School-age children remember more when they study 10 minutes a day for six days leading up to a test, as opposed to spending an hour studying the day before. This phenomenon is called the spacing effect. This principle also explains why pre-schoolers learn more from...
There are amazing possibilities waiting to be unlocked in every domain of a child’s development during the pre-school years; including their physical, socio-emotional, language and intellectual development. It is therefore understandable that many parents are...
When we read to children, we teach them to value books and stories while expanding their understanding of the world, sparking their imagination and stimulating their curiosity. Reading picture books helps to wire children’s brains in a special way When we watch...
Most people think of language as something we use to express our thoughts so that we can communicate with others. It is, however, so much more. Lev Vygotsky was a brilliant developmental psychologist who explained: “Thought is not merely expressed in words; it comes...
How often do we hear people say to a child, “Oh my, you’re getting so big!, the last time I saw you, you were a tiny baby, and I used to carry you, do you remember? “ Well, that’s the funny thing about babies; they tend to grow, and quite rapidly. No one tells you...
Daily exercise helps to develop strong muscles and bones and it promotes fitness, heart health and healthy weight management. Therefore, as purposeful parents, we know we can help lay a firm foundation for our children’s future health by promoting an active...
Mom! Look! Children get just as excited about learning a new skill as parents do. Children’s early experiences shape their development and new skills are built on earlier ones. Every new skill helps to build a strong foundation for future skills Brain development...
Imaginary play is a common way children learn, writes Dr Jo-Marie Bothma, clinical psychologist and play therapist. Imaginary or pretend play is one form of play that we frequently find children taking part in. Through imaginary play a child learns to better imagine...
An exercise programme? For toddlers? It’s not so much about formal exercise as getting your kids active from the start, writes fitness expert Potso Mpandawana. You are probably thinking … should my toddler exercise? They are only two years old! That surely can’t be...
Give your child the tools to explore their natural curiosity of the world and themselves, and in the process help them to develop their creativity – with these tips. Novelty-seeking, tenacity, and self-transcendence (defined as “a capacity to get lost in the moment...
