Summer Brain Workouts

Looking for a great typing program?
Typing Instructor for kids II is the best typing program I've seen, PERIOD. I borrowed it from my public library and installed it on our family computer - WE ALL USE IT! A real time image of moving hands on a keyboard help associate the requested letters/words to be typed with hands possitioned properly on a keyboard and prevents your child from bad habits like looking down at his/her fingers all the time. My four and five year olds are amazing typists now after only a few weeks. The lessons begin with learning four keys at a time, there's a drill where you copy letter for letter what's on the screen, then once you've accomplished a goal WPM & accuracy rate, you get to practice the keys you have learned in various fun games. WAY FUN! It's not super old, so it may still be available for purchase, or see if your library has it and give it a try like we did :)

Summertime Fruit Fun

Look no further! This fruit pizza recipe is the best :) Combine 4 oz cream cheese + 1/3 cup butter until well blended. Add 1 1/4 cups flour + 1/4 tsp salt. Wrap with plastic & chill 1 hr, then roll out dough and place on pan. Bake 425 degrees for 12-15 mins. While crust is baking, combine 12 oz cream cheese + 1/3 cup sugar + 1 Tbsp lemon juice + 1 cup whipped topping. After crust has baked and cooled, spoon over crust. Arrange fruit & enjoy ASAP!!! (10-12 servings)

Summer Brain Workouts

Using the self checkout at the grocery for the kids to subtract coupon amounts from the total before the checkout assistant enters them, and an activity I call "Bath Math" where I use squirty foam soap to do math using small squirts on the bath walls or side of bath as a sort of abacus to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, are great math opportunities. The discarded soap squirts get applied to the kids - BONUS!

Trivia, vocabulary, strategic (like checkers, othello, & 3D Sudoku) games "trick" the kids into exercising their brains too.

We also use our library's online search, place holds, then pick up educational videos, books, and/or education software. Saves $$$.

Lastly, my husband and I keep our own reading materials, puzzles, and challenging games where our kids can see we use them. Don't forget to exercise your brains too, Moms and Dads, your example is what will keep your children seeking their own learning opportunities for life!