The Delightful Hidden Meanings of 7 Everyday Objects
The little pocket on your jeans. The little hole in your pen cap. They're not just there for show.
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The little pocket on your jeans. The little hole in your pen cap. They're not just there for show.
We've somehow decided that little kids can't understand these complex topics, or we want to delay exposing them to injustices as long as possible (even though not all children have the luxury of being shielded from injustice).
However, young children have a keen awareness of and passion for fairness. They demand right over wrong, just over unjust. And they notice differences without apology or discomfort.
Racial identity and attitudes begin to develop in children at a young age. Two- and three-year-olds become aware of the differences between boys and girls, may begin noticing obvious physical disabilities, become curious about skin color and hair color/texture, and may also be aware of ethnic identity.
5 Elementary Strategies
1. Use children's literature: There's a wealth of children's books (check out here: http://www.adl.org/education-outreach/books-matter/#.VwQW3_krLcs) that can be read aloud and independently to approach the topic of bias, diversity, and social justice.
2. Use the news media: Find topics and news stories that bring forth these themes and discuss them in the classroom -- like the nine-year-old boy who was banned from bringing his My Little Pony backpack to school because it was the source of bullying.
3. Teach anti-bias lessons: Social and emotional skill development lessons are the foundation, and then teachers can move to lessons on identity, differences, bias, and how bias and bullying can be addressed individually and institutionally.
4. Give familiar examples.
Take advantage of children's interest in books, TV shows, toys, and video games, and use them as opportunities to explore diversity, bias, and social justice.
5. Explore solutions: Re-think the concept of "helping others" to include discussions about the inequities that contribute to the problem and consider actions that can address it. For example, while it's useful to provide food to homeless people, we want to deepen the conversation to convey a social justice perspective and a wider lens with children. Therefore, discuss the stigma and stereotypes of homeless people, learn about unfair housing policies, and reflect on solutions that will reverse the problem in a lasting way and encourage students to take action.
They're naturally independent.
The longest recorded case of hiccups lasted for 68 years … and was caused by a falling hog. While that level of severity is extremely uncommon, most of us are no stranger to an occasional case of the hiccups. But what causes these ‘hics’ in the first place? John Cameron takes us into the diaphragm to find out.
The kids who tend to do well often exhibit some important skills before entering college. Perhaps surprisingly, these skills aren't incredibly sophisticated. In fact, they are skills we expect preschoolers to master.
Strength Training for Kids- Whats, whys, whens and… weights?
Pinterest is great place for finding new recipes and home décor ideas, but have you ever thought about getting parenting tips there? The social media site just released their 100 for 2017, a list of the top emerging trends they predict will be huge next year and there are some really fun ideas on it for parents. So whether you're looking for nursery décor ideas or creative activities to do with your children, check out this list first.
During this time, scratchy throat, red eyes, and breathing problems are aplenty, while those with asthma can only suffer in silence. So instead of blaming the neighbouring countries, let’s read these crucial tips to survive these health-challenging days.
No.10. Presume competence.
I’m not going to sugar coat this for you. I struggled horribly with my 2-year-old not listening. As a mom who researches things like how to make kids listen and how to be a positive parent to a strong willed child, the twos about did me in.
Some kids take the philosophy of being wrong and strong very seriously, and it often leads to amazing results. Here are some of the moments kids had no clue what to do with their homework or exams, but didn't let that keep them from going down in a fireball of glory.
What are signs of pink eye in children? What are the remedies? Pink eyes are often commonly ignored, but improper treatment can lead to recurring pink eye cases that become increasingly resistant to treatment. NEWBORNS ARE PARTICULARLY AT RISKS for pink eye and ensuing complications that lead to serious health damage.
This DIY Personalized Homework Station is a useful project that teens or tweens can customize to enhance their work space for back-to-school! There is plenty of room for memos and important notes.
It’s a common scenario – your toddler is asking you to read him the same book for the nth time. You would probably think that reading the same bedtime story to him over and over sort of limits his learning potential, but studies show that repetition is actually good for your little one.
Did you know that lemon is filled with cancer-fighting compounds? It also has a detoxing effect -- good for your diet!
Pope Francis warned that sitting on a sofa gives illusion of safety from pain, fear or worries, allowing the sitter to kick back and lose themselves for hours in the latest television show or their smartphones.
For a child, everything is new. Refresh your view of a mundane day through the lens of a toddler!
’m not sorry that, because I’m a working mom, you get more quality time with your perfectly capable father. I’m not sorry that you’ve bonded with your other caregivers, because the more people who love you—and the more people you love back—the better.
- The researchers looked at 105 healthy children younger than 3 who had surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, a common operation of early childhood.
- Between the ages of 8 and 15, researchers assessed the children's IQ, language, behavior and mental functions, including memory, learning, attention and thinking speed.
-The children were no different than siblings who were not exposed to general anesthesia at a young age, the study found.
It happens to every child in one form or another – anxiety. As parents, we would like to shield our children from life’s anxious moments, but navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.
Silence in kids often arouses worries to the parents. But don't. Their reservation appears not because they are incapable of what other kids do, but because they communicate with the world differently. Here are a few things you might want to know:
So junior is starting infantcare as you bounce back from your maternity leave. Or perhaps, you have just enrolled your 2-year old in childcare, so she can socialise with other children. Here’s what you should know.
Anyone who’s ever bitten into a slice of watermelon knows it induces a state of relaxation like few other fruits. But did you know that the fruit can also be used as medicine? Humans began doing just that thousands of years ago. Renowned physicians like Hippocrates and Dioscorides actually praised the bright red melon for its healing properties.
