Outdoor Expedition Part I

Children and the outdoor spaces are deeply interconnected.

A child’s place is definitely in the outdoors as nature plays an elementary role in their development. Yet, leaving for expeditions in the outer environment raises many concerns for each parent. They either worry too much, or don’t worry at all. Below you can find some helpful advice for your outdoor exploration with your children.

As tempting as it may be to keep your child in the safety of your hour house or of your back yard, or even of the park you go on a daily basis, you should be more endearing, step outside the safety zone, and try new things, more fresh air, and new areas. It will only be beneficial for your little man. It is best that each time you go ahead to the outdoors you pick your place wisely considering two or more from these elements: grass, trees, sand, mud, water, flowers or animals.

Once, children had numerous places for free play. They played everywhere, on the streets, sidewalk, alleys, be it park or a vacant parcel that the city offered. In the suburbs or villages they took advantage of the forests, rivers or fields. The opportunities were limitless and that with little or no parental supervision. Nobody worried something might happen. Now, the situation has changed considerably. Parents worry and are fearful so they carefully supervise every step their child makes. Therefore, children usually stay and play indoors or most of they outdoors activities consist of learning and playing sports.

Still, parents should go head for the outskirts of the city to allow their children to play in the woods, to head for the lake or the river or to run around the grassy fields. Remember, children can easily get bored. This is why they can choose from a variety of outdoor games they can play.

No Kids Allowed movement is spreading

Fish Smarty is a well known supporter of Kids Allowed Movement, however recently it came to his attention that children all over US are ban in specific public places.

Read more here: What's the matter with kids today and why doesn't anyone want them around? In June, Malaysia Airlines banned babies from many of their first class cabins, prompting other major airlines to consider similar policies.

Lately, complaints about screaming kids are being taken seriously, not only by airlines, but by hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, and even grocery stores.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-no-kids-allowed-movement-is-spreading-2516110/

Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter!

10-Year-Old 'Workout Kid' Has Grade Schoolers Sweating And Football Coaches Drooling

That's an interesting article on Kids health and sport.

C.J. Senter may or may not be the next Tony Horton or the next Barry Sanders, but he is definitely the next 10-year-old to watch.

Granted, when most people hear "child prodigy," they rightfully raise an eyebrow and wonder who is pulling the strings. Add a workout DVD by a fourth-grader with sculpted muscles to the mix and "cute" can turn to "concerning." But it turns out the story behind "C.J. The Workout Kid" is a lot more inspiring than insidious....

More information here.

Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter!

Foreign Languages from an early age

We live in a highly multicultural and global society. We face new situations in which we are forced to contact people almost on a daily basis. As we are required to increase our communication skills by learning foreign languages (minimum one, preferably three) so will our children have to meet the demands of an overly diverse society.

That's why it's better to prepare them for the world they will be living in, not just for lucrative reasons, but also because learning foreign languages will be extremely beneficial for their mental and psychological development.

It is a well known fact that children are far more receptive to all kinds of information than adults. This rule applied to learning foreign languages too. Recently, a Romanian deputy made a legislative proposal according to which all movies that play on both cinemas and TV stations would have to be dubbed in Romanian. Apparently, this initiative would help promote the national culture and Romanian language. However, the public outcry was tremendous. Facebook groups were born voting against the legislative proposal, generating online riots. Nobody wanted to give up on the language and subtitling! Romanians refused to align to Central- East European movement of dubbing films. Their arguments were related to the fact that having subtitles improves reading abilities, allows the viewer to listen to actors’ real voices, without losing the atmosphere. In addition, subtitling provides one of the first ways in which people can learn a new language, and is highly recommended to children. 

Furthermore, the Internet is also a valuable resource, providing programs and games that help children learn languages. Websites such as fishsmarty.com (that offers the possibility to learn English language) contains educational games on vocabulary or grammar structure by identifying the missing letters and completing the sentences. The added value consists of the fact that these games help children process language by relating words to objects and images, improve reading comprehension and foster imagination. The games make grammar rules vanish and seem easier to comprehend by combining words in phrases and sentences which make sense.

Nonetheless, this is a positive example. Parents must keep in mind that not all the methods provided through the Internet can be used with good results when trying to teach your kid a new language. Therefore, parents must be very attentive and look for an online program that is highly interactive, playful and that would be stimulating through sound, color and content.

The classes held in kindergarten or at school are not enough for a child to learn a language properly. The parent’s responsibility is to offer him alternative methods that would complete what he is taught in school.

Recently, an article in the Telegraph reports Mark Zuckerberg claiming that the laws needed to change to allow children under 13 to join Facebook because: “My philosophy is that for education you need to start at a really, really young age.” Yet, how could Facebook (a tool developed for socializing and merchandise) and yet be suitable for children without judgement up to the point where it would become an educational website? Facebook’s ultimate goal is to conquer the world and be the largest virtual nation on the planet. Well, lets leave Facebook do that and the education in someone else's hands. Facebook can pretend it might become an educational site, but for the time being, at least, it lacks the means to fuse both socializing and education. Also, there is little expectation in the legislation to change in favor, allowing such young children to sign up. Facebook should stick to what it knows best and let specialized websites become educational resources.

Last but not least, practice is the mother of success and will bring the child ease in speaking new languages. A child learns without realizing and once he is exposed to a new speaking environment or culture he will learn like a machine. Travel with your kids, encourage them to explore, play and learn.

Explore the outdoor - part II

Fish Smarty around the world

You, as a parent will soon discover that it will be easier for him to go asleep, even for the afternoon nap which is usually so problematic. He/she will be more creative since a lot of the childhood memories are defining and shaping the perceptions and sensations of the adult life.

Don’t oversupervise your toddle. Keep in mind that in order for him/her to gain independence and confidence he/she needs to have a greater freedom. Though outdoor games definitely can be riskier than indoors playing, you must first teach him some basic safety rules and then give him the space he needs to move freely. Don’t panic if falls and gets dirty. This is only normal!

Another great advantage of outdoor playing is that it encourages socialization and interaction between children. This is how they make friends, how they learn to behave with people their own age or how they can practice the language with kids just like them. Don’t forbid him to play with children you are prejudiced about. Let him get close to all his peers. This is how he will develop an open mind approach about people. Allow him to know how togetherness with kids his own age feels and to appreciate free play.

Fish Smarty around the world

Outdoor games are immensely beneficial to the wellbeing of your child. Let him learn from all the advantages that open air environment offers. He will not only be healthier, but more happy, outgoing and relaxed about the outer world.

Why play is vital - no matter the age

Children who do not play with their hands, will have difficulties in life to resolve problems in life
Curiosity is part of the exploration and learning.
Fish Smarty - because we make kids smarter!

Explore the outdoor - part I

For children, playing and games represent one of the most stimulating means of learning. Moreover, if the playing environment is outdoors, then the success rate is guaranteed.

I’m sure we can all remember our own childhood games in open air – the fresh air, the larger space, the greater number of kids we played with, the unconstrained amusement and laughter. Educational studies have shown that among the benefits of being a part of games are improvements in IQ scores, race and social relations (children don’t care if their playing friends belong to a race or another or if they are rich or poor), attitudes and school results. Children find it easier to learn about animals, plants or birds, colours and sounds, so the open air space they play in, can become a kind of classroom, only freer and more energetic. 

Outdoor games are also very beneficial for the children because they involve a lot of movement while they explore the environment, they become better coordinated, their flexibility and muscle strength increase and they can start to develop an interest for sports. They start to ride bikes, to skate and run vigorously. Remember that it’s always better for them to exhaust all their energy outdoors, where they can get plenty of fresh air and sunshine than being held indoors.