| This winter's extreme snowstorms in the Mid | | | | 1. For kindergartners specifically, attention should |
| Atlantic taught many parents a valuable lesson as | | | | be placed on academic rote memorization using |
| it pertains to their children's day to day education: | | | | math and reading/phonics drills. |
| like travel plans, make sure you have a plan B. | | | | 2. Children's normal attention span is usually double |
| After two days of mandatory hibernation, many | | | | the minutes of their age, give or take a couple of |
| parents were running out of homework and | | | | minutes, and depending on the individual child. For |
| educational ideas for their kids. | | | | example: a 6 year old will only have 12 to 15 |
| My son's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lydia | | | | minutes of true academic memory recollection in |
| Henderson, lends some useful tips for home | | | | a setting. They should have at least this much |
| schooling children while homebound (or | | | | time of a break before engaging into a new |
| hotel-bound) due to adverse weather. | | | | subject. However, parents know their children |
| For language development, Mrs. Henderson | | | | best. |
| suggests the following activities: | | | | 3. Children should stay on schedule as much as |
| | | | possible during vacation or inclement weather |
| 1. Make a poem using words like "toy" and "tree" | | | | absences. They should arise and sleep close to |
| for example. Illustrate the poem, then add color | | | | the norm for a school day. However, eating |
| to the pictures. Next, mail the poem to a friend (if | | | | arrangements can vary. Study time should take |
| you can make it to the post office). Parents can | | | | place between 8:30 and 10:30 in the morning as |
| discuss the mailing process to their child, explaining | | | | this is the most productive learning time for |
| who delivers the mail and how it is delivered. | | | | young children. |
| 2. Generate discussion with your child about why | | | | 4. Try to maintain a routine and not allow your |
| donuts have holes. You can explain the following | | | | child to roam aimlessly around the house. Though |
| possible solutions: a.) they cook faster; b.) are | | | | they should be given some time to themselves, |
| easier to eat this way; c.) are stackable; d.) can | | | | limit your child's alone time on TV, video games, |
| be carried with one finger; e.) can easily be stung | | | | and the computer. |
| together like beads; or f.) can be used as a ring | | | | 5. Whether you are at home or are traveling, use |
| toss when they harden. Children can practice their | | | | the weather environment to teach your child. You |
| neat writing habits by jotting down the solutions | | | | can discuss the scientific process of snow, rain, |
| on a colorful piece of paper. Then they can eat a | | | | thunder, and lightening as it is taking place. |
| donut for fun! | | | | 6. Don't be concerned if one day at home doesn't |
| Mrs. Henderson makes the point that everything | | | | go completely as planned in regards to the |
| around us is a learning tool and can be manipulated | | | | learning. You can always come back to the |
| in fun and creative ways for our children - even a | | | | assignment later or even the next day. |
| donut! | | | | Most importantly, Mrs. Henderson suggests |
| Here are some other things she feels parents | | | | enjoying your child where they're at right now. |
| need to be mindful of: | | | | Don't miss out on that sweet growing time with |
| | | | them! |