Help Build Your Child's Brain on National Opposite Day

National Opposite Day is observed every year on January 25. Many enjoy using this day to try to confuse others by saying and doing the opposite of what they really mean. Why not use this day to help build your child’s brain? By the age of five, your child’s brain has reached 90 percent of its full size and their patterns for learning have been established. As a parent, you have a wonderful opportunity to play an important role in supporting development during this exciting time. Vroom helps parents by turning everyday moments into brain-building moments.

Join the fun by celebrating National Opposite Day with this Vroom brain-building activity for you and your child.

Find the Opposites

When you’re waiting somewhere, ask your child to play the “Find the Opposites” with you. You call out something big and he/she responds with the opposite, something small. Start with easy comparisons, like big and small, high or low, near or far.

Brainy Background

When your child learns opposites and distances (near and far), he/she is learning concepts that he/she will use in math, science and reading. Remember it is always more important to play these games in a back and forth way because that is how your child learns best.

As you continue to engage with your child beyond this activity, remember these five steps for brain building:

1. Look – Look into your child’s eyes, or at what catches their eye.
2. Follow – Powerful brain building moments are created when you let children lead the way, and you follow by responding to their words, sounds, actions, and ideas.
3. Chat – Talk out loud together and keep chatting as your children grow to engage them in learning about the world around them.
4. Take Turns – Back and forth interactions between you and your child are one of the most important ways to help their brain development.
5. Stretch – Make the moment last longer by building on what your child says, or asking follow-up questions that expand your child’s thinking and learning.

To access more fun tips, download the free Daily Vroom App on your smartphone and visit joinvroom.org.