Published monthly by Linda Silbert, PhD

In This Issue

Happening Now

Happening Now at StrongLearning.com Call 845-628-7910 today.

• One-to-one tutoring – all subjects, levels and grades. K-12. No contracts. All locations.
• Homework help and test prep.
• One-to-one tutoring for upcoming SAT and/or ACT exams. Friendly Reminder about SAT & ACT Registration deadlines: Feb. 4 for March 13 SAT exam, March 25 for May 1 SAT & Subject Tests, April 29 for June 5 SAT & Subject Tests, March 5 for April 10 ACT and May 7 for June 12 ACT. (See your school counselors for more info).
• Enroll now in SAT and/or ACT small group prep at Strong Learning for upcoming tests-only in Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY – three options to save money.
• Early bird special – Regents Review Classes in all subjects in Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY – three options to save money.

Call Strong Learning today at 845-628-7910.

Happening Now at DrLindasBlog.com

• Find news and updates about our events, online & offline
• Read articles – You’re welcome to reprint any article in full. Include my contact information. Great for a school or community newsletter, a blog or ezine.
• Email your comments, thoughts and observations about kids, school and learning. I love to hear from you!

Note from Dr. Linda

Hi Parents, Teachers and Friends:

I recently heard a guest on a radio show complain about Valentine’s Day. She disclosed how sad this day made her because she never had anyone person to share this special day with. She never gave nor received flowers, candy or cards.

I thought about her comments and realized how important it is for people to say, “I love you,” to special people in their lives and it doesn’t have to be only to one special person, nor does it have to be sending or receiving flowers, candy and/or a card.

Valentine’s Day needs to be a day when little reminders of how much we care about each other, whether it is a child, parent, grandparent, or friend.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll discover why giving Valentines at school raises self-esteem, and you’ll find some good children’s books about love and friendship. The funny story this time is about a mom instead of a kid. Mom’s can be funny too.

From test taking to homework, from math to reading, twice a week, you’ll get short, effective tips to help your child learn. Sign up now and invite other parents to sign up.

It’s my FREE gift to you and your children. Check out the bonuses you’ll get when you subscribe to the tips http://www.askdrlindasilbert.com/tips.html.

School Success Tips for Mom and Dad

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Valentine Cards: Children in elementary school distribute valentine cards to everyone in the class –no child left out. Even though this happens only on Valentine’s Day, it is a valuable tradition because belonging to a group, a family, a school and/or community is one of the prime factors that promote positive self-esteem; and self-esteem is one of the prime factors of school success. Read more about raising self esteem in our book, “Why Bad Grades Happen to Good Kids.”

Good Books to Read Together on Valentine’s Day :  ”I’ll Always Love You” by Hans Wilhelm, “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch, and our own books on the meaning of friendship, “I’ll be Your Best Friend,” “Agnes’ Cardboard Piano,” and “Penelope’s Pen Pal.”

Special School Success Tip for February

Start Preparing for Finals, Step 1: Sounds crazy? But it’s not. In order to do well on finals kids need to start early. So, the first step to acing the finals is to get a calendar for your middle or high school child.

As soon as you or your child know the date of an exam, together write it on the calendar. Then count or estimate how many days until final-exam week. You can find the test dates on line. For example, the New York State Regents Examination Schedule is already posted. My March newsletter will list the next steps you and your child need to do to ace the finals.

Moms Do the Funniest Things

How does a mother in 2010 teach her kids to tie shoes?  Here’s how one Mom did it.

“First, I did a Google search. Then, I bought two different color laces at Walmart. Finally, I created two different PowerPoint presentations (one for my lefty-twin and one for my righty-twin). By the end of the day, they were both tying their shoes!”

Can you guess who this Mom is?

If you’ve got something funny a child has said, please share it with my readers. Just email me and we’ll get some more funny things kids have said into the March newsletter.

Now It’s Your Turn

Go over to Dr Linda’s Blog now and subscribe by email or RSS feed so you won’t miss anything. I love to hear from you. Let me know what you’d like to see in the next newsletter.

Thanks so much for all your emails, calls and comments. If one of my tips or articles has helped, send your child’s success story or a funny but true story to share with my readers.

Wishing your children and all you loving and hard-working Moms and Dads, a happy and successful school year.