For Mommies And Daddies

Want to Homeschool your Toddler?

2007-08-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Tips For Homeschooling With Toddlers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jordyn_Coffin]Jordyn Coffin

It is the most common question that I get from my fellow homeschool moms, "How do you keep your younger children occupied while teaching your older ones?" I am always happy to share my experiences with other moms in the same situation that I am in.

Nothing can hinder teaching like an impatient toddler who wants to do school too. So I have put together a list of ideas proven to occupy your little one so that you can focus on teaching your older ones.

Lacing cards- This is my favorite activity for younger kids! This activity promotes creativity, helps with dexterity and gives your child a great sense of accomplishment. Puzzles- These are not only a great learning tool, but they are fun too. Puzzles are great for memory, concentration and dexterity. I recommend a puzzle with letters and numbers to encourage a little bit of learning while they are having fun!Play-Dough- This is a tried and true classic. Break out the play-dough along with some cutting tools and a rolling pin and watch your toddler's imagination take over. Scissors and Paper- Let them build their confidence and prepare for kindergarten by giving them old magazines or scrap paper to cut into pieces. Please do keep an eye on them or they are likely to try to cut something that you don't want them too, like their hair (speaking from experience here!)Blocks- Once again this is a fantastic tool to encourage your child's creativity. They will enjoy building towns, buildings or just building towers and knocking them down!Crayons- Never underestimate the power of crayons and a coloring page. There are so many websites offering free coloring pages that your child will never color the same page twice!Make a box of toys and books that only come out when it is school time, this keeps your toddler from getting bored with the toys and gives them something special to look forward to. Last but not least invest in a pair of headphones and some read along books on tape. Toddlers love to listen to stories and flip through the books on their own. The headphones make them feel especially grown-up. These tips are tried and true by me and many of my friends. Homeschooling with little ones can seem like a quite a challenge but if you remember that they just want to be included and provide them with stimulating activities then everybody's school experience will be rewarding.

Written by Jordyn Coffin - Homeschool mom of 4

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Birthday Time!

2007-07-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Birthday Ideas
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Chane]Jenny Chane

This is what a seven year old child had to say on birthday:“Every time you grow a little taller and then you have a birthday party” . And when intrigued with the question what would happen if there's no birthday party? The child replied:

“If next year he won’t have a birthday party? He won’t have a birthday party? He, he … he won’t grow up.”

Innocent words of children touch us all – how naive and candid these little beings are! One would never deprive them of their much awaited Birthday celebrations. It's an occasion of joy and happiness. The day is filled with candles, cakes and presents, signifying the love of one and all. Birthday is such a joyous event that even adults are not bereft from it. With each passing year, the feathers in the wing of life increases, sometimes signifying senescence. But the passion and jest to celebrate this day never ceases.

Every year your loved ones are gripped with mounting thoughts of how to make this Birthday, special and different from the previous ones. Some go for exhilarated hoopla, while others settle for a silent evening. But when it comes to children and teenagers, no compromise is endured. The party has to be filled with colors, balloons, chocolates, cakes, pastries and several other goodies. Not to forget, these children also want entertainment – music, games, comedy shows, etc.

There's no dearth of ideas, as we help you select from our Birthday Idea book. There are several methods to glorify these occasions. But first, let us begin with the birthday cake.

Birthday Cake

An integral part of any birthday celebration, cutting a cake with lighted candles marks the journey of another new year. Gift your loved ones, the ultimate birthday cake with their favorite icings and toppings. One can also prepare birthday cakes in several shapes. Children especially like the shapes of cartoon or comic characters.

Birthday Cards and Greetings

No birthday is complete without the best wishes and heartfelt emotions. So express your Birthday Greeting through cute, unique and creative birthday cards. Cards are available at any gift shop. Sending online greetings through e-cards also lends to the jovial mood. These greetings and cards represent your true wishes and always manage to enlighten the birthday person.

