Kids and Technology

More research into the effects of technology on a young child's development. 

• On average, children under the age of 6 spend 2 hours a day watching tv which is equivalent to the amount of time spend outside. More time than they spend interacting with books.
• Research has shown that children who spend more time watching television then recommended grow up to develop attention problems and have irregular sleeping patterns. 
• Research has also suggested that the increased use of technology is linked to obesity.
• MP3 Players cause concerns for hearing loss when young children use them inappropriately. 
• Kaiser family foundation, 2006, shows that 61% of children under 2 use electronic media and 42 percent watch everyday. However parents report that television is a useful tool as it allows parents to complete domestic tasks while the child is otherwise occupied. Parents also report that they think that educational tv and videos are necessary. 
• Vandewater, Bickman and Lee (2006) - the more time children spent watching television the less time was spent interacting with family and the less time spent in interactive and creative play. 
• Violent media also has an impact on a child's growth and development. The younger the child, the bigger the impact. Children's emotional and social development is tied to the interactions that they have, if they are only interacting with violent media it can have a negative consequence for their development.

Found in: Snider, S & Hirschy, S. (n.d). A Self-Reflection Framework for Technology Use by Classroom Teachers of Young Learners. Retrieved from: http://www.hekupu.ac.nz/Journal%20files/Issue1%20June%202009/A%20Self-Reflection%20Framework%20for%20Technology%20Use%20by%20Classroom%20Teachers%20of%20Young%20Learners.pdf

Kids and Technology

Research into how technology is impacting developing children. 

• 20 years ago kids would be playing outside, using imagination, building forts etc all of which didn't cost anything and often didn't need parental supervision. Family time would be spend around the dinner table.
• Nowadays, more time is spend on technology. Parents rely on communication through technology to make lives easier, faster and more efficient.
• A 2010 Kaiser foundation study found that elementary aged children use on average 7.5 hours per day of entertainment technology, 75 percent of these children have TV's in there bedrooms and 50 percent of American homes have the TV on all day. Dining room tables and conversation have been replaced by a big screen and take out.
• Children now rely on technology for majority of their play. This is not only limiting their creativity and imaginations but also limits the challenges to their bodies in order to achieve sensory and motor development. 
• The advancement of technology has seen an increase of physical, psychological and behaviour disorders. Some of these include ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities and sleep disorders. 
• "Four critical factors necessary to achieve healthy child development are movement, touch, human connection and exposure to nature."
• "Nature and "green space" has not only a calming influence on children, but also is attention restorative and promotes learning".
• Technology overstimulates children and the sensory imbalance creates a huge problem in overall neurological development. Young children that exposed to violence through video games and TV puts them in a high state of stress and adrenaline as their body does not know that what they are watching isn't real. 

Notes taken from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/technology-children-negative-impact_b_3343245.html

Colour palette used within the gardens

Here's the colour palette from the clients that they will be using within the Children's Garden

Moodboard

Fun and playful childish imagery but with a rustic flare

Dossier Draft

Here is the link to our google doc for our dossier draft

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nCz1GQmZ7cnUyLk7KTtp2k6RhWVTgl5uv04wO5ATrn8/edit?usp=sharing

Research

Here is the google docs link for our research pages.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZI4067EfP2GYcGwXE8wlCS1IykUUeYQwAjAXQhumJmE/edit?usp=sharing

Aesthetic Moodboard.

Mood-board for dossier- including bright colours, playful textures, hand drawn childlike illustrations.

Fibres

Natural Fibres:
     
There are two types of natural fibres; Cellulose and Protein.
    
Cellulose fibres come from plant materials. These fibres are very absorbent, shrink when washed, crease readily but can withstand high temperatures. Resistant to alkali's, bleaches and organic solvents but damaged by acids. Cool to wear.

