Most people think babysitting is just for high schoolers looking to make extra cash on the weekend and that there is no particular skill or talent involved. The babysitter just needs to be older than twelve and responsible enough to get the children to bed at a decent hour. Of course these elements are important, but babysitters are so much more, in fact, they can also be an important part of a child's development. This is especially true if the child sees their babysitter with some frequency, like during the summer. If the babysitter's only tactic for entertaining the children that they are babysitting is to sit them down in front of the television or to play video games then those children are missing out on some valuable learning time.

This does not mean to say that a babysitter should create lesson plans, but rather that a babysitter should be willing to take the children out of the house; to the pool, take the dogs for a walk, ride a bicycle, or just into the backyard. This is true all year by the way, not just during the summer months; just remember that everyone needs to bundle up for the weather. Being outside is not only healthy, but it is also a great opportunity to learn about the world and to interact with others. In the event that you can't go outside for whatever reason, or you run out of ideas, there is always the option to dip into the babysitter bag

What is a babysitter bag? A babysitter bag is something we first heard about in a class to get a babysitting certification. Think Mary Poppins' bag, but not magical, although to the children it may take on that quality. For them, it can become a sort of game, guessing what their babysitter might pull out of the bag next. This way, there is always have a back-up plan of things to do with the children you are babysitting.

The basics to put into the bag are small board games, puzzles, an iPod with kid friendly music so you can play freeze dance/tag or musical chairs, and some age-appropriate books. Remember to rotate these so that the children don't get bored with the bag. From there you should put in some personal touches, especially if they are children that you have gotten to know throughout time. If there are little boys who love cars, maybe some hotwheel cars and trucks, or if there are little girls who want to be princesses maybe some costume jewelry. Another fun thing to do on a nice, summer day is to bring some tie-dye paints and cheap white t-shirts. Our personal favorite, especially if you are babysitting children in your own neighborhood, is to bury treasure and make a treasure map/puzzle. If there is a park with a swing-set nearby you could even bring eye-patches and play pirate once you find your treasure.

Just because Mom and Dad are out for the day, or night, doesn't mean that the children need to stay home and do nothing. Remember, babysitting should be fun for the babysitter too because if the babysitter is having fun so will the children!

How do you teach children to appreciate life's everyday things? Teaching your sons and daughters to merely say "Thank you" in response to gifts and acts of kindness does not teach them to fully appreciate something they have received. It does teach them to say those two aforementioned words, but without knowing the true meaning behind them. When you give your children the the verbal prod of "What do you say?" when your goal is for them to thank someone, that further diminishes their understanding of true appreciation.

Appreciation comes from the heart. Appreciation is kind and generous and involves the feelings of the party that extended the gift or kindness. Appreciation is unselfish. Appreciation makes the giver and receiver feel great -- and that is practicing good manners.

When you say "Thank you", you acknowledge that you are not alone in the world and that all you have comes from your connection to other people. Saying "Please" affirms that you need a connection to others in order to get what you want. The only person you never say please or thank you to is yourself.

As an instructor of adult and children"s etiquette and self-presentation skills, I know first-hand that parents can often appear a little too proud after prodding their child to say an often empty "Thank you". Generally speaking, a child from age 4.5+ years should be able to make and maintain eye contact, say "Thank you" and state why they are grateful and thankful. If a child is old enough to participate in kindergarten classroom activities and play groups, she/he can express gratitude.

A child who communicates well in every way, yet refuses to express thanks and gratitude should not be allowed to keep a gift or accept the kindness that has been directed toward them. Ponder this for a moment. Being kind and considerate are the basic tenets of a polite society. Why would you allow your child to dismiss the efforts another person has made on their behalf? Each time a parent allows a child to fail in properly expressing appreciation a negative and undesirable behaviour is both learned and reinforced.

So how do you teach children to fully understand and express appreciation? You introduce it in a manner that is both fun and a challenge. Let's face it, kids love games. They love to have achievable goals that they can measure independently. These lessons are no longer a daunting or exasperating task when you play the Appreciation Game.

I play The Appreciation Game with my students who receive private etiquette and self-presentation training and I also pass along this game to parents who are amazed at how their children's skills in expressing gratitude seems to flourish as a result of playing it.

The Appreciation Game starts with the word "Thank you". Make the prize for the first round something the child loves. I will use cupcakes as an example. Every time within a given day or set period of time that your child says "Thank you" without your prompting or prodding them they receive one point (or cupcake). There are endless opportunities to say "Thank you" in the course of the day. "Thank you Dad for making pancakes for breakfast. Pancakes are my favorite." or "Thank you Grandma. I love the coloring book!"

If cupcakes are the selected prize and your child says "Thank you" eighteen times in one day, they will receive eighteen cupcakes. The great thing about using cupcakes or cookies for a prize is that your child will then be charged with sharing them with siblings, classmates and on play dates -- preferably with people in their own age range. The catch is that whomever they give the cupcakes to must of course say "Thank you." Through this exercise your child will see and value the importance of uttering a very simple phrase and how it feels when they do not receive a thank you in return.

Prizes may also include a penny, nickel or quarter for every time they say "Please", "Excuse me" or play nicely with their friends within a pre-determined period of time, and deducting pennies, nickels or quarters for each time an adult conversation is interrupted. Interpret and adjust the game to include the biggest challenges you are facing with your children.

It is a great pleasure for me to witness the effectiveness of this game. Involve all adults in the child's everyday life so your child knows that everyone is in on it and helping them reach their goal.

Learning to appreciate life, kind gestures, gifts and all that we receive as a result of our connection to others is a gift in itself. It opens your eyes to all that is beautiful and kind and helps you to determine whose company you want to keep. Kind, appreciative people are attracted to people with similar traits. It is without question the positive and fruitful path to positive, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships in childhood and throughout life.

http://www.ohmygaucheinc.com/ http://www.ohmygaucheinc.com/blog/

Have you ever considered how it can benefit you and your child? When you look back over your time in school do you sometimes wish things could have been easier? I imagine that the first few years were mostly fun and easy. However there may have been some bumpy patches like bullying, sadness, fears and worries to name but a few. Then in secondary school life gets a bit more complicated and much more serious. There are timetables, many different subjects, more homework and just so much to juggle.

What if there was a technique available to help with the trials and tribulations of being a kid and growing up? I would like to introduce to you E.F.T (emotional freedom technique). EFT is an easy way to balance your energy system for negative and uncomfortable feelings that you want to change. It is based on the acupuncture system and was developed in the 1990's by Gary Craig. The technique is easy to learn and is so effective.

Toddlers: You may be wondering if you can use it with a toddler. The answer is yes. You can either tap directly on your child or teach them how to do it. Pretend it is a game and your child will love using E.F.T and really feel the benefits. This is a great way for toddlers to release any emotion such as anger, frustration or anxiety in an appropriate way.

