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Children Love Learning Pernille Brinch and Pernille Ladegaard Pedersen

The Authors Pernille Brinch

Pernille Ladegaard Pedersen

With high spirit she teaches children in the

is a teacher at Time2larn and has a master’s

learning garden at Time2learn, as well as

degree in learning. She is an expert in

other teachers how to make their education

translating her theoretical knowledge into

more inspiring. She has 15 years of

games and fun.

experience teaching in public schools.

Now she is the owner of Time2learn.

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Have Fun while Learning The Nordic bestseller ’Play, Jump and Laugh - Children Love Learning’ will finally be released in English. ’Play, Jump and Laugh - Children Love Learning’ provides modern Nordic learning principles with a reflective, appreciative and playing to learn approach, that will trigger the creativity and curiosity of each child, and not only improve their reading, writing, math and science skills – but more importantly, it will build up their learning confidence.

‘Play, Jump and Laugh’ gives you more than 100 fun games and activities, with an educational purpose: to have fun while learning. As a matter of fact: the children hardly notice they are learning – they are too busy having fun.

Nordic Bestseller ’Play, jump and laugh’ is a bestseller in Denmark.

It has sold 33000 books in Denmark, a country of 5500000 citizens.

This equals 6 books per 1000 persons.

It has been published in 3 editions.

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The Art of Discourse A lot of children are use to games on tablets,

Encourage your Child

where there is no discussing of rules and

Even though the games are fun, it is still

consequences. So they are not familiar with

essential to cheer and encourage the child, as

the fine art of agreeing on something and

this motivates and helps the child in believing.

sticking to it. More than 100 games in this

A lot of children find it hard to learn due to their

book will practice the art of discourse and it

own lack of self-esteem and this pattern must

will help transition your child into an active,

be changed.

happy and committed student.

”You have used the right numbers.” or ”Wow, it is the right vowel – SUPER!”. ”You have been

Child Development

really thorough with that n - Brilliant” are all

Children learn from games and get a lot of

ways to encourage and support your child.

experience through independent games as well as adult-facilitated games. When children

The Limit of the Child

play, they have fun and at the same time they

It is your responsibility as the adult to modify

develop socially, physically, emotionally,

or change the game if the game is too hard.

cognitively as well as sensitively.

It is essential to work within the limit of the

Throughout this book we use games to

child, which is when the child evolves, when

motivate kids to learn difficult topics in a

supported by the adult. Otherwise the child

playful manner.

will not have a joyful learning period and may turn inward, get upset, or lose theirselfesteem completely.

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Why Games are Valuable ”Would you like to play with me?” my daughter

A game includes rules - what to do and not to

asks excitedly, even though she knows quite

do. Are you allowed to touch the stones made

well I am the one reading bedtime stories.

of newspapers on the grass or not?

I appreciate the invitation though, because she usually prefers her girlfriends or the

All must agree on the rules or a game dies.

social media instead.

Discussing and verbalizing agreements/ disagreements and finding a solution

”Well, what would you like to play?” I ask and

everybody can agree on is good and valuable

hope for a very specific game. ”The ground is

knowledge in socializing and for kids getting

toxic,” she thankfully replies. I agree and the

ready for school. That way the transition from

rules are discussed, -“Is it allowed touching

kindergarten to school is not too great.

the ground at all?” “And what about getting

In school a chid has to align him/herself and

extra lives?”

acknowledge other kids and their views or they will not play with him/her.

Suddenly I realize this exact game should have been played long before today. Time flies and the surroundings are transformed into a dangerous expedition with quicksand and crocodiles.

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The Chapters and Symbols in the Book The chapters in the book are organized after,

For each game there is a description of

where the game are best played:

the learning outcome and 16 color-coded symbols gives a quick overview of the

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in the kitchen in the garden in the car in the playroom in the bathroom in the forest at the beach in the supermarket at grandmother’s house at the dinner table.

primary skills.

The golden colors are related to language, orange is verbal skills, yellow is reading and red is writing. The blue symbols are based on science and math, and the green symbols are personal aspects.

As a parent you can choose activities you and your child find fun and which at the same time addresses the child’s weak spots. There are several games for each skill as children learn in different ways.

What do you Learn?

Vocabulary

Reading comprehension

Spelling

Science

Teamwork

Rhymes and Chants

Phonics and Decoding

Writing

Cardinality

Movement

Mental Math

Concentration

Geometry

Memory

Retelling

Sight Words

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Boxes of Facts The games in the book are all chosen and

Parents/teachers will gain knowledge on

developed in interaction with teachers,

how the game stimulates and develops

children, and parents. Most games have been

the child. The children are not meant to

created through a great idea or by expanding

realize the learning aspects.

an existing game. This book describes how children’s skills and knowledge are developed

The point is that parents learn to play and

through the games.

have fun with their kids and at the same time gain ideas how to stimulate their children -

Special learning aspects for each game are described separately in the boxes of facts. Here parents can read thoughts and statements from teachers that include the games’ role in the learning process.

