Newsletter

Read Past Newsletters Every Tuesday, Natalie answers questions from subscribers, breaks down important education news, and shares tips to help your children thrive in school. Subscribe here: https://newsletter.primaryfocus.tv/

Newsletter

🍾 5 things I'm leaving behind in 2023

In one of the most hectic times of year, I just want to say thank you for opening this newsletter. I really appreciate your support. 🩷 This will be my last newsletter of 2023, so I'm going to reflect a bit here...

Newsletter

🧠 🥶 Brain Freeze! Simple ways to prevent learning loss over winter break

Learning loss happens to all children during long breaks from school. While summer break is the famous one, we also see it during winter breaks (or really anything 2+ weeks long). The good news is, it's a really low commitment to prevent it.

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📓 What are reading behaviors?

The very first time a kindergarten teacher meets a child, they can learn a million things just by handing their student a book... They are looking to see if your child has reading behaviors.

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3 easy, important ways to read with your children

When it comes to reading with your children, there's more than one way to do it. Reading in a variety of ways supports your child's reading comprehension and road to independence. The good news is, it's simple to replicate at home...whether your child can read or not.

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3 pieces of holiday advice no one will tell you

Thanksgiving is an exciting time for Americans, but also the beginning of a chaotic holiday season. Plenty of people will give you advice on how to transform recipes and your home into magical scenes. But that's not my goal today. I want to remind you that your life is great as it is 🥰...

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Milestones for children aged 9, 10, 11, and 12

A tween is a child aged 8-12 years old. Short for "between" because they aren't little kids, but they aren't teenagers yet either. When we start asking questions about children this age, the conversation usually turns to puberty, but they are so much more than their hormones and changing bodies.

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Milestones for children aged 6, 7, and 8 years old

From ages 0-5 we hear a lot about milestones, but somewhere around school age, people stop talking about them. The responsibility and concern gets handed over to teachers and specialists. This information is not shared as widely with parents.

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How long is a child's attention span by age

Find out how long your child can sustain attention based on their age.

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📓 Does my child need a tutor?

3 signs it's time to hire a tutor

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My Picks for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

Stock up on essentials and kick off your holiday shopping with these great deals!

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📖 they banned that??

It's banned book week!

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🎃 5 fall holidays to teach your kids about that aren't Halloween

Happy fall! Autumn is a time of year loved around the world. Here, stateside we usually hear about Halloween and Thanksgiving, but there are so many unique festivals celebrated this time of year. If you're already tired of hearing about "spooky scary skeletons" this is for you!

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100 days left in 2023

Fun ways to count down to the new year with your kids

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What teachers CAN'T tell you about state tests

In elementary school, your child will encounter tests that are given 3 times a year. Here's a teacher's perspective on these tests...

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No Stress Test Prep

If your child is in a testing grade, especially third grade, you'll be hearing all year about the state test. I've got a few things you can find out now that you can actually stay in control of...

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3 books all rising kindergarten students should read

Is you child going to kindergarten? These are perfect books to prepare your child for kindergarten so they walk in feeling confident! Including one for homeschooling!

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Silently Judging Your Kids

It's crucial that teachers understand your child so they can build a relationship with them and teach them everything they need to know.

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3 tips for back to school...reader edition

Last week I asked you for your own back to school tips. Here's the top 3...

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😅 3 unexpected things to expect going back to school

Back to school time is a huge transition for families. But we got you! Even though it's exhausting- we are all going through it.

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🎉 😐 A twisted win for NC Teachers...

North Carolina is a tough place to teach. NC teachers are not guaranteed​ lunch breaks​, are not paid for higher degrees. They are not allowed to unionize. And until recently, they did not have any plan for paid maternity leave.

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De-influencing School Supplies

Last week I asked you to submit unnecessary school supplies. Here's some of the things companies (and your kids!) want you to impulse buy, but you do not need! 1. 📚 "Report covers, die cut letters, and fancy markers just in case they need it for a project.

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✏️ Hacks to Save Money on School Supplies

"All that matters is that you treat me right, give me all the things I need that money can't buy." Love Don't Cost a Thing by Jennifer Lopez I hate to bring it up- but back to school time is looming. Unfortunately, this means

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📚 Chapter Books You'll Actually Want to Read with Your Kids

"The story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now." The Story of Us by Taylor Swift Let's talk chapter books. Reading a chapter book in lower elementary school is essentially a status symbol. I remember kids that couldn't even read yet would

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3 games to prevent summer learning loss

"Why don't you slide?" Slide by The Goo Goo Dolls It’s just about that time of the summer. School has been out for about a month and the brain is starting to wonder do we really need everything in here? Children's brains prune

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Love them, leave them alone: encouraging independence in children

"Miss Independent, Miss Self Sufficient" Miss Independent by Kelly Clarkson Yesterday I learned that parents spend double the amount of time with their children today compared to parents in the 1960s. This statistic surprised me because it's so common for both parents to work now. But,