Learning Outside the Classroom - Kid Friendly Activities to Try at Home

Laura Pearson sent me her article and I am pleased to  post it on my blog.  The revised edition of my book, now titled "Trust Children", is doing the rounds with publishers and I am hoping to be back on this blog and more active soon. This terrifying pandemic along with the fragility and failure of many of our systems offers a stark warning. I hope that you, too, are using this time to  imagine a world that is more sustainable, more just and much less violent. We must all commit ourselves to doing what we can to make those dreams a reality for our children and grandchildren.  Make your extra time with your children a gift, not a burden by following Laura's advice.  Let's wear our masks and stay well!  Anna

Learning Outside the Classroom: Kid-Friendly Activities to Try at Home
by Laura Pearson

Whether your kids are restless after months of social distancing, you’re attempting to hold off summer slide before school starts, or your children struggled with distance learning in the spring and you want them to get caught up, there are some fun and effective learning strategies you can try from the comfort of your home. When you incorporate technology, teach history in an exciting way, and read together as a family, you can make the experience of learning much more enjoyable for your children. To learn more about kid-friendly learning activities, read on!
Utilize TechnologyWhile too much screen time could do more harm than good — especially if your children spend much of their time watching television or playing video games — quality screen time has been shown to improve problem solving abilities, teach kids important tech skills that could one day land them in a rewarding, high-paying career, boost their imagination and creativity, and enhance the learning experience overall. Some of the best technologies for helping kids learn include:

• Websites, tools, and apps that teach kids about STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
• Online education programs that help children to improve their reading skills.
• Educational video games for computers, tablets, handheld devices, and gaming platforms.

 
To find the right gadgets for your little ones, check out Verizon’s Family Tech Guide. Here, you’ll find information on selecting the best types of tech devices based on the ages of your kids. Plus, companies like Verizon offer expert advice on introducing tech into your home, protecting your devices, and keeping your kids safe online. 
Teach GenealogyAmid the pandemic, you may be eager to try something new and exciting with your little ones — and genealogy could be just the activity you’re looking for. Genealogy is a fun and educational activity that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, and it’s something that could occupy hours and hours of your time once you start down the rabbit hole of researching your family’s origins. Your little ones will learn all about your family’s history, and it could even inspire them to learn a new language or develop an appreciation for the study of history.
 
To assist you in building your family tree, USAGov has several free genealogy resources on its website. Or, you could get started with websites like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or FamilySearch.org. 
Read TogetherWhether your little one struggles with reading comprehension — or you’re simply looking for some ways to build a stronger family bond from home — reading together is one learning activity you’ll want to incorporate into your daily routine. By reading with your child on a regular basis, you’ll help to build your little one’s vocabulary, improve his or her attention span and communication skills, and enrich the relationship you share with your child.
Encourage Learning at HomeFor some additional tips on helping your child to learn outside of the classroom, check out Anne Cummings Jacopetti’s book titled: What Are We Going To Learn Today? In this book, you’ll learn how to teach your kids through storytelling, exposure to the arts, new experiences, time spent in nature, and more.
 
As you work to expand your little one’s knowledge at home, keep in mind that learning styles vary among most children — and you’ll need to understand your child’s preferred style in order to support him or her as best as possible. Some kids learn best through visualizing and moving, while others are auditory or logical learners. To help your little one succeed in school and in life, it’s important to take the time to identify your child’s learning style — as well as your own.