Brain Activities Key For Ages Two To Five

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 Why is it especially important to do activities with children ages two through five? It is so much easier to put them in front of a cute movie or fast moving game on our phones or any sized computer.

  According to research, children need to understand at least 20,000 words when they enter school. These words are learned from conversations and reading with adults. Brains with 20,000 words say,” Oh, yes. I heard this before when Dad read to me and we talked while playing blocks on the floor. No problem.”

  Children who sit in front of kids movies and computers and aren’t read to, learn only 3,000 words. Since the devices use the same words over and over, these children have a much harder time learning to read. They haven’t heard or used the large variety of words they encounter in grades K-3.

Making Time For Kids

   How and when do we fit this into busy lives? Evidently this time must be scheduled. If something else must be dropped, if the house is not exactly spotless, if shopping is put on hold, if a phone call goes unanswered, if a favorite show isn’t watched, so be it.

  This window of opportunity happens only once in a human being’s life. Brain cells develop and make connections rapidly ages two through five.  We cannot see the brain, but just observe the difference between a two year old and a five year old body.  Think of what must be happening in the brain.

  What can we do? Schedule thirty-minute active or quiet activities so there is something to talk about. Doing activities naturally encourages conversations. 

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  These activities can involve materials already found around the home and neighborhood.  For example, take a walk and talk about what you see. Pick up leaves and acorns and gather them in a bag. Search for animals getting ready for winter. Talk about who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. What colors are the leaves? Why are the squirrels scurrying around?

When you make time again, children can quietly create a collage using leaves, acorns, and glue while you talk through what they are doing. When dry, tape the art on a wall or refrigerator. Praise how beautiful it is in front of others. Notice how children used their thumbs and fingers. Those muscles are building and getting ready to hold crayons and pencils correctly.

Teach Others

  Is there someone in your extended family or neighborhood who doesn’t know how to play and talk with children? Invite them over. Do an activity together. Share this column. Based on your e-mails, these columns are sent around the world.

   Photos: Fran Darling:fdarlingfotos

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest