I also come across students with minimal commitments who struggle to plan their day, often spending more time checking their Snapchat streaks than studying.

The difference between students who are busy and successful and those with too much free time and failing is effective time management.

No matter where you fall on the ‘busy’ spectrum, managing your time effectively is key to advancing in your studies, career, and extracurricular activities.

Whether you’re an overachiever, a procrastinator, or a perfectionist, you need to know your daily schedule inside out to make the most of your time! Here are a few handy tips and tricks I recommend to my students for planning their week to have effective time management:

Tip 1. Use a Diary 

It doesn’t matter what format it comes in-just use one!

Using a diary is one of the simplest ways to manage your time. How you use your diary will determine how effectively you manage your time. The most important thing is to make your diary work for you.

I believe you can’t go wrong if you write everything down in one place. Scattering reminders on different pieces of paper will lead to confusion, especially when you have lots of loose sheets flying around.

So, first things first, head to a shop and buy a notebook. Write everything down in there. If pen and paper aren’t your style, use technology to your advantage. Set reminders on your phone, share your Google calendar with colleagues and friends, or use popular organisational apps like Trello or Asana.

Think of pen and paper as your tools for building organisation. If they don’t work for you, it’s like trying to build a house with an axe. Find a hammer that suits you better.

Next step: personalise your method! Personalising a diary lets you be creative and reflect your personality on paper. If you need a motivation boost to start ticking off your daily tasks, add some inspirational quotes or a weekly goals page.

Ticking off accomplishments at the end of the week is a little reward for yourself. If those goals build towards bigger goals, you can see the path you need to take to achieve them.

A diary is a daily tool, so make it look appealing! If you’re using an online app like Trello, be creative with your boards. Set your background to an image of a place you wish to visit-it’ll motivate you to work harder!

Tip 2. Prioritise!

Prioritising your commitments is essential, especially if you tend to overcommit. Always know when something is due!

If you get an assignment due at the end of the term, note that due date in your diary or on Trello right away. Even mark it with a sticky note so you know you have an upcoming task.

A trick some students use is marking commitments with different colours based on their priority. Use red for high-priority items, yellow for medium-priority, and green for those due later. Work through the red items first, then yellow, and finally green.

Tip 3. Take regular study breaks

Regular breaks are crucial for peak academic performance. Your ability to process information diminishes the longer you study. So, the longer you study without breaks, the less productive you become.

The Pomodoro Technique is a recommended method. Spend 25 minutes on a task, then take a 5-minute break. After four 25-minute sessions, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes to recharge.

Alternatively, try the ‘power hour’ technique: study for an hour, then take an hour break.

Switching study modalities can also help. Alternate between reading, drawing diagrams, and watching videos to keep things fresh and aid knowledge retention.

These techniques prevent overlearning, where prolonged study sessions decrease your ability to recall information. Instead, stagger your learning for the best results and give your brain a chance to rest.

Tip 4. Say goodbye to procrastination

Procrastination is normal, but excessive procrastination is problematic. To minimise procrastination, eliminate distractions.

Social media is a big one. Close your Facebook tab and log out if you must. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb’. Mute group chats and turn your phone face down.

Notifications can distract you, causing you to lose focus and waste time refreshing your memory. This could add up to an hour of wasted time!

Sometimes procrastination stems from fear of failure. Students might put off assignments or avoid tasks because they’re unsure what to write or feel overwhelmed. This anxiety can lead to further avoidance.

Acknowledge what’s preventing you from completing work and plan a method to tackle it. Simply talking about why you’re procrastinating can help reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

Tip 5. Schedule time for yourself

While staying busy is important, your mental health and wellbeing are paramount.

Make sure you schedule time for yourself. If you’re eating lunch at your desk while trying to finish work or consistently putting off self-care activities like going to the gym or attending social events, you need to make a change.

Decide what activities you want to do in your ‘me’ time. Be specific. Instead of just pencilling in ‘downtime’, identify how you want to spend that time. This will make you more likely to follow through.

Tip 6. Learn the word “no”

It’s okay to say no! Sometimes taking on too many commitments can overwhelm you and hinder your success. Feeling overwhelmed can make it hard to relax or cope with difficult situations.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is common. You might feel pressured to join activities because your friends are doing them. But FOMO often stems from perceptions, not your true desires.

Tip 7. Get a good night’s sleep

Finally, ensure you get enough sleep to function effectively. Some students think cutting sleep will give them more time to work, but this is counterproductive.

Lack of sleep affects your cognitive skills, hormone regulation, and decision-making abilities. It can lead to ‘sleep debt’, which impacts your future sleep patterns.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests the following sleep ranges:

• School age children (6-13 years): 9-11 hours.
• Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours.
• Young Adults (18-25): 7-9 hours.
• Adults (26-64): 7-9 hours.

If you’re short on time, a power nap can give you a quick alertness boost. However, don’t rely on naps as a substitute for proper sleep.

The most important takeaway is to find a time management solution that works for you. Good time management is a skill developed over a lifetime, influenced by your personality, upbringing, and social circle. Reflecting on these factors will help you understand and improve your time management skills.

Click Here TO FIND A TUTOR WHO CAN HELP TEACH YOUR CHILD EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The post 7 Effective Time Management Tips For Students appeared first on A Team Tuition.

In fact, recent evidence suggests that mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and ADHD have increased steadily in Australia (and in many other Western countries) for at least a decade. Today:

•       1 in 7 Australians aged between 4 and 17 are experiencing a mental health condition.
•       As many as 1 in 3 young Australians are experiencing high psychological distress.
•       Almost 7% of young people are suffering from an anxiety disorder.
•       As many as 1 in 10 children are suffering from ADHD.
•       Suicide is the leading cause of death in young people.

But don’t despair! This isn’t a runaway train – the situation is firmly within your control, here we will explore how mindfulness helps students combat stress, anxiety and attention deficiency. 

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is nothing more than a deliberate focus on bringing one’s attention to the present moment. It might involve meditation, but it also might not. The practice of mindfulness could be literally hundreds of different things! Eating your lunch, walking to the bus stop, listening to music, playing sport – all of these activities may be a chance to practice mindfulness, so long as your attention is fully focused on that activity.

Why is mindfulness important?

Mindfulness is about training yourself to focus on the here and now, without being pulled away by distractions. It is about slowing down, and enjoying life for what it is, without becoming stressed or anxious or overwhelmed about what has happened, or what might happen – remembering that those time zones do not exist in the reality of the present.

I want you to stop and think for a moment. Bring to your mind the last time you scrolled through Instagram or TikTok, or the last time you sat and watched TV, or the last time you got the train home with your friend. How much of it can you recall? Were you fully focused on that moment, giving it your absolute attention, or did other things pull your attention away? Did you enjoy it? Were you happy in that moment? Or if not, what other things did you feel?

