“Parents and families are the first and most important teachers. If families teach a love of learning, it can make all the difference in the world to our children.”
—Richard W. Riley, Former U.S. Secretary of Education
In February’s free e-book for members, Teaching Your Kids to Think and Solve Problems, veteran author and educator Harry T. Roman offers parents a practical approach to creative thinking, learning and problem solving for their kids. Using examples of typical activities around the house, Roman shows parents how they can encourage their children to think creatively, learn and solve problems. In concise, but information-packed chapters, the author describes how youngsters can help with such family-centered activities as home improvement projects, backyard improvements, kitchen skills and family vacations.
For many years, Roman has worked with schools throughout New Jersey to bring real-world problem solving into the classroom. Now, his e-book provides parents with dozens of practical ideas for helping their children to experience the power of solving problems, while also building up their kids’ logic and math skills.
Roman encourages parents to challenge their children with fun, practical, real-world problems the kids will probably encounter in their adult lives. According to Roman, such exercises are likely to:
- Decrease the fear of problem solving
- Let your kids walk in your shoes. Demonstrate to children how adults solve problems
- Promote familiarity with problem solving
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Illustrate how your kids can use math every day; and how they can use math everywhere in their adult lives
- Help your children organize their logical thinking skills
In a chapter on home improvement, Roman includes painting and wallpapering projects. When parents are planning to paint, he suggests involving children in choosing colors (which includes teaching kids about the color wheel and researching the internet for decorating ideas); teaching them about paint through an outing to the local paint or home supplies store; and having your children learn about the painting process by having them participate when the work starts.
“Hands are a tremendous tool for learning, since more than 50 percent of the brain’s frontal lobe capacity is dedicated to using the hands,” Roman writes. “In today’s schools, STEM education stresses the combined use of head-and-hands, because STEM is all about problem solving.”
From 1 February through 15 March, IEEE Members can download their free e-book by going to: https://ieeeusa.org/product/teaching-your-kids-to-think-and-solve-problems/
Add the book to your cart, and enter Promo Code FEBFREE19 at checkout.
In a valuable chapter on learning strategies, Roman points out what he believes parents should emphasize in encouraging children to think, learn and solve problems, including:
- Encourage youngsters to ask questions, because inquiry can open the door to thinking creatively.
- Let children know that failure is okay, because it is just another way of learning.
- Show children that real-world problems usually have multi-faceted solutions. These topics can range from economic and environmental impacts, to legal concerns and regulatory compliance.
Don’t miss this free opportunity to add this useful resource to your e-book library. “Learning isn’t something you just do in school, or leave to your children’s teachers. The best and most lasting learning moments often come from parents,” writes Roman.
Consider taking an active interest in helping your children think, learn and solve problems. Get your free February members only e-book today!
Georgia C. Stelluto is IEEE-USA’s Publishing Manager; Manager/Editor, IEEE-USA E-BOOKS; Co-Editor, IEEE-USA Conference Brief; and Department Editor for InFocus in IEEE-USA InSight, IEEE-USA’s flagship online publication.
