Tip: Talk Frequently with Girls about Math | Jezebel
This is an interesting read including a study that showed parents talk with their sons more than their daughters about math-related concepts. Remember to include math (even things like "here are 5 raisins" when feeding your toddler) in your interactions with your daughters.
It turns out there's a perfectly reasonable explanation behind the glaring under-representation of women in science and math related fields. It has absolutely nothing to do with aptitude — it's all about conditioning, specifically, the manner and frequency with which mothers talk to their daughters about math.
http://jezebel.com/5888392/moms-dont-frazzle-their-daughters-with-fancy-math+speak
It turns out there's a perfectly reasonable explanation behind the glaring under-representation of women in science and math related fields. It has absolutely nothing to do with aptitude — it's all about conditioning, specifically, the manner and frequency with which mothers talk to their daughters about math.
This is an interesting read including a study that showed parents talk with their sons more than their daughters about math-related concepts. Remember to include math (even things like "here are 5 raisins" when feeding your toddler) in your interactions with your daughters.
Tip: Share your Interests and Strengths
If you were a girl who excelled at math or loved to build, make sure your daughter knows this and share your interests with her. If you weren't great at maths and sciences, try not to focus on what you couldn't do ("I was never a math person...") and find something you can share with her (e.g. cooking, puzzles, games) that has a math component.
Tip: Share your Interests and Strengths
If you were a girl who excelled at math or loved to build, make sure your daughter knows this and share your interests with her. If you weren't great at maths and sciences, try not to focus on what you couldn't do ("I was never a math person...") and find something you can share with her (e.g. cooking, puzzles, games) that has a math component.
Tip: Provide Exposure to Role Models
Kim K and Lindsay Lohan are in the news all the time but are definitely not the kind of role models I want for my daughter. Instead share with her female leaders in maths and sciences. I plan to make a list of these soon but in the meantime here is a link to the "Top 10 Greatest Female Scientists."
http://www.topyaps.com/top-10-greatest-female-scientists/
Kim K and Lindsay Lohan are in the news all the time but are definitely not the kind of role models I want for my daughter. Instead share with her female leaders in maths and sciences. I plan to make a list of these soon but in the meantime here is a link to the "Top 10 Greatest Female Scientists."
Tip: Count it at the Counter
Turn everyday activities into a learning opportunity. A good math tip is to let your daughter buy something with her own money and don't let them leave the counter until they can count their change correctly.
http://www.derrickhayes.com
Suggested by oneword:
Turn everyday activities into a learning opportunity. A good math tip is to let your daughter buy something with her own money and don't let them leave the counter until they can count their change correctly.
Toy: LEGO
No need to buy LEGO Friends, the new pink & purple & girly line designed especially for girls. Buy regular LEGO sets & get down on the floor building with your daughter.
This special set contains 650 colorful LEGO bricks you can use to build almost anything. The only limit is your imagination! Includes bricks in white, orange, red, blue, yellow, brown, black, dark green, and light...
Toy: LEGO
This special set contains 650 colorful LEGO bricks you can use to build almost anything. The only limit is your imagination! Includes bricks in white, orange, red, blue, yellow, brown, black, dark green, and light...
No need to buy LEGO Friends, the new pink & purple & girly line designed especially for girls. Buy regular LEGO sets & get down on the floor building with your daughter.
Toy: Train Sets
We bought my son crazy amounts of Thomas the Train railway sets. He has since outgrown them but I am excited to introduce train sets to my daughter.
This expansion track throws some additional curves into the train table layout, offering plenty of possibilities for new and exciting routes Thomas and the other engines and cars can take. 15 pc set.
Toy: Train Sets
This expansion track throws some additional curves into the train table layout, offering plenty of possibilities for new and exciting routes Thomas and the other engines and cars can take. 15 pc set.
We bought my son crazy amounts of Thomas the Train railway sets. He has since outgrown them but I am excited to introduce train sets to my daughter.
Toy: Marble Run
We don't yet own any Marble Runs but this toy comes highly recommended from fellow moms of girls including Tracy W.
A marble run delights young and old, an ever popular toy. Youngsters design the paths and then watch as marbles do the rest: rolling through flippers, around and down funnels, across castle ramparts, spiral ramps, and landing in catch-all hoppers....
