Playing Smart: A Parent's Guide to Enriching, Offbeat Learning Activities for Ages 4-14

• Main Authors: Perry, Susan K, Espeland, Pamela, Ed
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Free Spirit Publishing, Inc 1990
• Subjects: Brainstorming; Childrens Games; Creative Activities; Creative Development; Creative Play; Creative Thinking; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Learning Activities; Mental Exercises; Mental Skills; Parent Child Relationship; Parent Materials; Parent Participation; Recreational Activities; Thinking Skills
• ISBN: 0915793229; 9780915793228

Recognizing that children need enrichment at home, this book offers hundreds of unusual ways for kids and parents to spend time together. It also demonstrates the fun people can have while learning, and the learning that goes on while having fun. Using this book as a guide, parents and children can survey new subjects ranging from cultural relativity to photography, journal keeping, psychology, and the mental side of physical education. The activities in this book stress creative thinking (especially brainstorming), most of them require little or no preparation or equipment, and most can be done in small bits of time just about anywhere. Each chapter contains introductory material, suggested activities, and a list of resources for further exploration of a topic or interest. The eleven chapters are: (1) "Instant Fun" (keeping occupied while waiting); (2) "Journal Journeys"; (3) "Don't Read This Chapter!" (mind games); (4) "Find Adventure in Ordinary Places"; (5) "Learning Comes Alive at the Cemetery"; (6) "Photography: More Than Meets the Eye"; (7) "Use Your Head: Physical Activities That Exercise the Mind"; (8) "Dirt, Worms, Bugs, and Mud: Kids in the Garden"; (9) "Mind Snacks: Recipes for Kitchen Learning"; (10) "Cultural Diversity: It's All Relative"; and (11) "The Junior Psychologist." The book also includes a special section on introducing famous authors through their books for children that contains an annotated list of over 60 books. (TJQ)