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Children... Our Natural-Born Scientists

9/29/2014

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‘Children are natural-born scientists. They have enquiring minds, and they aren’t afraid to admit that they don’t know something. If you think about the spirit of science, deciding what you want to find out, setting out how you’re going to discover it, then carrying out the experiment and coming to a conclusion, that’s how kids work… So it’s not a case of getting kids interested in science. You just have to find a way to avoid killing the passion for learning that they were born with… We have to nurture that joy of discovery that characterizes all learning, from a child just starting to walk to the cutting edge of scientific research.’

These were the words of Richard Hammond, host of BBC television’s Blast Lab, writing in New Scientist Magazine.

Now the question arises: How are we, as homeschooling parents, supposed to ‘nurture that joy of discovery’ in our kids? Agreed, it is easier said than done. But a couple of simple steps are all that’s required from our ends in order to open up the joys of science to our children.

One way is to let them spend some time in nature. This doesn’t mean taking a holiday from work and visiting a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary with them in tow. You could just use your backyard or garden as a natural play area – spend some time kneeling over the wildflowers in the yard and trying to identify them with your children, set up a homemade bird feeder and entrust its responsibility to your child or simply spend twenty minutes a day gardening and tending to plants. A wonderful, hands-on way to learn about the natural world is as simple as that!

One fine day my daughter came in running to the kitchen with a small cut on her finger and was alarmed at how much blood came out of the cut. As I bandaged it, I explained to her that one drop of blood has more than five million red blood cells in it. This left her wide-eyed and since then she’s always coming up with new questions regarding the working of the human body which I am only too pleased to answer.
The key here is to understand that you can’t force kids to learn. Sometimes they might get disengaged and wander off or may turn a deaf ear to whatever you’re trying to tell them. Don’t worry; they’ll eventually come back as soon as they’re ready to take in and learn more.

Early years science – after all, it’s “Elementary, my dear Watson.”



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Mom versus Television

9/23/2014

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Photo Courtesy: Family Education
Mom versus Television – a parenting battle you aren’t ever likely to win. The other day, I found my kids gathered around the television (as usual). Contrary to how I generally react, I snuggled down next to them on the couch and started watching the Disney show that was on. I could feel their eyes on me for a couple of seconds and their minds wondering, ‘What has got into Mom today?’

Television can be a great way to have strong bonding experiences with your kids. Initially there may be some inevitable eye-rolling from your kids at the mere idea of family TV viewing, but eventually this idea can lead to fun family bonding times spent together in front of the idiot box, replete with jokes and laughter.

However, if you’re one of those moms who plan to convert TV time into an extended science lesson in disguise, then beware… Today’s kids are pretty smart and they’ll get the hint immediately. And there goes your idea down the drain!

So here’s what I’ve done: I’ve tried to transform our TV den into a family room of sorts. Each one of us in the family has contributed something to the décor of the room – my daughter (the aspiring artist) has her paintings up on the walls, my son’s toy cars are scattered all over the rug, my husband’s cherished sports trophies adorn the side cabinet and I’ve got my precious bonsai pots lined up near the sunny balcony. And we’re all set for happy evenings!

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Parenting Mayhem!

9/18/2014

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There are way too many choices in our lives today, as parents. Too many brands of cereals, too many curricula to choose from - options galore for every little thing.  As a result, more often than not, we end up resorting to tradition. We prefer to do what we’ve always done because it’s tried and tested.

Sometimes, at the end of another day of stay-at-home parenting, I’m left emotionally and mentally exhausted. And it isn’t (always) my super-hyper kids’ fault. The trouble has its origins all within my own head --- over-ruminating, over-scrutinizing and over-worrying about every little parenting decision that has to be taken. My husband always tells me – It’s good to think, but not too much. But somehow I can’t help it.

I have this habit of reading anything and everything I can get my hands on – this brings me to too many different perspectives from too many parenting websites and magazines. And let me tell you, being a homeschooling mom isn’t always a piece of cake; the worst part is knowing that I’m solely responsible for my kids’ future and if anything goes wrong, I’ll have nobody to blame but myself. Should I get my daughter enrolled in piano lessons and art classes? Would my son fare well if he joined a gymnastics glass over the weekends?

The more you think about these things, the more they keep adding up. The list is endless… food choices (Natural or processed? Meats or veggies?), tonics and vitamins (necessary or not?), disciplining (there must be around 20 million articles, blogs and suggestions written on this subject, with about the same number of opinions being added to the same every single day!). So, here’s the solution: When in doubt, do as the mothers and grandmothers did before us. We grew up fine, hale and hearty and so will our kids.

Amen!

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Prepare Your Child to Go Back to School

9/17/2014

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There’s anticipation and anxiety in the air around this time every year if you have kids at home who are preparing to go back to school after a fairly long summer holiday. While most parents are busy shopping for fresh school supplies and ordering new school clothes, kids are busy finishing their holiday homework and running through last year’s lessons to fight summer slide in the best possible way. Parents need to be helpful, encouraging and patient as the kids may be harboring an unknown fear of going back to school or are anxious because they know they cannot finish all their holiday homework. So, here are a few of the best possible ways you, as a parent, can help your child go back to school all happy and prepared.

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Photo Courtesy: US Department of Education
Have them practice plenty of math and science worksheets
Kids are given a good amount of holiday homework that the teachers feel will check summer slide and prepare them for going back to school. However, as a parent, you must track the subjects and topics that you think your child needs additional help with and download or create worksheets related to that topic. Most often, you will need math and science worksheets since they are two subjects that are either ignored completely –either out of fear or over confidence, or are practiced in abundance as kids are fascinated by their discoveries and theories. Besides math and science worksheets, it’s a good idea to practice a few language worksheets so that the kids are in sync with their grammar and creative writing skills.

Doing crafts can be a wonderful idea
The value of doing crafts is often undermined. Creating beautiful artwork from scrap and making mind-blowing crafts maneuvering one’s fingers and wrists sharpen creativity and fine motor skills in kids. They improve their hand-eye coordination, ideate and improvise, and explore an unknown territory while doing crafts. Have them make wall hangings, posters, tessellations, greeting cards, braided friendship bands, clay models, and more on lazy summer holiday afternoons so that they go back to school better equipped with the above mentioned skills!

Take them shopping for school supplies

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Photo Courtesy: Mike Mozart
Often, parents make the mistake of going shopping for back-to-school supplies without the kids leaving them with nannies or at home occupied with another math or science worksheet. If you too have been doing this, then it’s time to alter the routine! Take the kids along with you and allow them to choose their stationery supplies and school clothes. This will build up their excitement and boost their eagerness to rejoin school. You’ll be surprised to see their excitement on the day school reopens!

Talk to them
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Photo Courtesy: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Sit down and talk to the kids to find out whether they faced any issues in the last term or if something bothered them. Ask them how excited they are to go back to school and ask them to the reason for their excitement and tap on their eagerness to talk about it. If the kids are suffering from considerable anxiety and fear, talk to them and help them understand that school is after all a place to ‘hang out’ while learning! If you feel their anxiety and fear are inexplicable, then consider visiting a counselor to help the kids.

Quick Recap of Back-to-School Tips
1. Give them additional printables to solve - English, Math and Science worksheets.
2. Do plenty of crafts with them and help them practice eye-hand coordination and develop an aesthetic perspective.
3. Shop for school supplies along with your kids.
4. Talk to them if they are anxious.
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