By Noah B Brown

There are more and more episodes of bullying being reported on the news today. This is becoming a severe problem in our country. Sure, bullies have always been around but with the technology that kids are exposed to now, the bullying can be nonstop. Follow these parenting advice so you can recognize the child behavior signs associated with bullying.

Watch for Withdrawal

One of the earliest child behavior signs that bullied children exhibit is withdrawal. Even young children start to close themselves away in their bedrooms and avoid contact with everyone, including family members. Bullying makes a child feel isolated and alone and the emotional trauma causes them to retreat and isolate themselves further. Most tips for parents suggest that if this child behavior is allowed to go on for a period of time, irreparable damage could be done to the child's psyche.

Beware of Bruising

Many children who are bullied by others are physically assaulted by them as well. One of the best tips for parents is to be aware of any suspicious bruising on your child. A child who has been assaulted by others might flinch when approached or touched. This is a classic and common child behavior exhibited when someone has been or is being bullied.

Forgetting about Friends

Children who are being bullied often begin to disassociate themselves from their friends. They will no longer run home and want to go out to play. Usually, bullied kids do their best to hide themselves away from the world. When this child behavior surfaces, the child is beginning to believe everything that the bullies are saying about them. It is essential for parents to recognize these child behavior signs and find out what is going on immediately.

Speaking of Suicide

Although young children rarely use the word "suicide", but at times, kids might say that they want to die or want to kill themselves. Hopefully, you will have acted before the bullying got to this extreme level. If a child behaves like this, you need to talk to your child gently and be loving towards your child.

Stand Up for Your Child

Being a parent, you must act as soon as you find out that your child is a victim of bullying. Rarely will a child admit that he is being bullied. You'll need to recognize the signs on your own and do a little bit of investigation.

You should contact your child's teacher for an appointment. Inform her that you don't want your child to know about your meeting. Explain to her that your child is exhibiting typical child behavior signs associated with being bullied. Tell her that you expect that she watch your child carefully to see if anyone is victimizing your child and that she report back to you in a few days.

A lot of bullying occurs on the school bus. Many school districts have security cameras on the buses. You can schedule an appointment with the principal and tell him that you would like to review all bus tapes for the past month. Legally, you are allowed to do so.

Talk to a Therapist

Your child might be too embarrassed to talk to you about his problem with bullies. It would be best if you set up an appointment with a child behavior psychologist. Many kids balk at the thought of a therapist, but you will need to use your delicate positive parenting techniques to help your child recognize that he can't handle this problem on his own.

By Brenda L Hopkins

No matter where you live you have probably celebrated your birthday in one way or another. Birthday parties mark another year gone; this can be exciting especially as we get old enough to drive or frightening as we get older and want to celebrate 29 again and again. In ancient times birthdays were a time when evil spirits could harm you so to protect yourself you had your family and friends around you their well wishes were a way of protecting you.

Birthdays are celebrated in many ways around the world in many countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay they celebrate the girls 15th birthday with the Waltz. At this age she is considered of suitable age and dances the waltz first with her father and grandfather then with possible suitors. When a girl turns 15 in Ecuador there is a great celebration and the girl wears a pink dress. The father puts on the birthday girls first pair of high heels and dances the waltz with her while 14 maids and 14 boys also dance. In the United States when a girl turns 16 she has a great celebration known as a sweet sixteen. Family and friends are invited and it is a elaborate celebration of her turning into a young women.

In some countries such as Brazil Hungry, and Italy the birthday is celebrated with ear lobe pulling and in Scotland it is a smack on the bottom. In Puerto Rico they celebrate the birthday with taps on the arm one for each year. Some countries celebrate with chair raising and in Jamaica the birthday child is floured while music plays. In Germany if you are a man and turn 30 without a girl friend you are made to sweep the steps of the city hall.

Some countries such as Africa and Vietnam they celebrate birthdays in groups. In Vietnam all birthdays are celebrated on New Year's Days while in many countries they hold elaborate celebrations for each child's birthday. Many countries include special food into the celebration; in China and the Philippines they serve noodles which are a sign of good fortune. While in Russia the birthday child is presented with a birthday pie with a special greeting carved into it. Ghana and Guyana include traditional dishes into the celebration as well. The United States, Cuba and Germany as well many other countries across the world the main event is the birthday cake decked with candles one for each year. These candles were said to be able to shine to the Gods so that they knew that there was a birthday. Most people believe that when you blow out the candles that you will receive a wish.

