Student Activities Archives - Page 3 of 4

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Edsys SEO

Creativity and innovation are two sides of a coin which can create wonders in whatever endeavours you are up to. When creativity is the generation of ideas through Critical Thinking, innovation is the phenomenon of putting ideas into practice.

Knowing the importance of both, many enthusiasts have produced awesome books that shares the ideas, experience stories, foresights and everything on creativity and innovation.

Many of these books have played the role of a helping hand for youngsters to enhance their outcome out of creativity and innovation. This ranges from expanding their horizons to enhancing their perspectives on diverse topics.

Here let us have a look at some of the amazing books among them which can help you make a positive difference to your success story.

1. Wired to Create: This is an awesome book on creativity from the pen of Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire. Have you ever wondered what the creative people do differently that makes things work for them? This book offers an empirical look into this matter and helps you discover the most important elements to foster creativity.

2. The Act of Creation: Any youngsters or enthusiasts who are looking to generate better ideas on their endeavour can pause some time to go through this amazing book from Arthur Koestler. The author has identified a basic pattern in common for any act of creativity and he has beautifully portrayed it in his book by detailing this pattern across many disciplines.

3. The Accidental Creative. This inspiring book from Todd Henry is a quick and entertaining write up on triggering brilliant ideas with just a moment’s notice. This book teaches youngsters about the effective practices that can augment the creative process. This book enables you to create ideas on demand and help you understand the significance of developing stimulating relationships that triggers creative insights.

4. Creative Cognition: Theory, Research, and Applications: This is one of best books from the field of cognitive psychology which was a group effort by Ronald A. Finke, Thomas B. Ward, and Steven M. Smith. They have showcased how creativity is a flow back of ideas from the point where one thinks. They have shared some surprising claims on this book and the ideas are backed by their research and experiments.

5. The Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley: This amazing book from the authors, Tom Kelley and Jonathan Littman helps you understand how enterprises can identify their actual potential and make the best use of it to foster an innovation culture. The ten faces of innovation including quality stories, experiments and a lot other elements absolutely help you drive 360-degree innovation.

6. The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms: This write up from Margaret A. Boden is mainly focused on debunking diverse wrong-headed notions and myths with regard to creativity and innovation. Have you ever thought about automating the creative act? This book has a clear picture of making it happen with just a few tricks and tips.

7. Making Ideas Happen: Having ideas is not just enough but making it happen is the key. Scott Belsky guides people on how to do this with this awesome book. It is rich with ideas on how to merge creativity with productivity to make the best out of the strategies. This book points out that execution is a skill. It highlights the need of building your organizational habits in the process.

8. Mastering the Dynamics of Innovation: This masterpiece from James M. Utterback is a true inspiration regarding the notion of disruptive innovation. He has made it clear on how innovation can alter any industry for good or for worse. The ideas from this book can change your perception of approaching innovation.

9. Powers of Two: This great book from Joshua Wolf Shenk simply highlights the importance of team work in creativity. if you are looking for a book to show how a team effort can make a positive difference, this is just the one!.

Sharing of ideas, challenging the off sides and rebuilding it together give you positive results and the book profiles great teams and lessons learnt.

10. Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity

This good read from Josh Linkner showcases how a step by step procedure can make creativity an easy element for your personal and professional life. He has backed this strategy by a handful of proven results. The readers can come across some fresh thinking and easy-to-follow framework to foster organizational creativity. The insights of this book can help you define creativity in its simplest way possible.

11. Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative

Ken Robinson has brilliantly discussed diverse means by which creativity is ignored and undervalued.

He points out the fact that being creative is a necessity to survive in today’s world. Leaders can use the strategies to induce and sustain the creative elements of their team.

12. The 7th Sense: Through this book, William Duggan inspires us to use our unseen sense to produce novel and useful ideas. In order to help you develop creativity as a habit, the book is rich with a range of practical exercises and worksheets. The book clearly focuses on how a flash of idea or insight can change your life. He inspires youngsters to use power of the seventh sense to change the world for a better cause.

13. A Whole New Mind: This inspiring book from the pen of Daniel Pink showcases the fact that creativity is one of the few things that cannot be outsourced. This also discusses on the tips and tricks and constant practice of how to grow your creative thinking. He helps the readers to identify the actual essentials for personal fulfilment and success and the ways to master them.

14. The Myths of Innovation: There are several myths that surround the process of innovation and Scott Berkun has dismantled many of them through his book. The book is at the same time entertaining with lots of anecdotes and case studies regarding the same. He also discusses sources of new ideas, choosing the right problem to solve and how great managers trigger innovative ideas.

15. The Invisible Advantage: How to Create a Culture of Innovation: This best business book at the International Book Awards was penned by Soren Kaplan that showcases the importance of free thinking. Executives and team leaders can make a remarkable difference in their strategies by referring to this book which overflows real-world world examples, case studies and practical tips. Moreover, it even comes with a toolkit that comprises questionnaire, videos and interview guides.

16. Thinkertoys: This is a fun book from the author Michael Michalko who shares his brilliant thinking on coming up with exclusive ideas and how to make it practical in your business endeavours and personal lives. Readers can get ideas on amplifying creativity intuitively and the interesting analogies, exercises and stories help you foster practical brainstorming.

17. Innovation and Entrepreneurship: This classic book from Peter Drucker show how innovation and entrepreneurship can be built through practice and discipline. He is well accepted for his management strategies as many of his insights came true over the years. The book is rich with examples to sketch out systematic innovation. A budding entrepreneur can use this master piece as a handbook of the dos and don’ts of innovation.

18. Creative Intelligence: This amazing good read from a leading thinker, Bruce Nussbaum gives an insight about using creativity as a tool to foster cultural literacy and as an aid to problem-solving. Through a range of insights from diverse areas such as psychology, design, education, and business, the book teaches you on how to use creativity to drive innovation.

19. Imagine: How Creativity Works: This is a truly inspiring good read from Jonah Lehrer that highlights the fact that creativity is not just a lucky element for a few people but possessed by everyone. How we use our distinct thought processes more effectively is what that matters the most. He gives utmost support to make daydreaming more realistic and shares the importance of thinking like a child. Moreover, creative collaboration can be a key and criticism will be an essential element for the process.

20. The Agile Mind : How Your Brain Makes Creativity Happen

Several notions prevail in the world regarding few minds being blessed with the gift of creativity. This and many other preconceptions about how the brain actually functions to churn out creative ideas are clearly unveiled in this book. The Author Estanislao Bachrach presents a host of techniques to enhance our imagination and originality. Not just to make new things happen, but this will surely help you to find creative solutions to challenges.

These books are just a few among the many that help many youngsters to redesign their thoughts .

The great success stories and experiments on the subject from brilliant authors have marked a difference in the way people see the possibilities.

The right mix of old, the new, and the most brilliant ideas come from these awesome books and anyone who can make the best out of it can experience remarkable success in the near future.

Also Read : 14 Productivity Tools For The Classroom

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Edsys SEO

The gaming industry has merged learning in online and app games. No need to have flashcards, whiteboards, or textbooks. Modern games are giving top-notch learning experience to students.

Here, in this article, you can find a list of interactive educational game options.

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1. Dragon Box

Algebra is not a favorite subject for many students. The problem is the complexity and boredom that don’t allow some students to understand this subject.

