CONTACT:
Jennifer Meriam, Director (954) 262-5355
Mara Kiffin, Coordinator, (954) 262-5350
Elizabeth Ninomiya, Writer, (954) 262-5309

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2004

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY’S MAILMAN SEGAL INSTITUTE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES OFFERS “10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A TUTOR”

     FORT LAUDERDALE, FL— As students begin to prepare for mid-term exams and state assessment tests, and parents seek ways to help their children improve their grades, Nova Southeastern University’s Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies has published a list of “10 Tips for Choosing a Tutor,” compiled by Shelley Obrand, Ed.S., M.S., a certified specialist in Elementary Education, PreK-Primary Education, Gifted Education, Reading, and specific learning disabilities, and Program Director of the Mailman Segal Institute’s Super Kids! tutoring program. These tips are designed to make the tutoring experience optimal for children, resulting in an improvement in their schoolwork and self-esteem, and in piece of mind for parents. For more information on these tips, Shelley Obrand can be contacted at (954) 262-4530.

10 Tips for Choosing a Tutor
Look for someone who:

1. Sets a warm and comfortable environment for learning
2. Has a repertoire of strategies; is creative/innovative
3. Helps enhance your child's self-esteem
4. Knows about and can accommodate various learning styles
5. Communicates forthright and effectively with you and your child
6. Challenges but doesn't frustrate your child
7. Has a working knowledge of current curriculum
8. Assesses your child's individual needs
9. Establishes a good rapport with your child
10. Is state certified; has teaching experience

     The Mailman Segal Institute offers the Super Kids! Program for children in kindergarten through 8th grade. Super Kids! is an individualized, hands-on approach to working with students with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders, underachievers, or students requiring remedial attention set within a clinical design model. For additional information and tuition costs about the Super Kids! Program, call (954) 262-4530.

    Nova Southeastern University’s Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies, formerly known as the Family Center, provides a range of programs designed to strengthen families and enhance the ability of parents and caregivers to foster the healthy development of children. The institute, housed at the Jim & Jan Moran Family Center Village on NSU’s main campus, showcases best practices in the fields of early childhood education, family support, and parenting education, achieving its mission through direct services to families and children, and development and implementation of early childhood education and training programs, community outreach programs, and advocacy. Some of the institute’s programs include Early Learning Programs designed for children birth through five years of age, an infant/toddler childcare center, the Family Center Preschool, and the Baudhuin Preschool, a specialized program for children with autism spectrum disorder. For more information on the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies and its programs, visit www.nova.edu/msi.