Brain Taming

A big compliation of over 220 riddles and brainteasers for you to tax your brain with. If you spot any duplicates or errors please let me know. And as always if you have some to contribute, let me know in the comments section!

Enjoy!

Songs To Encourage Moving:


Hand and Finger Play Songs:

As parents will undoubtedly know, quickly after the helpless newborn stage a new baby soon becomes extremely curious with the world around. New senses are being tested and used for the first time. Even the most mundane experiences are brand new and exciting and luckily their little brains are perfectly wired for taking in everything.

One of the first things they will start to learn is cause and effect, that logically every action has a reaction. A lot of developmental milestones relating to this (in the early days) come relatively naturally in most cases.

So how young is too young to give them a boost with logic building exercises?
Personally, from day one there are a myriad of opportunities to build logic skills.

I don't think there are many people, parents or otherwise that haven't been told or suggested that playing classical music to an infant or baby will increase their intelligence.

And of course on the surface it makes sense, perhaps not on a scientific level, but on a cultural level. Most classical pieces having now not been referred to as what we would call pop nowadays for around 400 years. It's taken it's place among pricey theatre houses and as a past time and passion for the rich and privileged. And now, quite wrongly, we associate those who are privately taught and have a more "refined" taste to be of a higher intelligence. But all the private schooling, theatre trips, posh accents and flawless credentials won't change those IQ points.

Another small collection of beginner riddles.

Nothing too taxing, but hopefully will get your brain working a bit. A few are groaners, but i don't recall hearing most of them before, so should be something new for you :)

As always to reveal the answer, highlight the white text or area below the question.

Check out my Megapost of over 220 riddles here: http://braintaming.blogspot.com/2014/03/over-220-riddles-and-brainteasers-to.html



Q - I am lighter than a feather, yet no man can hold me for very long. What am I?
A - Breath

Q - Three guys run into a bar, the fourth man ducks. Why does he duck?
A - He didn't want to hit the bar

There's a vast array of different mind games and brain training games out there. So much so that you're often spoilt for choice. It's worth while to remember that often the simple solutions are the best.

Here are 5 games that you might not have thought of for increasing your brain power.


Blind jigsaw puzzles
Playing a jigsaw blind is simply laying out all the pieces and not referring back to the picture on the box for help. Compete with yourself or friends by timing how long it takes to complete. Give it a try!

Story telling
This can be done either alone or in a group. Lay out some objects and each take turns to create a vivid story in your mind connecting all the objects. Once done see who can remember the most!

Trivia quizzes
There are so many different options to choose here. Whether it's a board game that uses trivia questions, a website, a video game or even if in a group you take turns to quiz each other. Trivia games are surprisingly fun and a great mental workout.

Card pairs
I'm sure many of you will be familiar with this game. Just take a deck of cards, lay individually on a surface face down. To play you just lift on card and then try and find a matching card, if you succeed you remove the cards if you pick the wrong card, both cards are put face down. For shorter games you can split the deck so that you have two suits making 21 cards in total.

Tetris
A classic among the young and old. Tetris, because of it's puzzle nature is a fantastic example of logical thinking. Regular play can help keep your mind sharp and your problem solving abilities heightened.



If you have any thoughts on other games that would be a good addition to this list, please comment.

Five more brain exercises


Learn something new - for instance next time you're in a waiting room, grab one of the magazines. It doesn't matter which one it is but generally it should be one of which you have little or no knowledge of. Scan through a few of the articles, ideally ones that catch your eye. Think of the key points of the article and then relate this new information to what you already know. Building connections like this in your mind will improve your memory and this exercise can help you think more creatively.

Boost your learning ability by finding out your learning style

It's true we all take on information in one of three different ways, using a sense to break it down and store it into long term memory..

I'm sure many of you will have listened to lectures or presentations and try as you might just not been able to store the information in your memory (boring speakers aside!)

The three different styles break down into; Sight, Sound and feel (the latter is usually put into practical use as work)
You may already have some idea as to which one you might be.

Once we've found out tailoring study and reviewing will be greatly improved.

Take a few minutes to complete the following questionnaire to assess your preferred learning style. Begin by reading the words in the left-hand column. Of the three responses to the right, circle the one that best characterizes you, answering as honestly as possible with the description that applies to you right now. Count the number of circled items and write your total at the bottom of each column. The questions you prefer will offer insight into how you learn.