Birthday Gifts

All's well when birthday end's well. And to make this end happy and joyous, what's better than birthday gifts. Enamor the birthday boy or girl with the most beautiful gifts. Delve in our exquisite range of gifts and select the most appropriate Birthday Present. Thereafter, enjoy the radiant beam of glow on their face as they set the wrapping apart.

Birthday Parties

Create a hoopla and aura of fun by throwing a nice birthday bash. Instead of the traditional boring gathering, throw a rather unique party. Try infusing a dress code (superhero dress code, animal dress code etc) or a theme code(dance theme, pool party, Loonytoons party) in these parties. Plan a range of games and activities to fill the day with effervescence and action . It all adds up to the fun.

Birthday is also the time to sit back and ponder over the past deeds. It is time to make new resolutions and thank god for the joy and blessings he endowed on us.

Jenny Chane is an associated editor of dgreetings The site is a source of [http://www.dgreetings.com/]Greeting Cards and [http://www.dgreetings.com/birthday_cards/]Birthday Cards and [http://www.dgreetings.com/friendship_day_cards/]Friendship Day Cards and ecards for the special occasions. If you have any queries then please feel free to contact at [mailto:jennychane@gmail.com]jennychane@gmail.com

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The Ultimate Vocation

2007-07-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Parenting Life's Ultimate Vocation - Being the Best Global Parent by Learning, Growing and Applying
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carl_Chesal]Carl Chesal

Is it miraculous or maturity that, as a newbie grandparent, the meaning of life seems clearer than ever?

This new and wondrous child, our granddaughter Ellie, has jumped Grandma (Baba) and Grandpa into a new chapter of our lives. After some over-fifty reflection, the notion of making a name for yourself in the corporate or political realm now appears to sit more toward the “all about me” end of the “lifetime achievement” scale. Being a positive contributor to the world is really the ultimate goal of life - moving up the 'Scale of Lifetime Achievement' toward the more selfless “all about you” end of the scale.

This personal aspiration of growing global goodness can be somewhat formidable. So maybe applying a more localized focus for your personal earthly contributions is the best way to positively impact this world. Goodness in bite size pieces! It is the small individual acts of goodness, when aggregated with others people's small positive contributions, that really make this world a better place for everyone.

MEANING OF LIFE #1: Contributing to Life, even through the smallest action, is the meaning of life itself.

Life and my upbringing has taught me one thing: The best way to make this a better world is to focus on your local world, starting with your immediate family and then your community. “Keep your own backyard in order”, my parents used to say.

Think about your earthly role and responsibilities from the aspect of a sibling, a life partner or a friend. It may allow you to identify ways you can make a material difference to those closest to you. After all, this is your circle of influence, where you should responsibly provide the greatest and most profound impact on human behavior. Think of this. If our life's accomplishments and contributions created a positive force on our immediate Circle of Influence, this world would continue to grow and prosper into a much better place for us and future generations.

Scientists and Psychologists have long said that our whole human personality blueprint is determined in the first 10 years of our lives – our formative years. By the age of 10 years 90% of our Life Values are solidly established in each individual. Think of this! In the first 10 years of our lives, the way we think, the way we think of ourselves and others is defined and imprinted as our psychological makeup. Our Value System is now defined - the course of HOW we grow and interface with our earthly surroundings. The only way this personal value course or mindset can be altered would be through some significant emotional event: some impactful event that 'stops us in our tracks' and forces us to consider a alternate path from this point forward.

With such lifelong impact associated with our formative years, it stands to reason that Parenting is a major determination of a child's ultimate adult human behavior. It is our role as parents that garners the single most important impact on life. There can be no greater vocation in life than raising children to become productive, positive and additive to the goodness in this world.

Parenting, at a minimum, requires that a child's need for basics, like Food, Shelter and Safety, be met. It is the higher needs of Affection, building self-esteem and self-actualization that truly define the areas that are affected by parenting or early childhood development.

MEANING OF LIFE #2: Being a committed Father or Mother to all your children!

