Enhancing Right Brain Learning - Methods and Strategies

By Andrew Loh

In many areas of our educational system, the right hand side of the brain has no role to play or very limited role to show. Under utilization of right lobe of brain could be the biggest deterrent to your children's academic and professional success. Using the right side of the brain can provide your children a number of benefits and advantages. The left side of the brain always relies on academic drills, repetition of exercises, periodical tests and quizzes and linear and methodical approaches that eventually help your children enhance and build memory. On the other hand, right lobe of the brain depends on visual and graphical stimulation that relies on developing excellent photographic memory abilities, very strong visualization skills and extra ordinary creativity.

Applying Edward de Bono's Principles - Lateral Thinking

By Andrew Loh

 "Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned." - Edward de Bono

Lateral thinking theory developed and pioneered by Dr. Edward de Bono, provides a deliberate, well-planned and systematic process that eventually results in creative thinking and problem solving abilities. Lateral thinking process assists you in many ways like:

•  Think in a creative manner
•  Convert difficult problems into definite opportunities
•  Help increase number of ideas and new vistas by using and adapting unconventional thinking techniques and methods.
•  Tap the hidden talents and skills to find solutions to problems.
  

HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN THAT CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES

   Experiencing the consequences of their choices is one of the most effective ways children can learn self-discipline. These lessons really last because they come from real life. Most success in life depends on making wise choices. Being able to think ahead about the positive or negative consequences of an action and choose accordingly is a skill we want our children to learn.

Praise and your kids

   Praise is a valuable shaper; children want to please you and keep your approval. Yet, you can easily overdo it. Praise the behavior, not the person. Praises like "good girl" or "good boy" risk misinterpretation and are best reserved for training pets. These labels are too heavy for some children. ("If I don't do well, does that mean I'm bad?") Better is: "You did a good job cleaning your room." "That's a good decision." "I like the way you used lots of color in this picture." The child will see that the praise is sincere since you made the effort to be specific; it shows that you're paying attention. For quickies try "Great job!" or "Way to go!" or even "Yesss!" To avoid the "I'm valued by my performance" trap, acknowledge the act and let the child conclude the act is praiseworthy. If you praise every other move the child makes he will either get addicted to praise, or wonders why you are so desperate to make him feel good about himself. Be realistic. You don't have to praise, or even acknowledge, things he just does for the joy of it, for his own reasons.

Elementary School Curriculum Design

  It is believed that 2/3rds of a human being’s intellect is formed in the initial years of life. The years of elementary education are truly the magical years of a child’s life that can either make or mar the child’s personality. The foundation of 
The school authorities and the facilitators who have taken upon the responsibility of nurturing children through these formative years should definitely be clear with their objectives. The curriculum at the elementary level should be designed in such a way that all realms of child learning are tapped to the best potential.

Teaching Your Children Independence Thinking Skills - How Parents can be Proactive in Training their children

   Tying shoelaces, buttoning the shirt, cleaning the study table, doing laundry and doing homework on own without parents' help - these are some of the most common, yet important responsibilities for a child. These simple activities may look and feel very simple to many of us. However, they can pose a big challenge for most of the children, who are under the age of 10 years. To an adult, these simple jobs may look monotonous and regular. However, these perceived simple tasks may look humungous to all children. Children must learn and master many skills and techniques, before they leave home for their higher studies. Acquiring independence thinking skills at an early age will help your children build confidence and self-esteem.

   Young children and toddlers often like to do and perform very meaningful and understandable “adult-type” tasks. Many times, they are too enthusiastic about doing things on their own. What they lack are the techniques or methods to perform these tasks. To help your children succeed in learning independence skills, you may need to set up a congenial physical environment to assist them become more independent.

Developing Child Independence Thinking Skills

   

   Critical independent thinking skills are very important for your children. These important skills can enhance self-esteem and promote an ability to meet any challenging situation with ease and optimism. However, as parents we can hinder our children's ability to develop independence thinking skills, by helping or doing more than they actually need. Sometimes, we may even never realize that we are actually doing all the work for them. In life, parents just love their children and they want to take care of their children in every possible way. However, parents may also forget that going all the way to help their children, may actually hinder their children's ability to develop independence thinking skills.

   One of the primary goals of parents is to help children develop the intense desire and ability to think on their own and without other's help. Independent thinking is the desire or wish of a person to convince him or her that the information and detail being presented is true, worthy or reasonable.