How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus

How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus

Coronavirus, or COVID-19, will almost certainly be one of the defining childhood events for today’s kids. When school closes for weeks, students are going to take notice, develop fears, and ask questions. So how can you answer those questions in a way that satisfies their curiosity without creating panic? And how can you use that curiosity as an opportunity to teach lasting lessons and encourage a love of learning?  Use the opportunity to talk about hygiene and healthy habits As the spread of coronavirus has demonstrated, it’s important to exercise strong hygiene habits like regular (and thorough) handwashing, coughing/sneez ... Read More About How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus

3 Things You Need to Create a Learning Environment at Home

3 Things You Need to Create a Learning Environment at Home

Your home is likely a place where your child feels comfortable and at ease. This type of environment is great for many reasons, but if coronavirus has prompted you to turn your house into a dedicated learning space for all or part of each day, it may be challenging for your student to stay focused and engaged. Luckily, there are a variety of things you can do to create a positive educational environment during this time. To start, here are three items you should have on hand: 1. A dedicated workspace Creating a dedicated workspace that’s customized to the needs and interests of your child can help them thrive when learning from home. S ... Read More About 3 Things You Need to Create a Learning Environment at Home

Facing a Coronavirus School Closure? How to Work From Home While Your Kids are Learning From Home

Facing a Coronavirus School Closure? How to Work From Home While Your Kids are Learning From Home

From large districts in California to small communities in Maryland and Ohio, schools all across the U.S. are closing to stop the spread of COVID-19 (or coronavirus). If your child is currently in grades K-12, you may have already or might soon find yourself in the daunting position of managing your work from home arrangement with their learn from home needs. You might also be wondering what to do next.  First, know that simultaneously working from home and learning from home is possible. The three tips listed here can help your family remain calm, productive, and engaged in their education even in the face of coronavirus. Create a sche ... Read More About Facing a Coronavirus School Closure? How to Work From Home While Your Kids are Learning From Home

COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)

COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)

With COVID-19 precautions forcing the cancellation and postponement of large gatherings of people, standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are finding themselves in similar situations to the NCAA Tournament and Coachella, weighing decisions to postpone or cancel certain test administrations in the name of public safety. And like most airlines and cruises, most testing agencies are relaxing their cancellation and rescheduling policies so that those concerned about coronavirus have the option to postpone their tests, penalty-free. Wondering what’s happening with a standardized test that you’re planning to take this spring?  Her ... Read More About COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)

Varsity Tutors to Launch Virtual School Day Toolkit to Help with COVID-19 School Closures

Varsity Tutors to Launch Virtual School Day Toolkit to Help with COVID-19 School Closures

With the spread of coronavirus (or COVID-19) leading to school closures near our Seattle office—as well as nationwide—we’re turning to our Live Learning Platform to help parents keep their students on track this spring.  As part of our Virtual School Day toolkit (launching mid-March), we’ll offer free adaptive self-study tools; live, online classes; and a variety of other educational resources to ensure that students have every opportunity to learn from home. But we want to hear from you about the kinds of educational resources that will help you and your student thrive during school closures in your area. We inv ... Read More About Varsity Tutors to Launch Virtual School Day Toolkit to Help with COVID-19 School Closures