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Kinney Brothers Publishing

Homework Without Headaches

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This Guest Post, by Susan Good, explores smart, painless parenting strategies to support your child. Be sure to check out Ms. Good’s website at retiredteacher.org for more insightful articles about teaching and writing!

Homework Without Headaches: Smart, Painless Parenting Stragies to Support Your Child

Image via Pexels

Raising children comes with its fair share of challenges, but helping them tackle their homework doesn’t have to be one of them. Between school demands and after-school commitments, homework time often turns into a battleground for many families. But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right structure and strategies in place, you can help your child build academic independence, reduce stress, and even find some joy in learning. These parenting techniques are rooted in empathy, consistency, and thoughtful planning—designed to make your evenings smoother and their education stronger.

Create a Homework Haven

The first step in easing homework battles is giving your child a calm, organized place to work. A consistent study spot—ideally quiet, well-lit, and away from the hustle of the house—helps build focus and routine. Stock it with school supplies so they don’t have to constantly leave to grab a pencil or calculator. This simple setup removes the friction of getting started and signals to your child’s brain that it’s time to shift gears into learning mode.

Use Digital Tools to Stay Organized

Helping your child stay organized can go a long way toward reducing homework-related stress—and one of the easiest ways to do that is by setting up a digital system for managing assignments and study materials. This might mean creating folders on a shared Google Drive, setting reminders on a calendar app, or using a homework tracker to map out deadlines and goals. One smart tip? Converting Word documents into PDFs preserves formatting, prevents accidental edits, and ensures seamless access across devices. Check this out: this simple tool can streamline study sessions, making it easier for kids to focus and complete their work efficiently.

Stick to a Predictable Schedule

Children thrive on routine, and homework is no exception. Set a homework time that fits comfortably into your child’s daily rhythm—maybe after a snack and short break from school, but before dinner or screen time. Consistency helps reduce resistance because it removes the need to negotiate every night. Over time, your child’s internal clock adjusts, and starting homework becomes less of a struggle and more of a natural part of their day.

Be a Guide, Not a Helicopter

As tempting as it may be to jump in and solve problems when your child is stuck, try stepping back first. Offer support, clarify instructions, or brainstorm strategies, but let them attempt the work on their own. When kids struggle productively, they build resilience and a deeper understanding of the material. This approach helps foster independence and reduces the pressure they feel to get everything perfect on the first try.

Cut Down on the Noise

One of the biggest homework saboteurs is distraction—especially the digital kind. During homework time, turn off the TV, silence notifications, and store away non-essential electronics. Even well-meaning interruptions, like checking in too often, can break concentration. Creating a focused environment signals that this is a time for effort and progress, not multitasking or procrastination.

Recognize Effort Over Outcome

One of the best ways to motivate your child is to acknowledge their effort, not just the results. Celebrate moments when they stayed focused, asked thoughtful questions, or kept going despite a tough assignment. Praising persistence and hard work reinforces the idea that success is earned through dedication. This builds confidence and helps them internalize a growth mindset that will serve them far beyond the classroom.

Keep Communication Flowing

Staying in touch with your child’s teachers is essential for providing the right kind of support at home. Whether it’s checking the class website, reading the weekly newsletter, or shooting an occasional email, make an effort to stay in the loop. Teachers can offer insight into what’s expected, where your child may need help, and how you can reinforce learning outside of school. When everyone’s on the same page, your child feels supported from all sides.

At the end of the day, your involvement in your child’s homework routine isn’t just about getting assignments turned in—it’s about teaching life skills that last. By creating structure, offering guidance without hovering, and nurturing a healthy attitude toward effort and growth, you’re giving your child tools they’ll use well beyond school. Homework might still be challenging from time to time, but with your support, it becomes less about pressure and more about progress. And when your child feels capable and cared for, those after-school hours can turn into a foundation for confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Unlock a world of engaging ESL resources with Kinney Brothers Publishing and inspire your students with innovative teaching tools designed for every level!