For better or worse, life has become chaotic and overloaded in many, many ways. Technologies have made us more connected than humans have ever been before. It is now so easy to send (and receive) a call, a message, or any other kind of alert or notification at any time on any day. Life is truly 24/7, it never seems to stop! As a result, we live life in a state of flux. It is harder and harder to devote our attention to one thing, without our minds constantly being pushed and pulled away.

How Mindfulness Can Help Students

The practice of mindfulness has been found to have a number of fantastic benefits for life, many of which can be directly applied to school and learning, including:

• Improved emotional and behavioural regulation. This allows us to respond to successes or failures with perspective, recognising that we are not defined by our results. Each day is a new chance to keep improving!
• Improved focus. The practice of focusing our attention on one thing for extended periods of time has obvious benefits when it comes time to work. By working mindfully, we reduce our susceptibility to distractions and can get into the zone. There’s a good chance this will boost academic performance too!
• Reduced feelings of anxiety. The practice of mindfulness is designed to bring our minds and our bodies into a state of unity, in which we feel and observe changes in the moment. It is the opposite of anxiety in the sense that, generally speaking, anxiety stems from a disconnect between brain and body, when we start perceiving our environments incorrectly,
• Better social skills. By practicing mindfulness, we become better at simply paying attention. In turn, this will allow us to connect with people more sincerely and deeply, paving the way for an improved social life.

How do I practice mindfulness?

As mentioned, the practice of mindfulness can take many different forms. Classic meditation is probably the best known, but honestly it can be anything, so long as it is an activity that you can commit all of your attention to. Here are a few easy practices to try:

1.       Meditation.

Don’t be scared off by the name, you don’t have to be a hippie or a Buddhist monk to meditate – anyone can do it! Find somewhere comfortable. Sit down or lie down and close your eyes. Take deep breaths in and out, bringing your attention fully to your breathing as you do. Count your inhales and your exhales. You might like to try counting up to 10, and then backwards down to zero. Don’t put any pressure on yourself, if thoughts creep in or you lose count, simply start again. Also, you may like to set a timer (5 or 10 minutes or so), or else just do it for as long as feels comfortable.

Too many people say they don’t have time to meditate, but honestly we can all find 5 or 10 minutes from somewhere in our day.

2.       Exercise.

Exercise? That isn’t mindfulness? You bet it is, and it can also be fun and healthy at the same time. Think about it, whether you’re simply going for a jog or you’re playing your favourite sport, the physically demanding nature of exercise makes it very hard to focus on anything else. I bet you’re not thinking about your maths homework on the soccer pitch or the netball court! Exercise is a sort of ‘natural’ way of practicing mindfulness. If meditation isn’t your thing, maybe this could be.

Also, exercising is a great way to enjoy some quality time with yourself. In the chaotic, ever-connected way of the world today, finding the time to be alone in your thoughts is becoming increasingly difficult. Switch your phone to aeroplane mode for half an hour, head out for a walk or a jog, and give yourself a bit of space from the mayhem.

3.       Art.

Okay, so you’re not into meditation, and exercise isn’t too appealing either. No worries! An art session can be a fun and wonderful way to practice mindfulness. And it can be anything you like – drawing, painting, sculpting, woodwork – the list is endless. Like the other methods though, the trick is to focus your attention fully on the art. Throw on some relaxing music (but make sure your phone is on aeroplane mode!) and get creative!

4.       Listening to music.

That’s right, practicing mindfulness can be as easy as listening to music. This method does present some challenges though, mostly because for most of us our music library is contained on the same device that pings with hundreds of notifications every day! So again, if you’re going to use this one, it’s absolutely essential that you’ve got your phone switched to aeroplane mode so it can’t be a distraction. Queue up a playlist, or a mix or an album, close your eyes if you like, and focus your attention completely on the music, as if you were seeing or hearing it live. Enjoy the beauty of the sounds and the lyrics and get lost in the music.

5.       Eating or drinking.

Okay, if nothing has caught your eye yet, surely there’s no shying away from this one. Eating and drinking, which we all do every single day, are an opportunity to practice mindfulness. Again, like all of these methods, you need to be fully focused on the activity. Don’t be on your phone or watching TV. Sit down with your meal or your drink, and focus only on that. Try and pay attention to the smells and to the different tastes and textures. Cooking is a true art, and this is your chance to honour and experience it fully!

If you are wanting to improve your child’s mindfulness, our academic personal trainers would be able to help you! Click here to find a tutor today!

The post How Does Mindfulness Help Students Combat Stress, Anxiety and Attention Deficiency appeared first on A Team Tuition.

But with your child’s limited attention span and the family’s busy schedule, it seems impossible to choose between online tutoring sessions and in-person tutoring sessions. Of course, they both have advantages and drawbacks.

Rather than participate in a tug of war about which tutoring style is better, your decision will boil down to what works best for your child’s learning needs. 

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of online tutoring versus in-person tutoring so that you can get your child’s learning experience [and grades] back on track.

When Should You Choose In-Person Support?

Home-Court Learning Advantage

One of the biggest advantages to in-person tutoring sessions is that the tutor works with your child in your home. It has been shown that working in familiar surroundings may improve their learning experience even more. If an in-person tutor comes to your home, that can give your child a home-court learning advantage. Think about it this way. The other 22 kids your child learns with at school won’t be around. Home is quieter, too. And it’s familiar to them.

While there are several benefits of tutoring at home, one stands out above the rest—home is a safe space. When a child learns in a safe space, they’re more likely to relax and focus on the lesson.

Hands-On Learning

Your child’s preferred learning style plays a crucial role in their educational success. For those who thrive on hands-on activities, in-person tutoring becomes the ideal choice. In this setting, tutors can incorporate interactive and practical exercises, catering to the needs of kinaesthetic learners. This approach is also particularly effective for primary school students and those with ADHD, as hands-on activities prove to be engaging and beneficial for maintaining their focus during sessions.

When Should You Choose Online Tutoring?

At A Team Tuition, online Transformation Programs  are often recommended for families with limited availability or when our in-person capacity near your home is nearly full.

Tutor Availability

Scheduling an online tutoring session is far more accessible than an in-person tutoring session. Most online tutors have very flexible schedules for their classes. As a result, you may have more tutoring time slots available. 

Opting for online sessions also grants your family access to A Team’s extensive pool of tutors, resulting in increased availability and a wider range of subject opportunities.

Tech-Savvy Learners:

Certain students exhibit a high level of comfort with technology, finding joy in utilizing digital resources, collaborative platforms, and multimedia content. For those who may feel a bit hesitant about in-person tutoring but have no qualms about engaging in online conversations with friends late into the evening, online tutoring sessions offer personalized support in a familiar and comfortable platform.

