By Neil Day
Most of people have grown up with stuffed animals and pets. These toys were their best friends, the silent companions as well as silent protectors against the unknown fears at night. With the coming of the information age and the high-tech console games, these cute and adorable pets have been left to gather dust on our cabinets and shelves. That was all in the past, since children now can have the best from both sides of the world.
The Ganz Gift Company introduced Webkinz, a new and very exciting interactive toy for kids of all ages. At first glance they may seem like any ordinary cute stuffed toy, but they're way much different since a code comes with every stuffed toy. This code can be used to gain access to the Webkinz World, an educational as well as safe online community for kids. This site has a lot of activities as well as games that are appropriate for young kids.
At Webkinz World, kids will find a virtual version of their newfound pet. They can create a living space for their Webkinz as well as take care of them. They can also feed them and give them a bath in this world. Also, there is the Quizzy's question corner as well as Arcade games where the kids can earn KinzCash. This KinzCash can then be used to buy furniture, clothes as well as toys for their virtual Webkinz. The site is updated with new games as well as items, so something new is in it for children each time you visit the Webkinz World.
There are a lot of Webkinz out there, and it's almost impossible to keep track of how many there are already since a lot of new animals are added from time to time. There are the more common puppies and kittens, to more exotic animals such as the yellow and green tree frogs, panda, cheeky monkey, blue hippo, and other animals that are of any children's fancy.
There are some concerns with having Webkinz though. These can be very time-consuming since kids can become so engrossed with taking care of their virtual pet online at Webkinz World. This is just like any other toy or computer game too. This can be remedied by setting schedules and limits in playing with these toys. At least, children should finish their homework and chores first before they can play and they should be given a time limit in playing it in order for it not to become an addiction.
Kids today are becoming more and more Internet savvy. This can raise a lot of concerns with parents since kids are spending a lot of time online. But the Webkinz World site provides a great environment where the kids can learn, enjoy playing as well as interact with other kids without giving too much personal information. This can even help with their eye and hand coordination as well as basic computer skills. Webkinz is a fun and easy way to teach your child some early learning skills as well as responsibility for taking care of something.
Want to know more about Webkinz world and the intearctive role they provide for children and their Webkinz pets? Visit www.webkinzcharmsworld.com today. Just imagine that look of joy on your child's face when you give them their very own Webkinz pet.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Reducing School Stress for Children - Navigating From Home to School
By Kathleen Karlsen
In this commuter age when very few children walk or ride to school on their own each day, psychologists are discovering how important it is for young children to understanding the location of their school location in relationship to the location of their own home. Interestingly enough, children must be able to create a cognitive map between their home and school to avoid the sense of being "lost" and the accompanying stress.
Preschoolers may additionally fear the "loss" of their parents each day because they cannot navigate from the school to where their parents are during the day. A study done as early as 1957 in Britain tested the learning achievements of children who walked or rode their bikes to school versus those who came on buses or in cars. Those who navigated to school themselves learned more while at school. Educational psychologists also suggest that children who have contact with the "ground" by walking or biking are better oriented and relaxed for learning.
Perhaps educators in the 20th century can find a solution to this dilemma by creating a map with the home of each child and their path to the school each day. Children can have a lesson on basic navigational skills and take a map home to follow on their way in a car or bus to and from school until they know how to get to each location or how to instruct someone to drive them each way. Children can also have a map showing them where their parents work in relationship to their school and their home.
This lesson in navigation can create profound sense of the child's geographical place and their place in the fabric of the community. In addition, finding ways to alleviate stress for children in today's society and teach them at the same time is an ideal combination!
Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Kathleen is best known for her contemporary impressionism style and her colorful forest, landscape and flower paintings. Kathleen's original art and fine art gifts can be seen at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm To see a selection of Kathleen's flower paintings, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/originalfloralart.htm
In this commuter age when very few children walk or ride to school on their own each day, psychologists are discovering how important it is for young children to understanding the location of their school location in relationship to the location of their own home. Interestingly enough, children must be able to create a cognitive map between their home and school to avoid the sense of being "lost" and the accompanying stress.
Preschoolers may additionally fear the "loss" of their parents each day because they cannot navigate from the school to where their parents are during the day. A study done as early as 1957 in Britain tested the learning achievements of children who walked or rode their bikes to school versus those who came on buses or in cars. Those who navigated to school themselves learned more while at school. Educational psychologists also suggest that children who have contact with the "ground" by walking or biking are better oriented and relaxed for learning.
Perhaps educators in the 20th century can find a solution to this dilemma by creating a map with the home of each child and their path to the school each day. Children can have a lesson on basic navigational skills and take a map home to follow on their way in a car or bus to and from school until they know how to get to each location or how to instruct someone to drive them each way. Children can also have a map showing them where their parents work in relationship to their school and their home.
This lesson in navigation can create profound sense of the child's geographical place and their place in the fabric of the community. In addition, finding ways to alleviate stress for children in today's society and teach them at the same time is an ideal combination!
Kathleen Karlsen, MA is an artist, writer and design consultant residing in Bozeman, Montana. Kathleen is best known for her contemporary impressionism style and her colorful forest, landscape and flower paintings. Kathleen's original art and fine art gifts can be seen at http://www.livingartsoriginals.com For an extensive article about flower symbolism see http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/infoflowersymbolism.htm To see a selection of Kathleen's flower paintings, please visit http://www.livingartsoriginals.com/originalfloralart.htm
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Understanding Short Term Memory in Children
By Madonna Jeffries
Did you know that it is not just adults who suffer from short term memory loss our children do also? Short term memory loss is quite prevalent amongst children who have low self esteem or suffer from a lack of self confidence. It is also a fact that children who have hearing or site problems are also potential sufferers of memory problems. Unlike adult short term memory sufferers, young children with the same problem are often quite unaware that they have a problem so it is important that the child's carer monitor their situation.
Short Term Memory and Learning Difficulties
There have been countless scientific studies conducted which have explored the connection between language and speech development problems and short term memory skills in children. Many of these studies have found that there is indeed a connection between problems with short term memory in children and the way these particular children progress their speaking, reading and learning skills.
Treatment Options
As is the case with many mental problems there is not one single remedy for the treatment of loss of short term memory in children. The most effective way you, as a parent, can help your child improve their short term memory is to combine a number of well documented techniques to help improve the retention of what they are learning.
First of all it is important that your child is both mentally and physically active and that they interact with other children. These days a lot of children spend literally hour upon hour sitting in front of a computer playing games or chatting on the web. While using the computer is generally quite educational and useful there are other activities which are likely to be more effective with assisting in the improvement of short term memory in children.
A great way of improving short term memory in children is to encourage them to participate in a range of games and activities that have been specifically developed to stimulate the child's mind. These games and activities are not necessarily expensive or complex and include doing crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, match the picture cards as well as other trivia games. Children of all ages can participate and on the whole they find these style of games quite enjoyable and stimulating.
As a parent you should be mindful that problems with short term memory in children can often be an indicator of a more serious problem which could possibly require medical attention. A number of studies have identified that some children who suffer problems with memory loss can in fact be suffering from a form of dementia. This does not mean you should go in to an instant panic, but you definitely need to follow through with a medical examination if you notice your child is difficulties in this area.
If you notice that your child is continually forgetful or for no apparent reason has a marked deterioration in their school work you are encouraged to take your child to see your doctor as soon as possible so that they can have a check up to ensure that nothing more serious is wrong with their health.
For more information on title= short term memory in children and other memory retention tips and techniques visit title= Memory Improvement Online.
Did you know that it is not just adults who suffer from short term memory loss our children do also? Short term memory loss is quite prevalent amongst children who have low self esteem or suffer from a lack of self confidence. It is also a fact that children who have hearing or site problems are also potential sufferers of memory problems. Unlike adult short term memory sufferers, young children with the same problem are often quite unaware that they have a problem so it is important that the child's carer monitor their situation.
Short Term Memory and Learning Difficulties
There have been countless scientific studies conducted which have explored the connection between language and speech development problems and short term memory skills in children. Many of these studies have found that there is indeed a connection between problems with short term memory in children and the way these particular children progress their speaking, reading and learning skills.
Treatment Options
As is the case with many mental problems there is not one single remedy for the treatment of loss of short term memory in children. The most effective way you, as a parent, can help your child improve their short term memory is to combine a number of well documented techniques to help improve the retention of what they are learning.
First of all it is important that your child is both mentally and physically active and that they interact with other children. These days a lot of children spend literally hour upon hour sitting in front of a computer playing games or chatting on the web. While using the computer is generally quite educational and useful there are other activities which are likely to be more effective with assisting in the improvement of short term memory in children.