Navigating Life, Work, and Study: A Guide for Parents

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Photo via Pexels

Here is another insightful Guest Post by Susan Good, a 38-year veteran of the classroom! Be sure to check out her website at retiredteacher.org for sage advice about teaching and writing!

Parents Can Navigate Life, Work, and Study With This Guide 

Juggling the demands of family, career, and further education often feels akin to navigating a labyrinth with shifting walls. Nevertheless, the pursuit of educational development alongside personal and professional responsibilities remains an enriching experience. This guide, presented by Kinney Brothers Publishing, offers tangible steps to harmonize these elements, ensuring you remain steadfast on the path to lifelong learning and personal development.

Involve The Kids in Cleanup

Involve your children in tasks like tidying and organizing your home. One approach is setting a 30-minute countdown, encouraging kids to see how much they can clean up before the buzzer goes off. Not only does this make your living environment more conducive to study, but it also instills a sense of responsibility and teamwork in young minds. Furthermore, you’re actively demonstrating how organization aids in balancing multiple life aspects — valuable life wisdom children can carry into adulthood.

Create a Work and Study Space

Creating a dedicated room in your home for working and studying can greatly enhance productivity and focus. Start by choosing a quiet area with plenty of natural light, and furnish it with ergonomic furniture to ensure comfort during long study or work sessions. For any construction or renovation tasks that you don’t feel comfortable handling on your own, use a home repair and maintenance app to connect with qualified contractors who can assist with the setup. This way, you can ensure the space is professionally completed and tailored to your specific needs.

Craft a Purpose-Driven Agenda

The essence of mastering multiple responsibilities lies in effective scheduling; design a daily plan that partitions time for studying, working, and family activities. Allocate time slots judiciously, paying heed to deadlines and levels of importance. Following a calendar isn’t just about ticking off to-do lists; it’s a practical strategy to harmonize different life facets. This way, stress dissipates, and a newfound sense of control prevails.

Explore Learning Resources

Exploring learning resources beyond the classroom is an excellent way to support your children’s education and cater to their unique needs. Whether it’s for supplementing schoolwork or exploring new interests, a variety of tools can enhance their learning experience. For children learning English as a second language, ESL worksheets from Kinney Brothers Publishing offer engaging and comprehensive materials to help build language skills. These resources are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, making learning a rewarding experience for young learners.

Leverage Digital Tools for Time Allocation

Managing time effectively doesn’t have to be a cumbersome, hands-on task, especially with the proliferation of contemporary digital tools. Applications that function as calendars, task organizers, and reminder systems play a pivotal role in maintaining a well-ordered life. These digital resources act almost like virtual personal organizers, keeping you abreast of academic deadlines, work obligations, and important family events. By automating these reminders, you free up mental space for more pressing decision-making tasks, enhancing overall productivity.

Cultivate a Support System

While individual prowess is commendable, a supportive environment magnifies your capabilities. Whether it’s divvying up household tasks with your partner or leaning on friends for emotional backing, collaboration makes the journey smoother. Establish open lines of communication with your support network and make delegation a part of your strategy. Doing so not only lightens your load but often provides a more diverse set of solutions to everyday challenges.

While the expedition of balancing career, family, and education may be intricate, it is far from insurmountable. Involving your children in home organization, sticking to a well-crafted schedule, taking advantage of remote learning, employing digital tools for time management, and nurturing a network of support are formidable steps toward mastering this balance. It’s not just about surviving the juggle; it’s about thriving through it. With a committed approach and these actionable strategies, success in this multi-faceted endeavor isn’t just possible — it’s achievable.

Unlock the Joy of Indoor Activities to Engage & Educate at Home

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This is a Guest Post by Susan Good, a 38-year veteran of the classroom! Be sure to check out her website at retiredteacher.org for inciteful blog posts about teaching and writing!

Engaging kids with fun and educational activities can be a delightful challenge. Consider these vibrant and educational indoor activities, presented by Kinney Brothers Publishing, when the weather outside is less than appealing, or you’re looking for ways to enrich your family time without stepping out the door. There are many options to keep your young ones entertained while they learn and grow.