• Cotton (Seed fibre)
• Kapok (Seed fibre)
• Linen (Bast/stem fibres)
• Jute (Bast/Stem fibres)
• Hemp (Bast/stem fibres)
• Sisal (leaf fibres)
• Ramie
• Bamboo
• NZ Flax

Protein fibres are divided into two classes; keratin (hair or fur) or secreted (insect) fibres. Wool is relatively weak with low wet strength, shrinks, high natural crimp, resilient and warm but absorbent. Silk is lustrous, stronger than wool, moderately resilient, absorbent, low abrasion resistance. 

• Wool
• Silk
• Hair

These fibres will then be made into a yarn which will go on to be constructed into a material/fabric.

Construction:

Material/fabric fit into 3 different classes; woven, knit and non-woven.

<--- Image of plain weave, simply made but weaving the weft through the warp; over and under etc. Interlocking the yarns to create a fabric/material.

            Image found: www.yatesdesign.net

<--- Flax weaving is something that is often learnt in New Zealand childhood, which is why its important to include here. Its an easy way to teach kids the basic of weaving and making use of the abundance of flax we have here.

    

                Image found: www.flaxweaving.com

Natural Dying:

Information Found: http://www.sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz/create-natural-dyes-with-plant-materials/

Dyeing can be a little messy, but the colours you can achieve by mixing natural cloth with colours from Mother Nature are well worth it. Natural dyeing is simply the process in which yarn or fabric is immersed in a solution produced by boiling up selected raw materials, or dye-stuffs. These may be from an animal, vegetable or mineral source.

Natural dyes are a renewable resource – almost every plant in the world will give a fantastic colour and they are literally on your doorstep. If they’re not free, they can be created inexpensively or are the waste product of cooking or gardening. Dyeing with natural dyes has obvious ecological advantages – no chemicals, no nastiness. But they also create colours that are just magical, so I think the combination is a win-win on both practicality and aesthetics.

There are many books and courses that offer an in-depth education in the art of dyeing. For Cloth, I thought we’d keep it simple – a starting point to something that can become very addictive, very quickly. There are two types of natural dyes. Substantive dyes are those that give a fast, lasting colour without the need for extra chemical processes (or mordants) to fix the colours. Adjective dyes require the yarn or fabric to be treated with a mordant to make it more absorbent and allow the dye to bite and take hold. Different dyes use different mordants, but most mordants are mineral based – such as alum, tin, chrome or iron. However, the oldest is urine – not very lovely to think about, but very effective. Most dyes fall into the second category. If you don’t mind the colour being lighter or fading over time (and possibly bleeding) then you can skip the mordant when heating your water for dyeing. A simple mordant to use on all natural cloth is alum – readily available in a salt form. The simplest option is probably common table salt.

To dye fabric you need to bring water and your choice of dye to the boil, reduce to a simmer and then add the mordant. After concocting the mixture, add the fabric and then allow it to soak in the dye. The longer the soak, the more intense the colour. Once you have the colour you’re aiming for, remove the fabric and rinse it in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Then hand wash it with a gentle detergent. The final colour will vary depending on whether you use fresh or dried dyes, whether the water is hot or cold, what fabric you use, the type of mordant and the pH level of the water. In addition, every natural cloth will take dye differently as some fabrics are protein based and some plant based. This sounds very complicated but it isn’t. I like a slight sense of ‘winging it’ when I dye, but you can always use scraps of cloth to test colour.

Dye-stuffs

Here is a list of plants, berries, bark, leaves and powders that are perfect for dyeing. Have a rummage in your pantry or wander through your garden and neighbourhood to find the perfect colour.

