Kate Dalby, Author at KATE DALBY's Inspiring Test Prep

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So far Kate Dalby has created 59 blog entries.

Raising Leaders: How Parents Can Cultivate Leadership in Their Children from a Young Age

Raising Leaders: How Parents Can Cultivate Leadership in Their Children from a Young Age

by Laura Pearson

Every parent wants to see their child thrive—not just academically or socially, but also in their ability to lead, make sound decisions, and positively influence those around them. Leadership is more than just giving orders or being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about listening, making responsible choices, showing empathy, and inspiring others. When parents are intentional about instilling leadership values early on, they give their children the tools to navigate a complex world with confidence and purpose. The beauty of these lessons is that they aren’t confined to classrooms or formal programs. They begin at home, in the small moments, and grow with time and encouragement.

Modeling Leadership Through Your Own Choices

One of the most impactful ways you can instill leadership skills is by being a living example. Children are naturally observant, often picking up more from what you do than what you say. When they see you calmly handle adversity, take ownership of your mistakes, and treat others with respect, they’re learning how to lead by watching you. Demonstrating resilience during hard times, or showing generosity even when it’s inconvenient, can shape how your child defines strength and leadership. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional and authentic in your actions.

Earning Your Degree While Leading at Home

There’s perhaps no better way to demonstrate lifelong leadership than by furthering your own education while managing family life. Choosing to earn a nursing master’s degree online, for instance, shows your children that growth never stops and that ambition and family can coexist. It also opens doors to rewarding career paths like nurse education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice roles—all of which model impact and compassion in equal measure. Pursuing your degree from home allows you to stay present for your kids, and at the same time, proves that it’s possible to invest in your dreams without sacrificing your values. That kind of lesson leaves a deep imprint on young minds.

Empowering Independence Without Abandonment

Encouraging independence doesn’t mean leaving your child to figure everything out alone. Instead, it’s about giving them space to try, fail, learn, and try again. Whether it’s letting them pack their own lunch, manage their homework, or decide what to wear, these small acts build confidence and decision-making capacity. Leadership begins when children understand that they’re capable of making choices and living with the outcomes. Your role is to step back just enough for them to struggle and succeed, while still being close enough to catch them if they fall too hard.

Teaching Goal Setting as a Habit, Not a One-Off

Goal setting might sound like a task for adults, but kids benefit just as much from learning how to articulate what they want and create a plan to achieve it. The key is helping them start small and gradually build up. Whether it’s saving up for a toy, improving a grade, or learning a new skill, show them how to break goals into manageable steps. Celebrate progress—not just outcomes—and help them reflect on what worked and what didn’t. These experiences teach patience, strategy, and perseverance—traits every great leader needs.

Encouraging Cooperation

It’s tempting to think of leadership as standing out, but effective leaders know how to blend in when necessary, work in teams, and value others’ ideas. Teaching your child the value of cooperation early on helps prevent the “bossy leader” syndrome. Activities like team sports, group projects, or even sibling chores can be powerful opportunities. Help your child understand the balance between standing up for themselves and compromising for the greater good. When they learn to see others as teammates instead of rivals, they gain influence in a way that’s grounded in mutual respect.

Cultivating Accountability at Home

Responsibility isn’t just about chores—it’s about owning the choices you make and understanding their impact. Teach your child that accountability isn’t punishment; it’s a sign of strength. When they forget a school assignment or hurt someone’s feelings, resist the urge to shield them from the consequences. Guide them instead to take ownership and make things right. When children grow up knowing that responsibility is expected, and that mistakes are part of learning, they carry that sense of integrity into every environment.

Letting Them Choose, Even When It’s Messy

The earlier children practice decision-making, the more prepared they are for complex choices later on. You don’t have to let them pick everything—just give them age-appropriate autonomy where possible. Let them decide between different after-school activities or choose what book to read at bedtime. Encourage them to weigh pros and cons, listen to their instincts, and explain their choices. When they feel their voice matters, they’re more likely to speak up with conviction, lead with clarity, and trust their own judgment.

