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Cognitive activities for kids: 21 Best Cognitive Activities For Toddlers At Home (2022)

Опубликовано: October 16, 2020 в 11:12 am

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21 Best Cognitive Activities For Toddlers At Home (2022)

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Updated on by Lyric Fergusson

Cognitive development is responsible for the way that children learn new skills and absorb new information. Cognitive activities are an important tool to help toddlers to meet developmental milestones.
The best cognitive activities include memory games and things that involve concentration, attention, and understanding. We have listed some of our favorites that you and your little one can do from the comfort of your own home.

We have 7 free cognitive activities for toddlers at the end of the article that’ll give you even more ideas without spending a dime.

Our toddler, Kingsley, solving a puzzle with his aunt.

21 Engaging Cognitive Activities For Toddlers

  • 1. Sing a Long with a Music Player

    Music is great for children’s development and teaching your little one to sing along to songs will incorporate that with word recognition and memory skills. Your toddler will love singing and dancing to fun nursery rhymes or Disney songs and it will be entertaining and pressure-free.

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  • 2. Practice Sound Recognition with Animal Sounds

    Memory and recognition games are great cognitive activities for young toddlers and a fun way to combine these things is to teach your little one different animal sounds. This toy is wonderful for this activity because it allows them to play independently while still getting all the same benefits from this game.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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    3. Learn Letters with Flashcards

    It’s never too early to start building a strong basis in letters with your little one. Young toddlers can benefit greatly from practicing their letters with flashcards and other memory devices. Parents can work on them with their toddlers or they can work with them on their own and either way it will help with memory and attention.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Learn Numbers with a Listen-and-Read Book

    This book is one of my favorite ways to teach my little one numbers. It allows them to learn independently as they hear and see the numbers and memorize which is which. Young toddlers love books so this is a great way to combine different cognitive activities into one great afternoon.

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    5. Practice Shapes with a Wooden Shape Sorter

    Shapes and spatial recognition are important developmental skills for toddlers and a shape sorter is a fun and pressure free way for them to practice both. As a bonus, brightly colored toys are great for keeping their attention as they learn and practice their shape skills.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Practice Matching with Simple Puzzles

    Two-piece puzzles are a great way to let your toddler practice matching, an important cognitive activity at this age. Not only do these puzzles help with practicing matching, but they also aid in honing their hand-eye coordination skills. The best part of two-piece puzzles is that they are not overwhelming for a young mind.

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    7. Learn Colors with a Color Sorter

    Learning colors is fun and important for toddler’s development and a great way to make it feel like play is to let them explore a color sorter. This Mellissa and Doug toy is great because it combines color exploration with the ability to practice their dexterity.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 8. Understand Cause and Effect with Button Toys

    Cognitive activities don’t have to be complicated. In fact, sometimes the simpler they are, the better. Button toys are fun and entertaining for young toddlers and at the same time it helps them to build a strong basis in cause and effect. Bright colors and fun sounds are a bonus to help keep your little one’s attention while they play.

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    9. Get Artistic with Sidewalk Chalk

    Sidewalk chalk is a wonderful way to incorporate arts and crafts into your little one’s day without having to worry about the mess. Your toddler can enjoy creating brightly colored works of art while they practice fine motor skills and dexterity, both of which are crucial for cognitive development at this age.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 10. Practice Stacking with Wooden Blocks

    Letting your little one play with blocks and allowing them to stack them as high as they can teaches hand-eye coordination and balance. The bright colors and fun shapes make this a stimulating activity for your little one and will keep them entertained while they learn.

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  • 11. Explore Textures with Touch-and-Feel Toys

    Learning about different textures is a fun cognitive activity for young toddlers and touch and feel toys are a great way to introduce this to your child. With these wooden puzzles, your little one can enjoy feeling the different textures while also putting all the different pieces together.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 12. Practice Fine Motor Skills with a Busy Board

    Busy boards are a fun way to let your little one hone2 their dexterity and fine motor skills while keeping them entertained. They can play with the different buttons, clips, and zippers and practice maneuvering the pieces in a way that just feels like play. This activity also helps them to prepare for getting themselves dressed as they grow up and become more independent.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 13. Imagine with Kitchen Toys

    Soft cognitive skills like imagination, creativity, and problem solving can be formed and improved through imaginative play. Giving your little one play food and dishes and allowing them to come up with their own creative combinations is a great way to make this a fun learning activity.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 14. Practice Balance with a Balance Bike

    When you think of cognitive activities, you may think of the brain instead of brawn, but physical activity has just as much of an effect on your little one’s cognitive development as mental activities do. Balance bikes are a wonderful way to incorporate physical cognitive activities into your toddler’s routine and it’s a great way to encourage outdoor play.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 15. Have a Scavenger Hunt

    Having your little one run around searching for items indoors or outdoors can help them with many cognitive skills including following instructions, object recognition, and attention skills. This is a fun activity for them as well as something that your toddler can do mostly on their own without too much help from you.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 16. Play on an Obstacle Course

    Obstacle courses are a fun way to encourage active play indoors and it teaches balance and problem solving among other important cognitive skills. Your little one will love climbing and exploring these large, soft blocks while they learn and play.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 17. Play with Musical Instruments

    Shaking rattles and drumming with drumsticks improves dexterity and is a fun activity for toddlers at every stage. Music is also an important tool for cognitive development for young children and whether you let them play along with music or by themselves, it will be a great way to entertain your little one and stimulate their mind.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 18. Practice Fine Motor Skills with an Activity Cube

    Fine motor skills are important cognitive skills for young toddlers to learn and there are luckily many ways to make learning and honing them fun and entertaining. Activity cubes are a great way to incorporate this into their day because it has enough variety that it will keep a busy toddler’s attention for a long period of time and it’s a mess-free option that parents will love.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 19. Play with Rolling Toys

    Rolling toys, such as toy cars, are a fun way to teach your little one fine motor skills as well as encourage imaginative play. Your toddler will love pushing their toys around and creating different stories while they play, and it might even inspire them to be creative. Don’t be surprised if your little one starts building ramps or other devices to play with their toys on.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 20. Learn About Emotions with Flashcards

    Flashcards are a wonderful learning tool for practicing cognitive skills and learning about different emotions is no exception. While toddlers don’t fully understand others’ emotions, it is never too soon to start allowing them to recognize the different types in themselves as well as others. You can show them the flashcards and tell them “she looks sad” or “he looks happy” and also ask them what emotion they see.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 21. Let Them Help with Chores

    Toy cleaning supplies are a surprisingly fun activity for young toddlers. This is because they like to emulate things that they see their parents or older siblings do. It is a great cognitive activity that teaches dexterity, responsibility, and how to follow instructions and, as a bonus, it might allow you some hands-free time to get stuff done.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

7 Free Cognitive Activities for Toddlers

Sometimes it’s handy, and even necessary, to be able to create activities at a moment’s notice which means using items that you already have around your house. We’ve come up with seven cognitive activities that you can do without buying any extra supplies that will help your toddler to learn in a fun way.

  • 1. Do Sing-Alongs

    You can do a sing-along without any extra supplies by just playing some nursery rhymes on your phone or computer. After a couple of times listening to the same song, your little one will recognize the words and the melody and will be able to sing along at least a little bit. This activity is great for word recognition, memory skills, and simply building a love of music.

  • 2. Practice Counting

    You can let your little one practice counting with almost any items around the house. If they are not choking-sized, you can set one to ten items out around your toddler and let them practice lining them up and counting. This is great, not only for learning to count, but also could help your little one learn organization skills.

  • 3. Ask Them Questions

    An unexpected cognitive activity is to simply ask your toddler questions at regular intervals. These questions can range anywhere from “What do you want for lunch?” to “What sound does a cow make?”. This activity lets your little one practice problem solving and critical thinking and it can be done intermittently throughout the day. It is also great to give your toddler choices and let them make decisions for themselves as it teaches autonomy.

  • 4. Play a Matching Game with Pots and Pans

    A great activity for your little one is to set out some of your pots and pans along with their lids and let your toddler match the lid to the pot. This teaches spatial awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving and it could even turn into a musical activity if they start banging on the pots and pans when they get bored.

  • 5. Play with Cups in the Bathtub

    Giving your little one a cup during bath time and letting them fill it up and pour it out can help with fine motor skills as well as simply being a fun activity to entertain them during an otherwise monotonous activity.

  • 6. Let Them Play with a Remote

    Button toys are great for fine motor skills and dexterity development. Most toddlers would jump at the opportunity to play with a remote, an otherwise off-limits object, so if you can take the batteries out of the remote and let your toddler press buttons and use their imagination, this will make for an entertaining activity.

  • 7. Stack Dishes

    Letting your little one get into your Tupperware cupboard may come in handy when you are looking for free cognitive activities. Stacking dishes has all the same benefits as stacking blocks so it’s a great way to incorporate spatial awareness and building skills into your little one’s day without having to buy the blocks. If they are contained to one area, cleanup should be minimal.

Conclusion

Cognitive activities may sound like they have to be complicated to be effective, but it’s quite the opposite. Simple activities will teach your little one crucial cognitive skills without overwhelming them in the process and may even give you a little bit of hands-free time. As a parent, we all want to set our kids up to have their best chance at success in life and these activities are a fantastic place to start.

Growing Minds With Cognitive Development Activities for Toddlers

During toddlers’ cognitive development, they are learning to better process and organize information, to form a baseline of understanding about the world around them. However, between two and three years, language acquisition and logical thought often lag behind a child’s curiosity and drive for self-expression. This can lead to a lot of frustration for the parent and youngster alike — that’s why tantrums at this age are so common.

 

The best cognitive development activities for toddlers integrate learning with play, which encourages better engagement and better results. You’re monitoring progress while your child is having fun, making these mental exercises productive and enjoyable for both parties. 

 

Cognitive activities for toddlers’ memory

 

Hiding and finding objects

Hide an object under a towel or blanket and ask the toddler to point it out, or shuffle an object between your hands. This helps develop short-term and visual memory, the ability to form mental images when an object can’t be seen directly.

 

Nursery rhymes, stories, and sing-alongs

Repetition encourages formation of  long-term memories, the patterns and sequences found in simple rhyme and song are easier for your young minds to follow. As the child grows more familiar with the nursery rhyme, story, or song, pause before the next section or cover up the next word and ask them to fill in the blanks. Songs with associated actions or choreography can help your child learn to react to cues.

 

Letter and number games

Letters and numbers are the foundation for language and mathematical reasoning, so it’s a good idea to acquaint your toddler with the alphabet and counting before preschool and kindergarten. Learn the alphabet song, play with alphabet blocks or magnets, or tape letter cutouts to objects whose names start with that letter. As far as numbers go, look for opportunities to count whenever you can!

 

Cognitive activities for toddlers’ logic

 

Simple routines and procedures

Between the ages of 2 and 3, a toddler should develop the ability to respond to simple instructions and start forming routines. When it’s time to get dressed, offer a choice of two outfits. When it’s time to eat, offer a choice between two different snacks. This way you’re feeding the toddler’s desire for independence while still remaining in control. 

 

Sorting sizes, shapes, and colors

Toddlers should be able to organize and classify objects — shape and color are two of the easiest ways to categorize. Have them sort colored toy blocks, shapes, or pegs from large to small or have them pick out toys of only a specific shape or color. Outside of dedicated play sessions, ask them to pick out or describe objects to you in these terms while going about your daily routines. 

 

Matching games and puzzles

You can base many cognitive activities for toddlers around relationships between sights and sounds (e.g., animals and the sounds they make) or how objects fit together spatially (e.g., a 2D or 3D puzzle with large pieces). Trial-and-error problem solving is often cited as a key developmental milestone.

 

Cognitive activities for toddlers’ imagination and creativity

 

Arts and crafts

Toddlers watch and observe the world around them with rapt fascination. They are especially interested in emulating or mirroring the activities of their parents or caretakers. Draw, paint, or mold something together or supervise an independent art project from a safe distance. A box of child-safe art supplies such as fingerpaints, crayons, chalk, scrap paper, and/or PlayDough in your household is a must. 

 

Playing outside and visiting places

It’s important to allow some unstructured (but still closely monitored) playtime to foster independent creativity and improvisation — playing out in the yard or at the park without the distractions or technologies of the indoors helps increase attention span and familiarize the child with the world around them. Go places and do things together and ask them about their experiences — their replies might be funny or even enlightening!

 

Variety

Over time, you’ll find toddlers staging more elaborate scenarios and scenes as new toys and objects are introduced. Outer space bake sale anyone? 

 

Without a toy or game in front of us, sometimes we have to create our own entertainment. Common household items like pots and pans or backyard items like sticks and twigs can be the basis of any of the games mentioned above. 

 

Different faces, different paces

 

Toddler cognitive development does not follow a set schedule — each child’s mental connections form at their own pace. Interaction and play can accelerate this process but does not guarantee it. If you are concerned or have reason to believe that your toddler has fallen behind, ECCM’s early intervention services can help get him or her up to speed. Do not hesitate to contact us.

 

LEARN MORE

23 Best Cognitive Activities For Toddlers Development

Simple and engaging activities can help develop intellectual abilities in toddlers.

Research-backed

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When we are young, we acquire and develop cognitive skills continuously. These are the skills that assist us in processing and responding to information. Cognitive activities for toddlers aid in the development of these mental capacities, allowing children to read, learn, understand, recall, and focus more quickly.

Infants and toddlers keenly observe their environment and continuously think, learn, and experiment. Cognitive skills serve as the foundation for the development of a child’s social, emotional, language, and communication attributes (1).

In this post, we share the various aspects of cognitive skill development in toddlers and activities to help improve them.

At What Age Does A Child’s Cognitive Development Begin?

Your baby is learning as soon as they start observing the surroundings. For instance, a two-month-old baby can pay attention to faces and follow moving objects with their eyes. Infants and toddlers watch their parents or elders in the family, listen to the language spoken around, make cooing noises, taste foods, hold or grab objects, or cuddle with their caregiver. They learn in these ways (2).

Cognitive development continues till adulthood.

What Are Toddler Cognitive Skills?

As your baby grows there are various milestones of cognitive development. According to Jean Piaget’s  sensorimotor stage (first stage of ‘theory of cognitive development’), infants and toddlers between zero and 24 months of age interact with the world around them. These sensory and motor experiences help them develop cognitive skills.

At each developmental stage, your toddler will develop newer and more complex skills. Let’s explore the various cognitive milestones in toddlers (3) (4).

  • By the time your baby is between nine and 12 months of age, they can sit, stand, crawl, and even walk with support.
  • A one-year-old will have a better understanding of the world than they had during infancy. They enjoy looking at picture books, imitate gestures made by others, put one object into the other, manipulate them, recognize words, and respond with sounds and gestures. They also begin understanding the concept of object permanence.
  • When they are between one and two years of age, they start to differentiate between ‘me’ and ‘you,’ identify familiar objects and people, and try to respond to words.
  • Toddlers who are between two and three years of age show increased independence and learn a lot by exploring the world around them. Cognitive skills that most two-year-olds have are:
    • Imitation of their parent’s or family members actions
    • Name objects in the books
    • Identify their reflection in a mirror
    • Understand and respond to instructions given by adults
    • Ability to sort objects according to color, size, or type
    • Grab and lay building blocks

How Do Toddlers Develop Cognitive Skills?

As babies grow, the nerve cells (neurons) in their brains branch out and form a new connection every time they learn something new. Each neuron can have multiple connections, and together, they form pathways (5).

Imagine these neural pathways to be the wiring system in your house. Each neural pathway is a circuit. While some pathways, like those that control breathing and digestion are present at birth, other pathways result from cognitive development. It means that the more your baby explores, learns, and interacts, the more pathways are formed. The more these pathways are used, the stronger they become. New neural pathways are formed when your toddler picks up different skills at different stages of development.

These early cognitive skills lay the foundation for complex cognitive abilities that emerge later in life.

Engaging Cognitive Activities For Toddlers

You can engage your toddler in innumerable activities to boost their cognitive development.

1. Sing along

Music helps develop sensorimotor skills and cognition. Teach your toddler to sing after you or with a music player. It will entertain them and improve their social and emotional skills.

2. Practice animal sounds recognition

Toddlers love animals and are quick to pick up on their sounds. How about practicing animal sounds and asking your toddler to identify them?

3. Learn letters with flashcards

Using flashcards with toddlers is a great way to teach them and boost their memory. You can begin with letters and practice with them daily.

4. Practice matching simple puzzles

Get your toddler a two-piece puzzle that is easy to identify visually and enables your little one to use their memory and logic to complete them.

5. Learn colors with a color sorter

Colors are fun, attractive, and essential for your toddler’s cognitive development. Get your baby a color sorter and teach them how to use it. It helps boost cognitive and logic skills in your toddler.

6. Understand cause and effect with button toys

An important part of cognitive development in your toddler is understanding the cause and effect phenomenon. A simple button toy that performs an activity, lights up, or gives out a sound is a fun way to teach your child cause and effect.

7. Practice stacking with wooden blocks

Allow your toddler to stack building blocks in any way they want. It allows them to imagine and get creative. Giving them some suggestions once in a while is useful.

8. Explore textures with touch-and-feel toys

Toys for toddlers come in different shapes and materials. It is because toddlers are encouraged to touch and feel different textures and learn about them.

9. Pretend-play with kitchen toys

Toddlers have a keen sense of imagination. Providing them kitchen toys allows them to use their imagination and creativity in their play. It is also a good way to teach them about food, tastes, and smell.

10. Practice passing through a bike course

Cognitive skills in your toddler are not limited to their mental skills. Set up a bike racecourse in the garden or draw a course with chalk and encourage your toddler to observe and pass through the course accordingly. They can explore using their hands and feet in coordination to move forward, backwards, and turn around, which improves their ability to understand the reactions and react appropriately during an outdoor play.

11. Set up a scavenger hunt

The activity is more appropriate for toddlers around two to three years of age who understand instructions better. Set up a treasure or scavenger hunt for your toddler and give them a reward to motivate them.

12. Play with musical instruments

Babies are instantly attracted to music and sounds of all kinds. Playing with rattles, banging on utensils, and beating on a drum with drumsticks improve your toddler’s dexterity and develop a sense of sound and music in them. Get them a toy musical instrument and encourage them to play it.

13. Let them help with chores

Fun activities with your toddler can be a learning opportunity for them. Allow your child to help you in daily chores such as cleaning their toys and putting the toys in the bin. These will instill a sense of responsibility, improve dexterity, and teach them to follow instructions.

Cognitive Activities To Boost A Toddler’s Memory

Here are some easy and fun activities that can boost your toddler’s memory.

14. Hide an object

Hide an object under the blanket or shuffle it between your hands. Ask your toddler to find the item. Such activities boost your child’s short-term memory and visual memory and lays the foundation for object permanence.

15. Repeat songs and stories

Singing to your newborn or infant is recommended as the sounds and tunes could help in cognitive development. As your baby grows up to be a toddler, singing nursery rhymes, narrating stories with images, and encouraging sing-alongs are recommended. Once you feel your child is familiar with a rhyme or song, pause at a point and ask them to continue (6).

16. Practice numbers and letters

You can keep repeating letters and numbers, and once they are acquainted with them, you can ask them to recollect.

Cognitive Activities To Improve A Toddlers’ Logic

Though underestimated, logic plays a critical role in your child’s life as they grow older. Here are a few things you can do to help your toddler develop logical abilities.

17. Set up simple daily routines

Build simple and defined routines and procedures. Stick to schedules for the toddlers bath, lessons, food, storytelling, activities, or going to the park. This teaches them to relate to the sequence and they expect one after the other. The routine also inculcates a sense of discipline in the child.

18. Hand them sorting-based games and toys

By the age of two years, your toddler will be able to identify objects and sort them. To encourage and strengthen their ability to sort things based on different parameters, you can ask them to sort toys, blocks, animals, colors, or ask them to choose their favorite. The routine can be incorporated during your daily outdoor sessions with your toddler too.

19.

Give them puzzles

A great way to boost your toddler’s logic is by engaging them in matching games and puzzles. For example, a puzzle game where they need to match the animal puzzle piece with the puzzle piece of the sound they produce or a game in which different pieces fit in a specific, logical orientation.

Cognitive Activities To Boost A Toddlers’ Imagination and Creativity

Try these activities to boost your toddler’s imagination and creativity.

20. Get creative with art

Children are imaginative and creative. These traits are naturally present in them and can be further honed by creating art, crafts, and painting. For example, use playdough to make a miniature cat or dog and ask your child to follow your steps. After a few times, your child will create an object that they have seen or observed in the environment around them. A similar activity can be taught by asking them to draw or color. Use bright colors that are attractive to your toddler.

21.

Engage in outdoor play and short visits

Unstructured play is equally essential for boosting your toddler’s imagination and creativity. Take your child out to a playground or open space to allow them to explore the world outside. A visit to a zoo, a picnic, or a similar experience can boost your child’s cognitive skills.

22. Provide experiences

Start with smaller experiences, but as your toddler begins to grasp more, you
need to improvise and provide variety. You may well be sitting with a zebra, a lion, and an astronaut at a tea party hosted by your little one.

23. Get artistic with sidewalk chalk

You can stock up on materials that your child can use to get creative and keep them engaged. One such material is a blackboard and chalk. Let your child think freely and get creative while drawing on the board. It helps your child improve their motor skills, dexterity, and creativity—all of which are needed for cognitive development at this stage.

Unstructured Toddler Cognitive Activities Examples

While there are plenty of activities that can help boost your toddler’s cognitive skills, unstructured play or free play is equally important for their development. Unstructured play gives toddlers and children the freedom to imagine, explore, create, and play without any rules (7).

The freedom cultivates and boosts cognitive development along with physical and emotional development. Encouraging your toddler’s free play with children of the same age also helps build their social skills. A combination of structured and unstructured play makes children creative, innovative, imaginative, disciplined and helps them develop critical problem-solving skills as they grow up.

You can encourage your toddler to play outdoors to explore and interact with the world. However, toddlers can have just as much fun indoors. Some examples of unstructured indoor play include:

  • Building with Lego blocks
  • Playing with dough
  • Playing with a kitchen set
  • Playing with water
  • Playing with figurines (cars and dolls)
  • Playdates with other toddlers
  • Narrating a story to friends or family members

Unstructured play is said to be an essential part of childhood and shapes the way your child thinks. Here are a few tips you can use to encourage your toddler during unstructured play.

  • Keep lots of materials, such as age-appropriate toys, cardboard boxes, paper towels, blocks, storybooks, blank books, and playdough handy.
  • Keep cognitive toys and books on shelves that are easily accessible to your toddler.
  • Keep a designated space in their room where your child can just be themselves. It’s okay if they get messy while playing.

How Does A Baby Rattle Help With Cognitive Development?

Rattles are one of the first toys your baby plays with. While in the first two or three months, your baby is attracted to the sound and movements of the rattle when you shake it, from four to seven months, they are likely to hold the rattle by themselves (8). You encourage them to shake the rattle and make noise. By doing so, your baby learns the purpose of a rattle.

Once your child is familiar with their rattle, play ‘hide the rattle’ with them. Shake the rattle to make noise wherever it is hidden as it encourages your child to understand object permanence and motivates them to look for it. Even in the first two or three months of your baby’s life, the rattle noise is a concept that helps boost your baby’s cognitive development.

Other benefits of using a baby rattle for cognitive development are:

  • Different rattles make different noises
  • Your infant learns to grasp, hold, and move the rattle, helping them develop their motor skills
  • Many rattles are teethers, too
  • Toddlers learn to imitate adults by moving the rattle just like the adults do

Your baby can start to observe and process information around them right from birth. By the age of two, they can recognize people and understand instructions after learning simple reactions to various stimuli and learning to differentiate colors. Since the surrounding environment and experiences influence these developments, this is the right age for toddlers to engage in different cognitive activities. So, by involving children in these learning activities, you may help them accomplish these milestones and improve their sensorimotor experiences.

1. Is exercising a cognitive activity?

Yes. Exercising can help improve brain development and thinking ability, release growth hormones, reduce stress, and improve mood. Thus, aiding in the overall development of cognitive functions (9).

2. What type of exercise is best for cognitive function?

Cardio exercises such as running, dancing, skipping, and jumping can help improve brain function and aid in the children’s school performance and cognitive development. These activities also enhance your child’s learning, retention, analytical ability and focus (10).

Key Pointers

  • Children’s cognitive development begins within the first 24 months as they observe and pick up on the actions of people around them.
  • The development proceeds in different stages, each involving a significant skill achievement.
  • You may help your child reach these milestones with activities such as sound recognition, familiarizing with numbers and letters, puzzle-solving, and more.
References:

MomJunction’s articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. What is Cognitive Development?, HelpMeGrow
2. Milestone Checklist, Centers For Disease Control And Prevention
3. Milestones for a 1-year-old, University of Michigan
4. Milestones for 2-Year-Olds, University of Michigan
5. A. Morin, How kids develop thinking and learning skills, Understood.org
6. Growing Minds With Cognitive Development Activities for Toddlers, Eerie Country Care Management
7. Why Unstructured Play is Important to Child Development, HelpMeGrow
8. Ways to Use Rattles with Your Baby or Toddler, Care About Childcare at Utah Valley University
9. Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills; Harvard Health
10. Physical Activity Promotes Brain Development, University of Nevada

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Rohit Garoo did MBA from Osmania University and holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland. The zoologist-botanist turned writer-editor has over 8 years of experience in content writing, content marketing, and copywriting. He has also done an MBA in marketing and human resources and worked in the domains of market research and e-commerce. Rohit writes topics… more

Dr. Elena Shea was a physician at the Health Unit of the US Embassy in Rome, where she developed an interest in child health. She is now a breastfeeding medicine provider and literacy advocate for early childhood. She is from Florida but lives with her family in Washington D.C. Her favorite pastimes are reading novels, running, sending time outside, and… more

How To Boost Cognitive Development In Preschoolers

Cognitive development in preschoolers focuses on information processing, such as attention, memory, decision-making, language abilities, learning, and perceptional skills. Your child’s brain is quickly developing and requires a lot of thinking and exploring.

One of the best ways to promote your preschoolers’ cognitive development is through play and cognitive activities.

Mother and daughter enjoying some block play together.

Play And Cognitive Development In Early Childhood 

Play is a vital component of cognitive development in early childhood and allows parents to engage with their children. By building an affectionate and loving relationship with your child, you lay the groundwork and support for their development and learning.  

Through play, you can increase your preschooler’s cognitive skills and support their cognitive growth. Children learn in a hands-on, concrete manner, so lots of play and interaction are the best learning methods. Invite your child to use their imagination and creativity to solve problems.

As preschoolers play and use their imagination, they generate ideas. They use their creative skills to find different solutions for solving a problem.

The more your child plays, the more they test their limits, explore challenges, and fine-tune their decision-making skills. Through social interaction with adults and their peers, they begin developing their language skills.

Read more about Cognitive Development in Toddlers, What is Cognitive Development?, and What Are Cognitive Skills?

As we identified above, preschoolers learn best through play, particularly child-led play. However, all types of play, even adult-guided play, are beneficial.

When children play, they explore, think, create, experiment, learn how things work, and solve problems. As a matter of fact, children need lots of unstructured play that helps build confidence and resiliency.

Through experiences and interactions with others, they learn to share, cooperate, resolve conflict, negotiate, and make friends. 

Use these tips to encourage Your Preschoolers’ cognitive development

  • Allow for mistakes. Young children are bound to make mistakes; that is how they learn. Naturally, we want to fix things; however, it is vital to give them space to make mistakes. 
  • Celebrate their successes. 
  • Encourage decision-making by allowing your preschooler to make choices, for example, “what they want to eat,” “what to wear,” or “what they want to play.”
  • Engage and spend quality time playing together.
  • Help them learn about friendship, sharing, and empathy by inviting them to play with others. Try these Easy Social-Emotional Activities For Preschoolers
  • Inspire them to try new things or find different solutions.
  • Invite your youngster to help with simple chores. Young children this age love to imitate adults and “help.” Build their autonomy and confidence by engaging them in age-appropriate household chores.
    • Younger preschoolers can help with the laundry by matching socks, sorting the clothes by type or color, and putting away their toys and blocks.
    • While older preschoolers can help in the kitchen by making simple snacks, helping set the table, clearing their dishes, and watering the plants. Remember, at this age, you will need to adjust your expectations and be flexible. It is not about perfection.
  • Support problem-solving by giving them the time to figure things out and not rushing in with a solution. 
  • Talk with your preschooler to build their language skills. Ask questions during play, like “What happens next?”
  • Use your child’s interests to expand their growth and development; for example, if you see your preschooler becomes fascinated with whales, find additional resources, like books, crafts, games, or excursions (visit an aquarium) that support that interest.

Inviting children to help with simple chores builds their confidence and autonomy.

Cognitive Development Milestones In Preschoolers

As your child moves into the preschool age (3-5 years), their cognitive skills further develop. At first, their attention spans are short, and they may not complete a puzzle or sit through an entire game.

However, by the time they enter kindergarten, they should be able to finish a puzzle, play a full game, and begin learning the fine art of fair play, losing, and winning.

Whether your child attends preschool or plays at home, language skills increase, gross motor coordination improves, social skills progress, and awareness of their surroundings broadens during their preparation for kindergarten.

While they may not fully understand the difference between real and pretend, they are better equipped to observe and analyze their surroundings.

Children are like little sponges, and there is constant learning during this growth stage. They are always watching, exploring, and questioning.

Your preschooler is likely to ask many questions, especially “Why?” questions. They may begin asking sensitive questions about death, “where babies come from?” or upsetting news they see or hear.

Want to see what preschoolers’ cognitive Growth will look like over the next couple of years?

Before entering kindergarten, you can expect them to be able to:
  • Balance on a beam or board.
  • Be aware of gender.
  • Climb a ladder.
  • Comprehend the concept of time, like “past,” “present,” and “future.”
  • Count 10+ things.
  • Cut paper with scissors.
  • Dance and sing a song.
  • Do somersaults.
  • Draw a 4+ body part person.
  • Dress and undress themselves.
  • Express what they think is going to happen next in a story.
  • Hop, or they may skip.
  • Kick or throw a ball.
  • Know everyday items like money or food.
  • Make friends.
  • Name 4+ colors.
  • Negotiate for things they want
  • Play games like board games.
  • Recall parts of a story.
  • Recite address and phone number.
  • Recognize and write their own name.
  • Ride a tricycle.
  • Run, jump, or gallop.
  • Socialize and play with others.
  • Swing on the swings.
  • Tell a story using their imagination.
  • Walk along a circular or straight line.
  • Walk down and up the stairs.
  • Write or copy numbers, letters, or shapes.

Cognitive Activities For Preschoolers 

As the parent, you can help increase your child’s cognitive learning by making available fun and playful cognitive activities. No structured agenda or lesson plan is required. Just plenty of time to play alone and with others expanding their experiences.

Use These Play Ideas To Support Cognitive Development Activities:

Puzzles

Age-appropriate puzzles build preschooler’s cognitive skills, like concentration, memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, puzzles can reinforce sorting by color, type, or shape. Choosing a puzzle, concentrating on that activity, and completing it helps support cognitive control.

Card, Matching, Or Board Games

Simple card, matching, or board games like “Old Maid,” “Go Fish,” “Matching Game,” or “Chutes & Ladders” teach kids how to follow directions, take turns, share, and problem-solve. As your preschooler masters these games, you can introduce more games with complicated strategies, like checkers. In addition, when your child encounters a problem during play, it tests their judgment, reasoning, and ability to find a solution.

Other Games For Cognitive Development

When you are out and a board or card games just won’t’ do, try cognitive activities like “I Spy. What about spending the day at the park? Physical games are a wonderful way to engage. Test out games like “Hide & Seek,” “Red Light, Green Light,” or “Simon Says.” If your preschooler has mastered “Simon Says’, add a twist and have them do the opposite of what “Simon Says.”

Block Play

Preschoolers engaged in block play not only are having fun but also are exploring science and math. Children stacking or playing with wooden building blocks begin to understand wider, shorter, taller, higher, longer, heavier, and more. Explore more block play ideas with these Simple Block Activities For Toddlers And Preschoolers

Constructive Play

While it often includes blocks, constructive play is about experimenting with different materials and building approaches. Preschoolers learn to plan and assess their actions through trial and error. Trying new methods and modifying when needed is problem-solving at its best. Find out how Creative and Constructive Play Works Best When You…

Outdoor Activities And Play

Getting outside not only helps with gross motor development but also builds cognitive skills. Nature provides an awesome science lab for preschoolers. Go on a walk, create a nature tray or keep a nature journal. Check out these other Outside Activities For Kids.

Getting outdoors and engaging in outside activities for kids.

Mazes And Obstacle Courses

You can build an obstacle course or maze from simple household items. Grab a roll of painter’s tape and create a maze on your floor (test first), patio, or driveway for your preschooler to navigate. They can maneuver their cars, balls, or bodies through the maze using their cognitive abilities. Put up an obstacle course inside or out using tables, chairs, large boxes, or giant blocks. 

Singing, Rhyming, And Finger Play

Simple songs that include rhyming and actions help build cognitive skills; for example, the “ABC’s Song” helps them remember the alphabet. “I’m A Little Teapot” Or “Head And Shoulders” helps them learn to follow directions. Some songs introduce number concepts like “5 Little Ducks” or “5 Monkeys Jumping On The Bed.”

Reading

Daily reading is critical to cognitive development in preschoolers. Foster the love of books by checking out the local library or bookstore for children’s storytime. 

Telling Jokes

At this age, preschoolers start to really develop a sense of humor. Find a book filled with jokes or engage them by having them tell you some jokes. 

Storytelling

Encourage storytelling by alternating adding parts to a story or asking them to finish one you started. Incorporate these Simple And Powerful Language Activities For Preschoolers into your daily play.

Cooking

Invite your preschooler to help you in the kitchen. They can begin learning about healthy ingredients, measuring, and following directions. Looking at a recipe allows them to understand photo directions while building their reading and language skills. Start with simple recipes like “Ants On A Log” or “Bagel Pizzas.”

Imaginative Play Or Role Play

Many preschoolers are naturally drawn to pretend play. It is the perfect way to build their creative skills and imaginations. You are likely to find your child pretending to be something imaginary like a pirate, superhero, or princess. However, they may also act out familiar roles like grocery shopping, cleaning the house, or being a fireman. 

  • Jump in and play, but let your child lead the way. Keep in mind you may need to adjust to your child’s creative process. 
  • Imaginative play can be as simple or elaborate as you care to make it. Add basic dress-up props, like old hats, purses, or shoes from time to time. Need a crown, sword, or magic wand? Get the kids involved and try some crafts projects using paper towel rolls or construction paper. 
  • Build a fort from jumbo blocks or put a blanket over a table and chairs.
  • Preschooler running out of ideas? Feel free to prompt a new pretend play scenario. It might be based on real-life activities like shopping, caring for a baby, animal, or someone sick. Maybe it involves acting out a fairy tale, good versus evil, or some other silly idea. Learn more about the Benefits Of Imaginative Play & Why It’s So Important.

Acting out a familiar role like being a fireman.

Everyday experiences like talking, reading, or playing a game have the power to boost your preschoolers’ cognitive development, growth, and cognitive skills. So, no matter how you engage with your preschooler, whether through outdoor activities, unstructured free play, or cognitive activities like block play, let them be the leader. What cognitive activities for preschoolers will you try today?

20 Preschool Cognitive Development Activities

It may seem strange, but video game music has been proven to support concentration and cognitive development. After all, the songs were developed for people to be able to solve tricky puzzles and figure out complex levels in video games. These are also great to play with in the background as children are doing other activities.

Learn more: The Protector

Video Games for Cognitive Development

6. Monster Mansion Match

Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as healthy screen time. It may seem like having preschoolers play video games is not an effective way to build cognitive development skills, but studies have shown that games like Monster Mansion Match actually help develop these critical skills! Play this matching game to develop their visual memory and pattern recognition skills!

Learn more: ABCYa

7. Wild City Search

This fun game has children explore the city and practice both logical thinking and critical thinking as they help different creatures that live in the city solve problems. These skills are especially important as they develop those complex thinking processes they will use as they grow older.

Learn more: Plum Landing

8. Finding Feelings

Another important aspect of cognitive development is emotional growth. During these foundational years, children learn to read and understand the emotions of others. Promote that with this fun, engaging game using some of their favorite characters!

Learn more: Nick Jr.

9. Make Your Own Pattern

If you want to play a memory game, look no further than this game that focuses on remembering patterns. Pattern-building games are great for cognitive development. This fun game will have children engaged as they create their own patterns using animals in train cars!

Learn more: Education

10. Color by Letter

Studies show that colors carry significance in children’s cognitive development. Have them play this game to create beautiful, colorful pictures while learning their colors and their alphabet! This simple game is wonderful to add to any toolbox of cognitive development games.

Learn more: Turtle Diary

Cognitive Development Activities

11. Playing with Blocks

Playing with blocks has been proven to be beneficial to cognitive development for many reasons, including divergent thinking and logical reasoning. Kids will think they are just playing a game, but in reality, they will be cementing these critical skills.

Learn more: Gigi Bloks

12. I Spy

I Spy is a great game to play for the development of memory by searching for hidden items. Playing I Spy outside in the physical world also helps with spatial recognition and attention span! It is an easy game to incorporate into your everyday routine by having children look for everyday items around the classroom.

Learn more: Scholastic

13.  Morning, Day, and Night

Another cognitive development skill that develops during these critical years is the concept of time. Use this activity that has children match different activities with the time of day in which they do routine activities such as brushing their teeth! Encourage proper development of this skill by regularly mentioning the time throughout the day.

Learn more: Proud to be Primary

14. Puzzles

Doing age-appropriate puzzles is a great way to promote cognitive growth! Puzzles teach children the valuable skills of choice and strategy as they use their brains to complete each. As children get better, move them onto more complex puzzles to even further work those brain muscles!

Learn more: Momtastic

15. Riddles and Jokes

Another simple activity to develop cognitive skills is telling riddles and jokes. In childhood development, around this age children are developing a sense of humor and will love when you tell them jokes. Doing so encourages cognitive flexibility and executive function, and children won’t even realize it, as they will be laughing and having fun!

Learn more: Ducksters

16. Jumping Rope

This simple physical activity is great for boosting memory and teaching awareness of surroundings. The above link provides a number of different physical games to play with jump ropes for both gross motor coordination and brain growth!

Learn more: Very Well Family

17. Card Games

Playing simple card games is beneficial to children for many reasons. Not only do they help with cognitive development, but they are also important for developing social skills as well. Play the games listed and as time goes on, teach them more complex games to even further their learning.

Learn more: Novita

18. Read

Children have lots of questions, and this is mostly because they have limited experience in the world. Reading helps develop important skills by giving children background information about the world around them, allowing them to make sense of their worlds.

Learn more: All 4 Kids

19. Sand Play

Children learn a variety of skills through playing in the sand that we don’t even realize they’re learning! From hand-eye coordination to fine motor development, playing in the sand is a great way for children to learn as they play.

Learn more: Empowered Parents

20. Obstacle Courses

Using hula hoops, yardsticks, and anything else you have laying around, create obstacle courses for children to run through. These are great for gross motor development as well as getting out all the wiggles and giggles!

Learn more: Empowered Parents

8 Engaging Cognitive Development Activities for Toddlers

Here they are. All my favorite cognitive development activities for toddlers. These play-based activities are for at home or on a toddler classroom lesson plan.

In a hurry? Jump straight to the list.

Table of Contents

  1. What is Cognitive Development?
  2. What Cognitive Skills are Toddlers Learning?
  3. Signs of Cognitive Developmental Delay in Toddlers
  4. How to Teach Toddler Cognitive Skills
  5. List of Cognitive Development Activities for Toddlers
  6. Cognitive Development Activities in Daily Tasks & Routines

What is Cognitive Development?

Cognitive development is the building of mental and intellectual skills. For toddlers, this is thinking, learning, and understanding.

In the first three years of life, children’s brains are surging with growth, connections, and learning. Child development is holistic. This means all the learning domains are deeply intertwined with cognitive development.

Toddler Cognitive Development Skills

  • Curiosity about the world about them and how they influence it.
  • Knowledge about objects and how they work.
  • Expanding attention to focus on activities longer.
  • Pretending with objects and simple role-play.
  • Learning numbers, counting, and “more.”
  • Sorting. Noticing similarities and differences.
  • More creative and complex ways to solve problems.

In a hurry? Jump straight to Cognitive Development Activities.

What Cognitive Skills that Toddlers are Learning?

Created with: Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Teaching Strategies Objectives for Development and Learning , and the CDC Developmental Milestones.

The development of each of these skills progresses through toddlerhood.

|

Executive Function

  • Memory
  • Reason/Logic
  • Motivation
  • Attention
  • Persistence
  • Following simple directions
  • Finding hidden objects
|

Creativity

  • Imaginative play
  • Using objects in new ways
|

Recognition

  • Identifying objects when they are named
  • Understanding the purpose of familiar objects
|

Emergent Science

  • Problem-solving
  • Exploration/curiosity
  • Cause and effect
  • Observation
|

Emergent Math

  • Spacial awareness
  • Matching/sorting
  • Counting
  • “More”

You can use the CDC Milestone Tracker App or PDFs to follow the milestones your child is meeting.

In a hurry? Jump straight to Cognitive Development Activities.

How to Teach Toddlers Cognitive Skills

  1. Ample open-ended play.
  2. Developmentally appropriate toys and activities (fun with just enough challenge). Flashcards, worksheets, and most educational shows and apps are not appropriate for toddlers.
  3. Read daily.
  4. Process art activities.
  5. Use open-ended questions.
  6. Play outside. Especially risk-taking play.
  7. Add counting into everyday routines.

Cognitive Development Activities for Toddlers

#1 Nature Play

Skills – emergent science, recognition, motivation, attention, persistence

Nature play promotes toddler cognitive development by giving toddlers an open-ended, sensory-rich play opportunity. Outdoor play has fewer boundaries, which allows for greater creative play and the use of executive function skills.

  • Exploring outdoors
  • Experiencing different weather
  • Color Nature Walk
  • Risk-Taking Play
  • Fill + Dump with rocks, pinecones, or sticks
  • Sink or Float with nature objects
  • Moving through Obstacles – over, under, around, through
  • Outdoor Learning Activities for Toddlers

#2 Loose Parts Play 

Open-ended materials for toddlers to manipulate and explore. For toddlers, loose part play is essentially “object play” where toddlers can learn all about the items they are exploring.

Skills – using objects in a new way, emergent math, emergent science, persistence, reason/logic, watching and imitating others

Loose parts play promotes toddler cognitive development because it is the ultimate open-ended play opportunity. Loose parts play aligns with how toddlers instinctively learn cognitive development skills by exploring, manipulating, gathering, and experimenting with objects.

  • Themed Treasure Baskets
  • Household Items – Access my idea list.
  • Sorting Trays (or muffin pans!)
  • Scarves
  • Cups
  • Plastic bottles and jugs
  • Utensils
  • Mirrors
  • Electric Tea Lights
  • Funnels
  • Fabric Squares
  • Boxes
  • Lids
  • Tubes
  • Nature Objects
  • Ramps

Loose Parts Volume 2 is the definitive guide on infant/toddler loose parts play. And the photographs are phenomenal. This series includes 4 total books to inspire and educate on loose parts play.

#

3 Imagination Games

Skills – imaginative play, motivation, using objects in new ways, memory, exploration/discovery, watching and imitating others, finding hidden objects

Imagination games promote toddler cognitive development by creating opportunities to role play, explore symbolism, understand others’ perspectives, problem solve, and explore objects.

The Ultimate Guide to Imagination Games for Toddlers.

  • Dramatic play
  • Cars, Trains, Construction, Tractors
  • Dollhouses or small world play
  • “Find the Toy”
  • But really, check out the imagination games list for even more ideas.

#4 Books

Skills – identifying objects when they are named, attention, reason/logic, exploration/discovery

Books and reading promote toddler cognitive development by introducing early literacy skills, exploring symbolism, and learning about other objects, living things, and people.

  • Find and discuss objects in the pictures
  • Connecting stories to real life
  • Explore the sounds of letters and words
  • Emphasize rhyming and alliteration

#5

Sensory Play

Skills – reason/logic, emergent science, emergent math, persistence, motivation, exploration/discovery

Sensory play promotes toddler cognitive development by creating an immersive body-mind play experience. Sensory play allows toddlers to begin building early science skills.

  • Sandboxes
  • Water Tables
  • Dough
  • Sensory Bins
  • Painting
  • Experiencing New Foods

#6 Music and Fingerplays

Skills – memory, attention, following instructions, watching and imitating others, cause and effect, emergent math, emergent science

Music and fingerplays promote toddler cognitive development by connecting creative arts with the exploration of sounds, movement, spatial reasoning, and cause-and-effect. Dancing and music also let toddlers develop their vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

  • Singing
  • Dancing
    • Scarf dancing
  • Musical instruments 
    • Pot and pan band
    • Rhythm sticks
  • Fingerplays like The Itsy Bitsy Spider or I’m Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee

#7 Blocks

Skills – emergent science, emergent math, imaginative play, using objects in a new way, reason/logic, problem-solving

Block play promotes toddler cognitive development by giving toddlers the chance to practice creative skills, early science skills, and early math skills. Block play is a lovely balance of both a cognitive development activity and an imagination activity.

  • Open-ended building with blocks
  • Wood Unit Blocks
  • Tree Blocks
  • Stacking, lining up
  • Magnatiles
  • Rod and Ball Magnet Sets

Imagine Childhood is an online nature play store with incredible wood blocks sets for all ages.

#8 Close-Ended Toys

Skills – emergent science, emergent math, cause and effect, attention, reason/logic, problem-solving, persistence

Close-ended toys promote toddler cognitive development by building trial-and-error and problem-solving skills. Toddlers have to persist in completing a task and have an experience of gratification at succeeding.

  • Puzzles – “Chunky,” peg, and knob puzzles
  • Shape Sorters
  • Gears
  • Pegs and Peg Boards
  • Bead Maze
  • Stacking Cups/Rings
  • Cause-And-Effect Toys
    • Pop-Up Toys
    • Hammer and Peg Toys
    • Toys with levels, handles, buttons

Close-ended toys should not replace other play experiences. Children can get discouraged and frustrated if the toy can only be used one way, and that one way is not developmentally appropriate for them. There is little to no creative development with close-ended toys.

Building Cognitive Development Activities into Daily Tasks and Routines

The learning experiences listed above will build toddler cognitive skills. But cognitive development should also be built into the daily patterns of your life.

  • Counting with food at meals
  • Sorting toys at clean-up time
  • Water play in the bathtub
  • Completing household chores together 
  • Practicing dressing and undressing
  • Singing in the car

What are the Signs of Cognitive Developmental Delays in Toddlers?

Talk to your pediatrician if your toddler is:

  • Not pointing at items
  • Losing skills once had
  • Not searching for items they saw you hide
  • Not learning familiar items
  • Not mimicking others
  • Not able to follow simple instructions

This is not a comprehensive list of potential delays. Always reach out to your pediatrician if you or someone you trust have any concerns about your child’s development. Remember, while checklists like the CDC Milestone Tracker help, there is no replacement for intuition. 

For those in the United States, you can also contact your local early intervention services for an evaluation. 

This helps me make sure I’m making the greatest impact with what I create. Thanks so much!

More recent posts

Development of children’s cognitive activity

The world that surrounds a child from birth is complex and multifaceted. To live in such a world, a small person needs to learn to understand the qualities and properties of objects, their purpose, various phenomena. The kid needs knowledge, with the help of which he will get acquainted with the phenomena of life, accessible to his understanding, he will realize what labor is. Every day a preschooler learns something new. Pay attention to how much information a child receives and processes in early childhood. The kid, often by trial and error, tries to find out, understand, remember everything. How to effectively develop the cognitive sphere of the child – read in our article.