Possible Downsides to Online Tutoring

While online tutoring with the right tutor is still an interactive experience, it still has a few downsides. If there are technical issues on either end, this can interrupt or even end the session. Also, depending on the type of online tutoring you choose, you may find the sessions need a more personal approach. Let’s take a closer look at these downsides.

Personal Approach 

One of the main concerns when thinking about online tutoring sessions is a lack of personal approach. Although, some tutoring companies, such as A Team Tuition offer one-on-one sessions where the tutor and your child communicate in real-time on platforms that allow for interactivity and efficient communication. This allows the tutor to tailor the lesson as necessary to maximise your child’s learning experience, just like an in person session.

Online or In-Person Tutoring is Not a One-Size-Fits-All

Despite the pros and cons of online and in-person tutoring, you’ll want to choose the type of tutoring that best fits your child’s learning needs. 

And if you can’t decide between the two? 

You can always experiment with both. Observe how your child responds in each session. You can take notes and then discuss them with your child and the tutor to determine the best tutoring option moving forward. 

Are you ready to get your child’s grades back on track? Our online and in-person transformative tutoring programs at A Team Tuition can meet your child’s individual learning needs with our proven methods. Our tutors will boost their confidence and help them improve their grades. Let us help you start your child’s transformation today!

The post Online Tutoring vs. In-Person Tutoring: Which One Is Better for Your Child? appeared first on A Team Tuition.

The Relationship Between Goal Setting and Time Management

Goal setting allows students to truly visualise where they are going and motivate them to get there. Without these goals in place they may feel lost, or lack motivation when engaging in the classroom or doing homework. Once goals are set, time management helps your student plan exactly how they are going to achieve their goals and stay on track with not just school, but also work and social commitments.

Why Time Management Is Essential for Goal Setting

Good time management is crucial for students when it comes to achieving their goals. By managing their time effectively, they can prioritise tasks, stay organised, and ensure that they have enough time for studying, assignments, and other important activities. 

With proper time management, students can avoid last-minute stress and procrastination, allowing them to make steady progress towards their goals. It also enables them to stay focused and be more productive during their study sessions.

Goal setting and time management are important to every student. There are many different strategies that can be implemented depending on what your child is trying to achieve and how long they have to get there. There are also many different methods our ‘A’ grade students use to effectively manage their time and prioritise successfully

3 Strategies to Master Personal Goal Setting for Students

The problem with goal setting, is that many students don’t consider that they are actually working towards something while at school. Students benefit when they consider what really matters to them and work towards something they want and feel passionate about.

For your student, it may be something concrete a career choice, or something more abstract like the strengths they wish to cultivate.

Think about it… If your student can associate what they are learning in school with their long-term goals and something that is important to them, they will be more motivated to work towards that goal. The achievement motivation that is created by goal setting, causes your student to strive for success.

‘A’ grade students understand the importance of goal setting and primarily use three different strategies to set and achieve these goals:

1. The Staircase Model

‘A’ grade Students are able to use the staircase model to really focus on those long-term goals by creating smaller goals that build up to where they want to be.



Big dreams can be very daunting. A student in Year 9 that dreams of becoming a doctor may see that goal as far away, intimidating, and frightening. However, if they break up that big goal into smaller short-term goals it will make that big dream of becoming a doctor seem much more achievable. Using the staircase model also gives students something to work for, which adds both motivation and excitement.

So, if you had that Year 9 student that wanted to be a doctor, that would be their big, long term-goal. Then you can work backwards with them to set those smaller goals that will help them get there. Some of those short-term goals may be getting an A in just 1-2 classes, then getting an A in all of their classes, and eventually getting a great mark on ATAR.

2. SMART Goal Setting

SMART Goals are not just used by students, but in all different professions and businesses. Your child can use this strategy to make sure they have significant goals they feel are achievable. Using the SMART goals strategy, your student will be able to write goals that are well-structured, clear, and carefully planned.

Each goal that students create should contain all five elements of a ‘SMART’ goal. ‘SMART’ is an acronym for the following aspects of an excellent goal.

S: Specific

In order for your student’s goal to be specific, they must clearly identify an action; whether that be finishing an essay or reading a certain number of pages. Being specific makes student think about what needs to be achieved.

M: Measurable

When students set goals, being measurable is important for both their motivation and feeling of accomplishment. ‘A’ Students make sure that their goal can clearly be logged, measured, and evaluated. This allows students to check in and evaluate how they are progressing with their goal and be proud of what they have achieved.

A: Achievable

We often assume that goals need to be something we need to struggle for. Whilst goals should be moderately difficult, ‘A’ Students make sure that these goals are realistic enough to achieve. This enables your child to develop that achievement motivation and remain feeling empowered.

R: Relevant

When setting goals, ‘A’ grade students always keep in mind why they want to achieve them and what they will accomplish when the goal is complete . Doing this keeps the goal relevant to their own passion and also contributes to their enthusiasm.

T: Timely

This part of ‘SMART ’goals ties into the time management that comes after the goal setting. All goals should have some sort of deadline, especially with students. The time limit gives your student a challenge, but also provides a feeling of accomplishment once they complete the goal on time.

‘A’ grade students use the SMART goal strategy in many different ways. Some students may set one smart goal for every class, others may group them together into one goal for the term, and some may even set specific smart goals for a certain assessment. The thing to keep in mind is that students use this strategy in all different ways, a goal being ‘SMART’ just allows students to actually think about their goals and ensure that they are effective, regardless of what the goal is about.

3. Areas for Change Model

While the other two tactics for goal setting revolve around creating the goals, the Areas for Change Model allows your student to see what areas they may want to change and set goals for.

The Areas for Change Model shows there are three different areas of a student that can be transformed. They include academic skills, psychological skills, and interpersonal skills. All students have strengths and weaknesses in different areas. This can be based on their learning language, confidence levels, or personality. The model can allow students to think about where they are able to improve and what may be stopping them from achieving their goals.

A student may look at this model and believe they have superb academic and interpersonal skills; they may choose to set goals revolving around their psychological skills such as increasing confidence or stress management. Another student may look at this and see that they are lacking in academic skills. This can be improved by setting goals around study techniques and exam preparation. Whatever area your student chooses to work on, this model can help them visualise what areas they want to focus on when setting their goals.

Once your student has a good system for goal setting, they can move on to improving their skills in time management which allows dedicated time to work on those goals.

4 Systems For Effective Time Management 

Particularly in high school, ‘A’ grade students need to understand the balance between school, work, extracurricular activities and their social life. It definitely doesn’t come naturally or easily, but once your child is able to gain this routine and have tactics that help them manage their time, they will be able to achieve more in school and reduce unnecessary stress.

