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Low Cost Things to Do With Kids – Work a Puzzle Together

16/12/2008 by

By David Rozzell

Working puzzles is a very good indoor activity, especially appropriate if the weather is rainy or cold and not suitable for playing outside. Puzzles are widely available at toy stores and specialty shops and are typically inexpensive. It is important to make sure the puzzle is age appropriate, not too difficult so that your child get frustrated and loses interest quickly, and not so easy that your son or daughter is quickly bored. If you want the activity to be more educational, choose a puzzle with a theme: the world, United States, the solar system.

I think it is best not to help out too much, but rather let your son or daughter work on the puzzle with only a little assistance from you. If you see that your child is having trouble, you can scratch your head as you pretend to look for a piece, and maybe occasionally nudge it into view. For young kids, in the range of 3-6 yeas of age, try to find a puzzle that can be completed in 5 minutes or less; this will approximately match the amount of time a youngster can focus in a sitting. To stay within this time window, the puzzle should have no more than about 20-30 pieces.

One of my favorite puzzles for kids who are slightly older, about 5 years old and up, is a puzzle of the United States of America with pieces in the shape of the states. What a great way to learn about the 50 states while doing something fun at the same time!

David Rozzell blogs at http://rozzell.com about things to do with your kids that are fun, help build strong relationships, and cost little or nothing to do.

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Parents – Can You Help Your Kids With ICT?

16/12/2008 by

By Frank McGinty

About ten years ago I came across a 15-year-old student whom I will probably always remember. He was a bright lad. He learned quickly and enthusiastically. He excelled in sports and had set his sights on a career in Health & Fitness.

Yet he had to face a major crisis when the national exams that would win him a place in college loomed. As part of the assessment process, many of his school subjects demanded the submission of reports, assignments and presentations using multi-media formats.

Now, this lad was well up to the mark in his knowledge and intelligence. But he had studiously avoided learning about the new information and communication technologies that seemed to be taking over the school. He used to boast that he was 'a technology-free zone'. He hated computers, and no one should ever give him a laptop because he would be unable to resist the temptation to hurl it from the nearest window!

And yet. . . Time passed and he was 'caught short'. He lagged behind his peers in ICT skills. Up 'til then he had managed to 'get by', asking or even paying his friends to type up and format his reports for him. But when the exams loomed and everyone was under the same pressure, they had no time to help out.

Fortunately, he was able to take a crash course and his natural intelligence, coupled with his new-found motivation, got him up to speed in time. It almost exhausted him and brought him to the brink of a total breakdown. Yet it could all have been avoided.

The point is, in modern education ICT skills are MUST HAVES for our children. They are no longer add-ons or peripherals.

So what exactly is ICT?

The letters stand for Information & Communication Technologies.

  • Information technology (IT) is the term used to describe the equipment (hardware) and computer programs (software) that allow us to access, retrieve, store, organize, manipulate, and present information by electronic means.
  • Communication technology (CT) is the term used to describe telecommunications equipment through which information can be sought and accessed; for example, telephones, video equipment, modems, and computers.

In schools and colleges they have taken on importance in not just the administration area, but in the educational process itself. Both teachers and students must be able to type, format and present information through a variety of media, including audio and video.

Many parents quake at the thought of using ICT. (But if you are reading this on a computer you are way ahead!) The problem for many, however, is that ICT changes so fast and they feel left out or left behind in this Brave New World. They then become frustrated and unable to help their children.

But there's good news. It's never too late to start - or, for that matter, too early - and the younger children are, the quicker they can pick up knowledge and skills without becoming fazed or intimidated.

Thankfully, the toys and games industry has delivered 'big time' in the provision of items and accessories to help children cope with the demands of 21st century education. The range of learning or educational toys and games is nothing short of phenomenal.

If you feel left behind, or even if you feel you've kept apace with modern developments, wouldn't you be glad to give your kids a head start in the awesome opportunities of education and ICT? Look into the wonderful world of learning toys and you'll be both reassured and amazed.

Would you like to know more and give your kids the best possible start in their education? Frank McGinty has researched the best learning toys for you here. You can also pick up a free report to boost your kids' concentration at school from http://concentration.fssgold.com

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Early Pregnancy Morning Sickness Cures

15/12/2008 by

By Elle Nash

I wanted to talk to you about early pregnancy morning sickness cures. I know all mothers that know they're pregnant are full of joy, happiness and purpose because of this event. I don't think there can be a more emotional time in your life. This joy you'll experience will often be overshadowed by the sickness that comes along during the early stages of pregnancy.

All women seem to have it differently. Some will get it in the evening and some in the morning. Some will have all day events while others won't even have a problem. I'm going to discuss with you early pregnancy morning sickness cures because you don't have to go through the sickness, if you don't have to.

Basically, the sickness is nausea and all the feelings associated with that come from the stomach acids. People always say their stomach turns when they start to feel sick and that actually isn't that different from what happens. Your stomach acid will change and it will just want "out". You're probably still eating pretty big meals a few times a day (breakfast, lunch, supper). Try eating smaller meals more often. This will keep your stomach acid levels balanced all day long, rather than going up and down.

Early pregnancy morning sickness can be cured by strategically taking your prenatal vitamin. Basically vomiting occurs to get rid of something from the body, but if there is something extremely good that could be lost (like the prenatal vitamin) the body won't do it. So if you take your vitamin a few hours before you typically get sick, you should be able to avoid nauseas feelings all together.

Learn more about Morning Sickness Cures.

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3 Things to Avoid If You're Trying to Get Pregnant

15/12/2008 by

By Benjamin Wise

Every woman today who is trying to get pregnant is always stressed out with what to do and what not to do when they are trying to become pregnant with their partner. Well I am going to talk about 3 things that every woman should not do while they are trying to get pregnant.

1. If you currently smoke the first thing you should consider doing is to quit smoking altogether. Smoking can decrease your chances of getting pregnant as well as cause complications to the baby while you are pregnant, so if you currently smoke I would recommend that you quit before attempting to conceive as it will not only affect your health but also the health of your child.

2. The 2nd thing you want to avoid doing while you are trying to get pregnant is drinking alcoholic beverages. Drinking will also decrease your chances of getting pregnant because the body will not respond positively to conception with alcohol in your system.

3. The 3rd and most important thing to avoid is stress when trying to conceive. If you are stressed a lot about work, things at home or whatever, this is not good for you when you want to have a baby.

The best thing you can do is to learn to relax and avoid any stressful situations, and do not smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages and follow your doctors orders and hopefully you will get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy and most importantly have a healthy baby. I hope this article and advice is helpful in your decision to try and have a baby.

If you want a number of useful techniques and strategies--not just one. then select any of these links.

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