  • 1 Cognitive activity of preschoolers

  • 2 Formation of thinking in children

  • 3 Thinking Guidelines

  • 4 Development of the speech of young children

  • 5 Development of speech comprehension

  • 6 Generalization function

  • 7 Development of perception

    • 7.1 Watch the video on the development of speech and perception in babies

  • 8 Forms of development of cognitive activity

  • 9 Terminals

Cognitive activity of preschoolers

The child is a natural explorer of the world in which he lives. The kid discovers the world with the help of sensations, feelings, experiences, actions: he learns.

“That’s interesting. According to Lev Vygotsky, an outstanding scientist in the field of developmental psychology, the individual creative activity of a child will be productive if the child has seen, heard, read, participated in different events more than other children.

Improving the cognitive activity of preschoolers is one of the most important tasks in pedagogy. After all, if we want to educate an intellectually developed personality, then we need to create conditions for its self-development.

It is necessary to develop cognitive activity in children to activate their curiosity, inquisitiveness and increase interest in everything.

Cognitive activity is aimed at:

  • acquisition of new knowledge, their assimilation
  • mastering the necessary skills and abilities
  • the emergence of the skill to reproduce and apply the acquired knowledge.

It is quite possible to form the makings of a researcher in a younger preschooler. Children of this age have a high interest in everything that happens around them. Every day on their way there are new objects that the children compare, recognize the names, strive to remember them. Keeping children interested in everything new can stimulate their cognitive activity all the time. Daily “rituals” can become the basis for improving the desire of kids for knowledge: getting up, washing, dressing, eating, walking, playing. An adult, being a guide to the world of objects and phenomena, tells the child about the purpose of objects and phenomena: from the field of nature, activity, things. So the baby receives the necessary knowledge about everything from an early age and, showing curiosity, develops itself. The cognitive activity of the child involves the development of his thinking, perception, speech and understanding of it, the formation of the ability to generalize, and other areas.

Formation of thinking in children

Thinking is not only thinking out loud with the help of words, but any mental process that is aimed at solving a person’s tasks.

A newborn does not have thinking. In order to learn to think, you need to acquire some sensory and practical experience, which is fixed with the help of memory. By the age of one, babies have elementary thinking. The main condition for the development of thinking is the education and training of children in this direction.

The developed thinking of the child is expressed in:

  • mastery of objective actions
  • speech development
  • ability to solve problems (simple, and then complex)
  • ability to understand adults and children
  • sequential presentation of thoughts
  • variety and consistency of forms of ways of thinking.

Basic types of thinking:

  • logical – with the help of logical connections
  • pictorial (or simply pictorial ) – by visual representation
  • creative – an intuitive way to solve previously unknown problems
  • visual action – through practical trials.

Thinking tips

  1. Get creative. Drawing, modeling, games with the constructor have a positive effect on the development of the child’s imaginative thinking. And figurative thinking is the basis for the logical type of thinking.
  2. Teach your child to reason. Build logical chains with your child – this way he will see how objects, phenomena and actions are interconnected.
  3. Do math. Arithmetic tasks perfectly develops the ability to think logically.
  4. Enrich your child’s vocabulary. Both everyday vocabulary and scientific (educational) concepts will help the child improve the thought process.

Speech development of young children

Speech and mental abilities of a child are interconnected. Therefore, wanting to intensify the cognitive activity of the child, to engage in his development of speech.

What should parents do?

  1. Sing. A child who has recently been born perceives vowel sounds better, which are pronounced melodiously, in a singsong voice. That is why the mother should sing to the newborn: quietly, but clearly. It is believed that replacing mother’s singing with phonograms in infancy is not as useful as mother’s songs. Mom’s “performances” contribute to the development of speech, because the baby hears his native speech, its melody. In addition to singing, talk to your baby more often.
  2. Respond to crying. A baby’s cry is not only a message of discomfort or hunger, it is also a call for communication. Dressing the baby, bathing him, walking with him – in all situations, tell him what you are doing.
  3. Articulate. Your facial expressions and articulation will help your baby understand how to pronounce sounds and words correctly. So he will quickly master the speech.

Exercises that develop the speech of children of primary preschool age.

  1. Imitation of sounds. We buzz, rumble, howl, hum and in every possible way imitate the sounds of animals, mechanisms and phenomena.
  2. We train lips and tongue. Teach your child to lick a spoon and remove drops from it with the tip of the tongue, lick lips, stick out tongue, clatter like a horse, smack, spit.
  3. We train speech breathing. Let the baby blow bubbles, blow on pinwheels and blow off light objects (pieces of cotton, paper or cloth, paper boats). Inhalation should be done through the mouth and exhalation through the nose.
  4. Learning to focus on sound. For example, blindfold the child and ring the bell. Open your eyes and ask where they called (you do not need to remove the hand with the bell). The kid will show, and subsequently will reach for the bell with his eyes closed.
  5. Recognizable by ear. Introduce your baby how individual objects sound: a drum, a spoon, a bell, a sheet of paper, a pipe, a rattle. Say the names of objects and demonstrate their sound. Ask your child to imitate these sounds. Next, close your child’s eyes and offer to guess which object this or that sound belongs to.

When developing a child’s speech using different methods, follow the rules:

  • speak slowly, clearly, using short phrases
  • daily read to the baby and describe the illustrations
  • develop your baby’s speech in a playful way
  • do not lisp, as the speech of adults is a guide to follow.

Development of speech understanding

All parents want their child to start speaking faster. This happens individually for each child, but it is generally accepted that a baby at the age of about a year should already speak about a dozen words, at a year and a half – at least 30, start speaking in sentences – by the age of 2.

An important condition for the beginning of a baby’s speech is its understanding. What can contribute to this?

  1. Conversations with a child from the first days of life.
  2. Reading and looking at children’s books, especially those with poetry.
  3. Finger games. Stimulation of the fingertips sends an impulse to the areas of the brain responsible for speech development. Therefore, you need to massage the fingers of a six-month-old baby, as well as play special games with him, and offer children 1.5-3 years old to sculpt from plasticine.
  4. The joy of adults. Rejoice when the baby says new words. It does not matter if they are not yet accurately pronounced. Support the child, do not interrupt him, invite him to a dialogue.

It happens that the baby understands everything, but does not speak until 2-3 years old. Such children should be dealt with using special exercises. For example, using ready-made aids for the development of speech for kids. 10-15 minutes daily will be enough to start the process of speech development of the crumbs.

“Council. It is important that the process of studying with a child is emotionally colored. The child should like everything that he does. In view of this, keep an eye on the mood of the baby.

Generalization function

The generalization function consists in the ability to compare objects, actions, phenomena, and also to find a common feature for them. This quality is the most important condition for mastering elementary concepts, and hence for successful learning.

A young child learns to interact with the world of objects. He comprehends the essence of large everyday objects, watches how adults use them, plays with identical toys, assimilating the actions he sees, learns to use different objects independently.

First you need to teach the child to recognize objects that are familiar to him, to distinguish them from each other, to find similarities. For example, a mother can show her baby toys that have the same name, but have a different appearance: for example, a doll is large or small, a ball is soft or hard, etc.

Parents should encourage their children to make sounds and words about what they see or do. Sometimes the baby has formed separate skills (eating with a spoon, drying himself with a towel), but he cannot identify and name the objects that he uses. To do this, the child needs to ask questions and associate activities with the objects that the baby uses.

Development of perception

Perception is the leading mental process in the development of the cognitive activity of a young child. Perception is a system of human reflection of the manifestations of the surrounding world through their influence on the senses. Consciousness and behavior of children determines perception. Memory, thinking and attention are entirely connected with perception: the child recognizes the objects that he perceives, establishes connections between them, perceives those objects that fall into the area of ​​his attention. The experiences of the baby are also dependent on the perception of actions and phenomena.

“In order to correctly navigate in the environment, it is important to learn how to correctly perceive both individual objects and in a complex.”

The simplest forms of perception are formed in infancy: the baby develops conditioned reflexes as a reaction to stimuli. A child of primary preschool age highlights attractive and bright objects, something unusual, moving, to which he emotionally responds.

The formation of perception is a difficult process that requires special attention, which is aimed at making the baby easier to navigate in the world, able to distinguish the subtlest aspects of the surrounding reality, and adapt faster.

With the help of games and exercises, you can direct the formation of perception in the right direction:

  1. “To the touch”. Place a few simple objects in a small opaque bag: buttons, cubes, candy, a pencil, etc. Invite the child to guess by touch what these objects are.
  2. Repeat. Build a tower out of cubes. Ask your child to repeat the construction exactly. This exercise can be done in the form of drawing: draw a pattern, ask to copy the same.
  3. “Pick up the same item.” Prepare several different designs for a table lamp (or other object. Have the child find two identical designs.

Watch a video about the development of speech and perception in babies

Forms of development of cognitive activity

The main condition for maintaining the cognitive interest of children is a pedagogically competent selection of elements for the comprehensive development of the child.

Among the forms aimed at maintaining the cognitive interest of children, we can distinguish: form the direction of children’s cognition.

  • Observing objects and examining them – enrich the inner world of the child, improve mental activity, speech, attention, memory, perception, and also teach to generalize and draw conclusions correctly.
  • Dialogue and conversation – contribute to the expansion, refinement and systematization of children’s ideas about the surrounding reality.
  • Excursions – provide an opportunity for children to get acquainted with the richness and diversity of the world, learn to find connections, expand cognitive interests.
  • Classes with constructors – stimulate the cognitive beginning in the child.
  • Experimentation and experiments – teach children to transform the reality around them, to be aware of processes, to create something new; in the process of such activities, analytical skills are developed.
  • Collecting – aimed at supporting the individual cognitive interests of children.
  • Competitions, quizzes and other entertainment is a great way to use your knowledge, show ingenuity and resourcefulness, and success will support the cognitive interest of the child.
  • Each of these forms has its purpose. When choosing any form, it is necessary to take into account the age of the pupil, his individual characteristics and the pace of development. The use of these forms will allow you to build the cognitive activity of the child harmoniously.

    Conclusions

    Engaging in the improvement of cognitive activity from an early age, you will lay a good foundation for the development of a person who thinks independently, is able to come up with new ideas and effectively implement them in life.

    Cognitive activity of preschool children: Development and Features

    Content

    • 1 How cognitive activity is manifested in preschool age
    • 2 Methods and techniques of cognition
      • 2. 1 Experimentation
      • 2.2 Search activities
      • 2.3 Game actions and technologies
    • 3 Stages of development of cognitively research activities of preschool children
    • 4 Stimulation of the need for preschool children

    cognitive activities of preschool children are aimed at posting everything that remains still. unknown to them. Much of what surrounds people in childhood seems incomprehensible and mysterious. Children with high cognitive activity do not wait for adults to explain everything to them in detail. They are taking steps to make their own discoveries and expand their understanding of the world.

    How cognitive activity is manifested in preschool age

    The child’s body, by its very nature, strives for activity and action. Already in the early years, an orienting reflex is manifested, which consists in the desire to find out “What is it?”. A need is formed to understand and “appropriate knowledge” (as psychological science formulates).

    In the future, the cognitive attitude to the world around develops. The preschooler is interested in causal relationships. Numerous questions arise about the patterns of natural phenomena, about surrounding objects, about technical devices, about people’s relationships.

    The main mechanism for the development of cognitive activity of preschool children is perception. This process becomes meaningful, intellectual. Perception turns into a cognitive activity with specific goals and methods for obtaining results.

    A preschooler wants to understand how a mechanical toy works. He is interested in how a sprout appears from a seed. The child seeks to independently check how many oranges are required for one glass of juice. To get answers to such questions, children act.

    Cognitive research activity develops intellectual feelings. The child experiences joy from the fact that it was possible to understand the question so puzzling him, surprise at learning a new one, amazement at an unexpected discovery, excitement in an effort to solve a problem.

    Methods and techniques of cognition

    The craving for cognition organizes the child. Cognitive interest, the need to learn something requires setting a goal and subordinating your actions to it. It is necessary to show organization, perseverance, independence and initiative. The development of cognitive processes acquires the most important quality – arbitrariness.

    Activities aimed at discovering and gaining knowledge are associated with the arbitrariness of mental processes.

    Cognitive communication with adults gives a preschooler a lot. Inquisitive kids pour in questions. This is the easiest way to expand your awareness. In communication with an adult, cognitive tasks are solved, but this method of obtaining ready-made knowledge does not give the awareness that the child needs. Therefore, preschoolers are looking for other ways to get information.

    Experimentation

    This form of cognitive activity is aimed at obtaining characteristics and qualities of an object or phenomenon that are inaccessible to direct perception. The idea to literally “get” knowledge belongs to the child himself. He independently, without the participation of an adult, sets himself a task and finds the means to solve it.

    Children’s experimentation is extremely flexible. The preschooler tests the most incredible assumptions and uses unusual ways in his experience.

    Can a shoe float, is it possible to eat soup with a fork, as mother’s lipstick draws – such questions do not tolerate dry answers. Children prefer to get answers to such questions on their own with the help of an experiment.

    Trials are inevitable in experimentation. It didn’t work out that way, you need to check otherwise. A preschooler in this respect acts much more correctly than an adult. He is not afraid to make mistakes, but repeats his experiment, drawing conclusions and changing the conditions. “The shoe has sunk, the leaf is floating. How about the slippers?”

    When conducting independent experiments, children learn to make assumptions and original judgments, analyze the relationship between cause and effect, and develop logical thinking.

    Search and research activity

    When a question becomes a means of independent cognition, the research activity of preschoolers is activated. Six-year-old children, reading and considering various children’s encyclopedias or observing various phenomena of life, formulate search questions. And they are actively involved in the search for answers. If a child attends a kindergarten, his opportunities expand, since the independent activity of children in a preschool educational institution is encouraged.

    Exploratory research activity is well structured and consists of several steps:

    • hypothesis formulation;
    • choice of means of obtaining a response;
    • actual action;
    • correlation of the result with a hypothetical assumption;
    • final output.

    For example, puzzled by the question of whether dinosaurs could exist at the present time, a preschooler begins to find out at what time they lived on our planet, what they ate, why they disappeared. He puts forward his hypotheses regarding existence in modern conditions, looking for arguments for and against.

    Game activities and technologies

    Since a preschooler spends most of his time in the game, cognitive activity permeates game plots and actions. The game acts as a visual model of relations in society and gives a lot of information to the child.

    On the one hand, the preschooler acquires important knowledge by performing various roles. But on the other hand, games are often created as an illustration of the cognitive process.

    Children are interested in weighing with weights, they include this element in their story. They mastered the action of a compass – they draw circles for a new game.

    At present, many knowledge systems intended for preschoolers are presented in the form of play technologies. Such a presentation is understandable and familiar to the child, and has established itself as an effective educational and cognitive activity of preschoolers.

    Stages of development of cognitive research activity of preschool children

    Let’s try to identify the stages of how cognitive research activity is formed in preschool children. Obviously, the propensity to survey and experiment for the sake of acquiring knowledge does not appear overnight, but develops gradually.

    1. The first attempts at purposeful research activity appear in 3-year-old children. By this age, the child already manages to hold the goal, and not just manipulate objects. For example, do not pour sand with a scoop into a bucket for the sake of the action itself, but fill it to the top and pour it somewhere else. If for some reason the actions are unsuccessful, then the baby does not abandon his idea and persistently repeats.
    2. The next stage is connected with the formation of the ability to examine objects more carefully. Attentive examination, highlighting the constituent details, attention to shape and size make it possible for a 3-4 year old child to notice something new, to discover unexpectedly important properties and connections. For example, a preschooler used to see a ladybug only in a picture, but on a walk he noticed an insect on the grass. The kid examines the bright insect with interest, watches how it moves along the leaf … But then the ladybug opens its wings and takes off, which incredibly surprises the young researcher. There was a real discovery for the baby, and new knowledge was firmly entrenched in his mind.
    3. At 4-5 years of age, cognitive activity is not limited to simple actions, observation and questions, but is supplemented by experimentation, which is preceded by a simple analysis. The main motive is to gain new knowledge, and for this you need to consciously set a goal, complete a cognitive task, and even correlate the result with intentions. The information obtained in an independent experiment is only supposedly true. The child feels this, so he tries to find confirmation in the answers of the adult.
    4. The highest level is represented by actual cognitive research activity at the senior preschool age. The main characteristics of this stage: the child masters a specific and precise statement of the question that requires clarification, and also formulates hypotheses, what kind of answer is possible. He is able to offer new ideas to solve the problem.

    Stimulation of the need for cognition in preschoolers

    All types of activities at preschool age need sensitive support from parents and educators. Especially the involvement of an adult will fill the content and direct the cognitive activity of children in a safe direction. The organization of the cognitive activity of preschoolers also consists in arousing interest in new knowledge.

    Questions are born in a child when there is a contradiction between what he already knows and the appearance of some particular facts. Tell the kid admiringly looking at the butterfly that this beautiful insect was formed from a caterpillar, and this question will be raised by the child for several years. As long as the complex natural metamorphosis does not fit in the children’s minds.

    Also, a preschooler necessarily turns to an adult when he wants to confirm the correctness of his conclusion regarding new knowledge. Much is still inaccessible to the understanding of the child, and he needs the help of older competent people.

    Cognitive development of preschool children

    Cognitive development of preschool children is an important part of working with toddlers. Being born, the child already has a cognitive orientation, which allows him to explore the world around him and adapt more successfully. Later, the orientation turns into cognitive activity – the state of the child’s psyche, when he is ready for action, a more active study of the world around him, during which he receives new information.

    Thus, the cognitive activity of preschool children is formed. The development of cognitive activity of preschoolers is continuous. This is the most important stage in the construction of the cognitive functions of the psyche, which L.S. Vygotsky defined them as the highest mental functions. Gradually, activity turns into cognitive activity.

    Content

    • 1 Cognitive development
    • 2 Cognitive processes and abilities
    • 3 Development of cognitive abilities
    • 4 Game as an instrument of development
    • 5 Experiment
    • 6 Search and research activities
    • 7 Formation of speech
    • 8 Speech and thinking
    • 9 The value of cognitive development

    Cognitive development

    The cognitive activity of a preschool child manifests itself in the process perception and thinking. The cognitive development of children is the key to success in further education. Adults are characterized by a high degree of development of cognitive activity.

    Cognitive activity is responsible for the formation of the initial image of the world in children, in the construction of which they participate:

    1. The development of cognitive processes in preschoolers, which include memory, thinking, attention, speech.
    2. Accessible to the child information and experience gained in the process of knowing the world.
    3. Emotional reaction to various environmental objects.

    The preschooler’s imagination, which is related to cognitive processes, also has its development in the process of the primary formation of the perception of the world.

    In turn, the characteristics of the development of imagination in preschool children differ from those in the formation, for example, of memory, attention, thinking, speech, will, emotions.

    Cognitive processes and abilities

    The development of children’s cognitive abilities is the key to their successful exploration of the surrounding reality and, later, socialization. Cognitive abilities are natural sources of information about the world around us, given to a person from birth, but requiring continuous development. There are different kinds of cognitive abilities that are always interconnected.

    The formation of each ability has its own characteristics, characteristic of a certain age. For example, the development of perception in preschool children differs from the same process in a schoolchild.

    The leading cognitive process of a child is perception. Immediately after birth, the baby is surrounded by many colors, smells, touches, tastes. Other cognitive processes, such as attention, memory, imagination, speech, thinking, are connected later, but the primary is perception, the connection of the child with the outside world.

    Cognitive abilities of preschoolers appear in early childhood. Later, abilities for induction, analogy, etc. appear in the human psyche. At preschool age, the baby is just beginning to learn about the environment, so it is important to properly guide and accompany him.

    Development of cognitive abilities

    There are exercises for the development of each type of cognitive abilities. The cognitive abilities of the child are initially involuntary. The kid does not control what to pay attention to, it is scattered. However, the older the child becomes, the stronger the development of arbitrariness – the most important aspect of the psyche. A preschooler can choose how to distribute attention or memory.

    Poorly developed volitionality can cause major problems in learning, for example, it will be difficult for the child to concentrate on the teacher’s speech or the proposed task. He will be distracted by the slightest irritant. For such a student, the transition from gaming activity to the class-lesson system will be especially difficult.

    Research by leading teachers and psychologists of our time shows that the best means of cognitive development of preschoolers is the game . It is in the game that the child best of all learns the reality around him, the development of the cognitive and research activities of preschoolers takes place. A person is driven by natural curiosity, the desire to find out what is happening in such a large and interesting world.

    Play as a tool for development

    Experts believe that it would be right to use games to develop cognitive interest in preschoolers. Therefore, there are, for example, games for the development of imagination, memory, attention, etc. In gaming processes, exploratory activity is most clearly manifested, because for a child, gaming experience is a life experience, for him there is still no division into “make-believe” and “seriously”.

    The result of the game is the real development of the mental object. This is how the imagination develops in preschool children. As soon as imagination acquires arbitrariness, it becomes one of the most important cognitive processes, games begin to take on a plot character, and the development of thinking receives a powerful stimulus. The kid can already plan the achievement of a goal, imagine the result and the process of achieving it.

    Experiment

    Experimentation is an important stage in the development of cognitive processes. With the help of the experiment, the child suggests the result and ways to achieve it. After conducting experiments, the kid compares the results with his assumptions, that is, he analyzes his activities. Thus, this stage serves as a peculiar characteristic of the formation of thinking.

    Experimental research activity of preschool children is formed in the game. Children are born researchers, they explore any object of the surrounding reality from various angles, which helps in the formation of real ideas about it. If an adult, parent or educator is present in such a game, he can prompt researchers for further actions and answer countless questions. The cognitive activity of a preschool child is manifested most clearly in such experiments.

    In addition, the cognitive activity of children changes, memory, speech, mental abilities improve, experimental research activities affect almost all cognitive functions.

    Research activities

    There are basic rules that professionals and parents follow when organizing a cognitive research game. It is very important to make it integral, to connect theory with practice.

    Over time, the child grows out of cognitive and research activities. The next stage of psychological growth is the search and research activity of older preschoolers. The teacher and the parent should be guided by a very simple principle – in order to understand, you need to try. The child must act, understand, be involved in the process. Therefore, in the process of search and research activities, an adult determines an algorithm of actions for the child to obtain the expected result.

    However, another situation is also possible, when the initiative of the game comes entirely from the child and he himself plans its results, draws up an algorithm and follows it to achieve the goal. This situation is typical for children of older preschool age.

    Formation of speech

    In parallel with the formation of other functions of the psyche of children, the cognitive and speech development of preschoolers goes on. Experts consider this section of pedagogy one of the most important, since it is aimed directly at the mental formation of the child.

    The better the speech is formed, the more successful the preschooler’s education will be.

    Speech is not only a means of communication, but also a tool for understanding the world. Mastering speech is a complex, complex process that requires the child to exert all his strength. With the help of speech, the baby will interact with mom, dad, and other people around him. He gradually masters the signs that make up the language and which add up to a complex system of sounds, words, intonations.

    The child first listens, analyzes the speech of others, gradually understanding, beginning to reproduce sounds and words. At every step, he encounters new objects of reality, and for each of them there is a conventional sign – a word. Later, he learns about the existence of written speech and that for each sound there is a special designation on paper – a letter. However, it should be remembered that oral speech is always primary.

    Speech and thinking

    At first, the child’s thinking is external speech. The child pronounces words denoting objects and actions, thus reasoning and coming to certain conclusions. Slowly speech moves from external to internal. The kid does not have to pronounce his chain of reasoning, he pronounces it to himself. The presence of the transition of external speech into internal is an important indicator of the formation of communication.

    That is why the degree of formation of speech characterizes the development of thinking, mastery of the system of conventional signs and the ability to build one’s reasoning on the basis of the laws of logic reflected in this system.

    A huge number of internal processes, which are cognitive development, would be impossible without a sensitive period. At the age of 3 years, the baby begins to develop especially intensively. Never in his life will a person face such a huge amount of the unknown as at this age.

    The mechanism of the sensitive period allows the child to perceive a lot of information and even classify it, turning it into a primary picture of the world, and not into an unsystematic heap of facts.

    There are methods that allow a preschooler to learn a foreign language, using in fact the same mechanism as when mastering a native language, with the help of perception. The child listens, analyzes and reproduces information in another language in the same way as in his native language.

    Significance of cognitive development

    It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the period denoted by the term “childhood”. Many processes originate at this time, this age has a strong influence on the future life of a person. The child imperceptibly grows, acquires new knowledge, makes discoveries every day, enjoys them, experiences troubles, seeks support. A long and complex process of socialization begins, you need to look for your place in society and build relationships with people.

    Parents, educators, friends and all those around you act as examples, teachers, mentors, rivals in this complex process. The child enters life, and this process is by no means as easy as it seems at first glance.

    ☀ Development of cognitive activity ☀ of young children ☀

    Content

    1. Neoplasms of early age
    2. Features of cognitive development
    3. Goals of cognitive development
    4. Principles of intellectual development of the child. Helpful Tips
    5. Video: Toddler Cognitive Development Program

    It’s no secret that early age plays a special role in a child’s intellectual development. The primary image of the world is formed, the child begins to realize himself and his place in it. The first human qualities of the child are formed, which in the future will become the foundation of his character.

    The perception of the surrounding world of the early – younger preschool period becomes more subjective – the child begins to have feelings for objects and phenomena, allowing him to separate the beautiful from the ugly, interesting from uninteresting.

    Interest in learning is a distinctive feature of young children

    Considering the increased sensitivity of the children’s psyche to external influences and the good quality of mastering new knowledge, skills, it is important to pay attention to various aspects of its development, including intellectual. Failures at this stage can have an extremely negative impact on its development in the future.

    What activities should be developed first of all at this age and what should be given special attention? Consider the patterns of development of the cognitive development of an early age child.

    Cognitive development of babies – structure and features

    Neoplasms of early age

    The development of active cognitive activity of children of early – younger preschool age is marked by the following changes occurring in the structure of the child’s personality.

    1. Formation and development of self-consciousness . The child begins to gradually separate himself from the outside world. He develops such qualities as independence, curiosity, interest in the world around him. He is interested in everything that happens around and what surrounds him in particular.
    2. Basic trust in the environment . It develops in the process of the child’s interaction with other people and the acquisition of the first positive experience.
    3. Purposefulness . The child learns to direct his activity, structure it to achieve his own goals. Children form the concept of exactly what actions need to be performed to obtain a particular result and make the first attempts to follow one or another instruction. Purposefulness gives the child the opportunity to understand the meaning of cognitive activity and bring it to the end. By the beginning of preschool age, this quality should be formed.
    4. Creative activity . Gaining experience of interacting with the outside world, the child begins to gradually transform it, manipulating and experimenting with its content. Therefore, it is important to encourage his participation in creative activities in any form.

    Features of the development of young children

    Features of cognitive development

    In children of early and younger preschool age, they look like this:

    Of all the processes of cognitive development of early age, perception is dominant.

    It is most well developed, but still has an involuntary character. The imperfection of perception lies in the fact that the child is able to capture only individual qualities and properties of certain objects and still inseparably connects them with the conditions in which he is.

    Perception – the main way of development of babies

    Imagination in children under preschool age is rather poorly developed and manifests itself mainly in the form of anticipation of the possible results of a particular action. Creative imagination does not yet make itself felt. A positive feature of this feature is the inability to lie, which will make itself felt a little later.

    Memorization of children is involuntary. Only objects that differ in novelty, brightness, contrast, etc. are deposited in the child’s memory. For successful cognitive development, it is necessary to gradually accustom him to purposeful memorization, the fate of separating what is significant for him from what is less important.

    The predominant form of thinking is visual and effective. The child will acquire knowledge about objects through direct interaction with them.

    Fundamentals of sensory development of younger preschoolers

    By about six months, the child develops autonomous speech, which subsequently disappears and is replaced by more familiar, “adult” words. The volume of vocabulary grows: by the first year of life it is 10 words, by the year and eight months – already 100, at two years this figure rises to 300, and by the age of three it approaches 1000 – 1500.

    the ability to speak not in separate words, but already put them into sentences. Their features are such that so far they are quite short and consist of 2-3 words.

    The development of speech in preschool children – scheme

    With more common sentences, the child begins to speak closer to the third year. And although the speech of children is far from always clear to adults, they most often manage to convey to them what exactly they need at a particular moment. By the beginning of preschool age, the child already has a fairly coherent speech.

    Cognitive Development Goals

    The objectives of the cognitive development of children at an early age are as follows:

    1. Creation of an environment conducive to the intellectual development of the child. The child should be created conditions conducive to comfortable games, interaction with family members and peers.
    2. The development of a child’s interest in the world around him and the events taking place in it. It is necessary to encourage the child to pay attention to what is happening around, in particular to share his impressions with his parents.
    3. Development in a young child of the ability for active creative activity, various operations with objects. He must have creative materials at his disposal.
    4. Expansion of the conceptual apparatus and ideas about the world around. To do this, it is very important to communicate with the child on simple topics accessible to his age. It is also desirable to watch educational programs and watch educational television programs.
    5. Developing an understanding of cause and effect relationships and the factors that explain what is happening around the event. This is greatly facilitated by the answers to all kinds of children’s “why”. It is important to take any questions seriously, no matter how illogical they may seem.
    6. Creation of conditions that encourage the manifestation of independent active activity in the child. It is better to allow the child to do this or that action on his own, even if not the first time and not in the best way, than to deprive him of the opportunity to take the initiative.
    7. Formation of a benevolent attitude towards people and the surrounding world as a whole. A young child is still poorly acquainted with the rules of etiquette, but it is already important that he can build elementary relationships with others, including peers, master communication skills, etc.

    Model of the developing environment for children 2-3 years old

    Principles of intellectual development of the child. Useful tips

    Taking into account the individual characteristics of the child in the process of activity is a prerequisite for the correct development of the child. Despite the fact that each age period should be marked by a transition to a new stage of development, they should not be neglected.

    Features of memory development in young children

    Tasks offered to a child of early (preschool) age must necessarily correspond to his level of development, take into account his characteristics and not cause excessive difficulties. However, do not forget that the child will quickly lose interest in overly easy tasks. The correct choice of the complexity of the task will directly affect the quality of development of his volitional qualities.

    The regularity and systematicity of classes are the conditions for the success of any activity, non-observance of which will negate all their effectiveness.

    The regularity of classes ensures an even and full development

    It is much better to have regular short-term classes than to give them one day a week.

    The child’s attitude towards lessons should remain positive. Tasks should be interesting to him.

    The independence of the child must also remain an indispensable condition for activities aimed at his education and development.

    The cognitive development of children of early and early preschool age follows similar patterns. Knowing them, you can help the child easily prepare for later life.

    Video: Program for the development of cognitive activity in toddlers

    ✍🏼 Importance of reading for children

     

    Next to the emotional aspects of reading to children, there are also many other benefits. Reading to children helps cognitive development and improves language skills. Cognitive development, as explained on HealthofChildren.com, is:

     “…the emergence of the ability to think and understand; it’s the construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.” 🧠 

    Reading helps children’s brains to pick up on things in the world around them. It also improves general language skills, as children hear the pronunciation of words, simple grammatical structures and vocabulary. 

    • Academic success 🎒

    This coincides with academic success as well, as they early on learn about phonics, comprehension and phonemic awareness. As you can see, these processes are sort of like chain events that happen before and as they slowly start to learn to read. Think of it as the ultimate (but fun) learning prep! 

    • Concentration 👩‍🏫 

    Another key benefit of reading at home with your child is increased concentration and discipline. The great thing about this is that they associate this time with something you all enjoy. At the same time, it gives them the incentive to listen actively and attentively, while hearing a story they enjoy. It can be a routine where they know that an important and productive activity is happening.

    🔞 What age should children be able to read?

     

    Knowing the average age when your children will start reading can be a good metric to go off of when reading to them. Does this mean the books should get longer, or activities be more interactive? Generally, this shouldn’t influence how much you read to them and which content you choose. 📕

    Tips on reading: between the ages of 6 and 7 is where children begin to actually learn the fundamentals of reading. Some start out by sounding out unfamiliar words, using imagery for contextual help, reading aloud and correcting themselves. This is a great age to try out new techniques when reading directly to them. 💡💡💡

    What age your child is reading at when they start doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be ahead forever. The same thing can be said for those who start later. The first reading milestones tend to happen in Year 1 and Year 2. 

    This is where a more formal approach to teaching reading comes in. Some methods include word recognition, where the emphasis is placed on context and meaning. Phonics is another way, which is all about phonemes and the sounds of words. 

    Overall, there is no right or wrong way to read to children as a parent. What is important is that you take the time to sit down and enjoy the process, it is a game changer for their future! 

    12 Reasons Why Reading is So Important for Kids and Adults

    We love books! Do you? If this is your first time here, I hope our passion for reading shows through. This page is filled with ten reasons why reading is so important. If your kids ask you “why is reading important” you’ll know exactly what to say. Are you ready to get started?

    10 Reasons Why Reading is So Important

    Reasons Why Reading is So Important

    Reading is one of the most important skills that a person can have. It opens up a world of possibilities and allows people to learn about new things. There are many reasons why reading is so important for both kids and adults. Here, we will discuss 10 of those reasons. We will also provide some resources for parents who want to read aloud to their children, as well as tips and strategies for teaching children how to read. 

    When people read, they are exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. This helps them to critically evaluate information and make better decisions.

    So please keep reading!

     

     

     

     

     

    1. Imagination

    Another reason why reading is so important is that it helps people to develop their imagination. When people read, they are transported to different worlds and allowed to explore new ideas. This can help them to come up with new ideas of their own.

    By reading, you are exposed to so many wonderful things. This helps your imagination when it comes to creating and thinking. By reading, you are painting those pictures of the story in your mind. Books can take you anywhere you want to go.

    The Read-Aloud Handbook is a great book to have. It is filled with ways to help children become avid readers through awakening their imaginations and improving their language skills. The best part is a huge treasury list of amazing read-aloud books. Love it!

     

    2. Focus and Concentration

    When you are reading, you are focusing and concentrating on one thing.  By sitting still and reading, you are training your body/mind and your child’s to slow down, relax, and focus on what you are reading. This helps you/your child focus and concentrate on other activities because you are used to doing it.

     

    3. Reading Improves your memory

    When you read a book, you are taking in all that the book is about. People, places, things… When you read, you are using your memory muscle which lies in the Cerebrum part of your brain. Using this muscle helps your memory long term. I’m sure you’ve probably heard of muscle memory 😉 Same kind of thing.

    Would you like to learn more about keeping your child’s brain healthy? www.KidsHealth.org

    “Use your brain by doing challenging activities, such as puzzles, reading, playing music, making art, or anything else that gives your brain a workout!” –  Steven Dowshen, MD

     

    4. Reading helps with communication

    Reading also helps people to improve their communication skills. People who read frequently can better express themselves, both in writing and verbally. They are also better able to understand what others are saying.

    Reading to your children helps build a bond and open up communication. It’s always important to be able to talk with your kids, especially when they get into their teenage years. Start reading to them and communicating when they are young, so they have that connection and comfort with talking to you.

    It also helps with communicating as adults and gives you more to talk about.

     

     

     

     

    5. Entertainment

    Reading is the best cheap or free entertainment you can get. Love your library and any bookseller because these books can open up the world you might never have imagined.

     

    “I believe we should spend less time worrying about the quantity of books children read and more time introducing them to quality books that will turn them on to the joy of reading and turn them into lifelong readers.” – James Patterson

     

    More Reasons Why Reading is Important

    6. Bonding

    Nurturing and one-on-one attention from parents during reading encourages children to form a positive association with books and reading. Also, goes with #4 above – Communication. Reading to your children is another way of showing them love. If you would like to find books that kids love, we have an entire section dedicated to favorite books.

     

    Check out Beautiful Feet Books. They are AMAZING! It’s easy to promote a love for learning with Beautiful Feet Books and all of the different book options that they have to offer.

    7. Language Development

    Babies and children learn to talk by hearing words. The more they hear, the more likely they are to talk and understand what’s being said. Your child’s language skills and literacy depend on you talking and reading to them. Now, doesn’t that sound important?!

     

    8. Cheap or Free Education

    Reading a book about something that you want to learn about saves you so much money. We all know how expensive taking classes can be, so why not spend time reading about it instead. You can teach yourself with specific books. The same goes for children. If they are interested in learning about rainbows, they can read books about the weather. Or you can read to them. Supplying a variety of books to your children will pique their interests and get them learning even more.

     

    9. Fluency

    Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and expression. Powerful and effective language.

    The more you read, the more fluent you become. Very important for children and adults.

     

    10. Reading makes you smarter

    We know it’s been proven that reading makes you smarter.  Readers display greater knowledge of how things work, vocabulary, and language development, as well as information on people, places, and things. Not to mention all of the great info in 1-9 that I just shared with you 🙂 Reading Rocks!!!

    If you are interested in learning more reasons why reading aloud can change your children’s lives forever check out Reading Magic by Mem Fox.

     

     

    More Reasons Why Reading is Important

    Improve Critical Thinking Skills 

    One of the most important reasons why reading is so important is that it helps people to develop their critical thinking skills. When people read, they are exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. This helps them to evaluate information and make better decisions critically.

    Helps Your Mental Health 

    Reading also has several benefits for mental health. People who read regularly are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Reading can also help people to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality.

    Social Benefits

    Many social benefits come from reading. People who read regularly are more likely to be empathetic and understanding. They are also more likely to be tolerant of different viewpoints.

     

    Finally, reading is just plain fun! It can be a great way to relax and escape from the everyday stresses of life. It can also provide people with a sense of achievement.

    Remember, children mimic what you do. If you are an avid reader, your kids are likely to love books too.

    Amazing Reasons why Reading is So Important

    Pin Why Reading is Important to Save for Later

     These are just a few reasons why reading is so important. Click here to read more.

     

    There are so many reasons why reading is so important. We hope that this blog post has convinced you to make reading a priority in your life. If you would like to learn more about how to read aloud to your children or how to teach them to read, please check out the resources below.

    Reading Resources

    5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Read to Children

    How to Teach a Child to Read

    What is The Importance of a Reading Habit

     

    70 Best Books Every Child Should Read or Hear in Their Lifetime

    The Best 52 Week Reading Challenge Everyone Will Love

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    Why is it so important to read aloud to a child

    Until a certain age, there is such a ritual in a child’s life as reading aloud. Mom, grandmother, older brothers and sisters read poems, fairy tales, stories about animals to the baby. What is it – a way to entertain a child, instill in him a love of books, or something even more important? Evgenia Andreicheva, teacher of English, postgraduate student of the Department of Foreign Philology at Moscow State Pedagogical University, discusses this topic.

    Evgenia Andreicheva, teacher of English, post-graduate student of the Department of Foreign Philology, Moscow State Pedagogical University

    Back in the 1980s in the United States, researchers noticed that people began to read less. Then television began to develop actively. Things are much worse now, with the current abundance and availability of gadgets and the Internet. But without reading, the brain of an adult slows down its work, and literature is simply necessary for a child for proper development. Why is it important to read to children?

    Why should a child read

    Reading is a load on the brain. By reading, we train it in the same way that we train muscles by playing sports. Scientists have long proven that people who read and live longer. What can we say about a small person whose neurophysiological processes are just starting to work actively? He needs reading like air! And while the baby himself cannot read, the help of parents is invaluable here. What gives children reading aloud?

    Speech development

    Children to whom their parents read regularly are more likely to start speaking earlier than their peers, and their speech is richer. The fact is that in everyday life we ​​use vocabulary and grammar of a low order, often even vernacular. The books, on the other hand, use a rich literary language, saturated with a variety of speech turns. That difficult grammar that is in books helps children develop logic. Logic is necessary for correct thinking. And formed speech is formed thinking. Thanks to books, the child not only draws new words, learns to pronounce and use them correctly, he also trains logical thinking.

    Development of the imagination

    Imagination and fantasy are generators of new ideas and non-standard solutions. No cartoon is able to develop the imagination the way a book does. When a child listens to a fairy tale, he mentally draws a picture for himself, imagines what the characters and scenery look like. This is a kind of work, and completely independent. If children are offered a cartoon, then they will not be able to be active participants in the process: the action with all the details has already been drawn for them. Children can only be passive spectators.

    Advertisement for independent reading

    Any teacher will immediately identify children who read. They better understand the meaning of what they read, correctly formulate their thoughts, build statements logically, write more competently, remember information better. It is worth teaching children to read from the cradle. This is not about early learning to read, but about reading aloud.

    Offer a book to your little ones as a toy. Look at the pictures together, comment on them, pronounce the sounds of animals or objects depicted on the pages, invite the baby to turn the pages himself – this is a great exercise for developing fine motor skills. If the kid tears the pages, explain to him calmly that this is not worth doing, and hand him books with cardboard sheets.

    Try not to abuse publications with buttons and sound signals, let the book remain a book, and the kid will enjoy reading. In the future, the child himself will be drawn to literature. At the same time, do not forget to read in front of the children yourself. Choose paper editions.

    Listening training

    Listening skills, i.e. listening, are now essential. First, many school exams test this skill (the USE in particular). Secondly, it is simply necessary for the harmonious study of foreign languages. Thirdly, we are in contact with people very often, and we need to quickly and clearly understand what we hear. Thus, we need listening in everyday life. It is reading fairy tales, poems and rhymes aloud that gives the child the opportunity to “train his ears”.

    Intimacy with parents

    Every time a parent reads to a child, magic happens: family unity and unity. Children feel warmth and parental care. Listening to the speech of mom or dad, the child calms down, stress and fatigue during the day are reduced. The voice of the parents helps to relax and sleep better. The elders, in turn, also get vivid emotions from communicating with children and literature. Together you live the joyful moments of the plot, sympathize with the characters, try to solve a difficult problem and help the characters. Great moments when you and your children travel together without leaving home.

    Solving many problems

    Reading a story to your child can help you “talk” him, especially if you feel that he has problems that he is silent about. Often the kid himself begins to talk about what worries him, having met with a similar situation in a fairy tale. Even if he does not talk about the problem, he will hear from the plot how to solve it. You can also discuss the right and wrong actions of the heroes, this will be clearer than any parental instruction on how to and what not to do.

    When and what to start reading to children

    Start reading to your baby before he is born. A mother’s voice has been proven to calm the baby in the womb. After the birth, continue to read to him. Read to lull the child. A little later, read and show the illustrations.

    At six months , the baby will listen with pleasure to small, unpretentious works based on rhymes or repetitions. These include “Turnip”, “Cockerel, golden comb” and other nursery rhymes. In the year , a child can be offered short fairy tales, works by Korney Chukovsky, poems by Agnia Barto. Closer to two , you can move on to longer tales by Vladimir Suteev or Eduard Uspensky. Starting from the age of three , you can significantly expand the children’s home library, supplementing it with long fairy tales or large works divided into chapters. These are works by Sergei Kozlov, Vitaly Bianchi, Sofia Prokofieva and other famous writers.

    Choose fairy tales according to your child’s interests. Let your library be diverse. Be sure to pay attention to the illustrations. They should be colorful, contrasting and of high quality. Try to choose books in which the text and illustrations match on the spread. If a child cannot sit and listen to a fairy tale calmly, give him the opportunity to change position, crawl, and so on. Do not constrain his movements: preschool children are restless due to their psychophysical development.

    Read the same story as many times as the child asks, this is his comfort zone. Perhaps with her help he is working on some situation, or maybe he just really likes the illustrations. Do not deprive him of positive emotions. Do not impose your choice of a fairy tale on a child, leave this right to him.

    How to read to children

    This should be done thoughtfully and measuredly, your reading should not be formal. Give yourself to the process with all your heart, put meaning into your speech. Read, imitating different voices and intonations. Let the sound even be hypertrophied and slightly grotesque. Emphasize key points, slow down and speed up, sometimes go into a whisper. Sometimes stop on purpose, get distracted by closing the book, and ask the child to remind you what you read about and where you left off. Emphasize those sounds, the pronunciation of which causes difficulties for the child.

    Try to discuss the illustrations and be sure to talk about what you have read. Ask the child’s opinion about the fairy tale, characters, actions. Ask what he would do in this or that situation. Make reading your daily family ritual. Read to your baby before bed or when you need to calm him down a bit. Try not to refuse the child when he asks you to read. And let the book be the best gift for your children!

    See also:

    “None of the children have tried a turnip and don’t know that a gingerbread man is such a pie”: guests of the “Oh! Children” talked about whether modern children need books

    6 comics that are interesting and useful to read

    Why read Russian fairy tales to children?

    Photo: Yuganov Konstantin, George Rudy/Shutterstock.com

    books

    Why is it important to read books to children? 12 reasons from psychologists – Gala Center

    Why is it important to read books to children? 12 reasons from psychologists

    galacentre.ru

    (irina.panteleeva) Irina Panteleeva

    2019-11-13
    2019-11-14
    Why is it important to read books to children? 12 reasons from psychologists – Gala Center
    “If you want your children to be smart, read fairy tales to them. If you want them to be even smarter, read them more fairy tales.”
    https://www.galacentre.ru

    “If you want your children to be smart, read fairy tales to them. If you want them to be even smarter, read them more fairy tales.” Albert Einstein

    #1. Strengthens relationships. In today’s world, where parents build a career and lead an active social life, and children attend developmental classes and use devices from an early age, it is difficult to maintain closeness. Make it a habit to read a book to your child every night before bed. This is a great way to strengthen the bond with your loved one. You will be able to share your impressions and opinions about the plot, which means you will learn more about the worldview of your little miracle.

    #2. Instills a love of reading. Children’s books should become part of your family life and as familiar as dinner or an evening bath. The more your child reads with you, the more he enjoys immersing himself in new stories. You instill a healthy habit that will stay with your child for life.

    #3. More children’s literature, less gadgets. Make reading together a part of your daily routine. Free time, when a child can watch cartoons or play online games, devote to literature.

    #4. Helps to learn to read aloud beautifully. Reading children’s books is an excellent educational activity. Read aloud in turn. This will help your child build confidence and get used to reading for others, which will be a useful skill in school. Such an activity improves pronunciation, expands vocabulary, helps to plunge deeper into the plot.

    #5. Develops language skills and expands vocabulary. Toddlers get acquainted with new words, various types of sentence and dialogue construction, styles and ways of presenting information. All this has a positive effect on the further ability to competently and interestingly express one’s opinion, and also affects the development of speech and the richness of vocabulary. In this case, the best children’s books are classics with a beautiful and simple style.

    #6. Improves imagination. While listening to children’s literature, a visual picture is created in the baby’s head. It represents the appearance of the characters, locations, actions. Imagination is at full capacity. Additionally, fantasy is included. The little ones begin to fantasize and invent their own stories with their favorite characters.

    No. 7. Encourages knowledge. Choose different topics to spark interest in the world around you. Have a new children’s book waiting for your child every week. A good choice for schoolchildren is encyclopedias. They will tell about the animal and plant world, planets, the history of mankind. We recommend paying attention to the encyclopedia Rosman.

    No. 8. Learn to empathize and empathize. Children have a narrow understanding of the world around them. The task of parents is to show the difference between good and evil, and how to behave with a person in trouble. A children’s book is a good tool in this responsible business. It will help to “be in someone else’s shoes”, feel the experiences of the protagonist, assess situations, empathize and sympathize.

    №9. Brain training. Listening to children’s literature, the child’s brain works more than watching TV. And all because the kid has to visualize the plot and delve into the plot.

    #10. Improves concentration. Reading a children’s book requires focus and concentration. There is no picture on the TV screen to distract from. In the future, these skills will be useful in studies.

    #11. Soothes. If a little fidget is naughty and cannot calm down before going to bed, read him a children’s fairy tale. Reading interestingly and with intonation, you will quickly calm the baby.

    No. 12. Cheers. Literature for children is a fascinating story with funny characters that you won’t see on TV. Even when movies are made from books, most people admit that reading was much more interesting than watching. Children’s fairy tales give fun leisure, so you should not refuse it because of empty online games.

