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how children learn

Family Fun: Winter Learning Activities

Don’t let this season pass you by. Instead of hibernation this winter get active and keep your mind and body moving with these fun ideas.

Inspire Imagination! Foster your child’s imagination – this season by encouraging them to create their very own dream worlds. Your child can do so by drawing a fantasy world out on paper, creating exotic cities by building sheet forts and finding secret places in the house, or by simply playing pretend with props like scarves, boxes or other household items. These unrefined objects allow children to dive into their imaginations and go wherever they like – with little to no guidance from the grown-ups!

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Math and Children: The Chocolate Math Story

I have shared lots of stories and strategies for teaching visual kids, but even adult learners need things to be more visual. Here’s a story about my time in a college statistics class, overwhelmed by the language and computation, until it became more visual.

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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.

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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.

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A Mother’s Story: Helping Visual Learners Succeed in School

I have been driven for many years, in all I do, to find ways to help children be more confident and successful. Writing Being Visual was a long, labor-intensive process especially for me as a visual learner. I truly believe that when we understand the way our visual kids think, we can help them be more successful. When I hear from parents that have read and applied visual learning techniques, I am enormously grateful to be a part of this important conversation.

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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.

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Being Thankful: A Family Tradition

One of our favorite family traditions happens while we’re eating Thanksgiving dinner. Once the food has been laid before us, in its entire delicious splendor, we say a prayer of welcome and thankfulness. Then serving platters are passed around and food is heaped on every plate. As we begin to dig in, savoring all

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Improved Handwriting: 10 Activities for Kids

Writing is essential to learning. Whether it’s writing essays, taking notes or writing down homework assignments, the physical act of writing is essential to success in the classroom. Here are some things you can do at home to help your child gain mastery when putting pencil to paper.

1. Provide Easy Access – Create a special place for your kids to write and draw. Be sure pencils, paper, crayons and markers are available. Change the paper from time to time. Half or quarter sheets, colors, sticky notes or note cards will keep things fresh.

2. Monkey See – Monkey Do. Children are very influenced by what they see the adults around them doing. Set the technology tools aside for a bit and let your kids see you taking notes, writing lists and signing your name…. on paper!

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