Consistent Routines: A Pathway to Encourage Child Prodigies!

 In the tapestry of humanity, there are threads of brilliance—prodigies whose talents defy their years. Picture the captivating strokes of a young artist, the haunting melodies from delicate hands on a piano, or the profound insights of a budding scientist. But behind these wonders lie myths obscuring the reality of child prodigies. Today, we unravel these myths and explore the role of consistent routines. Following routines, like guiding stars, provides stability and structure essential for nurturing the brilliance of prodigious children. 

I. Understanding Child Prodigies 

Child prodigies, captivating us with their extraordinary talents, invite us to explore the depths of their capabilities. To truly understand these remarkable individuals, it's imperative to unravel the myths surrounding them and delve into their defining characteristics.

A. Characteristics and Traits of Child Prodigies

Prodigies exhibit exceptional cognitive abilities from a tender age, showcasing an innate talent that surpasses conventional norms. Their brilliance spans diverse fields, whether it's unraveling complex mathematical concepts, mastering musical instruments with unparalleled skill, or effortlessly grasping advanced linguistic nuances. What distinguishes prodigies is not just their intellectual acumen but also their unyielding passion and tireless dedication to their craft. This blend of exceptional talent and relentless pursuit of excellence sets them apart as extraordinary individuals capable of achieving feats beyond imagination.

B. Myths and Realities Surrounding Child Prodigies

Dispelling common misconceptions is vital to understanding the true essence of child prodigies. Contrary to popular belief, prodigious abilities are not solely innate but are shaped by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. While genetics may lay the foundation for their talents, environmental influences such as early exposure to enriching activities, nurturing support systems, consistent routines, and access to resources play a pivotal role in nurturing and honing their skills. Moreover, the notion that prodigies lead solitary or imbalanced lives is unfounded. Many thrive within supportive communities, fostering holistic development and societal integration.

II. Importance of Consistent Routines

Consistent routines serve as scaffolding for a child's development, offering stability and structure essential for growth. Understanding the significance of routines involves dissecting their components and recognizing their profound impact on cognitive and emotional well-being.

A. Definition and Components of Routines

Routines encompass regular activities that unfold predictably over time, encompassing daily rituals like waking up, meals, learning sessions, and leisure activities. Each element contributes to a sense of security and consistency that nurtures a child's sense of stability and comfort.

B. Impact of Consistent Routines on Child Development

Consistent routines play a pivotal role in fostering holistic development, aiding in the development of self-regulation, executive function skills, and emotional resilience. Through stable routines, children develop a secure attachment to caregivers, empowering them to explore and engage with the world confidently, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and achievement.

III. The Crucial Connection: Consistent Routines and Child Prodigies 

Understanding the profound link between consistent routines and the development of child prodigies is pivotal. Delving into case studies, research findings, and real-life examples sheds light on how structured routines shape prodigious achievements.

Consistency in routines serves as a stable platform for child prodigies to excel, particularly evident in their dedicated practice schedules and study routines. Through daily engagement prodigies harness discipline and focus, accelerating skill mastery. The research underscores this, revealing the role of routines in nurturing talent and enhancing cognitive processes, crucial for prodigious development. Real-life prodigies epitomize the impact of disciplined routines in honing their skills and achieving greatness, exemplifying the transformative potential of structured habits.

In essence, the alliance between consistent routines and child prodigies lays the groundwork for unparalleled achievements and lifelong success.

IV. Nurturing Prodigies with Abacus Math: Cultivating Effective Routines

Crafting tailored routines is paramount to nurturing the exceptional abilities of child prodigies. Understanding the significance of structured yet adaptable frameworks enables parents and educators to create environments conducive to prodigious growth.

Establishing daily and weekly routines forms the foundation for encouraging prodigious development. Through consistent Abacus Math sessions, prodigies benefit from structured learning opportunities that enhance their skills over time. Furthermore, incorporating morning and bedtime rituals instills a sense of stability and sets a positive tone for each day.

Balancing structure with flexibility is vital to accommodating the dynamic nature of prodigious talents. While routines provide stability, allowing for spontaneous learning and creative exploration fosters innovation and curiosity. This harmonious blend of structure and adaptability cultivates an environment where prodigies can thrive, empowering them to reach their full potential in various domains.

