Tips To Help Children With Homework

There is a good reason why children “seem to grow so much in the summer”!!!!!
Ever hear that from your child’s teacher??!!!.  It is not a fluke!   In the summer children
typically have many opportunities to play outdoors and  use their full bodies at  playgrounds, swimming,  biking, etc.   Want to know something interesting?  Science has discovered that the energy vibration of the earth is the same as our body!!!  It is  one reason why we tend to “feel better” when we are outside!!!  What science also tells us is that not only does movement and play develop children physically, but the brain’s functioning advances amazingly from physical activities that move the whole body.  This happens through the powerful impact of  information from touch and movement on the brain! Summers in Wisconsin/ Minnesota were meant for supporting children’s
growth!!!  
 
But oh no!!!  Winter is upon us!   Keep in mind that your children can continue to have
the benefit from movement year round!   It will help them academically and physically.
Beware of the trap of Gameboys and computer programs!!   These can be very addicitive and  can get in the way of social contact and physical activity.
 
Some tips to help children be the best they can be year round!!!
 
Children need to play outside and use their bodies! 
They have been sitting for long periods of time at school……When they get home from school—let the fun begin!  Free time outside is a great way to stimulate development!
 
Also be sure to do some type of physical activity before the homework begins.  They will get their homework done much quicker! If outdoors is not an option look for yoga classes, YMCA activities, open swim at your local school, dance classes, etc. 
 
Family wrestling can be great fun.   Each child has a home base chair or couch.   To start, everyone must say “start”.  Anyone at anytime can say “stop”.   When you hear “stop”, the task is to get back to your chair as fast as you can!   Wrestling must be done on knees or crawling or rolling around.   Place a bunch of pillows in the middle of the room!   And have fun!!!

Tips to help children study or do homework:

1. Be sure they have physical activity afterschool.  Time outside is ideal.  Free time to just play can really re-charge a child’s brain from a day of structure.  Self directed play is a great way to work the creativity parts of the brain!

2. Have snacks available during study time.  Things to chew, suck, and crunch  actually help the brain pay attention, focus, and learn.

3. Do memory tasks while a child does rhythmic movement (i.e. sitting on a ball and bouncing what they spell a word or learn math, can also be done by jumping while they spell or recite math).  Rhythm lays down memory faster!!!

4. Try purchasing the Me-Moves DVD!   Have the family do one set of the exercises on the DVD---it very quickly calms everyone down and gets the brain ready to learn.  Good for preschool through high school!!!!!

5. Some children need absolute quiet to concentrate.  Other children really benefit from playing music with consistent beat.  Ideas:  Baroque for Modulation (from Vital Sounds), Sacred Earth Drums (by Gordon—purchase at Barnes and Nobles), Calming Rhythms (played at soft volume--from https://www.stronginstitute.com/).

 And remember your child has been working hard all day!