Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #67 – September 25, 2010
Why do kids love nursery rhymes? Could it be because they are sprinkled with adventure, or that they spark a child’s imagination? Is it that children innately enjoy the sound and the feel of rhyme and rhythm? Do nursery rhymes fill them with wonder? Is it because rhymes are teaching tools (oops, let’s keep that our little secret)? Or is it because nursery rhymes are just plain fun? Whatever the reason, we do know, nursery rhymes fill children with curiosity and therefore, with a desire to learn that will continue for a lifetime.
Tony Stead, senior national literacy consultant for Mondo Publishing in New York, in response to research that showed, in 1945, the average elementary school student had a vocabulary of 10,000 words, while today’s child has only 2,500, said:
"That is disastrous," Mr. Stead said. "So many parents are not reading to their children anymore." A lot of problems,” he added, “come from children not memorizing rhymes, the bread-and-butter of traditional early children's literature. Listening comprehension precedes reading comprehension," Mr. Stead said. "In order for a child to understand what they are reading, they have to be able to hear the language first. A lot of the traditional rhymes, such as 'Jack and Jill' and 'Humpty Dumpty,' were repetitious and allowed us to memorize basic structures and patterns in the English language, and then put it together. It's important that young children learn to memorize through verse. This is a powerful time to teach them to be readers and writers "Rhyme is important in developing phonemic [hearing] awareness in children," he said.
A typical nursery rhyme has simple vocabulary and a catchy rhyme:
Little Jack Horner sat in the corner
Eating his Christmas pie,
He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum
And said, “What a good boy I am!”
Some nursery rhymes are also songs. Children can quickly learn to sing along with a nursery rhyme, while at the same time increasing their vocabulary. Since counting is often integrated into a nursery rhyme (i.e. Five Little Ducks) as well, children can also start to learn to count using nursery rhymes. In addition, when a child learns a nursery rhyme, he or she can also learn to follow it on the page, and many children learn the fundamentals of reading this way.
Nursery rhymes have been used in early childhood education for years because it provides young children with a fun and exciting way to learn about math, letters, opposites, position words and other important concepts. But there are other reasons we should do nursery rhyme activities with our children. Here are a few reasons why.
Nursery rhymes encourage parent reading out loud
One of the most important reasons for doing nursery rhyme activities with your children is that they encourage you to read to them which in turn will show them how enjoyable reading is. But nursery rhyme activities are also good to help children read later on in life. They do this because they teach children about words that rhyme and silly words. Through hearing the sounds of the words your children will become enthralled with nursery rhymes.
Nursery rhymes teach memorization
Because nursery rhymes are read again and again, the activity teaches memorization through repetition. Memorization is a skill that will come in handy in just about every subject in school. Most nursery rhyme activities require you to say the nursery rhyme over and over again which will help your child memorize those words and if you are reading them from a piece of paper your child will soon learn to recognize certain words by sight, and they will be ahead of their class once they get started in school.
Quality time with your children
This reason has nothing directly to do with learning. However, it may be the best reason to do nursery rhyme activities. It allows you to spend time with your children and by spending time with your children you are showing them that they are important to you. Today’s world has become so fast paced that spending time with our children has stopped being a priority. It used to be that every child knew their nursery rhymes before they went to school because their parents spent time teaching them to their children. But now, for various reasons, many parents leave all the teaching up to other people. By doing nursery rhyme activities with your child you will be showing them they are the most important part of your life!
Children seem naturally drawn to poetry - it's some combination of the rhyme, rhythm, and the words themselves.
Jack Prelutsky
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
P.E. or no P.E?
Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #66 – September 18, 2010
Some of us may have enjoyed Physical Education Class during our school years, others maybe not so much. One thing I think we can all agree on is, P.E. can be fun (if you have a well-trained teacher) and as a bonus, it is good for our physical health and mental alertness.
Due to ongoing school budget cuts, many schools are forced to prioritize. When this happens, physical education, music, art and other “extracurricular” courses are the first ones on the chopping block. Despite Michelle Obama's gung-ho "Let's Move" campaign, which encourages schools and communities to combat childhood obesity, the results of the American Heart Association and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's Shape of the Nation 2010 report does not bear good news.