Board Games Galore

Board games are not just a way to pass the time; they are a fantastic tool for learning. Whether it’s a game that teaches strategy, such as chess, or another that enhances vocabulary and word-building skills, playing these games can significantly improve critical thinking and language skills. You’ll find that these games often spark conversations and teach vital social skills like taking turns and good sportsmanship.

Create and Digitize Art

Creating art with your children is an excellent way to spend quality time together and fosters creativity and expression. Encourage your kids to draw, paint, or make collages out of materials you have around the house. Take this creativity a step further by digitizing their artwork. 

Using a mobile scanning app, you can quickly capture images of their art pieces using your camera and convert them into PDF files. If you need help figuring out where to start, find out how to scan a document using your mobile app to easily preserve their creations digitally. This method is efficient and a fantastic way to share their artwork with family or friends or create a digital portfolio they can look back on for years.

Puzzle Them

Puzzles are an excellent indoor activity that can help enhance your child’s problem-solving and cognitive skills. They require patience and perseverance and teach kids the value of focusing on a task to achieve a goal. This activity can cater to all age groups, from simple jigsaw puzzles for the little ones to more complex puzzles for older children.

Engage in Arts and Crafts

Engaging in arts and crafts can be both therapeutic and educational. Activities such as cutting, gluing, and assembling materials keep children occupied and help develop their fine motor skills. Encourage your kids to use their imaginations to create something unique. This could be as simple as making greeting cards, designing custom jewelry, or constructing models from recyclable materials.

Dive into Books

Reading is one of the most fundamental skills a child can acquire, and fostering a love for reading early on is crucial. Set aside time for reading each day, and make it fun. Choose age-appropriate books that cover topics your children find interesting. Discuss the stories with them to improve their comprehension and to encourage a deeper understanding of the themes.

Karaoke Night Fun

Organize a karaoke night at home to lighten the atmosphere and add a musical twist to your indoor activities. Singing along to favorite tunes improves linguistic skills and boosts confidence. 

It’s a joyful way to engage the entire family and enjoy musical fun together. Karaoke encourages everyone to participate and can be an excellent way for children to express themselves and perform in a safe and supportive environment.

Explore STEM

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities are essential for nurturing curiosity and critical thinking. Simple experiments can be conducted with everyday household items. 

Building a basic circuit with batteries and light bulbs or creating a volcano with baking soda and vinegar educates and entertains. These activities demystify science and make abstract concepts tangible, fostering a love for learning that can last a lifetime.

Indoor activities are a splendid way to keep your children engaged and learning in your home’s comfort. By incorporating a mix of fun and educational tasks, you can provide your kids with a balanced experience that can spark their creativity, pique their interest in learning, and strengthen your familial bonds. With these activities, you ensure that your children’s indoor time is enjoyable and enriching, setting the foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity.

Nurture a Passion for Learning

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Kinney Brothers Publishing Guest Blog Post

Image: Freepic

This is a Guest Post by Susan Good, a 38-year veteran of the classroom! Be sure to check out her website at retiredteacher.org for inciteful blog posts about teaching and writing!

Igniting a passion for learning in children is foundational to their lifelong success and personal growth. It’s a journey that transcends mere academic achievement, fostering a deep-seated curiosity and a vibrant imagination. Parents, as the primary influencers, have the unique opportunity to shape this educational voyage. This Kinney Brothers Publishing guide is dedicated to offering actionable strategies for parents eager to kindle this crucial flame within their children.

Enriching Early Literacy Skills

Introducing the power of language and storytelling at an early age opens the door to endless possibilities. Establish a family tradition of reading together, frequent visits to the local library, and encouraging solo adventures among the pages of books. This approach not only builds critical language abilities but also nurtures an imaginative mind, setting the stage for a lifelong journey of discovery.

Transforming Learning Into Play

Learning should be an adventure, filled with excitement and discovery. Incorporate interactive games, conduct experiments, and explore educational applications to make complex concepts accessible and fun. Such activities not only enhance the joy of learning but are crucial in helping children grasp intricate ideas in an intuitive and enjoyable manner. Keep your kids engaged at home with a plethora of fun, including science experiments, art projects, and more.