Some celebrations include marking the child or the house as in Nepal with a mark on the forehead or in Canada where they ambush the child and grease their nose. In Lithuania garlands are hung around the entire door and in Denmark flags are flown from the widows all to show that someone in the house is having a birthday.

No matter how you celebrate your birthday it is a special day in your life an ancient tradition that still holds today with candles, gift giving,and well wishing; a celebration of life.

By Michael Cahall

There is nothing that may frustrate an adult more than a child imagining they understand far more, questioning their authority, and not accepting that they already have the right to give directives. We all have been through it in one shape or other. The problem is how does one manage such a circumstance? What should be undertaken not simply to get the preferred behavior out of a young person but to ensure you under no circumstances again have to handle kids asking why? We'll give you some fundamental ideas for helping you have an understanding of how to manage this issue.

Right here is an illustration. A mom is occupied cooking supper as the woman's small one strolls into the area. The handle to the boiling pot of soup is hanging out over the stove and immediately catches his attention. He believes it essential that he need to tug it down for whatever cause that develops in his tiny brain. The mother notices his fixation and warns, "Don't touch that." If the kid has been trained to not ask why or debate his mother's authority then there might be no issue. Yet if kids asking why hasn't already been addressed in her home, this mother may perhaps wind up with a panicked visit towards the ER.

These standard ideas need to be thought of if kids asking why is noticed by the grown ups that take care of them.

Youngsters do not need to have a explanation to follow directions of an adult which is accountable for their safety. Adults must not accept their motives, decisions, or preferences to be challenged. The role belonging to the parent, teacher, or guardian is to guide the girl or boy as they definitely can't guide independently.

If someone looks after a child they must be clearly seasoned within the "You don't ask why. You are a kid." phrase. Even telling them that an explanation is not going to be given for whatever reason is providing them with an inroad that will lead to you over explaining even that cause. They desire reasoning and arguing points, as much time to postpone the process as they are able to acquire, and also the slightest wish that they are able to completely be free from performing what they're told.

It seriously won't make a difference how persuasive of an argument you provide a kid, they may be probably not going to agree with you anyhow. Besides, most of us have had debates with youngsters in our lives. The very best it is possible to often wish for from their end is often a string of recurring phrases similar to, "But I do not want to".

There's much more on this topic that cannot be discussed in a small write-up similar to this. In case you would like far more on this issue, you may read an in depth, fully complete lesson plan on kids asking why, instructing you on exactly ways to use these and several additional concepts with your youngsters. There you'll find a variety of articles, lesson plans, and facts to help you with quite a few problems of educating, parenting, and disciplining kids. You could also check out kids asking why to uncover much more on many of the topics covered by the wife and husband team at the Teaching Spot.

By Ruth Knight

It is very common for girls to hit their teenage years and suddenly become less outgoing and motivated, while lacking self-esteem and confidence. It is a worrying time for parents who want their daughter to feel good about themselves and their achievements.

Research suggests that girls with low self-esteem have self-concepts that are confused, self-contradictory and inconsistent. This is concerning, because forming an identity is one of the most important tasks for adolescents, and it is extremely important for girls to know who they are, what they are good at, and what they believe in. Girls who form a good and strong identity have increased confidence and ability to deal with peer pressure, disappointment and change.

So, here are some ideas for parents who are looking for ways to raise their daughter's self-esteem and confidence:

Firstly, encourage your daughter to have a well-defined identity. This means helping her define what she likes, what she values and what she believes in. Good questions to ask her are: "Tell me about that", "Why did you make that decision?" and "Why does it make you feel like that?"

Spend lots of time giving her sincere and genuine feedback about her strengths and abilities. For example, "I think you are good at...because...", and "I like the way you..."

It is very important for you to work together with your daughter's teachers and mentors to help her become proud of her uniqueness, personality and strengths. If she receives mixed messages or regular discouraging criticism, it may result in confusion or an identity crisis.

Secondly, support your daughter to master self-control and problem solving skills. It is critical that she learns the art of taking responsibility for the decisions she makes. She must be supported to be creative, empathic and courageous as she becomes independent and accountable for the choices she makes.

It can be helpful to replay situations with her and ask: "What might have happened if you had made a different decision?" and "If a situation like this happens again, how are you going to handle it?"

Thirdly, encourage your daughter to be generous to others. This could be by being trustworthy, or by offering her time, ideas or friendship. When girls learn to be generous they start to realise that they can influence others positively. It helps them become more mindful of others and increasingly self-confident as people thank them for their generosity and kindness.

