Teaching Kids Nature is Full of Sounds

“The song of earth has many different chords”—Amy Lowell

   

Explore Nature by a Stream

Children can become good listeners while walking in fields, along a shore, in the mountains and forest or their own backyard. The trick is to get them to be very quiet. Juliet Robertson and Chris Hall both expert teachers and naturalists have some suggestions. 

Deer Ears

  Ms. Robertson uses owl ears and Mr. Hall uses deer ears, but the idea is the same. Children cup their hands like scooping up water and place the hands behind their ears to collect sounds like satellite dishes.  Children may have  observed animals moving their cupped shaped ears around when they are on high alert gathering sounds. The cupped ear triples the size of the outer ear.

Look for Beaver-Chew

 Children can find a pleasant spot, cup their ears, and be very, very still. Some naturalists ask children to blink very hard or wink when they hear a new sound. This distraction keeps them quiet for a time.  They will will let you know when it is time to stop. 

  Another interesting activity is to find a snail or slug. Do not handle it. Leave it on the ground and experiment with different pitches of sound.  When someone reaches the correct pitch, the animal will uncurl, stretch its antennae and start moving.

Walking quietly

  Children can also learn to walk quietly based on Native American teachings.  Place the heel of the foot on the path ahead. Carefully place the foot down on the outer edge first and roll the rest of the sole down until it touches the ground. Stop if you make a sound, pause, and slowly continue.  Crouch low and bend the knees.  Walk slowly and carefully with the body balanced low over the center of gravity. 

See Beaver Teeth Marks

The foot is never totally flat. Soft sole running type shoes or bare foot work well. Children can practice bare foot or with socks walking on newspaper. They can also practice walking with shoes on gravel.  Children find quiet walking a lot of fun and will learn to how sneak up on the rest of the family once they learn the technique. 

  The “cat walk” like a cat stalking prey. This is done for a very short time, straining to move very slowly.  To do this walk lift your foot and point your toes at the ground. When you put your foot on the around again touch the out edge first. Next roll the rest of the foot down until the sole touches the ground and repeat with the next foot. 

  Inhale and exhale very quietly through the nose with the mouth shut. When walking with others, match one person’s pace and feet exactly. For more see grandparentsteachtoo.blogsot.com/ Through the Seasons, Facebook and Pinterest.

Photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos

Noise Affects Babies’ Learning

Background Noise More Distracting to Children

 “What a child hears in a noisy environment is not what an adult hears,” according to Dr. Lori Liebold. Scientists reporting at the American Association for Advancement of Science note that noisy daycare and family homes with T.V., electronic toys, and loud music in the background are much more distracting to children’s brains than adults’ brains.
  This noise can hinder how children learn to talk and learn in general.   A noisy background interferes with the natural intense focused listening to voices needed to pick up speech sounds.
  Young children also try to pick up language organization and vocabulary in the midst of hectic noisy lives and abundance of electronics.  For them it’s like struggling to carry on an important intense conversation in a bar with bad acoustics.
Learning Language
  By the time a baby is a few months old most have well developed hearing. That’s not the problem.  During tests by researchers young children can recognize a person’s speech among several others’ only of voices are kept soft. This problem of inability to isolate voices persists well into adolescence. Therefore, quiet classrooms are extremely important.
  How can families use this information? Find a quiet time and place to read to children

Distinguishing White Noise from People

without background noise.  When searching for a daycare or classroom, notice the noise and room acoustics.  Is the staff trained to use quiet clear voices? Are children trained to use quiet indoor voices?  Noise exposure early in life has a negative consequence to learning.
Noise Masks Words
  Sudden noises are also a problem for children. Noises drown out parts of words and sentences children are trying to understand since they don’t have the experience to use context to fill in information.
  If a home is loud and hectic around dinnertime children may not actually hear or understand directions and give blank stares. They are not ignoring you. They cannot extract the information from the noise.
  Researchers find it is important to read stories and talk to children even while in the womb. Premature babies may have additional problems when they spend a long time in an incubator. Their brains get accustomed to the fan’s white noise and have trouble learning from Mom’s voice. A full term baby can pick out Mom’s voice because the auditory cortex is more developed. Many hospitals now pipe in a soft voice reading into the incubator when a parent is not around.
  At home scientists suggest turning off

Strategies: Turn Off Media; Speak Clearly; Eye Contact

electronics, speaking clearly, and making eye contact so children see your mouth. If a child doesn’t understand, use simpler words. If a child is having behavior problems check hearing and the noise level in the classroom. Children with hearing loss have an especially difficult time with noise.
photos: Fran Darling, fdarling fotos
 More Vocabulary 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’
website:  Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio, 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest

Starting Family Talks with Kids

How do you conduct conversations with a preschooler? Once families have a little practice they are amazed at young children’s insight. They are so fascinating and honest. Unfortunately, Americans often spend only 15 minutes a day just talking with young children. 

