Pop Quiz: How many cereal brands can your child name? How about fast food restaurants? Now ask him/her to name all the birds s/he can remember. There are probably just as many bird species in your neighborhood as fast-food brands,
Summer Reading Recommendations for the “Picture Smart” Child
All Ages: Books by Laurence Anholt, who penned several children's books about famous artists including Monet, Degas, Picasso and van Gogh. Books by David Macaulay, whose books have won numerous awards and honors including the Caldecott Medal, about different kinds
Let’s Go!
Adapted with permission from Chicago Park District’s “Once Upon a Day Camp” Guide Find a large, open space and have your child start walking around the room or space. Then, say “Let’s go to [A PLACE]!” (The place can be
Environmental Experiments
Set up a summer-long experiment to see how small changes in environment affect plants. Begin by planting identical plant seeds or young plants in 5 different containers (you can use cut off milk cartons or plastic bottles as your pots)
Journal Jar
Because self smart kids generally have a good handle on their emotions, moods and reactions and enjoy self-discovery and reflection, journaling is often a favorite activity and an enjoyable way to develop linguistic acumen. But just getting your child a
Score Well in Math
Inspired by Super Bowl Sub Game from Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Hands On Learners Now that pre-season football has begun and families have started to think about afterschool sports, here’s a fun way to remember
Using Personality Type to Enhance Music Education
Bonnie TeVelde wasn't always a music school director—she started as an accountant and business operations consultant that helped clients develop their businesses. She was frustrated and started a music education on the side to fill her soul in a way
How Playing Angry Birds Could Make Your Child Smarter
Have you noticed that kids nowadays are always glued to their phones or playing video games instead of going outside and hanging out with the neighborhood children? It seems that good ol’ fashioned games like duck, duck, goose are a
Melodramatic Mime
Have your child act out a favorite story or book in melodramatic mime, playing all the characters. Encourage over-exaggerated movements from him/her! Extra Credit: Have your child mime one of your favorite stories without you reading it. See if you can
Wordless Walk
Make a date to go for a wordless walk with your child each evening. Use the opportunity to silently reflect on your days, just enjoying the sounds of nature as you stroll away the day’s stresses. Think about what you