This first step is to lay a strong foundation on which to build your children's education.
Enjoy the bi-weekly articles below.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to that age group. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Enjoy the bi-weekly articles below.
These sections are organized by age level, but the information is not confined to that age group. Consider looking at other age ranges as well. Also, make sure to check out the Archives.
Mud for Education
Mud for education? Yes! You and your children can write words in the mud, use popsicle sticks to write their math facts on the sidewalk in the mud, and practice writing their names in this way also.
How about holding a Cardboard Boat Race through the streams of water left by a passing thunderstorm? Use duct tape, glue, paint and cardboard (like ready-to-discard cereal boxes) to construct boats ahead of time so children are ready to race them through the water.
Create a Paper Airplane Show. Draw to design a paper airplane. Construct it out of cardstock, newspaper, construction paper or used copy paper. Add stickers to designate each child's plane and fly them outside as the showers subside.
All the above are designed to grow children's future learning (one of the 4 C's necessary--creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.) Designing inside to use outside may be just the activity that will fit these cooling fall days. Your children need to be outside before the weather turns too cold and creativity is always in style. With a little thought and help of websites such as https://themeasuredmom, https://thisreadingmama, Jamie Reimer@handsonaswegrow, and Erika@whatwedoallday.com, you can keep your children busy and growing.
Teach Children to Observe Their World
Children are curious about their world from the time they are born. As toddlers, they want to explore everything and need a watchful eye. When they are old enough to ask questions, they are old enough to be taught how to observe what is happening to get answers. Why does it rain? Where do puddles come from? Why do we need to stop here? Why can't I ride my bike there?
Teaching children to find answers through observing is a simple skill even busy parents can teach. Parents can teach children to use their senses to observe: their eyes--to see things around them, their ears--to hear sounds loud and soft, their nose--to smell things pleasant or putrid, their taste--to find food and drinks they may like, their hands--to feel things scratchy or soft. Children can use their senses like a scientist to find out how things work and to gather information. The earlier parents help children to observe to find answers, the more they satisfy their children's curiosity in a safe setting. Curiosity is a key ingredient in learning and answering questions.
Children learn how to behave and respond to others by observing how their parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers interact with each other and with other people. Observation becomes a powerful learning tool. If the action children observe is desirable, they commit it to memory for use in their future. If the happening is disastrous or causes pain, children may not want to repeat it.
Observation is beneficial when there is motivation and positive reinforcement, but the learner must be guided to know what to look for, especially as children grow older.
Observation allows children to learn different skills and practices that are valued in their community and culture.
Mud for education? Yes! You and your children can write words in the mud, use popsicle sticks to write their math facts on the sidewalk in the mud, and practice writing their names in this way also.
How about holding a Cardboard Boat Race through the streams of water left by a passing thunderstorm? Use duct tape, glue, paint and cardboard (like ready-to-discard cereal boxes) to construct boats ahead of time so children are ready to race them through the water.
Create a Paper Airplane Show. Draw to design a paper airplane. Construct it out of cardstock, newspaper, construction paper or used copy paper. Add stickers to designate each child's plane and fly them outside as the showers subside.
All the above are designed to grow children's future learning (one of the 4 C's necessary--creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration.) Designing inside to use outside may be just the activity that will fit these cooling fall days. Your children need to be outside before the weather turns too cold and creativity is always in style. With a little thought and help of websites such as https://themeasuredmom, https://thisreadingmama, Jamie Reimer@handsonaswegrow, and Erika@whatwedoallday.com, you can keep your children busy and growing.
Teach Children to Observe Their World
Children are curious about their world from the time they are born. As toddlers, they want to explore everything and need a watchful eye. When they are old enough to ask questions, they are old enough to be taught how to observe what is happening to get answers. Why does it rain? Where do puddles come from? Why do we need to stop here? Why can't I ride my bike there?
Teaching children to find answers through observing is a simple skill even busy parents can teach. Parents can teach children to use their senses to observe: their eyes--to see things around them, their ears--to hear sounds loud and soft, their nose--to smell things pleasant or putrid, their taste--to find food and drinks they may like, their hands--to feel things scratchy or soft. Children can use their senses like a scientist to find out how things work and to gather information. The earlier parents help children to observe to find answers, the more they satisfy their children's curiosity in a safe setting. Curiosity is a key ingredient in learning and answering questions.
Children learn how to behave and respond to others by observing how their parents, grandparents, siblings and caregivers interact with each other and with other people. Observation becomes a powerful learning tool. If the action children observe is desirable, they commit it to memory for use in their future. If the happening is disastrous or causes pain, children may not want to repeat it.
Observation is beneficial when there is motivation and positive reinforcement, but the learner must be guided to know what to look for, especially as children grow older.
Observation allows children to learn different skills and practices that are valued in their community and culture.