ML Interest Tag: learning-process

LEGO Education Launches New STEAM Based Learning Initiative

by Jennifer Swartvagher

You’ve seen the kiddos create epic cities with elaborate scenarios enough times to know that LEGO bricks are more than your average toy. Now there’s one more reason to love those little bricks: LEGO Education is celebrating its 40th birthday with the worldwide launch of its newest educational tool, LEGO Education SPIKE Prime. We got the scoop on this newest product and its impact in classrooms today. 

LEGO SPIKE Prime

Using this new STEAM tool, students learn by building a robot, testing out if it works and if it doesn’t, they take it apart and build it again. Through collaboration with their team, students learn by their mistakes and when everything goes as planned, their confidence levels rise. 

LEGO SPIKE Prime

This hands-on STEAM learning solution combines 528 LEGO bricks, easy-to-use hardware and a drag-and-drop coding language with 32 lesson plans.

LEGO SPIKE Prime

Combining the physical and digital worlds through bricks, sensors, motors and an intelligent Hub, students build fun and engaging creations, and then using the SPIKE App, they bring those creations to life through scratch-based coding. Students can program SPIKE Prime to break dance every 20 minutes as a reminder to get up and move, check the weather forecast to see if they need an umbrella, or customize a fitness plan and do sit ups together. The activities fit into a variety of lesson plans from physics to language arts. 

LEGO SPIKE Prime

 

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Photos courtesy of LEGO

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Everyday Things Parents Do to Help Their Baby Learn

By Morgen Henderson

The good thing about helping your baby learn is that they’re pretty much learning all the time in this stage of life. New experiences are happening every day, and every unique experience supports learning. To foster your baby’s skills, here are nine simple things you can do (if you aren’t already!) to support your baby in their learning process. 

1. Introduce New Foods: Once your baby is a few months old, it’s time to start introducing solid foods. From the beginning, vary the types of foods you give your baby—it’s good for their health and will help them learn about different textures and tastes. 

Some tips for successfully introducing new food include checking for cues that your baby is ready—such as reaching for your food. And don’t worry if they reject a new food—it’s all part of the process. 

2. Talk Often: Talking to your baby helps them in many ways. By listening to your voice, they’ll slowly begin to understand words and respond in their own way, eventually leading to them speak and communicate in the same way you do. There are lots of ideas to help you talk to your baby. Talk to them about everything—even reading a book or singing a song will help their brain develop. 

Remember to include them in the conversation, even if you’re unsure of what they’re communicating, by listening and responding to their sounds. It may seem silly, but infant-directed talk (more commonly known as baby talk) has been found to help children’s language development.

3. Use Hand Motions: Using your hands to describe concepts helps your baby start to understand what those words mean. Songs like “itsy-bitsy spider” and “pat-a-cake” are fun not only because they make rhyming sounds, but they also provide physical explanations about language. 

Beyond such games, gesturing when you want your baby to do something, or when you’re explaining something, is also a great way to help babies learn to communicate. And remember that babies can use gesturing before they can use words, so making good use of physical language will also help you understand your baby better.

4. Be Silly: Play is one of the main ways babies and children learn. Though you might feel, well, silly, it’s important for you to be a goofball for your baby. Doing so provides entertainment and also a strong emotional connection. And you already know the delight of hearing your baby laugh in joy. 

Start with something simple like peek-a-boo. Dance around to some music with them. These things aren’t only fun, but help your baby develop important motor skills and understanding of how their bodies move through space. 

5. Demonstrate: When you’re trying to teach your baby to do something, do it yourself. Babies and young children are often drawn to imitate the adults in their lives, so take full advantage of this tendency. 

Do what you want them to learn. When they’re learning to eat, showing them how you use a spoon before encouraging them to do it themselves helps them understand. And a few months after that, they might start imitating your every move—whether you want them to or not.

6. Explore the World: Adults aren’t the only ones for whom the outdoors holds health benefits. The sun, wind, grass, trees, and insect life will all be fascinating to your baby, who’s experiencing new things all the time. New experiences hold great learning potential for babies, as long as you’re there with them to provide a sense of security and comfort. 

Studies have found that being outside helps babies and young children develop language skills, improve motor skills, and even develop stronger immune systems. And don’t forget the time outside is good for you too. 

7. Provide Sensory Toys: Babies will turn just about anything they reach into a toy, but for your own sanity as well as their learning process, you can make plenty of sense-stimulating toys available. Toys with interesting and varied textures and colors are great for babies of any age. Instruments for babies are also good—just remember you’ll be listening to them, too! 

While less common, you can also find toys that offer specific smells or tastes, or make things yourself. For instance, a bowl of spaghetti and some food coloring can be endlessly fascinating to your baby. Or make a homemade scent bottle with fresh, whole spices and a plastic bottle with a pop-top lid.

8. Start Counting: Even when your baby is pre-verbal, they’re starting to build upon concepts that will be used later. Count the steps you take together to the car, the number of times you clap, or their fingers. Count their blocks, and when they’re a little more advanced, divide the blocks by type and count each group. This behavior will be beneficial when they’re old enough to start learning basic mathematical concepts. 

9. Touch Often: While it might seem less directly connected to cognitive development, touch actually supports the development of physical, language, and cognitive skills. Of course, you spend plenty of time holding your baby, but branch out from that into other forms of touch. Try stroking or gently massaging your baby’s back and legs when they’re upset. To help them wake up from a nap, touch their face and stomach. If you’re able, also consider using body carriers or wraps to take your baby out and about with you rather than a stroller.

Before you get caught up in trying to find the best learning toys out there, remember that straightforward behaviors from you and the creative use of simple objects can go a long way in helping your baby learn. The best way to support your baby’s development is to make these things part of everyday life.