1. When I try to concentrate...	I grow distracted by clutter or movement, and I notice things around me other people don’t notice.	I get distracted by sounds, and I attempt to control the amount and type of noise around me.	I become distracted by commotion, and I tend to retreat inside myself.
2. When I visualize...	I see vivid, detailed pictures in my thoughts.	I think in voices and sounds.	I see images in my thoughts that involve movement.
3. When I talk with others...	I find it difficult to listen for very long.	I enjoy listening, or I get impatient to talk myself.	I gesture and communicate with my hands.
4. When I contact people...	I prefer face-to-face meetings.	I prefer speaking by telephone for serious conversations.	I prefer to interact while walking or participating in some activity.
5. When I see an acquaintance...	I forget names but remember faces, and I tend to replay where we met for the first time.	I know people’s names and I can usually quote what we discussed.	I remember what we did together and I may almost “feel” our time together.
6. When I relax...	I watch TV, see a play, visit an exhibit, or go to a movie.	I listen to the radio, play music, read, or talk with a friend.	I play sports, make crafts, or build something with my hands.
7. When I read...	I like descriptive examples and I may pause to imagine the scene.	I enjoy the narrative most and I can almost “hear” the characters talk.	I prefer action-oriented stories, but I do not often read for pleasure.
8. When I spell...	I envision the word in my mind or imagine what the word looks like when written.	I sound out the word, sometimes aloud, and tend to recall rules about letter order.	I get a feel for the word by writing it out or pretending to type it.
9. When I do something new...	I seek out demonstrations, pictures, or diagrams.	I want verbal and written instructions, and to talk it over with someone else.	I jump right in to try it, keep trying, and try different approaches.
10. When I assemble an object...	I look at the picture first and then, maybe, read the directions.	I read the directions, or I talk aloud as I work.	I usually ignore the directions and figure it out as I go along.
11. When I interpret someone's mood...	I examine facial expressions.	I rely on listening to tone of voice.	I focus on body language.
12. When I teach other people...	I show them.	I tell them, write it out, or I ask them a series of questions.	I demonstrate how it is done and then ask them to try.
Total	Visual:	Auditory:	Tactile/Kinesthetic:

 
The column with the highest total represents your primary processing style. The column with the second-most choices is your secondary style.

 
Now that you know which learning style you rely on, you can boost your learning potential when working to learn more. For instance, the following suggestions can help you get more from reading a book.
If your primary learning style is visual, draw pictures in the margins, look at the graphics, and read the text that explains the graphics. Envision the topic or play a movie in your thoughts of how you’ll act out the subject matter.
If your primary learning style is auditory, listen to the words you read. Try to develop an internal conversation between you and the text. Don’t be embarrassed to read aloud or talk through the information.
If your primary learning style is tactile/kinesthetic, use a pencil or highlighter pen to mark passages that are meaningful to you. Take notes, transferring the information you learn to the margins of the book, into your journal, or onto a computer. Doodle whatever comes to mind as you read. Hold the book in your hands instead of placing it on a table. Walk around as you read. Feel the words and ideas. Get busy—both mentally and physically.

Audio

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. They may struggle to understand a chapter they've read, but then experience a full understanding as they listen to the class lecture.

Auditory learners may have a knack for ascertaining the true meaning of someone's words by listening to audible signals like changes in tone. When memorizing a phone number, an auditory learner will say it out loud and then remember how it sounded to recall it. Does any of this sound like you?
Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:

• Likes to read to self out loud.
• Is not afraid to speak in class.
• Likes oral reports.
• Is good at explaining.
• Remembers names.
• Notices sound effects in movies.
• Enjoys music.
• Is good at grammar and foreign language.
• Reads slowly.
• Follows spoken directions well.
• Can't keep quiet for long periods.
• Enjoys acting, being on stage.
• Is good in study groups.

Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:

• Using word association to remember facts and lines.
• Recording lectures.
• Watching videos.
• Repeating facts with eyes closed.
• Participating in group discussions.
• Using audiotapes for language practice.
• Taping notes after writing them.

Worst test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
Best test type:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard. They're also good at oral exams.

 

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Visual

Visual learners are those who learn things best through seeing them. Visual learning students like to keep an eye on the teacher by sitting in the front of the class and watching the lecture closely. Often, visual learners will find that information "clicks" when it is explained with the aid of a chart or picture.

