LANGUAGE, GESTURES AND RELATED SKILLS

1. How does imitation help in learning language?

Language is a multimodal process and hence can be picked up through imitation. Imitation helps a child in learning language as language can be seen (through lip reading) as well as heard. Language can also be learnt by touching the speaker's lips. 1

2. How do children learn new words?

Children memorize and learn words that are spoken over and over in front of them. . Words which are not familiar generally fade out of memory and as a result are not learnt. The child does not perceive the vocalization of words that he is not familiar with. Hence it is important to talk to the child as much as possible so that the child can learn new words. 1

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD expose children to a rich vocabulary of words. By listening to the same set of words repeatedly, children will be able to memorize them. Also, they will learn the use of these words in the appropriate context settings.

3. What is imitative language?

Children use imitative language until they develop verbal language. Imitative language does not serve any function once the child starts expressing himself verbally. 1

4. How is a written language learnt?

It is found that children create an internal mental configuration of the written characters. This mental configuration structure is based on the information presented to the child in the form of the pronunciation of the character, colors, etc. The arrangement of such a mental structure serves as the basis of gradually developing the information about the written language. These structures cannot be taught but would have to be gradually figured out by the child during the course of learning. 2

Note from Smart Neurons: In children who are at the age where they are learning written language, our Software CDs and DVD expose them to brief and easily readable words, sentences and questions. They will also be able to learn the pronunciation of the words. By using our products repeatedly, children will slowly begin to develop mental structures associated with the written language.

5. At what age is handedness established in children?

Studies indicate that handedness is established by 8 to 11 years of age. 3

6. What are the factors that determine manual preference of right or left handedness in children?

Prevalence of handedness varies according to age groups. Following are some factors that determine manual preference in children:

· Genetic factor

· Social factor

· Emphasis on Education 3

7. Is it true that people who are left handed are more intelligent and skilled?

No. Handedness does not affect intelligence or the ability to develop new skills. 3

8. Who among the two sexes has better manual skills?

Studies show that women have a strong lateralization of manual preference. For example, girls develop the skill of pencil manipulation earlier than boys. It is believed that women are better manually skilled than men. 3

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs encourage the hand and finger coordination as the children click on the mouse or maneuver the cursor on the screen to respond to questions. This will generally improve the object manipulation skills in children.

9. When does holophrase develop in a child?

Holophrase or one-word sentence appears at around 18-months of age. 7

10. At what age does a child start using recognizable phonemes?

A child starts using recognizable phonemes at the age of 12- months: 7

11. What is ‘symbolic' communication?

The term symbolic communication refers to the process of communicating ideas with the help of symbols. It can involve linguistic, mathematical, or other symbol systems. The goal is to share feelings, ideas and concepts through symbols.8

12. What are the components of language?

Language is a complex system and has various simpler components. The key components of language are syntax, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics. 8

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD lay the foundation for the child to learn language which is a very complex system. Our products expose children specifically to the syntax, phonology and semantics aspects of language

13. Do children have in-built ability to learn language skills?

Children have in-built abilities for developing communication skills. They have an inherent knowledge of universally used communication basics. Besides this, children also possess learning abilities to master language-related skills. 9

14. What is the critical period of brain development with regards to language?

The first three years of life are regarded as the critical period for brain development. In this period, it is crucial that a child be exposed to different languages if possible in order to facilitate strong brain development. Parents and care-givers are encouraged to speak to the child as often as possible. This way, the child is exposed to the various nuances of languages. 29

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD can be used by parents and caregivers to interact with the children. By talking about the stories in the computer games or even by imitating the narrator, parents can help preschool children develop a strong foundation for language skills.

15. How can we help a child learn language?

Although language comes naturally to a child, its proper form and type must be taught in order to see an early and correct development of the language skills . Language learning should invariably start with symbolic communication. Symbolic communication means understanding others or expressing oneself with symbols, whether that involves communicating linguistically, mathematically, or through another symbol system expressed in speech, gesture, notations, or through some other means. 8

16. Do children have an understanding of comparison?

Children do possess the skill of comparing things. Thus, analogy and comparison are two important skills that must be taught to young children. This enables them to differentiate things and helps them develop critical thinking. One way in which children can improve their ability to detect powerful analogical matches is through comparison . 8

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products (especially our Software CD) help teach children critical thinking and the ability to make decisions based on comparisons and analogies presented as part of a varied and rich scenario. This allows them to ‘detect’ matches in semantic structures and then base their decisions on these findings.

17. Why do high-ability people have good argumentation skills?

High ability individuals have good argumentation skills or good informal reasoning skills. This is so because they have a higher level of verbal skills and good command over language structures that are an important part of argumentation. They can carry out a more controlled search of information and analyze the results. This provides them with good reasoning capabilities. These people can provide more logical explanations for the claim under argument. 23

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD lay the foundation for strong verbal skills and help children gain command over language structures.

18. What is the two-component model of informal reasoning?

Informal reasoning is said to have two components- namely skill and knowledge. 23

· Informal reasoning skill refers to the ability to produce and evaluate evidence for and against an argument. This also includes the efficient use of qualifiers, Meta statements and notions against the argument.

· Knowledge is the result of awareness of subject matter and knowledge from personal experience. These two components are an integral part of informal reasoning.