    How to instill in children a love of reading

    #1. Suggest several genres. If your child doesn’t like to read, then maybe you made a mistake with the genre. After all, you may like romance, and your son may like mysticism and fantasy. Organize book weeks and come up with a new version each time.

    #2. Live the adventures of heroes together. When a children’s book ends, the little reader thinks: what would happen if I were in the main character’s place? It’s good if after reading the literature you come up with story games. For example, make a Harry Potter wand. Let the delight from the read book last as long as possible.

    #3. Be an example. Boys and girls copy the actions of their parents. If you force them to read, and watch TV for hours, nothing will work. Read for yourself, set a good example.

    #4. Maintain curiosity. Has your son just finished reading a book about space? Take him to the space museum. Or maybe he just got acquainted with exotic animals? It’s time to go to the zoo.

    #5. Never force. They can read to please you. But the fact that they are forced to do this will discourage their love of books for life.

    #6. Teach children to read old children’s literature from the library. Every child should experience the magic of visiting a large library with thousands of books.

    #7. Join a book club. This is a great motivation to read. Picking out children’s books and then waiting for them to arrive in the mail is a lot of fun.

    Have family reading nights. Share stories, opinions about plots. The main thing to remember is that nothing captivates in this life like an interesting book.

    useful for reading


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    4 reasons why children should read

    “Get out of your computer and read a book!” – not the most friendly and reasoned advice. How to explain to teenagers why they need to read? Our new blogger, Russian language teacher Polina Averina, admits that reading a social media feed is also reading, and tells why fiction is needed.

    There are fewer and fewer children who read books every year, especially among those who have already completed primary school. You can talk a lot about the abstract benefits of reading, but during the Russian language classes with children from 8 to 18, I found four reasons to love literature, which, it seems to me, you can’t argue with. What will actually happen to children if they read not only the feed on social networks (this is also reading), but also books?

    1. Passive vocabulary will increase

    Every person has an active and a passive vocabulary. We use words from the active vocabulary when we speak and write, we do not use words from the passive vocabulary, but we know their meaning and understand if we come across them.

    The social media feed consists of a fairly small number of words that are part of the active vocabulary of most people and that we often use in everyday life. In books, the words are completely different. The words “backwards”, “boars”, “play tricks”, “smart” are hard to find on Instagram. “So why are they needed at all?” the children will ask. In addition to the fact that everyone is pleased to communicate with a person with a rich, varied speech, there is another reason. Words from the passive stock are found in texts that are used and will continue to be used in schools as teaching materials and Olympiad tasks in literature and the Russian language. That is, children who do not know books go to school, meet these words there and experience stress, because it is written in Russian, but it is not clear. Why does a child need extra stress if you can prepare?

    Only, of course, while reading, you need to find out the meaning of incomprehensible words – ask your parents, for example. If you are reading a book aloud to a child, you need to stop sometimes and ask if he understands the meaning of, for example, the words “cramming” or “indulge.”

    2. Children will be able to build complex grammatical constructions

    In oral speech and daily communication in instant messengers and social networks, we do not use long complex sentences, participial and adverbial phrases, and so on. Instead of the phrase “At the very entrance there was a huge and once mighty tree that had seen more than one generation of people”, we will say something like “A very old tree stood at the entrance, but it was probably 500 years old.” Using only simple grammatical constructions, no one can write a good coherent text.

    Why do children need good coherent texts? Firstly, in order not to worry about social studies essays and essays for the OGE and USE

    Secondly, it will come in handy in life. While reading books, our brain scans and remembers how sentences are built, and if we read enough, we can build complex sentences with several clauses, with refinements and various isolated constructions, even if we skipped all the Russian lessons at school and don’t know what they mean the words “subordinate” and “separate”.

    3. Children will get acquainted with a cultural layer that is understandable and close to their parents and grandmothers

    While reading literary texts, children get to know famous characters (for example, Cheburashka, Dunno, Carlson, Denis Korablev). Their images are still found in the design of children’s educational materials and even classroom interiors. If you know what kind of heroes they are, it is much more pleasant to use the textbook: we are always happy when we meet good friends.

    You can also learn from the book how people used to live. Let’s say why the pioneers handed over scrap metal or how they studied in gymnasiums in the 19th century. In addition, usually some expressions and references to books involuntarily appear in the speech of mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers. For example, if mom says: “Does he have sawdust in his head?” – and the child has not read “Winnie the Pooh”, he may not understand what it is about.

    4. There will be no problems with the selection of arguments for the essays of the OGE and the Unified State Examination

    In the essays of the 11th grade, it is required to bring arguments from fiction, and for the OGE in the 9th grade – from life experience. The books read by the child are also included in his life experience. If a ninth grader gives an argument from the literature, the experts are happy, the work is evaluated higher, everyone is happy.

    Compare excerpts from two essays on friendship:

    1. “…I will give an example from life. I have a friend Dasha, we have been friends with her since the first grade. Dasha goes in for skiing, and I always cheer for her at competitions and rejoice at her success. Dasha also supports me a lot when I prepare for concerts and competitions with our choreographic ensemble. Even if we enter different universities, we will definitely be friends … “

    2. “…I will give an example from fiction. The main character of M. Yu. Lermontov’s novel “A Hero of Our Time” Grigory Pechorin does not believe in friendship and good relations between people. His relationship with Grushnitsky cannot be called friendship. Both heroes are envious and vain, do not forgive anything to each other, are caustic. Such qualities make it difficult to find a true friend…”

    Which one do you think the experts will like more?

    When there is already a sufficient supply of read works and reading continues during the school year at 9th and 11th grade, it will take much less time to prepare. And money for a tutor, by the way, too. All of the above is conducive to instilling in children the habit of reading and maintaining it, including in adolescence.

    You are in the “Blogs” section. The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors.

    Photo: Shutterstock (diignat)

    Why read children’s books with your child

    Liana Khaziakhmetova

    Reading together is one of the most useful tools for a child’s development. We tell you why you should read with children before adolescence, how to choose books, and why you should not only read, but also communicate with your child over an open book.

    Introducing Emotions

    Child Emotional Intelligence
    From infancy through adolescence, reading good children’s books is a great way to introduce your child to emotions. Books help children build a vocabulary for talking about feelings and talk about the different ways people deal with anger, fear, and sadness.

    Well-chosen, age-appropriate books can give parents an excuse to talk about traditionally difficult topics, such as “where do babies come from” and “what happened to grandpa when he died.”

    Watching TV programs or movies together can be a good occasion for family conversations. But psychology professor and author of The Emotional Intelligence of the Child, John Gottman, believes that books work better because the reader and listener can stop and discuss what is bothering them at any time. In addition, when reading aloud, children get the feeling that their family is involved in the story, so the plot and characters seem closer to them.

    Well-written children’s books can help adults get in touch with their children’s emotional world.


    One of the most profound and insightful books of MYTH is The Real Life of Jacomyn Gainsborough

    One of the mothers in Gottman’s parent group told how she read to her ten-year-old daughter a story about a group of girls her age. The girls in the story were upset that one of them had to leave. It was a simple story about a very ordinary situation, but it deeply touched the mother, who again experienced all the feelings that she experienced when her family had to move. By remembering how devoted childhood friendships can be at this age, a mother was able to better understand the meaning of friendship for her daughter.

    Unfortunately, many parents stop reading aloud to their children as soon as they learn to read, but some still continue to read books to their children until adolescence. Like the habit of getting together at dinner, reading aloud ensures that the adult and the child will constantly meet and share what interests them.

    Preparing for adulthood

    If you put into a search engine the query “Why should children read books?”, then you will find a whole collection of articles on various sites that explain the benefits of reading for a child.

    Most often they mention the cognitive and educational functions of reading, as well as improving the speech abilities of a small person who, thanks to reading, learns many new and beautiful words and begins to use them in conversation. And what are the goals of children? Let’s figure it out together with Yulia Kuznetsova, a writer and author of Calculus.

    Calculus
    It is easier for parents than for children to determine the purpose of children’s reading. It is more difficult – but more valuable – not to send a directive to the child about why he should read, but to catch, like a goldfish, the interest of the child himself. Why is it not easy? Because often what children consider worthy of attention is regarded by adults as nonsense, trifle, or even some kind of nonsense. Remember how on the playground, mothers roll their eyes and wink when a child with a serious look explains that he and his comrades are looking for treasure in the sandbox.

    The same thing happens with books. One of my acquaintances told his grandmother for a long time how much he loves Grigory Oster’s funny poems, he quoted and explained what was funny, but my grandmother just waved her hand and said: “It would be better if you read Chekhov, honestly!” But everything has its time, and if you really want to introduce the child to the works of the classic early, you can enthusiastically read them aloud to him.

    It is more important not to instill something in the child, but, on the contrary, to listen to what he will say, to delve into the details, to demonstrate a serious attitude to what was said, to assess trust.

    And think about how to connect the child’s interest with your ideas about children’s reading. Imposing your goals on the child – you need to read then and then – it will not work!


    The easiest way to fall in love with reading is with such books — voluminous illustrations, short text and an exciting plot. Spread of the book “Once Upon a Moonlit Night”

    But even a child may have rather limited ideas about the goals of reading (books are needed to know a lot of different words, so I will only read encyclopedias). It is necessary to look for a compromise, a path between two points of view, which will be comfortable for both the child and the adult.

    For example, if your child loves dogs and you dream of him reading classical works, you should go to the library or shop together and look for Russian classical works about dogs. You will be surprised, but besides “Kashtanka” there will be many other well-known and wonderful, but forgotten by you works.

    It should also be taken into account that the purpose of reading is chosen for a specific moment or stage of life. For example, a child is interested in different mechanisms. Then you should not insist that “at your age it’s time to read Tolstoy’s stories, and not about cars”, but pick up a few books about the device, say, trains or cars. If a girl loves to play with dolls, but doesn’t want to read at all, tell her that there are many wonderful books about dolls (Rag Ann by Johnny Gruell, Josephine and Her Dolls by Mrs. Cradock, Notes of a Doll by Varvara Andreevskaya). In online stores, entire reviews are devoted to the thematic selection of books. Closer to the New Year, you can offer to read about Christmas and Christmas decorations, and if a friend is in the hospital, talk with your young reader what book it makes sense to convey – something about the hospital or, conversely, a fascinating novel about pirates that will help you not to lose heart ?

    So it is with us in our adult life: in a difficult moment we resort to one type of literature, when we are busy with work tasks – to another, and on vacation – to a third. The fact that we discuss with the child the goals of his reading, advising something, in something, on the contrary, yielding, prepares him for adulthood. When a child grows up and encounters a variety of life situations, he will take advantage of the habit of choosing a book taking into account the circumstances and, most importantly, his own desires. To discuss the goals of reading and the books you want to offer or show, it is worth choosing a moment when the child is not excited, upset, does not want to eat or sleep, but, on the contrary, is disposed to sincere conversation.

    Attune to the child

    Verbal communication with a child from birth lays the foundation for his communication skills long before he learns to speak. Similarly, reading from day one develops literacy and a love of books long before a baby can read on its own. As with verbal communication, how and how much a parent reads to a child in the first years of life has a significant impact on his readiness for school and a certain life trajectory. In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new recommendation that all parents should read books to their children from birth.

    There are many scientific papers to support this concept. Research shows that children who are read to in their early years have a larger vocabulary and better math skills as early as elementary school. There is also evidence that parents who read enthusiastically increase the child’s desire to learn to read, and subsequently he reads more and more.

    But many mothers have a picture of the perfect reading in their heads, write the authors of Thirty Million Words. This is when the child sits quietly and listens. Otherwise, there is no point in reading. This is not true. The reading process itself is a great opportunity to tune in to the child.

    Thirty million words
    Traditional performance – mom or dad reads, and the child listens quietly. In “dialogue reading,” developed as part of Grover Whitehurst’s Stony Brook educational project, the roles are slightly reversed. The aim of the project is to encourage children to become more involved in storytelling, including by asking questions and discussing what they have understood, thought and felt. With this approach, the child becomes the storyteller, and the parent becomes the audience.


    Discuss the amazing illustrations. Spread of the book “Cat’s Attic”

    For example. A children’s book held by mom or dad is open to the front page. This usually means that the book is read from start to finish. But with the Thirty Million Words strategy, something different happens. Parents, while reading, vigilantly monitor what exactly attracts the attention of the child, and accordingly adjust the direction of their own attention. In other words, they tune in to the child. As a result, a direct and even road to learning is open before the baby, because nothing diverts attention to things that are not interesting to him.

    Active communication is the second component of joint reading.

    It is easy to see the benefit of communication in brain formation. The level of detail will change as the child grows, and the discussion of what is happening, the possible consequences, the impact on the characters of the book makes the plot more meaningful to the child. In addition, although the books use everyday familiar words, they are also filled with ambiguous, complex, and rarely used words, such as gallop, mischievous, or magical. By repeating these words when discussing a book, you fix them in the mind of the child.

    With older children, intensive conversation may involve building a dialogue with open-ended questions about events, thoughts, and feelings about the story. Requiring more thinking and guessing, such questions connect communication with a higher level of creative thinking in the child, since the answers to them are not on the pages of the book. They offer a great opportunity to use a context-free language.

    The development of dialogue—another aspect of shared reading—occurs every time an infant or child points to a picture, flips a bookmark, turns a page, asks or answers a question.

    This does not mean that parents should stop reading to their children in their own way. If the baby climbs on his knees to mom or dad and listens silently, of course, he needs to read. Few things can compare with the moments when parents read books with their children in their arms. In fact, if this is exactly what the child wants, then you need to take advantage of such a great opportunity to tune in to the right wave.

    Based on the materials of the books “The Emotional Intelligence of a Child”, “Calculation”, “Thirty Million Words”

    On the cover is the book “Home”

    Why read books to your child at night? Benefits of Reading
    – kibooki.by

    The book should enter the life of a child in the first years of his life. If a child gets acquainted with a book before school, during his school years he will not have to be forced to read the works necessary for the program.

    The book becomes an intermediary between two generations. Modern parents give their children too little time. Reading to children at night will become a wonderful family tradition. In a relaxed informal setting, you can get to know each other much better. Even a weekend spent together won’t bring you as close as 40 minutes of talking before bed. It is likely that the child will want to spend Saturday and Sunday with friends, in the company of peers.

    Pleasant and useful

    Reading before going to bed is much more effective in terms of assimilation of information. By night, the human body relaxes. He is not distracted by extraneous thoughts. In the state between sleep and wakefulness, the brain is able to receive and assimilate any information without the slightest effort on its part. In the morning, a person can easily reproduce the material obtained shortly before falling asleep.

    At 2-7 years old

    By the age of 2-3 years the child already has a sufficient vocabulary to understand simple texts. By this age, he already has an understanding of such categories as good and evil, justice and injustice, therefore, he knows how to distinguish between positive and negative characters.

    Acquaintance of children with literature should begin with Russian folk tales. The plot should be simple and unambiguous, that is, a clear division into positive and negative characters is necessary. The Russian folk tales “Rocked Hen”, “Kolobok” and others, traditional for this age, are best suited.

    At 7-10 years old

    In connection with the preparation of the child for school, the amount of knowledge about the world increases significantly. The plot of fairy tales should become more complicated. The main characters may be less straightforward. Children should learn to draw independent conclusions about whether a positive or negative character is in front of him. To understand this, the child should analyze the actions and behavior of a particular character. From Russian folklore, one should move on to foreign fairy tales.

    Reading foreign fairy tales
    At the age of 7-10 years, children can already memorize the complex foreign names of the characters of Hans-Christian Andersen, Charles Perrault and the Grimm brothers. Unusual heroes of foreign fairy tales are sure to arouse the keen interest of the child.

    By the age of seven, fairy tales can begin to alternate with stories. In the magical world, it’s easy enough to tell an evil fairy from a good one. In reality, knowing good and evil is not always easy. Read the story to the child and offer to determine for himself which of the characters did the right thing and which did not. To increase interest in reading, you can use works based on the plot of which films or cartoons were made. The child will be delighted to see a well-known character come to life on the screen. To surprise your children, you need to pick up a pair of book / film (cartoon) in advance. The opposite is also possible: first invite the child to watch the film, and then read the work on which it was filmed. Thus, children will be able to learn much more about the life of their favorite hero.

    At the age of 10-12

    From the age of 10 to 12, the child begins to be interested in literature that is more “serious” than fairy tales. Teenagers are interested in adventure novels. They try to imitate the main characters. At the same time, reading tires children. You will please your child by reading a book to him at night. Now it is not you, the parents, who should be engaged in the selection of books. Your child will do it for you.

    Sometimes children find it difficult to choose a book to read. In this case, the reading experience of the parents will help make the right choice. Think about the books you were interested in as a teenager. Times have certainly changed. Today’s children prefer Harry Potter to Captain Nemo and Tom Sawyer. Alternate modern pieces with classic ones. This will help the child form their own preferences.

    At 12-15 years old

    At this age, children strive for independence, one of the manifestations of which is reading. The child is sure that he is old enough to choose literature for reading. Girls, as a rule, by the age of 14 begin to be interested in “adult” books: romance novels with a detailed description of the passionate relationship between the main characters. Boys are interested in detective stories and history (especially wars and revolutions).

    One should not forbid or impose this or that literature on a child. Even if he reads about cruelty and violence, or too frank manifestations of love between a man and a woman, you should not think that your child will try to apply everything he read in everyday life. If the content of the books chosen by the child is doubtful or suspicious, it is better to communicate this in a mild, neutral or indifferent way (“And how can you read such a stupid book?”, “Don’t you feel sorry for wasting time on such a useless work?”) . A strict ban can backfire.

    The tradition of reading at night should not be forgotten either. Despite the fact that the child managed to grow up, the need for reading not only did not disappear, but, on the contrary, increased even more. Only now children do not need fairy tales, but school textbooks. Parents do not always have time to control the completion of homework, and even more so, they cannot always help the child with their implementation. The greatest difficulty is the memorization of all kinds of rules and poems. They should be repeated before going to bed. The repetition may look like this: the child goes to bed, and one of the parents reads the necessary information from the book several times. Falling asleep, a person does not distract to all sorts of thoughts.

    History and literature are the most suitable school subjects to study before bed. When repeating history, focus on dates. The material associated with various kinds of formulas also needs to be repeated 10-20 minutes before bedtime.

    General recommendations

    In order to be as effective as reading at night, it is necessary to take into account the volume and content of the book.

    The younger the child, the less should be the amount of information that you plan to give him at one time. Start with small stories read in just a few minutes. Then you can move on to longer ones. However, if the tale takes more than half an hour, you should not read it in one evening. Divide the material into several parts. In this way, you will keep your children interested in the work. A large amount of information at one time, as a rule, is not absorbed. In addition, children under seven years old can concentrate their attention on an object for no more than 15 minutes, after which they need a change of activity. Children under 4-5 years old go to bed very early, which means that it is not worth keeping them busy before going to bed for a long time. Stop reading at the first sign of losing interest and attention.

    Why is it important for parents to read books to their children??? | Consultation:

    Published on 22.11.2020 – 14:00 – Lyashenko Natalya Viktorovna

    Reading books by parents plays a huge role in the development of the baby, especially at an early age, and this creates additional advantages for the child when studying in kindergarten and school. Reading aloud is one of the most important things parents can do to prepare their child for school and adulthood. This activity helps in the development of language, imagination, skills and abilities of interaction and understanding. In the long run, this can help children become more proficient in writing. Pointing to pictures from books, the parent pronounces the words and the child will learn to speak correctly. Reading aloud will stimulate their imagination, expand their vocabulary and teach them to listen. Needless to say, reading to young children is of particular value.

    Babies who are read to at a young age have an advantage over their peers when attending a preschool. For example, by reading to the child about the actions of the characters in the book, explaining how they interact with each other, and how the story unfolds, parents help develop understanding of the text, as well as prepare children for future interactions in their lives. By helping your child to enjoy reading, the core concepts of school curriculum will be developed, allowing the child to learn more quickly and effectively.

    Preparing a child for preschool is important not only directly for success in kindergarten, but also as a prospect for further successful study. Encouraging children’s passion for reading (let parents read), especially when they are 2-5 years old will bear their “fruits” in the future.
    Also, reading books is one of the ways to keep a child busy for a while and, of course, good and useful entertainment for the child himself.

    Benefits of reading for a child at an early age

    • Creates an interest in learning that can continue into adulthood.
    • Expands children’s vocabulary and helps develop correct pronunciation and sentence construction.
    • Creates curiosity and desire to read and explore new situations and concepts.
    • Builds confidence in children who begin to realize that they themselves are able to read a book.
    • Helps with language and speech development.
    • Promotes close communication and interaction between the child and parents.
    • Demonstrates the importance of reading and learning.
    • Prepares the child for school.
    • Develops communication skills.
    • Helps to understand new concepts and situations.
    • Helps to develop attention.
    • Teaches children about appropriate behavior in the future.
    • Helps children understand basic sentence structure and grammar that promotes writing skills.
    • Teaches basic knowledge: shapes, colors, numbers, letters.
    • Helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
    • Creates a deeper understanding of relationships between people in different situations.

    Reading for a child has many benefits in both the short and long term. In addition, the activity will be about building bonds with your child, as well as helping develop proper speech, imagination, skills, and understanding.

    Consultation for parents “Why is it important to read aloud to children?”

    In our technocratic time, parents are increasingly replacing “live reading” with audiobooks or various video applications on their gadgets. But it’s very useful for a little person!!! (yes, yes names…

    an article about why it is so important to read fairy tales to children

    The influence of fairy tales on a young child is multifaceted in his development….

    Consultation for parents: “Why is it so important to read fairy tales to children?”

    In our modern times, parents are increasingly replacing “live reading” with audiobooks or various video applications on their gadgets. BOOKS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARENTS ON READING ART TO CHILDREN 5-6 YEARS OLD.»

    Dear parents – Your children are growing up. Believe me, time is fleeting, and soon we will be back to school… Since the new school year, we are already an older group (age 5-6 years old). Therefore, we continue to instill love in our children…

    Consultation for parents “Why is it so important to read aloud to children?”

    This article will tell parents why it is so important to read aloud to children and how to do it correctly.

    Digital citizenship kids: 7 Digital Citizenship Skills Your Students Need to Know

    Опубликовано: September 15, 2020 в 11:12 am

    Автор:

    Категории: Kid

    7 Digital Citizenship Skills Your Students Need to Know

    Anyone born after the early 2000s has grown up in a world of computers and technology. Today, it’s not uncommon to see children with their own tablets and smartphones, accessing the internet and communicating with people around the world, many times without adult supervision. 

    A study from 2015 found that 60% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 used the internet at home. Another study from March 2020 asked parents with a child under 12 at what age their child started using a smartphone: 60% said their children were interacting with a smartphone before the age of 5

    Your students are digital natives, learning how to use technology from a young age. But all children need guidance to become good digital citizens. 

    So, what is digital citizenship? And how can you help your students become more responsible digital citizens? 

    In this article, we’re going to explore methods and resources you can use to help your students behave responsibly when using technology and the internet.

    What is digital citizenship?

    To be a good citizen, you must:

    • Follow the rules
    • Relate well to other citizens
    • Be aware of your surroundings to stay safe

    In basic terms, digital citizenship is the same. All internet users, both adults and students, must:

    • Follow the rules of good behavior online
    • Relate well to the people they communicate with digitally
    • Be aware of the potential dangers and avoid them

    In short, digital citizenship is using the internet and technology responsibly. 

    Why should you teach digital citizenship to kids?

    Because like it or not, children are using technology, some for up to 8 hours per day.

    This year especially, more and more children are using the internet daily as a result of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    It’s not enough to teach children the mechanics of using the internet for study, research or schooling. For children to become good digital citizens, they need to understand how to:

    • Protect their personal data
    • Balance and control their internet use
    • Communicate kindly with others

    Otherwise, students can fall into the traps of cyberbullying, irresponsible social media usage or scams and viruses.

    Empowering parents to teach digital citizenship to their children

    You have an important role to play when it comes to teaching your students about digital citizenship. But parents are responsible for setting rules and limits for their children.

    Keep parents informed on what you’re teaching and empower them to support your digital citizenship lessons. Help parents to see the positive side of technology, and make sure they’re aware of the dangers. Especially when you’re teaching online, make sure parents are aware of what you’re asking students to do online so they can monitor the time and activities of their children on the internet.

    Enable parents to be the at-home support group for your class of mini digital citizens.

    7 Ways to promote digital citizenship skills in your classroom

    When it comes to digital citizenship, what exactly should you be teaching your students? Here are seven aspects to add to your curriculum:

    1. Emphasize the importance of online etiquette

    Perhaps the most talked-about aspect of being a good digital citizen is communicating kindly with others.

    When sending a digital message or comment on social media, it’s much easier to spout harsh, degrading words that we would never use in person. That’s part of the reason why cyberbullying has become such a problem.

    As a teacher, help your students understand that their written words have just as powerful an effect on the recipient as they would if spoken aloud. 

    Use social-emotional learning activities to help students build social awareness and empathy. Remember, social-emotional skills are learned. Use relevant activities throughout your lessons to help students build skills they’ll use in the real world and online.

    2. Teach students to protect their privacy

    Far too many websites ask for too much personal data. Before your students start sharing their personal information online, they need to know how to protect their data, and why it’s so important. 

    Help your students understand what information they need to keep private. Show them why and how to protect data such as:

    • Where they live
    • Where they go to school
    • Their email
    • Their phone number

    Teach students to check the settings of the apps and social media accounts they use and define their own boundaries. 

    For example, do your students know how to change their Instagram account settings to ‘Private’, so only people they know can see the pictures they post? 

    Knowing what data they can share and what data they should keep private will help your students stay safer online and offline. 

    3. Help students stay safe online

    Speaking of online safety, here are a few things you can help your students understand:

    Viruses

    Good digital citizens know what a safe website looks like. They know not to click on an ad or a link unless they’re sure where it will take them. And they know when to leave a website that looks unsafe. 

    If parents haven’t already protected their devices at home, help your students learn how to use antivirus software to keep their devices clean and safe.

    Password protection

    Students should know how to create and store safe, strong passwords. Teach students to create passwords that are secure using:

    • Lowercase letters
    • Uppercase letters
    • Symbols
    • Numbers

    Have students keep a notebook with their different passwords, and come up with methods to create long, complex passwords that they can still remember. 

    Scams

    Scams are rampant on the internet, and children may have a more difficult time identifying them. Help your students define the key aspects of a spam email or online scam with this fun lesson plan from Common Sense Education

    4. Promote media literacy in your classroom

    Media literacy is the ability to understand online information and separate false information from the truth.

    To help with media literacy, teach students to:

    • Identify clickbait titles and email subject lines, and show them why these can be so dangerous. 
    • Spot other signals that can help them decide whether to click, such as the meta description in Google below each result.
    • Check the sender before they open an email that looks suspicious. 

    Give your students clear steps to identify and refute fake news. Teach them to ask questions about the information that they see online, identify bias and help them train their judgment to distinguish false information from truth. 

    And don’t forget to build it into their lessons! Whether students are learning how to use a new educational app, completing a research project or studying current events, media literacy activities can help bring learning into the real world. 

    For more fun media literacy activities, check out these ten engaging media literacy activities.

    5. Teach students to protect creative rights

    Reshares, reposts and regurgitated content is all over the internet. Students may not be aware that some types of content require permission before you share.

    Help children learn the rules of copyright online, especially when it comes to pictures. Teach them to ask for permission from others before they post pictures with other people in them, and show them how to find and properly cite the original source of online content.

    6. Show them their digital footprint

    Do your students understand that the information and pictures they post online will be around forever? While children (and many adults) assume that hitting ‘Delete’ will remove their posts, good digital citizens need to be aware of how difficult it is to remove information once you’ve posted it.

    Help your students understand the concept of a digital footprint. Show them how the pictures and messages they post online can create an ‘online persona’ that doesn’t represent who they are in real life. 

    Teaching children to be responsible with what they post and how they are viewed online will help them enter adulthood with a clean digital reputation.

    7. Build healthy usage patterns

    Aside from using the internet and technology properly, children must be taught how to maintain a balance between screen time and offline time. 

    Considering how many adults have trouble controlling the time they spend online, it’s even more important that children are taught from an early age how to maintain balance with their technology usage.

    This is especially true since various studies have shown that excessive use of technology can have a negative effect on the minds of children. 

    To find their balance, students need to understand how much time they’re spending online. Teach your students to write down when they start and stop using their device or to use a usage-tracking app. (Hint: many smartphones come with this feature already built in!) 

    Then, help students see for themselves the benefits of getting off their devices and doing something off-screen, such as:

    • Reading a book
    • Playing a game
    • Doing a physical activity

    Your students’ parents may have their own house rules for technology usage. If that’s the case, help your students see why these restrictions benefit them. 

    Teach students to be responsible for their own usage of technology and the internet and set them up to be more responsible digital citizens in the future.

    But what can teachers use in the classroom and outside of it to help their students become better digital citizens?

    Resources to help you teach digital citizenship to kids

    If you’re looking for digital citizenship lessons, games, curriculums and other resources, check out these resources:

    Digital curriculum from Common Sense Education

    This digital citizenship curriculum is one of the most well-developed resources for teachers. There are free lessons that cover grades K-12, so you can teach digital citizenship to students of any age!

    The curriculum includes videos, activities, games and more to involve students in learning more about digital citizenship. The lessons cover topics such as:

    • Privacy and security
    • Media balance and well-being
    • Digital footprint and identity
    • Cyberbullying and hate speech
    • News and media literacy
    • Relationships and communication

    Be Internet Awesome from Google

    Source: Be Internet Awesome

    This is a top resource to teach digital citizenship for kids, and includes both a game and accompanying curriculum.

    This made our list mainly because the game is really fun to play!

    In the world of Interland, kids learn how to combat hackers, phishers, oversharers and cyberbullies, all while having fun.

    The curriculum from Google teaches five key aspects of being a good digital citizen:

    • Smart
    • Alert
    • Strong
    • Kind
    • Brave

    It helps children think critically, protect themselves from threats, be smart about what they share, be kind and ask for help when they need it. 

    Digital citizenship posters from ISTE

    If you’re looking for a visual aid to help students remember the principles of digital citizenship, these posters from the International Society for Technology in Education are a great resource.

    Source: ISTE

    ISTE also has books, videos and blog posts that help teachers learn how to teach digital citizenship to their students.

    Digital Compass 

    Made for grades 6-8, Digital Compass is an interactive choose-your-own-path game that lets students play through the perspective of different characters who are all facing a different digital citizenship dilemma. The game is also available in Spanish, which allows you to provide lessons to a wider audience. 

    The game comes with an educator guide for teachers, giving them insights to help students navigate the game and get the most from the lessons therein.

    Digital Passport

    Source: Common Sense Education

    Digital Passport is a game built for grades 3-5. In a suite of six interactive games, students learn about:

    • Protecting their passwords
    • When not to share
    • Responding appropriately to cyberbullying
    • Searching the internet safely 

    This game comes with an educator guide and is also available in Spanish.

    Tricky pictures activity

    This presentation is a fun activity to help your little digital citizens learn how to decipher true stories from fake news. Tricky Pictures presents two slightly altered pictures with wildly different headlines and helps children see how the way information is presented can be misleading. 

    Digital citizenship activities from BrainPOP

    This digital citizenship curriculum from BrainPOP caters to different ages and teaches children important aspects of using the internet responsibly.

    Topics include:

    • Cyberbullying
    • Distance learning
    • Plagiarism
    • Conflict resolution
    • Blogs
    • Email

    Each topic includes a movie, quiz, challenge and more. (Note: BrainPOP is a subscription service, and most of these topics fall under its paid program.)

    Help your classroom of digital citizens use technology responsibly

    Children are spending more and more time with technology.

    Help your students become responsible digital citizens, stay safe online and treat others kindly. 

    When you teach your students these essential digital and social skills, you’re setting them up for success in the digital world as they grow into adulthood.

    Practice math skills in a fun digital world with Prodigy Math

    Prodigy Math is an adaptive, game-based learning platform for grades 1-8. Students explore a safe, secure online world filled with epic quests, exciting rewards and engaging math learning!

    Create your free teacher account and start delivering lesson-aligned content in just a few clicks.

    Sign up now

    Quick Digital Citizenship Activities for K–5 Distance Learning

    Digital citizenship will be more important than ever this fall as most students will return to school virtually, in one form or another. But with the pressures of distance learning, we know that educators and students may have limited instructional time together.

    To address this, we’ve pulled together a collection of short digital citizenship activities that students can complete independently, or with parents or caregivers. All of the videos and games below emphasize the importance of digital citizenship as a foundation for digital learning.

    Watch-and-reflect videos: 15-minute activities

    Students absolutely love our videos, which include songs, poems, whimsical animations, and our fun characters, the Digital Citizens! Use the quick activity guides below, which include links to our videos, along with reflection questions you can send to students.

    For grades K-2, you can send the videos and discussion guides to students, then discuss the questions briefly during class time. Alternatively, you can have students use our Meet the Digital Citizens coloring book (also available in Spanish) to simply watch the videos and engage with the characters. For grades 3-5, we’ve included handouts students can use to answer the discussion questions independently and/or discuss briefly during class. Note: All videos are available in Spanish.

    Kindergarten

    • Media Balance Is Important (song). Students sing along with the Digital Citizens about the importance of media balance, learning how to be mindful of their tech use and how it makes them feel.
    • Saying Goodbye to Technology (Media Balance & Well-Being). Students learn to pause, breathe, and finish up whenever they have to say good-bye to technology.
    • Safety in My Online Neighborhood (Privacy & Security). Just like traveling in the real world, students learn to be safe when traveling online with three simple rules.

    First Grade

    • Pause & Think Online (Relationships & Communication). From our head down to our toes, and our feet up to our nose, the Digital Citizens are featured in a song helping students pause and think about how to be safe, responsible, and respectful online.
    • How Technology Makes You Feel (Media Balance & Well-Being). Students learn a poem to help them reflect upon different feelings they might experience when using technology.
    • Internet Traffic Light (Privacy & Security). Students learn the “Internet Traffic Light” poem, helping them understand how to assess “green sites” that are “just right” for them, versus “red sites” that are not appropriate.

    Second Grade

    • We the Digital Citizens (Relationships & Communication). Students sing along with the Digital Citizens about the amazing possibilities that come with using technology and take a pledge to be safe, responsible, and respectful when traveling through the online world.
    • Follow the Digital Trail (Digital Footprint & Identity). Students learn that the information they put online leaves a digital footprint, or “trail,” which can be big or small, and helpful or hurtful, depending on how they manage it.

    Third Grade

    • Rings of Responsibility (Media Balance & Well-Being). Students learn about a framework — the Rings of Responsibility — to understand how to balance their responsibilities to themselves and others in the digital world.
    • The Power of Words (Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech). Students build empathy by learning that words exchanged online are indeed powerful, and strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying.

    Fourth Grade

    • Private and Personal Information (Privacy & Security). Students learn the difference between what personal things they can safely share online and private information that should not be shared.
    • Keeping Games Fun and Friendly (Relationships & Communication). Students learn how to keep their experiences positive and fun when communicating in online games with others.
    • Super Digital Citizen (Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech). Students put themselves into the shoes of the Digital Citizen characters, who play superheroes that are able to solve digital dilemmas in responsible ways.

    Fifth Grade

    • My Media Balance (Media Balance & Well-Being). Students learn a framework for making informed media choices and to help them find healthy media balance in their lives.
    • What’s Cyberbullying? (Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech). Students learn what kinds of online behaviors are cyberbullying and ways to combat it.
    • Reading News Online (News & Media Literacy). Students learn the components of online news articles, paying close attention to advertising and sponsored content that can be confused with article content.

    Digital Passport™: 10-minute games

    Digital Passport is our award-winning suite of games for students in grades 3-5 that address key issues they face in today’s digital world. Students can complete each game online and independently — they don’t need to download an app or register. If you have time to discuss these topics with your students, use the reflection questions in the Module Guides for each game, found in the Educator Guide. Although Digital Passport is appropriate for anyone in grades 3-5, we’ve provided some recommended activities below. See the FAQ for more information.

    Third Grade

    • Password Protect (Security). Students learn how to create safe and secure passwords.
    • Twalkers (Multitasking). Students reflect on what it’s like to multitask on a phone and consider the benefits of focusing on one task at a time.

    Fourth Grade

    • Share Jumper (Privacy). Students evaluate examples of online messages and decide what information is appropriate to share and what is not.
    • Search Shark (Search). Students learn how to choose effective keywords for searching online and tips for narrowing their search results.

    Fifth Grade

    • E-volve (Upstander). Students respond to cyberbullying scenarios and are prompted to make choices to “evolve” into an upstander.
    • Mix-n-Mash (Creative Credit). Students remix media content to create a new creative piece, while giving proper credit to the artists whose images and sound clips they use.

    Resource

    Get customizable planning calendars and student activity sheets to make digital citizenship part of your teaching.

    Digital Citizenship Curriculum | Common Sense Education

    Kindergarten

    Media Balance Is Important


    How do we find a happy balance between our online and offline activities?

    Introductory Song

    Pause for People


    How do you say goodbye to technology when you don’t want to?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Safety in My Online Neighborhood


    How do you go places safely online?

    Privacy & Security

    1st Grade

    Pause & Think Online


    How can we be safe, responsible, and respectful online?

    Introductory Song

    How Technology Makes You Feel


    Why is it important to listen to your feelings when using technology?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Internet Traffic Light


    How do you stay safe when visiting a website or app?

    Privacy & Security

    2nd Grade

    We, the Digital Citizens


    How can we be good digital citizens?

    Introductory Song

    Device-Free Moments

    Why is it important that we have device-free moments in our lives?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    That’s Private!

    What kinds of information should I keep to myself when I use the internet?

    Privacy & Security

    Digital Trails


    What information is OK to have in your digital footprint?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Who Is in Your Online Community?

    How are we all part of an online community?

    Relationships & Communication

    Putting a STOP to Online Meanness

    What should you do if someone is mean to you online?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Let’s Give Credit!

    How can you give credit for other people’s work?

    News & Media Literacy

    3rd Grade

    Your Rings of Responsibility


    How do digital citizens take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and their world?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Password Power-Up

    How can a strong password help protect your privacy?

    Privacy & Security

    This Is Me

    How does what I post online affect my identity?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Our Digital Citizenship Pledge

    What makes a strong online community?

    Relationships & Communication

    The Power of Words


    What should you do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Is Seeing Believing?

    Why do people alter digital photos and videos?

    News & Media Literacy

    4th Grade

    My Media Choices


    What makes a healthy media choice?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Private and Personal Information


    What information about you is OK to share online?

    Privacy & Security

    Our Online Tracks

    How does our online activity affect the digital footprints of ourselves and others?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Keeping Games Fun and Friendly


    How can I be positive and have fun while playing online games, and help others do the same?

    Relationships & Communication

    Be a Super Digital Citizen


    How can we be upstanders when we see cyberbullying?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    A Creator’s Rights and Responsibilities

    What rights and responsibilities do you have as a creator?

    News & Media Literacy

    5th Grade

    Finding My Media Balance


    What does media balance mean for me?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    You Won’t Believe This!

    What is clickbait and how can you avoid it?

    Privacy & Security

    Beyond Gender Stereotypes

    How do gender stereotypes shape our experiences online?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Digital Friendships

    How do you keep online friendships safe?

    Relationships & Communication

    Is It Cyberbullying?


    What is cyberbullying and what can you do to stop it?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Reading News Online


    What are the important parts of an online news article?

    News & Media Literacy

    6th Grade

    Finding Balance in a Digital World


    How do we balance digital media use in our lives?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Don’t Feed the Phish

    How can you protect yourself from phishing?

    Privacy & Security

    Who Are You Online?


    What are the benefits and drawbacks of presenting yourself in different ways online?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Chatting Safely Online


    How do you chat safely with people you meet online?

    Relationships & Communication

    Digital Drama Unplugged


    How can you de-escalate digital drama so it doesn’t go too far?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Finding Credible News

    How do we find credible information on the internet?

    News & Media Literacy

    7th Grade

    My Media Use: A Personal Challenge

    What is your strategy for finding media balance?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Big, Big Data

    How do companies collect and use data about you?

    Privacy & Security

    The Power of Digital Footprints


    How might our digital footprints shape our future?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    My Social Media Life


    How does social media affect our relationships?

    Relationships & Communication

    Upstanders and Allies: Taking Action Against Cyberbullying

    How can you respond when cyberbullying occurs?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    The Four Factors of Fair Use


    What rights to fair use do you have as a creator?

    News & Media Literacy

    8th Grade

    Digital Media and Your Brain


    How does digital media try to hook you, and what can you do about it?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Being Aware of What You Share

    How can you protect your privacy when you’re online?

    Privacy & Security

    Social Media and Digital Footprints: Our Responsibilities


    How does using social media affect our digital footprints?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Sexting and Relationships


    What are the risks and potential consequences of sexting?

    Relationships & Communication

    Responding to Online Hate Speech

    How should you respond to online hate speech?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    This Just In!

    How should we react to breaking news?

    News & Media Literacy

    9th Grade

    My Digital Life Is Like .

    ..

    What is the role of digital media in our lives?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    The Big Data Dilemma

    What are the benefits and drawbacks of online tracking?

    Privacy & Security

    Protecting Online Reputations

    How can you respect the privacy of others online?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Chatting and Red Flags

    How can you tell when an online relationship is risky?

    Relationships & Communication

    What You Send in “That Moment When … ”

    How can we act with empathy and positivity when we’re online?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Hoaxes and Fakes

    How can you avoid being fooled by fake videos and other information online?

    News & Media Literacy

    10th Grade

    Social Media and How You Feel

    How does your social media use affect how you feel?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Risk Check for New Tech

    What privacy risks do new technologies present, and how do we decide if they’re worth it?

    Privacy & Security

    Curated Lives


    How can I create a social media presence that represents the real me?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Rewarding Relationships

    How can I make sure my relationships are healthy and positive?

    Relationships & Communication

    Countering Hate Speech Online


    How can we counter online hate speech and xenophobia?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Challenging Confirmation Bias

    How can we challenge our own confirmation bias?

    News & Media Literacy

    11th Grade

    Can Media Be Addictive?

    Are we addicted to our devices, and, if so, are companies to blame?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    How Young Is Too Young for Social Media?


    At what age should people be allowed to use social media?

    Privacy & Security

    Who’s Looking at Your Digital Footprint?

    How can information you post online affect your future opportunities?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    Connecting with Digital Audiences

    How can we use code-switching to enhance our communication with online audiences?

    Relationships & Communication

    Online Disinhibition and Cyberbullying


    How does online disinhibition sometimes lead to cyberbullying?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Clicks for Cash

    How does internet advertising contribute to the spread of disinformation?

    News & Media Literacy

    12th Grade

    The Health Effects of Screen Time


    Can screen time be bad for us?

    Media Balance & Well-Being

    Debating the Privacy Line

    Should the government have access to all your social media and cellphone data?

    Privacy & Security

    The Change You Want to See

    How can you create a digital footprint that showcases your purpose?

    Digital Footprint & Identity

    We Are Civil Communicators


    How can we communicate with civility online?

    Relationships & Communication

    The Consequences of Online Hate Speech

    What should the consequences for online hate speech be?

    Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech

    Filter Bubble Trouble

    How can filter bubbles limit the information we’re exposed to?

    News & Media Literacy

    What Your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship

    George Lucas Educational Foundation

    Edutopia

    Edutopia

    Search

    Media Literacy

    Ideas on how to guide students to the knowledge and experience they need to act responsibly online.

    By Vicki Davis

    October 24, 2014 Updated November 1, 2017

    ©Shutterstock.com/ideyweb

    In my classroom, I use two essential approaches in the digital citizenship curriculum that I teach: proactive knowledge and experiential knowledge.

    Proactive Knowledge

    I want my students to know the “9 Key Ps” of digital citizenship. While I go into these Ps in detail in my book Reinventing Writing, here are the basics:

    1. Passwords: Do students know how to create a secure password? Do they know that email and online banking should have a higher level of security and never use the same passwords as other sites? Do they have a system like LastPass for managing passwords, or a secure app where they store this information?

    2. Private information: Private information is information that can be used to identify a person. Do students know how to protect details like their address, email, and phone number? I recommend the Common Sense Media curriculum on this.

    3. Personal information: While this information (like the number of brothers and sisters you have or your favorite food) can’t be used to identify you, you still need to choose who you will share it with.

    4. Photographs: Are students aware that some private details (like license plates or street signs) may show up in photographs, and that they may not want to post those pictures? Do they know how to turn off a geotagging feature? Do they know that some facial recognition software can find them by inserting their latitude and longitude in the picture—even if they aren’t tagged? (See my “Location-Based Safety Guide.”)

    5. Property: Do students understand copyright, Creative Commons, and how to generate a license for their own work? Do they respect the property rights of those who create intellectual property? Some students will search Google Images and copy anything they see, assuming they have the rights. Sometimes they’ll even cite “Google Images” as the source. We have to teach them that Google Images compiles content from a variety of sources. Students have to go to the source, see if they have permission to use the graphic, and then cite that source.

    6. Permission: Do students know how to get permission for work they use, and do they know how to cite it?

    7. Protection: Do students understand what viruses, malware, phishing, ransomware, and identity theft are, and how these things work?

    8. Professionalism: Do students understand the professionalism of academics versus decisions about how they will interact in their social lives? Do they know about netiquette and online grammar? Are they globally competent? Can they understand cultural taboos and recognize cultural disconnects when they happen, and do they have the skills to work problems out?

    9. Personal brand: Have students decided about their voice and how they want to be perceived online? Do they realize they have a “digital tattoo” that is almost impossible to erase? Are they intentional about what they share?

    Experiential Knowledge

    During the year, I touch on each of the points above with lessons and class discussions, but just talking is not enough. Students need experience to become effective digital citizens. Here’s how I give them that experience.

    Truth or fiction: To protect us from disease, we are inoculated with dead viruses and germs. To protect students from viruses and scams, I do the same thing. Using current scams and cons from Snopes, Truth or Fiction, Threat Encyclopedia, or the Federal Trade Commission website, I’m always looking for things that sound crazy but are true, or sound true but are false or a scam. I’ll give them to students as they enter class and ask them to be detectives. This opens up conversations on all kinds of scams and tips.

    Turn students into teachers: You can have students create tutorials or presentations exposing common scams and how people can protect themselves. By dissecting cons and scams, students become more vigilant themselves. I encourage them to share how a person could detect that something is a scam or con.

    Collaborative learning communities: For the most powerful learning experiences, students should participate in collaborative learning (like the experiences shared in Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds). My students collaborate with others on projects like Gamifi-ed or the AIC Conflict Simulation.

    Students need experience sharing and connecting online with others in a variety of environments. We have a classroom Ning where students blog together, and public blogs and a wiki for sharing our work with the world. You can talk about other countries, but when students connect, that’s when they learn. You can talk about how students need to type in proper case and not use IM shorthand, but when their collaborative partner from Germany says they’re struggling to understand what’s being typed in your classroom, your students really understand this point.

    Digital Citizenship or Just Citizens?

    There are people, like expert Anne Collier, who think we should drop the word digital in contexts like this one because we’re really just teaching citizenship—these are the skills and knowledge that students need to navigate the world today. We must teach these skills and guide students to experience situations where they apply knowledge.

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    Filed Under

    • Media Literacy
    • 6-8 Middle School
    • 9-12 High School

    9 Resources for Teaching Digital Citizenship

    How can we teach kids to use technology responsibly when the technology is changing faster than we can keep up? How can we help students — and teachers — understand that good digital citizenship also involves using digital tools to do good things in the world?

    Grappling with these questions is just the beginning of the digital citizenship conversation. Most educators recognize the need for it, but many struggle with the best way to teach it.