Have you ever drawn pictures of a biology process as you studied for a test? This may be a sign that you have instinctively practiced visual learning techniques. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner:

• Is good at spelling but forgets names.
• Needs quiet study time.
• Has to think awhile before understanding a speech or lecture.
• Likes colors & fashion.
• Dreams in color.
• Understands/likes charts.
• Is good with sign language.

Learning Techniques for Visual Learners

• Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
• Make outlines of everything!
• Copy what’s on the board.
• Ask the teacher to diagram.
• Diagram sentences!
• Take notes, make lists.
• Watch videos.
• Color code words, research notes.
• Outline reading.
• Use flashcards.
• Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

Best Test Type for Visual Learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if you use an outline), showing a process
Worst test type:
Listen and respond tests

 

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Tactile

 

students learn in many ways, like seeing, hearing, and experiencing things first hand. But for most students, one of these methods stands out.
Why is this important? Research has shown that students can perform better on tests if they change study habits to fit their own personal learning styles.
For example, visual-learning students will sometimes struggle during essay exams, because they can't recall test material that was "heard" in a lecture.
However, if the visual learner uses a visual aid when studying, like a colorful outline of test materials, he or she may retain more information. For this type of learner, visual tools improve the ability to recall information more completely.
A simple explanation of learning styles is this: Some students remember best materials they've seen, some remember things they've heard, while others remember things they've experienced.

How can you determine your learning style?

Eventually, you may want to consult a professional or your counselor for advice on learning styles, but you may recognize your own style quickly, once you look over the characteristics. If any of the traits and characteristics below sound familiar, you may have identified your own style.

Visual Learner Characteristics

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner:

• Is good at spelling but forgets names.
• Needs quiet study time.
• Has to think awhile before understanding lecture.
• Is good at spelling.
• Likes colors & fashion.
• Dreams in color.
• Understands/likes charts.
• Is good with sign language.

Learning Suggestions for Visual Learners

• Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
• Make outlines of everything!
• Copy what's on the board.
• Ask the teacher to diagram.
• Diagram sentences!
• Take notes, make lists.
• Watch videos.
• Color code words, research notes.
• Outline reading.
• Use flashcards.
• Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

Best Test Type for Visual Learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if you've studied using an outline), showing a process
Worst test type:
Listen and respond tests

Auditory Learner Characteristics

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:

• Likes to read to self out loud.
• Is not afraid to speak in class.
• Likes oral reports.
• Is good at explaining.
• Remembers names.
• Notices sound effects in movies.
• Enjoys music.
• Is good at grammar and foreign language.
• Reads slowly.
• Follows spoken directions well.
• Can't keep quiet for long periods.
• Enjoys acting, being on stage.
• Is good in study groups.

Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:

• Using word association to remember facts and lines.
• Recording lectures.
• Watching videos.
• Repeating facts with eyes closed.
• Participating in group discussions.
• Using audiotapes for language practice.
• Taping notes after writing them.

Worst test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
Best test type:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard. They're also good at oral exams.

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be a kinesthetic learner if you are someone who:

• Is good at sports.
• Can't sit still for long.
• Is not great at spelling.
• Does not have great handwriting.
• Likes science lab.
• Studies with loud music on.
• Likes adventure books, movies.
• Likes role playing.
• Takes breaks when studying.
• Builds models.
• Is involved in martial arts, dance.
• Is fidgety during lectures.

Kinesthetic Learners Can Benefit from:

• Studying in short blocks.
• Taking lab classes.
• Role playing.
• Taking field trips, visiting museums.
• Studying with others.
• Using memory games.
• Using flash cards to memorize.<.li>

Worst Test Type:
Long tests, essays.
Best Test Type:
Short definitions, fill-ins, multiple choice.

Lateral thinking, is the ability to think creatively, or "outside the box" as it is sometimes referred to in business, to use your inspiration and imagination to solve problems by looking at them from unexpected perspectives. Lateral thinking involves discarding the obvious, leaving behind traditional modes of thought, and throwing away preconceptions.

It is most useful in careers such as design, art, marketing and advertising.

If you are in or are working towards a creative based career you would be well worth honing your creative skills and learning different ways to trigger creativity.