Useful equipment for dyeing

:: Metal pots or saucepans (only to be used for dyeing)
:: Tongs
:: Stirrers or sticks
:: Insulated rubber gloves – from a DIY store
:: A couple of buckets or plastic containers
:: Pegs, clips and rubber bands
:: Glass jars for mordants to keep them safe
:: An apron or a selection of old clothes
:: Alum salts
:: Your choice of dye-stuff

Red/Pink

Bamboo – turkey red
Blackberries – dark red
Beetroot peelings – red
Cherries – dark pink
Crab-apple bark – red/yellow
Elderberry – red
Grape skins – bright fuchsia
Madder root – red
Purple sage – red
Raspberries – red
Rosehips – pink
Roses and lavender – with a little mint and some lemon juice to activate the alkaloids this makes a brilliant pink dye
Strawberries – pink

Purple/Blue

Basil – purplish grey
Blackberries – strong purple
Blueberries – purple
Cornflower petals (with alum) – blue
Elderberries – lavender
Grapes – purple
Hyacinth flowers – blue
Logwood – with alum it gives purple to blue-purple
Mulberries – royal purple
Olives that have dropped from a tree – deep blue/purple
Ornamental plum tree leaves – purple grey
Red cabbage – mauve/purple
Saffron petals – blue/green

Green

Artichokes – green
Black-eyed Susan flowers – bright olive/apple green
Hydrangea flowers – with added copper, a beautiful celery green
Broom stem – green
Calendula flowers – luminescent green
Camellia (pink, red petals) – green
Carrot tops – light green
Chamomile leaves – green
Grape leaves – shades of yellows to earthy chartreuse and deep greens
Grass – yellow green
Lilac flowers – green
Nettle – light yellow/green
Peppermint – dark khaki green
Red onion skin – lighter than forest green
Rosemary leaves – pale green
Snapdragon flowers – green
Sorrel roots – dark green
Spinach leaves – green

Black/Brown

Acorns (boiled) – light yellow/brown
Beluga black lentils (soaked in water overnight) – milk chocolate brown to a light brown when watered down
Birch bark (with alum) – light brown/buff
Broom bark – yellow/brown
Coffee grinds – dark brown
Dandelion roots – brown
Fennel flowers or leaves – yellow/brown
Iris roots – mid brown
Ivy twigs – yellow/brown
Juniper berries – brown
Oak bark – tan or oak colour
Sumac leaves – black
Teabags – light brown/tan
Walnut hulls – deep brown
Walnut husks – deep brown-black
Wild plum root – reddish/rusty brown

Yellow

Alfalfa seeds – yellow
Bay leaves – yellow
Brown onion skins – yellow
Celery leaves – pale yellow
Crocus – yellow
Daffodil flower heads (after they have died) – yellow
Dahlia flowers (red, yellow, orange flowers) – orange/yellow
Dandelion flowers – pale yellow
Heather plant – yellow
Marigold blossoms – yellow
Mimosa flowers – yellow
Paprika – pale yellow/light orange
Peach leaves – yellow
Poppy roots – earthy yellow
Sunflowers – yellow
Turmeric – bright yellow
Weld – bright yellow

                  
                         

A moodboard

This is one example of a visual style. The doodles are loose, simple and add a playful feeling and the colour palette is grounded and obviously earthy. Could do with more pops of colour to give a more childlike vibe though

Plant information from Ali

Medicine

Kawakawa (NZ) – used in tea as anti-inflammatory, or chewed for toothache

Aloe vera – sap is used on sunburn

Echinacea – helps the immune system

St John’s Wart - depression

Alfalfa – rich in minerals; morning sickness, nausea, kidney stones etc

Ginger – nausea, and digestive problems

The mints – good for all sotrs of things

Sage – anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antifungal

Fennel – digestive aid

Feverfew - anti-inflammatory can treat rheumatism, arthritis, migraine headaches and tension headaches

Koromiko (NZ) – poultice for ulcers and veneral disease

Rātā (NZ) – poultice on wounds and abscesses
Lavender – scented/fragrant for skin and beauty

Construction

Bamboo – very hard wood; kitchen tools, chopping boards, garden stakes, etc

Oak – furniture, boat frames

Whau (NZ) – fishing floats (very light wood)

