In English language, tenses are important skills that need to be mastered in order to be able to frame the sentence correctly for proper verbal and written communication. By the age of 4 or 5 years, most schools in Dubai & other regions, teach children what verbs are. Verbs are nothing but words that indicate an action. Some examples of verbs are; run, sing, jump, eat, etc. suggesting that an action is happening.

Tenses are related to verbs in the sense that it defines when the verb or action has taken place. All verbs follow three basic tenses; past, present, and future. This means the action (cooking) is either done in the past, is being done in the present, or will be done in the future. Let us study the Past Tense in detail, through this Blog.

Past Tense

As the name suggests, the past tense is used to speak about an event that happened in the past or talk about an action that has already happened. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines the term ‘past tense’ as “the form of a verb used to describe actions in the past.”

I jumped on the playground.
I completed my homework.
I was reading a book.
I got married in the summer season.

These are all activities that happened in the past, and they could be recent past or events that happened quite some time ago. Reading Eggs is an excellent platform that is available online for kids of ages 2 – 13 years. Children who are studying the concept of tenses can refer to story books available on Reading Eggs and practice their tense by finding sentences from the story and writing down the appropriate tense it belongs to. A single Reading Eggs account can be accessible by up to 4 children and therefore parents in the Middle East and GCC regions rely on it wholeheartedly.

We use four different types of past tenses so that there is enough clarity and the reference of the event is understood in the correct context.

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Matching is a very basic skill that kids learn when they enter preschool. Right from toddler age, children start identifying objects and learning their names. For example: show them a flashcard of a chair and then point to a chair around the classroom to familiarize them with the object’s name. Now do this exercise multiple times to reinforce what a chair is.

Matching helps kids associate objects and things by different criteria. The simplest type of matching is just identifying the same items and pairing them (ball to ball) or (cup to cup). As the child comes to terms with the basics, increase the level of complexity, by making the worksheet tricky. Now students need to read the instructions, and match as per the following;

• Match a color to the similar colored object
• Count the number of items and match them with the corresponding number
• Match shapes with the object that represents that shape
• Match animals and their young ones
• Match similar geometric patterns …and many more

This activity helps one identify similarities, and differences, and develops observational skills. One needs to have decent hand-eye coordination and motor movements to be able to hold the pencil or crayon and draw a line across the worksheet to match items. Matching helps build cognitive skills and even problem-solving capabilities.

Matatalab Fruit Match-Up Game

Suitable for kids: 4 – 7-year-old | Time: 45 minutes

Today’s digital-savvy generation uses tabs and smart boards in classrooms vs. the traditional chalk, board, and book mediums. As technology has taken over preschools in Dubai and other Middle East Regions, the method of teaching even simple concepts like ‘matching’ is done through fancy coding kits, such as that by Matatalab (readily available in GCC regions, including the UAE). Let’s learn more about the Matatalab Fruit Match-up Game.

Objective:

Allocate a Matatalab Lite kit to students and turn on the Coding Mode. Allow kids to choose their favorite color MatataBot to move from one fruit to another of the same type. For example; move the Bot from the watermelon image on the chart to another watermelon image by navigating our little friend over to the other side of the map. So, it’s as simple as this, move the Bot from fruit to fruit and match them, to develop the child’s abstraction abilities.

Learning Outcome:

• Learn coding so that child can move the MatataBot from one fruit to the other
• Use some math skills to calculate the shortest route to move the MatataBot from one fruit to the other

Key Vocabulary to explain to children through the activity

• Coding: a set of instructions or directions sent to the computer to perform certain tasks
• Sequencing: Following a set of instructions in a proper order
• Robot: A human-like machine that carries out difficult tasks that are inputted by the programmer through the system
• Debugging: Trying to fix or remove any error in the computer hardware or software
• Algorithm: Rules or directions to be followed by the computer
• Command: Instructions given to the computer robot

Step-by-step process to perform the activity

1. The teacher shows students how to use coding to plan a path and move the MatataBot from one fruit to the other
2. Divide students into groups and let each child take their turn to place the MatataBot at the starting point by choosing any fruit of their choice and then move it to the end point, to reach the identical fruit
3. Increase the complexity by having a fruit picture and corresponding it to the name of the fruit. This way the child learns the spellings of the fruits as well.
4. Ask your little coders if they had fun and would like to play again!