When teenage girls are supported to cultivate an internal appreciation for themselves and others, they begin to feel motivated and confident. That is why a positive and strong identity, good problem solving skills and an ability to be generous promote girls' sense of gratitude and purpose.

Ruth Knight is an experienced youth worker and consultant with Zark Consultancy. Ruth has developed a life skill program for teenage girls called "Girls With A Purpose", which is available from non-profit organisation Lifehouse Project. Find out more about working with teenage girls by going to http://www.lifehouse.org.au/gwap

By Terry Tracy

As a parent, when choosing the kids motorcycle helmets to purchase for your child, you must make sure they are comfortable, have enough padding on the inside, and of course provide the maximum security and safety levels for your kids when they are out on their bikes. Along with other safety equipment and pads, the helmets are likely to be the most important piece of equipment parents must consider; your child's helmets will keep their head and neck protected in the event they fall, preventing serious injury, bruising, or potential for any internal injuries to the child.

When choosing the helmets, your child is likely to want something trendy and stylish, in order for them to look cool on their bikes. It is possible for parents to find something that their kids will like, as far as the design, style, and overall shape of the kids motorcycle helmets, while still choosing something that is going to cover their entire head, offer support for the sides of their face, and offer support to the neck, in the event the child does fall while riding. Therefore, considering several styles and design options for your child's motorcycle helmets, while still choosing something that will protect them if they do fall, is something parents should consider.

Knowing where to purchase the helmets from is also something parents must be aware of. When choosing a retailer, making sure you go to a local bike shop that sells the best equipment and safety gear, sells the most well known and reputable brands, and still sells affordably priced helmets, are all things parents must consider when choosing where to shop. Comparing a couple local shops prior to purchasing, is the best way to find the deals and discounts, and to find the shops which employ the most knowledgeable staff, to assist parents in choosing the best brands that will not only protect but also satisfy your child's style.

Taking the time to compare kids motorcycle helmets brands online is also something parents can consider doing. This will allow them to find the best and highest rated brands, and will allow them to find which retailers to shop with, in order to get those brands, and the lowest prices. Some parents will find that shopping online is a great way to save as well; so, if they do find the best name brand kids motorcycle helmets on an online site, purchasing there will allow for the savings they are looking for.

In choosing new helmets for your kids, allowing them to help in the decision process is something parents can do, to ensure the child will like the helmet design and style. But, making sure that the right brands are chosen, the most comfortable kids motorcycle helmets are chosen, and the most protective kids helmets are purchased, are all things which must be considered when choosing the new helmet for your child. For price savings and the safest helmets, shopping around, and doing the research, is the only way to ensure parents get both.

As you can see when choosing your kids motorcycle helmets there are many important options to consider. It is best to research as much as possible before making your selection.

By Sherry Belmonte

The holidays have gone, Christmas break has gone and so has the motivation. Everyone is hanging out indoors and waiting for brighter days. Stop those dreary after school moods!

Create a mood change in your child's own personal room. Take a realistic look at his/her existing room and envision a blast of brightness, a touch of nature, a new theme, something soothing or something whimsical and fun. The use of wallpaper borders or wall appliques are an inexpensive way to add a new visual look to rooms with minimal experience in decorating.

Choosing kid's wallpaper borders or appliques can be determined by color themes already in the room. There is no need to hassle with painting or changing the bedding and curtain decor. Look for wallpaper borders that will blend with the current colors. If the border is placed around 40" from the floor it will become a new focal point and be seen immediately when entering the room. If it is place around the top edge of the wall it will appear as more of a finished, bordering look to the room.

Don't hesitate to choose patterns that simply build on your child's favorite hobbies or interest. There is a huge variety available from dancing, to cowboys, to extreme x games and to Disney classics. Color scheme will be almost insignificant if you use this method to choose your new room look. Most likely you already have many of your child's favorites incorporated into the room now. Adding a huge wall mural or appliques will become like another accessory in the room and will help tie in all of the other pieces.

Using wallpaper border or wall appliques is very easy and is a project that can be completed in just a couple of hours. Using the kids' hands to help is even better, especially if you select a wallpaper border. There are generally two kinds of borders. One is self-sticking which is basically like a 15' long wall sticker. The other kind is pre-pasted and will need to be dipped into water to activate the glue.

Choose your room to facelift. Improve everyone's mood while you do the project and see your child's joy during the process and then get the benefit of a great new mood in the room itself! You can't lose out on this project. The selections of kid's wallpaper borders and wall appliques are huge these days. They are environmentally safe, good quality, mold resistant and made to be easy to install with minimal inconvenience. This indoor season is the perfect timing and the kids will love you even more!