A great way of improving short term memory in children is to encourage them to participate in a range of games and activities that have been specifically developed to stimulate the child's mind. These games and activities are not necessarily expensive or complex and include doing crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, match the picture cards as well as other trivia games. Children of all ages can participate and on the whole they find these style of games quite enjoyable and stimulating.
As a parent you should be mindful that problems with short term memory in children can often be an indicator of a more serious problem which could possibly require medical attention. A number of studies have identified that some children who suffer problems with memory loss can in fact be suffering from a form of dementia. This does not mean you should go in to an instant panic, but you definitely need to follow through with a medical examination if you notice your child is difficulties in this area.
If you notice that your child is continually forgetful or for no apparent reason has a marked deterioration in their school work you are encouraged to take your child to see your doctor as soon as possible so that they can have a check up to ensure that nothing more serious is wrong with their health.
For more information on title= short term memory in children and other memory retention tips and techniques visit title= Memory Improvement Online.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Buy Webkinz Toys Today - They're Definitely One Of The Coolest Buys Around
By Neil Day
If you have children, it would be pretty certain that you have heard of Webkinz toys at one point or another. Many kids consider these toys as one of the coolest toys one kid could have. Not only are these toys cute and adorable, they are innovative as well as unique since one can play with them online. They have made a lot of buzz among children as well as adults. When you buy Webkinz toys, you get a special code that can gain the holder access to the Webkinz World Online website. On this site they can take care as well as play with their furry little pets. They can feed, bathe as well as play with these toys as if they were real pets.
In the Webkinz virtual world, kids can dress their pet and take it to the vet. They can also earn KinzCash by doing chores and winning at contests, games, and other activities. With this they can buy Webkinz stuff for their pets. There are a multitude of options the children can have to make their website more interesting. They can create different spaces for the animals, add exercise equipment and gardens to the homes of their pets, or even just change the design themes, backgrounds and wallpapers. This site is made for children 6 to 13 years old, but older as well as younger people also have a great time with them. Many people hail Webkinz World as one of the best sites for kids of
different ages.
There have been other websites also dedicated to these toys, and they offer games, prizes as well as offering visitors the chance to buy Webkinz toys. This is quite a growing phenomenon in the world today. The most comparable to these toys are the Beanie Babies, but the Beanie babies did not offer the same interactive world that Webkinz does for its buyers.
However, there has been quite a few concerns with these toys. When parents buy Webkinz toy animals, many feel that these little critters take out a lot of time from their kids, causing them to skip homework and chores, as well as opportunities to socialize with other kids. More and more kids are starting to spend more time on the computer playing with their Webkinz animals and they are getting addicted to it.
These stuffed animal toys are gaining immense popularity, maybe more than they should? Even the best things should be done in moderation. But the future for them is very bright indeed.
Kids today are realizing the great things that the Ganz company ahs done for them and are eager to buy Webkinz animals as soon as they are introduced. They have caught their fancy since the children can now belong in a new and wonderful world for them. They can take care of their virtual pet in more ways than taking care of a real one. Though parents may have a lot of concern, the kids themselves are the ones benefiting from this. All it needs is just the right amount of balance between playing, schoolwork and chores, and these kids will grow up to be healthy and bright.
Want to know more about the new Webkinz animals you can now buy? Is the Panda webkinz bear really the cutest Webkinz toy produced yet? To find out more about the wonderful world of Webkinz visit www.webkinzcharmsworld.com today. Imagine the look of joy on your child's face when you give them their very own Webkinz pet.
If you have children, it would be pretty certain that you have heard of Webkinz toys at one point or another. Many kids consider these toys as one of the coolest toys one kid could have. Not only are these toys cute and adorable, they are innovative as well as unique since one can play with them online. They have made a lot of buzz among children as well as adults. When you buy Webkinz toys, you get a special code that can gain the holder access to the Webkinz World Online website. On this site they can take care as well as play with their furry little pets. They can feed, bathe as well as play with these toys as if they were real pets.
In the Webkinz virtual world, kids can dress their pet and take it to the vet. They can also earn KinzCash by doing chores and winning at contests, games, and other activities. With this they can buy Webkinz stuff for their pets. There are a multitude of options the children can have to make their website more interesting. They can create different spaces for the animals, add exercise equipment and gardens to the homes of their pets, or even just change the design themes, backgrounds and wallpapers. This site is made for children 6 to 13 years old, but older as well as younger people also have a great time with them. Many people hail Webkinz World as one of the best sites for kids of
different ages.
There have been other websites also dedicated to these toys, and they offer games, prizes as well as offering visitors the chance to buy Webkinz toys. This is quite a growing phenomenon in the world today. The most comparable to these toys are the Beanie Babies, but the Beanie babies did not offer the same interactive world that Webkinz does for its buyers.
However, there has been quite a few concerns with these toys. When parents buy Webkinz toy animals, many feel that these little critters take out a lot of time from their kids, causing them to skip homework and chores, as well as opportunities to socialize with other kids. More and more kids are starting to spend more time on the computer playing with their Webkinz animals and they are getting addicted to it.
These stuffed animal toys are gaining immense popularity, maybe more than they should? Even the best things should be done in moderation. But the future for them is very bright indeed.
Kids today are realizing the great things that the Ganz company ahs done for them and are eager to buy Webkinz animals as soon as they are introduced. They have caught their fancy since the children can now belong in a new and wonderful world for them. They can take care of their virtual pet in more ways than taking care of a real one. Though parents may have a lot of concern, the kids themselves are the ones benefiting from this. All it needs is just the right amount of balance between playing, schoolwork and chores, and these kids will grow up to be healthy and bright.
Want to know more about the new Webkinz animals you can now buy? Is the Panda webkinz bear really the cutest Webkinz toy produced yet? To find out more about the wonderful world of Webkinz visit www.webkinzcharmsworld.com today. Imagine the look of joy on your child's face when you give them their very own Webkinz pet.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Teaching Teens to Drive
By Levi Quinn
There may be nothing more menacing and frightening than teaching teens to drive. White-knuckle adventure on the roads may not seem like your idea of a good time, but eventually you will have to break down and teach your teen to drive. Thankfully, there are safer ways to accomplish this daunting task and make it out of the adventure with your life and vehicle intact.
It's easy to take a teen on to a rural road and let him or her have at it. City driving is a lot more complex, however, and learning how to manage the various ins and outs of parallel parking, stopping, starting, and handling the general stop-and-go nature of rush hour traffic can make for hours of guaranteed headaches. To stop the insanity, it's a good idea to take it easy and ease your teen into the driving experience.
Start Slow
The teen driving adventure works best when it starts out slow and works up to some of the bigger, more challenging driving aspects. Start your teen slowly by backing out of the driveway of your home and perhaps simply driving around the block or to some sort of close location. Other options include starting off in a parking lot and allowing the teen to get a feel for the car or starting on an old, dirt road and watching the dust fly as your teen gets used to the vehicle.
Regardless of the location of the driving adventure with your teen, it's important that you practice patience and allow your new driver to gather a feel for the vehicle. A big part of driving is learning to feel the roads, the various bumps and valleys, the weather conditions, and how the car reacts to those things. If your teen begins his or her driving experience by realizing how the car reacts to different weather conditions, for example, he or she is more likely to be able to handle those conditions in important situations where safety is a priority.
Ease Into It
Try not to start your teen on parallel parking or pulling out of a slide on the first day. Teens, as we all know by now, are emotional animals and they need incessant reassurance and guidance. Whether they tell you this fact or not is certainly up for grabs, but the reality is that reassurance is one of the key components when it comes to teaching teens to drive. Alongside this reassurance are a willing spirit and a patient heart. Ease your teen into the driving experience by demonstrating acceleration techniques, braking techniques, and better ways to pay attention while driving. Most teens learn by observing first and by doing second.
Model Responsibility
A third piece of general advice when it comes to teaching teens to drive is to model responsibility on your own. If you demonstrate the type of driver that yells and curses out his or her window or puts on makeup while driving, you're probably going to wind up with a teen that will emulate the same behaviour. Instead, emulate good driving techniques at all times. Remember your shoulder checks instead of your iPod and try to keep both hands on the wheel.
Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap online auto insurance from respected insurance companies.
There may be nothing more menacing and frightening than teaching teens to drive. White-knuckle adventure on the roads may not seem like your idea of a good time, but eventually you will have to break down and teach your teen to drive. Thankfully, there are safer ways to accomplish this daunting task and make it out of the adventure with your life and vehicle intact.
It's easy to take a teen on to a rural road and let him or her have at it. City driving is a lot more complex, however, and learning how to manage the various ins and outs of parallel parking, stopping, starting, and handling the general stop-and-go nature of rush hour traffic can make for hours of guaranteed headaches. To stop the insanity, it's a good idea to take it easy and ease your teen into the driving experience.
