Category: Education

Math has often been one of the least favorite subjects among students. This is largely due to how challenging it can be. But you have the power to change that, and here are some excellent ways on how you can help your child learn to love math.

But before we dive in, remember that we simply can’t know how far each individual child will go in their proficiency at math.  No parent or educator should make a quick judgement based on their present abilities.  The focus here should be on “lighting a spark” in the child’s mind, showing how exciting and rewarding math can be in challenging the mind and solving problems.

Ways That Will Help Your Child Love Math

1.  Expose your Child to Math Games

Fun is an essential element to what kids will love. And what’s more fun for your child than games? Luckily for Math, there are now a lot of games that parents can use to help make learning math more enjoyable. There are also various levels of games that you can come across so whatever age your child may be, there is bound to be a Math game that’s a right fit for him. Not only will your child have fun because he’s playing games, but he will also learn math at the same time.

Incorporating math games into your child’s routine can turn learning into an enjoyable experience, making math less intimidating and more engaging.

2.  Engage in Math Challenges

You can take a step up from math games and engage in more brain-teasing math challenges. On one angle, math challenges are a few notches higher than math games in terms of difficulty, but with an opportunity to win a reward, your child would be glad to participate. What’s great with this is that your child will be well-suited with the needed thinking skills to face math problems in schools because of this. You can find a lot of engaging math challenges online that you and your child can engage in.

By participating in math challenges, your child can develop critical thinking skills and a sense of accomplishment, making math both fun and rewarding.

3.  Make Math Questions More Relatable

Math talks about a lot of numbers, and most of the time, that’s just what they are – numbers. With that, it would be a good idea to make math questions more relatable. For example, when your child asks about division, you can help him visualize it by talking about a cake. Or when possible, you can use toys to visualize math questions.

It’s not always easy to find good math sources do this but, when the chance arises, it’s always great to make examples out of relatable ideas or tangible items.

Relating math problems to real-life scenarios helps children understand concepts better and see the practical applications of math in everyday life.

4.  Avoid Repetitive Math Exercises

Your child will easily hate something that he has to repeat over and over again – especially when such activity is not fun. One good example is working with boring math flash cards. It’s best to avoid overusing any math tool, so that your child doesn’t get bored with it, and Math in itself. Of course, these tools are helpful so you may use them once in a while. And with the help of rewards, you can make your child like these math tools a bit more. The key is to strategically use these math tools without overusing them.

Using a variety of math activities keeps learning fresh and engaging, preventing boredom and frustration.

5.  Set the Right Attitude on Math

One overlooked way in shaping your child to love math is the parent’s attitude towards it. Some parents face the other way when faced with math questions from their children. This leads to a child thinking that Math is something that should be avoided. As parents, set an example for your child and be a little more positive towards Math.

Your positive attitude towards math can inspire your child to approach the subject with curiosity and confidence, creating a more supportive learning environment.

Of course, not all parents are well-versed on Math, especially if we’re talking about more advanced math topics for more advanced students. And for such cases, it could help if you seek math tutoring services. A dedicated math tutor is equipped with the right skills and tools that can help your child learn math effectively. Furthermore, math tutoring specialists are also equipped with the right teaching strategies that will help your child find math more engaging and fun.

The Wrap Up:  Math Today and Beyond

Parents are in the forefront of the movement on making Math more fun. They help lay the groundwork at home to support teachers in school who have the expertise to fuel a child’s passion for math.  Whether a child is struggling with math or has a natural aptitude to succeed, parents, teachers and math tutoring specialists all work together toward to ensure next generations to see Math in a better light.

Additional Reading:

• The importance of methodology to make learning mathematics easier.
• 10 benefits of homeschooling math to your child.

Creating a PDF as your final document to share, post, or save information has many benefits. PDF’s offer consistent formatting across various devices and operating systems.  They can be encrypted, password-protected, and possess digital signatures for document security and authenticity. PDFs are also compressed, which reduces file size while maintaining quality.

When you create a PDF, you preserve the original layout and design.  This makes them ideal for professional documents. A PDF can include text, images, links, and even interactive elements like forms and buttons. When posted online, they are searchable on Google and can’t be easily altered.