Morgen is a writer from the beautiful mountains of Utah. She's constantly writing, but when she does have free time, you can find her baking yummy treats and preparing to be a mother.

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How to Teach Kids to Write Based on Their Learning Preference

By Alesia Netuk

Photo: igor kisselev/shutterstock.com

When learning how to form the letters of the alphabet, children respond differently whether they are kinesthetic, auditory, tactile, and visual learners. In addition to supporting a child’s preferred learning st‌yle, using various methods can also increase the “fun factor” when practicing how to write!

Kinesthetic Learners:

Kinesthetic activities provide children with opportunities to learn through movement. Children who prefer this learning st‌yle may find it more challenging to sit still when engaged in a learning activity. Their capacity for learning increases when both their brain and their body are engaged.

You may think a kinesthetic-based activity is a challenge for an activity that is traditionally done with paper and pencil, but movement can definitely be incorporated into writing activities. For example, have children hold scarves and use big arm movements to write the letters in the air. Or, have the children move around the room then freeze when you call out a letter. Their task is to form the letter with their bodies. They might create the letter “L” by having two friends lie on the floor in the correct formation. Or, they might decide they can make the letter “t” all by themselves by sticking their arms straight out on each side.

Auditory Learners:

Auditory activities appeal to children who learn best through actively listening. They may also find it helpful to talk about the material they are learning. Providing auditory learners with opportunities to both hear and recite information is ideal.

To incorporate the auditory learning style in writing practice, children can be taught rhymes or sayings that help them remember the pathways to use when forming letters. For example, children can use the rhyme, “Pull straight down for capital E. Then add some shelves. 1, 2, 3!” Hearing this rhyme, then remembering and reciting it themselves, can help children when they forget how to print a letter.

Tactile Learners:

Children who prefer tactile activities learn best by touching and manipulating objects. They generally prefer “doing” over simply hearing or seeing instructions. They are often referred to as “hands-on learners,” and prefer activities like building, using art materials, and using manipulatives.

There are many ways to incorporate tactile opportunities into learning how to write letters. Children can use their index finger to practise printing letters in trays filled with salt, sand, or shaving cream. Children can use paintbrushes and water to “paint” the letters on chalkboards or other surfaces like a brick wall. Tactile learners may enjoy using playdough to create the letters. Working with a partner, they can also take turns printing letters on each other’s back. To support tactile learners’ recall of letter formations, have them make the letters using art materials like stamps, pipe cleaners, or stickers.

Visual Learners:

Visual learners benefit from seeing the material they are learning. They may prefer to read and write versus listening and speaking. They can typically recall information better if it has been presented to them visually.

When learning how to write letters, children who are visual learners can benefit from seeing the letters and writing them. Provide these learners with a visual of what the letter they are learning looks like. Provide them with opportunities to trace the letter before moving on to independent practice where they write the letter themselves. Visual learners who are focusing on printing can benefit from the handwriting worksheets.

These tracing letters worksheets provide children with the steps to forming each letter, using the proper pathways. Tracing the letters allows children to rehearse the pathways before moving on to independently writing.

To support visual learners who are focusing on cursive writing, worksheets that follow the same pattern as the printing worksheets can be used: Provide a model of the letter, allow for opportunities to trace the letter, then move on to independent practice.

These cursive letters worksheets also provide students with practice linking cursive letters together to form words.

The worksheets noted above have been carefully crafted with appropriate lines to promote the correct sizing of letters. Young children who are experimenting with writing may print very large letters. As they become more experienced with writing, children need guidance around which letters are tall and which letters are short. They also need guidance to correctly write “tail” letters, which have parts that hang below the line, like “p” and “y.”

Providing children with multiple ways to practice writing letters can help them to be successful and also maintain their engagement in the learning process. Worksheets will help them achieve the end goal of being able to correctly form written letters on paper.

Alesia is a founder of PrimaryLearning.org, an educational website that helps elementary school teachers and homeschool parents with hands-on worksheets, activities and thoughtful articles.

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19 After-School Classes to Get Excited About

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

Whether you’re trying to fill the gap between when your kiddo’s classes end and you get home from work or you just need a safe space for your child to burn off the post-school wiggles, we’ve tracked down the most exciting and engaging extracurricular activities in the DMV. From flying on a trapeze to learning how to flamenco (and everything in between), these courses will captivate and educate your little learner beyond the classroom.

photo: Pexels

Big Learners
Parlez-vous Français? (Or Chinese? Or Spanish?) Let your petit Francophile explore all things French at Big Learners. This non-profit organization offers  language classes in French, Chinese and Spanish as well as instruction in the sciences. Native-speaking teachers provide an authentic learning environment for scholars to explore culture and customs while mastering fluency of a foreign language. The center also offers a Science and Engineering program that approaches problem solving hands-on. Classes start in October

Ages: 6-13
Cost: varies
Where: 11721 Kemp Mill Rd., Silver Spring, MD
Online: mccpta-epi.org

photo: Inside Ski Training Center 

Inside Ski Training Center
Your little skier can go from Pizza to French Fries at this indoor facility where you can hit the slopes year-round. The Center boasts that a one hour lesson can accomplish what a half-day group lesson can achieve on snow. You don’t have to buy lift tickets or rent equipment to participate, making this an affordable way to learn. Inside Ski also offers snowboarding lessons. In addition to group classes, the Center offers one-on-one sessions.

Ages: 3 & up
Cost: starting at $33.25/class
Where: 34-B Catoctin Cir. SE, Leesburg, VA
Online: insideski.com

Rock Creek Park Horse Center
Giddy up! If your child begs for pony rides in their sleep, it might be time to upgrade to riding lessons. Future equestrians should look no further than Rock Creek Park where classes little riders learn how to groom and care for horses while mastering walking, trotting, jumping and more.