Provide your children with a solid foundation so they may be the Best That They Can Be as an adult. Be committed to all levels of child and adolescent development. Across the entire range of [http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/maslow.htm]Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

- Physiological

- Safety

- Love, Affection and Belonging

- Self- Esteem and Esteem received from others

- Self-Actualization (a person's need to be and do that which the person was "born to do”)

There is nothing more important than being a parent! The foundation for a person's adult life is influenced, molded and formed in those formative years of life. The parent has the ability and responsibility to create the best environment for learning and enforcing social, self-confidence, attitude and leadership skills.

Like any area of expertise, parenting (and in a support role grand-parenting and teachers) requires continuous study, discussion and exercise to improve and perfect the craft.

MEANING OF LIFE #3: Life is all about learning, growing and applying ( [http://www.communicateinnovate.com]Ask Listen Try) to create an even better world.

Let's expand the traditional definition of parenting. Being parent-like could also include responsible parenting to those children of the global community called our friends, our colleagues and our neighbors. Expand the idea of Parenting or Grand-parenting to include any adult responsible for some aspect of a child's upbringing or development or education. Now with even more committed and responsible parents ensuring a healthy childhood environment, won't this be a much more supportive and tolerant world?

I must get back to being a grandfather. I truly enjoy this part of my life!

Carl Chesal is a business and channel development consultant, trainer, internet marketer and professional photographer. He operates [http://www.bizfare.ca]BizFare Enterprise Inc, providing business, marketing, and internet marketing consulting services. Bizfare Enterprise also operates a number of secure on-line Professional Services sites, like [http://www.communicateinnovate.com]Communicate Innovate.

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Child's Play

2007-07-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

The Importance of Fantasy in Childrens Play
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Karen_Singleton]Karen Singleton

What is fantasy play?

Fantasy play is when young children create stories and act them out. Toddlers love this kind of role playing and it is really important for developing skills which will be invaluable to them in later life. What may seem a simple game of "going shopping" can actually involve quite complex thinking skills such as:

Planning, including deciding what to play in the first place (e.g., going shopping), the roles involved (e.g., shopper, baker, butcher, shop assistant), and things needed for the activity (e.g., car, trolley, shopping list, bags, money)

Problem solving and negotiating (e.g., "This time I'll be shop assistant helping you and you can be the person doing the shopping and trying to find what you need, and next time we'll swap over.")

Communicating through words and actions. From a very young age children practise their newly acquired talking skills through pretend play and will often chatter away to themselves whilst acting out a situation.

Expressing emotions (e.g., disappointment when you can't find what you want in the shop, panic when you realise you are running late)

Creativity and imagination; these type of games can get more elaborate as children get older (e.g., instead of simply being a shop assistant, they become a royal helper finding an exotic outfit for a king or queen)

Memory skills, as favourite experiences are repeated time and time again (e.g., going on holiday, visiting a favourite relative, having a birthday party)

How can I help my child develop these skills?

You can help develop these skills further by:

Creating a dressing up box and filling it with old clothes, scarves, jewellery, bags and hats that can be used for pretend play.

Encouraging children to talk about their pretend play, but without interrupting the flow of play. However, keep an eye on the 'theme'. If the fantasy play constantly tends towards violence eg wild monsters hurting people, research shows that this indicates children who are angrier and less cooperative.

Joining in! Offer suggestions but let the child lead as this will help develop their independence. You could try having a tea party, dressing a doll or playing hairdressers for example.

Great toys for pretend play:

There are so many toys on the market that are great for encouraging pretend play, including some fantastic educational wooden toys and traditional wooden toys. Here are just a few examples;

garage
kitchen equipment like cookers and toasters
cash register
DIY toolbox
gardeners kit
vanity case
dustpan, brush and broom
pretend food that velcros together so it can be cut and sliced

Find out more about [http://www.strawberrychildrenstoys.co.uk]educational wooden toys for children

About Karen Singleton and Strawberry Children's Toys

Karen is a mum of two who is passionate about quality, affordable toys which encourage learning and development through play. She runs her own online independent shop specialising in [http://www.strawberrychildrenstoys.co.uk]educational wooden toys and traditional wooden toys for babies and children under 5. All toys featured on Strawberry Children's Toys are played with, tested and enjoyed by real children.

