Young people with growing minds can be t difficult to engage, so Impact Teachers are here to give you a comprehensive list of what you need to know about the developing human brain.
Studies have shown that reading aloud- as aggravating as it can be, can boost reading and writing abilities. When reading your own work aloud, you’re able to hear your words as others will. In fact, ‘Read Aloud’recommends that parents and guardians read aloud with their children for at least 15 minutes per day. This is because they have found the experience to be more exciting and memorable for children that way. Reading aloud is, according to the landmark 1985 report ‘Becoming a Nation of Readers’, “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading.”
Smells Trigger Memories
Scent is a key trigger for reigniting memories according to the American Psychological Association. If a memory is created and associated with a particular smell, it’s easier to recall, especially during early childhood. This is why, although very young children are unable to conventionally communicate with other people, they tend to be able to recognise familiar people and feel emotion towards them even without sight.
Food for Fuel
It seems like something people young and old are regularly nagged about, but it’s actually true! A New York based study found that students who ate a good lunch without artificial flavours, colours and preservatives did 14% in an IQ test than those who had an unhealthy lunch. The best foods to encourage your students to eat during their lunchtime break include eggs, broccoli, salmon, spinach or other green salad leaves, raspberries and porridge oats.
Teachers Change the Future
The moment you’re a fully-qualified teacher you receive a complimentary time machine. That may not be true but as a teacher you can have a tremendous effect on the future lives of your students, especially during early years. If you induce effective social and academic skills early, you are laying the foundations for your young students to build on these attributes as they grow up and through to adulthood. As a direct result, children without an early childhood education are 25% more likely to drop out of school, 40% more likely to become a teenage parent and 70% more likely to be arrested for a violent crime, according to an American study.
It’s one of the many challenges teachers face daily- trying to get their students to do their best. Whatever their age or ability, most students get rowdy and disruptive from time to time. Because humans remember between 80 and 90% of what we learn and do, it’s integral to your class’ development that you’re patient yet persistent. There is also research proving that the more engaging and enjoyable an activity is, the most likely you are to remember it.
There are many many myths surrounding the wonderful world of teaching and how to go about getting the best results for your students and yourself. By remembering these 5 easy facts, you’ll be well on your way to teaching stardom! Good luck out there.
