If we compare the Know Limit Learning Services’s services to the traditional center-based tutoring operations, the superiority of the in-home, one-on-one tutoring model becomes obvious. The Know Limit Learning Services Platform matches a highly qualified tutor with a student in the privacy and comfort of their own home or through eTutoring.

Students prefer this stress-free approach to learning as they can progress at their own pace and are free from peer pressure and the embarrassment they often feel in traditional learning environments. By removing the intimidation and fear of failure, students suddenly become comfortable, confident and eager to learn.

Unlike many tutoring programs that require parents to bring their child to a tutoring center, at Know Limit Learning Services we provide students with affordable, professional, one-on-one, individualized tutoring services in the comfort of their own home or through eTutoring. No longer is a parent’s time wasted by dropping off, in traffic, waiting, and picking up their children from a learning center. As well, parents and students with limited transportation are no longer precluded from enjoying the benefits of extra-curricular learning.

Today’s parents also greatly value the flexibility that Know Limit Learning Services provides. Parents are no longer limited to the times dictated by traditional center-based tutoring companies. Lesson times can be arranged to fit into the hectic family schedule without any difficulty. For many families this also means that extra-curricular activities can be more easily coordinated while the student receives the academic support he or she needs.

Traditional tutoring centers teach through multiple student groups with a set curriculum and little time for individualized instruction or help. The one-on-one instruction provided by Know Limit Learning Services is superior to this approach. One-on-one learning has been proven to be the very best way to help children who are behind in their studies, discover the learning styles and methods that can help them catch up.

Our tutors also use a student’s homework as the core curriculum for helping them succeed in the classrooms. Traditional tutoring centers provide very little individualization as they use set curriculum that’s over and above the student’s existing homework. This creates a further burden on a child who’s already behind, by adding to their overall work load.

Know Limit Learning Services’s services cover all grade levels, from kindergarten to university, and incorporate an understanding of different student learning styles. We even provide tutoring for adults. Each in-home tutoring program is custom-designed to meet the student’s specific needs and interests while addressing the underlying foundations of concepts learned. The program fills in missing bricks of academic structure, consolidates that with current expectations, and then moves the student ahead to future requirements.

By working collaboratively with students and parents, Know Limit Learning Services tutors provide the best supplemental, personalized instruction along with the motivation and confidence needed to help students succeed. With a growing market need, and such a superior service offering, it isn’t difficult to see why parents and students find the Know Limit Learning Services offering so refreshing.

By Nayarit Mclaren

Your children don’t need to be in close proximity to notebooks, book bags, whiteboards, and pop quizzes to learn. True learning isn’t just about memorizing history facts and solving math problems. Learning is an interactive — and lifelong — process of analyzing, questioning, and discussing; learning is looking for new meanings and unique applications of knowledge in every situation.

There’s a big world of questions, places, and people out there. Try to expose your children to as many meaningful experiences as possible. You’ll broaden their knowledge, improve early childhood education, and cultivate the type of awareness and appreciation that can’t be taught from a textbook. Read our seven suggestions for helping your children learn outside the classroom.

