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Is Your Child Ready for School?
By Sharyl Calhoun

If you're the parent of an infant or toddler, you might be bristling with indignation at such a preposterous question. Or perhaps you?re good-natured enough to laugh and mildly protest: 'Hey! Give him time to be a kid!' Either way, you are quite correct. Studies show that children who are pushed into the world of academics too early are likely to suffer setbacks by the fourth grade.

Then, why the urgency that sends many parents searching for a highly-structured preschool program, where 2 and 3-year-olds are taught things like the ABC?s, social skills, and proper classroom behavior? Furthermore, aren?t parents qualified to prepare their own youngsters for success in kindergarten?

There certainly are experiences and skills that your child should acquire before he ever enters school. Be assured of this . . . your child?s teacher will be thrilled if your child simply arrives at school ready to learn.

However, many children begin their school years with missing components--social, physical, emotional or cognitive experiences that have somehow been overlooked by caring and concerned parents. And these missing components can mean the difference between success and struggle at school.

Some of those components, when missing, are harder to compensate for than others. But by simply attending to some practical principles of parenting, you can help your child be ready for school when the big 'first day' approaches.

The Physical Development of Your Child

Five-year old Jennie had never learned how to climb stairs. Her fear was obvious as she clung to the banister with both hands and laboriously struggled up one step at a time . Her embarrassment escalated as the other students jostled and muttered impatiently behind her.

As parents, we are well aware that our children need such things as proper exercise and nutrition to maintain good health. We do everything within our power to protect these little ones from injury or danger. We even have their little bodies immunized against the invasion of life-threatening diseases.

But with today?s hectic lifestyle, we are often guilty of condemning our little ones (for hours) to the inert world of entertainment. . . we plop them down in front of the television where we know they are safe; they are contented; and we are settling them into a habit that we may soon regret.

Can your child actually suffer ill effects from too little physical activity? Yes! An inactive childhood not only hinders the social and emotional development of your child, but the cognitive development, as well.

Experts in the field of educational psychology say that activities such as running, climbing, and jumping actually create important networks in the brain. These cognitive connections will need to be in place by the time your child is learning to read, to write, and to think about mathematical concepts.

So encourage childish games, which include jumping rope, climbing stairs or slides, and making angels in the snow. Play games together, such as 'Mother, May I?' where your child is commanded to do a variety of silly tasks---hopping on one foot, walking like a crab, or stepping heel-to-toe in a straight line. Enjoy a game of pitch and catch with a balloon, a beach ball, a beanbag or a tennis ball.

While you two are enjoying each other?s company, critical pathways are forming in your child?s brain. You're actually preparing your child for academic learning.

Don?t neglect the arts-and-crafts experiences which help to fine-tune small motor skills. Let your child experiment with a variety of paints, crayons, drawing pads and pencils. When it?s time for giving gifts, consider ways to inspire creativity, rather than following the latest electronic fad or push-button craze. Make sure your child has access to building blocks, beginning sewing kits (with a plastic needle), and wooden beads to lace onto colorful shoestrings. The best childhood toys are challenging to both mind and muscle.

So many things parents do each day require careful eye-hand coordination, and fine motor movement. Let your child develop those skills by 'helping' you with little chores. Let him drop loose change into a piggy bank slot, feed the fish with a pinch of flakes, or help you with the laundry and cooking. You may need to develop 'patient parent' skills, but when school days roll around, you?ll be glad you allowed your child to experience the little things in life.

The Emotional Development of Your Child

Mrs. Miles was shocked to realize that only two first-graders in her classroom were living with both natural parents. Several students had experienced 2 or 3 divorces by the age of 6! Some had never known a father figure. Others lived with two adults, but because the adults were not married, the children lacked the security that a long-term commitment provides.

By midyear, Mrs. Miles was greatly stressed. 'I?m having to spend so much time helping my students cope with family crises, that there is barely enough time for teaching academics!'

For your child?s sake (and your own), maintain a healthy and stable family life. The stress level at home plays a most crucial role in the your child's academic success. A child's physical and emotional needs demand to be met. If not satisfied at home, these needs are laid upon the teacher's shoulders.

Before parents move toward a divorce, they must consider the effect their decision will have on their children. Psychologists tell us that divorce or desertion has the same effect on a child as the death of a parent. As children of divorce struggle to cope with the grief and confusion of troubled homes, learning takes a back seat.

The Cognitive Development of Your Child

Three-year-old Matt was riding around the grocery store with his chubby little legs sticking out of the cart. 'Mommy,' he said loudly, 'why is that lady wearing a cowboy hat? Does she think she's a cowboy?'

One of the most critical factors in developing your child's intellect is simply this: Let him experience as much of his world as possible! Take your child to the grocery store. As you roam the aisles, talk about things that are big and little, soft and hard, sweet and sour, or crunchy and smooth. Be prepared to answer embarrassing questions!

Let him find the aisle where the cheese is likely to be found, and the toilet paper, and the ice cream. This is an excellent introductory course on classification, a higher-level thinking skill.

