Posts Tagged ‘parenting’
When becoming a mother, there is a sort of magic in the air. True, there is a nervousness of the unknown as well. No one can ever predict what will happen once you have a child. But there is much cause for celebration when expecting. There is no end to the rewards of raising a beautiful baby girl or boy. There are no bounds to how much a mother can love her children. A mother who creates her child within her and can give her child life is truly profound. So of course there is much to look forward to when expecting. And of course, there is the surrounding family of the mother who are equally excited. That is when parties with gifts come into play. There are tips and wives tales and guide books to share. When a mother is expecting, there are limitless gifts to give. And yet, what do you give a mother who has just brought her child into the world? There are the traditional loving cards, flowers, and kinds words. Everywhere you look there can be shared joy. But if you are looking for a gift for a new mother, or want to celebrate your own new motherhood, there are many ways to celebrate. Mothers rings are beautiful pieces of jewelry that many new mothers adore wearing to show their love and connection to their child. There is never a bad time to gift a gift of jewelry.
Such rings have many ways to become personalized. You can decorate the ring with the birthstone of your child. Of course, if you are looking for a ring as a gift, there is a special creativity on your part to make the gift personal and surprise the loving mother. The best thing about jewelry is that it is so easy to personalize and modify. But not to worry, moms of two or more, because rings for mothers are only meant for one child. There are stackable rings that allow a mom to add a ring every time she has a child.
Personalized jewelry is an ideal gift for a new mom, because it makes it all the more special and meaningful. Everyone knows a ring can last a lifetime, so you know it is a precious gift. You know that jewelry gifts can be worth very much to the heart, much more than money can buy.
When the kids get home from school in the afternoon and say ‘I’m bored’, at least you can point them towards doing their homework – however – when it’s the week-end or school holidays – you know that it won’t be long until you hear ‘I’m bored’ several times a day!
Times are tough economically but entertaining kids has never been an expensive enterprise - so here are eight ideas to keep your children busy, creative and active during these long summer months.
Milk Jug Bird Feeders – Rinse out the empty plastic gallon milk jug with lid. Cut a window in the front of your jug then make two small poke holes for the perches. Insert sticks for perches and fill the bottom of the jug with bird seed suitable to the birds in your area. Depending on the ages of the child, let them figure out the best way to secure the perch and if they wish they can decorate the birdfeeder before hanging it on the balcony or in the garden.
Aluminum Can Crafts – Paint an empty, rinsed out tuna can with acrylic paint or spray paint.Decorate with glitter, glue, buttons, stickers and any other odds and ends you might find.Once completed these make cute little holders for hair accessories, paper clips, rubber bands, keys, jewelry etc. Apply the same idea to an empty soup can to make a pen or pencil holder. These are great to give to dad to take into the office.
Coloring in – Coloring in was the staple activity of many summer holidays when I was little. If you have access to the internet, have some paper and a printer, it means you don’t even have to pay for a coloring book. When it comes to coloring pictures, you really can’t go wrong with Disney and at sites like Disney Coloring Pages you’ll find the best Disney coloring page
Coffee Can Stilts – Using two 1-pound coffee cans, turn each can upside down so that the plastic lid is on the bottom. As a parent – and using a screwdriver - poke two holes, one on each side of the can. Using some rope, thread through holes in the cans. Tie off inside the can and practice walking on them. Kids cand ecorate the cans if they so wish.
Jar Candles – Keep aside the stubs of candles. When you have several saved, melt them together in a double boiler. Color the wax by adding bits of wax crayon to the mixture. Pour the wax into glass jelly or mason jars or metal cans. Use cotton string for wicks and decorate the outside of the candle holder with acrylic paints. After dusk – light your candle…but always surpervise your children around flames!
Paper Towel Rain Makers – Young kids love anything that makes a noise such as maracas. Color, paint and decorate paper towel rolls. Cover one end of a paper towel roll with waxed paper (for extra noise!) and close it off with a rubber band or three. Pour a handful or three of dried beans or split peas in the open end and close the open end the same way as the other. Poke toothpicks through the rolls at different intervals to add a ‘rain shaker’ sound – like the ones the aboriginal people of Australia create.