Big School: When your toddler moves up to mainstream school they will have spelling and maths tests to contend with. They will also have to learn to socialise and share with other class mates. There will probably be stuff that happened in school that you don't know about. This can be a scary time. The path can be less bumpy with the use of this wonderful technique. A good time to use EFT for children would be before homework or at bedtime. When your child is telling you about their day just tap through the points. Some children may not want to tap. However in most cases they recognise that they feel better inside when they do tap.

Teenagers: This is when the hormones kick in, your child becomes more independent and start to rebel. This can be a challenging time for both parent and child. Even the most solid parent/ child relationship can be tested in the teenage years. E.F.T is an option available to you and your child to smooth the way. As a parent there may be conflict around letting go and giving your child space and independence. The teenager in your family has exam pressure, peer pressure and may even be struggling with confidence and self-esteem issues. This technique is really helpful to help resolve any issues that present.

This is just a general overview of the benefits of E.F.T. for children. For more information go to http://www.eftireland.com

I am still amazed at the number of youth sports organizations that continue to award trophies for participating in organized activities. While this may bring about feelings of self worth is it really a clear picture of what life is really like? Teens should be motivated to go beyond the status quo and when everyone is rewarded for simply showing up it sends a clear message that trophies are not achieved by performing above the average. The biggest issue that this creates is a sense of youth entitlement which is quickly translated into a problem in the entire American culture. Teens need to be taught that in order to win you have to work to achieve and simply expecting an award is completely different than winning an award. Work ethic is not based on simply showing up it is based on performance. What separates your child from simply existing or achieving?

As strange as this may seem, this thought process in teens tends to go beyond athletic programs and can have a direct impact on how they view and handle life situations. This mindset first came to my attention while coaching a local little league team when my son Andrew was 9 years old. This team resembled a modern day definition of the Bad News Bears but the bright spot was that in charge to coaching a group of great kids with big hearts. Mid way during what was viewed by most coaches as a losing season, my son turned to me and questioned at what point the team would be receiving their trophies. This particular question completely puzzled me to the point where it led to an open discussion with Andrew about our losing record and why he felt that the team deserved some type of honors. The issue of modern day work ethic flashed in front of my eyes when my son responded "but dad everyone gets a trophy." It was at this point that I realized that we have trained our teens with a feel good approach that everyone in life would receive an award even without performance. I believe this takes away the will to achieve in a lot of our children.

The real issue that we face as a society is in today's work force where we are experiencing more of this type of belief and thinking which has led to issues of productivity. As managers and business owners struggle to find the way to motivate employees, isn't it interesting to think that that motivation could have been taken away on a little league field in America where kids still earn trophies without merit.

Bobby Kipper
Director, National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence
President and CEO, Bobby Kipper and Associates

Over the last couple of years outside every school playground or in every park you can see 3-5 year olds zipping around on 3-wheeled Mini Micro scooters. In a range of funky colours these smooth ride scooters seem to be attached to these kids and if, as I am, you are mother to a couple of young children then you will know how much they enjoy surfing the streets on these scooters. But what other scooters do Micro make and are there any other 3-wheeled scooters out there that are any good?

Micro scooters are Swiss made and Micro have won many awards for their kids scooters. But in addition to the 3-wheeled scooters Micro make a variety of good quality 2-wheeled scooters for your kids to progress on to. These scooters all come with PU wheels (except the Micro Flex Air which has inflatable tyres) and Abec 5 bearings which will ensure you have a smooth ride. They all have the 'easy fold mechanism' which makes it really handy for storing and transporting the scooter. In common with most other 2-wheeled scooters the Micro scooters are suitable up to 100 kgs in weight which is just over 15.5 stones.

With regards to the models, I love the Micro Sprite the best. This is a great next step on from the Mini Micro Scooter. It's fantastic for those just starting out on 2 wheels because it's really lightweight and is excellent value for money. If its speed that you are after then the Micro Bullet should be your scooter of choice, with the more expensive Monster Bullet featuring a special carving wheel which will make you the envy of the park. Those looking for a scooter for the commute to work should seriously consider the Micro Flex air scooter which can handle the lumps and bumps in the roads, being equipped with inflatable tyres. If you really want to stick with a 3-wheeled scooter though, the Micro Kickboard is the grown up version of the Mini or Maxi micro, with joystick and wood/fibre composite deck you can surf the streets in style.

So what's the alternative to the Mini Micro scooter if you are looking for a preschool 3-wheeled scooter? I think the Iscoot Mini Micro Scooter might just be the answer. It looks pretty similar to the original from Micro with 2 wheels at the front and 1 wheel at the back. This design is great for small kids. We bought my son a Thomas the Tank Engine scooter for his 3rd birthday and regretted it immediately. Due to the wide stance of the 2 wheels at the back, every time he pushed off, his shoe hit the back wheels and bought him to an abrupt stop. After 5 or 6 tries and lots of encouragement he was just too frustrated to continue, and it ended up in the charity shop! So the Iscoot overcomes this problem by having just one back wheel. Similar to the Mini Micro the steering is all about leaning rather than turning the handle bars. It needs a little getting used to but your child will find this a much more stable ride and this will help them to gain in confidence. The advantages of the Iscoot over the mini micro include the fact that you can fold the handle bars flat on the Iscoot and also the handlebars are height adjustable, meaning it should last your child longer because it will grow with them.

Mookie also make a very similar 3 wheeled scooter to the Iscoot and the Mini Micro Scooter. It's slightly cheaper but in my opinion not quite as sturdy. This might be an option if you are unsure how well your child may take to scooting. 'My First Scooter' also make a 3 (well actually its 4!) wheeled scooter. There are 2 wheels at the front and 2 at the back but they are smaller and closer together then the front wheels so less of a chance that your child will kick them. The great thing about this scooter is that it's suitable for 2 years +. Happy scooting!

You probably got off to a great start when the kids got out of school. Everyone was thrilled to do their own thing for the first week and play with their own friends and their own toys. Then you decide it's probably time to put a little bit of structure back into the picture by asking the kids to at least pick up their own rooms, make their own beds and limit the amount of time in front of the TV. And that is where half the problems start, by turning off the TV.

When the TV goes off there is no automatic entertainment. Moms or caregivers don't have time to schedule activities all day long for the kids nor should they. What should be done however, is to make sure that there are options available for the kids and that the kids know these options. If there is availability for the kids to play outdoors, they should know where the boundaries are for how far away from the house they can go, rules for communicating if they are out of eye sight and a time to be determined for their return or a time to check in by phone. You may also want to set limits as to how many of the kids' friends can be at the house at one time. This may vary by the size of your neighborhood, the ages of the children and how many children you have. You have a right to set 'crowd control limits' at your house and to determine the length of time the neighbor kids are at your house.

For indoor hours when it is too hot to play outdoors let the creativity flow! Do you remember getting blankets out of the closet and creating tents by draping them over upturned dining room chairs or along the backs of the sofa and whatever you could find that was the right height? What about taking a deck of cards and seeing who could build the highest card house? Or building with 'Legos' or 'Lincoln Logs' or 'K'Nex'. And how about building with real pieces of lumber scraps in the garage and real hammers and nails? Let's not let this next generation of kids be totally dependent on technology to stimulate them.