Leadership isn’t something you hand to your child like a diploma—it’s something you nurture day after day through trust, challenges, and example. When you approach parenting with a leadership mindset, you’re giving your child a foundation of self-belief, accountability, empathy, and courage. These aren’t just skills for school or sports—they’re life tools that shape careers, relationships, and communities. So whether you’re teaching them how to share, letting them handle a mistake, or juggling your own growth alongside theirs, remember that each moment is a building block. You’re not just raising a child—you’re raising someone who will lead.

Unlock your potential with Inspiring Test Preparation and achieve superlative results on your SAT, ACT, or PSAT with expert guidance from Kate Dalby!

Kate Dalby2025-06-03T12:37:04-04:00

Help Your Child Love Learning With These Fun Strategies by Laura Pearson

In the journey of raising a well-rounded child, education extends far beyond the confines of a classroom. As a parent, you play a pivotal role in nurturing a love for learning in your children. By incorporating creativity and engagement into everyday educational activities, you can transform learning from a chore into an exciting adventure that enriches their lives and yours. In this article, presented by Kate Dalby’s Inspiring Test Prep, we’ll go over a few ways you can get started.

Explore the World Together

A great way to spark curiosity in your child is by stepping outside the traditional learning environments. Visit museums, science centers, and nature trails where hands-on experiences are abundant. Attending cultural events also provides a unique opportunity to broaden their horizons, exposing them to diverse customs, languages, and traditions. Each outing serves as a live interactive lesson that makes learning vivid and enjoyable.

Lead by Example

Demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning by actively engaging in your own educational pursuits. This can powerfully inspire your children and show them that learning doesn’t stop at any age. Consider enrolling in an online degree program; this is a good option to check out if you’re looking to balance your educational aspirations with your daily responsibilities. For instance, earning a degree in psychology not only allows you to delve into the intricacies of human behavior but also sets a powerful example for your children, illustrating the lifelong value and impact of education.

Cultivate a Love for Reading

Dedicating time each day for reading can significantly benefit your child’s academic and personal development. Reading together not only improves their literacy skills but also opens up discussions about diverse topics. Encourage them to explore different genres to find what truly captures their interest, making reading a fun and anticipated part of the day.

Encourage Thoughtful Conversations

Pose open-ended questions to your child to foster their critical thinking and creativity, prompting them to explore beyond the surface of any topic. These inquiries, such as “What decisions would you make if you were a character in this story?” or “Can you explain how this gadget functions?” not only enhance their cognitive abilities but also deepen their connection with learning materials. This method of questioning broadens their ability to think independently and articulate complex ideas clearly.

Learn with Friends and Family

Organize group learning sessions with your child’s friends or family members to cement new ideas in a fun and social setting. Engaging in activities like collaborative projects or interactive science experiments not only educates but also builds their social competencies, teaching them the value of teamwork and shared discovery. This approach not only makes the learning process more delightful but also instills a strong sense of community and cooperation in your child.

Emphasize Active Learning

Encourage your child to dive into hands-on activities, as they are crucial for maintaining engagement and enthusiasm in learning. Such activities not only reinforce the concepts they’ve picked up but also demonstrate their real-world applications vividly. From constructing a model volcano to preparing a dish from another culture or even starting a garden, these interactive experiences significantly boost comprehension and memory retention.

Celebrate Every Success

Acknowledging every one of your child’s accomplishments, whether big or small, uplifts their spirits and motivates them to persevere in their learning endeavors. Your positive reinforcement shapes a more enjoyable and fulfilling educational experience, reinforcing their desire to learn and succeed. By celebrating their milestones, you instill a sense of pride and confidence that fuels their ongoing educational journey.

The essence of education is not just about absorbing information but developing a keen, inquisitive mind that continually seeks to learn and grow. Embrace these moments, for they are the ones that truly shape a lifelong learner.

Kate Dalby’s Inspiring Test Prep can help your teen prepare for upcoming exams. Get in touch today to talk about your student’s needs.

Kate Dalby2024-09-06T11:48:20-04:00

Getting Your Degree with Minimal Student Debt

by Laura Pearson

While you’re in college, you’ll probably be racking up knowledge as well as debt. But getting your degree doesn’t have to spell long-term, insurmountable financial troubles. Courtesy of Inspiring Test Preparation, here are some ways you can start reducing the economic burden of your education even before you step off the graduation stage.