  Preschool teachers have some suggestions to get that sparkle children have when receiving  complete attention from a loved one.

fdarling fotos

Focus on the Child

  First of all, turn off all technology to focus on them.

   Sit down or find some other way to get to their eye level.  Young children need to see facial expressions, especially smiles.  Keep your voice gentle. Show children how it looks to really listen carefully. Nod. Say,” Oh and Mmm- hmm. Tell me more about that.” React in some way. Do not interrupt.

  Begin sentences with “What are some, who are some, when are some? They suggest you need a long answer. Then ask a follow-up question.

  Avoid questions that can be answered with one word, yes, or no.  Instead ask, “What are some foods that you like on the grocery list? I’ll read the list for you.” Read the list. Then pause long enough to give them time to think. The pausing takes practice. 

  If children bring home pictures, say, “Wow, look at these!  Tell me about them.”

fdarling fotos

  If they show you Bubbles their pet fish ask, “What are some things you like about Bubbles?” Ask them to explain.

  After reading a book together, ask some questions to start a conversation.  What are some things you liked about the story?  What were some funny parts?

  Include questions about feelings. What are some happy and fun times you had at school today?  You look sad (upset, angry). Tell me about it. What are two good things that happened and one you wish didn’t happen?

  Play a game or other fun activity and talk. Go for a talk-walk.

Talking Jar

  Some families keep a jar of conversation starters written for car trips and meals.    First they go over the rules. Everyone takes a turn and asks follow up questions to get more information. No interrupting. Look and act interested. Respect each answer.

   Here are samples: What are the best parts of your day? If you could be a character in a book (movie) who would you be? How were you kind and helpful to others today? If you could be an animal, which would you be? What are some things you do that show you are a good friend?  What are you really grateful for today?  What are your least favorite chores to do around the house?

What are some things you want to learn how to do?  What super powers would you like to have and how would you use them?

 Photos: Fran Darling - fdarling fotos

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.

 

 

 

 

  

Engage With Your Children and Grandchildren

Look at these highly engaged people. They are connecting to activities and information on personal devices, for sure. 
 But what is missing in these pictures? Of course, they are not engaging with each other. How many times to you see parents interacting with their children, only to suddenly break away to answer their cell phone. How many times is this interruption really necessary or even important?

What To Do?
Life has gotten very hectic with instant connections to friends, co-workers, Internet, games and videos. How can you manage all this and still make time with your children and grandchildren a priority? Here's an easy solution...turn off your phones or devices while engaging in activities. So many times children need our full attention and real one-to-one communication. One grandmother recently mentioned her annoyance at so many mothers who are loose these precious experiences through so many cell phone interruptions. Her solution? She requires her daughter to turn off devices when they are all together. 

Why This Is Important ?
Research supports talking directly to children to engage them in thoughtful conversation. Asking them critical questions is the way to develop language and vocabulary. What do you see? Then what happened? What kinds of colors? How many? 

The advantages of good pre-school education have been in the news recently. But it may be too late by then. Studies are finding that even by 18 months children listen and learn words. This is how brain development occurs. Without it, children rapidly fall behind those who have the advantage of hearing parents talk to them. 
The degree of child development dependents on strong communication for vocabulary development. Words that are spoken directly to your infants are what build vocabulary. This "processing" is what scientists think develops brain, intellect and learning. Merely, hearing words spoken on TV, video and radio does not have the same developmental effects.

Other Ideas
You don't need special times to talk to children. In fact, everyday situations: waking, dressing, eating, moving, playing are all great times for interacting through directly talking to children. And what about those electronic devices? Use them together. Share games and activities. Phones and other devices have all kinds of engaging media: pictures, sounds, apps, video. What ever you view, interact together with the media. They can be just another opportunity to help your children and grandchildren develop to fullest potential. You will also have lots more fun in the process, building strong bonds through many interesting experiences, as well as vocabulary.

More Ideas and Activities

For more ways to encourage music and expend energy on long winter days 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.

Article: 
"In the Beginning Was the Word," Feb 22, 2014, The Economist http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21596923-how-babbling-babies-can-boost-their-brains-beginning-was-word 
Wikimedia Commons Photos by:
Ed Yourdon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72098626@N00/3576388263
Ant McNeill http://www.flickr.com/photos/27361344@N08/4686147794 
Gleb Kotov http://RIA%20Novosti%20archive,%20image%20#916719%20/%20Gleb%20Kotov%20/%20CC-BY-SA%203.0 

Spanish Podcasts Now Posted

Listen to many of our Grandparents Teach Too activities in Spanish!!

We just added a new podcast page on our website that has a small library of wonderful, fun AND educational activities. Listen and enjoy such topics as: Composting With Kids, Playing Games With Teaching Strategies, Reading Matters, Talking With Your Infant and five more... Go to our website Grandparents Teach, Too Podcast page to listen to them all!

Remember you can hear many more English version podcasts posted at WMNU Learning through the seasons Podcast pages. 

Carey, Chris. bookbasket.jpg. Orlando Florida. Pics4Learning. 17 Nov 2013