by Ann Bowers
The current teaching of mathematics is often weak in traditional schools. Children are taught math facts and are expected to learn them through rote memory drills. Often children are expected to complete worksheets and textbook exercises, rather than engage in math projects in which math and science concepts are discovered and applied. This results in a lack of understanding of math concepts and leads to poor preparation for the study of math at the university level.
Why is math teaching so poor? Sometimes teachers do not understand math well so they rely on textbooks and drills. Some teachers and parents believe that math is merely the memorization of calculation rules and basic facts. Teachers and parents often had no opportunities to explore math and learn concepts through real-life experiences. Poor grades or negative comments may have made math something to be avoided. Also, children who don’t master the basics fall quickly behind and give up trying to learn math. It’s very important that children are assessed regularly to make sure that they are mastering what is being taught and can use it appropriately.
Filed under Homeschooling, Math by More4kids
Two Friends Reading Together
There are many fun and creative ways to encourage older children to read. Reading is an important skill in many different ways. This is considered to be an active mental process which means that as a child engages in the process, the brain actually becomes "smarter". In addition to this, it helps to increase the vocabulary of the child, which means that they will be able to communicate more effectively throughout their lifetime. There are many other mental processes that are improved when a child reads. These include concentration, focus, memory, and creativity. Reading also assists in building the self-esteem of the child. As parents, we know the importance of reading to our children, but as a child ages, it is important to learn fun and creative ways to encourage them to read to us. In this guide, you will learn some strategies on how to do that.
Bedtime Stories
One of the strategies that can be used in order to encourage older children to read is to have them read bedtime stories to you. It is quite likely that since your child was very young, you have sat down each night when you put them to bed and read to them. As they get a little older and develop their own skills in reading, you should encourage them to read to you! As your child reads to you, encourage them to read with reflection. It is also important that you ask them questions about the pictures and/or concepts covered in the story periodically. This will not only assist in improving their reading, but they will concentrate more and be able to effectively summarize the information that they are reading.
Acting
Believe it or not, even older children enjoy using their imagination. One of the most creative ways that you can encourage your children to read is to get them to physically act out the story that they are reading to you. You may allow them to read directly from the book, or you could encourage them to read the story and then create their own script for it. You can encourage them to use props, stuffed animals, and other things around the house in order to bring the story alive. Children of all ages will enjoy acting out stories to their parents and even their siblings. More on Fun and Creative Ways to Encourage Older Children to Read
Filed under Education, Reading Skills by More4kids
by Ann Bowers
One of the biggest worries for homeschooling parents is that they feel they have no artistic abilities and, therefore, no talent for teaching fine arts to their homeschooled children. There are a number of good home school art curricula that can support parents in this area. Select one that has basic, easy instructions on how to draw, paint, and so forth. Be sure the one you choose has the type of projects you wish your children to participate in: crafts, drawing, painting, art appreciation, etc. The curriculum should also address several age levels, including those of your children. You need to direct the lessons and encourage your children. You will find many art and craft lessons and projects online. If you participate yourself, you can teach the children that perfection, or even minimal talent, isn’t necessary. The most important lesson for them to learn is that trying and enjoying are goals in themselves, regardless of the quality of the products produced.
Filed under Fine Arts, Homeschooling by More4kids
Last Minute Back to School Tips
It is August, which for many children across the nation it means that school is just around the corner. While we as parents try to pack in as much end of the summer fun as possible. We also need to make sure that we are getting our kids and ourselves ready for school to start. Regardless of whether you excited about your little ones (no matter how old they are) heading back into their routine, or you are rather anxious over the first day, these tips are going to help make that first day easier for everyone.
Remember when it comes to children, big or small, they are able to adjust better when they have a schedule or routine to keep. For you the parent that means reinstituting the earlier bedtime. Depending on the age of your children you want to make sure that they are going to bed early enough that they are going to get the amount of sleep they need to make it through the school day. Each age group needs a certain amount of sleep. More on Last Minute Back to School Tips
More4Kids Inc. specializes in Personalized Gifts for children and parenting information. We are a Tennessee based corporation that is headquarted in Chattanooga. Our products include homemade personalized baby bibs and blankets, personalized books, music and software. Out of our love for Children came the inception of More4kids.info. Since "kids don't come with an instruction manual", our goal is to become a leading provider of information and resources for parents. More4kids.info is working hard to build an online community that brings parents, families, and teachers together in order to share ideas and information, in order to improve our most precious gift of all, our children.
Filed under Uncategorized by More4kids Inc
Most of us can remember the first book we ever read. Can you? Words are incredibly powerful. They invoke images of far away lands; scary castles; or princesses looking for their knights in shining armor. They can also become friends. Yes, books are the window through which your child sees and experiences different worlds; viewpoints; the fantasies and realities of life. So what are the benefits of reading to your children? Oh, so many, one could write a book on the subject.
Filed under Learning Skills, Listenting Skills, Reading Skills by More4kids
Many children have already started school, some, like my kids start next week right after Labor Day. Many kids too will be starting a new school. You may have great reasons for moving — a much better job, better schools, closer to family, etc. But whatever your reason, moving is almost always hard on your children. In fact, Cincinnati pediatrician Dr. Mona Mansour found in a study that children who change schools frequently are more likely to have both academic and behavioral issues. Fortunately, you can help your children adjust to their new schools and make the transition easier. Here are a few ideas.
More on Back to School - Are You Starting A New School This Year?
Filed under Learning Skills, Reading Skills by Kevin
There are a number of advantages to homeschooling your child. One of the main advantages to educating your child in the comfort of your home is that you can appropriately instill values in the homeschool classroom. You no longer must worry about the “morals” your child is obtaining from their peer, their teachers, and other faculty and staff members in the traditional classroom setting. Here, you will learn some important information regarding the process of instilling values in the homeschool classroom.
Filed under Homeschooling, Homework by More4kids
You may have great reasons for moving — a much better job, better schools, closer to family, etc. But whatever your reason, moving is almost always hard on your children. In fact, Cincinnati pediatrician Dr. Mona Mansour found in a study that children who change schools frequently are more likely to have both academic and behavioral issues. Fortunately, you can help your children adjust to their new schools and make the transition easier.
by Jennifer Cartwright
Many parents are choosing to home school their children for a variety of reasons ranging from dissatisfaction with a particular individual in the school system to religious reasons. It is important for a parent to understand his or her specific reason for choosing home schooling and to be aware of the work involved in home schooling. It is not a choice to be made lightly or in the heat of the moment. This article will explore rationales for a decision to home school and look at the ramifications of the choice to home school.
Filed under Homeschooling by More4kids Inc
