Susan Cumberland
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Susan is the owner of School is Easy - Greater Vancouver and School is Easy California. She has a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Counselling and has won many entrepreneurial awards including 'Entrepreneur of the Year' by the Douglas College Self Employment Program and the Better Business Bureau Marketplace Excellence and 2nd place for People’s Pick. Her company, School is Easy, provides tutors in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey and the rest of the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver region). School is Easy has Math tutors, Science tutors, English tutors, French tutors and Special Education tutors.

Winter-Related Educational Activities To Do at Home

holiday educational activities featured photo of gingerbread cookies

To your child, winter break may seem like the perfect opportunity to spend all day doing nothing but watching TV, playing video games, or scanning social media. However, as a parent, you may only be happy about your kid doing something other than passively watching a screen for hours.

Try to engage your child’s brain this holiday season for even a few hours a day. Of course, they will most likely not want to do homework outright when they could be watching Netflix when they are usually in a classroom, so here are some fun ways to incorporate educational activities for every subject into your holiday festivities.

“Wintery” Math Educational Activities

Make your holiday shopping educational by teaching your kids how to make a budget and count change. Have them estimate how much your purchase will count, then count out the change you receive.

You can even take care of decorations and practice math skills by making snowflakes! Take the opportunity to make this classic craft to let your kids learn a little more about symmetry.

Science-Related Educational Activities

Turn your holiday baking into a science lesson! Have your kids practice suitable scientific methods by accurately measuring everything and following the steps. Another yummy science lesson is making this apple cider we found by Emma Vanstone on Science-Sparks.com, which allows for a lesson on filters.

Or, if you want to do a real science experiment, have your kids do a seasonal experiment on why pinecones open, which we found on lemonlimeadventures.com.

Language Arts Holiday Activities

Have your kids keep journals over the winter break. You don’t have to read their journals if they don’t want you to, as long as they spend about 15 minutes a day exercising the creative part of their brain. They could also spend the break writing a winter-themed story. Tie in some artistic skills by having them illustrate what they’ve written.

Social Studies Activities for the Holidays

With a break from school, this is the perfect time to take your kids to a museum to learn local history. If you are in B.C., look at the Burnaby Village Museum, the Helmcken House next to the Royal BC Museum, or the Okanagan Heritage Museum, depending on where you live. Or, check out something new on the list of BC museums.

You can also encourage your kids to give back to your community by volunteering over the holidays. Donate to your local food bank or spend an afternoon volunteering your time together at a soup kitchen. This way, you can help give your kids a sense of appreciation for their community.

Active Living During the Holidays

Of course, winter break is the perfect time to get active! Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, stimulate the brain, and increase creativity. Take this time to have your kids do classic outdoor winter activities like skating and sledding. Their brains will need a break after a long four months of school, and this is a much more beneficial way to do so than crashing in front of the TV. Their brains will thank you!

Hopefully, this gave you some ideas on how to help your kids enjoy their break through winter-related educational activities. And if your child needs more help than these quick tips, contact School is Easy. Happy Holidays!

How Taking a Break From Studying Can Create Those “Ah Ha” Moments

taking a break from studying featured image of light bulbs

Sometimes, no matter how hard your child may try, they will not be able to get past a particular problem with their homework. So, how can you encourage a breakthrough as a teacher or parent?

One way is by encouraging them to take a break. Research shows that brains build bigger creative webs when in a good mood. This means that resting and taking time to relax may help your child improve their mood and spark their creativity.

Why taking a break from studying can help improve your child’s creativity.

Have you ever thought about why some of your most profound thinking or best ideas happen in the shower? There is a scientific explanation for this. According to scientists, when you are not focused on any task, your brain is in a state of wakeful rest. A part of your brain, known as the default mode network, becomes activated. William Haynes expands on this concept in a short video on YouTube. He points out that when your default mode network is activated, you become less aware of your environment and more aware of your internal thoughts. Thus, when your child takes a break, their thought patterns also have the opportunity to change and give them more ideas on how to solve a problem.

One way to activate the default mode network.

Researchers at Stanford University recently discovered that walking can help get your creative juices flowing. So, the next time your child starts getting fidgety or is stuck on a problem, encourage them to walk the dog with you. Or, if they’ve been working on a project non-stop and seem to have run out of ideas, have them take the afternoon off and go for a hike with you.

Make sure you balance taking a break from studying with getting things done.