1. Recognize the Value of the Public Library
   Libraries are invaluable resources that provide (free!) public access to a well-curated collection of books and archives. Libraries are hubs for information on a staggering amount of fascinating topics — all just waiting to be gathered and shared with your child. Helpful professionals are available to guide and encourage your child’s quest for knowledge.
2. Explore the World at Every Opportunity
   When you travel with your kids — whether it’s a day trip or a week-long vacation — they can learn so much about the world. You can teach children about history, geography, and the diversity of cultures, traditions, and customs. How your family travels can spark curiosity and conversations.
3. Embrace “Everyday Education”
   While they may seem mundane, everyday activities can open the door to exciting new lessons. For example, baking a batch of cookies can illustrate the practical applications of math, science, and nutrition; attending a Little League baseball game can illustrate statistics, history, and teamwork.
4. Get a Dose of Culture
   Expose your children to as many artistic and social highlights as possible. Museums, zoos, historical sites, and cultural events such as plays, operas, ballets, and concerts are great ways to teach and entertain kids. Often, kids will find these adventures more fun than sitting at a desk in school. Plus, they can broaden their horizons and possibly excite lifelong interests, hobbies, and passions.
5. Have Some Faith
   If your family belongs to a religious community, get your kids involved in classes, camps, retreats, fellowships, and youth groups. Children will learn about faith and ancestry in the context of history, as well as religious and spiritual concepts.
6. Take Every Opportunity to Answer “Why?”
   Even the most unremarkable moments can become teachable, milestone events. Accompanying Mom or Dad to the office can spark a conversation on commerce and industry; looking at the night sky can inspire questions about celestial objects in the vast universe. Look for everyday opportunities to learn as a family — and remember to embrace the natural curiosity and wonder of your kids.
7. Get Plugged In — But Do It Wisely
   Technology is an integral part of today’s modern world and improvements are being made every day. This means that your kids have the ability to access information and satisfy their curiosity instantly! Encourage your children to search on the web for answers to their questions or watch credible how-to or news videos. Make sure to explain the importance of filtering information so it is accurate, current, and reputable. Also make sure to monitor your children’s activities to keep them smart and safe.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia area. eTutoring is available everywhere.

By Nayarit Mclaren, Chief Community Officer 

It’s the morning of the state assessment test and your first grader has inexplicably come down with a stomach-ache. Is it a coincidence, or is he suffering from anxiety about his exam?

According to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, kids as young as five may feel apprehensive about taking exams. If your child is test-phobic, test anxiety solutions should be tailored to suit his age, because very young children are less likely to be familiar with the testing process itself. “Anxiety can develop not because kids don’t know ‘the answer’, but because they do not understand the question OR what an answer should look like”, says Mike Haykin, Director of Learning Support for the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Parents should recognize that anxiety “triggers” can be very different in the early years. Here are a few things you can do to recognize the signs your kid is stressing about tests.

• Tummy-ache, or test-phobia? Unlike their older peers, younger children often don’t have words to spell out their fears. It’s common for little learners with test anxiety to complain of headaches, stomach-aches, or other vague symptoms. Pay attention to the nature and frequency of these complaints and to the events that trigger them. Does he tend to feel sick on test days?
• Emotional red flags. Kids experiencing test anxiety may be lethargic, suffer from insomnia, misbehave, have persistent nightmares, or fear being left alone. Take note of when and how long these symptoms occur. If they happen around exam day, your child may be terrified to put pencil to paper at school.
• Stay positive. If you’re frazzled about state tests, wringing your hands and quizzing your child en route to school, you may be adding to his fears. “Kids often absorb the emotion that surrounds them,” says Haykin. “Parents need to understand that performance on a specific test is not a measure of the value of the child or the parent.” Take a deep breath, tell your child that you know he’ll try his best, and keep testing in perspective. One exam slip-up won’t make or break a young student’s academic career.

If you think your kid is agonizing about his next exam, here are ways you can help alleviate his fear.

• Keep it casual. Instead of trying to “reason” with your first grader about his upcoming test, use your tone of voice to soothe him instead. Keep your tone light as you talk about testing, and allow the conversation to happen naturally. Remember, he’s just now learning the basic concepts of success, and he’ll pick up on your attitude when you talk about school.
• Alleviate fears of the unknown. Mystery and uncertainty, like a big imagination in a dark room, are big sources of stress in young kids. Give your child as much information as you can in the weeks leading up to the test, without explaining that you’re prepping for a big exam. When talking about tests, use the same neutral tone that you use to talk about soccer practice, art class and other school activities.
• Stick to short study times. Help your young student study in ways that won’t challenge his short attention span. Research from the University of Illinois has shown that 15 to 20 minutes is about the longest amount of time that a 5 to 7-year-old can study for a test in one sitting. Go through flash cards, class assignments and other materials with your child, but stick to a reasonable time limit. Making him study for longer than he’s developmentally able to handle is counterproductive and may heighten anxiety.
• Create a comfy work area. Designate a special place for studying, and ask your child if he’d like to pick out school supplies for his space. Involving him in the design process will foster positive feelings about sitting down and getting to work. Turn off the TV and remove video games from his area while he studies. By explaining that it’s easy to get distracted, he won’t think of this as a punishment.
• Combine test prep with family time. Unlike teenagers, very young children welcome the undivided attention of their parents – they see it as a positive thing. Make study with your child fun by using engaging tools like flash cards or study games. Get siblings and other family members involved.
• Recognize what’s normal—and what’s not. If your child has repeated, severe anxiety about tests, have him evaluated by a professional, and brainstorm possible solutions together. Early intervention can make a big difference, as he’ll be expected to tackle more standardized tests as he progresses through school.