Work While You Learn

With work-study arrangements, you may be able to go right from class to your job without ever leaving campus. When filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), indicate that you’d like to participate in your school’s work-study program. The U.S. Department of Education will assess your financial situation and award you work-study hours, which can be fulfilled at on-campus jobs related to your major. You may also be able to work at private companies that partner with your school’s program.

As long as your schedule allows, you aren’t limited to your work-study job; you can also pick up another gig or internship for some extra cash. If you can swing it, a good idea may be to have your school’s financial aid office direct all of your work-study income directly to your student loans, and then use the money from your other job for living expenses while you’re in school.

Handle Your Loans With Care

Depending on what type of student loans you have, your options for repayment will vary. If you have privately held loans, your interest rate will most likely be higher, but so will your borrowing limit. Private loans also often reward you if you have excellent credit. These types of loans may be a good option if you need a substantial amount of money for your future education, such as medical or law school. However, private loans are typically more expensive than public loans, and you won’t have the protections federally backed student loans offer.

Conversely, public loans are administered through the federal government. There are caps on how much you can borrow, however. The interest rates are set by Congress and are usually much lower than private loans. Additionally, public loans have flexible repayment terms that can range from 10 to 25 years. You also have the option to consolidate multiple loans into one loan for a single monthly payment.

As a general rule, take advantage of public loans first, and then use private loans if necessary to cover any financial gaps.

One Degree, Many Options

Gone are the days of needing to live in a dorm and attend classes in a brick-and-mortar building. Now, you can earn a degree from an accredited institution online at your own pace. Attending college online can be very helpful in minimizing potential student debt. The flexible schedule allows you to continue working and the fix, upfront pricing prevents unknown expenses from being an issue.

You may also qualify for scholarships based on your academic or financial standing. Additionally, use resources such as SlugBooks to compare textbook prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Not all online degree programs are equal, so do your research to ensure you receive a high-quality, accredited education.

Think Ahead to Get Ahead

While it’s certainly expensive, a college degree almost always yields a positive return on investment. Set yourself up for financial success early so you can get the most out of school.

At Inspiring Test Preparation, we help students achieve improved results on admissions tests by demystifying the tests. For more information, please visit our website or contact us today!

Kate Dalby2022-08-15T18:30:34-04:00

Best Passion Project Ideas for High School Students

byline Jonathan Pizzutti

In an increasingly competitive college admissions landscape, high school students are looking for better ways to stand out from the crowd to get into their target schools.

Many are finding that the best way to maximize your chances of acceptance is through a passion project. A passion project lets you take a passion that you have and turn it into something impactful that you can showcase on your college application to demonstrate your interests, your initiative, and your ability to make a difference.

A passion project can be anything that you want it to be, but here are a few of your best options.

Start a Business

College admission officers love students who are entrepreneurial. Starting a business shows that you are a leader and have the practical skills to create something that other people value. Your business can be in any area (tutoring, marketing, etc.), but it is often recommended that you find a way to run your venture online to have more opportunities to scale. And once you start your business, you will find yourself learning a lot of knowledge and skills that will give you a better idea of what you want to study and what career path you want to pursue.

Develop an App

Technology is powerful, which makes those who can use it very powerful. Developing an app demonstrates that you are the type of person who can come up with an idea and create a piece of technology that improves people’s lives. And if you are worried that you are not a tech savvy enough to build an app, there are plenty of “no code” development platforms that allow you to build highly sophisticated apps without as high of a learning curve, and no one will know the difference. Plus, creating an app opens you up to a whole new world of technology which can lead to plenty of great professional opportunities as well.

Create a Social Campaign

Who doesn’t want to accept a student who will make the world a better place? If you have a cause or an issue that you care about, creating a social campaign might be the right choice for you. Whether you want to enter the nonprofit world or not, launching a campaign teaches you about organizational operations, advocacy tactics, and social issues. And again, if you are able to run your campaign using technology, you will have the chance to have a much greater impact and even touch the lives of people around the world.

How to Build a Passion Project

Knowing that you should do a passion project and actually doing one successfully are two entirely different things.

Thankfully, there is a solution here.