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within language and science skills.

Children have Fun, Parents Learn to Teach Can children play and learn at the same time?

“Of course” says teachers Pernille Brinch and Pernille Ladegaard.

They are the authors of ’Play, jump and laugh’, a book with 100 fun games and activities, which has the added benefit of improving reading, writing, math and physics skills.

From pumpkin graffiti to the instructions for building an air balloon, spy games and writing with a water pistol. The games trigger creativity and curiosity, and the children will hardly notice they are learning – they are too busy having fun.

Games in the book The book’s beautiful illustrations to each game and finding a colored “e” on each page keeps children engaged while you read the instructions. The games require simple materials, which you will find in most homes (paper, cups, dices, matches and post-its) or no materials at all. They are easy to do on the fly for busy parents and provide great quality time together.

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Example from the book Symbols of learning outcome.

ls Motor skil

Participants.

Materials needed to play the game.

Description on how to play the game.

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h Viking Mat

t 2 people ewood, pain Numbers: pieces of fir 0 2 : ls a ri Mate ent marker or a perman

hmetic Mental arit

bers ed the num one has utiliz t back gh ou When player br be to er, they are ve knocked ov er two to ha tion for play si po ht rig player a til to an up un d ue in is to be cont a turn. This . ts in po 20 reaches

20 pieces 0-9 on the the numbers n w of wood do e es rit W e two piec so there ar e num th ith w of firewood, es d subtracExample: o piec e addition an mber 0, tw nu writ ten e th be agreed to us ith to w is ve will be 20. r ha d be u he m Yo ac nu re on. The mber to be e piece of nu th e e n th he ber 1 and so d w an read tion, 9. He can us at it can be over 6 and across so th one knocks n. er tio ay si Pl po upright use n 6+9=15. wood is in an 7. She can the operatio er 3, 8 and y el at im ox kn pr o ocks ov ap tw ith er w ay d Pl . eces of woo each n 3+7+8=18 Place the pi already in between the operatio 9 and 4 and ers distance et er ay ov im aw nt s ks ce er oc 0 et e kn 5m 30 -4 on 3in if he w d er ill an ay w Pl St He tiple rows. first round. the other in mul =20.

15 from the of wood at -4 s e ha +9 ec pi 15 : r le way smal mbers this so they can and throw a uses the nu facing you e numbers d over ke oc kn firewood (th e that ar e numbers rtain be seen). Th to reach a ce m su a in ed agreed be to are to be us . It has example 20 raction, bt su , number, for on iti (add operations h at ed.

M us ch hi be w ) are to n or division multiplicatio over are to e knocked d, bers that ar ber, too ba m All the num nu wrong ic you hit the et if m , ith ed ar us be used in an is still to be the num the number knocks over at th er ay pl e Th used to n. io be at oper they are to decide how r. bers gets to ne man the quickest get to 20 in

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Boxes of facts where you will gain knowledge on how the game stimulates and develops the child.

utcomes that understand Learning o important to

It is better to Estimation. number it is ach a high later by ne tu to quickly re e fin ion, and then at lic tip ides ul ov m use e game pr btracting. Th nt ways re ffe di adding or su e y th hen to appl w to as t insigh g. of calculatin

The colored “e�.

Hints and tips.

ll to ll/soccer ba kick a footba You can also . the numbers knock over

llustration showing the game.

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Memory

Flashligh t

Learning outcome s

Place pos t- it notes on the ba or ceiling throom w . The note all, floor s can eith or whole er contain sentence words s.

T he light is off to ma to be swit ke the roo ched m c ompletely your child dark. Give a head to rc h o r flashligh find the n t in order otes and read them to dark room out loud in . Your child the is not allo the notes wed to bri out, but in ng stead has words an to memori d then wri ze the te them dow room tab n at the d le. It is pe in in g rf e ctly ok to the bathro go to and om multip fr o m le ti mes in ord correct s er to see pelling of the the words, words. M and to fin aybe the d more w o rd s c tence, for a n be p u t example into a sen ‘We are h dish tonig aving you ht’. Afterw r favorite ards you now your can switc turn to fin h so it ’s d and rea dark. d the note s in the Variation : It can be a fun way ling word to practic s or comm e spelo nly used w words are ords. Spe the ones lling the childre from scho n take ho ol to prac m e tice.

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Spelling

Game

N u m be r s :2 Materials -3 people : head torc h or flash post-it no light, tes and a pencil

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Writing

Spelling.

It is a kind of w a n d e where the ring dicta child has tion, to read and ber how th then reme e words a mre spelled great spe . It is really lling prac ti c e .

Systemati cs. To ma ke sure to every pos have inclu t- it note yo d ed u have to sort of sys apply som tem. You e c an start w in the corn ith one w er or the all, ceiling, an systemati d then wo cally from rk th e re. A lit tle raid. like a polic e

In winter when it is dark outs be moved ide the ga outside. Y m e ca n ou can wri the terrac te the wo e, street rds on or in the s now.