Don't forget good old color books, scissors, glue, construction paper and tape. Or decorating their own rooms with wall decals. Decals come in durable vinyl and all shapes and designs and are totally removable and mess free. Bring creativity into your home this summer. You may need to help set up some of these supplies but you'll be amazed that your 15 minutes of prep for the kids and your enthusiasm will turn into hours of entertainment for them.

If you'd like to see creative ideas for kids bedroom or play room decorating visit http://www.yourwallpaperborder.com and be assured that this is fun for boys and girls. Many hands may make a mess but will create wonderful memories.

Friction over school work

School and homework are not usually held in high esteem by children when faced with hours of tedious work. They don't see the full value of studying, learning, and preparing for the future. Parents, on the other hand, want their kids to succeed as they grow up. It is common to have this ambition drive a father or mother to push their kids toward academic excellence. There may even be a target career that the parents have in mind. All this can cause pressure for a child who is unwilling or does not possess natural ability in a particular area.

Children may become nervous and unresponsive. This can be stressful and lead to self esteem issues. In my case, Math is the big item. I know that it is an important tool for many career paths and it was something I was good at during my school days. My son, however, has trouble with Math. He does not like to work on it and has trouble staying focused during homework sessions. Intense sessions together become traumatic as I push him to learn. I have noticed that his eyes sometimes twitch or he will click his fingers repeatedly.

Overcoming shyness and thinking of others

It seems that girls mature faster than boys. They form friendships faster and express their thoughts more clearly. On the other hand, when my son is asked a question he often has a hard time responding with any confidence. He does not see the need to spend time around other people. Instead, he likes playing video games and watching TV. It is sometimes like pulling teeth to get him to be in a group. By putting pressure on him, he feels pressure to conform in ways he does not see as necessary. The anxiety symptoms show up when he as asked to get information from another or address a group. He will usually mumble when forced to perform.

Baseball, conditioning, and dedication

My son started playing baseball at 5 years old. At first, it was just a game that he enjoyed and loved. As he got better, it got more competitive and serious. The season often runs six months or more. There were certain expectations from coaches and from myself that he soon had trouble accepting. There has been much advice on how to overcome the weaknesses and become a "great" player. Getting into shape or losing weight is also a touchy subject. The performance in games often leaves much to be desired. I often wonder if I am putting too much pressure on him. He may not even want to play baseball anymore and is afraid to say anything. Often times, he will clam up and act disinterested.

What to do about anxiety symptoms

If your child exhibits prolonged anxiety symptoms, it is important to find the source and take steps to correct any "fixable" issues. The problems causing the stress can be addressed and usually reversed.

Entering the teenage years can be a roller coaster for both mother and daughter. There are a lot of emotions and misunderstanding. The mother is trying to explain the basis of dating and why it's important to wait up to certain age before getting involved with anybody. The daughter on the other hand, is trying to be independent, believing she is old and 'wise' to make decisions concerning dating and relationships.

A teenager is anybody between the age brackets of 13 to 19 years hence, the 'teen' attached to these age bracket. She is either in secondary school or in the university. Teenage years are discovery years where your girl is trying to understand the changes in her body, the emotional outbursts, the confusions that come in trying to express herself. The fears, the questions, the pressure, from friends and age mates.

For instance, a girl in secondary school would be distracted because of the reasons mentioned earlier. She is trying to find her identity and learning to be comfortable in her growing body. This is the time she begins to get attracted to the opposite sex. Usually, this attraction is short-lived before getting interested in another. This is the period of infatuation and is perfectly normal.

The school work is also becoming more hectic, more homework and more chores at home. The spiritual aspect comes in when she is trying to discern what is 'wrong' or 'right' in the eyes of God and man. Trying to understand her conscience and beginning to either draw closer to God or alter abandonment of that aspect just because she cannot afford to handle or deal with the floods of thoughts going through her head.

If all these sound familiar and her exhibited by your daughter, then she should be made to understand why she must wait. This is simply because she has to get more matured. She has to listen to you and those she considers as role models particularly when there should always be an enduring objective to be achieved in every relationship.

As a teenage girl, she needs to do her research and be able to understand why she has to date and also know how to define boundaries in every relationship guided by the reason to preserve her personal integrity. The need to allow herself to understand the qualities she likes in the other person which she must always look out for to avoid the chances of rape, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and diseases. All these can be better handled when she is older and more informed on dating and relationships.

Putting an age as the appropriate time is very hard. As you know people get matured differently due to many reasons. Therefore it would be more appropriate to use other yardsticks other than age. For instance, has she entered the university, does she act matured, Is she well informed about sex and sexuality, her future plans, does she consult you in her decisions, do you knowing her friends?

This is not the time both of you are best of friends, however with constant communication; issues can be discussed and straightened out. Always pray for your daughter for the right person from now and when she eventually starts dating. This is equally applicable to our teenage boys.

"Listen to advice and accept instruction and in the end you will be wise- Prov 19: 20"

"He that won't be counseled can't be helped- Benjamin Franklin"

Are you alone in the world? Most young people truly believe that no one understands what they are going through. In some ways you are right. No one is exactly like you and there is proof of that. DNA and finger prints can prove how different you are from everyone else. Like a snowflake, you are unique and no one can take that away from you.

However, the trials and tribulations of young people are very similar. The problems that you face everyday have been faced over and over before. But in no way does that make your problems less important. Actually, nothing is more important to you and that is totally normal. It really bothers me when others tell me that everyone has problems or they say "you think you have it bad". Those people really seem clueless and I am not interested in talking to them. No one should try to disregard your emotions. Your feelings are yours and they are real.

I was a teenage runaway and I understand. I have been beaten, molested and neglected and that was all before I left home. On my own, I was raped, stalked, chased, homeless, and hungry. After years on the road I began to understand how all that I have lived through had affected me. The most important lesson I have learned in my life was to always trust my instinct. We as human beings have survival tools built-in. One tool is called "fear". I can't stress enough how vitally important it is to utilize that God-given tool. Listen very closely to what your body tells you. If you are facing a situation that may be harmful you may feel anxiety and panic. Don't ignore those feelings, get away now! It could save your life.

I went through my entire life without the support of family. Not having guidance when I needed it the most was difficult. If you are like I was you must learn to listen to yourself. The message you receive when having to make choices under pressure, like doing drugs or having sex, may be subtle, but it is called "conscience". The slightest feeling of guilt or shame is your mind's way of telling you to say, "no". Keep your virtues strong because you are worth it. No one is any better or more deserving than you. The coolest kids are the ones who know the value of themselves.

When life gets hard and you feel lost, alone or helpless, please know that you have someone there to keep you safe. That person is You. If you have reached a time in your life where you are too desperate to think for yourself, and you really need help, pick up the phone and call someone who truly cares at 1-800-RUNAWAY or visit: http://www.1800runaway.org

Susan is an inspiring writer of stories, mostly non-fiction and her personal memoirs of her life as a teenage runaway. Please visit http://readmystoryat.blogspot.com/ for more!