    In classrooms where digital citizenship is taught effectively, teachers have two things in common: They model ethical technology use for their students on a daily basis, and they naturally incorporate conversations about it whenever technology is part of their lesson plan. In other words, they weave digital citizenship seamlessly throughout their curriculum. Here are some resources to help:

    1. Infographic: I’m a digital citizen!

    Schools have long woven citizenship lessons into their curricula, but now that much of our social interaction happens online, educators need to understand how to teach students about responsible digital citizenship as well. In this infographic, learn about the five competencies of #DigCitCommit, is a movement created by a coalition of organizations committed to giving all educators the tools to prepare students to stay safe, solve problems and become a force for good. DigCitCommit wants to change the conversation around digital citizenship to focus on the do’s not the don’ts.

    2. Don’t teach digital citizenship — embed it!

    Educators know that kids do best when they can learn something authentically, by figuring out their own answers to real-world problems that are relevant to their lives. In this blog post, educator Heather Marrs writes, digital citizenship is a key skill for living and working in a connected world. And if students don’t learn this important skill set in an authentic way, it will be just another abstract idea that becomes real only when they run into problems down the road. 

    3. Help students take ownership of their digital lives

    All students need digital citizenship skills to participate fully in their communities and make smart choices online and in life. Empower students to think critically, behave safely and participate responsibly in a digital world with Common Sense Media’s K-12 curriculum.

    4. Digital Citizenship in Action

    This ISTE U course will guide you in exploring various sets of learning standards, identifying frameworks for digcit education, integrating digcit across content areas, and even sharing how students can connect online to participate in social justice and sustainability projects.

    5. 7 tips and 1 activity to help students interact respectfully online

    In this blog post, Kristen Mattson, Ed.D., shares some useful classroom activities that help students learn how to interact online in a thoughtful, productive manner. 
     

    6. What prevention science tells us about cyberbullying

    It’s easy to focus on the screens. Screens follow some rules, they can be tucked away, they can be banned. But if your solution to cyberbullying rests only on the screen, you’re missing the larger point. In this blog post, digital citizenship expert Carrie Rogers-Whitehead writes that if programs and training on digital citizenship do not focus on risk factors, they will never fully address the problems that stem from technology use.

    7. A new twist on cyberbullying

    How do we teach digital citizenship to older students, who don’t respond well to lecturing and finger pointing? Instructional technology coordinator Cynde Reneau shares her strategies for guiding students to draw their own conclusions about cyberbullying.

    8. Teach digital citizenship all year, every year

    While many schools address digital citizenship through the occasional school assembly or one-off lesson plan, administrators at Rowan-Salisbury School District knew they needed to go bigger. In this blog post, find out how they paid 25 teachers from around the district to develop a comprehensive K-12 digital citizenship curriculum.

    9. Teaching fact vs. fiction

    How do we teach our kids to tell fact from fiction when deep-fake technology has created a world where seeing is no longer believing? As with most things related to social media, the internet and media literacy, it’s complicated, but not impossible. In this blog post by authors Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins, you learn tips for helping students navigate this treacherous terrain. 


    This is an updated version of a post that was first published on Dec. 24, 2014.

    Nicole Krueger is a freelance writer and journalist with a passion for finding out what makes learners tick.

    How to Teach Your Students the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship

    What do screen time usage, internet safety, and plagiarism have in common? These topics all fall under the umbrella of digital citizenship.

    We live in a world that is connected and, in some ways, defined by technology. To succeed in academics, and eventually in their career, all students need to learn how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. As an educator, you can help by teaching digital citizenship in your class.

    Read on to discover what digital citizenship is and how it can help your students use technology in healthier ways. Then, find five tips and activities for teaching digital citizenship to young students.

    What is Digital Citizenship?

    The Internet as we know it now began to take shape in the early 1990s, and since then the digital world has become increasingly integrated in our daily lives. [13] Whether they’re surfing the web on a computer or playing games on their parent’s smartphone, many children use technology on a regular basis. That’s why teaching digital ethics is so important: to make sure students know how to use the Internet responsibly.

    A broad definition of digital citizenship is the ability to use technology and the Internet in an appropriate manner. As technology continues to advance, so does the potential to abuse it (intentionally or otherwise).[8] Digital citizenship skills give students the right tools to engage with the digital world in ways that promote healthy online communities.

    Because digital citizenship is such a wide-ranging topic, it can encompass a variety of concepts and actions. A few examples of digital citizenship include:

    • Learning to type, use a mouse, and other computer skills
    • Avoiding harassment or hateful speech while conversing with others online
    • Encouraging yourself and others not to illegally download content or otherwise disrespect digital property

    Exploring the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship

    Students live in a world where digital resources are everywhere, which is why the importance of including technology in education extends to all aspects of a student’s life. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) outlines nine elements of digital citizenship to help students navigate online resources: [9]

    • Digital access
    • Digital etiquette
    • Digital commerce
    • Digital rights and responsibilities
    • Digital literacy
    • Digital law
    • Digital communication
    • Digital health and wellness
    • Digital security

    These nine elements form a guide for teaching students what they need to know to be safe and informed digital citizens.

    Digital Access

    Digital access involves the ability to connect with others or access information using technology. As a teacher, you can instruct students on how to find valuable and safe information on the Internet. You can also help children from disadvantaged communities use computers or other resources at school to increase their digital access.

    Digital Etiquette

    Digital etiquette is just what it sounds like: treating other Internet users with respect and avoiding inappropriate behavior. For elementary students, one of the most important digital etiquette principles is understanding the consequences of cyberbullying.

    Digital Commerce

    Digital commerce refers to buying and selling electronics responsibly. For the most part, elementary students do not need to learn or practice this element of digital citizenship. For middle or high school students, however, discussions around digital commerce can help them learn how to be better consumers or consider career paths related to digital sales.

    Digital Rights and Responsibilities

    Digital rights and responsibilities refers to the privileges that all students have while using the Internet, like freedom of speech.[10] It also involves a student’s duty to make sure that these rights remain available for everyone by treating other users fairly and respecting their privacy.

    Digital Literacy

    The definition of digital literacy is the ability to learn how to use technology and access information online. [12] A few examples of digital literacy include knowing how to use a mouse or how to find answers on a search engine.

    Not all students start school with the same technological ability.[4] Teaching Internet skills in class can help bridge gaps in digital literacy.

    Digital Law

    Digital law encompasses the rules or guidelines set within an organization for using the Internet.[10] In your classroom, you could talk about preventing plagiarism or putting phones away in class to teach digital law.

    Digital Communication

    The options that students have for communicating online are greater than ever. Text, email, social media, and online games are all ways that children might digitally interact with others.[11] For this reason, it’s important to teach your students how to communicate safely and effectively online.

    Digital Health and Wellness

    This element of digital citizenship involves teaching students how to protect their psychological and physical well-being while using the Internet. [12] This could include practicing how to sit correctly in a chair while using the computer and avoiding too much screen time.

    Digital Security

    The ninth element of digital citizenship—digital security—involves teaching students how to take steps to stay safe online. Although the Internet can be an excellent resource, students need to know how to avoid viruses, scams, or strangers online. Internet safety lessons for children could include anything from why privacy online is important to what to do if they encounter a cyberbully or stranger.

    Why Teach Digital Citizenship with Technology in the Classroom?

    The benefits of digital citizenship for kids extend far beyond the individual.[8] When we help students develop healthy practices on the Internet, we’re also creating a better space for everyone they interact with. If your students use technology in class, digital citizenship curriculum is one of the best ways to help everyone make the most of their time online.

    Because technology is so prevalent in schools, teachers often have to worry about how to prevent cyberbullying, cell phones disrupting class, and plagiarism.[1] Teaching digital citizenship can be one of the best ways to decrease these and other inappropriate behaviors at school.[14] As they become good digital citizens, students can use the Internet with a greater sense of self-awareness and better understand how to best use technology.

    Teaching digital literacy and other citizenship skills can also help bridge digital equity gaps (or the “digital divide”) between students.[3] Not all students have the same level of access to technology at home. Students from under-resourced or marginalized communities often have fewer digital experiences in comparison to their peers.[4] When digital literacy is a core part of their education, the technological resources and lessons in school can help these students catch up with their classmates.

    5 Digital Citizenship Activities and Tips for Elementary Students

    For many children, technology is a part of their daily lives before they even begin school. That’s why it’s part of an educator’s duty to teach digital citizenship so students learn to interact in healthy ways with the online part of their world.

    Use these digital citizenship game and lesson ideas to help elementary students develop essential skills for the wise and effective use of technology:

    • Digital safety is important for everyone, but especially for young students. Teach your students internet safety tips, like how to keep personal information private or avoid talking with strangers online.[5]
    • The earlier students learn know to use a keyboard and mouse, the better! Use your school’s technology lab to play typing games or teach students how to use a computer.
    • Show students the variety of free resources they can use online, like Wikipedia or Google. Teach them not only how to access these resources but also how to use them safely.
    • Cyberbullying can affect anyone, even elementary students. Brainstorm with your students how they can be respectful on the Internet and what to do if someone is bullying them. [6]
    • To avoid plagiarism, teach older elementary students how to cite information that they find online.[7]

    Sources:

    Ribble, M.S., Bailey, G.D., and Ross, T.W. Digital Citizenship: Addressing Appropriate Technology Behavior. Learning & Leading with Technology, September 2004, 32(1), pp. 6-9.[1]

    Lenhart, A., Madden, M., Smith, A., Purcell, K., Zickuhr, K., and Rainie, L. Teens, Kindness and Cruelty on Social Network Sites: How American Teens Navigate the New World of “Digital Citizenship.” Pew Internet & American Life Project, November 2011, pp. 1-86.[2]

    Shelley, M., Thrane, L., Shulman, S., Lang, E., Beisser, S., Larson, T., and Mutiti, J. Digital Citizenship: Parameters of the Digital Divide. Social Science Computer Review, 2004, 22(2), pp. 256-269.[3]

    Robinson, L., Cotten, S.R., Ono, H., Quan-Haase, A., Mesch, G., Chen, W., Schulz, J., Hale, T.M., and Stern, M.J. Digital inequalities and why they matter. Information, Communication, & Society. 2015, 18(5), pp. 569-582.[4]

    Code.org and Common Sense Media. Digital Citizenship. Retrieved from code.org: https://code.org/curriculum/course3/20/Teacher.pdf.[5,6]

    Hunter Library Services. Plagiarism and Copyright. Retrieved from libguides.com: https://huntertafe.libguides.com/digitalcitizenship/plagiarism.[7]

    Farmer, L. Teaching Digital Citizenship. Selected Topics in Education and Educational Technology, January 2010, pp. 387-392.[8]

    Ribble, M. Essential elements of digital citizenship. Retrieved from iste.org: https://www.iste.org/explore/ISTE-blog/Essential-elements-of-digital-citizenship.[9]

    Ribble, M. Passport to Digital Citizenship: Journey Toward Appropriate Technology Use at School and at Home. Learning & Leading with Technology, December 2008, 36(4), pp. 14-17.[10]

    Tan, T. Educating Digital Citizens. Leadership, September 2011, 41(1), pp. 30-32.[11]

    Hollandsworth, R., Dowdy, L., and Donovan, J. Digital Citizenship in K-12: It Takes a Village. TechTrends, July 2011, 55(4), pp. 37-47.[12]

    GCF Global. Internet 101: What is the Internet? Retrieved from just.edu.jo: www.just.edu.jo/~mqais/cis99/PDF/Internet.pdf.[13]

    Reykdal, C. Cyberbullying and Digital/Internet Safety. Retrieved from www.k12.wa.us: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-safety-center/z-index/cyberbullying-and-digitalinternet-safety.[14]

    Student digital citizenship

    Sections:

    Informatics, Extracurricular activities, General pedagogical technologies, Classroom management, Lesson presentation competition, Additional education

    We must teach students how to be effective digital citizens.

    This phrase is now very relevant, because in many countries of the world a lot of attention is paid to digital citizenship. What meaning do we put in the concept of Digital Citizenship, how digital citizenship is manifested in school and life, who is Digital Citizens and how to develop the qualities of a responsible user in a child, let’s talk about it today.

    Due to the rapid development of technology in modern society, the boundaries between the real and digital world are gradually beginning to blur. As more people interact with digital content, the notion of digital citizenship becomes more relevant. The basis of digital citizenship is a set of rights, freedoms and responsibilities that apply to all members of the school community. The main ones are – freedom of speech, protection of personal data, privacy and a number of others.

    Digital Citizenship is a concept that includes 9 aspects that define the norms for the responsible and effective use of modern technologies. Accordingly, a digital citizen must understand what he is doing and be responsible for every step.

    1 – Digital access. This concept implies that all digital citizens are provided with the opportunity of equal access to digital resources. Let me give you an example of how this can be implemented in a school.

    There is an Apple Distinguished School project. ADS are Apple-recognized schools that provide a curriculum through the use of apple technology. The school should improve the modern digital educational environment. Smartboxes are installed in each elementary school classroom – these are personal boxes in which tablets with an apple pencil are stored. Each class has its own individual number of tablets, depending on the number of students. Thus, each student has his own iPad for personal use during the year.

    In addition, Apple created the Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE) program to reward school educators who use Apple technology to improve their learning experiences. These people strive to change the world for the better. They include leading teachers from around the world (in Russia there are 7 teachers) whose experience helps other teachers understand how to use iPad and Mac to provide an individual approach to each student.

    2 – Digital commerce. Digital citizens should be aware that a significant part of the market economy is carried out electronically. Availability of shopping, toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. over the Internet has become commonplace for many users. Digital citizens need to know how to use goods effectively in the new digital realities.

    It is important to discuss with children that heavily discounted items can often be scams and “card block” emails can be fraudulent.

    3 – Digital communication. One of the significant changes in the digital revolution is the ability of a person to communicate with other people. In the 21st century, communication opportunities have expanded, people can maintain constant communication (e-mail, cell phones, SMS exchange, social networks, instant messengers for instant information exchange, etc. ). Now every digital citizen has the opportunity to communicate and collaborate at any time. But when using any means of electronic communication, there are their own rules, their own communication etiquette.

    Communication on the Internet is not much different from the real one. The main thing to remember is that you need to treat other people the way you would like to be treated.

    4 – Digital literacy. Digital citizens are actively involved in the process of learning technologies and their competent and effective application in their activities, gaining skills to quickly search for information and process it, and the ability to correctly set search data.

    Children can acquire these skills not only in computer science lessons, but also when working with the iPad in the lessons of the world around them or when solving olympiads.

    5 – Digital etiquette. Digital citizens, mastering electronic technologies, own the rules for their use and understand that there are rules of digital etiquette. Digital citizens need to be taught the knowledge of digital etiquette.

    It is important to prove to children that if punctuation is incorrect, a person may not understand you or be offended by the emoticon. In addition, shortening words is also NOT correct when communicating in the digital world.

    6 – Digital law. Digital citizens should understand that it is a crime to steal or damage the work, identity, or property of others online. There are certain rules that users need to know in a civilized society. These laws apply to anyone who works or uses online for entertainment purposes. Hacking someone else’s information, uploading illegal music, plagiarism, creating viruses, spamming or stealing someone’s property is unethical.

    As for plagiarism, for example, during the creation of project work, each of the students indicated on the last slide of their presentation what literature they used and what things they borrowed. Such seemingly “small” things educate students and give them an understanding of situations.

    7 – Digital rights and obligations. As in any state, any citizens have rights and obligations, so digital citizens have their own set of rights that apply to all users.

    For example, digital citizens have the right to freedom of speech, privacy, freedom of expression, etc. From these rights follow the corresponding obligations – not to violate the rights of other users. Strict observance of all rights and obligations by a digital citizen will contribute to the effective existence of the entire digital society.

    8 – Digital health. Preserving vision, reducing stress and good ergonomic practice are issues that need to be addressed in the new technological world. In addition to physical problems, there are psychological problems that are becoming more common, such as internet addiction. Digital citizens must understand that technology is dangerous and learn to protect themselves from these negative consequences. Psychologists, doctors and class mentors can help them with this by organizing conversations on these topics.

    9 – Digital security. A digital citizen, just like in everyday life, ensures his safety in the digital world. Knows to install anti-malware protection, copy information and store it on different devices, apply power surge protection devices, protect personal information with complex passwords, and much more.

    How to implement all these aspects and help a child understand the importance of digital citizenship? As part of the Digital Festival, which took place in April, we held a master class with 4th grade students and created a “Digital Citizenship Passport”, in which children reflected the most important rules of digital citizenship that they are ready to follow themselves.

    In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that digital citizens are not only students, but also teachers and parents! The teaching of digital citizenship should be included in the curriculum of all subject areas. Parents also play an important role in shaping a digital citizen.

    By collaborating, we create an environment and conditions for safe work in the digital world, help children build a positive reputation in online communities.

    Ensuring information security. What is digital citizenship?

    Internet life is real life and we should definitely treat it accordingly.

    Citizenship, generally applied to people belonging to a nation, gives both rights and duties. For example, people living in democracies have the right to representation but are also responsible for the right to vote. In the United States, citizens are also required to serve on juries when called and pay taxes. Some of the rights include the right to protest against the government, the right to unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to free speech, to name but a few.

    So, if the digital world is limitless – and there is no single government or leader to whom we have to obey – what does it mean to be a digital citizen? Based on the definition of the physical world, let’s look at some of the rights and responsibilities of digital citizenship.

    Digital citizenship rights

    A digital citizen is defined by Avast as a person who has access to digital technologies with rights including freedom, security and privacy.

    As a digital citizen, you are entitled to:

    • Access the digital world
    • Privacy
    • Data Protection
    • Freedom of expression
    • Freedom of communication
    • Ownership of one’s person
    • Informed consent to the collection of your data
    • To be forgotten
    • Anonymity
    • Not be hacked, phished, or tracked

    Obligations of digital citizenship

    As a digital citizen, you must:

    • Communicate respectfully, even if you disagree
    • Refusal to provide false information
    • Respect the intellectual property rights of others
    • Do not disclose personal information of others
    • Do not break into cyber systems without permission
    • Understand what information should not be shared
    • Protect your logins and passwords

    As you can see, a lot of what it takes to be a good citizen of your country is necessary to be a good digital citizen: Be respectful. Do not steal. Take care of your fellow citizens. Be aware of your surroundings, including how to protect yourself and others. And hold your “government” (in this case technology companies such as those that provide both our technology and our web services such as social media) accountable when they violate our rights.

    Why is digital citizenship important?

    As the time we spend online continues to grow, the digital world is becoming as important, or nearly as important, as the physical space we occupy. The term “in real life” (IRL), which was used on the Internet in the 1990s and early 2000s to describe everything that happened offline, is no longer accurate. And, if trends continue, the youngest of us will be spending an even larger portion of our lives on the internet.

    That’s why digital citizenship is important. Just as we all need to learn how to be citizens of our countries—both explicitly, from authority figures, and implicitly, through existence in society—we all need to learn how to be good digital citizens.

    Digital citizenship is so important for both micro and macro reasons. On a micro level, our personal online interactions—from digital communities on social media to messaging apps and comment sections—can have a real and lasting impact on our mental health. Our brains haven’t evolved the ability to recognize the emotional difference between online threats and “real world” threats, meaning that negative interactions can trigger a dramatic stress response and lead to negative mental and physical health outcomes.

    At a macro level, recent world events highlight how digital citizenship can have a direct impact on physical citizenship, both positively and negatively. For example, Twitter was vital to the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, helping activists communicate quickly and widely. However, Facebook has been a key player in the spread of misinformation that has negatively impacted events ranging from US elections to the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

    In other words: online life is real life. And it is absolutely essential that we all treat it accordingly.

    Key facts about digital citizenship

    • 4.8 billion people (61% of the world’s population) are connected to the Internet
    • Approximately 700,000 new users enter the network every day
    • Online privacy is both a digital right and a human right
    • In the absence of government, our digital responsibilities are primarily with our fellow citizens living in a digital world
    • The gap between the digital world and the “real” world is shrinking every day
    • Different governments have different views on the rights and obligations of digital citizenship

    Digital citizenship lessons for children

    Digital citizenship has become part of the curriculum in many schools, but others need to catch up. Whichever side your child’s school is on, here are some great resources for parents and educators to help kids become better digital citizens.

    Digital Citizenship Definition – A short, somewhat academic definition of digital citizenship from TeachThought educators.

    The 9 Rules for Digital Citizenship – A clear breakdown and printable infographic of the “rules” for digital citizenship for young people.

    Digital Citizenship in Education – A landing page of resources from ISTE on how to bring digital citizenship to the classroom.

    What Your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship – According to Scholar Vicki Davies, Through “9key points” of digital citizenship.

    All you need to know to teach digital citizenship – Free Comprehensive Digital Citizenship Lessons for K-12 Students from Common Sense Education.

    The Declaration of Independence of Cyberspace is the seminal work of the founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), John Perry Barlow.

    Original material

    December 3, 2021

    • Cyber ​​literacy

    Digital Citizenship for Kids: What Parents Should Know

    Author Henri Artois, Last Updated on: 05/27/2022

    When you step onto the digital platform to meet your personal and professional needs, you will become a digital citizen. Most of the children and teenagers of this century roam the internet platform in search of knowledge and entertainment. Everyone is a digital citizen, but the difference is how intelligently each person uses the digital platform. It is time for parents to explore the best ways to create a better cyberspace that supports goodness. digital citizenship for children . This article focuses on internet platform information and lists the digital skills needed to become a wise digital citizen. Check out the content below and teach your child and teen the inefficient use of cyberspace by accurately overcoming the hidden dangers.

    Why is digital citizenship important?

    Digital citizenship is an important identity for children of this generation and teenagers because they spend most of their leisure time on gadgets, social networks and cyberspace. This is the perfect time to teach them digital skills to get rid of the unknown threats of the internet platform such as cyberbullying, sexting, adult content threats, etc. It is necessary to feed children and teenagers with digital literacy in order to save yourself in times of emergency. As you all know that “Prevention is better than cure”, spread the word about the digital danger before they fall prey to it.

    How can a child be a good digital citizen?

    These are the digital skills you need to develop in your kids and teens when they start going online for educational and entertainment purposes. Teach the skills discussed below to overcome unwanted cyber problems.

    Digital skills for children and adolescents were as follows.

    • Digital data

    Teach your children and teenagers how to protect their data wisely from the Internet database. While operating on a social media platform, children and teens often share personal data during the profiling process. You must teach them to share limited data to avoid unwanted problems in the future.

    • Digital Security

    Tell us about security tools to protect your digital devices from malware and virus threats. Teach your child how to make optimal use of safety equipment. Report unsafe websites that lead to Trojans, malware injection issues, etc.

    • Digital Literacy

    Enlighten your child with digital literacy. You need to help them understand what to share and what not to share on the online platform with strangers. Teach children how to properly behave with strangers they meet in cyberspace. It will be better if you warn them to stay away from strangers on the Internet because you are not aware of the hidden potential dangers.

    • Digital use

    Help children and teens use the digital environment within their control. Protect them from addiction due to overuse. Let kids and teens explore the ideas of the communication platform. You can help them learn about the pros and cons of this technology and offer them the opportunity to understand the consequences of overuse.

    • Digital communication

    Help children and teens use communication tools effectively for development. You can show them how to make the best use of the search engine to get the data they need effortlessly. Work on various applications and tools in a communication environment and help children quickly find the right data in cyberspace.

    • Digital Security

    Tell teens about online safety. Give them enough knowledge to distinguish between secure and insecure web pages. Always set your child to look for security measures before visiting any web page. Make them aware of the effect of every click that occurs while surfing this Internet space.

    Digital citizenship tools

    Trace My Shadow

    This tool teaches children about the footprints they leave when they visit a web page with an electronic device. This software also illustrates how data is subsequently misused by hidden strangers in cyberspace. It is an effective tool that gives insight into the threats on the internet platform.

    Digital Citizenship

    This program teaches children and teenagers how to use cyberspace wisely. It raises awareness about cyberbullying and educates children and teens about the ethical way to use the digital platform. It teaches kids how to use digital technology through interactive activities. This program teaches kids how to assign strong passwords and helps them learn about online privacy.

    BrainPOP

    This is an online source of lessons and quizzes related to digital literacy. You can help your children and teenagers connect to this platform and educate them about the internet. An interactive session is available in this environment to educate children about malware, hackers, peer pressure, social media, cyberbullying, etc. It introduces children and teaches them how to use the digital platform wisely.

    What can FamiSecure help kids become good digital citizens?

    FamiSecure Parental Control App by FamiSecure provides the best online environment to help kids and teens become good digital citizens. This program aims for digital citizenship for children and protects them from digital threats with built-in features. Turn on the features you want to create a secure online platform for your kids and teens. Take advantage of the incredible features of the FamiSecure parental control app.

    • Web Filter and SafeSearch
    • Screen Time Limit and Schedule
    • Location tracking and driving report
    • App blocker and app activity tracker
    • YouTube history monitor and video blocker
    • Social media text and porn image warnings
    • * Works on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire

    The amazing features of the FamiSecure parental control app

    • Block apps and games that are inappropriate and addictive for kids and teens.
    • Turn on filters to intelligently remove inappropriate content from your child’s gadget.
    • The explicit content detection option detects offensive content on your child’s phone and immediately alerts the connected device to take quick action.
    • You can reduce the amount of time kids and teens spend on gadgets by turning on Screen Time.
    • Detects suspicious photos on your child’s phone and notifies you immediately to take immediate action.

    If your child has any suspicious images on their device, the FamiSecure app will quickly detect them and alert parents in time to take immediate action. This app monitors your child’s gallery and takes appropriate action before things get worse.

    Thus, it is time to conclude the discussion of tools for building digital citizenship for children . This is the perfect time for kids and teens to develop their digital skills. Educate your child and show him the best ways to use the Internet safely without getting into cyber problems. The FamiSecure parental control app is the right tool to provide kids and teens with the best online learning platform. Stay connected with this article to learn about innovative digital citizenship tools.

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    Increasing digital citizenship of children and typical parenting styles

    Digital citizenship is growing and today’s generation has made modern technology an integral part of their lives and uses mobile phones, gadgets and computer devices connected to the Internet . Moreover, using social media applications and engaging other people online using technological devices in the cyberspace network. However, every day a new invention of technology comes with the latest trappings and young kids and teens start to follow and get used to it, but the netiquette of having digital citizenship remains in question.

    The younger generation is without a shadow of a doubt more technologically advanced than past generations, but they do not know that it is a digital citizen that they must take care of themselves while using the digital world on their digital devices and gadgets connected to the Internet, and they do not understand what consequences they may face in ignorant behavior.

    Children’s Digital Citizenship and the Biggest Challenges

    Access to the internet and cell phone devices for kids and teens has made them true digital citizens, but on the other hand, there are some of the scariest and most serious issues that really threaten parents.

    Being a digital citizen is not a big deal, but there are roles to play in so many things when using information technology. There are a number of things that the younger generation basically doesn’t bother to accept when they have access to the digital world, which ends up causing serious problems.

    The parent, on the other hand, relies on a classic parenting style that basically doesn’t matter, and the generation technology is recruited into the world of media fuel without knowing the consequences.

    Lack of online privacy

    Online privacy is one of the most significant aspects of teens and children who are global citizens but don’t bother to be private online. They make multiple social messaging app accounts and then don’t put things in the user mode they really need. So, the inner digital life of teenagers can cause serious problems when they lack privacy. They boldly share their full name, contacts, home address and even the name of the school and other individuals who can be a factor in identity theft and kidnapping.

    What statistics show this?

    • Nearly 92% of teens used social media profile names to post
    • 58% say it doesn’t matter if they share personal information about the digital world
    • 69% of teens reportedly received messages and other type of content from strangers and never discussed with their parents: the reason for this is typical parenting styles.

    Ignorance about the ugly side of social media and potential dangers

    The ugliest and scariest is that they don’t know digital dangers such as stalkers and cyberbullying, sexual predators and others. They can easily get trapped online by online predators by having connections on social networks such as Facebook, Yahoo, Line, Vine, Tinder and others.

    All these social apps provide tools for text messaging, chatting, sound and video calls and WhatsApp voice messages and Facebook voice calls. So they don’t worry about who they should talk to and who they shouldn’t. In short, the wired world has turned teenagers and kids are turning into robots spending all their time in the digital world with digital citizens.

    Access to inappropriate content

    Young children and teens access inappropriate websites and apps where the content can exploit their innocence and they can get involved in some habits that can really use their lives. They aim for sexual intelligence and are often trapped online due to desperate sexual feelings. This means that the digital revolution and technology cost us to sacrifice the future of our children.

    Public access to content and tagging

    Young children and teens share their private photos and videos and even tag friends and post content publicly. They share incriminating photos that can be a factor in the ultimate outreach for teens, the once viral . On the other hand, they also do online activities such as media issues such as “KIKICHALLEANGE” and often get caught up in the presumptuous.

    Online relationships with free will

    Young children and teenagers these days believe in pure sex and build online relationships with people they don’t know in their real life and then make the mistake of meeting up with them in real life to a blind date without knowing the consequences. This means that the teenager is ready to engage in online relationships that will not last long and will lose their respect and dignity.

    Typical parenting styles and impact on children’s digital citizenship

    Even most parents are unaware that parenting styles have positive and negative effects when it comes to children’s digital citizenship. Styles for parents play a huge role in how much your child weighs, how they feel. Thus, parenting styles are very important in children’s digital citizenship practice. Let’s take a look at the following parenting styles that can bring your child closer to your heart or find other ways to spend your time talking about their concerns, such as digital citizenship.

    Authoritarian parenting

    If parents don’t consider their children’s feelings and you always believe in “my way or my way”, you will become authoritarian parents. Such parents believe that their children and teenagers should follow their instructions without exception. They also have little respect for the opinion of the child, do not believe in negotiations, and their goal is obedience on the part of the child. This is a typical parenting style that can get your child to discuss anything because you have already lost trust in your child and with digital citizenship they will spend most of their time on their mobile phones connected to the internet to share what they actually think and what they really want and often get into trouble.

    Authoritative Parenting

    Parents who believe in roles, and if they do not, they blame the children for the consequences, and take into account the opinions of their children and adolescents. They value their child’s feelings and emotions, but understand that adults have a responsibility. The typical parenting style is very good in terms of understanding what children really want from their parents and eventually they become responsible adults. But when it comes to digital citizenship
    p Children also lack many aspects of their parental responsibility. Because by providing them with technical gadgets and Internet access, taking into account their wishes, you can exploit your children. So, parents need to adopt digital parenting practices and roles to protect their children.

    Permissive Parenting

    Permissive parenting only talks and talks and always talks about roles but doesn’t put consequences on children. So, young children and teenagers usually understood that their parents would do nothing against them, and they could do whatever they wanted. So kids and teens do whatever they want and in today’s world these kids can get involved in cyber launching and can be harassed through social media apps and websites without any instructions from their parents and they never discuss anything with parents if something happens to them on the Internet. However, permissive parents do everything when their children are in trouble, or they feel that something has gone wrong with the children.

    Unauthorized parenting

    Parents who are uneducated parents do not bother to ask their children what their children and adolescents have in their homework and what they like and dislike, and they do not know the children what they do in their ordinary life. This type of parenting style is too dangerous for kids and teens, especially in the age of digital citizenship. Because when you don’t stop and watch your kids and teenagers it would be obvious that they will make friends and loved ones online and won’t share anything with you and they are always at risk due to lack of awareness of digital dangers , digital trends, digital predators, digital privacy and other things.

    I am a digital citizen. Develop your child!

    When children and teens are in school, they should use personal mobile phones and Internet-connected devices for school purposes only. Make sure they use the assigned Wi-Fi network when they are at school. However, parents can control and know the above requirements of children with Android parental control app. Moreover, let the child know that he will protect his personal information and never share it on digital media. Teach your kids and teens to respect others and themselves and not hurt others online. Raise your child, if someone bullied him on the Internet, he will not hide it at all and tell his parents. Trust your kids when they are online, they will stay safe and relevant online. Make sure children and teens visit relevant content and visit websites where they promote learning and education.

    Bottom line:

    It is obvious that parents live in a technology age where children and teenagers have a temporary and artificial world in which they spend most of their time with smartphones and gadgets in their hands. Parents need to be aware of the digital citizenship of children and teens and all the activities they do in the digital world so that they know what steps they need to take to protect their children online. use parental controls or set some basic roles for the user of the digital world. They should guide and educate their children about online roles and how much time they can spend on their devices connected to cyberspace.

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    Digital citizenship and school – Didaktor

    Walking through the Internet, I noticed that the concept of “digital citizenship” is increasingly used to define the competencies that a citizen of a digital society should have.

    Meanwhile, we significantly narrow the problem if we only raise questions about the role of the school in shaping certain qualities of young people. How should we educate a citizen of the digital society?

    In an ever-changing technological, knowledge-intensive and globalized world, it is important to prepare our students for success. The changing world requires our graduates to be ready for adaptation, for cardinal changes in their professional careers. Achieve success regardless of the emerging challenges they face in their professional activities.

    Information technology has opened up new educational opportunities and enabled students to connect to scientific and learning communities around the world. As critical as we are about social media, this is an exciting virtual environment for students that can no longer be ignored. The school must actively engage and influence these networks. The emerging changes require the formation of new knowledge, skills, competencies, and social behavior. The ability to use modern digital tools must be used responsibly and ethically.

    Much depends on modern educators, as they implement the concept developed by administrative structures and form digital citizenship skills in everyday practice. A certain system of work is needed in a number of areas:

    • Educational technologies and digital literacy
    • Liability
    • Formation of communicative competences
    • Internet health and safety

    Only such a systematic approach to educating a digital citizen, involving the solution of the tasks laid down in the Program of an educational institution, will help to achieve efficiency. It is critical that teachers respond quickly to constantly changing and updated digital content to ensure it is comfortable and accessible for students to use.

    Many teachers express their desire to revise the procedures for introducing popular technologies, online services, and excessive filtering of Internet resources. One of the important problems is the regulatory registration of the use (or prohibition) of student mobile devices (laptops and netbooks, smartphones and iPhones, tablets). It is necessary to solve the problem of accessible and acceptable use by parents of electronic journals and diaries, other forms of feedback. Many online tools have age limits for creating accounts, and as such, their terms of use should be reviewed regularly.

    It is very important that the information and educational environment of the school (IEE) has redundancy and variability of educational materials. The content used must always be analyzed and revised, constantly updated and supplemented. Classes at school should be the basis, the starting point of the educational system of an educational institution, and meet the needs of students.

    It is very important to teach students to be critical of the digital sources they use.

    A digital citizen is one who…

    • uses effective information retrieval strategies (e.g. keywords, narrowing, refine search)
    • uses reliable online resources (e.g. databases, encyclopedias, e-books)
    • critically evaluates information: used online resources and websites
    • does not work chaotically, but regularly applies a request model developed independently or with the help of a teacher, collecting information, using it and evaluating the quality of the information received.

    A digital citizen is someone who …

    • respects the intellectual property of others (for example, quotes, evaluates the studied resource)
    • uses digital resources responsibly and adheres to user agreements
    • understands the responsibility and possible consequences of unauthorized dissemination of information.

    A digital citizen is someone who…

    • communicates appropriately in accordance with the format of a particular social community
    • contributes positively to local and global communities, suggests, critically evaluates
    • is able to identify and respond appropriately to emerging online issues (e.g., cyberbullying, sexting (forwarding personal photos of an intimate nature), incitement to suicide, etc.),
    • forms its own positive reputation in the Internet community

    A digital citizen is someone who…

    • implements Internet security precautions (e.g. passwords, settings)
    • protects the privacy of self and others
    • balances offline and online activities (e.g. games, text messages, social media, etc.)
    • uses physical and mental health devices

    In my opinion, heads of educational institutions, their deputies should develop a strategy for training and educating a digital citizen, or at least take this problem into account in school curricula. In turn, the teacher also cannot but take into account the emerging obstacles to the formation of a digital citizen. And make appropriate decisions.

    Categories: Author’s opinion, To help the teacher, education, online services | Tags: parents and school, digital school

    Without a line in the code, you are nobody: how algorithms change citizenship

    Today, citizenship, along with all the associated rights and obligations, is part of our everyday life. As technology becomes part of our daily routine, it subtly changes what seems to be a permanent aspect of who we are to the states to which we belong.

    Our civic rights and obligations were previously associated with objects that at the time of their appearance were perceived as technologies: these are birth and death registers, marriage and divorce registers, passports, driver’s licenses and social security and taxpayer cards. Today, new digital technologies can be added to this list. In this text, we will try to understand how algorithms politically affect citizens and transform our relationship with the state.


    The material was created in support of the Goethe-Institut Data CTRL Center project.

    A Brief History of Citizenship: From the 18th to the 20th Century

    Novelty cannot be seen without an idea of ​​the old, so I will briefly talk about how the understanding of citizenship has changed over the course of history. Let me turn to the influential typology in political science and other social sciences of the researcher Thomas Humphrey Marshall, proposed by him in his work “Citizenship and Social Class”.

    Analyzing the history of Great Britain, he proposed to distinguish three types of rights and their corresponding obligations: civil, political and social. For him, these types were fixed, respectively, in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

    Under civil rights, Marshall understands the rights to freedom of personality, speech, thought and religion, ownership of property, conclusion of contracts and a fair trial, and under political – participation in the political life of society as an elector or representative.

    The social element of citizenship comes later, and it includes the notion that citizens are not just holders of a number of freedoms and participants in political life. Now they should also have a “civilized life”, the right to a minimum of economic well-being and security.

    The emergence and consolidation of each of these three statuses for Marshall is accompanied by the creation of appropriate institutions. For civil rights and duties, these are courts; for political ones, parliaments and local governments; for social ones, universal education and social services.

    State and “we” after algorithms

    In the 21st century, digital technologies are “layered” on civil, political and social elements, changing their content. This does not happen by itself, but with the participation of states, international organizations and commercial IT companies.

    Thus, many countries, including Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, India, already assert the right to access the Internet as a basic social right. The Internet is increasingly spreading and turning into the infrastructure of everyday life, and states, often regardless of the wishes of citizens, are willing to introduce this new, digital element of citizenship. Researcher Marion Fourcade calls it “ordinal citizenship” – it is actively tied to data processing, classification and the use of statistical analysis procedures.

    Such a process has a significant drawback – it accompanies social inequality. Just as the introduction of universal education encouraged new distinctions among citizens in terms of social mobility, knowledge, and opportunity, algorithms now draw distinctions by creating new hierarchies.

    The dependence of the citizen’s political rights on the operation of automated systems is especially evident in the case of China’s “social credit” system. It is designed to evaluate people according to algorithmically calculated metrics of a “good citizen”: whether a person obeys the law, pays fines, and honors contracts. By redefining the relationship between the individual and the state in this way, Marion Fourcade and Geoffrey Gordon observe, full citizenship becomes something to be earned. Undoubtedly, the Chinese system is not as monolithic, perfect and total as it is often described, but it already sets a new understanding of citizenship.

    Activist protests in India against the distribution of free meals for children using the Aadhar biometric system. AFP/Getty Images

    Social transfers and poverty machines

    It may seem that such stories are limited to politically authoritarian countries, but they are not. The social element of citizenship, formed in the 20th century, now also in many democratic states depends on algorithms. While democratic institutions help to make the problem more visible and its consequences manageable, it cannot be said that they fully cope with the consequences of technology’s impact on civic status.

    For example, in 2019, The Guardian published a series of articles “Automating Poverty”, which showed how the distribution of social benefits through algorithmic systems leads to people being denied payments without notice. These decisions seem to be taken on their own, automatically, without the possibility of grassroots control, public debate, or accountability.

    The problems are not reduced to the imperfections of single systems – a series of articles describes similar problems in the UK, USA, Australia and India. The Guardian journalists also collected monologues from the British, who received an automatic denial of social assistance. From them it becomes clear what critical consequences the algorithmization of citizenship can lead to – stress, hunger, homelessness.

    American political scientist Virginia Eubanks comes to similar conclusions in her book Automating Inequality. She studied three case studies – the Indiana State Social Security system, the Los Angeles Homeless Housing Assistance Program, and Allegheny County Child Welfare. The main idea of ​​her work is this: algorithms that were supposed to help the poor, in fact, worsen their economic situation even more. Eubanks calls this use of algorithms to provide social services a “digital poorhouse”.

    Non-citizen (0) / Citizen (1)

    Finally, the very status of a citizen now depends on an algorithmic assessment. We know this from documents that became public thanks to the revelations of Edward Snowden in 2013. For example, one of the algorithms assessed the citizenship of Internet users based on their online activity: if the indicator was below 50%, then the person was considered as a foreigner. This allowed the CIA to legally spy on such users, as they would lose the formal security privileges that come with an American passport. Researcher John Cheney-Lippold calls this type of citizenship jus algorithmi: while it used to be defined by the right of blood (jus sanguinis) or soil (jus soli), now it is increasingly dependent on technology—often hidden from us.

    The future of citizenship as a status may be very different. On the one hand, one can try to defend the past elements of citizenship. On the other hand, one can imagine a picture where socially undesirable discrimination caused by algorithms will decrease through changes in digital citizenship itself. Given the extent to which the state and business – together and separately – are involved in the promotion of new forms of digital citizenship, the success of such political projects, it seems, largely depends on the democratic nature of political institutions. It is to be expected that our civil relations with states will change in the future, with or without us.

    Benefits of art for kids: The Benefits of Art for Kids

    Опубликовано: August 9, 2020 в 11:12 am

    Автор:

    Категории: Kid

    The Benefits of Art for Kids

    The benefits of art for kids are many and include problem-solving abilities, creativity, literacy, fine & gross motor skills, connection, and understanding.

    Updated September 2022

    Everyone says art and creativity are important, but are you wondering what the actual art benefits for kids are?

    Here are some of the many ways that art benefits kids of all ages!

    What are the Benefits of Art?

    Excerpted from The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family’s Life with Art & Creativity, © 2021 by Jean Van’t Hul. Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications Inc., Boston, MA.

    Educators tell us that art encourages fine motor skills, neural development, and problem-solving abilities and that it can be used effectively to teach and understand other key subjects such as reading, writing, math, and science.

    Therapists tell us that art is valuable because it allows children to process their world, to deal with sometimes scary emotions in a safe way, and because it gives them critical sensory input.

    Artists tell us that art is important for its own sake—as a source of beauty and expression, as well as simply for the process of creating.

    Kids tell us that art is fun, an activity they enjoy.

    Parents tell us that art is vital to their families because it keeps everyone engaged and happy and helps with the sometimes difficult transitions of the day.

    Art is naturally linked to creativity, an attribute that is increasingly being touted as one of the most important factors for the success of individuals, organizations, and cultures.

    The truth is that art is vital, if somewhat intangible, and that if children engage in hands-on art activities, they learn much better in all disciplines.

    Why Kids Thrive When They Make Art

    Photo by Rachel Withers

    1. Art promotes creativity.

    Creativity is the ability to think outside the proverbial box, to string two unrelated ideas together in a new way. Solutions to major problems and breakthroughs of all kinds are linked to creativity.

    The ability to be creative is vital to the success of our children and the well-being of our world. Now, more than ever, as we face incredible challenges such as racial discord, wars, global warming, and mass extinctions. Individuals, organizations, and governments seek innovative solutions every day.

    According to the International Child Art Foundation, “Research indicates that a child who is exposed to the arts acquires a special ability to think creatively, be original, discover, innovate, and create intellectual property—key attributes for individual success and social prosperity in the twenty-first century.

    The world needs more and better thinkers.

    Photo by Andrea Martelle

    2. Art encourages neural connections.

    Art is an activity that can employ all the senses––sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste––depending on the activity. Children’s brain synapses fire away as they experiment and create by squishing paint between their fingers, mixing colors & materials, or drawing from imagination or what they see in front of them.

    Photo by Rachel Withers

    3. Art builds fine motor skills.

    Gripping a paintbrush, drawing dots and lines, mixing colors, cutting with scissors, controlling a glue stick or squeezing a glue bottle, kneading and rolling playdough, tearing paper—all of these tasks require increasing amounts of dexterity and coordination, yet they are so fun and rewarding that children want to do them over and over. As kids engage in art activities over time, their fine motor skills improve.

    Photo by Rachel Withers

    4. Scribbling is a precursor to writing.

    Babies and toddlers begin by scribbling randomly, back and forth. But the more they scribble, the more they are able to control the crayon and its movements across the paper.

    As children learn to control their scribbling, they make a wider variety of shapes, eventually making all the shapes necessary to write the letters of the alphabet—any alphabet.

    Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

    5. Art develops problem-solving abilities.

    Open-ended, process-oriented art is nothing but an endless opportunity for making choices, coming to conclusions, second-guessing decisions, and evaluating results.

    Children become more comfortable with uncertainty and remain flexible thinkers, which is key for creativity and confidence. And the more experience they have with a variety of materials and techniques, the more likely they are to try new combinations and ideas.

    Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

    6. Art helps kids understand themselves and their world.

    Children absorb incredible amounts of new information, and they need to process what they have learned in a safe, reflective way. Art allows them to explore feelings and deal with both daily and significant events.

    Art materials provide a safe outlet for emotions. Feelings and ideas can be reduced to a manageable size and manipulated as desired. Movement, image, color, line, and imagination all help children express themselves in a multidimensional way. This is a way that words may not be able to do, or that may be more comfortable for them than words.

    When we encourage our children to explore art, we encourage them to master themselves, their bodies, and a variety of tools and techniques. We give them many ways to express themselves.

    As parents and teachers, we can offer an environment where it is safe to experiment and create. An environment where questions are encouraged and children have free access to the materials they need and enjoy. We do this not to produce career artists but to raise children who are confident and comfortable with their creativity in whatever form in takes.

    Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

    7. Art helps kids connect.

    Art is an equalizer, helping create a common ground for children who don’t know each other and who may or may not be interested in the same things. It can help people of all ages, races, abilities, and even languages engage in a shared (and generally mutually loved) activity.

    The path to an art-filled life involves an open mind, a few simple tools, a bit of preparation, and an exploratory approach. It’s a path anyone can take at a pace that suits you and your family.

    Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

    From The Artful Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Family’s Life with Art & Creativity, © 2019 by Jean Van’t Hul. Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications Inc., Boston, MA.

    The Artful Parent is available for purchase on Amazon, RoostBooks.com, and your favorite local bookstore.

    Want help fostering your children’s creativity? Check out our Artful Parenting 101 course! It will guide you through setting up an art space, choosing the best art supplies, incorporating art into your everyday life, using art invitations, and the best ways to encourage creativity.

    More about Kids Art

    • What is Process Art? (Here’s Why It’s Important for Kids)
    • How to Be An Artful Parent
    • Embrace the Mess: Why Messy Art is Important for Kids
    • The Best Kids Art Ideas
    • Kids Drawing: How to Encourage Creativity, Skills & Confidence
    • What is Sensory Play & Why It’s Important

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    8 Important Benefits of Art for Children That Everyone Should Know
    – Painting to Gogh

    From a young age, children naturally communicate through art. You’ve probably caught them scribbling with crayons, markers, pens, and whatever else they can get their hands on. 

    Creating art isn’t just a fun, colorful pastime. It has a variety of unique, positive effects on preschoolers, young children, and teens that other activities don’t provide. Here are eight reasons why you should encourage kids to participate in art on a regular basis. 

    1. Art Stimulates Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

    An art project begins with a creative spark and lets kids bring their imagination to life, but it also strengthens their logical thinking skills too! 

    You’ve probably heard about the somewhat-debunked right brain, left brain theory. The idea was that creative people were “right-brained” because the right brain is more visual and artistic, while the left brain is verbal, analytical, and detail-oriented. 

    The truth is that both sides work together, and art is an excellent tool for helping kids take a creative concept from start to finish, work through artistic challenges and mistakes, and have fun while learning.  

    2. Art Promotes Self-Esteem and Self-Expression

    Children thrive when they can practice decision-making and express themselves without worrying about a right or wrong answer. They can learn how to trust themselves and communicate their thoughts and feelings with art. 

