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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

In so many school districts across the country, state tests and requirements are being pushed on the children. While these guidelines might result in higher test scores, they do not necessarily contribute to higher levels of learning. Whether you are a teacher or parent who wants to help your children learn, what are some ways you can do so in innovative and imaginative ways?

Field Trips

Since field trips are appropriate in both the school and home environment, this is a suggestion with a variety of possibilities. For example, taking your children to the zoo and talking to them about the animals can be much more intriguing than simply staring at them in a book. You could go to nature sites, arboretums, museums and historical places in the community.

Science Lab at Home

Perhaps your children have ideas about specific topics they would like to explore, but they don’t really get the chance to do so in their classrooms. You could set up a science lab at home by purchasing some beakers, slides and a monocular compound microscope. Many stores sell books that contain directions for science projects that can be done at home. Be sure to note when supervision is needed.

Cooking and Baking for Math

Parents who are able to bring educational activities into day-to-day happenings really give their children a chance to see the applications of learning. Allow your little ones to prepare dinner and to bake some delicious treats with you. Since they are going to be helping you out, this is the perfect time to teach them about measurements. Let them do the measuring, and explain how the recipe could be ruined if directions aren’t followed.

Stage a Play

Literature is a major part of an educational experience, and it generally remains so throughout a child’s entire learning career. To ensure that your children are understanding what they read, have them act out plays. They can be the directors, actors, stage-hands and costume designers. Little ones will love to perform a play for you and the rest of your family.

Art Time

When you really want your kids to be imaginative, you’ll provide a variety of art tools for them to employ. Try to set aside a certain amount of time every day or every other day when they can paint pictures, model with clay, practice their sewing or create a drawing. You can work to incorporate art into lessons as well.

All of these ideas help children to express themselves and see the creativity in learning. Furthermore, they work well in both the classroom and home settings.