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A Family Store
Refreshing Memories is an educational
toy, gift and collectibles store. Owners, Mark and Sue O'Malley passionately believe and model life-long learning. Following a hands-on approach to children's learning, their goal is to encourage education as a fun, lifelong endeavor. Their selection of educational toys is based on different learning styles, following the philosophy of three great educators, Jean Piaget, Lev Vigotsky and Howard Gardner.
Piaget's studies focused on cognitive development during the different stages of a person's childhood. According to this theory, babies until approximately 2 years old are in the 'sensory motor stage' of development. During this time, a child's knowledge is based on limited physical interactions and experiences. Around the ages of 2 - 7, children move to the pre-operational stage with magical thinking, acquisition of motor skills and egocentric behaviour.
The concrete operational stage follows for children between 7 - 12 years old. At this point, children begin to think more logically, though they still need concrete practical aides such as learning toys, educational games and developmental puzzles. These kids are less egocentric and more willing to share and socialize. Development of abstract reasoning begins in children at age 12. This is the formal operational stage or the adult stage. By this time, children have the ability to remember information and think logically.
Howard Gardner took a different approach in his studies of learning. His philosophy emphasizes six children's learning styles, also referred to as intelligences, which frame how the individual interprets information.
They are: visual, auditory, interpersonal, intrapersonal, kinesthetic, and tactile. When parents and teachers take a child's learning style into account, they can improve his or her success with learning.
Lev Vygotsky described the Zone of Proximal Development as the level of instruction where the best learning
can occur. Hard enough to be challenging, but within the child's grasp with a bit of a stretch and a little support. He called the support needed for learning, scaffolding. As a Learning Support teacher with over 10 years experience, Sue firmly believes every child can learn and enjoy doing so when provided with learning activities at the appropriate level and the scaffolding they need to successfully complete challenges.
Refreshing Memories combines these perspectives by offering educational toys, books, puzzles and games appropriate for the different ages, learning styles and learning needs of children. We help you to scaffold your child's learning by providing high quality, challenging learning activities, a little fun and the support you need to model and foster a lifelong pursuit of learning, health, and well-being.
Seek the adventure of learning,
Piaget's studies focused on cognitive development during the different stages of a person's childhood. According to this theory, babies until approximately 2 years old are in the 'sensory motor stage' of development. During this time, a child's knowledge is based on limited physical interactions and experiences. Around the ages of 2 - 7, children move to the pre-operational stage with magical thinking, acquisition of motor skills and egocentric behaviour.
The concrete operational stage follows for children between 7 - 12 years old. At this point, children begin to think more logically, though they still need concrete practical aides such as learning toys, educational games and developmental puzzles. These kids are less egocentric and more willing to share and socialize. Development of abstract reasoning begins in children at age 12. This is the formal operational stage or the adult stage. By this time, children have the ability to remember information and think logically.
Howard Gardner took a different approach in his studies of learning. His philosophy emphasizes six children's learning styles, also referred to as intelligences, which frame how the individual interprets information.
They are: visual, auditory, interpersonal, intrapersonal, kinesthetic, and tactile. When parents and teachers take a child's learning style into account, they can improve his or her success with learning.
Lev Vygotsky described the Zone of Proximal Development as the level of instruction where the best learning
can occur. Hard enough to be challenging, but within the child's grasp with a bit of a stretch and a little support. He called the support needed for learning, scaffolding. As a Learning Support teacher with over 10 years experience, Sue firmly believes every child can learn and enjoy doing so when provided with learning activities at the appropriate level and the scaffolding they need to successfully complete challenges.
Refreshing Memories combines these perspectives by offering educational toys, books, puzzles and games appropriate for the different ages, learning styles and learning needs of children. We help you to scaffold your child's learning by providing high quality, challenging learning activities, a little fun and the support you need to model and foster a lifelong pursuit of learning, health, and well-being.
Seek the adventure of learning,
