1. Make reading time fun.
Books help children understand the world around them. Dorothy Rich, author of “MegaSkills®,” suggests encouraging lifelong reading with fun activities. For example, she suggests asking children to act out a story they just read. She also recommends posting a world map near your favourite reading spot to help kids locate a story’s setting. For more ideas, try creating a daily reading time, perhaps at bedtime or immediately after dinner. Keep reference books, dictionaries and almanacs close by to answer any questions. Ask children to talk about the story’s beginning, middle and end. Help children develop their inner critic by asking what they liked and disliked. To make reading a habit, schedule library trips on the same day each week.
2. Think outside of the museum.
Field trips give your children the opportunity to touch, hold, see, taste and live what they are learning from books. Beyond the typical children’s museum, try visiting a living-history museum or find a historical re-enactment taking place in your area. Maybe take a trip to an animal farm, a planetarium, a sporting event or a factory that gives tours. Enhance the experience by reading books about the topic before you go. Use your library’s online system and reserve both fiction and nonfiction works. You can even let your field trip plans create a complete theme for your entire week. In “MegaSkills,” Rich suggests allowing children to help plan the trip by gathering bus or subway routes, schedules, fees and travel times.
3. Grow with music.
Two recent studies found that learning to play a musical instrument helps the brain work more efficiently in processing language. Beyond scheduling music lessons, which are often available through local art and recreation centres, try to fit songs and music into your daily routine. Sing whenever the mood hits you. Help your children feel the rhythm by dancing, clapping and swaying with songs. Check out musical CDs from the library. If you play an instrument, look for songbooks with musical notations so your child can sing along while you play. For younger children, purchase or borrow CDs with illustrated songbooks or hand motions to enhance the experience. Keep these CDs and songbooks in your car. Change out your selections regularly to keep it fun.
4. Play to your child’s interests.
According to Joe Renzulli, author of "The Total Talent Portfolio: A Systematic Plan to Identify and Nurture Gifts and Talents" and co-creator of the online enrichment program Renzulli™ Learning, the golden rule is to look at each child individually. "First, identify your child’s interests, and then look for activities that offer high engagement," says Renzulli. "There are thousands of Web sites out there that promote a hands-on environment. For example, a child interested in ancient history can virtually dissect a mummy or even build a pyramid."
5. Add workbooks and a timer.
Workbooks are abundantly available today by grade level, interest or developmental area. To easily structure some daily enhancement time, choose an age-appropriate workbook with interesting illustrations and activities. Make it easy to engage your child by setting a timer or doing a limited number of pages. As a reward, offer to play a round of your child’s favourite board game upon completion. And you don’t even need to tell your child that he or she is developing skills doing that, too.
