creativity for children
The Mind Research Institute: Teaching Math Without Words
This morning I was looking on line to see what kind of things are being done in elementary schools, to teach math visually and came across this video; Teaching Math Without Words: A Visual Approach to Learning Math Through Software.
In the video Dr. Matthew Peterson shares some great insights on why the current language heavy approach to teaching math is not working, especially for children that learn visually and conceptually. In answer to these challenges, their group, The Mind Research Institute has developed math-learning software to use in the classroom and is yielding impressive results. This video includes examples of their software – which I must admit – move way too fast for me to fully grasp. But when seeing the children working and discussing, in front of their computers, the programs seem to move at a pace that invites engagement and understanding.
Art and Academics: A Matched Set
Art has long been perceived as a fun activity, with little academic impact or value in an educational system focused on literacy and test scores. Because of this misconception, art programs across the country are being eliminated in staggering numbers. While the cuts may help the bottom line, our students are paying the price. Research has proven time and time again, that art is essential to academic success, and many of our children can’t learn without it.
Family Fun: Winter Activities For Kids
Get Moving: Ice skating is a fun way to be together as a family. Gross motor movements engage the whole body promoting a healthy lifestyle and a healthy brain. Use this site to find rinks in your neighborhood, (Canada too!)
Family Activities: Bust Out Those Crayons
Over the Holidays, the Elgin Community Network organized a Community Thanksgiving Dinner. They collected turkey and dessert donations, recruited volunteers and expected to feed close to twelve hundred people a free Thanksgiving dinner. Our family volunteered for the morning shift, excited for the opportunity to give of ourselves.
3 Fun Activities: Winter Crafts for Kids
Want to keep your kids busy while you get ready for the holidays? Here are some fun ways to keep your kids busy on the upcoming days off.
Scissors and Snowflakes: Kids of all ages can enjoy the fun of making snowflakes with scissors and paper. The act of paper folding, careful cutting (use age appropriate scissors) and observing the ensuing patterns are great visual tactile activities. Have everyone in the family participate, and decorate walls windows or packages with snowflakes that don’t freeze, but will warm you all winter long.
Handwriting and Children: Practice Makes Perfect
Today, much to our daughter’s delight, our grandson displayed an outpouring of all the ways he’s been learning to write. Brayden attends a great preschool and has been consistently exposed to letters, numbers and opportunities to write. Being a kinesthetic, active little boy he does write but often prefers more physical, social activity. Yet, today was a special day. Brayden sat and wrote and wrote and wrote his name! With much delight and pride in what he was doing, he wrote all the letters in the correct order again and again.