What do you do when your child should be learning his/her letters, but simply does not care?  You’re right.  You should give up and let the preschool or kindergarten teacher handle it.  WRONG!  Find a new way to teach them.

I found myself in this situation when I realized my daughter did not care to learn her letters in the same way as my son.  My son loved to sit and do letter puzzles or even go through flashcards.  My daughter not so much.  She is my mover and shaker.  So I had to find a way to teach them according to her learning style - movement.

Studies on brain research shows that exercise generates new brain cells.  So by getting my daughter moving, I was able to teach letters and grow brain cells.  How great!

Check out this news story of a physical education teacher that is dramatically improving reading scores in his district.

KSTP News Story

After watching this story, I decided to take this information and adapt it to younger children.

I created the Letter Run.

Tip of the Day:

Create a letter run in your home.

1.  Start by writing 5 letters on notecards and tape them up on walls and doors around the house.

2.  Walk around with your child and name each letter.

3.  After they know where the letters are shout, “Letter Run”.  This time they have to run to a letter and tell you what it is.  The first couple times they may need help.

4.  Throughout the day randoming shout, “Letter Run!” and they will begin to do the letter circuit.  Go around with them and have them tell you all the letters.

My kids think this is great.

Remember:  If they like the activity, continue to do it through the week.  However, do NOT do it every day.  You do not want them to get bored.  Change the letters once they have mastered them.

You can adapt this activity in many ways.  It can be used for shapes, colors, numbers or even spelling words for older children.  Be creative!

Children all have a favorite story.  They ask for it every day and every day you think to yourself, “Not that one again!”.  However much to your dismay repetition is great for children.  In the book, Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten, the author points out that repetition stimulates memory which is critical for language development.

Tip of the Day:

Once your child has committed a story to memory, make a change to it.  First start with a dramatic change.  For example if there is a “red bird” change it to a “red elephant”.  Younger children will give you a puzzled look or stop you.  Older children will most often correct your mistake.

Throughout the week continue this activity but instead of dramatic changes begin to make subtle ones.  Making subtle changes help a child refine his/her memory skills.  This also enhances a child’s discrimination abilities.

A change in the story not only helps your child’s memory, but helps you make it through Brown Bear, Brown Bear for the 20th tiime.  You will find that this activity produces a lot of smiles and giggles as your child will think you are just a little crazy.

Can you name the Supreme Court Justices?  Can you name one of them?  Watch this video of 4 year old Emma from Florida who can name all of them while hula hooping.

Emma is a great example of how easy it can be to learn facts with music.  A number of studies have been done on music and memory.  The theory is that rhythm improves the mind’s ability to recall information.  Therefore often times teachers will help students memorize by putting content in a chant or a song.

I found a CD called, Sing to Learn by Dr. Jean that is excellent for teaching content through music.  Both my 6 year old and 2 1/2 year old can sing the presidents in chronological order after listening to the song (of course this was after they played it over and over).

Never underestimate the power of music!

Idea of the Day:

Try memorizing the Supreme Court Justices like Emma did.  Watch the video a few times until you have the melody and practice it.  I did this with my two kids and within a half and hour all of us could sing them.  We did this activity back in February.  Today I started the song to see if they remembered it and both of them could still sing it.  You will be surprised at how quickly you can learn them.

Here is a cheat sheet of the names to help you out.

Bryer, Thomas, Ginsburg, Alito, Kennedy, Stevens, Roberts, Scalia and David Souter

After you try it send me your results.  Who was able to pick it up faster, you or your child?

If you have problems loading the video, try using this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW51XW4_OL4

Do you realize the role you play in developing your child’s brain?  Do you realize that the everyday experiences you provide for your child is actually affecting how his/her brain will become wired?  YIKES!  No pressure, right?

In an article titled, “Understanding Brain Development in Young Children”, the author Sean Brotherson discusses that scientists have found that once a child is born the brain continues to form based on experiences.  Children experience the world through the use of their senses.  Therefore it is important that parents and educators provide children with experiences and lessons that incorporate a number of senses.  The more senses the better!

Tip of the Day:

Children will learn and remember things more if they, See it, Hear it,  and Touch it.  Here is an example for those of you teaching your children their letters.  When you are reading a story, have them hold a letter in their hand (whether it be a magnetic letter or one from an alphabet puzzle).  As you read the story, on each page point out the letter that your child is holding.  During this activity your child is able to see the letter, hear the letter and touch the letter.