Starting school for the first time is a source of stress for kids for many reasons, such as dealing with being away from mom, or getting used to being around lots of kids. With early recognition and intervention, test anxiety solutions can be managed successfully. Getting your child comfortable with tests will help get him on the road to a bright academic future.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia area and eTutoring is available everywhere. We believe everyone can succeed.

By Brandon Phenix, Chief Academic Officer

Now most colleges accept both SAT and ACT, but that was not always the case. Check the colleges you want to take admission into and see if they accept both. Since the tests are quite different it becomes very important to select the one that leverages the expertise of the student. However, again it is important to check with your college and specific courses to find out which test is acceptable for admission. The following comparisons and links to articles will help students and families make an informed decision. More than 1.5 million students from class of 2009 took the SAT, of which approximately 105,000 students scored 2,000 or more (out of 2,400). Compared to that more than 1.5 million students from class of 2009 took ACT, of which 137,531 students scored 30 or more (out of 36).

Here are the top five points to help you determine which test to take:

1. Science and Math. There is a Science section on the ACT, but not on the SAT. If you do well on a practice science section, strongly consider the ACT. And if you love trigonometry, the ACT is your test, too. The SAT doesn’t include it.

2. Timing. The SAT is 20 minutes longer than the ACT if you take the optional ACT Writing test (most selective schools require it); it’s almost an hour longer without the Writing. If you have trouble concentrating and sitting in a chair for hours, this could be an important distinction.

3. Gender. Take a look at statistics for both tests, and you’ll find the same conclusion. Boys tend to score higher on the SAT, and girls on the ACT. There are many theories about why, including one that says girls fit the model of the ACT ace: the over-achieving student who takes all the AP classes, asks the questions in class, and studies for tests for hours. The numbers don’t lie, so no matter what the theory, if you’re a boy and you’re not sure, consider going with the SAT.

4. PSAT and PLAN. Your school might be one of the thousands that gives the pre-ACT and –SAT tests to sophomores or juniors. How accurate are they in predicting your score on the actual test? Not as accurate as you might think. Scores can range fifty or more points higher or lower on each section. But those pre-tests can help you decide which test feels more comfortable to you, and, if there’s a serious disparity in performance between the two, you’ll know which one to go with.

5. Strategy. The SAT takes off a quarter point for every incorrect answer, making guessing an important test-taking element. Students who guess too often, without eliminating at least one answer choice, can end up losing many of the points they earned from correct answers. If working on and implementing a strategy for guessing turns you off before you begin, try the ACT, which doesn’t penalize you for incorrect answers.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia. eTutoring is available everywhere.

By Kirk Wilson, President

Children no longer memorizing their multiplication tables is becoming increasingly common. With the math curriculum as extensive as it is, teachers cannot afford to take the time to ensure that students learn the basic facts. Parents are partners in the process and will have greater opportunities for their children to succeed in math if they support learning the basics at home. Work with your children to ensure that they do not fall between the cracks. Help your children learn the facts. There are many tricks to teach children multiplication facts in mathematics. Some tricks are listed here. If you have more, please share them in the comment area.

