Ivy's Site

Children learn more when they are having fun.

Dr Seuss of “Cat in the Hat” knew the power of fun and laughter as the way to demystify reading and grammar. He taught it with green eggs and ham.

"I do not like them,Sam-I-am.I do not like green eggs and ham.

Would you like them here or there?

I would not like them here or there.I would not like them anywhere."

The part of the brain that controls emotions also controls the memory. When children are having fun learning, it is usually remembered thus producing long term recall of lessons.

There is a scientific basis for using art, music, games, color, manipulatives, emotions in educating children. When the brain is in a state of positive emotional arousal, it releases a chemical called “endorphins” that triggers the brain cells that make learning more effective. In simple terms, a brain enjoying itself is functioning more effectively.

Before I became a teacher to my kids, I first became a student. I try to put myself in their shoes and see if the lessons I will be teaching them are fun and interesting. If the material is textual in nature, I ask them to draw mind maps.* It’s a more effective way of visualizing the lessons and retaining the information.

Hands-on experiments and manipulatives on math and science help a lot in making the lesson fun. Worksheets that have real-life applications and relevant children activities boosts interest and enthusiasm by 60%.

The goal is to make learning fun. When children are having fun, they will love learning more.

**Mind Map is a study skill that was formulated by Tony Buzan to help the brain connect to what is being learned. It’s a fun way of learning. My kids have been using it for years already and they have fun drawing.