Start Slow
The teen driving adventure works best when it starts out slow and works up to some of the bigger, more challenging driving aspects. Start your teen slowly by backing out of the driveway of your home and perhaps simply driving around the block or to some sort of close location. Other options include starting off in a parking lot and allowing the teen to get a feel for the car or starting on an old, dirt road and watching the dust fly as your teen gets used to the vehicle.
Regardless of the location of the driving adventure with your teen, it's important that you practice patience and allow your new driver to gather a feel for the vehicle. A big part of driving is learning to feel the roads, the various bumps and valleys, the weather conditions, and how the car reacts to those things. If your teen begins his or her driving experience by realizing how the car reacts to different weather conditions, for example, he or she is more likely to be able to handle those conditions in important situations where safety is a priority.
Ease Into It
Try not to start your teen on parallel parking or pulling out of a slide on the first day. Teens, as we all know by now, are emotional animals and they need incessant reassurance and guidance. Whether they tell you this fact or not is certainly up for grabs, but the reality is that reassurance is one of the key components when it comes to teaching teens to drive. Alongside this reassurance are a willing spirit and a patient heart. Ease your teen into the driving experience by demonstrating acceleration techniques, braking techniques, and better ways to pay attention while driving. Most teens learn by observing first and by doing second.
Model Responsibility
A third piece of general advice when it comes to teaching teens to drive is to model responsibility on your own. If you demonstrate the type of driver that yells and curses out his or her window or puts on makeup while driving, you're probably going to wind up with a teen that will emulate the same behaviour. Instead, emulate good driving techniques at all times. Remember your shoulder checks instead of your iPod and try to keep both hands on the wheel.
Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap online auto insurance from respected insurance companies.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Leave No Child Inside - Reconnecting Children and Nature
By Linda Marks
I am not much for AM radio. However, Red Sox baseball games are broadcast on AM radio stations, so my car radio is often tuned in during baseball season.
One afternoon this week, I started my car, with the baseball station on, and heard a talk radio host make a comment that really caught my attention. He was talking about how kids never play outside anymore. And that when he was growing up, kids spent time running around on a green thing called a "playground."
He then translated what this meant for his younger listeners. "A playground when I was a kid is a lot like what playing Nintendo DS is for you. It was a lot of fun. It was something we did every day and with our friends. But it involved a lot more moving around, and it was outside."
Wow! To think that one would need to offer a technical definition of a playground! And then to realize that kids today are not OUTSIDE playing in the yard or at the playground, but INSIDE playing their techno-video games in front of a screen.
Video games, be they the handheld portable variety or the wired versions requiring a living room and a tv, are now a universal language of play and downtime for so many kids. And playgrounds are used for recess at school, should the child attend a school that still has a playground, or for organized practices of team sports like soccer and baseball.
When my son and his best friend go outside to kick the soccer ball around or play basketball with the hoop in the driveway, I realize the airwaves are kid-silent. It is only the laughs and conversations of the two boys I hear. There must be other kids around in the neighborhood. But are they all inside?
You can imagine my amazement as I read Richard Louv's article, "Leave No Child Inside: The Growing Movement to Reconnect Children and Nature." The very thought that children of all people have gotten so disconnected from the natural world is horrifying to me. Yet, as I thought about it more, I realized what Louv was saying was true.
"Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience their neighborhoods and the natural world has changed radically. Even as children and teenagers become more aware of global threats to the environment, their physical contact, their intimacy with nature is fading. As one suburban fifth grader put it to me, in what has become the signature epigram of tthe children-and-nature movement: 'I like to play indoors betters 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are.'"
As housing developments have snatched up what once were woods and open pieces of land, fear of "stranger danger" and increasing traffic has kept kids off of the neighborhood streets, homework demands has minimized "downtime," and television and computers have become competing forces in the shrinking pie of "play" time, "urban, suburban and even rural parents" can all list the myriad reasons "why their children spend less time in nature than they did themselves."
Louv states, "In a typical week, only 6 percent of children ages nine to thirteenp lay outside on their own. Studies by the National Sporting Goods Association and by American Sports Data, a research firm, show a dramatic decline in the past decade in such outdoor activities as swimming and fishing. Even bike riding is down 31 percent since 1995."
What are we doing to our children? In his book LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS, Louv coins the term "nature-deficit disorder." Harvard professor E.O. Wilson's "biophilia hypothesis" states that we as human beings are innately attracted to nature. Louv writes, "We are still hunters and gatherers, and there is something in us, which we do not fully understand, that needs an occasional immersion in nature. We do know that when people talk about the disconnect between children and nature--if they are old enough to remember a time when outdoor play was the norm--they almost always tells stories about their own childhoods: this tree house or fort, that special woods or ditch or creek or meadow. They recall those 'places of initiation,' in the words of naturalist Bob Pyle, where they may have first sensed with awe and wonder the largeness of the world, seen and unseen."
This gets at the very essence of being human and being interconnected, not alone. "When people share these stories, their cultural, political and religious walls come tumbling down."
While there are risks in the larger world, there are also risks "in raising children under virtual protective house arrest: threats to independent judgment and value of place, to their ability to feel awe and wonder, to their sense of stewardship for the Earth."
There are also threats to their psychological and physiological health and wellbeing. I have worked with countless clients who as children, found safety and sanity in the natural world, finding refuge from an abusive or neglectful household. Where are today's children to go? For even adults suffering from depression, connecting with nature can be a salve for the spirit and soul. Connecting with nature is part of our self-care, and an essential way to move from isolation to connection with a larger whole. How can we teach our children this kind of emotional and spiritual self-care, if we don't ignite their innate sensibilities?
The media is full of articles on the increasing incidence of childhood obesity and its long-term potential impact on the health of the next generation. If kids can't go outside and run around or take a walk in the woods, sitting in front of the tv eating junk foods fills up their time and as my son says, "kills their brain cells."
In addition to our health and personal survival, Louv goes further about the importance of reconnecting children and nature for the survival as human beings. "The outdoor experiences of children are essential for the survival of conservation. And so the truth is that the human child in nature may be the most important indicator of future species sustainability."
Louv continues, "If society embraces something as simple as the health benefits of nature experiences for children, it may begin to re-evaluate the worth of 'the environment.'" Instead of associating environmental health with the absence of toxic pollution, public health officials can have a more positive spin on their work: "how the environment can improve human health."
"Seen through this doorway, nature isn't a problem: it's the solution." Who can imagine being a member of "the last generation to pass on to its children the joy of playing outside in nature?"
�2007 Linda Marks
Linda Marks, MSM,has practiced body psychotherapy with individuals, couples and groups for more than 20 years. A passion of hers is developing emotional literacy programs for children and parents and kids. She is the author of Living With Vision: Reclaiming the Power of the Heart, and Healing the War Between the Genders: The Power of the Soul-Centered Relationship, and holds degrees from Yale and MIT. You can reach her at http://www.healingheartpower.com - Linda's blog is http://www.heartspacecafe.com
I am not much for AM radio. However, Red Sox baseball games are broadcast on AM radio stations, so my car radio is often tuned in during baseball season.
One afternoon this week, I started my car, with the baseball station on, and heard a talk radio host make a comment that really caught my attention. He was talking about how kids never play outside anymore. And that when he was growing up, kids spent time running around on a green thing called a "playground."
He then translated what this meant for his younger listeners. "A playground when I was a kid is a lot like what playing Nintendo DS is for you. It was a lot of fun. It was something we did every day and with our friends. But it involved a lot more moving around, and it was outside."
Wow! To think that one would need to offer a technical definition of a playground! And then to realize that kids today are not OUTSIDE playing in the yard or at the playground, but INSIDE playing their techno-video games in front of a screen.
Video games, be they the handheld portable variety or the wired versions requiring a living room and a tv, are now a universal language of play and downtime for so many kids. And playgrounds are used for recess at school, should the child attend a school that still has a playground, or for organized practices of team sports like soccer and baseball.
When my son and his best friend go outside to kick the soccer ball around or play basketball with the hoop in the driveway, I realize the airwaves are kid-silent. It is only the laughs and conversations of the two boys I hear. There must be other kids around in the neighborhood. But are they all inside?
You can imagine my amazement as I read Richard Louv's article, "Leave No Child Inside: The Growing Movement to Reconnect Children and Nature." The very thought that children of all people have gotten so disconnected from the natural world is horrifying to me. Yet, as I thought about it more, I realized what Louv was saying was true.
"Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience their neighborhoods and the natural world has changed radically. Even as children and teenagers become more aware of global threats to the environment, their physical contact, their intimacy with nature is fading. As one suburban fifth grader put it to me, in what has become the signature epigram of tthe children-and-nature movement: 'I like to play indoors betters 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are.'"