V. Practical Approaches for Parents and Educators: Fostering Prodigies with Abacus Math

Equipping parents and educators with practical strategies is paramount in nurturing the unique talents of child prodigies. By implementing targeted methodologies and leveraging available resources, caregivers can create environments conducive to the growth and development of these exceptional individuals.

Designing personalized daily and weekly routines tailored to the specific needs of prodigious children is foundational. This entails identifying their interests, strengths, and preferred learning modalities to craft routines that optimize their potential for advancement and achievement. For instance, integrating structured Abacus Math sessions into their schedule can provide valuable opportunities for skill refinement and cognitive enrichment.

Utilizing technological tools and educational resources to augment routines is essential to enhancing the efficacy of prodigious development strategies. Educational apps and online platforms, when combined with traditional methods, offer additional avenues for exploration and skill enhancement. Seeking guidance from professionals experienced in working with prodigious children can also provide invaluable support and insights in addressing their unique developmental requirements.

Implementing these practical approaches empowers parents and educators to create nurturing environments where child prodigies can flourish. By prioritizing individualized routines and harnessing available resources, caregivers can unlock the full potential of prodigious talents, fostering their continued growth and success.

Conclusion
In conclusion, our exploration into the world of child prodigies has emphasized the vital role of consistent routines and targeted strategies, bolstered by programs like Abacus Math from UCMAS Canada. By understanding prodigious traits, dispelling myths, and implementing practical approaches, caregivers can create nurturing environments for these exceptional individuals to thrive. It's time to take action, embracing each prodigious child's uniqueness and providing the support they need. Together, let's shape a future where every child's brilliance is recognized and celebrated.

Research Done on Impact of Abacus Training on Children

Seeing children as avid Abacus math users in action is a sight to behold. Their hands perform arithmetic operations quicker than anyone using an electronic calculator. Abacus, an ancient calculating device has drawn attention of educationists and scientists equally. The prime reason can be the simplicity it provides when it comes to calculating the complex numbers. Even in the 20^th century, the magical accuracy and speed that an Abacus user shows is a subject of research.

Studies have shown that Abacus method of mental calculation is quite effective in the development of both sides of the brain. Earlier, this idea acted only as a hypothesis. However, the recent development in the research done on impact of Abacus for kids, supports the hypothesis. Eminent researchers and scholars have studied the effectiveness of Abacus training on children and this is what they have revealed.

The effects of Abacus Training on intelligence and mental computation were assessed with the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM). 3185 children in Sudan were divided into two groups, the Experimental and the Control. IQs of the groups were examined and tested. The Experimental group was given intensive Abacus training involving mental processes used to solve cognitive problems. The other group didn’t receive Abacus training. Both the groups were later tested with SPM. The Experimental group gained significant 7.11 IQ points contrary to the negligible difference between the IQ scores of both the groups before experiment.

In another research, children were presented with various images and asked to estimate the number of dots in them. It was later revealed that children who received Abacus training were more accurate in giving estimate, solving addition problems and displaying different pattern of responses, than untrained participants.

Thus, Abacus is a healthy brain stimulant. It promotes use of both left and right brain simultaneously. Starting Abacus learning at young age helps to activate the brains of young children. Children who receive insightful Abacus training are found to be superior in their memory especially in terms of the number of digits, which they are able to memorize. The retention of the numbers is certain. On the contrary, non-Abacus learners’ calculation methods lack flexibility in exploring innovative ways to solve problems.

Also, studies have confirmed that students are able to visualize image of Abacus in their head. Their enhanced ability to visualize can be put to use for other subjects as well. The positive effects of Abacus on children have been accepted by the entire education fraternity at large. There is no exaggeration in stating that the coming days will witness more researches with supportive findings to encourage upcoming generations to adapt to Abacus methods.

Since 25 years, UCMAS is providing insightful Abacus training to children through its exclusive program. The Abacus program is developed with the aim to stimulate brain functioning, enhance cognitive skills and develop mental arithmetic capabilities. 