For all those students, Dragon Box is a suitable learning game to solve equations and know the concepts behind everything. This game uses the visual elements to make Algebra interesting for kids. For example, a student can actually visualize the two sides available in a closed system. Then, the game requires students to remove the unnecessary components and balance an equation.

Visualization of this game allows students to stay excited and prepare their mind for the equations they would explore in school. The best part of this game is that students eventually forget that they are trying to solve a mathematics problem. Everything just looks like a game.

2. Code Spells

Almost every parent knows the importance of teaching codes to their kids. Coding has become the second most valuable skill after language. This game is perfect for students who admire coding skills. Even if coding is not a major subject in your school, you can use Code Spells to make coding a fun task.

The concept of game is helping gnome characters to complete several tasks. Gnomes use magic, but those magic spells have to be in a Java code. This educational game has proven to be effective for girls and boys to learn to code in an effortless manner.

3. Mind Snacks

Learning phrases and forming words is now easier in foreign languages. Mind Snacks is providing Chinese, Spanish, German, French and Japanese language knowledge. This app uses touch game options to help students memorize games. The repetition creates a memory of a word or phrase in the mind of the player.

This game is saving kids from wasting hours without learning a single word. More effective than textbooks, Mind Snacks feeds foreign language to the students with fun and playful games. One can play this game when traveling, waiting in a line or at any other time.

4. Scribble Naughts

Kids from 8 to 11 years of age can use this game to resolve creative problems by indulging in imaginary scenarios. The game focuses on the spelling, creativity and logic sides of education. A player receives challenges to solve with their creative solution. A variety of scenarios can come to life and make puzzles and challenges more interesting to solve.

Kids can even create their own puzzles to share them with their friends. This game cultivates spontaneous creativity in kids.

5. Game Star Mechanic

It is pretty difficult to teach students game designing skills in early ages. Game Star Mechanic does this job with great excellence. This game develops creative designing instincts in kids. Logical steps presented as options allow kids to learn game designing.

Players can create games on their own and share them with friends and family. This game has successfully created a huge community of designers. Even teachers use this game to teach life skills and creative problem-solving.

6. SimCity

Educational properties, productivity, and seriousness of this game impress students. Players love the fact that SimCity starts understanding their minds with time.

The creators of SimCity has given another version called SimCity EDU. This version incorporates all classroom learning requirements related to Technology, Science, Mathematics and even Engineering. Kids play this game to create virtual cities and also learn how to plan urban lifestyle and manage it all.

The framework is holistic and covers all details of a city, which allows kids to innovate in their own style. Students who aspire to become an architecture fall in love with this game.

7. Math Ninja

Students at their early education require learning subtraction, addition, multiplication and other mathematics fundamentals. The idea of this game is to make kids enjoy mathematics through appealing graphics. Adding ninjas to anything creates an excitement in the minds of students. The same thing happens with this game.

The ninjas in this game are presented in a glossy style. The enduring game format gives challenges that a ninja fulfills with the solutions that the player finds. Repetition of mathematical problems and creative approach allows students to retain the concepts of mathematics. Math Ninja is available on iPad.

8. Mindblown Life

Teaching finance and money management should be a necessity. Every kid has to face money in his or her life. Hence, parents should teach kids about managing money. This game can help out in that process in a fun way.

Designed for teens, Mindblown Life allows kids to understand money and manage it in a virtual environment. Many players can play together and interact while playing. This game teaches how life requires you to balance professional and personal things at the same time. In all that, money management decides whether a player wins or loses.

This game is definitely a great help to parents and students.

9. Dora’s Cooking Club

Most young kids love the character, Dora. Hence, Dora’s Cooking Club would be a suitable choice for them to learn and play with their favorite character. This game teaches fractions, numbers, Spanish and shapes as well.

Dora helps her grandmother in this game to prepare a meal. This game is way better than a workbook. Kids indulge in an activity and remember things that they learn during the game.

10. Civilization Revolution

How about you teach your teen kid about the history, culture, and empires in a fun way. Civilization Revolution allows older students to gain historical knowledge and use them to create their own empire. The game focuses on some of the most popular societies that have a long history.

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Use all these games and allow kids to learn in a better way.

Make sure you ask kids about their interests before choosing a game.

Recommended For You : 14 Best Edutainment Games for 2023

Posted on August 7, 2018 by Edsys SEO

Games are one of the smartest and easiest ways to grab kid’s attention for a long time.

They helps to improve the interest of kids for learning and make study time more fun but productive.

However, choosing the right educational game for your kids is important and it is the role of teachers and parents.

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Here let us have a look at some of the top educational games for kids that teach them various aspects of learning without losing the fun element.

1. Fish School HD: This educational game is a very good choice for preschoolers. Learning more about letters, shapes, numbers and colours are a lot easy and funny than ever before with this awesome app. Kids can learn all these things while playing with animated fish. The fishes form the shape of letters and numbers and kids’ role is to identify them.

2. Dinosaur Park Math: This game is designed to suit the kids in the age group of 8 to 12 years which is a good mix of subtraction, addition, and interesting dino facts. The game comprises 15 Dinosaur math levels that come with as many as 225 questions. The kids can make use of their math skills to slit open the Dinosaur fossils to let Junior Paleontologist Pete to open Dino Park. The highlighted features of the game include audio support for every math question, colourful fun graphics, fun dinosaur facts and over 60 Dinosaur games.

3. Boggle Junior: This game is ideal for playing by 1 to 2 kids that introduces word and letter recognition, spelling, matching and memory. This includes two multilevel games, the first one is ideal for kids of 3 years old and second one for more advanced spellers.

4. Balloony Word: This is an interesting game for kids to improve their vocabulary skills by having some fun time. This is a more joyful version of the old hangman game where kids have to guess the words while broadening their vocabulary.. The kids can keep on guessing words and the same time enjoy the fun of popping the balloons. You can make the spelling skills of your kids sharp and challenge them at times by changing the word list dictionary.

5. Math and Letters Air Control: This awesome game lets your kid to exercise both letters and numbers at the same time. The game comes with three difficulty levels and kids can have unlimited fun while learning the basics of Mathematics and English… This educational game runs smoothly in iOS devices without the need of any in-app purchase.

Also Read : School Counselling helps enhance student performance

6. Tower Math™: This is an action packed, 3D game that gives unlimited fun while practicing arithmetic. The theme of the game involves an evil wizard which turned the numbers into monsters. The role of the kids is to free the numbers.. In addition to earning medals for each completed levels, the game occupies the kids with fun sound effects and music.

7. Stack the States: Learning geography can be a tough job for most of the kids and this tricky game helps your kids to tackle the subject with lots of fun. This colourful and dynamic game covers all basics of the subject including state capitals, geographic locations, shapes, flags and more. By learning more states, kids can unlock free bonus games that motivate them to try hard.

8. Bananagrams: Even when kids can enjoy the game the most, this can be played by everyone. This involves building crossword grids. It can be real fun when done in groups of friends or family. While the game drives you bananas with immense fun, it brings in a lot of educational value when played by kids. The kids can learn how to spell words in the most easiest and funny way..

9. ABCya games: This group of games is one of the top most K-5 educational gaming websites for over a decade. The reports say millions of parents and teachers visit the website every month and kids played over 1 billion games in the past year only. The iOS app allows kids to access six free games every week. The option to browse by grade level is one of the highlighted features of the application. You can also help your kids play the right set of games as contents are organized by skill. With a subscription, you can let your kid access over 250+ games and activities.

