The 3 P’s for Smarter Kids
If you are looking to shape your kids up to be the next Einstein, we have a three activities that will be a sure fire route to success. By setting up engaging and fun learning activities you, can help promote academic achievement in young children, early in their development.
There have been a host of academic studies showing how constructive play, can help in educational pursuits: Chicago University, Australian Government and UNICEF, among other governments and institutions.
Puzzling
Time to put the iPad down and pick up wooden blocks, jigsaws and basic puzzles. Chunky physical games help a variety of aspects in child development – for all ages.
Most notably motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination can be practiced and honed. This is typically through block games (like Jenga) and jigsaws, careful placing of pieces is useful for fine motor skills which helps with clear handwriting and diligent finger work in instrument playing.
Wooden puzzles can often develop essential skills that are not actively taught in schools – including visual spatial awareness, logical thinking and patience.
Puzzles present a logical process where children can see the procedure that is necessary for success – they also provide for a positive feedback loop. Through hard work and perseverance a child can achieve goals, this will come naturally as the child responds to the “aha moment” on completion.
Painting
Get the creative juices flowing, painting and drawing is both fantastically fun and highly beneficial for your child.
The gift of a paint brush opens the door to expression. Painting of course promotes creativity and enables a child’s mind to tackle tasks objectively. With an open mind, children can be more adept at solving problem and “thinking out the box”.
They learn to express themselves without words, collaborate with other children and adults in a constructive way.
Painting also stimulates both sides of the brain working both emotional and analytical elements – something which child psychologists call “the full brain approach”. It can also be participated in children from all background and at all stages of development.
Playing
Play, play, play – an excellent way for children to blow off steam and learn new skills. Studies have found that children who are more active during recess behave better and achieve better more than school than those who are idle or less active.
Constructive play assists children’s social skills – playing together, to ‘play nice’. It shows that through teamwork and cooperation goals can be achieved together.
Children involved in frequent activities are said to be able to regulate emotions more effectively, and grasp complex social norms easily.
Playing and exercise also sets a good precedent – children who exercise regularly in their early years are more likely to be active adults. Start them off young and hopefully it will blossom into a fruitful long term passion.
Due to the engaged nature of playing – engaged learning allows for more efficient and effective learning. Incorporate numbers and words into play time, some are so subtle you wouldn’t even notice – like counting in hopscotch!
Try and get your child active with these three activities, for smarter, healthier and better behaved children.