GET RID OF CALCULATORS – THE WEAPON OF MATH DESTRUCTION! GO FOR MENTAL MATH…

Here’s why every child should attend mental math classes and develop their brain capabilities

Many of us think why children shouldn’t make use of gadgets like calculator and solve math problems easily, rather than solve it on their own. Makes sense, right? However, if you delve deep and look into the benefits of the doing calculations mentally rather than with a calculator, you’ll realize its importance and how it can do wonders for children. Here are the five great reasons for children to go for mental math programs.

1. Children can be faster than a calculator
It would be hard to believe but children, when equipped with right skills, can solve a math problem quickly than a calculator. While using a calculator, they need to pull out the device, tap in the numbers and then get the answer. In mental math calculations, they just have to listen numbers and let their brain process the calculation, which have been proven to be faster than a calculator. Mental math programs train children in a way that they can do addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, square root and other arithmetic operations at lightning speed.

2. Mental math can help children with real-world estimates
It’s an undeniable fact that we rely on mental computation more on everyday basis. Here are some real-world examples that demand children to make use of mental math & computation throughout their day.

•     Cross checking the itemized grocery bill during a supermarket visit
•     Estimating time required to reach a certain place
•     Calculating total money saved in a piggy bank without any help
•     Estimating the value of discount percentages while buying their favorite toy
•     Estimating amount of ingredients required while helping mother to cook

These are just the basic examples and the benefits of mental math go beyond arithmetic calculations. Mental math classes help children develop their holistic brain capabilities.

3. Stimulates brain development
Everyone is aware and keen of improving physical fitness. But hardly you find people who look to improve their brain fitness. Our brains, especially during early critical years ranging from 0 to 6 years, have an amazing capacity to change and grow when regularly challenged with activities like mental math. Mental math classes help children develop their ‘brain fitness’ as they train them to quickly and accurately solve a variety of arithmetic problems, which demand stimulation of their brain and escalating its development.
To know more about how mental math helps develop brain capabilities, check out this page.

4. Develops fluency
A research on mental math has shown fluency in mental math calculations is similar to being fluent in another language. Fluency in language means no looking up in dictionary, contextual meaning and the conversations become more meaningful. Similarly, fluency attained by children through mental math programs ensure that even complex math problems become easy and they develop affinity towards math.

5. Boosts self-confidence

When children attain mental math fluency and can easily solve problems where other children struggle, is a real confidence booster. They become sharp, accurate and their confidence in math gets reflected in other subjects as well, which leads to overall academic excellence.

Since 25 years, UCMAS has successfully trained more than 3 million children globally in mental math. With its unique Abacus technique, UCMAS helps develop brain capabilities as well as visual, auditory and kinesthetic senses, making learning easy and exciting for them. To know more about UCMAS and its mental math program, visit this page.

TRENDS THAT WILL SHAPE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IN 2019

Gone are the days of traditional education where students were only taught from books. The ever-changing landscape of early age education has given rise to much better & practical concepts that result in the development of students at a young age.

Parents are increasingly understanding the importance of after school programs in shaping their child’s future. The engaging & hands-on activities prepare children to achieve academic & co-curricular success where they might struggle in absence of proper training. With the help of early childhood education, children can understand their strengths and gain an early victory over their weaknesses.

Trends that will make early childhood education better

Early childhood education has evolved twofold in recent years. Changes in the teaching methodology, focus on experiential learning & technologically oriented curriculum, among several others, have emerged as significant contributors in providing children with a positive learning experience. Here are a few other early age education trends that you should look forward to in 2019 for your child’s lifelong success –

1. Play-based learning
   The books have been kept aside and tools like the abacus, play-doh, building blocks, educational toys, and instruments have taken their place. Active playing is now a part of every after-school curriculum as they strengthen the connections in the brain, increase flexibility & allow children to realize their potential.
2. Robotics learning
   STEM learning not only provides programming skills but expands a child’s brain through creative problem-solving. Robotics is the future of technology and STEM education at an early age will stimulate children to choose a career in this field.
3. Physical fitness
   Afterschool programs are continuously focusing on developing the physical health of children in an environment where the opportunities to play outside are rare. Sports activities like running, swimming, dancing, and martial arts are included in the curriculum to keep children fit & stimulate their brain power. Practicing these activities develops confidence, self-discipline & drives them towards greater pursuits in life.
4. Outdoor Exploration
   Outdoor activities are increasingly gaining relevancy in early age education. Afterschool programs are now focusing on introducing children to the world with enjoyable activities like basic gardening, taking care of pets, bird watching, outdoor games & much more.

