Since I wrote my post the other day on “Preschool Learning Toys – Do They Really Prepare Our Kids For School?”, I’ve been madly searching for a video I saw a while back on “The Basics of Learning”. Grrrrr…since I first saw that video I’ve switched internet services and computers and somehow lost the link, but I finally found it so here it is:

The Basics of Learning Video:

Children & Learning:
The Basics Of Learning

I like the part where Louis Pugliese talks about how children’s minds want to be engaged and active. They want to be stimulated, and in order to get good at something they have to practice and practice it over and over.

My post the other day was not intended to suggest that we all need to run out and purchase educational toys and games in order for our children to learn and become prepared for kindergarten. There are tons and tons of other learning activities and games that won’t cost you a dime. You can easily teach your child about colors and numbers through the use of magazines and books you already have around the house. However, if you do purchase toys (and most of us do), then you should consider the type of toy you want to purchase for your preschoolers.

Preschool learning toys don’t need to be boring! Most of them are so fun and will engage your child so much that they won’t even recognize they are learning. I don’t think the anatomically correct Barbie I purchased for my daughter when she was only 5 or 6 was a very thought through purchase. What she learned from it was how to play “nasty housemates” in the Barbie house with her  neighbor friend’s  stunning Ken doll. I had to pack away the Barbies until my daughter understood the right way to play with them. Had I really thought it through, there were plenty of other dolls out there that could have played with in a much more respectful and mothering way (yes…dolls do teach our children how to take care of something and more importantly social skills and other developmental skills which are essential for starting school).

I thought this video explained very well how our children learn, so I hope you enjoy it.

“Louis Pugliese educates teachers as a lecturer in Educational Psychology for California State University’s credential program. In addition to his work at the University level, Mr. Pugliese has been an elementary teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 13 years, and volunteers to serve in low-performing schools.”