Back to School-Advice
January 31, 2008
Back to School-Advice
by: Patricia Garza
It’s back to school time…. Do you have everything you need to start the year off right? Confidence is key to success!
For those first time jitters help welcome your pre-school and kinder students with a walk to the door and a quick goodbye. Quick good-byes are always best even though they can be painful to let go of your little one. Rest assured your little one is going to be well cared for throughout the day. Your confidence in your child’s school and teacher will help give your child the confidence he/she needs to say goodbye easier. Remember children learn what they see. So if you are nervous and hesitant to let go, your child will be too.
Improving Spelling With Games
January 31, 2008
Improving Spelling With Games
by: Steve Hall
You got it! You can do just about any type of learning for a child or an individual learning a second language through the use of various computer games. You are sure to find something that will fit with their needs. You are also able to find a game that will keep them interested. Let’s take spelling as an example.
Many kids struggle each and every year at school with that dreaded Friday spelling test. It doesn’t get any easier because chances are good that the words just keep getting harder. For many parents, spelling is often a challenge to teach as well. The English language is nothing simple. But, what if you could teach them through the use of a PC game? That would be excellent, wouldn’t it?
Think about this. The next time your child comes home with that awful list of twenty words they just have to know, you can easily say to them, “Why not go play a game on the computer.” Yes, you can do this!
Baby Clothes You Can Use All Year
January 31, 2008
Baby Clothes You Can Use All Year
by: Tim Henry
Few things seem more important at a baby shower than duckies, monkeys and theme colors. Once you get the baby home though, the most important thing about baby clothes is how well they protect your baby. Depending on the time of year that your baby is born, and the type of climate you live in, there are a variety of concerns to take into consideration for your baby’s very sensitive nature.
For summer babies, or babies in warm climates, overheating is not the only concern. A baby’s skin is incredibly sensitive to light, especially with the increasingly less protective o-zone layer. Sunscreen is not the only necessity for baby’s sensitive skin. Keeping a towel or blanket over the baby’s carriage or bassinet during summer play is a great way to keep the sun from harming your baby. Umbrellas and pop up tents are also great for beach days. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation but little to no sun—that way your baby won’t get sunburned or have to squint at the bright sun rays.
Busy Moms, Don’t forget to take time out for you!
January 30, 2008
Busy Moms, Don’t forget to take time out for you!
by: Aurelia Williams
As mothers, we play so many different roles and most of us do not take the time off that we deserve. Just think about it, we play doctor, cook, chauffeur, teacher, lawyer, and the occasional referee as well.
I bet you can remember the last time you did a load of laundry, the last time one of your little ones gave you a hug or perhaps the last time one of your little ones created a little artwork on the wall (smile) but when was the last time you took time out for you?
It is very important to be sure to take time out for yourself. I made a vow a while ago to be sure to take time for myself away from home. I have a husband and 4 children and I schedule time for myself weekly. Whether I am alone or with girlfriends, I find the time that I spend dedicated to myself to be priceless.
Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?
January 30, 2008
Educational Jigsaw Puzzles, How Educational Are They?
by: Barbara White
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much of this terminology is sales promotion and jargon, and how much is fact?
As an educator for many years, I can say with authority, that there is educational value in all types of jigsaw puzzles. The skills acquired and practiced in completing jigsaw puzzles are a foundational part of successful learning. Doing jigsaw puzzles develops several functions of the brain simultaneously as a child has fun and also learns. Most notably developed in this learning process are the abilities to reason, deduce, analyze, sequence, and develop logical thought and problem solving skills. Physically, eye-hand coordination and spatial awareness are also required to complete a jigsaw puzzle.
Putting these benefits aside, I want to look particularly at the jigsaw puzzles that are labeled “Educational”. These puzzles are designed to teach a specific learning objective. Some examples of these might be a jigsaw puzzle map of the world, or of the solar system. The manufacturers claim that such puzzles will teach a child those specific facts. What educational value in reality do these types of puzzles contain?
10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids — And Bigger Kids Too!
January 30, 2008
10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For Little Kids — And Bigger Kids Too!
by: Chris Yates
Crafting with young children really isn’t about creating something in particular. Most young children don’t have the foresight to see what a project is going to be.
For young children it’s more important that they have the opportunity to play and experiment with art. Kids need to use as many of their senses as possible to get the most out of crafting. This allow them to try new sensory experiences, as well as learn causal relationships.
These are my 10 favorite crafts for little kids based on all that AND the ‘fun factor.’