Paper Towel Tube Holders – Decorate a discarded paper towel tube with paint, markers, stickers and crayons. Once decorated this is a colorful carrying tube. Roll up drawings and pictures and put them inside the tube to take them to their teacher, grandparents, friends or relatives.
Pet Rocks – Pet rocks have stood the test of time and any rock can be turned into a pet rock with a lick of paint and some googly eyes. First, find smooth, flat or round rocks. Be sure to clean off any mud or sand and dry completely before starting. Paint with acrylic paints. Decorate faces by using googly eyes, yarn for hair, glitter and any other bits and pieces you like. I always put freckles on mine!
Enjoy yourself these summer holidays!
The benefits of arts and crafts such as drawing and coloring for kids are frequently argued by child development experts, educators and parents alike… especially so for the real impact they have on child development. However, it is difficult to argue with the top three reasons why we should all encourage the children in our care to take part in arts and crafts.
Creativity – If you were to ask a cross section of individuals what is the first personality characteristic that arts and crafts will develop in a young child – most would answer ‘creativity’. And they are certainly correct. Everyone has natural talents and skills and it is possible to improve and boost them… even if you only have a little natural talent. Creativity enables your child to try out and benefit from new
ideas, options and alternatives in a future career. Kids learn to do things in new ways and literally profiting from thinking “out of the box”.
Perseverance - Perseverance is perhaps the single most important quality for any successful business person, sportsman, professional or individual.In fact, most well-known accomplishments in life have been attributed to perseverance alone. Arts and crafts improve everyone’s level of perseverance. For instance, children learn to keep trying until they complete the task, be it a sculpture or a coloring in sheet. If something goes wrong… they are encouraged to persist by trying new ways and means and the pay-off is a wonderful piece of art that they have created.
Concentration – Akin to having perseverance, developing concentration is another quality well-worth having as an individual. Drawing, coloring, sculpting, painting and even doodling will definitely teach your child to focus on one specific task at hand… ignoring other distractions. In short they overall concentration will definitely improve.
Even from a young age children can draw and color – so give them blank pieces of paper or coloring in sheets so that they can scribble away to their hearts content whilst also improving their fine motor skills.
For example little girls enjoy coloring images of princesses and fairies and at sites like Fairy Coloring Pages you’ll find the best fairy coloring pictures
Little boys on the other hand prefer pictures of cars, trucks and machinery – however, favorite characters such as those from Disney movies are also hits with little boys.
Give your child several opportunities to experience being creative, concentrating and perservering through the fun medium of arts and crafts. Provide them with materials and resources and the occasional canvas so that they can be creative and feel pride in what they create.
Encourage creativity in your children by providing them with the time, resurces and the space for making art. Try to set aside interruption-free time for drawing, in a mess-proof zone – so that their creativity can run wild. Make sure you cover all surfaces so that any splashes of paint or scribbles of crayon are ‘caught’ – because nothing squishes creativity more so than a parent saying “Don’t make a mess” every 2 minutes.
Choose the right drawing materials too as this is very important. Many craft materials can be improvised, but when drawing tools and paper are required, opt for a small selection of good quality age-appropriate products, rather than loads of inferior products. Always ensure that you check safety information and follow instructions. Young children should always be surpervised during ‘art time’ because many necessary materials – such as crayons – pose a choking hazard.
Surroundings: As with writing or working at a computer, good posture and a comfortable position are important for drawing. With young children, a child-size table and chair is actually preferable to an easel. If the chair is a little high, provide a phone book for a footrest. A coffee table and an inexpensive plastic chair work well. A small kitchen storage trolley is a perfect solution for containing supplies, or if space does not allow, a portable fishing tackle or tool box is a good option too. Untidy toddlers may need a drop-cloth and supervision to avoid ink-stained walls, as even ‘washable’ pens often don’t deliver on that promise!
