Toys Can Replace Electronic Games
Dreamstime
Q: Do you have any ideas about toys that can replace phones and tablets while my young children are waiting around at doctor’s appointments or riding in the car? — Game-Minded
Answer: Play is so important for young children. At the same time, the amount of time that they can devote to play seems to be coming in shorter and shorter increments of time. Obviously, there are apps that have games that can be played in a short period of time. This is good because they can be educational in nature. Nevertheless, it is not deemed to be healthy for children to spend all their free time on phones and tablets.
To get young children away from playing only with electronic games, parents should carry around with them small toys in the car or in toy bags. There are now starter sets of Legos that are reasonably priced. There are also many miniature collectibles that allow children to have opportunity for imaginative play. Plus, there are many appealing card games. Many of these toys are close to check-out in toy stores. And for children who can read, there is no substitute for reading books — even on electronic devices.
The Value of Digital Flashcards
Dreamstime
Q: Some students in my daughter’s elementary school are using digital flashcards. Are they likely to be more helpful than traditional flashcards? — Old-Fashioned
Answer: The old-fashioned flashcards are definitely not as smart as the digital ones. The new ones can expose students to reviews at planned intervals. They also repeat the cards based on the ones that students frequently have the most difficulty with. For example, a digital math flashcard would repeat the seven multiplication facts that are causing a student problems more than the easier learned twos.
Many digital flashcard programs are free and also allow users to create their own quizzes in preparation for tests. Students like the convenience of being able to use these cards whenever they have downtime. Some research shows students using these cards are getting better grades.
In addition, because students love using electronics so much, they are more likely to use digital flashcards more frequently than traditional ones. This is crucial because it remains important for basic math facts to be mastered so students can answer them in three seconds or less.
The Problem of Uneaten Lunches
Dreamstime
Q: It is the same old story this year. My kid’s lunchbox comes back almost every day with a lot of uneaten food. Besides being wasteful, it’s unhealthy for her not to eat lunch. Is there a solution? — Lunch Diet
Answer: You really need to look carefully into what the real problem is. Could it be that she skips eating much of her lunch because she wants to get out on the playground? If so, you should address this problem with the teacher. At many schools, there is a definite lunchtime before the children can play.
You also need to discuss the uneaten food situation with your child. Is it because she does not like the food? Is it possible that you are giving her too much food? Be sure to find out what she would really like to eat for lunch.
Giving the child a healthy version of her preferred foods could result in an emptier lunchbox. Also, many children like finger foods. Plus, you might try giving her less food if you are giving her more food than she would normally eat at home for lunch.
Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher.com or ask them on the columnists’ website at dearteacher.com. ©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2017 Distributed by King Features Syndicate.