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Most often we pay great emphasis to train our children to gain computer knowledge skills and stay ahead of tech trends, in order to secure their future and prepare them for upcoming career opportunities of tomorrow. The job market has always been in demand for proficient software developers, IT managers, Data Scientists, Web Developers, and many such other super-specialized skilled professionals, who would contribute in innovating new digital platforms on behalf of corporates. 

 However, while hiring candidates HR teams not only focus on evaluating candidates based on impressive coding skills but also pay equal weightage to the person’s overall personality.  

Research suggests that a candidate is considered a good fit for the company if he is able to adapt to the corporate culture and is willing to learn alongside demonstrating a good work ethic. So, a techie genius who is great at his work, but doesn’t demonstrate teamwork or is not good at accepting feedback, won’t be a good fit as far as long-term hiring is concerned. 

The above points prove that soft skills are equally crucial for an IT professional, and so we are taking time to highlight a few of them; 

#1 Communication Skills

Communicating with your computer will probably get you to build a great software, but communicating with people and teammates will help you develop bonds with others and achieve organizational goals more efficiently by collaborating & brainstorming ideas. Verbal communication plays a big role in being able to put your vision and thoughts before the management team and explain your ideas for the project. Getting approvals on your ideas and buy-ins from seniors happens only if you are able to verbalize your thoughts and be confident with your presentation skills.

Prepare kids for good communicative skills by assigning them projects on the TechnoKids platform. This tool not only focuses on teaching kids to use Google Slides, PowerPoint, Coding, and preparing Excel sheets, but also gives them the opportunity to present their work and share their project details with teachers. For example; in the TechnoTravel curriculum by TechnoKids, children need to prepare a Travel Advertisement using Google Docs or Microsoft Office and present the itinerary to be able to practice selling the ‘holiday package’. TechnoKids has similar modules like; TechnoNewsletter, TechnoMaps, TechnoCandy, etc. and is popularly famous in Dubai and other Middle East regions.

#2 Time Management Skills

A programmer has to be a multitasker and manage the technical bit, as well as coordinate with designers, clients, and the analytics team. All these tasks takes-up a lot of time and managing the process step-by-step becomes a challenge. So, if your little one has big ambitions of becoming a programmer, start by inculcating these simple practices early on in their lives. Encourage the habit of jotting down short-term goals and long-term work goals. Make a to-do list a day prior before going to bed and decide which script you are going to write tomorrow and how much you aim to complete. If there is an urgent query by the client, keep some spare time at hand to tend to their questions. This will ensure that relations with customers do not get strained. Lastly, teach your budding learners to delegate tasks. Though you might have the potential to ‘do it all’, it is advisable to delegate tasks for the following reasons; there will be chances of fewer errors, deadlines will be adhered to, new ideas can be implemented, and problem-solving can be tackled effectively. Now that the world is becoming virtual, geographical boundaries are not a barrier, so a programmer from the GCC region can work on the same project with a colleague from Chicago.

#3 Eagerness to be a continuous learner

In the field of IT there is never a lack of information because there are new developments that happen every now & then. There is an ocean of information that one can learn about; Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Augmented Reality, Robotics, etc. Especially in regions like UAE, the pressure to be digitally savvy is greater, as it ranks amongst the world’s leading countries as far as the digital index is concerned. Educators & parents, therefore, constantly encourage students to develop curiosity and interact with experienced professionals to learn something new every single day.

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A teacher can deliver lessons successfully, only when she is prepared for the class well in advance and has all the resources planned out. For delivering an hour of lecture, it takes double the time for preparation. So, keeping aside 2 hours each day for researching topics, making lesson plans, and arranging for appropriate teaching aids, is absolutely necessary to be able to conduct class smoothly.

What is LEGO® Education Professional Development?

Understanding the needs & struggles for preparatory efforts by teachers, Lego® Education has devised a personalised learning program for educators to learn & practice STEAM related topics that can be delivered through hands-on medium using various LEGO® Education kits available in the Middle East and other GCC regions.