Ages: 5 1/2 & up
Cost: starting at $55
Where: 5100 Glover Rd., Washington, DC
Online: rockcreekhorsecenter.com

photo: Ballet Center of Houston

The Washington Ballet
Young dancers can pirouette and plié with one of DC’s best dance companies, The Washington Ballet. Kids under 5 will be introduced to creative movement explorations using pretend play, props, and stories. Children over 6 will continue to build upon basic ballet knowledge like posture, steps, and etiquette. Children 7 and under are not required to audition for the company. Ballet is a great way to develop increased strength and motor coordination. Students can practice at either the NW or SE campus.

Ages: 3 & up
Cost: varies
Where: 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Online: washingtonballet.org

photo: I.Fly Trapeze via Yelp

Trapeze School New York
Circus work isn’t just for clowns! Learning aerial acts not only helps strengthen a child’s core, it also builds their self-esteem. The TSNY of DC offers drop-in classes as well as 6 week workshops. Mini trapezists will swing from silks, a lyra, a Spanish web and, of course, a trapeze. If your kiddo takes to the sky with ease, there are also camps available during school holidays.

Ages: 6 & up
Cost: starting at $40
Where: 1299 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
Online: washingtondc.trapezeschool.com

Play-Well TEKnologies 
Featuring LEGO-inspired engineering classes for kids in grades K-8, Play-Well TEKnologies is in schools all over the DMV—just type in your zip code on their website to find the host school nearest you. Specific course themes vary, but your kids can always expect to apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects. Let them explore their craziest ideas in a supportive environment, or work on a concrete building project such as bulldozers, hovercrafts, hot air balloons, or the Great Wall of China design. Have a Minecraft fan? Give her an outlet to build a zoo, create a medieval castle, or design a tree house village! The possibilities are truly endless.

Ages: K-8th grade
Cost: varies
Where: varies
Online: play-well.org

International School of Languages
ISL is a community-oriented language school dedicated to offering language education for all ages.. Their main focus is on helping students who really have the will and desire to learn a foreign language. ISL offers Spanish, French, English, Chinese Mandarin, Farsi, Italian, Portuguese, German and Russian. These are fun classes where music and games are incorporated in the learning process.

Ages: 5-12
Where: 7906 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD
Cost: $364
Online: islanguages.com

photo: Guiomar Ochoa

Henry’s Sweet Retreat
An innovative version of an old-fashioned candy store is exactly what owner Patty Craver was trying to achieve when opening this fun place, with candy-lined walls. Henry’s Sweet Retreat is a modern take on an old world sweet shop that will satisfy anyone and everyone’s sweet tooth. And the best part: after school baking and decorating classes for kids aged 7-13 recently launched!  One hour classes are being offered three days a week, with over three different sessions. Each class has a baking and decorating element and the kids will bring home their goodies at the end of class. Some of the items include back to school pencil cookies, fall and Halloween bark, spider and turkey cupcakes football rice krispie treats and more! Super fun plus, who doesn’t love sweets?!

Ages: 7-13
Where: 4823 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda, MD
Cost: $125
Online: henryssweetretreat.com

photo: LS Flamenco via Yelp

Flamenco 4 Kids!
At any age Flamenco is a lot more than just dance. But for young children it is a unique outlet for self-expression. Flamenco 4 Kids! balances discipline with fun and independence! Children ages 4-12 can learn Flamenco Rhythm, Music, and Dance. Teacher, Magdalena, uses a natural technique of ear training to build age-appropriate skills in movement and musicianship. If you stay for a class and peek through a window, don’t be surprised to see your little one standing tall and proud like royalty, or stomping her feet like a stampede of horses. Magdalena mixes rhythm and dance while traditional music from Andalucía plays in the background. 

Ages: 4-12
Where: 3000 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC
Cost: varies
Online: flamenco4kids.com

photo: Great Adventure Lab

Great Adventure Lab
Have a coder in your midst? The Great Adventure Lab teaches kids grades K-7 how to love science, with super-fun hands-on classes in Lego Robotics, Programming, Engineering and more! The Great Adventure Lab hosts science, engineering and programming classes, camps and birthdays in metro DC (including NOVA, MoCo, Howard County PG County, and Baltimore County). Since their founding in 2010, The Great Adventure Lab has taught over 10,000 elementary school kids how to write their first robotics or video game programs. They have an array of after school classes to choose from depending on what your Einstein loves to do.!

Age: 5 & up
Where: varies
Cost: varies based on location
Online: thegreatadventurelab.com

photo: DC Fencers Club

DC Fencers Club
Why, yes, I fence! Whether you are a leading fencer or a “free-time” fencer, the DC Fencers Club is the place for you. For almost 30 years, the DCFC, has consistently produced winners both in the United States and around the world. Coaches help refine the skills of highly competitive fencers while emboldening more amateur fencers. Kids can take classes, participate in workshops, or opt for individual lessons. DCFC coaches are fencing masters and National Champions.

Ages: 7 & up
Where: 9330 Fraser Ave., Silver Spring, MD
Cost: $128
Online: dcfencing.com

photo: Paper Source

Paper Source Cursive Workshop
Who doesn’t need to work on their cursive?! Designed to Enhance your child’s penmanship, Paper Source’s Cursive Workshop is ideal for your 7-13 year old debutante! This six week after-school session is designed for elementary school students to learn lettering basics of cursive. At each 1-hr period, participants will spend time practicing their strokes with a little added crafting fun.  

Ages: 7-13
Where: various locations across the DMV
Cost: $150
Online: papersource.com 

Creative Youth
Dedicated to teaching fashion design and sewing, Creative Youth’s entire curriculum is tailored to the needs of their students with a focus on self-esteem building, creativity, and fun! Classes are offered after school and on the weekends on a rolling basis (students can begin at any time, and all skill levels are welcome). Students take home all work they’ve created in class, and all supplies and materials are included in the class fee—including New York designer patterns, couture fabrics, runway images, professional art tools, and more. Give your fashionista a chance to see what it takes to be a fashion star.

