Parents should expose their children to the fact that consumerism is associated with environmental responsibility, especially the 3Rs such as reducing. reusing, and recycling. We have to teach by example these 3Rs and give these a thought and don't just continue consuming and tosing because doing so contributes to the betterment of our children's environmental situation in the years to come.

We don’t need to become experts on doing and teaching the 3Rs but it's a must for us to understand the bigger picture in order for us to teach and practice these mindfully and responsibly.

Children especially the younger ones have minds like sponges. Based on experience, as a mom and teacher, they like to take part in helping the environment and it all starts with being motivated through learning activities that they find most effective and fun. Of course, since kids nowadays are born with technology, playing online games and learning from them motivates them. That's why just recently, I spent time looking for a one-stop online portal where easy games teach kids to recycle and maximize energy production could be found. I am so glad that I found one, I enjoyed trying and testing them before I let my "ausome son" play them. Indeed, he enjoyed them too and they made him motivated to start doing the 3Rs.

Twin The Bin is a game where players move the recycling bin across the screen to collect a specific types of recyclable. 

How to Play: 

In Sort The Trash recycling game, players move the recycling bin across the screen to collect recyclables while avoiding other garbage. 

How to Play: 

Wind and Solar is a game that promotes sustainable energy. Players adjust the placements of windmills and solar panels to maximize energy production. 

How to Play: 

This is my fourth year of homeschooling Bunso, my son diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Mathematics is one of his favorite subjects. When he was younger, it was easier for me to teach him since the concepts were still the basics. But as years pass, learning and teaching Mathematics become more challenging for both of us. 

As a mom and teacher, I have to find ways to sustain my son's interest in Mathematics. It is a trial and error endeavor but through the years, these are the strategies that work for my son which I also apply when teaching him other subjects besides Math. 

Bunso is a combination of kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and naturalistic learners. He gets bored when being taught through lectures. He doesn't want to memorize. He learns by doing. He is more adept at doing the process while I act as a facilitator. The concepts that he needs to learn are drawn up from the results of the activities that I ask him to do and I was just there to probe and help him delve deeper into his learning experience. He likes to be immersed in the activity, having his sensorial needs addressed. He likes to feel, touch, see, and hear in order to remember what he is learning. 

Children diagnosed with ADHD in particular get bored easily. Giving them tasks that are too lengthy or too traditional will not motivate them to learn. In order to achieve Bunso's full learning potential in a day without both of us struggling, I divide his daily tasks into chunks. What works for him is splitting his homeschooling schedule into three parts. We have three short sessions in a day: one in the morning, one at noon, and one in the afternoon. Through this, he doesn't get overwhelmed and tends to like learning more since he is not pressured to finish a lot of tasks at a particular time. I always anchor my teaching on this principle by the former Xavier School San Juan president, Fr. Johnny Go: "Minimize activities, maximize impact."

Getting his opinion on what he wants to learn first, how he wants to learn, and what he likes to learn besides his usual academic tasks gives him confidence and a feeling of accomplishment/satisfaction. It also teaches him "executive functional skills" or things that a person should do to live productively and orderly to achieve success and fulfillment throughout life. 

Giving positive reinforcement means that it is not always giving rewards like stickers, stamps, or tokens. Bunso grows up that learning itself is a reward. Speaking in a positive way as he carries on his task works for him. This creates a learning environment without prejudice. 

Bunso likes pen and paper activities, cooking, baking, art, and online games. These avenues give me the freedom as his homeschool teacher to integrate different subjects into the activities that he likes to do. It makes teaching and learning easier and more fruitful, indeed a fun learning experience too.

In line with online games. Bunso loves his "Game Time" as always. I let him play online educational games as a review of his previous lessons or mode of assessment. I don't force him to do it since he loves games using the laptop, tablet, or personal computer. It is a win-win endeavor for us! I get to assess his learning, he is able to learn, and both of us enjoy game-based learning!

Speaking of online games, I recently found a site that caters to Bunso's Math learning. Calculators.org has Free Online Games for Kids a.k.a. Student Game Arcade that has a wide array of Math games for children of all ages that even adults like me can enjoy. 

Lynch, C. J., Khouzam, A., Phillips, J., Uddin, L. Q., & Menon, V. (2014). Brain organization underlying superior mathematical abilities in children with autism. Biological psychiatry, 75(3), 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.06.018

Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures and an_photos on Pixabay

The use of technology has been a part of my teaching journey with my kids for years. As a teacher and mom, I believe that kids should not be deprived of using technology because they are born with it.  Exposing kids in technology is not a bad thing but not regulating it properly is what hinders them to think critically and creatively. As the saying goes, everything that is too much is bad. 

Literally and figuratively speaking, our kids are born in a different time. We cannot impose to them that they should learn the way we did when we were younger. It is true that nothing beats the old ways but it is not always the case. In order for kids to learn effectively, we have to use the things that they are good at and the ones that they love in their mode of learning. Technology, using educational games for example, is one of the most engaging ways for kids to learn. It is a trial and error process and it takes time to balance everything because there may be an instance wherein they tend to become so hooked in the materials used and not on the process. As parents and teachers, we have to be mindful in the way we teach our kids. 