The 9 Times Quickie

1. Hold your hands in front of you with your fingers spread out.
2. For 9 X 3 bend your third finger down. (9 X 4 would be the fourth finger etc.)
3. You have 2 fingers in front of the bent finger and 7 after the bent finger
4. Thus the answer must be 27
5. This technique works for the 9 times tables up to 10.

The 4 Times Quickie
This one is easy if you know how to double a number.

1. To multiply by four, simply double a number and then double it again!

The 11 Times Rule #1
1. To multiply numbers 1 – 9 by 11, simply duplicate each number. Multiply 11 by 3 to get 33, multiply 11 by 4 to get 44.

The 11 Times Rule #2
Use this strategy for two digit numbers only.
1. Multiply 11 by 18. Jot down 1 and 8 with a space between it: 1_8
2. Add the 8 and the 1 and put that number in the middle: 198

Deck ‘Em!
1. Use a deck of playing cards for a game of Multiplication War.
2. Initially, children may need the grid  to become quick at the answers.
3. Flip over the cards as though you are playing Snap.
4. The first one to say the fact based on the cards turned over (a four and a five = Say “20″) gets the cards.
5. The person to get all of the cards wins!
6. Children learn their facts much more quickly when playing this game on a regular basis.

Seeing the Patterns
1. Use a multiplication grid or let your student create one.
2. Look carefully at all of the patterns, especially when the numbers correspond with the facts e.g., 7×8 and 8×7 = 56
3. Let students practice the ‘fast adding’ which is what multiplication is.
4. When students can count by 3s, 4s, 5s 6s, etc. they will automatically know their multiplication tables.

By Nayarit Mclaren, Chief Community Officer

Bullying was once considered a childhood rite of passage. Today, however, bullying is recognized as a serious problem. Up to half of all children are bullied at some point during their school years, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. And thanks to tech-savvy kids, cyberbullying and other forms of electronic harassment are now commonplace.

To help your child handle school bullying, learn to recognize it — and know how to respond.

Types of bullying

Any child can be bullied, particularly younger children and those who have few friends or are easily intimidated. At any age, bullying can take many forms. For example:

• Physical bullying includes hitting, punching, kicking and other types of physical harm, as well as destruction of a child’s property.
• Verbal bullying includes teasing, name-calling, taunting and racial slurs, as well as spreading gossip or malicious rumors.
• Cyberbullying includes harassing emails, instant messages and text messages, as well as intimidating or threatening websites, blogs or posts.

The consequences of bullying

Children who are bullied may be afraid to go to school. They may complain of headaches or stomachaches and have trouble concentrating on schoolwork. In the long term, the consequences of bullying may be even more severe. Children who are bullied have higher rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and other mental health conditions. Children who are bullied are more likely to think about suicide. Some of these wounds may linger into adulthood.

Warning signs of bullying

If your child is being bullied, he or she may remain quiet out of fear, shame or embarrassment. Be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Damaged or missing clothing or other personal belongings
• Unexplained bruises or other injuries
• Few friends or close contacts
• Reluctance to go to school or ride the school bus
• Poor school performance
• Headaches, stomachaches or other physical complaints
• Trouble sleeping or eating

What to do if your child is being bullied

If you suspect that your child is being bullied, take the situation seriously:

• Encourage your child to share his or her concerns. Remain calm, listen in a loving manner and support your child’s feelings. Express understanding and concern. You might say, “I understand you’re having a rough time. Let’s work together to deal with this.” Remind your child that he or she isn’t to blame for being bullied.
• Learn as much as you can about the situation. Ask your child to describe how and when the bullying occurs and who is involved. Ask if other children or adults have witnessed any bullying incidents. Find out what your child may have done to try to stop the bullying.
• Teach your child how to respond to the bullying. Don’t promote retaliation or fighting back against a bully. Instead, encourage your child to maintain his or her composure. He or she might say, “I want you to stop now,” and then simply walk away. Suggest sticking with a friend or group of friends while on the bus, in the cafeteria or wherever the bullying seems to happen. Remind your child that he or she can ask teachers or other school officials for help.
• Contact school officials. Talk to your child’s teacher, the school counselor and the school principal. If your child has been physically attacked or otherwise threatened with harm, talk to school officials immediately to determine if the police should be involved. Don’t contact the bully’s parents yourself. You might also want to encourage school officials to address bullying — including cyberbullying — as part of the curriculum.
• Follow up. Keep in contact with school officials. If the bullying seems to continue, be persistent.
• Boost your child’s self-confidence. Help your child get involved in activities that can raise self-esteem, such as sports, music or art. Encourage your child to build friendships and develop his or her social skills.
• Know when to seek professional help. Consider professional or school counseling for your child if his or her fear or anxiety becomes overwhelming.