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After School Activities For Kids

2007-06-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

After School Activities for Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Judy_Sams]Judy Sams

For parents all over, the day does not end when
the school bell rings. Following up with your child's
homework is normally the best thing to do. This
keeps your child happy, safe and out of trouble. A
major complaint in the child's life is that parents
sometimes go too far.

Staying involved with your child's activities is most
important. After school activities should also
include parental involvement. What would a
school soccer match be without parents cheering
from the sidelines?.

For the child's best interest, parents must not let
convenience be the deciding factor. Choose an
activity that your child is interested in, then do
research and find out what roles a parent plays in
that activity.

Occupying your child's free time is important for
your time as a parent. Enrolling them in lessons
that teach music, acting, or dancing is great for
their self-esteem. This promotes confidence and it
teaches endurance.

Once your child finds out what it takes to be a part
of these activities, then you can measure your
child's interest. Do they like what they are doing,
and do they want to continue?. Encouragement
plays a big roll in this process. If your child likes what
they are doing, then let that activity foster
happiness. If they do not like the activity, then be
willing to show them other activities where they may have more interest.

Realistic expectations play another big part in your child's ability to enjoy a chosen activity. It is impractical to think your child will be the best performer in a chosen activity. That is the secret of growing. In order to be the best in their chosen activity, the parent and child need to be versatile. Be willing to experiment with other activities, while keeping your child's interest in mind. After all is said and done, happiness and fulfillment is the final goal to achieve.

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Kids Homework Help

2007-06-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Kid Homework Help - Homework Struggles
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jun_Rey_Saludo] Jun Rey Saludo

Kid homework help is the best task for most children, unless they are committed. Children find homework difficult because they are not motivated. We often ask, when our child do her homework to what degree she is comfortable, relaxed or focused or doing her homework a battle or struggle every night. If so, here are some questions we ask: Do we have to guide kid homework help regularly? Have we talked to our child and to her teacher? Did we try pep talks to our child? Do we have harsh reprimands to our child? Rarely these work in isolation and pep talks and reprimands are the last things you should use as they will simply build up resistance to school and homework. Kid homework help can be eased by re- programming your childs attitude and approach to homework.

The following are ideas on how to cure homework struggle:

* Stop discussing kid homework help with your child. Just guide your child to step back and really explore the way they are approaching their studies.

* Look what ideas that pressure your child with regards to kid homework help. Try to ask him this questions: Are you worried on what your friends may tell you if your doing or not doing your homework? Do you find your homework difficult and you can not show inventiveness and skill? And lastly ask her, Do you want to enjoy struggling your homework or do you want to end this struggle?

* Try to discuss the answers of your child openly. Never barred their opinion and feelings even you disagree with them. Their feelings are valid in whatever you think. Dismissing them only reinforces them.

* Admit that kid homework help is not easy. Show your child that resisting it makes a big problem and can create hindrance to enjoying the rest during their free time. Changing negative attitude of your child will help them work positively and creatively with less pressure. Positive approach to homework gets out of the way quicker and removes stress.

* Make yourself as an available tutor of your child. Give your assistance in helping the problem but don't give the answers. If you don't know something say so and work with them so that you can learn. Give a compliment on the level of work they achieved. Don't be afraid to look foolish, it provides motivation to your child to see that the work is difficult and when they finished it they get greater sense of achievements.

* When there is any time pressure never do any repogramming, instead do it when your child is doing her homework. Your child may stop and start the studying many times to discuss any problems. Try it on weekends but not when your child is rushing to go out. It should not be introduce as special time. Your child may charge it as a normal session. Try to talk to them and focus their resistance to homework. It may not work as soon as possible but it may be a way to decrease their resistance and eventually find a positive attitude towards their homework.

