English Tutoring For Adults

English Tutoring For AdultsEnglish tutoring for adults is very important because this is a skill that people all over the world need to master. Even children need to learn how to read and write. Unfortunately, most adults in America and the UK are not aware of how to improve their reading and writing skills, and this means that they will not be able to get ahead in life.English is one of the most important languages that people learn. It can mean a lot to you if you want to get a job or go to college. You will be able to find better jobs if you speak English and you will have the advantage of a good education. There are lots of programs available that can help you learn the language, so look for the one that will work best for you.English tutoring for adults should be done by someone who is knowledgeable about how the language works. For example, a tutor can help you learn how to spell the words, but if they are not familiar with the grammar and spelling rules, then they will not be able to teach you any of this. This means that you will only be wasting your time and money on a tutor that is not good at what they do.For beginners, online tutors can help you learn the basics. However, they can help you out with vocabulary, but not with grammar and writing. If you want to go to an English tutoring class, then you should take a teacher along with you, so that you will not waste your time or be embarrassed when you come to class.Online tutors should also have a live chat session where you can ask questions, as well as post messages to the students. This way, you will be able to communicate with them in a friendly way. If you are still unsure about the English language, then you can take a tutor with you to the classes so that you can learn at your own pace. Remember that you will be able to improve yourself more when you are learning with a tutor.In addition to tutoring, you can also find opportunities to speak to native English speakers. People who speak English f luently often use their skills for various purposes. This means that they can help you get a job, or can give you some tips on how to deal with a customer. This will help you get a better job and higher pay.Do not wait until you are facing a language problem before you start to improve your English. The sooner you start, the better. Even if you do not have money to hire a tutor, there are plenty of other things that you can do to improve your language skills.