As housing developments have snatched up what once were woods and open pieces of land, fear of "stranger danger" and increasing traffic has kept kids off of the neighborhood streets, homework demands has minimized "downtime," and television and computers have become competing forces in the shrinking pie of "play" time, "urban, suburban and even rural parents" can all list the myriad reasons "why their children spend less time in nature than they did themselves."
Louv states, "In a typical week, only 6 percent of children ages nine to thirteenp lay outside on their own. Studies by the National Sporting Goods Association and by American Sports Data, a research firm, show a dramatic decline in the past decade in such outdoor activities as swimming and fishing. Even bike riding is down 31 percent since 1995."
What are we doing to our children? In his book LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS, Louv coins the term "nature-deficit disorder." Harvard professor E.O. Wilson's "biophilia hypothesis" states that we as human beings are innately attracted to nature. Louv writes, "We are still hunters and gatherers, and there is something in us, which we do not fully understand, that needs an occasional immersion in nature. We do know that when people talk about the disconnect between children and nature--if they are old enough to remember a time when outdoor play was the norm--they almost always tells stories about their own childhoods: this tree house or fort, that special woods or ditch or creek or meadow. They recall those 'places of initiation,' in the words of naturalist Bob Pyle, where they may have first sensed with awe and wonder the largeness of the world, seen and unseen."
This gets at the very essence of being human and being interconnected, not alone. "When people share these stories, their cultural, political and religious walls come tumbling down."
While there are risks in the larger world, there are also risks "in raising children under virtual protective house arrest: threats to independent judgment and value of place, to their ability to feel awe and wonder, to their sense of stewardship for the Earth."
There are also threats to their psychological and physiological health and wellbeing. I have worked with countless clients who as children, found safety and sanity in the natural world, finding refuge from an abusive or neglectful household. Where are today's children to go? For even adults suffering from depression, connecting with nature can be a salve for the spirit and soul. Connecting with nature is part of our self-care, and an essential way to move from isolation to connection with a larger whole. How can we teach our children this kind of emotional and spiritual self-care, if we don't ignite their innate sensibilities?
The media is full of articles on the increasing incidence of childhood obesity and its long-term potential impact on the health of the next generation. If kids can't go outside and run around or take a walk in the woods, sitting in front of the tv eating junk foods fills up their time and as my son says, "kills their brain cells."
In addition to our health and personal survival, Louv goes further about the importance of reconnecting children and nature for the survival as human beings. "The outdoor experiences of children are essential for the survival of conservation. And so the truth is that the human child in nature may be the most important indicator of future species sustainability."
Louv continues, "If society embraces something as simple as the health benefits of nature experiences for children, it may begin to re-evaluate the worth of 'the environment.'" Instead of associating environmental health with the absence of toxic pollution, public health officials can have a more positive spin on their work: "how the environment can improve human health."
"Seen through this doorway, nature isn't a problem: it's the solution." Who can imagine being a member of "the last generation to pass on to its children the joy of playing outside in nature?"
�2007 Linda Marks
Linda Marks, MSM,has practiced body psychotherapy with individuals, couples and groups for more than 20 years. A passion of hers is developing emotional literacy programs for children and parents and kids. She is the author of Living With Vision: Reclaiming the Power of the Heart, and Healing the War Between the Genders: The Power of the Soul-Centered Relationship, and holds degrees from Yale and MIT. You can reach her at http://www.healingheartpower.com - Linda's blog is http://www.heartspacecafe.com
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Childrens Clothing Deals - Online Wholesale Clothing
By Howard Brule
No matter the culture that you come from or where you stay, as a parent you would want to give your child the best possible products and amenities. This is no different with clothing, you want your child to wear the best possible clothes to help them look their best. You are certainly justified in your want to provide your child with the best that money can buy, but you do not need to burn a hole in your pocket.
It is correct that there are ways to save on clothing that are also true for your children. If you wonder how this can be, let's begin by looking at the different needs of kids prior to laying out the ways to get all you can out of childrens clothing deals.
You must resign to the fact that no matter how pricey the clothes you buy for your child, he or she won't be able to wear them after a year or two. There are multiple reasons for that. First, children grow up fast and therefore clothes that fit them today won't fit them the next year. Secondly, children have a tendency to get bored with their clothes in less time than adults. Keeping these two things in mind your certainly want to save on clothing by taking advantage of childrens clothing deals.
While loitering or playing around the neighborhood, children almost always soil their clothes. This by now convinces you that it is not wise to spend a fortune on your kid's clothing, unless you are extremely rich to even mind. You may take advantage of discounts when doing bulk purchases and it is ideal that you buy clothes in bulk.
To receive the best bargains on wholesale childrens clothing, peruse the papers looking for special discounts offered by clothing superstores. Research the different options available, since every store will offer a slightly different deal. Once you've done your homework, you'll usually narrow it down to just a few stores to check out.
Once you enter the store there is no need to hold your child back from visiting a particular section of the store for fear of going over your budget. You should instead think about what articles of clothing he will require in the present season and seasons following. Usually, there are seasonal discounts on childrens clothing deals. This way you can save money by planning to buy clothes to last the whole year.
When looking for childrens clothing deals, you should try to avoid purchasing all the same type of dress and instead you should spread your buying out among many different clothing choices. Wholesale childrens clothing from Ice Canada a wholesale clothing provider of all major brand names and designer urban wear. Howard Brule does article marketing that works.
No matter the culture that you come from or where you stay, as a parent you would want to give your child the best possible products and amenities. This is no different with clothing, you want your child to wear the best possible clothes to help them look their best. You are certainly justified in your want to provide your child with the best that money can buy, but you do not need to burn a hole in your pocket.
It is correct that there are ways to save on clothing that are also true for your children. If you wonder how this can be, let's begin by looking at the different needs of kids prior to laying out the ways to get all you can out of childrens clothing deals.
You must resign to the fact that no matter how pricey the clothes you buy for your child, he or she won't be able to wear them after a year or two. There are multiple reasons for that. First, children grow up fast and therefore clothes that fit them today won't fit them the next year. Secondly, children have a tendency to get bored with their clothes in less time than adults. Keeping these two things in mind your certainly want to save on clothing by taking advantage of childrens clothing deals.
While loitering or playing around the neighborhood, children almost always soil their clothes. This by now convinces you that it is not wise to spend a fortune on your kid's clothing, unless you are extremely rich to even mind. You may take advantage of discounts when doing bulk purchases and it is ideal that you buy clothes in bulk.
To receive the best bargains on wholesale childrens clothing, peruse the papers looking for special discounts offered by clothing superstores. Research the different options available, since every store will offer a slightly different deal. Once you've done your homework, you'll usually narrow it down to just a few stores to check out.
Once you enter the store there is no need to hold your child back from visiting a particular section of the store for fear of going over your budget. You should instead think about what articles of clothing he will require in the present season and seasons following. Usually, there are seasonal discounts on childrens clothing deals. This way you can save money by planning to buy clothes to last the whole year.
When looking for childrens clothing deals, you should try to avoid purchasing all the same type of dress and instead you should spread your buying out among many different clothing choices. Wholesale childrens clothing from Ice Canada a wholesale clothing provider of all major brand names and designer urban wear. Howard Brule does article marketing that works.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Planning A Child Care Startup?
By Dean Forster
A person, thinking about child care startup may very well be looking forward to a profitable business in the form of a child care center.
Setting up a child care center, is a flourishing business but it also requires a lot of dedication. The certain factors involved may be the cost of starting it altogether, making a business plan and looking after legal requirements.
These centers can also be started in spaces that are otherwise unoccupied during the entire week or within a school that has surplus space. If a child care center is set up within a school, it brings the advantage of having well coordinated programs.
After the location is decided, child care insurance is the next essential step. This is very crucial for starting a child care business. These centers offer dedicated services to working parents. Hence, these should provide a safe environment to the children. And, insurance works as an added security measure.
As this is a very fast growing industry, proper management is very important. This is also required to give the center, better recognition. As there are a number of child care centers, people will generally prefer the one that has a better management system. Therefore, better management system results in a flourishing child care center and great profit.
A management application is especially designed for childcare management that could be obtained before starting up the child care center. This software is easily accessible at a number of online and offline resources. This software provides complete, user-friendly and integrated modules that help in managing child records, billing and various accounting operations, available city subsidies, payroll records, direct deposits and preauthorized payment records. Find out more about childcare management at http://www.childcare-management.com
The child care software that maintains the records updates automatically. This helps the parents and family members understand the child's progress. It also provides an opportunity to them to observe the activities of the child. For the various child care institutions, security is of utmost importance. This security can be protected by using this software.
