Education

Hands-On Learning Fun At Home

Posted: 9/7/2010

Hands on can be a great way for children to learn.

(Napsi) - A study by Purdue University found that hands-on learning is more likely to engage students and boost comprehension in certain subjects. These tips from Patrice McCrary, an inductee into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, for encouraging hands-on learning at home can help prepare your child to shine in the classroom.

Arts: Create a collage box for your child. Suggested items include ribbon, stickers, a variety of colorful paper, sequins, markers, etc. Give your child a pair of scissors and a glue stick and watch the creativity begin. The variety of materials helps your child go beyond the limits of an ordinary coloring page.

Social Studies: Your children can create their own city, farm or community using empty boxes. Very easily, a tissue box becomes a school, an oatmeal box a skyscraper and more. You may be amazed at how much vocabulary children gain as they become the architects of their own world.

Mathematics: Math concepts are more easily understood when items are manipulated. Place magnetic tape on the back of poker chips and write a number on each chip with a permanent marker. Leave several chips blank. The numbered "chips" can then be used on metal cookie sheets to demonstrate addition, subtraction, place value and more.

Reading: Research shows that children with 1,000 hours of lap-time reading from birth to 5 years are much more prepared to read than children with little or no exposure to books. Have your child decorate a storage box and label it "Books I Want to Read." Bring it with you to the public library and be sure to have at least four or five books in the bin at all times.

When your child is in school, a good way to encourage hands-on learning is to add Kleenex Tissues with Sneeze Shield to their supply list. Not only is it the only facial tissue brand that supports Box Tops for Education, but Sneeze Shield helps keep stuff off kids' hands and in the tissue--that's important in a hands-on classroom where kids touch just about everything.

Hands-on learning in the classroom often involves touching and sharing many classroom tools, such as a keyboard or book. By supplying your child's classroom with Kleenex® tissues, you can feel good about letting your child pass on the fun of hands-on learning.

For more tips from Patrice McCrary, visit www.Kleenex.com/BackToSchool.