10. Scribble Naughts: This is a puzzle action video game that makes your kids go crazy as they can use their imagination to juggle nearly anything from a 35000+ word dictionary. With unlimited hours of fun, the kids can explore an open universe.. As puzzles make the kids think out of the box, they can grow up their creative thinking skills. The mobile optimized controls make the game easy to play in any of your hand gadgets supporting Android OS.

Conclusion

To improve the audience reach, most of the games are made available for multiple platforms whereas some of them are exclusively designed for either Android or iOS.

Do you want to be in the list of such smart teachers or parents who improve the quality of the kid’s study time by bringing in fun elements?

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First assess whether the kid needs special care in the nightmare mathematics or if they lack in vocabulary. Then don’t wait to download any of the interesting apps that would work best for your kids.

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Edsys

With technology becoming a part of our daily lives, no better time to learn how to code than during the curious and observant state of childhood.

When kids are introduced to the concepts of programming early on, a host of advantages can be derived by them in addition to staying abreast with new technologies that emerge from time to time.

This comprehensive blog sheds light on all the aspects concerning coding for kids in an attempt to prepare them for the road ahead.

Enlisting a number of free websites that help teach kids the various concepts of coding, this all-inclusive piece of information concludes with the future prospects of coding for students and kids.

What is coding and what is it used for?

Coding, according to how a layman understands is a set of instructions through which you will guide the computer to do what you want it to do. That means, coders will key in step-by-step commands for the computer to understand and follow.

Any computer will exactly execute all the actions that you want it to perform. But the caveat here is to give correct instructions to the computer.

What is the difference between coding and programming?

Coding in simple terms is an activity of writing codes. That means a coder is a well-informed person who codes instructions from one language to another. Coding is an initial step to computer programming.

Programmingis an activity that enables an application to run on a computer without any errors. Through programming, you will instruct your computer to perform a set of operations by developing logic so as to come up with solutions to a problem.

Why every child should learn to code?

Coding is a skill that helps you interact with computers so as to obtain the desired results. it is the the need of the hour for every kid to learn how to code. Children who are taught to code will thrive for the simple reason.

They will keep pace with dynamic technological trends. Along with math and science that are taught in schools, coding, as an academic subject delivers a host of benefits to young students.

What are the benefits of coding for students?

As mentioned earlier, a plethora of benefits can be derived by kids who are introduced to learning code at a very tender age. If you as a parent are curious to know about the different ways in which coding helps your kids, here is a rundown of all the positives of learning to code early on.

1. Feeds The Creative Instincts of Kids

Coding enhances their imagination. When kids start coding, they will be exposed to a number of innovative scenarios which need to be implemented. Such instances will improve the creative instincts of young minds and sharpen them.

2. Kids Can Take Advantage of Their Age

coding is just as learning a foreign language. The faster you introduce them to this practice, the easier they will absorb the concepts. Young kids are blessed with a photographic memory.

Coding helps to unlock and make the most of this memory which can be used to recall the fundamental topics of coding like loops, sequencing and conditional statements.

3. Paves Way for Innovation

The present generation kids are a witness to a number of revolutionary technological advancements in the form of artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality. They are in awe of self-driven cars or about robots responding to human instructions.

Since all such innovations are already seeing the light of the day, it is important for kids to stay ahead of their times. And a smart idea to achieve this objective is to introduce kids to coding while they are getting ready to read and write.

4. A Multi-Disciplinary Learning Process

While parents and educators might feel that they are only helping kids to learn how to code software programs, they are actually prompting them to hone their learning abilities concerning other subjects like reading, science and math..

5. A Confidence Booster

Another evident benefit of helping kids to learn how to code manifests in the form of increased self-confidence. When kids are encouraged to learn coding, they will toy with different ideas and scenarios while creating impressive projects.

What is Computer Coding for Kids?

It is no longer a herculean task to teach your kids how to write computer programs. If you are a parent looking for simplified means to teach kids a real programming language, you can rely on a number of games, apps and programming kits like Lego Mindstorms.

Tagged as a Lego Robotics Kit, Lego Mindstorms can help kids as young as 6 years of age to churn out meaningful computer programs. This self-learning kit employs a graphical language that is very easy for the kids to understand coding.

Apart from this kit, there are certain programing languages that can help kids to code. They include Python, Java, ruby,scratch, C++.

What are some Coding Exercises for Kids?

Most of the programming languages come with a syntax (the grammar of a computer program) This might be difficult for kids to follow and implement. Do not force them to learn the syntax. They will, either get bored or disinterested in coding.

So, all efforts have to be directed towards stripping off the syntax requirements. This can be done through fun-filled learning activities that are compelling but also informative.

Below are 5 exercises that encourage kids to code and make coding an interesting activity they will always look forward to.

1. Secret Superhero Codes

This is a secret code activity for kids that will help them learn math alongside practice handwriting. This exercise comes with a secret code generator that attaches a number to every letter in the English alphabet.

You can also teach your kids how to decode data as part of a slightly difficult learning exercise.

2. String Children’s Names

True to its name, String Children’s Names is a fun-filled coding exercise for kids. This exercise allows kids to write their names in the Binary Code (using 0s and 1s).

They can use 3 different colored beads to spell their names. Using these multi-colored beads, kids can make strings of their names using the ASCII code.

3. If-Then Backyard Coding Game for Kids

Programmers frequently use the “if-then” conditional statement which instructs the computer to perform a certain action if the given condition is fulfilled.

This backyard game calls for one kid to become a programmer (the instructor) and the rest of the playmates to become computers (the followers of instructions).

Imagine the programmer says, “If I hop, then you all will also hop”, “if I move to my left, then you all will also move to your left”. This can be an interesting game for kids of all ages as every kid will be excited to instruct his/her playmates while making others to listen to his/her orders.

4. Learn to Program

Tynker offers a number of fun-filled coding games for kids in different grades. Amongst them, Counter Hack and Toxic Jungle can introduce your kids to the world of programming; the fun way.

Counter Hack is an exciting exercise to learn JavaScript while you overpower the viruses. Saving the toxic jungle can teach kids the fundamentals of Python programming language.

5. Cargo-Bot

This is an iPad compatible exercise that will excite kids to take up the challenge of programming a robot and make it to move boxes.

What are some of the free websites that teach kids coding and programming?

Below is the rundown of 5 free websites that can excite your kids and make coding a fun-filled learning activity.

1. CodeAcademy

First in the list of free, kid-friendly and interactive websites. that teaches young kids the basics of coding is CodeAcademy. This is an online repository of simple and fun-filled exercises that resemble computer games. Kids can play these games while learning the fundamentals of coding.

2. Code Combat

Tagged as the most engaging game meant to teach adult kids how to code, Code Combat is a stimulating and interactive website.

Parents of older kids need to sign up for their kids to come online and make the most of the free knowledge imparted by this website.

3. Khan Academy

Recognized as an online directory of challenging math games for kids, Khan Academy does it bit to help kids learn programing.

Offering a number of programming tutorials, this free website deserves a special mention as it comes loaded with interactive illustrations, animations and graphics.

4. Code Monster

If you are looking for a perfect platform to teach your kids to code for free, you can checkout Code Monster. The home page featuring two boxes placed next to each other has one box that displays the code.

The other box shows kids the result of the code. Kids can toy with the code while learning how a particular command works.

