kinder Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Early Learning Childhood Education

28/07/201428/07/2014

Engaging Multiple Intelligences

When it comes to education at any level, we often see great emphasis placed on two areas of intelligence – verbal or English and maths. Intelligence quotient (IQ) tests and many academic tests predominantly measure aptitude in these areas. While we believe in the importance of these areas, we are also passionate about the idea of each person having multiple intelligences’ and that each one of these areas should be nurtured in early childhood education and beyond.

The term ‘multiple intelligences’ refers to a theory by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, who proposed that there are eight kinds of intelligence and of course we each possess skills within these. The eight areas Dr Gardner identified are:

Musical – a great understanding of music and often enjoy singing or tapping away
Linguistic – talented when it comes to words. These children may enjoy reading, writing and telling stories
Logical-mathematical – ability in maths and patterns. Skilled in strategy games
Bodily-kinesthetic – great physical ability when it comes to sports and expressing oneself physically
Spatial – often think visually and have well-developed artistic ability
Intrapersonal – understanding of their own emotions and desires with the ability to be self-motivated
Interpersonal – perceptive and leaders among peers with exceptional communication skills and ability to understand the feelings of others
Naturalist – a natural aptitude for recognising and classifying elements in nature, from animals to plants

Here are some really great links that offer comprehensive information on how to identify where one’s strengths lie when it comes to these seven areas, as well as supporting and opposing theories and the eights type of intelligence that Dr Gardner later identified: ‘naturalist’, referring to an ability to recognise elements in nature.

LINKS:
http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/multiple_intelligences/
http://www.examiner.com/article/what-are-multiple-intelligences
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=251
http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As you can see, each child can fit into many of these intelligence categories to varying degrees. This broader view of intelligence equips educators and parents alike with the ability to teach in a way that can enhance these areas and allow children to blossom in the areas they are naturally destined to excel in.

Visit the Bonkers Beat Facebook page and share your ideas when it comes to educational techniques that focus one or more particular areas – we’d love to hear from you.

14/07/201414/07/2014

Grandparents & Special Friends Day Celebrations

With Mothers Day in May and Fathers Day in September, at Bonkers Beat we have always found July to be the perfect time to host Grandparents Day.

The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can be varied – some are very close and play a huge role in children’s every day lives, while others may not be as close and perhaps even live quite far away or are no longer with us. Whatever the case may be, the grandparent role is very important in children’s lives and where a close grandparent is not be in the picture, children may have a ‘special person’ who they look to outside of their home such as an uncle, aunt or perhaps a close friend of their parents.

To quote the Raising Children website: ‘One of the great things about becoming a grandparent is loving and caring for your grandchild without being responsible for him in the same way his parents are’. And it’s easy to imagine what a special relationship can flourish from this bond with a child!

Research has shown that there are mental health benefits to maintaining a good relationship with grandparents as children get older, with both parties less likely to suffer from depression as a result of their bond. In fact, the same researchers highlighted the benefits of extended family for children, saying that these relationships are more important today than ever before.

Grandparents & Special Friends Day within centres can be a fantastic way of celebrating these support networks for children by giving them the opportunity to show their love and appreciation. Here are some suggestions and ideas from Bonkers Beat if you’re brainstorming activities:

-Create an ‘I Love You because…’ card and children can offer a special reason
-Create a photo frame as a gift
-Create a collage together of things that remind them of their relationship
-Sing some special songs together
-Play instruments together in a music session
-All children act out a favourite book for the grandparents/special friends
-Yoga and wellbeing activities with grandparents/special friends
-Grandparents/special friends may enjoy sharing a snack with the children
-Children might like to give grandparents/special friends a tour of their room

Here’s a link for you to find some great printables and other ideas for your Grandparents & Special Friends Day: http://activityvillage.co.uk/grandparents-day
Do you have some amazing ideas for Grandparents & Special Friends Day? Share them with us on the Bonkers Beat Music & Wellbeing Facebook page or comment here!

23/06/201423/06/2014

Sleep Well, Play Well, Learn Well

Most experts agree that children between 5 and 12 need about 10 hours, even 11 hours of sleep per night – children under 5 should be aiming for 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night as well as a nap or at the very least some quality rest time during the day.

As much as we tend to realise that the body needs sleep to physically rejuvenate us it also helps children to grow and assists the immune system. Our brains also rely on sleep to function properly – researchers often say that they believe the brain uses sleep to sort through information, solve problems, organise your thoughts and generally restore itself. It is safe to say that fulfilling the sleep and rest quota each day for children is imperative to their overall ability to function, both physically and mentally. It’s not surprising that children who don’t get enough sleep or rest time can be irritable and struggle to concentrate and perhaps feel clumsy.

Educators should remember that the National Quality Standards Quality Area 2, Element 2.1.2 specifically refers to centres making sure that “each child’s comfort is provided for and there are appropriate opportunities to meet each child’s need for sleep, rest and relaxation, which in turn directly supports Element 2.1 as a whole – promoting the health of the children. (See below from NQS Quality Areas).

The amount of sleep different children require is, as with adults, an individual thing. There should, however, still be an emphasis on ensuring that children are sleeping enough, resting enough and that these are quality sleeps and rests to maximise what your child/ren can get out of every day.

We all know that sometimes it can be a challenge to get children to sleep, but there are ways that you can make it easier for children:

-Keep up a regular routine where children can come to understand that rest or sleep time is approaching. Routine can help children mentally and physically prepare;
-Try some relaxation exercises or reading a book in the lead up;
-Make sure children get ample fresh air and physical activity;
-Ensure children are comfortable and not hungry, thirsty etc before they settle down to rest/sleep.

It is so important to remember that even if children are sleeping well overnight, a day nap is necessary right up until about the age of 3. While some 4 and 5-year old children may still take a short nap during the day, many don’t, but they should be having periods of rest and relaxation to maintain those high energy levels all day long.

You can find more information and tips about children and naps from the Victorian government website Better Health here: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sleep_children_and_naps?open

If you’d like to read more about different types of sleep and sleep across different ages, you may like to visit: http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/children-and-sleep.

Don’t forget to look at your own sleep patterns too – even adults can improve the way we function in our daily lives simply from ensuring we get a decent amount of sleep and that it’s quality sleep and rest. After all, you need all the energy you can muster to keep up with the kids!