You've enrolled your kid in an accelerated learning for kids program, you know all about the lessons and even your child is now psyched with his or her lessons. What do you do now?

Now, assuming that you really know all that you need to about accelerated learning for kids (like how the brain works, what the usual techniques are, its history and origin, etc.), you still want to help them in their lessons. Here's what you can do: build a learning pyramid.

Sure, you've successfully found the right program, but that alone is not enough. The learning pyramid can help you put all the pieces together and make sure that you get your money's worth and your kids get to have the time of their life.

The learning pyramid is made up of three things: the environment, the tools and the facilitator- YOU.
Each of these factors are interrelated with each other and the full effects and benefits of using the learning pyramid can only be felt if you use all of them all of the time.

The Environment

The human brain responds and generates a more positive feedback if it's in an environment that's relaxed, calming and comfortable.

Having this type of environment can help your kids in their accelerated learning for kids classes because the more relaxed a person is, the easier it is for them to input, process and remember new information.

It is also important that you and your kids have their lessons in the same place as much as possible. Familiar places do wonders in brain function.

The Tools

In this side of the learning pyramid, we're not just talking about the actual program; this also includes the different materials that you have at home.

This would include colourful flash cards, clean desks, fun and informative books and many more.

The Facilitator

Now, even if accelerated learning for kids teaches young ones how to study and work independently, your kids would still need and want you around them during this time.

But here's the catch: you can't be on full mom or dad mode. You have to transform into a knowledgeable, organized, and experienced but totally fun you.

You have to do everything that you possibly can to make sure that your kids will enjoy each lesson that they have.

Accelerated learning for kids is an absolutely marvellous journey for your kids. It involves the mastery of unique techniques of learning and no matter how impatient or tired (let's face it!) they become, having you right beside them, cheering and supporting them on will make the program well worth their time.

Learn some ways of Accelerated Learning for Kids by visiting my Accelerated Learning for Kids website at http://www.superspeedlearning.com/forkids/.

Positive reinforcement and praise work well with children of all ages, but especially with younger children learning limits and goals. Allowing a child to see their accomplishments by using a reward chart keeps the child on track to achieving goals set by parents.

Stickers are a valuable tool when giving rewards for a job well done. Whether it be for potty training, learning manners, grades in school or even with household chores, putting stickers to work and watching them add up to a special reward is exciting and satisfying for children. They're fun and different - two important elements of anything which you'd like to interest your child.

The first step in creating a learning tool with reward charts is to first sit down with the child and make the chart together. Allow the child to express their creativity and be an active participant in the project. Use bright colours and paints and glitter to dress up their chart. Take time to discuss how the child will use the chart on their learning level. Create points where there will be a reward for their hard work and let the child have some decision in the stickers they use.

Hang the reward chart on their level so that when they receive the sticker they can place it in the proper spot on the chart themselves. If the child has lost the privilege of receiving a reward, then make sure that you explain to the child why they did not earn it. Encourage them to have another chance at earning one. This teaches the child limits and consequences for their actions and allows them to realise that they can continue to meet their goal. Creating a lot of excitement filling in the chart motivates children.

Chore charts are useful with older, school aged children. Assigning children jobs that they can follow through on helps them to understand responsibility and honouring commitments later in life. Give age appropriate chores around the house. Allow them to keep track of them on a chart and this will give them great satisfaction in their work. As they fill in the chart they can physically see their progress to earning wages. Earning money is a great motivator for older children.

Encouragement, praise and offering positive reinforcement with rules and goals will build confidence and self-esteem. Using stickers is a valuable tool for a parent to teach children and allows a child to learn lasting lessons that they will carry with them through life.

Current research questions whether the influences of puberty on teens are as strong as once believed. Have the effects of puberty been overstated? While it is true that puberty impacts some adolescents more acutely than others, as a whole, puberty is a less-dramatic event for teens.

Before we go any further in this article, let's agree on what is puberty. It is a biological change that children go through that causes bodily changes as well as emotional changes. It also includes maturation of thinking and moral development, in ways that teens view themselves and others.

While puberty is occurring at an alarmingly earlier age in children, puberty typically begins within the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and 9 and 14 for boys. If it occurs before the age of 8 for girls, and 9 for boys, it is considered early (precocious) development. Puberty is considered delayed if it has not begun before the age of 13 for girls and 14 years for boys.

First signs of puberty for girls (average age of 10) is breast budding and later breast development. This change is followed by pubic hair growth and arm-pit hair. The first menstrual period (menarche) occurs usually around 12 years old. However, menarche is progressing earlier in some girls, particularly in African-American girls There is a growth spurt during puberty and the girls will reach a final adult height about two years after menarche. Weight gain and widening of the pelvic area are also noted. Puberty, as a completed process, takes 3-to-4 years.

Puberty begins later for boys. The average age of puberty onset is around 11 years old. The first noted development is increase in size of the testicles. This is later followed by growth in pubic hair, as well as axillary hair, arm-pit, chest, and facial. Deepening of the male's voice is also noted. Growth in muscle mass, and the ability to get erections and ejaculate (especially nocturnal emissions, "wet dreams") occurs and this and other processes of sexual maturation happens over a 3-to-4 year span.

Puberty is also associated with adolescents to have increase perspiration, body odor, and acne. It is important for the reader to understand that there may be wide variation in the onset and progression of puberty.

As in other studies of human growth and development, stress may be associated with bodily changes, puberty is no exception. However, have the puberty effects been exaggerated? Current research indicates that the vast majority of teens cope with these stresses effectively. Among the many questions posed to hundreds of teens in my research (2010) several questions dealt with their views on puberty. Let's "hear" what teens had to say.

Was the onset of puberty a problem for you?

1. Yes - 2. No

Males: 1. 7% - 2. 93%

Females: 1. 7% - 2. 93%

Would you describe the onset of puberty as arriving:

1. Came too early - 2. Average - 3. Too late

Males: 1. 7% - 2. 91% - 3. 2%

Females: 1.18% - 2. 78% - 3. 4%

If puberty came too early for you, did it create unwanted attention from your peers/

others of the opposite sex?

1. Yes - 2. No

Males: 1. 26% - 2. 74%

Females: 1. 58% - 2. 42%

Clearly form my sample of teens, puberty was not viewed as troublesome, traumatic or a problem for our teens. Male and female respondents were exactly the same in their responses.

More females reported that they perceived puberty arriving too early than males, by a two-to-one margin, and females felt that too early (precocious) created a problem for them by again, a two-to-one margin.

Most adults seem to place a negative view of the onset of puberty for their teens and fear the consequences of puberty and are quick to ascribe negative behaviors of their teens to the onset of puberty.

Finally, recent research strongly suggests that puberty has less-dramatic effects for most teens than is commonly thought. Of course, parents need to counsel their children and prepare for the changes they are about to go through.