Toy: Marble Run
A marble run delights young and old, an ever popular toy. Youngsters design the paths and then watch as marbles do the rest: rolling through flippers, around and down funnels, across castle ramparts, spiral ramps, and landing in catch-all hoppers....
We don't yet own any Marble Runs but this toy comes highly recommended from fellow moms of girls including Tracy W.
Toy: Jigsaw Puzzles
I was surprised when my daughter wanted to help me with my jigsaw puzzles (yes...I'm a nerd.) She was really good even with my 1000+ piece puzzles so I have since bought her some 100+ piece puzzles to do on her own.
Enjoy passing the time as you piece together this 14" x 19" colorful, ocean scene that features a beautiful Gray Shark. The thick durable pieces of this 100-piece puzzle make it great for children ages 6 and up.
Toy: Jigsaw Puzzles
Enjoy passing the time as you piece together this 14" x 19" colorful, ocean scene that features a beautiful Gray Shark. The thick durable pieces of this 100-piece puzzle make it great for children ages 6 and up.
I was surprised when my daughter wanted to help me with my jigsaw puzzles (yes...I'm a nerd.) She was really good even with my 1000+ piece puzzles so I have since bought her some 100+ piece puzzles to do on her own.
Toy: Citiblocs
These blocks are amazing - as a next step from little kids blocks. These have been fantastic for ages 7, 8 and even 9. They are all the same exact size and they can build the coolest stuff with them. You can build cantilevered structures, domes, etc. They never get tiring. Even I like to build with them. We started with 200 but ended up getting another set of 200 because they were so great.
Toy: Citiblocs
These blocks are amazing - as a next step from little kids blocks. These have been fantastic for ages 7, 8 and even 9. They are all the same exact size and they can build the coolest stuff with them. You can build cantilevered structures, domes, etc. They never get tiring. Even I like to build with them. We started with 200 but ended up getting another set of 200 because they were so great.
Toy: Magformers
Thank you to my cousin Stacey for this suggestion. I hadn't heard of Magformers but love the idea of combining building and magnets into one learning toy for girls.
Explore and experiment with these two geometric shapes, the square and triangle to create simple and complex 3-D models. Build hundreds of 3-D Designs with these vibrant rainbow colour pieces.
http://www.mastermindtoys.com/Magformers-Rainbow-30-Piece-Set.aspx
Explore and experiment with these two geometric shapes, the square and triangle to create simple and complex 3-D models. Build hundreds of 3-D Designs with these vibrant rainbow colour pieces.
Thank you to my cousin Stacey for this suggestion. I hadn't heard of Magformers but love the idea of combining building and magnets into one learning toy for girls.
Toy: Snap Circuits
This sounds amazing and came highly recommended from a mother of 3. A fun way to teach your daughter about electronics.
Curious young minds can learn the basics of electronics as they build more than 100 exciting projects with this kit. Work on projects that make sound effects, engineer different types of alarms, build touch circuits and play games.
Toy: Snap Circuits
Curious young minds can learn the basics of electronics as they build more than 100 exciting projects with this kit. Work on projects that make sound effects, engineer different types of alarms, build touch circuits and play games.
This sounds amazing and came highly recommended from a mother of 3. A fun way to teach your daughter about electronics.
Toy: The Young Scientists Club
How fun for your daughter to receive a monthly kit that focuses on different science topics such as recycling, magnets, electricity or water. Kits are less than $20 (including shipping.)
For children between the ages of 5 and 12 to develop a love for science by exploring science through exciting and thrilling experiments that will
spark an interest in future scientific endeavors.
http://theyoungscientistsclub.com/TYSCsubscription/tysc-kittopics.html
For children between the ages of 5 and 12 to develop a love for science by exploring science through exciting and thrilling experiments that will
spark an interest in future scientific endeavors.
Suggested by SkinnyScoop Team:
How fun for your daughter to receive a monthly kit that focuses on different science topics such as recycling, magnets, electricity or water. Kits are less than $20 (including shipping.)
Toy: Magna-Tiles
These are a hit with boys and girls from 3 on up. They never tire of seeing what amazing new things they can can construct.
Magnatiles Clear 100 pieces. Free Shipping and Free Gift Wrap. Save at WhatSheBuys, a 5 star rated, authorized retailer of Magna Tiles and other world class brands.