The key with time management is that students have many different time management skills and approaches. Some students are great with daily time management and making sure that they are actually productive with their time throughout the day, but don’t really know what is going on at the end of the week or the term. Other students may have a good long-term time management strategy but have a hard time finishing their homework or knowing what classes they have during the week.

For that exact reason, there are different strategies that can be used to ensure that your student is successful throughout the term, on a weekly basis, and on a daily basis: 

1. The Term Assessment Planner

Having a diary that shows your student what is coming up throughout the entire term is effective for planning ahead and making sure they are able to complete all of their tasks in advance.  ‘A’ grade students will write down all of their assessments and exams at the beginning of the term so they know exactly what is coming up for each class.

2. The Traffic Light System

The traffic light system creates a weekly or monthly planner where the student identifies all the tasks that are coming up and allocates them with a specific colour that mean different things.

GREEN: This task is still about 3-4 weeks away and should be in the initial stages.

YELLOW: This task is 1-2 weeks away and I should finish brainstorming and start drafting.

RED: This task needs to be completely finished this coming week

As time progresses, students will move their assignments from green, yellow, and red until they’re able to cross them out.

This time management system is perfect for visual learners and allows your student to create a weekly or monthly planner that helps them prioritise their upcoming tasks.
Based on my experience, this strategy is extremely useful during exam periods or busy times. There is also a massive sense of accomplishment when your student is finally able to cross something off of that list.

3. Weekly Management Plan

This time management schedule is perfect for those students who feel like they just can’t get a hold of their homework and designated study times. Using a weekly planner creates an overview of what they should be doing at every hour of a busy period of the day.

It should include:

• Study Time
• Study Breaks
• Homework Time
• Family Time
• Extra-curriculars
• Any other important activity

‘A’ grade students realise that a weekly time management plan can allow them to have a good balance between all of their commitments and study times. It also helps your student plan in advance how they’re going to fit homework and studying into a busy schedule.

4. Daily Time Management Strategy

Another strategy that your student can utilise is a daily strategy. This helps students who are easily distracted or have trouble with procrastination. It is also perfect for a designated “focus day” where your student may choose to do work for a specific subject or assignment.

In this time management plan, they should outline at least four tasks they are going to try to complete, how much time is required to complete the task, and what time they will be working on it. It is also very important that students reflect on how their daily time management strategy went by reading their own performance and raining down any follow-up tasks that need to be completed after the day is over.

Recognise the Importance of Time Management and Goal Setting

When it comes to goal setting and time management, the important thing is that you and your student understand that everyone is different. 

These are just some of the strategies and tactics that can be used for both setting goals and managing time, which are both very important aspects of being academically successful. Some students may use all of them, and some students may just use one or two. The important thing is that your student recognises which ones they can use and why it’s beneficial to use them.

If you feel like your child could use extra support with effective time management and goal setting, contact A Team Tuition and discover how our tutors can help.

The post Goal Setting and Time Management for Students: Why It Matters appeared first on A Team Tuition.

We’ve had parents come to us asking, “Can you help my struggling child?” And the answer is yes! If your child needs help getting back into the swing of things at school, A Team Tuition’s highly trained team of Academic Personal Trainers are ready to assist by providing transformative tutoring and mentoring. 

Why Is Consistency Important In Schools?

Consistency is vital to a child’s learning – consistency in the way concepts are presented to them, in the way teachers respond to behaviour, and in the way students are rewarded for both academic successes and behavioural successes.

This doesn’t mean that there isn’t flexibility in adapting teaching methods to the various ways individual children learn, but rather consistency in providing controlled spaces and controlled planning to help with children’s learning.

Sure, we can give them a bunch of study tips and hacks, but when a child clearly understands their routines and expectations, they feel confident in their ability to succeed. The more consistent teachers can be, the less intervention is needed and the more successful the child will be in their academic career.  

How to Create a Consistent Learning Environment for Students

Teachers have the power to shape our students’ educational journey and help them thrive. So, let’s explore some practical tips teachers can use to foster consistency in classrooms.

1. Set Clear Expectations

First and foremost, establish clear expectations from the beginning. Communicate the class rules, routines, and procedures, so students know what to expect and how to navigate the learning environment smoothly. Consistency starts with a solid foundation of shared understanding.

2. Create Schedules

Next, create a predictable schedule. Students thrive when they know what to expect each day. Set consistent times for lessons, activities, and breaks. This helps students mentally prepare for the day and creates a sense of structure that promotes engagement and focus.

3. Have a Consistent Teaching Approach

Consistency also means delivering instruction in a consistent manner. Use a variety of teaching strategies, but maintain a consistent approach. This ensures that students understand the format of lessons and can better connect with the content.

4. Organise Everything

Don’t forget about organisation! Keep your classroom and materials well-organised. This makes it easier for students to locate resources, follow along with materials, and stay on track. An organised environment reduces distractions and promotes a sense of order.

 5. Give Feedback

Regular feedback is essential for growth. Provide consistent feedback to students, both individually and as a class. Recognise their efforts, highlight areas for improvement, and offer guidance to help them succeed. Consistent feedback builds trust and shows that you are invested in their progress.

6. Be Flexible

Finally, embrace flexibility within consistency. Every student is unique, and their needs may vary. Be open to adapting your approach, while still maintaining the core elements of consistency. Flexibility ensures that students feel valued and supported.

By creating a consistent learning environment, we empower our students to thrive, grow, and achieve their full potential.

Helping a Child Struggling With Consistency

If your child is struggling to find consistency in their education, there is something you can do to help. Even when things are hectic at school, Our Academic Personal Trainers can be a consistent presence in your child’s life, helping them navigate gaps in their knowledge through expert tutoring or anything they may be finding difficult through mentoring. 

A team Tuition’s APTs follow a different approach – they select a Transformation Program based on your child’s unique needs. This personalised transformative tutoring plan provides help in the areas your child needs most. With tutoring support, mentoring and study strategies, your child can get back on track. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it will help.

If you feel like your child’s schooling lacks the consistency they need to succeed, contact A Team Tuition and discover how our APTs can build a stable learning environment.

The post Why Consistency is Key in School: The Importance of Consistency in Learning appeared first on A Team Tuition.

• Are you easily distracted by the atmosphere and moving environment around you?
• Would you call yourself imaginative?
• Are your workbooks and papers covered in scribbles and small drawings?

If yes, chances are you’re a visual learner.

What is a Visual Learner? 

People with a visual learning style engage with the world around them first and foremost with their eyes. 

Visual learners are what we call “spatially aware” – they remember and take in information mainly through their eyes, storing away thoughts based on what it looks like.

They pay attention to colours, lines, designs, patterns and spatial parameters. Elements of the traditional classroom suit them to a tee, such as the use of whiteboards, smartboards, educational videos and worksheets.

Since visual learners are intimately aware of their spatial surroundings, they tend to make great artists, architects and designers.

