April 4, 2008
Many young children lack the physical and cognitive ability to play a video game that requires a console and hand-held controls. That does not stop some of them from experimenting with computer games at very young ages.
Though it's tempting to tend to something else while your child is absorbed by the images and sounds of an electronic game, the greatest learning will take place when he's interacting with you as well as the game. Asking him questions, giving him a chance to show you what he's mastered and letting him describe a game as he sees it are all ways to help him get the most out of his computer or video-game playtime. (Don't be surprised, by the way, if he sees a game quite differently than you do.)
4 Ways to Make the Most of Electronic Games
- Ask your child questions about the video or computer games he likes.
Your questions will get your child thinking about what comes next: What are you trying to do? What happens if you push that button? If you feel unsure of a game, join in and get to know what's involved.
- Ask your child what he discovered about a new game or level.
Find out what your child understands about his computer play. Because what he has accomplished is not the same as what he has discovered, you may need to ask guiding questions: What did you do that was new? Have you ever done that before?
- Limit how much time your child plays electronic games.
Physical games outdoors, interacting with friends and family, making arts and crafts, and exploring other kinds of play are all key to his development.
- Familiarize yourself with game ratings and reviews beforehand.
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board rates both video games and computer games. Web sites such as VideoGame Review offer editorial and consumer reviews. After reading a few reviews, rent or borrow a game and try it out before you consider buying it.
4 Software Qualities that Benefit Children's Development
- Multiple levels of difficulty.
Being able to set the skill level allows your child to begin in an open-ended "explore" mode. As he masters the program, he can then move on to more challenging levels at his own pace.
- Chances to make decisions.
Look for games and activities that give your child opportunities to express his preferences and interests, rather than having everything preset by the software. The freedom to select a color or a character at the outset of a game—as well as the chance to make other choices throughout the play—will develop your child's independence and sense of control
- Multiple players at once.
Playing a computer game or program with someone else—another child or perhaps you—gives your child a chance to talk about what he's learning and discovering. These conversations are a great way to find out what he is experiencing. You may be surprised: what you see your child doing may be different from what he thinks he's doing.
- Absence of stereotypes and violence.
Subtle gender and cultural bias may be embedded in some activities. A character's voice, for example, may connect a certain accent to a negative behavior. Read online reviews or rent games before you make any purchase. Avoid games whose characters use violence to resolve conflict.
For more information, visit www.pbs.org/parents.
April 11, 2008
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The Hundred Penny Box
by Sharon Bell Mathis
Arthur Breaks the Bank
by Marc Brown
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April is Financial Education Month. So, we’re making money!
Homemade “Play” Money
Make pretend money by cutting paper in the shape of a dollar bill and have the children decide what their money would look like.
What you need:
- Paper
- Scissors
- Crayons or markers
- Glue (optional)
- Photos (optional)
What you do:
- Take a piece of plain paper and cut a rectangle the size of a dollar bill.
- Use crayons or markers to color and decorate the dollar bill. (This is where much of the children’s creativity comes into play.)
- If you have photos of your children, they could glue pictures of themselves on the paper money to personalize it.
- Give the bill a value. Will it be a one dollar bill? A five dollar bill?
You can use these bills and the coins we touched on in previous Ready, Set, Learn lessons to teach basic math. But why stop there? Here’s a great way to work language arts and social studies into your activities too.
The Hundred Penny Box
Using a penny and its date, ask your children to remember and write about an important event in their lives. This activity comes from a book by Sharon Bell Mathis called "The Hundred Penny Box.” In the story, a 100-year-old woman has collected a penny for each birthday she's celebrated and uses the collection to recount the stories of her life.
What you need:
- A box
- A penny
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Stickers, pom poms, ribbon
What you do:
- Using a penny and its date, ask your children to remember and write about an important event in their lives.
- Take your box and decorate it to create your very own “Hundred Penny Box”. Use crayons or markers to color and decorate the box. If desired, add additional decorations with stickers, ribbon, pom poms, and construction paper cut-outs.
- Place the penny in the box.