PrepX is a college prep company that offers online bootcamps and advising specifically on how to build a passion project that you can leverage for college and career success. They work with students on creating all the passion project ideas above in their various bootcamps and can help you build any other idea that you can think of through one-on-one coaching.

You can check out what PrepX has to offer here.

Kate Dalby2022-07-21T11:50:38-04:00

by Miss Grace of consultingandtutoringedu.com

School, learning, academics, and tutoring are often synonymous with sitting in a hard chair at a table or a desk with the expectation that you will learn based on what the teacher or tutor is telling you and complete some sort of worksheet or drill. I want to shift the perception of learning and highlight the incredible benefits play provides to a child’s educational journey.

Why Play?

As educators we strive for children to find that spark of curiosity; to evaluate, analyze, predict and problem solve in diverse scenarios. A key part of curiosity is the freedom to explore not only your environment but also individual learning preferences. Curiosity and the freedom to explore encourages natural engagement. Play-based learning methods activate and stimulate areas of the brain to build foundations for later learning more effectively than traditional schooling methods (Stagnitti, 2016).

Play Isn’t Just for Academics

Social emotional learning, or SEL, in the educational world is gaining traction across the country. Social emotional learning includes thoughts, feelings, safe spaces, behavior management, self-regulation, following rules and directions, conversing with others, focus/attention, and play. Through play a child has the opportunities for practice the skills listed above all in a short period of time and sometimes all at once. Take for example sharing, young children learn to share toys and naturally not everyone is happy about it. During play, scenarios arise and provide natural consequences to actions. Taking a toy from a peer without asking leads to an emotional outburst and in this moment we can teach some how to choose a positive role in our society. The person who took without asking takes ownership of one’s actions by apologizing and giving back the toy. They learn to repair the relationship through continued play with the same peer and how to obtain the toy they want using a positive approach.

Play Partners

A play partner is anyone; parents, siblings, teachers, tutors, same aged peers, older or younger peers, grandparents, the list goes on. As a parent play partner your role is crucial and sometimes feels a little weird. As adults we don’t use our free time to sit and play with dolls or create wild fantasies in our head and then run around the yard pretending to be superheroes, or at least, most of us don’t. We often sit and observe play, or when we do participate we are at a distance and allow the child to take the lead. Get involved, if you want your child to move and grove you are right alongside them with silliness, laughter, and messy hands and clothes. Don’t be afraid to get down in the dirt, literally, when playing. Let go of your expectations for the play and allow for complete exploration and start with a warm up. For example, set up a goal area and kick a soccer ball through the goal, bring out butterfly nets and catch bugs, or throw water balloons to each other without them breaking.

How To Play

Remember, you are an equal part of this experience. First choose a toy, I like toys with multiple steps and possibilities, like trains. Clear a space on the floor, then have your child help you put the tracks together, choose a train, and move it around the track. During play use your own voice to make the train sounds, and create a scenario where the train falls off the tracks and needs help. When playing outside in the summertime I gravitate towards open spaces with some shade. Explore your area, sticks are now drumsticks and the tree is your drum, sing a familiar song to the tree as you play and lull it to sleep. A big stick is now a pony named Buttercup and you count your gallops/steps as you ride across the yard.

Play Activities for Academics

As a play partner you can guide the session with predetermined goals. For example, my goal is for a child to repeat and identify rhyming words. First, we take turns blowing bubbles and twirling around in a circle to make a bubble ring, and run around to pop, stomp, and clap the bubbles. Pair the movements with a song that has repetitive phrases like “clap, clap, clap those bubbles, clap, clap, clap those bubbles, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap”. Gradually, add in another word rhymes like clap and tap, pop and bop.

I hope I gave enough background knowledge and ideas to include play in your everyday life, or at the very least a little silliness.

Play 🧩 Learn 🧠 Grow 🌼

Miss Grace

For more information on how Miss Grace can help you, visit https://www.consultingandtutoringedu.com/

Source:

Stagnitti, K., Bailey, A., hudspeth Stevenson, E., Reynolds, E., & Kidd, E. (2016). An investigation into the effect of play-based instruction on the development of play skills and oral language. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 14(4), 389-406.

Kate Dalby2022-07-21T11:26:24-04:00