When a teacher demonstrates enthusiasm, only then will students look forward to attentively attending the classroom sessions and have fun themselves. Lego® Education trains the trainer to follow techniques to be competent enough to create engaging experiences in the classrooms and unique instructional skills, to foster student development. And for doing this, teachers are rewarded with micro-credential points, which is otherwise unheard of in any other learning program. In this way, Lego® Education not only cares about the progress of children but creates a strong ecosystem for teachers to stay interested and upgrade their STEAM capabilities.

Four Important Core Competency Strategies

To facilitate positive outcomes in students, Lego® Education believes in focusing on 4 important pillars, that assure maximum success;

The 21st Century Skills further comprise the following:

Further Delving on STEAM Concepts:

Improving Classroom Management Techniques:

Preparing Proper Pedagogy:

As we can see from the above tabulations, LEGO® Education Professional Development gives educators access to knowledge, product trainings, and supports their thirst for further enrichment through Learning Quests and Learning Bursts. Since the modules are digitally accessible, educators from all over the world, including Dubai and other UAE regions can get acquainted with the practice programs.

Learning Bursts – Short bite-sized modules focusing on single high-level competency. Just 5 – 10 minutes of duration.

Learning Quests – These are slightly longer lessons and focus on 4 competencies. Each one is about 30-40 minutes each.

The self-guided video tutorials are excellent for teachers to refer to topics from the convenience of their homes and at any time of the day or night. But if you happen to get stuck, the LEGO® Education helpers are at your service and will guide you through your professional development journey.

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An Abacus is a wooden frame with a series of sticks (horizontal or vertical) that have 10 beads on each layer. The colorful beads are used to teach children counting. The aim is to improve mental calculations like addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication, which are the basis of learning Math. Abacus was first used during Babylonian times in 2,400 B.C. by African and Asian traders to help them with counting large numbers. Through Abacus, children develop lifelong skills that would help them with cognitive development.

Math as a subject is stressful for kids, so much so that they avoid studying it at any cost. So how can educators get children to focus and become friends with numbers? Thanks to platforms like Mathletics, institutes now have a dedicated program that introduces fun math lessons, alongside tracking results and formulating interesting teaching aids. Mathletics is available in the Middle East region, including Dubai and GCC.

An abacus is another popular tool used to teach math by manipulating the beads and moving them across the stick which needs high levels of concentration by the participant.

Enlisted below are a few advantages of using an Abacus

Improves Concentration

Essentially, good eye-hand coordination is involved in navigating the beads up and down or side-wards, in an orderly manner to solve a difficult math calculation effectively. After sufficient practice, there will be a point where the child will not even need a physical abacus device but will perform the calculation in their head. Slowly and gradually, he will get the confidence to solve large numeric problems by the method of visualization, without the need to use a device or pen & paper.

Enhances Speed of Calculation

Studies have shown that children who are trained to use an abacus are able to produce the correct answer in a shorter span of time, rather than those who have never tried working with one. When students use their right fingers to move the beads, the left side of their brain sensors gets activated, and when the left hand is used, the right brain gets active. This stimulation enables one to perform calculations faster and improve their memory. Your child will soon be a human calculator, capable of solving sums faster than a scientific calculator.

Induces Creativity

Problem-solving requires the child to be creative. Using an abacus prepares children to solve problems with a cool & calm sense of mind and apply creative techniques, rather than panicking. Just like you would enroll your kiddo into dance class or music class to boost his confidence and creativity, the abacus is another such after-class program that helps improve creativity and also sharpen math skills. Since the beads are colorful, it excites students to experiment with equations and motivates them to take up more challenging calculations, rather than shying away.

Focuses on Logical Thinking

Capabilities Have you decided what your next move is going to be? Which bead needs to move where? The child now has to apply logic and reasoning. This comes with practice, and using appropriate techniques to solve different kinds of problems, is an art that one masters over time. Solving fractions, decimals, and integers becomes seamless by applying simple logic

Reduces Stress

According to research, it is found that working with an abacus improves mental health by reducing the effects of stress. Since it has a game-like approach vs. studying out of a textbook, learners are more likely to create a positive association with the abacus, rather than resisting opening a book to study. Abacus training reduces anxiety and students become almost 30% less likely to get nervous about an upcoming exam.