19. What are the skills required for informal reasoning?

Informal reasoning skills are acquired and not taught. They include knowledge of language structures and the ability to store information on the elements of these structures One advantage of these structures is that they make the retrieval of information easy and also help in the logical analysis of it. High performers with high ability levels acquire the skill through reading and listening as verbal procedures. 23

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD help children develop strong informal reasoning skills since our products emphasize the different language structures and allow a child to explore the results of the decisions the child makes.

20. What are ‘situation models'? Do high-ability individuals differ from others in developing situation models?

Situation models are very important in the process of analyzing and solving a problem. High-ability individuals tend to construct strong and well-developed situation models owing to their good reasoning skills. The average and low performers lack the ability to form strong situation models and are more text-based. 23

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD provide a wide variety of rich and complex situation models. Children are constantly exposed to various changing scenario and they are required to develop their decision-making process in this visually and contextually rich environment.

21. How can informal reasoning skills be improved in low-ability students?

To improve skills in informal reasoning, the curriculum should provide instructions in argumentation. The instructions should be in the framework of specific subjects. These skills should be incorporated at an early age so that children receive reinforcement from time to time. 23

22. What are the hierarchical phases of skill learning?

There are three phases of skill learning . These are:

· Cognitive phase

· Associative phase

· Autonomic phase

23. What is cognitive phase of skill learning?

Cognitive phase is the first phase of skill learning. In this phase, the individual selects the topic on his own discretion and reviews it to prepare a storehouse of information. This information is raw and is stored as isolated pieces within the brain. 25

24. What happens in the associative phase of skill learning?

The associative phase of skill learning is characterized by the gradual transformation of stored information to procedural representation. This happens by inter-relating the isolated pieces of information - thus strengthening the presence of this information in memory 25

25. What are the characteristics of the autonomous phase ?

Autonomous phase is the third phase in skill learning. In this phase, the procedural representation of the skills no longer requires extraneous control or attentiveness by the performer. Instead, the skill becomes automatic. In other words, the skill is mastered and becomes an integral part. 25

26. Which skills are necessary for learning to read?

Oral- language skills such as awareness of and access to the sound structure of the language would be important for a child who is learning to read. Visual skills also seem to be relevant to reading because oral referents need to be mapped to printed ones. 2

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD introduce children to the ‘sound’ aspect as well as the structure of language. Also, visual skills are stressed throughout and children learn by making contextual associations between the spoken word and real world objects.

27. Is the ordering of words in a language important for comprehension?

Comprehension of a language requires both syntactic and semantic analyses. Syntactic analysis is specific to the language that is being read because each language has its own grammatical system. The order of words is the single most important syntactic device for sentence interpretation. Therefore understanding words in a sequence is integral to developing comprehension. 2

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products stress the importance of syntactic and semantic structures in the form of stories that children create using their decision-making process.

28. Should the teaching of spellings be stressed when teaching language comprehension?

Children create spellings based on their knowledge of language and print. It is suggested that spelling errors reveal how children acquire phonological and orthographic knowledge. It is found that constant spelling lessons have a positive effect on a child's comprehension of the language. 2

29. What is the importance of a proper script for developing reading skills?

Children accumulate information about the written script and create an internal mental structure. An improper script can generate wrong understanding patterns amongst children. 2

30. What is epilinguistic control ?

Epilinguistic control refers to the process that characterizes children's internal organization of knowledge; it is acquired in the initial phase of language development. It is non-expressive and manifests only in the child's actions. 2

31. How can a foreign language be taught?

For children, there must be a similarity between the spoken and the written language. They grasp similar patterns better. Therefore a foreign language must be taught in oral as well as in a script form to facilitate effective and faster learning. 2

32. What is meant by executive skills ?

Executive skills are defined as systems that have a hold over cognition. In a way, these systems are responsible for managing cognitive skills. It is proposed that impaired executive skills could lead to reading disabilities in children. 45

33. What is the function of executive skills?

Executive skills are an important part of goal-directed activities. These are sub-skills that are essential for being alert and attentive. Purposeful and goal-directed activity includes alertness and sustained attention in learning, ascertaining particular goals and generating plans to achieve the same. 45

34. What is pragmatic ability ?

Pragmatic ability refers to the ability to keep track of listeners' and speakers' viewpoints and purpose . This helps in developing the skill to use and construe language suitably in social situations. 8

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products require children to listen to instructions or questions and respond appropriately. The end result of this effort is a delightful story that the child helps create on their own. Also, these stories are situated in strong social contexts which will help children develop their social and pragmatic abilities.

35. Does command of the phonological and grammatical structure of one's native language change throughout the life span?

In fact, the command over phonological and grammatical structure of one's native language does not change after middle childhood. However, vocabulary and communicative skills change throughout the life. 8

36. What are inscriptions? How do they facilitate learning?

Inscriptions include drawings, diagrams, maps, physical models, read-outs of instruments, and mathematical expressions. Most teaching methods use a variety of inscriptions to help a student learn the different concepts. 8

37. Does symbolic communication have any role in cognitive development?

Yes, symbolic communication is essential for development of cognition. It influences cognition in the following ways 8

· Children first become aware of symbols.

