Math practice, especially just rote math practice, can be very boring. But I’ve found that presenting math on new and interesting mediums can persuade a pretty reluctant child to practice their math. We regularly find new ways to practice. I remember the first time I saw a dry erase board. Vividly. It was Take Your…
Learning a language, at any point in life, can develop brain pathways that make a significant difference throughout our lives. And don’t for one second believe the myth that it’s easier for kids to learn a new language – untrue! In fact, when using immersion programs adults and kids learn at the same speed (same…
We got one of those amazing spy kits last year and there were a lot of fun activities in it for breaking codes and whatnot. I noticed a few that they came back to over and over and the red cellophane thing was one of them. It was almost like magic! So of course I…
Pokemon is awesome and multiplication facts stink, right? That’s pretty much what Baloo thinks, but he’s 9… Well, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard of Pokemon Go. We immediately jumped on and joined the game and we are having a blast. Now, you guys know me, I will take advantage of any…
I love playing board games with the boys and I hate it at the same time. On the one hand, it’s great for learning how to take turns, losing to lose, learning to win, and it’s great family time. On the other hand, it’s heartbreaking to watch your kid getting more and more frustrated by…
I’m sure I don’t have the only kids that will talk your ear off about Minecraft, right? Baloo (nearly 10) and I just went on an errand that took about an hour total and I swear he did not take a breath the entire time. His entire stream of thoughts just came pouring out and…
We are well into summer which means the regular kind of cool activities are no longer cutting it. I’m having to up my game. A few years ago I did a bunch of activities featuring water and I thought I wanted to do more like that. Well, the activity morphed beyond water play, but it…
Practicing multiplication facts is boring. I don’t remember it being an issue as a kid, but I was really into school. My kids aren’t like that. They don’t learn for no reason. Learning is a natural response to an interest, and they’re not interested in math facts. I wouldn’t push, but I think memorizing facts…
I kind of have a love/hate relationship with holidays but I really enjoy getting in a holiday mood. And the Fourth of July is a pretty tame holiday. There just aren’t as many expectations as other holidays. Have a BBQ, see the fireworks, curse at your neighbors still celebrating at 11 p.m. (even though it’s…
Science is the ultimate tool to get kids interested in learning (in my opinion). Science can cover so many subjects and it can be so much fun. When we get into a rut, it’s time to pull out some science. But I’ve noticed a trend (and I am totally guilty of this too) where we…
We have just started really using week 1 and I have to say, it’s going better than I thought. None of them like to write and there is a good amount of writing in the program. But they don’t mind this writing!! Baloo, the one most adverse to writing, actually asked me to print out…
Road trips sound like a lot of fun until you are facing one with a toddler. Even a young child. But I promise you, road trips with kids can be fun. Even with toddlers. I come to this topic with a good bit of experience. We made the drive from Alabama to Arizona (27 hours…)…