Common Visual Learner Characteristics

Although visual learners are spatially aware, this does not mean that they have a photographic memory. They aren’t able to simply look at a whiteboard full of information and remember it easily. Visual learners are not cameras.

The main strength of visual learners is their imagination. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to spot a visual learner – by the imaginative mind they possess. That, in and of itself, is the visual part – a visual learner, naturally, would be a visual thinker.

Here are some other indications that someone may have a visual learning style

• an ability to recall seemingly obscure faces and landmarks,
• books teeming with colours,
• sketches and annotations, and
• immaculately tidy and organised workspaces.

5 Learning Strategies for Visual Learners

The most effective study strategies for a visual learning style will engage their sense of sight. Some of the best examples include: 

1. Colour Coding

Often, visual learners will come to class with a pencil case full of different coloured pencils, pens, and highlighters. They will often use rulers or sticky notes, and are quite pedantic about the set up of their workbooks.

Those 4-colour biro pens and multi-packs of highlighters are your best friend. Organising different topics or ideas with different colours is an excellent way for visual learners to subconsciously form connections between content and commit it to memory.

2. Mind Maps, Graphics and Diagrams

Visual learners will also connect really well with making graphs, diagrams, or flow charts, and will often use mind maps for planning. When studying, they’ll often draw up posters, make illustrated flashcards, or construct a ginormous cheat sheet with all the formulas and different worked examples (often in different colours).

Similarly, by reorganising content into mind maps, connections between different materials can be seen much more easily.

3. Educational Videos 

While technology comes with its own set of challenges for students, it can also be very beneficial for their learning. One such example are educational videos – YouTube is a gold mine for visual learners! You can find a video on just about anything these days, including educational animations and infographics. The visual dimension of videos can hammer a piece of information home much more quickly and effectively than a wordy textbook for learners that rely on using their eyes.

4. Organise Your Notes 

It may sound like a no-brainer, but this is particularly important for visual learners. Remembering that visual cues are these individuals’ primary means of interacting with the world, an organised workspace translates to an organised mind ready to learn. 

Use colours and stickers, switch up the size and style of your titles, or add little doodles to make your notes more visually pleasing.

5. Use Flashcards

Flashcards are a great way for visual learners to study more effectively. 

To create flashcards, you can write down key concepts, vocabulary words, or important facts on index cards, along with a corresponding image or picture. The use of images allows visual learners to associate the information with a visual cue, making it easier to remember.

How Tutoring Can Help Visual Learners 

Is your child a visual learner who struggles with traditional classroom teaching methods? Don’t worry, they’re not alone! Many students find it difficult to understand concepts without visual aids. That’s where tutoring comes in.

With the help of a tutor, visual learners can receive personalised attention and support tailored to their unique learning style. Our Academic Personal Trainers not only tutor and mentor, but use visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, and videos, to explain concepts in a way that will make sense to your student.

Contact us for more information on how to improve your child’s academic performance!

The post Visual Learning Style Essentials: 5 Visual Learner Study Tips appeared first on A Team Tuition.

KINAESTHETIC LEARNING STYLE

• Are you always fidgeting with pens or pencils in class?
• Are you unable to sit still, and find your legs bopping up and down constantly?
• Would you much prefer to be outside, playing a sport or moving around?

These are all examples of Kinaesthetic Learning – If these sound like you congratulations – You are probably a kinaesthetic learner.

Kinaesthetic Learning Style Definition

Kinaesthetic learners are individuals who are “environmentally aware” – they typically take in information through touch and movement, storing away thoughts based on what actions they took.

They tend to learn through experiencing a situation. Their understanding and reasoning is found in their actions, and the consequences of these actions.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of the education system, kinaesthetic learners suffer in the classroom. Typically, activities that allow students to ‘get up and do’ are typically only found in subjects such as P.E. or drama. These specialist subjects may be where a kinaesthetic learner flourishes – yet, in English or Mathematics, they will find themselves unfocused and uninterested.

You can typically spot a kinaesthetic learner by their physical behavior. They often show fidgeting behaviours, such as tapping their feet or fingers, or chewing and playing with pens and pencils. They find it very difficult to sit still, and so will stretch often in class.

Because of this, kinaesthetic learners are all too often branded as the “trouble student”. The teacher doesn’t see the student’s learning language being acted out – they simply see a student who is refusing to pay attention to the content.

This puts a kinaesthetic learner in a vicious loop: they fail to fully take in the content due to their distraction, but their distraction causes their teacher to feel negatively about them, which makes the student feel ostracised in class, which discourages them from learning and moves them to continue to be distracted.

Over the years, A Team Tuition has seen thousands of students facing this very problem. They are frustrated, yet shrug it off, pretending as if they don’t care about school. They simply believe that they are dumb, and will never achieve anything academically.

This is a complete and utter lie.

Kinaesthetic Learning Methods

Kinaesthetic students, when guided correctly, are incredible learners. Because they constantly assess and react to their environment, they naturally develop excellent analytical skills. They are incredible at problem solving, because they are able to see the actions that led to the problem, and find the solution through that.

A stereotypical example would be that of an athlete. Athletic individuals are, more often than not, kinaesthetic learners. This is because their brain has been trained to view the outcome of their actions, and base their understanding off of that. 

Kinaesthetic Learning in Sport

A soccer player would consistently practice kicking a soccer ball into the goals. Through this practice, and kicking the ball in a certain way 300 times, they understand that that kick will result in the ball being launched on that angle, for that far.

They understand the physics behind the motion without even realising it. If a kinaesthetic learner is asked to draw up a similar angle, they understand the reality of how it works.

However, not all assessment or content can be linked to kinaesthetic activity that the student has undertaken.

So what do you do then, as a kinaesthetic learner, when such a situation occurs?

In such a situation, out of the box thinking is required. The trick is not to take the assignment and run around while writing it (although movement exercises and learning combined do make for some fun times!).

Rather, focus should be on taking the assessment and making it real.

Kinaesthetic learners, as I mentioned before, are focused on the actions that they took to get to a certain point or understanding. The key is the reality of the situation; the fact that they can remember the touch, hold, or movement of a situation is paramount.

That memory, however, can be replicated, within a different circumstance. If the assessment task draws from reality – for example, a Mathematics assignment all about measuring one’s ability to run distances, or an English speech that is discussing a certain event students took part in – then it is more tangible to the student, and therefore sends their mind on the right track.

Now, often assignments are not structured in this way. When this happens, it’s important to connect it purposefully, through either an imaginative exercise, or finding a link between the content and a student’s preferences.

This is a solution I’ve heard many A Team Academic Personal Trainers undertake, and I’ve yet to hear of a situation where it has not helped improve or clarify a student’s understanding.