· Children learn to distinguish between symbols and even use them in their communication

38. How can parents contribute to the development of pre-speech patterns (like smiling, gurgling, etc.) in their infant?

It is seen that infants whose parents talk to them from birth and communicate with them effectively, learn to develop pre-speech pattern early. These patterns include responding with attentive looks, gurgles, smiles and certain other responses in interaction with parental child-directed talk. 8

39. Is the preferred hand more skilled?

No, it is not necessary that the preferred hand is the most skilled hand. It depends upon the task being performed. 8

40. Is it true that boys have more tendencies to be mixed-handers as compared to girls?

Yes, ambidextrous tendencies are found more in boys when compared to girls. 8

41. When do children develop the ability to evaluate themselves?

The ability to evaluative oneself develops in toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3. 10

42. How does language help a child in improving behavior and emotional control?

It is seen that language helps children to improve their behavior and emotional control in the following ways 10 :

· It mediates between the intention or desire and the resulting behavior. Language can bring about verbal self control which can help curb impulsivity and behavior problems.

· Language serves to communicate one's internal feelings to others

· Language can help make the child aware of his own feelings.

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products strongly encourage the development of language skills in young children.

43. What are the key functions of language and communication in childhood?

In childhood, language and communication serve the following functions 10

· A child begins to use language when approaching others

· Language gives the capability to a child to discuss problems and take actions. It allows increases self-control in a child.

· Language can also enhance self-awareness in a child

44. Is spoken language a complex form of movements and gesturing?

Yes, spoken language seems to be a modified complex form of movements and gesturing. In a spoken language, words have to be formed, articulated and expressed. In bringing about these spoken words, a coordinated movement of the lips, larynx, lungs, and tongue are required. At the higher level, all these movements are controlled by the cerebellum and motor neo-cortex of the brain. 57

45. What is American Sign Language?

American Sign Language (ASL) is utilized by the deaf to communicate with others. It is a multifaceted language using gestures for communication. It consists of natural and artificial signs which are articulated into a grammatical gestural language. ASL is thus visual and verbal, but not auditory. 57

46. Are hand gestures related to spoken language?

Yes, research in this field has shown that spoken language, especially grammatical and syntactical components is directly related to handedness. It is seen that certain activities of the right hand are commanded by the linguistic impulses. Hand gestures seem to operate as a sort of motor extension of language. 57

47. What do you mean by linguistic thoughts?

Linguistic thoughts are a form of communication with the inner self. It is a structured chain of command or train of associations that are noiselessly heard or which emerge before an observer in the "mind's eye. 57

48. Do adults use ego-centric speech?

No, ego-centric speech is used by children and never seen in adults. 57

49. What is the meaning of ego-centric speech?

Ego-centric speech is a form of thinking in which the individual thinks out aloud and talks to oneself. Generally, it comprises of making remarks on and clarifying one's actions. Usually children exhibit this kind of thinking both when they are playing alone and when they are in groups. 57

50. Why are women more resistant to the effects of brain injuries and developmental disorders related to speech?

Women are found to be more resistant to effects of brain injuries and developmental disorders related to speech because their right cerebral hemisphere is structured more efficiently (especially with regard to social and emotional language functions). 57

51.Which part of the brain is associated with language output?

Broca's area of the left frontal lobe is associated with language output. 58

52. Do deaf children have normal language and cognitive development?

It is seen that deaf children communicating with their deaf parents through sign language are exposed to visuo-spatial language experience. Although these children are deprived of auditory experiences, they undergo a normal development of language and spatial cognitive functions. 58

53. What is like-me mechanism?

Like-me mechanism is a hypothesis that states that infants possess an inherent like-me mechanism which figures out equivalences between movements-as-felt and movements performed by others. This reinforces the theory of imitation in infants. 58

54. When does imitative language develop?

Imitation develops at the age of eighteen months of age in infants. 58

55. What are the characteristic features of imitation language?

Following are the characteristics of imitation language 58

· Develops when the child is eighteen months of age

· Evolves for the next two years

· Disappears once verbal language is learnt

· Progresses in multifaceted and coded combination of imitation and being imitated

56. Is early childhood experience of infant-caregiver relationship accessible?

No, the early experiences of child-caregiver relationship cannot be recalled. These experiences are stored in the amygdala portion of the brain and are stored before the development of language; hence, early childhood information cannot be recalled. 10

57. What is the significance of language in a child's emotional and behavioral control?

The child acquires emotional and behavioral control through language in the following ways 10 :

· Language sets a balance between intention (or desire) and behavioral action

· It helps to communicate one's internal state to others

· Language helps the child to become intentionally aware of how he or she is feeling

58. What is meant by epilinguistic control?

The process that describes children's internal organization of knowledge is called epilinguistic control. It is developed in the initial phase of language development. Organization of epilinguistic control is unconscious and becomes apparent only in children's actions. 2

59. What is meant by metalinguistic control?

Metalinguistic control is a process by which children become conscious of and implement intended control over the many aspects of language. 2

60. What features of verbal language are based on attributes of the imitative language?

The features of verbal language that are based on some of the attributes of imitative language are 1 :

· Taking turns

· Sharing topics

· Understanding the other person's intentions

· Negotiating shared goals through codes and routines

61. How is spoken language based on movements and gestures?

Spoken language is an interplay of movements and gestures. The process of speaking is a complex phenomenon. According to the intricate programming of the cerebellum and the motor neocortex of the brain, a coordinated movement of the lips, larynx, lungs, and tongue occurs. This joint effort results in formation, articulation and expression of the idea as spoken language. 57

62. What is the importance of reading to children?

Reading to children is one of the best ways to model literacy skills. In addition to engendering a love of books, reading to children gives them a sense of what the reading process is all about, introduces them to the concept of written language, and familiarizes them with literacy conventions. Before children can learn to read, they must learn why people read and what people do when they read 37 .

