How To Study The Right Way

Geri Copitch, guest blogger & veteran teacher

School has been back in session now for close to two months. Many parents have received first quarter or trimester grades for their children and they’re wondering how they can help them get better grades.

The common wisdom is that you should provide a quiet workspace, stick to a homework routine, and have your child immerse themselves in a subject. By now you’ve noticed I used the phrase ‘common wisdom’ and are no doubt wondering why.

There is growing evidence that this ‘common wisdom’ is a fallacy. New York Times reporter Benedict Carey* reviewed a number of studies and found the following guidelines increase study effectiveness:

• Move around. I don’t mean dance while you’re studying, but rather change locations. One day study your spelling words in the living room, another day perhaps sitting on the porch. It appears that this change of scene helps the brain form multiple associations or triggers, with the information, causing it to become better anchored.

• Mix it up. Instead of focusing intently on memorizing verb forms in Spanish or multiplication tables in math for an hour, spend the hour studying different facets of the same subject. So maybe 20 minutes on the memorizing of verb forms, another 20 practicing speaking, and then 20 doing some reading. In math, do mixed problem sets, work on word problems, and memorize facts. This helps force the brain to pick up on similarities and differences, which is how it will encounter information in the real world.

• Test yourself. Studies have shown that self tests help you to refocus on specifics and slows down forgetting. When you ‘miss’ an answer you have to go back and revisit the material  reinforcing it in your brain.

• Space it out. While you can get by by ‘cramming’ for a test, the information is quickly lost. Multiple studies have shown that studying the material, getting a night’s sleep, restudying the material, and then even reviewing it again two days later, makes for more of the information being retained. It’s sort of like layering a cake. Who among you wouldn’t agree that a three layer cake is much better than a single layer one?

No one seems to refute the wisdom of establishing set ‘homework time.” All children should have a well organized set location for their materials. This avoids time and study energy being used to find a sharp pencil, or figuring out where they left their vocabulary list. And true, one should try to keep the distractions down, especially the electronic ones. Children with ADHD will need more structure and an environment (or several varied environments) free from any kind of distraction.


It would seem that for most students, whether they're in elementary school or post graduate school, the phrase, “Variety is the spice of life,” seems to show results in the realm of study and retention. 

* (Forget What You Know About Good Study Habits, NYT, Sept 6 2010)

Is Tutoring Right For My Child?

Guest Blogger: Geri Copitch, 18 Year Veteran Educator.

School is back in session, at least here in California, and in the next few weeks parents will be coming in and asking me if tutoring is right for their child. Perhaps a better question is, “What are the benefits of tutoring?” or “What should I expect my child to get out of having a tutor?”

First and foremost, tutoring should help your child gain the confidence and skills to realize that they can be successful in school, which will translate to feelings of being able to be successful in life. Now, don’t misunderstand my last point. I’m not talking about success as measured by wealth (though that may be a benefit) but rather success as an adult in the workplace, in his relationships, and his quality of life.

Tutoring gives your child personalized attention that a teacher, no matter how acclaimed, can’t do in a classroom of 20, 30, 40 students. A good tutor develops a personal relationship with your child, helping him to feel safe to ask the ‘stupid’ questions he was too embarrassed, or shy to ask in class; or afraid to ask mom or dad for fear of disappointing them. 

A tutor can tailor her instruction to your child’s needs and perhaps find a different way to approach an area your child is struggling with. She is able to give encouragement and praise as he tackles previously overwhelming or intimidating subjects. As your child’s knowledge and understanding of a previously difficult subject increases, his self-esteem and confidence will increase. With each new success, your child’s attitude about school and about his own abilities will increase.

Good versus bad tutoring

Good tutoring encourages self directed learning. Depending on your child’s needs, a tutor can help teach your child new study skills: skills they will be able to use throughout their education.  A tutor who helps a struggling student master new skills is a good one, one who does the child’s work for them so they don’t have to push themselves is a bad one. According to the first line in the National Tutoring Association’s ethics code, “I understand that my role as a tutor is to never do the student’s work for him or her.” (http://www.ntatutor.com/code_of_ethics.htm)

So, back to the initial question: how do you know if tutoring is right for your child? Some cues can be that your child becomes increasingly reluctant to go to school, you notice his grades dropping, there is a loss of interest in learning - often seen as an “I don’t care” attitude, especially among teenagers, he spends hours on his homework but seems to be getting little done, is easily frustrated with his homework, or his self esteem seems to be dropping.  

