BA, MEd
Ashley KZ Showell is a kindergarten teacher with 12 years of experience. She is also the founder of Forwardwithfun.com, where she promotes hands-on learning activities that get children excited about learning. She graduated from UCLA in 2010 with her Masters in Education with a focus on social justice. Her passions are inclusive education for all, creating a curriculum that makes learning fun, and empowering parents to become active in their children’s education. Outside of her life as an educator, Ashley is a passionate runner, singer, Disney enthusiast, and mother of two.
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Many parents now opt for homeschooling or wish to take their kid's learning to an advanced level. Learning school activities for kids can help them prepare for school and tests and become successful in life. Several learning activities are designed to help children speed up their academic learning and introduce them to newer concepts beyond textbooks. Our list of activities will make learning joyful and interesting for your kids. Top Ten School Activities For Kids Here are ten school activities that your kids will surely love doing. Help your student or kid to do the following steps: 1. Make A Weather Wall: [caption id="attachment_1091329" align="alignnone" width="720"] Shutterstock[/caption] The weather symbol activity will help the kids identify and learn about various weather conditions. Activities for kids in school have to be full of fun and learning. These are perfect back-to-school activities for kids after a long vacation. You Will Need: Chart paper Smaller sheets of paper Scissors Colors Pencils Glue How...
Many children are unenthusiastic about reading because they think books are not exciting. So, we have included some fun reading activities for kids to help them develop positive feelings toward reading. Children benefit significantly from reading as it helps develop their brain, boost memory, and develop imagination. If you want your children to start reading, involve them in fun activities and encourage them in different ways, such as setting a good example by reading yourself or creating a suitable environment for them to read. It might take time but soon your child will be turning to books for enjoyment and entertainment. So, read about the different benefits of reading books, the activities you can plan, and the useful tips you can follow. [mj-toc] The Benefits Of Reading [caption id="attachment_891311" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] There are some parents who are alright with the fact that their child does not like to read. Why should he read when the same information is...
Kids find it especially tough to break the ice with strangers. Some of them slink around at corners instead of mingling with other children at parties. So introduce conversation games for kids to foster interaction with others. The discourse below on ten excellent conversation games and entertainment activities can turn your bashful kid into a chirpy chatterbox in no time. Top 10 Conversation Games For Kids 1. That How We Roll [caption id="attachment_377085" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] You Will Need: Pen Paper Dice How To: You can practice the learning activity for a public speaking event or in a class. Write a list of questions that you would want the kids to answer. The questions can be icebreakers or the ones that elicit opinions or thoughts. Give each child a copy of those questions and make sure they’re numbered. Now tell the students to take turns at rolling the dice. The kids have to answer the number they get on...
Learning numbers can be challenging for many children. However, children learn better when they are taught through play and rhymes. So, we have compiled some number games for kindergarten kids that can help children get acquainted with maths, counting, and numbers. Playing along to number-based nursery rhymes like “One, two, buckle my shoe…” and “Five little speckled frogs” would make any toddler sing along and have fun while learning. We have included ways you can help children learn their numbers better without getting nervous. So, read on to find out more about number-based learning games that will encourage problem-solving in your child. Counting And Number Activities For Kindergarten The following list has 15 easy number games and activities that you can try with things in your house. All you need is a little preparation, and you’re set to give the kid a numbers lesson so they understand basic mathematical logic. 1. Number Train [caption id="attachment_421746" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Image: iStock[/caption] Kids...
Learning about shapes is important for children to understand the world around them. At schools, kids learn about shapes: their sides, vertices, names, etc. However, such learning can also start at home with shape-learning games for kids. When children encounter challenges that involve identifying shapes and forms of objects, it contributes to learning and improving [simple_tooltip text="motor" tooltip="Am ability to move and control various body parts, especially hands, legs, and fingers." ] and [simple_tooltip text="sensory skills" tooltip="The ability to obtain, process, and infer information through the major senses, namely, smell, sight, touch, taste, and hearing." ]. It also contributes towards better [simple_tooltip text="hand-eye coordination" tooltip="An important cognitive skill of performing movements with hands while being guided by the eyes." ] in children from an early age. So, explore the various games listed below to find a suitable one for your children. Read on to know more. [mj-toc] Online Shape Games For Kids Most kids love computer games. So why not...
Information and facts about the solar system can generate interest and excitement for kids. In ancient days, people used to study the stars and the associated astronomical bodies with other animals, objects, and mythical gods. Those people used to believe that everything revolves around the Earth. They used the term “planetes” for the [simple_tooltip text="celestial" tooltip="Objects or phenomena of the outer space." ] bodies, a Greek term that means wanderers (1). With more research, it is now known that everything, including all the comets, meteors, asteroids, planets, dwarf planets, and moon — orbit around the sun. Dive into this post for some fascinating facts about these stellar bodies in our solar system. [mj-toc] Planets In Our Solar System Our solar system comprises eight planets, of which some planets are filled with gasses, some have a rocky surfaces, some are small, and some are big. Scientists are discovering new things about the planets and the solar system daily. Let us first...
Albert Einstein is considered the father of modern physics. He was one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century. If you are looking for Albert Einstein facts for kids, this post is for you. To start with, he was born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Württemberg, Germany. His theories about gravity, matter, light, space, and relativity have won him accolades. He was awarded the Nobel prize for physics in 1921 for his approach and explanation of the photoelectric effect. Keep reading for some more fascinating facts about Albert Einstein. [mj-toc] Albert Einstein’s Biography For Kids Albert Einstein was born to Jews Hermann and Pauline Einstein. His father was a salesman while his mother was a homemaker. Einstein had a younger sibling Maria "Maja," Einstein, who was born on November 18, 1881, in Munich. It is said that young Albert had a lot of exposure to science and electronics from his father. Einstein loved maths and science but...
Hear, see, touch, smell, and taste! Are your curious toddlers licking and touching every random object around them? As toddlers begin to explore their surroundings, they enjoy seeing various colors, smelling odors, tasting, hearing new sounds, and feeling new textures. Sensory play is one of the best ways to provide your children with the opportunity to explore their sensations. Besides attuning their senses, the sensory play also improves your child’s motor, fine, and cognitive skills. These five senses activities for preschoolers and toddlers can engage them in hours of play while letting their imagination and creativity peak. [mj-toc]10 Five Senses Activities For Preschoolers And Toddlers This list of 5 senses activities for preschoolers can help you keep them engaged when you run out of ideas or anytime you want to introduce sensory play for fun. 1. Sound match [caption id="attachment_794751" align="alignnone" width="720"] Image: Shutterstock[/caption] This game helps in honing their listening skills. It teaches children the importance of staying quiet...