Online Games Help Kids Learn First Grade Math

Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Math is a subject that many kids have trouble with as they progress through school. It's essential that math basic skills be mastered early on, as these skills build the foundation for understanding harder concepts introduced in higher grades. First grade math contains quite a few important skills, and using online games may be able to give students the help they need in order to become fluent in working with numbers.

Building on Basic Concepts

In kindergarten, kids learn simple math skills like number recognition and counting. They're able to begin to recognize that higher numbers are bigger numbers and can understand concepts like counting by twos and tens. Using online games with these children when they reach first grade can help them transition between beginning math skills and more complex numerical concepts. Providing a wide variety of different games in an entertaining online environment gets kids excited about tackling new ideas and puts math in a positive context. Once the foundation has been laid for basic comprehension and computational skills, children can use these games to progress even further.

Mastering New Skills

By the time they're learning first grade math, kids should be ready to tackle things like the relationship between addition and subtraction, the concept of adding and subtracting two-digit numbers and learning to count beyond 100. Being able to compare numbers as larger, smaller or equal to each other is also important, as it provides the basis for recognizing whether or not the answer to a computation problem is the correct one.

Children need to be allowed to master these and other essential math skills before being asked to move on to new ideas, but the modern classroom setting doesn't always allow for this. As focus on core curriculum begins to push complex ideas into lower grade levels, kids are expected to learn more at a younger age. First grade math still contains many fundamental concepts essential for understanding higher math, and therefore shouldn't be rushed through. By letting a child try and re-try each new thing as it comes, online math games can give the extra time and practice that struggling students need to achieve success.

Taking it One Step at a Time

Every child learns at a different rate, but it's important to remember that all children should be able to grasp similar concepts once they've completed first grade math. Without the ability to count, add, subtract and understand basic relationships between all three, progression to higher math becomes difficult. Though online math games can't be used to teach everything a child needs to know, they can be an invaluable tool when it comes to augmenting what is learned in the classroom. Games supply a different context and more interactive setting than worksheets and are also more dynamic, which gives kids a new way to think about the concepts they're learning and can shed light on things they may be having trouble with.

The interactive world of online games makes first grade math enjoyable for young children and allows them to practice new math concepts outside of school. Both parents and teachers can use these tools to enhance traditional learning, thereby giving kids a unique and entertaining way to hone necessary math skills

Finding the Best Interactive Games For Children Under 10

Monday, April 2, 2012
Research into child development and education shows that interactive toys and games are essential for helping children develop their skills and abilities. So what is the definition of an interactive game? If you think about it, most toys and games could be described as requiring or encouraging a certain amount of interaction from children but some games can be said to be more passive than others. To give a good example, a TV show is almost as passive as it gets and though not technically a game and more an activity that someone participates in, watching a TV show is passive. Unless, of course, you encourage your child to comment upon the events of what is happening in the TV show. For instance, you could ask your child what they think is going to happen next during the storyline. Another thing that you could do is ask what colour a certain character is or whether you think that they are behaving in a good way or in a bad way. This brings up the question of morals and is obviously extremely fundamental in your child's upbringing. So whilst watching a TV show is a very passive pass-time, certain degrees of interactivity can still be introduced into this type of activity and it can be educational in the correct quantities.

The other extreme is a toy or game which actually requires interaction for it to work such as a game which requires your child to press a button to produce a sound or make a choice between pressing 3 different buttons to answer a question. This helps decision making and positive feedback can be provided by the interactive toy or game to show your child that they have made the correct choice. This helps to reinforce the correct behaviour and encourages your child to play more and, in turn, learn more. It's great to watch your child who is under 10 playing with interactive toys and games because you know that what they are doing is very positive and that it is helping them to learn. I always think that it's a good idea and educate your child yourself even though they are going to school because the more they learn about the world and their surrounding the more information they will take in and the more knowledge they will acquire. It's great to learn and there are lots of different types of interactive games out there for children.

Creative Games For Children

Sunday, April 1, 2012
Games and childhood always go together. Kids use creative games and play in order to learn and acquire new skills. Creative learning games help them to handle difficult situations and to have lots of fun at the same time. Most kids will create their own games and every new idea is always welcome. Every child is born with a creative potential. It is the parents' responsibility to nurture their children with the right creative games that will improve a child's creativity and the ability to interact. Although parents must be responsible for the safety of a child during playtime whilst allowing some leeway for learning to take place. It is a difficult thing to try to balance. This will allow the child to be more imaginative and it will help them to learn to do things on their own.

Creative and dramatic play is one of the best ways for kids to express themselves. They are free to express the way they feel inside. Every day, children tend to imitate animals, machines and older people. It helps them understand and work within their environment. Parents can encourage their children with toys and games. They should choose the right types of toys and games for their age range. Examples of simple yet creative games for kids include reading a story and acting it out after wards. This helps to enhance a child's ability to imagine and portray basic roles in life.

Most creative learning games for kids' games require physical energy and movements. Most of these games should be played outdoors. Parents should always remember that playing should always be fun and memorable. If the usual games you play with your kids seem boring and tiresome then why not try the games listed above and let your creativity take over. These creative games for kids will surely make every child's day fun and enjoyable.

Every human, especially a child, is born to play and have fun. It is one great way for a kid to interact with other kids. Playing is a source of relaxation whilst simultaneously being a source of stimulation of one's brain and body. Playing creative games for kids is a sure way to develop a child's creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills and mental growth and awareness.

So when it's time for you to choose your children's birthday gifts it is always a good idea to choose wisely and really start to think about the types of creative learning toys that would benefit them the most. Learning is certainly fun with creative learning toys and games. You can't go wrong if you purchase brand names from reputable toy stores