Be ready to answer questions about science, and remember that simple answers will do. Introduce him to nature right outside your door! Discover all the living creatures in your backyard. Watch how they live, work, and play.

Play board games and guessing games with your child. You can't begin to imagine how many skills you are teaching your child when playing games together.

Talking is teaching a child about life! When you converse with your child about his environment and allow him to explore his surroundings, he gains a vast wealth of knowledge! There is no substitute for these early childhood experiences, and your child will be better equipped for school because of your interaction with him.

When you talk, you can be a good role model for how words are articulated and complete sentences are formed. When you listen, you are helping him gain good control over oral language. You are encouraging him to organize his thoughts and to share them with others.

It almost seems too simple. It's just a matter of making your child a part of your day--a part of your life! Attention to these practical suggestions now will help your child be better prepared for every aspect of school life--his relationships, his self-confidence, and even his reading, writing, and math skills!

And, finally, read with your child every day! Teach pre-reading skills--looking from left-to-right and from top-to-bottom, pointing under each word, looking at pictures for meaning, and predicting what might happen next. Learning to read should be the natural result of parents reading to their children.

The Spiritual and Moral Development of Your Child

Mrs. Thorn's kindergarten class was focusing on feeling. On Monday, they read 'happy' books, and each child told what made him or her happy. On Tuesday, the focus was on feeling 'mad', and on Wednesday, it was on feeling 'scared.' The teacher was appalled by Sabrina's story: 'I get scared at night when I hear my mom and dad watching movies.' As the girl continued, it was clear that the movies were of a pornographic nature.

Let's face it. The innocence of childhood is challenged the moment your child steps out of the door. It doesn't always make a difference whether she attends a public school or a private school. You can't protect your child from the negatives of our world forever. She must be prepared to react properly to bad words, to stories about inappropriate activity, and to children who have experienced the rough side of life. She must have an inner strength and conviction to help her in these situations.

Share your own faith with your child. Point her in the right direction by your own example. Be willing to discuss any topic she brings up. Church can be a wonderful place to find help in your child's moral and spiritual development. Let her see how faith provides daily strength in your own life.

Preparing your child for school requires much of your time and attention. So get ready, get set...learn!

S. M. Calhoun is a teacher and freelance writer. For information concerning your family's total health and wellness, visit our web site http://www.fastandnaturalweightlossprogram.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharyl_Calhoun
http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Your-Child-Ready-for-School?&id=46768

Brazil: A Carnival of Life
By Denisse Romero

The Carnival of Rio is one of the most popular annual parties in the whole world. The exuberant floats, the beautiful samba dancers, and the contagious joy of its people make Brazil the ideal spot for those searching for excitement and unique experiences. In fact, once you hear the rhythmic beating of the drums, your feet will start moving turning you into another participant of this great celebration that takes place in Samba schools, on Avenida Marques de Sapucai, or in the street blocks. But Brazil offers much more ? It offers natural beauty and green areas like no other place. It?s a place injected with life. From the Amazon rainforest to the Iguazu Falls, there is definitely plenty to see and do in Brazil.

What to do?

Looking for exuberant nature? Head north to the Amazon rain forest where you will find thousands of unique species of plants and animals, and also indigenous tribes. Make sure to book a tour, so you can get the most out of this experience while staying safe. Manaus is the capital of the Amazonas State and the best place to go to visit the Amazon Forest. Belem is the second largest city in the Amazon region with religious festivals and traditional markets.

Looking for beautiful beaches? Head northeast to Salvador (Bahia), Olinda, Recife or Natal. It is considered the country?s sunniest region with colonial architecture and street parties all year round.

Looking for cosmopolitan cities? Head southeast to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In Rio you will find beautiful beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema along with the famous open arms statue ? Christ The Redeemer. The statue is a symbol that represents the culture of the people from Rio (Cariocas) and their welcoming hospitality. Cariocas are known for their easy-going, laid-back culture in contrast to the more reserved people from other cities. Sao Paulo is Brazil?s largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city defined by a diverse cultural and business life. Sao Paulo is so diverse that is home to the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. It also has strong Italian and Arab influences. The people of Sao Paulo are known as hard-working and industrious people contrasting with the Cariocas and the people from other regions.

Where to eat?

Brazil?s national dish is feijoada, a hearty stew made of black beans and pork. It?s a heavy dish, so take your time before eating it. Excellent seafood can also be found in the coastal towns of Brazil. Brazilian snacks called lanches include a wide variety of pastries such as coxinha, empadinha, and pastel. If you are in the mood for good barbeque, try the Brazilian ?Churrasco? served at many restaurants. A restaurant meal with a drink usually costs $10 making eating out a very feasible experience for those on a budget. Fast food is also available and you will find as many Bob?s (a famous fast-food chain in Brazil) as McDonald?s in the big cities.

Where to stay?

In the Pantanal region ? a place full of wild like and wetlands ? tourists usually stay in fazendas, which can be described as big ranches. Boat hotels are also a popular option for tourists who want to have a relaxing time fishing and watching the Pantanal wildlife. In the big cities, you will find 5 star hotels as well as pousadas (guesthouses) and hostels.

