May 06
0

Improve your child’s reading skills: Five easy tips

By | Education | No Comments

Learning letters can be fun for children. But the real challenge comes when they start joining alphabets and sounding words. It can get a little confusing for your child to understand why ‘cut’ and ‘put’ don’t sound the same or why ‘know’ and ‘no’ sound exactly the same. But from fun activities to online learning games, there are a lot of ways to help them learn. Here are some easy tips to help your child develop excellent reading skills and vocabulary.

 

Copying is a good start

Let your child copy the way you speak. This will help them learn the sound of words that will later help them when they start spelling words. Make sure that you make correct usage of words so that your child can learn fast. For example, when speaking in front of your child, use ‘going to’ instead of ‘gonna’ or ‘what are you doing’ instead of ‘whatcha doing’. Remember that this is the formative stage. If they hear different usage of words at school and at home, it can confuse them and slow down their progress. If required, speak to their teacher so that you can continue the learning process at home. Games like Simon Says are a good way to make them follow your pronunciation in a fun way.

Story time can help learn

Whether at school or at home, encourage your child to read along and turn reading time into a fun and effective reading game time. If it is a story that they have heard a lot of times before, they will repeat a lot of it from memory instead of actually reading the words. But this will help them associate the words to the sounds. This will also help you interact better with your child because they will feel involved and needed. Give them a reward, like their favourite snack, every time they read without making any mistakes. This will encourage them to improve and work harder.

Finding letters

Don’t discard old newspapers and magazines. Instead turn them into fun spelling games for your children. Pick a letter and encourage them to find that letter throughout a page. Now help them identify words that use that letter and sound similar. For example, if your child has found all the ‘O’s’ on the page, let them now associate it with sounds like ‘got’, ‘not’, etc. This way your child will develop a strong word association skill. Let them colour all the words that they find so that it remains engaging and colourful for them.

Sound the words for spellings

Start simple and easy. Choose easy words that have straight sounds like ‘aah’, ‘buh’, etc. For example, if your child is spelling the words bus, then break it into sounds like ‘buh’ and ‘saa’. This will make it easy for children to spell words and remember them the next time. Start with small words and move on to bigger words where the sound can be easily broken down. Once your child is confident of the sound then they can also read other words by sound association even if the spelling is different. So, if they have learnt ‘bus’, they can also read ‘us’ and ‘dust’.

Find learning games

With kids spending more and more time online, why not utilise that time to teach them reading? Find out the right reading game with interesting characters and engaging sound effects where your child can learn as they play. These are most useful for times when your children are on their own. Instead of spending time playing aggressive games that teach nothing, encourage them to play fun learning games that will also help with their schoolwork.

Get started with https://subscribe.skidos.com/

Apr 22
1

Moving Beyond the Fear of Math: Building the Foundation for First Grade Math

By | Education | No Comments

Starting a first grade can be both exciting and daunting. With new classmates and teachers, higher levels of learning can prove to be intimidating for your child. Often, math becomes the main villain. But you can help your child overcome the fear of numbers and improve their first-grade math skills. Here are some handy tips to help your child move ahead.

 

Math Learning Content for Grade 1
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Understand the problem

From peer pressure to not being able to follow the teacher’s instructions, there can be many reasons for your child to get stuck. Talk to your child. Try to understand the real reason for their fear of numbers. Take a look at their curriculum and, if required, speak to the teacher to help your child resolve the problem.
 

Math is for everyone

First grade is an important milestone. It is here that children often pick up the idea that everyone cannot be good at math. If your child is visibly making less efforts in learning, this could be a reason. Make them understand that math is an important part of our everyday life. Let them count the number of fruits you brought from the market. Or encourage them to count the loose change in your purse. This will build their confidence and help them learn better.
 

Make learning fun

Math does not have to be only a school subject. It can also be a fun pastime and a way to bond with your child. Math games for 1st graders can help your child have fun while they learn. Choose a multiplayer game so that you can join in with your child. This will take off the pressure of learning and encourage your child to take more interest in the subject.

Back to the basics

Very often when stuck with one math problem, it can impact the overall learning. You may notice your child making mistakes even with the problems that they previously solved easily. Try to reach the root of the problem. Once they can solve that one problem, everything else will become a cake walk.

 

Clocks and calendars

In the digital age, analogue can prove to be a very good math teacher. Encourage your child to calculate the number of hours left before their favourite TV show starts. Or let them count the number of days left for holidays to begin. This will help them get rid of the fear of numbers and make friends with math.

Do you like maths?