Ages: 7-18
Where: 4805 St. Elmo Ave., Bethesda, MD
Cost: starting at $35
Online: creative-youth.com

Rockin’ Railroad 
Each week, Kidville’s live four-piece children’s band takes you and your child on a journey through tempo, rhythm, word recognition, and sound identification, exploring different instruments and musical genres and meeting special puppet friends along the way. The class makes “stops” at fun destinations including Instrumentville and Grandma’s House before heading back to Kidville Station, and is divided according to age group.

Ages: 0-5 years (with caregiver)
Where: 4825 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda, MD
Cost: $308
Online: kidville.com

 

photo: LaterJay via Pixabay

Tiny Chefs
With the philosophy of “learning through cooking,” Tiny Chefs encourages children to discover the joys of cooking while obtaining basic educational skills and culinary techniques. Instructors teach kids to follow recipes, measure and combine ingredients, and work together in a team all while promoting personal creativity. Classes strive to instill health-conscious values in kids along with the confidence to experiment with their own creations in the future.All of these skills are mixed in with delicious food and fun. Want your kids to learn to cook at home? After a two-hour lesson in your own kitchen, your entire family could be eating Vietnamese Summer Rolls, Chicken Pot Pie Bundles, and Sweet Mango Salsa with Homemade Cinnamon Tortilla Chips (!). We’ll be right over.

Ages: varies
Where: locations vary (including in-home classes, local elementary schools, and community centers)
Cost: varies depending on location
Online: tinychefs.com

Imagination Stage Introductory Dance
From Broadway and ballet to hip hop and Hamilton, Imagination Stage offers a range of dance classes for all ability levels that help young dancers improve their performance skills, learn how to portray character, master choreographed routines, and develop a better understanding of history from a musical perspective. Some classes also incorporate singing, and many classes culminate in an end-of-semester final sharing.

Ages: grades K-12
Where: 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD
Cost: $190-525
Online: imaginationstage.org

 

photo: RawPixel

Abrakadoodle Art Classes
There’s truly something for every petit artist at Abrakadoodle: toddlers can develop their sensory and fine and gross motor skills while they learn about color and texture and experiment with new, engaging materials. Preschoolers gleefully create their own masterpieces while developing school readiness skills. And elementary-age students hone their craftsmanship, build knowledge of artistic styles and art history, execute their own imaginative projects, and cultivate the power of self-expression. There are even special “themed” classes for drawing, canvas, and found art.

Ages: 20 months-upper elementary school
Where: locations vary throughout Montgomery, Loudoun, and Fairfax Counties
Cost: $85-195
Online: abrakadoodle.com

The First Tee
More than a chance to drive a cart, the founders of The First Tee believe that playing golf helps to reinforce values like integrity, respect, and perseverance. Their programs are delivered at golf courses, in schools, and at youth centers. Kids who have never held a club work with coaches who are highly trained in positive youth development, and everyone gets great exercise: young people can burn up to 800 calories walking nine holes!

Ages: 7-18
Where: locations vary throughout the DMV
Cost: varies (and chapters offer full scholarships or reduced-fee programming for those with financial need)
Online: thefirsttee.org

Writopia Lab 
Whether your burgeoning Pulitzer Prize-winning author is interested in playwriting, filmmaking, graphic novels, creative writing, photojournalism, essay writing, or private lessons, you can trust that the instructors at Writopia Lab will help stoke that fire. The age-based workshops pledge to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds.

Ages: 8-18
Where: Tenleytown, Capitol Hill, Falls Church, Rockville
Cost: varies based on location
Online: writopialab.org

—Meghan Yudes Meyers with Guiomar Ochoa and Katie Brown

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Your Baby’s Babbling May Shape Your Own Speech, Science Says

by Erica Loop

Your baby’s babbling may shape the way you speak. New research from Cornell University’s Behavioral Analysis of Beginning Years Laboratory may have found a connection between infant speech, adult speech and learning.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Child Language, looked at the function of infant babbling in the language learning process. After analyzing data from 30 mama-baby pairs, the researchers found that the infants of mothers who used simplified speech (shortened or one-word sentences and lower numbers of unique words in response to baby’s babbling) were faster language learners.

photo: Kate Emslie via Unsplash

According to Steven Elmlinger, lead author of the study, “Infants are actually shaping their own learning environments in ways that make learning easier to do.”

Elmlinger added, “We know that parents’ speech influences how infants learn––that makes sense––and that infants’ own motivations also change how they learn. But what hasn’t been studied is the link between how infants can change the parents, or just change the learning environment as a whole. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

—Erica Loop

 

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New Study Sheds Light On How Toddler’s Develop Language Skills

Babies Totally Know What You’re Saying, Even When You’re Not Talking

The More You Talk to Your Babies, the Smarter They’ll Be as Teens, New Study Finds

 

 

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5 Creative Ways to Unlock Your Child’s Potential

By Isabel William

While it’s easy to think that you have to be born good learner to be one, that is not entirely true. Although the child’s individual predispositions to education and personality play a vital role in developing their approach to learning, with good learning habits and proper motivation, any student can become a good learner. However, the mistake many parents often make is they rely solely on the teacher as the only source of instruction instead of extending their academic growth outside the classroom. Parents are the first teachers to their children, and as such, they have the task to make the most of the time they spend with their kids and use it to support their children’s learning at home. To get you started, here’s a list of five creative ways for increasing your child’s motivation and boosting their academic achievement. Let’s take a look at these clever and useful tips.