In line with this, using online education games in teaching and learning also known as game-based learning is research-proven to have multiple benefits. According to University of Toronto Libraries, game-based learning may provide an avenue for feedback and practice, builds an emotional connection and subject matter, solves problems that other modes of learning may not solve, promotes engagement, and may be customized to fit individualized instruction. I have seen these developments in my kids. I remember the time when Kuya used to ask us to read instructions for him while playing Poptropica. To teach him how to read independently, we told him that he should learn how to do it if he really wanted to play the game without any hindrance and that motivated him to do so. Mean while, Bunso has been on game-based learning for years and the effects are amazing. My kids are not into long lectures and discussions and I have discovered that aside from integrative learning approach, game-based learning works for them and I take it as an advantage to maximize its use. Furthermore, it is one of the key contents of our integrative learning. I use online games as one of the best learning assessment tools for my kids.

Speaking of online educational games, I have discovered a new online game platform which I would like to share with you. Plays.org is a website that offers free and fun online games that are user-friendly. What makes it more interesting is that the developers' motivation is to help people to have fun or learn while being stuck at home during the pandemic. Curating fun and purposeful games for people is a good reason for us to support this platform. 

Moreover, Plays.org is progressive as it is adds more exciting games. What makes it user-friendly is we don't need to pay for upgrades and no need to download apps to play or register or set up a user account. The games are not stressful because most of them may be beaten quickly which somehow gives a feeling of success on the part of the player. In Bunso's case who needs more practice in hand-eye coordination and desensitization to sounds due to his special needs, the games in Plays.org are advantageous on his end. Our favorites so far are the Math, tangram, and maze games and we will be exploring more games in the future as we homeschool. 

The world wide web is truly a gift for this generation. All the information that we need is on our fingertips. Acceptance opens doors for great possibilities. Let's face it. Kids nowadays are different from us although like us, they have different likes, ways, and needs too. They also learn through ways that they find very interesting so let us not take that opportunity away from them. We need to embrace the fact that technology is more engaging and delightful. Based on experience, it makes them more excited, motivated, and focused. Traditional ways of learning or the way we learn before may be effective to them at some point but not always. 

 

Letting our kids and students experience technology through game-based learning is promising to their cognitive and emotional growth but never forget that the success of using technology still lies on the teacher. Therefore, learning is student-centered but it starts with the teacher. 

Whenever children would be asked what their favorite subject is, most of them would say Art, Music, Science, or Physical Education. If we ask, “Why not Math?” most would say they prefer other academic disciplines because they are fun and easy to learn. 

Many kids see Mathematics as a very intimidating subject and the tasks that go with it as very tedious. It’s true that Mathematics as a subject is truly tedious for it requires a specific set of skills, patience, and time allotment to be able to master the principles. For parents, here are the ways of teaching your kids the love for Mathematics. 

The greatest leaders lead by example. Your kid should see and realize that learning Mathematics is fun. This can be realized if he sees you doing it with him. Make the learning process interactive by learning it together and discover the excitement in solving equations and unlocking solutions to different problems. Of course, as a parent, you should exercise extreme form of patience and diligence as you deal with the frustrations of your kid. Just be with him in his journey discovering the answers that he seeks. Show him that by learning the concepts properly through diligence and meticulous studying, he is laying a solid foundation on all the other skills that he is encountering as he progresses in studying Mathematics. 

A little pat on the back and words of encouragement can take your kid a long way. Make him realize that failing to get the answer the first time means that he hasn’t lost. Explain to him that his failure in the getting it right means that he might have missed a step in the process. Emphasize to him that failure in getting the correct answer is a reminder that he has to be careful in applying the steps and principles in solving mathematical problems. 

Studying with your kid provides him with the opportunity to see you in action. Now to put an icing on the cake, you must show him that you can actually do it. Through this way, you are actually putting substance to what parents usually tell their kids and that is to “study well.” The idea is you can do it and so he can. Always remember that you can’t demand something from your kid that you yourself can’t do. 

Make it a habit to answer a problem at certain occasions separately then compare your answers afterwards. Encourage your kid to discuss the process that he just did to solve the problem. If your answers are not the same, avoid jumping into the conclusion that he made a mistake but rather, review and analyze each other’s work. You will be surprised at the outcomes of such an endeavor. 

Through encouragement and constant practice, you can change how your kid sees Mathematical equations. Constant practice provides him ample dose of failures and a lot of opportunities for you to encourage him to do it again and polish his skills and methods. In due time, getting the correct answer and arriving at a wrong one both become an “Aha!” moment. Both occasions can provide satisfaction, affirmation, and stimulation to seek more. 

Mathematics is a world of its own, a world of certainty, precise thinking, and accurate representations. You can make it fun and beautiful in the eyes of a child and a long process it might change you.