I have experimented with a variety of ways to place wallpaper border in rooms and have enjoyed all of them. We have allowed the kids to put wall appliques where they wanted them. There is no wrong place so be comfortable putting your new decor where it will work best in your kid's rooms. Look for a variety of ideas at http://yourwallpaperborder.com.

By Mihaela C Schwartz

The doll that has single-headedly dominated the market for many decades was born in March 1959. Ruth Handler, wife of one of the Mattel Company's co-founders, is credited with the original idea of creating this doll during a family trip through Europe. It is believed that she was inspired by the German Bild Lilli and by her daughter giving adult roles to her dolls while playing. Millions of items have been sold ever since its inception and the manufacturers have come up with different Barbie models. In reality, there is a base, which has been undergoing constant changes, but remained basically the same.

According to Mattel, Barbie embodied the Western of beauty of that time: slender legs, tiny waistline, long arms and neck. This anatomically improbable beauty ensured her success, but also attracted lots of controversies. Fair and dark haired models have emerged on the market over the years, but eventually the blond girl imposed herself. Despite the constantly proclaimed novelty, the doll remained the same. The changes are minor, but significant. There are aesthetic changes which refer to the hair length and color and especially to the costumes and there are technical changes, mainly allowing Barbie to become more flexible.

Completely rigid initially, Barbie has acquired subsequently, some flexibility. In 1964, she can bend her knees and she can open and close her eyes. Since 1965, all the dolls of the family have articulated legs. In 1967 her bust swings and the following year, Barbie starts talking. In the early 1970s, a new improved technique is used to link her hands and fingers. In 1977, the Olympic dolls make gestures and in 1979, Barbie sends kisses and makes a movement of the arm if you press on her back.

It is however true that the doll's morphology has slightly changed. In the two first years, her face softened, her eyebrows became less strong. In 1963, Barbie has also changed her hair style by means of interchangeable wigs. In 1967, she took a more smiling face, a straight look and long hair. In 1971, within the Malibuseries, Barbie and Ken appeared tanned. In 1973, she has the features of a Super Star. In the late 1970s, a giant Barbie of 45 cm was launched on the market, but the 29 cm doll continued to be the company's best seller. In those years, Barbie looks more and more like a photo-model, reflecting the extraordinary success of the fashion industry and the influence of women magazines such as Seventeen, launched in the 1960s.

During the 80s, Barbie attacked the international tastes coming out as an Irish, Canadian, German, Peruvian, Swedish, Indian, Eskimo, Spanish, Scottish, Italian and Parisian symbol. During the 90s, Barbie is ready to go to a reception and dance waltz, but she can also ride a Harley Davidson or help the X-Files detectives.

In 1992, Mattel created a Barbie model that had precisely the size of a child - My Size Barbie - and it is presented to customers as the first doll with which girls can exchange clothes. How ever, its price does not make it available for every budget and nor are the other two special models issued the same year: The Empress Bride dressed in a tulle crinoline and Neptune's Fantasy - a miniature pink diva. They both speak, which is a sign that the morphological changes start to be competed by technical ones.

Nowadays, Barbie is a whole universe and her fans are mostly interested in the life she leads, in her feelings and all the challenges her manufacturers put her through. Motivated by the fierce competition brought on the market by the now equally famous Bratz dolls, Barbie has lately become more active socially in order to keep up with her fans' demands.

By Todd Leavitt

When shopping for playground sets you will notice you have three choices: Wood, metal or plastic. Wooden playsets are by far the best choice for several different reasons.

First of all wood is durable and can last for many years, which means that you get the most of use of it for your money. This is especially true if it is sealed with the right weather resistant treatments. Metal playsets get rusty and start cracking and degrading at the seams. Plastic also easily cracks, especially if older kids get on them and stomp around. Wooden playsets will just look nicely rustic and weathered after a few years whereas plastic or metal playground sets can really give your backyard the appearance of a junkyard.

Wood playground sets are also superior because they are so sturdy. Plastic sets are easily squashed and can look cheap. Metal sets get extremely cold and pose the risk of frozen hands and tongues stuck to metal but most wood swing sets consist of a tire hanging from a rope which makes it safer for small grips.

Furthermore wooden playsets can be firmly anchored into the earth whereas the metal ones tend to sway or rock a bit. The best ones will have through-bolts at the joints and recessed hardware that prevents small hands and clothing from being scratched and cut. You should also avoid hardware with over the bolts or joints and they can come loose and become a choking hazard.