All around, PDF documents are a long-time trusted stable format for viewing online or when saved to your device.   There are many ways to create a PDF from within the individual programs or platforms you may be using.  Here are a few:

How to Create a PDF

1. Using Microsoft Word

There was a time when converting PDFs from Word Docs was not possible.  You had to use an alternative software program.  Today, PDF conversion is including in Microsoft Word.

1. Open the document you want to convert to PDF.
2. Click on the “File” tab in the upper left corner.
3. Select “Save As.”
4. Choose the location where you want to save the PDF.
5. In the “Save as type” dropdown menu, select “PDF (*.pdf).”
6. Click “Save.”

2: Using Google Docs

To begin, navigate to Google Docs and open the document you wish to convert.

1. Click on “File” in the top menu.
2. Select “Download.”
3. Choose “PDF Document (.pdf).”
4. The PDF will be downloaded to your computer.

3: Using Online PDF Converters Online

PDF’s can also be created online using a website that allows you to upload your document and save the file as a PDF back to your device.

1. Select an Online PDF Converter.
2. Upload Your File
3. Click on the upload button and select the file you want to convert.
4. As per the website’s features, click to convert your file.
5. Download the converted PDF to your computer.

4: Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Systems created PDF technology and holds the patent for its usage.  This is why Adobe Acrobat is one of the more popular software programs installed on computers worldwide.  However, you need to upgrade to the Pro Version to create a PDF.

1. Open Adobe Acrobat on your computer.
2. Click on “Tools” in the upper left corner.
3. Select “Create PDF.”
4. Choose the file type and select the document you want to convert.
5. Click “Create.”
6. After the file is converted, click “File” and select “Save As.”
7. Choose the location where you want to save the PDF and click “Save.”

Using Print to PDF (Windows)

1. Open the document you want to convert to PDF.
2. Press “Ctrl + P” or go to “File” > “Print.”
3. Select Print to PDF
4. In the printer selection dropdown menu, choose “Microsoft Print to PDF.”
5. Step 4: Save the PDF
6. Click “Print.”
7. Choose the location where you want to save the PDF and click “Save.”

Tips for Creating a High-Quality PDF

Check Formatting: Ensure your document is well-formatted and visually compelling before converting it to PDF.  Use font sizes that are easy to read with sufficient spacing between lines and bold headings and sub-headings.

Optimize Images: Use high-quality images but keep the file size reasonable to ensure the PDF loads quickly. Here’s one of our favorite image optimizers that we use for images on this website.

Check Hyperlinks: If your document contains links, make sure they work correctly after converting your document or images in the PDF.

Proofread: Of course, always proofread your document for errors before converting it to PDF.  Otherwise, if you see mistakes, you’ll need to go back to the original document to fix grammar or misspellings, then create the PDF over again.

A Final Word About PDF Cyber Security

PDFs are considered safe and secure great because unlike Word documents, the PDF file itself cannot be infected by malware or a virus.

However, that doesn’t mean the links within a PDF are necessarily safe.  Words that are linked and image links within a PDF vile can be infected.

Double check that any PDF’s you download from the internet comes from a safe reliable source.

Read about the best alternatives to adobe for students.

To succeed in any career in a competitive job market begins with passion and commitment.  Once you decide what you want to do, finding the right education and training is the next big step. Becoming proficient with niche skills such as medical billing and coding can lead to an excellent career within health care management.

These professionals are responsible for the efficient functioning of medical facilities, as they manage patient records accurately to assist in insurance claims and billing processes. Once you have completed the medical billing and coding online classes, it will give knowledge to cracking this course as well as the best result in your job.

Know the Landscape

Before getting into how to succeed in your role, you have to know medical billing and coding. In those programs, an individual can earn a blanket Medical Billing and Coding Degree where they learn all about medical terms, healthcare legal standards, insurance practice routines, or coding systems. This surface-level review will provide you with the necessary foundation to move through them quickly when navigating similar intricacies of the healthcare reimbursement process.

