I’m always looking for ways to get my family thinking. I’m hoping it will help me deter dementia as well as help my kids to mature into intelligent, thoughtful adults.
I have lots working against me, like video games, You Tube, and friends who chuckle at our copy of 1100 Words You Need to Know.
Oh yes, and then there are standardized tests. Do you have these in your state? Here in Virginia, we have the SOLs. (Standards of Learning). Groan. The key word to describe these tests: regurgitation. Unfortunately, critical thinking, problem solving, and application skills do not always get the attention in school that this word nerd thinks they deserve. Enter: extra activities from mom!
Browsing the post-holiday sales at Barnes and Noble, I found a lovely little tool for daily brain training in our house: The Mensa Puzzle Calendar. One puzzle for every day of the year. The topic/ subject/ style of the puzzle changes daily. Sometimes they are math based. (My husband loves these and likes to see if he can finish them before the rest of us. Usually, he does.) Some puzzles are word based. (Guess who likes these?) Some require critical thinking/ spatial reasoning. But they always give us a challenge.
I’m afraid to give an example of a puzzle here, for fear of violating copyright. But trust me, everyone in my household enjoys seeing the daily puzzle and pondering it over Cheerios and bananas at the breakfast table. We tease and prod each other into completing each challenge. The puzzles inspire fun, pride, and conversation.
Oh, yes, and brain stimulation!
I save all the old puzzles in a binder clip (the page for each day rips off the calendar), and I plan to bring them along on the next road trip. That way, when the dreaded “B” word is uttered, I’ll have a stimulating response.
Speaking of the “B” word (bored), here’s a great quote from my current read, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple:
The sooner you learn that it’s ON YOU to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.
Word Nerd Note: for the financially conscious, I found the puzzle at 50% off since 2014 has already started! Hopefully, you can too! Hurry up and get one!
How do you train your brain? What games or puzzles to you use to keep the cerebrum firing?
Thanks for sharing, and go learn something new today!
Julia
Just ordered it from Amazon – not half price but I’ll have it by Wednesday. We have a 14 hour car trip in April so I’m going to save them like you did – thanks for the suggestion!
Awesome! Glad you found it! Hope you enjoy.
I so wish I was closer that 250 miles to the nearest BN. I will look online. What fun to have a puzzle a day. My DH and I do Sudoku, and I will do a crossword puzzle if one presents itself. And then there is Wondrous Words Wednesday and your blog. Both encourage me to learn new words and maybe even be able to use them. Thanks for this post. Now off to check out the BN online store.
I’m sorry, Judy, I bet it’s not on the online store. Maybe Amazon? Glad I help with your learning process. 🙂
You are such a fabulous role model to mamas everywhere! My 4 y/o has this cool flipbook with puzzles that involve matching, counting, colors, letters, etc. She loves it!
*blushing* I don’t always feel like a role model – especially when yelling/nagging/crying in the rain. But thanks.;) Happy to help.