Our goal is to help children thrive.  In today's world, one of the most important habits necessary for success is the ability to focus. Yet children are so used to constant stimulation from multiple windows on a variety of devices that the ability to concentrate is becoming something we now have to teach. 

Kids need to learn to unplug and study or read in a quiet environment. Start by designating an hour for technology-free time in which a child can study or read in his/her room. This means that phones, music, and computers are turned off. This might be a battle at first, but it will be worth it. Be firm with this rule because consistency is crucial for focus. 

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Book Corner

This month, we recommend the following fantasy novels: The Lightning Thief (Rick Riordan) for younger readers and Fablehaven (Brandon Mull) for older ones.

If your child is not a reader, but enjoys magazines, get two subscriptions, one of his choice and The Week, a weekly news aggregate that covers a variety of topics and is very readable.