Geography anyone? Some school systems cover geography twice, once in elementary school and once in high school. As a homeschooler, I covered geography in 5th grade, and then again, in 9th grade, using geography curriculum. Once a skill is acquired, practice retains that skill. However, geography is not something that is practiced on a regular basis.
Read MoreWe constantly react to stimuli coming from the world around us. We respond to the voice of our guardian calling, we might like or dislike an image we see on TV, and the smell of a freshly cooked dinner attracts us. Apart from the luring affect our senses have, we actually learn through the interaction with the outside world. We might not be aware of this as adults but kids, toddlers, and babies are much more sensitive to stimuli. Even a simple rustling sound is enough to activate their brain (and make them start crying). Auditory stimulation is, therefore, crucial to normal brain development in kids, as there are benefits to their physical and mental development.
Solving puzzles can seem like an effortless task, especially when you see other people doing it. However, what you might not know is that these games usually have thousands of pieces to solve.
The beginning of a child’s educational years is paramount. A child needs someone to fight for them if there are academic struggles. There are countless ways to reach a child, games being one avenue. Not every child will enjoy games but for the child who does, games create a relaxed atmosphere where a child can learn without frustration and tears. A child will also have the opportunity to walk away with a happy face. There are simple board games that can be combined with dice, e.g., Surprise Slides and Math Dice Jr. There are games that can be played for sheer academic value, e.g., 7 ate 9. Lastly, logic games can be played to develop deduction skills, e.g., Cat Crimes.
STEM Education / Play, Learning at Home, Learning Through Play
Here is the awesome thing about playtime--your kids are continuously learning as they explore. Playtime for our youngsters is their school time. It’s their chance to be creative, discover, experiment and problem solve. As a speech-language pathologist, I am often asked what parents can do to enhance a child’s learning during playtime.
Kids And Creativity, Creativity, Learning at Home, Learning Through Play
If you want your child to have a hobby that will have a positive impact on their character development and mental growth, consider teaching them how to sew. Apart from allowing them to sew on a button, fix their toys or make a nice and original gift for someone, sewing can provide them with educational, physical, and mental benefits in an interesting and fun way. On top of that, it can also become a valuable skill in their lives, one which will prove itself useful over and over, all the way to their adult lives and further.
Kids And Creativity, Learning at Home, Learning Through Play
Mindfulness seems to be the new buzzword for savvy parents and teachers. Everyone is creating “zen dens” and practicing “moments of mindfulness.” But what is mindfulness and how can you bring it to your children or students?
