Archive for the ‘Kids and Parenting’ Category
Kids usually have a good list of gifts they would like for Christmas, birthday or other occasions, but sometimes you want to surprise them with something different. Or maybe you specifically want to give them a gift that will also be an educational tool.
Books are a great educational kids gift that can help them start to develop good reading habits. Reading will help them learn the language and proper sentence structure and if they keep up the reading habit it will help them become more articulate. Kids are like sponges and are eager to learn new things especially with a little coaxing.
Board games can made a great family, joint or individual gift. They provide a fun way for the family to interact while teaching at the same time so you’re able to spend quality family time and feel good because you know the kids are learning skills at the same time. When the kids are younger the games will teach very basic skills like counting and waiting for your turn, but as they get older and the games get more complex you kids may actually challenge you!
For the curious kids who likes to know how things work you may want to consider gifts that are science-related. Something like a chemistry set that will allow them to have an interactive learning environment with some basic elements. Or maybe a starter telescope that allows you to see the rings around Jupiter or have a better view of the moon.
Craft or hobby kits are another good educational gift. They can help kids learn to focus their mind on specific tasks for a period of time. This seems especially important these days since all our information seems to be in short bits mixed with constant distractions. Many crafts and hobbies can also help fine tune motor skills while they also foster creativity. Kids can feel a sense of accomplishment from the items they create.
Gifts related to music are often a good idea. This can include a cd from an artist they like, an educational kids music cd or something like a world music cd that has music and sounds from other countries. Most kids love music no matter what age they are, and many kids like to have fun and dance to music. A music related gift could also include an instrument from something simple like a harmonica to something bigger like a guitar.
Kids video games are often a big hit with kids. Not only are they fun but they can also be educational. They can help with hand-eye coordination and they can also help stimulate analytical thought with the use of puzzle solving. Games for younger kids help with basic skills like basic math or language, while games for the older kids can start helping with more complex skills. Many games are multi-player so the kids can also enjoy them with friends or family.
A watch can be a great learning tool and fun gift for younger kids. There are beginner kids watches specifically designed to help kids learn how to tell time. Many of these watches come with their favorite characters or other fun themes. For older kids you might look at a classier watch or a sporty watch with additional features.
Regardless of what you end up buying, have fun shopping!
Parents need to face facts. Infant bed sheets are going to be abused. CSI would have a field day locating traces of pee, spit up, and who knows what else decorating these linens. Because of that, it is very important to purchase crib sheets that are going to hold up and stay safe after multiple washings. These guidelines will help parents rest-easy with their baby’s bedding choice.
Remember that many laws have changed in the last few years, so when investigating what is best for your infant, you need to make sure the data is up-to-date. According to recent data as of 2008, babies need to be placed in rear facing car seats until they are around the first year of age or they have reached a weight of at least 20 pounds [Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2008, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2008] . The transition to the next size car seat needs to be based mainly on weight and less on age. Just because a child is older does not mean they are not necessarily safer.
If you shop at any of those warehouse shopping centers with the larger/oversized shopping carts you will definitely want a shopping cart cover that will fit both the normal and larger size shopping carts. Many of the shopping cart covers can also be used to cover restaurant highchairs and park swings. Almost all of the quality shopping cart cover sold today, will cover almost any size shopping cart.
Keep your toddler comfortable. Diaper padding only goes so far. Those hard shopping cart seats can be irritating to some toddlers. Consider making or buying a shopping cart cover to keep your toddler comfortable while shopping. This will have the added benefit of preventing your toddler from being exposed to the myriad of germs that can be found on the shopping cart.
Many parents are unaware of the proper height placement of the harness. When a child is placed rear-facing, the harness straps must be at or below shoulder level. This is different when a child sits forward facing, and the straps should be at or above shoulder level.
Imagine their frustration upon returning home from what was thought to be a successful shopping trip, and the parents discover that they purchased the wrong sized sheet. There are many different kinds of sheets available - standard crib sheets, bassinet sheets, playard sheets, and cradle sheets to name a few. Parents need to double check the crib sheet size before purchasing or registering.
One might say that this potty chair is loaded with bells and whistles. The Fun to Learn Potty incorporates music to reinforce children when they go potty as well as many musical selections to entertain them while they wait.
They will go through an inspection process and will come with a company backed guaranty of quality. Some of the at home sewers making and selling shopping cart covers do a phenomenal job and produce a top quality product. While others try to increase there profit margin by using cheap, low quality materials and sewing construction methods that are just not going to hold up.