If your child is being bullied, remember that early intervention can help prevent lasting problems — such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Don’t leave your child to handle it alone. Your child needs your support now more than ever.

By Nayarit Mclaren, Chief Community Officer

It’s never been easy to be a teenager (remember your own high school woes?), but nowadays it is harder than ever. The competition to be a better dresser or sports player, to get better grades, to take or not take drugs— it’s all intense.

All kids have to come to terms with where they fit into the world and how much pressure they will put on themselves. It is your job as a parent not to micromanage your child’s world— that will probably make matters worse— but to be there for your child when she needs you for support.

What Teens Worry About
Many adolescents have trouble dealing with stress; they may never have been aware of it before, and now need to develop the right tools. A teen can always find lots of things to worry about:

• family concerns
• grades
• fitting in
• body issues
• friend problems
• divorce
• the death of a loved one

Often every problem, no matter how big or small, takes on equal proportion in the life of a teen. These problems can seem insurmountable to your son or daughter. Again, be there for them and help them develop coping mechanisms.

Stress-Fighters for Teens
How best can teens combat the stressors in their lives?

Exercise is a great stress reliever. It’s hard to really feel pressure when you are working your body hard. It’s a great habit to get into, so encourage your child to take a walk or go for a run. If he or she is going through a prolonged stressful period, a yoga class might help.

Eating well— which means cutting back on caffeine and fast-food— and getting enough sleep goes a long way towards lowering stress.

Team sports can relieve tension for teens. But be cautious- team sports are fraught with more stressors, such as will your child get to play? Will he play his position well?

Talking to you, a family member, a friend, your pediatrician, or a clergy member also helps. Because your teen may not have mastered coping skills he may be more likely than an adult to turn to drugs or other unhealthy means of relieving stress. That’s why this is the time to teach your child to rely on you, family and friends to manage stress with positive actions.

By Brandon Phenix, Chief Academic Officer

Parents can help their children a lot during End-of-Grade tests. With proper guidance and motivation, a child can excel during exams. Here are some helpful tips for studying for reading EOG tests:

1.  Share and talk about articles, diagrams, charts, illustrations, and maps with your child.  Look up short stories on the internet that are nonfiction to help with this.

2.  Read and talk about fiction and nonfiction.  Look here for a brief lesson and ideas. Also discuss letters, newspaper articles, and journals.

3.  Practice looking for the main idea in passages.  Look for key words and phrases such as main idea, subject, theme, lesson, as a whole, in general, mostly, or for the most part.

4.  Talk about cause and effect.  Look together for key words like first, next, then, later, before, after, last, and finally in the reading. Other words that might alert you are cause, because, effect, why, reason, therefore, as a result, so, due to factors, responsible, contribute, and produce.

5.  Read short stories or picture books and discuss predictions about what will happen next or after the story is over. Talk about basing your predictions on what you have read and your child’s experience.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia area and eTutoring everywhere.

By Nayarit Mclaren, Chief Community Officer

While children learn plenty of information throughout the school year, some of that can be lost during the summer. In addition to that issue, often called “summer learning loss,” there are a variety of other reasons for parents to consider an online summer learning program. In fact, there are many advantages of learning through the summer months.