 

1. Help Them Discover Their Learning Style

When it comes to knowledge acquisition, every child has their preferences, and discovering which learning style best suits them is the first step towards boosting their academic performance. While some students learn using one st‌yle which is dominant, others prefer a blend of different learning st‌yles. Since the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to education, and there are no rules on how to combine different learning st‌yles, it’d be best if your child would try different learning st‌yles and opt for one(s) that best suit their needs. Some individuals best learn by relying on visual aids such as pictures and images while others prefer the hands-on approach to learning. And while some students acquire knowledge faster when they’re working in groups or with other individuals, others learn better when they study alone. Help your child discover which of the seven learning st‌yles best fit them so they start using the proper learning techniques to ensure fast, quality study time.

 

2. Emphasize the Value of Education

Teaching your child how important education is for them and their future is another step you can take to ensure they have the proper motivation. Even though the knowledge and information they get at school is a great starting point, you need to understand that education begins at home, and the attitude you have towards education will rub off on your kids and influence their way of perceiving education. When you have a positive approach to education and constantly emphasize how important it is, you can expect your children to adopt the same attitude, which will determine their educational success later on. And even if there are some obstacles that can impede progress such as finances, nowadays there are a number of girls scholarships that are being given to families who lack resources to ensure everyone has an equal chance at education and success.

 

3. Help Them Stay Organized to Boost Their Motivation

Designing a space that is well-organized and reserved only for learning can be a great way to boost your child’s motivation for learning and help them feel like they’re in control. Even though disorganization is common among youngsters, with some practical tips and organizational skills, your child can master the art of organizing their supplies and assignments, and grow up to become a well-organized, responsible individual. Optimize their study space by incorporating all the necessary elements and equipment and removing any distractions, and arrange a time in a day that they’ll study to ensure they always study at the same place and at the same time.

 

4. Encourage Your Child to Pursue Interests and Subjects They Enjoy

Showing enthusiasm for the subjects your child has expressed interest in is a great way to provide additional motivation and boost their academic performance. If you notice that there is something your child is particularly fascinated by, encourage them to further pursue their interest and gain more knowledge about that certain topic. When a child is eager to learn more about one subject in particular, the whole learning process becomes so much easier since the child doesn’t need any external motivators to engage in learning. If they are interested in one animal in particular, say giraffes, find a way to occupy their mind and encourage them to find out more about them. Find a book about giraffes and read to them, and after that, ask them to explain what they’ve just learned.

 

5. Celebrate Their Successes and Achievements

Recognizing the achievements and successes of your child and celebrating them is one of the most effective ways to increase their motivation and make them feel good about themselves. Sometimes, even the smallest yet sincere praises go a long way in making a child feel proud of their achievements, and the younger the kid, the more praises they should be given in order to provide positive reinforcement and boost their motivation. If your child managed to finish a project on time and earned a good grade, treat them to their favorite ice cream or let them play video games for another hour. That way, they’ll feel inspired to keep up the good work and challenge themselves to do even better next time.

There are so many things you can do to ensure the academic success of your child. Use the tips above to motivate your child to learn and help them fulfill their potential.

 

 

Isabel William is consultant by day and a blogger by night and Mom to twins 24/7.

Area of interest includes education, well being, mental health, as well as self-improvement. 

Considered by her peers a lifetime educator, whose passion is love for writing and helping people, parenting, education and science.

 

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Why Are Educational Toys Crucial for Kids?

By Morgan Elliott

Many mundane things will enlighten a child’s imagination. For a toddler, the simplest thing like a key chain or colorful slippers can draw their attention, believe it or not. This happens because their little brains try to classify things that they can play with. Since it is not advisable, safe or hygienic to let your child play with household items, you need to embrace their curiosity with various stimulating educational toys. And while any old toy will do, when they play with toys that can affect their learning process, then there you subconsciously stimulating their intellect, motor skills, and cognitive development.  

Embrace Their Imagination: Toys like multicolored cushion balls or soft educational floor puzzles can trigger a child’s curiosity. 6-months-old babies can differentiate colors and shapes very easily. Floor puzzles are extremely effective for small kids because they come in various shapes, colors, numbers, and patterns that enhance their creativity and physical development. If you were to place them on a playing mat and put some fluffy soft toys in different shapes, the child will slowly grab the things that they want. This is how they learn to develop various motor and recognition skills that will help them later in life. Some of the most effective educational toys at this stage are those that promote the sensory play. Rattles, infant play gums, and soothers. As they grow, their preference will change, then you introduce interactive problem-solving toys like blocks or stackers.  

Toys Boost Physical Development: One of the most crucial moments in every child’s growth is their ability to differentiate and comprehend things. From the simple play, kids can enhance their muscle strength, get good hand-eye coordination, and become more mentally and physically active. If a child wishes to reach for a rattle or a ball, it needs to push itself, enabling him to be more flexible and agile. As they get older, the toys become more constructive, cognitively and logically engaging. Toys that boost physical and comprehensive development are various fun building sets, cubes, board puzzles, scientific kits, and playful toy robots. If you were to get quality and first-rate educational toys, you will undoubtedly nurture your child’s creativity and boost his physical development.

Enhance Creative Thinking and Develop Social Intelligence: Their little minds have a totally different world on its own. When you place educational toys in front of them, they will have a well-guided play experience. By using puzzles, match shape stackers or organize sorters and blocks, they develop something that is considered as mind-enhancing development. This enables them to enhance appropriate social interaction, learning how to share, learning about social values and sentiments, language skills and emotional development. With educational toys, children learn how to handle and accept certain social situations like losing a game, develop perception, intuition, and reasoning as they are concentrating on winning in the game. Toys help them gain mental strength as they work on developing empathy at a young age and overcome any challenges that may lie in front of them. 