John R. Morella, Ph.D., has over thirty-five years experienced as a licensed psychologist and academcian. He is the author of two books: A Guide for Effective Psychotherapy (a consumer's guide for mental health services) and Give Teens a Break! (a positive look at teens). You are invited to visit his website for review of his credentials and of his books. website: http://www.johnmorella.com

If you think you would like to become a teenage model but you aren't quite certain whether the teen modelling industry is right for you, then here are a few useful hints and tips that may help you to make a decision. You probably already have an idea in your head about what the life of a teenage model entails - the problem is that until we actually experience something, we can't really be sure that our idea fits the reality. Teen modelling can be an exciting and fun job but being a teenage model is also serious business - so it requires hard work and commitment.

One idea to help you decide if you would enjoy the work of a teenage model is by taking part in a test shoot. This will give you the chance to try out some different poses and get a feel of what it's like to be in front of the camera. You can work on different facial expressions and a variety of different looks to see what works best for you. Teen modelling can often involve long hours on a shoot, so by having the chance to experience what this is like, you can test your stamina and your personality, to ensure that you fit in with the teen modelling lifestyle. Your photographer may also experiment with different lighting techniques and different angles, to make sure that you are photogenic and able to convey different styles through a photographic medium.

Getting Help From A Teen Modelling Agency

If you don't want to invest in this expense yourself, you could always approach a teen modelling agency and see if they offer a teenage model's course, where you can get the same experience as discussed above without having to pay from your own pocket. If the teen modelling agency believes that you have the potential to be a successful teenage model, they will very likely provide you with some test shots to help get you started and to give you something to start off your teenage model portfolio. Do bear in mind however, that while your teen modelling agency may not charge for these initial test shots, they may arrange to deduct a small fee from your first teen modelling job in order to cover their costs.

If you're not quite ready to approach a teen modelling agency, an alternative option could be to make contact with a professional freelance photographer and asked for their help. While you could pay for their services in order to start creating a professional portfolio for your teen modelling career, you may be able to strike a deal where you act as a model for them and they use a selection of the shots taken for their own photography portfolio. This could be a win/win situation for both photographer and teenage model - but make sure that you have a parent with you on the shoot and do background checks if possible to ensure that the photographer is reputable and trustworthy.

Teen Modelling Advice From Someone Who Knows

It may also be a good idea to try to make contact with somebody who already works in the teen modelling industry. By asking for advice from an established teenage model, you can find out from somebody with firsthand experience how the industry works and things to watch out for, as well as getting a real in-depth look at the reality of being a teenage model.

The life of a teenage model can be vibrant and exciting, giving you the opportunity to develop important skills and to earn some extra 'pocket money'. If you enjoy success as a teenage model, it could end up leading to further adult modelling work as you grow. Looking to the future, if you enjoy being a part of the modelling industry, you could even end up being a booker for a model agency, end up doing TV work, or working in some other area of the fashion industry such as journalism or as a stylist. The most important thing for any teenage model is to be safe, be prepared and make sure that your parents are in full support of your teen modelling career.

La Mode Model Advice http://www.lamodemodeladvice.co.uk/ Find out more about Teenage Model Advice

The advent of digital cameras and high definition has made photography one of the most sought after professions and also a very commonly pursued hobby among youngsters. Cameras are everywhere - on our computers, mobiles and several other digital equipments. People are growing so fond of taking pictures that not a single special moment goes unpreserved.

If your child, too, is one of those people who never like to leave home without their digital cameras, the best thing you can do to nourish the budding photographer in them is to encourage them to take up photography lessons. It would ensure that their summer is well spent as they'd learn new skills and have lots of fun too in the camp with fellow students. Imagine the bliss you'll experience when your kid takes an excellent picture of yours with the touch of a professional photographer!

Why choose a summer photography camp?

To achieve dexterity in photography, there are specialized courses that aim at imparting the necessary skills of photography in you, but then, these traditional classes are mostly not designed keeping kids and teenagers in mind. On the contrary, a summer photography camp is tailor-made for your teen as it is meant especially for children looking for fun with knowledge during their long summer vacations. Today's comprehensively designed summer camps also take care of your child's other needs like meals and even overnight stays during the camp. Also, the fellow campers would be almost the same age as your child; this in a way creates an environment conducive to better learning, while ensuring that kids are not bored during the sessions.

As summer camps are especially designed keeping young kids and teenagers in mind these impart learning from the scratch. So you don't need to worry about your child being new to advanced technological stuff. A good photography camp, such as one designed by iD Tech, will guide your child step by step, gradually making him/her proficient in the skill.

How to choose the right summer camp for your child?

The two most fundamental aspects of a good summer photography camps are -

1. Knowledge of latest gadgets - Good summer camps for kids and teens employ the best possible means to teach students. For instance iD Tech summer photography camps are designed keeping the best interest of students in mind. It uses the latest equipment so that the kids are up-to-date with the latest technology. The camera tricks taught in the photography camps are simple to grasp and offer splendid results when executed.

2. A secure yet fun-filled environment - Make sure that your chosen summer camp keeps children's safety is kept in mind. It incorporates fun-learning methods so that your child's vacations are spent jolly well.

Encourage your child for photography camp this summer

Give your teen an opportunity to explore more this summer by making them join a summer camp on photography. Even if it does not make him a professional photographer, it will make sure that each and every one of your family photos turns out to be incredibly great. Besides, pursuing the hobby passionately will make your child a confident individual. So get set, it's time this summer you gave a photography camp a thumb's up.

Jimmy Sorensen writes reviews of world famous summer camps. Some of his works speaks about the most happening photography camp around the world. He also loves to write on topics like video game design, programming languages, summer camp ideas and much more.

You know your child is smart and has great potential but they consistently struggle in school or following through on tasks. Both you and your child are frustrated by their persistent learning challenges. The smart you know is there seems to be locked-up in certain academic or social situations. Their smart shines brilliantly at times but too often it seems to be trapped deep inside.

Unlock their smartness by strengthening their cognitive skills, which are the underlying building blocks for learning. Think of a tree with bright red apples on it. Underneath the ground where you can not see needs to be a healthy root system that is gathering nutrients to produce good fruit on the tree. Thinking skills are like the roots of the apple tree. They are hidden in your brain but must be strong and healthy to produce good grades in school and to help you reach your learning potential.

Tutoring centers focus on learning techniques and skills or teaching material again that was not absorbed the first time. A better way is to identify the weak cognitive skills that hinder the ability to absorb or retrieve information; and strengthen them through rigorous training. The results are remarkable.

Studies reveal 80% of learning difficulties among U.S. students and adults are the result of weak thinking skills. Attention, processing speed, working memory, logic and reasoning and auditory processing are a few of the cognitive skills underlying the learning process. Each of these skills can be targeted and strengthened. Rarely are learning difficulties the result of poor or inadequate instruction or even a lack of motivation. We often hear parents say, "My child works so hard but they just can't get it." Their smart may be trapped by under-developed cognitive skills

Too often learning difficulties are treated by accommodation (lowering expectations) or compensation (focusing only on strengths). Thinking skill weaknesses need to be identified and overcome. Instead of accommodation or compensation, work hard to overcome weaknesses. With cognitive skills training gains are second to none and carry over into social as well as academic settings. Self-confidence increases and the gains last!