Keep Current with Industry Changes

The healthcare industry is ever-changing. Rules and Coding Guidelines are evolving all the time. Stay current with industry changes to evolve in your expertise and stay ahead of the curve. Continue to take professional development courses, attend seminars, and read industry publications. It will show your employer your initiative to remain on top of new developments and will ultimately save time and money.

Attention to Detail

In a Medical Billing and Coding career, attention to detail can’t be compromised. A single, minor coding and/or documentation error can result in claim denial followed by delayed claims processing, issues regarding overpayment recoupment –or worse yet– legal intervention.

Even when studying course content, you should practice your attention to detail. Follow code guidelines, document what is needed, and model approach where more information will be put to use in future data entry efforts. Developing a habit of verifying everything will ensure you remain valuable in your field, and not a liability.

Communication Skills

Aside from technical knowledge, communication skills are vital in medical billing and coding. Daily, you will communicate with healthcare providers, insurance companies, and probably patients who require professional communication. Impeccable verbal and written communication skills are vital to convey complex information clearly and concisely.  This supports proper coordination and collaboration throughout all levels of healthcare.

Ethics and Compliance Commitment

Respect for laws, regulations, and human life are integral to healthcare. As a medical billing and coding professional, you will be dealing with very sensitive patient information, as well as financial data.  The utmost confidentiality is required of you along with high ethical standards. Bending the rules simply does not fly in this profession.

Adhere to requirements of HIPAA regulations, practice act billing guidelines, and professional organization ethical standards. Compliance with the ethical standards ensures that patient confidentiality is maintained; it also helps in terms of building trust and credibility between you, your employer, and ultimately the patients you serve.

Adopt Technology

It is impossible to separate technology from modern-day medical billing and coding practices. Learn industry-specific software, including the use of EHR systems for coding, billing, and claims processing. Proficiency when working with these tools further speeds up the synchronization and workflow processes. Be receptive to learning all there is to know about new technology and automated solutions. This will also ensure that the work that you perform daily becomes more productive and accurate.

Ongoing Improvement

The path toward mastery of your medical billing and coding courses doesn’t end once you have completed the first round of academic training. It is the start of an endless path to betterment. Take advantage of professional development opportunities, whether that’s seeking out additional certifications or training in other fields related to your work or stepping into a new role on the team. If you continue to be proactive and open, not only will you become proficient in less time but also feast on the career advancement opportunities that could very well present themselves.

Conclusion

There is more to medical billing and coding courses than meets the eye. This quick look only offers you a sneak peek into healthcare administration. Focus on the craft of your newfound profession, study all the facets for success, and maintain professionalism and integrity in all you do.  Stay committed to the work and you’ll be awesome!

Remember, excellence is never a destination, rather, it is part of your ongoing journey.  With dedication and determination, you can shine in the world of medical billing and coding.

The 11 Plus (or 11+) exam is an entrance test taken by students in the UK in their last year of primary school. It’s used by grammar schools and some private schools to select pupils based on academic ability.

Did you know the 11 Plus was originally designed to identify the top 25% of students? Talk about pressure!

So, the exam usually covers:

• Verbal Reasoning: Tests a child’s reasoning and understanding of language.
• Non-verbal Reasoning: Focuses on shapes, patterns, and logic.
• Mathematics: Generally includes arithmetic, basic algebra, and geometry.
• English: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.

Some areas still use the old-school handwritten exams. No multiple-choice bubbles there!

The 11 plus exams often cover a wide range of subjects, so tutoring helps solidify foundational knowledge in these areas. Their personalised approach can be a game changer, especially if a child struggles with certain areas or needs more challenging material.

Think of tutoring as an investment not just in passing an exam, but in nurturing a well-rounded, confident young learner. It’s like having a personal coach for the brain, ensuring your child’s academic journey is enriching and fun.

Tutors focus on developing key skills like logical thinking and analytical reasoning, which are extremely important for lifelong learning as well.

Why Consider 11 Plus Tutoring?

A good tutor assesses where your kid stands, identifies strengths and points for improvement. Also, they customise their teaching approach accordingly. More effective than general classroom teaching.