Have you been telling your child how you were bad at maths in school? Or how you hated going to the math class and how your teacher was a monster? Guess what! Your child may not actually be bad in maths but is getting impacted by your stories. Children are not weak in any subject genetically but can psychologically be encouraged or discouraged. Instead of recollecting all your bad memories at the dinner table, tell your child about all the fun you had in the math class. 

Even if it has nothing to do with the subject, it will encourage your child to look forward to math period instead of getting scared. Tell them about the friends you had in that class. Ask them about their day and let them tell you all the good things they experienced. This will go a long way in improving their math and building their confidence.

You can get started with some engaging math games for first graders at https://skidos.com/math-games-7-9-year-old-kids/.

Apr 02
1

Help your child overcome the math test syndrome

By | Education | No Comments

Is your child scared of maths tests? Don’t worry. Your child is not alone. Children are often most nervous before math tests. They are not just scared of numbers but are also scared of being judged. As a parent, you play a very important role in making your child confident. Here are a few tips that will help your child face the math test and pass with flying colours.

SKIDOS Math Test Blog

It is just a test

Children often feel the pressure to perform as well as their peers. Let your child understand that this is just an exam. Even if they don’t get an ‘A+’ you will still love them as much. You will notice that your child will perform better and will take more interest in numbers when they no longer have to compete.

 Let numbers be fun

Numbers are scary for most kids (it sure was for me!). Find fun ways to teach mathematics to children. Math games are definitely one way to go. Let them count the number of candies they have on their plate. Or let them count their crayons as they add them to the crayon box. Can they count their Lego bricks before putting them away? How many Lego bricks did they have to add to make their castle or plane? This will also help them prepare for math exams without the fear of failure.

Find math games online

Children today spend a lot of time online. Instead of taking away their gadgets, why not help them learn online? Math games for 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade[ is easily available. Find the game that meets your child’s learning need. Make sure you purchase from reliable sources instead of having to spend money on ads.

It’s alright to make mistakes

Since math is a subject of fixed answers, children are often scared of giving the wrong answer. Let children know that it’s alright to make mistakes. You only learn more when you make mistakes. Maths is not about memorising; its about understanding. Encourage your children to understand where they made the mistake and why instead of scolding them for wrong answers. The more a child feels comfortable with mistakes, the easier it becomes for them to understand the problems.

Explain the basics

Maths is not history where memorising the answers will help. Encourage your child to go to the basics of math problems. How do addition and subtraction work? Why is counting numbers important? Educational math games can be a fun way of teaching children the basics.

Maths is all around us

A math exam is a one-time thing. But numbers are all around us. Once children realise that they are using maths all the time, they will feel more relaxed in an exam. One good grade or one bad grade is a passing thing. What is most important is for children to understand the need for mathematics in life. This will make sure that they don’t see it as just a school subject, but take an actual interest.

What are your tips to help your child prepare for that math exam? Share with us in the comments below.

Mar 20
1

Making math basics easy, one sum at a time

By | Education | No Comments

When starting to learn addition and subtraction, children may hit a roadblock. Learning numbers can seem easy but to combine or divide them can seem difficult. But you can help make maths easy for your children. From using every day activities to introducing them to learning games, here are five tips for learning addition and subtraction and make numbers fun.

SKIDOS Making Math Basic Easy Blog

1. Let’s eat numbers

Does your child like gummy bears or other candies? Let them count how many gummy bears they have on their plate. Do they like chocolates? Let them count the number of pieces in a bag. Start with one and ask them to add one more to it. Now they have two. Continue this process till it becomes fun for them and they start doing it on their own. Use the same trick to teach them subtraction. Give them five gummy bears and ask them to count. Now remove one from the plate. Voila! They are left with four. The best part for you? You can do this with anything that they like to eat.

2. Colour your way through maths

Colouring is definitely a good way to keep your child engaged while you finish your chores. But what if colouring could also teach your children addition and subtraction? Use colouring as a learning game. Draw a pie or a grid or a big flower. Now give your children simple addition problems. Let them solve the equation and then colour the answer. For example: What is 1+1? If they can give the correct answer (in this case 2) then they will colour two parts of the pie or two petals of the flower. This will keep them engaged and make it easy and fun for them to complete their math homework.

3. Create board games

Let each clue of the board game be an addition or subtraction problem, similar to snakes and ladder. The answer to every addition sum will make them move ahead in the game. If they land on a subtraction sum then the answer will make them go backwards. The more number of addition problems they solve correctly, the faster they win the game. Keep some double digit addition problems. Correct answers to these will help them jump ahead in the game. Children learn best when they play games. Let their learning be a fun way to pass time rather than a task to complete every day.

4. Play online learning games

Kids today spend more time on smartphones and tablets, almost to the point of addiction. But you can help your child turn an addiction to education. Instead of taking away the gadgets, make them a tool to help your child with addition and subtraction. Simply download quality learning games for kids  and let them play while they learn. These will make their time spent on gadgets more useful and introduce them to more useful games.

5. Use everyday games to teach maths

Do your children have a favourite game? Do they play with action figures or build towers with Lego? Why not count the number of action figures they have or the number of bricks they use to build their tower? After a hard day’s work, this can prove to be an effective way of spending time with your children while helping them learn.

Do you have a fun way of teaching your children math? Share it with us in the comments below.

Feb 19
7

Real vs virtual: Balance your child’s screen time

By | Education | No Comments

With our busy lives, children often find a lot of time on their hands. Gadgets and apps have become an easy way to kill time. But you don’t want your child to get caught up in the vortex. Of course, you can child lock your television and smartphone. But children today are smarter than we would like to believe (my three-year-old nephew can crack his mother’s passcode, every time, trust me!). Read on to discover solutions that will help you balance your child’s screen time without having to face a tantrum every single time.

SKIDOS Family Screen Time

What is your child watching?

Even before you think of monitoring your child’s screen time, take stock of what is taking up most of their time. Are they watching movies or are hooked to the latest cartoons? Or have they discovered the latest gaming fad? If you don’t the extent of the problem, you can’t find the right solution.

Make small changes

Once you have figured out what they watch, find what you can alter to balance their screen time and give them a more fruitful upbringing. If they like playing games, why not introduce them to educational games that will help them learn while they have fun. This way, they won’t feel deprived and you won’t have to worry about their browsing habits.

Balance their time between the real world and the virtual world

You may have an easier task if your child enjoys outdoor activities. If not, then the challenge is bigger when it comes to their interaction with the outside world. Find learning apps that will encourage them to complete tasks in real life and feed results in the app before they proceed to the next level. This will ensure that your child puts to practice what they learn and, in the process, will reduce the time they spend in front of a screen.

Apps that allow you control

All of the above is possible when you are home. But what about the time when you are at the office? How can you ensure that your child is not distracted by gadgets? Educational apps today allow time restrictions. Find an app that will automatically switch off after a set time limit. You can also incentivise your child by encouraging them to fulfil daily chores like school work in lieu of additional play time on their favorite learning app once you get home.

Find other interests

The real world is always the best teacher. Find activities that you and your children can enjoy together. You can also find activities that are related to the environment of the learning apps so that your child can easily relate to the surroundings and enjoys the app even more. Encourage them to find and relate objects from the educational games to objects around them. This will enhance their learning process and divide their time between the screen and the outside world.

 Get started with the right learning apps here.

Feb 11
2

Make math fun: Apps that make learning simple

By | Education | No Comments

Most children are scared of numbers. But what if maths could be easy and fun? What if numbers became your child’s best friend? Here’s how you can make math learning simple for your child.

SKIDOS Math Games

Make numbers fun

Addition and subtraction can be boring. But if the same can be taught in a fun way, children are sure to love it. Look at mathematics games that include attractive characters and interactive levels to keep children engaged for hours. This will also help your child to concentrate better on school work.

Get your child exclusive attention

Whether your child is in kindergarten learning numbers or a 2nd grader learning problem solving, it is not always possible for a teacher to give exclusive attention to every child in the classroom. A fun, interactive learning game will help your child learn at their own pace.

Bring maths to everyday life

Math is all around us. Let your child see it too. Encourage your child to use their classroom and gaming app learning at home. Can they help you total the grocery bill? Can they count the number of apples left in the fruit basket? Can your child keep a count on the number of times you get a phone call in a day? Simple, everyday activities that will make your child interested in maths.

Make math interesting

If your child loves to play online games, nothing could be better than educational maths games. These will help your child learn math in a colorful environment. Whether they like adventures like car racing  and surfing or cute characters like bunny rabbits and bears & bees, you are sure to find games that will interest your child and make math interesting.

Share the math fear

Like things we like, things we don’t like can also bring us closer to our children. If you too found math scary, let your child know. Share the funny stories. And then find ways to solve maths equations together. Select multiplayer games and share your tips & tricks. When education is made fun instead of a burden, children tend to put more effort.

Don’t make math a monster

Maths is important. But don’t punish your child if they run in the opposite direction at the mere mention of numbers. Let them know that it is alright to learn slow. And it is alright to not get top grades all the time. They should be able to look at it like a problem that can have multiple solutions. Instead of comparing your child to the math genius in their class, find mathematics games  that will show them the fun side of numbers.

Always encourage

Till your child finds school and education a ‘cool’ thing, you are in a good spot. There will always be challenges. Not all children learn at the same pace. Make sure your child does not feel isolated just because they could not score well.

Start with some fun math games at https://skidos.com/portfolio-coolmathgames-coding-games/[NS1] .

Feb 01
1

Quality versus quantity: Tips for the modern parent

By | Parenthood | No Comments
SKIDOS Quality Time

Our busy lives often make us guilty for not having enough time for other pleasures. Especially, if you are a parent then you may often find yourself counting the number of hours you spend with your children versus the number of hours spent at the office or fulfilling other responsibilities. But right parenting should not be about the number of hours, rather it should be about how you utilize the time spent in a fun and useful manner. Here are some handy tips for busy parents:

Parents, our first teacher

You are your child’s first teacher. Why not be the fun teacher? Instead of letting your children play games as a distraction, let them play fun educational games that will help them learn. Spend time with them while they discover new words and learn math in a colorful, friendly environment.

Give your child the best

Your child deserves the best of everything. And money alone can’t give them the best. Kids learning games may come with a subscription. But make sure that your money is spent on the right app. With the market flooded with educational apps, find the one that will give your child the required learning support and you some quality time with your child.

Don’t fall in the trap

People around you may often try to tell you the ‘right’ rules of ‘good’ parenting. But there is no one correct parenting style. Find what works best for you and your children. While other parents may be spending hours taking their children from one class to another, you can take the smart route. Choose learning apps  that will cater to all kinds of learning needs, from primary to advanced levels of learning.

Don’t get scared

Inexperienced people around you may suggest that apps can get your child addicted to the gadget. But you can enlighten them about parental control apps. You definitely don’t want your child to get addicted to a smartphone or tablet 24X7. Do some research to find apps that will allow you to monitor and restrict the usage of apps. This will ensure that your child has a wholesome life where technology is an aid and not an impediment.

Create memories of a lifetime

Some of a child’s best memories are always about the time spent laughing and learning with their parents. Children learn best when they are not forced to study and spend an ample amount of time having fun with their family. Learning apps can be your pathway to give your child a lifetime of happy memories. Make mistakes and learn together.

You are the best parent

Believe in yourself. You are doing the best that you can. You are giving the best to your child. You are giving your child the best gift possible – learning with fun with reliable educational games. Your parenting style may not be the same as others. But it is the most suited to you and your child’s needs.

Find the right learning app for your child at https://skidos.com/[NS1] .

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Jan 25
4
Creative learning kids

Learning while playing: Find the best learning app for your child

By | Parenthood | No Comments

Learning does not have to be boring. Children today are constantly engaged with smartphones and tablets. Why not make these gadgets their learning buddy? Here are some handy tips to find the best educational apps of 2019 for your children.

Learning is the key

Identify your child’s learning needs and choose learning games that will help them to fulfill those needs. Whether it is learning to count or spelling new words, mobile games can be an engaging way to spend time on gadgets while also improving your skills.

Is it engaging?

This question may not be important for you. But it is definitely important for your children. If the game app is not engaging and exciting, be sure that your child will get easily distracted and bored with the game. It is one thing to add colorful numbers and a completely different thing to do maths while fighting pirates. Which one do you think will your child enjoy more?

Get rid of the clutter

There are too many apps for kids that cater to the same need. So how do you know which is the best for your child? Always read the user reviews. If another parent faced a challenge, chances are you will too. But if most parents are satisfied with the results, then be rest assured that you’re making the right choice. If the app has a website then visit the site to know more about the mobile game. An informed decision is a better decision.

One or many

There are mobile games  that teach multiple skills like math, spellings, colors, and shapes. And then there are learning apps that are designed to meet specific learning needs. Assess what your child needs. If they are in primary school then choosing an app to teach multiple skills may be helpful. But if your child is in the advanced stages of learning then choose a game that will provide targeted engagement instead of slowing down your child with unnecessary rounds.

Us time

Our busy lives coupled with gadgets are making us isolated. As a parent, you may sometimes feel guilty for not spending as much time with your child as you would like to. A good education app may be your chance to make up for some of the lost time. Find a multi-player app or an app like Bike Racing, where you and your children can spend some quality time together, while they learn and have fun.

Is it expensive?

Maybe, maybe not. But a good educational app should cost you less than your monthly Netflix subscription. And will save you the trouble of searching for the right content. A lot of apps may also have ads that will require an additional purchase to stop them from interrupting your child’s experience. Make sure to find out about these hidden costs. Your subscription should be the only payment you make for the app.

Get started to find the right learning app for your child at https://skidos.com/.

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Jan 18
4
Creative learning

Creative ways to keep your child learning in 2019!

By | Curiosities, Education, Parenthood | No Comments

1. Play fun learning games

Let’s be honest. Nobody really likes homework or boring games that look just like homework. Kids love to play fun games. Rather than merely producing clumsily camouflaged ‘gamified’ lessons, why not put the gaming experience first and then embed the education. The result? Educational games kids actually enjoy.  Find tips to pick actually fun and creative learning games here.

For preschoolers & kindergarten kids, you can start with simple games that help them learn the basics- numbers, colours and shapes. When a child is actively engaged with the game, their mind experiences the pleasure of learning a new system. You can adapt the cool learning games by age.  Download the games on your phone or tablets.

2. Enrich their minds with Coding puzzles

coding kids creative learning

Yes, you and your kids can get inspired and interested in coding. Coding stimulates computational thinking and encourages creativity. Learning to code helps kids develop critical thinking skills as well as the ability to solve problems. Your kids can understand the coding logic behind their favourite games. The best way to start learning is by solving coding puzzles. This will help your kids foster an early interest in coding which is already a very critical 21st-century skill.

 

You can find some of the best coding games here.

3. Math Fun for Kids

Kids math games

Integrate math in their everyday activities. Start with grocery shopping, count the number of oranges your child helps you put in the grocery bag at the supermarket or the number of stairs you go up to the front door. You can start with small amounts and add a few as your child is ready for a challenge. 

In the new digital age, you can also get some cool math games in the App Store for your kids to improve their math skills.

You can find some of the cool math games here.

Jan 10
4
Online Educational Games for kids

What are our best online learning games for kids in 2019?

By | Education, News, Skidos | No Comments

 

In this article, we share with you the best online learning games for 2019 published by SKIDOS. Our platform grows every month as we add new games. Some of our users’ favourites online learning games are here:

1. Bike Racing is one of our most popular game available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

One of the most successful games we published last year was BIKE RACING. Kids fell in love with it instantly, and it helped them not only play like a real pro motorcyclist across the most exciting race tracks, but it also assisted in Mathematics and Coding practice.

What makes it so popular amongst kids is the fact that progression is smooth and entertaining. The game has 99 race tracks and the possibility to modify the racer’s gear, outfits and skills. Each level the gameplay becomes slightly harder, but not that hard to make kids give up on the game.

Math puzzles in the game can be adjusted to match the school curriculum and specific mathematics operations such as multiplication, fractions etc. can be chosen

2. Snow Race 

Similar in gameplay to Bike Racing, but the scenes are as cool as the mountain slopes in the game. The gameplay is more straightforward, so it can perfectly match with children between 4 and 10 years old. Here the educational questions are again for math and coding.

3. Bakery Game

Children can learn how to bake a cake with real ingredients. On top of that, the whole “Do It Yourself” scenario provokes their creative thinking, and the fun is guaranteed. In this game, the educational questions are within coding and maths as well, but the gameplay has many voice-overs to help children improve their listening skills and remember the name of the ingredients for baking. Who knows, they may want to help you next time in the kitchen? 

4. ABC Town and Fishing Game

        

These games help kids to practice spelling and pronunciation of the first 200 english words using phonetics and pictures.  It does include the math puzzles too. The cool thing about both these games is the amazingly cute graphics and the ease of the gameplay. Those two online educational games will match best for kids at the age of 4 and 5 years.

5. Rabbit Rescue and Flower Match 

          

Coming last but not the least as the best online learning games for kids. One is a very popular bubble shooter game which kids love and the other is based on a match 3 puzzle gameplay popularly seen in games like Candy Crush. 

Here the fun is to rescue cute Rabbits from being stuck in balloons and kids can advance in their trajectory by shooting to the sides and learning about angles. Best for kids from 6 to 11+ years age group. 

Now is the time that you go and download these five stars learning games for your kids and start their fun learning. 

More new games are being added every month. 

So expect news from us very soon 🙂

Go play and learn now!

You want to know more about how online learning games help kids and how to choose them? See this article.