Pine

Cork oak – wine bottles, flooring

Willow – living fences

Rimu (NZ) – furniture

Manuka (NZ) – fences

Fibre

Flax (NZ) – baskets etc

Cotton

Sisal

Hemp

Coconut husk

Dyes: lilac, turmeric, etc – see this list on this website: http://pioneerthinking.com/crafts/natural-dyes

Food (You guys all know plants that you can eat, right?! J)

Olives – oil

Hops – beer

Coffee beans – cofffffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Chocolate

Grass - for cows – leads to milk for us, or our coffee

Research: The Eden Project + Hamilton Gardens

The Eden Project is one of the world's largest indoor rainforest. Located in Cornwall, England, the Eden Project is made up of two biomes that house a collection of flora from different climates and environments. The biomes are made of inflated plastic cells and steel frames, one stimulates a rainforest while the other stimulates a mediterranean environment. The park also has a botanical garden, a vegetable garden and several sculptures. 

The Eden Project also provides an education facility called 'The Core'. This aims to teach the importance of having a relationship between people and plants. The plants throughout the gardens are all labelled with their medicinal uses. The projects ethos as a whole is mainly centred around sustainability and a sustainable and ethical lifecycle. The gardens try to use recycled sanitised rainwater and green tariff electricity supplied from Cornwall's many wind turbines. This allows the project to conserve water and save money. The Eden Project has deep roots within the community, hosting events for awareness surrounding sustainability and conservation, local walking groups, neighbourhood get-togethers and even art classes. Community involvement is encouraged with memberships, volunteering and opportunity to make donations offered. 

Community involvement looks to be important to both the Botanic Gardens and the Eden Project. The Children's Garden is centred around community involvement, this needs to be a priority for this project. The Eden Project also looks at educating the community on really important issues such as sustainability, it would be really beneficial if we could try and figure out a way to add this into our project.

Information and image found: http://www.edenproject.com


Hamilton Gardens

"Today, more than 40 years later, these humble beginnings have been overshadowed by the development of the Gardens’ internationally unique concept: The History, Context and Meaning of Gardens. Hamilton Gardens is not a botanical garden. Instead, its concept acknowledges there is a story to tell about gardens, their development over time and across cultures, and their use.  This concept was conceived in the early 1980s by Hamilton Gardens director Dr Peter Sergel and met with significant enthusiasm from city councillors. Some of its inspiration came from the Bundesgartenschau of Germany and other international garden shows, where many differing approaches to gardening and garden design are brought together on one site. The concept has also been compared to a museum, where each garden collection has historic integrity and provides a window into the story of civilisations, their arts, beliefs and lifestyles. More than 30 years later, Sergel’s sketchbook designs are almost identical to the themed gardens existing today. "

Hamilton gardens - different gardens based on eras of history and countries. Really cool and different experience. A good example of an educational experience with plants. 

the english flower garden

japanese garden

italian rennaisance garden

benefits on connecting to nature-found document.

Found on -https://naturalearning.org/sites/default/files/Benefits%20of%20Connecting%20Children%20with%20Nature_InfoSheet.pdf

Transformation Matrix

Transformation matrix - recommended

Transformation matrix - current

Team meet up, note taking

review of meeting with botanz

• definitely want to tackle 8-12yo... so has to be enough for young, but cool enough for the older kids
• Open lab has already done some stuff for them.. they've made a character that will go on the wall, and make it work like "operation" where you put the plants on the map of the body where it would "heal" you.
• Need to get the balance between "medicine is good for you" and... not popping them all in your mouth. 
• Food and medicine
• Fibre... ropes, fabric etc

What they've noticed about kids:
they rely on their hands to touch, and smell etc
The found it most effective to adapt to the different ways kids learn. Often the kids are hesitant at first, but once their friends are doing it, they all want to get involved.