Children learn at different paces and in varied styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic). A tutor can adapt lessons to suit a child’s unique way of learning. According to Jim Kwik, there are four different brain types, and each of them has its own preferred way of doing the job.

Unlike a classroom setting, where the pace might be too fast or too slow, a tutor can align their teaching style with your child’s learning needs, making the experience more engaging.

Tutors can provide the encouragement and professional support your kid needs to boost their academic self-esteem.

Success always breeds confidence. Regular tutoring sessions provide a structured environment for your child to experience small wins, building up their self-esteem and motivation to keep going. That is why it can alleviate anxiety!

Tutors can teach effective time management tactics, ensuring kiddo can tackle all questions within the exam duration. This regular practice can greatly improve a child’s performance.

One-on-one sessions allow for deeper dives into subjects, fostering a more thorough understanding.

Exam Preparation

Preparing for exams can be daunting for your little one. Tutors will provide comprehensive practice papers, timed exercises, and constructive feedback, helping your child to make better steadily over time.

Tutoring helps mitigate this by familiarising students with exam formats and strategies, making the entire process less intimidating and more calm. The exam format can vary wildly depending on location. It’s like academic roulette!

Regular tutoring sessions together promote a sense of routine, teaching children valuable study habits. It will up critical thinking and techniques that go beyond the 11 Plus exam, benefiting overall academic performance.

It’s not just about working hard but more working smart.

Encouraging this critical thinking skill across subjects can help children understand and appreciate the interconnectedness of different areas of knowledge.

Together they will learn how to allocate time effectively, balancing exam practice with other schoolwork and activities.

What Makes a Good 11 Plus Tutor?

Look for tutors who have a strong background in education and experience with the 11 Plus curriculum. They should understand the intricacies of the exam and the common pitfalls students face.

Try at least one lesson so you can understand what you’re dealing with. Lessons should be interactive and engaging, sparking a child’s interest and motivation.

A great tutor is patient, adapting their teaching methods to fit your child’s learning style. Prefer clear communications, ensuring progress is monitored and clear goals are set high.

Stay involved in their preparation. While it’s important to prepare, balance is key. Tutoring should complement your kiddo’s schooling without overwhelming them. Encourage breaks and fun activities to keep them refreshed.

Always asking about what they learned in their tutoring sessions shows you’re supportive and interested.

Actually, 11+ tutoring has much broader educational benefits. Beyond the 11 Plus, the skills and habits formed through tutoring can provide lasting educational benefits, fostering a love of learning.

Also, interacting with a tutor provides positive adult role models outside of parents and school teachers, which can help build social skills and confidence. When a child feels more confident, they’re likely to perform better during the exam, handling questions and time pressure with greater ease.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Keep in mind, tutoring isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some children might thrive with self-study or parental guidance, while others benefit immensely from professional tutoring. Gauge what fits best for your little one’s personality, learning style, and comfort.

Exploring New Perspectives

Sometimes, children find it easier to engage with someone outside the family for academic pursuits. A good tutor creates a positive, pressure-free learning environment where questions are encouraged, mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, and intellectual curiosity is nurtured.

Holistic Development

• Emotional Intelligence: They can also play a role in developing your child’s emotional intelligence, teaching them how to handle stress, setbacks, and how to approach learning with a positive mindset.

• Interpersonal Skills: One-on-one tutoring can enhance communication skills and foster a comfortable environment for asking questions and expressing doubts.

Long-Term Benefits

• Adaptability: Kids are incredibly adaptable, and the right tutor can harness this flexibility, instilling resilience and a growth mindset.

• Academic Success: The skills and knowledge gained from 11 plus tutoring often set a solid foundation for future academic success.

• Life Skills: Problem-solving, critical thinking, and time management are skills that will benefit children throughout life, far beyond their school years.

Knowing your child has a learning ally can alleviate some of the natural parental anxieties about their academic journey.

Core Study Techniques

Encourage your kiddo to recognize patterns in numbers and equations. This can simplify problems and make them more approachable.

1. Quick Calculation Techniques

Start with engaging and intuitive methods to nurture a love for maths.

