Why Fathers Matter to Kids

The family is the foundation of life.  It is the basic organization and where family members learn what is expected of them in life and their part in the scheme of things. It is in the family setting that children understand their external environment.  Young children and teenagers  figure out who and what they are by what they are shown by example as well as being told verbally and non verbally by important adults. 

The lessons taught by fathers and other male role models, even in the most casual level builds the confidence and self esteem of young people. The very presence of a dad who cares sends important messages not only about life and society in general, but the individual child's capabilities  and interests is a precious gift. While children of any age and gender benefit from having a Father figure, it is especially important for boys to have a male role model validate their experiences.

Kids Workshop

What Happens if There Is No Masculine Role Mode Present

It takes a village to raise a child, and if the village is made up of relatives, great.  If not, then form a "tribe" that will care for your children. Involve your children  in hobby interests, Sunday School, sports, scouting and after school activities.  Make sure there are safe, strong, and kind men available to teach, mentor and be-friend the child. They need to see how resilient adults handle life and contribute to make the world a better place.

You will be surprised as children are exposed to different  people how the child is able to then organize and make sense of the external and internal experiences and decide if they have power to change the future or if they are a victim of the past.

I have mentioned in other articles the value of volunteering as a family in order to meet other families who have similar standards and interests.

Good Fathers Keep their Promises

In order to instill trust in others, a mature person keeps their promises, as much as humanly possible. Kids hear words, but more importantly, they see actions. Fathers and role models encourage the children of the world by their presence, their interest, and their involvement in their children's lives.  it is not so much what they say, but what they do.

Fathers Predict the Future of their Children

Studies have repeatedly found that the dad is the most accurate fortune teller of what their children will be.  If the man who is the role model or father figure says; "You are a lazy slob. You are dumb. You will never make it." and other negative messages, the child internalizes and believes this important authority figure.

However, conversely, if the male authority figure encourages, compliments and inspires the child to try and to appreciate success, the child grows up confident and courageous.

Give the gift of Presence, not Presents

If you are a father reading this article, then be present with your children.  If you are not physically able to be present, then write them notes, telephone or send them e-messages which encourage and support them. Make them the focus of your attention.  Be a parent, guide and teacher.  Your children are counting on you.

Invitation to Build Self Esteem in You and Your Kids

Why Fathers Matter to Kids

Kids Workshop

CNC Milling Machine - A Must-Have Tool In Your Home Workshop For Accurate Cutting and Drilling Tasks

If you are a hobbyist who has a passion of woodworking, building models and complicated wall hangings, you would have to spend a long time cutting and drilling materials manually over a long period of time. Have you ever wondered whether there are any possible tools that can enhance the cutting and drilling process? If you have enough money to spend on such tools - a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machine offers a precision cutting and drilling experience for both hobbyists and professionals alike.

Here are a few major features that a CNC milling machine has to offer:

Kids Workshop

1. It has the ability to create complex shapes (or model) - Unlike traditional milling machine, the modern one has a rotating cutter than cuts on the material (such as metal, plastic, or wood which is placed on the flat bed) easily in any directions based on your Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) design.

2. It has the ability to perform high precision cutting tasks - Since the CNC milling machine is digital controlled, it is possible to perform precise cutting and drilling tasks on the selected materials repetitively. High precision cutting is needed especially when you want those materials to be cut into exact sizes, and enhance the results of your craftship. In other words, achieving an excellent craftship is much easier with a digital controlled milling machine than manual one.

3. Faster cutting and drilling operations - You might have experienced delay in finishing your personal project because of the time-consuming cutting tasks when you are doing it alone manually, using the CNC milling machine can actually speed up the cutting process effectively and it would reduce the actual time of completion.

4. It can be used as an educational tool for your children - With giving them proper guidance and encouragement, having this particular machine can be perfect way to assist your children with school projects such as their arts and crafts related projects. Apparently, it can be an ideal way to spend some quality time with your children and to keep them from becoming a couch potato.

5. It is extremely safe to perform such high-risk cutting operations than it is performed on a manual basis - The operator of the CNC milling machine is usually stood or located far from the cutting area when the machine is operating and performing its duties.

6. It can store a library of your previous and current designs that you can use it repeatedly - You can actually retrieve your old designs and perform similar tasks as many times as you want. In most cases, most amateurs would easily give up in completing your project because that they could not endure the repeated cutting operations by doing it manually.

Even if you are a hobbyist, your craftship can be improved if you inculcate high precision in cutting materials for your project. It can affect the good quality of your masterpiece that could be possibly favored by other hobbyist or enthusiast - hence, you can consider turning your hobby into a profitable business.

CNC Milling Machine - A Must-Have Tool In Your Home Workshop For Accurate Cutting and Drilling Tasks

Kids Workshop

Kids Games For Mental Growth of Your Children

There is a negative collision of Television, media, Video games, Internet and movies on kids. This negative impact is not only deliberately noticeable, but ever-increasing day by day. Instead of going into the more imperative effects of wickedness, vicious behaviors, embedded selfishness and loss of values, the actuality is that these well-known means are participating to the loss of some famous attributes, capabilities and actions that every kid in the world is needed to develop. Mostly children of the world need to play their favorite sports event, for their social, physical, logical and emotional well-beings. This is the most famous responsibility of parents to make sure this happens. Unluckily, we will be agree that turning on some movies or Television to act as a momentary babysitter is certainly easier than the effort, time, and creativity is so much important to play this types of sports with your kids.

Every parent requires in their arsenal some silence kids games as well as some active ones. Some parents like to give their children outdoor sports events that are ever-liked and enjoyed by their kids very much. It is only the best and most leading fun stuff for children to get entertainment, but also useful to keep them healthier. And, the best thing about it is that it does not cost any money. You can easily play it at the park and in the back yard of your house, and every aged kids love it to play.

Kids Workshop

When it comes to kids' games, parents imagine that it has to be complicated for it to be fun. This is not the fact and true impact. Just think about your childhood, the best and most exclusive playoffs were very simple. These were pickup sticks, Jacks and Marbles as well; these were very simple but also very funny too. In this modern millennium, there are many high quality and most popular kids' games that are played by the children. The most popular children games are Table Hockey, Kid Play, Luding, Puzzle Depot, and Sesame Workshop: Car Playoffs, Card Games, Web Trumps, etc.

When you are picking some entertainment of your kids like indoor sports, the major issue is space. You must have sufficient space to play these sports as well. Some children love to play outdoor playoffs, but their parents find them an irritation. These are more beneficial and useful for the strongest body and muscle of your baby.

There are a huge number of computer games for kids in this modern era. When it comes to select the best and good computer children games it's time to become attractive particular. It is very much significant to select the best playoffs, which is so much funny and challenging. You must select those playoffs that do not have any improper themes or content for your babies. The World of Goo, Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy, Crazy Machines 2 and SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition are some great computer kids games of edition 2009. All of them are great for wide-ranging entertainment, and are mentally challenging.

At the time of playing these games, you have to keep some security measure in your mind. Some of them can cause minor physical injuries. Therefore, you have to read security instruction before playing any of them. Please always remember that originally no harm was anticipated in this stuff, but the awareness level has enhanced appreciably in recent years.

Kids Games For Mental Growth of Your Children

Kids Workshop

Grand Canyon National Park - 10 Fun Things to Do For Kids

Family vacation? Try Grand Canyon National Park. In addition to its natural beauty, the South Rim is packed with activities that kids of all ages will be clamoring to do. Here's my list of the 10 best:

#1. Junior Ranger Program - Features nature hikes, field classes, and "ecology" games. Upon completion, kids get sworn in as National Park rangers.

Kids Workshop

#2. Museums. The South Rim is dotted with some of the area's finest, including Canyon View Information Center, Verkamp's Visitor Center, Yavapai Observation Station, and Kolb Studio.

#3. Ride the free shuttle bus. Comprised of the red, blue, and green lines, the bus system is a fabulous (and safe) way to explore the Park. A great transit map is included in "The Guide," a free publication put out by the Park Service. Use the shuttle to visit Mather Point, Yaki Point, Yavapai Observation Station, and Hermit's Rest.

#4. Go day hiking. Kid-friendly trails include Bright Angel, South Kaibab, and The Rim Trail. Remember, what goes down, must come up, and the trip back is strenuous. Bring water, sunscreen, and trail mix. During summer, wear loose-fitting clothing and a hat. For winter, dress in layers and wear a beanie and gloves.

#5. Ride a mule. Two types of trips: Rim top and the Phantom Ranch overnight. Mule rides must be booked in advance, sometimes as much as 13 months. I recommend the Three Hour Abyss Overlook Mule Ride.

#6. Go Horseback Riding. Only available outside the Park. Try Apache Stables, located 10 minutes from the front entrance. The twilight rides are the best. Wagon rides are also available.

#7. Learn how to take photographs. These popular workshops have limited seats. Call Park for dates and times. Guest photographers lead "photo safaris." My kids took this workshop immediately notice an improvement in their skills.

#8. Take a helicopter ride. Flights head into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the canyon, before turning back at the North Rim. You'll probably see in 30 minutes what would take days on the ground.