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD read out engaging and fun stories that help build the foundation for literacy skills. Our products also introduce children to the written language by selectively exposing them to specific language structures.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAY

1. Does play help in developing motor skills?

Play is very essential in developing gross and fine motor skills as it involves lots of physical activity. Play also helps the children become aware of their body. As they enjoy the physical exercise, they also enhance their sense of self-confidence, self-esteem and security. 38

Note from Smart Neurons: We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to play with their child – and to expose children to interactive and playful activities. Playful activities that involve physical movements help build children with healthy bodies and healthy minds.

2. Does play have any influence on learning abilities?

Yes. Play has a direct effect on learning. It gives a wider scope of experience and a larger platform to practice the skills and master it. Play increases intuitiveness and presents a wider exposure to learning opportunities. 11

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products introduce children to playful computer games that are simple yet require abilities like comprehension, decision-making and simple motor skills to reach the end goal.

3. Are play and higher mental functions related?

Higher mental functions like language, memory, thinking, attention, abstraction and perception are self-generated activities and require thought process. In children, play serves as an exercise for the brain to sharpen the thought processes that provide the building blocks for developing higher mental functions. Play also helps in building creativity and problem solving skills in children. 11

4. Play can improve children's vocabulary abilities. Is this correct?

Yes, children who are involved in thematic pretend and socio-dramatic play have better communication skills. During play, children learn new ways to communicate, add to their vocabulary and put their thought processes to work. Play stimulates them to think, analyze and create new ideas. 11

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products expose children to a varied array of socio-dramatic plays. They are constantly encouraged to think and analyze the situations that are presented to them.

5. How do toys help in learning and development in babies?

Toys are not only a source of entertainment for babies but also are effective medium for learning. When a baby tries to grab a toy, he is in fact learning eye to hand co-ordination. With the hand trying to grab the object, his senses become aware of the body parts and its movements. The baby becomes aware of the actions and the effect produced by it. Toys are also a source of generating curiosity in babies. 6

6. Should a child be allowed to play with children who vary in ages or are of the opposite sex?

Generally, children prefer playmates of the same sex and of a similar age group. To gain a better understanding of others' needs and also to become exposed to different patterns of thinking, it would be best if children would also mingle with children who are either younger or older. This way, a child gains knowledge about different aspects of life and learns to fit in better within the society. 41

7. How do children develop social skills through play?

Play promotes development of social skills in children. They learn to handle their emotions and practice self control. Play is a group activity that gives them a platform to share power, space, and ideas with others. It makes them aware of what others want and expect. They also learn to accept other children's behavior and perspective. 38

8. How does play contribute to children's learning and development?

Play is an active form of learning wherein children can explore their own knowledge, activity and observations. It has a strong emotional connection and hence stimulates neuronal expansion. Because of this reason, the information acquired through play is long lasting. Children find the play an interesting and relevant activity that is appropriate to their expectations and success. They can learn a variety of skills, ideas and concepts in a very non-conventional but interesting way. 38

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products use play to create an active platform of learning wherein children can explore different social contexts and arrive at their own observations.

9. What are the strategies employed to solve a simple arithmetic problem?

Following are the methods, students use to solve a simple arithmetic problem 7 :

· Sum strategy- this involves the process starting from one and moving forward

· Minimum strategy- this involves counting form the larger addend

· Decomposition- solving the problem by dividing it into two or more simpler problems

10. Can Play help a child to overcome traumatic events?

Play has a direct effect on a child's thought processes . Play helps children to get rid of negative feelings caused by traumatic events and substitutes them with more positive ones. It also allows children to practice, elaborate on, and perfect their skills as they do the activity in an enjoyable mood. By exercising their minds through different play behaviors, children become capable of using high-level mental functions. Task-oriented games can also teach problem-solving skills to children. 11

11. Can communication be taught through play?

Children involved in group-play show greater communicative skills. They learn how to share objects with others, put their demands forward, etc. It also helps in language development and vocabulary abilities. 11

AGE OF CHILD AND EFFECT ON LEARNING

1. Which age period is important in learning new information and building new skills?

Research shows that the period between 1 to 3 years of age is critical for children in learning new information and building new skills. 5

2. Is brain development limited to early years of our life?

No - brain development is not limited to early years but is a life-long process that is regulated by the processes of thinking, feeling and adapting. 15

3. Does there exist a basic factual science that propels a child's development?

Learning experiences shape the development of the brain from birth through adulthood. Several thousand genes are present in the body, and they guide the development of the nervous system. This also points out to the inheritance of intelligence. The heritability of IQ goes up with age, accounting for 75% of the variance by late adolescence. There are neurons that grow with development and respond to the external environment by forming synapses. 44

4. Why is it important to help children develop sub-skills ?

Sub skills are necessary for purposeful and goal-directed activity . They include:

Focused and sustained attention, specific goal selection, generation and implementation of plans and strategies for the attainment of these goals, as well as monitoring and utilization of feedback. 45

5. How does learning progress?

Learning is a process that goes on in discreet chunks. This means that it is a step-by-step process. Trying to make a child learn several things at a time could lead to confusion. Instead, helping him learn a simple thing as a group of many whole experiences can have the desired effect. 25

6. How can skills related to reasoning be developed in a child?

Reasoning skills are best acquired by reading and listening. So a growing child must be put in the habit of reading and listening to speeches as much as possible. 47

Note from Smart Neurons: By using our products, children are exposed to listening to different sentence structures, questions and to fully-developed stories. They are also required to respond to questions – and each answer will shape the end result differently. This can greatly help in developing reasoning skills in the child.

