Monday is karate. Tuesday is coding. Wednesday brings a mad dash to dance. Somewhere in the middle, your child is supposed to eat, sleep, and maybe even read a book.

If the first few weeks of school feel like a blur, you're not alone.

Back-to-school excitement fades quickly. What follows is the daily scramble. The water bottle is missing. The lunchbox is sticky. Mornings are rushed. You want a routine, but right now it feels like everything is in motion.

Let's take a breath together. There is a way to go from overwhelmed to organized. And you don't have to do it all at once.

What Parents Are Feeling

Here's what many families experience this time of year:

• Evenings are full, but learning feels like an afterthought
• Kids are bouncing between activities without downtime
• You're driving more than you're connecting
• Everyone feels a little scattered, but no one knows where to begin

You want your child to grow and succeed. But what they need most right now is rhythm. Something steady that doesn't shift when everything else does.

What’s Going On

This time of year, school schedules fill up fast. But structure takes time to build.

Many schools have decided not to assign homework. Therefore you are in the dark about what your child knows or what is challenging them. At the same time, activities like swimming, karate, and music lessons start in full force. Kids are busy, but not always challenged. Parents feel the gap. You wonder if your child is learning enough.

That tension adds to the overwhelm. Without clear routines, families feel off balance.

This is when one or two steady pieces can make a big difference.

Step-by-Step Help

Try these small changes. They can help your week feel calmer and more focused.

1. Choose one steady learning anchor each week

Best Brains classes are designed to be that anchor. Students attend once a week, get focused instruction, and leave with a full week of purposeful practice in Math and English.

2. Fit learning around what you already do

Busy families don't need more. They need a better fit. If your child has karate at 6, schedule Best Brains packet time at 5:15. Twenty minutes of focus can anchor a whole evening.

3. Use a weekly family chart

Post a visual schedule on the fridge. Include school, Best Brains, and other activities. Seeing the week laid out helps kids feel settled. It also reduces the "what's next?" stress.

4. Keep the routine light, but consistent

Best Brains homework is designed to be short and effective. Just 20 minutes a night. Not too much. Not too little. It's the kind of habit that builds confidence over time.

One mom recently shared, "It's the only part of our week that feels calm. She knows what to do. I know she's learning. And we're not rushing to figure it out."

Home Practice Tip

Pick a regular 20-minute window each evening. It could be after snack or before dinner. Use that time for focus. A Best Brains packet, a journal page, or a few chapters of reading. Keep it short, and keep it steady. This small habit builds attention, confidence, and momentum.

When to Seek Tutoring

Tutoring is not just for falling behind. It helps when:

• Your child feels unchallenged at school
• Afternoons lack structure or direction
• Activities keep your schedule full, but not focused
• You want to build good study habits early

Best Brains provides structure without stress. One class each week. Nightly assignments that guide learning at home. Supportive feedback along the way. It creates a steady rhythm that your child can grow into.

Call to Action

If school has started but your routine still feels off, we're here to help.

???? Book a free Math and/or English placement test at Best Brains. We'll meet your child where they are and help create a steady routine for the year ahead.

???? Enroll this month to take advantage of our Back-To-School Offer. It's a small reward for taking a big step toward a smoother year.

Best Brains Learning Centers has announced the launch of Speak Quest, a new public speaking summer camp designed to help children find their voice, build confidence, and develop strong communication skills early on.

At Best Brains, we believe every child has something important to say. Speak Quest is designed to ensure they know how to say it—clearly, confidently, and powerfully. The camp focuses on equipping students with the tools to express themselves effectively in any setting, from classroom presentations to future professional environments.

The Rise in Oracy: Why Public Speaking Matters Now More Than Ever

As modern education systems shift toward practical, real-world skills, oracy—spoken communication—is gaining greater emphasis in classrooms across the globe. Many standardized exams now assess students' ability to speak confidently and organize their thoughts rather than simply reciting memorized information.

This trend signals a significant shift. Communication is no longer just a soft skill but a foundational one. For children, learning to speak well in public is no longer optional; it is essential for academic and lifelong success.

Five Reasons Public Speaking is Essential for Today's Students

1. Confidence that Extends Beyond the Classroom

Children who overcome the fear of public speaking gain more than presentation skills. They develop lasting confidence that supports their academic, social, and emotional growth.

2. Clarity in Communication

Speak Quest teaches children to speak with clarity and purpose. Through structured practice, students improve their verbal expression, body language, and ability to connect with an audience.

3. Stronger Critical Thinking Skills

Crafting and delivering a speech requires organization, logic, and creativity. These skills encourage students to think deeply, analyze topics, and present their ideas meaningfully.

4. Preparation for Real-World Success

From job interviews to leadership opportunities, clear communication remains one of the most valuable skills in any career path. Students in Speak Quest gain early experience in persuasive speaking, storytelling, and spontaneous response.

5. Leadership Development

The ability to influence and inspire starts with effective communication. Children who confidently speak up are likelier to lead projects, voice ideas, and positively impact their communities.

About Speak Quest: Where Confidence Meets Communication

Speak Quest is a dynamic public speaking program offered exclusively at Best Brains. Students will engage in speech writing, improvisation, team challenges, and individual presentations throughout the camp. The experience culminates in a TED-style talk, where each child presents a topic of choice to peers and family.

Designed for students ages 7–14, the camp requires no prior public speaking experience. Whether your child is shy or outgoing, Speak Quest provides a supportive environment where they can grow at their own pace while developing valuable communication tools.

Invest in Skills That Last a Lifetime

Helping children develop their public speaking abilities is one of the most impactful investments parents can make. At Best Brains, we are proud to support that journey through engaging, age-appropriate instruction that makes learning fun and transformative.

Now Enrolling for Summer 2025

Speak Quest will be held at both Keller and Southlake Best Brains locations throughout the summer. Enrollment is now open, and spaces are limited.

For more information or to register your child, visit https://bestbrains.com/summer-camp or contact your local Best Brains center.

The revised STAAR test, implemented in Spring 2023, brings some new writing expectations, particularly for elementary students. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:

Reduced reliance on multiple choice: Gone are the days of solely relying on bubbled answers. The revised STAAR emphasizes constructed response writing, where students demonstrate their understanding through written explanations, arguments, or narratives.

Focus on deeper thinking and analysis: Expect prompts beyond simple recall requiring students to analyze, interpret, and synthesize information. This might involve breaking down complex topics, drawing connections between sources, or forming well-supported claims.

Integration with other subjects: The writing tasks may not be confined to language arts alone. Expect cross-curricular prompts that blend writing with science, social studies, or math. This encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills across different disciplines.

Variety in response formats: While essays remain important, the revised STAAR introduces more diverse writing formats. This could include letters, poems, scripts, charts, or even explanations of mathematical processes. This caters to different learning styles and allows students to showcase their understanding in natural ways.

Emphasis on explanation and justification: Answers are no longer enough. Students are expected to explain their reasoning and justify their claims with evidence. This encourages critical thinking and helps demonstrate their understanding of the underlying concepts.

Online testing environment: The revised STAAR is administered online, which opens up new possibilities for writing tasks. Students might be able to embed images, audio, or video in their responses, further enriching their communication.

Here are some additional points to keep in mind:

• Grading by educators: The online format allows for human scoring by trained educators, potentially leading to more nuanced and accurate assessments of writing skills.
• Lower accountability for students: While the revised STAAR still carries weight, individual student performance no longer directly impacts school ratings. This aims to reduce pressure and create a more supportive learning environment.

If you are concerned about your child's writing skills, please get in touch with Best Brains Learning Center for help.