The phrase "tried and true" first appeared in 1792, according to Merriam Webster's dictionary, and it may come from when carpenters used a try-plane to create a flat surface on a piece of wood. Once smooth and flat, it was said to be true - hence, try-ed and true.
Well, we're not aiming to flatten out anything, but we are promoting the real virtues for youngsters (and adults) to spend time with what can be called tried-and-true ways of learning and thinking: reading aloud, reading printed books and becoming adept at cursive writing.
This is not to say that helping children become skilled at using computers and other forms of technology is a mistake; it's essential. But that knowledge must be grounded on a bedrock of basic brain-building skills that make children smarter, faster and more adept at negotiating the ever-changing, highly technical world.
Evidence: One study of 47 healthy prekindergartners, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that "screen use greater than that recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) guidelines was associated with (1) lower measures of microstructural organization and myelination of brain white matter tracts that support language and emergent literacy skills and (2) corresponding cognitive assessments." The recommendations are:
- Limit screen time for kids from ages 2 to 5 to one hour daily or less. This increases time doing other things that improve their health and development - and reduces the risk of obesity later in life.
- No screen time for those younger than age 18 months, except for video chatting.
- If your child, 18 to 24 months of age, uses digital media, choose high-quality programming/apps and participate with your child. "Letting children use media by themselves should be avoided," says the APA.
So here's an outline of three tried-and-true learning tools that will promote your child's intellectual and emotional growth.
1. Reading aloud to your child every day. Long before your baby can talk, reading aloud is a powerful way to increase parent-child bonding, stimulate curiosity and memory, and lay the foundation for a robust vocabulary, listening skills and storytelling. It also improves a child's motivation to read and reading comprehension.
Your move: The best technique goes beyond reading the words on the page aloud. You also want to describe the pictures in the book; ask your child questions about the book's content or prompt him or her to think about the plot and make predictions. (What do you think is going to happen to Winnie-the-Pooh?)
2. Have your child read paper books, not just on screen. Why? Because the brain reacts differently to words placed within a 3D book. It maps out the story as if you were moving through a scene filled with tangible objects. Comprehension is improved. But in a digital book, the opposite happens. The tale moves past your eyes and you cannot see any trace of what came before or comes after the spot you are looking at. Flat screen, flat experience.
Your move: When your school-age children are reading on screens, give them tools to increase focus and learning: Have them highlight important passages or tell you their favorite events or scenes and have them write out or ask you questions about the text after each chapter.
3. Teach them cursive writing (at home if necessary). Learning cursive handwriting is not required in most states these days, and that's a loss for kids. Cursive writing helps develop fine motor skills, nurtures greater engagement with the words (and ideas) and promotes retention of facts. Now, printing and typing on a keyboard do stimulate brain development, but cursive writing has been found to create the greatest neurological benefits, since it stimulates two sides of the brain at once; printing and typing involve only one side.
Your move: Google "how to teach my child cursive" for a lot of online help and talk to the school board about bringing it back into the classroom.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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