Of course, just because study breaks can be good for your child’s creativity, that doesn’t mean they can say they want to go on a hike whenever they want instead of doing their homework. Instead, this method should be utilized when your child is struggling to think of new ideas or is getting frustrated by not being able to figure a problem out.

Different age groups will have various levels of capacity. Some ten-year-olds might need a brain break after 15 minutes. A 16-year-old might be okay for an hour before needing to stop. It all depends on the individual learner.

Whatever the capacity of your child, try to make sure that they try taking a break from studying when they need to. That way, they get the most out of their study sessions. And if they need help in their classes that can’t be helped with a break, contact your local School is Easy.

Optical Illusions: A Hands-on Science Activity for Kids

An optical illusion featuring a glass sphere, creating a distorted and fascinating view of the surrounding scene.

Why Do My Eyes Play Tricks on Me? The Science Behind Optical Illusions

Ever stared at something so long you weren’t sure what you were seeing anymore? That’s the wild world of optical illusions at work! If you’re looking for a fun optical illusion science activities for kids, you’re in for a treat.

Think of your eyes and brain as dance partners – they’re constantly working together to make sense of the world around you. Sometimes though, this dance gets a little messy, and that’s where the magic happens. Our visual perception isn’t perfect (thank goodness, or we’d miss out on all the fun!). When our brain interpretation takes a shortcut, we end up seeing things that aren’t quite what they seem.

An optical illusion demonstrating perspective, where a person close to the camera appears like a giant compared to a distant person.

Try These Mind-Bending Experiments at Home

Ready to blow some minds? I’ve got three awesome optical illusion science activities for kids that’ll make their jaws drop – and they’re super easy to do at home. Plus, I’ll let you in on the cool science behind each one so you can sound like a genius when your kids ask “How did that happen?!”

The Rubber Pencil Illusion

Stuff You’ll Need:

  • A regular pencil or pen
  • Good lighting
  • A plain background (like a white wall)

Here’s How:

  1. Hold the pencil at the top between your thumb and index finger
  2. Position it vertically about 12 inches from your face
  3. Start bouncing your hand up and down rapidly (like you’re shaking a thermometer)
  4. Keep your eyes focused on the middle of the pencil

The Cool Science Part: When objects move quickly, our visual perception system can’t keep up with every detail. This creates what scientists call “motion blur.” Your brain tries to fill in the gaps, causing the solid pencil to appear rubbery. It’s a perfect way to teach kids about persistence of vision and how our brain processes moving objects!

A hollow mask illusion showing a concave mask that appears convex, demonstrating how the brain interprets depth and perspective.

The Hollow Face Mystery

Stuff You’ll Need:

  • A plastic mask (the kind used for crafts)
  • A rotating surface (like a lazy Susan) or space to walk around
  • Good lighting

Here’s How:

  1. Place the mask with the hollow side facing out
  2. Position it at eye level on a table
  3. Stand about 3 feet away
  4. Slowly walk around the mask (or rotate it if using a lazy Susan)
  5. Watch how the hollow face appears to turn and follow you

The Cool Science Part: This is called the “hollow-face illusion” and it happens because our brains are hardwired to see faces as convex (sticking out) rather than concave (caving in). Even when we know the mask is hollow, our brain refuses to see it that way! This demonstrates how our brain makes sense of things can override what our eyes actually see, teaching kids about the fascinating way our brain processes faces and depth perception.

The Vanishing Color Trick

Stuff You’ll Need:

  • Bright red construction paper
  • White paper
  • Scissors
  • Timer
  • Good lighting

Here’s How:

  1. Cut a 2-inch square from the red paper
  2. Tape the white paper to a wall at eye level
  3. Hold the red square about 12 inches from your eyes
  4. Stare at the center of the red square for exactly 30 seconds
  5. Quickly look at the white paper

The Cool Science Part: Your eyes have special cells called cones that detect color. When you stare at one color for too long, these cells get tired and temporarily stop responding. When you look at the white paper, you see green (red’s opposite color) because those color-detecting cells are still active while the red-detecting ones rest. This teaches kids about complementary colors and how our eyes process light!

An optical illusion showing two cheetahs blending into their environment, appearing as a single cheetah due to camouflage.

From Wonder to Wisdom: Taking the Next Step

The really awesome thing about optical illusions is how they show us that seeing isn’t always believing. These perception tricks get kids questioning everything they see (in the best way possible), and isn’t that what science is all about?

Speaking of science, if these tricks have sparked a love for discovery in your kids, don’t let that flame fizzle out! Our tutors at School is Easy are total science nerds (and proud of it!) who’d love to share more mind-blowing experiments with your curious kids. Drop us a line – we’ll help turn those “How does that work?” moments into “Aha!” discoveries.

