Parent to Parent: Brain play

Fun things like a swing and jungle gym can be a kid's classroom.

Seven-year-old Olivia loves to jump rope. And while jumping is helping her physically, it's also helping her math skills.

Olivia keeps track of her jumps and is quick to realize when she's set a personal record.

However, it never crosses her mind that she's learning. In Olivia's mind, she's just playing. But her mom, who's also a brain researcher, is quick to point out, kids learn by playing.
Bridget Martel, brain researcher.

"Experience shapes the brain and makes permanent pathways in our brain. The experience of playing shapes the brain and creating pathways and so you can provide opportunities for children to have positive experiences."

In fact, the park is full of "experiences" that help kids like Olivia develop their math skills.

Bridget Martel, brain researcher
"Count the rungs up a slide, figure out taller and smaller, compare and contrast."

Even the swings teach a lesson.

Have your child count how many times he must pump his legs to get going; compare that to his friend's answer and without even realizing it, he's developing valuable reasoning and logic skills.

Or, take turns climbing to the top of the jungle gym. How many steps does it take? Do bigger kids take fewer steps than smaller kids do?

No matter what kind of playground equipment you choose, they all provide valuable teaching opportunities.

Bridget Martel, brain researcher
"It's about creating experiences they can use in everyday life that will help support that math and logic and reasoning in their brain."

Making summer trips to the playground fun and educational.

Experts say school age kids really do forget some of what they've learned over the summer.

Parents should make it a daily habit to help kids keep their skills.

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