How young is to young for study skills?

Homework is dreadful term among students but in actuality teaching children early on good homework habits may be the most influential lesson they will ever learn.  Despite popular belief among children, homework is not a useless torturing device.  

In fact, homework sharpens organization skills and encourages the self- discipline that is needed to work independently which carries throughout life.  Children need the tools and support from schools, teachers and parents to succeed in learning and absorbing materials.

Two resources to help parents with homework battles are “Helping Children With Homework” (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy866) and the helpful online guide offered by the U.S Depart of Eduction, “Let’s Do Homework.”

Homework can start as early as kindergarten.  Children love to learn, they absorb every thing that happens from playing, listening and watching the behaviors or children and adults around them.  What adults need to realize is that children need the freedom to make mistakes, ask questions and work on their weaknesses without feeling embarrassed, belittled or ashamed.  Mistakes are the learning tools for our future.

When a child is not able to concentrate or learn there is an emotional barrier that is frustrating for both the child, teacher and parent.

• Listen, Listen, Listen.  Open your ears and listen to what your children are struggling with in order to help them conquer the emotional block that prevents progress.

Schools are experiencing larger class sizes and less teachers.  They are not set up to help children with the stresses that prevent them from learning and keeping up with the rest of the class.  It is natural for children to crave one on one attention in order to learn, the idea of twenty children all competing for one teachers attention is the unnatural aspect of learning in school.  

At Kumon we strive to identify the origin of learning frustrations and give the one on one attention that children need to get over the learning bumps and feel confident in raising hands, showing math problems and participating in the classroom.

When you went to school how many students were in your classroom?

The effects of a great book!

Summer reading may be over but reading throughout the school year has more than just good grades  associated with it.  Research shows that an immersive read, regardless of the type of book, can result in an immediate mental insight boost.

How could that be?

1)   As you picture the scenes from each chapter your visualization skills sharpen.

2)   A workout for your brain as memory and focus come together to organize the incoming details as you read.

3)  Critical thinking heightens as you begin evaluating what your are absorbing from the content.

Individuals who read books that engage their minds regularly reap the long term benefits such as,

feeling more compassionate and empathetic within one month.  Having your children read opens their minds to different views, opinions, experiences and places that help them put themselves in other people’s shoes to 

see other aspects of life.

3) Want to be 52% less likely to develop cognitive impairment?  According to a study in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, a theory for this statistic is that reading activates the neural pathways that lessen with age.

Reading each night with children encourages reading habits that last long after the dismissal bell.  

For great reads go to www.goodreads.com or http://childrensbooks.about.com/

Get your children to love nature

This Fall season between crisp weather, new school year and budding sports seasons beating the challenge of getting children to spend more time outside when they are not doing homework can seem daunting.  The suffocating glow of electronics makes it difficult to encourage outdoor adventures when prying children away from smartphones, iPads, computers, television and video games is a fight not worth picking.

 

Almost half of children aged between ten and twelve spend less than thirty minutes outside each day.  As a result from the lack of outdoor activity, 40% of five to eight year olds suffer cardiac risk factors.  Seems shocking but once the school bell dismisses students, the average teenage will spend over seven hours each day texting, watching television and playing video games.

 

In a recent article by Better Homes and Gardens, a parent shares how they approached the wrath of electronics when all children see are their peers texting away. The article went on to describe the trivial question of when a good age is to allow smart phones and electronics in the hands of children.  How will it effect their school work, will they put it aside to interact with peers face to face and will they know how to play a real sports game that doesn’t involve a remote controller?

If you ask a child what their favorite part of the school day was the majority would answer, recess.  Being outside disconnects children from what is going on a school and the same at home.  Playing outside should not be viewed as wasted time because it acts as an important role in the way children develop physically, socially and emotionally.

Benefits of outdoor play:

1.    Outdoors allows children’s bodies to make vitamin D, which they need to develop healthy bones, reduce risks of heart diseases and high blood pressure.

2.    Gain better sleep and improved behavior from running, jumping, climbing, bike riding, yelling and working off stress.

3.    Strengthens logical thinking and ability to reason.  Building sand castles, playing games with other children and exploring nature help children develop.

4.    Encourages children to utilize their imagination, discover what their interests are and take risks. 

The social skills that children need to learn at a young age through playing outdoors will stay with them throughout life. 

Do you still remember playing outdoors before their were electronics to distract you?

What activity will you encourage outdoors this Fall?

To read more about outdoor play and development check out http://suite101.com/article/benefits-of-outdoor-play-for-children-a183901#ixzz27PVyZJPp

Top Brain foods to give your children a major boost

Top Brain foods to give your children a major boost

The new school year is approaching and the smell of new sneakers and school supplies are filling the air.  This year give your children the fuel to power through the day feeling energized, motivated and eager to learn!

Helpful Brain Foods:

1.    Start off the day right with a healthy breakfast.  Studies have shown that children who eat a health breakfast do better academically with fewer behavioral issues.  Try oatmeal, scrambled eggs and toast.

2.    Keep the energy up with a balanced lunch.  Your children are relying on lunch to get them through the remaining day, so settling for many of the school lunches which are high in fat and sugar will result in an afternoon crash.  Try making a turkey wrap, peanut butter and banana sandwhich or salmon salad just like a tuna salad.

3.    End the day with a flavorful dinner that has half the plate covered in fresh colorful vegetables, and the other half split between lean protein and whole grains.

4.    Everyone loves a snack so try apple slices dipped in honey or peanut butter, yogurt or trail mix.

What meal gets you through the day?  Tell us in the comments below.

Does Music Enhance Math Skills?

Having children participate in sports, band and extra curricular activities is a positive way of getting them involved in the community and developing necessary social skills.  

The influence of music may actually do more than just having your child meet new friends, or build upon a passion and learn new songs.  In fact, research has proven that teaching music increases math and literacy skills in children of all ages.

Uncovering the research behind the statement showed two groups of children where one group studied music while the other did not.  In the group that studied music, the children showed a greater improvement in literacy, math and IQ.  To read the full report visit http://www.ehow.com/about_7231124_music-affect-reading-math-scores_.html

The dreaded four letter word M-A-T-H is often feared among children and even adults.  We are quick to say, “I am not good at math.”  The idea that you are poor at math transfers over to a more difficult time learning it.  Instilling a positive image for your children throughout their life, including math, will reduce frustrations and help provide a stimulating learning environment that welcomes math instead of cringing at the thought.

Improve math skills while learning a new instrument and enjoying the sound of music.  What instrument does your child want to learn? Tell us in the comments below.