Help Discover the World: Little do parents know, but toys are responsible for building a child’s confidence. As they play, they get acquainted with the problem-solving situation, and once they figure out how a toy works after trial and error comes elation. Not only excitement, but great toys can help them discover the world around them as they get excited by completing a task successfully. Toys that promote movement or crawling and use lights, sounds, and movement techniques to enhance their participation in the game make children wanting to do better, move faster, and complete a task more promptly. As the child gets more aware of the world around him, toys that help them develop recognition skills can be used. Interactive books with sounds or themed playsets that refine their language and motor skills, ride-on toys to boost coordination, and other problem-solving toys that reinforce imagination.

Impact on Their Future: Scientists have discovered that educational toys can make children smarter as they stimulate brain function with play. Any toy that beeps, crinkles or needs prodding and poking will shape up a child’s brain for the future by teaching them the way things work and the way to overcome obstacles to reach a goal. In the early stages of a child’s development, their little minds can be molded in multiple ways so that they can use that skilled picked up while playing with toys in later stages. For instance, if a toddler has learned the sound of a cow by pressing the toy, once he sees the animal in real life, the toddler will be able to mimic the sound, and so on. Toys simply provide the motivation that can have a significant impact on future learning.  

By integrating fun play with toys in your child’s childhood you will encourage their social and cognitive growth as well as physical development. Educational toys guide your child through learning stages in life, so they are definitely a fruitful investment.

 

Morgan Rose Elliott is an aromatherapist, yoga instructor, animal lover, a happily married mother of two. She enjoys reading biographies and writing poems, sunny days on the beach and any shape of vanilla. Crazy about the '80s, her favourite band is Duran Duran and she is obsessed with Stranger things.

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How to Identify & Solve Your Kid’s School Struggles

by Melissa Heckscher

Getting out the door in the morning is hard enough—but it’s even harder if you’ve got a school-aged child who wants to be anywhere but the classroom. So what’s a parent to do? Whether your little student is struggling in the classroom or having trouble with bullying during recess, there are things you can do to help make the school day better. We had a few experts weigh in on the subject, keep reading to see what they had to say.

First: Figure Out Where the Problem Is

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Unless you've got that unicorn-of-a-child who actually tells you everything about her school day, getting kids to give you the lowdown on their weekday world usually takes prodding. So, instead of asking, "How was your day?" try asking more specific questions:   

- Who (and what) did you play with at recess? 

- Who did you sit next to at lunch?

- Who do you like the most in the classroom?

- What do you like best about your teacher? What are some of your teacher's rules? 

- Who was your best friend today? Who would you like to become friends with (and why)?

- What was the hardest thing about today? The easiest? 

- Did you raise your hand and answer any questions? Why or why not?

Then ask the counter-questions: Who don't you play with? Who don't you like? What don't you like about the teacher? Was there anything you didn't understand? 

Start to notice any patterns. Does your child seem to have a best friend? A lot of friends? No friends? Does your child seem comfortable speaking in class? Is she understanding the work? What is she liking (and not liking) about her school day? Once you understand a little more about what's happening during the school day, you can start to tackle any issues head-on. 

Understand How Your Child Learns

marcus eubanks via flickr

Some kids who consistently struggle in school have what doctors call a "learning difference" (as opposed to a learning disability), according to this Spoke article. These kids are actually very smart, yet struggle to learn core subjects like reading, spelling and math simply because they learn in a different way—or at a different pace—than their peers.

"Unfortunately, their lack of success with learning makes them feel bad about themselves and can affect their desire to learn," write Dr. Deborah Ross-Swain and Dr. Elaine Fogel Schneider. "When children face daily tasks or situations in which they consistently fail, they will feel defeated, frustrated, sad and anxious. Constant academic struggles and lack of success are huge robbers of confidence and joy in bright children with learning differences."

The best thing a parent can do is to validate the child's learning process—and work with it. 

"Frequently they hear: “You need to try harder;” or “You need to listen better;” or “You have a bad attitude,” the doctors wrote. "Comments like these from parents and teachers only make them feel worse. They also act as confidence and joy robbers." 

For more tips on how to help kids who are learning different, see the Spoke article here. 

Develop a Relationship with Your Child's Teacher

Ilmicrofono Oggiono via flickr

Not every parent can find time to volunteer weekly in the classroom or take on the role of Class Mom. But do what you can to get involved—whether it's joining the PTA, volunteering for special events or simply being there to help with homework or studying. And, most importantly, develop a relationship with your child's teacher. 

"You want to meet the teacher. You want to have them know who you are," says Janet Lehman, a Florida social worker, who is the co-creator of The Total Transformation program, an e-workshop that helps parents take control of their children's behavior. "Even if you’re not having any trouble at all, you want the teacher to know that school is important to you."   

Talk to the Teacher in Charge of Lunch and Recess
Your child's primary teacher isn't necessarily the same person who's overseeing lunch and recess (when the veritable jungle of social hierarchies will be established for your kids). Find out which teacher oversees these important social times and set up a time to chat. Then, ask them about how your child is doing. Does she sit with the same kids during lunch? Does she seem happy and involved during recess? If the teacher isn't sure, then ask them to keep an eye out and to report back with you.

Check with Your Pediatrician

willseyeintranet via flickr

Sometimes, kids have trouble at school because they're having trouble seeing the whiteboard or hearing the teacher's directions. It's best to rule out any medical reasons your child might be struggling in the classroom. Your pediatrician can also guide you in the right direction if she thinks your child should be assessed for learning disabilities including ADHD or dyslexia. Just make sure you're honest with your doctor about your concerns so she knows what to look for when she examines your child.

Keep in mind, if any sort of learning disability is suspected, your child has a legal right to school-provided services and/or special accommodations. (Read this article from Understood.org to better understand how Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Special Education Plans can help your child.) 