5. Code.org

With “anybody can learn” as its tagline, Code.org can handhold kids to enjoy coding. Loaded with a plethora of free online resources including engaging apps, you can also check out the inspirational video that is uploaded on the home page.

What are the future prospects of coding?

Identified as a must-have skill for the future, coding can help the younger generation to become job-ready by the time they graduate from colleges..

If coding is made a part of the academic curriculum in schools, kids will be able to stretch their imagination towards building better websites promising enhanced user experience and user interface.

With coding as an acquired skill, the younger generation can diversify into related careers like consumer analytics, social media platforms and the management of activity logs.

These are the various avenues that will open the doors for the young talent to pick and choose the career they love and expand their skill set.

And if you are a coder, there can be a strong inclination in you to become an entrepreneur, heading a startup. So it is through foresight that you as parents should introduce your kids to the world of coding.

And once this mission is accomplished, you can help them settle in satisfactory jobs that are linked to technology and its advancements.

Key Takeaways

Having spoken about coding at length, the one important revelation that you need to take back home is its universal presence.

Given the fact that you are enveloped in a blanket of websites and apps that are meant to simplify your life, it is time to teach the younger generation the fundamentals of coding.

This is a skill that is bound to take your kids places, permitting them to venture into many compelling and satisfying career opportunities.

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Edsys SEO

The world is turning digital and it is high time now that kids learn basic computer skills.

It is only when kids are taught through simple coding games that they will hone their logical thinking and designing skills along with strong problem-solving capabilities.

You will agree with the fact that gaming is not only a pastime; it is medium to encourage interaction between players.

Through games, kids discover and explore various things through trial-and-error options.

With so many benefits coming out of helping kids to code, here are some innovative coding games that will help them stay abreast with new technologies.

Kodable

True to its name, Kodable is a kid-friendly game that enables kids to learn computer science in a fun-filled environment. You can check out a host of self-guided games that the Kodable website offers, specifically for kids between the ages of 4 and 10. All those kids who are yet to learn how to read can do wonders with the help of this iOS driven coding platform.

Interesting levels which come in the form of mazes help kids learn fundamental programming concepts like functions, loops and conditions along with debugging…

Code Monkey Island

A yet another interesting platform that teaches kids the concepts of computer programming is the Code Monkey Island. Specially designed for kids above the age of 8, this is a crazy yet fun-filled board game that takes about 45 minutes to accomplish. This game basically revolves around the movement of monkeys around an island so that they finally reach their destination (bananas).

Played in a number of libraries, homes and schools, this captivating board game introduces kids to the fundamentals behind the embedded programming concept popularly known as the Boolean Logic. Kids can also be taught about the manner in which conditional statements help them to code. Priced at $40+, you can order this game so that your kids can learn some programming skills; the exciting way.

Lightbot and Lightbot Jr.

You can check out a number of programming puzzles that are presented in Lightbot and Lightbot Jr. These are iOS and Android compatible coding platforms that teach kids to code.. The aim of the game is to help the robot illuminate all the blue tiles that are placed on a 3-dimensional grid.

To complete the puzzle, you need to run an array of programming instructions on the robot. This puzzle game helps kids master the concepts of planning, testing and debugging along with loops and procedures. While Lightbot Jr. is meant for kids between 4 and 8 years, Lightbot is crafted for kids above the age of 9 years. While web browser version is free, you can pay $3 to download the iOS and Google Play versions.

Robozzle

All the young programming enthusiasts should definitely try their hands at Robozzle. Tagged as a robot-programming game, both kids above the age of 6 and adults can make the most of this game that is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows phones.

An assembly of community-created puzzles help kids learn the art of programming. Challenging kids’ intelligence, this puzzle game offers the perfect blend of excitement and learning.

Robozzle through its tutorials help kids create indigenous games. While the browser version is free, you may obtain the iOS, Windows and Android versions by paying their respective prices.

Puzzlets

In line with the tagline “Make Game Time, Brain Time”, Puzzlets is a Bluetooth-enabled game that can be either be played on your computer or tablet so as to learn the basics of coding.

Each game helps your kids to code while teaching them color theory and algebraic math. This game emphasizes on the need for innovative thinking that should be honed by the present generation kids.

If you are looking to sharpen the digital and intrinsic skills of your kids, then you can rely on Puzzlets as a promising gaming interface.

Cargo-Bot

Identified as the first game that was developed using Codea, kids can find the iPad app Cargo-Bot both captivating and educative. This game comes with a simple aim and that is to employ a crane to transport boxes back and forward, between different platforms.

However, it is not as easy as it appears to be or sounds. It is through this challenging game that kids will be taught the concepts of programming like looks and debugging.

Bee-Bot

Bee-Bot are kid-friendly robots that teach kids a host of subjects. Kids will be introduced to situations demanding their problem-solving, their sense of direction and estimation abilities.

Alongside these skills, kids can also learn programming languages by following certain instructions. In addition to imparting coding knowledge, Bee-Bot can help kids solve numerical, literary and scientific puzzles.

Machineers

Would you be interested in letting your kids go on an adventurous trip as they start showing interest in computer programming? If yes, then Machineers is the right choice.

Tagged as a game capable of giving youngsters a rush of adrenalin, Machineers keeps your kids hooked to coding. Kids have to interact with broken machines as they begin to employ the principles of coding.

Kids can take the assistance of the “drag-and-drop” function so as to fix all these broken machines. And what are the skills that kids master by playing this game?

Kids will be trained to put their logical thinking to test while they begin to sharpen their reading and writing abilities.

Code Combat

Identified as the most engaging game to learn how to code, kids can pick the classroom edition of the Code Combat game. Your kids will be playing a real game and while they are at the game, they will start picking up nuances about computer science. Poised to transform the way kids learn how to code, Code Combat can be your top bet to teach your kids to code using Python programming language.

The game allows your kids to battle with Ogres in their pursuit to gather precious gems. Packed with the dual benefits of entertainment and learning, you can also teach your kids coding principles when you select the multiplayer programming game.

Codemancer

Last in the list of exciting coding games for kids, but definitely not the least is Codemancer. This is a fantasy game that engages kids while uncovering the magic behind computer coding. This game has many feathers in its cap including occupying the 2^nd place in 2016 at the Games Learning Society Show.

This game is meant for kids between the age group of 6 and 12. As part of the game, all the kids have to rely on coding so that they carve a path for themselves in the imaginary world inhabited by fighting sorcerers and their minions.

Key Takeaways

If you as parents are looking to introduce your kids to coding early on, you can check out the above 10 interesting edutainment platforms. All these games expose kids to certain visual blocks that need to be expelled through Python and JavaScript codes.

Alongside enjoying these captivating games, kids will begin to hone their prowess in designing computer games, building apps and working on amazing academic projects.

All your efforts as parents to young kids will eventually bear fruit with your kids getting future-ready by learning how to code.

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Edsys SEO

Sparking the reading process in kids so that they fall in love with books all by themselves is no longer a tough task. Parents and guardians now have help that comes in the form of smart reading tips. It is through these intelligent and time-tested guidelines that you can help your kids identify and understand a series of printed words, in a smooth manner. To achieve this objective, you need to concentrate on four important elements of reading including fluency, engagement, and comprehension along with word recognition. Guardians who are keen on keeping this spark of reading alive in the formative years of their children can bank upon the following smart ideas to motivate independent reading in your kids:

Variety is the Spice of Life

Head to a bookstore and you will be thrilled to see shelves arranged with books of various genres. Starting from picture books, you can check out cookbooks, graphic novels and biographies as reading options for your kids. If you are the parent of an inquisitive kid, you can pick up some of the popular “how-to” books which will encourage a strong sense of reading. Interested in jokes? Your kid can make reading as his favorite pastime by reading from a joke book that will keep him in good spirits.

