I often find myself feeling nostalgic as I pass by an elementary school playground and see children playing some of the same games I used to love as a kid. Playground games are typically passed down from generation to generation and often with a minor tweak here or there. What’s great about sing-along hand games…
How long can you concentrate?
I knew the day would eventually come – my grandson beat me at Memory. Usually, I let him win, but as the game progressed, I felt myself actually trying and missing one pair after another. We all know it’s inevitable, a child’s working memory surpassing that of a rusty adult brain. Not that I’m admitting defeat;…
Ready? Set? Roll!!
We’ve made it through the dog days of summer! What are those you might say? I looked it up – and without getting to “sciency”, it is the hottest part of summer due to the tilt of the earth and is named after a bright star. (My passion for science never waivers…) So what is…
Button, Button. Who’s Got the Button?
I grew up in the days of danger… rickety swingsets, no bicycle helmets, and climbing trees as high as I could without an adult within a block. This was also a time when games weren’t very sophisticated and household items were never discarded, just added to the toy bin. This week’s activity, Button, Button. Who’s Got…
Now You See It, Now You Don’t!
Can you find five differences in the image above? This task requires concentration and focus, behaviors that rely heavily on the Executive Function (EF) skill of working memory. Working memory is the skill to keep information active in your mind for a short period of time (seconds) and keeping it available for further processing. This…
Quit Bugging Me!
I’m sure we’ve heard that often enough over the last year and a half! Big sisters heckling little brothers, little cousins annoying overly cool teenagers, and yes, your youngest child hanging on your sleeve. Covid has definitely tested one’s patience. It’s time to get outdoors, stretch your legs, and explore the micro world of insects.…
Shake, Rattle, and Roll!
Or better yet, hop, skip, and jump! No matter how we phrase it, activity and play is important for everyone, children and adults alike. That is why Reflection Sciences and Playworks are working together this summer to make sure learning through fun continues. There are relationships between children’s play and development in several areas, including…
Walk Like an Egyptian!
You know the lyrics, and you can’t resist walking like an Egyptian when the song comes on. So you think it makes you the dorky parent but really it actually is strengthening your Executive Function skills! WHAT?! You read it right. Pretend play (yes, adults can do it, too) is a great way to support…
Can You Really Grow Your Own Pizza?
Some of playtime can be planning, and growing a flourishing garden can require just that. This week’s activity Potted Garden, helps kids appreciate where food and flowers come from and what goes into bringing them into their home. Growing plants is a fun, educational activity that families can enjoy anytime and encourages children to experiment with…
Singing + Ball + Fun = Learning!
It’s week 2 in our #WhattheEFSummer fun activity series and we have great news! Playworks is joining the team and adding to our list of games that strengthen Executive Function Skills and Social Emotional Learning. Singing, Throwing, Laughing This week we are focusing on impulse control and prosocial behavior with Wonderball, an active, outdoor game…