Ready, set, learn

By: Anja Sonnenberg

For almost thirty years, Sylvan Learning Centre has been inspiring young minds to become passionate about learning. Whether your child is having a hard time understanding math, reading, writing, or having difficulties with study skills, there is a way to help them become a better student.

“Our mandate is to help any student from JK all the way to grade 12 to catch up, keep up, or get ahead,” explains Jamie Fraser, executive director at Sylvan Learning Centre. “When a student comes in to our centre, we assess them right away to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are in any subject. Our objective is to find out where a child needs help and what path is best to get them there.”

For some parents, it may be difficult to admit that their child may need supplemental education, but children who are struggling in school tend to develop low self-esteem. Not only will addressing their needs help their confidence, it will also lay the foundation for future academic success. Whether they’re a late bloomer born at the end of the year or they need extra help to develop successful study skills, students benefit from personalized lesson plans designed for their individual needs.

“Every student has a different situation,” says Fraser, adding that all Sylvan instructors are certified Ontario teachers who are also trained in Sylvan’s methodologies. Tutors never have more than three students at one time, so they’re able to give the children the extra attention and motivation that they need, which according to Fraser is something that you won’t find in the typical school environment. “We find that beyond the programs themselves, the students really latch on to the teachers. They know the teachers by name and they want that positive reinforcement from them.”

Often students who come to Sylvan aren’t as confident as their peers at school. By addressing their individual needs with positive approaches, students quickly regain their confidence. Sylvan’s mastery program works by making sure the student has mastered each subject individually before moving on. Instead of being tested every two weeks or once a month, students are quizzed frequently to make sure the lessons are being understood.

“We know step by step as they move along that they’re getting it,” admits Fraser.

For more information on how Sylvan can help your children master their learning skills, visit www.educate.com.
Source: http://www.dailywebtv.com/Peel/article/print/13431/Ready-set-learn