    Unlike schoolwork, there’s no “good” or “bad,” to worry about — it’s all about their vision and goals. There may be a few rules like, “Paint only on the canvas,” but otherwise the final product is completely in their hands. The more they can freely practice self-expression, the more confident they’ll feel. It’s also a great language development opportunity because they can pick up new art terms along the way.  

    3. Art Contributes to Fine Motor Skill Development 

    Educators report more and more children are entering schools with underdeveloped fine motor skills. Dexterity skills are typically taught at home at a very early age simply by exploring grip and pencil control. Creative activities are a fun and easy way to change things up and help with fine motor control.  

    Take painting for example. Paintbrushes are held like pencils, but the strokes are less exact and the result is a lot more exciting than writing down vocabulary words! Painting teaches hand-eye coordination as little artists attempt to copy the lines, shape, direction, and patterns of the instructor (or try out their own style). Painting to Gogh has plenty of painting tutorials and kits designed for kids you can try out. 

    4. Art Helps Develop Visual-Spatial Processing

    Visual-spatial skills help kids understand where objects are in space. They’re the same skills that let them repeat dance moves they see online, hit a baseball, draw letters and shapes, or complete a maze. 

    Creating art is a great way to help children sharpen these skills. Has your child or student ever tried to draw their favorite person, place, or thing? Let’s say they want to draw a portrait of their dog. When they imagine their dog’s height, weight, shape, and color and try to recreate their furry friend on paper, they’re doing a ton of visual-spatial processing without even knowing it.  

    5. Art Builds Memory and Self-Control

    Here’s another benefit of art for children: Having strong visual-spatial abilities also leads to better memory and self-control.

    When creating an art piece, children naturally work on self-discipline. They can’t jump into any approach, color, or technique they feel like if they want a painting that looks like a pair of cute pink unicorns or a space explorer. If they’re painting from memory, they’ll work on recalling images. And if they’re watching a video or in-person teacher, they’ll practice remembering and following instructions.

    Painting parties engage school-age artists and adults alike for family nights, birthday parties, play dates, and more, while building these critical-thinking skills.

    6. Art Provides Rest, Relaxation, and Reward

    Studies have shown that art making decreases stress levels and lowers anxiety, helping with a child’s overall mental health. Creativity — whether your little artist is doodling, sculpting with clay, or making noodle art — also activates the reward centers in the brain.  

    For young people, this means that arts and crafts activities make them feel good and help them naturally relax. They walk away with a sense of accomplishment and the motivation to get creative again. If you’re searching for a win-win group activity, art could be just the thing. It’s a great opportunity to improve children’s social skills in a positive setting, whether with friends, family, or classmates. 

    7. Art Increases Academic Performance

    Reducing stress, improving memory, increasing confidence — these are all ingredients for academic success. 

    In fact, a study of over 10,000 third- through eighth-grade students found that enrolling students in art classes improved writing scores by 13% and lowered disciplinary issues by 3.6%. It also boosted college aspirations among elementary school students. 

    If art education is lacking at your child’s school, or you want to help your child get creative, you can encourage these benefits at home with a Painting to Gogh kids painting class.  

    8. Art Connects Kids to People and the World

    Art is a universal language and acts like a gateway to cultural awareness. Children and teens don’t need any special knowledge to enjoy visual arts from different cultures or time periods. 

    When kids start making their own art, they naturally become curious and excited about other people’s art — especially if it’s a familiar style, medium, or subject. The creative process helps establish a lasting affinity for arts and culture in kids that’s vital to connecting to new people. The study we mentioned earlier even showed  that art programs made students more likely to be empathetic and open-minded. 

     

    Recommended Reading: 14 Exciting and Creative Summer Activities for Kids

     

    Painting to Gogh Offers Fun, Engaging Painting Tutorials for Kids

    As you can see, art making lets children grow emotionally, physically, and academically. They can uncover new talents, express themselves, and develop valuable skills for the future, all while having fun.  

    Ready to help the kids in your life get creative? A Painting to Gogh tutorial is the perfect, ready-to-start art project for children of all skill levels. Simply choose a painting kit, receive supplies on your doorstep, and let your child follow the video tutorial at their own pace. 

    From at-home art classes, to birthday parties, to family nights, we’ve got you covered. Discover engaging instructional painting kits for kids with Painting to Gogh.


    Back to Let’s Get Creative

    35 Powerful Benefits of Art for Kids (Importance of Art)

    Do you view art as just messy playtime for kids? Or do you realize it’s so much more than that? Art can be good for kids in many ways.

    While a child needs to learn science, math, and reading, art is also key to their development. At home, it’s a great time to connect with your child and encourage their creativity. In school, it’s a way for them to communicate and build confidence.

    With art education on the decline in schools all around the world, it’s up to us as the parents to inspire, introduce and cultivate the little Piccaso in each child.

    Let’s take a look at what art is, its benefits, and how you can help get your kids involved.

    Table of Contents

    • Is Art Education on the Decline?
    • Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Kids
    • In Conclusion

    Is Art Education on the Decline?

    Statistics show that art benefits children’s academic achievements. Those students actively involved in the arts are:

    • Four times more likely to take part in a math or science fair.
    • Three times more likely to have good school attendance and win an award for it.
    • Four times more likely to be recognized and acknowledged for academic achievements.
    • Three times more likely to stand for and be elected to class office.
    • Likely to have higher SAT scores.
    • Less likely to drop out of school.
    • More likely to gain employment after school due to their creativity.

    Despite these facts, many educators feel not enough emphasis is being placed on art in schools. 66 percent of public school teachers feel that arts are being overtaken by the need for math or language arts.

    Art Education In Decline

    There has also been a steady decline in the availability of arts education for African Americans and Hispanic Americans. Between 1982 and 2008, it dropped from 47–51 percent to 26–28 percent (1).

    A more recent report, The Nation’s Report Card, carried out by the National Center for Education Statistics, was compiled in 2017. This showed that students who take music lessons or art classes, go to the theater, or visit museums, achieve higher scores in their tests (2).

    These facts and figures represent an overwhelming reason for getting our kids interested in creative pastimes at an early age.

    This is where you, as a mom or dad come in. If these facilities are not being offered on the scale they should be in school; then you can help.

    Start by fostering your child’s artistic appreciation at home. This can be done as simply as encouraging fingerpainting in toddlers. As they grow, you can introduce them to other creative activities.


    Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Kids

    While we have established there are different types of art, we will concentrate on the benefits of fine/visual arts and crafts for kids.

    It’s worth pointing out art is beneficial for everyone. Historically, art has depicted how different civilizations lived and what their cultures and traditions were.

    Art can also be used as therapy. It can help people overcome the effects of illnesses, or it may calm a troubled mind.

    It can help people earn a living, with skills like architecture and commercial or advertising art.

    Theater and music bring people together socially, and can also be a form of personal expression.

    So, what are the ways art can benefit our kids? Let’s take a look at them.

    1. Motor Skills

    There are a few types of motor skills that benefit from arts and crafts. These include:

    • Gross motor skills: These are the movements of the large muscles of the arms, legs, and torso, which aid balance and coordination with our nervous system. Art activities such as painting, drawing, crafts, and scribbling encourage the connections between the brain and these muscles. Try activities like murals, which make them stretch, or pottery, which involves working with clay (3).
    • Fine motor skills: These involve the smaller muscles in the fingers and hands. Exercising these muscles helps with writing, tying shoelaces, turning the pages of a book, using scissors, and so much more. Try activities like drawing — even if it’s just scribbling, cutting with scissors, finger painting for little ones, face painting, or origami for older kids (4).
    • Hand-eye coordination: When drawing, painting, or doing any other intricate task, it’s our eyes that guide our hands to do our bidding (5). Playing with different shapes, tracing, connecting the dots, and even coloring within lines, help hand-eye coordination.

    2. Language Development

    Different types of art can help our kids develop their vocabulary and communication skills.

    • Language skills: Art gives kids an opportunity to talk about colors, shapes, and what they are doing. They can describe what they have painted, scribbled, or created, helping them to communicate and expand their vocabulary. Art appreciation can help younger kids describe what they see, learning to put their thoughts into words (6).
    • Comprehension skills: Arts and crafts can help kids understand the world around them in many ways. Reading directions for how things are done, or working out how to do something, can aid their comprehension. Play a game with young kids, like Pictionary, where they draw a picture to describe a word or use computer graphics with older kids.
    • Literacy: Art can help develop writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills, making a child more literate. Encourage them to look at illustrations and match them to the text of a story, or express themselves through dance, music, or drama.

    3. Boost Brain Power

    Art can help our brains develop in many ways. These include:

    • Higher IQ: There might be a relationship between creativity and higher IQs. That being said, this relationship is still under investigation (7).
    • Improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills: Give two kids the same challenge and see how they will each approach it differently. It could be making something from an array of items, like rubber bands, paper towel tubes, cotton balls, or paper clips. They will learn to think constructively about what they are doing and work out ways to help them achieve their goal (8).
    • Visual learning: Looking at art can help a child interpret, criticize, and process what they see. These skills can be applied to many other aspects of their lives. A child who is a visual learner will likely enjoy picture books or reading, and will often want to see how something is done before they attempt it themselves.
    • Improve creativity and individual craftsmanship: Kids will learn to be original and innovative when using art as a medium from a young age. They will be able to express themselves and will work out which type of art they prefer.
    • Imagination: Art in all its forms encourages a child to use their imagination. Escaping reality and entering the world they create can help with their well-being and mental health. Looking at and describing art can also promote a child’s imagination as they create their own stories about what they see.
    • Improve concentration: Arts and crafts often lead to an end product. Following steps in sequence to complete a drawing or craft project can help a child focus and concentrate. This is especially the case if it’s something that interests them or is new to them.

    4. World and Cultural Awareness

    Using arts and crafts can help develop an awareness in children of the different traditions and cultures around the world. It can help them understand that not everyone has the same beliefs, and is a fun way to show that we are all equal.

    It will help them understand and accept those who are different from them. It can also be a useful tool in preventing bullying. When a child knows that someone has different rituals, they won’t see it as outside the norm, and will be more likely to accept them.

    You could help them draw an African tribal mask or make a Native American dreamcatcher. While doing this, explain the traditions behind these objects, and why they’re made.

    5. Life and Social Skills

    Life can be tough sometimes, and anything that helps a kid develop skills which benefit them in their journey is essential. Some of these can be provided by art, and include:

    • Teamwork and collaboration: Whether it’s creating or appreciating art forms, it gives kids a chance to connect with their peers or adults who might not share the same interests. Talking about art or working together to create something that provides common ground.
    • Ability to follow directions: Crafts often have specific instructions to complete a project. This could be following a knitting pattern, stitching a stuffed toy, or making clay figures. Being able to follow directions is a useful skill all through life.
    • Improved social skills: Joining an art group, or even just collaborating on an art project in school, helps kids communicate. It’s also a great way for them to expand their social circle and make new friends.
    • A sense of responsibility: Participating in arts or crafts as part of a group can help give kids a sense of responsibility. They might have their own piece of the project to look after and know that they are crucial to its successful completion.
    • Ability to resolve conflicts: Art can help kids understand there is more than one way of looking at something. It will help them express points of view and work out solutions that are beneficial to everyone. Conflict can be seen as a chance to learn and grow.
    • Handling criticism: Although there is no right or wrong with art, constructive criticism is a way that can help kids accept there is another point of view. This may be someone assessing their art, or them looking at the art created by others.
    • Improving behavior: Participating in various arts, like music, drama, creative writing, and others, might help kids who are “at risk” to find motivation. It could improve their behavior as they learn to express themselves in healthy, productive ways, and take pride in their accomplishments (9).

    6. Improved Academic Performance

    There are conflicting schools of thought where art and academic performance are concerned. One thing that is agreed, though, is whether or not art improves academic performance, it still has a part to play in a child’s life.

    • Influence on general school performance: Academic performance can be influenced by taking part in the arts. It doesn’t necessarily mean that art makes your child better at other subjects, like math and science. However, all the added benefits art provides can help a child achieve in other areas (10).
    • Art can reach students with different learning styles: Kids with special needs, like ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory disorders, might not learn in the same way as other children when it comes to core subjects. With art, the field is leveled, as it’s subjective and doesn’t follow set rules and expectations. It can allow children with learning difficulties to match the performance of their peers, building self-esteem and confidence.
    • Fosters regular school attendance: We mentioned some statistics earlier concerning the increased school attendance of kids who take part in arts. When kids have art as part of their curriculum, school becomes more fun to attend. Learning excites them more and they are less likely to be absent.
    • Reduces school dropout rate: This is another statistic we touched on earlier. Students who take part in the arts, whether in school or outside, have a much lower dropout rate than those who don’t. In low socioeconomic groups, this can be five times lower.

    7. Effects on Personality and Identity

    Art can have beneficial effects on a child’s personality and sense of identity.

    • Confidence boosting: No doubt, you praise your child’s achievements and help them gain a sense of self-worth. Art, however, teaches them self-respect and can be a respite for kids who need to excel at something. Feedback from peers, and learning to accept as well as give criticism, helps build self-esteem (11).
    • Teaches perseverance: Whether it’s visual art, music, dance, or theater, art can help a child stick to something and see it through to the end.
    • Teaches patience: Waiting for things to happen can be challenging for kids. It could be something as simple as waiting for glue to dry before moving to the next stage of a craft. Learning to hold back teaches them the value of patience.
    • Emotional intelligence: The highs and lows that a kid experiences when creating can help them control their own emotions and be empathetic with others. It can also help them express their emotions and benefit their relationships with others (12).
    • Encourages reflection and introspection: Life is busy, even for kids. There’s school, after-school clubs, sports, and more. Arts and crafts are a way of getting kids to have some quiet time and gives them a chance to think.
    • Promotes self-expression: Art can give a kid an outlet to express themselves. Whether it’s choosing what color to use on a painting or which fabric to pick when crafting.
    • Allows for exploration and healthy risk-taking: Experimenting during arts and crafts is a great way for kids to learn what works and what doesn’t. Maybe they decided painting something a particular color didn’t work and will change it next time. Seeing as there’s no right or wrong, they learn from what they might see as mistakes.

    8. Emotional Well-being

    Art can benefit kids emotionally and contribute to making them feel good about themselves.

    • Gives a sense of purpose: Practicing arts and crafts can make kids more enthusiastic about other aspects of their lives (13). We have already mentioned the positive effect it can have on kids with learning difficulties, social issues, or problems with self-esteem.
    • Bonding opportunity: Not only do kids form friendships and connect with their peers through art, but they also bond with their family. Taking some time out with your kids while painting, crafting, or doing any other type of art, gives you valuable family time.
    • Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression: Arts and crafts of all kinds can help people feel happier and calmer. Interestingly, it’s not just while they’re doing it either. The effects can last into the next day, so encourage your kids to learn a craft and do it after school.
    • Relaxation: Taking time out to concentrate on nothing else apart from creating what’s in front of you can be a great way to relax. It can distract kids from the ups and downs of everyday life and is like a form of meditation (14).
    • May discover a lifelong passion: Although it’s not always the case, many kids who love art go on to become professionals in one of the fields they choose. This could be music, dance, or visual arts and crafts.


    In Conclusion

    Arts and crafts benefit our kids in so many ways. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sewing, music, dance, theater, or any of the other arts, they all contribute to our children’s well-being. It helps them develop and learn to express themselves in different ways.

    It’s important, as parents, we make sure that our children have access to the arts, both in and out of school. You never know, it might be the path to a career later in life. Even if it isn’t, it will ensure our kids grow up well-rounded.

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    Seven Benefits of Art for Child Development

    In recent years, educational approaches have shifted to a heavier emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math. Reading is also prominent. But what about the arts? Although some may regard art education as a luxury, simple creative activities are some of the fundamental building blocks of child development. Learning to create and appreciate visual beauty through “arts and crafts” may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they mature socially and academically. Sectors of the STEM movement have recognized the many benefits of art and how art plays a vital role in understanding and learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. As a result, STEM has been expanded to include art. STEM is morphing into STEAM. The addition of art has given steam to the educational development of students, young and old. Here are seven benefits of artistic and creative endeavors for children:

    #1. Refines Motor Skills

    Many of the motions involved in making art, such as holding a paintbrush or drawing with a crayon, are essential to the growth and development of fine motor skills in young children. According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), developmental milestones for a preschooler should include drawing circles, squares, and stick figures.

    #2. Enriches Language Development

    For very young children, making or talking about art provides opportunities to learn words for colors, shapes, materials, tools, and actions. When their toddlers are as young as a year old, parents can do simple activities such as crumpling up a piece of paper and calling it a “ball.” The activity takes on a second layer of instruction with something as simple as using different colors of paper. The “ball” is now a “green ball.” By the elementary years, children can use descriptive words to discuss their own creations or to talk about what feelings they have when they see different styles of artwork.

     

    #3. Strengthens Decision Making Skills

    According to a report by Americans for the Arts, art education strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The experience of making decisions and choices in the process of creating art carries over into other parts of life. When kids are making art, they are exploring, thinking, experimenting, and trying new ideas. In this soil, the seed of creativity has an opportunity to take root and grow.

     

    #4. Sharpens Visual Learning

    Drawing, making things with modeling clay, and threading beads on a string all develop visual-spatial skills, which are increasingly important in today’s technology-driven society. These days, even toddlers know how to operate a smartphone or tablet, which means that even before they can read, children are taking in information visually.  This information consists of cues that are received from pictures or three-dimensional objects from digital media, books, and television.

    Art teaches young learners how to interpret, evaluate, and use visual information. They learn how to make choices based on it. Some understanding and knowledge about the visual arts, such as graphic symbolism are especially important in helping kids become wise consumers and navigate a world filled with marketing logos and icons.

     

    #5. Stimulates Inventiveness

    When children are given the opportunity to express themselves and take risks in creating art, they sharpen innovation that will serve them well in their adult lives. Thinking, inventive people who seek new ways and improvements move themselves and society forward.

    #6. Informs Cultural Awareness and Discernment

    Society is becoming increasingly diverse. Images of different cultural groups in the media may also present messages that need some discernment. Teaching children to recognize the decisions an artist or designer makes in portraying a subject helps kids understand the idea that what they see maybe someone’s interpretation of reality.

    #7. Enhances Academic Performance

    Some studies seem to indicate that there is a connection between art and achievement in other areas. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who regularly participate in some form of the arts — three hours a day on three days each week through one full year — are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science event such as a fair or competition, or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than those who do not participate.

    Paint, paper, glue, and glitter — these are not just toys; they are tools that can be harnessed as powerful engines that encourage learning.

    For more information about educational preschool, contact Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Valrico by phone at 813-657-6200 or visit the website at https://kidsrkids.com/valrico/blog/.

    The Many Benefits of Arts and Crafts for Children

       

    The 29th June 2021 to July 19th 2021 would have been Children’s Art Week, run by Engage. Due to Covid-19, the plans for this year’s celebration of all things arty are unclear. However, you can still organise your own celebration of Children’s Art Week within your school (or home!) and decide on your own focus and themes! Last year, Children’s Art Week took place across 3 consecutive weeks with each week having a different theme. Week 1 was all about the Natural World, Week 2 was focused on connecting across generations and Week 3 was dedicated to literacy and creative writing. Of course your art week does not need to span across 3 weeks. The most important thing is the recognition of arts and crafts and the many benefits it can have for all of us!

    Benefits of Arts and Crafts

    1) Self-Expression and Managing Feelings

    As with all creative pursuits, arts and crafts activities are a fantastic creative outlet. Through art, children can express themselves freely, and sometimes without realising! Subconsciously, children will be expressing their inner thoughts and feelings through their artwork. Art is a great way for children to reflect and manage their emotions. The process of turning a thought into a tangible piece of art is a brilliant way of allowing us to manage our internal thoughts and feelings, moulding them into something real. Moreover, art and creative pursuits are proven to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

    2) Improves Confidence and Self-Esteem

    Art can improve confidence and self-esteem in a multitude of ways. For one, children will gain confidence in expressing themselves through the medium of art. Being able to channel thoughts and feelings into their artwork will, in turn, help them feel more confident in communicating how they are feeling. Moreover, art involves peer assessment and feedback. Receiving positive or constructive feedback can only boost self-esteem and allow children to recognise their own strengths and accomplishments. Art is a truly unique concept which differs greatly from one person to the next. This serves as a validation of each person’s individuality and their unique existence. Moreover, as with most things, children will grow in confidence the more they engage with art. Improving their techniques, understanding the underpinnings of great art and recognising how art makes them feel all contribute to their sense of self-worth. 

    3) Fine Motor Skills

    A key physical skill which can be improved through art activities is fine motor skills. During arts and crafts children regularly use the various muscles in their fingers, wrists and hands. Regular use of these muscles improves their strength and finesse, which then makes other tasks, such as writing, far easier!

    4) Patience

    We all know that perfection takes time. Whether that be the length of time it takes to complete a piece of art or successfully executing an artistic technique, it takes patience and dedication. Once their artwork is completed, children will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and will learn that hard work and dedication is very much rewarded. It can be tempting to rush things to get them completed quicker or to give up completely if it is taking longer than planned. But, with time, children’s levels of patience will increase and they will realise good things take time! 

    5) Concentration

    Similarly, concentration is a skill which isn’t learnt overnight; it develops slowly. Remaining committed to the task at hand and not letting their minds wander can be challenging for some children. But, with an end goal in mind and the motivation to succeed, budding young artists will focus on their artistic vision. Practicing focus and concentration will benefit them in all areas of life and in a vast array of subjects. 

    6) Planning and Foresight

    A key part of a teacher’s lesson planning incorporates giving pupils opportunity to practice their planning skills. Whether that be writing a plan for a Big Write or writing step by step planning for a scientific experiment, planning can be incorporated easily into the curriculum. With arts and crafts, it is important for children to have an end goal in mind before beginning. They will also need to think about materials and equipment they may need. For an artistic vision to be executed successfully, it is a good idea for children to think ahead and consider how they will achieve the end goal. Planning, and having foresight, is an important life skill which goes hand in hand with other key skills, such as organisation.

    7) Organisational Skills

    In a similar vein to planning, organisational skills can be developed through arts and crafts. Making sure they have the equipment they need close by, a good workspace and getting timings right can contribute hugely to the success of an art project. Being organised is, of course, a fantastic quality to have and can make everyday life that tiny bit easier.

    Why Is Creativity Important? 

    • Creativity goes hand in hand with imagination! Imagination underpins creativity and vice versa. Imagination is crucial to problem solving, thinking outside of the box and being able to immerse oneself in many pursuits, such as art, literature and film. Being able to think creatively as well as creative expression helps to broaden the imagination.
    • Being creative helps children to understand themselves. Creativity is a valuable form of self-expression and the ways in which children’s creativity comes out helps them to understand their inner thoughts, feelings, likes and dislikes.
    • As well as helping them to understand themselves, creativity is a valuable method of self expression! 
    • Creativity underpins key skills such as problem solving; thinking outside of the box is a key skill and can help to overcome a range of problems and challenges. 
    • Creativity helps build resilience! Being able to think creatively helps us to look at setbacks and challenges in different ways, which then leads to being able to move past them or solve any problems.

    The Importance of Making Time for Art in the School Day

    • The above benefits of arts and crafts activities clearly show how crucial art is for development and what a positive impact art can have! But, most importantly, it is an enjoyable subject which is highly individual and open to interpretation.
    • The National Curriculum describes Arts and Crafts below…

     ‘Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.’

    It also states the following aims for art in the national curriculum:

    ‘The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils: 

    • produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences 
    • become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques 
    • evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design 
    • know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

    You can read more about Art and Design in the National Curriculum here.

    • Art is a subject that can be linked to many other subjects! If your school takes a topic based approach, it is very straightforward to incorporate art. For example, if your topic is the Stone Age, you could incorporate art easily with activities such as cave painting and designing a Stone Age house with natural materials. Even without a topic based approach, it is easy to link art in with texts being studied in English, with RE topics or even maths with the creation of helpful posters to aid understanding of key concepts. 
    • However, it is also important to have art as a stand-alone subject with off-timetable sessions. The off-timetable sessions add an element of surprise and excitement to art lessons. For example, your school may take part in designing Christmas cards or getting involved in charitable events, such as cake sales.

    If you are feeling inspired to get crafty, our blog ‘ Let’s Be Bold About the “Non-Academic” Benefits of the Arts’ is an ideal next read!

    Experts Say These Are the Benefits of Art for Your Child

    We all know that children are inherently creative. Children can take almost anything and create a game, an activity, or simply amuse themselves using their imagination for hours on end. However, as kids get older, we tend to focus more on the scholastic side of learning, while reducing the creative side of learning. This is one reason why art exploration is so beneficial for a child’s development.

    Contents

    • Benefits of creative arts in relation to children’s development
    • Art projects for kids

    Art exploration doesn’t just fuel your child’s creativity, it also benefits other areas of their development as well. When children partake in art projects like painting, sculpting, building, or any other form of artistic expression, they’re also working on their motor skills, language development, math skills, and more. Here are five ways art benefits your child’s development that you may not have realized.

    Benefits of creative arts in relation to children’s development

    Enhanced fine motor skills

    Sally Macaluso is a special education preschool teacher and educational blogger at Tenderhearted Teacher. She encourages parents and teachers to incorporate art exploration for its benefits of creative arts in relation to children’s development.

    Macaluso notes not only do children get to express their creative side when creating art, but it also helps enhance their fine motor skills. “Fine motor skills are strengthened as children manipulate play dough or clay as well as when they handle utensils like markers, paintbrushes, crayons, and scissors,” Macaluso told us. “This type of physical development (that enhances the small muscles in the hands) is critical for future writing abilities as well as independence skills like eating, dressing, and toileting.”

    Enhanced social-emotional learning

    Art can also help children learn how to channel and express their emotions, problem-solve, and communicate with others, also known as social-emotional learning, or SEL. Beth Herrild, Founder/CEO at Outside The Box Creation, explained that art specifically helps enhance a child’s SEL by boosting their self-esteem and their ability to feel empathy. “The foundation of social-emotional learning is helping children understand their own emotions and develop skills for managing them while feeling and displaying empathy for others. Art is perfect for both of these,” she added.

    Herrild encourages parents to take any opportunity to observe art with their children and ask them questions about how that art makes them feel. She also suggests using art as a means of self-reflection and asking a child to create something that shows their personality, or how they think others see them.

    Enhanced language development

    You may not realize just how much art can impact your child’s language development. When engaging a child in any kind of artistic process, you’re introducing them to new vocabulary words, as well as encouraging them to use different terms to describe their creation.

    “Sharing their artwork with others provides opportunities for children to talk about shapes and colors and learn new vocabulary terms to describe their art (smooth, sticky, soft, shiny). This creative process also gives children an opportunity to talk about how they feel when they paint, draw, or sculpt or what emotions they experience when looking at different styles of art,” explained Helen Hadani, an entrepreneurial research psychologist at Goddard Systems, Inc. Macaluso agrees, adding that art helps children learn new vocabulary words like texture and dimension that they may not have learned otherwise.

    Art projects for kids

    Math skills

    Art can help teach children math skills, such as spatial concepts, how different shapes fit together, and symmetry. Depending on the art projects they’re creating, children have to use their problem-solving skills as they figure out how to incorporate different materials or layers in their artwork. It’s important to let children create freely so they can explore these concepts on their own.

    Executive function

    Giving children free rein to be as creative as they want to be when making art allows them to strengthen their executive function. As Hadani notes, “Art can help children strengthen their decision-making and problem-solving skills as they experiment and try new ideas. Art provides a ‘safe space’ to take risks, practice self-control, and think flexibly by considering different perspectives and strategies.”

    Experts agree that the benefits of creative arts in relation to children’s development are endless and that parents need to allow children the autonomy and freedom to express themselves without much interruption. “Parents and caregivers need to note that for creativity to blossom, a child must be free to explore,” Macaluso stated. “Therefore, they should focus more on the process rather than the final product or outcome.” The good news is children can use a number of common household items, like Q-tips, tissue paper, cardboard, tinfoil, cotton, and more, to create art.

    Being interested and engaged in your child’s art projects also helps further their love of creating, as well as their ability to learn new techniques and methods. This only further strengthens the benefits that creating art provides. Macaluso suggests parents ask their children more about the process they used to create their art to further encourage their creativity. Allowing your child the freedom to express themselves using art exploration not only fuels their creativity, but it provides positive impacts on their personal and academic lives.

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    Development of a child through drawing: the benefits of drawing for children

    Drawing is the first kind of creative activity of a child. From an early age, children take up pencils and paints, creating their own picturesque “masterpieces” with their still naughty pens. By elementary school, drawing becomes a conscious, systematic activity. At this stage, it does not matter at all whether the child has artistic talent. Painting lessons for him are a prerequisite for the formation of a versatile, harmonious personality.

    The role of drawing in the development of a child

    A picture painted by a little artist is a source of pride for any parent. However, for the development of a child, painting is valuable not as a result, but as a direct creative process.

    The benefits of drawing for children are undeniable and justified from a scientific point of view:

    1. Artistic activities develop fine motor skills, and this is the stimulation of brain areas responsible for thinking, speech, visual and motor memory, coordination. During drawing, both hemispheres of the brain are involved, interhemispheric connections are actively emerging.
    2. The child develops spatial intelligence and imagination.
    3. In the process of work, the child gets a real result – a drawing. This teaches him goal-setting and forms an orientation towards effective activity.
    4. Through drawing, a child expresses himself, projects his psychological state onto paper.
    5. Drawing is considered a soothing and peaceful activity. It is especially useful to draw for children prone to whims, depression and neuroses.
    6. Systematic painting lessons teach a child to structure time, develop perseverance, form discipline.
    7. Through painting, children learn to creatively comprehend the world around them and understand that each person has his own perception of reality, sees objects and phenomena in his own way.
    8. Drawing is a process involving experimentation, creativity, individual vision of objects. It is in the process of working on a drawing that a child learns to perceive his mistakes – but as a chance to create something new and unique. Such an approach helps the artist to be liberated, to become more independent and successful.
    9. The process of creating a picture allows a person to feel himself not as a “grain of sand”, but as a creator, which favorably affects his self-esteem and self-identification.
    10. Examining paintings, choosing a palette, bringing the work to perfection, the child learns to distinguish between nuances, to see the general and the particular, to compare and generalize.
    11. The main thing that drawing gives children from the point of view of aesthetic education is familiarization with world culture through fine arts.
    12. Developing associative thinking, skills of orientation in space, projection on a plane, drawing is important for schoolchildren as a key to understanding mathematical, physical models and mastering other disciplines.

    How boys and girls draw

    Surprisingly, it is a fact: a child’s drawing can tell who drew it – a boy or a girl. Psychological differences between the sexes leave their mark on the perception and artistic reflection of reality.

    The hemisphere of the brain responsible for imaginative thinking, imagination, and emotions works better in girls. Therefore, the little representatives of the fair sex pay special attention to trifles, careful drawing of living characters.

    Boys tend to have more technical details and sketches of people. The active right hemisphere in men is responsible for logic, analysis and literal perception of symbols.

    The same task will be performed differently by a student and a student sitting at the same desk. The boy will focus on the detailed study of cars, buildings, not paying much attention to the “decorations” and the population of a fictitious city. Girls are interested in decorating, they will be happy to depict curtains on the windows, a flower bed, draw faces and outfits of residents. At the same time, the house itself may well exist on paper in a schematic form.

    Importance of drawing lessons in school

    Modern educational standards encourage an individual approach to students. The task of the teacher of fine arts is the comprehensive creative development of children, the formation of a harmonious personality involved in the world art culture, taking into account the individual characteristics of each child. The teacher creates conditions for the manifestation of fantasy, supports the independence of children, demonstrating only the basics of drawing.

    What does drawing give schoolchildren if they are not taught at the Fine Arts, as before? The former principles of the lesson, when the class was offered a single task, without the opportunity to show their own “I”, today are morally obsolete. Psychological differences between the sexes, different levels of giftedness in the team require a free form of training. The teacher does not teach children directly the techniques of painting, but only arouses in the student an interest in the fine arts, teaches them to understand and appreciate beauty, pushes them to self-expression through drawing.

    Even if a child does not aspire to become an artist, the skills acquired in the process of drawing will certainly be useful to him in adulthood:

  • A musician, a surgeon, a driver, a mechanic, a machine worker cannot do without a clear coordination between the hand and the eye;
  • inventors, researchers – people who push science and technology forward have a developed imagination.
  • The task of adults is to encourage in every possible way in the child the desire to pick up paper and brush, and the sooner this happens, the better.

    Fine arts for children benefit

    Drawing is the first creative activity of a child. From an early age, children take up pencils and paints, creating their own picturesque “masterpieces” with their still naughty pens. By elementary school, drawing becomes a conscious, systematic activity. At this stage, it does not matter at all whether the child has artistic talent. Painting lessons for him are a prerequisite for the formation of a versatile, harmonious personality.

    The role of drawing in the development of a child

    A picture painted by a little artist is a source of pride for any parent. However, for the development of a child, painting is valuable not as a result, but as a direct creative process.

    The benefits of drawing for children are undeniable and justified from a scientific point of view:

    1. Artistic activities develop fine motor skills, and this is the stimulation of brain areas responsible for thinking, speech, visual and motor memory, coordination. During drawing, both hemispheres of the brain are involved, interhemispheric connections are actively emerging.
    2. The child develops spatial intelligence and imagination.
    3. In the process of work, the child gets a real result – a drawing. This teaches him goal-setting and forms an orientation towards effective activity.
    4. A child expresses himself through drawing, projects his psychological state onto paper.
    5. Drawing is considered a soothing and peaceful activity. It is especially useful to draw for children prone to whims, depression and neurosis.
    6. Systematic painting lessons teach a child to structure time, develop perseverance, form discipline.
    7. Through painting, children learn to creatively comprehend the world around them and understand that each person has his own perception of reality, sees objects and phenomena in his own way.
    8. Drawing is a process involving experiments, creativity, individual vision of objects. It is in the process of working on a drawing that a child learns to perceive his mistakes – but as a chance to create something new and unique. Such an approach helps the artist to be liberated, to become more independent and successful.
    9. The process of creating a picture allows a person to feel himself not as a “grain of sand”, but as a creator, which favorably affects his self-esteem and self-identification.
    10. Examining paintings, choosing a palette, bringing the work to perfection, the child learns to distinguish between nuances, to see the general and the particular, to compare and generalize.
    11. The main thing that drawing gives children from the point of view of aesthetic education is familiarization with world culture through fine arts.
    12. Developing associative thinking, skills of orientation in space, projection on a plane, drawing is important for schoolchildren as a key to understanding mathematical, physical models and mastering other disciplines.

    How boys and girls draw

    Surprisingly, it is a fact: a child’s drawing can tell whether it was a boy or a girl. Psychological differences between the sexes leave their mark on the perception and artistic reflection of reality.

    The hemisphere of the brain responsible for imaginative thinking, imagination, and emotions works better in girls. Therefore, the little representatives of the fair sex pay special attention to trifles, careful drawing of living characters.

    Boys tend to have more technical details and sketches of people. The active right hemisphere in men is responsible for logic, analysis and literal perception of symbols.

    The same task will be performed differently by a student and a student sitting at the same desk. The boy will focus on the detailed study of cars, buildings, not paying much attention to the “decorations” and the population of a fictitious city. Girls are interested in decorating, they will be happy to depict curtains on the windows, a flower bed, draw faces and outfits of residents. At the same time, the house itself may well exist on paper in a schematic form.

    Importance of drawing lessons in school

    Modern educational standards encourage an individual approach to students. The task of the teacher of fine arts is the comprehensive creative development of children, the formation of a harmonious personality involved in the world art culture, taking into account the individual characteristics of each child. The teacher creates conditions for the manifestation of fantasy, supports the independence of children, demonstrating only the basics of drawing.

    What does drawing give schoolchildren if they are not taught at the Fine Arts, as before? The former principles of the lesson, when the class was offered a single task, without the opportunity to show their own “I”, today are morally obsolete. Psychological differences between the sexes, different levels of giftedness in the team require a free form of training. The teacher does not teach children directly the techniques of painting, but only arouses in the student an interest in the fine arts, teaches them to understand and appreciate beauty, pushes them to self-expression through drawing.

    Even if a child does not aspire to become an artist, the skills acquired in the process of drawing will certainly be useful to him in adulthood:

  • A musician, surgeon, driver, mechanic, machine worker cannot do without clear coordination between hand and eye;
  • inventors, researchers, people who push science and technology forward have a developed imagination.
  • The task of adults is to encourage in every possible way in the child the desire to pick up paper and brush, and the sooner this happens, the better.

    Source

    Drawing is one of the methods of children’s development. Each parent at least once received a drawing of a baby as a gift, and for many this is a source of pride. Interestingly, in this case, the process itself is important, not the result. It is the process that develops memory and attentiveness, fine motor skills and speech apparatus.

    In addition, drawing has a positive effect on the psyche of the baby, makes children resistant to stress and helps them learn better. Therefore, it is necessarily included in the program of kindergartens and elementary schools. In addition, classes are convenient, easy and interesting to conduct at home. Let’s find out more about the benefits of drawing for children.

    What drawing develops

    • Drawing develops fine motor skills, namely small and precise movements of the hands and fingers. Fast and developed motor skills have a positive effect on attentiveness and memory, vision and speech, the state of nerve cells. Classes form coordination between hands and eyes. Also, fine motor skills are perfectly trained and developed by modeling;
    • Beautiful handwriting is formed, dexterity and reaction speed develop. Drawing a specific object, the child remembers it, and, therefore, stimulates the work of memory. Drawing from nature, he learns to determine color, texture, volume, proportions and other physical properties;
    • Regular drawing lessons teach the child to structure and calculate time. They develop perseverance and form discipline;
    • In the creative process of drawing, the child notices the nuances, fantasizes and transforms, looking for solutions and options for the development of events. This develops observation and attentiveness, fantasy and imagination, creativity, non-standard, spatial and associative thinking;
    • Teaches orientation in space and develops the eye, explains what two- and three-dimensional images are. In the future, it will become easier for the child to master physics and mathematics;
    • Introduces to fine arts and world culture, cultivates taste and love for aesthetics. The child begins to distinguish between small details and elements, to compare and generalize, to identify the particular and the general;
    • Children learn to finish what they start, to identify and correct mistakes, to analyze. The child sets a goal and goes to the result. If necessary, you can draw again, taking into account experience and previous experience, while the work will go easier and faster, and the result will please even more than if the first drawing had turned out right away.

    Psychological benefits of drawing

    The benefits of drawing for children are also revealed in the psychological and emotional sphere. Creativity helps to overcome stress and worries, helps to let go of negativity and get distracted. Classes calm the child and normalize the psychological state and give emotional stability, which is especially useful for nervous and capricious kids.

    Drawing cheers up and children like it. It can captivate the baby for a long time, thereby giving adults free time. And joint drawing will help to establish contact with the child and get to know each other better. This will create a comfortable atmosphere and a trusting relationship. In addition, you will have a fun and interesting time.

    Creativity, including drawing, is a great way to tell and express yourself. Through drawings, you can understand the desires and needs, problems and fears, the current emotional state of the child. No wonder psychologists ask to draw something, for example, a house, a tree, a family, a person, a non-existent animal, and so on.

    A drawing of both an adult and a child can tell a lot about a person. What does he like to do, in what family does he live and is brought up or brought up, what problems does he care about. Determine his gender and approximate age, character and temperament, marital status and position in society.

    Drawing helps a child to realize himself as a person, as a person who creates and creates. This boosts self-esteem. Interestingly, boys and girls draw differently. Girls think figuratively, emotions and imagination are developed here. Therefore, they pay attention to trifles and details, carefully draw characters, decor, people’s faces, and so on.

    Boys are characterized by schematic drawing and literal perception of symbols, logic and desire for analysis. In the drawings, you will find more technical details and architecture, but less decor or faces.

    More articles on vskormi.ru

    Source

    Drawing for a child is not only a useful and exciting skill, it is a way to show your personal “I”.

    Although some parents do not see the point in children’s doodles, the first drawings indicate the working capacity of the brain, teach the baby to think and analyze. The benefits of drawing for children are a scientifically proven fact, repeatedly confirmed by parental experience.

    The role of drawing in the development of the baby

    Drawing is directly related to imagination, speech, mental activity and perception of the surrounding reality. Fine art enhances and streamlines these mental functions, helping the little artist to systematize the idea of ​​the surrounding reality.

    The more actively a child comprehends the world through games, the better he draws, developing his creative abilities, and thus developing his intellect. Giving your little one a pencil and paper isn’t just a way to keep them busy for a while.

    The benefits of drawing for children are indisputable and scientifically substantiated, since art classes:

    • bring joy. Drawing becomes a hobby for the baby, bringing great pleasure, because it gives freedom of expression;
    • develop perseverance and accuracy. Holding a pencil in your hand is not an easy task for a child, and drawing a specific object is a painstaking and difficult task. Performing it, the baby goes through an important process – the development of fine motor skills: the better he masters this stage, the faster speech will develop;
    • train memory, attention, improve spatial imagination;
    • help to cope with emotions, making the baby happier and freer, because through the drawing the baby “splashes out” his feelings on paper, which, due to age, cannot express with the help of speech;
    • develop creativity. Creating a drawing or painting requires a child’s individual vision of objects, implies a creative approach to the creative process, the ability to admit one’s mistakes and, as a result, create something unique;
    • soothe the psyche: it is especially useful to draw for children prone to whims and neuroses;
    • help reveal individuality. Drawing, the child feels like a creator, a person, which makes him more confident and has a beneficial effect on self-esteem.

    A child’s drawing shows whether the author is a boy or a girl. This is a scientific fact. Girls have better developed verbal and logical thinking, emotions, attention to detail. They are focused on a specific image, they like to draw princesses, animals. Boys are distinguished by spatial imagination, so they usually depict dynamic pictures – battles with equipment and weapons.

    Only a child psychologist can interpret the drawing, and only taking into account the comments of the child himself. If a child prefers to depict objects in black, this does not mean that he has depression, but only an association with his father’s car.

    At what age should I start?

    It is not worth rushing the event. Experts recommend introducing the baby to drawing from the age of eight months: by this time, the child can sit confidently. It is advisable to start with finger paints and a large sheet of paper. You need to be prepared for the fact that the baby will stain everything around.

    Some psychologists believe that teaching children to depict real objects: clouds, trees, houses, geometric figures is not recommended until the age of 8, so as not to discourage the little artist from drawing. It should be understood that preschool children convey their visual and tactile sensations from the subject in the drawing. The similarity of the object does not interest them.

    The period of doodle drawing has its own stages and at this time it is important not to let the baby block this process:

    • chaotic scribbles (up to a year) . This is the time when the child only picks up a pencil, pokes it into a piece of paper, rejoicing that traces remain there. Parents should support with crumbs feedback, positively reacting to his work;
    • circular scribbles (1-2 years) . Now the baby realizes that he can control his movement and actively draws circles, lines, squiggles. At this stage, parents are tempted to teach their child how to draw correctly: a square house, a round sun. Such actions block the imaginative thinking of the child;
    • advanced scribbles (2-3 years) . This is the last period of “before pictorial” drawing, in which the baby discovers that there is a meaning in the circles, dots and curves drawn by him. The process should bring joy to the child: in order to keep the self-esteem of the crumbs, parents should even hang scribbles on the wall, admire them and proudly show them to friends.

    Realistic appearance of objects appears in children’s drawings only by the age of 7-8 years. It is during this period that the child has a desire to evaluate an adult in order to achieve a better result and the question arises of the need to continue studying at an art school.

    Teach or let the child act independently?

    There is no consensus. Some parents and teachers believe that if a child has a talent for drawing, it should be developed by enrolling the child in an art studio. However, traditional training can slow down the formation of an individual style.

    Opponents of art schools are convinced that creativity is not following canons and guidelines, but a process of self-expression. The child must draw as he sees, and any patterns will nullify creative self-expression.

    If you decide to study in a study group, you should first get acquainted with the teacher of the studio, find out reviews about his work.

    It is important to remember that drawing is taught not by a technique, but by a person. It is the teacher-artist who is able to reveal the talent and help the child to show his individuality.

    Psychologists note that the cause of shyness in adults is often a situation from childhood: parents, wanting to see more realism in the child’s drawings, criticize the child. The result is insecurity and fear of expressing oneself.

    How to keep a child interested in creativity?

    Even if the kid does not become a brilliant artist, the skill is worth developing. It is important to understand that until the age of three, drawing for a crumb is a momentary expression of oneself. Parents should support the baby emotionally – “Well done! I like!”.

    From the age of 4 to 5, the drawings will become sketchy, but so far have little resemblance to reality. At this stage, children are extremely sensitive to criticism, especially corrections. Often this causes a child to abandon drawing, for example, after an unsuccessful lesson in kindergarten.

    At the age of 5-6, there is an interest in the creative process itself, and only by the age of 7, the result becomes important for the baby. Drawing is recommended in a group, because it is there that you can share your skills and borrow someone else’s experience.

    This will encourage your child to explore the work of famous artists. It is advisable to visit exhibitions not only of eminent masters, but also of emerging artists, discussing what they saw with the child.

    Related videos

    About the benefits of drawing for children in the video:

    Success in life starts from childhood. It is important to instill useful skills in a small person – drawing is one of them. Let the child, at least a little, but will be engaged in painting.

    This will come in handy in the future. It does not matter that drawing will not become a profession, but it will definitely teach you how to cope with stress, develop an aesthetic taste. What the child was taught by his parents, he, becoming an adult, will do for his children.

    Source

    The role of drawing in the development of the child.

    “You need to draw to be happy

    and give the world goodness and beauty.”

    Vrezh Kirakosyan.

    Without an ear for music, a child has nothing to do at a music school, with excessive shyness, it will be difficult for a child on the theater stage, but a drawing is suitable for any child – you can throw out your emotions in it, grandiose skills are not needed for this, and it is no less exciting, than playing cards with peers. This is why fine arts for children play such an important role.

    Drawing is one of the most interesting creative activities for preschool children. “The origins of the abilities and talents of children are at their fingertips. From the fingers, figuratively speaking, go the thinnest threads – streams that feed the source of creative thought. In other words, the more skill in a child’s hand, the smarter the child,” writes V. A. Sukhomlinsky. Drawing, the child develops himself both physically and mentally, since the functioning of fine motor skills directly affects the functioning of the brain. To create a drawing, it is necessary to make efforts, to carry out labor actions, to master certain skills. The visual activity of preschoolers teaches them to overcome difficulties, to show labor efforts, to master labor skills. At first, children have an interest in the movement of a pencil or brush, in the traces they leave on paper; Gradually, new motives for creativity appear – the desire to get a result, to create a certain image. Being engaged in drawing, children learn different materials (paper, paints, crayons, etc.), get acquainted with their properties, expressive possibilities, acquire skills in working with them. In the process of analyzing the work at the end of the lesson, the children talk about their drawings and make judgments about the work of other children.

    Children who draw well reason more logically, notice more, listen more attentively. Fine art classes train the child’s hand and fingers, which creates favorable conditions for the development of writing skills. The creation of images and fantasies contributes to the development of logical and spatial thinking, the development of associative thinking, necessary for the development of mathematics. Drawing is the most important means of aesthetic education. And the artists of Ancient Greece believed that learning to draw is necessary not only for many practical crafts, but also important for general education and upbringing.

    Why is it worth drawing?

    The benefits of drawing for children are indisputable and scientifically substantiated, since art classes:

    • bring joy.

    Drawing becomes a hobby for a child, bringing great pleasure, enjoyment, because it gives freedom of expression; when a city or a forest “comes to life” on a white sheet, you experience genuine pleasure.

    • develop perseverance and accuracy.