According to the report, 32 states make it easy for students to swap P.E. for other extracurricular classes. Even though there has been a 17 percent increase in the number of states that require P.E. over the past few years, only five require P.E. from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and just one (Alabama) requires the American Heart Association's recommended time allotment: 150 minutes per week for elementary school students and 225 for middle and high school.
So, when School Boards make these decisions, do they actually think it’s good for the kids to keep them in their seats all day long at school? A creatively designed P.E. program would not only include running around the track or playing baseball, P.E. could (and does, in some cases) include instruction on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, as well as other forms of movement, like dance, improvisation games, or academically-integrated activities. The rise in childhood obesity should act as a red flag. In contrast to the negative side of inactivity, research shows kids are more apt to be mentally alert for other subjects if they get a chance to move around. Any kindergarten teacher can tell you this.
Data indicates nearly 10 million children and adolescents in the United States ages 6–19 are considered overweight. The prevalence of being overweight in adolescents has quadrupled from 4 percent in 1971-74 to 17 percent in 2003-06. Increasing physical activity can prevent obesity. Schools can help in the effort by offering quality, daily physical education and other opportunities to recreate. Physical education not only gives children an opportunity to be active but it teaches them the skills they need to be active throughout their lifetime.
Unfortunately, very few states require daily physical education in grades K-12. In an era when increasing obesity and rising healthcare costs are threatening our competitive advantage and national security, we are cutting the very programs that could help reverse this trend. Schools should develop standards for student learning in physical education that reflect national and state standards and should require that physical education be taught by certified/licensed physical education teachers.
At the end of the day no healthy diet exists for a sedentary lifestyle. Encourage your children, friends and family to schedule physical activity into their daily lives. Be proactive by letting your local educators and school board members know that physical education is a priority. You can also contact your local congressman. Yes, it’s that important!
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” ~Plato
Some of us may have enjoyed Physical Education Class during our school years, others maybe not so much. One thing I think we can all agree on is, P.E. can be fun (if you have a well-trained teacher) and as a bonus, it is good for our physical health and mental alertness.
Due to ongoing school budget cuts, many schools are forced to prioritize. When this happens, physical education, music, art and other “extracurricular” courses are the first ones on the chopping block. Despite Michelle Obama's gung-ho "Let's Move" campaign, which encourages schools and communities to combat childhood obesity, the results of the American Heart Association and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's Shape of the Nation 2010 report does not bear good news.
According to the report, 32 states make it easy for students to swap P.E. for other extracurricular classes. Even though there has been a 17 percent increase in the number of states that require P.E. over the past few years, only five require P.E. from kindergarten through twelfth grade, and just one (Alabama) requires the American Heart Association's recommended time allotment: 150 minutes per week for elementary school students and 225 for middle and high school.
So, when School Boards make these decisions, do they actually think it’s good for the kids to keep them in their seats all day long at school? A creatively designed P.E. program would not only include running around the track or playing baseball, P.E. could (and does, in some cases) include instruction on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, as well as other forms of movement, like dance, improvisation games, or academically-integrated activities. The rise in childhood obesity should act as a red flag. In contrast to the negative side of inactivity, research shows kids are more apt to be mentally alert for other subjects if they get a chance to move around. Any kindergarten teacher can tell you this.
Data indicates nearly 10 million children and adolescents in the United States ages 6–19 are considered overweight. The prevalence of being overweight in adolescents has quadrupled from 4 percent in 1971-74 to 17 percent in 2003-06. Increasing physical activity can prevent obesity. Schools can help in the effort by offering quality, daily physical education and other opportunities to recreate. Physical education not only gives children an opportunity to be active but it teaches them the skills they need to be active throughout their lifetime.
Unfortunately, very few states require daily physical education in grades K-12. In an era when increasing obesity and rising healthcare costs are threatening our competitive advantage and national security, we are cutting the very programs that could help reverse this trend. Schools should develop standards for student learning in physical education that reflect national and state standards and should require that physical education be taught by certified/licensed physical education teachers.
