Learning That Grows with Your Child

No two children learn exactly the same way. One might breeze through reading but need extra practice in math, while another masters multiplication yet struggles with grammar. That’s where IXL stands out.Instead of offering the same lesson to every student, IXL adapts in real time to each child’s skill level. As students answer questions, the platform adjusts the difficulty, providing just the right amount of challenge without becoming frustrating. It also identifies learning gaps and reinforces foundational concepts before introducing more advanced material.The result is personalized learning that feels encouraging rather than overwhelming.

More Than Just Math

Many parents first hear about IXL because of its excellent math resources, but it’s much more than that.One subscription provides full access to more than 20,000 PK-12 skills covering:

• Math

• Language Arts

• Science

• Social Studies

• Spanish

Whether your child is learning basic addition, preparing for middle school science, practicing essay writing, or building Spanish vocabulary, everything is available in one easy-to-use platform.Instead of juggling multiple subscriptions and educational apps, families can keep nearly every core subject in one place.

Built for Busy Families

Let’s be honest. Most evenings already feel like a race against the clock.Dinner needs to be cooked. Homework needs to be finished. Laundry somehow multiplies on its own. And everyone still has to get to bed at a reasonable hour.That’s one reason parents appreciate how IXL fits naturally into everyday routines.Short practice sessions can make meaningful progress without requiring hours of instruction. Students receive immediate feedback after every question, helping them understand mistakes while they’re still fresh instead of waiting until a paper comes home days later.Even better, IXL is designed for independent learning, allowing many students to work confidently on their own while parents tackle everything else on the evening to-do list.Sometimes twenty focused minutes really can make a difference.

Learning That Feels More Like Play

Keeping kids engaged isn’t always easy, but the right learning platform can make all the difference.IXL helps maintain engagement with more than 600 educational games that reinforce important concepts while making practice feel rewarding instead of repetitive.Students also have access to more than 4,500 instructional videos and lessons, giving them extra support whenever they encounter something new or challenging.Instead of simply telling students they’re wrong, IXL explains why, helping build understanding rather than encouraging guesswork.

Trusted by Families and Schools Across the Country

Parents want to feel confident they’re investing in a learning platform that delivers real results.IXL has earned that trust on an impressive scale.Today, the platform is used by 18 million students, including one in every four students in the United States. It’s also used in 96 of the nation’s top 100 school districts and recommended by more than one million teachers.Research has also shown that students who consistently use IXL tend to perform better on tests, making it a valuable resource for reinforcing classroom learning throughout the year.

Learning Without Language Barriers

Every family deserves access to quality educational tools.IXL is available in more than 120 languages, making it easier for many households to navigate the platform and support learning together.That accessibility helps create a more welcoming experience for families from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Start the School Year Strong

The beginning of a new school year brings fresh notebooks, new teachers, exciting opportunities, and yes, a little bit of uncertainty.Giving children the chance to practice, strengthen skills, and build confidence before challenges arise can make those first weeks feel a whole lot easier.Whether your child needs extra reinforcement, wants to stay ahead, or simply benefits from a little additional practice, IXL offers personalized learning that grows alongside them every step of the way because a strong school year starts with a strong foundation And right now you cansave 25% on an IXL subscription and give your child personalized learning that grows with them.Learn more and start your subscription here:

The post Help Your Child Start the School Year with Confidence and Save 25% on IXL appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

If you have a child between the ages of five and eighteen, then you’ve probably heard the acronym STEM tossed around at parent-teacher conferences or PTA meetings. You probably don’t know, however, just how important STEM education is and will be for years to come.

For years the U.S. government has funded various programs in the hope of bettering primary, secondary, and higher schools. FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, allows students to apply for financial assistance to fund their college educations. No Child Left Behind, a revised version of an earlier law signed by President Lyndon Johnson, has been met with criticism since its inception, though it did initiate a national dialogue about the achievement gaps among underserved students. Since 2012, the federal government has allowed flexibility in state requirements “in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed plans designed to close achievement gaps, increase equity, improve the quality of instruction, and increase outcomes for all students,” according to the U.S. Department of Education.

What makes STEM unique among many government-funded programs is that its not just about providing kids with equal educational opportunities; STEM is about preparing students for the jobs of the future. Science, technology, engineering, and math, collectively known as STEM, are subjects that should be studied to fill these future positions.