• Doubling and Halving: Simplifies multiplication. For example, ( 12 x 15 ) is easier when broken into ( 12 x 10 + 12 x 5 ).

• Base Method: Use a base like 10 or 100. For ( 96 x 97 ), think of them as slightly less than 100 (base). It becomes ( (100-4) x (100-3) ).

• Magic of 9’s: Multiplying by 9—use your fingers for a quick trick. For 9×3, put down your third finger, and the remaining fingers show 2 (before the folded finger) and 7 (after the folded finger), giving you 27.

2. Memorization Hacks

• Mnemonics: Use mnemonics for key concepts. For instance, remembering these words for spelling or historical dates can turn rote memorization into a playful activity.

• Memory Palace: As mentioned earlier, placing bits of information in a familiar mental space can help children recall better. Imagine your living room and place a multiplication fact in each corner.

• Songs and Rhymes: Turn multiplication tables or historical facts into catchy tunes. Music can be a powerful memory aid.

3. Fun and Engagement

Plenty of apps are designed to make learning fun and interactive. Apps like Prodigy turn learning into a game.

Try some colourful charts, graphs, or even create a maths board game. Visual cues will significantly enhance understanding and retention.

Linking maths problems to real-world scenarios helps in better understanding. Like, if you’re baking, have them measure ingredients or calculate the total cost of items at the store.

4. Scheduling and Consistency

Regular, short but focused sessions can be more effective than long, sporadic ones. Consistency is key.

Pomodoro technique (25 min study, 5 min break) — give it a fly. Little rewards after completing a task will keep motivation high.

Engaging a tutor for 11 plus will be incredibly beneficial for your little one. Keep in mind that  every child is unique. What works for one may need tweaking for another fella. But keep it lighthearted, keep it engaging, and make sure learning always feels like an adventure.

Giving Kids a Mental Toolkit

We all know about the “circle and move on” technique—when you put aside the question you don’t know the answer to and return to that circled question later. It’s a classic for a reason—super effective! But let’s add a few more tricks to your kiddo’s arsenal, shall we?

1. Elimination Game: Teach kids to cross out obviously wrong answers. Even if they’re not 100% sure, narrowing down the options can boost their chances.
2. Guesstimate and Go: For maths problems, encourage rough estimates. If they can ballpark the answer, it might help them spot the right option.
3. Keywords are Key: Train them to underline important words in the question. It’s like creating a mini-roadmap to the answer.
4. Time Check Trick: Suggest they quickly jot down the time they start each section. It’s a sneaky way to keep track without constantly clock-watching.
5. Breathe and Believe: Teach a quick calming technique—maybe three deep breaths—to use when they feel stressed. A clear head is a smart head, right?
6. Double-Check Dance: If they finish early, don’t let them sit idle. Encourage a thorough review, maybe even working backwards through the paper for a fresh perspective.

Health Checklist by Tutor

1. Brain Food Bonanza

Load up on omega-3s, berries, and dark chocolate.

Skip this, and you might end up with a foggy-brained kid who can’t remember the difference between ‘their’ and ‘there’.

2. Sleep Like a Log

Aim for 9-11 hours of shut-eye.

Ignore this, and you could have a cranky zombie on your hands, more likely to gnaw on the pencil than write with it.

3. Hydration Station

Water, electrolytes, and a dash of zinc.

Forget this, and the child might end up as dry as the Sahara, with a brain working about as fast as a sloth on vacation.

4. Stress-Busting Moves

Daily exercise, maybe some yoga or dancing.

Skip the movement, and you might find your kid bouncing off the walls like a caffeinated kangaroo during the exam.

5. Tech Detox

Cut screen time a week before the exam.

Ignore this, and your child’s eyes might be so screen-strained they mistake the exam paper for a smartphone.

6. Encourage and support only, don’t pressure!

Overlook this, and your kid might walk into the exam room feeling like they’re facing a fire-breathing dragon instead of a paper test.

These tips aren’t just for show — they’re the secret sauce to exam success. But hey, no pressure! Just do your best, and your kiddo will shine brighter than a disco ball at a maths party.