Finally, a business broker can be a good source of information. He could provide detailed information regarding a child care center like the availability of the area, its price, current market requirements and so on. He could not only provide you information but also help you strike the best possible deal of the infrastructure. Information of the brokers regarding a child care startup may also be found through a search on the internet.
Learn more about Childcare Management software, courses and daycare training at http://www.childcare-management.com
A person, thinking about child care startup may very well be looking forward to a profitable business in the form of a child care center.
Setting up a child care center, is a flourishing business but it also requires a lot of dedication. The certain factors involved may be the cost of starting it altogether, making a business plan and looking after legal requirements.
These centers can also be started in spaces that are otherwise unoccupied during the entire week or within a school that has surplus space. If a child care center is set up within a school, it brings the advantage of having well coordinated programs.
After the location is decided, child care insurance is the next essential step. This is very crucial for starting a child care business. These centers offer dedicated services to working parents. Hence, these should provide a safe environment to the children. And, insurance works as an added security measure.
As this is a very fast growing industry, proper management is very important. This is also required to give the center, better recognition. As there are a number of child care centers, people will generally prefer the one that has a better management system. Therefore, better management system results in a flourishing child care center and great profit.
A management application is especially designed for childcare management that could be obtained before starting up the child care center. This software is easily accessible at a number of online and offline resources. This software provides complete, user-friendly and integrated modules that help in managing child records, billing and various accounting operations, available city subsidies, payroll records, direct deposits and preauthorized payment records. Find out more about childcare management at http://www.childcare-management.com
The child care software that maintains the records updates automatically. This helps the parents and family members understand the child's progress. It also provides an opportunity to them to observe the activities of the child. For the various child care institutions, security is of utmost importance. This security can be protected by using this software.
Finally, a business broker can be a good source of information. He could provide detailed information regarding a child care center like the availability of the area, its price, current market requirements and so on. He could not only provide you information but also help you strike the best possible deal of the infrastructure. Information of the brokers regarding a child care startup may also be found through a search on the internet.
Learn more about Childcare Management software, courses and daycare training at http://www.childcare-management.com
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Children's Book Clubs - Get Your Child Involved!
By Desiree Difabio
Book clubs are a great way for adults to get together, have some fellowship, drink a glass of wine, and have intellectual conversation. Sure, book clubs may seem more geared towards women than men, but I know plenty of fantastic men who love their "book clubs" just as much as I do! True theirs may be on the latest Bobby Flay cookbook but hey, it is still reading!
So why are we not getting our kids more involved in these types of activities? Reading is the biggest push in education today. If our kids do not or cannot read, the future of this country will be in jeopardy. Educators are working overtime, round the clock, trying to teach kids to read. Think of a strategy to engage a child in reading? The school systems are doing it. Special props to Duval County in Jacksonville, FL for taking a proactive approach and requiring that ALL students be enrolled in some sort of reading class based on their reading needs.
That said, we can do plenty about this at home! As a parent and a teacher I know that it must start with me. If you are busy and do not have the chance to stay at home with your child, then read to them every night before bedtime. Let them touch the books, hold the books, eat the books if they want to! Any interaction a child has with a book is good and should be made to be a positive thing. Find a couple of friends with children in your age group and get them together once a month, just like the adults, and sit them in a circle with a pile of books. Do not expect them to discuss which characters they liked or hated, instead, have them "play" together with the books. As they get older, have them read to each other. If we make reading fun and part of what they do with their friends, we still have a chance to teach our future leaders how to be good readers!
For a list of great books to start your child off with, visit me at http://www.book-club-queen.com/book-clubs-for-children.html
Desiree, aka Queenie D is an English teacher, mom, and lover of books!
Want more information on book clubs? Looking for a book to read? Want to share something you've read? Visit http://www.book-club-queen.com for a fantastic adventure in reading!
Book clubs are a great way for adults to get together, have some fellowship, drink a glass of wine, and have intellectual conversation. Sure, book clubs may seem more geared towards women than men, but I know plenty of fantastic men who love their "book clubs" just as much as I do! True theirs may be on the latest Bobby Flay cookbook but hey, it is still reading!
So why are we not getting our kids more involved in these types of activities? Reading is the biggest push in education today. If our kids do not or cannot read, the future of this country will be in jeopardy. Educators are working overtime, round the clock, trying to teach kids to read. Think of a strategy to engage a child in reading? The school systems are doing it. Special props to Duval County in Jacksonville, FL for taking a proactive approach and requiring that ALL students be enrolled in some sort of reading class based on their reading needs.
That said, we can do plenty about this at home! As a parent and a teacher I know that it must start with me. If you are busy and do not have the chance to stay at home with your child, then read to them every night before bedtime. Let them touch the books, hold the books, eat the books if they want to! Any interaction a child has with a book is good and should be made to be a positive thing. Find a couple of friends with children in your age group and get them together once a month, just like the adults, and sit them in a circle with a pile of books. Do not expect them to discuss which characters they liked or hated, instead, have them "play" together with the books. As they get older, have them read to each other. If we make reading fun and part of what they do with their friends, we still have a chance to teach our future leaders how to be good readers!
For a list of great books to start your child off with, visit me at http://www.book-club-queen.com/book-clubs-for-children.html
Desiree, aka Queenie D is an English teacher, mom, and lover of books!
Want more information on book clubs? Looking for a book to read? Want to share something you've read? Visit http://www.book-club-queen.com for a fantastic adventure in reading!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Top 10 Bully Excuses
By Billy Simms
1) I was only teasing.
This is the classic excuse that most bullies will use when they are accused of verbal abuse. Teasing usually happens between friends. Verbal abuse happens to weaker students who are unable to stand up for themselves. If you know that the two students who are involved in the incident are not friends, you can be sure that it was not just teasing. Also, teasing becomes bullying when it happens often and over a period of time.
2) I didn't mean to hurt him.
Bullies will almost always try to downplay their actions. Most of the time, their intent is to emotionally hurt or physically cause pain to their victims. Acting like they didn't mean to do it or trying to comfort the victim once they have been caught are ploys that bullies like to incorporate.
3) He pushed me first.
Between two students of the same size and social stature, maybe that could occur. But, between the captain of the football team and the student who is hardly noticed on campus, it's doubtful. It's highly unlikely that a smaller, weaker student will push or try to intimidate someone who is bigger.
4) His face flew into my fist.
Well, problem solved. Kids will actually say this and expect us to believe them.
5) He tripped and fell by himself.
Many students trip and fall every day at school. But, if you have a student complaining that another student is tripping them or pushing them down, then it's probably happening. A question that educators can ask themselves is this: How many times a day/week are students reporting that this behavior is taking place? If the behavior is being reported more than a few times a week, the alleged bully is probably guilty.
6) Someone pushed me into him.
Blaming others is what bullies do so well. Bullies at the elementary level love to push their classmates when they are in line. Since elementary students are in line a lot, this happens quite often. Acting like someone pushed them into another student will be the first excuse that bullies will use if they are accused of pushing another student. Put the bully at the front or the back of the line and keep a close eye on them.
7) She thought I was talking about her, but I wasn't.
Relational bullying among girls is a huge problem. Manipulating friendships and spreading rumors are how girls generally bully each other. This is somewhat of a comical excuse because if the alleged bully denies saying anything, it will be quite easy to find ten or more girls who will admit that the bully did say something.
8) They deserve to be bullied because they are ugly, fat, don't wear the right clothes, etc.
No one deserves to be bullied. Period. Bullies will try to justify their actions by blaming the victim. This is similar to racial discrimination.
9) Everyone bullies.
No, they don't. Only a small percentage of students are bullies. Bullies will say this to try and place the blame on others. Their attitude is that if others are doing it, then it's okay.
10) I didn't do anything.
This may be the easiest thing for students to say when they know they are in trouble. When a student says, "I didn't do anything," it almost always means, "I'm guilty." The phrase I didn't do anything has become such a part of children's vocabulary, it almost automatically comes out of their mouths when they are accused of something.
For more tips and information about bullying I invite you to visit http://www.BillySimmsSpeaks.com
From Billy Simms-Your Trusted Bully Advisor
Want Bullying To Go Away? Don't Delay, Call Billy Today
1) I was only teasing.
This is the classic excuse that most bullies will use when they are accused of verbal abuse. Teasing usually happens between friends. Verbal abuse happens to weaker students who are unable to stand up for themselves. If you know that the two students who are involved in the incident are not friends, you can be sure that it was not just teasing. Also, teasing becomes bullying when it happens often and over a period of time.
2) I didn't mean to hurt him.