At the end of the day no healthy diet exists for a sedentary lifestyle. Encourage your children, friends and family to schedule physical activity into their daily lives. Be proactive by letting your local educators and school board members know that physical education is a priority. You can also contact your local congressman. Yes, it’s that important!
“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” ~Plato
Saturday, September 11, 2010
SMART 'N SASSY SCHOOL SNACKS
Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #65 – September 11, 2010
During “Nutrition” period at many schools, the most common snacks I see children eating are: hot chips, cookies and candy bars. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m sure all of these treats are quite tasty. However, how will they add to a child’s mental and physical capacity?
Recently, the focus on children's health and well-being has shifted to poor eating habits accompanied by inactive lifestyles and the overwhelming increase in childhood obesity. A recent article in the academic journal, Appetites stated, "Children who replace proper breakfast with chocolate bars and carbonated drinks have the reaction levels of a 70 year old by the end of the morning."
Poor nutrition affects all walks of life
Research has shown that a child's behavior, learning capacity, cognitive performance and school attendance are negatively impacted by inadequate nutrition. When a child's body has no food, their brain lacks the fuel necessary to start their day off on the right track, alert and ready to concentrate at school.
Research has shown that a child's behavior, learning capacity, cognitive performance and school attendance are negatively impacted by inadequate nutrition. When a child's body has no food, their brain lacks the fuel necessary to start their day off on the right track, alert and ready to concentrate at school.
A healthy lifestyle begins with a proper diet. Healthy eating is important in children for the proper formation of bones, teeth, muscle and a healthy heart. Diet can affect growth and development in small children as well as teens. As we all know by now, childhood obesity is on the rise. If we, the adults, promote a healthy diet, our children can maintain a healthy weight be more mentally alert, and stay healthy as they grow into young adults.
Things to Keep in Mind
The important thing is to provide children with nutritious snacks that don't undermine the primary goal of keeping them healthy and fit. We can do this by avoiding foods that are fried, processed, too oily or too salty; and, definitely keep sugar to a minimum. If your child eats healthy snacks from the start, they'll likely continue to make good food choices throughout their lives.
As for serving sizes, young children don't need large portions. Many experts agree that servings should equal about one tablespoon of food for each year of a child's age. Enjoy serving them those small portions now, because your grocery bills will increase dramatically as they get older!
A few Do's and Don'ts
Many common snacks that children “go to” include chips, baked cheese crackers, a variety of cookies and chewy fruit snacks. While these snacks may be marketed as healthy and low fat, often times they are made from refined grains and are high in sugar and sodium. These components pose a variety of health risks as noted in “The Dangers of Unhealthy Ingredients in Packaged Foods,” dated April 28, 2009 and found on the Wellsphere website.
Many common snacks that children “go to” include chips, baked cheese crackers, a variety of cookies and chewy fruit snacks. While these snacks may be marketed as healthy and low fat, often times they are made from refined grains and are high in sugar and sodium. These components pose a variety of health risks as noted in “The Dangers of Unhealthy Ingredients in Packaged Foods,” dated April 28, 2009 and found on the Wellsphere website.
Dont's
•Refined grains- cause insulin resistance and high blood pressure.
•Sodium- salt helps to regulate blood pressure and maintains the balance of body fluids. Too much salt can cause blood pressure to go up.
•Sugar- sugars are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream which causes a rise in insulin. Insulin acts to clear sugar and fat from the blood and stores it in tissues for future use. This causes weight gain.
•Sodium- salt helps to regulate blood pressure and maintains the balance of body fluids. Too much salt can cause blood pressure to go up.
•Sugar- sugars are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream which causes a rise in insulin. Insulin acts to clear sugar and fat from the blood and stores it in tissues for future use. This causes weight gain.
Do's
Smart parents can really “out-do” the hot chips and candy bars by sending kids off to school with snacks that will very likely start a trend among your child's friends of healthier eating during nutrition period.
Smart parents can really “out-do” the hot chips and candy bars by sending kids off to school with snacks that will very likely start a trend among your child's friends of healthier eating during nutrition period.