The Importance of Origami in Japan

The Importance of Origami in Japan Origami in Japan: Culturally Significant or Fun Pastime? ChaptersThe History of OrigamiWhat does Origami Symbolise?Why is Origami so Important in Japanese Culture?How to Make Simple OrigamiTo say that origami is strictly Japanese art would be misleading; plenty of other cultures know how to make origami.For instance, children around the world routinely tempt fate with a fortune teller and send paper aeroplanes soaring. More than one paper boat has floated across bodies of water big and small, carrying with it the wishes of the child who launched it.Perhaps you’ve folded such things yourself.Origami, literally ‘fold paper’, is just one of many Japanese words to describe paper art. Others include kirigami â€" ‘cut paper’ and kusudama, a modular origami ball consisting of many identical units glued or sewn together.Kusudama’s literal translation is ‘medicine ball’. Their origins have been traced to ancient Japanese culture, when they most likely consisted of flowers or herbs and were burned as incense or displayed.In spite of the vocabulary, to say that origami is synonymous with Japanese culture is to discount both origami and culture; after all, every culture has plenty of historical markers that are no longer relevant today.The Japanese are a modern people and their society is, in many ways, a model of progress so to assume that the sum total of being Japanese is sitting around and folding origami is a bit unfair.It also cheats western paper folders of acknowledgement for their contributions to the craft.Really, the topic is not whether origami is strictly a Japanese art form â€" it’s not, but how much the ancient art of origami still impacts Japanese culture today.Let’s get our exploring gear and head out to discover! NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 (1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discove r all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsThe History of Origami Doesn't this give a new meaning to origami book? Image by Claudia Peters from PixabayIt is safe to say that if paper had not been invented, there would be no paper craft.That’s not to say that there was no such thing as thin sheets to write on and roll up before the Chinese politician Cai Lun’s discovery, around 105 CE, that long fibre pulp strained through cloth made very fine paper.Papyrus, parchment and vellum predate paper by several millennia but they do not lend themselves well to folding, nor can they hold a shape for long.We can say the same for cloth; even heavily starched, one cannot expect cloth folds to keep their given form.So, whereas the art of folding certainly predates making paper, folded paper art was not established until some centuries later.The Chinese, originators of this new style of paper, soon realised delicate artistic creations using paper but it took a couple more centuries for paper to arrive in Japan.No one is really sure exactly when the Buddhist m onk showed the Japanese emperor how to make paper but, by the Edo period (1603 to 1868), Japanese people were folding paper for fun, for training and for ceremonial events.Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, paper was becoming more widely used, especially in crafts for kids.Learn more about the history of paper and how origami became associated with Japan...What does Origami Symbolise?Standard origami paper is square, often double-sided and comes in varying sizes but you can create origami out of any paper that will keep a crease.Some people use a dollar bill to fold origami butterflies while others use chewing gum wrappers to make napkin holders, bracelets and Guinness Book of Records entries.These types of paper are decidedly out of the norm for origami â€" it is doubtful that Washi paper comes in the same dimensions as a US dollar. Still, the passion for folding is obvious in these creations; why else would anyone bother folding them?On the surface, one might say that such origami projects reflect the patience and perseverance of the artist.On the other hand... do they have any cultural significance? Do they add value to a culture or provide aesthetic beauty?Canada might be proud of their record-holding paper artist and holidaymakers might be happy to fold an origami shirt out of their leftover dollars but it is not likely that any of those works would be displayed in an art museum... Origami cranes are especially significant in Japanese culture Image by Thanks for your Like • donations welcome from PixabayOn the other side of the world, however, traditional origami models invoke both heritage and cultural standards.In Japan, the culture of ‘cute’, kawaii, is pervasive.From anime characters to their irrepressible love for cats, the Japanese revel in anything that appears childlike and charming.It should then come as no surprise that you can find folding instructions online for a Pikachu, an anime creature that resembles a cat and is most certainly cute.All cuteness aside, there is a much deeper symbolism present in Japanese origami: each of the origami animals traditionally associated with Japanese culture ties in with their Shinto beliefs.For instance, their origami dragon represents a water god that can shapeshift into a human, while dragonfly symbolises power, courage and happiness.What does an origami flower stand for? How about an origami crane... and w hat is the story behind folding a thousand cranes?Take the time to learn the meaning behind the most traditional origami designs in Japan.Why is Origami so Important in Japanese Culture?If you had to name three qualities that best describe the people of Japan, what would you come up with?We’re not promoting stereotypes here; many of the positive attributes we heap on Japan actually have their roots in fact.Overall, Japanese people enjoy order.From removing shoes before entering their home to having a place for everything and keeping everything in its place, it would be rare to find a dishevelled, disordered person in Japan.That same attention to detail is one character trait that lends origami a special significance in the Land of the Rising Sun.You might interpret it as a classic tale of whether following origami instructions as children caused such diligence or whether conscientiousness is a national characteristic that leads to a wealth of easy origami. Bowing has long fallen out of favour in our country, except maybe at horse shows! Image by David Mark from PixabayJapanese people have a tendency towards formality.For the most part, gone are the days when a gentleman would tip his hat in greeting in our country but, in Japan, bowing is still very much the norm.On the streets, subways and in boardrooms across that country, bowing is a sign of respect: the deeper the bow, the greater the veneration.Bowing can be traced back more than 1,500 years, when the practice of bowing to deities was carried to Japan from other Asian countries.From then, it became a Shogun’s signature, with ever more elaborate bows signalling the more accomplished fighters. Soon, everybody was bowing whether they were a warrior or not.Bowing fell out of favour for a period but the practice was revived in the early 1600s, and ojigi (bowing) has been a staple of the Japanese culture ever since.Oddly enough, it was during the time that the Shogun ruled Japan that origami folding became a cultural staple.The more experienced warriors would teach young initiates how to make origami and then task them to fold ever more intricate designs. These exercises were both a test of discipline and an exercise meant to develop precision.The exacting nature of paper origami demands the ability to visualise â€" unlike other visual arts, a blank sheet of paper gives few clues to what it could become and even fewer step instructions on how model it.Fortunately for new initiates, these days, some brands of Japanese paper are printed with a crease pattern so that you will know if that sheet of paper is destined to become an origami bird, a cicada or a water bomb.These are just two of the reasons why origami is important to the Japanese culture; can you think of a few more?How to Make Simple OrigamiAfter all this talk about Japanese culture and the art of paper folding that is often attributed exclusively to them, you may be keen to get started on your first pap er art project... or did you want ideas for origami for kids?Before you raid the paper pack by your printer, you should know that origami paper is thinner and more resistant to tearing than other types of paper. Still, if you are just starting out, any square piece of paper will do to practice your folds.Go ahead and trim off the excess from your standard paper; we’ll wait.Most likely, to arrive at square paper, you made a diagonal fold, so that the top of the page aligned with the side, right? You will have further use of diagonal folds the more you get into origami.For now, fold your paper in half, as though you were closing a book; be sure to crease the paper well. Now open it; the resulting V is called a valley fold.Now, rotate your paper 90 degrees, turn it over and again fold it in the same way, being mindful of your creases. Unfold the paper; the upside-down V is called a mountain fold.Mountains and valleys are fundamental to every origami project, as are the pleat, crimp a nd reverse fold. You can start off with simple designs such as an origami heart or an origami star and then work your way up to more complex designs, ultimately incorporating tessellations and working your way up to 3D origami.Now that you’ve gotten started we can’t wait to see all of the beautiful origami you will turn out once you learn how!Send us an update, won’t you?