Art Materials: Avoid cheap markers, too-hard pencils and thin paints – these types of materials are discouraging to the child and therefore a waste of money. Provide many sheets of blank paper to inspire their crativity and occasionally invest in a large canvas so that your child can paint something ‘grand’ and chances are you’ll want to hang it on your wall! Provide also coloring books or coloring pages which are bountiful online – coloring pages are not so great for creativity, however they do provide children with the chance to practice their fine motor skills and sometimes it’s very relaxing and just what they need to simply color in without the ‘pressure’ of thinking about WHAT to draw.
Little boys typically enjoy coloring pictures of cars and trucks while little girls usually enjoy coloring images of fairies and princesses - at sites like Princess Coloring Pages you’ll find the best coloring pages
When it comes to drawing and coloring, at each age/stage of your child’s life provide….
Toddlers
- Child-safe markers and wipe-off boards
- Chalk boards and safe chalk
- Plain paper and coloring pages
Juniors
- Sketchbook
- Student colored pencils
- Washable Markers
- Oil pastels
- Plain paper and coloring pages
Middle School
- Sketchbook or scrapbook
- Graphite Pencils
- Watercolor sketch paper
- Watercolor pencils
- Marker pens, marker paper
- Plain paper and coloring pages
High School
- Sketchbook or scrapbook
- Quality drawing papers and boards
- Graphite Pencils
- Artists’ quality colored pencils
- Illustration markers, marker paper
- Pastel paper and hard pastels if liked
- Plain paper and canvases to work on
All ages
- Safe sharpeners, erasers, dusters, stencils and rulers
- A folder for storing large pieces
- Storage boxes for smaller pieces
- Consider photographing or scanning pieces for a permanent record.
Here are a dozen play-time ‘recipes’ to help keep your children entertained this summer. Learn how to make homespun goop, papier mâché, cinnamon ornaments, soap crayons and much more. Pull out this article and stick it to your fridge – it will be one of your best weapons against the ‘boredom’ gremlins!
Washable window paints
A selection of tempera paints (powdered or premixed)
Clear dishwashing liquid
Mix powdered paints with dishwashing liquid until they resemble house paint. Line the window sashes with masking tape and spread newspaper under the window area to protect flooring. To erase paint or touch up mistakes just wipe paint away with a dry paper towel.
Home-made coloring books
Go online and download a dozen or so coloring book pages and collate them into a coloring book. Put this aside for rainy days or for long car/train/plane journeys. Little boys love images of cars and trucks while little girls prefer coloring book pictures of fairytales and princesses. At sites like Princess Coloring Pages you’ll find many free princess printables
Cinnamon ornaments
3/4-1 cup applesauce
1 (4.12-oz.) bottle of ground cinnamon
Mix applesauce with cinnamon to form a stiff dough. Roll out to 5mm thickness. Cut out a shape with the cookie cutter and make a hole for the ribbon using the end of a drinking straw. Carefully put aside to dry for several days – turning occasionally. This recipe makes 12 sweet smelling ornaments/drawer scenters.
Goop
2 packets of cornflour
2 cups of water
Several drops of food colouring
Place newspaper or plastic sheets on your work surface. Mix the ingredients in a large bowl. Children love goop’s squeezy and squishy consistency. You can also use coloured or black paper to make goop paintings if you wish. To remove goop from carpets, allow it to dry, then brush or vacuum. The great thing about goop is that it may be re-used after it has dried out. Crumble it into a powder then restore it to its original consistency by adding water a tablespoonful at a time.
Funny putty
2 tablespoons of white glue
1 tablespoon of liquid starch
Food colouring
Mix glue together with the desired food colour. Pour starch over top. Swish so that all the glue is covered. Let set 5 minutes. Squeeze off extra starch and knead until mixed.
Bubbles
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of glycerine
2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
Mix water, glycerine and soap. Pour in sugar. Add food colouring if desired.
Papier mâché
1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
1/2 inch strips of newspaper
Balloon/s
In a large bowl, mix flour and water – add more flour is mixture is too sloppy (dripping). Place newspaper strips into mixture, then smooth onto blown up balloon. Cover the balloon completely twice, letting it dry in between layers. Do not cover the balloon’s knot. Dry in a warm place for 2-3 days then hold the knot and pop the balloon with a pin. Paint, glitter and decorate the balloon as is or cut in half so you have a bowl/hat shape to embellish.