#9. Go to the IMAX theatre - An amazing 35-minute film that takes you into the depths of the canyon. Stadium-style seating puts you in the middle of the action. Managed by the National Geographic Society. Kids tickets: .50 - .50.

#10. Explore Grand Canyon Village. This is the hub of the South Rim. Built in the early 1900's, the Village hosts hotels, gift shops, souvenir shops, museums, and more. Recommended: The Lodge's snack bar, gift shop, and restaurant.

Grand Canyon South Rim, which many refer to as Grand Canyon National Park, is a great place for a vacation with kids. The Park offers a host of activities, ranging from the Junior Ranger program to a digital photography workshop, that will keep your youngsters entertained for days. If that's not enough, take a family day hike or book a helicopter trip and soar into the heart of the canyon. The South Rim's got your clan covered, no matter how adventuresome it is.

Grand Canyon National Park - 10 Fun Things to Do For Kids

Kids Workshop

Find Decorating Ideas With Design Magazines

If you're thinking of changing the look of your home's interior design - or even if you're just dissatisfied with a single room in the house, you're probably casting about it in all directions for new ideas. And ideas are all around you - from the gloss and unreality as displayed in today's television shows, to examples you see when you visit the homes of your friends or acquaintances. There are books on interior design published every day... but books are limited to a set number of pages and can't possibly cover every aspect of design.... which is where the niche magazines covering home decorating come in. There are dozens of them, most of them focusing on a certain kind of design, while others do focus on the general aspects. So regardless of what kind of design you're looking for, an interior design magazine will probably have covered that in a past, present, or future issue.

You will find interior design magazines practically everywhere you look - from the magazine racks in book stores to home improvement stores such as Home Depot, Menard's or Lowe's. Wal-Mart and Target carry vast selections. Indeed, home decorating magazines are so popular that even your local gas station will probably have at least one on its magazine rack. Books on interior design and decorating can become dated - but magazines will always have the cutting edge information the homeowner will want to know to create the best designs possible.

Lowes Kids Workshop

These magazines - House Beautiful, O At Home, Home Companion, Veranda and Country Living to name a few - will also have the latest information on the newest gadgets, tips for cleaning and organizing the home, as well as ideas for entertaining. How many styles are there for the interior designer to choose from? There are so many that it's not possible for one book to cover them all, which is why interior design magazines are the way to go.

Design styles vary from bringing back the classics of yesteryear: the Federal style or the Edwardian style, the Adirondack style, the Art Deco style (my own personal favorite), Baroque, Bungalow, Japanese... to the modern age of PLUG (planned ugliness) to Miami modern! There are too many to list them all, which is why searching the web and reading a variety of magazines is the way to go.

Of course once you've gotten your idea out of a magazine you still have to bring it to fruition. At this point of course you'll have to start as you would with any other home design- assess who will be living in the home - if you have a lot of kids running around you probably will not want to have a lot of bric-a-brac around that could easily be broken. Although, the magazines will probably give you tips on how to ensure that that doesn't happen, regardless of how many kids you have. Interior decorating and interior design magazines are a great tool for the home owner, so make sure you consult them whenever you're planning a change or an improvement.

Find Decorating Ideas With Design Magazines

Lowes Kids Workshop

Writing For Children, and Getting Children to Write - Part 4

Your imagination can bring ANYTHING to life.

Children do this on an hourly basis. The younger they are, the more naturally and often they do it.

Kids Workshop

Children can have friends who are leaves, footballs, pieces of toast shaped like boats and even items of clothing.

Personal effects can be personal friends, hard to let go. Inanimate objects have feelings and lives of their own.

Sitting at your desk they are able to create an adventure from what sits beside the computer you're now working on. A mouse, keyboard, speakers, paperclips, pens, pencils, rulers, mobile phones. Children imagine all these to be alive, if they choose, and can communicate with them, share thoughts between them all and take them on the kind of adventures most adults have forgotten all about.

The brain has an infinite capacity for creation, so when a child is asked to write a story, about anything they like, many will stop in their tracks and write nothing. Way too many choices to simply to choose one and go with it.

Next time, try this instead. Tell them they are not going to be marked on the story they write, no one will check for spelling or punctuation, and that grammatical mistakes will be ignored.

Tell them, they cannot go wrong with their story, There is no right or wrong answer.

Now ask them to select three words. For example: Mountain, penguin, guitar.

Then tell them the writing rules.

1. They must write for five minutes, non stop, without taking their pen off the paper, unless it is to dot the 'i's' and cross the 't's'

2. The first sentence must begin with one of the three words they chose, the other two words must be contained somewhere in the rest of the story.

3. They must not think. Ask them to allow all the thoughts inside their head to come out on paper and the screen. This goes against everything they are taught. Let them complain for a minute, then give them the rules again. Reiterate that they cannot go wrong, and no one has to see what they have written if they choose.

4. On your marks, get set, go!

5. During the five minutes if they stop gently remind them to keep going. Even if they are writing 'I don't know what to write, what's the point, I think they've gone mad.' It doesn't matter. All we're working on here is the process, of writing, the flow of creating.

6. After five minutes tell them to stop. Many of them wont want to, even the ones who five minutes ago said they hated writing. If they would like to share, let them. Validate what they have written.

7. They might have created an amazing story straight off, but more than likely most of what they've written will be random. A few will be brilliant. Most kids will be astonished at what they have just written. Most will have at least one gem of an idea they can use for a story, or something they want to expand on.

It isn't about writing a best selling novel every time they set pen to paper. It's about the process, and not judging the result. Give children the freedom to create, without judging the result, they will begin to produce work no one believed possible.

I've been using this technique in classrooms and workshops for years, with all age groups, and without fail it works a treat.

Praise, persistence, praise, persistence, non judgemental. Don't worry about the grammar, the spelling or punctuation. These will come with practice and reading. Just let them flow with the words, allow them to write how they would speak, and don't mark it. There is nothing that will destroy a potential writer more quickly than a page covered in red lines and hastily scribbled comments.

Resist!

And are you stuck for an idea with the story you are trying to get out? Try it!

Writing For Children, and Getting Children to Write - Part 4

Kids Workshop

Why Do Children Shoplift?

Kids shoplift for a variety of reasons. The more you understand the reasons, the better able you will be to recognize the signs and signals that your child could be shoplifting. Here are some of the reasons children shoplift.
Children may use shoplifting as a means of acting out feelings of anger, frustration, depression, boredom, or confusion. Some children feel neglected by family members or peers and steal as a way of acquiring attention from these people. Most children who steal say they do so because of peer pressure. 86% of children say they know someone who shoplifts and 66% of these kids hang out with the shoplifter. (National Association of Shoplifting Prevention) Often children steal simply for the thrill of doing something they know is wrong without getting caught. Most shoplifters say the excitement they receive from "getting away with it" is an unbelievable high that is more rewarding than the merchandise they steal. Some children shoplift as a means of acquiring items that they cannot afford or that their parents cannot or will not purchase for them. Children may use shoplifting as a form of escape in order to avoid thinking about problems at home, school, work, etc. Some children simply have poor impulse control, meaning that if they see something they want they feel they need it now and will get it by any means possible. Sometimes children simply have difficulty distinguishing between right and wrong and do not realize that If children feel that they are unworthy or unattractive or that certain areas of their lives are out of control, shoplifting can give them a sense of power. Some children shoplift in order to support drug habits. Some children suffer from kleptomania, a disorder that causes compulsive stealing.It is important to determine the cause of the problem in order to solve it and prevent it from happening again. Taking an active role in your child's life could save your child from making a decision to shoplift. Listening to your child's problems, concerns, and feelings on the issue of peer pressure and stealing is key. Help your child to grasp the concept that there are consequences for his or her actions and that shoplifting is a dangerous choice to make.

 Copyright 2009 ShopliftingIsStealing.com. All Rights Reserved.

Kids Workshop

Why Do Children Shoplift?

Kids Workshop

5 Easy Candle Making Tricks For Kids

Effective and easy candle making tips are not only applicable to adults and parents. In fact, these tricks can also benefit youngsters. Think of summer days spent in dance workshops and art classes. In fact, you can even share a number of these easy candle making tips to your friends and family. Besides, candle making is also about fun and getting along with peers.

There are so many easy candle making projects suitable for kids. These include projects such as aromatherapy and beeswax candles. Projects that turn candles into food-shaped items are an instant hit. Just imagine producing cupcakes and custard tart-shaped candles.

Kids Workshop

Remember that candles do come in various sizes and shapes. You can transform crayons into homemade candles if you wish. Fun and attractive designs will be at play once you involve young kids. For their minds are usually filled with out of this world designs and shapes.

For a list of easy making candle tricks, kindly refer to the following:

1. You can collect old crayons or candles from friends and family. These items are actually part of the easiest candle projects. As for relative instructions on how to make candles from scratch or previously used items, you may find sets of tips in the net.

2. Make use of recycled items as molds and containers. Think of empty jars and reusable bottles. Make the trash bin your best friend by turning trash into something worthy and efficient. You can also make use of old cartons or milk boxes. As for new containers, gift stores and flea markets appear as standard sources.

3. Aside from used crayons, you can also consider using beeswax. This material is very useful in starting easy candle making projects. This item is available in gift stores and craft shops. You can also find this material in various colors such as red, purple or white.