Introverts Guide to Helping Communities and Protecting Civil Rights - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Introverts Guide to Helping Communities and Protecting Civil Rights - Introvert Whisperer Introverts Guide to Helping Communities and Protecting Civil Rights Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of individuals interested in protecting and promoting civil rights. The state of women’s reproductive rights, LGBT rights, immigration and illegal immigration rights and religious rights are always, to some extent, in precarious water. If you’re at all concerned about civil rights, now might be the time to get involved. Join the thousands of Americans that volunteer their time and money to international, national, state or local non-profits. As an introvert, volunteering can be an intimidating and stressful prospect. You need to go to a public place, talk to strangers, and potentially navigate new tasks. It’s bad enough prospects for many introverts without a long work week filled with conversations with co-workers, managers, and customers. If your gut instinct is to hide out at home when both work and volunteering fall within the same week, I get it. Don’t give up on the idea of volunteering yet. There are strategies that introverts can utilize to alleviate the social pressure and stress of volunteering. Volunteer Through College If you’re an introverted college student, there are a variety of different ways to volunteer without the prospect of being surrounded by total strangers that don’t share a common affiliation. (You might not know anyone at the volunteer or social event, but at least you will have a common bond of attending the same school. That can be an easy conversation starter.) How can you volunteer at college? Join a volunteer based club. (Eventually, you will become familiar enough with your fellow club members, volunteering won’t be that painful). Sign up for summer or winter holiday volunteer events. (ASU, for example, has a 9-day Taste of Peace Corps study abroad event). Ask friends or close classmates to volunteer with you at student, professor, or college planned civil rights or general volunteer events. Don’t worry if the events or volunteer opportunities aren’t directly tied to civil rights. If that’s why you’re getting involved, think of general volunteer opportunities as a training ground to get you comfortable for other volunteer opportunities. Volunteer Through Work Here’s a bit of truth. Usually, it grinds my gears when co-workers, managers, or the company as a whole, try to push me into volunteering. I get enough social pressure to give in my free time, I don’t need it at work! (It happens fairly often in most workplaces because corporate volunteering can be a way for the company to give back and cultivate a positive brand image.) Despite my own issues with corporate volunteering, it can be an easier way for introverts to ease into volunteering. You will most likely be surrounded by at least one co-worker, you’re comfortable with. And chances are, at least one or two of the participants, will be able to show you the ropes. Both prospects will ease what could be a stressful situation. Various Other Manners to Volunteer to Help Your Community If even the prospect of volunteering with fellow students, co-workers, or work friends seems too stressful, there are many other ways to volunteer your time that can effectively help communities and civil rights movements. You can: Donate money to local, state, or national organizations. Pay for subscriptions to local, state, or national newspapers or news sites. (They’re often the civil rights watchdogs.) Write NETWORKING Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

