Teen Success in Challenging Times: Practical Tips on How You Can Help Your Teen
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Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
These are challenging and disruptive times for all of us wars, the environment, the economy and our kids, particularly teens, are being affected as well. Everywhere they turn there is talk of how bad things are and they take it in. Teens may give the appearance that theyre immune from these issues, but many of them actually are feeling concern deep down. Other teens are more vocal, blaming adults in general and, often times, blaming their parents specifically.Whether your teen appears unsettled by todays world events or not, its well worth your time to do what you can to...
9 Ways to Support Your Teen
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
For many years at SuperCamp, parents would ask us if we could start a program for them, to help them learn what their child is learning at SuperCamp. A few years ago we started Parent Weekend, an intensive three-day parent program that coincides with the final three days of a 10-day Junior Forum or Senior Forum at the same location. The parents who attend love it, including graduating with their children on the final day.In addition to exposing parents to many of the learning and life skills their sons and daughters discover at SuperCamp, we also talk with parents about how...
What Parents Need to Know About Summer Enrichment Camps
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Every year, parents are faced with the same question: how to make the summer both fun and constructive for their kids. More families are turning to summer enrichment programs as a way of adding value to the summer camp experience.But not all summer enrichment camps are created equal. Here are some points to consider when evaluating programs for your son or daughter for this summer.Does the area of enrichment have any practical application to your childs academic future?Several camps position themselves as enrichment programs when, in reality, they are glorified and expensive vacations for the students who attend. Do the kids...
Lighting the Fire of Motivation in Your Teen
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
One of the most difficult tasks parents face in bringing up teenagers is motivating them to do their best, particularly in the academic arena. The truth is its very hard for parents to motivate their kids.Motivation is intrinsic; it comes from within. Parents, or teachers for that matter, cant force a young person to get motivated to learn more at school. The more they try the more resistance they receive.Of course theres the proverbial carrot on the stick approach. If you get better grades, you can earn a ________. Incentives, or bribes, only go so far for so long.So what does...
10 Easy Ways to Study More Effectively
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Whether you have grade school, middle school, high school or even college students, you can support and encourage their successful learning in two important ways by helping them create a positive study environment and by providing them with learning tips that apply at home and in the classroom. This report from SuperCamp and Quantum U addresses what students and supportive parents can do in each area.Creating a Positive Study EnvironmentDeveloping strong study habits is an extremely important learning skill, but its often overlooked when thinking of ways students can take control of improving their grades. Here are some of...
Back-To-School Learning Tips
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
As summer winds down, working moms and parents everywhere want to help their kids prepare to start the new school year with the skills they need to succeed. Getting kids excited about learning is a matter of teaching them to be fully engaged in the moment. At SuperCamp we call this concept This is it! Its one of our 8 Keys of Excellence that we teach campers. Here are some ideas we share with students and parents:1. Create a home office for studyingA study area should be quiet and away from distractions. It can be the students bedroom, a den, loft,...
Learning to Make Beautiful Music Together
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
In teaching young people to play violin and ocarina, I see them also learning skills that help them in their studies, life and work. Many of these skills are the same ones that can help couples preparing to get married to enjoy a healthy, happy relationship over the years.Through music instruction, students learn discipline, patience, problem-solving skills, confidence and responsibility, among other valuable lessons. These character traits are developed through repetition, as students slow down and focus on playing each note correctly. In a world bombarded by fast-paced and often dubious media messages touting instant gratification, music can help people slow...
Tuning Up Muscles and Mind: Health Benefits of Music Education
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
My husband is a very fine musician, and as our business has grown, he has had less time to devote to practicing the violin. When he was able to start regularly practicing again recently, he soon found he had lost several pounds.How could that be? Violin is a very physical instrument. He wasnt doing any other exercise or diet, so we know his weight loss was from the extra activity of playing.One of the often-overlooked benefits of playing a musical instrument is how it helps improve overall fitness and health. In my experience teaching music at the St. Louis School of...
Life Skills From Music Education
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
In teaching young people to play violin and ocarina, I see them also learning skills that will help them in their studies, life and work. One of the amazing things about music education is how students pick up these skills through the process of learning to play an instrument.Through music instruction, children learn discipline, patience, problem-solving skills, confidence and responsibility. These character traits are developed through repetition, as students must slow down and focus. In a world where kids are bombarded by fast-paced and often dubious media messages touting instant gratification, they learn the value of applying themselves to a task.Learning...
Ocarina: Easy, Economical Way to Introduce Kids to the Joy of Music
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Summer is almost here and parents are looking for ways to keep their kids entertained, engaged and learning. Many families will enroll children in music lessons over the summer, but there are other economical ways to introduce kids to the joy of playing an instrument. I teach violin at the St. Louis School of music and I know that not all families have the time, resources and or interest to devote to private instruction and buying or renting a violin, cello or piano.For these families, I have found the ocarina is a great instrument to introduce kids to music. It is...
Are You Tempted To “Settle”?
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Recently, Ive heard the rumor that some people out there think maybe its a good idea to stop trying to meet the great mate. Some writers on the subject of dating have suggested that if you cant find Mr. or Ms. Right, how about Mr. or Ms. Good-Enough. I have a problem with that attitude.That perception could take you in a direction that would not serve you well. Heres why: I see people every day who gave up searching for their great love and settled for the compromise. Now they are paying the price. Making the choice to settle for someone...
What Are You Waiting For?
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Waiting for the fish to bite and waiting for wind to fly a kite. Waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting. Dr. SeussAre you waiting to meet someone special? Are you waiting to fall in love? Are you tired of waiting to find your soul mate? If you're single...and you're honest...the answer to that would be a big yes!But the dream of falling in...
6 Signs That You've Gotten M.A.D. (Money Anxiety Disorder)
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The American Psychological Association conducted a survey in late 2008 and found that 80% of the people who responded said that the financial crisis was causing them a significant amount of stress. Anxiety over money issues has produced a new ailment that is affecting a large part of the population, particularly women. Psychology professionals have named this affliction: Money Anxiety Disorder. Women tend to be more highly stressed about money issues because in general they are not the major breadwinners; they are the care-givers, concerned about their family's future and well-being. And, in relationships, there usually isn't an open and equal...
FTC to Protect Consumers from Online Debt Settlement Companies: People facing debt should know their rights
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The Federal Trade Commission has ruled that starting Oct. 27, 2010, companies that sell debt relief services over the phone will not be able to charge a fee in advance of settling or reducing a client's debt.Many debt settlement companies promise to settle debt by 50 percent or more, but collect fees up front and frequently aren't able to reduce the debt as promised. In some cases, because of the accumulation of unpaid interest, consumers end up facing more debt than when they started.Starting Oct. 27, 2010, a Telemarketing Sales Rule will go into effect with the following provisions:Debt relief companies...
The Power of the Purse: How to wield a bag for financial, personal defense
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Your purse has power squared for your personal financial self-defense. First, it holds the resources to make you a powerful consumer. Studies have shown that women and their wallets control over 80 percent of consumer spending. In general, women buy most of the household and family items, including major appliances, vacations and automobiles, so they carry a hefty financial weight in the operation of the economy.The best method for using your spending power, particularly for larger ticket items, is to take your time and not make impulsive decisions. Comparison shop, gather information, work within your budget and after a lot...