4. Another type of an easy candle making project is the shell candles. What you need are seashells and paraffin wax. Just be careful in teaching this project to kids. Better yet, it is best if you will do the wax melting yourself.

5. As much as possible, make these easy candle making projects fun for kids. Introduce them to something new by allowing them to participate. While other candle making projects deal with stoves and double boilers, it is better to make them see the procedures first. You can also try asking their opinions regarding colors and scents. In such way, while there are procedures which are not suitable for them, they can still feel that their presence truly matters.

5 Easy Candle Making Tricks For Kids

Kids Workshop

Vacation With Kids - All-Inclusive Resort ClubMed

Being a mom is a never ending job. There's always homework to go over, dishes in the sink, laundry to fold, dinner to cook, shopping for shoes (again!), PTA meetings, bills to pay... Wouldn't you just love to go on a vacation where you don't have to worry about where to go for dinner and what activities to organize for the kids each day? and what about having a little private time without the kids?

If this is what you're looking for, "All-Inclusive" resort is your answer.

Kids Workshop

Club Med (short for Club Méditerranée) is operated by a French corporation and offers all-inclusive vacation resorts in many parts of the world, usually in highly exotic locations. There are over 80 Club Med resorts around the world, with each resort offering an extensive list of services and activities in one single package.

These "All inclusive" packages include lodging, meals, soft drinks, use of facilities, a wide variety of sports activities, games, and shows. Alcoholic drinks are bought with bids which are purchased separately, although some locations now include alcohol and snacks in their package.

Many resorts feature outdoor buffet dining, daytime sports and activities, and evening shows performed by the Club Med staff which are called "GOs" (short for "Gracious Organizers"), and usually invite the participation of the guests, which are called "GMs" (short for "Gracious Members"), while the resort is known as a "village". A unique feature of Club Med is the socializing of the GOs with the GMs, all playing, dining, drinking and dancing together day and night.

There are many villages that provide facilities for children of different ages, which are supervised by trained staff. Children are divided into age group clubs - "Baby", "Petit", "Mini", and "Junior's".

Mini Club Med(TM) (4-10 years):

Mini Club Med(TM) is for kids ages 4 - 10 years old, and activities are included in the package for no additional cost: Kids activities that include arts and crafts, soccer, sailing, in-line skating, games, "mini scientist" and other fun activities; Clubhouse surrounded by an outdoor "funscape" area with toys, dollhouses, trains and slides; Some resorts offer special activities (also included in the package) such as Mini Tennis, Flying trapeze, tennis, soccer, sailing, in-line skating, games, arts & crafts, mini scientist, and even Circus school where kids can learn juggling, walking the tightrope, jumping on the trampoline, swinging on the trapeze and clowning around in the circus workshops.
"Juniors' Club Med" (11 to 17 years olds)

"Club Med Passworld(TM)" - an exclusive new zone just for kids and teens 11 to 17 years old, where they can enjoy many different activities, all included in the package price: Performing Arts : Hip-hop, theater, shows, singing, musical instruments, sound mixing, magic, musicals, African dance; Acting and Film: video, theatre, direction, editing; Creative Activities: Jewelry, makeup, craft work, fashion, Brazilian bracelets, graffiti art; Sports - flying trapeze, rollerblading, climbing, bungy bounce, sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, beach volley, beach soccer; Adventure and Discovery: Excursions, hiking, picnics; Evening activities - "movie night" on the beach, "disco night", "beach party", "disco-roller";
Baby Club Med(TM) (4-23 months) Care is provided 9:00am to 5:30pm for babies 4 - 23 months old, for an additional charge. The children are divided into two groups: not yet walking and walking up to 23 months.

Petit Club Med(TM) (2-3 years) Care is provided for toddlers (2 - 3 years old), for an additional charge.

For more details and photo gallery please visit the Kids Vacations section of our web site.

Vacation With Kids - All-Inclusive Resort ClubMed

Kids Workshop

Friendship Connections For Young Children

For most young children, day care, play groups or preschool is the primary place to develop a sense of belonging to a group and having special people there to enjoy. This is where young children practice the social skills necessary to make and keep friends.

Social Skills Need Practice

Kids Workshop

Like any other life skill, it takes consistent effort and practice to form a habit. At all developmental levels, children exhibit some success at making and keeping friends. The skills come easily to some children and prove to be a bigger challenge for others.

When a small girl hides behind her mother's skirt it is thought cute for her to be shy. That same attitude is not as cute or helpful when she enters the playground and mother is not around.

If a child has difficulty in establishing connections and making friends, it is important for the teacher or parent to understand what is happening and if it a one time situation, or an ongoing area of concern. There are exercises to build confidence and to assist in acquiring the qualities that are most looked for in friends.

Friendship Connection for Young Children in Community

Be sure that your daycare, preschool or play date includes lots of whole-group activities such as singing, dancing and marching. It is always fun to put on performances for other classes or invited guests. This gives them an opportunity to shine and excel in a safe environment.

Emphasize cooperation, commitment and connection to the community by long term goals such as planting a garden, doing a music show and cleaning the playground.

Be sure to include in your lessons attention to the good feelings of acceptance, tolerance and mutual respect for all. Help them to grow up with an inclusive vocabulary and attitude.

Friendship Connections For Young Children

Kids Workshop

Learn Why Children Are Better at Learning Languages

There have long been many questions on why children are more efficient in learning a second or even a third language when compared to adults. Scientists might finally have a concrete explanation on why children are best at learning new languages.

With the aid of animation technology and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), brains of several children have been studied by researchers from UCLA. Their discovery pointed to the children's ability to process language information on a region of their brain that is different from the region that adults use.

Kids Workshop

The Brain and Its Role in Language Learning

There are various areas in the brain which control different functions. For instance, actions like driving a car or riding a bike no longer requires people to consciously think of moving their hands and feet in coordination.

These actions are done because of people's automatic brain functions. To connect this to learning a new language, children actually use this automatic area of the brain in learning; thus, a second language to them is much like second nature. Adults who want to learn of a new language use a different area of their brain.
This is why it is best to become bilingual or even multilingual during childhood since the brain operates a little differently as compared to normal adult brain functions.

There are still chances for people who are under 18 to catch up and learn new languages. This is because the opportunity to inculcate skills and information into the deep motor region of the brain is open until the age of 18; but with each year that passes, the window to this brain closes slowly each time. This would explain why adults have to think in their native tongue and translate words into a second language unlike children who would think automatically in another language.

Studies of the neurology of acquiring a new language have been proven to be useful. Learning the different geographic locations in the brain where information and skills are stored for both adults and children would give language educators the chance to improve their lesson presentations and instructions. For instance, children who learn accents and sounds at an earlier age would be far better off than people who consciously study these sounds at a latter part of their lives.

Other Benefits of Learning a Different Language Early On

Learning a foreign language is much easier for children than most adults and in addition to this great advantage, children have also been proven to do better in school, have better problem-solving skills, are more open to diversity, and score much higher on standardized tests. This is according to Francois Thibaut who is in charge of The Language Workshop for Children. There are nine schools around the East Coast who have participated on the said workshop. Thibaut is known as an expert in foreign languages for babies and children.

Through the efforts of people like Thibaut, more and more parents are becoming aware of the importance of teaching a different language to their children. And since globalization now includes being able to communicate more clearly even to foreigners, immersing the future citizens (or today's children) to different languages would help equip them with the necessary language comprehension skills.

Future ambassadors are better able to handle situations if they learned different languages early on. Therefore, the future of the world depends on how much children of today learn from the most important aspect of most cultures-language.

Learn Why Children Are Better at Learning Languages

Kids Workshop

Fun Playhouses for Children

All children need a special place that's completely theirs, where they can shut out the world of grownups and retreat to their own private sanctuary. Playhouses for children provide a hideaway as well as a stage where they can act out their imaginings.

They can take their favorite toys with them and pretend to be kings, queens, soldiers, or perhaps the Mommy or Daddy of a special family. Fun playhouses allow children to develop their skills and test their limits without an adult's critical presence.

Kids Workshop

When we were kids a blanket thrown over a few chairs served the purpose of a playhouse. These days, you will find all designs and sizes of fun playhouses for children.

Naturally Playful Front Porch Playhouse
This is a beautifully designed playhouse with a large front porch. A built-in porch bench provides a place for kids to sit away from the sun or rain. The interior includes a table, sink with swivel faucet, and a stove top. A working Dutch door has an electronic doorbell and mail slot. The playhouse also has a side window with shutters and a pretty peaked roof with skylight for a brighter interior. An electronic play phone comes with the porch playhouse.

This attractive playhouse is recommended for small children from 18 months to 5 years old. Although it is durable, some parts are a bit flimsy. The porch, for instance, cannot support adults. One or two small kids can comfortably play inside.

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town
This fun playhouse for children really lives up to its name, offering an endless number of role-playing opportunities. The four walls have different themes. One side is a schoolhouse/firehouse wall and comes with a table and chalkboard, door with mail slot, and a molded-in bell and alphabet. Decals are provided to make the wall a schoolhouse or firehouse wall. Another side is a gas station wall complete with gas pump, phone, crawl-through tunnel and other details. The third side is a sports wall. It features a basketball hoop, soccer or hockey net, targets for ball tossing, etc. The fourth side is a grocery store/bank wall with drive-up window, ATM machine, shelves and molded-in details. The interior features more details and includes a kitchenette, workshop and bank.