Once specific cognitive skill weaknesses are identified through standardized testing, an individualized plan to overcome the weaknesses needs to be crafted. A trainer then works one-on-one with the student to overcome the deficient skills. A skilled musician is trained through guided instruction, meaningful practice, feedback and being challenged to perform increasingly difficult pieces of music. It takes time and hard work to develop musical skills. Deficient cognitive skills are trained much the same way. One-on-one cognitive skills training uses guided instruction, immediate feedback and correction, meaningful targeted practice and increasingly challenging, skill specific tasks. Training develops skilled musicians and skilled learners.

Cognitive skills training gets results! Students with cognitive skills two or more years below age level average gains of 3.6 years in at least one of the weak areas. And the gains last! Students retested after one year retained 98% of the gains made during training." For more information see web site below.

Elaine Sullivan, BSN, is owner of The Brain Gym in Bucks County, PA and Berks County, PA. http://www.thebraingym.net Elaine began her career as a Registered Nurse working in critical care attending patients neurologically impaired by stroke and traumatic brain injury. Elaine has been working with children and adults doing one-on-one cognitive training for the past fifteen years. She is certified by LearningRx as a trainer for Processing and Cognitive Enhancement, and is certified by The National Institute for Learning Development in Norfolk, VA.

I have a seventeen year old with autism. When he was diagnosed with autism at the age of four I was just devastated. I was a single mother trying to put food on the table and now this. What is autism and how do I get rid of it? How do I help my son? Who is going to take care of him when I am gone? You have a million questions running thru your head and the answers are not coming fast enough.

I found out that when your child is diagnosed with a disability there is a grieving period. Every parent wants their child to grow up and be a doctor, lawyer, or save the world in some fashion. But when you have a child with a disability you need to revise your thinking in every way. You grieve for the hopes and dreams you had for this child. The grieving period is for acceptance of the child you have before you. I quickly learned that without acceptance of my son's disability I was not accepting him. The grieving is for all the preconceived notions you had before your child was born. Do not skip this step, grieving is an important step to being the best advocate for your child.

One of the issues my son was having was dealing with textures. He didn't like touching anything that would make his hands dirty. He would eat a chicken leg by stabbing the meaty part with a fork. At school they wanted him to finger paint; you would think that would be simple right. I have a series of pictures of him finger painting on a paper plate and the look on his face is like they put "poo" on his hands. But it got worse he didn't like the soap to wash his hands to get the paint off.

During this time I would go to work and tell my girlfriend about all the things my son was doing. I would be frustrated and upset. She would just laugh. I am at the brink of tears all the time and she is crying because she is laughing too hard. I think she is crazy for thinking this stuff is funny, after all she thinks "Silence of the Lambs" was a comedy. Then she started to come to me and ask what did he do now? Slowly, I started to see the wisdom in her humor. My son was happy and the only person that was miserable was me.

Humor is a great thing to find in all situations. I try to see it whenever dealing with my son. It has been a useful tool in defusing his tantrums; I have actually thrown myself on the floor and pretended to have a tantrum like my son. If he can see the humor in what he is doing it is more likely it will defuse more quickly.

However, I do not think "Silence of the Lambs" was a comedy, I do see the wisdom in my girlfriend's humor. Laughing is the best medicine in the face of adversity.

Tip #1: Look up your child's school schedule for this academic year. Input key dates onto your family calendar and day-planner if you use one. If you use calendaring software, be sure to input the dates and sync it with your smartphone if you use one. For the very best coordination, encourage your children and spouse/partners to do the same.

Tip #2: Create a specific area for schoolwork to be performed. Have school supplies readily available nearby. Portable storage bins, i.e. from the Container Store, are invaluable in being organized. Either sort supplies by child or by type of items.

Tip #3: Organize a routine with your children to follow after school. Though every child is different and schedules will vary by the day, a good rule of thumb is to allow for a healthful snack right after school and then a little downtime prior to starting homework or attending their extracurricular activity.

Tip #4: Avoid over-scheduling. It's very stressful for children to have to frequently switch gears every day and children do need a certain amount of downtime to be able to process all the new information that they are taking in. We only have one childhood and there's time enough in the future to be busy and stressed.

Tip #5: As far as snacks go, prepare them over the weekend so that they are easily accessible and available during the week. Cut vegetables with dip or humus, fruit salad, sliced cheese and crackers, and the like are all healthy options and can easily be prepared in advance.

Tip #6: If possible, try getting all your grocery shopping done on Friday so that you have plenty of food over the weekend and can avoid the weekend shopping crowds.

Tip #7: On Sunday, prepare a few meals that can be frozen or heated during the week and then served with a salad. Great options are veggie chili, soup, and casseroles. It saves a great deal of time and you can consolidate the cooking and cleaning to a single period.

Tip #8: For breakfast, have quick and healthy options ready to go. Encourage children to prepare their own breakfast. By age 6, they should be able to prepare a bowl of cereal. By age 8, they can toast bread or bagels. By age 12, they can use the microwave to heat up frozen breakfast options. From age 13 forward, children should be able to perform simple cooking tasks like preparing scrambled eggs or making French toast.

Tip #9: Opt for school lunch to save time, cleaning, preparation, etc. Many schools offer on-line ordering and payment. Take advantage of it to help reduce the number of meals that need to be prepared, shopped for and cleaned up. On the other hand, if the school cafeteria food is of poor quality or your child has special dietary needs, invest in a good lunchbox. The new bento box styles are highly functional. Prepare lunches the night before school.

Tip #10: When your child gets home from school, make sure part of their routine includes emptying their backpack to assure that you receive all correspondence and can track homework requirements. Make sure that the backpacks are then repacked and ready to go for the next day with homework and correspondence completed, library books to return, school supplies, uniforms, sweaters, etc.

Tip #11: Keep backpacks near the door so that there isn't any rushing around at the last minute in the morning trying to find it.

Tip #12: Buy in bulk. Stock up on healthy snacks and lunchbox items to minimize shopping and cost. Get back to school shopping done early and on-line for ease and good selection. Look for free delivery deals.

Tip #13: Mornings can be chaotic. If that is your history, minimize morning tasks. Have children shower before bed. Lay out school clothes and extracurricular clothing (i.e. sport clothing for after school lessons). Also, set out vitamins and medications and breakfast items the night before.

Tip #14: One especially beneficial tool for organization is a clothing cubby that can be hung in your child's closet. It usually has seven five openings for each day of school during the week. Organize clothing once for the week on Sundays. Even better, after clothes are cleaned and folded, teach your child how to match clothes and put them into the daily cubbies---this saves time by avoiding morning indecision and encourages children to learn to match clothing to dress themselves.

Tip #15: If you hit the ground running every morning, consider waking up earlier than everyone else to exercise, meditate, read the paper, shower, etc. When you are calm and controlled, you set the tone that everyone else can follow.