Modelling/play dough
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
water
food colouring
Mix the ingredients and knead to a dough consistency. To speed up the drying process, place the dough artwork in the oven on a low heat.
Soap crayons
1 3/4 cups of soap flakes
50 drops food colouring
1/4 cup water
Mix water and soap flakes together. Add food colouring and put mixture into an ice cube tray. When hardened, pop the ‘ice cubes’ out. These soap crayons are fun to write with on the tub and tiles during bath time. If grouting stains, spray with a weak solution of bleach.
Sand dye
Fine sand
Water
Food colouring
Paper cups
Plastic spoons
Fill paper cups half full with sand. Next, add water to cups to completely cover sand. Add food colouring until you get the desired colour. Stir with plastic spoon and let set for 15 minutes. Pour off water, spoon sand onto paper towels and spread the sand out to dry. Use sand to make sand – art – pictures (spread glue on paper and sprinkle sand on top) or to fill pretty bottles in layers.
Cornstarch Art/Finger-paint
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
2 drops of dishwashing liquid
1 cup boiling water
Food colouring
Combine cornstarch and cold water – stir until smooth. Add dishwashing liquid. Pour boiling water into the bowl and stir until the mixture thickens. Add food colouring and let cool. Use as you would finger paint.
Puffy Paint
Flour
Salt
Water
Tempera paint
Mix equal parts of flour, salt and water in a bowl. Add a small amount of tempera paint to the mixture and pour into a small plastic squeezy bottle. Repeat the procedure making as many colours as you wish. Squeeze onto heavy paper or cardboard to make designs. Mixture will harden into puffy shapes.
Colourful Salt
1/2 cup salt
5 to 6 drops of food colouring
Add food colouring to salt. Stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread on waxed paper and let salt air dry. Store in an airtight container and use as you would glitter.
A family focused on a common goal, works together, problem solves and talks together. Family projects bring all family members closer. Whether you choose to create a coloring book, make a garden, watch the night sky together or put together a time capsule, you will enjoy the camaraderie and conversation that develops.
Here are some great family project ideas that you might want to adopt – and who knows, some of these may well become a family tradition before too long.
SPOTTING SATELLITES
Did you know that there are over eight thousand artificial objects orbiting Earth? Over 2,500 are satellites, operative and inoperative while the remaining objects are orbital debris: parts such as nosecone shrouds, lenses, hatch covers, rocket bodies, and even objects that ‘escape’ from manned spacecraft during operations.
To spot satellites, grab a few lawn chairs and head for the garden. Depending on the evening you choose, you will see from one of many satellites passing overhead. These could range from communications satellites, to simply space trash. They look somewhat like really bright stars, passing overhead in a straight path. The first hour or so after sun down is the best time to spot them. There still has to be enough light in the sky for the satellites to reflect it – so dusk is the best time. When you spot a satellite – log what you see and keep a family record.
MAKE A COLORING BOOK
Make coloring books together. Print coloring pages from the Internet and create coloring books for relatives, friends, nephews, nieces or even for yourselves to be put away for a rainy day. You could also keep a book or two aside as something for younger children to do when they visit your home.
You really can’t go wrong if you create a Disney coloring book because children of all ages love the many Disney characters from Mulan to Mickey Mouse and from Goofy to Mowgli. To get you started, at sites like Disney Coloring Pages you’ll find many Disney coloring to print and collate.
Next, create a cover sheet that reads something like, ‘The Smith Family Coloring Book’ and perhaps add ‘To’ and ‘From’ if you plan to give it as a gift.
CONTAINER GARDENS
Container (terrarium) gardens are an ideal project for families living in the Gulf – indoor gardening is much more bearable than the outdoor variety at this time of year. Shopping for plants together on a cool evening and choosing a suitable container are all part of the fun. Because terrariums recycle their moisture, they need very little attention – and they actually thrive on neglect!