1. Finger painting: Finger painting is a wonderful activity for kids. It lets them ‘feel’ the craft as well as be creative. You don’t have to have finger paints to do this activity with kids. You can finger paint with homemade paint, watercolors or even mud. You can also experiment with adding other things to the paint such as sand or glitter.
2. Yarn Painting: Dip pieces of string or yarn into paint and then drag it across the paper to paint with it. It’s a good experience to paint with something other than a brush and you can just throw the yarn away when finished.
Help! My Child Won’t Go To School
January 29, 2008
Help! My Child Won’t Go To School
by: Dr. Noel Swanson
“My nine-year old daughter has started to dread going to school. She always has a head or tummy ache, and ends up missing two or three days a week. When I tell her she has to go, she acts as if she’s truly afraid, and cries and screams. We don’t know what to do.”
You need to be firm with her. Don’t count on the problem going away if you ignore it. She could end up not ever going back.
However, don’t be angry with her as her anxiety and distress are real.
She may have one of three conditions that you need to determine: school phobia (fear of going to school), separation anxiety (fear of leaving you or your home, or agoraphobia (fear of crowded and public places).
If someone is bullying, teasing, embarrassing, or abusing her, then it could be the first diagnosis. Talk to her teachers to find out what they know and to inform them of your experiences with your daughter.
Take her to the doctor for a complete physical examination. Tell the doctor the whole story and ask him to rule out any serious illnesses.
How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child
January 29, 2008
How to Teach Anger Management to Your Child
by: Paul M. Jerard Jr.
Most of us recognize the continuing escalation of violence around us, due to intolerance, and many of us blame it on somebody else. Parents teach their children, all the time, and when one of us displays “road rage,” while our child is in the car, we teach a brand new skill set.
Although, road rage is inappropriate behavior, at any time, and can get you killed, most children who are exposed to it, will duplicate the actions of their parents, when they are old enough to drive.
So the first step, is to set an example and, possibly, use some of these ideas, for yourself. Studies show that anger causes atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaques in the arteries, that is a major factor in developing high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and premature death.
Also, during a “temper tantrum,” adrenaline and blood pressure levels rise beyond normal. This behavior is more dangerous to parent’s bodies due to the normal “wear and tear” already existing.
Sharing Baby Photos Online with Birth Announcements & Baby Photo Album Services
January 29, 2008
Sharing Baby Photos Online with Birth Announcements & Baby Photo Album Services
by: Christina Khan
Congratulations! You’re a new parent and you’ve brought your precious, beautiful baby into the world. You want to shout from the rooftops that you have this wonderful bundle of joy and you are so proud! You have seen or heard about online birth announcements before, and realize that they are a quick, easy, and no hassle way of spreading the news of the birth of your precious baby. Below we’ll outline ways you can share your baby photos online or create your own online birth announcements.
The easiest way to create an online birth announcement is to go to a site that already has birth announcement templates for you to choose from. There are free birth announcement websites where all you do is upload a baby photo and some information and you are set to go, and there are other birth announcement websites that present you with the opportunity to create mini-journals of your baby, usually for a fee. There are sites that specialize in birth announcements that spotlight your religious preference or even for your favorite sports teams. From traditional to unique and even humorous, there is a birth announcement service out there for everyone.
Common Household Products That Can Poison Your Children
January 28, 2008
Common Household Products That Can Poison Your Children
by: Reverend Brenda Hoffman
In the United States alone, someone is poisoned every few seconds. 40% of these cases involve children under the age of 3. 50% of these cases involve children under the age of 6. For this reason, it is important to lock up household chemicals in a high cabinet that is out of the reach of children. In 75% of these cases, the poison was a common household product (ie prescription drugs, non-prescription pain killers, vitamins, cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products, house plants, tobacco products and alcohol). Here is a simple check list to use within your home.
Bathroom: medicines, toilet cleaners, antibacterial cleaners, air fresheners, drain cleaners, mold and mildew remover, and some cosmetics.
Kitchen: glass cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, dishwashing detergent, all-purpose cleaner, insect sprays, oven cleaner, and ant or roach baits.
Living Room: flea collars, rug or carpet cleaners, furniture polish, cigarette or cigar butts in ash trays, and alcoholic beverages.
Bedroom: total release insect foggers, air fresheners, and moth balls.
Laundry Room: all-purpose cleaner, insect sprays, chlorine bleach, woodstains and finishes, and laundry detergents.