Toy: Magna-Tiles
Magnatiles Clear 100 pieces. Free Shipping and Free Gift Wrap. Save at WhatSheBuys, a 5 star rated, authorized retailer of Magna Tiles and other world class brands.
These are a hit with boys and girls from 3 on up. They never tire of seeing what amazing new things they can can construct.
Toy: Ello Building Kits
My daughter was indifferent to the snap-together building toys that many children play with. She was drawn to the pastel blue color of the Ello pieces as well as the curves. Here is a photo of a shadow box where she used the Ello pieces to create space creatures.
Combines craft, construction and design activities in one box, allowing kids to make any number of personal creations with their own hands
http://www.amazon.com/Ello-Aquaria-People-Places-Things/dp/B000087R8D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328078131&sr=8-1
Combines craft, construction and design activities in one box, allowing kids to make any number of personal creations with their own hands
Suggested by jacquiewhitt:
My daughter was indifferent to the snap-together building toys that many children play with. She was drawn to the pastel blue color of the Ello pieces as well as the curves. Here is a photo of a shadow box where she used the Ello pieces to create space creatures.
Toy: Meccano
I loved my meccano set - it teaches vital engineering design concepts and basic practical skills. When I started work with an aerospace company I was amazed to see a consultant trying out designs on a 50's meccano set in his office!
Let your imagination run wild. This set includes 260+ parts, tools and detailed assembly instructions for 8 models and 17 suggestions.
http://www.amazon.com/Erector-Multi-Model-25-Set/dp/B003HS5JU8/ref=sr_1_12?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1334605193&sr=1-12
Let your imagination run wild. This set includes 260+ parts, tools and detailed assembly instructions for 8 models and 17 suggestions.
Suggested by Becky Margetts:
I loved my meccano set - it teaches vital engineering design concepts and basic practical skills. When I started work with an aerospace company I was amazed to see a consultant trying out designs on a 50's meccano set in his office!
Toy: Gears! Gears! Gears!
My daughter loved playing with these and they can be made is so many different combinations.
Gear up for hours of colorful action with this 150-piece set that enables children to create hundreds of three-dimensional construction possibilities.
Toy: Gears! Gears! Gears!
Gear up for hours of colorful action with this 150-piece set that enables children to create hundreds of three-dimensional construction possibilities.
Suggested by Michelle Hutchison:
My daughter loved playing with these and they can be made is so many different combinations.
Activity: Cooking
If cooking is something you enjoy doing, you can weave math and science into that activity. Something as simple as baking chocolate chip cookies can teach a girl about measurement, ratios, time, etc.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-math-lessons/12094-cooking-measurement-math-activities/
If cooking is something you enjoy doing, you can weave math and science into that activity. Something as simple as baking chocolate chip cookies can teach a girl about measurement, ratios, time, etc.
Activity: Chess
I used to play chess a lot with my dad when I was younger. I really enjoyed it! It's a great game for logical thinking, problem solving, and strategizing. Not to mention, I loved science and was good at math in school. I still enjoy both :)
Activity: Chess
Suggested by Jackie:
I used to play chess a lot with my dad when I was younger. I really enjoyed it! It's a great game for logical thinking, problem solving, and strategizing. Not to mention, I loved science and was good at math in school. I still enjoy both :)
Activity: Fort Building
I consider myself a master fort builder. It is so fun getting really into building a fort with your kids and also gets them thinking about how to construct and balance things.
This is a great way to engage your children in imaginative play, especially on extremely hot or rainy days. Blanket forts can be even more fun by adding friends or sleeping all night inside the fort.
Activity: Fort Building
This is a great way to engage your children in imaginative play, especially on extremely hot or rainy days. Blanket forts can be even more fun by adding friends or sleeping all night inside the fort.
I consider myself a master fort builder. It is so fun getting really into building a fort with your kids and also gets them thinking about how to construct and balance things.
Activity: Girl Scouts
When I was little, I was a Brownie (what we call young Girl Scouts in Canada) and loved it. Such a great way for girls to feel empowered and explore their interests including science, math and the outdoors.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
http://girlscouts.org/
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
When I was little, I was a Brownie (what we call young Girl Scouts in Canada) and loved it. Such a great way for girls to feel empowered and explore their interests including science, math and the outdoors.