Bullies will almost always try to downplay their actions. Most of the time, their intent is to emotionally hurt or physically cause pain to their victims. Acting like they didn't mean to do it or trying to comfort the victim once they have been caught are ploys that bullies like to incorporate.
3) He pushed me first.
Between two students of the same size and social stature, maybe that could occur. But, between the captain of the football team and the student who is hardly noticed on campus, it's doubtful. It's highly unlikely that a smaller, weaker student will push or try to intimidate someone who is bigger.
4) His face flew into my fist.
Well, problem solved. Kids will actually say this and expect us to believe them.
5) He tripped and fell by himself.
Many students trip and fall every day at school. But, if you have a student complaining that another student is tripping them or pushing them down, then it's probably happening. A question that educators can ask themselves is this: How many times a day/week are students reporting that this behavior is taking place? If the behavior is being reported more than a few times a week, the alleged bully is probably guilty.
6) Someone pushed me into him.
Blaming others is what bullies do so well. Bullies at the elementary level love to push their classmates when they are in line. Since elementary students are in line a lot, this happens quite often. Acting like someone pushed them into another student will be the first excuse that bullies will use if they are accused of pushing another student. Put the bully at the front or the back of the line and keep a close eye on them.
7) She thought I was talking about her, but I wasn't.
Relational bullying among girls is a huge problem. Manipulating friendships and spreading rumors are how girls generally bully each other. This is somewhat of a comical excuse because if the alleged bully denies saying anything, it will be quite easy to find ten or more girls who will admit that the bully did say something.
8) They deserve to be bullied because they are ugly, fat, don't wear the right clothes, etc.
No one deserves to be bullied. Period. Bullies will try to justify their actions by blaming the victim. This is similar to racial discrimination.
9) Everyone bullies.
No, they don't. Only a small percentage of students are bullies. Bullies will say this to try and place the blame on others. Their attitude is that if others are doing it, then it's okay.
10) I didn't do anything.
This may be the easiest thing for students to say when they know they are in trouble. When a student says, "I didn't do anything," it almost always means, "I'm guilty." The phrase I didn't do anything has become such a part of children's vocabulary, it almost automatically comes out of their mouths when they are accused of something.
For more tips and information about bullying I invite you to visit http://www.BillySimmsSpeaks.com
From Billy Simms-Your Trusted Bully Advisor
Want Bullying To Go Away? Don't Delay, Call Billy Today
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
What are Zwinkys?
By David Pitman
A Zwinky is a small cartoon character which can be completely customized to your own liking. Although this is nothing new, they differentiate themselves from similar services by making the process extremely simple and straight forward. Secondly the actual design is so cute, that everyone adores them at first sight. Finally, and indeed most importantly, they are completely free to the user.
The winning concept behind Zwinkys, is that it gives people the ability to quickly make a cute avatar which can used to represent themselves. The benefit to the younger audience, is that they can quickly change the appearance of them to suit their mood, or if there is a special occasion, they can redesign it to fit that occasion. So if it's Halloween, perhaps you might want to dress your new avatar in a little monster suit, or skeleton suit.
The really clever part of of this, is that once you make changes and save them, everywhere that you have previously used your Zwinky is automatically updated. So instead of having to visit your myspace page, blog etc you can literally click a button and they all update.
Parents not only adore the cute little avatars, they recognise that the added benefit of their child using a Zwinky is that their identity is more secure. As no longer are their children uploading images of themselves to use as avatars. So the benefits of using them are clearly positive.
Once you have created your unique Zwinky, you can then enter Zwinktopia. This virtual world is a place to meet and chat. It's basically a virtual world. In this virtual world, they can meet with each other and can earn zbucks which can be used to go shopping with. There are various articles like shoes, bags, etc which you can buy and the more you earn the more items you unlock. Thus the interactive portal keeps audiences of all ages enthralled for hours.
If this wasn't enough, you also get access to your own profile page. This profile page, allows you to add friends and keep in touch with them. You can also leave znotes, which are little notes that can be shown to the visitors of your profile page.
In order to get one and enter the Zwinktopia, you are going to have to download the Zwinky software. The software is required in order to aid the process of creating the Zwinky. But rest assured, the software is completely safe and contains no spyware or malware. Once you have downloaded the software, you can install it and it will prompt you to create a username/password. Once you have completed this, you will then have access to enter the Zwinktopia.
So now's the time to grab your free software and create a little Avatar, so that you can become the talk of the town, and protect your identity.
Dave Pitman is founder of MakeZwinkys.com, the Zwinky resource. The site contains great information on Zwinkys and tells you exactly how to create a zwinky.
A Zwinky is a small cartoon character which can be completely customized to your own liking. Although this is nothing new, they differentiate themselves from similar services by making the process extremely simple and straight forward. Secondly the actual design is so cute, that everyone adores them at first sight. Finally, and indeed most importantly, they are completely free to the user.
The winning concept behind Zwinkys, is that it gives people the ability to quickly make a cute avatar which can used to represent themselves. The benefit to the younger audience, is that they can quickly change the appearance of them to suit their mood, or if there is a special occasion, they can redesign it to fit that occasion. So if it's Halloween, perhaps you might want to dress your new avatar in a little monster suit, or skeleton suit.
The really clever part of of this, is that once you make changes and save them, everywhere that you have previously used your Zwinky is automatically updated. So instead of having to visit your myspace page, blog etc you can literally click a button and they all update.
Parents not only adore the cute little avatars, they recognise that the added benefit of their child using a Zwinky is that their identity is more secure. As no longer are their children uploading images of themselves to use as avatars. So the benefits of using them are clearly positive.
Once you have created your unique Zwinky, you can then enter Zwinktopia. This virtual world is a place to meet and chat. It's basically a virtual world. In this virtual world, they can meet with each other and can earn zbucks which can be used to go shopping with. There are various articles like shoes, bags, etc which you can buy and the more you earn the more items you unlock. Thus the interactive portal keeps audiences of all ages enthralled for hours.
If this wasn't enough, you also get access to your own profile page. This profile page, allows you to add friends and keep in touch with them. You can also leave znotes, which are little notes that can be shown to the visitors of your profile page.
In order to get one and enter the Zwinktopia, you are going to have to download the Zwinky software. The software is required in order to aid the process of creating the Zwinky. But rest assured, the software is completely safe and contains no spyware or malware. Once you have downloaded the software, you can install it and it will prompt you to create a username/password. Once you have completed this, you will then have access to enter the Zwinktopia.
So now's the time to grab your free software and create a little Avatar, so that you can become the talk of the town, and protect your identity.
Dave Pitman is founder of MakeZwinkys.com, the Zwinky resource. The site contains great information on Zwinkys and tells you exactly how to create a zwinky.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Easy Rainy Day Activities For The Kids
By Lydia Quinn
Many parents dread a rainy day, with active kids stuck inside all day with nothing to do but watch TV or play video games. Here are some ideas for easy activities to engage and entertain your kids on the next rainy day.
Coloring
It seems like a simple idea, but coloring can take up a lot of time and is a very inexpensive activity. If you don't have coloring books around, go online and print out some coloring pages. It's easy and free.
Puzzles
Keep some jigsaw puzzles around in case of a rainy day. These puzzles can be a good challenge for kids and keep them busy for a while trying to piece together the picture. You can even get puzzles from garage sales and flea markets for pennies.
Board Games
Board games like Life, Chutes and Ladders and CandyLand take up a lot of time and gets the kids or family together. Popular board games are another item you can find at garage sales for much less than you buy them in stores new.
Art Project
Get out all the crayons, pencils, markers, clay, play dough, construction paper, kid scissors, glue and tape you have and let the kids create. Art is a great way to get kids to express themselves and it can take up hours.
Dance!
Put the stereo or radio on a top 40 station and get the kids dancing. Or put on classical music for the aspiring ballerina.
Write Letters
Have loved ones that live far away? Why not have the kids write letters to relatives that they miss. It's wonderful to receive a handwritten letter in this age of email. The letter will surely be treasured by the recipient.
Fashion Show
Let the kids have access to a closet with some clothes. Let them play dress up or have a fashion show with adult clothes. Though girls may enjoy this more than boys.
Card Games
Games like Hearts, Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno, Spades and Pinochle can be taught to many children easily and they can play for hours.
Bingo!
Bingo is a fun game for all ages. If you don't have a bingo set around, then make one from scratch! It's easy, and making the game yourself can be as fun as playing it. Include prizes for whoever gets Bingo first, for extra fun.
Baking
There are many recipes on the web and in cookbooks that are safe and appropriate for kids to make. Choose one and have the kids make lunch or dinner, with supervision, of course.
Activity Books
Books full of crossword puzzles, word searches, math games, trivia and quizzes are perfect for rainy days. Stock up on these at the dollar store.