Through these multiple reading options, you can support your kids to become expert readers when they begin to dig deep into the subject they love the most. A host of self-improvement books are up on shelves that will not only motivate your kids towards reading but will also bring about a dramatic change in their lifestyle.

Lead By Example

Parents and guardians play an important role in assisting kids to read on their own. You can pick up a story book and read the first chapter aloud to your kid and then stop reading. This will awaken the curiosity in your kid who will be prompted to pick up the storybook and read it by himself to know what happens next with the plot of the story. The inquisitiveness to know the end of the story will drive your kid to read the entire story; without prompting.

It is the tendency of every kid to mimic the actions of elders. When you exhibit your innate love for books, your kids will see it as an encouragement to experience the joy you derive out of reading. Parents who keep books accessible to kids will be doing a favor to their children to hone their reading skills. The moment you see your kid inclined towards reading, you should be able to suggest a befitting book for him. This way, your reading habits will encourage your kids to become a part of the edutainment world of printed materials.

Technology Steps In To Encourage Reading

Schools can establish what are called as Virtual Book Clubs through which kids will be connected to various authors across the globe via Skype. Teachers can arrange for Skype call which can last for a few minutes. Through such technologically-driven interactions, kids will be able to experience the real joy of reading.

When kids begin to interact with other kids from different geographies, they will be able to establish their opinions about the happenings around them. Following a Tumblr post allows kids to add comments to a blog they just read. A conversation can be initiated between different followers of the blog posts through this innovative platform. This can be a smart move to virtually recognize the reading interests and opinions of other kids. With an intention to express their views about a particular post, kids will be encouraged to read and share their findings with others subscribing to the platform.

Family Reading Treats

Parents should work hard to introduce quality literature according to the age and interests of kids. Families which are accustomed to listening via audiobooks can work in favor of reluctant readers. It is also important to set aside a soft spot at home for reading that can become your kid’s favorite place. It is through this special reading space that kids will be encouraged to pick a book of their choice and settle down to read all by themselves.

Another interesting means to encourage a reluctant reader to set aside time for independent reading is by providing easy-to-read picture books. Encouraging him/her to read a story from the picture book to a younger sibling will work wonders not only for family bonding but also to make reading a pleasurable experience.

A Pat On the Back Goes A Long Way

A job done well calls for appreciation. You can set up friendly reading competitions with an announcement of a reward. This way, you will set the stage for kids to start reading. As part of the competition, teachers can set aside a pre-determined number of books that each kid should read. And once a kid reaches the set target, he/she can be rewarded with incentives.

Book Trivia Battles are innovative literary quiz competitions meant for kids that can be conducted at your nearest public library. And to win such quizzes, it calls for an extensive reading of different books. Social media platforms like Instagram also come as one of the reading tools to kids. A reading campaign titled “What are you reading?” has a lot of success stories to tell with regard to encourage kids to read on their own.

Speak About Your Book

Parent volunteers can team up to initiate a book-a-program, a ritual to motivate kids to borrow a new book every evening. Along with a book tracking system in place to check how many books were returned the next morning, teachers can prompt kids to speak about the book they picked last evening.

Every kid will have a different story to narrate. Such exciting conversations between kids will help them exchange their reading experiences. While expressing what they liked about the book, kids will get habituated to spend time with the printed material.

The Mixed Bag

It is all about making reading a joyous experience for life. It is only when books become the best friends of your kids that they will spare themselves from the boredom that sets into their routine. Different books offer different perspectives to kids and it is for the guardians to introduce the habit of reading by attaching importance to their choice along with certain formats that blend online and offline reading.

Team these with analog and face-to-face interactions between peers so that kids will find excitement in expressing their thoughts about the book they just read. A subjective judgment about what types of books suit the age and intellect of your kid helps you make reading a life-long pleasure to kids.

Wrapping It Up

Every kid is special in more ways than you can imagine. With different levels of IQ, every kid has his/her interests in books. This uniqueness rests a huge responsibility on the shoulders of parents to come up with reading materials that will attract them. You should help them pick books that are in line with their interests so that they can make the most of their reading time. All the above tips can be of utmost help to put your kid on the right track, looking at books as their best friends for life.

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Edsys SEO

Bringing the concept of the age-old radio programs back into the 21^st-century, podcasts have lots to cheer for. All thanks to the use of technology in churning out audio presentations of any topic under the sun, a podcast which comes in the form of episodes is a simple and easy-to-use educational tool. Alongside offering invaluable information to listeners, podcasts have gone ahead and become instructional tools in classrooms as well.

If you are curious to know how podcasts can be a good learning tool, here they come.

The Emerging Popularity of Podcasts Helps Learners and Teachers

The innovative use of technology makes podcasts an indispensable tool for education. Tagged as the latest medium of learning, podcasts have,in the recent past become popular tools promising an impactful push to both students and teachers. Simplifying the job of the teaching staff, podcasts come as a stress-free option to engage students with quality audio content. Students can learn about topics while on the go once they subscribe to a podcast feed. Another primal benefit of podcasts is that these audio presentations can be used for students of different ages; right from schools all the way to universities.

Portability and Convenience of Learning

Podcasts can be downloaded in your mobiles and can become your tutors in class. Portability and convenience are the two striking advantages of podcasts as with this students can enjoy flexibility in learning. You also have a round-the-clock access to information that is at your fingertips. Given a situation when your faculty is on leave, you can simply bank on this teaching resource and make the most of your free-hour to educate yourself about any topic of interest.

Auditory Learning – An Impactful Educational Tool Compared to Watching or Reading

While listening to podcasts is one way of learning, recording podcasts also helps students in more ways than one. Students can record podcasts of topic synopses and submit as a group assignment while interviewing their peers about what they understood about a particular topic. Collating all the audio-based information and editing the same will lead to the emergence of a comprehensive educational podcast. Not allowing students to get distracted, podcasts come in as blessings to auditory learners who will start assimilating information by listening attentively.

Lots of “Behind the Scenes” Activities

A podcast brings out the best in students by mirroring a number of their skills. Along with researching skills, students who record a podcast will also learn how to test it. Once the content is tested, it should be edited before it is finally recorded and ready to be published or promoted. Students who stir up podcasts will be taught the tone of storytelling when they begin to follow a flow of narration. You as a student will be prompted to record a podcast with a strict pattern of an introduction, followed by the explanation, eventually leading to a conclusion. While you are recording a podcast, you are simultaneously honing your communication skills, without the anxiety caused by stage fright. Upon recording multiple podcasts, you can slowly and steadily master the art of public speaking and engage your audience through quality audio content.

Subject No Bar

If you are of the opinion that podcasts have to be made only in English or any other medium of instruction, think twice. You can churn out a Math podcast by reciting equations loud and clear, so that you can help your students who got struck over a tricky problem. You can share your podcast amongst your friends who are finding it hard to understand scientific concepts and theories. Given the numerous ways in which podcasts help master subjects, teachers also encourage their wards to listen to popular podcasts under various disciplines.