* Be aware that accomplishing work is not the main focus of your time in this ideas. There may be many stops and starts, as you and your child research the best way to handle the kid homework help. Let your child express his feelings and discuss their limiting beliefs and feelings and try to encourage them to find their own solutions. Children and homework is a difficult combination at the best of time but tackling the real cause of their resistance will lead to a better and more positive approach and better grades achievements.

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Educational Toys for Toddlers

2007-06-22T00:56:00.000-07:00

The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt] Amy Nutt

Every parent wants to give their child a head start when it comes to their early development, and there are many educational toys available that can stimulate your child to grow and develop in fun and playful ways. It’s been scientifically proven that young minds need stimulation to develop thought and reflex patterns and good hand/eye co-ordination. The toys available must also entertain your child if you want basic learning skills to develop. The child won’t even realize that lessons are being taught, because it’s so much fun!

Toys that feature a lot of turning buttons and items will help to develop motor skills and co-ordination. Toddlers and infants especially love the toys that make noise. Also, toys that feature keyboards or noise-making buttons can help your child to associate actions with obtainable and fun sounds. A basic ability for sound recognition is usually developed in this manner.

It’s important to realize that there are age-specific toys for every level of childhood, because children grow through various stages of their development. Educational toys must stimulate the child’s imagination during play to be effective, and these toys must match their learning ability. Interactive toys are some of the best educational and fun toys for a child. They usually stimulate and entertain the child so that they can learn while having fun.

Any activity that involves pulling or pushing something is also a favorite activity, followed next by filling and emptying anything. Toddlers are curious and have to touch and look at everything in their world. Action toys, cause and effect toys and any activity that challenges their minds are always favorites. Stacking blocks, simple puzzles and any toys that pop up are also high on the list of fun and educational toys.

Shape sorters, which are colorful and interesting, can keep a child entertained for hours. Bath toys are also colorful toys that are a great way for your child to have fun and learn in an unlikely spot. Interesting bath toys that bob and float and make noise are wonderful playmates in the bathtub! Some great bath toys include the traditional rubber ducky, foam letters and numbers, and the more sophisticated bath play areas that are educational and fun additions to any child’s bath time.

Older toddlers can have fun with colorful fridge magnets, books that feature sounds and songs and other [http://www.mastermindtoys.com/] interactive toys. Any sorts of fanciful play sets, such as garages, airports and dollhouses, can also be popular and educational ways for your child to learn about the world around them. Toys that feature clay modeling, chalkboards or anything that the child can write on will help to give the older toddler an outlet for expression.

Mastermind Toys is a Canadian online toy store featuring educational [http://www.mastermindtoys.com/] childrens toys such as lego, lego Mindstorms, Aquadoodle, science toys, outdoor toys, music toys that will help your child learn while having fun.
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Ideas about Education

2007-06-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Upside-Down Ideas About Education
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sherman_Minter] Sherman Minter

So—your kids are off to school again. A new school year has begun. Your kids are so happy to be going back. They love their teachers. They love school. They love doing homework. They have great friends at school. Every day is a new and exciting learning adventure. You love the time away from your kids and are comforted by the knowledge that they are safe in school and that they are growing as people each and every day in school. You are blessed! You truly are. You may also be all alone in your bliss.

Unfortunately for most parents and their children conditions associated with school are not nearly so rosy. For many, school is associated with tremendous anxiety caused by social interactions and academic performance concerns. Most survive it, some thrive on it, but for far too many, school becomes a crushing weight from which their self-concept never recovers. This is the reason so many parents are reluctant to have much to do with the school; they don’t have fond memories of it. However, regardless of whether you and your children love school or hate it, you accept it for what it is with little thought that it could be different.

