Take Your Child to Art Museums

I have always taken my children to art museums in addition to most any kind of museum.  It has always been thought that arts increase thinking skills but there was never any real proof.

I read an article in The New York Times on Nov. 24. 2013 by Brian Kisida called, "Art Makes You Smart".  A study was done in Arkansas where students were able to visit museums by lottery.  This museum was set up by the daughter of Sam Walton and is 50,000 square feet and has an endowment of over $800 million.  Over 11,000 students and 500 teachers participated in this study.  The benefits were higher for minority, low income, and rural students.

"Visiting an art museum exposes students to a diversity of ideas that challenge them with different perspectives on the human condition.  Expanding access to art.. should be a central part of any school's curriculum."

Here in California, where the budget is tight and classrooms are overflowing, museum trips are sparse.  So as a parent, take your child to museums and explore together.  This beats watching a TV show together.

Google Learning in Museums to start finding resources that will work for you.
http://www.mylearning.org

http://www.imls.gov/about/learning_labs.aspx

Help Your Child Play With Math

I found this article from the New York Times, 11/14/2013 "With Apps, Children Can Play the Game of Math by Kit Eaton.  Somehow, children like to play games.  Children like to play games on the computer and they like to play on tablets.  How many parents allow their children to use their tablet or phone when having dinner, waiting for appointments, or driving in the car?  I still would prefer parents to limit this time because interacting with real human beings should be more important.  But I do agree sometimes it is nice to not be around children screaming.

But parents should look for apps that can help your child learn.  In this article she recommends "Dragonbox Algebra 5+"  It is $6.00 but she feels it is worth the money.  If you do use it please let me know what you think.

Next she recommends "Yodeloh Math Mountain".  This is more of an introductory math program.  many newspapers recommend it.  The link shows many positive reviews.

The third app she recommends is "Madagascar Math Ops".
".  There is a free version to try it out but both of these last two programs cost around $3.00 each.  This use the "Madagascar" cartoon as a carrot to involve your child. Short movies are the reward.

Finally a traditional math app she recommends is "Mathboard"  I have to admit this one does not look exciting.  With all the wonderful graphics available, I would not be excited to play a game that looks like a chalkboard.

I am using MobyMax.  This can be used on the computer or tablets but it is geared more for the teacher to give to her students.  The reward after working on worksheets which the text can be given in audio for the child who has trouble reading, is time available to play their games.

Bottom line use parents should use learning apps when something electronic is needed to keep your child interested, focused and not out of control.