Student Created Content – The Star Attraction of Podcasts

It is all about having a free hand while learning. Podcasts come in as valuable and interesting learning tools for students through the concept of “Student Created Content”. Allowing you to create your own podcast, you have the luxury of posing questions along with the inclusion of discussions that will help you complete your academic projects and presentations.All in all, podcasts come in as informal educational tools that favor the idea of collective learning.

Record Your Lectures and Learn At Your Own Pace

Undoubtedly, technology presents innumerable options to all those who wish to think outside the box. Prompting you to record your classroom lectures, a podcast can serve as an “anytime”, “go to” educational material. Tagged as helpful study aids, podcasts help students to prepare better for their exams alongside hand-holding them to grasp a difficult concept that was lectured in the classroom. You simply listen to the recorded podcast, pause when needed and go on to the next topic; at your own pace. Podcasts coming with the options to pause, rewind and replay will come as a blessing to students with learning disabilities.

A Boon to Students with Mental and Visual Disorders

“Learning through listening” can be the tagline of podcasting. Podcasts can be the best means of education especially for students battling visual and mental disorders. Such kids who are not comfortable with reading can opt for podcasts. Students fighting mental conditions like Dyslexia and ADHD can make the most of modern podcasts as a potent option to do away with the traditional methods of learning.

A Perfect Option for Absenteeism

There can be a bad day in the life of a student who is unable to attend his/her college or school. In such a case, you can make up for your missed classes by downloading the recordings of the lectures. In this manner, you will be able to plug the gaps that have emerged on account of your non-attendance to school for a day or two. Teachers can record their lectures and hand over the recorded material for the absentees to catch up with the rest of the class.

Guarantees A Uniform Learning Experience Across Sections

Given the fact that a teacher delivers lectures of the same topic to different classes, podcasts come in as teacher-friendly tools. Allowing the teacher to ensure that every student lays hands on the same explanation that was given by him/her in a particular class, podcasts help deliver “lecture consistency”. Students of different sections who listen to the lectures recorded by their teacher will be on par with each other with the same information being given out.

Wrapping It Up

All in an attempt to help you make the most of your learning experiences, you as a knowledge-seeker are at an advantage to master various subjects through listening. And if you are a teacher ordained to shape the lives of your students, you can bank on podcasts as the best tools that can help them learn effectively, without missing out a thing. To sum it all, podcasts come in as invaluable modern educational tools that can help the teacher and student fraternity in a number of creative ways.

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Edsys

Conventional lecture methods would not be very productive when the students are tired or sleepy, especially in the afternoon sessions. Having some fun classroom activities can make students active after lunch hour.

Free Classroom Activity Apps (Check it Now)

Some teachers would make it plainly fun games while some others use it as a strategy to revise what is learned in the previous classes. In the morning sessions also, some teachers would take a short gap in between the strenuous learning to bring in some fun.

Are you looking for some interesting fun classroom activities to make your learning session interesting and engaging? Here are a few among the most played cool classroom activities for students of diverse class levels:

1. Educational Bingo

This awesome game can be played in groups. It is a lot of fun while helping to revise what is learnt in the class.

Teacher can ask a question that was taught in the previous class and the answer would be hidden in the bingo puzzle. It is widely used to learn mathematics with fun. The bingo card can contain numbers in columns and they have to solve maths puzzles to find out the answers in the list.

For example, teacher can call out “all numbers that are divisible by 4 in a row”.

2. Bleep

Bleep is an interesting memory game in which students are restricted to use certain words during reading comprehension.

A list of banned words is first provided to the participating students. This can also be word categories such as colors, names, animals, food and more.

Teacher would then give a reading comprehension material containing the relevant words. Each student is asked to read a sentence or paragraph by omitting these words.

They have to bleep once they come over a banned word to succeed in the game.

3. Pink Tac Toe

This is a really funny game that can be played with any number of students by grouping them into teams. Teacher would call out a body part followed by a colour.

A student from a team is assigned the task of finding an object in the classroom with that particular colour. He/she then needs to touch it with the mentioned body part.

If teacher calls out pink toe, he/she has to find out an object with pink colour and touch it with his toe.

Also Read: General Knowledge For Kids with Answers (105 Questions and Answers)

4. Sports Gallery

This is an energizer game that raises the acting spirit in students.

Teacher will have a list of sports activities with him/her numbered from 1 to 10 or so. He would then randomly call out a student and asks to say a number.

Teacher now call out the sports activity that is linked to the particular number in his/her list.

The student has to enact the activity for at least 10 seconds.

The list can include items such as shooting a jump shot, batting a baseball, serving a tennis ball, juggling a soccer ball and more.

5. Blind Artist

This amazing classroom activity can invoke creativity among students. Students are first paired and are placed in a position such that they don’t face each other.

A student will be given a picture and the other student will be given a plain paper and pencil. The student with the picture has to describe what is in the picture without actually telling what it is.

The other person has to bring in some creativity and imagination to draw a picture according to his description.

6. Crazy Train

This is a funny game which can be played with elementary level students. Students can be grouped into 10 or 12. They are asked to line up and connect among themselves to represent a train.

Teacher says start when the train slowly moves forward. He would then give commands during the journey such as fast, slow, move backward, turn left and more. Kids would listen to these commands and make changes in their move.

7. Four Corners

Teacher would randomly choose a student ‘X’ and ask him/her to stand outside the classroom after his/her eyes are tied up.

Rest of the class would be divided into four and asked to stand at four corners of the class, say A, B, C and D. Then X will call out an alphabet and those students staying at that corner will be out of the game.

The rest of the three groups are again divided into four and asked to stand at four corners. X will again call out an alphabet and that group gets out. This elimination is continued until four students are at four corners and the luckiest student will be the last one standing.

8. Sentence Race

This is a vocabulary review game that can be played among high school students.

The teacher would write up vocabulary words in pieces of paper and folds it and keeps in a box. The class would be divided into two groups and the blackboard would also be partitioned into two, each side for a team.

A member from a team would come up and picks a piece of paper. He needs to write a meaningful sentence that includes the word specified on the paper on blackboard. Teacher would finally evaluate the sentences and the side with most meaningful sentences will win.

9. Chain Spelling

This is an amazing game in which students need to connect two unrelated words by looking at their spelling.

Teacher first writes a word on the board. First student is asked to take the last three or four letters of the word and form another word.

The next student has to repeat the same and this is continued until a student fails to form a word or misspells it. The game can be made tighter by restricting them to certain category of words.

10. Blindfold Conversation

This is a team building activity for a new classroom. First teacher asks everybody to introduce themselves in a few sentences.

Once it is done, class would be divided into two teams. A student from a team is called up and his eyes would be tied. A student from the other team is then called and asked to say something.

The student who is blinded has to recognize him/her from his voice. If he/she failed to do so, he/she may also ask certain questions related to what was discussed in the introduction to identify the person.

11. Jumping the Line

This is an energizer game that would be apt to play at the end of a class which can be used as a revision too.

A line is drawn on the class floor and one side of the line will be marked ‘true’ and the other as ‘false’. The students are asked to stand on the line.

Teacher would pick a student and says a statement based on what is taught in the class. If the student thinks that it is true, he/she has to jump to the true side or else the false side.

If the student’s assessment is wrong, he/she has to go back to his desk.

Also Read: 14 Best Parental Control Apps For Kids

Teacher would continue the game and the last student standing in the line with the most right assessments will be the winner for the day.