Early education has touched stellar heights with an increasing focus on providing children with an experiential learning environment. In today’s dynamic & competitive world, afterschool programs boost a child’s chances of success by guiding them in the right direction for advancing their career. UCMAS is a holistic brain development and an afterschool program that contributes to the cognitive development of children and provides them a path towards lifelong success.

WAYS TO BID ADIEU TO MATHEMATICS’ FEAR

Most of us dread hearing or come across anything that is related to math or numbers, and so do children. But whether you like it or not, mathematics is omnipresent and utterly significant. From our everyday lives to scientific and technological discoveries, Mathematics is the foundation of everything around us.

One cannot imagine life without Mathematics, so it’s better to come to terms with the fear and accept the subject’s importance. Math anxiety and its more severe forms such as math phobia have kept many students from opting for challenging disciplines where mathematics plays a fundamental role. If your children are afraid of or dislike math, this blog will throw light on how to cope up with that fear and develop a liking for the subject.

Recognize & address the problem:

Hearing your child say ‘I can’t do Math’ or making excuses to avoid the subject, can be early signs of Math Anxiety. To address this problem, you must talk about the significance of the subject and teach children to have fun with numbers. The parents can even talk to the tutors and help children understand the basic concepts of math, to simplify the process.

Do mental calculations in everyday life:

Go beyond the books and find a way to use numbers and calculations with your child in everyday life. This will help children take interest in the subject. You can take your children grocery shopping and try to beat the shop-keeper in his speed of calculation, make them keep a score of soccer matches, calculate the time they will take to reach the school, etc.

Regular exposure to such things can make understanding statistics simpler in future.

Positive encouragement:

People believe that only some children have the ability to be good at math, which is nothing but a myth. This theory’s even knocked down by research, but many teachers still believe it.

Instead of being negative when the children get something wrong, talk about the problems with them and emphasize the aspects that they got correct. Positive encouragement is a great way to help children overcome the math phobia.

Make math fun:

In math, the ability to play around with numbers is vital for mental arithmetic as well as real-life. Playing games that are numbers oriented is an excellent way to make math fun. Whether its old

school card and board games or multiple puzzles found online, these games will ease out the complications and make math concepts easier to understand.

While this activity may seem less educational, they will still be effective for your child’s learning as they arouse an interest in the subject – which is the first step towards independent and active learning.

Build confidence:

If your child has always done badly in math, then it is natural for them to dislike the subject. As parents, you have to identify the weak areas and simplify it for them. You can also give them incentives for every equation solved correctly to motivate them further.

Every successful calculation will build their confidence and thereby make them like the subject.

Thus, it’s an established fact that being skillful, or at least, competent in math is necessary to survive in modern life. Its better if we start helping children with math in their early years since it is scientifically proven that 75% of the brain develops most rapidly in the first few years of a child’s life.

So, let’s start now and bring out the genius in your child.

HOW CAN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS NURTURE YOUR CHILD AT AN EARLY AGE?

At a young age, the brain is malleable & evolves rapidly. Children are highly susceptible to retain knowledge in adulthood if their right & left side of the brain is trained during an early age of increased brain activity.

Studies have shown that the fastest rate of brain development occurs since birth to age 6. A mental math program nurtures this process of brain development through stimulating activities that make the brain stronger over time. It allows children to effectively utilize both sides of the brain & become true geniuses in life – both on an intellectual & emotional level.

“When the right & left side of the brain work in harmony, the result is improved emotional intelligence & the ability to connect the dots through logical thinking.”

5 ways brain development programs nurture a child’s sense of genius

For the healthy development of a child’s brain, it needs to be continuously nurtured & stimulated. There is a plethora of math programs for kids that involves them in interactive activities which in turn create new neurotransmitter connections crucial for development.

1. The mental math programs lead to the overall development of the brain through abacus-based learning. All children fear math, but a brain training program involves interactive techniques that make math fun & easier.