    Holding a pencil in your hand is not an easy task for a child, and the image of a specific object is a painstaking and difficult task – drawing is not a matter of 5 minutes, it requires perseverance, patience, aspiration, perseverance and a desire to bring the matter to the end. And these personality traits are very important in later life;

    • Develops fine motor skills

    Drawing affects what is commonly called “fine motor skills”, that is, the child develops hands, fingers. These are subtle coordinations that, on the one hand, strengthen the connections between the neurons of the brain and the nerves in the hands. On the other hand, feedback signals from still naughty fingers make the brain process new arrays of information and, therefore, develop. The better he masters this stage, the faster speech will develop.

    • train memory, attention, improve spatial imagination;

    Developing associative thinking, skills of orientation in space, projection on a plane, drawing is important for schoolchildren as a key to understanding mathematical, physical models and mastering other disciplines;

    • help to cope with emotions, making them happier and freer

    Because through the drawing the baby “splashes out” his feelings on paper, which, due to age, cannot express with the help of speech; through the drawing, the child expresses himself, projects his psychological state onto the paper.

    • focuses on the result

    In the process of work, the child gets a real result – a drawing. This teaches him goal-setting and forms an orientation towards effective activity;

    • develop creativity.

    Creating a drawing or painting requires a child to experiment, to see objects individually, and requires a creative approach to the creative process. It is in the process of working on a drawing that a child learns to perceive his mistakes as a chance to create something new and unique. This approach helps the artist to become liberated, to become more independent and successful;

    • teaches to see the proportions and depth of colors

    A child, trying to depict something on paper, begins to relate to the world around him in a completely different way. Looking at everything, he sees not chaotic pictures, but proportions, proportions, colors. The world acquires depth and richness;

    • calm the psyche

    Drawing is considered a soothing and peaceful activity. It is especially useful to draw for children prone to whims, depression and neurosis; Many people compare painting to meditation. Artistic creativity allows you to relax, “disconnect” from the outside world, there is no place in your head for everyday thoughts;

    • help reveal individuality.

    While drawing, the child feels himself not a “grain of sand”, but a creator, a personality, which makes him more self-confident and has a beneficial effect on self-esteem; through painting, children learn to creatively comprehend the world around them and understand that each person has his own perception of reality, sees objects and phenomena in his own way.

    • introduces to the global culture

    While teaching children to draw, they get acquainted with the works written by great masters. And this, of course, broadens one’s horizons, teaches one to think more broadly than everyday life suggests.

    • Brings up kindness and justice

    Drawing helps to educate children in kindness, justice and noble feelings that arise in them in the process of drawing, in the vision of images.

    Thus, “Drawing helps to look at the world with different, new eyes, you begin to love nature, people and animals even more strongly. You start to appreciate everything even more! The very process of drawing causes incredible, delightful emotions. A person is spiritually enriched and grows above himself, develops and reveals his hidden abilities. You need to draw in order to be happy and give the world goodness and beauty,” Vrezh Kirakosyan.

    Source

    Why does a child need art

    Lena Danilova

    Why does a child need art? Great question. Great topic. And as always, I want to say that it is very difficult to answer this question unambiguously. In general, in principle, even to the question “Why should a child learn to read?” and there is no clear answer. Lots of questions about math. But at least it’s obvious. Sooner or later a child needs to learn to read. Sooner or later a child needs math.

    Watch the video or read the text transcript.

    Why does a child need art

    Why does a child need paintings? Is he going to be an art critic or an artist? And in general, why is it needed? For many years I have been doing this with children and now I think that it is even more important than learning to read and write. You also need to play musical instruments.

    It is much more important to engage in art with children than to read, write and do mathematics. Because there are things that are laid somewhere in the subconscious quite early. Art is still intuition, and children can understand and feel art much earlier than they can learn to read, count, write. Reading and mathematics are pure logic, which children develop much later than intuition.

    I remember very well how Katya, my daughter, who is now 22 already, was 3-4 months old, and in our room above the place where we slept (the bed is so big) there were pictures. And most of them were mothers with babies.

    For some reason it seemed to me then that not a landscape, not a still life, but a mother with a baby would be very important for a child. And so I hung these pictures for her. And Katya really looked at them with interest.

    I saw that on some of them, and I will even say that she stopped looking at one of them more, i.e. she looked at her carefully. Then it made me think in general about what we show our children. Usually these are some primitive bears, bunnies, kittens, some kind of cartoonish nonsense. And children grow up in it. It seems that we are trying to separate them from reality, to separate them from the beautiful. And flood their world with some terrible low-quality image.

    Lena Danilova School of Arts for Children

    Even before that, my acquaintance with Waldorf pedagogy influenced me. Once I met Anastasia Kryachko from the Rozhdestvo family support center. Then she was a very young mother. She told me: “How is it, look, here is such a terrible drawing on your son’s diaper. There should be no drawings on a toy, on a children’s book. We should not impose clichés on children, as it should look like.

    I thought then, but of course I did not completely isolate my children from any images. But with the advent of each subsequent child, I thought more and more deeply about what the child sees and what he feels at the same time.

    Another such strong influence on me was my acquaintance with Nikolai Alexandrovich Zaitsev. It was just when my daughter Lisa was 3 years old, and Katya had not yet been born, she was not even in the project.

    At his seminars I learned how to work with Zaitsev’s cubes, how to teach reading. She taught Mishka to read, Lisa to read. But I was very much struck by one of his phrases, which he used very many times, very often: “Coding for the great. The child needs to be encoded for the great.” This was said by Nikolai Aleksandrovich Zaitsev, the author of Zaitsev’s cubes.

    What did he mean? You can not listen and read bad texts. You can’t look at bad pictures. You can not listen to bad music while the child is small. Because everything that a child hears, sees, feels in early childhood (from birth and the first few years of life) – all this creates his picture of the world. On all this he will be guided later in his choice.

    It is clear that if a child listened only to Mozart, Beethoven in early childhood, this does not mean at all that in adolescence he will not listen to any “crap”. But adolescence will pass and the “labuda” will also pass with it. And the desire to listen to harmonious music will remain in the child. It will definitely remain.

    It could be good rock music at first, bard music, maybe folk music.

    This happened to me too. I listened to a lot of good music as a child. Classical music was always played in our house. It’s not that I was specially trained, it’s just that my parents lived in this.

    Then, of course, in adolescence, all sorts of nonsense piled up. And then it all went away through better music, rock music, through the bard song, through folklore and other types of music. I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy listening to classical music the most. And this is not only my example. This is a very, very many example.

    And this is not surprising. It works in all directions. Sometimes it seems that everything we do does not give a result, and it seems to be done in vain. And now the child has grown up, it would seem that there should be some return (7, 8, 10 years), but he does not want anything at all, he does not need all this.

    But in fact, if everything is done correctly, then a child at this age will be happy to listen to classical music, although he will not avoid popular music, but nonetheless.

    My son Vasily, he is an amazing boy. Do you know what his favorite movie is? Except for the Pokrovsky Gates, of course. This is the operetta “The Bat” and the second is the operetta “Silva”. But with the “Bat” he simply tortured everyone. He sings it from beginning to end. He knows all arias. He knows all the jokes, all the jokes. He copies it all with a similar intonation.

    Go get a modern 12 year old to listen to an operetta. Impossible to force. You can simply grow in this. It can only be absorbed, as they say, with mother’s milk. Now I am talking in a complex about beauty, not only about painting, about everything in general: about music, about painting, about literature.

    Literature is the same. I recently published a post about what to read to kids. There were nursery rhymes, all sorts of simple literature. And on the list was Pushkin’s fairy tales. And it was written in brackets (read in the background). Everyone asked me: “How to read it in the background? What does it mean?”.

    Pushkin’s fairy tales are the same coding. Nikolai Alexandrovich Zaitsev and many others spoke about this. Pushkin’s fairy tales are the most beautiful Russian language. This is a great piece of music. When you listen to Pushkin’s text, he listens like a song. Therefore, both children and adults listen to him spellbound. Pushkin, of course, was great and beautiful. And children should be brought up on Pushkin.

    But you will say: “He won’t understand anything in these fairy tales of Pushkin in his year!”. Who cares? I read Pushkin’s fairy tales to children from birth and for quite a long time, until the children began to say: “Mom, let’s not do this. Let’s do something else.” Those. as long as they can’t speak, they need to read Pushkin’s fairy tales.

    Among other things, you can and should read the poems of Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov. Beautiful, magnificent poems by Nekrasov, poems “Russian Women” or “Railway”, or anything else that you like better.

    This is the Russian language. This is correct, good Russian. It is interesting that people who have gone abroad and who do not live in Russia, but continue to support good Russian in their families and in large diasporas – their Russian language, in general, is the language of Pushkin, Tolstoy, Chekhov.

    Because there are no changes that we have. But they keep the language according to the same literature. And they speak Russian better than us, native speakers who live in Russia and constantly communicate every day. Although, of course, this is an exception to the rule. A lot of people lose their language when they go abroad. But nevertheless, literature can support the language.

    Yes, there are many archaisms in classical literature, and this is wonderful. The texts are perceived by the child as a song, as a common canvas. Outdated words are still remembered, lie down on the subcortex. The child will understand archaism later. He will figure out what it is. But not in any, let’s say, in modern literature, he will encounter such correct turns, such beautiful comparisons, such rich figurative language.

    Archaisms are not terrible. All children understand perfectly well what “Ryaba Hen” is. No one is embarrassed: “Once upon a time there was a hen Ryaba.” Wait. Who is Ryaba? Why is she Ryaba and where is the chicken in general? Modern urban children see chicken only in a bowl of soup. But nevertheless, no one is afraid of the prospect of reading or telling children “Ryaba the Hen”. Therefore, do not be afraid of archaisms.

    So what does it mean to “read Pushkin in the background”. We cannot take a baby, sit him down and read Pushkin to him. It’s impossible. He will pull this book, we will be annoyed and nothing will come of it.

    Do you know how I read Pushkin to children? standing. Children are crawling, playing, busy with their own affairs, I have a book and I read it. In addition to Pushkin’s fairy tales, there were still a lot of poems hung on the walls. Just printed out and I read them aloud in the background, not paying the attention of the children to them. Those. no need to say: “Listen, I’ll read you a poem now.” No. It’s useless.

    Audio recordings can also be included. Audiobooks are great. Especially good literature. And Pushkin’s fairy tales, and poems, and simple verses, and classic Russian folk tales, and anything in general. Can and should be included.

    But there is one small “but”. It must be a very good performance. Highly! These should be the classics of our acting elite, the very best. Yursky, Yakovlev, Tabakov, Gaft and so on. Those. such a galaxy of great stars once managed to record, leave us a legacy. There are a lot of good recordings of fairy tales, poems, stories, etc. And, of course, besides the fact that we hear the text, we can still learn from them how to read poetry.

    For example, on YouTube there is a whole series of Pushkin’s poems performed by Smoktunovsky. This is absolutely brilliant stuff. I myself like to listen, although, of course, I know all these poems by heart.

    I have already said that one of the strong stimuli that prompted me to actively work with paintings was the book of Cecile Lupan. Those who have read “Believe in Your Child” remember, perhaps they know, that there was a lot of everything about reading, about languages, and about physical development.

    But the strongest thing that made an impression on me was how she told how she showed the paintings to children, and then unfamiliar paintings by Van Gogh, Matisse, or someone else the children recognized.

    I’m a skeptic, between us. And then I thought: “It can’t be. Like a small child at 2-3 years old can suddenly unfamiliar picture … Okay, you can remember, you can remember. But feel the style! Wait, I’m an adult, I don’t always feel that way. How can a child?

    I decided that I would definitely check it out. And it turned out that this is true. Children don’t just feel. They feel it much faster than us adults. We are trying to do this on the basis of logic – to remember what style the artist has, what details are most common in him, what strokes, and so on. And the child simply sees, he reads the picture, he seems to be drowning in it.

    And the phrase “Van Gogh” for him is some kind of small key. He does not understand who Van Gogh is. He cannot understand it. He cannot imagine this person. We immediately have an association – he cut off his ear. Although this is not actually true, he cut off the tip of the earlobe. And it was not at all like in mythology.

    Van Gogh. Self-portrait with a cut off ear

    So we have our own associations with the word “Van Gogh”. And for a child who has watched several paintings by Van Gogh, he immediately has this entire video sequence in front of his eyes. A child cannot imagine an uncle with a cut off ear who drinks absinthe and suffers from epilepsy.

    Children have a great capacity for perception and excellent intuition. Of course, they have a memory and a flair – we never dreamed of!

    I have repeatedly said that the first years of life form in a person what he will then do. If a child constantly sticks out in the ocean in the first years of life, then, of course, he will swim well all his life. But if he has never seen the ocean and has never seen water at all, except for tap water, then of course swimming will always be a dubious pleasure for him. And this applies to everything.

    If Mozart had been born into a butcher’s family, he would hardly have become a musician. Even the same child (assuming it could be the same). And the mother sat at the harpsichord throughout her pregnancy, he listened, and then he lay on the lid of the instrument as a baby, and she continued to practice and play. Therefore, of course, he perceived music with his whole being.

    If we immerse a child in this world, if we immerse him in the world of art, then it becomes a natural environment for him. This function of recognizing, recognizing, comprehending pictures develops from early childhood.

    But in fact, this is not everything and not the most important thing. There is such a beautiful woman Tatyana Chernigovskaya. Simply the greatest scientist of our time. She is studying the influence of art on our brain and in general a lot of other things. She very actively and repeatedly at her seminars, lectures, books says that art, knowledge of art, acquaintance with art develops our thinking much more than any science. Especially in childhood and not only in childhood – until old age it is useful. Because this is the opportunity to continue building our neural networks.

    Art is not as simple as any subject. For example, this spoon. She is simple. There is nothing to know about her. Any picture can be viewed every time, as if for the first time. How many times have I been to the Hermitage and other museums, and every time I come back and see the same paintings, it takes my breath away.

    Art and knowledge of art, the formation of the ability to recognize art, to recognize, to know, to live in it, develops the brain better than any systematic training with a child. I felt it intuitively once. But she couldn’t explain it. I didn’t have an explanation.

    I will not retell Chernigovskaya’s words. We have repeatedly published her words both in the mailing list and on Instagram, it will be necessary, we can publish it again or you can find it yourself. I will not retell in my own words so as not to confuse anything, but the fact is that there is evidence that art is a powerful developmental tool for the brain.

    Here is one of the expressions of Tatyana Chernigovskaya: “The brain is not a garbage dump. ” That’s for sure. The brain is not a garbage can, you can’t shove anything into it. I studied with a girl who watched cartoons for many, many years. God, how difficult it was for her to study. What a small vocabulary. How difficult it is to imagine images, for example, in tasks. This is a real dump and stupefaction.

    Cartoons are stupid, especially serials. There are, of course, good cartoons, there is the “Golden Hundred Cartoons” (I have repeatedly shared this list on my blogs).

    Yes, animated films can be art. But most cartoons – and the video sequence is terrible, that is, it is anti-aesthetic. “Fixies”, for example, excellent scientific and educational content. But the visual range personally hurts my eyes. Children who feel art well are unpleasant to primitive images.

    When a child sees many, many, many pictures, he has a taste for clothes, he will equip his interior more correctly. And, in general, he will have a sense of order, because any picture is built on harmony.

    For the Children’s Art School, of course, I carefully select the paintings. These are both recognized masterpieces and lesser-known works.

    I have included in the course the canvases of such artists who have known one or two paintings. But these are great pictures. Or, for example, artists who went abroad and were forgotten in Russia, and until recently no one knew about them.

    Art School for Children Lena Danilova

    Question: “Isn’t it too late to teach art at the age of 6? Which package is better to take if the eldest is 6 and the youngest is a year and a half?”

    First, of course, it’s not too late. Secondly, you can take the “School of Art for the Little ones” and watch it all together. But it depends on the character. If a six-year-old is very mobile, active and stormy, then these five paintings are just right for him. And if, on the contrary, you are diligent, patient, ready to watch, then you can already take a package that is 5-10 years old. And a one and a half year old will sit out as long as he sits.

    Now I will tell you what packages are there and what we have come up with new.

    So, the very first “Art School for Toddlers”. It is a set of almost six months of classes. This is a set of 24 presentations, each of which includes classes for a week twice a day.

    You open a presentation, there is a menu.

    First you choose whether you want to see pictures with captions or without captions. What is it for? These pictures can be shown to the smallest children literally from 10 months old and the names of the pictures are not at all relevant to them, and these few seconds that you spend scrolling through the slide will distract the child. Babies need only visuals, and they devour them voraciously.

    So with the youngest, at least up to a year and a half, you need to choose the very first option, which is without signatures.

    And then you go to the menu.

    Art School for Toddlers. Menu of the week

    Look, everything is scheduled according to the days of the week. Monday: morning/evening, Tuesday: morning/evening and so on. You open (conditionally, today is Monday), press morning. Look at the selection, it says, say, “Vincent van Gogh.” And then quickly scroll through: one-two-three-four-five pictures. And then it says “Vincent van Gogh” again. All. The lesson is over. This takes approximately 20-30 seconds.

    That’s why when they say to me: “How do you put one-year-old children to the computer?!”. 30 seconds. Wait, while you are on Instagram, he will sit more in front of the screen next to you on your arms or watch the news on TV with his grandmother, or something else.

    Therefore, these 20-30 seconds, which he will purposefully look at the screen and see pictures on a black screen, will not bring any harm, except good. The black background is made intentionally so that nothing distracts.

    Next, on Monday evening, you turn on the same presentation and press the “Evening” button in the line “Monday” and watch five other pictures. There will be, relatively speaking, “Japanese prints” and there are five Japanese prints. Then again the inscription “Japanese engraving”. All. This lesson ended. This is again 20-30 seconds. You say nothing more than two words at the beginning and two words at the end of (collection name). And everything, you turn off.

    The child, of course, will say: “Come on again” and it will seem to you that you have been deceived. It can’t be that short. Maybe. For a child at this age, this is enough. This time, and secondly, he has so many more interesting things ahead of him! Most importantly, don’t stop!

    That is, twice a day, for example, before breakfast and before dinner, so as not to stray, or after breakfast and after dinner. When classes are tied to a routine moment, this is very convenient, you do not forget about it. It turns out a ritual: after breakfast and after dinner, you look at five pictures.

    When you’ve gone through all 24 weeks to the end, you’ll go back to the very first presentation and hit a selection from the caption menu. And you will start watching the same thing, but with captions – with the names of each picture.

    I must say that during these 24 weeks each set of these 5 will be repeated approximately 3-5 times. I alternated. Let’s say first one set, another, third, fourth, fifth. Then the first, the sixth is added, then the second is repeated, the seventh is added. That is, the sets are mixed like this. No addiction, no boredom, no learning by heart. There is watching and there are a lot of different styles and genres of different artists.

    In addition to collections with paintings, the kids’ set also includes sculptures, arts and crafts and architecture, and many other things that are currently not available in older schools. But there is another idea at the heart of the classes.

    Now about the “School of Arts for Children aged 5-10”. Previously, these were just collections of paintings that were repeated in a certain way. And for quite a long time I worked with children on these materials in summer schools and in the classroom at the Pesta school. Of course, when I work with children, I do not just silently show pictures, I always say something about each picture. Sometimes I invite children to dream up, sometimes guess, remember what happened there. Or I propose to remember what other paintings by this artist we know. Or I ask you to make a verbal portrait. I can tell you some informative information either about the artist, or about the picture, or about the plot.

    In face-to-face classes, I do all this orally. After all, I have a lot of ideas in stock and I lead my story, focusing on the children of the group.

    But I thought that your children might be interested in it too. And this was confirmed by the participants of the “School of Arts”, who began to ask questions, I realized that people do not understand what to say, what to talk about, what questions to ask. Although, you do not need to invent anything special, every adult can discuss the picture with the child. Perhaps the difficulty is that you have never done this before. But it’s worth trying!

    So I decided to add text directly to the presentation and you can build on it. When you take the course for the first time, you can simply read the text and answer the questions. And then, after the 70th task, when you take a short break and return to the course to review it, I think you will be unstoppable!

    Now you can start your classes in a significantly updated and revised version of the Art School for Children 5-10 years old. Now the course will include 70 presentations (initially it was 40).

    If you have previously purchased the first version of Art School, you can upgrade it. Write to [email protected]

    And now a little more about the content of the texts.

    First of all, there is a small text for each picture – this is either a task, or a riddle, or an explanation, etc.

    Secondly, at the beginning of each presentation there is some kind of informational part. Now I talk about what paints are, what brushes are, why a palette is needed, where paints in tubes come from, what a portrait, landscape, what a formal portrait is, what a city landscape is, etc. These blocks are quite short, but since there are a lot of activities, the information will gradually accumulate and the picture will take shape.

    Thirdly, there is also a block with guessing pictures. I invite the children to remember the name or the author of the pictures that we just looked at, and I also add pictures from previous lessons to this “guessing game”. So, first you need to remember the name or the artist for the whole picture, and at a certain point complications are added: we start guessing by a fragment of the picture, then a new picture of a familiar artist is added, which was not previously in the selection, and it needs to be recognized by style. Then comes the task of comparing pictures.

    That is, the complexity of the tasks that children receive is slowly increasing.

    This is the most updated version, these 70 classes until October 14 can be purchased at a 30% discount. And if you want to try to work out with a child and see what’s inside, two classes (the first and tenth, if you count them in order) can be purchased separately at a promotional price. Then this payment of yours will be taken into account when paying for the full course, we will deduct it and you will not have to pay for these classes twice.

    For what age of children is the “School of Arts”? Conventionally, we voice 5-10 years old, but at the Pesta school, both 12-year-old and 14-year-old children studied these materials. It depends on your child, maybe a 14 year old just won’t want to. Or maybe vice versa.

    And there is also an idea to make an annex to the “School of Arts 5-10 years old” with creative tasks. In recent years, I have accumulated a lot of ideas that have been tested and worked out in full-time art classes with children. And I would like your children to be able to take part in these classes, so I will try to arrange my experience so that you can use it.

    In the meantime, in addition to the course, you can take the course “Seven Artists”. Here there are creative activities and even cartoons created by children about each artist.

    So, if you now start studying with the updated materials of the “School of Arts for Children aged 5-10” and complete all 70 classes, then take a break for 2-3 months, maybe then creative tasks will arrive in time. But for now, this is just an announcement.

    Join the “School of Arts”, choose according to the age of the child, we will start very soon, on October 14!

    Read more Art School for Children by Lena Danilova

    For what age

    There are two levels in Lena Danilova’s Art School for Children:

    • The Art School for Toddlers is designed for children from 10 months to 5 years of age.
    • Children’s Art School is for children aged 5 to 10.

    Contents of the “School of Arts”

    Each school contains author’s collections by Lena Danilova. In “Art School for Kids”, in addition to painting, there are collections with architectural objects, mosaics, arts and crafts, rock paintings, red-figure painting, Japanese prints and more! You won’t be bored!

    About the contents of the “School of Arts for Children aged 5-10” read the article above, it is very detailed there.

    And here are the topics of information and reasoning blocks of the first month:

    1. Who is an artist?
    2. Why are oil paints called oil paints?
    3. How do you write with colors?
    4. Primary and secondary colors.
    5. What are the colors and how do they differ?
    6. What kind of pictures are there? (painting genres)
    7. Cold and warm colors.
    8. What is realistic and abstract painting?
    9. What is foreground and background?
    10. What is a formal portrait?
    11. Full face and profile portraits.
    12. Half-turned portraits.
    13. What is the horizon line?
    14. What are brushes?
    15. What is a sketch and why is it needed?
    16. Why do we need a palette?
    17. How tube paints appeared.
    18. Easels and sketchbooks.
    19. Painting in the studio and on the street. The emergence of impressionism.
    20. Such different painting.

    These are the topics of the first 20 lessons, and there are 70 lessons in the course. So there will be other topics.

    School format

    Materials are presented in the form of presentations.

    • Art School for Toddlers – 24 presentations (one presentation – one week of classes twice a day).
    • Art School for children aged 5-10 – 70 presentations (one presentation – one lesson)

    Presentations with paintings are available online on the Getkurs platform using any modern device.

    Access period – 1 year from the date of payment. Or it will be possible to extend it for a nominal fee at any time when you decide to return to the course materials (in a year or two – after a break of any duration).

    How to practice

    According to the Art School for Toddlers, we recommend practicing twice a day. It is very convenient to do this, since each presentation for the week has a menu of this type: Monday: Morning-Evening, Tuesday: Morning, Evening, Wednesday: Morning, Evening and so on. That is, you do not need to think and look for what you have already watched and what not. Choose a link depending on the moment when you turned on the presentation. Even if you missed something, it doesn’t matter, move through the menu.

    The “School of Arts for Children aged 5-10” can be studied every day except weekends (5 lessons per week). Or take 2-3 classes a week, doing every other day on weekdays. Or maybe, on the contrary, you will study only on weekends. Choose your own pace, it doesn’t matter. Much more important is the regularity of classes.

    It is possible and necessary to repeat classes. You can take a break (two weeks, a month, two, six months) and take the course again. Kids can repeat endlessly, since the course is designed for six months, and by the time you have reached the end, it will already be pleasant to remember the first pictures (although they will not be forgotten, since repetitions are taken into account in the course structure).

    In classes with children aged 5-10, you can take a break of 2-3 months and take the course again, completing creative tasks. Lena Danilova plans to release them early next year.

    Trial lessons

    To make sure that the course is right for you, you can take the first two classes separately at a promotional price and work with your child, see what’s inside.

    More details on the page: https://my.danilova.ru/art

    Price

    You can find this information here: https://my.danilova.ru/art

    Discounts

    There are three days left before the start of the updated “Art School for Children 5-10 Years Old”!

    30% discount, hurry up to join!

    https://my.danilova.ru/art

    If you have any questions about Lena Danilova’s Art School for Children, write to [email protected] or reply to this letter.

    6 reasons why art therapy is good for children!

    Author Great Picture Read 5 min Views 518 Published Updated

    6 reasons why art therapy is good for children!
    Why art therapy for children is more than just arts and crafts? Find out how children benefit from art therapy!

    ART ALLOWS US TO FIND AND LOSE OURSELVES AT THE SAME TIME.
    — THOMAS MERTON

    What are the benefits of art therapy.

    It is important to define art therapy for yourself and learn this method of treatment. Creativity or art may be described by some as “arts and crafts” that promote relaxation. A mental or spiritual experience. As well as a distraction or an opportunity to “blunt” things. Or even as a self-soothing agent, self-therapy.

    Everyone should be encouraged to participate in any form of art. Art therapy is a much deeper experience that cannot be realized alone. In fact, it is quite unique and powerful, especially for children.

    Art therapy is a mental health work and an expressive art form. Clients use art media, the creative process, and the resulting product to explore their thoughts and feelings.

    So what is art therapy?
    Here are 5 ways to determine it.

    1. Purposefulness in a dynamic relationship

    Every recommendation or intervention makes sense and should be followed up with the practitioner.

    2. This is intentional.

    It actively helps you visually express and record experiences, perceptions, feelings and fantasies. At the same time, evoking the inherent ability of art to improve your physical, mental and emotional state.

    3. It’s insightful.

    Art therapy helps you gain understanding and self-awareness, awakening your own ability to resolve and resolve conflict situations.

    Read also: Want smart kids? Do it in just 15 minutes a day!

    She helps develop interpersonal, physical, cognitive and social skills.

    • Behavior and dependency management
    • Improve reality orientation
    • Reduce stress
    • Increase self-esteem and self-expression
    • Promote change

    These skills promote healthy communication.

    4. It comes from reparative and corrective non-judgmental roots.

    The sole purpose of art therapy is to improve and restore your functioning and sense of personal well-being. This is achieved through recommendations and interventions that bring your inner world into a safe environment.

    New sensations are provided even after the end of the treatment. Art therapy focuses on process versus product and on right or full brain integration.

    5. This is a continuum of practice.

    With art as therapy on one end and art psychotherapy on the other, it’s projective and introspective. This means that you can connect and communicate with other people and also with yourself through art.

    Who are art therapists?

    They are professionals who hold a degree in art therapy or a related field and are certified by the Art Therapy Examination Board.

    Art therapists work with people of all ages and with disabilities in settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation, psychiatric, medical, residential, educational and support facilities, and in private practice.

    They tap into their clients’ innate ability to creatively improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their ability to express themselves.

    They are trained and skilled in the use of various media. For example, drawing, painting, sculpture and many other art forms. They also understand the theories and methods of human development, psychology and counseling for assessment and treatment.

    They are trained in insight-oriented questions to take timely action. Especially with regard to children. Art therapists have developed specific guidelines and interventions for use in the initial, middle and final stages of treatment.

    6 reasons why art therapy is good for children

    1. It’s natural.

    It is based on drawing, play and pretending, which are part of the “work” of children and their development.

    2. Creative.

    Art therapy encourages and enhances purposeful storytelling by allowing stories to be told through metaphor.

    Children use art to communicate and record their experiences in ways that are familiar and comfortable.

    Read also: 4 destructive phrases that we constantly say to children

    3. Sensitive.

    This allows communication on many levels – visual, tactile and kinesthetic. This helps children feel seen and heard.

    4. Non-verbal and safe.

    Art therapy serves as a safe means of conveying experiences when words are not enough. Or if they are difficult to express, they are not available due to crisis, stress or anxiety.

    It lowers defenses and slowly releases disturbing experiences. Art is a healthy way to deal with a situation versus holding the pain inside.

    5. Thin connection.

    By engaging your emotional brain, art promotes positive behavior and emotions.

    It illuminates the parts of the brain that are still available for use after the crisis. Helps us quickly realize that there is actually something we can do to make ourselves feel better in the moment.

    Read also: 13 parenting habits that give children a chance to be successful

    6. Focused on understanding.

    Art therapy helps with integration and allows for curiosity and reflection, which leads to conscious intervention and achievement of goals.

    Children respond to indirect questions and statements such as:

    • “I think…”
    • “I noticed that you…”
    • “I see this…”

    You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from art therapy. You just need to appreciate imagination, creativity and a more dynamic way of seeing yourself and healing.

    Author: Melisa Christie, psychologist.

    Especially for Greatpicture.ru

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    The role of arts and crafts in the development of children’s creative abilities

    References:

    Golubeva, ES The role of arts and crafts in the development of children’s creative abilities / ES Golubeva. – Text: direct // Actual tasks of pedagogy: materials of the III Intern. scientific conf. (Chita, February 2013). – T. 0. – Chita: Publishing house Young scientist, 2013. – S. 27-29. — URL: https://moluch.ru/conf/ped/archive/67/3455/ (date of access: 17.09.2022).

    Folk arts and crafts —
    one of the important means of artistic education of preschool children
    age. Early development of creativity
    early childhood is the key to future success.

    Arts and Crafts Enriches Creative Aspirations
    children to transform the world, develops originality in children
    thinking, freedom, emancipation, individuality, ability
    peer and observe. Our kindergarten has a large
    attention is paid to introducing children to the origins of folk culture.
    We live where there is no way to see the direct
    technological process for the manufacture of artistic dishes, objects
    life and toys, no museums. But you need to give children joy
    creativity, to acquaint with the history of folk art,
    show prima sculpting and work with a brush, acquaint
    with figurative stylization of vegetable and geometric
    ornament. To make every child feel proud of what he
    Russian citizen.

    His work to familiarize preschoolers with the origins of folk
    culture of the country I plan in accordance with the Educational
    preschool program developed on the basis of a comprehensive program
    “Childhood” edited by Loginova V. I. and
    Babayeva T. I. is recommended to pay serious attention
    familiarizing preschoolers with the origins of their folk culture
    countries.

    Based on the typical need for older preschoolers
    in self-affirmation and recognition of their creative abilities,
    I set the main tasks in the work on this topic:

    1. To form a steady interest in the art of the people of Russia
      and the peoples of other countries;

    2. Develop artistic and creative abilities in children;

    3. To form an aesthetic attitude to objects and phenomena
      the surrounding world;

    4. Cultivate independence, activity and creativity
      in the application of previously learned image methods, using
      expressive means.

    When creating a subject-developing environment for a group, we take into account the principles
    FGT to the conditions for the implementation of the educational program of the preschool educational institution. One
    of the important tasks of work on this topic, I see the creation for everyone
    child of a versatile developmental environment to give him the opportunity
    express yourself. In the “art center” I picked up
    didactic and educational games; folders with silhouette
    modeling, various illustrated material on the topics of “Gzhel”,
    “Dymka”, “Khokhloma”, “Filimonovsky”,
    “Zhostovo” and others, designed tables with elements
    folk paintings, created conditions for independent activity,
    various illustrated material, authentic
    products of arts and crafts, models-posters for
    formation of the ability to plan work on the implementation of the plan. In
    while working, I awaken in the child faith in his creative
    abilities, individuality, originality, belief that
    it is very important to create goodness and beauty, to bring joy to people.
    Integration of educational areas: “Artistic
    creativity”, “Cognition”, “Socialization”,
    “Communication”, “Work”, “Reading
    Fiction”, “Music”, gives
    an opportunity to form a knowledge system in an interesting and accessible way
    and skills of children on this topic.

    In my work I adhere to the following didactic principles:
    visibility, activity and independence, phasing,
    individual-personal orientation of education of preschool children,
    cognitive expressiveness, success, communication.

    The creative abilities of children in the application of arts and crafts
    I develop art in the following directions: in preliminary
    creating sketches on paper, in thinking over the elements of a pattern,
    in their arrangement on volumes, in the creation of decorative objects
    character, the ability to find their own way of depicting and designing
    object, in transferring the intended decorative pattern to
    products.

    I build all the work in a certain system, using traditional
    and non-traditional forms. Creativity is an activity
    in the process of which something new is created, as a result
    search, use, use of personal experience, as well as
    knowledge and skills that the child received in the process
    learning. The main form of education and upbringing is still
    are thematic and integrated classes in which
    fragmentary introduction of cognitive material goes in logic
    with the topic of the lesson. The topics of these classes are aimed at
    the formation of a sustainable interest of children in the art of their own
    people, to instill a sense of love for the native land, the Motherland

    In the pedagogical process, I use folk art in three ways.
    directions:

    • interior design of a children’s institution, on holidays and leisure.

    • familiarization of children with folk art

    • development of children’s creativity first as direct reproduction
      reference samples, and then – creative reflection
      and application

    Forming a culture of aesthetic perception of children,
    I prepare them for creativity, the need to create patterns,
    decorate objects, develop desires to consider new patterns
    and express their evaluative and aesthetic judgments. practicing
    game forms of learning, visiting our “museum” —
    “Upper Room” and exhibitions of arts and crafts
    arts, entertainment evenings “Russian Fair”,
    “Shrovetide festivities”

    I try to build all my work so that each child is actively
    fantasized, imagined that the beginning of the lesson would be fabulous,
    fascinating. Therefore, I choose different forms of conducting GCD:
    travel around the ancient Russian cities, famous all over the world
    their artistic crafts, for example, “Masters from
    Nizhny Novgorod”, excursions into a fairy tale, transformation
    into master artists.

    I consider the method of projects to be very effective for the development of creative
    abilities of older preschoolers. Help children enter the world
    folk Russian toys, to get acquainted with its characteristic
    images contributed to the project “Toy from Russia”. As part of
    project activities introduced children to the images of Zagorsk,
    Polkhov-Maidanskaya and Semyonovskaya nesting dolls. In order to
    emotional education examination of objects accompanied
    artistic word, nursery rhymes, jokes, figurative words,
    which are used by folk masters, by the sound of folk music,
    ditties, songs. The use of various folklore speech forms
    allows for the active participation of the usually passive,
    shy children. I assign an important role to preliminary examination
    toys, object: examining the object, tactilely moving the hand around
    its contour, i.e. I use a “hand gesture”.

    Cognitive game project “Traditions and customs
    of the Russian people” helped develop children’s interest in oral
    folk art, folk games. In the project I use
    elements of museum pedagogy. With the help of multimedia
    equipment for children, video tours to museums are arranged
    “Russian way of life”, “Russian costume”,
    “Moscow Kremlin”. The project includes educational
    block: interactive classes, didactic games, folk
    and round dance games, dances, reading Russian folk tales, etc.
    and of course, the productive creative activity of children.

    When creating a decorative ornament, pattern, I draw the attention of children to
    obligatory selection of familiar elements and their decoration,
    alternation of elements, rhythm. I show that a complex pattern
    consists of their simplest, familiar geometric parts –
    dot, circle, ring, straight and wavy lines. If children
    find it difficult, I draw their attention to tables with elements
    and arranging them in a pattern. Trying to cheer up the kids
    proverbs and sayings: “Patience and work –
    they will grind everything”, “Craftsman and needleworker both for himself and for people
    brings fame.”

    The organization of creative tasks for the purpose of applying
    children acquired knowledge directly in one or another
    activities, for example, “The master received a large order and he
    turned to the children for help. It becomes a precondition
    to the formation of a sustainable interest in folk art,
    its needs and values, respect for work and talent
    masters.

    An important technique in the development of children’s creativity –
    living a situation of success. I analyze all children’s work in the form
    various mini-exhibitions, discussions, round tables, where everyone
    the child has the opportunity to admire his work together with
    peers, and in the evening with parents, to hear
    kind and such important words for him: approval, encouragement,
    admiration.

    Expanding the horizons of children in the field of Russian
    arts and crafts contributed to the project “Russian
    dance.” With its help, the children got acquainted with the main
    decorative elements in Russian ornament. Creating with children
    decorative panel elements (silhouettes of girls, guys, birches and flowers),
    sought to develop the skills of creative fine arts
    activities, taught to use colors for Russian paintings,
    use a variety of techniques, materials and tools,
    strive to create an expressive image.

    Introducing children to folk art, one cannot ignore
    national-regional component. Kola land has been rich since ancient times
    talents. Craftsmen created truly
    unique works, they delight and amaze even today
    craftsmanship and taste.

    By acquainting children with the conditions of life, life, culture of indigenous
    inhabitants of the Kola Peninsula – Sami, I offer children
    plunging into creativity – decorate crafts, silhouettes
    national clothes with traditional Sami patterns. Children are learning
    the ability to make patterns on northern motifs, to understand the meaning of the pattern,
    to distinguish the northern ornament from the ornaments of other peoples.

    The upbringing and development of the child, including creative,
    impossible without the participation of parents. For parents to become
    like-minded people and created the necessary conditions for
    creative development of their children, it is necessary to captivate and provide
    necessary methodological assistance.

    Parents receive the necessary information at meetings,
    in individual conversations, consultations, through information
    stands on the topics: “To teach to understand the beautiful”, etc.
    Designed a folder-slider “Russian holiday costume”.
    Fruitful open days are held: “I –
    adult, you are a child” and “Beauty Week”,
    where parents work with their children. The result of such days
    become exhibitions of joint creativity, where everyone can
    admire your handiwork.

    The results of this work allow us to conclude that
    the use of handicrafts deepens children’s knowledge
    about folk art, develops aesthetic taste, enriches
    visual creativity. Most students are able to distinguish
    products of various folk crafts, draw patterns on products
    folk arts and crafts. preschoolers skillfully
    and freely use not only the brush, but non-traditional
    ways to create patterns, independently outline the sequence
    manufacturing products, control their own actions with verbal
    explanation. Children in our group know how to allocate funds
    expressiveness, pattern elements, color combinations, coloring,
    symmetrical pattern of the composition characteristic of a particular painting.
    Our little artists actively apply their knowledge and skills
    in independent creative activity.

    A deep emotional response evokes in the soul of a small child
    from meeting with the beauty of folk products, so bright, colorful,
    joyful; contributes to the education of kindness, diligence, patience,
    love for the native land, respect for the masters, whose diligence
    talent creates such beautiful things.

    Benefits of martial arts for children – Child development

    At first glance, martial arts do not seem like a good idea, because, according to many films, television shows, video and computer games, they glorify and encourage violence. However, martial arts are actually far from it, moreover, martial arts allow children to receive huge benefits for physical and personal development.

    What are the benefits of martial arts for children?

    1. They improve concentration and self-discipline. Martial arts classes usually begin with a bow to the master and warm-up exercises. The children then practice various skills such as punching and kicking. All these exercises require concentration and self-discipline. Parents note that their children (especially children with ADHD) successfully develop these skills.

    2. Children get into excellent sports shape. Children improve their fitness by doing a warm-up that includes jumping, stretching, push-ups and other exercises necessary for mastering the martial arts. These exercises strengthen the muscles and load the cardiovascular system in a dosed manner. That is why the bodies of martial artists are well developed, flexible and have good tone. Your child’s body may become the same.

    3. Children learn self-defense. Children learn to protect themselves from potential offenders. Most sports experts emphasize self-defense in their training programs. And although the skills in different martial arts may vary, as a result of regular training, children acquire an excellent ability to protect themselves. Martial arts trainers also teach children how to behave on the street, which helps to avoid problems with bullies.

    4. Children learn respect. Toddlers begin to learn respect from the moment they cross the threshold of a sports school. They learn to bow to masters and instructors. The young athletes then learn to treat other students the way they want to be treated. In martial arts, punches, kicks, and other movements are performed with a sense of respect. Good martial arts instructors always emphasize the importance of respect and teach their students to be polite to teachers, parents, and peers.

    5. Children gain self-confidence. Children who practice martial arts become self-confident. The system for obtaining various dans (belts) helps kids set measurable and realistic goals. When learning a new technique or gaining a higher dan, children experience a sense of accomplishment that accompanies them later in life.

    6. Children develop team spirit. Athletes learn to exercise not only on their own, but also with their coaches and other children. They help each other learn new moves, gain new dans, and achieve goals in sparring and other sporting events.

    Common questions about martial arts benefits for children

    1. When should a child start martial arts?

    Ideally, children can start learning martial arts at the age of six, because by this age they acquire the ability to control their own punches, kicks and body turns. Although some martial arts schools offer training for younger children, their programs are usually focused on the game form of training, so when moving to older groups, children may not be sufficiently prepared for more structured programs.

    2. How to choose the right type of martial arts for a child?

    Specialists recommend choosing those schools that strictly adhere to the traditional principles of a particular martial art. Accordingly, it is not recommended to choose a section where jiu-jitsu is intertwined with kickboxing. Your child will benefit more from schools that teach pure martial arts. Here is a simple guide to choosing the right section for kids:

    Combat sport

    Country of origin

    Description

    Tai Chi

    China

    Tai Chi (taijiquan) focuses

    stretched, loaded movements

    and balance. This martial art improves concentration, develops flexibility

    and does not harm joints

    Kung Fu

    China

    Kung Fu consists of rigorous yet fluid movements that strengthen the joints. Its fast pace gives kids an aerobic workout

    Wing Chun

    China

    Wing Chun is a well-balanced martial art that combines striking techniques with grappling skills, grappling and specializes in

    close combat

    Karate

    Japan

    Punches are practiced in karate

    and kicks that require fast

    and sudden movements. Children should warm up thoroughly before training,

    to avoid injury

    Judo

    Japan

    Judo is a competitive sport that teaches children to throw an opponent

    on the mat using balance

    and the correct force application point. Judo teaches kids to respect the opponent

    and develop self-control

    Aikido

    Japan

    Aikido is a fluid and non-competitive martial art. Practicing this martial art is a great opportunity

    teach children discipline and work

    with a sparring partner

    Taekwondo

    Korea

    Taekwondo is a popular martial art that uses punching and kicking techniques and meditation

    and breathing techniques to improve concentration

    3. Can martial art training induce violence?

    Martial arts teach self-discipline, not violence, and improve communication skills.

    Presidents day for kids: Presidents’ Day – Kids | Britannica Kids

    Опубликовано: August 4, 2020 в 11:12 am

    Автор:

    Категории: Kid

    18 Inspiring Presidents’ Day Videos For Kids

    In the U.S., Presidents’ Day falls on the third Monday of February. Originally, it was a day to celebrate George Washington and was later expanded to include Abraham Lincoln. Today, it’s a time to honor all of America’s commanders-in-chief. These Presidents’ Day videos cover the history of the day, plus lots of fun and interesting facts about each of our presidents. You’ll find options for all ages and interests!

    1. The Daily Bellringer: Presidents’ Day Explained

    You’ll get lots of information in this video, all told in less than five minutes. It’s the perfect way to kick off your day.

    2. History of Presidents’ Day

    Read along with Mrs. Kim and learn how Mrs. Madoff’s class celebrates Presidents’ Day. They hold a pageant and their very own election.

    4. George Washington’s Birthday Read Aloud

    We know how we celebrate Washington’s birthday today. But how did Washington himself celebrate his birthday? Find out in this sweet read aloud!

    5. How the Presidency Was Formed

    America invented the office of the modern president. Older kids can learn more about how this position came to be and how Washington helped determine what powers it would have. This is a long video, but it’s packed with interesting info.

    6. U.S. Presidents Song

    From George Washington to Joe Biden, you’ll find every POTUS in this catchy song. The hip-hop beat makes it a real hit!

    7. Presidential Facts

    Do you know there was only one president who was elected unanimously? Or that two presidents were once arrested together? Learn these facts and more in this fascinating video.

    8. Presidential Pets

    Almost every president has had a pet or two while living in the White House. (Only three did not!) Learn about some of them in this cute video.

    9. Presidential Coins Song

    Little learners get practice with money when they sing along with this Presidents’ Day video. Pass out some coins for them to examine while they watch.

    10. 60-Second Presidents

    PBS has an entire series of quick presidential bios. Watch them all, or let each student pick one, then report back to the class on what they learned.

    11. Ten Things Kids Should Know About U.S. Presidents

    There are some interesting facts in here, like the fact that one of our presidents liked to go skinny-dipping every morning!

    12. Andrew Jackson: Disney Education

    Disney created a fun series of biographical Presidents’ Day videos too. This one on Andrew Jackson is about three minutes long and full of interesting info kids will enjoy.

    13. Precedents of Washington

    We know not every history teacher has time to dress up in costumes and make song parodies for YouTube. Fortunately, Mr. Betts does! This one covers all the precedents Washington set for our country, to the tune of Toto’s “Africa.”

    14. Abraham Lincoln: The Civil War President

    The kid narrator and simple animation of this longer video make it a terrific choice for elementary school classrooms. Learn all about Lincoln’s life, time in office, and untimely death.

    15. The Civil War: The Gettysburg Address

    Perhaps the greatest presidential speech of all time, the Gettysburg Address is one every student should hear and examine. This snippet from Ken Burns’ Civil War series sets it in context. (It does include some photos of dead soldiers on the battlefield, so it may not be suitable for younger kids.)

    16. Mr. Lincoln Song

    We love this fun, folksy song that celebrates Lincoln’s history and legacy. Don’t blame us if the chorus gets stuck in your head, though!

    17. Kid President Meets President Obama

    Remember Kid President? He’s practically grown up now, but this video of him meeting Barack Obama is still priceless. Kids who watch get an inside look at the Oval Office and some advice on how to make the world a better place.

    18. 43 Facts About 43 Presidents

    Want to learn a little about every POTUS in just two minutes? This video is for you! It was made a few years ago, so it covers the presidents from Washington to Obama. Have your students dig up and add their own facts about our more recent leaders.

    Enjoyed these Presidents’ Day videos? Check out Our Favorite Presidents’ Day Activities For The Classroom.

    Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletters. You’ll get all the best teaching tips and tools, straight to your inbox.

    Teacher-Approved Presidents’ Day Videos – Simply Kinder

    Home » Teacher-Approved Presidents’ Day Videos

    This ultimate list of teacher-approved Presidents’ Day videos will engage and inform your students. Start your lesson with these videos!

    It’s hard to find good Presidents’ Day Videos for kids!  As a teacher, I don’t really think it’s appropriate to talk to my kids about Abraham Lincoln being assassinated or about the battles George Washington had and so many videos I found seemed to have parts where I was just not comfortable.  So we made you a list of Presidents’ Day videos that are teacher-approved!

    This article features these Simply Kinder resources:

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    President’s Day for Kids (2:30)

    This is a quick video practicing the presidents that are on US money.  It’s a simple song that repeats itself so the kids will be able to sing along very quickly!