They like turning boring tasks into something exciting.
The want the timeless vibe, so it can span across generations. Culturally relevant for now, but also relevant in the years to come. Sustainability...
They want the knowledge that the kids have learnt to be sustained.

different learning types:
physical, learn through doing, building, creating
visuals, learn through seeing etc
verbals,
logical
social
solitary

• Teachers don't just teach them, they facilitate their learning. 
• goal setting, encourage, give kids sense of ownership over what they're doing
• cross curriculum teaching, blending all the subjects together, help the kids go deeper with what they're doing
• counter-intuitive learning

will there always be someone on sight? Needs to be something kids can do on their own, but workers should be there.

Research Pictures + Initial Brainstorm

Children's Learning Research

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/11149086/Six-new-ways-to-teach-children-more-effectively.html

Research On Affective Teaching Strategies 

Uncertain reward, Bristol and York Universities

12,150 year eight pupils across the south-west, north-west and Yorkshire will be asked to spin a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ to determine how many points they receive for answering quiz questions correctly.

Neuroscience findings suggest that learning is improved when the reward for success is uncertain.

Pupils will compete in quiz teams to gain points will be determined by spinning a Wheel of Fortune.

Evidence suggests that not being sure of a reward increases dopamine levels in the brain and engagement in learning.

Dr Paul Howard Jones, Bristol University said, “We know answering questions in class is important for students' learning but, based on our understanding of the brain's reward system, we will be encouraging all students to continuously answer questions as part of a game. Students will need a combination of luck and learning to win. Current research suggests this is more motivating and effective for students' learning.

“Games in the classroom may do more than just make learning fun. Evidence suggests they can stimulate the brain's reward system in ways that accelerate learning. We're very excited about the chance to test this idea.”

Learning Counterintutive Concepts, Birkbeck University of London

Around 9,000 pupils across 100 primary schools in London, the North West and the Midlands will be taught how to ignore prior knowledge.

Children in years three and five will be given 15 minutes of exercises, three times a week at the beginning of maths and science lessons.

The aim is to train the pupil to ‘turn-off’ their initial response to a problem and, instead, give a more delayed and reflected answer.

Exercises will help children realise that elephants and mice have the same size cells, or the world is round despite seeming flat. Professor Denis Mareschal, of Birkbeck, University of London, said: "Learning difficult concepts often involves ignoring prior ideas, which can be incorrect.

"Kids often rush to give quick answers to questions, so helping them to pause and reflect before answering may be key in improving their understanding of important conceptss in science and maths, which often rely on non-obvious ideas.

"We're delighted we have the opportunity to put this to the test."

Fit to Study, Oxford University and Oxford Brookes

10,500 pupils from 70 schools across Oxfordshire will take part in three 40 minute sessions of aerobic exercises each week/

Neuroscience evidence has shown several beneficial effects of exercise on brain function, increasing attention spans and helping to grow both grey and white matter.

Exercise also has the immediate benefit of increasing blood flow to the brain which is important for the generation of new neurons.

Evidence has suggested that learning is increased if activities are new and physically challenging, so the exercises will force children to become breathless, while also teaching motor skills.

Professor Heidi Johansen-Berg, a Welcome Trust Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, said: “Children are living increasingly sedentary lives and there is considerable scope for increasing their activity levels. We all know that exercise is good for the body, but research suggests that it’s also good for the brain.

"We therefore think that making PE lessons more active could boost subsequent lesson performance and academic outcomes over a longer time, but the only way to know for sure is to test the idea. I’m looking forward to working with schools to find out more.”

https://blog.udemy.com/how-to-teach-kids/

Here are 7 primary learning styles:

Visual (Spatial) – These individuals learn best through pictures, images, and spatial understanding

Aural (Auditory) – These individuals learn best through sound and music

Verbal (Linguistic) – These individuals learn best through words, verbal and/or written

Physical (Kinesthetic) – These individuals learn best through experience and rely on the sense of touch

Logical (Mathematical) – These individuals learn best through logic and reasoning

