DCHQ

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Q: Why do you play games like Spot It and UNO at the end of your lessons? Wouldn’t my child be better off playing word games?

A: Great question!

Games like Spot It and UNO might not look like traditional literacy learning, but they play a powerful role in building executive function — the brain skills we need to learn effectively.

Executive function includes things like:
• Working memory (holding and using information)
• Attention and focus
• Impulse control
• Cognitive flexibility (switching between ideas or rules)

When children play these games, they’re practising:
✨ Tracking rules and patterns
✨ Thinking quickly and flexibly
✨ Managing frustration and emotions
✨ Taking turns and staying engaged

These skills are essential for reading and writing. For example, a child needs executive function to:
📚 Follow the sequence of sounds in a word
📚 Stay focused on a sentence
📚 Check and correct their own work

So while it might look like “just a game,” it’s actually targeted brain training — and ending sessions this way also helps children finish on a positive, fun note 💛

Learning isn’t just about what we teach — it’s about building the brain skills that make learning possible.

Some other great games for building executive function are:

🧠 Memory – strengthens working memory and attention
👀 Simon Says – builds listening skills and impulse control
⚡️ Bop It – encourages quick thinking and response inhibition
🎲 Connect 4 – supports planning, strategy, and flexible thinking
🃏 Go Fish – develops memory, turn-taking, and focus
🧩 Jenga – builds self-control, patience, and fine motor planning

The best part? These all feel like fun — but they’re quietly building the brain skills children need for reading, writing, and learning 💛

Bonus Fact: That Latin word "lamella" is derived from Latin "lamina", meaning 'thin piece of material', and that's where we get the English word "laminate" from. So "laminate" and "omelet" are actually cognates! 😵‍💫 #linguistics #language #science @jknowles831 #egger

English is a morphophonemic language… 👩🏻‍🏫And wow… am I having a blast teaching it! Proficient reading and spelling derives from an understanding of both letters and sounds (phonemes and the graphemes that spell them) AND meaningful units (morphemes). ✅ Teaching both from the beginning is essential. When we show students how words are actually built—from phonemes, graphemes and morphemes—we empower them to read, spell, and understand every word they encounter with confidence. This is not “extra.” This is evidence-based instruction. When we provide students with a full picture of how the English spelling system really works…. magic happens ✍️🧠📚 Together, we WILL kick #illiteracy’s ass, one #structuredliteracy lesson at a time! 👊🏼🧡 #scienceofreading #phonics #morphology #earlyliteracy #teachertips #readinginstruction #homeschoolreading

There are lots of underlying skills that impact how kids write — and spotting the root cause can make all the difference!

Here are some common issues that can interfere with handwriting development:
❎ Midline crossing challenges
💪 Core muscle weakness
✍️ Pencil grasp difficulties
👁️ Visual motor concerns
🔍 Visual perception struggles
📐 Visual spatial issues
👀Attention difficulties
👐 Hand muscle weakness

👉👉👉Comment ✏️ and we’ll DM you:

📝 Our free handwriting tips printable

🎲 Our favorite board & card games for handwriting practice

🎯 A free download with tips for using games to build writing skills in fun ways!

Why Kids Should Work on a Vertical Surface

"Learn more about the benefits of working on a vertical surface and find some creative ways for kids to work in this position!"

Read more here > https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/motor-skills-and-more-working-on-a-vertical-surface/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com