Children who demonstrate automatic retrieval of basic skills are able to focus more on thinking and problem-solving while retrieving information. Parents, with support from their child’s teacher/tutor should set up and enforce effective study habits and routines at home. An effective structure and routine, with small doses of repeated practice on basic skills can make a huge positive difference in school performance. Parents and tutors may need to advocate for a child to use advance organizers and/or electronic devices and assistive technology tools. (See previous article on Assistive Technology) in the school setting. Organizers and useful tools and resources that match a child’s needs can allow a child to work more productively while directing more effort into higher-level work.

A young child who does not need to focus on letter formation or spelling is free to develop ideas for writing. An older child who uses a calculator and/or printed resources to gain quicker access to basic facts and/or procedures is able to focus more thought and energy into solving complex math problems.

Effective teaching practices can help these children to make more meaningful connections between prior learning and new learning while increasing their understanding of new information and concepts, and retrieving and applying learned information to new situations. A combination of strategies that include effective teaching and differentiation techniques, skill building, and “work-arounds” are listed below.

• Explicit teaching of organization strategies, time management, note taking skills,
• How to use graphic organizers, how to study for tests, how to prioritize information, how to self monitor, how to elaborate, and how to summarize new information.
• Teachers can reinforce learning of new information when they use analogies, use questioning and discussion techniques that guide a child to make information meaningful, incorporate ways for a child use and apply new information in a variety of ways.
• Ongoing assessment, allowing a child more time to remember, alternate forms of assessment and open ended questions and learning tasks that substitute recongition memory tasks for tasks that require recall memory are additional strategies that can allow a child a more comfortable outlet for communicating their understandings while allowing a teacher to assess their progress.

Finally, parents can teach their children that memory is like a muscle. They more memory is used, the stronger it gets!

If your child is struggling with memory tasks, find a tutor who can help with developing memory strategies.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

Show your child that there is far more to reading than just homework assignments. It is, of course, important that your child complete all of her school-related reading to the best of her ability. But she shouldn't only associate reading with school. Remember that reading can take many forms. Introduce your young reader to a great graphic novel, like those in Art Spiegelman's Little Lit series. Spiegelman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Maus, brings together top storytellers for this highly regarded, fun-to-read series.

You may also want to introduce your child to magazines that are created especially for his interests and age group. Time for Kids is a great introduction to world events. Sports-loving students will devour Sports Illustrated Kids. Young nature enthusiasts will love classics like Ranger Rick and Your Big Backyard.

Reward your child for time spent reading. We're not talking big prizes, here. Instead, show your child that reading is valuable—and that you are proud of her hard work—by creating a "gold star" system or taking her out for a small treat, like an ice-cream cone or a new pack of stickers. Remember, too, that all children read at different levels and paces. Your fifth-grader might fly through a Harry Potter book in a week, while your third-grader struggles to finish a three-page story. Reward your child for making strides at his or her own ability level. Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage a love of reading. It shows your child that reading is valued.

Lead by example. Your child is very aware of the things that you do—and the things that you don't do. If he sees you reading for fun, he'll be far more likely to pick up a book than if he never sees a parent or guardian reading. Even more important, talk about reading with your child. When you're sitting at the dinner table, share something exciting that you found in a book. Recommend stories that you loved as a child to your own children. You are a role model for your child in so many ways, and she will certainly notice—and emulate—your attitude toward reading.

To find a reading tutor who can build upon the very important work you've done at home, visit our detailed reviews of StrongLearning.com and Care.com.

If your child is in need of a reading tutor, find the best solution for your family.

Today you’ll start studying!  The books are on the kitchen table and you’ve just made some toast.  Before you start your breakfast and your reading, you’d be wise to consider a few pointers on how to get the most from your classes.

Distance learning increased in popularity when students of all ages realized the ultimate convenience offered by studying completely at home.  Most courses are correspondence in nature and allow you to study with instructors on call for difficult assignments.  Some even provide internet access with whiteboard/blackboard capabilities or discussion groups to allow interactions with peers.  Remember, your course work commands and deserves your undivided attention.  You’ll need to treat it as you would any job you’ve previously held.  There should be definite start and stop times set, regular sessions scheduled, preferably in the same location, and you should not encourage disruptions or distractions until you end the session each day. 

Studies have shown that most people who multi-task are less efficient at both tasks than they would have been completing one at a time.  When studying for your course, don’t answer the phone or watch the television at the same time.  You’ll save time in re-reading over the same material when your concentration is at its peak performance.

Because it can be lonely studying alone, consider joining a study group locally to discuss theories and principles related to your course work.  If there are none available, start one yourself.  Place flyers in libraries and college community boards. You may also be able to seek out personal tutors to help with the difficult sections of your assigned chapters.  Local community colleges, places of worship, recreation centers and district high schools have tutors who are willing to clarify topics and work with you for a fee.  Certified teachers are good resources in this area as well.  They often have experience developing curriculum and will know what cumulative skills you will need for upcoming sections of your class. 

Don't be afraid to ask the community college near your home for a list of available tutors, or advertise on one of the social networks for one.  It is easy to find a college student majoring in the subject you are having the most trouble with, who may tutor you for a reduced rate, or for a flat fee.  Follow up with the local state school campus with teachers getting their certification to teach.  Often, they need internships for credits, and are not expecting to be paid for helping out.  This is a win-win situation, you'll get quality tutoring for free, and the student (someone who can be of any age!) may receive the required internship credit hours applicable towards graduation.

Now you’ll feel comfortable finishing that piece of toast. With these tips in mind, you’ll find that distance learning will fit easily into your lifestyle.  You’ll be able to work, relax and manage your personal and family life as well as your course work when each has a special time delineated in advance.