Current studies show that about 95 percent of American kids below 10 years have celebrated a birthday celebration and can tell you bluntly that kid’s birthday parties need to be enjoyable for kids. Though how could a kid’s birthday party be fun? here’s a few ideas from party experts as well as eager mothers that may render your child’s party a success but remember to permit the kid to help with their party.
Do not take this notion literally and leave a child to plan alone for the party, rather, it means get a child involved in the planning procedures. A kid’s concept of fun is a primary ingredient in preparing for a great party, especially because they’re the primary concern of the party itself. Discard the concept of making custom regulations for the partyor aiming to keep your house remain tidy even following the party. Yet, with a child involved in the preparation phase, not only can you get good ideas for children to appreciate, but you can also obtain an collaboration and obtain their cooperation for things that you could wish to keep in order during the event. Second, plan for a workable celebration. Attempt to control the number of guests by accounting for the factor of kid to adult number, chiefly when trying to manage the celebration itself. Do take note that kids are a rowdy bunch and having a few adults along, especially parents of the guests, may prove helpful in periods of anarchy and extreme play. Additionally you might attempt to prepare for events with both parent and kid, that way, everyone in the even can enjoy themselves.
Thirdly, it’d be best to have a theme for the event. Popular themes, be it favorite personalities of the birthday kid from a cartoon, a book or even comic book character - it’ll create a more interesting and creative way to celebrate the event. Children’s birthday celebrations are supposed to be fun and creative, so decorating the house with a themed backdrop or guests asked to come in costume, may be a fun and exciting method to drive attention among the children and make them enjoy activities as well.
Finally, constantly entertain the children. Kids are happiest when they’re preoccupied with events and games that will keep them moving around and have them spend their energy on the events and pursuits, instead of having them lay around and become weary for the entire duration of the celebration. Keeping the party to a maximum of an hour should be adequate, since you’ll additionally require extra time in order to clean up following the party. Think about it, the shorter the event duration, the smaller wreck you’ll likely clean up after the party.
Plan for more activities, rather than simply preparing just enough party games during the event therefore if you’ve created time for three activities, make it a point to think of two additional games as a backup plan. There are certain activities which could be too exhausting to conduct after a previous one, so with a backup game prepared, you may be able to make the necessary alterations whenever necessary. So, by now you know that kid’s birthday celebrations must be fun for kids so make as much as you can from it and enjoy yourself.
Whichever birthday planning task is in front of you, put it behind you with Winnie Pooh 1st birthday party supplies. This delightful series based on the popular children’s books and films will turn any party into a Tigger-worthy celebration.
Tigger may bounce off the walls but you won’t have to if you get Pooh’s Happy Day Deluxe Pack. Filled with themed plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, and a dozen decorating items, you get everything you need in one single package.
For dessert let the Pooh Cake Pan provide you with the ideal platform for your creative frosting design. Draw Pooh in all his glorious colors then top your masterpiece with some Pooh candles and one of the very cool Pooh Cake Toppers.
Pooh and Tigger get together on a Pooh’s Happy Day Mylar Balloon you can use to decorate the party room in just the right way. Even Eeyore will be cheerful after he sees one of these.
Select a few Pooh Airwalker Balloons while you’re at it. Pooh floats above the party making sure everyone is having a good time. Add a few Pooh Party Wall Decorations and your home becomes the Enchanted Forest. Hang them around the dining room, the game room, or anywhere else your guests will gather.
With the decorations up it’s time to prepare the Winnie the Pooh Pinata! Pooh’s smiling face shows that he’s ready to dispense a ton of goodies. The pull-string kit makes it easy to open without risking any nearby lamps or furniture.
Fill Pooh with Pinata Filler, featuring a variety of tasty candies, including Sweet Tarts, Bubble Gum, Smarties, Tootsies, and more. The package also holds several small toys - whistles, miniature Frisbees, and others. They’ll delight both adults and children.
Provide your guests with Winnie the Pooh party favors in the form of a variety of lovely gifts. Or, buy pre-filled Pooh Favor Boxes that hold a Pooh bounce ball, blowout, sticker sheet, an assorted-color clay and cookie cutter.
Record all your memories of the day your little Pooh was born with a Keepsake Scroll. You choose which memories mean the most to you about that special day. This keepsake is available in 11″ x 14″ black wood, white wood, golden oak, or acrylic frames, or as a 7″ x 9″ scroll without a frame.
