BEREA —
Editor’s note: The Register published an article in November about the addition of the Toyota “bornlearning Academy” at Berea Community School. The school received a $11,500 grant to fund the academy, which includes monthly workshops for parents and children 0 to 5. The workshops teach parents and caregivers how to turn everyday activities into learning activities. Three Register reporters have children age 2 and under and decided to sign up for the Academy. This is the second in a series about what was learned at the bornlearning workshops.
Within the first year of life, a child experiences around 70 percent of brain growth, and 90 percent by age three, said Barb Mills, the bornlearning Academy workshop facilitator.
That makes sense to me. My 22-month-old toddler has learned the basic skills he will use for the rest of his life, such as eating, walking and talking. Maybe during that last 10 percent of brain development, Ryker will learn to stop mashing beans into his hair or rubbing his eyes when he has spaghetti sauce on his hands.
Those percentages say a lot about how critical those first few years of life can be for any child.
“The brain, just like our muscles, have a ‘use it or lose it’ principal,” Mills said Tuesday night at the second bornlearning workshop.
That’s why, as parents, we are responsible for stimulating all parts of the brain, she said.
But this task doesn’t have to be accomplished through buying expensive toys or learning programs.
Mills brought a basket of ordinary objects she found around her house and asked each of us to pick one and explain what our child could learn from it.
My co-worker Ronica Shannon got an orange measuring cup. I mean, it’s not an Easy Bake Oven, but as we sat around and brainstormed, there were lots of things her daughter Erica could learn from a simple orange measuring cup.
For example, they could discuss color, shape, the numbers on the cup, it could become a drum and it would “automatically become a hat,” Ronica said.
Children can learn using ordinary objects during everyday activities, Mills said, but it also requires lots and lots of talking ― no matter what age or learning stage of your child.
Mills recalled how last week during the Berea Christmas parade, a man was standing behind her holding a small child. As the parade entries went by, the man not only said what it was, but explained what they do.
I remember during that parade, Ryker was telling me what he saw (or thought he saw) and attempted to explain it to me, not the other way around.
“Horses,” he said. “Neigh, neigh!” He called a dragon a dinosaur (close enough). He didn’t understand everything he saw, but he didn’t have to. Learning happens during the process of figuring it out.
Mills said giving a child a constant “play-by-play” about everyday activities is essential in brain and speech development ― even when you’re doing laundry or buying groceries.
When Ryker was an infant, I would tell him about the stories I was writing or what I thought about the situation in the Middle East. Although I knew he didn’t understand what I was saying, he would still babble back at me like we were engaged in conversation.
“Infants need conversation too,” Mills said. “Just because they don’t talk, it doesn’t mean we don’t talk to them. Conversations can be limitless, it doesn’t really matter what you talk about.”
Repeating what your child says and responding to them sends a message to your child that you are listening and their thoughts and ideas are important, she said. This helps children gain confidence to better express themselves, which enhances brain development.
Just a few months ago I saw a news report about the “terrible twos” and my ears immediately perked up ― my son is getting ready to be a “terrible two,” I thought. The report said children overcome the terrible twos as soon as they are able to communicate their needs and wants.
So whenever Ryker points at something and begins to whine for it I say “use your words,” and he immediately starts to name off whatever words come to mind. This stops him from being obnoxious and it engages him in learning new words.
Just like the first workshop, all the families were provided with dinner and excellent child care by three Berea Community students while parents remained in the workshop (all free). The children were kept in one of the kindergarden rooms full of engaging activities and toys. Ryker loved the fish tank.
At the end of the class, the parents got a pile of free stuff like books, flashcards and notepads.
Throughout the workshop, the adults used this child-free time to bounce ideas off one another and share experiences only parents would truly understand. Although much of the class material was information some of us had probably heard before (or was already practicing), having this unique opportunity to discuss our children with a group of parents, proved to be very valuable.
The next bornlearning workshop is Jan. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Those who are interested in joining may contact Diane Smith at 986-1021 by Jan. 11 to reserve a spot.
Crystal Wylie can be reached at cwylie@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 6696.
Education
The bornlearning Academy
Workshop 2: Talking with your child, brain development
- Education
-
-
White Hall teachers say farewell for the summer
White Hall Elementary kindergarten assistant Patti Von Fischer said she found a poem on the Internet that seemed to fit the last day of school perfectly.
“The teachers jumped out of the windows; the principals ran for the door; the nurse and librarian bolted; they’re not coming back anymore,” Von Fischer read over the loudspeaker Friday before students left for the summer. -
Benson will be state’s third highest paid university president
When Michael Benson begins his tenure as the 12th president of Eastern Kentucky University on Aug. 1, his $400,000 salary plus benefits will make him Kentucky’s third-highest paid state university president.
Benson’s pay will be less only than that of Eli Capilouto, president of the University of Kentucky, $500,000 a year, and Gary Ransdell, president of Western Kentucky University, $423,588 a year, according to figures obtained from the state Council on Post-secondary education. -
Second-grade classroom receives recognition for reading nearly 1,400 books
A project at Mayfield Elementary School has received recognition across state lines from a woman who found a balloon released in celebration of one classroom having read more than 1,000 books.
Second-grade teacher Wanda Wilson started the school year by challenging her 22 students to read a total of 1,000 books by the end of the school year. -
‘Etta May’s On Her Way’ for Model Lab benefit
Laughter will fill Eastern Kentucky University’s Keen Johnson Ballroom June 8 when southern comedienne Etta May comes to town for Model Laboratory School’s first annual fundraising event.
Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to help five Model programs: Scholarships, gifted programs, the arts, athletics and extended field trips or exchange programs, said school psychologist Ellen Rini. -
State champs get their rings at YMCA breakfast
Two months may have passed, but Madison County continues to celebrate the state basketball championship won by the Madison Central boys team.
Team members were presented championship rings while their cheerleaders received pendants Saturday morning during a breakfast at the Telford YMCA attended by nearly 300. -
District urges students to ‘PowerMyLearning’ through the summer
Sixteen little penguins need help jumping from iceberg to iceberg as a hungry killer whale swims menacingly in the chilly water below.
The fate of the poor little penguins lies in the hands of a third-grade student, who must quickly find the answer to a math equation to lead the penguins to safety. -
GREAT bridges gap between cops, preteens
Bridging the gap between public misconceptions about police officers and the reality of what’s behind the uniform can be a daunting task. But, a growing program at Madison County middle schools is helping break down those barriers.
-
Toyota bornlearning Academy graduates parents
Seven graduates received their certificates Thursday night, but not with the customary rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
It was a celebration of the parents’ six-month journey with the Toyota bornlearning Academy at Berea Community School.
The academy works with parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to 5 years old on ways to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. -
Caudill Middle School student showcase
Members of the Caudil Middle School Jazz Band entertain the crowd during the school's end of year student showcase Thursday.
-
The Incredible Child: Support group for parents of special-needs children meets Tuesday at library
Richmond now has a local chapter of The Incredible Child, a support group for families of children with all types of disabilities.
The group will host the family-friendly event “Read to Me” from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Madison County Public Library in Richmond. - More Education Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
