Something to ponder...
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
– Mark Twain
Smart Moms' Toy Box: Stop the Frustration of "It's on the Tip of My Tongue" With These Memory Games
This month's focus: MEMORY
A poor memory can get you into a lot of trouble, or at least into an uncomfortable pickle. You forget names of people you meet, can't remember important deadlines, or it slips your mind that you were supposed to pick your kids up after school. Yikes! But, not only can adults have poor memories, but kids do as well. They forget to bring home schoolwork, fail to bring finished homework to school the next day, or their mind goes blank when asked to answer a science question that they seemed to have down pat the night before. Memory is vital and can be enhanced, improved, and strengthened! Long-term, short-term, and working memory can all be improved to make your (and your child's) work, school, and life much more successful and enjoyable. These fun games can help retrain the brain to have a more powerful memory.
Nationally renowned brain-training experts Ken Gibson and Tanya Mitchell have created a free list to help parents shop for toys to help improve their children’s learning skills. “Our hope is that parents will shop wisely for toys this year, purchasing toys that can help develop the cognitive skills that make learning possible – like auditory and visual processing, memory, logic and reasoning, processing speed, and attention,” says Gibson. “Research now shows that learning skills can be taught – and therefore improved. Brain skills training does for the mind what physical exercise does for the body.”
“A parent whose child has Attention Deficit Disorder, for example, would want to shop for toys that improve attention,” explains Mitchell. “Likewise, a child who struggles with reading would benefit from games that practice sound blending and segmenting.”
Gibson is the founder of national brain training franchise LearningRx, and the co-author of “Unlock the Einstein Inside: Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child” with Mitchell.
Things to Keep in Mind
- A smart toy box will focus on all major learning skills
- Parents can help their kids get smarter at any age
- Brain research shows the brain continues to grow throughout life
- Parents should help prepare a good learner for school by developing learning skills
- Parents should take 30 minutes, 3 times a week to work on developing these skills
- The best way to strengthen learning skills is to use fun, game-like activities
- Studies show that reading problems can be prevented.
Specific skills to improve logic and reasoning
Long-Term Memory
To store information and fluently retrieve it later in the process of thinking.
Short-Term Memory
To apprehend and hold information in immediate awareness and use it within a few seconds.
Working Memory
To retain information while processing or using it.
Memory Match
I Spy 15th Anniversary Tin for $17.97 here from WalMart.com.
Charley Harper Memory Game (very fun, modern, and artsy) for $10.17 here from Amazon.com.
SET
$9.25 here from Amazon.com
(or $5.74 for used versions)
Old Maid
Old Maid card game for $8.00 here at Amazon.com.
Kidz Cards in a Tin includes Old Maid, War, Go Fish, and Crazy Eights for only $3.09 here from Amazon.com.
Rook
Rook card game for $7.49 here from Amazon.com.
Simon Trickster
Simon Trickster hand held version for $14.99 here from Amazon.com
The websites and analyses are provided by LearningRx. We do not support any particular website or store, but just want to bring you some initial resources to find these games more easily! We searched for the best prices to keep these games within a reasonable budget. Have fun!
The Smart Mom’s Toy Box...
Building your child’s brain skills without breaking your budget
To find out more about LearningRx's programs for preschoolers, elementary students, middle and high school kids, college students, and adults, go to www.learningrx.com.