Books
Lastly, don't forget the old standby of reading. If you need quiet time, get the kids reading or read to them. It keep kids quiet and engages their minds.
Lydia Quinn writes for SmellStickers.com, your online source for scratch and sniff stickers and gift sets. Visit us at http://www.smellstickers.com/
Many parents dread a rainy day, with active kids stuck inside all day with nothing to do but watch TV or play video games. Here are some ideas for easy activities to engage and entertain your kids on the next rainy day.
Coloring
It seems like a simple idea, but coloring can take up a lot of time and is a very inexpensive activity. If you don't have coloring books around, go online and print out some coloring pages. It's easy and free.
Puzzles
Keep some jigsaw puzzles around in case of a rainy day. These puzzles can be a good challenge for kids and keep them busy for a while trying to piece together the picture. You can even get puzzles from garage sales and flea markets for pennies.
Board Games
Board games like Life, Chutes and Ladders and CandyLand take up a lot of time and gets the kids or family together. Popular board games are another item you can find at garage sales for much less than you buy them in stores new.
Art Project
Get out all the crayons, pencils, markers, clay, play dough, construction paper, kid scissors, glue and tape you have and let the kids create. Art is a great way to get kids to express themselves and it can take up hours.
Dance!
Put the stereo or radio on a top 40 station and get the kids dancing. Or put on classical music for the aspiring ballerina.
Write Letters
Have loved ones that live far away? Why not have the kids write letters to relatives that they miss. It's wonderful to receive a handwritten letter in this age of email. The letter will surely be treasured by the recipient.
Fashion Show
Let the kids have access to a closet with some clothes. Let them play dress up or have a fashion show with adult clothes. Though girls may enjoy this more than boys.
Card Games
Games like Hearts, Go Fish, Old Maid, Uno, Spades and Pinochle can be taught to many children easily and they can play for hours.
Bingo!
Bingo is a fun game for all ages. If you don't have a bingo set around, then make one from scratch! It's easy, and making the game yourself can be as fun as playing it. Include prizes for whoever gets Bingo first, for extra fun.
Baking
There are many recipes on the web and in cookbooks that are safe and appropriate for kids to make. Choose one and have the kids make lunch or dinner, with supervision, of course.
Activity Books
Books full of crossword puzzles, word searches, math games, trivia and quizzes are perfect for rainy days. Stock up on these at the dollar store.
Books
Lastly, don't forget the old standby of reading. If you need quiet time, get the kids reading or read to them. It keep kids quiet and engages their minds.
Lydia Quinn writes for SmellStickers.com, your online source for scratch and sniff stickers and gift sets. Visit us at http://www.smellstickers.com/
Friday, December 7, 2007
Interactive Toys Make Learning Fun
By Alicia M.
The days of G.I. Joe's, Barbie's and board games fulfilling children's playtime activities seems to be a thing of the past. Today's kids are tech savvy and need hi-tech interactive games that supply instant gratification.
Sure, little boys still love to play with their trucks in the mud, while little girls dress their dolls up for tea dates, but today children are computer smart. But that's anything but negative; the best part about them - children are developing their minds and sharpening their intellect while they play games! As a parent it's like getting your cake and eating it too. Now if you could just get them to eat their vegetables!
The best toys for children are indeed those that are interactive and foster learning and playing in one. Interactive toys give children the opportunity to explore, talk, and learn while having fun!
The fourth annual "Hot Holiday: Toys, Game and Video Games" survey from Play-Date, a marketing service firm, found that little boys will be asking for more video game and interactive toys this year then in years past.
With the popularity of the Leapfrog Learning System, educational games have never been so much fun. These learning tools are turning to the TV in a video game format to teach children the basics like colors, animals, the alphabet and more. Today, industry shifts have now moved to computer learning games as well.
One of the most popular interactive toys, if not the most popular of 2007, Webkinz, have taken the industry by storm like none other since the Tamagotchi's craze in the 90's. They are adorable stuffed animals that transport kids into a world of virtual friends, fun, learning and game playing!
Visiting their kid-friendly website, children get to play educational learning games, visit with friends and learn responsibility by taking care of their virtual pet. If you haven't seen one yet, just wait. And if you're a parent with a child who has one, we know you're playing right along with them! Big brothers and sisters are volunteering to help out with the Webkinz just to get a crack at the secret code to enter the Webkinz world.
Following Webkinz has been a whole assortment of interactive computer related games for children like the Lil Kinz, Shining Stars, Ty Girls and Zoobie pets.
While parents might be slow to adapt to kids tech savvy learning of the 21st century - no imaginary friends, less board games - interactive games and toys are an asset to your child's learning and development. Gift them with education by introducing them to the newest developments and latest technologies in learning fun!
PamelasBoutique.biz carries tons of interactive toys at low prices, including Webkinz and Shining Stars. That darling child in your life will have a huge smile on their face when you present him or her with a cuddly interactive plush toy!
Written by Alicia M.
The days of G.I. Joe's, Barbie's and board games fulfilling children's playtime activities seems to be a thing of the past. Today's kids are tech savvy and need hi-tech interactive games that supply instant gratification.
Sure, little boys still love to play with their trucks in the mud, while little girls dress their dolls up for tea dates, but today children are computer smart. But that's anything but negative; the best part about them - children are developing their minds and sharpening their intellect while they play games! As a parent it's like getting your cake and eating it too. Now if you could just get them to eat their vegetables!
The best toys for children are indeed those that are interactive and foster learning and playing in one. Interactive toys give children the opportunity to explore, talk, and learn while having fun!
The fourth annual "Hot Holiday: Toys, Game and Video Games" survey from Play-Date, a marketing service firm, found that little boys will be asking for more video game and interactive toys this year then in years past.
With the popularity of the Leapfrog Learning System, educational games have never been so much fun. These learning tools are turning to the TV in a video game format to teach children the basics like colors, animals, the alphabet and more. Today, industry shifts have now moved to computer learning games as well.
One of the most popular interactive toys, if not the most popular of 2007, Webkinz, have taken the industry by storm like none other since the Tamagotchi's craze in the 90's. They are adorable stuffed animals that transport kids into a world of virtual friends, fun, learning and game playing!
Visiting their kid-friendly website, children get to play educational learning games, visit with friends and learn responsibility by taking care of their virtual pet. If you haven't seen one yet, just wait. And if you're a parent with a child who has one, we know you're playing right along with them! Big brothers and sisters are volunteering to help out with the Webkinz just to get a crack at the secret code to enter the Webkinz world.
Following Webkinz has been a whole assortment of interactive computer related games for children like the Lil Kinz, Shining Stars, Ty Girls and Zoobie pets.
While parents might be slow to adapt to kids tech savvy learning of the 21st century - no imaginary friends, less board games - interactive games and toys are an asset to your child's learning and development. Gift them with education by introducing them to the newest developments and latest technologies in learning fun!
PamelasBoutique.biz carries tons of interactive toys at low prices, including Webkinz and Shining Stars. That darling child in your life will have a huge smile on their face when you present him or her with a cuddly interactive plush toy!
Written by Alicia M.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Give Me Wood and I Will Show You a Toy
By Jon Skinkis
How many toys are made of other materials that you can't find made from wood? Not many, other than the electronic ones. You see, natural wooden toys have been around for more years than any other toy. That's FACT. Archaeologists have found natural wooden toys when digging for other artifacts, which date back to before Christ. That certainly is more than can be said of plastics and man made materials. Wood in fact will still be around when plastics and the like have ceased to exist because of the scarcity of oil.
Look at the skill of the wooden toy maker, it is remarkable and to look at a child's rocking horse when it has been hand carved and the final touches added is a joy to see. I am sure if you were to ask the wooden toy maker to make a toy of your choice he would not have a problem carving one to perfection, whatever it may be. Yes the moulding of plastic has given it an edge in the past, but nowadays with new technologies, the wood carver can give highly polished and intricate finishes to wood never seen before.There are lorries, diggers, spinning tops as well as aeroplanes and pirate ships to mention but a few, in a vast range of natural wooden toys, most of which have been hand carved.
We know if we were all to look in our homes that we would find lots of plastic toys. But where are these toys kept? Are they out on display in pride of place? Or are they pushed to the back of a cupboard or wardrobe, probably never to be played with again? Now if you would take a look again, is there any wooden toys? My guess would be, yes, at least two and probably one of these is on display, or left out. It is out because natural wooden toys are attractive and pleasing on the eye, they can be a centre piece in the lounge, or if small enough sat on a mantelpiece over the fire.
Do we love natural wooden toys because the wooden toy maker puts so much love and effort into his masterpiece, which is then passed on through the wood, or is it because it was once living and giving us life through its leaves giving us oxygen. It may be lots of differing things, one thing is for certain though, wood will be used for making toys for generations to come.
