Fraboom Salutes the Teacher of the Year!

Fraboom Expert Leslie

Here at Fraboom, we are passionate about our nation’s schools and the future of our kids. Because of this, we don’t want to let a chance to praise 2012’s Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Mieliwocki, go by.

According to President Obama, who honored the passionate teacher this Tuesday, Mieliwocki is the “definition of going above and beyond.” But, what does that look like? What is education like when it’s done right? Mieliwocki, a seventh grade English teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School in California, offers us a glimpse. With enthusiasm and a refreshing dose of humility, she stated, “I am not the best teacher in America, there isn’t one. I have an unshakable understanding that children can do anything they set their mind to.” (Runningen)

 

It is this understanding that shapes Mieliwocki’s teaching methods. The 62nd National Teacher of the Year doesn’t merely view intermediate and secondary schools as a simple preparation for college. Rather, she has a grand perspective of the relevant future in store for each of the kids in her classroom, saying “My number one job is to educate them and give them skills they need to be in any kind of global careers they have planned for themselves.” (CBS News)

It is perspectives like this and the encouragement in lives of young people that makes this educator and so many out there an inspiration to all of us here at Fraboom. We aspire to help parents and teachers like Rebecca Mieliwocki inspire and encourage kids to discover their interests.

Rebecca Mieliwocki and all the teachers of this world, we salute you and thank you for all you do!

Sources:
Runningan, Roger. “Obama Honors Californian as Teacher of the Year.” Bloomberg Businessweek. 24 April 2012. <http://www.businessweek.com/news>.
“2012 Teacher of the Year laments education cuts.” CBS News. 23 April 2012.    
<http://www.cbsnews.com>.
Shapiro, Emily. “Burbank Teacher Named 2012 National Teacher of the Year.” ANNENBERG TV NEWS.  24 April 2012.        <http://www.atvn.org/news/2012/04/burbank-teacher-named-2012-national-teacher-year>.

Aw, To Be Kids Again...

Fraboom Expert Leslie

Remember when you wiggled and yanked at your tooth all through the night to get that dollar?

What about the time you first learned how to paint just so you could add the finishing touches to your treehouse?

Or, how about the time your mom let you add the sprinkles to the sugar cookies?

Oh, oh! And, remember that time you stayed up all night with your friends playing cool games on your dad’s iPad, while skyping with your cousin from Canada about the New Kids On The Block?

Don’t remember that last one? Neither do we. Have you really just crossed over into the “when I was a kid” era? Is a future where your kid’s childhood experiences starkly contrast your own already upon you? No, this couldn’t be happening. You were in high school in the 90's, for crying out loud! You’re cool. You may not have had a cellphone, but Zach Morris sure did, and you lived vicariously through him.

If you’re still in denial that activities for children have evolved, you’re not alone. But, don’t lose sleep, worrying you and your kid may never learn how to paint or kick a soccer ball together!
 
We’re sure all of these memories (the ones that shape kids, help them discover their strengths and talents, and connect parents to their children) will always remain a part of childhood. However, we’re here to tell you that the laptop and digital device at their fingertips is not to be feared, can add to these fun experiences, and even contribute to this discovery.

Technology doesn’t mean the end of bonding! As a matter of fact, if you embrace technology you may find more of those moments. You know, the ones around before technology infiltrated our lives.

In need of proof? Here’s just one example:

Grab your kid and check out the unique online experience Fraboom, where together you can pop into a live class and learn how to draw hilarious cartoon characters. Just as your dad guided your hand with the paint brush outside that treehouse, you and your child can connect over a creative cartooning project on Fraboom. The only difference is you use a mouse instead of a brush. (That and you probably won’t lose a finger using the table saw.)

If creativity isn’t your game, maybe an actual game will suit you better. We recommend Seymour’s Bug Blast or Geo Genius. Or, take some time and see if you or kids know more about bugs or U.S. geography. A little healthy competition never hurt a fun family night!

Now, we know this next statement may be hard to take in, but it is possible that your kid may experience even more warm-fuzzies because of all the opportunity for creativity and knowledge that technology brings. Not to diminish the sanctity that is your childhood or anything. We’re sure it was something special. Just give the future a chance.

And while you’re doing that, feel free to comment below and share some of your favorite parent-child bonding moments!

