Exploring the Outdoors
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches,” anywhere in the world. To children it’s a treasure hunt using your GPS or iPhone, which gives the opportunity to explore the […]
The Use of Nursery Rhymes
Nursery rhymes use predictable, repetitive language, which becomes a great tool for teaching toddlers and preschoolers. To use nursery rhymes as a teaching tool, you should remember these basic rules: – When a rhyme mentions a body part, touch, tickle, shake, and/or wiggle it. – When you see a picture of the word you are saying, […]
The Cognitive Science of Gestures
Most people talk with their hands. In fact, gestures seem to arise unconsciously when we speak. There a growing body of research showing that mind and body work closely together in early cognitive development. Gestures reduce memory load and externally manipulate information. We need to keep concepts active while solving a problem or talking on […]
Spatial Exercises
Spatial ability is a category of reasoning skills that refers to the capacity to think about objects in three dimensions and draw conclusions about them from limited information. Someone with good spatial reasoning skills might be particularly quick to finish a tangram puzzle, a game in which smaller shapes must combine to form a larger […]
Worm and Snail Farms for Important and Useful Outdoor Activity
This summer, think about ways to get your child outdoors to play. Two fun ways to be outdoors with nature involve farming. Worm farms can provide fishing bait or monitory gain from selling to bait shacks or fisherman. Snail farms are great for scientific observation. Have fun and enjoy the outdoors. Worm Farm You will […]
Building Developmental Skills with Digital Cameras
You should consider introducing your child to a camera this summer. Digital cameras give opportunities for us to see the world from their perspectives and serves as a useful learning tool to expand vocabularies, develop story-telling skills, and enrich scientific investigations. Remember to let your child choose his/her subjects to photograph. Researchers in Europe gave […]
Fun Activities to Keep Children Active and Learning this Summer
Here are some fun activities to keep children busy this summer. While having fun, they will also be engaged in learning. -Run through the sprinkler -Play in the rain/mud -Make mud pies -Find worms after it rains -Skip rocks -Go fishing -Visit local nature preserve and go on a nature hunt -Take a hike and […]
Making Choices
Do you ever wonder why some preteens and teens seem immature, making bad choices in their daily lives? And, there will always be the child that seems to “have it together” even in those turbulent years. There are many things that garners confidence in a child, but the one we will discuss today is the […]
Using Bath Time as Creative Play
Bath time is an excellent opportunity for creative play. And… oh what fun! Rainbow Bath Paint You need: foaming shaving cream, food coloring, a container (a silicone muffin pan works great), and paint brushes. Directions: Squirt foaming shaving cream in each of the 6 compartments of the muffin tin. Add food color to each one […]
What You Can Do Now That School Is Ending
With school nearing an end, parents become a little anxious about their roll in summer continued learning. We certainly do not wish for the school setting, as children need a break from the rigid structure and stress. But, we want to enrich their school experience. It is also important to vanquish their fears and concerns […]
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect your child’s ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. Early detection and intervention is important. If you suspect your child has hearing loss, trust your instincts and speak with your child’s doctor. Signs and symptoms of hearing loss are different for each child. Look for the following signs, even if […]
Hearing Loss in Children
Two to 3 children out of 1,000 in the U.S. are born deaf or with some loss of hearing, according to the National Institutes of Health. Any kind of early hearing loss can be a serious problem. It can affect language development. There are three types of hearing loss, Conductive hearing loss is due to […]
Child Common Core
The Common Core, due to be fully implemented in the next school year, was developed by the National Governor’s Association, a private organization, with funding from the Gates Foundation, with no public debate about the standards. States adopted the Common Core as part of the “Race to the Top” initiative of the Department of Education, […]
Using Easter Eggs to Teach
Easter Egg Hunt Activities Designed To Teach. Glow in The Dark Eggs: Fun and Cool Night Hunt You need Plastic Easter Eggs, Glow Sticks (found in the dollar section at Target, Michael’s, and Dollar Store) and Tape. Snap glow stick. Put on the connector piece to the glow stick to make it a circle and […]
Easy Ways to Work on Developmental Skills During Easter
With Easter approaching, you can work on developmental skills, while creating family traditions with these activities. Holidays are great times to address developmental skill building through art. Crumbled Tissue Paper Chick: Materials: Construction paper, tissue paper, gift bag (old or new), old cardboard, glue, scissors, tape, pipe cleaner (optional) Cut a circle for […]
Child Independence
Independence is the cornerstone of life, and the sooner we gain it, the better our lives will be. Helping a child grain independence is an important task for moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers. I know we love to cuddle our children, as we should, but independence and cuddling are totally compatible actions. Yes, it is […]