Wooden rocking horses and natural wooden toys will last generations, the wood toymaker has seen to it. wooden rocking horses Childrens wooden toys wooden rocking toys
Author Jon Skinkis checks out wood and plastic.
How many toys are made of other materials that you can't find made from wood? Not many, other than the electronic ones. You see, natural wooden toys have been around for more years than any other toy. That's FACT. Archaeologists have found natural wooden toys when digging for other artifacts, which date back to before Christ. That certainly is more than can be said of plastics and man made materials. Wood in fact will still be around when plastics and the like have ceased to exist because of the scarcity of oil.
Look at the skill of the wooden toy maker, it is remarkable and to look at a child's rocking horse when it has been hand carved and the final touches added is a joy to see. I am sure if you were to ask the wooden toy maker to make a toy of your choice he would not have a problem carving one to perfection, whatever it may be. Yes the moulding of plastic has given it an edge in the past, but nowadays with new technologies, the wood carver can give highly polished and intricate finishes to wood never seen before.There are lorries, diggers, spinning tops as well as aeroplanes and pirate ships to mention but a few, in a vast range of natural wooden toys, most of which have been hand carved.
We know if we were all to look in our homes that we would find lots of plastic toys. But where are these toys kept? Are they out on display in pride of place? Or are they pushed to the back of a cupboard or wardrobe, probably never to be played with again? Now if you would take a look again, is there any wooden toys? My guess would be, yes, at least two and probably one of these is on display, or left out. It is out because natural wooden toys are attractive and pleasing on the eye, they can be a centre piece in the lounge, or if small enough sat on a mantelpiece over the fire.
Do we love natural wooden toys because the wooden toy maker puts so much love and effort into his masterpiece, which is then passed on through the wood, or is it because it was once living and giving us life through its leaves giving us oxygen. It may be lots of differing things, one thing is for certain though, wood will be used for making toys for generations to come.
Wooden rocking horses and natural wooden toys will last generations, the wood toymaker has seen to it. wooden rocking horses Childrens wooden toys wooden rocking toys
Author Jon Skinkis checks out wood and plastic.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Game Plan - Kids and Sports Safety
By M. Kabel
Get "the game plan" for keeping your kids safe at play this school year with the safety review and overview in this easy to read article.
The fall and winter seasons mean football, hockey, volleyball and gymnastics. Then, come spring it's basketball, baseball, softball and tennis. Kids love sports, and there's really no better way to let them burn off all their youthful energy.
As a parent, however, you're concerned about injuries - the pulled or strained muscles, broken and cracked bones, torn tendons and ligaments, and any of dozens of other injuries. But children are often more resilient than their protective parents realize, and can snap back from an injury much faster than adults. Just the same, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of peace of mind.
Training first
Training also includes pre-training: getting ready for the more structured and formal training kids will undergo with their team. You and your child can work together to compose a pre-training regimen, combining calisthenics with a good cardiovascular workout to prep their bodies for the more specialized training to come later.
Probably the most important aspect of training and pre-training alike is consistency. The body at any age thrives on structure and regularity. Sticking to the regimen you and your child set is crucial to building efficiency and raising muscle and respiratory stamina.
Diet and hydration
It's said so often it's practically a clich�, but proper diet and exercise are essential for children to develop and thrive. This is especially true for children speeding up their metabolisms with intensive exercise. Young athletes in training need lot of carbohydrates and protein to keep their energy up and their muscles stocked with the necessary building blocks.
Keep children well hydrated during training and play, especially during the warmer months of the year. In general, the body needs as much water as it releases in sweat. For most purposes, one cup every fifteen to twenty minutes of training is sufficient. Remember too that over-hydrating can cause cramps and nausea, so use your best judgment. Giving the child sports drinks is fine so long as they are sugar-free and contain plenty of electrolytes.
In case of emergency
The team your child joins should have a thorough emergency plan and first aid preparation and materials with them at all practices. All padding and equipment should be reasonably new and in good condition. It's also important to make sure the pads and other equipment are the right size. The field or court the team competes on should be level and in good repair, with no holes, jutting cracks, or fissures that could present a tripping hazard.
Corner Stork Baby Gifts is proud to present this article as part of our continuing efforts towards better child safety. We invite you to visit our catalog of unique baby gifts, baby shower gifts, baby blankets, and baby shower gifts and supplies at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com
Get "the game plan" for keeping your kids safe at play this school year with the safety review and overview in this easy to read article.
The fall and winter seasons mean football, hockey, volleyball and gymnastics. Then, come spring it's basketball, baseball, softball and tennis. Kids love sports, and there's really no better way to let them burn off all their youthful energy.
As a parent, however, you're concerned about injuries - the pulled or strained muscles, broken and cracked bones, torn tendons and ligaments, and any of dozens of other injuries. But children are often more resilient than their protective parents realize, and can snap back from an injury much faster than adults. Just the same, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of peace of mind.
Training first
Training also includes pre-training: getting ready for the more structured and formal training kids will undergo with their team. You and your child can work together to compose a pre-training regimen, combining calisthenics with a good cardiovascular workout to prep their bodies for the more specialized training to come later.
Probably the most important aspect of training and pre-training alike is consistency. The body at any age thrives on structure and regularity. Sticking to the regimen you and your child set is crucial to building efficiency and raising muscle and respiratory stamina.
Diet and hydration
It's said so often it's practically a clich�, but proper diet and exercise are essential for children to develop and thrive. This is especially true for children speeding up their metabolisms with intensive exercise. Young athletes in training need lot of carbohydrates and protein to keep their energy up and their muscles stocked with the necessary building blocks.
Keep children well hydrated during training and play, especially during the warmer months of the year. In general, the body needs as much water as it releases in sweat. For most purposes, one cup every fifteen to twenty minutes of training is sufficient. Remember too that over-hydrating can cause cramps and nausea, so use your best judgment. Giving the child sports drinks is fine so long as they are sugar-free and contain plenty of electrolytes.
In case of emergency
The team your child joins should have a thorough emergency plan and first aid preparation and materials with them at all practices. All padding and equipment should be reasonably new and in good condition. It's also important to make sure the pads and other equipment are the right size. The field or court the team competes on should be level and in good repair, with no holes, jutting cracks, or fissures that could present a tripping hazard.
Corner Stork Baby Gifts is proud to present this article as part of our continuing efforts towards better child safety. We invite you to visit our catalog of unique baby gifts, baby shower gifts, baby blankets, and baby shower gifts and supplies at http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Help Children Make Friends Checklist
By Judy Wright
� Be Objective-don�t take it personally
� Let them solve their own problems, unless there is danger.
� Provide opportunities to be with peer group
� Teach the unwritten rules of life & likeability
� Don�t push them to be in �the� group
� Help them find positive in every situation
� Blame, shame and focusing on the pain won�t work.�
� Watch for and teach importance of body language and facial expressions
� Help them to understand personal space
� Assist them in regulating tone of voice and laughter
� Help them develop a passionate interest in something
� Teach when approaching a group, ask someone other than the leader to join.
� Have them write a list of what they are looking for in a friend
� Have them write a list of what they have to offer as a friend
� Teach them to smile and say hello. Appear open and approachable
� Work together to give service and help others
� Remind them that this too shall pass. We all develop friendships for different reasons, when a friendship ends; it may just mean you have learned all you needed from each other, someone else will come along soon.
� Model friendly and kind actions in relationships
� Build your child up, not tear others down
� Express confidence in their ability to be a good friend and to draw others to them.
Judy H. Wright, parent educator, author and international speaker, http://www.ArtichokePress.com
� Be Objective-don�t take it personally
� Let them solve their own problems, unless there is danger.
� Provide opportunities to be with peer group
� Teach the unwritten rules of life & likeability
� Don�t push them to be in �the� group
� Help them find positive in every situation
� Blame, shame and focusing on the pain won�t work.�
� Watch for and teach importance of body language and facial expressions
� Help them to understand personal space
� Assist them in regulating tone of voice and laughter
� Help them develop a passionate interest in something
� Teach when approaching a group, ask someone other than the leader to join.
� Have them write a list of what they are looking for in a friend
� Have them write a list of what they have to offer as a friend
� Teach them to smile and say hello. Appear open and approachable
� Work together to give service and help others
� Remind them that this too shall pass. We all develop friendships for different reasons, when a friendship ends; it may just mean you have learned all you needed from each other, someone else will come along soon.
� Model friendly and kind actions in relationships
� Build your child up, not tear others down
� Express confidence in their ability to be a good friend and to draw others to them.
Judy H. Wright, parent educator, author and international speaker, http://www.ArtichokePress.com
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