B is a very active type learner, like a lot of boys. He has to jiggle, wiggle or fiddle with something all the time, even if it is his own fingers. When we try to sit and be still to read the school reader it is almost impossible for him. This is most distracting for him and for me. My patience is really tested and unfortunately the school reader sessions can turn bad, very easily.
For something different I tried an activity suggested in the book, "The Minds of boys" by Michael Gurian and Kathy Stevens. I wrote down the names of about 10 things around the house, sink, white wall, toilet etc on individual pieces of paper. I varied the level of difficulty so there were some hard and easy variations. I then went through the words with B and helped him sound them out. Then I timed him with a stop watch as he ran around the house putting the words on the objects. At first it took over 4 minutes, but he had it down to under half that time as he learnt the words by sight. He really loved this activity and insisted I have a go too. And it was really quite fun.
Another list of words was made and this time I included things outside to make it more interesting, cubby house, garden chair, hose etc. This was such a fun way for him to learn and a very different experience from the school reader.
A few days later I got the words out and tested him, he knew them all. The proud smile he wore on his face was priceless.
I haven't finished reading "The Minds of boys" but it is really helping me understand how B's brain learns. He really doesn't need to sit still to learn something new.
Find out what other Mums are playing at?
13 comments:
What a great idea! I must try and find that book.
Thanks for sharing! I'm going to look into that book. The activity that you shared is wonderful.
Oh you are wonderful!! Thank you so much. Terris is going to start learning to read in both English and French this year. He too is an active little boy and this is going to be a great reading exercise for him if I can find some really simple things (maybe not during the first couple of months when they only do sounds...)
Great stuff!!
Ange
It sure sounds like a fantastic idea. I am going to try it out on Joseph's 6 year old brother Charlie.
And buy that book too!
Thanks!!
Hugs
Peggy xxx
What a great idea! I love using children’s natural way of learning (in this case kinaesthetic) to help them learn things that we would normally never associate with that learning style.
I wonder if you could do a similar thing when he gets to reading sentences - he could read a sentence e.g. "The spoon was ontop of the cubby" and he had to get the things and take a photo of it? Just thinking out loud :)
I have a grandson who sounds like his activity level and the way he learns is similar to your son. My daughter is homeschooling him and it has been such a blessing. I will definately give her this activity and also pass on the title of this book. Thanks:)
What a great way to learn to recognise words. Thanks for the book recommendation - I'll look out for it.
Thanks so much! I have a 6 yo 'livewire' too - love these ideas! Will track down the book recommendation as well. (Don't have a blog to link back to, sorry. Clicked here from Childhood 101!)
that's fabulous! Good on you for working with him rather than trying to conform him.
What a fun way to engage a child with reading. The book sounds really interesting too, will have to keep an eye out for it.
Thanks for linking up.
what an interesting concept for someone who is very active...
What a fun idea. I'm going to have to try this. Thanks!
That seems like a great, active activity. Sometimes there is nothing like a great resource to get us thinking of creative ways to engage our children and their learning styles.
Have you also thought about acting out the stories or having your son manipulate props while you read the story together. That may also work.
Thanks for sharing.
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