Gift ideas for Mom-to-Be, Kids Birthdays & Teachers

Ways to Build Your Child's Brain Skills

Submitted By: LearningRX Shreveport & LearningRX Bossier

What's in a Smart Mom's Toy Box?

FUN, EASY WAYS TO BUILD YOUR CHILD'S BRAIN SKILLS

 

Bicycles, baby dolls, Nintendo - oh my! 

As parents we're often tempted to spoil our children at Christmas - even if it means maxing out our credit cards in the process.  We are conflicted about what to buy them; video games and DVDs keep their interest, but we worry we're not doing enough to stimulate their minds.

 

Here are some compromises for your guilty conscience and your wallet!

 

Simple toys, when used properly, can help develop complex learning skills.  Cognitive skills (attention, auditory/visual processing, memory, processing speed) are essential tools that help kids become better learners.  Research now shows that learning skills can be taught - and therefore improved.  Brain training does for the mind what exercise does for the body!

 

Brain training is a simple but powerful way to enhance a student's core ability to learn faster, easier, and better. The brain processes information through a complex network of nerve cells called neurons. As we learn, groupings of neurons physically work together to accomplish learning or thinking tasks.  Research shows that additional, nearby neurons are drawn into this process when the task is new or unfamiliar, or when the intensity of the learning demand is increased. Once the task is mastered, the borrowed neurons are released to go back to other duties; however, the gains in efficiency and processing speed required for that task are retained and make learning-related tasks easier.

 

At LearningRx, expert brain trainers are helping children and adults learn faster and easier by improving their cognitive skills everyday!  By testing to identify the cognitive weaknesses of an individual, LearningRx can then target and strengthen the individual cognitive skills that need improvement - results guaranteed! 

 

So this holiday season as you peruse the aisles for presents that will be enjoyed and provide a lasting benefit, keep in mind the power of brain training and let LearningRx help!

 

Here are a few simple games LearningRx recommends:

 

Alphabet blocks or Scrabble tiles ($6-$12)

Help develop analytical skills by using alphabet blocks to make up nonsense words starting with two to three blocks (or tiles).  Pick a vowel and a consonant and create a nonsense word, then have the child remove one of the blocks and add a new one while verbally trying to figure out what the new nonsense word sounds like.  If the child can't read yet, just say the sounds for them.  Also ask them to try and figure out from hearing the sounds what the new word would sound like when they switch the blocks.  This builds phonemic awareness through sound blending and segmenting.  And because this exercise is about sounds, not letter knowledge, parents should work with basic sounds and not use letter names, which can be confusing.

 

Wedgits ($19-$45)

Better move over Legos and Lincoln Logs!  Use these building tools along with the accompanying pictures of completed projects to increase attention, logic & reasoning, and visual processing. 

 

Sudoku ($2-$5)

Available for children and teens of all ages, this numbers puzzle can strengthen deductive and intuitive reasoning, numerical fluency, working memory, and sequential processing.

 

 

Old Maid ($3-$5)

Spread cards out face down and have children draw two at a time looking for matches. Cards that don't match are put back in the same location.  This builds memory and attention.

 

Puzzles ($2-$15)

Puzzles are great tools to develop visual discrimination, as well as logic and reasoning.  Math, science, test-taking, and most importantly, reading and comprehension, all require visualization skills.

 

Speed Stack Cups ($10-$40)

This fun, simple game builds speed, planning, and eye-hand coordination.

 

Chess ($5-$30)

This classic brain game helps divided attention, executive processing, logic and reasoning, planning and problem solving.

 

* To increase processing speed, parents can use a stopwatch to encourage fast completion with any of these games. 

 

*These games can be found at local toy stores, Wal-Mart, Target, or online at Amazon.com.

 

LearningRx specializes in identifying and correcting the underlying cognitive skill deficiencies that keep people from achieving their full potential in school, business or life. Personal brain trainers use intensive, one-on-one, game-like exercises to quickly enhance weak cognitive skills such as attention, memory, processing speed, and problem solving.  To learn more, visit www.learningrx.com/shreveport or www.learningrx.com/bossier-city or you can call either center at 318-671-0310 (Shreveport) or 318-742-8004 (Bossier). 

 

Gift Certificates for New Parents

• For a photography sitting that includes an 8x10 photo of the new baby.
• To a restaurant for the new parents for the first date night after the baby.
• To a great take-out restaurant for those tired parents who do not want to cook.
  
• For an errand service to deliver their groceries to their door. Check in our Services section...they can deliver milk, perishables, diapers and much more....
• A gift certificate for a spa service for some pampering after the baby arrives. Go to our Health & Fitness area to find spas that even provide free child care.
• For a personal chef that can drop off as many dinners as you would like. A nice way for parents to get both a great dinner without having to go out and get a babysitter.