5 Best Websites for Finding Singing Gigs

5 Best Websites for Finding Singing Gigs Sign up successful GigSalad is one of many pay-for-premium-service websites for finding singing gigs. Free users can receive quotes and communicate with clients via the website. There are several paid subscription levels available for users who want more. The best perk of a paid subscription, which costs $15-$40 per month, is that singers can communicate directly with clients via email or phone rather than through GigSalad. Other benefits include increased visibility and larger deposits. Backstage.com Best For: Musical Theater Backstage claims to be the world’s largest resource for performing artists. It lets singers search for auditions using criteria like location, age, and gender. Online subscriptions range from $12-$20 per month, but the site often offers discount rates to new members (around $10/month). Although Backstage requires payment to use, it’s easy to use the search feature to find auditions and look them up elsewhere on the internet. For singers searching for big-time gigs, though, this may be worth a subscription. YapTracker Best for: Classical Geared toward the classical crowd, YapTracker supplies unlimited access to audition alerts for $55 per year. Compared to services that charge by the month, that’s a steal â€" the equivalent of $4.50 per month. For an even lower price, get a referral from a friend ($5 off) or purchase a two-year subscription. YapTracker is imperative for any working classical singer. Many young artist programs, competitions, and other institutions only accept applications submitted through the site. YapTracker also saves personal data to make filling out applications faster. ReverbNation Best For: Recording Artists Another service that offers both paid and free plans, ReverbNation acts as an overall platform for singers and other artists. Artists can create a profile, share it on social media, gain new fans, and sell music as well as find gigs. ReverbNation is, in essence, like MySpace with a gig component. A basic profile is free on ReverbNation Pro ($20 per month), and Max ($41 per month) get digital distribution on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and other online stores too. For singers who exclusively want gigs, a free profile should be enough. However, to dominate online byways with your awesome new EP, consider a paid plan. ReverbNation has free trials of its Pro plan for new users, so you can try before you buy. Craigslist Best For: Everyone It’s the obvious first stop. Craigslist is free, popular, and effective. Just scan the gigs section for singing-related events, or post your own ad by creating an account. Link the ad to your website or post photos of yourself in performance to increase your chances of getting hired. While Craigslist is a great way to book gigs, it has a mixed reputation because of some of the wanton and even criminal activities that take place through the site. To protect yourself, never post personal information on Craigslist and use your intuition when replying to ads. This is far from a comprehensive list; the agglomeration of gig-related websites is impressive and always growing. But using one of these five websites for finding singing gigs can help you go from jamming in your basement to jamming onstage (and getting paid to do it). If I missed one of your favorite gig websites, feel free to post it in the comments section below! Nervous about being on stage? Book lessons with a singing teacher in your area to get valuable feedback and advice! Elaina R. teaches singing in  Ann Arbor, MI. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, and she is currently working on her Master of Music from the University of Michigan. Learn more about Elaina here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo from  http://www.reverbnation.com/