Any clear container can be made into a terrarium; the main requirement is that it be watertight. Choose something that is sufficiently large to accommodate the plants, and has a cover or lid to keep the moisture from escaping. Jars, bottles and aquariums are some of the more common containers used. To begin your garden place a 2cm layer of small gravel on the bottom of the container and top it with a good potting soil. The number of plants you place in the garden will depend on the size of the receptacle and the plants. Plants such as miniature African violets, Aeschynanthus, Podocarpus and Fittonia thrive in containers, as do very small ferns and creeping figs. Try not to over plant and leave space for the plants to grow. Water your garden lightly and stand back to admire your work.
PRESERVE THE PAST
A time capsule can be a great family project to commemorate a special occasion. Fill it with photographs and mementos and then decide how long you would like to put it away for. For instance, is it something you’ll want to look at in 5 or 15 years time? The next step is to choose a container and location for said box.
Any waterproof, airtight and preferably fireproof container will do, there are even websites that will ship custom-made time capsules to you. If your stay at your current location is temporary then it is understood that the time capsule is best not buried in the garden! Ask everyone in the family to contribute a few items – clippings, photographs, drawings, hand prints, letters, arts and crafts, toys or just about anything else that fits into the capsule. Mark everything clearly so you or others will know where each item came from and who included it.Finally, fill the capsule, seal it, and then make sure you put it out of sight and out of mind.
PAINT!
From an arts and craft supplier purchase a large canvas and a set of acrylic paints. Divide the canvas into 4, 5 or more areas depending on the number of people in your family. Use masking tape to ‘fence off’ each area and mark each square or rectangle lightly in pencil with the name of the artist for that area, for example Mum, Dad, etc.
So that you don’t crowd each other, it’s best that just two family members paint at a time. The effect is striking if only four complementing colors are used and if each person fills their area completely with paint, using stripes, zigzags, dots or whatever pattern they like best. When the painting is complete, and this may take more than one week-end, ensure it is dry before removing the masking tape – then marvel at your modern art and hang!
FOSTER A PUPPY OR KITTEN
Our family has done this many times and we all have fond and happy memories of each little guest. Animal Welfare Charities the world over are always in need of foster homes and are happy when puppies and kittens go to families with children because to say that an animal has lived in a family environment is a great ‘selling’ point when a permanent home is sought.
TRACE YOUR FAMILY TREE
If you have little knowledge about your ancestors, a few old photographs and a consuming curiosity, make tracing your family tree a family project.
Enter your ancestor information at www.familytreesearcher.com and it will search family trees at eight online databases. This free service will create the best family tree searches based on your ancestry – the site also includes hints for researching your family tree further.
SLOW FOOD
Instead of heading for your favorite fast-food restaurant this week-end, stay home and prepare some slow-food together. If you really want to make it into a project you could even shop for the groceries together.
Even the youngest member of a family can help prepare a meal – a toddler can shake a salad mix together, wash potatoes and other vegetables and even help to set the table.
GAMES NIGHT
Take the phone off the hook, turn off the television, bring out a board game and what do you have? An evening of fun and laughter that brings the whole family closer together. Family game nights are a wonderful way to spend quality time and create a family tradition that you and your kids will remember and cherish for years to come. To make it extra special, add snacks, invite guests, hold tournaments and always display the winner’s name on the fridge!
Here are some favorite games to consider:
Ages 6-8: Sorry!, Monopoly Jr., Clue Jr., Scrabble Jr. and brilliant, easy and fun card games such as UNO.
Ages 8-10: All the above plus the Game of Life, Monopoly, Jenga and Frustration.
Ages 10-12: All the above plus Scrabble, Yahtzee, Cluedo and Pictionary.
Ages 13 and up: All the above plus Boggle, Atmosfear (teenagers love this DVD board game), Risk, Trivial Pursuit and card games such as Rummy.
School, work, phones, playstation games, the internet, television, friends – let’s face it – every family gets pulled in a million directions. Set aside some family time and pull yourselves together! Talk with each other and keep your precious family connected!
