Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

I was following this show on Star channel today and was shocked. I attempted all the questions that were being asked and as I progressed, I realized I knew very little. The speed and accuracy with which the kids were answering made me feel so little. I was filled with awe. One question was, "Which is the brightest planet?" I know I have read this before. I just couldn't figure it out. I was not able to reason to a possible conclusion. My mind was so stuck up! Venus is the answer. I guess I'd have a problem beating the first grader to the finishing line, even.

Over the years, as we progressed from 5^th grade to higher levels, we think and reflect less and less on the foundation courses that we have received so far. As we get more educated, the little details that we used to memorize and had at our fingertips got pushed back. It was so pushed back that it does not even come to the tip of tongue when we need it.

It is very necessary that we treat this issue seriously. Reason being that we are getting older by the day. Our competencies are getting eroded. Laughs! You may be wondering how this is so. I believe in passing on the knowledge to my children. I hope and pray that you do too. How would you do it if you are not sure of it yourself?

Good question? I know. Sadly, I feel that I have wasted a lot of time already. What can we do to reinforce the knowledge that we do have but have lost to the chaos of information over the years?

Tips:

Here are some tips that I came up with to help you be smarter than the 5th grader.

Read up. Give yourself 5 minutes per day to just browse through your child's books. You would be amazed how easily the details start flooding your mind. If you are at the book store, do visit the school section and grab a text. Read a chapter.

Take up tutoring. This is the best form of activity that would make knowledge relevant to you and to everybody around you. Being responsible, you would read up before you tutor and as you impart the knowledge to your student, you learn and understand even more. As the student asks you questions and you work out answers, bingo!, you would have etched the information for a lifetime.

Map the information. As you read through, map it to the current information your mind is aware of. See how the foundation was laid in the education system. Do a mind map, write an article, put the map on a slide, animate it.

Have fun. As you reinforce, try to relive the classroom experiences you had. Surely, you would remember the class teacher, his/her hairstyles, funny classmates, detentions and the likes.

Share the info and have a good laugh. Share your test papers should you have them locked up somewhere in your closet. Read through your testimonials. You surely have written essays that got a C or even failed.

Do the numbers. It is proven that mathematics can help you in all your activities. What I mean is that mathematics has the formula that keeps the mind active and young. Do simple sums such as 1+5, 3+6, 9+0 etc. Generate a list of such numbers and keep a set in your bag. It will be compact, something like a pocket Sudoku. Do the sums fast, not waiting to count on your fingers. Time yourself. See the no. of correct answers you get. Try these and see how fast and accurate you get. Overtime, it becomes effortless. However, do notice how effective you start getting in other areas as well.

The wealth of information should not be depleted with age. Hence, take up some of these tips and be young and energetic as always. Remember, only the physical part of us get old. Your mind is as young as you want it to be.