7. What factors hamper the positive development of a child?

Children must be shielded from arrogance, biases, hatred, cheating etc. During the child's growing years, these negative emotions can seriously impede a positive development in the child. 26

 

MUSIC, DRAMA, DANCE

1. Can drama be used as a teaching tool in language development?

Yes, drama and pretend-play serve as excellent teaching tools for development of complex concepts in language. They can help students understand the conceptual and intangible elements that are an important aspect of literacy development. Also, the students learn as a group and they also learn to cooperate with each other and work more effectively. 13

Note from Smart Neurons: Participating in drama, schools plays, etc. has found to help the overall social development of the child. It is encouraging to know that many schools are now strongly promoting children’s participation in drama, plays etc. either as part of the regular curriculum or as after-school program.

2. Does music have any effect on brain development?

Yes, music has a direct and positive impact on the development of brain and cognitive abilities. Exposure to music education stimulates the process of neuronal connections in brain known as synapses. It also improves branching of the neuronal ends. This is very important for higher brain functions. 32

Note from Smart Neurons: Our products use very lively and engaging music that have been found to have a soothing and calming effect on the children. This helps children calm down and keep their brains at the right level of excitement so that it is conducive to learning.

3. What are the brain functions that are affected by music education?

Mostly the higher mental functions are affected by training in music. Some of these are math, language and spatial reasoning. 32

4. Can music enhance academic skills?

Music is found to improve educational abilities in children. It is seen that slow music brings about cortical and limbic attentiveness. On the other hand, fast notes improve moods. On the whole, music refreshes the mind and prepares it to process new information. 40

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD expose children to very lively and engaging music that are based on Mozart and Beethoven. These pieces have been especially chosen given the calming and refreshing effect they have on children’s brains.

5. What are the brain functions that are affected by music education?

Mostly the higher mental functions are affected by training in music. Some of these are math, language and spatial reasoning. 32

6. How does musical training help in cognitive development?

The latest neurological research on brain development and its relationship to music education reveals that training in music has a positive effect on cognitive development. The musical nourishment and enrichment of young children stimulates the formation of connections (synapses) and the growth of branching extensions (dendrites) in the brain. Training in music at an early age exercises higher brain functions, including complex reasoning tasks. Musical skills also help children develop in other areas, such as math, language, and spatial reasoning .32

7. Is dance a language?

Yes, the brain perceives dance as a language of motion and movements. 57

8. Which part of the brain processes music?

The right hemisphere and the limbic system are involved in processing music. 57

9. How can music be effectively used in a classroom setting?

Research on music and learning has shown that music that plays at or near 60 beats per minute improves learning and memory, actually slowing down brain waves and increasing optimum functioning.

EFFECT OF COMPUTERS ON LEARNING

1. Computers have invaded every field of life. Is the home computer a helpful learning tool?

Computer stimulates and sharpens the visual senses and is found to help develop the visual intelligence. The image representation in computers strengthens various aspects of visual intelligence including visual attention, space awareness and image distinction. To sum up, computers can be efficient teaching tools that enhance academic performance. 14

2. Can computer games help build intelligence?

Often, computer games have a variety of activities happening at the same time, and each of the activities require attention and evaluation. The varied visual experience of computer games can explore most aspects of visual intelligence while improving non-verbal acumen. 14

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs do have enough activities happening on the screen so that they can all be processed easily by a young child. The rich animation and lively social settings provide varied visual experience which helps build non-verbal intelligence.

3. Can computers be used in classroom teaching?

Yes, computers can become an indispensable part of classroom learning. The computer technology in classroom is more interactive and attractive so that it keeps the students engaged in learning. It helps develop higher mental functions and assists in education. 18

4. What are the factors required for effective learning?

The basic factors essential for learning to be effective are as follows 16 :

· Active engagement

· Participation in groups

· Frequent interaction and feedback

· Connections to real-world contexts

5. Are there any changes required in the present education system for incorporating computer technology as an effective teaching tool?

Yes, there are few changes required in the present education system in order to incorporate computers as leaning tool. Some of these areas are 16 :

· Teacher training on using computers

· Curriculum that utilizes the computer

· Student assessment using computers

· A school's capacity for change

6. What effect can feedback have on learning?

Feedback is very important in learning. It is found that learning is more rapid and effective when ideas can be applied and timely feedback is given. The feedback given decides the operationability of the idea and encourages learning of the idea. Feedback also gives a direction to learning. 16

7. Can computer feedback accelerate the learning process?

Computers can improve interaction with the learner. Computers can be applied to asses and evaluate students and also provide timely feedback to accelerate learning process. 16

8. How does computer connect the classroom subject matter to the real world?

Using computers, students can actually apply classroom teaching to real world situations. This increases retention of the content. The computers also help apply the ideas in different contexts that give a wider scope for understanding the concept. 16

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CD uses ‘rich’ real-world situations as the basis for the computer game. Children learn about real-world situations like the forest, farm, school, etc. through our software CD and this helps them build contextual information pertaining to these real-world situations.

9. Are computer action games beneficial in any way?

Consider popular action games with their rapid movement, imagery, and intense interaction, plus various activities occurring simultaneously at different locations on the screen. Studies indicate that children who play such games can improve their visual intelligence skills. Such skills may be especially useful in the fields of science and technology, where proficiency in manipulating images on a screen is becoming increasingly important. 14

10. What are benefits of using computer technology in children's education?

Computer technology has been demonstrated to enhance classroom instruction by making learning more engaging, and by providing new ways of teaching complex concepts and critical thinking. The use of technology that incorporates visual and collaborative teaching practices has helped promote learning amongst students of all ability levels, especially those with mild learning disorders 18 .