The Little Tikes Endless Adventures Tikes Town is perfect for creative individual or group play. It's relatively easy to assemble and well worth the money. The playhouse is large enough for a few kids to have loads of fun together. Kids from 18 months up to 6 years old will adore this playhouse.

Neat & Tidy Cottage
This playhouse may be shorter than most, but it is big on features. For one thing, it has a molded-in floor, which is something you don't often see in a playhouse. Integrated drain holes on the floor keep water and dirt from accumulating. The cottage playhouse has an open design and provides a clear view on all sides. It features a Dutch door, shutters, kitchen table with faucet, burner and molded seats inside. The playhouse also comes with a doorbell, electronic phone, and mail slot.

The Neat and Tidy Cottage is a great playhouse for children. It is fun, affordable, compact and easy to assemble. The floor is a very nice touch and it's the perfect size for toddlers.

Fun Playhouses for Children

Kids Workshop

Five Steps to Put Conference Or Workshop Ideas Into Action

Conferences and workshops are a great source of new information, inspiration and ideas which can transform your business and your life.   But what often happens is we come back with a bag full of stuff and we have little or no time to re-read, re-coup and integrate what we just learned!

Here are some practical tips you can use, so you don't lose that inspiration and can start applying new ideas right away:

Kids Workshop

1.  Highlight Your Notes  After you take notes from a workshop, go back later that day and quickly highlight the key points or themes you want to remember and work with.  This will give you an easy outline of the important points. 

2.  Pick Three Key Ideas or Initiatives  Within a week after the workshop, go back and review your notes and the key points you highlighted.  Pick just three key points you want to focus on.  By narrowing down to three, you are more likely to take action on them.

Take a moment to think about them and how you might put the ideas into action.  If it's a new concept, try applying it to a specific business or life situation you are experiencing. 

Another way to reinforce a new idea is to tell someone else about it.  Sharing ideas with others not only develops the idea in your own mind, but provides the opportunity to expand the idea.

3.  Follow up with New Contacts  If you come back with a pile of business cards, make sure to note on the back those you want to follow up with and on what topic.  It's important to follow up with them within a couple of weeks. 

4.  Take Action  Take action and follow through.  Make sure to put things on the calendar when you have goals and actions to take.

5.  Review in Three Months  Be systematic.  Check back in three months and see where you are.  Review, revise and revitalize your plans! 

Don't miss the opportunity to put new ideas into action.  With these five steps you can integrate new ideas you learned at a workshop or conference into your life or work.  

Five Steps to Put Conference Or Workshop Ideas Into Action

Kids Workshop

Kids Picnic Table Plans - Give Them a Real Treat

As the summer months drew to a finish I gazed at my personal checklist regarding incomplete tasks in order to determine which ones I might abandon right up until planting season and which ones I would attempt and finish prior to the first snowfall. I went through my personal tool container and came across a few children picnic table blueprints I had just lately bought and remembered the assurance I had made to my spouse, as well as to my children.

As a family unit, all of us invest a good deal of time outside the house. I imagined that constructing a picnic table for the children might end up being a rather awesome thing in addition to a little something which could possibly bring my young man and little princess nearer together... you understand, split bread prior to a extended mid-day nap.

Kids Workshop

And there the actual blueprints lay, wrinkled and also unused in my tool container. I made the decision that all of us still had about 2 months of good weather conditions forthcoming and that I would certainly construct the picnic table this particular weekend. I checked off the component checklist and created a mental computation on cost and made a decision this would undoubtedly be of great benefit.

I picked up the supplies and began constructing early on Saturday morning. I had been astonished exactly how simple this was to do but thought I might not have been in a position to do it without having the blueprints and ended up being happy I had picked them up.

The children were amazed that I had in fact completed a little something and instantly prepared a picnic for the following morning. It had been a hit and I'm informing you, if you would like to do a little something in which the whole household could share in then you may possibly want to think about constructing your very own kid's picnic table.

Kids Picnic Table Plans - Give Them a Real Treat

Kids Workshop

Why Our Kids Don't Listen - 5 Reasons Why They Tune Us Out

"Did you hear what I said?" "Are you listening to me?" "Why do I have to repeat myself 100 times?" "Do you understand what I am telling you?" "What did I just tell you to do?" "Are you deaf?" If you are tired of trying to communicate with a child who seems to be hard of hearing when we speak, perhaps there are some reasons.
We talk too much We talk too loud Every conversation is a criticism We don't listen when they speak They have trained us to nag

Let's examine these Listening Lessons and see what we can improve:
We talk too much. Loving parents want to do the best for their children so they feel if they tell them all the stories of how they struggled and how they know all the answers, the child will give up and do what we ask. This method of communication is lecture, advise, order and threaten. We talk too loud. We feel that if we raise our voice they will respond. Actually, it is the opposite. When you speak softly, they have to pay attention to what you are saying. Every conversation is a criticism. The parent feels the way to motivate is through blame, shame, name-calling, sarcasm or jokes in order to put the child down. We don't listen when they speak. Good communication in a family, workplace or world is built on mutual respect. That means we allow others to express their beliefs and feeling honestly, without fear of rejection. They have trained us to nag. Why should they pick up their jacket the first time you tell them if they know by experience that you will yell 6 times and then do it yourself?

Kids Workshop

Listening to our children and expecting them to listen to us requires concentration and practice. It involves establishing eye contact and a posture that says, "I'm listening." Sometimes, we show we are a good listener by being silent. Sometimes it means a response both verbally and non-verbally. Pay attention to body language and facial expressions.

Closed and Open Communication A closed response is when the listener does not indicate they heard or understood what was said. These responses tend to cut off communication and breeds discouragement. An open response is when the feelings and words of the speaker have been acknowledged and the listener accepts the message. This opens the door to more respectful and reflective listening.

My advice to parents all over the world is: Be firm, but kind. Choose your battles.

You are invited to go to http://www.UseEncouragingWords.com for a free eBook on building confidence in yourself and your children. A full listing of books, workshops, teleclasses and radio shows by Judy H. Wright aka Auntie Artichoke, family relationship coach and author are available at webiste and blog.

Why Our Kids Don't Listen - 5 Reasons Why They Tune Us Out

Kids Workshop

The Benefits of Interactive Workshops For Children With Self Confidence Concerns

As adults we believe every child has the right to aspire to be the very best they can. We like our children to be happy, confident, enthusiastic and highly motivated to strive to their best potential!! We as parents, teachers, role models and councilors can often find it difficult to infuse theses elements into a child. For this reason we have motivational writers offering books to be read by children to implement these views. However some children do not enjoy reading or have the ability to read. In this case, they could benefit from an interactive workshop instead.

Having been enthused by the methods that are available to create self confidence in children, I came across Angela Buck and became interested in her ethos, the motive for her books and the benefits that her workshops bring to children everywhere. This article discusses the benefits of interactive workshops as a method used within a child's development. I will relate this discussion to Angela Buck, her books and her beneficial workshops particularly. This is because my interest is in workshops for children with self-confidence issues. Through which I found Angela Buck, successfully transforms children with a lack in confidence with activities that inspire them to explore their hopes and dreams, to respect others and live in a world where anything is possible.

Kids Workshop

Angela Buck is the author of "The Magic Sunglasses" and founder of "The Magic Sunglasses Project", she has a keen interest in how the right self development can increase self worth and really improve quality and enjoyment of life, especially in children. With this in mind, she has expanded this ethos through her book and is now developing even more interactive concepts for children worldwide. The Magic Sunglasses is a fun fantasy book for 7-9 yr olds. It is a touching story about a girl named Samantha, who finds some magic sunglasses which enables her to explore her dreams and her own specialties. These personal treasures she finds, then continues and develops without the use of the magic sunglasses. Making the readers intrigued to discover and cherish their own self worth.

For this message to reach as many children as possible Angela has devised a flexible interactive program to be used in schools and centre's everywhere. Her aim is to spread her ethos globally. Whether it is a mud hut in Africa, a club in New York, a public school at Eton or a youth club in Hackney, Angela will deliver an inspiring workshop to motivate the new generation. The Workshop allows the ethos of The Magic Sunglasses to effectively bring out the message of positivity and inspirations to more intimate groups. By visiting individual classrooms for 20 to 30 minutes at a time she can tailor each presentation to a specific age level and effectively interact with the children in a more intimate environment.

Before she pioneered her workshops Angela Buck asked herself the question; how can I empower children with my vision of self discovery and appreciating own values, to those who don't enjoy reading? How can I reach children who don't see reading as a form of entertainment? She was aware that some children are reluctant to read. Maybe because they don't enjoy it, or maybe they simply cannot read or just haven't been given the opportunity. To create a solution to her quandary she devised an audio version of the book and broadened her audience with this workshop. She now finds that all children, of all ages, of all walks of life, of those who love reading and those who don't, can now all enjoy and benefit from her concepts. Angela believes her innovative workshops offer varied attributes that develop the inspirations her book ignites from the first read.