You have accepted the almost universal idea of what schooling is and without thinking, have agreed to submit your children to that idea. After all—that’s what everybody does—right? You have accepted the idea that your children should start in kindergarten and go to school for thirteen years of their lives. Almost everyone does! You have accepted the idea that schools should be large. They almost all are. You have accepted the idea that most learning happens at school. You have accepted the idea that teachers are the most important people in your children’s educational lives. You have accepted the idea that class sizes of twenty five or more is okay. You have accepted the idea that your children must submit to testing to prove their learning. You may have even accepted the idea that test scores tell you whether your children are in a good school or a poor school.

You have accepted the idea that schools don’t need to provide for experience—children can learn from bookwork alone. You have accepted the idea that only the teacher knows good work when she sees it and that it is her job to evaluate work and assign grades. You have accepted the idea that only the teacher is qualified to teach your children. You have accepted the idea that teachers are always loving and accepting of children and that even if they are not, children are never harmed by the educational process. You have accepted the idea that your child needs school in order to learn social skills. And perhaps most significantly, you may have accepted the idea that education is the school’s responsibility. Unfortunately, you may have accepted a lot of ideas that are entirely upside-down.

While many schools are doing a decent job of schooling children and many children are quite happy in those schools, parents must be attentive to the needs of their specific child. When parents accept the ideas listed above and many more, they agree implicitly that their child must fit into these expectations. After all—that’s they way school is done—right? (No—not necessarily—there are other ways to school!) Who is your child to be different? (He just is!) What gives you or your child the right to say, “This doesn’t work for me”? (Because it doesn’t.)

If you, or your child, are not as fortunate as the ideals described in the first paragraph of this article—and most aren’t—then maybe you should begin to question your acceptance of certain long held beliefs concerning education. The well being of your child is at stake—and you are in control.

If you would like to know more visit the website listed below for other articles and suggested reading.

Sherman Minter

The Principals Office

shermanminter@principalsoffice.com

www.principalsoffice.com

Sherman Minter is an educator and a parent. He has seen first hand what "education" can do to a child who does not fit in. It took years of parenting and educational experience for him to recognize how dramatically children are affected by the words and actions of teachers and parents and by children's own successes or failures. He writes today primarily in an attempt to inject some common sense into parenting and schooling. He advocates for drastic education reform to a system which provides for all children rather than just the linguistic and mathematic achievers. He also advocates for the supreme importance of parent involvement in children's lives and education. He believes that school improvement is impossible without genuine parent involvement.
He is the author of a book entitled, The Schooling Game--A Parents Survival Guide to Public Schools, which is unpublished at this time.
He is president of The Principal's Office, LLC, a company founded to provide information and service to parents and children. His website is [http://www.principalsoffice.com] http://www.principalsoffice.com

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Raising Kids in Today's World

2007-06-20T02:45:00.000-07:00

This is One Tough World in Which to Raise Kids
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joe_Pagano] Joe Pagano

The world of today is not a favorable one in which to raise kids. With morals falling to unprecedented lows and both parents working round the clock to maintain just the barest essentials of a lifestyle, kids are being left exposed to a world of internet porn, harsh and strife-inducing music, and a whole array of other toxic mental poison. Technology, while blessing us with comforts and conveniences that would have been unimaginable just a generation ago, has spawned economic hardship for parents trying to give their kids the latest high-tech fodder. Basically, what this new world paradigm has done is place unprecedented pressure on parents trying to raise healthy, responsible children.

Is there a solution to this intractable problem and can parents shift the tide from their rearing ever-worsening kids, whose entitlement mentality is driven by omnipresent role models who hawk their goods on such places as MTV and the internet? There is a solution, although this not might be the panacea that keeps you the parents from suffering any pain in raising your children; however, this solution can mitigate against a lot of the stresses and problems that you might otherwise have experienced during those ever volatile teen years. The answer is curiosity. Yes. Curiosity.

You see, people who are curious about a lot of different things make better students and better people in general. Simply put, curiosity drives kids to learn. Half the battle in being a good student is having the drive to succeed at school; moreover, this same drive is what catapults people to success in the real world. This is one of the reasons why such a high value is placed on success in school. School is like boot camp for the real world. It’s the practice ground where kids learn skills and so-called fighting techniques that will help them kill the enemy—the real world, which will be out to kick the heck out of them and send them down the oft-called misery lane of failure.

