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.

The Power of Interest in Education

How an Interest in Learning Drives Student Success: A Parent’s Guide

The impact of interest in learning goes beyond simple curiosity about a subject. When students develop a genuine interest in learning, education transforms from a task into an engaging journey. An easy example is substituting interesting objects (like nail polish or Lego pieces) as countable items for your young one to grasp simple math concepts. This is a great example that shows how personal connection sparks understanding.

A group of teenagers deeply focused on their studies, demonstrating how fostering an interest in education keeps students motivated and eager to explore new subjects.

Natural Learning in Early Childhood

Watch a toddler fascinated by trucks and cars – they’ll spend hours exploring their toy vehicles. Many speak their first words about these beloved objects, identifying dump trucks and car models before mastering full sentences. This natural curiosity demonstrates children’s remarkable capacity to learn about subjects that capture their attention.

Elementary Years: Deep Dives into Passion Projects

Elementary school often brings an intense focus on specific subjects like dinosaurs or horses. Children eagerly absorb complex dinosaur names before reading fluently, driven by genuine interest in learning. This natural process shows our brain’s incredible capacity when fueled by curiosity.

Teenage Years and Beyond: Keeping the Spark Alive

While younger children naturally pursue their interests, teens face more structured learning requirements. Parents and educators should connect abstract concepts to students’ existing interests – just like the nail polish math example shows. This approach maintains an interest in learning through challenging academic years.

Older kids using musical rhythms to understand math concepts, highlighting how incorporating creativity can boost interest in education and make learning more enjoyable.

Nurturing Student Engagement

Educators and parents can spark curiosity by:

  • Connecting abstract concepts to students’ existing passions
  • Presenting information through engaging storytelling
  • Providing one-on-one support through tutoring
  • Creating personalised learning experiences

Individual attention from parents or tutors helps incorporate student interests into new subjects. This approach works for learners of all ages – when we develop genuine curiosity, learning becomes a lifelong journey.

Ready to transform your child’s learning experience? Contact School is Easy and discover how our personalised tutoring approach can ignite your child’s passion for learning.

Why Is Home Economics Important for Students?

Two teenagers practicing sewing techniques, demonstrating how the benefits of home economics extend to creativity, problem-solving, and even future career opportunities.

Are your kids getting the practical life skills they need? With most schools phasing out their programs, students are missing crucial hands-on learning opportunities. This article explores the key benefits of home economics and shows how these foundational skills connect to real-world innovation.

Sewing: A Gateway to Innovation

The benefits of home economics extend far beyond basic household skills. Learning to use a sewing machine might seem old-fashioned, but this foundational skill has led to groundbreaking scientific advances.

Required for Basic Sewing:

  • Sewing machine
  • Thread and needles
  • Fabric scissors
  • Measuring tape
  • Practice materials

The Nobel Prize Connection

Alexis Carrel’s 1912 Nobel Prize in Physiology stemmed from an unexpected source – his sewing expertise. By applying basic stitching techniques to vascular surgery, he revolutionized medical procedures. His triangulation technique remains the foundation for modern surgical practices, as highlighted by the Mayo Clinic’s historical innovations archive.

Medical Innovation Through Fabric Skills

Dr. Arthur B. Voorhees Jr. transformed vascular surgery using everyday sewing skills. Starting with his wife’s sewing machine, he developed synthetic arterial replacements, first testing them on animals before successfully implementing them in human patients.

A young child learning to cook, showcasing how home economics builds confidence, independence, and essential nutritional skills for lifelong success.

Cooking: A Laboratory for Life Sciences

Just as sewing skills translated to medical breakthroughs, cooking fundamentals have paved the way for scientific innovation. The kitchen serves as a student’s first chemistry lab, where precision, experimentation, and analysis come together.

Required for Basic Cooking:

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Basic pots and pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Kitchen thermometer
  • Basic ingredients

From Kitchen to Laboratory

Dr. Nicholas Kurti, a physicist from Oxford University, revolutionized our understanding of food science through his kitchen experiments. His work in molecular gastronomy bridged the gap between home cooking and advanced physics, leading to breakthroughs in food preservation and molecular biology. Modern food scientists continue to build on these foundations, developing everything from space food to sustainable protein alternatives.