Although the emphasis at the workshop will be on taking the 'special value' concept out of the book and into life - looking at values, role models etc. The lively, interactive presentations focus on childhood self-esteem but they also holds other implements that are beneficial for children's development. Another fundamental aspect to Angela's objective is to offer communication, interaction and the development of social skills. Through her workshop the children are inspired to interact with other children and through their communicational progression their personal development also evolves. Angela has derived activities that promote not only self exploration but the exploration of others. The fact it is an interactive method means children can participate, thus improving confidence as well as knowledge of others.

The children will subconsciously develop social skills, communication skills, body language, manners, etiquettes and the diversity within values, religions and ideals. They will also learn to be respectfully aware of others while the go through the journey of self-discovery and self-esteem. Angela Buck's book and her activities include insights, exercises and learning experiences that are geared to help children develop and deepen their understanding and appreciation of themselves as well as others. Through conversation with peer group and adults on the workshop, the children will also deeper their understanding about the aspects within the book, more than they may do individually. Collectively analyzing it will offer new insights to the concepts and a consensus in views. This improves motivation and confidence to proceed with the factors discussed, within their own lives. This then implements a positive attitude and a pro-active manner after they leave the workshop.

Another aspect of her workshop is to promote reading within a child's lifestyle. The workshop encourages and provides interest in reading a book as not only self- exploration but also as an educational tool. Engaging children's attention to concentrate on the English Language and English Literature is of high importance to Angela Buck. Improving educational literature and intellect within children's learning is a fundamental aspect of Angela's ethos. The Magic Sunglasses can be used as an affiliation to the National Curriculum. She wishes to expand children's educations past the hours of schooling, with her interactive workshops that inspire fun and entertainment within an innovative environment. Their learning being on the forefront of objection, none the less!!

Although the importance is providing inspirational literature as an educational tool, the emphasis will be on having fun. Angela believes creative exploration and the freedom to use their imaginations will encourage aspirations and potentials. Through play and enjoyment a confidence will be built and dreams will be imagined. Think back to when you were a child. We can all remember playing with cardboard boxes and sheets, creating dens, cars, a house, a cave, or a castle. We can all recall having a best friend over and playing prince and princesses, cowboys and Indians. We created magical places, dressed-up as famous people, storybook or movie characters.

All of these unstructured, play-filled activities were and still are essential for cultivating imagination. They are remembered and stay with us for our whole lives. Experts reveal that children who engage in imaginative play tend to: have a broader vocabulary, be more content and confident, have an increased ability to show empathy for others and cope better with difficult situations. All of which are aspects of keen interest to Angela, all of which are explored in The Magic Sunglasses. Through the workshop children learn their own self values, act out their own dreams and be infused to aspire their potentials and believe in themselves

If you yourself have a child, have a school, a community centre, a child care centre, a play school, an after school activities centre, a local gym or anywhere else you believe a child could benefit from learning self worth, learning own special values, improving self esteem, learning to respect others and improve literacy and social skills this workshop is for you!

The Benefits of Interactive Workshops For Children With Self Confidence Concerns

Kids Workshop

Four Fun Things Your Can Do With Your Kids In Austin

Austin is a good place to visit if you're looking for some good clean fun with the family. Those who have kids are sure to keep them entertained with Austin's endless line up of events all-year-round. The region also has the best zoos, museums and other facilities which are bound to keep your little ones from getting bored.

Music Festivals

Kids Workshop

Are you traveling with teens? No problem. Austin's music festivals are bound to keep them from sulking in the corner because they have nothing to do. Bring them every fall to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. There are more than 100 bands performing in this annual festival and you can be sure that every music genre is covered. There are also activities lined up which your kids would find interesting like the music worship, the drum circles, the dancing events, and of course, the play area, music inspired, of course. Around May, Austin also plays host to the Pachanga Latino Festival.

There are over 20 bands performing during this annual festival. Your younger kids are also bound to have the time of their lives at the Ninos Rock Pachanga, a workshop which lets kids learn more about the culture and are behind the music genre. There are also face painting and other arts and crafts activities. If your child is younger than 12 years old, you can bring them in for free.

Museums

Just frequent Austin Downtown and you'll get to see its unique museums. The Children's Museum is a constant highlight. You can also let your child join the Tinkerers Workshop which is ideal for children between five to 11 years old. This workshop teaches kids to create artistic structures. The Rising Star Ranch, on the other hand, is perfect for children who are two years old or younger. This is a play area which would let even your small baby enjoy the best of Austin. Sleepovers are also scheduled. Is your son a dinosaur fan? Don't forget to take him to the University of Texas Natural Science Center. The dinosaur models are pretty realistic, and it's a fun way of getting your child to like archeology.

Stage productions

Austin won't be Austin without the live performances, and you should let your child enjoy the region's interactive events. The Austin Children's Theater holds workshops that let children learn all about stage productions and acting. Those who have signed up for the program also get to perform in public. Expect your child to be able to perform in Broadway shows and adaptations like Alice in Wonderland.

Amusement parks and zoos

You can visit Austin any time of the year if you're dropping by for the amusement parks and the zoos. These are permanent fixtures and are always going to be around to entertain your kids. The Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary is notable. Get to see over a hundred species of animals here. There is also a petting zoo in the area which has goats, llamas, and deer. Among the amusement parks in Austin, the most popular is the Kiddie Acres Amusement Park and Miniature Golf.

Four Fun Things Your Can Do With Your Kids In Austin

Kids Workshop

Guard-A-Kid Franchise Review

Nowadays, if you want to start your own business, there are many opportunities available in the market. Guard-A-Kid franchise review will help you learn more about one such business opportunity.

Background: Guard-A-Kid is a company serving children's identification and safety products. It was founded in 2003 and started franchising in 2005. Its main office is in Florida. It is a privately held company with six employees and two employees for the franchise department. It has more than 150 Guard-A-Kid franchises across United States. The company innovated a state of art digital child ID system in 2004. This new system offers a complete identification and safety package for children. Guard-A-Kid provides this package through schools, daycare centers, and other locations.The franchise promotes this package from its home based office to schools and daycare in its exclusive area. They provide a child safety identification kit which includes CD that contains photos, fingerprints and other critical information. This makes all kids information available with parents for the safety.

Kids Workshop

Benefits of Guard-A-Kid franchise: Guard-A-Kid is engaged in providing children identification and safety package for the parents. Becoming Guard-A-Kid franchise is very easy with its home based business nature and low investments. It provides many benefits to its franchise. They are -

· It provides exclusive Guard-A-Kid franchise area for every franchisee.

· The franchise cost includes all the hardware, software and other equipments required for the business.

· It is a home based business and gives flexibility in work schedule. There is no need of night work or working on weekends.

· You can run it by yourself. There is no need to recruit more employees to manage this business.

· It provides comprehensive training at its headquarters for two days. It conducts monthly conference calls and two monthly workshops.

· It provides ongoing support through internet and frequent meetings. Guard-A-Kid also provides marketing support through national media.

With the simple procedures and low investments, one can start Guard-A-Kid franchise quickly and have your business up and running in no time.

Investments for Guard-A-Kid franchise: To own a franchise, the franchise fee is ,900. Total investment may range from ,900 to ,900. This investment includes all hardware, software and equipments required for the business. The term of agreement is five years and is renewable. Cash liquidity requirements are 00 to ,000. General business experience is enough for this business.

Guard-A-Kid is an award winning company that provides child identification and safety package in the industry. Its more than 150 franchises are serving these products across United States. Schools, daycare centers etc. are the vast markets for the Guard-A-Kid franchise to promote these products to the parents. This business is home based business with very low investments and provides work time flexibility. This business does not need additional man power/ labor. This saves other overheads in the business and increases profits. This franchise review is beneficial for those want to start new business in small investments. Moreover, there is no need of much experience of business. All training and ongoing support is provided by Guard-A-Kid.

Guard-A-Kid Franchise Review

Kids Workshop

Event Planning Tips: Your Workshop Checklist

Are you planning a training workshop or event? Content will always be the most important factor of a workshop but logistics are often overlooked during the event planning stages. This has a big impact on the comfort of your guests and overall memorability of your event. Considering the following six points will ensure your event is remembered for all the right reasons and score you extra brownie points with your attendees.

1. Location

Kids Workshop

Ensure your event space is well served by good transport links or has parking facilities. Make it easy for attendees to attend and provide them with a good printable map with transport and parking information in your pre-workshop delegate pack.

2. Facilities

Are the toilets near your training room or will you and your guests have to race up two flights of stairs for the nearest washroom? Don't overlook the importance of nearby facilities. Fact: Your guests will take a toilet break during your workshop - you don't want them to miss any of your important content and neither will they.

3. Going up?

Is your room on the top floor of a six story building with no lift or in a windowless basement? Consider accessibility as well as ambiance when choosing your meeting space. Ideally a room on the ground or first floor with plenty of natural daylight. It will keep everyone perky and create a sense of space.

4. Seasons

Ok, so if it's mid-winter maybe a cosy basement room isn't such a bad idea. However, guests will want to check-in coats. Find out where these can be securely stored. Summer will be the opposite - think natural daylight and air conditioning.