Should I Go To Georgia State University

Should I Go To Georgia State University Galina earned her bachelors degree in Spanish from Georgia State University. She specializes in Spanish tutoring, algebra tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Georgia State University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Galina: I attended the downtown campus of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a big urban campus, with classrooms as close as 1 to 2 minutes and as far as 40 minutes walking distance from one another. There were buses that took the students around the campus, but I always walked. One aspect of being a downtown campus is, of course, the safety. We always had to keep our eyes open and pay attention to our surroundings. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Galina: For the most part, my professors were available both in-person and via email. I would receive a response via email within 24 hours, sometimes even within a few hours of reaching out. I did not interact with many teaching assistants as an undergraduate student, but I always made sure I was available to students who needed help when I was working as GRA myself. I did not seek much help from the advisers. After the initial dialogue, I felt I was not getting much value out of speaking with my adviser. However, right now my cousin is going to the same university, and she works a lot with her adviser. It may all depend on the individual adviser. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Galina: During my first year I lived in the Student Loftshousing designated for the scholarship students. However, for the following year, despite keeping my scholarship, myself and many other students were reassigned to the University Commonsbasically, the housing for anyone who wanted to live on campus. In addition, at the Lofts I only had one roommate, who was also a scholar and a dedicated student. However, when we got reassigned to the Commons, we were going to share a six-person dorm. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Galina: GSU has a very strong business school, best known for its risk management and insurance department and managerial science department. We also have an incredible foreign language department, specifically one of the strongest Spanish departments. I got my first undergraduate degree in actuarial science with a minor in Spanish language. But as I was finishing, I realized that my heart was really in something more international, and I did not see myself stuck with numbers all day long. As a result, I enrolled in a dual degree program of a Bachelors degree in Spanish and a Masters degree in international business with a focus in Latin America. I couldnt have been happier. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Galina: For me, it has always been easy to make new friends. I did not have any problems striking up a conversation with someone. I had my extracurricular activities outside of the university and was very happy with that. I had no interest whatsoever in the Greek lifeI didnt even know what that was, so I never got involved with it and have no knowledge about its importance to the campus social life. How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services? Galina: The Career Center seemed somewhat helpfulsome students were more successful than others. Sadly, the key to that success seemed to reside in having previous internship experience, even when looking for an internship. So, many students, myself included, felt left out and helpless when it came to finding an opportunity for an internship. At the same time, there were many well-known and reputable companies often hiring students as interns or full and part-time employees, especially when it came to graduates. Those were companies from all over the nation, from every industry. Overall, I think this was a good pool of companies. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Galina: In general, the libraries were a very good place to study if on one of the top three floors. The first two were usually noisy. The student center would normally be a pretty quiet place; one could even fall asleep or see others take a quick nap. The Lofts did not have dorm lounges, and the Commons were very noisy. There were some additional study places, some of them were somewhat hidden, which made them excellent study spotsquiet and helpful in concentrating. Describe the surrounding town. Galina: Since we were in the middle of downtown Atlanta, we had a relatively easy and quick access to the main city attractionsthe Aquarium, the Coca-Cola museum, the CNN station, several parks, and the Midtown. I would say that the Midtown and the parks are the most picturesque and popular places to visit any time for the year, so there are always many students in those areas. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Galina: The student body was rather big; we were the second largest student body in the state. Also, our university is one of the top ones in the state for the first-generation college students, so many people celebrated the mere fact of being on campus and going to classes. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Galina: One of the most memorable experiences was my study abroad in Argentina, a course in Psychology/Spanish. We were learning about the Dirty Wars (Guerras Sucias) of the 1976-82, a time of military dictatorship. We learned not only about the history, but also about the people. That was an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend such a trip to anyone who wants to learn more, not only about the country and its history, but also about human nature. Check out Galinas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

4 Time Management Tips for Finals Week

4 Time Management Tips for Finals Week With the end of the spring semester in sight, this typically means one thingfinals week is approaching. Are you ready to be tested on everything youve learned in your courses? When preparing a study plan for finals week, its key to manage your time wisely in order to promote success on your exams. Time management tips for finals week include creating a study schedule, identifying which tasks to prioritize in your prep plan, and avoiding activities that may promote procrastination. Hoping to tackle finals week with the confidence you need to succeed? Keep reading to learn four time management tips for finals week. Finals week time management tip #1: create a schedule College is a busy time in a students lifeyour days are marked by classes and extracurricular activities, as well as quality time with friends. Your busy schedule can feel even more tightly packed when you try to fit in studying during finals week. Make the most of your time by scheduling everything you need to do in order to succeed this week. Items to incorporate into your finals week schedule may include: The times and locations of each exam Designated study times for each subject, as well as how much focus you feel is necessary for each class Any personal commitments, such as scheduled work hours Creating a schedule will help you see the tasks you need to complete, give you structured study time, and provide a good overview of your planned personal activities. [RELATED: How to Make a Smart Study Routine] Finals week time management tip #2: incorporate down time into your week With everything thats on your calendar, it can be a struggle to find time to take a breath and rest. When creating your schedule, make sure to add in some time for relaxation to be spent any way you feel will best benefit you. During the busyness of finals week, you need to remember to give your brain and body time for extra rest so they can perform their best, and you can avoid burnout. Too often, students find themselves over-worked and under-rested. Its important to take time to recharge in-between studying and activities especially during finals week. Remember to give yourself time during each day just for this purpose. It could be as short as taking 20 minutes between classes to grab a coffee, or setting aside an hour in the morning for a brisk walk. [RELATED: The Finals Week Survival Guide] Finals week time management tip #3: prioritize your time wisely Creating a list of activities you need to prioritize can be a helpful tool in making a productive finals week schedule. At the end of the day, having a schedule in place for this week wont be helpful if you accidentally place an item too far down your list and miss a deadline. In order to avoid disaster, try to maintain a running list of all your projects, activities, and studying tasks that you can edit on paper, on your phone, or on your laptop. It can be helpful to change the order and add new items as often as you need to so that you can keep it up to date. Be sure to check tasks off as you complete them, as this will reassure you that youre making progress during this often stressful week. [RELATED: 5 Ways to Stay Motivated During Finals Week] Finals week time management tip #4: avoid procrastination Even if youve created a tight schedule for finals week, it can be hard to avoid time-wasting activities such as surfing the internet or scrolling through your phone. Though its good to take breaks from your studying and other finals week activities, its easy to allow social media and other platforms to consume hours of your time. If you do feel pulled to a time-wasting activity, consider turning notifications off or putting your phone on do not disturb mode so youre not tempted to become distracted. Finals week can feel intimidating. In order to promote success, its key to create a schedule for the week, organize your time, and find ways to prevent procrastination. By utilizing these techniques, you can set yourself up for success this finals week. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How to Help Your Child Read