Kinaesthetic Learning Techniques & Strategies

One of the best examples I heard was of a tutor whose student was struggling to remember the definitions of various shapes.

This student was an avid bike rider, and happened to constantly talk about bikes to his tutor. So, the tutor associated the act of riding a bike to the student’s work.

The tutor took the student outside and created a track out of cones, in the shape of a quadrilateral, a triangle, a square, and various other shapes. The student would ride around the track, and had to name the shape, and define it according to the number of sides it had.

When the student went back into typical revision work, they were able to connect the physical activity they did with their tutor to the work in front of them. The memory would stick in their brain like glue, and they’d feel more confident in their work than they ever had before.

There are so many activities that a kinaesthetic learner can use to connect better with their school work. Anything that involves intense problem solving will help jolt a kinaesthetic student’s brain – particularly if there is a physical activity involved.

The best learning strategies for kinaesthetic learning style are those that engage them physically in some way, including:

• Using a stress toy or a fidget spinner. These kinds of toys may be seen by some as nothing but a distraction, but for a kinaesthetic learner they are a fantastic way to bring the hands into play while engaging in other tasks like making or reading notes.
• Create physical, hands-on activities and games. Get creative! Grab the costume box and do a Shakespearean role play, or set up an at-home supermarket to practice budgets and working out change. Anything hands-on will have a lasting impact on these learners.
• Try note taking on different platforms or devices. Recent technological innovations like the iPad are perfect for the tactile learner. Even the subtle difference between typing on a laptop and drawing using a touch pen can make a world of difference.
• Carefully curate a suitable study environment. As discussed, kinaesthetic learners are intimately aware of their surroundings. Too hot, too cold, too bright, too dark – if their study space is even slightly out of balance it can be hugely distracting. Creating a comfortable environment is critical.

I once tutored an early Primary school student who was a kinaesthetic learner. She was struggling to understand multiplication, especially when sitting down and looking at the problems on the page.

Instead of forcing her to mentally work through the problems, I started to make a physical game out of her homework. Using little square pieces of paper, I started placing groups of paper around the room, and asked her to find them and add them up.

For example, if her equation was 3 x 2, I would place three groups of two pieces of paper around the room. If it was 3 x 3, I would place three groups of three around the room. No matter what, my student would excitedly hurry about, find the groups, and add them up.

This ended up solidifying her mind that some numbers stood for a group, and that each group, when multiplied by a number, would result in the answer.

Her teacher was astonished at the progress this little girl had made in one transformative tutoring session.

You, too, might be astonished that such a simple (yet slightly strange) exercise would affect a student’s understanding so deeply. Yet, this is something that we have come to understand quite well, and that we are very passionate about: kinaesthetic learners are not dumb, or misfits, or the “trouble child”. They are intelligent, observant, and analytical.

They simply need someone who believes in them, and understands the way that their mind works. Once they have this person, and they work towards understanding their mind themselves, kinaesthetic learners have the ability to flourish beyond anyone’s belief – including their own.

Our Academic Personal Trainers specialise in adapting to your child’s learning style – contact A Team Tuition today! 

The post Kinaesthetic Learning Style: Meaning & Learning Strategies appeared first on A Team Tuition.

As we interact with the world around us, we rely on our five senses to absorb and comprehend information. Naturally, we will favour some senses over others. 

The combination of which of the senses a person uses in this process determines what we call a person’s learning style.

There are three primary learning styles– visual, aural and kinaesthetic – however people may be a combination of any of these, as the diagram below suggests:

“How do I find out my child’s learning style?”

Great question! (And an important one too). A Team Tuition has developed a diagnostic, learning style test which all of our tutor’s use with their students to determine their learning style. This test asks a series of multiple choice questions (some of which are shown below), and offers responses varied by their sensory focus.

‘A’ responses focus primarily on a visual engagement, ‘B’ responses on the use of speech and sound, and ‘C’ responses on actions and the surrounding environment.

Learning Style Test

You can use these questions to help identify your child’s learning style. Additionally, you might think of some more of your own, or pay attention to the way your child behaves in certain situations.

Does your child remember people’s faces while perhaps forgetting their names? Do they decorate school books with colours and drawings? In your child’s opinion, is YouTube the greatest educational tool ever invented? If so, chances are your child is a visual learner who responds well to anything that engages their sense of sight.

Do you ever notice your child staring into space when you’re trying to demonstrate and explain something to them? Yes? There’s a good chance they might be an aural learner who is actually paying close attention to the words, while not engaging with your actions.

Is your child always fidgeting? Maybe they’ve even asked for a stress ball? Do they like to get their hands dirty, finding themselves in their element learning new trades and crafts? Does your child find school a little boring and hard to engage with, but instead thrives in more flexible and hands-on environments? In all likelihood, your child is a kinaesthetic learner. They learn best by simply doing.

Once you’ve identified your child’s learning style, the next step is to understand its unique characteristics, and ways and means to get the most out it.

What is Aural Learning?

The Aural Learning Style

Aural learners lean primarily on their sense of sound. They love words, rhythms, tempos, lyrics and tones. They thrive in the traditional classroom environment, with a teacher explaining concepts mainly through speech, because they can soak up much of what is being said and recall it even after class has finished.

Aural learners tend to make great readers, writers, speakers and musicians. Their intimate understanding of rhythm and sound allows them to analyse and employ language (including the language of music) masterfully.

Think about someone like the great Ray Charles. Despite being blinded as a child, Charles was able to absorb and process information with his ears. Without the aid of sheet music, he became a master pianist and pioneered the soul music genre. Charles enjoyed a long and illustrious career which included 17 Grammy Awards and 11 number ones.

“What are the best aural learning strategies?”

As we have discovered, aural learners respond best to anything that engages their sense of sound, and are more likely to retain information gleaned in this fashion. Some strategies and activities that would be of great benefit to an aural learner include:

• Reciting flashcards aloud. While flashcards are great for visual learners, reciting them out loud brings the ears into the fold, adding a rhythmic dimension.
• Teaching content to someone else. It is often said that you don’t truly know something unless you can teach it to another. Having an aural learner try and express content through speech is a great way for them to synthesise and remember their thoughts and ideas.
• Engaging in discussions. Bouncing ideas off others allows aural learners to hear their thoughts out loud and analyse them more effectively, and also provides an opportunity to soak up other perspectives.
• Using podcasts. The trend of the 21^st Century! The world of podcasts is continually expanding, and you can find one on just about anything these days. Podcasts may be a great way to get some introductory knowledge on a topic, or to complement what may already be known.
• Recording notes for playback. Think of this one like a DIY podcast. If you’ve got a smartphone, it’s as simple as speaking your written notes into the voice recorder, hitting save and then pressing play. Voila, a bespoke educational podcast!
• Inventing rhymes or songs. Aural learners probably know the tune to the alphabet song as well as the order of the letters themselves. Creating rhymes or songs is a fun and effective way to use sound to make content more engaging and memorable.

