Kavish Gadia
There is a long list of things that children miss about school during the pandemic — like meeting their teachers, playing on the school’s grounds, being in a classroom with their classmates. But a couple of things that need not get added on to this ever-growing list are reading and learning.
Here are ways by which you can make sure your children can keep up their learning and reading habits during this pandemic!
FOR LITTLE LEARNERS (between three and six years)
Build their vocabulary
Use sticky notes to build multilingual vocabulary and pasting them on things in the house, For example, make them write – door and stick them on that object. This is a wonderful way to retain words and widen the vocabulary bank.
Awaken the scientist in them.
It is never too early or late to introduce a little curiosity in learning, now that there is more time to spend in the house! Experiential learning can take the driver’s seat to go on a “Science Me Up Ride”. Don’t worry, you will only need small things in the house to make this happen. For example, creating a rainbow in a bottle by using just water and sugar.
Make it a group activity
Have a 30-minute reading ritual at night, where the entire family sits and reads their own books. Do this for a couple of days and you’ll notice on day 3, your little learner will start reading before you even ask!|
Busy Busy Bee
Involve the children in household chores to keep them busy and also help them learn about things around them. For example, you may seek their support in making their own beds (motor skills and discipline), watering plants (names of plants and colours), washing utensils (procedure of washing), waking a sandwich (names of food items)
FOR SLIGHTLY OLDER LEARNERS (between six and 10 years)
Write, right now
Encourage your children to write down their thoughts. Even better, help them maintain a journal for writing about their day. Who knows, they could be the next Anne Frank! And if you want any more ideas for boosting learning, you can always download and effectively use reading apps like fREADom.
The author is co-founder & CEO, Stones2Milestones