The advent of digital gadgets and the availability of access to the worldwide web have created a revolution in all aspects of society. One of the most challenging and promising effects of this event is the paradigm shift on the way people exchange, process, and view information. Information can now be accessed via any platform as long as there is a connection to the web. But the most appalling effect of this change is the shift in people’s reading habits and perception. The reality that even with the present advancements in technology, the basic skill of reading can never be replaced since all of these data can only become relevant if it is read and digested properly by the reader. 

Here are some ways on how you can develop the love for reading on your kids. 

The best time to develop the habit is when your kids are still young. Make it as a part of your kids’ daily routine. Assign time in a day when you can sit down with them and read together. It can be reading their favorite storybook, the daily paper, and even their textbooks. Start them early. Start them young. 

Your kids’ reading habit can be amplified if they have access to their favorite books and reading materials. You may assign a basket or box situated on a strategic place in the house, probably the living room or their respective bedrooms. If the books are stacked in a shelf, you may leave their books on the lower portion or arranged at their eye level to find their longing to read. 

Your kid’s reading trove should be based on his age, level, and interest. Habit forming is based on repetition of certain action. For kids, repeating a particular action can make them lose interest. Now, to develop their reading habit, reading materials should pique their interest and curiosity. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with reading materials that can fuel their need to know more and develop their interest further. For example, if your kids love Harry Potter books, at some point you may include in their trove readings that fall under the same genre like Percy Jackson series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Geronimo Stilton, to name a few. 

Exposing your kids to interesting reading materials and developing the habit is not enough to fully develop the skill and interest in reading. One of the most crucial things is to allow them to express their thoughts on the things that they have read. This is where probing comes into play. Make it a point to discuss what they have read or should allow them to tell the story in their own words. You may do this over dinner, during casual conversations, or even before sleeping. In this way, your kids can appreciate what they have learned on their own while reading. 

Courtesy: Manila International Book Fair Facebook Page

Oftentimes, parents won’t think about tutoring their children on academic subjects until they’re already behind.

And while it’s never too late to help your child, you’ll have much more success if you don’t have to start from square one – that is, learning how to tutor in the first place.

Using the following guidelines, you can put yourself in a good position to help your child stay on top of things even before they’re struggling.

Be their tutor, but remain their parent.

Tutoring is different from parenting, and that makes it crucial that these roles are very distinct in both your mind and your child’s.

There are two main ways this can go wrong, the first being that you act too much like their parent while you’re tutoring them – and the other that you become more critical and tutor-like when you’re not.

Thus, it’s very important that your child understands – even as you tutor them – that you love them unconditionally, whether they seem to be understanding the material or not.

But they also should know that, as their tutor, you can’t just give them the answers – you have to let them struggle (even more so than you might as a parent) and learn through their mistakes.

Make sure you know the subject well.

It’s very possible that you’ll relate to your child’s struggles with maths, writing, or similar – precisely because you struggled or still struggle with the same things.

That’s why it’s very important that you have a strong, foundational grasp on the subject or subjects they’re struggling with.

After all, can you truly help them with maths if you never got past some of the major pitfalls yourself?

Sure, you can help them solve problems on their homework, but tutoring is more involved than just providing homework answers.

Good tutors must know the ins and outs of the subject they’re teaching – the fundamental concepts, where students often go wrong – or else they’re doing little more than just helping with homework and not helping their students learn.

Consult their teacher first, if you can.

It’s impossible to overstate the value of parent-teacher interviews, especially if your child is struggling academically with one or more subjects.

The information you can get on your child’s education is invaluable, not least because you generally can’t get much objective insight from your child’s responses to questions like “How was your day at school?”

Upon meeting with your child’s teacher, you’ll more fully understand what subjects they’re struggling with – and maybe even the specific concepts that they haven’t completely mastered yet, causing them to fall behind.

Parent-teacher interviews are almost always too brief, but if you know how to make the most of that time by asking the right questions, they can help you be a very effective tutor.

Use their interests to motivate them.

No matter what the subject, there should always be some way to tie the concepts back to things that your child cares about – and that’s important to help them learn.

A simple example for younger children: Using toys – cars, marbles, doll clothing – to practice counting and simple maths concepts like addition and subtraction.

For older children, you might show how these subjects relate to real-life responsibilities – paying taxes, budgeting – as these are things they should know they’ll have to do when they get older.

Of course, the better you know your child and the more imaginative you are, the more effective this can be – so listen to them and get creative.

Communicate – by instructing and by listening.

The most vital tip to being an effective tutor for your child is to communicate with them. Tutors must be able to communicate well with parents to update them on their child’s progress, of course.

But they also must be able to communicate well with the child – not just by giving clear instructions and specific, actionable feedback, but also by listening to them.

You might think you know how your child likes to learn, but your understanding could turn out to be wrong – so if they’re getting frustrated, pay attention to this and adjust accordingly.

As long as you’re communicating with your child and following these guidelines, you should be able to help your child improve in no time.

Photo Credit: 

Image 1: https://pixabay.com/en/family-parenting-together-people-1784371/

Image 2: source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125892716@N05/14419606327/in/photostream/