| You will find that Mind Mapping is starting to be | | | | when they use this technique. Another powerful |
| taught more and more in schools these days but still | | | | advantage is that by being a more efficient learner |
| only a fraction of children are being exposed to this | | | | and thinker, they will be far less stressed when it |
| powerful technique. Time and time again on the | | | | comes to passing tests. |
| courses I run for businesses and large organizations, | | | | One word of warning though - avoid trying to tell |
| many parents leave inspired not only for themselves | | | | your kids that Mind Mapping is cool because having |
| but also for what they want to share with their | | | | seen the photographs of you from the 1980s with |
| kids. The trouble is, as fired up as they might be, | | | | that haircut and those clothes, the only time they |
| putting across how to Mind Map to their kids will be | | | | think you are qualified to use that word is when you |
| an uphill struggle because a) they don't know how to | | | | are describing the inside of the refrigerator! |
| put it across properly and b) it is their kids who are | | | | I'd avoid trying to sell them on the technique too. |
| by divine decree obliged to ignore much of what | | | | Ok it is true that kids think very well in pictures and |
| mom and dad advise them to do. | | | | images (something very easy to translate into a Mind |
| So what I want to do in this article is give a brief | | | | Map using iMindMap) and yes by using color they |
| overview of how Buzan's iMindMap, the powerful | | | | stimulate more of their brain. However the logic of |
| Mind Map software can be used to help children | | | | this will simply go over their heads when really all |
| become inspired by a technique that can have a | | | | they want to know is what is in it for them. |
| dramatic effect on their lives. | | | | So how do you get them started using iMindMap? |
| Now I don't make that previous statement lightly | | | | Well the best thing to do is tell them that you have |
| because depending on the child's age, Mind Mapping | | | | this great piece of software that is going to really |
| can give them a huge boost of confidence in their | | | | help you work more effectively. You will be able to |
| own abilities, it can unleash their creativity, it can | | | | write your reports much quicker, work will start to |
| skyrocket their results and perhaps even give them | | | | take less time and it might even start to become fun |
| an opening into the wonders of learning that | | | | and interesting again - all because of a piece of |
| conventional approaches may have shut off. The | | | | software. Tell them that if you get time you might |
| beauty of using something like iMindMap to introduce | | | | also even show them how their school work could be |
| them to the Mind Map is that it is engaging and easy | | | | done in far less time. This softly softly approach |
| to use software and after just a few minutes use | | | | should at the very least get them curious. |
| kids manage to understand and enjoy it. | | | | When they do start using iMindMap, leave them too |
| So here are a few tips to all you Mind Map | | | | it for a while and let them discover how easy it is |
| enthusiastic parents who want to give your children | | | | and how enjoyable the process is for themselves. |
| the tool that you wish you had been exposed to | | | | Fortunately iMindMap is intuitive and very engaging |
| when you were their age. | | | | and so this won't take very long at all. |
| Understand you will have to sell them on the concept | | | | Once they are hooked, tell them it can be used to |
| of Mind Mapping as much as you would like it to be | | | | quickly write essays (show them the excellent |
| true; telling them they will get better results probably | | | | export function), take great notes (show them how |
| is not high on their list of priorities. What you have | | | | easily it is to create a Mind Map) and organize the |
| to do is sell them on benefits that will appeal to | | | | information they have already collated as part of |
| them. | | | | their studies (demonstrate how easy it is to link to |
| In short Mind Mapping using something like iMindMap | | | | files, folders and web pages). Pretty quickly they |
| will mean that they will save time, studying will be | | | | will see how they can use these features for their |
| much more fun and it will be far easier to write | | | | own benefit. |
| essays and term papers. That means they can | | | | Once they get it, I can guarantee they will be |
| spend more time hanging out with their friends, | | | | hooked and pretty soon you will be the proud parent |
| watching TV, playing sport (or whatever it is they'd | | | | of an accomplished Mind Mapping student who is |
| rather be doing). | | | | finding school or college a much less daunting |
| If your child does has aspirations to do well then you | | | | prospect and in fact they are even relishing and |
| can point out that Mind Mapping using iMindMap will | | | | enjoying the challenge - all because you introduced |
| help them to achieve far better grades because they | | | | them to Mind Mapping using iMindMap. |
| will be able to understand and remember far more | | | | |