Let Pooh and his friends show you how to make your child’s birthday celebration special with a Birthday Message Camera. Pre-printed text messages display on the pictures of your guests. That’s a great way to say “Thank You” for all the fun they brought to the party.
Pooh birthday party goods create a party atmosphere like no other theme. Envelope your guests in an Enchanted Forest of your own making.
Summer toddler fashions for boys should be chosen with fun in mind. You can find many different toddler boy clothes that are unique and will reflect the budding personality of your little boy. It just takes a little imagination and some savvy shopping to find the right clothes for your toddler this summer. With a little know how, you can make sure your toddler is the best dressed kid in town.
There are a lot of summer clothes that are made with just little boys in mind. These range from t-shirts to shorts. When you are choosing the clothes for your child, you can play it safe by choosing clothes that are miniature versions of the fashions worn by big boys.
T-shirts are always in fashion when it comes to toddler boy clothes. Instead of generic t-shirts, however, you may want to choose some that have some fun sayings that are bound to give others a chuckle and make your child stand out.
Look for t-shirts that are cool when it comes to comfort, but hot when it comes to style for your child this summer. Consider getting those that show a little bit of humor and that reflect on the personality that your child is developing.
You can pick toddler t-shirts for you boy that say that he only dates models. You can also choose from some symbols and logos that are both hip as well as adorable on youngsters.
Of course, you do not want to forget about shorts as they are the essential part of a summer wardrobe. You are going to want to be sure that your little boy is comfortable in the heat by wearing short pants that will allow him to keep cool.
Of course, style also comes into play when you are looking for clothes for toddlers. You can find the most stylish shorts, including the corded shorts that the older boys are wearing, made for little toddler boys.
Make sure that the clothes that you pick are not only cool to look at, but will also keep your child cool. Wearing shorts and t-shirts during the warm summer months will make your child feel comfortable, even in the hot weather.
Remember that when you are picking toddler fashions to look for those that not only look good, but are also comfortable for your child. Take a pick from some of the latest fashions and choose those that will fit your boy. Your toddler can be the coolest kid in town wearing the hot summer fashions that are both comfortable and fun.
There is no question that fairy tale stories can be an excellent language teaching tool for both parents and teachers. Teaching children a language - be that their first, second or third - can be a pleasurable and fun experience for everyone involved, with familiar fairy tale stories, such as Little Red Riding Hood story, Puss In Boots, the Three Little Pigs and other tales.
Young children learn languages best when they are active participants - just as they learned their native language.
When young children begin learning a second language in a structured classroom environment they do not have the same opportunities to hear and use the language as they have for their native language.
Parents can offer important supplementary exposure by providing high-quality language instruction at home. The language materials introduced needs to be age appropriate and engaging so children can use it (and will want to use it) in different situations.
Because fables and fairy tales are an inseparable companion of childhood, they make perfect material for teaching language at an early age. Fairytale world, heroes, and motifs are already well-known to children and can serve as an excellent basis for learning language, making the learning easy and amusing.
There are many resources available that will help turn learning into play: books, audio books (on cassettes, CDs, mp3), toys, and pictures. Parents and children can become actors, and a small space in a living room can be transformed into a stage. Stories can be enlivened by using puppets, costumes, and other props. For example, allowing the child to wear a princess or a witch costume while reading the story would add a fun element to the instruction. This will also encourage children to explore the new language hands-on in a spontaneous play.
An added advantage is that some children become more open and talkative when they are using masks, puppets and costumes. This gives them more freedom of expression, as they can act as somebody else. The use of props, costumes and masks is also an excellent strategy for timid children.
Summer toddler fashions for boys should be chosen with fun in mind. You can find many different toddler boy clothes that are unique and will reflect the budding personality of your little boy. It just takes a little imagination and some savvy shopping to find the right clothes for your toddler this summer. With a little know how, you can make sure your toddler is the best dressed kid in town.
Little boys wear shorts in the summer, unlike little girls who can get away with dresses. As this is a time in their lives when they are just getting potty trained, there are a few things that parents need to know about toddler shorts. These tips can make it easy on both the parents and the child.
T-shirts are always in fashion when it comes to toddler boy clothes. Instead of generic t-shirts, however, you may want to choose some that have some fun sayings that are bound to give others a chuckle and make your child stand out.
Look for t-shirts that are cool when it comes to comfort, but hot when it comes to style for your child this summer. Consider getting those that show a little bit of humor and that reflect on the personality that your child is developing.