Trust me, once your kids start exploring the world of science with us, they won’t want to stop!

How to Stir Up Career Passion in Your Child

Children enjoying outdoor activities, exploring nature, and having fun while discovering their interests and passions in a natural environment.

Why is ‘Loving What You Do’ Important?

In a recent TED Talk, educator Richard St. John shared why passion plays a key role in finding career success.

He explained that successful people don’t just work hard—they love what they do, which drives them to go above and beyond. To back this up, he surveyed young adults aged 18-25 and found that 80% listed “becoming rich” as one of their top life goals. However, when he spoke to millionaires, none of them started out with the goal of getting rich.

So, what’s the lesson? St. John says that if you focus on doing something you love, the rest—like working hard and staying motivated—comes naturally. As he puts it, “It’s amazing what you can do if you love what you do.”

As a parent, helping your child discover what they love can be the first step toward building a fulfilling career, but how can you guide them to explore their passions and find something they’ll love doing for years to come?

How to Help Your Child Find Their Career Passion

Some kids might know exactly what they want to be “when they grow up,” but many don’t—and that’s okay! Most adults are still discovering their true passions. If your child is unsure, here are some practical steps to guide them:

  • Ask about their favorite school subjects or activities: Take time to ask your child what they enjoy most in school, whether it’s certain subjects like math, science, or art, or activities like sports, music, or drama. This helps you gain insight into what excites them and where their natural interests lie. Kids also reveal what excites them by asking questions or showing interest in particular topics outside the classroom. For example, if they frequently ask about space or the human body, those could indicate a budding interest in science or healthcare.
  • Provide opportunities for them to explore subjects they enjoy more deeply: Once you identify areas of interest, encourage your child to explore these subjects outside of school. This might involve visiting museums, watching documentaries, or reading books on topics that spark curiosity.
  • Let them try new hobbies, classes, or experiences to uncover hidden interests: Even if your child hasn’t found their passion yet, encourage them to try a variety of activities. Whether it’s enrolling in a cooking class, joining a sports league, or trying out coding, exposure to different experiences can uncover hidden talents or interests.

By encouraging curiosity and exploration, you can help your child discover passions that inspire their future career journey.

How to Encourage Your Kids to Follow Their Passion

Kids playing musical instruments together, fostering creativity and teamwork while exploring their love for music as a potential passion or career.

Helping your child find their passion doesn’t have to be a serious or stressful task. In fact, it can be a fun and exciting journey! You can help your child discover what they truly enjoy by exploring different creative activities together and encouraging open-mindedness. Here’s a simple guide to engaging your child in ways that spark curiosity and passion.

1. Do Creative Activities Together

One of the best ways to connect with your child while also helping them discover what excites them is through creative activities. These hands-on experiences allow them to learn, explore, and experiment in a relaxed setting. You can work together on projects or visit places related to their interests. For example:

  • If they dream of being an astronaut, take them to a science center or planetarium. You can explore exhibits on space, watch shows about the stars, or even try out interactive exhibits where they can learn more about the universe.
  • If they’re interested in animals, consider visiting a zoo, aquarium, or animal shelter where they can learn more about different species and the work that goes into caring for animals.
  • If they love art, sit down with them to create something, whether it’s painting, building sculptures with clay, or even crafting DIY projects at home.

By participating in these activities together, you show them that learning can be exciting and full of possibilities. These moments of shared discovery will strengthen your bond and open doors to interests they might not have explored before.

2. Expose Them to Different Experiences

Sometimes, children still need to learn what they love because they have yet to have the chance to try enough activities. The more they explore, the easier it will be for them to find what sparks their passion. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • Enroll them in dance classes: If they like moving around and expressing themselves, dance can help them build confidence and improve coordination.
  • Try sports like soccer or basketball: Physical activities help children build teamwork skills and improve their physical fitness. These can also help your child develop focus and discipline.
  • Creative hobbies like painting, knitting, or Lego clubs: These activities allow children to express their creativity while developing patience and problem-solving skills.
  • STEM-focused activities like space or coding clubs: If your child shows interest in how things work or solving problems, these activities will help them build critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Music lessons or language classes: If they have an interest in sounds, rhythm, or languages, you can try introducing them to music or language classes to expand their horizons.

If they lose interest in one activity, it’s perfectly okay! Let them try something else. The key is giving them the opportunity to explore a range of experiences so they can find what excites them the most.