Many manufacturers will allow you to add features to wooden forts like wood swing sets, slides, rock walls, swings, trapezes netting and tire swings to a basic fort-like construction. You can add components as you please which allows you to stay within your budget for the unit in the first place.

Many manufacturers are also offering features that adults can enjoy as well like hammocks and exercise rungs. This is not necessarily the case with metal or plastic playground which tend to be a bit more limited in scope. For instance metal and plastic playgrounds rarely come with a built-in dwelling like a playhouse or a fort.

Choose wooden playground sets made out of woods that are naturally resistant rot and insect invasions like redwood, cypress and cedar. You should also look for wooden sets that are approved by the American Society for Testing Materials; this means that the wood has not been treated with anything toxic. Finally, realize that the best wood playground sets are well polished or sanded so that your children don't risk get splinters.

By Todd Leavitt

The reason more and more parents are installing kids playsets in their backyard is because it really is getting more dangerous to send your kids to the park. Thanks to the recession more homeless people and drug dealers tend to hang out there. Furthermore you don't know what kind of shape the playset at the public playground or school is in, or when it was last inspected for splinters, loose screws, nails or cracks. For many reasons, it is a much better idea to have your kids bring their friends over to your backyard to play on wooden playsets you have chosen for their safety and versatility.

There are several types of playsets on the market with metal being a bit old-fashioned and even plastic sets looking kind of seventies retro and like they belong inside an Ikea or McDonald's. The only real style of kids playsets that is really standing the test of time are the wooden ones. Wooden playsets have a more classic look to them and nowadays you can buy beautiful designs that look like forts or playhouses.

Choosing wooden playsets can be all about choosing the right kind of wood materials, especially if you are planning on having it last a long time. Both redwood and cedar material natural oils that help keep the wood from cracking for years.

Kids can be quite hard on playsets. You want to make sure that the unit you choose can sustain jumping, climbing and swinging back forth. Many of the wooden playsets available nowadays boast separate rock climbing walls and tire swings that supported securely on triple joints. Look for sets that have bolts and other fixtures embedded into the wood and ladders that are slightly angled and have skid-proof details. Ladders on playset should have guard rails.

Finally, if you are a family that is trying to make eco-sustainable choices than buying a wood playground is a good choice. Metal and plastic playground parts can rot in landfills for years and plastic can leach all kinds of chemicals into the ground and the water table. If you want to make a solid choice of kids playsets that is good for the environment then choose wooden playsets.

One thing to consider when choosing kids playsets is versatility. Nowadays wooden playsets come with a variety of features that you can add on as the kid's grow. Your child can graduate from a swing with a bucket seat to a glider to a hammock swing. This means that you can "grow" your kids playset as your kids do.

Superior Play Sets has been creating quality play system since 1993. They have the best selection of kids playsets such as wooden playsets.

By Lorraine M Burns

ABC Card Game

Games are fun for children, so turn the alphabet into a series of entertaining activities, and your child will get from A to Z in no time. For this game, make 26 playing-size cards, each having a letter from the alphabet on one side. (Make the many back sides identical.) Also, make a worksheet for each player with every one of the letters written on it.

Shuffle the cards, and let each person pick the top card off the deck. Whenever a player picks a card, she ought to say the name in the letter and cross it off her worksheet. Only the player who picks the card gets to cross the letter off the worksheet. A player who forgets the name of your letter cannot cross it off.

As soon as the gamers have turned above the many cards, shuffle them and keep playing. The player who crosses off all the letters of the alphabet for the worksheet first wins.

Alphabet Puzzle

An alphabet puzzle is definitely an effective way to teach your kid the ABCs mainly because it allows him to visualize the letters inside alphabet although placing them along in order. For this game you will have to have large foam alphabet puzzle pieces. Instruct your child to put the puzzle jointly making sure that the alphabet is in correct order. He can not match two incorrect alphabet letters next to each other expected on the various puzzle piece shapes. Permit your child to run through the puzzle the moment as demo. Then, have him put the puzzle along again though you time him having a stopwatch. Play the puzzle game daily and time him each time till his score will get better and better.

Letter Match

Letter Match can be a game in which your child need to match the uppercase letter to the suitable lowercase letter on a worksheet. Create a worksheet with two columns of letters. One column should have uppercase letters along with the second column should have all lowercase letters. Your child will use a crayon to draw a line from your "A" on the "a," etc. To make the worksheet additional fascinating and stimulating, draw pictures next to the letters of images that get started with that letter.

You can make your own ABC games to teach your kids. With games, kids will discover abc easily and effectively.