Social (Interpersonal) – These individuals learn best through group interaction

Solitary (Intrapersonal) – These individuals learn best through self-study

Visual Learners

To help your visual learner grasp concepts faster, teach them through pictures, icons, charts, diagrams, and color coded information.  For example, if you are teaching a kid how to tie their shoes, walk them through step by step instructions with each step illustrated.  Use shoe laces that are half one color and half another to help them identify which side is which.  If you are teaching an academic subject like rain forest ecosystems, allow kids to research topics using graphics and compile their findings into a poster.  Visual learners can also retain information better if it has been categorized according to colors.  Try color coding the parts of speech when you read together to teach grammar.  As a teacher (official or unofficial), always have different colored pens, pencils, markers, labels, and sticky notes on hand.

https://blog.udemy.com/how-to-teach-kids/

Here are 7 primary learning styles:

Visual (Spatial) – These individuals learn best through pictures, images, and spatial understanding

Aural (Auditory) – These individuals learn best through sound and music

Verbal (Linguistic) – These individuals learn best through words, verbal and/or written

Physical (Kinesthetic) – These individuals learn best through experience and rely on the sense of touch

Logical (Mathematical) – These individuals learn best through logic and reasoning

Social (Interpersonal) – These individuals learn best through group interaction

Solitary (Intrapersonal) – These individuals learn best through self-study

Visual Learners

To help your visual learner grasp concepts faster, teach them through pictures, icons, charts, diagrams, and color coded information.  For example, if you are teaching a kid how to tie their shoes, walk them through step by step instructions with each step illustrated.  Use shoe laces that are half one color and half another to help them identify which side is which.  If you are teaching an academic subject like rain forest ecosystems, allow kids to research topics using graphics and compile their findings into a poster.  Visual learners can also retain information better if it has been categorized according to colors.  Try color coding the parts of speech when you read together to teach grammar.  As a teacher (official or unofficial), always have different colored pens, pencils, markers, labels, and sticky notes on hand.

Aural Learners

Aural learners thrive on teaching techniques that involve sound.  Making up a story or a song with the directions or the main concepts of the lesson will help this type of learner succeed.  Encourage them to rewrite the lyrics to their favorite songs to learn new things.  You can also use music to set the mood of the learning environment.  If the kids are taking an exam, trying playing some classical music.  If you need them to be excited about something they find boring (math, grammar, history, could be anything), play some pump-it-up music for a few minutes.  For younger children, use oral storytelling and sing-alongs to teach important lessons.  For example, if you are teaching about different body parts, sing the “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song.

Verbal Learners

Verbal learning centers on the use of words.  Copying down phrases and words, taking their own notes during lectures, reading out loud, listening to audio recordings, and discussions are effective teaching methods and techniques for this type of learner.  Teach spelling by having them write out the word correctly multiple times on a piece of paper or on a white board.  Help your children understand rules by writing them on a poster board that they can see and refer to.  If your kids are interested in writing, learn how to help them write a mystery story that they can be proud of.

Physical Learners

Physical learners learn through “doing”.  Encourage kids to build, create, act things out, and experience what they are learning.  If you are teaching about Ancient Rome, allow kids to build models of ancient buildings and historical sites.  If they are not good at building models and structures, try having your students act out what they are learning in a skit, improv, or a play.  Field trips, technology, and playing games are also effective teaching methods for physical learners.  For example, if you are teaching the angles of triangles in geometry, bring the lesson out to the basketball court.  You can have two students demonstrate and make different angles while standing next to the basketball hoop.  Experimentation is also a good method to use.  Encourage kids to learn from their mistakes and failed attempts. If you are trying to teach kids about entrepreneurship, a subject that is very hands on, try taking this course to learn more about effective teaching methods.

Logical Learners

Logical learners need to know the elusive “why?”. The answer “because” or “it just is” will never sit right with them.  They will excel at following complicated directions and using technology and games to reach learning outcomes.   You can learn more on how to teach with technology and connect with your students with this course.  Children who are logical learners often go on to be engineers or mathematicians, as both of these professional fields typically follow logical rules.  Trying using problem solving as a way to learn new material.  For example, have the kids develop a hypothesis that they can test.  Discuss the results on whether failed or succeeded and ask them why this was the case.  You may be surprised how they articulate their answers.