2. Brain training activates both the left & right side of the brain and develops a healthy coordination between them allowing children to think clearly & enhances their creativity.

3. Brain health tends to decline with age. A good mental math program makes learning easier at an early age by training specific areas of the brain that remain strong during adulthood.

4. Researches have shown that at least 1 million neural synapses are made every second during early childhood years. Brian training leads to cognitive development by building new neural pathways in the brain at a young age and benefits children when they enter high school & college.

5. Benefits of early age learning also include better self-discipline, proficiency in math, improved self-confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

A child’s brain grows quickly & when trained perfectly, it can lead to a dynamic transformation in learning. Math programs for kids teach through a holistic brain development approach that integrates both the sides of the brain & paves a better pathway for academic & co-curricular success.

HEALTHY FOOD – A BETTER CHOICE FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Children in their early age grow quickly. This time is critically important as it builds a foundation for good physical and mental health in adulthood. Children, if nurtured properly, grow to be strong and have a healthy lifestyle.

During this span of development, the intake of healthy food by children is a vital matter, as eating a nutritious diet benefits them all through life. They get the right vitamins and minerals, which help them to grow and develop optimally. Therefore, it is quite essential for parents to instill a habit of eating healthy food in children from the very beginning. This blog will discuss in detail not only about the importance of eating healthy food but also mention a few tips for parents to encourage their children to have a proper diet.

Benefits of Eating Healthy Food for kids

Healthy food eating habits can have profound effect on child development, especially during their early years. Intake of healthy food can stabilize their energy, sharpen their minds and have a great effect on their sense of mental and emotional well-being. Nutritious diet leads to better immunity in children, which can help them in fighting any diseases, viruses or infections at the earlier stage itself.

Encouraging Kids to Eat Healthy Food

It is well said that, ‘It is easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult’. Therefore, it is very important to encourage children to eat healthy food for them to be fit throughout their lives. Kids are never born with a craving for fast food or an aversion to vegetables or fruits, but it only occurs when they are exposed to unhealthy food choices. However, their unhealthy food cravings can be reprogrammed to healthier ones.

It is a fact that whether children are toddlers or in their teens, they develop a natural preference for the foods they enjoy the most. So, to encourage healthy eating habits, the parents need to go through this challenge of making nutritious choices appealing, and here are a few tips to do the same:

·      Parents must try to be a role model of their children, for they imitate quite strongly to what they see. Therefore, if adults eat healthy food then their kids will follow them too.

·      An idea to disguise the taste of healthier foods can encourage children to eat healthy, i.e. a boring food can be spiced up by adding oregano, black pepper, etc.

·      Restaurant or hotel food is cooked with more sugar and excess of oils. Therefore, it is better to cook such meals at home for that may have a huge impact on the kids’ health, and they will also enjoy variety of savors.

·      If kids get involved and develop interest in purchasing ingredients or cooking food, then they may be encouraged to intake healthy food. So, while shopping for groceries or preparing meals, get them along and teach them about different foods and how to read food labels.

·      To avoid kids from having unhealthy snacks like soda, chips, cookies, etc. avail them with fruits, vegetables or healthy beverages when they feel the need to have snacks.

Kid-friendly Junk Food Alternatives

Usually junk food is tempting for kids. Even though it is typically high in sugar, unhealthy fat & calories and low in nutrients, fast food will always be the first choice for children to eat. However, few healthy food preparation tips can ensure healthy eating habits in children, which can include:

·      Instead of French fries, give children ‘Baked Fries’ that are grilled in oven and salted lightly.

·      Yogurt, sorbet and fresh fruit smoothies could be perfect substitutes of an ice cream.

·      Baked or grilled chicken is as tasty as fried chicken but is healthier than it.

·      Chocolate-Chip cookies are replaceable with fig bars, vanilla wafers, fruits and caramel dip.

·      Baked vegetable chips or nuts could serve as delicious alternative for potato chips.

In a nutshell, there are several ways in which parents can prepare food that balances nutrition of healthy food as well as taste of junk food. Healthy food habits can be really critical for children, which will not only help their physical & brain development, but also lead a healthy life.