I have found that the best way to get rid of screen time is for everyone in the family to not have any screen time - a case of setting an example for everyone to follow. In our home all of us decided to stop watching TV. We still do have cable TV subscriptions and DH watches sporting events like NCAA and NBA tournaments and such things (along with my DS) but that is it. For the rest of the time, we just turn off the TV and get started on another activity like music practice, Karate classes, soccer, crafts, reading library books, going for a bike ride, grocery shopping, cleaning up the house, baking cookies etc. When DS gets bored with all of the above, we let him play some educational games on his computer for 20 minutes (using a timer). We vary the content constantly using CDs as well as online offerings like Dreambox and ETC online. It has been 6 months of no TV in our home and so far no problems.

Thanks a lot! I am now thinking that the EPGY open Enrollment would be a better investment as my DH or I can help my son out if he needs explanations or assistance (lack of dedicated Stanford tutors at K level is not a problem for us and we really don't need certificates of completion for elementary levels). After digging through a lot of EPGY web pages, I got the following info from there which proves very helpful. Hope this helps others with the same question! How does the School Open Enrollment program differ from the traditional EPGY individual courses? Most significantly, in order for students to enroll in traditional EPGY courses, they must undergo an application process. Enrollment in the School Open Enrollment program does not require an application, only registration. Second, in order to enroll in the School Open Enrollment program, a student must attend a participating school or be part of an approved learning group (see FAQ #3 under Eligibiilty and enrollment). The final difference is in the level of support received. Students in the traditional EPGY program receive a comprehensive set of support services from EPGY instructors, as well as an official transcript from Stanford. Students in the School Open Enrollment program work primarily with their parents, who in turn receive support from the School Support Associate.

I am looking to enroll my 5 year old son in the EPGY Math program as a supplement to his regular curriculum. He is doing Singapore Early Bird Math at home and finds it easy and loves it too. My question on EPGY is: 1. Is there a difference in content and course material between EPGY Gifted program and EPGY Open enrollment? 2. Is it easy to accelerate to a higher level in the EPGY Open enrollment program if my son found his level easy? Or is changing the level possible only in the EPGY Gifted program? The reason I ask is because my budget is restricted. EPGY gifted curriculum costs $500 every 3 months. But the EPGY open enrollment costs much less. I a willing to cut corners in my family's budget if I learn that EPGY Gifted curriculum is way different from the EPGY open enrollment curriculum. We are a "mathy" family and have no problem helping out our son if he raises questions at his level - meaning absence of online tutors on-call is not an issue (EPGY gifted program has tutors and certificates of completion, I am told). I have searched a lot and have not found a definite answer. Thanks for all your help in advance!

Hi all, I am a newbie here. DS5 will start K in fall and is very good at languages. He is in preK now and we are not really happy with what they teach in terms of Language and spelling there. They are still doing 3 letter rhyming words like hat, pat, sat etc. while my son is way past it - he can already spell words like "awesome, superheroes, structure" etc and when he tries to spell the more advanced words, the teachers tell him to wait his turn as there are other kids who are trying to learn the 3 letter words still in his classroom (this is understandable, but not to my son's advantage). Unfortunately, we cannot change his preschool at so late a stage (summer graduation is coming up soon) and have decided to let him stay there until then. In the meantime, I would like to supplement afterschool at home and help him improve his language skills further. What are the options open to me? Workbooks, curriculum, online resources etc? I am a total newbie and started on this quest after coming to the sad conclusion that my DS is utterly bored at preschool and spends his time playing rather than sitting through their "Language Arts" sessions because he "already knows it". I appreciate any help you can give me.