How to Help Your Child Read Reading is something that many children begin to gravitate toward naturally once they reach a certain age. While your childs kindergarten class will help set up the basics for a solid reading foundation, there are many things that parents can do at home to encourage a reading-friendly environment. Ways to help your child read can include setting a good example, understanding his or her learning style, and encouraging consistent reading habits. Looking for ways to support your student, but not sure where to begin? Follow these steps to foster a learning environment at home that can help your child learn to read: Help your child read by setting a positive example At the age that many children begin reading, they are also very aware of the habits and practices of their parents. Children may repeat phrases or actions done by Mom, Dad, or other adults. Creating a reading-friendly atmosphere starts with the things you do as a role model. Let your student see you reading from sources like: Magazine articles Newspapers Novels. When applicable, explain to your child what it is you are learning or reading about, so your student can begin to connect the words on the page with the ideas and thoughts that they symbolize. For example, when putting together a meal while your child is nearby, reference a cookbook and show him or her that the recipe you are using comes from the words in the book. This is something that can begin while your student is still becoming comfortable with the alphabet and its sounds. Help your child read by stocking your home with age-appropriate books Aside from keeping the books that youre reading in your home, this is a great time to ensure that there are also plenty of child-friendly books in your living space. Your student may gravitate toward books with pictures and topics that he or she is interested in. Outside of the public library, there are second-hand bookstores that offer an alternative to buying new books for your child to read. Your local librarian can likely make some good title suggestions too. [RELATED: How to Enhance Your Student's Experience With Literature] Help your child read by understanding his or her learning style Once you have set up a home environment that exposes your student to books, you can begin working with your child on basic reading skills. Children will approach reading with different levels of enthusiasm, so its important to meet your student where he or she is. For a child who doesnt seem very interested, make it a habit to read together daily. While reading out loud, encourage your student to sit with you and to follow each word with your finger. Once your child gets the hang of following along, encourage him or her to use his or her own finger. This method works well with every level of reader, but it can be the first step in showing a disengaged student how to get involved. [RELATED: How Parents Can Help with Elementary Homework Challenges] Help your child read by reading together After your child has expressed interest in following along with a story, its time to start reading together. One great way to help your student gain confidence while reading is to simply have your child fill in words he or she already knows, such as short sight words. These words appear frequently enough in stories that you can simply pause and have your student sound out terms like is and it. Soon, your child will get the hang of sounding out a word within the context of a sentence. As your student gets older and familiar with more words, you can go longer and longer stretches of a sentence without reading, as your child fills in the blanks. Rather than discouraging him or her from taking a long time to sound out words, be patient! Once your student has finished the sentence, you can go back and read the whole thing from beginning to end. Help your child read by encouraging continual practice Now theres just one step left: practice, practice, practice! Make reading a priority using incentives when necessary. It helps to schedule reading into a regular part of the day, because this can help even disengaged children see how theyre progressing. If your student expresses interest in certain topics, visit a public library to look for books together. Always congratulate your child for successes, no matter how big or small. Before you know it, youll have a little reader on your hands! [RELATED: How to Create a Summer Reading Program for You and Your Child] Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.