    The Life of George Washington (2:21)

    This is a great Scholastic video that covers many facts in a developmentally appropriate way!  “George did a great job in the Army.”  Perfect for our little learners.

     We have these easy readers that are just perfect for your preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade students to have their own little story about the presidents.   Click here to get this direct on Simply Kinder or here on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Presidents – Fun Facts! (3:25)

    This is a very casual video with lots of facts.  It is very conversational and relatable to kids, “I would veto math tests. ”  There are lots of facts about specific presidents and about the overall position too!  There are also lots of crazy tidbits like Lincoln Logs being named after Abraham Lincoln.  Click here to watch it now on YouTube.

    The President!  (1:48)

    This is a quick look at Washington and Lincoln Harry Kindergarten style!  This song is loaded with facts and is also very catchy and full of rhymes that your kids will love!

    This is a fun video to show when using our Presidents Research Reports with Crafts.  Each president included has a close read for content, graphic organizers to plan a story, and a report a page that is completely appropriate for kindergarten and first grade.  Each president also includes a craft.  Click here to get this on Simply Kinder or here on TpT.

    Kid President Meets the President of the United States of America (3:49)

    Kid President gets to meet President Obama in the oval office.  Students will get to look around the office where the President works and ask him a few questions.  It’s unusual to see Kid President so quiet and shy so if you watch this video it will also lead a great discussion about being proud and humble!

    The President Song (1:46)

    This is a great video that shows a real photo for each president set to the tune of America the Beautiful.  If you want your students to learn the name of the presidents, this would be a great way to help them remember.

    Have you found any other great videos for teaching about the presidents?  Please comment below! And check out our other election resources here:

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    At Simply Kinder we work together to bring you ready-to-use resources to partner with great teaching for any curriculum, a Facebook community where teachers talk all things Kindergarten, and low-prep learning ideas that your students will love.
    Be sure to stay up to date with all things kindergarten on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and through email.
    Simply Kinder: where teaching Kinder is definitely better together!

    14 Presidents’ Day Activities for Kids That Go Beyond Washington + Lincoln

    The third Monday in February is quickly approaching, and you’re likely on the lookout for fresh, engaging Presidents’ Day activities for kids to use in your classroom. From fun crafts for pre-K and kindergarten to history activities for the upper elementary kids, our teacher team has put together a full array of teaching resources to make Presidents’ Day more than just a day off from school.

    When Is Presidents’ Day in 2022?

    Presidents’ Day is officially celebrated on the third Monday in February every year — which means it will hit on February 21, in 2022. It’s a day most teachers and students will spend outside of school for the federal holiday. The holiday used to pop up on different days of the week up until Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.

    What Is Presidents’ Day?

    Trying to make sure your students understand the importance of Presidents’ Day — beyond the fact that they get to sleep in? Here are some fun Presidents’ Day facts for kids!

    • Presidents’ Day has been honored in some form since the 1800s, when it was first deemed a holiday to honor the birthday of President George Washington, who was born on February 22, 1732. President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the official law marking Washington’s birthday as a federal holiday in 1879.
    • When the holiday was moved to the third Monday in February, the celebration of Washington’s birthday was officially combined with a celebration of President Abraham Lincoln whose birthday was on February 12.
    • Presidents’ Day is not the official name of the holiday. Although it’s typically called that, and you’ll see it marked as such on most calendars, technically the U.S. government never officially changed the name!
    • The third Monday in February is still technically known as “Washington’s Birthday” or “George Washington Day” in the states of Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, and New York.

    Presidents’ Day Activities for Kids

    Before you wish your students a happy holiday weekend, give them a chance to explore the themes behind this important day with some fun and interesting classroom activities! Whether you’re looking for something serious or a little more light-hearted, we’ve got everything you need to help your students engage in this important day.

    Take a Virtual Field Trip to the FDR Presidential Library

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only American president to serve more than two terms — paving the way for what we now know as “term limits” here in the US. Take your class on a virtual (and free) trip to this historic president’s official home in upstate New York to learn about his presidency and the work of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

    Looking for more free virtual field trips for your class? We’ve got those too!

    Read Fun Books About Presidents

    There are plenty of fun children’s books about presidents — from the books about the actual people who have lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (or the former home of the commander in chief) or those about kids who become president of … something. Does your school have a student government of some sort? Take the time to talk make the topic of Presidents’ Day relate to their every day with some of these books about kid presidents:

    • Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio
    • Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America’s Presidents (Kid Legends) by David Stabler
    • If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier
    • Marvin Redpost #5: Class President by Louis Sachar

    Discover How Coins Are Made

    For most kids, the closest they will ever get to a United States president is seeing his face on their money. But just how does a president’s face end up on a coin? And how are coins made?

    Explore the concept of our currency with a virtual visit to the US Mint to see how the money is made. Consider supplementing the lesson with a listen to the “How are images chosen for coins?” episode of the popular kids’ podcast But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids.

    Extend the money-based lesson by adding a chance to design their own currency into your President’s Day activities, or save these worksheets for financial literacy lessons at any point in the year. Analyze a dollar bill with your class, and then let them take over by designing their own currency. Your kids can also plan and illustrate a coin.

    See more fun (and free) podcasts for kids to listen to in your classroom!

    Presidential Coin Cleaning

    Give science class a taste of Presidents’ Day with a coin cleaning experiment. Gather pennies (bearing Washington’s face, of course) and nickels (bearing Jefferson’s profile), as well as water, vinegar, ketchup, and baking soda to determine which chemical reactions will do the best job cleaning the coins.

    Students can make predictions about which substances will do the best job of cleaning the coins and why, perform the experiment, observe, and of course, record their results.

    Build a White House

    Flex those fine motor muscles with a White House building challenge made just for the primary set! This President’s Day activity for pre-school or kindergarten includes a free download of the president’s home, and kids can add some creativity to their version of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

    Create a Presidential Timeline

    Older students may benefit from completing a biography research project on a president of their choice! Why not use our Biography Timeline Template to help your students create a presidential timeline of their chosen figure?

    This handy template helps students develop the skills of sequencing and recording changes over time.

    Apostrophe Lesson

    If there’s one holiday better than any other for teaching kids about the importance of appropriate apostrophe placement, this is it! Despite not being officially Presidents’ Day, it’s widely accepted that the third Monday in February now celebrates all presidents — from President George Washington to President Joe Biden.

    Discussing grammar in the classroom? Take the chance to discuss how the placement of the apostrophe after the “s” in Presidents changes the meaning of the holiday.

    If I Were President …

    Do you ever wonder what your students would do if they were president of the United States?

    This free  If I Were President… worksheet is perfect for writing centers to challenge students to think creatively as writers and also think about the world around them. Students can think about what they’d do if they were president of the United States or think more locally as president of a school government association. What would they change? What would they try to do, even if it might not be successful? This worksheet can fit nicely within the context of helping your students build a growth mindset.

    This Presidents’ Day writing center activity can also be used as a research prompt. It is a great way to examine how other presidents have helped to develop the United States throughout history.

    Hold a Mock Election

    There’s no reason to wait until November to talk about elections with your class — in fact having the discussion around Presidents’ Day can take some of the heat out of the conversation that comes with parents at home talking about particular candidates in the lead-up to Election Day. Use this less politically charged time of the year to talk about the electoral process and hold a mock election in the class!

    Grab an electoral process poster to help your kids keep track of all it takes! 

    Set Up a Presidents’ Day Word Wall Display

    Start your Presidents’ Day lessons with a quick discussion regarding some of the vocabulary important to American history, from “democracy” to “Mount Vernon. ” Our Presidents’ Day Word Wall Vocabulary resource has more than 55 vocabulary cards. Create a Presidents’ Day word wall chart in your classroom to help immerse your students in the day.

    Why not have a class discussion about additional vocabulary that could be included?

    Funky Uncle Sam

    Maybe you’ve seen our funky resource collection with Zentangle art fun including penguins and snowmen? There’s a perfect Presidents’ Day craft hiding in the mix: the Funky Uncle Sam Craft Activity.

    Help your students get into the patriotic spirit with this fun fine-motor activity. Students can draw lines and patterns to decorate Uncle Sam before cutting and pasting the template to a colorful piece of construction paper.

    Bonus: Teach your students about the origins of the name Uncle Sam, and introduce them to the real-life Samuel Wilson, aka “Uncle Sam.”

    Learn the History of Presidents’ Day

    You can’t explore Presidents’ Day in the classroom without sharing this Presidents’ Day – Teaching Presentation. This slide show takes your students through the history of Presidents’ Day leading up to now. It also makes a great resource to share with any students who may be learning from home.

     

    Presidential Oath of Office Vocabulary Activity

    What does it take to become president? Besides earning enough votes to win the electoral college, the president must be willing to take the official oath of office. Download the free Presidential Oath of Office Vocabulary Activity to your activities to expand on students’ understanding of new words.

    Help your students decode the message behind the oath by researching the definition, synonym, and antonym of the information used in the oath. See more Inauguration Day activities, including a word scramble, write your own inaugural address, and a “Build Your Own Presidential Cabinet” activity.

    Presidents’ Day Finger Puppets

    Young students will be so excited to use these Presidents’ Day Finger Puppets. Print the puppet template on cardstock, and place them in your writing center for some fun dramatic and imaginative play.

    Discuss each president with your class and try one of the following activities:

    • Practice identifying coins or presidents.
    • Practice identifying coins by value, or adding and subtracting coins together.
    • Use the templates to write facts about each president and work on handwriting skills.
    • Use the puppets to present some facts to the class in ‘character’ as one of the represented presidents.

    Check out our full collection of  Presidents’ Day Resources for the classroom for more ideas, and let us know your favorite Presidents’ Day activities below!

    Celebrate Presidents Day for Kids

    Looking for clever ideas for teaching Presidents Day for Kids? You are going to love our clever presidents day crafts, presidents day activities,  free presidents day worksheets, and so much more! So add these fun ideas for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students to your presidents day lesson plan.

    Presidents Day for Kids

    President’s Day is always the third Monday of February. On President Day we honor George Washington (it’s his birth month), Abraham Lincoln, and all those who have served our coutry in the roll of President of the United States of America. No matter what you think of a particular president there is no denying the huge weight and responsibility that comes with that job, the secrets and security they have for life, and the fact that you can never make everyone happy. These fun ideas for celebrating presidents day for kids are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartner, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students. We have kids activities for Presidents Day plus Presidents Day crafts and presidents day printables to make learning about USA Presidents fun and engaging!

    Plus don’t miss our other fun, creative, and hands-on History Lessons for Kids units!

    Presidents Day Worksheets

    Start off your presidents day lesson plans by printing off our HUGE, Free Presidents Day Worksheets Pack filled with lots of ideas for your Presidents Day Lesson Plan. It is filled with 44 worksheets and games to help kid have fun while learning about our American Presidents. You will find lots of creative writing choices including If I Were President, Acrostic Poems, and Famous Quotes. Plus children can design their own American coin, take a closer look at American coins in Money Bingo, and pick who they would add to the famous Mount Rushmore site.

     

    Presidents Day Coloring Pages

    We have two different sets of presidents day coloring sheets to choose from depending on your child’s age:

    • Younger kids will enjoy these simple Presidents Day Coloring Pages with simple traceable text to give them just little snippets of information about what President’s Day is all about.
    • Elementary age students will enjoy these President Coloring Pages of each American President!

    Presidents Day Pritnables

    This Free President for Kids Printable book. It is a fun way to learn about a few specific presidents, or make a book and learn about all of our American presidents from George Washington to Donald Trump.

    Younger kids will have fun learning with these FREE Patriotic Worksheets.

    Make practicing subtraction fun with these Patriotic Subtraction Worksheets.

    Bring a little Presidential fun to your spelling this week with these Presidents Day Spelling activity.  This is a great activity to help kids practice spelling and forming words.

       

    Learn how Americans elect a new president with this free printable Voting for Kids book to color, read and learn. Plus dive deeper into each of our leaders with these Free Presidents Worksheets – Learn about all the American presidents

    Presidents Day Crafts

    Kids will have fun learning about Presidents Day while creating these cute, fun memorable crafts for Presidents Day! We have fun presidents day crafts for kids of all ages from prek to elementary age students:

    • Abraham Lincoln Crafts – not just fun to make and take pictures with, this would be great to use as kids recite famous quotes from Abraham Lincoln from the Presidents Day Mini Unit.
    • Presidents Day Hat– fun for remembering the colonial times when George Washington was our first President
    • Abraham Lincoln Craft – Make this cute craft early and use it to decorate your school room for the month of February!
    • George Washington Craft– such a fun way for remembering our first president on his birthday!
    • Red White and Blue Science Experiments – sneak some science with this fun and patriotic science experiment perfect for Presidents Day.
    • Easy American Flag Craft for Kids – This simple flag craft is a easy way to add some patriotism to Presidents Day
    • Serve up some patriotic pancakes for breakfast to kick start your day
    • In Washington D.C. (our nation’s capital), fireworks light up the sky on Presidents Day to celebrate. Make your own Fireworks Craft for a truly beautiful and unique art project.

    And if you are still looking for more, don’t miss our 20 FUN Presidents Day Crafts & Activities!

     

    History Lessons for Kids

    Check out one of or MANY engaging, Free history lessons for kids or go to American History for kids including lots of fun, hands on activities and free printables

    • Digging into World History Curriculum for the whole family to learn together!
    • Dive into Mesopotamia History to learn about Gilgamesh
    • Learn about Ancient Egypt Activities, crafts, lessons, worksheets, ancient egypt free printables, and more!
    • Ancient Civlizations of MesoAmerica: Who Were the Ancient Maya People Readers, Inca Facts Reader, and Aztecs for Kids Reader
    • 4 week lesson about Early Explorers for Kids
    • Learn about castles, knights, and more in this exciting Middle Ages for Kids
    • Make a teepee, dig for arrowheads, color our printable books and more in this Native Americans for Kids lessons
    • The Colonial America for Kids lesson takes kids on a journey back to the first permanent settlement in America – Jamestown. Students will learn about colonial life with lots of hands on projects like eating Gruel, making a Wattle & Daub house, and creating a tin lantern will make the settlement come alive.
    • We will make westward expansion for kids come alive for kids as they learn facts about the time period from about 1783-1898. In addition to learning about the Oregon trail, pony express, gold rush, transcontinental railroad, students will also learn to match animal trails, map the united states, and learn about North American animals too.
    • Civil War for Kids – students will learn about slavery, famous Americans from the Civil War, famous battles, and how our nation stayed together. Lesson includes printable worksheets, mapping activities, printable civil war board game and more!
    • Famous Explorers for Kids Reader – discovering America
    • Jamestown Color & Read  Jamestown worksheeds pdf
    • Revolutionary War Reader – american revolutionary easy reading
    • Read, Color & Learn War of 1812 worksheet pdf
    • Westward Expansion Reader westward expansion worksheet pdf
    • Pennant History Posters to see US History At-a-Glance
    • Titanic for Kids Reader to Color and Learn
    • World War 1 Coloring Pages to color, read, and learn
    • Learn about the Roaring 1920s for Kids – Printable Book to Read, Color, and Learn
    • 1930s for Kids – Printable Book about the Golden age of Hollywood, Great Depression for Kids and more to read, color, and learn
    • Life in the 1940s America for Kids Reader
    • WW2 Printables to read, color, and learn about World War 2
    • Learn about the trading of goods that began in 1941 with this Columbian Exchange for Kids printable reader.
    • Anne Frank Facts for Kids Printable Reader to read, color, and learn about this Jewish girl who lived behind the wall in Holland during World War 2
    • 1950s for Kids Reader to Color, Learn and read about what life was like in America in 1950
    • Rosa Parks Worksheets pdf – Free Printable Reader to Color and Learn
    • Martin Luther King Jr for Kids Printable Reader to Color and Learn
    • Life in the 1960s for Kids Printable book to read, color and learn about life in the 1960s
    • Learn about platform shoes, disco, the beginning of Star Wars and more with this 1970s for kids Reader
    • 1980s for Kids Printable American History Reader
    • 1990s for Kids Printable Reader filled with information about fashion, technology, Presidents, and more!
    • Learn about life for early 2000s Kids with these american history printables to read, color, and learn!
    • Review what you’ve leanred with these American History Worksheets (Notebooking)
    • Engaging Historical Fiction Books for Kids

    Looking for more fun, creative ways you can begin homeschooling for free? We have over 1,000,000 pages of FREE pre k worksheets, kindergarten worksheets, grade 1 worksheets, second grade worksheets and more for K12. Plus see our history lesson plans, free math games, english worksheets, sight words activities, alphabet worksheets, and cvc word games for kids of all ages!

    In addition, don’t miss our disney world tips and  kids activities filled with ideas for every holiday and season of the year!

     

    President’s Day Activities and Fun Ideas for Kids

    You have come to the right place if you are looking for fun, engaging and exciting President’s Day themed activities to do with toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. Our activities are widely used by teachers, moms, dads, child care providers and more!

    All our activities are available at no cost and are free to print and share.

    Contents

    • President’s Day Arts and Crafts
    • President’s Day Recipes and Snacks
    • President’s Day Songs, Poems and Finger Plays

    Ask the Kids
    If you could be president for a day, what would you do?
    What do you think the President of the U. S. does all day?
    Why do we have a president?
    What other places have a president?

    Pennies and Quarters
    Show the children coins and bills with pictures of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Have the children sort pennies and quarters.

    Truth or Fib
    Tell the children the story about George Washington and the cherry tree. George Washington was an honest man-he told the truth, not a fib. Now tell the children short phrases, and ask them to tell whether the phrase is the truth or a fib. Here are some examples:
    The moon is made of green cheese.
    We get light from the moon.
    All the children in the room are girls. etc.

    Graham Cracker Log Cabins
    Talk with the children about Abraham Lincoln. Tell them about his childhood in a log cabin and his love of books. Divide the children into small groups and give each group graham crackers and peanut butter and ask them to decide how they might use these two things to build a miniature log cabin. Each group seems to go about the task in a different way!

    Presidents’ Day Stories
    Abraham Lincoln by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulair
    This book was originally the 1940 winner of the Caldecott Medal – most copies have been completely redrawn. This book is too long for very young listeners, but the pictures give a good view of Abe’s “grow up” years in the very early 1800’s. There are many selections which young children will enjoy, such as Abe reluctantly sharing a gingerbread cookie, Abe learning to write by the fireplace and Abe fighting off pirates near the Mississippi River.

    George Washington by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulair
    Again, this book is much too long for very young listeners but the pictures and some sections are appropriate. It shows young George growing up in colonial America. The book ends with a page about Washington as the “Father of our Country”.

    George Washington by Clara Junson
    Biography of George Washington in somewhat simple vocabulary words. Parts of this book could be read to very young children. Included are most of the traditional incidents about Washington including Valley Forge. Washington the farmer, politician and surveyor are also included, but the famous (and untrue) chopping down the cherry tree story has been omitted.

    Abraham Lincoln by Susan Lee
    A brief biography of Abraham Lincoln. It is too long for young readers, but selections may be read and it is good background information for discussing the pictures.

    A Man Named Lincoln by Gertrude Norman
    This biography of Lincoln is written in “easy to read” style. It will probably not hold the interest of very young children, but some of it could be read in sections or used as the basis for discussion.

    Lincoln’s Bracelet
    Provide the children with 3 to 6 pennies. Cut a piece of clear contact paper and press in half, enclosing the pennies. Adjust this bracelet to slip on the child’s wrist.

    Rip and Tear
    Let the children make a torn paper collage using the colors red, white and blue. After it is completed, you can paste on top of the collage a black silhouette of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.

    Money Rubbings
    Make penny or quarter rubbings by putting a coin under a sheet of thin newsprint. Hold the coin steady as you rub over it with the side of a crayon. You will begin to see the head of a president as the crayon markings get darker.

    Be sure to rub both sides of the coin.(note: For the young’uns, put a circle of tape on the under side of the coin and tape it to the table … several coins in a small area. Then lay the paper over it and let them take turns doing their own rubbing. It was much easier for them than trying to hold the coin (under the paper) steady.)

    Lincoln’s Log Cabin
    You will need 1 empty 1/2 pint paper milk carton, rinsed and dried,
    a 10×8″ board covered,
    1 (16oz) container vanilla or choc frosting
    1/2 cup shredded coconut, tinted green
    Decorations: cheese flavored snack sticks, graham crackers, pretzel sticks,
    square cheese crackers, green spearmint candy leaves.
    1. Cover the milk carton with foil.
    2. Spread 1 side of carton with frosting, decorate with cheese sticks (to look like a log cabin) use 1 section of graham cracker for a door.
    3. Frost top of milk carton – top with pretzel sticks
    4. spread frosting onto prepared board, sprinkle with coconut. Arrange cheese crackers for a walkway, make log pile out of cheese sticks.
    5. Construct a small fence from cheese sticks and pretzel sticks using dabs of frosting to hold together. Place spearmint candy leaves in frosting for trees.

    Lincoln’s Log Cabin
    For younger children help draw a simple design of a house. Older children can design their own. Help children glue pretzel sticks onto paper to make log cabins.

    Cherry Trees
    Glue twigs on sheets of white construction paper to make trees. Let children attach small red circle sticker “cherries” or use finger prints dipped into red finger paints.

    Apple Printing
    Cut apples in half vertically and others in half horizontally. Pat the cut surfaces of the apples with a paper towell and allow to dry for about an hour. Use sheets of construction paper and pour small amounts of red fingerpaint over sponges which are in shallow containers.

    Let the children dip the apple halves into the paint and press them on their papers to make prints. Use a fork inserted into the apple for a handle if necessary. See if the children can find the “hidden” star in their apple print.

    Three Cornered Hat
    Cut three 12″ X 3″ strips of construction paper for each child. Let the children make three-cornered hats like the ones worn in George Washington’s Day. Have each child staple together the ends of the three strips of construction paper(making a triangle). Children can then wear their hats for their other activities.

    Silhouettes
    Create a silhouette of either George Washington or Abe Lincoln from black construction paper. Glue the silhouette in the center of a large sheet of white construction paper. Create fireworks around the silhouette by using different colors of tempura paint. I place a dot of paint on the paper and have the children use a paint brush to pull the paint from the center to create the fireworks. Before the paint is dry sprinkle with glitter for a dynamic effect.

    Game – Chop Down The Cherry Tree
    Sit in circle. One player is the Cherry Tree,who stands in center of circle with eyes covered. Adult chooses one player to touch Cherry Tree & say ,”Chop,chop.” Cherry Tree falls down gently & player returns to place in circle. All players then say with deep voices,”Who chopped the cherry tree?” Cherry Tree opens eyes & guesses who it was. That player then becomes Cherry Tree, & the game is repeated.

    Washington Puppet
    Make a coin rubbing of a quarter.Cut out the circle.Glue to a popsicle stick.

    Lincoln Hat
    Give each child a piece of paper that is cut out in the shape of Lincoln’s hat. Let the children paint it black.
    Lincoln Puppet:
    Trace an outline of Lincoln’s profile on heavy paper.Glue popsicle stick to the back of paper.

    Lincoln Collage
    Cut out a large profile of Lincoln using a sheet of construction paper.Trace around a pattern & cut out.Let the children glue on small pieces of red,white & blue objects. (cotton balls,tissue paper,crepe paper,wall paper etc…)

    Coin Polishing
    Have each child bring in a few pennies. Let the children polish them.

    George Washington Hat
    Cut 81/2 X11 piece of construction paper crosswise to form 3 equal rectangles. Staple narrow ends of strips together to form triangular-shaped hat.Glue on 2 red circles for cherries & draw on the stem & leaf.

    George Washington Profile Collage
    Follow instructions above for Lincoln profile collage.

    Cherry Tree
    Make a simple drawing of some braches. Let the children glue of small circles of pink tissue paper that has been rolled into a circle onto the drawn branches. Washington did not really cut down a cherry tree & confess the misdeed to his father.This story was created years after his death to show that this great man was brave & honest.

     

    CHERRY PARFAIT
    In a clear plastic cup, layer yogurt & cherry pie filling. Repeat layers.

    CHERRY POPOVER
    Place 1 T. of cherry pie filling in center of a flattened crescent dinner roll. Place another crescent roll over the top. Pinch edges together. Bake according to package directions.

    PATRIOTIC BON BONS
    1/4 tsp vanilla
    3 oz cream cheese
    2-1/2 cup powdered sugar
    dash of salt
    coconut
    red and blue food coloring

    Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. Form small balls with mixture. Separate coconut into 3 bowls. Leave first bowl of coconut white, color second one red and third one blue. Roll balls in different color coconut. Refrigerate before serving.(Also good for July 4, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Inaugural day, etc.)

    CHERRY TURNOVERS
    1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling
    2 tsp grated orange rind
    1 pkg (15oz) refrig. pie crust
    1 egg yolk
    1 tbsp milk
    1 tbsp sugar
    1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
    4″ round cookie cutter

    Preheat oven to 375 – combine pie filling and orange rind – roll 1 pie crust on floured surface to 12 inch circle. Cut out 6 (4″) circles with cookie cutter. cut out 6 hatchet shapes from pastry trimmings. Repeat with second crust. – combine egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. – combine sugar and cinamon in another small bowl – spoon tablespoons of pie filling onto center of each pastry – brush edges of pastry with egg yolk mixture – fold pastry in half and enclose filling.

    Press edges together with fork to seal. Place on ungreased baking sheet – brush tops of turnovers with egg yolk mixture – place one hatchet cutout on each turnover, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. – bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown – cool on wire rack – serve warm
    (makes 12)

     

    LINCOLN FINGERPLAY
    Through hard work,skill, & determination.(wipe forehead)
    Lincoln became one of America’s greatest men.(one finger)
    He was a peace-loving man who was just.(hand to heart)
    Equal rights for all was a must! (spread arms)

    GEORGE WASHINGTON FINGERPLAY
    A very old legend tells me (point to self)
    George Washington cut down a cherry tree.(pretend to chop)
    Because he would not tell a lie,(shake head sideways)
    When asked who did this terrible deed, (deep voice,place hands on hips)

    He said, “Dear Father, it was I.” (point to self)
    Although this story is only a legend, (shake head sideways)
    It reminds me that George Washington
    Was a brave & honest man!

    My hat it has 3 corners.(form triangle above head)
    Three corners has my hat.
    If it did not have 3 corners,(raise 3 fingers fingers)
    It would not be my hat. (shake head sideways)

    It’s a Special Day
    (sung to: If you’re happy and you know it)
    It’s a very special day today,
    Yes sir! (Clap twice.)
    It’s a very special day today,
    Yes sir! (Clap twice.)
    It’s Presidents’ Day,
    When we can shout and say,
    “Have a happy, happy, happy, happy, day!” (Clap twice.)

    George Washington
    (Sung to “Yankee Doodle”)

    One time there was a little boy
    Who had a little hatchet
    He looked and looked around to find
    A little tree to catch it

    At least he spied a cherry tree
    His father’s pride and joy
    He chopped it down, right to the ground
    My! What a naughty boy!

    And then he heard an angry voice
    It sounded like a cymbal
    George knew he was in trouble great
    And he began to tremble

    Who cut this tree, my son did you?
    His father asked the question.
    Yes, it was I. I cannot lie.
    I cut it with my hatchet!

    Chorus:
    Georgie, Georgie, no, no, no.
    Be careful what you do.
    Hatchets can be dangerous
    And you might get hurt too!
    Presidents’ Day
    (sung to the tune of “My Country Tis of Thee)
    Lincoln and Washington
    They are remembered on
    Presidents’ Day.
    Two men in history
    Who gave us liberty.
    Honor their memories
    On this great day.

    Lincoln Rap
    Abraham Lincoln, I’ve been thinkin
    When you were a tiny babe.
    As a youth you told the truth
    And so they called you honest Abe.

    Abraham Lincoln, I’ve been thinkin
    How you taught yourself the law.
    Every book around you took
    and read like no one ever saw.

    Abraham Lincoln, I’ve been thinkin
    Back to when you wrote the E-
    Mancipation Proclamation
    So the slaves could all be free.

    Abraham Lincoln, I’ve been thinkin
    How you bravely let the land.
    Once divided, Now united
    You made sure our house would stand.

     

     

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    40 Fun & Easy Ways to Enjoy with Kids

    Days | Fun

    Celebrate President’s Day with your kids with these 40 easy & fun ways to make the holiday special.

    Discover awesome ideas, activities, & resources to make your President’s Day celebration rock.

    President’s Day is a special holiday in our home.

    Professor (14) is our resident history buff.  One of his favorite history topics to study is American Presidents.  He’s had a fascination with their lives, presidencies, and effects on our history since a young age.

    Professor devours books about presidents.  Nonfiction, fiction, and trivia. If a book has anything to do with presidents, Professor will drop everything to read it.

    Over the years, we have accumulated several large stacks of books and resources to learn about Presidents.  (See pictures in our guest post at iHomeschool Network.)  In our homeschool, these books are often scattered about and thumbed through at leisure.

    To prepare for a grand celebration of President’s Day this year, I have gathered these 40 Fun & Easy Ways To Celebrate President’s Day.  You will find a variety of free and affordable resources to help you celebrate this special day with us.

    For easier navigation purposes, I have grouped resources to help you find what you need when you need it!

    • activities
    •  crafts
    • games & puzzles
    • learning songs
    • educational videos

    Activities To Help You Celebrate President’s Day

    President’s Day Masks:  These adorable masks are frugal to make and have for fun photo props.

    Photo Props:  Faith-Filled Parenting shares these fun President’s Day Activities with photo prop craft ideas and free printables.

    Build a Log Cabin:  Martha Stewart shares this fun activity using pretzels, graham crackers, and peanut butter to build a log cabin.

    President’s Day Cookies:  These cookies would be a great hands-on activity with your kids.  So cute!

    Red, White, & Blue Popcorn:  Patriotic snack for presidents.

    President’s Day Snack Ideas:  Super cool snack and drink ideas to help you celebrate the presidents!

    Favorite Foods of Presidents Trivia:  While you are enjoying all of your President’s Day tasty treats, check out Favorite Foods of U.S. Presidents for interesting facts about their culinary preferences.

    Madlibs:  Have some good chuckles with these Madlibs about the Presidents.

    Search-a-Word Puzzles:  Your kids can have tons of learning fun with these word search puzzles with U.S. President’s themes.

    Presidents on Your Money:  Here’s a great infographic to help you learn more about the Presidents who are on bills and coins.

    Hands-On Fun:  Have some fun with playdough and coins to recreate Mount Rushmore!

    Worksheets:  These FREE President’s Day Printable Worksheets are fun!

    Mini-Unit Study:  My boys love unit studies! Check out this free fun unit study for President’s Day from Free Homeschool Deals.

    Lapbook:  Free resource for making a President’s Day lap book (plus list of great book ideas!).

    Online Unit Study:  Beth of Techie Homeschool Mom has an awesome online unit study for President’s Day learning fun.

    Free President’s Day Printables & Montessori-Inspired Activities: Lots of great hands-on activities and printables for President’s Day.

    Coloring:  123Homeschool4Me shares these awesome 15 FREE President’s Day coloring pages!

    Color by Number:  Here is a free color by number page for George Washington.

    Coloring & Fact Pages:  Raising Our Kids shares these fabulous free coloring pages with facts, pictures, and biographies..

    More Photo Props:  Here are a variety of cut-outs of President’s faces to place on sticks for photo props.  I can’t decide if they are super creepy or super cool.

    Dress-Up Fun:  Let the kids play dress-up!  These costumes are a great way to have learning fun on President’s Day.

    Celebrate President’s Day with Crafts

    Popsicle Stick Log Cabin:  Scroll down in this post to see the cute craft made with popsicle sticks.

    TP Roll Presidents:  Upcycle those empty TP rolls into George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

    Popsicle Stick Presidents:  Scroll down in this post to see a fun way to make George Washington and Abraham Lincoln with popsicle sticks.

    Mount Rushmore Crayon Rubbing:  Cool craft that even little ones can do!  All you need is a brown crayon, white paper, and coins.  Place the quarter first, nickel next, dime, and then a penny.  Put the paper on top of coins and use the side of the brown crayon for a DIY Mount Rushmore.

    Games & Puzzles to Celebrate President’s Day

    Free Printable Card Game:  Homeschool With Love has this free printable card game to celebrate President’s Day.

    Trivia:  My boys love this trivia card game by Professor Noggins.

    More Legos Fun:  Susan Evans and her kids made a DIY Lego White House.

    DIY Presidents Hedbanz Game:  My boys and I have had such fun with our DIY Presidents Hedbanz game.

    Learning Songs to Help You Celebrate President’s Day

    Free Printable President’s Song:  Amy’s Wandering has a great printable to use with your kids to learn the order of the presidents.

    President’s Song:  Learn all 46 presidents in order with this video.

    The Presidents Song:  Learn the first and last names of all presidents (in order).

    Educational Videos to Celebrate President’s Day

    Portraits of American Presidents (found on Amazon Prime Video):  Part 1      Part 2      Part 3

    20th Century Presidents: Another Amazon Prime Video series with 17 videos about presidents in the 2oth century.

    Which of these 40 Fun & Easy Ways To Celebrate President’s Day
    will you be using for your homeschool and family?

    Sharing is caring!

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    Amy Milcic

    As a homeschool soccer mom to 5 boys, Amy loves to use all that she learned as a mental health therapist to positively make life + learning fun.
    She shares easy-to-use and creative resources, tips, and tools so you can make the most of this special time with your kids.

    what date, history and traditions of the holiday

    It so happened that on this day the long-awaited summer holidays begin for schoolchildren. Therefore, the little heroes of the occasion have twice as many reasons for joy.

    Adults don’t usually rest on Children’s Day, for them it’s a full-time job. Meanwhile, the date appeared on the calendar primarily for them, because the main purpose of the holiday is to tell all people about the problems and difficulties that children face, and to remind them of how important it is to protect their rights.

    When is Children’s Day celebrated in 2023

    For many Russians, it will not be difficult to answer when Children’s Day is celebrated, since this holiday is very loved in our country. Of course it’s June 1st .

    By the way, it would be more correct to call the holiday International Children’s Day, as June 1st celebrations are held in more than 60 countries.

    Moreover, the holiday even has its own flag – a green canvas, on which five multi-colored schematic men (red, blue, black, white and yellow) are located around the symbol denoting our planet. Together, this symbolizes the unity and diversity of people living on Earth.

    History of the holiday

    The official birth year of the holiday is 1949. It was in November of that year that a special session of the International Democratic Women’s Federation was held in Paris, at which it was decided to establish Children’s Day. And they began to celebrate the holiday as early as next year: in 1950, celebrations were held in 51 countries of the world.

    But why did such a need arise in 1949 to establish a holiday dedicated to children? The fact is that after the Second World War, the situation of minors in different countries of the world was terrible: many of them lost their parents and shelter, so they were forced to live on the street, beg or steal. Some of the kids died of hunger, some of diseases. Of course, such a situation could not fail to attract the attention of caring people.

    Why was it decided to celebrate Children’s Day on June 1, and not on the day the holiday was established (as is usually the case)? According to some reports, on June 1, 1925, the very idea of ​​​​a holiday dedicated to the younger generation was born. According to a popular story, on that day, the Chinese Consul General in San Francisco, USA, found in the city of his stay orphans who had come to the United States from China, and organized celebrations for them on the occasion of the Chinese national holiday, which symbolizes the beginning of summer, Duanwu (Dragon Boat Festival). ). The world community really liked the idea of ​​a diplomat from China. It is believed that this event contributed to the birth of the idea to establish a special holiday for children.

    On June 1, 1925, another significant event took place. While the Chinese Consul General was helping orphans to gain faith in the best, the first international conference was held in Geneva, during which the problems of children were discussed. It is believed that this fact also played an important role in choosing the date for celebrating Children’s Day.

    But let’s go back to the 50s of the 20th century… The idea of ​​creating Children’s Day was appreciated by the UN. And by 1959, the world organization prepared the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which, however, had only a recommendatory character. And at 19The 89th UN introduced the first international legal document relating to children – the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union signed this document on July 13, 1990, and two months later it entered into force.

    Holiday traditions

    On June 1, many cities around the world organize various events in honor of Children’s Day. Usually these are concerts with performances by children’s creative groups, sports competitions, exhibitions of children’s drawings and competitions with prizes. On the streets and squares, bright balloons and gifts are handed out to children. In other words, adults do everything to please kids and teenagers.

    Photo: pixabay.com

    June 1 TV channels also try to please the little viewers: they include children’s programs, films and cartoons in their programs.

    But making children happy is not the only concern of adults on this day. On Children’s Day, it is customary to arrange various charity events and concerts. All money raised at such events goes to orphanages and hospitals (or other institutions where minors are waiting for help). For example, in 2012, the White Flower campaign was launched in St. Petersburg, the purpose of which is to help children with cancer.

    Also on this day, volunteers usually come to “visit” orphans who have lost their parents and left without guardians, disabled children, babies who are forced to be under constant medical supervision, and give them gifts. Often, guests hold educational seminars for children, at which they talk in an accessible form, for example, about legal and legal literacy.

    In addition, round tables are held on Children’s Day, to which experts, officials and journalists are invited. Important issues are usually resolved at these meetings: how to help sick children, how to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged kids, and many others.

    Educational events on this day are organized for everyone. There the participants are reminded how important it is to take care of the younger generation, and they are told about the problems of minors.

    Popular Questions and Answers

    We tell you how to spend Children’s Day with benefit.

    What activities take place on Children’s Day?

    June 1 is often celebrated in kindergartens and other institutions for toddlers and older children. In addition, entertainment events are usually held on the main city squares on Children’s Day. Concerts, theatrical performances, quizzes and competitions. There you can find various other activities: horseback riding, sports and more.

    On the eve of the holiday, it is useful to study the websites of local theaters, museums, cinemas – they often prepare special children’s programs for June 1st. And on Children’s Day, many teenage and children’s clubs and sections hold interesting master classes and open days.

    When is Children’s Day celebrated in other countries?

    There is another international date dedicated to children – World Children’s Day is celebrated annually November 20, .

    In Spain, Children’s Day is celebrated on January 6, they are used to celebrating it magnificently: houses are decorated, solemn processions can be seen on the streets. In Chile, Children’s Day is celebrated twice a year: in August and October. In Sweden, they also celebrate twice, moreover, they celebrate Girls’ Day (December 13) and Boys’ Day (August 7) ​​separately. And in Australia, the children’s holiday was allocated a whole week in the middle of autumn.

    How can you help on Children’s Day?

    On the eve of the holiday, charitable and volunteer organizations hold special events. It is far from always implied that you need to transfer money to one or another fund. Sometimes there are charity concerts, competitions or sales. In addition, you can contact the social service of your locality or district – they will certainly help resolve this issue.

    “Children’s Day” in different countries

    To protect the rights of children around the world Women’s International Democratic Federation at the convened on November 1949 years in Moscow, a meeting of the Executive Committee decided to make June 1 International Children’s Day.

    With the concerted efforts of the international community, significant progress has been made in the development of children, the provision of basic services, the promotion of health and habit formation, and the elimination of gender discrimination in education. The annual number of deaths among children under 5 years of age has decreased from 12 million 500 thousand in 1990 to less than 9 million in 2008.

    One of the issues that worries all people on the planet is undoubtedly related to the environment in which a child lives and grows. Countries around the world celebrate International Children’s Day in different ways – June 1, however, not all children celebrate their holiday on this day. In different countries, International Children’s Day falls on different times, in addition, it is celebrated in different ways.

    Russia: this is the country where the International Children’s Day was born

    Children’s holiday in Russia is celebrated on the International Children’s Day on June 1st. On this day, Russian children in different parts of the country cheerfully celebrate their holiday, perform folk songs and dances, and festive events are held in schools.

    Japan: Children’s Day three times a year

    March 3 – Girls’ Day
    This holiday is specially established for little girls. Every year on this day, the parents of girls arrange an exhibition of beautiful children’s dolls in kimono at home, this is the gift of parents to their princesses.

    May 5 – Boys’ Day
    On the day of the holiday, a carp flag is hung in front of the entrance to the house of a family that has a boy, which means the possibility of obtaining an academic degree. If there are several boys in the family, then green-blue flags are hung on the front doors of the house. A huge number of such flags means that there are many boys in the family. In the representation of the Japanese carp symbolizes strength and courage.

    November 15 – Children’s Day “Seven-Five-Three”
    According to Japanese customs, three, five and seven years are the happiest ages of children, so every year on November 15, children of these ages celebrate their holiday cheerfully.

    Republic of Korea: Dress up in Korean national costume and get a gift

    Children’s Day in the Republic of Korea originates in 1923, which was originally a boys’ holiday. Children’s Day in the Republic of Korea is considered a public holiday, celebrated annually on May 5th. On this day, all children are joyful and happy, parents give them gifts that they most wanted. A huge number of children also dress up in the Korean national costume, come into contact with the traditional culture of the country.

    Colombia: masked clowns

    Every year on July 4, Colombia celebrates Children’s Day. On this holiday, various events are held in all schools of the country. Children usually put on different masks, dress up as clowns and walk the streets. There is a cheerful atmosphere everywhere.

    Brazil: health comes first

    Children’s Day in Brazil is celebrated on August 15th. This day is also the National Day to Combat the Epidemic, so every year on this holiday, the country’s doctors examine children, in addition, babies under the age of 5 are vaccinated against polio. Such activities show that the Brazilian government is very concerned about the health of children.

    Sweden: “Boys’ Day” and “Girls’ Day”

    In Sweden there is also a clear separation of holidays for boys and girls. Every year on August 7, Boys’ Day is celebrated, which is also called the Lobster holiday. He received this name in the hope that the boys would be as bold as the spiny lobster. On this day, children dress up as lobsters and perform funny and funny numbers.

    On the 13th of December Sweden celebrates Girls’ Day, which is also called the Feast of the Goddess Lucia. Lucia is a goddess who, according to Swedish legend, protects girls. Every year on a holiday, the girls of Sweden turn into little goddesses who do good deeds for other children.

    Islamic countries: merry “candy festival”

    In most Islamic countries, the “candy festival” is celebrated on the fourteenth day of fasting, this is the most cheerful holiday for children.
    African countries: a monthly children’s carnival

    West African countries have a special “children’s carnival” that lasts a whole month. The inhabitants of Africa historically love to sing and dance, during the children’s carnival, despite the different living conditions of people in the country, all children are happy and joyful.

    Spain: the most solemn Children’s Day

    Children’s Day in Spain falls on January 5, in fact, it is a religious holiday, translated from Spanish means “the holiday of the King of Magic”. From the evening of January 5 until the next morning, parade cars can be seen everywhere in Spain, on which the “three kings” constantly distribute various sweets to children. When the column arrives at the gates of the city or district administration, any child who sits on the king’s lap can receive a special gift. Children who receive such gifts must promise the king to study well and diligently.

    International Children’s Day. CIS Overview

    International Children’s Day

    The first of June is International Children’s Day. This holiday has been celebrated all over the world since 1950. Read about the history and traditions of this day in our material.

    Children’s Day, which falls on the first day of summer, is one of the oldest international holidays, celebrated all over the world since 1950. The decision to hold it was taken by the Women’s International Democratic Federation at a special session on November 1949th. The UN supported this initiative and declared the protection of the rights, life and health of children one of the priorities of its activities.

    International Children’s Day is, first of all, a reminder to adults of the need to respect children’s rights to life, to freedom of opinion and religion, to education, recreation and leisure, to protection from physical and psychological violence, to protection from the exploitation of child labor as necessary conditions for the formation of a humane and just society.

    In 1959, the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which included articles calling on parents, state bodies, local authorities and governments, non-governmental organizations to recognize the rights and freedoms of children set forth in them and strive to respect them. The Declaration was only advisory in nature and had no binding force.

    The first and main international legal document in which the rights of the child were considered at the level of international law was the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN on November 20, 1989 years old The Convention was signed by 61 countries, on July 13, 1990 the Convention was ratified by the USSR.

    Children make up approximately 20-25% of the population in every country. In different countries, they are exposed to different dangers from which they need to be protected: in developed countries, these are the negative consequences of addiction to TV and computers (serious studies have shown that children tend to copy in life those cruel actions that they see on the screen or during computer games), in Western Europe they are concerned about the too early sexual development of children, in Japan they see the main danger in the destruction of traditional methods of education and the increasing penetration of Western habits and behaviors, in Africa and Asia, children are threatened by hunger, AIDS, illiteracy and military conflicts.

    The rights of children in Russia are protected by the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of the Rights of the Child in the Russian Federation” dated July 24, 1998. It establishes the basic guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of the child, provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The state recognizes childhood as an important stage in a person’s life and proceeds from the principles of prioritizing the preparation of children for a full life in society, the development of socially significant and creative activity in them, the education in them of high moral qualities, patriotism and citizenship.

    International Children’s Day is always celebrated with various events aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the world’s children. In Russia, Children’s Day is celebrated under the patronage of the Russian Children’s Fund. The main guests of the holiday are traditionally orphans and disabled children, children from low-income and large families.

    Sputnik


    CIS Overview

    Azerbaijan

    First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva shared a post on her official Instagram page on the occasion of June 1 – International Children’s Day.

    “I sincerely congratulate all our little compatriots on the occasion of June 1 – International Children’s Day! I wish every child good health, love, joy, a happy future! May the Almighty protect children from all troubles and hardships!”

    Website of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

    On June 1, the Children’s Festival is being held in the park of the Heydar Aliyev Center , will last from 15:00 to 18:00. Entrance to the territory will be free. Children from orphanages and students from boarding schools will also take part in the festival.

    The festival, which will be organized in connection with the International Children’s Day celebrated on June 1, is designed not only to create a festive mood among children, but also once again draw public attention to the issues of ensuring a happy and healthy childhood, educating children, and forming them as worthy citizens countries. Various entertainment and educational programs will be presented at the festival in the park of the Heydar Aliyev Center. Each child will be able to choose entertainment according to their interests, spend their leisure time effectively, and demonstrate their talent. The territory of the park will be divided into themes and types of entertainment. For sports fans, mini-tournaments, competitions, interactive games, the opportunity to take part in chess competitions and meet Olympic champions will be organized. At the site reserved for the Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory named after Nasreddin Tusi, children will be presented with interesting facts about space and planets. Children who are interested in high technology will be able to get acquainted with the process of creating drones in interactive classes. At the archaeological site, those interested in this area will have the opportunity, after conducting “excavations”, to discover various models of archaeological finds. Children can also visit a mini-farm here.

    Within the framework of the festival, the Azerbaijan Automobile Federation organizes trainings for children on the rules of the road. They will also have an art zone, a corner of book lovers, dances, competitions on boats, concert programs and other entertainment. Various gifts will be given to the winners and participants of the contests.

    Thus, tomorrow the park of the Heydar Aliyev Center will turn into an entertaining and creative playground for children and give them an unforgettable holiday experience.

    trend


    Armenia

    Armenia celebrates International Children’s Day

    Every year on June 1, International Children’s Day is celebrated all over the world.

    It was approved in 1949 by the Women’s International Democratic Federation in Paris. The holiday was first celebrated in 1950.

    Armenia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, and in 1996 the Law on the Rights of the Child was adopted. The holiday is celebrated in all regions of the republic and in Yerevan. Various events are organized every year. It was also celebrated in Soviet Armenia.

    news.am

    A special program will be held in the capital on Children’s Day

    The city administration of Yerevan called to hold Children’s Day in the Yerevan Zoological Garden. Citizens of the capital can get acquainted with the list of events on the official website of the Yerevan Municipality.

    For example, on June 1, children can build ball figures and make dolls. Children will play various games, there will also be theater performances.

    It is noted that the holiday will start at 10 am Yerevan time and last until 8 pm.

    Entrance for children is free, writes the press service of the capital’s mayor’s office.