Healthier Snack Ideas:
Crunchy vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, jicama, sugar snap peas)
(with peanut butter or any nut spread, or ranch dressing).
Ants on a Log: Peanut butter on celery with raisins
Whole-wheat crackers or whole-wheat tortilla with cheese
String cheese
Sliced apples, oranges, berries (any kind)
Mixed raisins (or other dried fruit) with nuts, sunflower seeds, soy nuts
Hummus and pita wedges
Many of these can be mixed & matched. Here you have a fairly easy way to make an important impact and really help your children function better mentally and physically. These “smart ‘n sassy snacks,” will keep their faces smiling and their engines burning mightily.
Crunchy vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, jicama, sugar snap peas)
(with peanut butter or any nut spread, or ranch dressing).
Ants on a Log: Peanut butter on celery with raisins
Whole-wheat crackers or whole-wheat tortilla with cheese
String cheese
Sliced apples, oranges, berries (any kind)
Mixed raisins (or other dried fruit) with nuts, sunflower seeds, soy nuts
Hummus and pita wedges
Many of these can be mixed & matched. Here you have a fairly easy way to make an important impact and really help your children function better mentally and physically. These “smart ‘n sassy snacks,” will keep their faces smiling and their engines burning mightily.
"The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine."
- Hippocrates
- Hippocrates
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Ready For Middle School?
Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #64 - September 4, 2010
Getting your five-year-old ready for the first day of Kindergarten is quite a memorable experience. However, another equally challenging day, especially for the child, is going from elementary to middle school. Here are a few suggestions to help you and your child prepare for and feel confident on that day.
Early Visit to School: Take your student to her new school ahead of time so she can familiarize herself with the new territory. If she already has her class schedule, she can even walk around the campus and see exactly where each of her classes will meet. Other places to visit are: restrooms, cafeteria, auditorium or multi-media room and the main office.
School Supply List: One of the most difficult tasks for children is getting and staying organized. Most office supply stores such as Office Depot and Staples have a generic “School Supply List.” Generally speaking, your child should go to school on the first day with a pen, pencil and some kind of planner/notebook. That way, when the teachers send home their own “supply lists” during the first week of school, you won’t have to make two trips to the office supply store.
School Website: If you haven’t received any mail from your child’s middle school by the middle of August, look for the schools’ website or call the school to find out when the school orientation will be held.
Proper Place for Homework: Another way to help your child get organized is to set up a specific spot for homework, a quiet place with proper lighting, and few distractions. Make a supply box with extra pencils, pens; paper a three-hole punch and things like extra calculator, rulers, and compasses. A homemade one-page, six or nine week calendar is a good idea to mark project due dates and special test dates.
Proper Time for Homework: You and your child should agree on a specific time each day for homework and stick to it. Also, get your child used to placing finished homework directly into a folder inside their backpack. That way, they never have to worry they’ve forgotten the homework and left it at home.
The Binder: I suggest their main notebook (a zippered three ring binder) for school has two pockets for loose papers. One pocket should be only for things going home for parents (and things returned from parents to school). The other pocket is for any papers they get that they may not have time to organize at school.
Communication/Monitoring: As a parent of a middle school child, you will need to maintain constant communication and connection with your child. Keep in mind that while your child may need more space and independence to discover new interests and build skills and knowledge, he or she will also need your continued support and guidance throughout the middle school years.
How Can I Help My Child Move From Elementary To Middle School?
Other ways to help your child through this transition include:
•Attending open house at the middle school
•Meeting with your child’s teachers
•Helping your child get organized.
It is important to encourage your child to do his or her best in school and in any outside activities. As a parent you can do this by:
•Showing love. Provide support and encourage your child to develop his or her interests.
•Teaching responsibility. Encourage your child to be responsible for chores, completing homework assignments, taking on community activities, and acknowledging good decisions that he or she has made.
•Being a role model. Show that you value education and exhibit the values and behavior you hope your child will develop.
•Providing and encouraging your child to try a range of experiences in sports, music, volunteer activities, travel, etc. This will allow your child to discover and develop his or her strengths.
