formats

Just ensuring that your student knows the material on the test won’t help if they don’t understand the format of the test. Teach your child strategies to eliminate wrong answers on multiple choice tests, have them practice essay questions, and practice allotting time so that your student doesn’t spend half their test-taking time on a single question.

3. Encourage the right attitude

Do you want your child to do well on their test? Of course you do. But this single test isn’t going to make or break their entire future. Make sure that they understand that preparing is what sets them up for future success. Studying, like learning to code, builds a child’s confidence – which improves all sorts of school performance factors. A child who’s too confident is likely to rush through a test, while a student who is under too pressure may have trouble focusing. Help your child understand a middle ground.

4. Remember that overall health will have an impact

Of course you want your child to be rested every day they go to school, and you recognize that a good breakfast is important, but it’s even more important on test days. If your child has the option of sleeping for an extra half hour or studying for that same time, remember that sleeping is going to be better for them.

At CodeREV Kids, we know how important studying is to a child’s future. We also know that our coding programs help children improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills – both of which can help them do better on tests. Reach out to us today to learn more about our numerous programs.

Education

How to Take Your Good Student and Turn Them Into a Great One

Your child is a good student and that’s something to be proud of. But if you’re likely many parents of good students, you’d likely prefer that they were a great student. There are actually several steps you can take to encourage your child to excel even further. At CodeREV Kids, we’ve here to offer some simple tips.

Make sure your expectations are clear

In many cases, parents work so hard to praise their children for what they’re doing – as they should! – that their child doesn’t even realize that there are other things they could do to excel even further. Take this example: A student gets rewarded for getting a B. Are they going to push even harder to get As if they already know you’re proud of their Bs?

This certainly doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be supportive, but it does mean that you can push them by letting them know that you believe in their ability to do even better. Stick to talking about their potential – not just their grades.

Find the right motivations for your child

Just making a small change in your child’s study habits can make a big difference. Take this as an example: Let’s say that you’ve always required your kid to finish their homework as soon as they get home from school. Instead, try letting them watch a TV show first. This may encourage them to focus more on their books because they won’t be rushing through to get to that TV show. Try different things to see what works best for your child.

Don’t get stuck in a rut

Your child’s life shouldn’t be all about school and homework. Yes, you want them to excel, but you should work to allow them to have passions outside of school. Certain extracurricular activities can benefit your child overall, like sports and music, while other extracurriculars, like learning to code, can actually prepare your child for the future.

At CodeREV Kids, we do think that every child has potential and that a child’s parents and instructors should encourage each child to reach their full potential. That said, remember that the journey should be fun. Make sure that you’re not focusing so much on grades or scholastic performance that you forget to give your child time to just be a kid. Once again, CodeREV Kids has options that are both educational and a lot of fun for your kid.

Education

Does Memorization Help Kids in the Long Run?

At CodeREV Kids, we believe that the best way for kids to really learn STEM skills is to get involved. We offer a wide range of hands-on coding classes that can help your kid to learn to code from a young age. That said, there are some fields where memorization still has a place.

Memorization can help improve a child’s language skills

When you think about memorization, do you think about kids simply memorizing important facts and then forgetting them as soon as they’re done remembering those facts for a test? That may not be useful memorization, but remember that there are other types. For example, you likely know the lyrics to more than one song by heart. That’s memorization!

Whether kids memorize poems, lyrics, passages from books, or something else entirely, they’ll become more familiar with the rhythm, vocabulary, and cadences in the English language. This is why kids are so fascinated by Dr. Seuss’s books – they are written with lovely tempos and upbeat sounds.

Do your kids need to build organization skills? Memorization may help

When a child memorizes something, they are doing several things they’re not even aware of – including breaking down a big task into smaller tasks that are much easier to complete. For example, consider when you memorize a song without meaning to. You don’t memorize it in its entirety the first time you hear it.

What’s more likely is that you hear it a few times, memorize the chorus, and as you hear it more and more, you start to fill in the rest of the song. This is all done without you even knowing it! Your brain is organizing the song into parts and automatically knows that the best bet is to memorize the part that’s heard over and over again – the chorus.

Memorization works with other skills

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years at CodeREV Kids, it’s that when kids learn one skill, it helps them with others. As they learn how to memorize, they’re also learning visualization skills, they’re learning how to rhyme, they’re building association skills, they’re learning about repetition, and they’re using reviewing skills.

Each of these skills will help them in the future as they learn other subjects, whether language or math related. Kids don’t have to start off memorizing an entire book. Just start with a fun quote and move on from there.

Education

A Blast from the Past: Learn Why Dictation is Making a Comeback

Whether you refer to it as a game or as a learning activity, dictation may be old school but it’s still a great way to find out how your child is doing with their language art skills. It’s very simple: Just read out a sentence or two and have your kid write it down, word for word. They may choose to physically write it out or they can use a keyboard. What you’re looking for is skill-level in language so the medium doesn’t matter. In addition to showing you where their skill level is, dictation can help kids in a number of ways.

Dictation can help increase your child’s listening skills

If your child has trouble listening, try this: Read a sentence while they sit and listen. Read it again and have them write it down while you’re speaking. Then read it a third time while they check their work. Once they’re done, move on to the next one. This teaches them to listen without even realizing what they’re doing.

Find out what common mistakes they’re making

If you’re relying solely on what you hear when your children talk, then you’re not up to date on their language skills. For example, do they know the difference between their, they’re, and there? Do they know when to use it’s and when to use its? What about two, too, to, or you’re and your? These can be confusing but if you don’t see them write them down, you’ll never know if they’re really perfected them.

Teach them to focus five minutes at a time

A common complaint of parents is that their kids have trouble concentrating. At CodeREV Kids, we recommend your child comes to us and learns how to code. They’ll figure out how to focus very quickly and will love doing it!

Another option is to teach dictation five minutes a day. They may not have the focus to do it for twenty minutes at a time, but if you tell your kid you’re going to dictate five sentences, they can likely focus. As time goes on and they learn to look forward to this challenging activity, add a few sentences to the game. Just make sure they’re still having fun and be sure to check their work every time.