Gift Certificates for Kids Birthdays

• A Zoo or Museum membership
• For a series of classes. (ie: swim lessons, Gymboree, My Gym, dance, tennis, etc.)
• Check to a college savings account. If the child does not have an account I download the form and complete it and include my check. Anyone can start an account with as little as $25. 
• Tickets to a show, or to a fun place like the zoo, put-put golf, or even a short train trip.

 

Magazines

Magazine subscriptions are a great gift idea especially for friends that are out of town. There are wonderful family magazines for new parents and childrens magazines for kids birthdays.

Baby Shower Gifts

• Clothes and blankets are always wonderful for first time parents. If you are buying clothes, don't always get the newborn sizes. They grow out of these quickly and will need some of the larger sizes. Make sure to think of what season you are buying for so you get the correct size. If the baby will be 12 months during the winter, don't buy a 12-18 month bathing suit.
  

• Often though parents need some of the bigger items (strollers, cribs, exersaucers, etc.). It is great to get several friends or family members to go in on one of the these.

• Another item needed by many expecting parents is a camera or video camera. This makes a great group gift. Even if it means getting them a certificate to put towards the item.
  

 

Gifts for Grandparents, parents, etc.

Swee'Pea Posters does the greatest job with up to 9 pieces of your child's artwork. It is a unique idea for a grandparent. You can see samples on their site. (www.zsquaredgraphics.com) High quality posters made from your child's very own artwork.

 

Fun Gifts for Kids

Parent Ideas:

 

• Bath tints (little tablets that color the bath water and you can make different colors like purple and orange) and Sponge creatures-come in a pack of 12 or so and theyare sponge animals in gelatin capsules that your child can hold under water-then a creature emerges. Both are inexpensive and can be gifted together!
• For children who love to unwrap gifts, wrap many small inexpensive gifts, or wrap each part of a gift that goes together. Have a treasure hunt around your livingroom to find all the pieces.
• One of my favorite gifts is a gift card to any bookstore. The gift of reading is priceless and children love to be able to pick out a book they want to read! You can't go wrong!
• I purchased from the Old Navy website multiples of all of their costumes left. They were 50%+ off and so I had the idea to purchase hat boxes and fill them with one of each costume. I will give them as "dress-up boxes" to all the little girls who have birthdays coming up. Kids, boys and girls, love to dress up and pretend play!
• Personalized anything; seeds; garden tools; special place settings; paper airplane; ornaments; handmade items; globe; science kit; post office kit; treasure box; sleeping bag; songs; coupons (foot rubs); charm for bracelet; fishing pole; bank account; antique; grant-a-wish; dress-up clothes; bandaids; and alarm clock.
  
• The ultimate choice for a gift that will delight and inspire any child recipient is: miscellaneous dress up clothes. (of non specific type) boas, gloves, various hats, jackets, crowns, boots, scarves, ties, glasses, rainbow ""toe socks!,"" wigs, frills and western attire. Too often parents grab for a pre-made dress up costume and rob their children of the imaginative process! There are characters beyond tinkerbell, mickey mouse and cinderella!Kids like to imitate life and given choices, they would just as often dress up as a doctor, teacher or housewife!!!
• Large plastic storage container filled with costumes collected from garage sales (tutu, tap shoes, scarves, necklaces, fancy dresses, hats, western vest, sheriff's badge, neck scarf and cowboy boots, mini tuxedo, magician's cape, crown). Decorate the top of the box with their names and fancy stickers.
  

Gift Alternatives

Have a birthday party where guests bring books to donate to the hospital. You can choose any organization that is meaningful to you and find out what they need that you can provide. Make it known on the invites that this is where the gifts are intended - not for your child. Later, with your child you bring these items to the organization, and it is a very meaningful lesson learned.

 

Teacher Gifts

Are you trying to figure out the perfect gift for your child's teacher? Below are some ideas submitted by parents and teachers. Do something special for the person who is making a difference in your child's lifea and education.

 

• Gift cards: Sometimes we may not know our child's teacher on a personal level or know their interests. Most teachers would love to go out to dinner and to a movie without cost. (restaurants, coffee houses, salons, massages). More and more places are offering gift cards and certificates with special deals and some will mail them to you, so you don't have to go out. I subscribe to a service where I can buy $25 gift cards for $20 each to stores like Target. Most of the time teachers receive these gifts when school gets out prior to the holiday and they can shop for themselves or others. Try to get other parents to contribute with too.
  

 

• Theatre Tickets for your teacher and a guest to see the Nutcracker - best seats in the house. Have other families contribute to make this an affordable and unique gift.

• A Mini Scrapbook with a page of artwork & a photo of each child in the class.