Tip #16: Keep a chores chart. Use graphics for the little ones. As a general rule of thumb, allocate one chore per year of age. Allowance is a great way to teach financial responsibility. Don't punish for not completing chores; rather dock their allowance. Yet, allow them to make up the difference by taking on extra chores.

Tip #17: Establish goals with your child at the beginning of the school year. Write these goals down and have them readily available for viewing. One idea is to type up the goals as the screensaver for the computer they use.

Tip #18: Designate a day and time for going to the library. With younger children, you'll be going once a week but with older children, visits reduce down to every 2-3 weeks. Another option is to get an electronic reading device, i.e. Kindle, or download reading software onto your computer or smartphone and then download books for daily reading.

Tip #19: Take photos of your routine. We usually focus on taking photos of vacations and rites of passage, but memories of our everyday routines helped define our childhood and will be precious to remember in the future.

Tip #20: Forget perfection! Things get lost, spills happen, tires flatten, kids get cranky....it's all perfectly childhood.

Do you remember when you were younger, and it was safe to get out and about? What about when riding a bike to school was the norm and every kid had to get to school by themselves? What happened to the days where it was considered normal to get out and about walking the streets, hanging out with mates and meeting up with each other to play?

Are Kids Having Fun Anymore?

Are there any days where kids are having fun just playing? Can they rely on creating their own fun or do they have to stay in doors playing the latest game on their Xbox, Wii, Playstation or DS? I remember a time when it was cool to walk from a mate's house, to the local shops or to school. Or even to the train station so we could all meet up with other mates and catch a train to the movies. There was never a time back then when sitting at home for hours on end was allowed. Gosh there was many a times when I heard "Go on, outside and play - get the air and sun into you."

Staying Home To Stay Safe

Is it now too dangerous to let our kids out to play? Or have we all become to consumed by the latest technology, or is everyone joining too many sporting/dancing activities that there is no longer any time left in the day for kids to have fun? Can there be a medium ground where kids are allowed to have fun, without having to rush them off to the next activity or the next sport function? Kids need to learn how to play in the outdoors, and still be safe without having to have structure activities all the time

Kids Having Fun Playing

Kids need to be able to climb trees, and explore their world. There is no point having a kid go to school five days a week, childcare the rest of the time, and then sporting events all weekend, or drama, or dancing, or swimming - or whatever it is that is on offer to keep them busy. Actually they have proven that children need "Down Time" or quiet time where they can just be a kid. Here are seven easy tips on how to let your kid have fun:

1. Go for a walk to the local park, and let the children decide what they want to do.
2. Ride a bike to the shops instead of going by car. If it's too far to ride, then maybe use public transport and let the children decide where to catch the bus/train and let them find out the public transport times! They will have fun deciding what they want to do.
3. Find a big tree, and let them climb as high as they want.
4. Invite their friends over for an afternoon - an afternoon where there is no electricity, and encourage them to play hide n seek, or chasing games
5. Ask the kids what they want to do for fun, and let them take turns in choosing a different activity for the afternoon.
6. Take the kids to the beach. If you are near the beach, then take them for an afternoon of finding the most amazing shells, or even to a rock pool Kids love finding sea creatures in the rock pool
7. Try a day with no TV. Let the kids know which day is going to be a no TV zone, and see what ideas they come up with for entertainment!

Kids Having Fun

There are many ways kids used to have fun that did not cost money, did not need electricity and got them out of the house. Kids having fun is possible when they make their own fun. To see more about kids having fun visit New Life on the Road where a family has no TV, no Wii, No Playstation, no Xbox, no DS, no computers for the kids and a life that's created by the kids having fun.

New Life on the Road is where one family decides to take their family on the road in a Motorhome that Lisa Wood brought from eBay and then had to tell David afterwards! They are on a journey of how 5 boys and two adults cope together on a bus on the road around Australia for a year!

No one wants their child to be bullied and no one wants their child to become the bully. School officials often deal with bullying and it affects everyday happenings. Bully Prevention is a program that many schools are discussing throughout the year and putting in place. It is a way to help children feel safe and know if they are suffering they are not alone as they can go to school officials. Those that are bullying will also understand that bullying someone is not something that is accepted.

Bullying is anything from verbal to physical abuse. If your child is being bullied they will not be comfortable going to school, feel depressed, have low self esteem or in some cases be aggressive. Each child is different. Other things to watch are if they are missing anything or items are damaged. Watch if the child has a lot of injuries. Often when children are bullied they don't tell anyone and they just suffer. If possible parents what to know there are ways to help with bullying prevention.

It is important to know that often it is a child that is small, anxious, quiet or sensitive that could be bullied. Even if your child does not fit this description you can teach them what they need to do. First, tell them that bullying is not nice. They need to know that is it is not okay to be a bully because it hurts others. They would not want to be bullied and they should not do so to someone else. Now, you can discuss what to do if your child is bullied. Bullying Prevention can be done through education. Let them know how to handle it if it does happen. Tell them fighting is not the answer, but they can tell the bully to stop. Another thing is to tell them is to walk away and talk to a teacher. Let them know if they have trouble and their teachers aren't able to handle it then you will meet with school officials.

Additionally, children need to be made aware of the fact that cyber bullying is not approved. It may seem innocuous to some but with younger children spending a lot of time online, parents need to monitor their movements online. However, if you think that your child is acting strange or has any signs that do not match his or her normal behavior patterns, it should send an alert. Cyber bullying is catching on faster due to the impersonal pattern on the internet. However, police is actively involved while cyber laws have been put into effect that monitor any aspect of online bullying.

Let your child know you support them. Prepare them for dealing with these issues then they will feel more confident. It could be a source of Bullying Prevention. Bullying has many side effects including what has already been mentioned as well as having trouble sleeping and getting poor grades. It is important for your child to feel safe and comfortable at school.

For the latest videos and training information on child development as well as books and curricula please visit www.childdevelopmentmedia.com.

Many parents hesitate on enrolling their kids on speed learning program to learn different techniques because they are afraid that these techniques will be too sophisticated for young children. This is highly understandable. But then again, once you understand the basics of speed learning, you will find out that these types of techniques are actually more effective. You see, speed learning techniques are oftentimes easy. In fact, it may be that your kids (or even you) are already using it.

Here are some examples of the most common, effective but overlooked techniques for kids:

1. Use Images

There are many different learning personalities, eight in fact. Now, most kids have not discovered or developed their learning personality yet. But most kids respond well to images and sounds. One of the first speed learning techniques for kids you should try is to incorporate images or visual aids into your child's studying regime. When I say images, I don't always or necessarily mean photos. You can make use of mind maps or flow charts.

2. Use Sounds

As I mentioned earlier, children respond well to sounds. For this particular technique for kids, you have several options. First, you can play some music on the background. Now, do not think that you can play any type of music, it's better if you stick with classical music. Mozart songs are perfect.

Now, another option is to listen to audio books or recordings. You can also record your voice or your kid's voice and let your children listen to it during study time. This will keep them interested, for sure.

