Techno Empowerment Central Iowa

03/15/2015

We understand. It's hard for any parent to watch their child struggle. As tempting as it is, however, experts caution strongly against homework "help."

Experts agree: best parenting strategy for homework is "autonomy support"

02/07/2015

After spending all day in a chair at school, it's no wonder kids are reluctant to take a seat and dig into homework. Do you make use of these strategies or any others at home?

Homework time doesn't have to be torture.

01/11/2015

Study smarter, not longer. Studies have shown that students can retain up to 60 percent of new material if they review it within 24 hours. Instead of cramming for hours the night before a test, review the material each evening for 10 to 20 minutes (even if there isn't any assigned homework).

10/05/2014

Six little words that can make all the difference in the world to a child.

But this one did. It was not from Henry Thoreau or some renowned child psychologist. It was invaluable feedback from children themselves. And if I’ve learned anything on my Hands Free journey, it is that children are the true experts when it comes to grasping what really matters in life.

10/04/2014

Many school systems are redoing their report cards in an effort to align with changes brought about by Common Core. Has your child's school implemented any changes?

Many schools are getting revamped report cards as the state adopts new learning standards. Click on the story to see examples of new and old report cards..

10/03/2014

Let's expand your universe a little.

10/02/2014

Family ties run deep, and studies show that building relationships with grandparents is great for a child's well-being. A few ideas to help them connect with one another. What sorts of activities do your children enjoy with their grandparents? http://bit.ly/1owv1XC

10/01/2014

Grab a book, and have a seat.

09/30/2014

It's estimated that by the year 2020, there will be 123 million high-paying, high-skill jobs in the United States, but only 50 million Americans will be qualified to fill these positions. Contact us at 319-389-3847 to learn how we can help give your child the tools needed to succeed.

09/29/2014

Video games are here to stay, along with all of the other new technologies captivating kids today. Rather than resist them entirely, this author suggests embracing screen time as an opportunity for engagement with your child.

If you’re asking whether or not your kids should be allowed to play video games, this post isn’t for you. You live in a different world than I do. From my perspective, video games are the future of storytelling. And, while you might just be imagining they’ll replace movies and romance [...]

09/28/2014

What's your favorite way to "feed" your mind when you're relaxing at home?

09/27/2014

Children in lower-income households tend to lag in vocabulary development, leading to difficulties with reading comprehension, writing and sharing their experiences. One program aims to close the achievement gap and set students up for a lifetime of literacy success, starting right at home.

By age 3, kids in low-income households have heard 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers, research shows. In Providence, R.I., a home visit program is focused on boosting vocabulary.