Raise your hand if you end up doing the majority of your kid’s language arts homework? Or is it just me who spent an entire weekend making a booklet on penguins and writing an essay on Mandela? It isn’t so much that I want to control everything, but I have a fear that if my son hasn’t properly researched a speech or presentation he has to make, he’ll get up in front of his class and make a huge fool of himself. My husband frequently reminds me, “It isn’t your homework, it’s his.” He refuses to get involved, but I just can’t help myself.....
In an effort to help combat this problem, educator Scott Ertl launched a program in 2010 that has since branched out into dozens of classrooms across the United States. Scott’s program, entitled Read and Ride, combines physical activity with reading by introducing stationary bikes into the classroom setting. Students are expected to read a favourite book, educational magazine, or some other piece of literature from the curriculum while using the piece of exercise equipment.
Every parent dreads that moment. It begins the second you set foot inside the daycare or preschool centre and find yourself with a clingy, teary child who won’t let go of your leg.
Leaving your children in the care of others – whether it’s for the first time or the hundredth time – is never easy, but when children are happy to run inside without fuss, it’s easier to push away those feelings or admit that we’ll miss them.
You're a working mom. That very likely means you've left the house nearly every day feeling guilty about your decision to be a working mom. "Am I selfish for abandoning my child?" "Is it cruel to put my baby in day care every day of the week?" "Are all the stay-at-home moms right?" But in honor of Working Parents Day tomorrow, stop the second-guessing and pat yourself on the back for making a decision that you very likely already know is best for your family.
With these honey bee coloring pages, you can color your own wonderful honey-producing pollinator! I created these two coloring pages from a bee drawing that I colored live for you to enjoy. Coloring can be a very relaxing activity for not just children, but adults as well; it’s a great way to wind down at the end of the day, especially with some nice music turned on.
Support and encourage their efforts, and love them unconditionally
New book focuses on the importance of grit in children and adults. Millennials, who grew up with helicopter parents, may lack resiliency, co-authors say. Colleges across the country now teaching resiliency on campus
We all love BBQ pork ribs, but we don’t always have the time to cook it in the smoker and depending on the season (or if you live in a place where you can’t use a BBQ) your slow cooker will be an ideal alternative that will only take you few minutes to prepare!
Tips for Parent-Educators: These are the top things I wish someone had said to me as I offered my first born to his first school.
1. Be a parent, first and foremost. That's what your kid needs most from you.
2. Proactively build a relationship with your child's teacher at the beginning of the year. Don't wait until there's a problem to sit down with them.
3. If a teacher doesn't ask about your child's strengths and interests, share those.
4. Also share anything you think the teacher should know about your kid that would help them be effective, such as that your kid is an introvert and won't often participate in whole-class discussions. (Again, hopefully they ask this question, but if not, share it.)
5. If your child complains about being bored, class being too hard, not being treated well by peers or adults, listen to your child. Don't hope it'll get better. Go to school and talk to people. Observe classes.
6. Don't be afraid of talking to the principal. Don't be afraid of making requests. You can do this kindly and thoughtfully, but your job, again, is to advocate for your kid.
New games that will make acquiring programming skills as simple as playing Lego for kids!
Children are increasingly at risk from essential oils that are often used in natural remedies, a Tennessee poison center reports. The oils, which are derived from plants and used in aromatic and homeopathic products, can cause harm when consumed. And children face a heightened risk from exposure.
This girl, like many others, is facing being bullied at school. When her Dad, Khari, heard about it & fought back with this song.
Good work-life balance - what does it really look like?
Its contours are vague, definitions different.
"What constitutes a healthy work-life balance will vary substantially between individuals and families. Some people may be able to tolerate more demanding working conditions than others," says Dr Jonathan Ramsay, a lecturer at the Human Resource Management Programme at SIM University.
He offers a working definition.
"For most parents with office jobs - especially those with young children - a work-life balance would involve being able to spend the majority of their evenings and weekends with their children," he says.
Meet 10-month-old Landon Lee, a baby Instagram star with nearly 42,000 followers.
Every year, around 6,000 American children are born with Down syndrome.
I cherish the notes I receive from my children—whether they are scribbled with a Sharpie on a yellow sticky note or written in perfect penmanship on lined paper. But the Mother’s Day poem I received from my 9-year-old daughter was especially meaningful. In fact, the first line of the poem caused my breath to catch as warm tears slid down my face.
Food waste can leave a bad taste in mums’ mouths, but luckily there are loads of easy ways to store fresh food so that it stays crisp and delicious, ready to take centre stage in an upcoming five-star family meal.
It's not what you try once, or what attitudes you hold. It's what you actually do, every single day.
My favourite kind of healthy toddler recipes are the ones that have few ingredients and don't take much time to prepare. These thirty healthy recipes are super simple to make and contain just three ingredients or less!
Your child will be more attentive and will be more likely to follow if you use positive words instead.
Tame your little trendsetter’s hair in less than five minutes with one of these fun hairstyles.
SINGAPORE: Malay-Muslim community leaders support an idea to make the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) compulsory for all Islamic religious teachers. The decade-old scheme recognises teachers and scholars who meet the minimum standards of qualification to preach and teach Islamic religious knowledge.
Toddlers are a unique species all of their own, complete with their own rules, commandments, and (a very flighty) moral code. Mothering a toddler is not for the faint of heart. One minute I feel like Mary Poppins, and the next minute I’m the chick from Game of Thrones — and frankly, neither are a good look for me.
Parenting is a tough job and there are infinite ways to succeed and fail. With so many ways to parent, how can you be sure that what your doing is best for your child? Here are 6 science-backed ways unsuccessful kids have in common.