- Repeat this activity using pennies from different years to collect many, many great stories.
April 18, 2008
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The Berenstain Bears, DON’T POLLUTE (anymore)
by Stan & Jan Berenstain
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What is Earth Day? In the early 60’s, former senator, Gaylord Nelson was concerned about how unclean the earth had become and how it was adversely affecting our plants and animals. Because of his interest, others began to take notice and wanted to make changes to improve the quality of Earth. All of this eventually led to Earth Day! This year, Earth Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 22, 2008. It is a day that has been set aside to remember our planet and the importance of taking care of it! Some may wonder why it is important to recycle. Did you know that it takes 1 million years just for glass to decompose? In the United States, Americans throw out 2.5 million plastic bottles each year! For fun, find out if you are living green? Go to http://just-for-mom.quiz.kaboose.com/30-are-you-living-green/2.
What things can we do as parents and educators to teach our children the importance of preserving our earth? Here are just a few tips from www.kaboose.com!
- Reduce Electricity
- When not in use, turn off the lights, video games, televisions, and computers
- Help your parents hang clothes on the line rather than using the dryer
- Do not Waste Water
- Shut the water off when brushing your teeth
- Take short showers
- Reduce Gas Usage
- Walk or ride your bike instead of traveling in a car
Here is an eco-friendly craft to share with your child or student. For more eco-friendly crafts, go to www.kaboose.com!
What you'll need:
- Smooth, round or oval rocks, washed and dried
- Acrylic craft paint in colors of our choice
- Black acrylic craft paint
- 2 wiggle eyes for each ladybug
- Black Sharpie marker
- Acrylic matte sealer spray
- White craft glue (Tacky Glue)
How to make it:
- Completely wash and dry all rocks.
- Paint rocks in desired colors, allow to dry. Apply second and third coats if needed. Lighter colors will require more coats than darker shades.
- Paint head on using black acrylic craft paint. There is no pattern needed, simply paint about ¼ of the rock black in the “front”.
- Use a black Sharpie to draw a straight line down the center of the rock, starting at the center of the base of the “head”.
- Dip the end of a large paint brush, or the eraser of a pencil, in black craft paint. Dot on the spots, reloading with paint after every dot.
- Once the paint is dry, spray the rock(s) with acrylic sealer spray. Allow sealer to dry completely.
- using white craft glue, attach wiggle eyes and let dry.
April 25, 2008
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The Greedy Triangle
by Marilyn Burns
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Sunshine Necklace
What You Need:
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Paint
- Beads(optional)
- Markers or crayons
- String or ribbon
- Glitter or salt
- Wiggly eyes
What You Do:
- Cut out a circle of construction paper to form the base of the sun.
- Cut out sun rays from construction paper and glue them to the circle base.
- Paint the sun yellow, orange, red, or whatever color suits your creative style!
- Tap glue or salt on finished project for a little extra sparkle.
- Glue on the wiggly eyes and draw a big smile using a marker or crayon.
- Finally, punch a hole in the top for the string or ribbon. Pull the string through the hole and tie a knot at the top.
- Now it’s time to try your necklace on and enjoy the beautiful rays of sunshine!
Suggested Viewing:
IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD #122 "World Tree Day
“World Tree Day” -- It is World Tree Day and Snook has made badges to give to all of the residents who do something nice for the tree.
SUPER WHY! #127 “Tiddalick the Frog”
Whyatt’s mom tells him that he’s wasting water. This is a really big problem and he’s not sure how to fix it. So the Super Readers dash into the Australian folk tale of Tiddalick the Frog and make the acquaintance of a funny amphibian whose puddle jumping is using up all the water and leaving his neighbors in the dust – literally! As the Super Readers help Tiddalick and his dry friends, they learn how important water is to the planet along with a valuable lesson about conservation.
Recycling Song:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
(Sung to: Itsy Bitsy Spider)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – words that we all know.
We have to save our planet so we can live and grow.
We might be only children but we will try, you’ll see.
And we can save this planet – it starts with you and me!
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