Blog entry by John Kenny
Moreover, there are also advanced level phonics games, such as sentence-making games. Using a collection of word cards, children have to form meaningful sentences. Such games help kids use phonics in real context, enhancing their comprehension skills.
The study skills taught included note-taking strategies, time management, goal setting, test-taking strategies, using mnemonic devices, and organizational strategies. Around 500 children of varying abilities from grades 3-5 were part of this initiative. Their progress was monitored extensively through class performances, assessments and feedback from teachers and parents.
Furthermore, adapting non-visual materials to visual-friendly formats can also be helpful. This might involve creating a sketch or flowchart based on text from a book, or visualizing a concept from a lecture.
In addition, phonics games in the form of puzzles, memory matching, and others, teach children about rhyming words, vowels, and word families. These activities are a fun and effective consolidation of their phonics knowledge.
The advent of ed-tech software has introduced a multitude of demonstrable improvements in sentence writing activities. Digital platforms introducing game-based learning have been particularly effective in getting young pupils enthused about sentence writing. Programs like Sentence Maker and Story Creator combine learning and gaming, capturing the imagination of students and nurturing their sentence crafting skills as they play.
Apart from the online versions, traditional classroom phonics games remain to be relevant. Teachers use whiteboards, flashcards, and creative crafts to teach phonics while keeping the process immersive and exciting for the children. These methods offer children the opportunity to learn phonics in a social setting, encouraging teamwork and cooperation.
Initiated by a group of passionate educators who strongly believe that learning should be both fun and instructive, "Kids on the Yard" presents an exceptional model of incorporating play into studying, thereby fostering effective study habits in children.
By combining play with lessons, "Kids on the Yard" effectively transforms the traditional image of 'studying,' transforming it into a fun, engaging, and state by state homeschool laws effective process for children. Considering its success, it is no surprise that more educational institutions are beginning to recognize the benefits of such initiative.
Other categories of phonics games for children are the blending games. In these games, children learn to blend distinct phonics sounds to form words. ‘Phonics Bingo’ and ‘Phonics Fishing’ are popular games in this category, where each child attempts to find or match words with the same sounding letters. These games effectively drill phonics blends into the minds of the young learners.
John and Alice also implemented the technique of active learning. They introduced periodic quizzing on topics learned, mimicked school tests, and encouraged group studies with peers. Also, they promoted associating learnings with real-life examples to provide a practical outlook and foster better retention. These techniques resulted in a noticeable increase in the children's enthusiasm for the subjects studied.
In a world where the pressure of academics often leads to stress and burnout in students, initiatives like "Kids on the Yard" provide a much-needed respite. The program's holistic approach ensures that children subconsciously develop effective study habits, setting them up for a successful academic future.
Dr. Martha Sullivan, a child psychologist, says, "When children are having fun, they are more receptive to learning. 'Kids on the Yard' brilliantly integrates joy and knowledge, ensuring that children absorb information readily and enjoy the process."
Moreover, adopting specific habits can improve the effectiveness of these techniques. Regular study periods are more effective than cramming, as they allow time for concepts to be internalized and recalled. A visually appealing and organized study environment can also aid concentration and focus.
The usage of collaborative online platforms offers another leap forward in sentence writing activities. With programs such as Google Docs, students can work collaboratively on sentence writing tasks, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and feedback. Moreover, these platforms also allow teachers to provide real-time feedback and add comments, motivating students to improve their sentence construction abilities.
Phonics games for kids are specifically designed activities that engage children in fun-filled, interactive ways to learn phonics - the fundamental instrument in understanding the relationship between letters and sounds. Ensuring that youngsters grasp the concept of phonics not only immensely aids in their reading and writing abilities, but it also significantly contributes to their overall language development.
5. Using Flashcards: Flashcards are excellent study aids for visual learners. They provide a way to break information down into manageable bits, and the process of creating cards can also help learners internalize the content.