•Talking to your child. Be aware of what your child is doing. Talk to your child about his or her day, activities, school work, friends, and interests.
Stay Involved In Your Child's School And Other Activities. So many parents show up at elementary school activities. It always shocks me to see that only a handful of parents attend middle school activities. Your child may need more independence in his or her early teens, but it is still important for you to remain involved and interested in your child’s school and after-school activities.
You can keep on top of how your child is doing by:
•Keeping in touch with your child’s school
•Attending school events and volunteering in your child’s school
•Being aware of your child’s homework and school demands
•Monitoring your child’s progress
Even though your child may protest outwardly, deep inside, your child knows you are keeping an eye on him because you love him and really care about his future.
“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” Harry S Truman
Getting your five-year-old ready for the first day of Kindergarten is quite a memorable experience. However, another equally challenging day, especially for the child, is going from elementary to middle school. Here are a few suggestions to help you and your child prepare for and feel confident on that day.
Early Visit to School: Take your student to her new school ahead of time so she can familiarize herself with the new territory. If she already has her class schedule, she can even walk around the campus and see exactly where each of her classes will meet. Other places to visit are: restrooms, cafeteria, auditorium or multi-media room and the main office.
School Supply List: One of the most difficult tasks for children is getting and staying organized. Most office supply stores such as Office Depot and Staples have a generic “School Supply List.” Generally speaking, your child should go to school on the first day with a pen, pencil and some kind of planner/notebook. That way, when the teachers send home their own “supply lists” during the first week of school, you won’t have to make two trips to the office supply store.
School Website: If you haven’t received any mail from your child’s middle school by the middle of August, look for the schools’ website or call the school to find out when the school orientation will be held.
Proper Place for Homework: Another way to help your child get organized is to set up a specific spot for homework, a quiet place with proper lighting, and few distractions. Make a supply box with extra pencils, pens; paper a three-hole punch and things like extra calculator, rulers, and compasses. A homemade one-page, six or nine week calendar is a good idea to mark project due dates and special test dates.
Proper Time for Homework: You and your child should agree on a specific time each day for homework and stick to it. Also, get your child used to placing finished homework directly into a folder inside their backpack. That way, they never have to worry they’ve forgotten the homework and left it at home.
The Binder: I suggest their main notebook (a zippered three ring binder) for school has two pockets for loose papers. One pocket should be only for things going home for parents (and things returned from parents to school). The other pocket is for any papers they get that they may not have time to organize at school.
Communication/Monitoring: As a parent of a middle school child, you will need to maintain constant communication and connection with your child. Keep in mind that while your child may need more space and independence to discover new interests and build skills and knowledge, he or she will also need your continued support and guidance throughout the middle school years.
How Can I Help My Child Move From Elementary To Middle School?
Other ways to help your child through this transition include:
•Attending open house at the middle school
•Meeting with your child’s teachers
•Helping your child get organized.
It is important to encourage your child to do his or her best in school and in any outside activities. As a parent you can do this by:
•Showing love. Provide support and encourage your child to develop his or her interests.
•Teaching responsibility. Encourage your child to be responsible for chores, completing homework assignments, taking on community activities, and acknowledging good decisions that he or she has made.
•Being a role model. Show that you value education and exhibit the values and behavior you hope your child will develop.
•Providing and encouraging your child to try a range of experiences in sports, music, volunteer activities, travel, etc. This will allow your child to discover and develop his or her strengths.
•Talking to your child. Be aware of what your child is doing. Talk to your child about his or her day, activities, school work, friends, and interests.
Stay Involved In Your Child's School And Other Activities. So many parents show up at elementary school activities. It always shocks me to see that only a handful of parents attend middle school activities. Your child may need more independence in his or her early teens, but it is still important for you to remain involved and interested in your child’s school and after-school activities.
You can keep on top of how your child is doing by:
•Keeping in touch with your child’s school
•Attending school events and volunteering in your child’s school
•Being aware of your child’s homework and school demands
•Monitoring your child’s progress
Even though your child may protest outwardly, deep inside, your child knows you are keeping an eye on him because you love him and really care about his future.
“I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.” Harry S Truman
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