Encourage creativity in your children by providing them with the time, resurces and the space for making art. Try to set aside interruption-free time for drawing, in a mess-proof zone – so that their creativity can run wild. Make sure you cover all surfaces so that any splashes of paint or scribbles of crayon are ‘caught’ – because nothing squishes creativity more so than a parent saying “Don’t make a mess” at regular intervals.
Choose the right drawing materials too as this is very important. Many craft materials can be improvised, but when drawing tools and paper are required, opt for a small selection of good quality age-appropriate products, rather than loads of inferior products. Always make sure that you check safety information and follow instructions. Young children should always be surpervised during arts and crafts activities because many necessary materials – such as crayons – pose a choking hazard.
Surroundings:As with writing or working at a computer, good posture and a comfortable position are important for drawing. A child-size table and chair is actually preferable to an easel. If the chair is a little high, provide a phone book as a footrest. A coffee table and an inexpensive plastic chair work well. A small kitchen storage trolley is ideal for containing supplies, or if space does not permit, a portable tackle box is a good option too. Messy toddlers may need a drop-cloth and supervision to avoid stained walls, as even ‘washable’ pens very often don’t deliver on that promise!
Art Materials:Avoid cheap markers, too-hard pencils and thin paints – these types of materials are discouraging to the child and therefore a waste of money. Provide many sheets of plain blank paper to inspire their creativity and occasionally invest in a canvas so that your child can paint something and chances are you’ll want to hang it on your wall! Provide also coloring books or coloring pages which are bountiful online – coloring pages are not so great for creativity, however they do provide children with the chance to practice their fine motor skills and sometimes it’s very relaxing and just what they need. They can simply color in without feeling the ‘pressure’ about WHAT to draw. Little boys typically enjoy coloring pictures of cars and trucks while little girls usually enjoy colouring images of princesses and fairies - sites like like Fairy Coloring Pages you’ll find many fairy coloring sheets
When it comes to drawing and coloring, at each age/stage of your child’s life provide….
Toddlers:
- Child-safe markers and wipe-off boards
- Chalk boards and safe chalk
- Plain paper and coloring pages
Juniors:
- Sketchbook
- Student colored pencils
- Washable Markers
- Oil pastels
- Plain paper and coloring pages
Middle School:
- Sketchbook or scrapbook
- Graphite Pencils
- Watercolor sketch paper
- Watercolor pencils
- Marker pens, marker paper
- Plain paper and coloring pages
High School
- Sketchbook or scrapbook
- Quality drawing papers and boards
- Graphite Pencils
- Artists’ quality colored pencils
- Illustration markers, marker paper
- Pastel paper and hard pastels if liked
- Plain paper and canvases to work on
All ages:
- Safe sharpeners, erasers, dusters, stencils and rulers
- A folder for storing large pieces
- Storage boxes for smaller pieces
- Consider photographing or scanning pieces for a permanent record.
Must-Reads for Summer!
You hear the groans from kids and parents alike as every June teachers merrily wave the students on their way to summer vacation with cries of, “Have fun! Get some sun! Be careful on your skateboard! Read! Read! Read! Make sure you read at least three novels before the fall.”
Why do schools do this? Research shows that children who read during the summer do better in school. Yes, it’s that obvious. These students not only become stronger readers, but also show improvement in writing and spelling. By making a point to read a few books during the summer months, students are doing themselves a big favor. But try telling that to someone who just wants to ride, skate, swim, and play!
What can parents do to encourage reading during the summer break?
To get the reading off to a great start, let your reader pick the books. Forget your own ideas about what constitutes a “classic” and let them choose their own titles from the list, if one has been provided by the school. If your child has not been given a summer reading list, create one by going online. Look for Web sites that highlight award-winning books, like mommypicks.com. Make sure your child has a lot of input in the list you create together. You already know that if your child doesn’t like the book they won’t stick with it past the first chapter?
Next, head to the store, library, or online bookstore with two or three ideas in mind. Explain that while a cover may look cool, or they may have made a movie out of it, it helps to read the back cover blurb or the online summary to see if the story sounds interesting. Next—and for some of you this may be the biggest challenge—give them some breathing room. Let them browse. Stay close in case there are questions, but choosing one’s own book gives the reader ownership. That alone may be the most effective way to get the book read.