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD lay the foundation for critical thinking and help promote learning amongst children of all ability levels.

11. What are the potential dangers associated with computer technology?

Some critics feel that computer technology encourages asocial and addictive behavior and taps very little of the social basis of learning. 16

Note from Smart Neurons: We strongly encourage parents to spend as much time with their children by playing with and reading to them. Although our products expose children to rich social scenario, nothing can replace the benefits gained from real-life interactions with other children in playful settings.

GIFTEDNESS

1. What is giftedness?

Giftedness is the inborn tendency to exhibit certain qualities that otherwise would require some kind of formal training. Research proves that there are certain preconditions that lead to development of such inborn abilities. 17

2. Do Favorable circumstances lead to development of artistic skills??

No, the statement is not correct. Some studies show that artistic ability develop in favorable conditions but most of the studies indicate that artistic skills do not develop in favorable conditions but rather they develop by overcoming the circumstances that are against it. 4

3. What are the factors affecting giftedness?

Giftedness was once thought to be a gift that one was born with and which could not be acquired either through study or practice. However, some studies indicate that there are other factors that can affect giftedness. Following are some factors that influence the development and expression of giftedness:

· Innate strengths and weakness – once aware of their strengths and weaknesses, one can influence circumstances so that one is playing from a position of strength most of the time

· Social factors – this pertains to the importance one's society places on giftedness

· Historical background

· Cultural practices – these may encourage or undermine the expression of giftedness

· Socially accepted performances 4

4. How are culture and talent related?

Talent is a special skill or ability that usually develops in the confinement of cultural boundaries. If a talent is not culturally accepted, it is not accepted and supported within the society. As a result, it may not get the attention that it deserves. On the other hand, if a talent is accepted by the society, it holds significance and gains recognition. This will encourage gifted people to demonstrate their talents. 4

5. What are the qualities of a creative person?

Degrees of creativity are often measured by the extent and quality of innovation. Highly creative people often demonstrate the following characteristics:

· Individuality

· Highly personalized pursuit of interests

· Preference for complexity of problems

· Preference for theoretical aspect of problems

· Preference for aesthetic aspects of problems 4

6. How is the development of skills in gifted children different from that in normal children?

The different stages of development of other skills often remain the same for both groups of children but the gifted children start developing certain specific artistic skills much ahead of their peers. Gifted children demonstrate accelerated development of artistic skills when compared to their peers. They are often many years ahead of the other children when it comes to their artistic skill training. However, this accelerated development leads to the much mastered talents. 4

7. Is giftedness confined to a specific field?

No, giftedness is not specific to a single field or subject. Giftedness can manifest itself in any field like language, music, logic, mathematics, visual-spatial intelligence, dance and other artistic expressions of the body and including intrapersonal and interpersonal connecting. 4

8. Do gifted children have early brain development?

Yes, brain development in gifted children may begin before the time frame of 1-3 years. Hence the environment has to be modified accordingly to support this. 5

9. What are the potential fields for giftedness?

The potential fields of giftedness are as follows 4 :

· Language

· Music

· Logic/mathematics

· Visuo-spatial relating

· Bodily/kinesthetic applications

· Intrapersonal and interpersonal connecting

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD emphasize building skills in Language, Music, Logic, Visuo-spatial abilities and social skill development. Our future products will also target mathematics.

LEARNING AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

1. What type of environment supports effective learning in children?

Research studies show that environment should be conducive to learning. Children should have easy accessibility to books as well as to computer-aided (quality) information. It is also suggested to have an informative audio-visual collection. However, the most important thing is that adults should be available to guide and encourage children and help them get access to the required information. 5

2. How can a brain be stimulated?

Our brain is a marvelous organ that has the ability to react lifelong to the changing environment. It loves challenges and problem solving that serves as mental exercises for the brain. If a task has to be mastered, constant motivation is required. Tasks that are assigned should be one level more difficult than what the child can perform. The brain takes this up as a challenge and gets stimulated. Over a period of time, the task is mastered to perfection. 5

3. What techniques could be applied to help students assimilate information effectively?

Integration of learned information is necessary for effective learning. Following are some of the techniques that can be used to consolidate information-

· Observations made in a Field Trip

· Discussions with other children or parents

· Classroom demonstrations

· Thought-evoking Discussions

· Practical projects 6

4. What are the three basic units of brain involved in cognition?

Research shows that there are three units in the brain that are involved in the process of cognition. These are:

· The arousal and attention unit- This part of the brain is for concentration, the state of waking and the readiness to perception.

· The sensory input and integration unit- This part of the brain is involved in the act of receiving, analyzing, and storing information

· The executive planning and organization unit- This unit is responsible for planning the activities ad executing the same. 22

5. Why should we keep the nerve cells in good working condition?

We are born with a fixed set of nerve cells. It remains constant throughout our life because we do not grow any more new cells. The nerve cells needs to be kept healthy in order to prevent their loss. Constant stimulation should be provided to the nerves in terms of learning so that the brain cells remain active and healthy. The nerves tend to be inactive if not used. 27

6. How does one acquire the skill of informal reasoning?

Informal reasoning cannot be taught but has to be acquired through daily experiences, reading and listening to others. High performers who are adept at learning new things show a higher degree of informal reasoning than others. However, the skill of informal reasoning can be acquired by exposing oneself to education training that will provide the tools to acquire a higher degree of reasoning in any given field. 23

Note from Smart Neurons: Our Software CDs and DVD expose children to a variety of situations that help them develop informal reasoning and arrive at conclusions.

