Do you give your children money to buy things at the store?

In today’s society, most people use a credit card.  It is easier than carrying cash.  The simplicity of plastic has carried over into the gifts we give.  Many children receive gift cards to their favorite store for birthdays and other holidays.

With all of these plastic transactions, children are missing out on the opportunity to pay with cash.  They need to learn how to be an active participant in a money transaction.  This is an important life skill that only develops through practice.

(more…)

Do your children eat Chinese food?

Do you go out for pizza?

Do you have a special meal you make that has been passed down from one generation to the next?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have the perfect opportunity to teach your children about food from around the world.  This can be as simple as showing your children where Italy is on a map.  Or you can go into more detail and explain your family tree and discuss why you are making Greek grape leaves.

Each and every day is filled with many teachable moments.  Food is no exception.

(more…)

Do you sing the song Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes with your children?

This song is commonly used to help preschoolers learn body parts.  By age 3, most children know their body parts.  However does your 3 year old know where his/her wrist is?  Elbow?  Ankle?

Why isn’t there a song to teach more specific parts of the body?

(Actually there probably is, I just haven’t looked hard enough).

(more…)

Have you been working on developing your child’s fine motor skills?

Yes I realize that I continue to discuss fine motor activities.  I do this because I want parents to realize that childhood is the time to develop these muscles properly.  There are many studies and articles from occupational therapists regarding children in elementary school who are struggling due to a lack of fine motor skills.

To read more about fine motor skills and the importance of fine motor activities, check out this article:

The Secret to Making Fine Motor Skills Activities Fun for Children

(more…)

Is your child a little mathematician?

For some children, math comes very easy.  They can count and add before they can write their name.  For others, math can be a struggle.  Some do not have the patience (or care) to sit and listen to why Johnny only has 4 apples left in the bucket.  Others do not enjoy the drill and practice of worksheets.

For those of you looking to build your child’s math skills, try and do it by using games.  There are many board games that involve mathematical thinking.  Make math fun!  By playing games, your child will not even know he/she is learning important math skills.

Tip of the Day:

Teach math through the use of board games.

Board games can be very educational as well as help promote family time.

Counting, Adding and Subtracting Games:

Chutes and Ladders

Hi Ho! Cherry-O

Sorry!

Trouble

Uno

Strategy & Spatial Perception:

Battleship

Checkers

Clue

Chess

Connect Four

Jenga

Mancala

Memory

®  Chutes and Ladders, Hi Ho! Cherry-O, Sorry!, Trouble, Uno, Battleship, Clue, Connect Four, and Jenga have a registered trademark.