12. Missing Cards

This is a memory game for any level students that improve their attention to detail. The class is first divided into two. Teacher has a set of cards which denotes different categories.

A student from the first team is asked to come up and teacher shows him/her 5 cards for 10 seconds. He/she then shuffles the card and shows only 4 cards next time.

The student has to recall his/her memory and identify the missing card. The team with the most number of correct card recalls win.

13. Mime

This is a very popular game in which action words or verbs are revised in a funny manner.

The class is first divided into teams. Teacher writes action words such as running, gardening, singing etc in pieces of paper. It is then folded and placed in a bag or box.

A student from a team comes and picks a paper and enacts the word. The other team has to guess the word correctly to win a point.

14. Buzz

This is a great game that stimulates concentration and attention to detail in students while still having fun.

The teacher can first choose a list such as a number 1 to 100, a series of words, prime numbers and more according to the knowledge level of the students.

The participants will be first informed about the buzzwords or numbers in the list, say every odd number, prime number, vowels or so. They have to read the items in the list while replacing the particular number or alphabet as ‘buzz’.

These are just a few among the many popular fun classroom activities for students. A board race, scavenger hunts, spin the wheel, and the jigsaw is among other commonly chosen fun classroom activities to let students enjoy the beautiful feeling of learning with fun.

15. Thanking for the Compliment

This is an ice-breaking classroom activity, which can boost the confidence and encourage students to complement each other’s.

The teacher can give a sheet of paper to each student in the class which has to be pinned on their backs then she has to ask every student to think of a compliment to write for their friends. When the whole class is done with it, ask them to read it aloud.

16. “All about me”

This would be a fun-filled interesting classroom activity for kids, which can be performed in the beginning as well as at the end of the academic year.

Here the teacher is supposed to prepare a worksheet with certain set of questions like:

My name is………….
I want to become a …………………. When I grow up.
My hobbies are……………
My favourite colour …………
I want to go to …………………………
My best friend is …………………………….

They would simply live to fill this out. It would be more fun to do this activity twice an year, for them to compare.

17. Collect the Candies

‘Collect the candies’ is a school-activity which would be very effective in classroom.

In this the teacher has to hide candies in different corners of the class. Now, the students have to collect and find the candies. Initially, it would sound like a treasure hunt.

Now ask the students to show the number of candies they have collected and along with this they have describe about their favourite actor, teacher, colour, fruit etc. The number of things to be said will depend on the number of candies they have collected.

18. “Lean Laniya”

These interesting fun classroom activities will let the students to think and learn new words.

The game goes like, every student has to think of an adjective to describe themselves. But with the condition that the adjective must start with the first letter of the respective student’s name. For instance, Funny Francila, Smart Steeve, Tall Tom etc.

Teachers can choose the activity wisely depending on the level of students they are handling. Some of these classroom activities are not only evoke fun but also stimulates their creativity, thought process and teamwork.

Some of these school activities can also be used as part of strategic plans to teach difficult topics. However, it needs a lot of planning and preparation from teachers to execute such Classroom activities successfully rather than making it a distraction from serious learning.

A good classroom environment should always have the right mix of learning and fun.

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Edsys

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”! So true to this adage, it is very important for kids to break their monotony so as to recharge their minds. Be it in school or while at home, the onus is on the guardians to involve them in activities so that kids can experience an agile mind. It is all about engaging kids with activities that are creative and informative at the same time. Basically aimed at involving them in fun-filled activities that they enjoy, below are some interesting activities that can work in the best interest of kids.

Play with Colors and Drawing Aids

Kids are innately attracted to the beautiful world of colors. Parents and teachers can introduce them to the world of hues by prompting them to churn out an art book which includes designs and pictures drawn with the little fingers and a highly-imaginative mind of kids. Allow them to play with drawing paper, pencils, stencils, oil pastels and rulers to create a beautiful piece of art mirroring their artistic skills and interests. Such a colorful activity can refresh their minds alongside developing their hand and eye coordination.

Unveil The Culinary Skills of Your Kid

If your child loves to churn out delicious recipes, why not provide a homely platform allowing him or her to live their dream? You as a parent can encourage your child to learn the art of preparing and garnishing food by following step-by-step procedures that are enlisted on various cookery sites, specially meant for kids. Who knows your child will turn out to be a famous chef, satiating the hunger pangs of food lovers across the globe? All for the sake of promoting the culinary interests of your kid, you as guardians should go the extra mile in providing him with resources so that he can fine-tune his innate interest to play with recipes.

It’s Story Time And You Can Encourage Your Kid to Turn the Leaves of Interesting Story Books

Another proven means to refresh the minds of kids is to read stories from fairy tale books. Post the narration, you can engage in a discussion with your kid prompting him to pick his favorite story. Using this story as the backdrop, you can rekindle his theatrical skills by enacting a scene through role play.

A Field Trip To Collect Rocks

Teachers and parents can plan out field trips with kids to help them experience the thrill of collecting various rocks. You can check out the Collecting Rocks website managed by the American Geological Survey. This informative site handholds kids to identify and label minerals and rocks that they have collected as a part of their interesting field trip.

Chalk Out a “Family Activity” Day

Kids love to interact with adults who understand their world. When guardians become a part of the kids’ world, it helps kids to establish a strong bonding with them, ultimately helping kids to feel loved and cared for. Such an attention does wonders to their psyche allowing them to relax their mind.

In an attempt to build friendly ties between you and your child, it is important that you sit with your child and plan out a family activity day. Let your kid be at the helm of affairs of planning this activity, asking him/her to come with suggestions regarding the place, food and the day’s plan. Capture the moments of this wonderful family activity day with a camera and encourage him/her to come with a collage of your family pictures.

Allow Kids To Have a Say In Revamping Their Living Spaces

Giving the much-needed attention to the discretion of kids, you as guardians can assist your kid in decorating his/her room. Allow him/her the freedom of expression to come up with decorating ideas that suit his/her needs. You can go full-on looking up websites which show up a host of ideas that will allow him to live his life the way he wants.

You can check out the various furniture options that are available and stock his room with closets and desks that will help him/her organize himself. This will make him/her more comfortable by creating their rooms in the way they want. It is when kids believe that their opinions are valued by their parents that they enjoy peace of mind that eventually makes them feel special.

Interesting Games Which Demand Attentiveness

Kids who love to play with numbers should surely try playing either a probability game, arranging jig-saw puzzles or a timed flashcard activity. You can browse the internet for a number of puzzles and games that hone the problem-solving abilities of kids. While you make your kid play a math game, you should also record his/her score so that they can check their progress. And upon a victory, you can celebrate it by giving him/her a special treat that he/she can cherish for life.

Innovative On-The-Job Activities

Allow your kid play with the potter’s wheel, dirty his/her hands with the soft clay and eventually take pride in the creation of beautiful earthen artefacts. This is an activity that sharpens his/her fine motor skills while relaxing their mind. Allowing kids to stretch their imagination, such an activity will prompt them to come up with ideas that manifest in the form of beautiful creations mirroring their intelligent handwork. When all eyes are fixed on molding a sculpture from clay, your kid’s mind is relaxing with the enjoyment of partaking in a fun-filled and constructive activity.