7. How does scaffolding help in learning?

Scaffolding is a teaching tactic that believes in giving the right kind of support at right level to promote students’ success and a higher level of understanding. Education strategies like instruction, modeling, questioning and feedback are used with gradual withdrawal of adult support to make the student confident and achieve the required learning outcomes. 24

8. What is reflection in terms of learning?

Reflection is a powerful learning tool that a learner uses to analyze one’s performance on the task at hand. Reflection can also help the student establish what he might do better the next time. It helps to retain acquired learning. Students can use this method to reinforce and improve learning by comparing their performance to the performance of experts and other learners. 24

9. A positive outlook is important in learning. How does play help children develop a positive attitude?

Research has proven that children learn better when they have positive feelings. On the other hand, learning is poor in a negative environment. Play serves an important medium to vent out negative feelings and related frustration. It also helps to ease out memories of traumatic events. Hence children who play tend to be free from such negative feelings and have more learning capacity. 11

10. Apart from experiences, what are the other factors that influence learning in children?

Various environmental factors influence learning in children. Some of these are:

· Nutrition

· Drugs

· Viral infection

· Toxins in the environment

· Temperature 5

11. What type of curriculum augments brain development and learning?

There are no specific curricula for enhancing learning but it is seen that curriculum that involves a combination of cognitive, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical activity contributes to learning. A curriculum should provide challenges that are one level higher in difficulty and hence gives scope for learning venture. An environment that is safe, secure, supportive and warm is also conducive to learning and helps with brain development. 29

12. Are uniform teaching technologies helpful in learning?

For majority of the students, uniform teaching practices are not very helpful. The reason behind this fact is that all brains are structurally different and so are the cognitive abilities. Each student has a different learning style and if the teacher conforms to that style, then learning becomes more effective. Individual centered practices, rather than uniform teaching methods are more important in learning. 32

13. Is it true that all students in a cultural group have the same learning style?

No, the learning abilities differ even within a cultural group. As the learning styles do not depend on the cultural background, theories on them cannot be generalized. 32

14. What are the physiological functions that influence learning?

Physiological functions like stress management, nutrition, exercise and maturation affect learning capabilities in children. 32

15. What are the characteristics of a good learning environment?

A good learning environment improves memory and learning. It should provide meaningful challenges with a safe risk. A learning environment that values emotion, self esteem and need for social interaction tends to promote learning. Classroom learning should incorporate activities that help develop skills like social and emotional skill building, group problem solving, and team building. More innovative teaching techniques should be used rather than the classical classroom teaching. The students should be given the freedom to express their emotions and feelings. 32

16. What are the various modes of teaching other than classroom teaching?

Apart from classroom lecture, there are other modes of teaching. They are simulations, role-playing, field trips, dance, art, and music. 32

17. What can the teachers do to make learning more interesting and retainable?

The quality of learning depends wholly on the teacher. Teachers can make learning more fun through their enthusiasm and by being a role model to the children. The classroom environment should be one of shared goals and mutual respect. Teachers can replace the lecture-method with stories, metaphors and complex themes. For acquiring these skills, teachers must have a strong knowledge base. They also need to understand the complexity of learning and teaching phenomenon. 32

18. Enlist the methods of ‘smart learning’.

The methods of smart learning are tips to improve learning in students34. They are:

· Think smart

· Sleep smart

· Eat and Drink smart

19. What are the techniques to prepare a learner?

There are six ways to prime a student for learning34. These are:

· Advise students to strengthen their existing learning style and gradually try other techniques also.

· Encourage them to think smart, i.e. the skill of goal setting that is important for all achievements.

· The students should have adequate sleep to refresh their brains.

· Adequate and correct nutrition also enhance learning.

· Dehydration leads to poor learning, so students must be encouraged to drink lots of water.

20. How do you create a positive environment for learning?

A positive learning environment has a lot of influence on learning. A teacher should try to keep the classroom atmosphere as positive and lively as possible. Active mode of learning is the best learning method. The physical and visual aspects of the room should be taken care of. There should be no auditory distractions. Use positive visual reminders if necessary. Music should be played in free time when classroom sessions are not in progress as it relaxes the mind and strengthens memory. 34

21. What are the ways to keep students attentive in class?

A teacher should know that learning happens best in a relaxed environment. Jokes and appropriate humor can make learning lively. Provide opportunities for movements that tend to increase blood and oxygen to the cells and improve attention. The concepts being taught should be related to real life situations or have strong emotional connections. All of these methods help teachers sustain the attention of the learners. 34

22. Is it harmful to incorporate academic concepts to the preschool curriculum?

No, academic concepts are not harmful to the preschoolers educational development provided this does not involve any formal instructional program. On the contrary, academic concepts can promote learning in preschool children if amalgamated with informal play settings. 37

23. What is the role of reading in childhood education?

Studies indicate that reading to children is the foundation stone for the development of other literacy skills. When an adult reads to a child, it makes the child acquainted to the process of reading and makes him aware of the written language. The child develops an idea as to what it is to be read to. Reading to children extends literacy learning. 37