5. Equipment

It's not unusual for venues to charge extra for equipment, such as flip charts, projector screens and especially AV equipment which can turn your good value workshop into an expensive event that eats in to your budget. Consider your equipment requirements and discuss everything with the venue before confirming your booking.

6. Refreshments

What's included, where is it served and when do you want it? Discuss this with the venue and arrange refreshment breaks around your workshop agenda. Remember to consider the dietary requirements of your guests and communicate this to the venue to avoid any embarrassing situations when refreshments are served.

Event Planning Tips: Your Workshop Checklist

Kids Workshop

Why Saying "Good Job" Is Bad For Your Kids

"I compliment everything my son does, but he still lacks confidence."
"I tell my daughter she is so smart. But she just keeps on saying she is stupid."
"Whenever my son listens, I say, "Good job!" and he just says "Is it really a good job?"

In the past 20 years parenting experts have bombarded parents with the need to compliment their children so that children will have the all important ingredient in leading a satisfying and happy life- "self-esteem." Those same professionals are now finding that the Self-Esteem movement of the past few years has backfired. Telling a child, "Good job." or "You are so smart" doesn't do the trick. Children do not respond well to praise, it makes them uncomfortable and anxious. The problem with this type of praise is that it teaches children to rely on others to judge their actions. They must meet other people's standards for them or risk disapproval.

Kids Workshop

Instead, it is better if we give children tools to assess their own behavior. We need to acknowledge what they have done in a way that highlights their achievements and expands their awareness of their own skills.

For example, if a child has helped you unpack from your family trip:
Instead of: "You are such a big help"
Say: "I really appreciate your help. This went a lot quicker with 2 people unpacking. I know you didn't really feel like unpacking and I appreciate that you did it anyway."

If your child built a tall tower of blocks:
Instead of: "You are the best builder!"
Say: "You figured out that the bigger blue blocks should go on the bottom and the smaller red blocks go on top. You learned how to build a tall tower."

If your child waited for his turn on the computer:
Instead of: "You are so patient!"
Say:"You waited your turn for computer patiently. You kept yourself busy drawing pictures so it wouldn't be so hard to wait."

Acknowledging children's behavior in this way will help your child develop a positive self-concept. You are actually painting them pictures of their accomplishments and their capabilities. Faber and Mazlish, the authors of "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen", say it eloquently, "You can take away 'good boy' by saying 'bad boy' the next day. But you can't ever take away from him the time he cheered his mother with a get-well card, or the time he stuck with his work and persevered even if he was very tired. These moments, when his best was affirmed, become life-long touchstones to which a child can return in times of doubt or discouragement. In the past he did something he was proud of. He has it within him to do it again."

For more great parenting tips like these visit http://www.parentingsimply.com

Why Saying "Good Job" Is Bad For Your Kids

Kids Workshop

Being Real: Successful Workshop Tips

Workshops are serious business. Businesses love hosting workshops just to be able to say they provide continuing education. Speakers across the nation have jumped on the workshop bandwagon trying to become the next great guru.

Anyone with valuable information or notable skills should run a successful workshop. You should because, even though workshops are sprouting up all over the place, there still aren't enough to accommodate everyone. But in order for you to conduct a successful workshop that means something to you, you have to avoid a few mistakes others make.

Kids Workshop

Avoid Mixed Signals

If you conduct a certain workshop, it should fit your profile. You can't tell men about being loyal to women if you cheat. You can't conduct inspiring workshops if you are depressed. You shouldn't lead people to believe that you are a millionaire and you can help them make that much money if you're leaving the workshop in your rusty van.

You have to believe what you are conducting the workshop about. My art workshops are about my ability to do art and to teach art. Anyone can learn how to do art and I instill that lesson into everyone I meet. I don't parade to know something I don't. I believe in my workshop and it is very much a part of my life.

Either Know It All or Don't Be A Know-It-All

There is so much to know about any topic that it would literally be impossible to know everything about it. But, some speakers try to come across as if they know all the answers. Some speakers like Anthony Robbins or Dr. Phil might have all the answers about their topic. But, most of us won't. And it's ok.

If you don't know something about your topic, don't be afraid to let your audience know. That moment would normally come at the question and answer time. One of your audience members might ask a question that even you don't know. For my art workshops, I have the opportunity to have my audience members back. So, I normally address a question I can't answer with a statement that I don't know, I'll look it up and get back to them about it the next time I see them.

It's much more credible because most people can see right through a person who is making up an answer as they go along. Most people understand that no one person can know everything about any one topic. And how you handle their question is not a brush off that implies that they should look up the answer themselves. You are willing to go the extra step and find out by the next time you meet with them.

Have Passion

A speaker who doesn't have passion for their own subject matter is a lousy speaker. No matter how much you know, no matter how much you put on, your audience will see through you soon enough. I walked into a hallway at a seminar and overheard one of the speakers saying, "They are so stupid. I can't stand how dense they are. I ask a question and everyone just sits there like a lump on a log."

I can understand the frustration. But if the passion isn't there, don't expect the audience to do your job. And if you don't care about your audience, so much so that you feel the need to put them down, maybe they saw through you. Maybe they saw that you didn't care that much about them, so they didn't show you any respect either.

Three simple things you need to remember to gain your audience's attention and to keep it. Avoid sending mixed signals, don't act like you know it all and have passion. The world is full of fakes. The world has seen its share of fakes. Be for real and you'll stand out in a heartbeat.

Being Real: Successful Workshop Tips

Kids Workshop

3 Free and Fun Activities You Can Do With Your Kids

In today's economy, everyone is cutting back to save money. One of the first places that we look to make cuts is entertainment. Movies, video games, museums, and family vacations may be out of the question for you this year, but cutting costs doesn't have to mean cutting fun. If you take a look around, there are things you can do that will be fun for the kids and kind to your wallet.

1. A nature walk at your local park. Instead of going to the park just for the playground, walk the nature trails. You can pretend to be explorers and discover all the different plants and flowers you see. Or if you plan ahead, you can create a scavenger hunt of sorts by having the kids look for certain types of foliage or insects. The one who finds the most things wins.

Kids Workshop

2. Story time at the public library. Check with your local library. Most of them have story times where kids can come in to listen to stories. Some even have free puppet shows.

3. Home Depot Kids Workshops. Every month Home Depot sponsors a kids workshop. Kids are given a small project to build anything from a little train to a message board. All ages are welcome and all the materials for the project are free. Kids even get a Home Depot apron to keep as well as a certificate and pin for completing the project.

All of these activities are fun for the kids and free for you. You don't have to go far and these are activities your kids will enjoy again and again. There are probably many other free activities that your town has to offer. You just have to look for them and think a bit creatively.

3 Free and Fun Activities You Can Do With Your Kids

Kids Workshop

Cooking With Kids - Children

Cooking can translate into a wonderful hobby for children. Children learn a lot about the food they eat by cooking themselves. Cooking is also very creative, besides being a lot of fun. The kitchen can be a very adventurous and exciting place for a holidaying child. Cooking classes for children are becoming very popular in most cities, for this reason.

Most children love it when they are allowed to knead dough, roll pancakes, crack eggs and mix batter. Cooking has emerged as an education tool for growing children. It is also a great way towards better bonding. Children can be taught skills like counting, weighing, measuring, tracking time and fractioning in a delicious way through cooking. However, very few schools include cooking in their curriculum. Parent should use holidays to cook with their children, or send them to cooking workshops in their free time.

Kids Workshop

Cooking is also very therapeutic from the psychological point of view. It can work as a de-stressor after a long period of study. Hands on training in cooking teach kids to be independent, self responsible and better prepared for an adult life. It is also a great way to whet appetites, as one loves to tuck into things which one prepares. It also gives immense pleasure to see someone eat and appreciate your cooking. Small children can also cook with adult supervision.

It is ideal to read and revise the recipe with the child before embarking on any cooking adventure. It's more fun for them if they know what they are doing. An adult should also clear a workplace and stack all the equipments and ingredients together to prevent confusion in the child. The recipes chosen should be in sync with the child's age and ability. Children should be made to follow hygienic rules like washing hands before cooking. They can be taught to measure ingredients and organize them. Older kids can be allowed to remove bake dishes from the oven after wearing gloves and handle pans on the heater. However an adult should do hazardous tasks like taking out rice or pasta from boiling water, deep frying etc. A personal set of tools can also be provided for children to cook more efficiently. Children can also be taught to shop for their own cooking. Many families have improved their eating habits and optimized their life styles by bringing kids in the kitchen.

Cooking With Kids - Children

Kids Workshop

Learning Logs to Use in Workshops For Mathematics and Science Teachers

If you are conducting a workshop or series of workshops for mathematics and science teachers, particularly if it's related to content area literacy, consider using one or more of the following learning logs as a way of learning more about your participants and what they are thinking and learning in your workshops.

Learning Log Entry #1

Kids Workshop

People come into this workshop with varying expectations. It helps me to know what your expectations are. Please use the space below to talk about what you hope to learn and/or plan to learn in this class. Be as specific as you possibly can--relating it to the teaching of mathematics and/or science, your personal teaching self, etc.

Learning Log Entry #2

What questioning techniques do you recall from your middle school (junior high school) and/or high school years in mathematics and science classrooms? How did you respond to the various techniques that you remember? What kind of questioner do you see yourself being as a mathematics and/or science teacher? 