3. Create Opportunities for Community Involvement

If you need help finding local programs related to your child’s interests, consider starting one yourself. Community involvement is a great way for children to connect with others who share similar passions. It also allows them to see the real-world application of their interests.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Start a club or gathering: If there’s no local club for something they enjoy, such as a Lego building group or a kids’ coding club, you could organize one yourself. This encourages your child’s passion and helps them meet other like-minded peers.
  • Join online groups or communities: For interests that may not have local options, online communities can be a great way for your child to interact with others who share the same passion. For example, coding forums, art communities, or sports discussion groups.

Being part of a community boosts your child’s enthusiasm and provides opportunities for them to learn from others. It also helps build friendships, which can encourage your child to keep pursuing what they love.

4. Encourage Perseverance, But Be Flexible

One of the most important things you can teach your child is that it’s okay to try things, fail, and then try again. Passion sometimes takes time, and they may need to explore several options before finding something they love.

It’s essential to teach them the value of perseverance and remind them that it’s okay to change paths if something doesn’t feel right. Here’s how to balance commitment with flexibility:

  • Teach them the importance of sticking with something: Help them understand that mastery takes time and effort and giving activities a fair try is important. Whether it’s a sport or a hobby, the key is showing up and putting in the effort.
  • Support their decision to switch paths: If they start an activity and realize it’s not the right fit, that’s perfectly okay! Encourage them to be open-minded and try something else. Help them see that sometimes changing directions can lead to discovering something even more exciting.

It is crucial to create an environment where your child feels comfortable trying new things without the pressure of sticking with something they no longer enjoy. This helps them feel empowered and confident in their choices.

No matter what path your child seems interested in, try to find a creative approach to helping them pursue their interests and promote their passion.

Inspire your child to turn curiosity into passion! Discover resources and expert tutors at School Is Easy to help unlock their potential and build a path to a fulfilling future. Contact us today for more information!

Tips for Studying for Exams and Getting Through Finals

Tips for Studying for Exams

Finals: the word sends shivers down students’ spines! But fear not—your child’s finals do not need to wreak havoc on their life. With the right strategies and mindset, this stressful period can become an opportunity for growth and learning.

Today, we’re diving deeper into this topic to share practical tips you can use to help your children approach their final exams with confidence.

1. Stop Procrastinating to Build Better Study Habits Today

As mentioned in an earlier article, cramming for a test is not the best way to prepare for exams; it often leads to burnout and information overload. Instead, effective preparation involves consistent and strategic study habits that build long-term understanding.

To avoid procrastination, set aside time every day for at least one week to study for exams. If your child is studying multiple subjects, break up their studying time so that they spend a little time researching for each test every day. Going over the information every day leading up to the test allows their brain to store the information and new skills in their long-term memory.

Also, give them some breaks between studying for their exams with these tips for blowing off steam.

2. Healthy Snacks to Boost Brainpower During Study Time

As the famous philosopher Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

Certain foods, such as nuts, berries, and salmon, are known for their memory-boosting properties, supporting overall brain health. While they can provide a helpful edge, they’re no substitute for consistent studying and preparation. However, snacking smartly while studying can keep energy levels stable and the brain alert.

To maximize focus and avoid the pitfalls of sugary processed snacks, choose these healthy options:

  • Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are rich in brain-friendly nutrients like omega-3s and vitamin E.
  • Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants that may support cognitive function.
  • Fish: Salmon and tuna offer omega-3 fatty acids, which are excellent for brain health.
  • Fruits and veggies: Apples, bananas, carrots, and celery provide natural sugars and fiber for sustained energy.
  • Dark chocolate: In moderation, it can enhance focus and boost mood due to its antioxidants and mild caffeine content.

By sticking to these healthy snacks, students can maintain steady energy levels and improve their ability to retain and recall information without the crash often associated with sugary treats.

3. The Benefits of Group Study: Learn and Succeed Together

Studying in a group can be a game-changer for some students.

Group study offers a energetic and collaborative way to tackle challenging material. One of the biggest advantages of group study is the opportunity to talk through concepts, which helps reinforce the information in your child’s memory. Explaining ideas out loud and hearing others’ perspectives can cement understanding and uncover gaps in knowledge.

Additionally, study groups are invaluable if you’ve missed a class or struggled with certain topics. Peers can help fill in the blanks, ensuring you’re caught up on key points. A productive group activity is to create and exchange practice tests. By reviewing them together, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the material and reduce the risk of overlooking important information.