What is Visual Learning?

The Visual Learning Style

Visual learners engage with the world around them first and foremost with their eyes. They pay attention to colours, lines, designs, patterns and spatial parameters. Elements of the traditional classroom suit them to a tee, such as the use of whiteboards, smartboards, educational videos and worksheets.

Visual learners are intimately aware of their spatial surroundings, and therefore tend to make great artists, architects and designers.

To some, a blank canvas is a no-go zone, or simply a weekend pastime. To people like Pablo Picasso or Leonardo Da Vinci, however, a blank canvas is a masterpiece waiting to be brushed to life, an opportunity for poetic and political expression. Their rich grasp of colours and patterns delivered us the Mona Lisa and the Guernica.

“What are the best visual learning strategies?”

The most effective study strategies for visual learners will engage their sense of sight. Some of the best examples include:

• Colour coding. Those 4-colour biro pens and multi-packs of highlighters are your best friend. Organising different topics or ideas with different colours is an excellent way for visual learners to subconsciously form connections between content and commit it to memory.
• Mind maps. By reorganising content into mind maps, connections between different materials can be seen much more easily.
• Using videos. YouTube is a gold mine for visual learners! You can find a video on just about anything on these days, including educational animations and infographics. The visual dimension of videos can hammer a piece of information home much more quickly and effectively than a wordy textbook for learners that rely on using their eyes.
• Use graphics and diagrams. Visual learners remember things they see. Supplementing written material with graphics or diagrams will dramatically assist their ability to recall material.
• Organise your notes. It may sound like a no-brainer, but this is particularly important for visual learners. Remembering that visual cues are these individuals’ primary means of interacting with the world, an organised work space translates to an organised mind ready to learn.

What is Kinaesthetic Learning?

The Kinaesthetic Learner

Kinaesthetic learners have a feel for the world around them. These learners use their sense of touch as the primary means of interacting with their environment. They won’t necessarily remember the specifics of a conversation, or who they had it with, but they’ll likely remember where they were when they had it, and maybe even what the weather was like too. Kinaesthetic learners are likely to relish the more practical subjects at school like physical education and design and technology, but may find the conventional classroom environment boring.

Kinaesthetic learners remember what they do, and store information through action. Their intimate feel for the world means they tend to thrive in more hands-on professions like cooking and carpentry, and also make great athletes!

Think about someone like Usain Bolt. His imposing physique no doubt gave him an edge in his pursuit of sprinting domination, but his sense of what 10 seconds and 100 metres must feel like would be second-to-none. He would have an intimate understanding of every inch of the track, and what his body must be doing at every stage to achieve running perfection. He would have been able to just feel the difference between hundredths of a second in his training. This awareness ultimately aided Bolt to 9 Olympic gold medals and the fastest 100m and 200m times ever recorded.

 “What are the best kinaesthetic learning strategies?”

The best strategies for kinaesthetic learning are those that engage the learner physically in some way, which could include:

• Use a stress toy or a fidget spinner. These kinds of toys may be seen by some as nothing but a distraction, but for a kinaesthetic learner they are a fantastic way to bring the hands into play while engaging in other tasks like making or reading notes.
• Create physical, hands-on activities and games. Get creative! Grab the costume box and do a Shakespearean role play, or set up an at-home supermarket to practice budgets and working out change. Anything hands-on will have a lasting impact on these learners.
• Try note taking on different platforms or devices. Recent technological innovations like the iPad are perfect for the tactile learner. Even the subtle difference between typing on a laptop and drawing using a touch pen can make a world of difference.
• Carefully curate a suitable study environment. As discussed, kinaesthetic learners are intimately aware of their surroundings. Too hot, too cold, too bright, too dark – if their study space is even slightly out of balance it can be hugely distracting. Creating a comfortable environment is critical.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that we use all of our senses at some point. While we may prefer some over others, the best learners are those who can employ bits of all three learning languages. They can all be nurtured with a little time and effort.

Help Your Child Develop an Effective Learning Strategy

Everyone learns and evolves differently, which is why attuning to our strengths is the best way to go forward. If you feel like your child could use extra support with focus and study motivation, contact A Team Tuition and discover how our tutors can help. 

The post What Is Your Child’s Learning Style? Kinaesthetic, Aural & Visual Learning Styles | A Team Tuition appeared first on A Team Tuition.

Maths Tutoring and Understanding the Needs of Aural Learners

At A Team Tuition, we work with many students who have identified as aural learners. In layman’s terms, this means that they process information easier through thorough verbal explanations as opposed to reading information. A professional maths tutor should be able to tap into these aspects of learning and find workable solutions to solving complex maths problems that are often ‘word heavy.’  

In the classroom, much of maths is taught at a quick speed using visuals. Students who miss several days of school or feel like they are falling behind often exhibit stress and overwhelm. If your child learns ‘differently,’ you may also feel like you are struggling as you work with them to try and keep up with content that they just do not understand. 

Understanding how aural learners process information is key to creating a successful maths tutoring environment.  

Taking In – Not ‘Doing’

Your child may well excel in maths or show some strengths in this area. Although they struggle with keeping up with classroom speeds, when they can slow down and talk through problems one-on-one you will find that, more often than not, they are able to understand and process concepts and equations. It then becomes a case of differentiating between verbal, visual and aural instructions and working together to find the perfect balance that will help drive success.  

Teaching Maths to Children Who Are Aural Learners

There are numerous strategies available for tutors working with students who are aural learners in maths tutoring.  

Explanation of concepts in a conversational way can help with understanding. Writing out sequences of steps into sentences and then reading them aloud is also a great starting point. Any reasoning done out loud, from both parties, will help solidify concepts.  

Word links, mnemonics, and recording lessons (maybe also asking your child’s teacher to do so) can help with the retrieval and retainment of new information. 

Working with A Team Tuition

Our program was built from the ground up and created by a neurodivergent person who struggled with their learning at school. We know how to reach and engage learners across the board and specialise in working with students who have differing needs. Our lessons are interesting, fun and relevant. We pride ourselves on building connections and forging relationships that foster learning.  

Lock in maths tutoring for your child today.
Get in touch with A Team Tuition.

The post Maths Tutoring for Aural Learners – It’s All in the Delivery appeared first on A Team Tuition.

How to Tutor a Child with Exam Anxiety – The A Team Tuition Approach

Exam anxiety tutoring can help to alleviate the feelings of stress and overwhelm that threaten to swamp those who suffer from this particular learning challenge. Examinations are an inevitable part of the curriculum, particularly in the secondary senior years of schooling, so unpacking the fears and working with various success strategies can go a long way towards helping your child feel more comfortable, confident and competent.  