Social Learners

Social learners thrive on interpersonal communications and learn best in a group atmosphere. You can teach to this learning style through role playing, group projects, volunteering, service projects, and debates.  Let kids engage with others, facilitate discussions, and encourage collaboration.  You will also find that social learners can make great pen pals.

Solitary Learners

Solitary learners prefer individual teaching or self-paced learnings.  Being in group situations can cause anxiety and lead to them shutting down.  Try centering your lesson plans around things they are already interested in and use their interest as a vessel to learn new things.  For example, if you have a child obsessed with airplanes you can use this to teach about gravity, weather, physics, motivation, cultural differences, motivation, or even cooking.  Solidary learners will also enjoy watching how-to-videos and reading to learn new things. 

Aural learners thrive on teaching techniques that involve sound.  Making up a story or a song with the directions or the main concepts of the lesson will help this type of learner succeed.  Encourage them to rewrite the lyrics to their favorite songs to learn new things.  You can also use music to set the mood of the learning environment.  If the kids are taking an exam, trying playing some classical music.  If you need them to be excited about something they find boring (math, grammar, history, could be anything), play some pump-it-up music for a few minutes.  For younger children, use oral storytelling and sing-alongs to teach important lessons.  For example, if you are teaching about different body parts, sing the “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song.

Verbal Learners

Verbal learning centers on the use of words.  Copying down phrases and words, taking their own notes during lectures, reading out loud, listening to audio recordings, and discussions are effective teaching methods and techniques for this type of learner.  Teach spelling by having them write out the word correctly multiple times on a piece of paper or on a white board.  Help your children understand rules by writing them on a poster board that they can see and refer to.  If your kids are interested in writing, learn how to help them write a mystery story that they can be proud of.

Physical Learners

Physical learners learn through “doing”.  Encourage kids to build, create, act things out, and experience what they are learning.  If you are teaching about Ancient Rome, allow kids to build models of ancient buildings and historical sites.  If they are not good at building models and structures, try having your students act out what they are learning in a skit, improv, or a play.  Field trips, technology, and playing games are also effective teaching methods for physical learners.  For example, if you are teaching the angles of triangles in geometry, bring the lesson out to the basketball court.  You can have two students demonstrate and make different angles while standing next to the basketball hoop.  Experimentation is also a good method to use.  Encourage kids to learn from their mistakes and failed attempts. If you are trying to teach kids about entrepreneurship, a subject that is very hands on, try taking this course to learn more about effective teaching methods.

Logical Learners

Logical learners need to know the elusive “why?”. The answer “because” or “it just is” will never sit right with them.  They will excel at following complicated directions and using technology and games to reach learning outcomes.   You can learn more on how to teach with technology and connect with your students with this course.  Children who are logical learners often go on to be engineers or mathematicians, as both of these professional fields typically follow logical rules.  Trying using problem solving as a way to learn new material.  For example, have the kids develop a hypothesis that they can test.  Discuss the results on whether failed or succeeded and ask them why this was the case.  You may be surprised how they articulate their answers.

Social Learners

Social learners thrive on interpersonal communications and learn best in a group atmosphere. You can teach to this learning style through role playing, group projects, volunteering, service projects, and debates.  Let kids engage with others, facilitate discussions, and encourage collaboration.  You will also find that social learners can make great pen pals.

Solitary Learners

Solitary learners prefer individual teaching or self-paced learnings.  Being in group situations can cause anxiety and lead to them shutting down.  Try centering your lesson plans around things they are already interested in and use their interest as a vessel to learn new things.  For example, if you have a child obsessed with airplanes you can use this to teach about gravity, weather, physics, motivation, cultural differences, motivation, or even cooking.  Solidary learners will also enjoy watching how-to-videos and reading to learn new things.