Have a Tranquil Space Set Up for Homework

Designimprovised.com

Don't expect your child to breeze through homework if the only place she has to study is the kitchen table (while you cook dinner and your other kids watch Wild Kratts.) Set up an inviting study space for your kids and they'll have an easier time settling into their work. Need some ideas? Check out our favorites here. 

But Be There to Help Out  
While it's easy to send your child to her room with the instructions of "Come out when her homework is finished," helping your kids with their homework—or at least being in the same room while they're working—shows your child that you care about her success at school. It also helps you see where your child might be struggling and where you might need to help even more. "I know, it's exhausting. You have no time for yourself," Lehman said. "But that's part of the sacrifice we go through as parents." See more tips on how to make homework fun here. 

Ease Up on After-School Activities

William Nordman via flickr

Does your kid rush from school to baseball to piano lessons to swimming ... all before heading home for dinner, homework and family time? Then, Lehman says, it may be time to ease up on the recreational activities.

"Activities are terrific," she said. "But if there are academic problems, you don't want them falling so far behind or being so physically exhausted that they can’t focus on homework."

How do you know when it's too much? It's simple: If sleep, relationships, or schoolwork is suffering, your child may be overscheduled. "If you feel like, academically, your kids are having difficulties, then as a parent you have to be able to say, 'OK, we're not going to be doing swimming this year,'" Lehman said. 

Make a Time Management Chart 

Corrinne and Briana Van Dorpe

Organizational skills don't come naturally for most kids, even when it comes to the little things they have to do at home (dinner, homework, teeth-brushing, etc.) So teach your kids how to make a time management chart by visually mapping out every minute of your after-school schedule. This way, it's easier for them to set aside time for homework—and get it done! Some kids love a checklist, so try leaving boxes for them to X out when each task is completed. 

"Hang it on the back of their door, in their bedroom, in the kitchen," Lehman said. "It teaches them to have some patience. They have a schedule. They’re going to need to learn that, say, between 5 and 6 that is for free time and they need to do their homework first."

Not sure where to start? Check out this genius after-school time management hack to keep kids organized. 

Set Up Play Dates to Help Build Friendships

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

So what if your kid is doing great in school but seems to have trouble making (or keeping) friends? Well, then, it's time to pull out the class directory and start setting up some play dates. Many kids are more comfortable in these sorts of one-on-one situations, Lehman said, and building friendships outside of school can carry those connections (and subsequent confidence!) into the classroom.

If your child is having trouble with her social skills, make sure he knows that this is a normal battle even grown-ups face. "Socializing is hard for everybody, not just children," Lehman said. "Adults have a hard time socializing with each other, too." If, however, socializing is causing severe anxiety for your child, it may be helpful to take your child to a counselor or social skills group to find ways to ease that anxiety.

If Your Child Is Being Bullied
Most schools take the issue of bullying very seriously, so the first inkling you have that your child may be getting bullied—even if you think it may just be a little playful teasing—bring the issue up with child's teacher. If the issues persist, take them to the principal. And remember that bullying doesn't always happen in the schoolyard. Online bullying can be equally traumatizing.

Read this article to learn some important warning signs that your child may be being bullied—and how you can help.

Don't Dismiss Your Child's  Anxieties

Mario Antonio Pena Zapatería via flickr

Of course, a child who is having trouble in school often struggles at home, too. This means, for instance, homework sessions may come to explosive ends, with heated emotions or frustrated declarations of "I give up!" or "I can't do it!"  And while a parent's first instinct might be to reassure kids or push to them to get back on track, it's just as important to validate their frustrations and just let them vent.

"Parents are tired at the end of the day, sometimes they don’t feel like dealing with problems the kids are having and they kind of blame the kid, and say, ' Why can’t you do this?' But it’s really important to be as patient as you can." says Lehman.

— Melissa Heckscher

 

RELATED STORIES:

When Bright Children Struggle to Learn: How to Build Confidence & Joy

The Kids Who Do Well in School All Have This in Common

13 Things You Should Say to Your Grade School Kid Every Day

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5 Tips to Get Your Kids Interested in Coding & the Importance of STEM

By Roberta Antunes

Photo: Courtesy of Hack

Learning to code, regardless of the path your child chooses to take in life, is crucial in today’s world. Current research shows us that, in the near future, this knowledge will be important in any career. Beyond that and more importantly, it’s fun and develops important skills in your children that you may not have associated with coding! Coding builds creativity, problem solving skills, critical thinking skills AND builds confidence in your child! What are you waiting for?

Let’s talk about 5 tips to get your kids interested in coding:

Break the Stereotypes

Set the record straight with your kids. Coders are not men, sitting alone in a dark room furiously tapping on computer keys! The word “computer” used to mean, not a “machine,” but a “job!” Fun fact—That job was first done in the early days by women! People who code are interested in problem-solving, creativity, building things and making the world a better place. They are BOTH women and men, boys AND girls!

Make It Fun!

As we all know, learning by doing is much more impactful. Children are innately curious and love to explore. They love discovery…picking things up, examining them, smelling them, touching them and asking why? Start them early and make their coding education fun! Which leads me to my next point…

Mix Up the Medium

There are so many products and services available at ANY price point and for any age and skill level to aid in your child’s coding education. Make sure their experience goes beyond just simply sitting in front of a computer. There are building blocks, toys, board games, computer games, robots, after-school programs and even summer camps with a coding education focus available for your child. Talk to your children and see what interests them and go from there!

Do It Together

Learning to code can be incredibly collaborative. Although it may give you initial pause as a parent, if you do not consider yourself technically savvy, nothing is further from the truth. I am proof of that, myself! This is an activity that you can share with your children and YOU might even learn a thing or too!

Tap into Your Child’s Passions

With just a little bit of research you can find that almost everything involves a little bit of coding. There are plenty of examples to demonstrate to your children how coding impacts everything from farming, food, to art, movies, sports, computer games and the search engine they depend on for everything! Find something they can relate to to make coding more relevant to them.