You can pick toddler t-shirts for you boy that say that he only dates models. You can also choose from some symbols and logos that are both hip as well as adorable on youngsters.
Short pants are necessary for your toddler in warm weather, but they can be trendy as well. Some of the hottest fashions for cool toddler looks are those that are the same as what the older kids are wearing.
One look that you will not want to ignore this summer is corded shorts. These shorts come in many different styles and look cute on toddlers, just as they look fashionable on older boys and even teenagers.
You will also want to make sure that the clothes that you choose for your toddler boy will be easy enough to wear that he can put them on himself. This is an age when children are learning to dress themselves and looking for independence.
Remember that when you are picking toddler fashions to look for those that not only look good, but are also comfortable for your child. Take a pick from some of the latest fashions and choose those that will fit your boy. Your toddler can be the coolest kid in town wearing the hot summer fashions that are both comfortable and fun.
Some of the most influential people in a child’s life are their teachers. For many students, they even spend more of the day with their teachers than they do their own parents.
This rang true for Teresa, whose greatest inspiration turned out to be the one person she would have never expected; her teacher, Ms. Singer. High school was a struggle for Teresa. She had a legacy of being a disruptive student who was angry, troublesome, and had been written off by a number of her teachers and peers. Regularly, Teresa had been asked to leave a classroom for arguing with teachers, mouthing off, and becoming aggressive with other students. This girl was no stranger to the principal’s office and found herself on the receiving end of more F’s than A’s throughout the school year. Despite all of this, Teresa had one teacher that saw true potential in her and provided her with the student support she needed. Ms. Singer believed in Teresa wholeheartedly and reaffirmed it consistently despite Teresa’s negative self-image.
Ms. Singer held Teresa accountable, not based on her being a “problem,” but instead, based on the “10″ she knew Teresa was capable of being. Teresa knew how this teacher felt, and a rapport developed between them. Over time, Ms. Singer established a relationship with Teresa and provided her with the student support she need by making an investment in who she was, and who she could one day be. Ms. Singer allowed Teresa’s potential to be her guide. While in the moments of each incident, Teresa felt angry and frustrated, but her teacher and mentor left her each time with compassion and the undying commitment and belief that Teresa could succeed.
On the last day of class, Teresa handed Ms. Singer a note that said this: “… Thank you for everything you taught me and did for me… I’m sorry for all I put you through. I was surprised that you didn’t kick me out of your class because I know I was a pain. Now I’m determined to get something out of life. My mom would be proud of me for doing this and I want to make her happy. Thank you for believing in me. And keep up the good work because what you’re doing is helping a lot of students be better people.”
Ms. Singer, similar to every teacher who uses Quantum Learning methods in their classroom, knows that every student has the potential for achievement; and every student is a spark just waiting to ignite. By focusing on Teresa’s potential and future, Ms. Singer could see the positives that Teresa was capable of achieving over the negativity and resistance she was holding onto so tightly. For Teresa, it was these extra moments that would leave the greatest impact on her life.
The “Impact of Affirmations” was Ms. Singer’s guide. She understood how to use positive language and reinforcement to counteract the negative voice inside Teresa’s head. By affirming Teresa’s actions, Ms. Singer acknowledged her every effort and was able to shift Teresa’s energy into a new and positive direction.
Students thrive in environments where they know they can be given individual recognition for who they are and what they can do. In ‘The Study of Children Learning Language,’ Gordon Wells notes, “Children who feel, or who are made to feel unaccepted and incompetent may be slow to recover their self-confidence, and as a result, their ability to benefit from the enlarged opportunities for learning that school provides may be diminished or even, in extreme cases, irrevocably damaged.”
Through positive affirmation and student support, Ms. Singer was able to build a positive rapport with Teresa that resulted in a lottery’s payoff. Ms. Singer did this by removing Teresa’s threats, engaging her emotions, and creating a positive connection with her. Rapport opens the doors to students’ lives, creating a way to enter their world, know their concerns, share their successes and speak their language. The degree to which a teacher enters a student’s world is the degree of influence the teacher has in his or her life. For Ms. Singer and Teresa, this is what made all the difference.
If you are having a baby girl, what better theme is there for your baby shower than throwing a Disney Princess themed baby shower! Every baby girl is a little princess in mommy and daddys eyes; therefore, a Disney Princess baby shower will be perfect for any baby girl shower! This theme is most suitable for an all girls baby shower because of its ultra feminine essence. Both delicate and girly, a Disney Princess baby will be a hit with all your friends.