Exam Anxiety Tutoring

Tutors at A Team Tuition have undergone significant training and professional development to ensure that they are armed with all the skills and strategies required for success when it comes to tutoring students with exam anxiety. 

We take onboard the concerns and anxiety that your child has when it comes to formalised assessment and work closely with them so that they may have success as they gradually overcome and unpack what it is exactly that is causing them stress.  

The founder of A Team Tuition was diagnosed with a learning difficulty while he was at school, and it was this very experience that spurred him on to create and nurture a system wherein all students can reach their full potential. It is this understanding of barriers and difficulties that is instrumental in the tutoring approach adopted by our tutors.  

A Team Tuition offers support to students and their families Australia wide either in the comfort of your own home or via a digital classroom space.  Find a tutor near you who can help your student suffering from exam anxiety.

Specific Strategies for Combatting Exam Anxiety in a Tutoring Setting

Specific strategies undertaken by our kind, professional and dedicated tutors include (but are not limited to): 

• Unpacking criteria so students understand exactly what is being asked of them 
• Working with teachers and schools (as well as families) to be able to understand a broader picture of the barriers to student success 
• Developing workable study checklists that are manageable and do not overwhelm the student 
• Working on relaxation and mindfulness strategies 
• Acknowledging fears, anxieties and stresses to ‘clear’ cognitive space prior to assessment taking place 
• Undertaking mock examinations in a supportive and nurturing environment 
• Looking back over prior work to understand what worked and what went ‘wrong’ to come up with plans for the future 
• Working on creating a healthy, balanced lifestyle and improving the home learning environment to be more conducive to success 

Other common learning difficulties

Kids have unique challenges to learning that they must overcome, whether they are learning barriers or learning difficulties.  Often it is not as simple as overcoming an “I can’t do it” attitude and there are specific methods that will need to be adopted to overcome learning difficulties.   A Team tutors have training in tutoring kids with many common learning challenges including:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) tutoring

Autism Spectrum Disorder tutoring

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tutoring

Dysgraphia tutoring

Dyslexia tutoring

Dyspraxia tutoring

Contact A Team Tuition today to explore how a tutor might help your child who is experiencing exam anxiety.

The post Tutoring Children with Exam Anxiety – The A Team Tuition Approach appeared first on A Team Tuition.

Things Will Be A Little Uncertain, And That’s Okay

With so many changes, things are still going to be a little uncertain. Whether your child is going to school in-person, doing a hybrid school, or fully remote, you will need to be patient as school administrators and teachers continue to adjust and figure out what works best in the classroom. Yes, there will be some uncertainty. But at the end of the day, you need to be the one ensuring that your child is okay. So, when something changes, take the time to speak with your kid and explain what exactly is happening. Transparency will help your child get used to all the changes. 

Communication Is Crucial 

In order to lower your anxiety, you should have a thorough sense of what’s happening. Communicate with your child’s school and keep up to date about any new changes and restrictions. Always check your email to see if anything changes in regards to your child’s education. If your child is doing remote learning, you may need to see if there’s a new Zoom link for the day. On the other hand, if your child is going to in person class, you need to see if class has been abruptly rescheduled due to a COVID-19 exposure. Throughout the process, regularly check-in with your kids to see how they’re adjusting to this uncertain reality.  

Your Physical And Mental Health Matter

Though you want to be there for your child, you need to remember that you can’t be the best parent if you’re not taking care of your own health too. Take the necessary steps to protect your own physical and mental health. Get regular exercise and do things that you find relaxing such as nature walks, mediating, and reading. After you drop off your kids at school or help them log into class, take a moment for yourself. If you feel really overwhelmed, you should contact a doctor or try online counseling. You can reach out to a parent support group or your tutor that can give you advice on how to work through particular challenges your child may have such as ADHD or autism. 

Remind Your Child That They Can Express Themselves 

When you’re young, it can be difficult to navigate complex emotions. During this difficult time, you should regularly remind your child that they can come to you with anything and they should feel free to ask any questions. Tell them they don’t have to keep these thoughts to themselves — you’re there to help. 

Getting A Tutor Can Help With Stress 

Your child may be having a hard time adjusting to this new reality. Getting a tutor can help them deal with this stress. A tutor can assist them with staying on top of their homework and coming up with strategies to work through any academic challenges. With online and in-person tutoring, A Team Tuition is prepared for this new reality. 

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your child has all the tools necessary to succeed during this uncertain time. You also need to check in with your own mental health and do everything you can to stay calm. Whether your child is doing another semester of remote learning or going back in person, both of you can use the extra help. 

The post 5  School-Centric Mental Health Tips for Parents and Students appeared first on A Team Tuition.

Our Educational Philosophy – The STAR Program

At A Team Tuition, we build our program so that every student has the chance to find success – whatever shape that may take. We are invested in your child’s goals and their capacity to strive towards them; so much so that we have undertaken to foster a specific Educational Philosophy built around the efficacy of our tutors and their ability to bring out the best in your child.  

What is the STAR Program?

This program is designed to reveal your child’s potential and create a learning environment that is focused on success, skill building and resilience. There is a focus within this educational philosophy is on fostering a positive, results-based growth mindset that promotes a sense of balance. The educational philosophy looks at the ways that children learn and how tuition can build on that base to create lessons and deliver feedback that is targeted and relevant. Via this program, students will learn to manage their stress and anxiety and channel that energy into rich and real learning opportunities. The setting of specific, time focused and manageable goals will help aid them through this process.  

How does the STAR Program link to pedagogical focus within mainstream schooling?

Many schools embrace a wide number of educational philosophies that can be linked to the STAR program. For example, esteemed researcher John Hattie’s pedagogy has a focus on measures of student achievement which highlights the understanding that appropriate feedback and relevant instruction are key indicators of success. Hattie’s pedagogical approach looks to steer teachers towards modes of instruction that allow students to see real time progress and to work productively at a level that suits them best.  

Other schools use Visible Learning (another Hattie concept) that promotes teacher efficacy by asking teachers to reflect on their own practice and update their modes of delivery to ensure best fit and best results for the students within their care. They look at learning dispositions (the way students learn) to inform their practice. Clear expectations, goals and support are offered and made available at all times.  

How does this impact tuition?

Our qualified and professional tutors look for ways to reach all of the students that they work with – be it online or in person. A ‘deep dive’ into the learning dispositions of these students reveals the best strategies available to reach them in a language and through a methodology that they will understand and respond to. The STAR Program takes the best out of mainstream schooling ideology and matches it to individual learners with the goal of allowing them to do and be their very best.  

Contact A Team Tuition today to discover how our educational philosophy could help your child to achieve their full potential.

The post Our Educational Philosophy – The STAR Program appeared first on A Team Tuition.