As we previously discussed, STEM and coding education develops much more than technical skills. STEM and coding education helps children cultivate their creativity, analyze problems and improve critical thinking. It helps children challenge the status quo and build confidence. In STEM disciplines, children seek validation from their peers and often work in groups. They learn to collaborate more effectively and give and receive criticism in a positive way.

As parents, it is our job to encourage our children’s interest in STEM education and coding. Giving children opportunities to explore STEM-related concepts through a variety of products and activities and develop a passion for them is invaluable. Learning through play and “by doing” is critical, entertaining AND educational. STEM education can and should be tailored to your child’s abilities, interests and educational level, as well. This is critical in the learning process.

Roberta Antunes is a visionary trailblazer who is motivated by big challenges. Roberta, a prominent female entrepreneur is slated to take the STEM industry by storm. Moved by the desire to make a difference in society, she is determined to make STEM technology available to children across the United States, and thus created Hack.

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5 Helpful Ways Parents Can Set Their Kids Up for Homework Success

By April Sutphen

School comes with a variety of amazing experiences from learning how to read to discovering your favorite teacher, and even acting in the school play. Some of the more stressful components of school include taking exams, remembering your locker combination and, of course, homework.

For some children, homework is a breeze. They might even look forward to doing it! But for others, homework can be a struggle—a dreaded end to an already long day. It’s our job as parents to help make the process of doing homework more enjoyable and less stressful for our kids.

Here are five tips and tricks that I’ve found really work when tackling homework with students.

1. Create a Special Place

Trying to concentrate on homework with LEGOs, puzzles and Goldfish crowding the table and the TV in the next room blasting Nickelodeon isn’t very practical. Just as adults need a quiet, conducive workspace, so do children when it comes time for homework.

If your child is old enough, putting a small desk with a lamp and chair in their room might be the perfect option. Let them choose their decor also—it will provide them a sense of ownership over their space. Even if placing a desk in your child’s room won’t work for you, you can still carve out a small spot among your family’s living space that is designated as the “homework area.”

Clear off one side of your dining room table, leaving it free of clutter. Have a specific drawer for school supplies where your child can find pencils, erasers, a fraction calculator or ruler and scrap paper. This way, at homework time, your child has all the supplies they need and know exactly where to find them.

2. Schedule Time Just for Homework

Kids respond well to routine. Setting up a homework schedule can do wonders for their productivity and concentration. If your child arrives home from school at the same time each day, create a schedule for what happens next.

Maybe they need to unwind a bit before diving into division and word problems. Let them have a healthy snack and 15 to 20 minutes of TV or free time before tackling homework. If your child is involved in sports, you’ll need to take this into consideration when developing a schedule. Maybe homework happens right after school, while their brain is still in “school work” mode. Or, right before dinner. Some children work best at the very end of the day. It’s important to know and learn your child’s work ethic and to create a schedule around that. This will save you both a lot of stress and frustration.

3. Be Involved

Protractors and highlighters aren’t the only tools your child needs to succeed—communication between parent and teacher is an essential tool for educational success. I know from personal experience that I’m not always familiar with the curriculum or techniques that the school is currently using to teach a common math equation. I often ask my son, “How did your teacher explain to do it?” At 7, he doesn’t always remember. To avoid frustration, I send an email to his teacher, asking for clarification. She’ll often respond relatively quickly, with a breakdown of that day’s lesson. Knowing how the information is being taught is an invaluable tool when it comes to helping my son with his homework.

There’s nothing more confusing to a child than having a teacher and a parent try to teach them how to achieve the same answer using two different methods. To avoid this confusion, I recommend keeping in close contact with your child’s instructor. An added benefit to this report is that you can provide your child’s teacher with insight into their learning process. No one knows your child better than you. Maybe your son or daughter works best in the mornings, is left-handed, or needs to read out loud for comprehension. Unless the teacher knows this, your child might experience unnecessary distress. Keep the lines of communication open and both your child and your child’s teacher will thank you!

4. Help—But Don’t Do

This is probably the most difficult part of homework help for me. I have a tendency to give my son the answers, without even realizing that’s what I’m doing!

No one likes to see their child struggle. If your child is getting frustrated or down on themselves during homework time, take a break. Maybe go for a walk, talk about what you’re going to watch on TV that night or your weekend plans.

It’s important that you fight the urge to simply give your child the answers or make the answers obvious without having your child do the work. Without making mistakes or practicing the technique, your child will never learn how to get the answers on their own. Even if in that moment it feels easier just to tell them what to do, in the long run, you’re actually creating more of a hurdle in your child’s learning process.

5. Be a Cheerleader

Even if you never wanted to be a cheerleader in high school, now is the time!

As frustrated as your child might get with their homework, don’t be surprised if you feel the same frustration. It can be emotionally and mentally taxing when your child doesn’t understand the work or the explanation you’re trying to give. Try to stay calm and positive.

Encouraging your child can be a huge aid in their success at homework time. Point out all of your child’s accomplishments, no matter how big or small! “Look at that! You finished your reading three minutes faster than last week,” or “I only helped you with five math problems today, that’s a big improvement from yesterday.” Show your child how proud you are when they take their time and complete their homework correctly and neatly. Even if your child is still struggling, your motivation will keep them from giving up.

The most important thing to remember when helping your child successfully complete their homework assignments is to keep your attitude and the environment positive and productive. Make it a positive experience. This doesn’t mean your child will quickly finish every assignment, every day, without assistance. But it does mean you’re setting them up for success!

 

Featured Photo Courtesy: picjumbo_com/Pixabay

I am a 32 year old mother of a son and wife to an officer. I am honest about both the love and struggle of parenting. I enjoy being active and writing is my passion, second only to my family.

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