Bringing Home Economics Back

While budget constraints make it challenging to restore full home economics programs, innovative approaches are emerging. Modern home economics integration focuses on:

  • Basic financial literacy
  • Nutritional cooking skills
  • Sustainable living practices
  • Digital household management
  • Entrepreneurship fundamentals
  • Design thinking skills

Alternative Learning Opportunities

Students can still access home economics education through:

  • Community workshops
  • Online courses
  • Private tutoring
  • Local maker spaces
  • Youth development programs

A group of kids having fun in the kitchen, gaining hands-on experience in cooking and teamwork—one of the many benefits of home economics that teaches essential life skills.

The Future Impact

Today’s home economics skills extend far beyond traditional homemaking. They foster problem-solving abilities, spark innovation, and develop practical applications for future careers. Contemporary programs often incorporate technology, environmental consciousness, and financial technology – essential skills for success in the world today and beyond!

Ready to give your child the advantages of aftercare education or tutor instruction? Connect with School is Easy and learn how we can help your child develop essential skills for success.

5 Educational Gifts for Kids That Promote Literacy

Shopping for meaningful presents can be tricky, especially when searching for educational gifts for kids that truly make an impact. The good news is there are plenty of engaging options that combine learning with fun. Here are five gift ideas that will enhance your child’s reading and writing skills while bringing joy to their faces.

1. Special Edition Books Create Lasting Memories

A beautifully crafted edition of a beloved story or classic tale can spark a child’s love for reading. These special books not only encourage reading but also teach children to treasure and care for their literary collections.

2. Heritage Books Connect Generations

Share your childhood favorites with the next generation. Children love discovering the stories that shaped their parents’ or grandparents’ early years. Finding your old treasured books or hunting for copies in used bookstores creates a meaningful connection as kids read the same tales that once captured your imagination.

3. Word Games Build Vocabulary Through Play

Educational gifts for kids like Scrabble Junior and Boggle offer endless entertainment while boosting language skills. These games naturally strengthen spelling abilities and introduce new words through friendly competition. The magic happens when children are so engaged in playing that learning becomes seamless and enjoyable.

4. Personal Journals Spark Creative Writing

With popular books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid inspiring young readers, giving a beautiful journal can encourage children to express themselves through writing. A personal diary offers a private space for creativity and self-expression, naturally developing literacy skills beyond classroom walls.

Two teenagers sitting together in a library, deeply engrossed in books. The image highlights the importance of library visits to foster literacy and encourage independent reading skills in teens.

5. Digital Learning Apps Provide On-the-Go Education

Educational apps and digital word games offer affordable, portable learning opportunities. These interactive tools keep children engaged during travel or quiet time, ensuring they continue building skills even during school breaks.

Ready to support your child’s educational journey beyond gifts? Visit School is Easy to discover how our tutoring programs can help your child thrive academically all year round.

5 Great Study Skills for High School Students

High school students taking structured notes, highlighting how good note-taking habits contribute to better study skills for high school students.

Mastering effective study skills for high school is crucial for academic achievement. Many students juggle multiple subjects and assignments, often feeling overwhelmed and falling into procrastination traps. These proven strategies will help students manage their workload and learn more effectively.

1. Create a Strategic Homework Schedule

Map out specific days and times for each subject. This organizational approach builds valuable time management skills that extend beyond the classroom. Students working with tutors can align their sessions with these designated study blocks, ensuring balanced attention across all subjects.

2. Reinforce Learning by Teaching Others

One of the most powerful study skills for high school students is explaining concepts to others. Whether teaching a younger sibling or walking a parent through a complex topic, verbalizing the material helps cement it in long-term memory.

3. Focus on One Task at a Time

Avoid juggling multiple assignments simultaneously. Switching between your science project, English essay, and household chores splits your attention and reduces productivity. Complete one task before moving to the next for better results.

4. Choose Study-Friendly Background Music

While some students study effectively with music, be honest about whether it helps or hinders. If you catch yourself singing along instead of absorbing your history readings, it’s becoming a distraction. Consider music specifically designed for study, like classical, or work in silence if that better suits your learning style.

5. Eliminate Digital Distractions

During study sessions, phones and social media must be off-limits. Since many high school students find it challenging to resist these distractions, parents can help by holding devices until homework is complete. For assignments requiring internet access, maintain strict boundaries around social media use.

High school students reviewing notes in a quiet environment, showing the importance of focus and organization in developing strong study skills for high school.

Master These Skills for Long-Term Success

These techniques work beyond high school, serving students well into college and university. With the right mindset and consistent application of these study strategies, students can take control of their academic journey.

Ready to transform your learning experience? Connect with School is Easy and find out how our expert tutors can help you develop stronger study skills and achieve your academic goals.

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.