Prevent Loss of Learning
Facts often are not being practiced enough during summer vacation. Learning through the summer months can help avoid a loss of learning that occurs due to non-practice. Often teachers spend a good portion of the beginning of the school year reviewing what was learned in the previous year. Summer learning programs can make this process and transition much smoother for a child.

Catch Up on Missed Skills
Sometimes a child can get behind and even miss some of the important basic skills. This is especially true in mathematics. Because previous math skills are required to learn and process upcoming math, it’s important that a child fully comprehends each math process. Knowing and understanding all required concepts will help a child succeed in future lessons. A summer math program can help a child catch up on these essential skills.

Review Learned Skills
If a child has already mastered the required skills for his or her grade level, summer learning programs can prepare that child for the next grade level. Learning about some of the things to come can give a child a head start and smooth the transition to the next grade level. Math can be especially difficult for some children to grasp. For more convenience and flexibility, try an online summer math program.

Master Learned Skills
Even if a child has learned the basic required skills in the appropriate level during the school year, summer learning can still be beneficial. Further practice of those skills can help ensure or achieve mastery. Mastering basic and advanced summer math skills can help a child to achieve in upcoming study during the school year. To advance further in math, mastery of each skill is required. That is because as math progresses, those skills will be used to solve more complex math problems. Practicing learned facts through the summer months can help a child master those required skills.

Get a Head Start on the Upcoming School Year
Even a child who has already mastered his or her required skills can still benefit from a summer learning program. A child can get a head start on lessons to come in the upcoming school year by learning some of them through summer education. This can either help the child to advance further in studies or provide a smooth transition when advancing to the next grade level. Online summer learning programs are a great way to do this. Some are even designed around this purpose.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia area and eTutoring is available everywhere. We believe everyone can succeed.

By Kirk Wilson, President

It is time consuming to learn English and it can be a very difficult language to learn.  If you or someone you know is struggling to improve their English, try these quick and easy steps.

1.  Write in a journal or diary every day – in English.

Writing about everyday activities involves using common vocabulary.  If you write down what you did, you are strengthening your word usage and practicing writing in English.

2.  Listen to English music while you do housework or chores.

Although music in your own language is familiar and relaxing, try putting on some English music.  Music is one of the best ways to remember words and vocabulary.  It also gives some exposure to the culture.  Choose the music that fits your personality and make sure you can understand the words.

3.  Only search in English.

Set your browser to English so you can search in English.  This will force you to think and search only in English.  Your comfort level will increase as you search more each time.

4.  Supplement your English class with a private tutor.

English classes are good, but a private tutor is better.  The reason is that you cannot hide behind other students or hope the teacher does not call on you.  You are forced to speak and answer each question. Also there is a greater opportunity for you to work on your weaker areas and you can improve them faster.

5.  Teach your child English phrases and words.

One way to learn is to have to teach.  Teach your child phrases in English so you can build up his or her skills too.  Try to make it relevant to what he or she is doing or watching on TV.

6.  Watch films over and over with English subtitles.

The first time you watch a film, you understand what is happening.  The second and third times you can really focus on the language.  This is a good time to ask your private tutor about phrases you don’t understand or ideas about culture.

7.  Read comics in English.

Newspaper comics are quick and easy to follow.  Practice reading them out loud and explain to a friend what is happening in the picture.

Bonus:  Sign up for a English language exam.

Even if you do not need it for employment, paying to take an exam like TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS or FCE can really help you take your study of the English language seriously.

Know Limit Learning Services is the leader in providing one-on-one tutoring, academic camps, and college acceptance including test prep services. Whether a student or working professional wants to learn a new skill, gain a competitive advantage, or just needs extra help, Know Limit is ready to educate and empower through personalized learning services. Services are delivered in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia area and eTutoring everywhere.

Know Limit’s Competitive Difference 

●Certified Personal Tutoring based on your curriculum

●All Subjects and All Grades

●Results 100% Guaranteed

●Packages from 12 to 96 hours

●In-Home and eTutoring / Online Tutoring