Skill Building and Creative
Problem Solving Through Games
What do kids love more than just about anything when it comes to technology? Apps and games played on their smart phones, iPads and computers! Why? Because gaming is fun, competitive, fast paced and hip. Educational technology is second nature to this generation of learners and technology is the hook that keeps them engaged.
What do educators and parents want when it comes to buying video games and apps for their children and youth? They want skill building activities that are fun but also enhance academics and enrich learning. When the right games are put in the hands of children and youth, it can teach skills, hone in on their talents and provide opportunities for teamwork, as well, as critical thinking. Research from the Ready To Learn Initiative, supported by the U.S. Congress, has shown that early literacy skills are strengthened through curriculum that combines digital media, such as video games, with strong parental and teacher involvement. The Education Department Center found that even older children, such as teens and tweens, benefit from gameplay. Even traditional games teach children and youth basic everyday skills, according to Ian Bogost, associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and founder of software maker Persuasive Games. "Look at the 'World of Warcraft': You've got 11-year-olds who are learning to delegate responsibility, promote teamwork and steer groups of people toward a common goal," says Bogost.
Some electronic games stimulate the brain to produce the chemical dopamine, which in turn aids cognition. A smartly deployed game helps children and youth learn because it lets them think creatively, explore, and experiment on their own. Gaming can also teach financial awareness, engineering basics, and can help reinforce skills taught during the school day. Creative learning and critical thinking are two important 21st Century components that are also enriched through educational apps and video games.
Free games and apps for skill building while having fun:
www.funbrain.com
www.abcya.com
http://www.tigweb.org/games/
www.numbaland.com
http://moneyville.ie/flash/index.php?loginform=login&lan=ie
http://16bitsoft.com/games-LettersFall3.htm
Free Educational Based SKILL BUILDING Games
http://kids.usa.gov/play-games/index.shtml
http://www.starfall.com/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animal-jam/
http://pbskids.org/games/index.html
http://www.mathisfun.com
http://www.jumpstart.com/parents/games/learning-games
Make Your Own Game
www.gamestarmechanic.com
Free Apps
Brain POP
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brainpop-featured-movie/id364894352?mt=8
Let's Create Pottery HD Lite
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lets-create!-pottery-hd-lite/id397756644?mt=8
Music Sparkles
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/music-sparkles-all.../id45258414
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Update on QualtystarsNY
The Quality Improvement Work Group of the ECAC recently approved draft standards for programs serving school-age children. The initial drafting of the standards was overseen by the New York State Afterschool Network (NYSAN) Quality Assurance committee.
ECAC will be seeking feedback on the draft in two ways - first, a small number of programs will be selected to provide practical reviews of the standards and help leaders anticipate potential obstacles for programs serving older children. Second, electronic feedback will be accepted via the QUALITYstarsNY website. The draft School-Age Child Care Program Standards will be posted to the QUALITYstarsNY website soon; ISACC will share this with all school age directors in Westchester County. For more infomration, go to www.qualitystarsny.org.
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Celebrate in February
February is American Heart Month, Black History Month, Great American Pie Month, National Cherry Month, National Children's Dental Health Month and National Grapefruit Month. Other special and wacky days are:
14th - Ferris Wheel Day
15th - National Gum Drop Day
17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day
18th - President's Day
19th - National Chocolate Mint Day
20th - Love Your Pet Day
22nd - George Washington's Birthday; Be Humble Day, Walking the Dog Day
23rd - Tennis Day
24th - National Tortilla Chip Day
26th - National Pistachio Day; Carnival Day; Tell a Fairy Tale Day
27th - Polar Bear Day
28th - National Tooth Fairy Day
29th - Leap Year (but not until 2016, once every four years!)
Click here for more information about these and other wacky days in February. Special programming and activities can be scheduled for several to celebrate these fun and crazy days.
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This Month in History - February
To find out what happened in history on each day in February, click here. With some advance planning, you can create special programs and activities that teach children about historical events.
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Community Service Projects
This year commit to do something fun yet really meaningful for those in your community who are sad and lonely. Become involved in a project and possibly enlist the help of other families and friends. First, call your local nursing home or children's hospital and explain that you would like to bring handmade gifts to the patients. Find out the dos and don'ts of acceptable gift giving.
Visit the Kids Activities - Community Service Ideas website. Scroll down until you see Project Ideas. Decide whether you want to make a cooking, sewing or other type of craft project. One word of caution here. The first time we became involved in a community project, we got a little carried away by our enthusiasm and spent more than we wanted. Don't make the same mistake. Meet with your other community project partners and agree that you will set a spending limit. To make the project enjoyable for everyone, be sure to also consider the age, ability, interest, and attention span of the children/teens involved in making the gifts.
Bargain hunting does take time but is well worth the effort. These trips are useful for children and teens as they learn about budgeting, units of measurement in cooking and how much yardage of material to buy.
Visit some craft, yardage and stationery stores in your area and explain what your group is doing and ask to see the discount and bins. Also inquire about possible discounts.
You can also cut costs by purchasing baking items at many discount grocery chains. Below, are some additional sites and recipes to consider for your cooking projects.
Kis Activities - Community Service Ideas
Free Valentine's Day Cards
Craftown Valentine Projects
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookie Cutouts ~ Recipe from Montessorian Kathy O'Reilly
Chocolate Chip Bars
Scented Baskets
IT'S A WRAP - Making Beautiful Gift Boxes
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News from the School Age Director's Network: Meetings will continue to be on the third Tuesday of each month. the next meeting is March 19 at 10 am. Contact Samantha Mars at SADNPresident@gmail.com for more information.