Motor Skills

The movement of beads requires some level of physical dexterity and a good tripod grip. This enhances your little one’s pincer movements and the wrist supports in moving the beads across the rod, thereby developing fine & gross motor skills. When small muscles are worked upon, everyday activities like buttoning a t-shirt, holding a crayon, threading a string, etc. becomes easier. Since the beads are of different colors, one also learns to identify the names of colors, which improves their sensory skills.

Now that you know the advantages of an abacus set, why not be a Secret Santa and present it to your little one as a gift this Christmas Season? The abacus set is readily available in UAE in any toy shop or you can order it online from Amazon.

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Most parents want their children to be good at studies and co-curricular activities but forget to pay emphasis on proper behavior and personality development. Success is not only measured by good grades and winning medals at school but is equally attributed to demonstrating positive character traits and being a good person at heart.

A positive parenting approach focuses on preparing kids to be well-rounded individuals so that they can achieve career goals, and personal goals, while also contribute to the upliftment of society, by balancing all aspects of life seamlessly.

To inculcate such high-value practices, educators & parents must start by setting an example and encouraging open communication, so that children are comfortable sharing their thoughts, and fears, & in turn learn a great deal by asking questions. Here are a few techniques to practice every day, to train your child from an early age, to lead emotionally satisfying & purposeful lives:

#1 Be a Role Model

Children as young as 14 months copy what they see around them and the two-year old’s start imitating the behaviors of people they interact with. This means that children have great observation skills and a big part of their personality development will get affected by their surroundings. If you as an adult demonstrate good traits, the child will notice and learn the same. Every action of yours is being carefully evaluated and accessed, so be sure to demonstrate; healthy eating habits, speaking positively, using proper body language, always being cheerful, respecting everyone, and setting realistic goals.

#2 Inculcate a practice of Learning

Learning doesn’t necessarily have to be in the classroom, it can happen anywhere. Probably enrolling into a hobby class can teach children how to play an instrument or learn a new language; like Spanish. Reading Eggs is an excellent platform used by most students in Dubai and other Middle East regions to practice vocabulary and teach kids the rules of phonics in a fun & engaging way. Simply download the Reading Eggs App or subscribe to their monthly magazines. There are numerous avenues for hobby classes in Dubai and GCC regions, and signing up for one is only a matter of a click on your phone. Occasionally, you might want to encourage kids to visit a library over the weekend and spend time browsing through books. The aim is to make your kid a lifelong learner!

#3 The Act of Contentment

It is natural for children to want toys, gadgets, games, & anything that their friends have. Wanting the latest edition of ‘smart watch’ just to flaunt it around and not to feel left out from the crowd, is actually an unhealthy behavior. Contentment is a state of satisfaction that puts your mind & body at ease. Practicing contentment on an ongoing basis will only increase the ‘happiness quotient’ and foster a feeling of awesomeness. To start with, teach kids to be grateful for the smallest things they have; house, food, good health, education, and friends. Ask them to start their day with a prayer and read out all the things they already have, thereby thanking God. Teaching the value of money is equally important and a habit of savings in a piggy bank ensures that they restrict the urge of spending, to save for a better future tomorrow.

#4 Teach Them To be Resilient

While growing up children are constantly experiencing positive and negative situations around them. Being scolded at is very common and getting into a tiff with a fellow student happens on & off. All these little instances seem small but can affect the child’s mental & emotional well-being to a great extent. Apart from day-to-day stressors, there could be some major episodes, like having to deal with death in the family or feeling traumatic due to unfavorable conditions at home. Pilling up negative emotions & experiences plays on the child’s mind and greatly affects his morale. To cope with these unfavorable stressors, teach your child to practice self-care. Start by encouraging them to take part in activities that uplift their mood, which could be related to sports or drama. Ask your child to follow a healthy schedule and sleep & eat on time. Talk your child through his trauma and explain that everything is temporary. Practice positive affirmations every single day and inculcate the habit of helping others, as this gives the child more confidence. Most importantly have loving bonds with family members and create an environment of free-flowing conversation between all.

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