Get Back into Shape for School with These Simple Brain Exercises for Kids!

In weeks, nay, mere days, kids everywhere will be heading off to school. At this time of the summer it isn't rare to hear mothers moan, "but I wanted to do some studying with you this summer, where has the time gone?" Don't fret and don't despair, there is still time to do some brain gymnastics to help your child get ready for the school year and 8 hours of studies a day.

Below you will find some simple brain stretchers you can do in the car, at home or waiting in those endless lines....try them instead of worrying about school supplies and cold lunches. I promise after a few of these, the whole family will soon forget that the buses will be coming around the block real soon and YOU won't have to feel guilty.

From preschool to early elementary age kids:
Alphabet hunt: When in a store, the moment you walk in the door, begin with the letter A...find something as you wander the aisles that begins with 'A'....as in "apple", then go on to B....add letters as you shop. The trick is for Mom to fill her list before the kids get to Z....this helps mom to hurry and fill the list, avoiding extras and encourages kids to look at letters in a whole different way.

Kindergarten through second grade:
Sounds like: As you shop in the stores say the items on your list out loud to your child. When you say "bread" ask your child to say a word that sounds like bread....ie: red! When your child says the word, let them choose the next item from your list and read it aloud (if they are a reader) if not, then continue on as before. Pretty soon you both will be rhyming the list and it will be done. Most kids when "wound up" on rhymes will take it to the next step and begin to rhyme many more items that they see and some will even create poetry! The sky is the limit here!

Third and Fourth grade:
Sequencing polishers: Before going into a store your kids know the layout of well, give them a partial listing of things you have to find. As them to figure out the best order to grab the items in that will take the least amount of time and will get you in and out of the store in the fastest time possible avoiding backtracking. For extra fun, give one child a watch with a second hand and let them time how long it actually took to shop, writing down the time you entered the store and the time when you walked back out the door. This will also polish those math skills as well!

Fifth and Sixth graders:
Cause and effect/Critical thinking: Ask them to take your list and organize it into sections and types of products you are going to purchase. Ie: paper goods, toiletries, school supplies, perishables. Let your child dictate the order in which you will purchase these items in order to get everything on your list AND get all items home without anything being ruined by the heat. (your goal here is for your child to either suggest the perishables be added to the cart last and go straight home OR for the child to suggest not purchasing them at all to avoid any spoilage.) Your child may also suggest you purchase a cooler or extra ice for your cooler, any suggestion that is made that takes in to consideration the possible spoilage of food is a winner here!

These are only but a few ideas how you can jump start your kiddo's brains for the school year ahead. There are dozens more...remember, shopping is not just using plastic and spending time in the aisles, it is also a learning experience waiting to happen! Have fun and listen for the bus, it will be here before you know it!