So how do you make—or should I say keep—your kids curious? After all, all kids are born curious; they just lose this somewhere along the line. Your job is to keep them curious so that they don’t fall into that quagmire of mediocrity. Well, you need to feed them the fodder to keep their minds curious about a lot of things. There are so many things that are simply mind-boggling.

How about mathematics with all its intricacies and applications to the real world? How about the functioning of the human body, which in itself is a miracle to be comprehended? How about the very small—such as the atom—or the very big—such as the universe? What about the ability to spin a beautiful painting out of a blank canvass, or the knack for turning out a blockbuster suspense movie from the idea in one person’s mind?

One way to maintain the curiosity bug is to get them young. Get your kids interested in a lot of different things. Prick their curiosities by showing them a fascinating pictorial book such as one on living creatures from insects to birds to reptiles. Take them to museums, the planetarium, and the best place of all—the library.

If you implement the above outlined strategies, I sincerely doubt you will have much trouble rearing your kids. In fact, parenting might be so rewarding that you just might find that you wished you had had more children.

See some stimulating ebooks for your kids here [http://www.mathbyjoe.com/page/page/2924777.htm] Curious Ebooks and my site [http://www.mathbyjoe.com/page/page/2908604.htm] Cool Math Site

Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and an award-winning former teacher of both college and high school mathematics. Under the penname, JC Page, Joe authored Arithmetic Magic, the little classic on the ABC’s of arithmetic. Joe is also author of the charming self-help ebook, Making a Good Impression Every Time: The Secret to Instant Popularity; the original collection of poetry, Poems for the Mathematically Insecure, and the short but highly effective fraction troubleshooter Fractions for the Faint of Heart. The diverse genre of his writings (novel, short story, essay, script, and poetry)—particularly in regard to its educational flavor— continues to captivate readers and to earn him recognition.

Joe propagates his teaching philosophy through his articles and books and is dedicated to helping educate children living in impoverished countries. Toward this end, he donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every ebook. For more information go to [http://www.mathbyjoe.com] http://www.mathbyjoe.com

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It's Back to School!

2007-06-19T02:47:00.000-07:00

Four Ways to Get Ready for the New School Year - A Guide for Elementary Students
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stephenie_Hovland] Stephenie Hovland

Do you want to surprise Mom? Start getting ready for school without her bugging you! Won't that shock her? If you really want to do it, try these five things:

1.A few weeks before school starts, go to bed at a decent time every night. Not too early – Mom will think you're sick! Just don't stay up all night long and be cranky every morning. The first day of school won't be quite so bad if your body is getting enough sleep.

2.Try on the clothes you might wear to school. Let Mom or Dad know what doesn't fit any more. Tell them which things have holes and tears, too. That doesn't look too cool on the first day of school.

3.Don't whine about shopping. Maybe some kids don't do this, but a lot of you like to keep bugging your parents to take you clothes shopping or school supply shopping. Then, you complain about not getting enough stuff. Don't do it. Parents get crabby, too.

4.With Mom or Dad's permission, plan a back-to-school party. Maybe make it a pool party to celebrate summer one more time. If you want to do something really nice, call your teacher and ask if there are any new students this year. Invite them to your party, so they can get to know some of their classmates.

If you do these four things, you will find out that going back to school isn't so bad if you get ready for it. One more thing:If you did all four of the things mentioned here, and you still have time to do one more, get a little gift for your teacher. She will love to start the new school year with a new pen, or colored chalk. And, she'll know you are ready for the new year, too!

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Party Planning for your Child

2007-06-19T02:37:00.000-07:00

That Was The Best Party I Ever Had!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Margene_Petersen] Margene Petersen

To create a special party for a child is to create a memory that lasts a lifetime. If it's a birthday party, it has an almost-magical significance. It can be simple, and it need not be costly, but a successful party does take planning. There's no greater reward than a hug from a satisfied child saying, "That was the best party I ever had!"

