Q. My friend has gadgets such as a Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and Wii. She also has a pet dog. When I go over for sleepovers, I always have lots of fun at her house. But when she comes over, I don't know how to use the time since I don't have the GBA or Wii. We both aren't big fans of games and we'd like something to do. We both have a love of animals and I have a pet hamster. How do I make a good sleepover?
A. You could ask her to bring over some of the gadgets so that you can play at your house too. But if you don't like that idea, then I wouldn't try to compete in the same area. Rather, don't try to compete in the area of technology, because it sounds like she will always be one step ahead with that.
That doesn't mean that technology is the only fun thing though! Think about what you do at your house that is fun to you. Share those things with her. Is there something fun to do outside? Do you have board games? Particularly good movies? Could you get some craft supplies and make something? Baking food is always fun. You could decorate cookies together o there's always decorating a cake - you both could decorate your own privately and then share them to see how different they are.
If you both really like animals, and you have a hamster, you could think of something fun to do with the hamster. Maybe make a fun contraption for the hamster to play in (like a big maze if you have an active hamster!). Or build it a house.
There's a lot to make sleepovers fun and it doesn't have to involve games! In fact, it's much better for you in the long run if you do something active (like exercise) or "educational" (educational can definitely be fun!). All of the above will probably teach you a lot more than playing video games for hours. Ask your parents to look for books on fun science experiments (or search online for fun science experiments for kids). There are lots of really fun, surprising things for people of all ages to do. Next time try mixing some corn starch and water and see how weird that substance is... :)
Overall, let it be something that's fun to you and then likely it will be fun to her too.
That doesn't mean that technology is the only fun thing though! Think about what you do at your house that is fun to you. Share those things with her. Is there something fun to do outside? Do you have board games? Particularly good movies? Could you get some craft supplies and make something? Baking food is always fun. You could decorate cookies together o there's always decorating a cake - you both could decorate your own privately and then share them to see how different they are.
If you both really like animals, and you have a hamster, you could think of something fun to do with the hamster. Maybe make a fun contraption for the hamster to play in (like a big maze if you have an active hamster!). Or build it a house.
There's a lot to make sleepovers fun and it doesn't have to involve games! In fact, it's much better for you in the long run if you do something active (like exercise) or "educational" (educational can definitely be fun!). All of the above will probably teach you a lot more than playing video games for hours. Ask your parents to look for books on fun science experiments (or search online for fun science experiments for kids). There are lots of really fun, surprising things for people of all ages to do. Next time try mixing some corn starch and water and see how weird that substance is... :)
Overall, let it be something that's fun to you and then likely it will be fun to her too.
Should my 3rd grader still be counting on her fingers for math?
Q. She is 8 years old and has always disliked math. I try and help her and so does her dad. I am frustrated because I feel like she should know all her multiplication facts quickly...instead she counts on her fingers.Any suggestions for help. I am trying to avoid a tutor?
A. As a math teacher and tutor, I've found that students who don't memorize their math facts usually end up struggling in math. Some kids try to get by with figuring them out each time, but that takes so much time and effort that they have trouble understanding the rest of more complicated problems. Figuring the facts on your fingers may work for simple multiplication, but it makes it very hard to get your head around long division, or fractions, or algebra.
You don't need a tutor. You just need to have her work on her facts. There are computer games that you could have her use. Or have her drill with flashcards daily. Or my dad used to make me write them 100 times each. Or there are lots of games and books and gadgets at bookstores and educational stores; however you have her work on it, the main thing is she needs lots of practice. Lots and lots of practice. Until she knows them without having to stop and think about them.
You don't need a tutor. You just need to have her work on her facts. There are computer games that you could have her use. Or have her drill with flashcards daily. Or my dad used to make me write them 100 times each. Or there are lots of games and books and gadgets at bookstores and educational stores; however you have her work on it, the main thing is she needs lots of practice. Lots and lots of practice. Until she knows them without having to stop and think about them.
Children's electronic gadgets Vs playing outside in the nature?
Q. Nowadays there are thousands of different kinds of toys for children out there. However, I find it sad that these toys (especially the electronic gadgets) make children "loose contact" with nature? (i mean, quite a lot of them do not really play outside anymore). What do you think about this?
A. I agree. The concept of a lot of them is to be educational, atleast the ones for little kids, and that's all good. My daughter's got the leap pad and the leapster game system (and others!) and it's cool because she learns while she's
playing, but there is no substitute for hands on learning with another human being. We can't expect our children to learn everything from an electronic device, or even a book. We go outside and she can ask questions and we can discover things and it is so much more enriching to her mind. That totally beats sitting inside with some expensive toys because we get to spend time with each other at the same time.
I think that it also has a lot to do with the fact that a lot of moms are really busy these days. I think a big idea behind buying some of the toys is that it can keep the kids occupied by themselves so mom can get some work done, or just get a rest. Granted, if you're going to buy them, atleast get something educational instead of something that will load their minds with crap. Children need to have some sense of imagination as well to be mentally and emotionally stable. Nature presents a wonderful inspiration for children to be able to create their own fantasies. Not only that, playing outside and getting fresh air can aleve restlessness and boredom for children as well, allowing them to get a better nights sleep.
playing, but there is no substitute for hands on learning with another human being. We can't expect our children to learn everything from an electronic device, or even a book. We go outside and she can ask questions and we can discover things and it is so much more enriching to her mind. That totally beats sitting inside with some expensive toys because we get to spend time with each other at the same time.
I think that it also has a lot to do with the fact that a lot of moms are really busy these days. I think a big idea behind buying some of the toys is that it can keep the kids occupied by themselves so mom can get some work done, or just get a rest. Granted, if you're going to buy them, atleast get something educational instead of something that will load their minds with crap. Children need to have some sense of imagination as well to be mentally and emotionally stable. Nature presents a wonderful inspiration for children to be able to create their own fantasies. Not only that, playing outside and getting fresh air can aleve restlessness and boredom for children as well, allowing them to get a better nights sleep.
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