How to get the pages turning …
Once the books arrive at home, your best bet to a hassle free experience is to share the reading. Depending on age and ability parents can read the book to the child, alternate reading one page with each other, or listen to your child read aloud a few pages and you finish up the chapter. All ages love to have a story read to them—some just show it more than others.
But it’s summer – how will I find the time? Studies show that children with parents who are actively involved in their schooling process do better at school. By sharing the experience of reading with your child, you are showing them that reading is something you value and enjoy, not just something they have to do for school.
Say it out loud!
Still not working? Go over the story together one chapter at a time and then talk about it so you are sure they were comprehending the story line. But try not to ask straight question! Instead, ask your reader for their explanation. Just say you didn’t quite understand something a character said, what did they think about it. Their answer, as they roll their eyes, will let you know if they are “getting it.”
Another way to get students to read is to have them record themselves reading the book. It is a long process and one you are best not to get too involved in as students like to read the story, listen to themselves, laugh hilariously and then re-read the story again but this time “with feeling.” Once done your reader can play the recording back to you as they show you the pictures and enjoy your reaction. If it is a chapter book, this process will be a long one, so get things going them by reading the first chapter and then have them record the next one. Neither of you may have the energy to keep recording it, but by this time you are already into chapter three and, with luck, the reader will be hooked.
Above all, make sure it’s evident that you are enjoying the reading. You never know, you may discover some new authors and hidden gems that will give your “classics” a run for their money.
Claire Fripp is an elementary and middle school teacher who has been reading to her students and her three children for 22 years.
Your young ones are so into technology and different gadgets that whenever their birthday comes, you never know what to get them. Unless you can get someone who knows a thing or two about these things to come with you, choosing something good is nearly impossible.
Salesmen are glad to help you, if you ask them, but you can probably guess what they’re going to offer you. The most expensive item might not be exactly what you are looking for. Besides, why get something expensive if don’t know what you’re doing? You might be surprised to discover that something better was available, for much less.
The e260 4gb could be considered a perfect choice. With its large list of features combined with its great price, the player is a great present for everyone who loves music, and who doesn’t?
Don’t spend time worrying if he’s going to like his present, once you give it to him, his face will let you know. Who knows, you might even be tempted to buy one, after seeing what it can do, and listening to music is an activity that doesn’t require a certain age.
Don’t let technology scare you, and give it a try. After all, it’s not that complicated, and anyone can use it. Once you’ll get used to it, you won’t leave your house without it. Who knows, in a couple of months you might be chatting with your children about the latest releases in the Mp3 player market.
You can be certain that knowing a thing or two about these things will allow you to make good choices in the future as well, not only regarding mp3 players and presents, but for other, more expensive items.
Some people are really fascinated by technology. They know everything about the latest gadgets, they must have them all, and so they collect them. Of course this is not a cheap hobby. I am a latest gadgets fan too, but I cannot afford to buy them all, so I only focus on a few areas of interest.
People willing to spend a lot of money on a gadget they don’t need might be called crazy, but their passion knows no bounds. Trying to tell them they don’t actually need the latest gadget they just bought is pointless. Unfortunately, there also comes a time when they’re celebrating their birthday. I know, that word sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?
Getting them a present they’re actually going to like, is very difficult and involves a lot of visits to their house, and some notes or photographs, to make sure you don’t buy something they already have. Sometimes this is as easy as going to the store and buying the thing with the largest list of features, or highest price, but other times you simply need some help.
An excellent recommendation is the archos 605 wifi 160gb. It has everything your friend might need, and more. It also has the nice bonus feature of being able to connect to other devices your friend is sure to have, such as a plasma TV, or wireless routers. Don’t bother explaining to your friend how to use it, or what it does, because he probably already knows, and was planning to buy it. One thing is for sure, you can’t go wrong with this portable media player.
Now that you know what to get him for his next birthday, you can take it easy, relax yourself and have a nice drink. You could have your name engraved on his little present, just to remind him how thoughtful you have been, when your birthday is coming up, but hey, that’s just a suggestion!