Learning Log Entry #3

Does the middle school and/or high school mathematics and science teacher have a responsibility to use (essentially) whatever means are necessary to help students learn from text? Or, is it students' responsibility to help themselves learn from text? Or, is there another way of saying this that you are more comfortable with, as a mathematics and/or science teacher? Is your responsibility any different from other content area teachers' responsibilities? Why (or why not) and how? What did your mathematics and science teachers do-or what have you done for yourself-that has helped mathematics and science textbooks be more readable (more user-friendly)? Can these ideas be translated for use in your own classroom? How?

Learning Log Entry #4

In general, do you consider yourself a good "studier?" Why or why not? If you think you're pretty good--how did you get that way? If you don't think you're too good in the studying department, why aren't you? And, what would have helped you to be better? Are you a better "studier" in the areas of mathematics and/or science? If so, why do you think you are? What implications can you draw for your students? 

Learning Log Entry #5

Describe a metacognitive experience that you have had. Describe the situation and what caused you to be thinking about your thinking. Did this help in this situation? Why or why not? Do you consider yourself to be fairly metacognitively aware? How do you know? Does being metacognitively aware help in mathematics and science? Why or why not?

Learning Log Entry #6

What has surprised you most about this class? What have you learned that you didn't expect to learn? What long-held notions about reading, writing, and/or teaching have been changed since this class started? Be as specific as possible, please.

Learning Log Entry #7

Describe the learning that has occurred for you during this workshop. If you like, go back and look at the objectives for the course and see whether they have been met as far as you're concerned. How have you grown and/or changed as a result of this class? As always, please be as specific as possible.

Alternative Learning Log Entry #8

Overall evaluation/response regarding today's class:

Just choose from one of these learning log options - or model your own after these.  The main idea is to learn about your learners and to encourage them to reflect upon their own learning. 

Learning Logs to Use in Workshops For Mathematics and Science Teachers

Kids Workshop

Raising Kids on a Budget

There are only two ways to get more money:

1) Increase your income and

Kids Workshop

2) Decrease your outgo.

B Buy what you need, not what you want.

U Use it up, wear it out or give it away

D Don't ever spend in anticipation of earning

G Garage sales, consignment shops and hand-me-downs

E Eat at home or make it at home and take it with you

T Tracking your spending means you will have money to track

S Simplify your life.

o Spend twice as much time and half as much money on your child and you
will all be happier.

o Don't buy your kids too many clothes. They need an outfit for every day and
a Sunday or dress-up outfit, a sweat outfit to play in, two pairs of shoes,
seven pairs of underwear and socks and two pairs of pajamas. A coat and
jacket and you are set. They don't need twenty outfits that crowd the drawers
and fall on the floor and end up in the washing.

o Limit the toys you give your child. When they have so many toys, it stifles
their imagination. They will really play with a few but are overwhelmed with
too many choices.

o Buys toys, books and games on sale and keep in a "birthday box" for when
your children are invited to parties.

o Trade your good or services with friends and neighbors. Start a babysitting
co-op or food co-op. Trade painting for fresh produce, haircuts for yard work
etc. Be creative.

o Plan your menus around store specials and you will save a great deal and
avoid stopping at MacDonald's. Have one night be cooking night and prepare
and freeze enough for the rest of the week. Consider joining with another
friend and sharing the prepared meals.

o Recognize that saving or stretching of money is a part time job involving the
whole family. You can easily save as much as you would earn in a few hours
a week by being a smart shopper. Have a family council and decide what you
will be able to do as a family with the money you save by making wise
consumer decisions. Make it fun!

Good Luck and God Bless. You do an important work.

Raising Kids on a Budget

Kids Workshop

Learn Technical English Fast: Use ESP Workshops to Promote Reading Comprehension in LEP Learners

With the continuing expansion of English as an integral communications tool for education, science, technology, business and commerce, post-secondary education technical students are increasingly finding themselves in positions requiring them to manage high-technology studies in technical English. If you teach EFL, technical or business English, or teach a technical subject in English, you can use ESP workshops to successfully promote enhanced reading and comprehension in LEP learners.

A group of my Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students studying an Electronic Engineering class on antenna design had an American textbook in English, so it was necessary for me to convert chapters of the text into a series of ESP reading and comprehension workshops designed to allow the students to practice strategies for de-constructing the written text as an aid to understanding it.

Kids Workshop

A Series of Workshops

When my LEP Spanish-speaking Law faculty students were required to study aspects of Capital Punishment used in the USA, I again produced a series of materials as both written workshops and full multi-media presentations.

For my LEP Economics students to do comparative population studies of Colombia (population 44,222,000) with:

o South Korea (population 47,700,000)

o Poland (population 38,587,000)

o Argentina (population 38,428,000)

o South Africa (population 45,026,000)

o Ukraine (population 48,523,000)

A series of ESP workshops and multi-media presentations proved to be invaluable in promoting their reading and comprehension of their program's technical materials in English. The process of creating effective ESP written workshops is not easy, but is well worth the effort required. It both benefits the learners in reading and comprehension of difficult written material and develops the resourcefulness and skills of the EFL teacher.

Preparing the Workshop

In preparing an ESP written workshop, the reading text is broken down into manageable segments which can be more readily understood by LEP learners. Students are taught to identify in context such elements as:

o Cognates - words which look the same in different languages; True Cognates have the same or similar meanings, usage and connotation in different languages while False Cognates have different meanings, usage and connotation in different languages

o Connectors - words that join simple and complex sentences with others. Examples of connectors are: and, but, or, so. They can be of different types, depending on their function. There are connectors which express addition, contrast, time sequence, choice, cause or result

o Referents - words that refer to others that have been used before. They are used to avoid word repetition. Commonly used ones include such parts of speech (words) as: pronouns, determiners, quantifiers and proper nouns

o Affixes - consist of prefixes and suffixes. A prefix is a syllable added to the front of a root word to make another word with a different grammatical function. A suffix is a syllable added to the end root of a word to make another word with a different grammatical function

In addition, a list of key, high-frequency vocabulary is prepared along with a glossary of technical terms which may prove to be difficult for the learners. Pre-reading activities, while-reading and post-reading activities are incorporated into the written workshop to complement and round out the total package. A variety of exercise types are used to provide in-context practice with the lexis and grammatical elements of the reading. Comprehensive support in the form of graphics, photos, diagrams and pictures are included, as are video, animation and sound files when reading and comprehension workshops are produced online in websites, blogs or class pages.

ESP written reading and comprehension workshops can be an invaluable aid for LEP learners who need to understand and apply technical material related to their field or study or employment. A good workshop may take from three to five hours to prepare, but is timeless and can be used and re-used for years. With regular and frequent practice in ESP workshop preparation, teachers can often reduce preparation time significantly. The benefits to the learners are uncountable.

If you'd like some examples of complete, prepared ESP written workshops, feel free to e-mail me for an immediate reply with samples.

Learn Technical English Fast: Use ESP Workshops to Promote Reading Comprehension in LEP Learners

Kids Workshop

Free Self Esteem Workshops

Everybody suffers from low self esteem at some point in their lives. It may be as a result of not achieving something that you set out to do or perhaps the end of a relationship. Whatever the reason, it can bring with it a period of misery and confusion. Your life becomes a spiralling circle and often the best way out is to find someone who understands your situation to give you some support and guidance. A good starting point is one of the free self esteem workshops that are now available.

The internet advertises a substantial range of workshops for groups and individuals who are trying to increase their confidence and improve their quality of life. Many of these are aimed at the business sector where you will find professionals who are trying to increase their ability to forge ahead in the world of sales. These are not necessarily suited to someone who is undergoing a feeling of low self worth in their life in general. If you are looking for help, ensure you read the supporting information for the meetings carefully. There are some excellent free self esteem workshops available which are geared towards helping you out of a rut and back on course in your everyday life and not just aimed at the workplace.

Kids Workshop

Why, you may ask, do some people offer FREE self esteem workshops when others can be fairly costly? The difference seems to be that some organisations are charitable and have workshops running as an offshoot of a larger organisation. It could be through a church or health centre or a larger charity which deals with mental health issues. The latter of these organisations are very experienced in dealing with low self esteem and fully understand the problems that it can cause if left untreated. For that reason, they like to be able to offer guidance and advice before you spiral down to the point whereby the problem is out of hand and needs a greater level of attention.

Some organisations are able to offer short term workshops either as a 'one off' taster session or as a short course which they know, in the long run, will act as an advertising tool for one of their longer, fee charging courses. It may be that you will be able to join a free self esteem workshop which will explain to you what the problem is and how you should address it, but not actually start the process of assisting your recovery. This will be a part of a longer course for which they will charge you. By now, however, they will have established a need in you for their help and you are almost certain to sign up.

Be very careful regarding this situation, as you are probably not in the right frame of mind to make defiant decisions at this point in time. If you feel that you are being pressurised into making a commitment to a fee charging course, it would be wise to talk to a friend or medical advisor before signing anything or handing over any money. There are a lot of free self esteem workshops which are absolutely genuine and have no hidden financial agendas. If you can find one of these then I am sure that you will soon be feeling back on form and on course for a successful and happy life.