Decorations will not be hard to find at all; you should be able to get a hold of infinite Disney decorations. From balloons to banners, party dcor stores always carry a variety of Disney items. Tiaras and wands are cute party favors that youll be sure to find in most stores. These will make all your girlfriends feel like princesses! For prizes, you can purchase sashes and crowns, and crown the winners of the game as queens. Pink and light purple tablecloths are ideal for this theme, and make sure to have wonderful, magical centerpieces in the middle of each table.
Pink is the color of femininity and purple is symbolic for royalty; these colors together make the perfect Disney princess combination! For centerpieces, a great choice is to go to the Disney store and buy different types of large snow globes featuring the various Disney princesses. These also make fabulous prizes that everyone would love to take home. For less expensive centerpieces, you can make princess baskets. You can do this by purchasing pretty baskets and filling them with Disney princess items and candy.
Adorn the party space with Disney princess balloons and streamers. If you can find one, a castle background or mural that you can post up on a wall would be a great addition to the dcor; it would also be a great place to take pictures in. You might be able to find one in party dcor stores or toy stores, but your best bet might be to look for one online.
For food choices, you can do many things. One of them is to set up a variety of tea party style of foods. Tea sandwiches, mini quiches, pastries, clairs, and other delicacies would work for this option. You can also serve a variety of fine appetizer and entree foods like caviar and shrimp, to create a more restaurant style catering. The food choices are really up to you, and of course, it also depends on the number of guests that will be attending your baby shower, and on the type of atmosphere you want to create.
It is also important to set the atmosphere with music. Disney sells a variety of movie soundtracks that will make your guests feel like they are actually in a Disney movie. Music is an essential element for creating a desired atmosphere, and Disney has some great tunes that are fun and uplifting. A Disney Princess baby shower will be fun and exciting for you and all your guests!
Take care of your GPA from freshman year
Some students like to slack-off after middle school - it’s a new environment, you may not know where the water fountains are, you’re still getting use to the teachers. But a poor 9th grade GPA can kill your chances to get into Ivy League schools.
You may think that a few C’s can be made up later by strong AP and Honors grades, but Harvard pays attention to your FULL TRANSCRIPT. A few C’s and 70’s in easy courses like World Geography will make Ivy League schools think that you can’t handle basic academic material. Your high school GPA matters - all four years.
Get ready for and take the SAT as soon as you can
In an earlier post on SAT scores for college admissions, I discuss the “minimum” score for Ivy League admissions.
My overall advice is that you should shoot for a perfect score but be happy with a “good score” (anything above 2100). Don’t take the test too many times - anything more than 2 or 3 without huge 100+ strides each time just makes you look desperate and incapable.
You should start taking it early - take the Duke TIP in middle school, take the PSAT in sophomore year at least once before the real PSAT. Don’t worry, it won’t go on your permanent record and Harvard won’t be mad that you got a 1800 as a freshman high school student.
It’s a great opportunity for practice that has no consequences. Why wouldn’t you do that?
Get involved in activities now
Notice my advice here - an early start is ideal for Ivy League candidates. By joining different activities and clubs your freshman year, you demonstrate to Harvard that you are committed to specific interests/passions.
Ideally, you’d stay involved in those same clubs over at least a few years. However, if you find that the French Club is really not where you’d prefer spending Tuesday afternoon, that’s ok too - just make sure you’re not using the time watch reruns of the Simpsons.
Diversify a little bit
I usually say it’s more about stories than it is about being well-rounded. After all, college admissions offices want well-rounded student bodies but don’t need everyone to be a perfect microcosm.
Build a core passion
By having a coherent theme - for instance, a passion for inner city issues or a love of music (as shown through participation in things like the String Orchestra and involvement in music-related nonprofits) is a great way to build a CLEAR AND UNIQUE IDENTITY that, if strong enough, is your best shot at getting into Ivy League schools.
Visit campuses
By visiting schools, you show a clear and demonstrated interest. Plus, you’ll meet people on that visit that will help you determine if you’re a better fit for Harvard or Stanford, Dartmouth or Brown.
Prepare for college interviews
DON’T FORGET to start doing this early. If you have a strong shot, this isn’t something that you wait until the last second to study for.
The best way to get ready for alumni interviews is to practice interviews with family and older people - not your twin brother. Have them ask questions about your accomplishments, your life story, your reasons for wanting to go to Stanford.