As a parent, you want to make sure that your kids are getting the best possible education. But did you know that there are also things you can do to help improve your child’s cognitive abilities? Brain training activities are a great way to do just that.
In this article, we will discuss six different brain training activities that you can do with your kids. By doing these activities regularly, you can help improve your child’s memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
1. The Brain/Body Coordination Workout
Exercising our brains and bodies together can lead to an overall better-performing brain. Here are some exercises you can do with your child to promote brain integration:
• Toe wiggling – Kids of all ages can quickly learn to do this. Every morning before getting out of bed, have your child slowly begin to move all their toes on both feet up and down, and then change to just the two big toes.
• Try doing things with your non-dominant hand – If they are right-handed, have them use their left, and if left-handed, use their right for things like writing, getting dressed, and eating.
• You can do simple exercises with your child like sitting and touching your right elbow to your left knee. Do this five times, and then do your left elbow to your right knee. Repeat several times.
• Or you can do the “windmill” by standing with feet spread apart and alternate between touching your left foot with your right hand and vice versa. Repeat several times.
• Learning to play either the piano or an electronic keyboard is one of the best ways to improve brain integration.
An internet search will bring up instructional videos you can use at home.
You can as well introduce them to STEM toys which will also play a great role in their brain workout.
2. The Language and Literacy Workout
Studies have shown that children who are exposed to language and literacy activities have better cognitive abilities. Reading to your child, discussing stories, and doing word games are all great ways to help improve their language skills.
Bedtime Stories. One of the best things you can do for your child is read them a story at bedtime. Not only does it help them relax and get to sleep, but it also helps improve their language skills.
Word Games. Playing word games is another great way to help improve your child’s language skills. There are many different types of word games that you can play, such as Hangman, Scrabble, Boggle, and Word Ladder.
3. The Visual and Spatial Workout
The visual and spatial workout is designed to help improve your child’s visual-spatial abilities. These abilities are important for many different things, such as reading, writing, doing math, and even driving.
There are many different activities that you can do to help improve your child’s visual-spatial abilities. Some of them are listed below.
Balance Things. Have your child try to balance different objects on their head, such as a ball, a book, or a block.
Create Shapes. Have your child create shapes with their body or with objects like blocks.
Visualize. Ask your child to close their eyes and visualize a shape, color, or scene.
4. The Mathematical Workout
Math is an important subject for children to learn, and it is also one that can be fun. There are many different activities that you can do to help improve your child’s math skills.
Math Games. There are many different types of math games that your child can play. Some of the most popular ones are games like Sudoku, crosswords, and chess.
Math Worksheets. You can also help your child improve their math skills by giving them challenging math worksheets to do. There are many different types of worksheets available, ranging from addition and subtraction to more advanced topics like fractions and decimals.
5. The Memory Workout
The memory workout is designed to help improve your child’s memory. A good memory is important for many different things, such as school, work, and everyday life.
There are many different activities that you can do to help improve your child’s memory. Some of them are listed below.
Memory Games. There are many different types of memory games that your child can play. Some of the most popular ones are games like Concentration, Memory, and Matching Pairs.
Remember Things. Have your child try to remember things like a list of items or a sequence of numbers.
Recite Things. Have your child recite things like the alphabet or their address.
6. The Creative Workout
The creative workout is designed to help improve your child’s creative thinking skills. Creative thinking is important for many different things, such as problem-solving, decision making, and even just everyday life.
There are many different activities that you can do to help improve your child’s creative thinking skills. Some of them are listed below.
Create Art. Have your child create art using different materials like paint, chalk, or pencils.
Play Games. Play games that require your child to come up with new ideas, such as Scattergories, Mad Libs, or Word Ladder.
The human brain is a powerful tool, capable of amazing things. But like any other muscle in our body, it needs exercise to stay strong. That’s why it’s important to start training your kids’ brains early with fun and stimulating activities that will increase their intelligence and problem-solving skills.
The next time you have a chance to play with your kids, try out one of these brain training activities. Not only will they be entertained and amused, but you’ll also be helping them to develop their cognitive skills. Who knows? They may just end up being the next Einstein or Edison.
So what are you waiting for? Get started on these brain training activities today and help your kids (and yourself) become smarter, and faster. Do you have any favorite brain-training exercises that we missed? Share them in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you.