Free Self Esteem Workshops

Kids Workshop

Eagle Scout Community Service Project - A Solar Science Community Education Workshop

An Eagle Scout community service project is required for advancement to the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts of America. If you are a Life Scout looking for a service project that will be a great learning experience, consider building a solar panel and providing a community education service for your community. It will be a practical science application for the 21'st century.

Benefits

Kids Workshop

Your Eagle Scout community service project project will help people in your community learn about solar power. It will show you how to save money on your future electric bills. For some of you, this project may provide the motivation to enter a new and exciting career in solar energy.

How to get started

Before you start a solar science project, you must get approval of your proposal by your Scout organization. Your Eagle Scout community service project must demonstrate your leadership by as you coordinate and direct others. It must be helpful to a religious organization, school or your community.

If you do decide to build a solar panel as your required Eagle Scout community service project, make sure you achieve the required merit badges for Eagle. Select other merit badges related to solar science.

You might contact a local science teacher and ask to give a workshop in a science class. Or you might work with a youth group in a local religious institution and do a workshop on how solar energy can help save planet earth.

You don't have to be scientist or an engineer to understand and build a solar panel. If you like to work with your hands - if you learn all you can about your project, plan carefully, obtain materials and any necessary tools, and take it step by step -- you can do it!

After you have studied and understand how to build a solar panel, and you have assembled all the materials you will need, you can build your solar panel in a weekend. You might recruit some volunteers from the science class or the youth group to help you assemble your solar panel.

Where to get more information

Eagle Scout Community Service Project - A Solar Science Community Education Workshop

Kids Workshop

6 Highly Effective Ways to Teach Kids Today

Every person in the world has strengths in certain subjects as well as weaknesses in others.

Our strengths are our passions; they ignite us, and drive us to learn more. In school, students are taught however, that they 'should' excel in all subjects. By ranking students with grades based on test scores for each subject, we inadvertently influence how students evaluate themselves in those subject areas, and impact how they feel about themselves overall.

Kids Workshop

But poor self confidence can lead to poor learning.

When grades are high, students develop confidence and a feeling of achievement and success. If grades are low in a specific subject area, then students are told to 'work harder' in order to raise their grades to the general standards. This implies that a student has a weakness that is holding him back and rather than motivate, it significantly lowers self-esteem.

So how to do we raise grades and confidence levels at the same time? We can teach students in a way they will enjoy and understand; we can teach students about their weaknesses through their strengths.

I strongly believe that any subject can be taught to any individual if we consider what type of learning style resonates best with the student.

Audio Learners; Learning Through Listening

Facts may not be very interesting, but when we add a layer of fun to the equation, we see excellent results. For example, some people are audio learners. Songs are a great way of remembering facts, dates, and many other tidbits of information, since songs teach through patterns.

Visual Learners; Learning By Viewing

What about students who don't excel at music? Visuals can be another excellent way to teach.

Many students learn best through visual representation, via pictures or video. In my grade school math classes, I know that I did not understand what the numbers or signs represented, but once I was able to do the multiplication by counting, or adding physical objects that I could see and touch like pennies, I was then able to understand why math was useful and how I could use it in other areas of my learning.

Relating Learning to Real-Life Examples

One of the things that drives me nuts is when teachers answer, "because it is,"- to a student's question. That is a lazy answer.

Students are naturally curious, and wish to absorb as much information as possible. In grade 7 I had an amazing math teacher who led me to start loving math and physics, due to way she presented questions. Each math problem we had to solve related to a character she created- a clown named Bobo- and who was always getting into trouble. It was always our job, as students, to solve the math problem and help Bobo before he would meet his untimely death. This not only allowed me to paint a picture in my head of what the math equations meant, but it was also fun, and gave math purpose.

Learning By Doing

Let students explore and discover. Let students get outdoors, think big, create big, and dream HUGE!

Even if it's through electronic media like online encyclopedias or YouTube videos, when students physically engage in the act of "doing", they begin to apply the material they have learned.

The same teacher who taught us to solve clown-related math problems, also took us on unconventional trips, such as taking us to the pool hall to learn about angles, and geometry. The techniques may have been unconventional, but the knowledge has stayed with me to this day.

Learning By Teaching Others

Students of all ages can learn the most when they themselves are the teachers, and when they are given the opportunity to teach others.

Teaching forces students to process the information in a different way in order to make sense of it before they pass it along.

One great technique is to give students 10 minutes at the beginning of the day to review what was discussed for the past week. This activity not only allows students to practice teaching each other, but it also improves information retention, and helps students on tests. Students should be encouraged to share information, not to keep it to themselves.

Learning through Strength

Cross-curricular teaching not only enables the teacher to get more creative with the material by using different subjects, it also allows the student to learn through one of their stronger subjects.

In some of my classes, I teach students about physics and art by teaching them to make robots that move and draw. Students who have difficulty in the sciences can relax and have fun learning about vibrations and forces while also enjoying the arts.

At the same time, students who excel in left brain activities like numbers, facts, and science, enjoy their time learning about the physics of making robots while they are also enticed to broaden their horizons and learn more about art.

Living our Strengths Encourages the Love of Learning

These are just a few examples of how we can teach students about their weaker subjects through their strengths.

Whether students' strengths include subject areas they are really good at, learning styles they embrace, a desire to have fun, or even the ability to communicate what they have learned to another, all of these teaching techniques allow more learning to take place, and at much more efficient and productive levels. Science Centres, Field Trips, even learning about geometry at a pool hall, all encourage students to learn by experiencing, to get involved, and live what they are learning in a fun way.

When learning doesn't feel like a task- or a chore, students of all ages are able to soak up and retain information, and really get the most out of their education.

And one more key to effective teaching; allowing students to fail and succeed on their own builds confidence and encourages educational growth today as well as an ongoing craving for future learning.

Find out more about fun teaching techniques, experiential ways of learning, and creative project ideas, at my Teaching With Fun website.

6 Highly Effective Ways to Teach Kids Today

Kids Workshop

Lesser Known Washington DC & Northern Virginia Children's Museums

National Building Museum-

A fantastic museum for children! The building itself is beautiful. There is a wide open Great Hall, where kids can run free. Kids can attempt to build a 7-foot tall arch using numbered foam blocks (MUCH harder than it looks). A favorite of the toddler crowd is the Building Zone, designed for children aged 2 to 6. There are many types of building materials, such as giant legos, magnetic tinker toys, and cardboard blocks. There are also dress-up costumes, a large scale play house, building focused books, and much more. There can be a line to get into the Building Zone, as there is a capacity of 40 children. There are also "Family Tool Kits" that help to bring the building to life for school-aged kids.

Kids Workshop

Gadsby's Tavern Museum

Family Programs- Swordsmen's Rendezvous, Tea with Martha Washington, Easter Tea, Tavern Toddlers

Toddler Taverns-: A special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers! Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby's historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Themes change monthly. for a group of three, which must include one adult, or purchase a 5 week pass for . Mondays, 10:30am, 12:00pm, Ages: 1 to 3 Cost: /group of three

National Children's Museum- Launch Zone at National Harbor

While the National Children's Museum is being built (to open in 2013), the NCM opened the Launch Zone at National Harbor on Waterfront Street. Open seven days a week, the Launch Zone is a place where children can participate in fun and educational programs related to the Museum's core content areas.

Through the use of images, table-top interactive exhibits, and computer kiosks, NCM introduces select areas of the Museum, while soliciting feedback and input from constituents. They also have a class focused on children ages 2-3- Wee Wonders' Out of This World on March 9, 16, 23, at 10:00am- 11:15am. According to the website, children will blast off into outer space in a rocket ship to explore the solar system like astronauts. Activities typically include stories, games, art, music, experiments, drama, and movement. Fee: per child. Pre-registration and advance payment (by check or credit card only) is required by the Friday prior to the event. Please call 202-675-4120 or email RSVP@ncm.museum to register.

Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon has many fun things families and kids love to do. There are baby animals in spring and summer, a 4-D theater with falling snow and rumble seats, and a hands-on history area where kids can play dress-up in 18th-century clothing, read books, and explore activity boxes and games. Mount Vernon is open 365 days a year and offers daily programs and special events throughout the year.

National Gallery of Art

Although the National Gallery of Art is not going to be very appealing to young children, kids will also enjoy the lighted underground concourse between the West Building and the East Building (with a huge suspended Calder). Along the concourse, is a great cafe, a museum store with children's' section. There is a waterfall sculpture against the glass wall. There is also a class for children ages 4-7- Stories in Art. This series of programs uses storytelling to introduce children to works of art. Led by museum educators, each program includes reading a children's book, looking at one work of art in the galleries, and completing a simple hands-on activity. This class is a free drop-in program is designed for individual families, first-come, first-served basis. For information, call (202) 789-3030.

International Spy Museum

The Spy Museum has many programs, workshops, demonstrations, and action-packed missions for mini-spies. There are workshops on disguise, gadgetry, spy science, codes and ciphers; Spy Magic performances; Spies on Screen; Operation Secret Slumber overnights; and Spy camps are offered on a monthly basis.

Lesser Known Washington DC & Northern Virginia Children's Museums

Kids Workshop