24. Are reading aloud and talking about stories helpful in literacy development?

Reading aloud and talking about stories help develop a healthy attitude towards literature and encourage the child to continue learning. It strengthens the vocabulary skills of the children. This is because children tend to speak through their ideas, emotions, understandings and reactions. Therefore response to a story is an efficient method for literacy development. 39

25. How can a teacher help in literacy development through story telling?

A teacher can use story-telling and elicit responses to stories to assist literacy development in children. However, the teacher must acts as a good moderator in this kind of learning to keep the students stick to the subject. In other words, the teacher must keep the discussion goal oriented. The teacher must utilize this opportunity to enrich the students’ knowledge about literature. 39

26. What should a teacher do if the students’ state is not suitable to learning?

A teacher should know that learning takes place if the students are in an upbeat state of mind. If their state of mind does not allow active learning, the teacher should divert them to some activities that are relaxing. This may include stretching, exercising or a simple conversation. Even music can be used to bring the students to an equalized state of mind. 40

27. How can you enrich the learning environment?

There are three characteristic features of a good learning environment- challenge, novelty and feedback. Appropriate amount of mental challenges is a motivating factor. Challenges that are too tough makes the students give up early. On the other hand, challenges that are too easy are very boring. New challenges of appropriate difficulty level serve as the best stimulants for learning. Immediate feedback is also necessary to evaluate learning. Timely feedback can decrease stress level in students and increase coping abilities.40

28. Do males and females develop sex-dimorphic behavior with respect to specialized visual biases?

Yes, both the sexes have developed specialized visual biases. Men are fascinated with motion. Their visual system is more adaptive to spatial tracking of objects. This is seen in their preference of cars, planes and other moving objects. 41

29. Do punishment-based approaches help in learning?

Punishment-based approaches have a negative effect on learning and inhibit motivation. 12

30. What type of curriculum augments brain development and learning?

There are no specific curricula for enhancing learning but it is seen that curriculum that involves a combination of cognitive, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical activity contributes to learning. The curriculum should provide challenges that are one level higher in difficulty thereby creating opportunities for learning. Also, it is important that the child be in an environment that is safe, secure, supportive and warm since it is conducive to learning and brain development. 29

31. What are the factors involved in brain-smart teaching?

Following are the factors that constitute brain smart teaching:

L- Love that builds relationships

E- Enjoyment and fun while engaged

A- Autonomy and choice

R- Relevance including worthwhile, valued activities

N -Needs-driven activities that respect uniqueness

S -Safety, both emotional and physical that assures absence of threat.40

32. Do males develop sex-dimorphic behavior with respect to specialized visual biases?

Yes, both the sexes have developed specialized visual biases. Male children are fascinated with motion. Their visual system is more adaptive to spatial tracking of objects. This is seen in their preference of cars, planes and other moving objects. 41

33. Do punishment-based approaches help in learning?

Punishment based approaches have a negative effect on learning and inhibit motivation. 12

34. What are the strategies employed to solve a simple arithmetic problem?

Following are the methods that most students use to solve a simple arithmetic problem 7:

Sum strategy- this involves the process starting from one and counting up
Minimum strategy- this involves counting from the larger addend
Decomposition- solving the problem by dividing it into two or more simpler problems

35. What effect could discriminative teaching have on children?

This way of teaching helps to culminate amongst children the sense of good and bad and helps develop the idea of responsibility toward things. Also, helping students demonstrate responsible behavior during cooperative learning activities allows them to work together more effectively. 13

36. Can crafts work help in learning?

To help children in developmental psychology, we must integrate various theories and increase awareness of children's developmental needs. Classroom demonstrations, discussions, and practical projects enhance both student interest and help them retain knowledge. A positive and practical way of achieving this is to allow children to involve themselves in crafts work where they can bring out their inner thoughts. 45

37. Should child’s activities be attended at all times?

Attending to the child’s activity is important in order to pick up those things in which a child is interested. Children try new motor acts and try to divert our attention until they develop strategies to get what they want at that moment. It may be that, in infants, developing a successful strategy is as equally important as achieving the goal. 27

38. How can children be encouraged to pursue a higher quality of living?

Making a child understand things like self-awareness and self-determination are major factors in helping him obtain a quality life in the future. An important educational function thus is to help children understand their strengths, challenges, learning styles, and interests. 12

39. Writing is a tool. How is it helpful in the development of a child?

Writing affects the way children think about language. It brings words into consciousness and helps children to depict their thoughts. Thus, making a child write can also help parents understand their children better. 47

40. What are emergent learning conditions?

Emergent learning conditions are methods that encourage extensive experience with the fundamental units and procedures of the symbol system in practical problem-solving situations. These situations usually allow principles to emerge via multiple concrete examples. With this approach, students "discover" regularities and functional solutions rather than being taught as per rules 48

41. What is the most important difference between American and Asian educational systems?

In the United States, strong emphasis is placed on the importance of individual differences in ability among students. Asian cultures on the other hand tend to stress the similarities amongst students. Asians consistently rate the importance of innate ability lower than Americans do, and instead rate the importance of effort higher 50

42. How does the classroom discourse differ in between American and Japanese classrooms?

In Japanese classrooms the prevalent form of discourse is the discussion. In American classrooms on the other hand, it is the recitation technique: short questions and answers designed to lead the students through a planned path to understanding. Japanese teachers ask questions in order to induce thinking. They ask students to describe alternative solutions, explain them, and justify them in the face of questions from peers. American