Cultivating Your Child's Creativity

Fraboom Expert Ryan

“You only need creativity if you’re one of those artsy-fartsy kind of people.”

I admit that the previous statement has, in the past, been a naive thought in my mind. Now that I am more mature (well, as mature as one can be while typing the words, “artsy” and “fartsy”), I now realize that creativity is just as important to the business executive, the teacher, and the stay-at-home mom as it is for “artists”. Creativity is a skill everyone should have. Employers today are looking for young people that are able to solve problems and deal with challenges in new and creative ways.

Albert Einstein said, “Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” That’s a wonderful thought, but exactly how do we pass it on? How do we provide opportunities for our kids to develop the important skill of using their imaginations to solve problems and deal with life? You may have already experimented with your own activities that foster creativity, but here are a few more to add to your repertoire:

1. Storytelling
Storytelling is not just for old people that sit on porches drinking lemonade. Create an atmosphere in your home where stories are told, listened to and celebrated. This could be done by telling fictional or true stories to your kids, asking them to make up their own stories or by playing improvisational games.


2. Toys
Certain toys leave more room for the imagination than others. Some examples include dolls, action figures, building blocks (like Legos or Lincoln Logs), jigsaw puzzles, cars, puppets, costumes, masks and board games. All of these toys provide activities that encourage a child to create their own world where their toy lives and operates. Or, the economy being the way it is, you could just let them play with some sticks and a cardboard box.

3. Reading
Fictional literature, at any reading level, can be very stimulating for a child’s imagination. The reader is simultaneously experiencing the story as it is being read by visually imagining the world, situations and characters within the story. Parent Bonus: kids are quieter when they read.

4. Music
While this may be the opposite of peace and quiet, it’s no secret that music can fuel creativity and imagination. Hand your kid a drum or an old beat-up guitar, find a good teacher and let them create. While you’re at it, invest in some good ear plugs. Just to be safe. Don’t be afraid to load Garage Band onto your laptop... you would be amazed at what kids can create using digital tools!

5. Fraboom.com
Okay. I’m biased. I have to mention that our online museum for kids has plenty of things to do to that cultivate a child’s imagination. For instance, our drawing challenge, “The Daily Doodle,” gives kids an incomplete illustration and asks them to imagine and draw their own idea to finish it.

As a parent or teacher, feel free to try some of these ideas for yourself. There’s nothing quite like escaping reality for a while and challenging your imagination. After all, you’re never too young to be “artsy-fartsy!” 
 

So your kid wants to be President…

Fraboom Expert Victoria

As a live event presenter at Fraboom it always amazes me to see the impact I can have on your kids. One of the best moments I ever had as a presenter was during our holiday themed class called “Get Your Wish On”. It was actually a day or two after Christmas and I’d been playing the very cheery part of Santa’s Elf Dr. Sylvia Spark, for about two months. Now that Christmas had come and gone, well, let’s just say my “merry tank” was running on fumes. In an attempt to fill the last few minutes of a class I asked the kids to send me a chat message telling me the name of their favorite stuffed animal. I got a chat from one of the girls in class: Santa brought me a Build-a-Bear and I named her Sylvia Spark after YOU! I love you, Sylvia!

At first glance, this is your normal amount of cuteness, but then I thought about the teddy bear I got for Christmas when I was eleven. I was afraid of the dark so I named him Samson; being named after someone super strong made him strong enough to keep all of the dark and creeping things at bay. I slept with him every night. Suddenly the thought that one of the kids I was talking to said that she loved me and actually named her furry friend after me was almost overwhelming. That I could be an integral part of a childhood, of possibly dozens of childhoods, is certainly humbling and incredibly gratifying.

At this time we host a class called “Train Your Brain” which is an academic game show...kind of like a crazy Jeopardy for kids. In this class the presenters get a lot of freedom to interact with the kids based on our personal strengths. For me, that’s the chat box! When deciding what to do with kids in class, I love to ask contestant questions like what’s your favorite breakfast food? Or if you could be different kinds of bugs, what would kind of bugs would you choose and why? But the best question I have ever asked, by far,  is what do you want to be when you grow up? Not only do I get an answer from every single kid, but they blow me away every time with the diversification of thoughtful answers. Ashley wants to be a lawyer, Jordan wants to be a scientist, Coda wants to be the president, and--just like when I was a kid--there’s almost always a dolphin trainer in the bunch.