    Tsargrad


    Belarus

    International Children’s Day is celebrated today

    International Children’s Day is celebrated today in almost all countries of the world. This is not only one of the most joyful holidays for children, but also a reminder to adults that children need their constant care and protection and that it is adults who are responsible for them. This day also serves as a reminder to society that observance and respect for the rights of the child is the most important condition for the formation of a humane, just and prosperous society.

    International Children’s Day was established in 1949 by decision of the Women’s International Democratic Federation session. And 40 years later, in New York, representatives of 59 countries, including the USSR, signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that children, due to their vulnerability, need special care and protection. This document confirms the need for legal and other protection of the child before and after birth.

    World statistics show that, unfortunately, not all states exercise the rights to childhood to the extent that they should be.

    In Belarus, child protection is one of the state’s priorities. The National Commission for the Rights of the Child operates in the country, which coordinates the work of state administration bodies and pays close attention to assessing the situation in the field of protecting children’s rights.

    Belarus has a law on the rights of the child, adopted in 1993. All fundamental rights are enshrined in this law and are implemented in other legal acts that allow government agencies to take measures to protect the rights of children.

    In December 2005, the law “On guarantees for the social protection of orphans, children left without parental care, as well as persons from among orphans and children left without parental care” was adopted. In May 2006, by his decree, the President approved the Children of Belarus program for 2006-2010, the main task of which is to improve the quality of life, protect the younger generation, strengthen the prestige and authority of a woman-mother and a strong family in society. In November of the same year, he signed Decree No. 18 “On additional measures for the state protection of children in dysfunctional families”, and in May 2009year – Decree No. 5, involving the introduction of amendments and additions to Decree No. 18. The amendments are aimed at improving the legal regulation of the protection of children in dysfunctional families and increasing the responsibility of parents.

    Now Belarus has a state program “Health of the people and demographic security” for 2021-2025. Among its priorities are improving support for families with children, improving their living conditions, strengthening the institution of the family, developing measures to improve reproductive health, and building a healthy lifestyle culture.

    In addition, the state program “Education and Youth Policy” for 2021-2025 is in effect. The main result of its implementation in the medium term will be an increase in the effectiveness of a sustainable and generally accessible quality educational environment. One of the tasks of the state program is also to create conditions for ensuring the availability and quality of preschool education.

    This year, the results of the implementation of the National Action Plan to improve the situation of children and protect their rights, which was implemented from 2017 to 2021, were summed up. The program helped to significantly improve the situation of children, allowed children to exercise their right to education, health care, and sanatorium treatment.

    Separately, it should be noted that Belarus has one of the lowest infant mortality rates – 2.6% per 1,000 live births. Another achievement of our country is that it took 35th place among countries in the rating of happy childhood and is ahead of Great Britain, Denmark, Poland and the USA.

    BELTA

    Ministry of Labor: support for families with children is a priority of social policy

    The child population of Belarus is 20% of the total population. More than 1 million 847 thousand children live in the country. Every fifth child is brought up in a large family, BelTA learned from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

    A large-scale system of social and economic support for families raising children is functioning stably in the country. The main element of guaranteed material support for the birth and upbringing of children is the system of state benefits, which can be conditionally divided into three groups: maternity benefits, family benefits and temporary disability benefits for child care (11 types of payments in total).

    The most significant are the one-time allowance for the birth of a child and the monthly allowance for caring for a child under the age of 3, which are assigned regardless of family income and payment of insurance premiums.

    The amount of the one-time allowance in connection with the birth of a child is 10 BPM (Br3.1 thousand), for the birth of the second and subsequent children 14 BPM (Br4.4 thousand).

    Monthly allowance for the care of a child under 3 years of age above the minimum wage in the country: for the first child 35% of the average salary of employees in the republic for the quarter (Br540), for the second and subsequent children – 40% of the MWP ( Br617), for a disabled child – 45% FFP (Br694).

    When raising two or more children in a family, one of which is under the age of 3 years, two benefits are paid: for a child under 3 years old (40% of SZP) and a child (children) from 3 to 18 years old (50% of BPM). The total amount of the two benefits in June this year is Br772.

    More than 423,000 children, or one in four children in the country, are covered by the allowance system. For 5 months of this year, about Br1.2 billion was allocated for payments.

    The Ministry of Labor stressed that the payment of benefits is a systemic mechanism for supporting families. If the family finds itself in a difficult life situation, the system of state targeted assistance is aimed at assisting in overcoming it. It includes monthly and one-time social benefits, an allowance for the purchase of hygiene products for disabled children, and the provision of food for children in the first two years of life.

    In 2022, targeted assistance was provided to 9.8 thousand families for 3 months in the amount of Br13. 3 million.

    throughout this period, the state allowance in full, regardless of whether the child is registered in a preschool educational institution. The leave system is flexible – it can be divided into parts of any duration. A father on parental leave is subject to the same guarantees as a mother.

    As of April 1, 225.7 thousand people were on parental leave.

    The family capital program is implemented at the birth (adoption) of a third or subsequent child. Its size since January 1, 2022 is almost Br26 thousand

    During the implementation of the family capital program, starting from 2015, 113 thousand Family Capital deposits were opened in the amount of $825 million and Br712 million, about 1200 such deposits are opened every month .

    Taking into account the needs of large families, the possibility of early disposal of family capital funds is provided for: construction (reconstruction), purchase of housing, repayment of loans, loans of organizations provided for these purposes, education and medical services (including dental, purchase of medical products and medicines), the purchase of goods for the social rehabilitation and adaptation of family members with disabilities (due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system, organs of vision).

    More than 52,000 decisions were made on the early disposal of family capital, of which 86% – for solving family housing issues, 6% – for education, 8% – for medical services.

    The country has built a powerful system of state support for large families in the construction or reconstruction of housing.

    The decision of the head of state provides for the direction of large families for housing construction within one year from the date of registration of those in need. Every year more than 12 thousand large families are provided with housing.

    In 2021, 12.2 thousand large families improved their living conditions with state support. To this end, the state allocated preferential loans in the amount of Br128 million and provided gratuitous targeted subsidies for the construction or reconstruction of housing in the amount of Br342.3 million.

    which significantly save the family budget.

    For example, subsidizing the education system – in kindergartens, parents pay only for the child’s food, and for families with many children, the payment for food is reduced by 50%, for families with two preschool children, the payment is reduced by 30%. At school, all primary school children eat free of charge, older children from large families, from low-income families and then receive free meals.

    Free medical care, sanatorium treatment and rehabilitation of minor children, provision of medicines for children under 3 years of age and disabled children under 18 years of age.

    Parental support is also represented by guarantees in the labor sphere, which are mandatory for all employers and form the key conditions for a comfortable combination of parenthood and work.

    For example, when applying for a job, it is forbidden to refuse a woman to conclude an employment contract or reduce wages on the grounds of pregnancy or having children under the age of 3 years. This rule also applies to single parents with children under the age of 14 and disabled children under the age of 18.

    A number of employment protection guarantees are available for parents on maternity and parental leave up to 3 years of age. For the period of being on these holidays, the employees retain their jobs.

    Moreover, after the end of parental leave, employment protection is provided for the mother or father until the child reaches 5 years of age.

    Parents have a kind of immunity upon dismissal. For example, it is guaranteed not to terminate the employment contract at the initiative of the employer with a pregnant woman, a woman or a single father with a child under the age of 3 years.

    A number of guarantees take into account the potential need of workers with children for additional time off from work. For example, parents raising two children under the age of 16 are given one additional day off per month. Its payment may be provided for in a collective agreement or other local legal act. Parents with three or more children under 16 or a disabled child under 18 are given an additional day off per week, which is paid in the amount of the average daily wage.

    Since 2020, paternity leave has been established at the birth of a child. The employer is obliged to provide such leave at the request of the employee within 6 months after the birth of the child, the duration of the leave is up to 14 days, its payment may be provided for by a collective agreement, a local act of the employer.

    BELTA

    Kazakhstan


    Kazakhstan0076

    “International Children’s Day is a wonderful holiday filled with special joy and warmth. This day once again reminds us all that there is nothing more important in the world than the happiness and smiles of children,” the head of the republic says.

    Creating favorable conditions for the comprehensive development of the younger generation has always been one of the main tasks of Kazakhstan, he noted.

    “We are building cozy kindergartens and modern schools, opening innovation centers, palaces for schoolchildren and sports grounds, launching clubs and sections. As part of the Year of Children, many new useful projects are being implemented, various events are being held aimed at unlocking the potential of each child,” – stated in the presidential address.

    Every year the state will strengthen this area of ​​work, since the well-being of children is the basis for sustainable progress and a bright future for the country.

    “Congratulations to young people of Kazakhstan and all fellow citizens on this wonderful holiday! I wish you all good health and success!” – summed up Tokaev.

    International Children’s Day is celebrated on June 1st. The decision to hold it was made in 1925 at the World Conference in Geneva, dedicated to the welfare of children. For the first time, Children’s Day was held on 1950 in 51 countries of the world.

    Sputnik Kazakhstan

    International Children’s Day is celebrated in Kazakhstan

    Today, June 1, is International Children’s Day. This holiday is designed to draw people’s attention to the problems faced by children.

    It is noteworthy that this year has been declared the Year of Children in Kazakhstan. In his New Year’s address to the people of Kazakhstan, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, noted that the well-being of children is a reliable guarantee of a successful future state.

    “This is not about slogans and festive events, but above all, about specific measures taken by the authorities in the field of health, education, social security in order to protect children. The harmonious development and happy childhood of the younger generation is our national task,” the Head of State said at the time.

    In this regard, the Government has approved an action plan for the Year of Children. It includes an explanation of state policy, an increase in creative, sports and educational sections and circles, the provision of subscriptions to museums and theaters for schoolchildren, the organization of various schools, rallies, competitions, fees, festivals, summer camps, webinars for parents. Also, by the fall, it is planned to introduce the position of a regional commissioner for children’s rights on a voluntary basis and develop proposals for transforming the current system of providing material assistance to students of certain categories. At the same time, screenings and medical examinations will be carried out this year, and reconciliation services will be introduced in educational organizations.

    In turn, Children’s Ombudsman Aruzhan Sain proposes to introduce free school meals and discounted school uniforms. She believes that the reform will provide all schoolchildren, regardless of the income of their parents, with quality food and will positively affect the development of the agricultural sector. Preferential school uniforms will provide children with comfortable and high-quality clothing and develop the light industry.

    According to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, about 6.5 million children aged 0 to 18 live in Kazakhstan. This is almost 33% of the total population, which is 19million 122 thousand people.

    Every year various events are held all over Kazakhstan in honor of the holiday. For example, over 60 events will be held in Nur-Sultan.

    Newborns will be honored in all obstetric blocks of city hospitals in the morning. The festival of children’s creativity and sports “Men bakytty balamyn” will be held in the park “Zhetisu”. The program includes sports games, quests and flash mobs with animators, master classes in arts and crafts and drawing, a concert program and free distribution of ice cream.

    In the park of the capital, a city competition of creative discoveries among children and youth, a “park of crafts” of confectionery skills, patchwork and tambour embroidery, a photo zone, competitions in national sports will be organized.

    In Zheruyik park from 10:00 to 14:00 a festive concert “Hello, summer!” will be held. In the Triathlon Park from 10:00 to 11:00 will fly kites, from 18:00 to 19:00 there will be a show program with animators.

    In the Presidential Park, from 10:00 to 12:00, you can also join the entertainment program with contests.

    Zhastar Park invites guests in the morning to the holiday of fun “Alakai, balakai!”. There will be interactive activities for toddlers and older children: contests for strollers, cyclists, sliders. An open day, a concert program, animators and entertaining games will be waiting for guests in Koktal Park. The DEMALYS PROMENADE alley will host concerts, an exhibition, and a sports festival throughout the day.

    From 1 to 3 June at 18:00 in the Amphitheater on the embankment of the Yesil River, you can attend festive concerts prepared for the International Children’s Day.

    In honor of the festive date in the Almaty region, a grand opening of about ten new yard sites will take place.

    A concert with an exhibition of children’s art, sports games, life-size puppets and animators is organized for residents in the Urker residential area. Similar events are being prepared in Zheleznodorozhny, Industrial, International, Kuigenzhar, and Michurino residential areas.

    Kazinform


    Kyrgyzstan

    The President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov congratulated the people of Kyrgyzstan on International Children’s Day

    According to him, one of the main tasks of a humane society is to respect the rights of the child, protect his life and health. Children are a guarantee of a prosperous and reliable future for the country, Zhaparov said.

    “A child, like no one else, feels defenseless against the realities of the modern world and needs special care. We, adults, have a huge responsibility not only for our children, but also for every child who, for various reasons, was left without parental care, for his life and health, for his future, respect for his rights. We must do everything so that children grow up in an atmosphere of family environment and a sense of care for them, love and understanding,” the head of state promised.

    The President also addressed the parents saying that no matter how reliable the state’s assistance is, the most important thing – love, care and attention – the child receives in a strong, stable and loving family. According to him, the institution of the family plays an important role in the upbringing of the younger generation, in which the future of each child is formed.

    “I would like to wish all parents to educate their children in the spirit of assimilation of high moral standards, family traditions left by their ancestors, as well as a healthy lifestyle, familiarization with the system of common human values. Let the creative heritage and traditions of our ancestors light the way to the future of our children “, the head of state urged.

    He wished the children to grow up smart, honest and kind, to respect their parents and elders.

    Sputnik Kyrgyzstan

    An additional 1.2 billion soms were allocated from the budget to increase benefits for children

    An additional 1.2 billion soms were allocated from the republican budget to increase benefits for children. This was announced by the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Migration Kudybergen Bazarbayev at a festive event dedicated to Children’s Day at the Balykchy Center for the Support and Development of Disabled Children “Shoola Nurluu Baldar”.

    According to him, the increase in benefits for poor children will affect more than 300,000 children across the country.

    “President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov allocated an additional 1 billion 200 million soms to increase benefits for children from low-income families. The increase will affect more than 300 thousand children across the country and work in this direction does not stop. The state’s concern for children is systemic and consistent,” the minister said.

    During the event, the Minister congratulated the pupils of the center and presented gifts

    KNIA “Kabar”


    Moldova

    President M. Sandu: We are obliged to give all children Moldova happy childhood

    On this occasion on this President Sandu posted a message on Facebook, in which she sent congratulations to all children, writes ZDG. md

    “We must give all the children of Moldova a happy childhood. What does it mean? A happy childhood is a safe childhood with a family. Without poverty, violence and fear. It means mom and dad who know how to listen to you when you’re in trouble and know how to cheer you up when the obstacle seems insurmountable. A happy childhood is when you have time for both school and play, and your right to education is secured and guaranteed. So – with kindness, warmth and equal opportunities for development – honest, good-natured, happy people grow, study and train. And these people, in turn, will have happy children,” the head of state said in a statement.

    President Sandu also recalled that the government has developed a child protection program that includes measures to reduce poverty and mitigate the effects of parental migration on children.

    “This is the reality we want in Moldova, which is why the government has developed the National Child Protection Program for 2022-2026, which will be launched today, June 1st. The program includes measures to reduce poverty, zero tolerance for violence, the integration of institutionalized children into families and mitigate the effects of parental migration on children. We must take care of our children, for their own good and for our common future. Congratulations to all children on International Children’s Day! I wish you a happy childhood!” the president said.

    Point.md

    Moldova celebrates International Children’s Day

    “A happy childhood is a life lived in safety with one’s family. Without poverty, violence and fear. It means mom and dad who know how to listen to you when you’re in trouble and know how to cheer you up when the obstacle seems insurmountable. A happy childhood is when you have time for both school and play, and your right to education is secured and guaranteed. So – with kindness, warmth and equal opportunities for development – honest, good-natured, happy people grow, study and train. And these people, in turn, will have happy children,” the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said in a congratulatory message on this occasion.

    Minister of Education and Science Anatolie Topala also sent a message of congratulations, saying: “Our children deserve the best, so we, adults, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, educators and teachers, psychologists, doctors and policemen, state figures, must unite our efforts to offer them all our love and help, but especially quality education, health care, security.

    The Government of Chisinau has developed the National Child Protection Program for 2022-2026, which will be launched today, June 1.

    The program includes measures to reduce poverty, zero tolerance for violence, integrate children into institutionalized families, and mitigate the effects of parental migration on children.

    International Children’s Day is celebrated in the Republic of Moldova every year on June 1 in accordance with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.

    MOLDPRES


    Russia

    In a video message on the occasion of International Children’s Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the idea of ​​creating a unified all-Russian children’s movement “Big Change”

    “I support your initiative on a unified children’s movement,” Putin said addressing the participants festival “Big change”.

    According to the president, the goal of the movement is to create an equal, accessible and interesting environment for development, but how it will be arranged is up to the children themselves.

    He noted that at the festival in Moscow on June 1, for the first time, participants of more than three hundred different children’s and youth movements, projects, volunteer associations and all-Russian ones, such as the Big Change community, the Russian movement of schoolchildren, Yunarmiya, and regional, local, from different cities, territories and regions, as well as from the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics.

    “You are very different, but everyone strives to show their best qualities in practice, already now you are trying to really benefit our country, your Motherland. And it’s great that thanks to the festival you can get to know each other, see how much you have in common to learn something new,” Putin noted.

    In general, according to him, the Big Change festival is “not just a bright, colorful holiday”, but a space aimed at helping the younger generation to find and fully reveal their talents, abilities, decide on a future profession, get support for creative, environmental, volunteer, scientific or entrepreneurial ideas. “Increasingly, it is you yourself, schoolchildren, young people, who become co-authors, initiators of projects that unite your peers,” the president concluded.

    TASS

    Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko: children’s safety and health remain priorities in Russia’s social policy

    Harmonious and comprehensive development, safety and health of children have been and remain in the focus of attention of the Russian authorities. This was stated by the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.

    “Strengthening the institution of the family, protecting motherhood and childhood, safety of life, health and rights of children, their comprehensive and harmonious development are the key vectors of Russian social policy, the priorities of which do not change under any circumstances. These issues are in the focus of attention of federal and regional authorities,” the speaker of the Federation Council said in a congratulatory address, distributed on Wednesday by the press service, on the occasion of International Children’s Day.

    Matvienko added that the national and federal projects “Demography”, “Education”, “Health”, “Culture”, “Modern School”, “Success of every child”, “Digital educational environment”, the program ” Decade of Childhood. “But whatever help and support from the state, the most important thing – love and care – the child receives at home, in the circle of relatives,” she stressed.

    According to Matvienko, the holiday is meant to remind that children are the pride and future of Russia, “and ensuring the well-being of the younger generation is a guarantee and guarantor of the state’s prosperity.” “Today, only the country where educated, spiritually and morally rich, conscious of their dignity citizens live can be competitive,” the chairman of the upper house of parliament said.

    Matvienko wished everyone good hopes, peace, happiness and mutual understanding.

    TASS


    Tajikistan

    Information agency “Khovar” tells how children live in Tajikistan

    Today Tajikistan celebrates International Children’s Day. This is one of the oldest international holidays, it has been celebrated all over the world since 1950. The decision to hold it was taken by the Women’s International Democratic Federation at a special session on November 1949 years old. The UN supported this initiative and declared the protection of the rights, life and health of children one of the priorities of its activities. The name of the holiday suggests that it is a kind of reminder to adults about the need to respect the rights of children to life, freedom, opinion, religion, education, recreation and leisure, protection from physical and psychological violence, from the exploitation of child labor. We decided to find out how these and other rights of children are respected in Tajikistan.

    Children are our future. How they grow and how they will govern our society into the future is up to us adults. Each of us must always remember this. That is, we must prepare children for independent living. This was stated several years ago during his speech on the International Children’s Day by the Founder of Peace and National Unity – the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. The Head of State spoke about this more than once in other speeches and speeches dedicated to our children.

    According to the Leader of the Nation, “in some states of Asia and Africa, children live under the threat of hunger, illiteracy, armed clashes, epidemics and serious illnesses. Child mortality in these countries is twice as high as in advanced countries, more than 140 million children, of which a significant proportion of girls, are deprived of the opportunity to attend pre-school and school institutions. Given the importance of this problem, from the first days of state independence, we have joined the Convention on the Protection of Children, the World Labor Organization Convention on the Elimination of Severe Forms of Child Labor, recognizing other international documents, and brought the relevant legal documents in accordance with international standards.

    It is worth noting that the Commission on the Rights of the Child was established under the Government of Tajikistan, the country adopted the National Program for the Protection of Children and Their Interests for 2003-2010, the national strategy for the health of children and adolescents for the period up to 2015.

    “A developed society is assessed according to certain standards, among which is the attitude in society towards the least protected sections of the population – children, orphans, the disabled, the elderly. Hence, only through the joint efforts of state structures, public organizations and every citizen of the country, it is possible to ensure a happy and peaceful life for children,” said the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon.

    By the way, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Tajikistan has also joined, clearly describes the rights of children, a child is defined as a human being up to the age of 18. At the same time, for each individual age for parents, their own conditions are dictated.

    Last year, a team of employees of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan launched a national study on adolescents and youth, which will be completed this year. It was the first attempt at a systematic assessment of the needs and needs of adolescents from 10 to 19years.

    The study provides positive statistics on families in which teenagers are brought up.

    In Tajikistan, 87.6% of adolescents live in two-parent families, 7.8% live with one of their parents, and only 4.3% live with relatives. Moreover, in rural areas this statistic reaches almost 90%. A friendly and complete family is a guarantee that children are brought up in favorable conditions.

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Education for People and Planet: Building a Sustainable Future for All, states that if social development is seen as a right to a healthy and fulfilling life, it is clear that education is it is a powerful engine and a key aspect of social development. Whether education is seen as the knowledge and skills that young people acquire in school or the infrastructure that can be used for activities, it is a key enabler for people to lead healthy lives and improve the lives of their children.

    According to a UN report, in 2014, 265 million children, adolescents and young people worldwide were not in school. 758 million adults, 114 million of whom are between the ages of 15 and 24, could not read or write a simple sentence, about two-thirds of them women. More than half of out-of-school children live in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that 50% of out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-affected areas.

    It should be noted that Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to provide inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    Tajikistan is one of the steadily developing states and takes all necessary measures to ensure that the population is more educated. What does the statistics show?

    According to a study by the Center for Contemporary Art in Tajikistan, 97% of adolescents in the country have access to education in educational institutions, and 44% attend various extracurricular activities in addition to school. 94% of children plan to continue their studies after the 9th grade.

    Tajik researchers also found out the aspirations and motivations of our children. It turned out that 73% of children plan to graduate from secondary general education institutions and enter higher educational institutions, 9.2% of the respondents, after graduating from the 11th grade, want to get an education in colleges of the republic.

    It is gratifying that today’s youth, according to the study, do not see their future in migration, only 0.4% of Tajik teenagers want to leave for migration after finishing school.

    Quite interesting statistics are given regarding the professions that Tajik children want to get. In the first place is the field of medicine, followed by pedagogy, law enforcement agencies took the third position. Then come the civil service, the service sector and information technology.

    As the study shows, 51% of Tajik children see absolutely no obstacles on the way to their dreams. Only 29% of adolescents believe that financial problems prevent them from achieving their desired goal, and 16% believe that the place of residence (a remote village or a small town) is an obstacle. Only 5% believe that the lack of support from family or others does not allow them to achieve their dreams.

    Speaking about the achievement of dreams, it is worth noting that the vast majority of children in Tajikistan have dreams and only 2.2% do not have or cannot formulate.

    “The knowledge gained is sufficient to achieve the goal,” the study notes, and this indicates that, in general, children are satisfied with the knowledge they receive

    Of course, not all the figures given in the study are positive. For example, 85.7% of adolescents do not know any of the rights of the child.

    In order for young people to be able to competently exercise their rights, it is necessary to educate children gradually. The rights to life, service while they are small, education, rest and many others, of course, are observed by parents, but are not made public.

    Probably, parents should pay more attention to this issue, but it should not be overdone. There are “pitfalls” here. After all, knowing your rights is one thing, another thing is that you still need to be able to use them, while you must always remember about the rights of other people. In many European countries, knowledge of the laws is associated with a liberal upbringing, which sometimes parents cannot regulate. According to psychologist Maryam Davlatova, knowledge of the world and laws should be dosed like a meal. “After all, parents don’t give meat to a newborn. Food changes with age. So the laws must be presented correctly. In many countries, parents suffer from a liberal upbringing that threatens to spoil them. I am a supporter of traditional education, in which children value and respect their parents, ”the expert believes.

    Researchers of the Center for Contemporary Art of Tajikistan touched upon issues related to the integration of children in family affairs. As it turned out, 80% of urban children take part in family affairs or in all cases, 22% take part in almost all decisions of the family, and only 17% do it sometimes. 87% of urban children trust their parents and feel supported by them, in particular, they discuss studies with family members, and 76% also discuss extracurricular issues.

    According to the Tajik psychologist Maryam Davlatova, in making certain decisions everything depends on the situation. Children certainly have the right and should be involved in decisions that affect them. You should always take into account the desire of the child. The family must consider and respect the needs of the child. Schoolchildren, of course, have different needs than small children, and sometimes concern the whole family. If a teenager does not go well at school or has problems with peers, this will somehow affect family relationships, so the wishes of children should always be taken into account.

    There are families who think that wanting a child is a whim. This is a fundamentally wrong opinion. At whatever age a child is, it is a person with his own needs and opinions. And there are families where the child has the right to vote, and this is very correct. Because in this case, children will grow up and know what respect is and in the future they can make mature decisions not only for themselves, but also for their homeland. Respect for the opinions of children develops personal qualities. I would like to note that the level of trust between parents and children should be one hundred percent.

    The words that a child who endures fewer insults grows up as a person who is more aware of his dignity belong to the Russian writer Nikolai Chernyshevsky, which all parents should heed, because what we sow is what we reap.

    Another statistical data, which is given in the Tajikistan Demographic and Health Survey for 2017 of the Agency on Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, shows that no matter how parents love their children, cruel upbringing and aggression take place. “65% of children experience psychological aggression such as yelling and name-calling,” the study notes.

    I would like to quote the words of another Russian writer Anton Chekhov: “Children are holy and pure. You can’t make them a toy of your mood.” Let’s love and take care of our children more, because, according to A. Dehoti, they are the flowers of life, the nightingales of the garden of knowledge.

    NIAT “Khovar”


    Turkmenistan0076

    To the children and people of independent neutral Turkmenistan

    My dear people!

    Happy children of our powerful state!

    I heartily congratulate you on the International Children’s Day, which is widely celebrated in independent neutral Turkmenistan together with the entire world community on the first day of summer! I am firmly convinced that the song and music celebrations held in honor of this international holiday, creative exhibitions and competitions, fun and interesting events will increase our dear children – the bright future of the Motherland, the whole people, boundless pride in the successes achieved by our sovereign country!

    Happy children are the heritage of the Motherland. The constructive initiatives we are implementing are aimed at ensuring a prosperous future for cheerful children – our pride. Therefore, following a good tradition, in the year of the “Era of the people with Arkadag” on the occasion of the International Children’s Day, festive celebrations are held throughout the country. The voices and fervent laughter of a happy young generation ring joyfully, inspired songs and melodies glorifying independence, the permanent neutrality of the Motherland, our prosperous life, peace and friendship.

    In children’s health centers in the beautiful Gökdere Gorge, in the world-famous Avaza National Tourist Zone, in the velayats of our beloved Motherland – the land of happy childhood, the time of summer holidays begins. The events of this wonderful international holiday, marking the triumph of the creative spirit of the Revival of a new era of a powerful state, instill in our dear children great pride in their Fatherland, which is a clear evidence of the effective implementation of state policy aimed at creating conditions for the young generation to receive modern upbringing and education, for their interesting and informative leisure, good rest.

    Dear compatriots!

    The sources of happiness and well-being of every country are in caring for the younger generation. In this regard, in accordance with the tasks outlined in the Program “Revival of a new era of a powerful state: the National program for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052”, the activities of educational institutions will be improved in order to form healthy, hardworking, patriotic generations, their upbringing , education, strengthening of physical and spiritual health, development of individual abilities of children from an early age. The construction of kindergartens and secondary schools fully equipped in accordance with international standards will continue.

    Ensuring social protection of citizens, especially children, is the main task in the context of the comprehensive development of society and the state. In this regard, we attach particular importance to family support, maternal and child health, and consistent improvement of the legal framework in this area. Following the principles of humanism, support for those in need, the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship surrounds with great care children and adolescents left without parental care or guardians, works to create favorable conditions for their all-round harmonious development, worthy and full participation in the life of society, ensuring the happy life of children and the formation of developed personalities.

    My native people!

    Our state has joined a number of important UN documents on the protection of the rights of women, mothers and children. In this direction, we are actively cooperating with a specialized division of the UN – the Children’s Fund, successfully implementing joint programs, strategies and plans. In order to protect the rights of children and mothers, the Halk Maslakhaty and the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan carry out program activities to modernize national legislation and expand interstate cooperation. This broad international cooperation is carried out not only in the national interests, but also in the interests of the world community, for the purposes of world peace, security and prosperity.

    My native people!

    Happy children of a mighty state!

    Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on the International Children’s Day!

    I wish you good health, longevity, happy and prosperous life, great success in your work to ensure the prosperity of our beloved Motherland!

    TDH

    Animation festival dedicated to Children’s Day will be held in Turkmenistan

    Animation festival dedicated to the International Children’s Day will be held in the concert hall “Turkmenistan”. This was reported on the official website of the Turkmen television Turkmen TV.

    The screening will take place on June 1 at 10:30 (admission is free) with the support of the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography.

    In addition to watching cartoons, the show program will include entertaining games with animators, interactive contests and special gifts for the most active festival participants.

    Turkmenportal


    Uzbekistan

    Tashkent hosts the Caravan of Miracles festival dedicated to International Children’s Day

    Today, in connection with the International Children’s Day, the Tashkent shopping and entertainment complex “Next” hosts the festival “Caravan of Miracles”, a Dunyo news agency correspondent reports.

    According to the portal “Uzbekistan.travel”, the organizers of the festival are the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, TRC Next and other partners.

    The main goal of the festival is to reveal and support the creative abilities of children.

    The festival program will include a number of events, including charity events, concerts, exhibitions, children’s yoga and zumba, as well as the ice show “Caravan of Miracles” with the participation of the youth figure skating team of Uzbekistan.

    As part of the “Shop of Joy” campaign, those who wish will be able to donate children’s books and soft toys. Funds and NGOs of Uzbekistan specializing in children’s charity will be presented at the event. The culmination of the festival promises to be a big musical celebration – a show concert from the vocal and pop group “Tantana”.

    The festival will end with fireworks.

    Admission to the event is free.

    Today, also in connection with the International Children’s Day, the National Puppet Festival will be organized in the Tashkent park “Navruz”.

    IA “Dunyo” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan

    Tags:

    Youth

    Read the news of the CIS Executive Committee in Telegram and Google News

    June 1 – International Children’s Day generation of true patriots of Russia

    Chairman of the Moscow City Duma Alexei Shaposhnikov, faction of the United Russia party:

    “Childhood is the best time in a person’s life. Children give meaning to everything we do. Love, kindness, attention, respect, protection, a strong family – this is a carefree childhood happiness. It is from us, adults, that the fate of each child depends.

    Moscow creates all the conditions for the support and development of its little residents. For our children, inquisitive, talented, energetic, new educational, sports institutions, technology parks are opening in the capital, a safe comfortable space for recreation and development is being created. There are programs to support gifted children, programs to assist families in difficult life situations. The health of young Muscovites is guarded by the best doctors and the most advanced achievements.

    We strive to ensure that our children grow up to be educated, skillful, creative people, true patriots of Russia – honest, hardworking, strong and courageous.

    Take care of your children, appreciate every minute spent next to your child! With all my heart I wish every family love and understanding, happiness and health!”

    Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Duma, head of the faction of the United Russia party in the Moscow City Duma Stepan Orlov:

    “Childhood is an amazing time in the life of every person: a huge and beautiful world is full of bright colors, there are many roads ahead, and it seems that any dream is easy to reach with your hand!

    Children have always been and remain our greatest hope. It depends on us adults how they grow up. Every child deserves the right to happiness. Therefore, we must surround them with care, love and attention.

    This holiday is a reminder that we are responsible for the life, health and destiny of the young generation. I sincerely congratulate all Muscovites on Children’s Day! I wish you joy and happiness, smiles and laughter, a good summer and interesting, productive holidays!”

    Representative of the Moscow City Duma in the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy, Deputy Head of the United Russia faction in the Moscow City Duma Inna Svyatenko:

    “Children are the future of our multinational country. All of us were once children, and now we are obliged to create all the conditions for the younger generation to grow up in an atmosphere of love and kindness, mutual understanding and respect. Helping children to believe in themselves, giving them the opportunity to fully develop and realize their talents, to introduce children to important knowledge and true moral values ​​is a priority task for the state and society.

    Thanks to everyone who takes care of children, educates them in love, teaches kindness and justice, supports the desire for knowledge and helps to learn about the world.”

    Chairman of the Moscow State Duma Commission on Economic and Social Policy Lyudmila Guseva, faction of the United Russia party:

    “The first day of summer in many countries is traditionally dedicated to children. And International Children’s Day is one of the oldest world holidays. Back in 1925, at the World Conference in Geneva, it was decided to draw attention to the issue of the well-being of children.

    This day is a great reminder to us adults that we must do everything in our power to ensure that children live in a comfortable and safe environment, so that they develop, learn, explore the world and find their place in it.

    The future of any country is children. They are the most valuable thing we have! Let’s be more attentive to the children who live nearby. I wish you all good health, peace, kindness and mutual understanding!”

    Chairman of the commission of the Moscow State Duma on culture and mass communications Evgeniy Gerasimov , faction of the United Russia party:

    “I would like to congratulate all children and their parents on International Children’s Day! Childhood is the best, magical and carefree time, which must be happy, because all children have the right to happiness from birth.

    I want to wish every child to be healthy, loved and surrounded by the care of parents. And I want to wish my parents strength, patience and wisdom to raise worthy, courageous and purposeful people. Happy Holidays!

    Chairman of the Moscow State Duma Commission on Health and Public Health Larisa Kartavtseva, United Russia faction:

    “For all of us, children are sincerity and spontaneity, purity and open hearts, they are the embodiment of our hopes and the most important in life. Today’s holiday once again reminds us of our serious responsibility for the upbringing of the younger generation.

    It is important to take care of the health of children, their education, that the happiest time in life should be under reliable protection. Thanks to those who have devoted themselves to children, who work for their well-being, who do everything to make our children smile more often! Happy International Children’s Day!

    Help.

    International Children’s Day has been celebrated since 1950. The decision to hold it was taken by the Women’s International Democratic Federation at a special session in November 1949, but the idea was first voiced back in 1925 at the World Conference in Geneva on the welfare of children. The first and main international legal document in which the rights of the child were considered at the level of international law was the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN on November 20, 1989 years, which was signed by 61 countries. On July 13, 1990, the Convention was ratified by the USSR.

    June 1 – International Children’s Day

    International Children’s Day is celebrated annually in more than 30 countries and is one of the oldest international holidays. The decision to hold it was made in 1925 at the World Conference in Geneva, dedicated to the welfare of children. For the first time, Children’s Day was held in 1950 in 51 countries around the world. The UN supported this initiative and declared the protection of the rights, life and health of children one of the priorities of its activities.

    The main goal of Children’s Day is to draw public attention to real children’s problems. This idea is directly present in the name of the holiday.

    All children’s rights and freedoms are reflected in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1959. It proclaims the equal rights of children in the field of upbringing, education, social security, physical and spiritual development, regardless of skin color, nationality, social origin, property status, etc. The Declaration calls on parents, public organizations, governments to recognize the rights of children and promote their implementation.

    History is silent about why it was decided to celebrate this children’s holiday on June 1st. According to one version, in 1925, the Consul General of China in San Francisco gathered a group of Chinese orphans and arranged for them to celebrate the Duan Wu Jie (Dragon Boat Festival), the date of which just fell on June 1. Luckily, this day coincided with the time of the “children’s” conference in Geneva.

    After the end of the Second World War, when the problems of maintaining the health and well-being of children were more relevant than ever, at 19In 1949, a congress of women was held in Paris, at which an oath was made to fight for a lasting peace, as the only guarantee for the happiness of children. And in the same year, at the Moscow session of the Council of the International Democratic Women’s Federation, in accordance with the decisions of its 2nd Congress, today’s holiday was established. And a year later, in 1950, on June 1, the first International Children’s Day was held, after which this holiday is held annually.

    International Children’s Day has a flag. On a green background, symbolizing growth, harmony, freshness and fertility, stylized figures are placed around the sign of the Earth – red, yellow, blue, white and black. These human figures symbolize diversity and tolerance. The sign of the Earth, placed in the center, is a symbol of our common home.

    Children in different countries face different challenges. Thus, in Europe and America, the negative impact of television and the Internet is considered a big problem. But in the countries of Africa and Asia, children are threatened by hunger, AIDS, military conflicts and illiteracy. Children are dying there from a lack of doctors and medicines. Not surprisingly, in such countries, the infant mortality rate is many times higher. In addition, they do not receive the necessary education due to the lack of educational institutions. In some countries, children are used as free labor and even sold into slavery.

    Unfortunately, the health of children in Russia is deteriorating. All this is due to poor environmental conditions, as well as malnutrition, a lot of stress in the modern world. Over the past decade, the number of children suffering from various mental disorders has increased significantly. Among children and adolescents, cases of aggression, vandalism and suicide have become more frequent.

    It is no secret that children in our country get used to smoking very early, start using alcoholic beverages and drugs. The number of juvenile drug addicts is constantly growing.

    The problem of abandoned children and orphans is very acute for many countries today. Our country is no exception. Our orphanages are overcrowded, children are abandoned, and parents are often deprived of parental rights because of their antisocial lifestyle – drunkenness, drug addiction, etc. Not all children know what life is like in a normal complete family, when there is a mom and dad who sincerely love you.

    The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare pays special attention to the issues of creating a favorable environment for children, providing children with high-quality and safe food and children’s products. One of the most important are the issues of catering for students in educational institutions, since they are directly related to maintaining the health of children and adolescents.

    Rospotrebnadzor is carrying out a large-scale work to update the normative documents regulating sanitary and epidemiological requirements in the field of childhood. New sanitary and epidemiological requirements have been developed and implemented for preschool educational organizations, preschool groups located in residential premises of the housing stock, organizations of additional education. The requirements for the conditions and organization of training in educational institutions have been updated. Sanitary and epidemiological rules and regulations for tent camps, SanPiNs for stationary organizations for recreation and health improvement of children, requirements for the transportation of children by rail have been developed and implemented. Rospotrebnadzor specialists, together with experts from the Association of Children’s Goods Industry Enterprises, advise consumers on the quality and safety of children’s clothing, footwear, toys, as well as current regulatory hygiene requirements for this category of goods.

    UNICEF Charitable Foundation

    There are charitable foundations around the world that carry out various actions aimed at improving the lives of children. They raise funds to help lonely children around the world. After all, every child has the right to a happy childhood. UNICEF is such a fund.

    It was created in 1946. The main purpose of its creation was to help children who suffered during the Second World War. From 19For 53 years, this organization began to provide charitable assistance to children around the world who find themselves in a difficult life situation. Particular attention is paid to children from disadvantaged and developing countries. She has been working in Russia since 1997. It should be noted that this organization in terms of funding is completely dependent only on voluntary donations.

    The actions of modern government agencies are aimed at improving the situation with children around the world. Thus, thanks to the active and successful activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the children’s situation has significantly improved over the past ten years, 100,000 children’s lives have been saved, and millions of children have been able to have a decent childhood.

    We must clearly understand that with the opening of each new school, children’s clinic, hospital, orphanage, the future of the entire planet is being built.

    Holiday traditions June 1 – Children’s Day

    June 1 – Children’s Day, various entertainment events for children are organized on this day.

    The slogan of the Children’s Day events is “Let’s protect the right to life”.

    Charitable actions around the world are aimed at improving the lives of children. With their help, funds are raised to help lonely children around the world, to help them gain at least a little of what they were deprived of at birth or during the years of their still short life. After all, absolutely every child has the legal right to a happy childhood, and this right is the same for all children. It is necessary to show your own child how much his parents love him, it is even more important to tell that not all children live happily, and together with him to take part in some kind of charity event, donate clothes, books and toys to the orphanage. And, most importantly, you need to teach your own child not only to be happy, but also to make those around you happy.

    Children rely on us, they completely and completely trust us, they need us and cannot live without us. Let’s not disappoint their children’s hopes, but help them to be happier and more loved.

    Interesting facts

    1. In some countries, the moment a baby is born is not considered his date of birth. For example, in Korea, the nine months that he lived in the womb are added to the age of the child. In India, the day of conception is the starting point of a child’s life.

    2. In some countries of the world Children’s Day is not celebrated on June 1st. There are states where it was decided to arrange a holiday for children on November 20 – the day the Convention on the Rights of the Child was approved.

    3. In the Seychelles, people celebrate Child Protection Month, not a day.

    Children’s Day is celebrated on June 1 in many countries around the world

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    June 1 is celebrated in many countries around the world Children’s Day . It was established in 1949 in Paris by the decision of the congress of the International Democratic Federation of Women.

    PHOTO: PIXABAY.COM

    Since 1950, this holiday has been celebrated annually, including in Russia. This day is an occasion to remind society of the need to observe and respect the rights of the child. Nowadays, children around the world are often exposed to various dangers. In some countries of the world, they die before their fifth birthday, and most of the grown-up children remain illiterate, many are threatened with starvation. But even in many more prosperous countries, children often become victims of the aggressive behavior of adults.

    In Russia, the rights of children are protected by the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of the Rights of the Child in the Russian Federation”. It establishes the basic guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of the child, provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation. And in 2009, the institution of the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights under the President of the Russian Federation was established in Russia. There is also a system of guardianship and guardianship authorities. And, of course, on this day in our country, many organizations hold a variety of festive events for children.

    Also in Russia June 1 is celebrated Day of the Northern Fleet Russian Navy. It was established by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy in 1996. Such a date for the holiday was chosen because it was on June 1, 1933 that the Northern Naval Flotilla was created in the USSR, which in May 1937 was transformed into the Northern Fleet.

    But since the 15th century, the White and Barents Seas have played an important role for the Russian merchant fleet. On March 26, 1733, the Arkhangelsk military port was created. And in June 1899 years, the official opening of the city of Aleksandrovsk (now – Polyarny), located at the Ekaterininsky harbor. The water area of ​​the Ekaterininskaya harbor was one of the base areas for the ships of the flotilla of the Arctic Ocean.

    During the Great Patriotic War, the fleet reliably covered the coastal flank of the 14th Army from landings and shelling of enemy ships, and also protected its sea communications and disrupted the enemy’s transport transportation with continuous attacks on enemy communications. By the end of the war, the fleet had significantly increased its forces.

    In recent years, the sailors of the Northern Fleet, among other things, continue to actively develop and study the Arctic. The fleet is doing a huge oceanographic and research work here. Its main purpose is to protect the national interests of Russia in the Arctic direction, as well as in other areas of the World Ocean within the established limits of responsibility.

    The basis of the Northern Fleet is nuclear missile and torpedo submarines, missile-carrying and anti-submarine aviation, missile, aircraft-carrying and anti-submarine ships. The main base of the fleet is the city of Severomorsk.

    According to the national calendar June 1 – Ivan Dolgy . The Orthodox Church on this day honors the memory of St. John, Bishop of Goth. The peasants called him long because at that time there was already a lot of work in the field, they worked from morning to evening.

    Our ancestors noticed that if it rains that day, then the weather will be dry for a long time. However, the rain on Ivan foreshadowed a good harvest of rye. And the fogs promised that there would be many mushrooms in the forest.

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    Kids r kids herrington: KIDS ‘R’ KIDS LEARNING ACADEMY OF LAWRENCEVILLE – 16 Photos & 11 Reviews – Preschools – 1122 Herrington Rd, Lawrenceville, GA – Phone Number

    Опубликовано: June 29, 2020 в 11:12 am

    Автор:

    Категории: Kid

    Kids ‘R’ Kids #36 | Preschool

    Kids ‘R’ Kids is a locally owned and operated franchise. We are very proud to provide the most innovative facilities and effective educational programs for children 6 weeks through 14 years of age.

    Our sincere love for children and strong belief that they should have a solid foundation, in combination with Kids ‘R’ Kids, the absolute leader in its industry, make the perfect choice for your family’s childcare needs. Our center consists of two buildings. Our preschool building is approximately 14,000 square feet with 11 classroom suites and a cafeteria. Our Activity Center for school age children has 3 classrooms, a cafeteria, an indoor gymnasium and a video arcade room. We have 6 large play areas separated for different age groups.

    At Kids ‘R’ Kids we share a common desire with parents, which is to provide the absolute best for the children. Our high quality teachers, creative and fun educational programs and of course our state of the art facility make us stand high above our competitors.

    Please read through our information, if you have any additional questions feel free to contact us.

    We love children and are dedicated to making our school a great success. Our door is always open for parents to come and discuss their needs, ask questions, give suggestions and comments. We encourage you to come take a tour and meet the staff. We are confident that you will agree with us that this is the best environment for your child!

    Services Provided: Accepts Subsidies, Transport to/from School, Summer Care, CACFP/SFSP


    Child Ages:
    6 weeks – 14 years
    Licenses & Accreditations:
    Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
    Vouchers:
    This provider accepts vouchers
    Preschool:
    Yes
    Hours of Operation:
    Months of Operation: Year Round
    Days of Operation: M-F
    Hours of Operation: 6:15 AM – 6:30 PM

    Our theme based, age appropriate curriculum in combination with our uniquely designed learning centers enable your child to master Core Components needed for early development. The Kids R Kids curriculum provides teachers with themes and sample lesson plans. According to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), a child has five core components of development: socio-emotional, language, cognitive, physical, and aesthetic.

    For the youngest children (infants and one-year-olds), the Active Learning Series, a well-known curriculum, has proven to be a successful learning tool. All activities are age appropriate and assist in achieving developmental milestones. Activities are carefully chosen to meet the needs of each child. In order for parents to extend learning in the home, daily activities are posted in the classroom for review. Sign language is introduced at this level to help children communicate their needs as they work toward developing their verbal skills. In our clean, child-centered environment, each child is given plenty of attention, thus promoting ultimate mental and physical growth.

    For our preschoolers, ages 2 – 4, Kids R Kids offers a core curriculum comprised of weekly units that support and extend monthly themes. Each unit is filled with activities designed to meet the needs of all types of learners. Daily group times and enrichments are designed to expand a childs vocabulary and knowledge of the world around them. Various activities at each learning station support the theme based lesson. Kids R Kids also enriches its curriculum through music, which is professionally written and recorded to reinforce concepts. In addition to the core units, supplemental units are provided on a quarterly basis. Weekly lesson plans are posted to keep parents informed about their childs learning experience at Kids R Kids.

    Children attending kindergarten through fifth grade benefit from a variety of curriculum materials written especially for after school hours, holiday breaks and summer camp. Each month, idea calendars, with relevant daily activities, are provided. These calendars encourage children to initiate activities with the support of the teacher. They are designed to be open-ended to inspire children to use their creativity while exploring the topic. During school breaks, weeklong, theme-based units are supplied. These include group time topics, art activities, and suggestions to enrich classroom zones. Time spent in the Nova, Media, Discovery, Construction, and Open Air Zones provide children with the opportunity to explore themes in a wide variety of ways. Each summer, campers participate in a ten-week super summer adventure. Children involved in the Kids R Kids Summer Program have the opportunity to take a virtual vacation to many fascinating places while learning fun facts and interesting information about our country and the world.

    By providing an educational environment, Kids R Kids is able to implement learning objectives supported by national teacher organizations. By creating a warm, loving atmosphere, Kids R Kids is able to support learning in a safe setting, inspiring children to become life-long learners.

    Kids R Kids 1122 Herrington Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044

    Kids R Kids 1122 Herrington Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 – YP. com

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