Blake and Braeden pose beside their science project.

For their science project for homeschool group this year, Blake and Braeden tested a few senses.  The first experiment they conducted was called “does noise affect memory” and the second was called “does smell affect taste”.  The neighborhood kids were their test subjects.

Does Noise Affect Memory?  Subject sits in a quiet room studying a list 20 words for 2 min.  After 2 min., take list away and wait 2 min. before you allow them to write all the words they can remember.  Do the same thing with a different list and this time play a radio or TV just enough to be heard.  With a third list, play the radio or TV loudly.

Does Smell Affect Taste?  Blindfold subject and let them smell items while tasting suckers.  They must determine what flavor sucker they are tasting.  We tried icing, lemons, oranges, and mashed up bananas.

Try the experiments for yourself to find the answer:)

This beautiful warm weather we are having in the Carolina’s is making me want to clean out some much neglected areas of my house.  I am good at keeping the boys rooms and closets cleaned out, but can’t seem to make time for my room and bathroom.  I am so thankful for an understanding husband who is able to overlook things and loves me regardless.  Well, today, I am proud to announce that I bit the bullet and cleaned out my bathroom drawers and closet.  I finally got rid of all the anti wrinkle face cream that I haven’t used in years.  I threw out the makeup and toiletries that had piled up and ended up with a full trash bag.  I also reorganized everything.  Man, does this feel good.  Maybe I’ll attempt the closet next!

Poor Blake.  He is ten years old and already has pimples.  The worse of it is not that they look bad.  We aren’t looking for an acne solution yet:)  No, the reason I say “poor Blake” is because Tucker finds such joy (ok, I don’t know that joy is quite the word) in popping them.  What is it with people who love to pop other people’s pimples?  I think I will pass!

If you have chosen to homeschool your child you may be curious as to the possible benefits of incorporating educational software or some custom software into your child’s curriculum. Is it really beneficial? How do you know which programs to use? Do educational software programs replace teaching?

If you are homeschooling, you are obviously very concerned with your child’s progress. You may ask “will using this software help or hinder my child’s learning?”

HOW EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE CAN HELP HOME SCHOOLERS

Taking on the responsibility of educating your children without the support of a staff of teachers is admirable but home schoolers can find the burden to engage children and provide stimulating lessons difficult at times.

New educational software programs help parents with their efforts to provide quality education while also offering children a rich and entertaining medium to learn skills and acquire knowledge related to their curriculum.

Children find learning easier when they can be drawn into the experience. Good teachers know how to bring a subject to life for their students which helps children retain the information. Games, stories and other educational software provide the excitement and interaction children are attracted to while improving skills such as reading and math and building on their knowledge of history, science or geography.

Many programs also give feedback to the child, helping him or her build on previous experience or knowledge while also developing a sense of pride in accomplishment.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

Not all educational software is created equal. Cute animations and popular characters will not build your child’s skills or even hold their attention if they do not teach or challenge your child.

Most software for children will give an age or grade reference that can be used as a guide for finding suitable topics and are appropriately challenging for your child. Review the contents to determine if the curriculum is too basic for your child since every child learns at a different speed.

Games often have different levels to customize your child’s experience to their level of play. Games may adapt themselves based on your child’s performance or levels can be selected by the child for each game. Some programs offer an overview of the progress your child has made; showing which steps have been completed and which are still to be done.

EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE HAS ITS PLACE

Educational software is a great compliment to the home schooling curriculum. It is especially helpful in providing an engaging format for practicing skills such as reading and math or building knowledge of science or geography. It does not, however, substitute for the attention and teaching of basic skills by an interested teacher.

Once basic skills are learned, games and interactive books can offer your child a forum to build their skill levels or delve deeper into a topic of interest. For younger children, these programs can introduce shapes, letters, numbers and teach useful computer skills. Playing these games with their parents compliments a balanced learning environment.

My son Blake loves to go to the skate park.  The local skateboard park, We’re Board, (clever name)  offers two days a month where they open their doors just to homeschoolers.  They give us a discounted rate and it is free to rent a skateboard, helmet, elbow, and knee pads.  They allow parents to leave if the child is 10.  This is great because it allows me to run a few errands with only two kids in tow.

Blake enjoys the skateboard ramps the best and is always anxious to show me what he has learned when I pick him up.  The thing I like the best is that he can skate in a Christian environment.  We are very blessed to live in a community that enjoys helping out homeschoolers.  Thank you We’re Board!!