Your kids have big dreams and, for that moment, I get to be their cheerleader! I get to be one of the voices saying, “Yes! Do it! I know you’re smart enough, creative enough, or brave enough!” And then we continue with our class where we test their geography skills, their improv skills, their bow hunting skills--just kidding… well mostly. I actually get to help them become smarter, more creative, and brave!

I’ve learned that words are powerful. One word...one moment of encouragement can change a life forever. I don’t take that responsibility lightly and I try to use my time with kids to make a difference.

            So, when all is said and done, how do I, the Fraboom live event presenter, impact your kids? I tell them they’re awesome. Over and over and over, just to make sure they think so too. And that, my friends, is a pretty great 9-5.

So, Mommas and Papas, here’s your very own Contestant Question! If there was one area you could see your kids being encouraged in, what would it be? Their creative ideas? Their science smarts? Those bow hunting skills? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Online Children’s Games can actually encourage my kid?

Fraboom Expert Leslie

You’re a hip parent. You’ve come to this blog because your kid’s goals, dreams, and future matter to you. But, are you a hippie parent? Have you decided that technology is not to be trusted and true education only comes from oneness with nature and mother earth? Or maybe you’ve thrown in the towel all together and have come to terms with the fact that the classroom provides activities for learning, while the computer only offers mindless, brain-draining, zombie-killing games for kids. My guess is that you’re likely somewhere in the middle; knowing that the internet may offer some untapped educational potential for your kid, but you’re just not sure where to find it.
Consider that potential tapped.

It may seem strange that a website featuring online games and zany activities for kids might actually have the power to inspire your child to discover their talents, gifts, strengths and passions. But, that is precisely the mission of Fraboom.com. Our online children’s museum is not just a portal for kids to find free games online. Make no mistake, your child’s laughter and entertainment is why we open the doors every day. We hope, most of all though, that children find an opportunity to explore the world in a way that they may not get anywhere else. We strive to expose children to new and exciting themes, topics, people and activities so that they learn early on what inspires them. Imagine if you realized at an early age what your strengths and passions were. How much would that have helped you reach your long term life goals?

On a given visit to Fraboom, a child may discover that she has a knack for creative problem-solving in Fraboom’s game Quit Shovin’ or perhaps she’ll stumble into a Live Class, where a real live presenter will challenge her to think outside the box in drawing and art, creative writing, or even insect discovery!

So, the next time you’re in search of activities to fill your kids’ free time and allowing them to sit in front of online children games seems the opposite of investing in their future, think again. A bored or discouraged child may leave Fraboom.com a future poet, inventor, biologist, or cartoonist. Don’t let them miss out on a healthy dose of encouragement while they are entertained. Check out Fraboom now!

Come on down! Your kid could be the next contestant on the new, online game show called, “Train Your Brain!”

Fraboom Expert Ryan

While they won’t win A NEW CAR or a lifetime supply of Rice a Roni, they may very well learn a thing or two while winning some Fraboom Brain Cells (our own unique brand of virtual currency).

Here at the Fraboom Museum, our methods of teaching are a bit different than traditional environments that you may find in some schools and most educational web sites. For example, we think that learning should be something that kids actually enjoy. I don’t mean...”Oh that was fun” enjoyment... I mean double over laughing so hard that milk comes out of your nose enjoyment. We also believe that entertainment, in all of its mediums should encourage, engage and educate the mind of a child.  A strong example of Fraboom content created to be crazy fun and educational is our new LIVE online class called “Train Your Brain”.

This activity is basically a game show created to educate kids in an entertaining way. The host is a real, live person who leads the participants through a variety of games and activities. Kids get to be contestants and earn points in multiple challenges by typing correct answers in the chat box. It’s like a cyber version of Jeopardy for kids.

In one of the Train Your Brain challenges, called “Toon In,” the host plays educational videos for kids and then asks them questions about what they just watched. This game provides interesting academic information as well as works on retention of that information. While playing Toon In, Kids might learn how the human heart works, how our country elects a president or what makes up our solar system.

In another challenge called “Choose Or Lose,” the kids are asked to answer a multiple choice question from subjects like science, math and geography. By framing academic exercises within the world of a fun and crazy game show, children won’t even realize that they’re getting smarter as they compete.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a game show contestant then wonder no more. Click here to give it a try... let’s see if you really are smarter than your kid! Train Your Brain