3. Use Flashcards

For many, many years, flashcards is one of the most used speed learning techniques for kids. It is a fun way to memorize or remember things. It also has a sense of fun or a feel of it being a game. And you know kids, right? They like games. When you use flashcards, not only are your kids learning, they're having fun too.

4. Use Books

Now, this particular speed learning technique for kids would work best if you do it before bed time. You don't even have to monitor how fast or slow your children reads. Before going to sleep, just have your child read a textbook or whatever book you want. During this time, the subconscious mind is starting to open and this increases a person's ability to remember whatever it is that they are reading.

Learn more about Speed Learning Techniques for Kids by visiting my Speed Learning Techniques for Kids website at http://www.superspeedlearning.com/forkids/.

Super speed learning for kids is a simple yet powerful program that aims to make learning fun for any kid in the world. This program for kids incorporates the best learning techniques that will make your children happier and smarter at school.

The first thing that you and your children would get out of the learning program for kids is the knowing what the brain is and how it works. This program will also show your little ones how to learn. The common mistake in school systems today is that it is not going with the changes that the rest of the world is experiencing! The traditional way of teaching and learning is really out dated and unfortunately, not enough anymore to make sure that our kids learn as much as they can.

Super speed learning for kids is an innovative and effective way to teach children how to take advantage of the ocean of information that is easily accessible to them via the internet and media. Now, there are three programs that you can get out of the this type of learning program for kids: mental arithmetic, speed learning languages and brain geniuses. It is important to note though that this type of program focuses on a holistic development for your children.

Mental Arithmetic

Kids, unfortunately, hate mathematics. Perhaps it's the boring way that this subject is being taught or the fact that it really is a difficult subject to understand right away. The program, specifically designed for children uses different mental arithmetic techniques that are presented in a friendly and playful manner. This is why it is very effective- kids learn and most often than not, they aren't even aware that they are!

Super Speed Learning Languages

Being bilingual or multi-lingual can really open doors for a person. Knowing other languages is very handy and will help your kids in their foreign language classes, as well as be very helpful in their life. But the main focus of this kids' program that is constructed solely for learning languages is to not just to become fluent on a new language, it focuses on teaching the concepts- concepts they can apply in other aspects- that would make learning a new language easier.

Brain Geniuses

Super speed learning for kids wants to help you in moulding a well-rounded person. We know that it is important to develop a child's skills academically, socially and emotionally.

Learn more about Super Speed Learning for Kids by visiting my Super Speed Learning for Kids website at http://www.superspeedlearning.com/forkids/.

Dear parents, besides holistic and balanced education, there are many areas you need to look into in order to develop your young children to become all-rounded achievers. To be frank, in today's fast changing world, young kids are "forced' to face many challenges and social pressures. If they are not being guided in a proper manner, it is hard for them to stay positive in the long run.

Being the smart parents, you are required to put yourselves in your children's shoes. What can be done to empower them?

First thing first, you need to start developing self-esteem in your children. Seriously speaking, you play a very important role in laying a solid foundation for your children's sense of self-worth. You need to assist them to develop the "I can" mentality. In order to foster positive self-esteem, you can try the following:

• You are suggested to encourage your children to be independent from time to time.

• It is good if you are able to look for real activities which can assist young kids to achieve success. Please bear in mind that the activities can be challenging but not too difficult.

• You should offer some useful activities to the children to practise their skills. Make sure that the activities organized by you are fun and the kids can enjoy the processes.

• It is always advisable to provide opportunities for the young kids to express their ideas and feelings.

• You are reminded to praise your children when they have improvement.

Secondly, we need to respect our children. Children need to feel that they are respected for thinking positively about themselves. What can parents do? Parents are advised to allow their young children to make certain decisions while explaining the reasons behind the adults' decisions or rules. Young kids should also be included in conversations and have their views taken seriously. By doing so, you are actually empowering your kids in a consistent manner.

Thirdly, please keep in mind that TRUST is the foundation of all relationships. You are advised to work on trust which you have established with your young children. Let them know that they will have full support from you. You must communicate clearly with your kids to inform them that it is not a big deal if they make mistakes. Mistakes are actually good learning opportunities.

Last but not the least; please bear in mind 3 key points when you are empowering your beloved children, i.e. you guide them but you don't direct them, you coach them but not instruct them, you ask them but not to tell them.

Dystopian fiction is not a new phenomenon in literature. A number of the classics fall squarely or loosely into this genre, but the popularity of dystopian titles among teenage readers has been on the upsurge in recent years. Why do so many readers gravitate towards a type of book that presents a world on the edge of despair?

Many parents wonder about their teenagers, especially if they're moving from one book to another in a popular book series that seems unremittingly dark and hopeless. Old classics like LORD OF THE FLIES or 1984 were very popular among past generations of readers. In the late 1940s and 1950s, a slew of titles reflected societal anxieties about the state of the world and the looming shadow of nuclear weapons and mutually assured destruction. Readers sought out titles that helped them to sort out the fears they themselves harbored but didn't want to admit to. And yet, the vast majority of these readers grew up to be positive contributors to society.

I read Nevil Shute's ON THE BEACH in the 1970s when I was in high school, but I didn't make the connection to the era in which it was published and the growing fears that came with the building arms race between the superpowers. In the 1970s, the nuclear freeze movement was in its infancy, and the idea of a small group of people still living in a briefly safe enclave as the fallout from a nuclear catastrophe spreads gradually around the globe cast an alluring spell that only a good book could. It was frightening and bittersweet at the same time, as characters realized and came to accept their impending mortality.

But it was, and is, also about characters that react to disaster in ways that can only foster hope. Today's great dystopian novels are largely written for teenagers and young adults because the market for this type of fiction lies most notably within that demographic. Noteworthy titles include Marcus Sedgwick's FLOODLAND, CITY OF EMBERS, THE EMPTY WORLD, DARK MATERIALS, and the up-to-date take on the excesses of technology run rampant, FEED.

Today's young readers--like yesterday's youth--are distrustful of adults, doubtful that today's leaders are on the right track, not prone to join their parents in a discussion of what to do about all the problems that surround them. And yet they are, no doubt, thinking about these problems. Reading "depressing" literature helps them to do that. They follow protagonists very much like themselves; characters thrust into situations that they didn't create, solving problems that are thrown at them, and trying to make sense of the landscapes that they inhabit. These novels follow well-worn paths, but the good ones utilize familiar scenery in new and interesting ways.

Parents shouldn't fear that their children will fall into pits of despair after reading these types of books. The good thing is that teenagers continue to challenge themselves by reading great works of fiction. Perhaps, at the same time, they are learning more about themselves and thinking what they would do in similar situations. Great books help to foster a spirit of positivism and an interest in getting involved to help change the world around them.

That this young generation is getting involved in social activism, politics, and volunteer work in numbers not seen before is no surprise. They are searching for answers in places both dark and light, and they are putting into practice their solutions until they find some that work.

Stephen Graff is a full-time public school teacher and writer living in Southern New Jersey with his wife and daughter. His new dystopian novel RIVER DAWN can be sampled and purchased at: http://www.riverdawnnovel.com/