The key to a successful party is in the planning. Be sure you have all the materials together beforehand for each activity scheduled. The birthday child can help in a number of ways, making the party extra-special while encouraging responsibility and creativity. A friend, relative, or the birthday child's older brother or sister can be of invaluable assistance.

A theme provides a focus and makes your party special. It reflects the interest and age of the birthday child. Make decorations to fit the theme. Decide before the party whether you will keep the decorations or send them home with the guests as favors. If they are taken by guests, be sure you have enough for each person, including the birthday child. Gear refreshments to the theme of the party, and keep them simple. Hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers, a special cake - these are the treats guaranteed to please.

Artistic ability is not a requirement for designing your own invitations! There are countless internet sites to download invitations and you may also consider purchasing design-and-print software. Invite one guest for every year of the birthday child's age. This handy rule provides a structure that lets everyone know what to expect from year to year.

Keep the party confined to one specific room or area. Offer plenty of space, but make the limits clear. Alternate active games with quiet one. The party begins with an activity that can be played while waiting for everyone to arrive, and it ends with a calm, quiet activity while guests wait to be taken home. When planning the party, decide approximately how much time each activity will take. Avoid prizes if possible. Cheer and clap for the winner instead.

Bringing gifts to the birthday party is a happy party tradition. The presents can be collected upon arrival and saved until the end of the party to be opened. Each child is anxious to have their present opened first. While the children still have their gifts, play spin-the-bottle to make the present-opening ceremony enjoyable for everyone. Have the birthday child give small favors (wrapped or unwrapped) to the guests at present-opening time so they, too, have "gifts."

Just don't get so caught up in organizing that you forget to sing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday child; it has happened! Enjoy yourself, and know that you are creating a once-in-a-lifetime occasion that will be a treasured memory for years to come.

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Kids and toys

2007-06-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

Toys - Open Up A World Of Imagination And Adventure
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Robin_Fry] Robin Fry

Why children will always enjoy the simplicity of toys

These days, children seem to have much more sophisticated - and expensive - tastes when it comes to playing. Simple toys and pastimes have been replaced by video games, electronic gadgets, and the internet, and it is easy for kids to get too wrapped up in the latest technology to think of playing outdoors or with dolls or action figures. But the truth is, whatever the age, children love to exercise their imaginations, and toys and figures let them do that in a way video games never can.

Computers and technology can teach your children valuable skills for the modern world. But the imagination is an important tool too, one which helps your children to think creatively, learn empathy and problem-solving skills, and come up with new ideas. These are all traits which will be just as crucial in adult life as an affinity with technology and the internet. And it’s good for children to get aware from the glare of those screens, too.

Toys can set your child’s creativity free

Boys and girls of all ages can really get a lot from toys, dolls, and their accessories. From dolls’ houses to medieval castles, farmyards to pirate ships, toys can help your child create their own world of adventure where anything can happen. They can also learn a little about history or the wider world while they play, too.

For example, in its own small way, a dolls’ house can help your child to start learning organisational and social skills. Dressing dolls and decorating the house challenges and sharpens their creative thinking, as well as developing coordination and an aesthetic sensibility. Similar skills can also be developed by playing with a toy fort or castle, and these kind of toys can also spark off an interest in history and world events. All children are hungry for knowledge about the big wide world, and toys, figures, and accessories have their own small part to play in feeding that hunger.

Toys and figures are a powerful tool for learning

There is something to be learned from every kind of toy, whether about social interaction, how things work, or the different jobs that people do. A toy farm or zoo can help them learn about animals and how to care for them. Toy ships or castles can teach them a little bit about different periods of history, and how life was lived in those times. And dolls and dolls’ houses set them on the road to developing valuable social skills for later life.

So, get your kids away from the TV or computer for a while – give them some toys to play with. You’ll see their imaginations take flight. Who knows, maybe those computer games might not seem like nearly so much fun!

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