You can a lso sit and read using torch. Cre the head ating a dif fe rent and e environme xc iting readin nt is often g very motiva ting for ch ildren.

Example from the book

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Examples from the book

e Hunt r u s a e r T people

rs: 2-4 ncil Numbe : paper and pe ls ia r e t Ma

r Geomet

mes ngthen g outco the children stre in n r a e space L an help erstand game c y to und

This ve to ir abilit dren ha elop the The chil . ls and dev il bird’s k a s reading ent’ into p m a n o m ir d v an day en ir ‘ever y ing turn the erstand . ca l u n d ti a m e eye view d. math improve ion, the In addit s will be te ctile a ta in r o rd co -o esthetic in k r ppro of using fo e doing’ a reat gam rning by a e ‘l It is a g hil a c e these w h o ha v is often It . children g that in d rn n to lea ndersta o I n eed d ach to u t eed a n h y W e o ask: “ asure th h e w tr n of e re th d find system order to bout the a e g d for? ”. In owle their kn to apply . ates co -ordin

s surprise ks and s ta t n n childre e dif fere for the ce, plac nd ould be c In advan k s les or fi ta ti bles on arden. A g ta s e e th m in e 7 ti down th . to write n ca n d y e d of hid the a piece er with n togeth e rd f a o g the ystem ma p o f into a s p a m Draw a e th and pu t children . s te a co -ordin the s, where -ordinate o c . For k g s in te, us e first ta th r fo Now wri y. The look of c a n d have to a piece is e w he children re th e a bo u t (5,9) th g t in a th le y p n a exam They t k n ow rprises. must no r the su o s children k inates s rd ut co -o of the ta o b ts a u o e b g rea sks and nowled many ta e their k w s o u h t sk s e u m decid t and ta em. You ch poin a th E d . n en o fi h d W to ant to next. s you w for the s te a t s in surprise u o -ord oint m ve the c e last p must ha leted, th p m o c are all tasks re. e treasu th in ta con ed a n d expand ca n be it p a t from r m ave the ve to sta If you s don’t ha u o y o ain, s used ag me. ever y ti h scratc

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min mbers:

Spy game

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s ct rn u od 2lea r r p me e i h Ot m T fro

Play and Learn Rugs Body and brain work together - to gain skills.

Fantasy Rug Spin the bottle and tell the story in your mother language or your second language. First verbally later in writing.

The Golden Path Rug Turn tasks into a game and learn while playing.

Put challenges on the squares and throw the dice. Use it to all ages and subjects – kids love it.

Useful words rug Build up vocabulary in English and use them in thousands of sentences.

Throw the dice and play with nouns, verbs, adjectives, antonyms and much more.

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Geometry rug While playing find and recognize shapes and practice to add and subtract.

Number Rug Play with numbers, making 10, doubles, addition and multiplication. It is fun being active when you learn.

The Coordinate Rug Plot in points, make graphs or follow directions. Work together or make competitions.

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s ct rn u od 2lea r r p me e i h Ot m T fro 4 Pieces Tease Make different geometry figures out of four equal pieces – it teases the brain and lots of laughs are heard. The game is made from recycle materials.

Silent Dice with Pockets Throw the dice and do what it ‘says’.

Put different learning cards inside and learn.

Letter Sunglasses Helps children to focus on one line at a time when they are learning to read. Eyes relax when you use the different colored foils– like sunglasses.

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Time2learn

Time2Learn aims to inspire children so they will feel the desire to learn and get the confidence to succeed. All products are developed in order to reach that goal.

Focus on the Nordic Values Time2learn is a learning organization where focus on happiness, creativity and children’s development through play is essential and where motivation for learning comes from inside the child. We believe creative and innovative thinking is key words in future skills. And where else than in games and play do you see these skills as clear. Playing is important, fun and very valuable.

Time2learn combines playing and games with learning aspects and children, parents and schools love it. The Learning products (apps, carpets, books, board games) are developed in cooperation with children, parents and teachers at Time2learn.

Tingvej 81B, 8543 Hornslet, Denmark + 45 30 35 37 07 ¡ pb@time2learn.dk ¡ www.shop.time2learn.dk

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’Play, Jump and Laugh’ piques one’s curiosity already before you open it.

I highly recommend this book for parents and grandparents to 4-10 year olds - and teachers can also be inspired and find good ideas to vary their teaching.

Lise Vogt External Danish adviser in The Education Agency, Ministry of education, Denmark

‘Play, Jump and Laugh’ combines modern pedagogy and reflections on child development directly with love and warmth, imagination and joy.

The book offers hope and inspiration to all children, - also those who feel lost in the traditional educational environment and who want to learn in many different and joyful ways.

Benedicte Riis / Tante Andante, Teacher, adventurer, writer of books and music

Time2learn Tingvej 39A, 8543 Hornslet, Denmark + 45 30 35 37 07 · pb@time2learn.dk www.shop.time2learn.dk