Engaging the Brain Over the Holidays
Written by: Rebecca Smith, MACP, Registered Psychologist, Counsellor, Family Ties Association
With the holidays upcoming and children being off school, you might be wondering – how in the world am I going to occupy their time and how do teachers do this all day long? Well let’s explore some ideas to try at home to keep their young brain (and yours) stimulated.
1. Puzzle the brain with a puzzle. Putting together a puzzle can help the brain develop and maintain spatial awareness skills; the brain is required to figure out which piece goes where and then how to manipulate the piece so it can fit in the right spot. The brain is also trying to figure out what the ‘larger picture’ is from all the small pieces. Whether you engage in a simple 5-piece puzzle or a 1000-piece masterpiece, the brain is going to be working hard.
2. Try your hand at some card games. Want to develop and continue to improve the brain’s memory, problem solving skills, attention and critical thinking? Well engaging in card games can do just that. One of the best things about cards is that you can play a variety of games for a variety of ages. Some example to get you started are: ‘make a match’ or ‘memory’, ‘go fish’, ‘crazy eights’, ‘old maid’, ‘rummy’ or ‘I doubt it’ (a simple Google search will pop up with the instructions on how to play any of the aforementioned card games).
3. Try to learn something new and teach others. Has your child always wanted to take up painting, sewing, wood working, beading or computer coding? Well in the weeks off of school is the perfect time to stimulate that brain with learning a new skill and a skill they actually want to learn. Want to step it up a notch? Get your child to teach you their newly learned skill; not only does this help increase attachment, but it helps solidify that skill in their brain and makes them better at it (think…practice, practice, practice).
4. Musical melodies. Music does so many wonderful things for the brain that it is hard to keep count just how many there are. Needing to create some calm and quiet time in the house – put on some music. Needing to motivate your children to move – put on some music. When the brain hears music or is actively participating in making music, areas that help promote language development, sound processing, perception, memory, creativity and executive functions (controlling behaviours, making decisions, problem solving) are being stimulated.
5. Get outside and play. The brain gets some much needed fresh air from being outside and the body gets a chance to move around. Encourage your child to go to a playground, build a snowman, engage in a snowball fight, build a snow fort, or try a winter sport. The brain delights in engaging in both fine and large motor skills!
6. Cooking. Trying out a familiar or new recipe is another wonderful way to help stimulate the brain and your stomach! Language skills are being sharpened as you and your child read through recipes and vocalize the needed ingredients. Math skills are used when measuring out the given ingredients. Motor skills are engaged when mixing, stirring, and preparing everything. Cause and effect; what happens when you add liquid to baking soda or when you mix to different colours of food colouring? Plus, you are usually left with a delicious treat to eat after all the hard work!
This is just a small list of the many great things you can do as a family over the holidays; whatever you choice to do this holiday season, remember to have fun!
References:
Dundas, Z. (2019, October 22). How cooking together helps kids' growing brains. Little Sous. Retrieved from https://resources.littlesous.com/lifestyle/how-cooking-together-helps-kids-growing-brains/
Gersema, E. (2016, June 20). Children’s brains develop faster with music training. USC News. Retrieved from https://news.usc.edu/102681/childrens-brains-develop-faster-with-music-training/
Fisher, E., Ph. D. (n.d.). Boosting brain power: Playing a game can do all that! The Genius of Play. Retrieved from https://thegeniusofplay.org/genius/expert-advice/articles/boosting-brain-power-playing-a-game-can-do-all-that.aspx#.Yb_76mDMI2y
Myers, R., PhD. (2019, February 26). Music is an important ingredient for child development and Parent-Child relationships. Child Development Institute. Retrieved from https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/development/music-is-an-important-ingredient-for-child-development-and-parent-child-relationships/#gs.ju3d33
Trautner, T. (2021, March 17). Spatial awareness with infants and toddlers. Early Childhood Development; Michigan State University. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/spatial-awareness-with-infants-and-toddlers
Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cold-snow-wood-people-6618008/