The problem is most students don’t want or don’t have the opportunity to pursue expertise in STEM fields. Only 81 percent and 71 percent of Asian American and white high school students are offered a full range of science and math courses, respectively. The numbers for American Indian, black, Hispanic, and Native-Alaskan students are even lower.

That’s why the Committee on STEM Education (including the Department of Education) is “facilitating a cohesive natural strategy.” Funds will be dedicated to five different areas: improving STEM instruction in primary and secondary schools, increasing youth and public engagement with STEM, improving college students’ STEM experiences, concentrating on groups underrepresented in STEM fields, and designing graduate education for the future’s primarily STEM workforce.

While studying science and math probably seems like a good idea to the average person, increasing students’ interest in STEM subjects is an entirely different story. After all, not every student, and indeed most don’t, enjoy studying math. Rather than teach STEM subjects as separate entities, the goal is to promote STEM subjects as a whole, to show how they work together.

“What separates STEM from the traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real world applications of problem solving.” (Elaine J. Hom, Livescience.com)

With the STEM initiative still in its early phases, its success is still undetermined. There are ways parents can help promote STEM education interest in their children, however.

ARCKIT is a system of movable and reusable scaled model building kits for kids ages 12 and older. Originally designed by architects to for their own professional use, the ARCKIT sets can be connected to build even bigger and more elaborate buildings, structures and more. ARCKIT GO, the starter kit, is $69.99. As of September 9, the ARCKIT system became available at Barnes & Noble stores across America.

The post What You Need to Know About STEM Education appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

School is back in service which means homework is back, too.  Getting kids to focus on their homework can be a real chore.  To help the process go a little smoother, create a homework haven for your kids. Set the scene to make it more comfortable and conducive to studying. Below are a few tips on creating a homework space that is perfect for studying.

1. Choose One Homework Space for the Kids: Designate one room or area of a room for homework and studying, rather than have the kids do homework at the kitchen table or on the couch in the living room. The kids associate the kitchen with food and the living room with socializing, games, and the TV, so this can cause confusion and distractions. Set aside a special room or area for a desk/table, homework supplies, and minimal distractions, because having a regular “homework room” will help the kids associate that area of the house with studying, which in turn will help strengthen their self-discipline and focus.

2. Stock with Essentials: Make sure the room is stocked with all necessary materials, such as lined paper, pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, tape, scissors, etc. If you set up a computer in the homework room, ensure that it has certain Internet blocks so the kids can’t surf YouTube videos when they should be studying! Also make sure a printer stocked with paper and ink is on-hand.

3. Choose Proper Chairs: You want the chairs to be comfy but not too comfortable, as that can cause drowsiness and the kids might end up falling asleep instead of studying. Choose simple and rigid chairs that don’t swivel or roll around, because the kids might end up playing around on them instead of staying stationary and studying. Also, make sure the kids can sit on the chairs comfortably with their feet touching the ground

4. Lighting: Ensure the studying space has adequate lighting, set at a level that is not too low and not too bright. If the lighting is too low, it can cause headaches, eyestrain, and drowsiness. Too bright of lighting can cause a discomforting glare off the book pages and studying materials. Shielded, full-spectrum fluorescent lights are known to help people stay calm, steady, and focused while studying.

5. Noise Level: Ask your kids if they work better in complete silence or with “white noise” or low music, and plan the space accordingly. If your kids prefer absolutely no noise, ensure that you and your partner stay as quiet as possible during the hours of after-school studying. If the kiddos work better with low music, set up an iPod dock to play “white noise” tunes like rain or low symphonic music.

6. Snacks: The best bet is to keep all snacks and food in the kitchen and cupboard, and tell the kids to enjoy a quick snack and “brain break” in the kitchen before heading to the homework space. If snacks are within reach in the homework area, your kids might be constantly distracted from wanting to grab another juice box and granola bar! However, you can keep bottles of water on-hand in the homework room, in case the kids get thirsty.

7. Decorate the Walls in A Non-Distracting Way: Brighten up the kids’ study room with learning murals, as it will spark the kiddos’ interest and imagination in their studying. Also, make sure to hang up your kids’ artwork around the room, as this will help the kids develop pride in their work and in producing projects worthy of gold stars!

Getting kids to do their homework will never be easy but with the right “haven,” hopefully it will go a little smoother! 

Sincerely,

Daddy Nickell

Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of 7, offers his “5 cents” worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gifts and apparel, and the DaddyScrubs blog where he covers topics about parenting all from a Dad’s perspective.

The post Create a Homework Haven for your Kids appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.