Exhibit Lifelong Learning by Earning a Degree

Showcasing your curiosity and eagerness to learn sets a powerful example for your children. If you’ve delayed further education, pursuing a psychology online degree offers the flexibility needed to manage your existing commitments. This path not only allows you to delve into understanding the complexities of human behavior but also provides practical support to those in need. Most importantly, your pursuit of higher education serves as a living lesson to your children, illustrating the value and continuity of learning beyond traditional schooling.

Nurturing Individual Passions

Recognizing and supporting your child’s unique interests lays the groundwork for a profound and enduring love of learning. Provide them with the resources and opportunities to delve into their hobbies, showing genuine enthusiasm for their pursuits. This encouragement helps children develop a deeper, more personal connection to learning.

Fostering a Stimulating Environment

Turning your home into a sanctuary of exploration and creativity encourages your children to seek knowledge and ask questions. Equip your space with a variety of books, creative materials, and educational resources to inspire a natural inclination toward inquiry and innovation. Additionally, designating specific areas for reading, experiments, and artistic activities can further stimulate their desire to learn and discover.

Exposing Them to the World’s Diversity

Broadening your child’s exposure to different subjects, cultures, and experiences enhances their understanding of the world and sparks interest in new areas. Whether through travel, attending cultural events, or engaging with diverse communities, these experiences contribute to a well-rounded education and foster an appreciation for the rich tapestry of our world. Introducing them to international cuisine at home can also serve as a delightful and educational way to explore global cultures.

Celebrating Learning Milestones

Recognizing and celebrating your child’s learning achievements, no matter how small, boosts their confidence and motivation. Positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in encouraging them to continue their explorations and efforts in learning, reinforcing the idea that their educational journey is valued and supported. Creating a visual display of their accomplishments, like a wall of fame, can visually remind them of their progress and the joy of learning.

Fostering a love of learning in children is a multifaceted endeavor that requires patience, creativity, and dedication from parents. By integrating these strategies into your family’s routine, you create a nurturing environment that celebrates curiosity, supports personal growth, and values the pursuit of knowledge. Your active participation and enthusiasm as a parent are instrumental in guiding your children toward a future where they not only succeed but thrive with a lifelong passion for learning.

CVC Interactive Notebook Templates

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Everything you need for emergent readers! CVC Interactive Notebook Templates are a step-by-step program that includes writing, reading, and spelling exercises, as well as review, puzzles, game boards, and folding activities. Interactive Notebooks offer flexibility in curriculum design and an excellent way to shape students’ notebook habits and student accountability.

Based on Phonics & Spelling, Book 2, by Kinney Brothers Publishing, the CVC Templates are built on a 45-word vocabulary base with nine words for each a-e-i-o-u vowel set. Each vowel set is restricted to three word families. With the goal of moving emergent readers toward reading fluency, the differentiated exercises take students step by step with reading, writing, and spelling exercises, as well as an introduction to primary sight words. Teachers can purchase each vowel unit or all five units bundled together!

You can check out the full bundle and individual units here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVC-Word-Interactive-Notebook-Template-Bundle-ESL-ELL-Newcomer-4622892

Be sure to check out my blog post Teaching CVC Words – What, When, & How

Animal Bingo

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Introduce the excitement of Bingo with this cute Animal Bingo game designed specifically for your youngest students! Tailored to focus on common animals, this Bingo set is a perfect companion for ESL students honing their vocabulary skills. Animals include farm animals, woodland animals, safari animals, and household pets. The comprehensive PDF file includes 30 colorful boards in two print sizes, a handy Animal Chart, and 25 draw cards for a seamless gaming experience.

Click here to download now! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Animal-Bingo-ESL-ELL-Newcomer-Game-2254822

You’ll appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of this Bingo set. Bingo is an excellent activity for focused vocabulary review. During the game, students must listen attentively, scan their cards quickly, and follow the gameplay closely. Encourage full-class participation by letting students take turns pulling cards and creating an atmosphere of cooperation and pure fun. Make reviewing animal vocabulary an enjoyable journey for your students with this Animal Bingo set.