Tutoring should not be used to boost a parent’s ego when comparing their child to their friend’s children, other children in your child’s class, or even other children across the nation. Tutoring will not raise your child’s SAT scores by 300 points, but it will put your child on a path to success.

What can you expect to pay for a tutor? In my area you can hire a high school student for $15 to $20 an hour, an adult - often a former teacher or classroom aide - will run about $20 to $40 an hour. Nationally the average is $45 to $65 an hour according to Mr. Pines of the Education Industry Association. In New York City one can expect to pay $85 to $150 for a reasonably priced tutor, and up to $400 an hour for the higher priced tutors. (Looking at Tutors as an Investment www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21) As you can see prices vary widely by area.

Probably the best ways to find a tutor are to ask your child’s teacher, the office staff at your child’s school (these people can be a wealth of information), or even ask around among your friends. Listen to what they have to say. Why did they think this person was worth recommending? Keep in mind that what was important to your neighbor, may not be important to you and your child. Remember, your child’s tutor needs to be able to form a relationship with your child where he will feel safe to take academic ‘risks’ -  a professional friendship of sorts.

If you see your child beginning to struggle, seek help early, before he gets too far behind. There is nothing shameful about seeking out help for your child. Some parents worry that it reflects poorly on them or their child, but as I see it, it proves that you care for your child and want what’s best for him today, tomorrow, and in his future. After all, isn’t success in school and life what all parents want for their children?


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Bribing children to do their homework does not work

By Philip Copitch, Ph.D.

Mrs. Conrad was very concerned that Paul, age 14, was not getting his homework done. So, she decided to motivate Paul to do his homework with a deal she heard that had worked for her friend’s child. If Paul did his homework every night she would give him $1 per assignment. She and Paul calculated that he could make around $30 dollars a week. Paul was highly motivated to do his homework. Every night for three weeks Paul proudly presented his assignments to his mother. Depending on the night. Mrs. Conrad gave Paul three to five crisp dollar bills she got from the bank for this very purpose. Mrs. Conrad told me:

I thought I had found homework heaven. Paul was doing his work. We had stopped arguing over his homework. I really thought I was brilliant. I told my friends how easy it was to be a great mother.

Then the report card came home. I was dumbfounded. Paul’s grades were worse then ever. He was failing half his classes. I was positive there was a mistake. I was sure that if I showed Paul his failing report card he would feel like a failure. I didn’t tell him it came. I had seen Paul’s work and he understood his assignments. I was sure the school had messed up. I marched right down to that school. I was furious that they couldn’t get their act together.

I found Paul’s math teacher in the hallway. Do you know what? My damn kid hadn’t turned in any of his assignments. Not one! Every teacher told me the same story. “Paul is a great kid, but not very motivated, he never does his homework.” Almost $200 dollars, and for nothing!

This is an example of bribery. Bribery is when we put the proverbial cart before the horse. That is, when we give the reward before the behavior. At first it makes so much sense. If I give you your reward why wouldn’t you do what I asked you to do? The simple answer is that we humans, and every other animal we have ever tested in the lab, need to work for our rewards. By giving the reward we are reinforcing the behavior that comes before the reward. In bribery, the behavior just before the reward is doing nothing and that is what we tend to get. Nothing. In the above story, Paul received the reward when he showed his mother the completed homework assignment. There was no incentive to turn the assignment in. If most adults were paid prior to the work period, what incentive would there be for going to work?

In my office, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad confronted Paul with the homework fiasco. Paul was calm. He simply said, “Mom, you only paid me to do my homework. You didn’t pay me to be a delivery man.”

Using a reward as a promise is useless. It does not teach children to complete a task. The child feels manipulated into doing something they do not wish to do. They are behaving for the reward, not because it is the “correct” way to behave. A child who follows the rules because of the bribe is bound to be a spoiled, manipulative individual. Such a child is going to go through life looking for what he can take. What is in it for him.

I will state it very clearly: BRIBERY DOES NOT WORK!

Excerpted from my book: Basic Parenting101: The manual your child should have been born with

If family problems are getting out of control, please seek the help of a licensed mental health professional.


Go to Dr Copitch's web site