4. Why Quality Sleep is Key to Exam Success

Staying up all night cramming might feel productive, but it does more harm than good.

Sleep is essential for consolidating what your child has learned while preparing their brain to retrieve that information during the test. Aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep to ensure they wake up refreshed, focused, and ready to tackle exams. Lack of sleep impairs concentration and decision-making, making it harder to perform their best when it counts.

Establish a bedtime routine leading up to exam day to help their body adjust and ensure a full night of rest.

5. Stay Active: Simple Exercises to Sharpen Focus

Physical activity is a proven way to reduce stress and boost brain function. Regular exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving memory and focus. Even something as simple as a 15-minute walk or a few stretches between study sessions can help recharge your child’s mind and body.

On exam day, consider having them perform light exercise in the morning to shake off nerves and get their energy flowing. A healthy balance of movement and study can lead to better results and a calmer state of mind.

There’s always a crucial test just around the corner, so use these tips for studying for exams to help you prepare. Try to stay calm, keep your test-taking anxiety to a minimum, and before you know it, school will be out. And remember to contact School is Easy for any extra help you need!

How to Use a Fall and Winter Bake Sale to Teach Kids Business Lessons

Child selling holiday-themed baked goods at a festive bake sale

If you think children can’t be successful entrepreneurs, think again!

An article on Addicted 2 Success lists some young people who made it big in the business world and proves that kids (yes, kids) can be entrepreneurs, too. The founder of Miss O And Friends was only 16—still in high school—when she started her online business, which is now worth millions.

Cameron Herald, the chief officer of 1-800-Got-Junk for seven years, recommended that we ‘raise kids to be entrepreneurs’ in his 2010 TED Talk. We’ve touched on work experience previously on our blog and recommend you check it out if you haven’t already.

That said, winter is almost here, so many children will be interested in holding fall and winter bake sales. Need proof? Think of the countless pastry stands at churches, community centers and schools, and you’ll get the idea.

A fall and winter bake sale is a great way to teach kids about business.

Bake Sale Lessons for Kids:

Why Customers Love Customization

A bake sale is an excellent opportunity to teach children about ‘market capture.’ In this situation, figuring out what kinds of customers your children will be selling to and what they want to eat.

For example:

  • What are the types of treats most little ones their age like to eat? Brownies? Cookies? Cupcakes?
  • Should there be a theme? For instance, if your children are involved in the local church, you could ask them what designs would be most appealing. Christmas trees, angels, and stars might be some suggestions.
  • What about diet? Encourage kids to do a little research (i.e., find out amongst their classmates) on what flavors (chocolate, vanilla, peppermint) or dietary options (gluten-free, vegan) they’d like to see at the sale.

Remember: these will change depending on the customer base. If your children are selling baked goods near a synagogue during Chanukah (also known as Hanukkah), it would be wise to teach them to adapt their products.

Teach Social Media Marketing Through a Kids’ Winter Bake Sale

In this day and age, every business needs to be Internet savvy, so show your children how to use social media to market their business.

For example, help children create a Facebook page for their company. Facebook may require that you (the adult) be the account holder; however, you can create the page and then allow kids to develop and maintain it, so long as you keep your children under close supervision.

Show them the rudiments of taking pictures of products — such as a famous cookie — and posting them. Be sure to teach your children how to post the time and date of each bake sale in advance and during business days.

The same applies to X, Instagram, blogging platforms and so forth.

Teach Kids Business and Money Management with a Fun Bake Sale

Teaching kids simple accounting throughout the bake sale would be a great idea.

If you haven’t introduced your children to spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel, now would be a fantastic time to do so! Show them how to keep track of business expenses such as paper plates, baking ingredients and food packaging. Then, show them how to ‘balance the books’ by adjusting the prices of goods to cover costs and make a profit.

If you have extra time, try keeping an inventory of the best-selling goods. This will help inform which pastries you and your little ones will make more of. Tracking sales could also be used as a guide for creating new products!

Inspire Your Kids to Learn Big Business Lessons Through Small Bake Sales

Child proudly selling holiday baked goods at a community bake sale

Remember, the instructions you teach your kids through something as small as a bake sale will remain helpful if they decide to become entrepreneurs. Lessons such as managing money, market capture, and marketing are all skills applicable to any business, whether big or small.

Give your child the support they need to thrive academically. Visit School Is Easy to find expert tutors who can help your student achieve their full potential. Contact us today!

With that said, you may also find these related articles on our blog helpful: