In our last post we shared some toy recommendations for the younger set, from pre-school up to Grade 5, that can effectively promote and encourage learning. Now lets take a look at what we can offer to keep older children, those in Grade 6 through 12, interested in learning and engaged in skills development.
If your child is of this age group you may have already found that it has become harder to encourage them to enjoy learning, and even harder to get them to enjoy school. The older a student becomes, the more likely it is that social 'obligations' will pose a challenge to homework, school and independent time spent exploring and learning. However, the ongoing development of reading and writing skills are just as crucial here as they are for younger children.
School subjects depend more and more on these basic skills, just to get through the subject matter, as the student moves through the senior grades. Science and problem solving become more difficult. The ability to stop, think and question will do wonders for a student’s ability to avoid being stumped by the problem-solving aspect of education.
Quick and easy family games, as well as hands-on model sets, allow students to create and discover as their imagination allow. These types of games and ‘toys’ help to foster fundamental skills, plus inspire a sense of confidence and pride based on what they discover, create and solve. Here’s are some recommendations we like to share with our customers to encourage learning, in a fun way, with older students --
Quiddler This is a great word game using cards that has somewhat of a ‘Scrabble’ mentality to it. The 
challenge of Quiddler is to arrange your entire hand into everyday words. In this fast-paced game, draw and discard in turn. Try to use those high point letters, but don't get caught with them ‘uncombined’. A bonus is given for the most words in each round (so little words can help you win), as well as for the longest word. Quiddler is a delightful challenge for both rookies and word game lovers and as many as eight players.
Albert’s Insomnia Albert’s Insomnia makes learning math fun. Albert can’t sleep and he needs help counting his sheep. This game is a mental math game that requires players to think and solve equations. Albert’s Insomnia helps with mental math, math facts, learning order of operations, the practice of critical and creative thinking skills and so much more. It can be played in small groups or collaboratively in a large group or classroom.
Pathfinders 4-in-1 Hydraulic Machines Fun for future engineers! This offers hands-on construction and 
creation of four simple machines. It is a fun introduction to building and the mechanics of hydraulic machines. Using all pre-cut pieces, glue, and simple instructions, kids can make a platform lifter, scissor lift, cherry picker, and excavator. Each working model uses water instead of hydraulic fluid. No batteries are needed to power these models.
Meccano Multi Model Meccano is a model construction kit consisting of reusable metal strips, plates, angle girders, wheels, axles and gears, as well as nuts and bolts to connect the pieces. Meccano is a highly versatile construction toy that encourages children to build a variety of working models and mechanical devices. It offers enough to challenge even the most creative mind! Meccano toys allow a child to build multiple designs, all from the same box. All kits and models are compatible so there's no limit to the size of a creation.
Brighten Up is a member of Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS) and is located in Erin ON. Chris Bailey (owner) and Stephanie Giugovaz (Education Director) are proud to be part of the Erin community and committed to a mission of making learning and discovery fun for everyone. Brighten Up provides toys, games, puzzles, books and magazines as well as educational services and special interest seminars. Along with other NETS retailers they will celebrate Neighbourhood Toy Store Day on Saturday on Saturday, November 10 with loads of fun activities for the family!
Printer-friendly version