Learning History Made Easy

Given the fact that history is a tough subject to master, you as a parent can play an important role in simplifying this subject to your kids. You can plan a trip to a museum which is an interesting activity to relax your kid’s mind alongside teaching him the nuances of various cultures linked to bygone days. Such a visit to historical sites will also help your kid relate better to the information described in text books. Modern cities have the luxury of interactive museums which will prompt your kids to open their minds towards historical events that are part of the ancient civilization.

Let Your KidEnjoy The Beauty of Nature from the Comfort of His Living Room

If you want your kid to appreciate the beauty of nature as a part of mind-relaxing activity, you can check out the Web Ranger site. This is a national site that has loads of information linked to monuments, historical sites and national parks. Simply sign up with this site for your kid to relax in the lap of nature; the online way. The site shows up a number of online activities that should be completed by him/her to be recognized as the “Web Ranger”. This relaxing and interesting activity can come as a boon to your kid who can enjoy the refreshing environment of natural sceneries.

Conclusion

Monotony is a bane which leads to boredom in both kids and adults. If you want your kid to develop creative skills, you as guardians should go the entire nine yards and ensure that he/she engages in mind-relaxing activities that will rejuvenate his/her thinking capacity.

Encourage him/her to take breaks and participate in all his mind-relaxing activities. Only when the mind of your kid is relaxed, he/she will be able to keep a number of health problems at bay. After you have included some of these interesting activities as part of your kid’s daily routine, you can take pride in bringing up a child in a relaxed and stress-free environment.

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Edsys

There are many puzzles that improve the mind power of children. However, there is one that does not need an introduction. Sporting a colorful and compact cube with 6 faces, each divided into 9 cells, this is the Rubik’s Cube with each face showing a different color.

Solving a Rubik’s Cube is not only for playing but children can hone their brain power making several moves with the cube so that every face shows up one color. If you are interested in introducing your child to this unique and engaging puzzle, here are the numerous ways your child will be better recognized as smart and intelligent.

An Open-Ended Puzzle That Needs No Instructions

Topping the list of advantages a Rubik’s Cube comes with, it is an open-ended puzzle that does not require your child to refer to an instruction manual. There are no hard and fast rules to arrive at a solution. You simply put the cube in the hands of your child and you can see his/her eyes gleam with happiness and excitement with small victories. No rule book or cheat codes are needed to understand the intent of the designer. It is a simple, but not-so-easy puzzle to solve. However, your child who will get to understand the aim of the puzzle will try different moves and combinations to solve it in multiple ways.

Promotes Problem-Solving Abilities

Gift your child a Rubik’s Cube and you will be sharpening his/her problem-solving abilities. Your child, through trial and error method will get to learn the importance of every move which will either get them close to the solution or take him away. Your child will try to solve the puzzle by focusing on multiple patterns. This entire process of trying out multiple moves will pave the way for him to develop a clear understanding of the process of problem-solving.

He/she will also try to visualize the spatial impact of every move and will be promoted to eliminate the combination that does not get him close to the solution. Eventually, he will try to establish a pattern of moves that will get him closer to the goal of showing up a majority of faces with similar colored cells.

Determination and Focus – The Two Important Traits Bestowed By the Puzzle

Any puzzle that employs the trial-and-error method allows the player to indulge in multiple moves to solve it. Through this repeated exercise of toggling between various possibilities and combinations of faces and cells, your child will begin to strengthen his/her determination to solve the puzzle.

Speaking of having a better focus, your child will be able to concentrate on the task at hand. He/she will attempt to apply all his/her mental abilities to tackle the puzzle with an enhanced level of confidence. Here comes another attraction. Since there is no hard and fast rule to complete this puzzle, every time your child picks up the puzzle, they will arrive at the solution in a unique way that was so different from the earlier moves they made. This feature demonstrates the fact that they are multiple ways to solve a problem, provided you put your heart and soul into seeking the solution.

Eye-Hand Coordination Tagged to the Brain

With the Rubik’s cube in hand, your child will enjoy the benefits of a sharper brain that stems from a solid eye-hand coordination. Paving the way to improve their memory, your child will experience better reaction time coupled with an enhanced agility and attention span. While the mind is racing through a number of alternative moves, the eyes and hands of your child will be put to their optimum use; in perfect unison. Thus, a learning system evolves through the perfect amalgamation of various human reflexes.

All about Skill and Nothing to do with Luck

Toggling with the puzzle builds the confidence levels of your child with every small victory. He/she will begin to enjoy a sense of accomplishment of a job done well with a strong belief that they can solve any puzzle. Believing in the concept that nothing is impossible, they will try their level best to solve the puzzle and stay ahead of their peers of their age.

It calls for a great deal of skill to work around the 43 quintillion combinations that the Rubik’s cube can come up with. Here, luck does not have any role to play. Success is guaranteed for children who put their innate and acquired skills to test. Through the multiple moves that your child makes to complete the puzzle, he/she is slowly inching towards bigger challenges that higher education will throw at him. Thus, Rubik’s Cube will sharpen his/her mind.

Observational Skills Lead to a Host of Other Positive Traits

Your child will be glued to the puzzle once he/she starts observing it keenly. They will begin to enjoy a pattern of experimenting and taking note of patterns that will get them close to the winning post. They will also start to draw conclusion and will patiently make moves that will bring him closer to the goal but are time-taking. They will also move on with a sense of perseverance, with all eyes on the puzzle. Eventually, with regular practice, all these brainy activities will help your child identify his/her love for a particular profession that will shape him up into a man of multiple abilities.

The Rewards Are Aplenty

Success with a Rubik cube comes with all the faces sporting cells of the same color. Your child who has taken baby steps to solve the puzzle will now enjoy the satisfaction of applying his/her own abilities. As a child attuned to all the moves of a Rubik’s cube, he/she can become the apple of your eye when they will be cheered in a crowd for their problem-solving abilities. Your child who will improve his/her cognitive abilities will tread the path of better thinking and memory; all thanks to the Rubik’s cube puzzle. He/she can also proudly carry the mantle of an intelligent problem solver who can attract the attention of the management of schools and colleges to offer them scholarships.

The Mind Takes On Center Stage

Tagged as a mechanical 3-D puzzle that can improve the awareness about spaces, toying with this cube hones the analytical abilities of your child. They will be able to recognize images while their brain will work in the direction of seeing these images in the context of the surroundings. It is through the regular movement of the 9 faces on the cube that your child will be able to fine-tune his/her abilities concerning visual and spatial intelligence.

The Ultimate Feel of Victory

Mastery comes through practice. This is so true with the Rubik’s cube when your child will cherish and relive the satisfaction of solving it. Hence it comes as an intelligent move to introduce him to this innovative and multi-faceted puzzle for him to experience the ultimate feeling of victory which can be cherished for life.

A Puzzle to Keep Boredom at Bay

Dealing with a hyperactive kid or a child who gets bored very easily? You have a perfect solution to all such woes. Simply place a Rubik’s cube in his/her hand and you will be helping them to feed the right things into their brain. Not allowing their mind to wander, the puzzle will help him break a particular task into simple and multiple steps. Introduce your child to this leisure activity to get benefitted from all the above physical and brain-centric advantages that the colorful Rubik’s cube has in store.

Conclusion

All in an attempt to raise smart children, the onus is on the guardians to introduce them to such brainy puzzles early on. Get them to play with the cube when their brains are in the stage of development. Solving Rubik’s cube is an activity that will hasten the development of your child’s brain in one or more ways; transforming them into smart individuals.