Visas & Documents

? Citizens from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay may enter the country with a valid ID card and stay up to 90 days.
? Citizens from the following countries are required to present their passports for stays of up to 90 days: South Africa, Croatia, all EU countries (except Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Philippines, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, Surinam, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Venezuela.
? Citizens from the following countries currently need a visa for Brazil: Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, United States, El Salvador, Nicar?gua, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Armenia, Lebanon, Siria, former soviet countries and others not listed above.
? United States citizens are required to pay 100 US Dollars for a 5 year visa.

Denisse Romero

Study Abroad and Travel Portal

http://www.macquil.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Denisse_Romero
http://EzineArticles.com/?Brazil:-A-Carnival-of-Life&id=419136

A Quit Smoking Hypnosis Exercise
By Terje Ellingsen

Here is a quit smoking hypnosis exercise you can use to stop smoking. Try it, because it might just help you in utilizing your mind power to stop smoking like it has helped many other tobacco addicted people. Reading the text and doing the quit smoking exercise at the same time is very impractical, so I recommend that you read the text aloud while you tape it. Play the tape each time you're doing this stop smoking exercise. The exercise combines traditional self hypnosis with NPL or Neuro Linguistic Programming.

Sit or lie down, relax and close your eyes

'Now I am in a future moment when I no longer smoke. I can see my environment, I can hear the sounds, smell the smells and feel all my emotions. I have no cravings for cigarettes. This seems real, this is real.

I'm now taking a trip on my future time line to a time when I have completely forgotten about smoking, where not smoking does not bother me a at all.

I'm now looking back on the time line and I remember how easy it was for me to stop smoking, how amazed I felt when I realized that I stopped having any craving for tobacco, and after that I never gave smoking another thought.

Now, I can feel the freedom I have without tobacco, how great I feel when I am no longer owned by cigarettes. My thoughts are my own. I am free to choose what I want to do and where I want to go, without the thought of smoking cigarettes coming into my thoughts. I want to stay here in this moment of no smoking for a long time and when I go back I will let my mind take these future moments of no tobacco cravings back with me.'

Now, you create the anchor for these future non-smoking resources: Press your thumb and index finger together on your right hand and hold it for a few seconds.

'Now I am even farther in the future, and now I don't even think about smoking at all. This is very real.' Anchor your good smoke-free feelings again with your thumb and index finger for a few seconds.

Now, the touch of the thumb and index finger connects the good smoke-free feeling in your brain.

Now, bring yourself back to the present moment while you are still holding your thumb and index finger together. You have now made an anchor for the state of being a non-smoker. Repeat this anti smoking hypnotic exercise until it works instantly.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website 1st-Self_Improvement.net. Terje is a Sociologist who enjoys contributing to the personal growth and happiness of others. He tries to accomplish this by writing about self improvement issues from his own experience and knowledge. For example, using mind power to build better relationships and helping tobacco addicted people to quit smoking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terje_Ellingsen
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Quit-Smoking-Hypnosis-Exercise&id=78507

Generally in secured loans, it is your home that serves as the collateral for the finance and this collateral assurance. So, how would you react exactly when here is a news that the property price in UK shot up 90% second in the Euro zone, next only to Spain where it is 100%? Of course it is great news for a borrower of secured loans.  But, the market analysts have the metaphor of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and then crashed and burned. They say that UK property has climbed too high and is up there for a nasty fall. So, it’s wise to tap the deal soon. The property price is high and this is indeed, capable of grabbing big bucks for you. It’s really high time to tap the big deal of secured loans now.

Secured loans speak of a unique offer of money at low rates. Because here is the collateral pledging, it serves as an assurance that you will pay the money back without any fault. And, this assurance of your security is the thing that sucks the loan amount at cheap prices for you. At times, it is seen that some lenders advance loans worth even 125% of the collateral. So, the better value your collateral has got the more benefit you can grab from the finance scheme of secured loans.

However, secured loans themselves offer a great package. They offer cheap rates and convenient terms normally because of the collateral pledging involved in the process. And, no one knows better than a borrower how much it is relieving to get a cheap loan. Secured loans offer this facility without any failure in the commitment. Anyway, secured loans are advanced for a term generally ranging from 5 to 25 years while the lender advances an amount ranging from £ 5000 to £75000.

And, in this kind of finance, there is not any bar for the bad credit holders too. The security you pledge is able to generate an assurance that you will return the money in due time. So, the amount is advanced freely to you. Only, in case you are a bad credit holder, you are to pay a moderately higher rate of interest for your loans.

Secured loans generally cover almost any of people’s personal needs, like a debt consolidation, business need, home improvement, to cover study expenses, to buy a car or even for refreshing holiday jaunts. They are available to get you off the hook of any of your personal needs.  

They are available online where applying is totally free and no obligatory in nature. Also, the loan approval takes the least of time because there is no paper work or documentation. There is a large flock of lenders online who are ready to give you loans any time, at cheap rates. So, you have good options for comparison also.

Secured loans themselves have a basket of benefits. Yet, if you can grab the loans before the price falls in UK, you will earn a rainbow and that is guaranteed.