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Friday, October 12, 2007

The Where-Is-The-Flag Game

So it was 2 months ago that we put up these posters but it was not until a couple of weeks ago that we have actually been using them, particularly the Flags of the World poster.

One day, he was eyeing them with interest in his eyes. “Sickle (circle).” “Star.” He said, while pointing to the familiar shapes he recognized. The unmistakable sparkle in his eyes and the eagerness in his voice gave me the go-signal to start touring around the world (and all for free!), albeit with the use of the flags.

Needless to say, a play-learn game also began on that day when I scooped him in my arms to face the collection of flags. By playing the Where-Is-The-Flag (of a country) game, tour we slowly did. Usually, I ask where-is and he’d point at the flag. Other times, I give him the liberty to point and tell me what (flag) country he’s pointing at.

Currently, he’s able to identify 17 flags. But I’m not in a hurry. Matt is only 22-months old. Besides, it’s just a game. He may continue playing, or he may not – and it would still be fine with me. It’s certainly up to him.


But we really have been touring everyday (and even several times in a day). On Matt’s cue, of course.

Like the books that I have given Matt, these visual aids are only made available to him without the thought of ever forcing him to learn these. He could choose to chew, tear or read the books and that will be fine with me (on the second thought, I could be frowning in the first 2 seconds but after that I'll definitely be okay -somehow, I'll find a way to put all the pieces back together :D). But the moment he says “Mama, read” or “Mama, tractor” or something like that, then I will readily be there to guide him. At least that’s my approach to his learning – by letting him take the lead.


Now back to the flags. If you’re wondering how I introduced the flags to a barely-2-year-old tot, here are some points:

1. Tell him of his current location or his origin. I started by telling my son of the country he is from. Consequently, the very first flag learned was the Philippine flag (for Matt, it's 'fins').
This could also be the reason why he usually says “Fins, Mama” when he wants us to play with the flags.

2. Speak of the loved ones who could be in this or that country. A child can easily grasp the information if a relationship is conveyed (or if you make a connection). “Canada is where Tita Che is,” I used to say. To this day, Matt (usually while pointing to the flag) still says, “Can’da, Tita Che.” Similarly, he’s learned to identify other flags like South Korea, Japan , United Kingdom and the USA.

3. Pick a flag that is obviously different. A very different flag or strange-looking one could have an advantage. An example of this would be Nepal.

4. Associate the flags according to the symbols or figures in them that a child could readily identify. Lebanon (has) a tree; Hongkong, flower; Brazil, globe; Switzerland, cross; Israel- stripes and a star; Kenya, (looks like) a spider; and Barbados, a fork.

5. Let him take the lead. In some instances, a child might point or show some interest on a particular flag. Tell him about it. Like this morning, Matt was pointing to the flag of Bahrain so I told him about it. This afternoon, when we were playing (again!), he was able to identify it (plus two others namely, Tonga and Vietnam).

6. As with other things, give praises or encouragement. Conveying your approval to a child when he has correctly identified something could help bolster his confidence. If he makes mistakes, you could tell him that it’s okay and to try (and try) again.

7. Make learning fun (for both of you). Promise not to laugh, but I am not way above from making exaggerated noises and funny faces (usually when he makes mistakes). Although it makes me feel oh-so silly at times, but hey it’s just a game so I'll make it like one and be the silliest. Besides, I think my son loves it. And he’s catching up, too. My imp of a son would tease me by pointing to the wrong flag and then he'd look intently at my face. After I make my funny-silly act capped with a fake fallen look, he’d take a cursory glance over the flags, point to the correct one and look at me in the face with mischief dancing in his eyes and playing on his lips. Hah! He is definitely enjoying it as much as I do.


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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

cool method! same with my son, I never force him to read the *books that he's bought (they have this Scholastic™ Book Fair at their school every year) ... or the ones that we buy for him. :)
but it's great seeing him read them every once in a while.

*the books that he had chosen were way too much for an eight-year old, lol.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Great idea. I especially liked the part of making it fun. for the both of you!

Keyword being BOTH. :)

ZAM said...

Hi Maiylah. It's truly a great feeling of seeing our kids build interest on productive things. Everytime, Matt comes up to me to request to read (Nursery Rhymes or picture books), I do drop everything I do because I do not have the heart (or mind) to decline such requests.

And re the-way-too-much-for-his-age thing, yes, on some instances, I am beginning to feel that the next generation is more advanced than our generation. Smile!

ZAM said...

WFM, thanks for the comment. Re fun, I believe that when one likes what one is doing, he will somehow rub it off to anyone with him. This doesn't say though that there's no activity that I have no complaints at all. Wink! But in those times, I remind myself that I and my kid will be down this road only once, so I could either make it fun for the 2 of us and create a wonderful and lasting memory or I could ruin the chance. And the question is not just what do I want my kid to remember and feel the moment he looks back to his childhood days (?) BUT how do I want to reminisce those days too (?).

Quiskaeya said...

How creative is that! That is such a cool game! The best children learning games come out of what children show interest in.

I so agree in not forcing a child to learn, but encouraging them in their strengths.

ZAM said...

Ana, thanks for the compliment. And I agree on this: "The best children learning games come out of what children show interest in."

That's why parents should try (my opinion, really) to get involved in a child's activity - be it studying or playing (even horseplaying! heheh) or anything-and-everything. And that makes also parenting a daunting task. :D

Melanie said...

Fun is definitely the way to do it!!

Anonymous said...

how creative and fun!! I love that idea.

 


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