Tips to Incorporate Learning Into Kids' Daily Activities

For many kids, school is a place they go to learn and put it out of their minds upon leaving the building. Parents can extend their child's learning time by bringing academic skills into day-to-day activities. The educational experts at Learning Resources, a leading manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products, have put together tips for parents and caregivers.

"Children learn best when instruction is ongoing," says Wendy Zachrisen, educational marketing manager for Learning Resources. "The idea is for parents and caregivers to keep children learning through everyday activities, by incorporating learning into projects at home and everything they do."

Zachrisen offers the following simple and inexpensive solutions:

* All young readers should join the local library's reading program or start their own reading club. Include books, magazines, newspapers and approved Web sites.

* Incorporate reading into everyday activities. Read billboards, menus, food containers, books or magazines. Point out individual letters and sound out words. Have children repeat the letters or words or find a word on their own.

* Host a family or neighborhood game night. Pull several games out of your closet for the children, and some grown up choices for the parents. Educational games, like Reading Roadway USA, are fun and reinforce academic skills.

* Reinforce math skills while clearing the clutter. For early algebra skill-building, have children sort clutter into piles (e.g. clothes in one pile, action figures in another) before putting it away. For a simple counting, addition and subtraction exercise, ask them to count and compare how many pieces are in each group and in total. As they pick each piece up, ask them to count how many are left on the floor.

* For all budding mathematicians: Choose a number of the day (keep it under 15). Give young children a point every time they see the number or find a group of things that add up to the number. Children with more advanced math skills can think up different ways to make the number of the day, using equations based on their skill level.

* Trips to the grocery store also provide an opportunity to brush up on math skills. Clip coupons together and discuss the savings. Then, place your child in charge of coupons and seeking out discounted items in the store. Also, at the store, take time to weigh fruits and vegetables and discuss the results.

For information on fun educational products that keep minds sharp and bring academic skills into everyday living, visit www.LearningResources.com or call (800) 222-3909.

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