As parents you want to know what your child is learning at school, however when we ask our kids what they’ve learnt at school they often don’t tell us much or they say things like; “ I played”, “We drew and coloured in”. This is especially true for children in early grades. Unfortunately this doesn’t make it easy for you to know what to help your child with and when.

How can Smart-Kids Workbooks help?

Materials:
Plastic bottles/containers with lids
Paper or a funnel
Rice, pasta, screws, beans, beads (any small, hard objects which can be placed in the bottles/containers)
Stickers for decorating
 
Instructions: Using a funnel or a piece of paper rolled to act as a funnel, fill the bottles/containers with different hard objects – rice in one bottle, pasta in another, screws in the next, etc. Seal the bottles tightly and have your child decorate them with stickers. Have your child shake each bottle and observe the different sounds. 

Materials:
Toys/household objects that can be used to measure length and height (e.g. Legos, blocks, books, apples, spoons)
 
Instructions:
Have your child use different household objects to measure length and height. Determine how many Legos tall the couch is, or have your child lie down and see how many apples tall she/he is each month! Always count aloud as you measure. 

Materials:
Cookie cutters in various geometrical shapes (If you don’t have these, you can use a knife)
Your child’s favourite “cut-able” foods – pancakes, cheese slices, fruit, bread
 
Instructions:
Using cookie cutters, cut shapes into your child’s favourite foods. Discuss the shapes as your child eats them, e.g. “You’re eating a cheese triangle. Have a watermelon star.” 

Finding fun activities for your children that are educational but engaging doesn’t need to feel like work. In this blog series, I’ll be giving you lots of activity ideas for children of all ages, from toddlers to Grade 3.  

TODDLERS: (ages 1-3)

Make a Shape Book

Materials:
Coloured Paper
Pens
Magazines
Camera
Glue
Printer
Stapler/Hole punch & string
 
Instructions:

When your children lose interest in learning, you may find yourself wondering how you’re ever going to get them excited and motivated again. These tips will help you get them fired up and back on track!

1. Be passionate about your teaching. Even if you’re having a bad day, be expressive, smile and put excitement into your voice. Laughter, colour and music are great motivators – use them liberally.