Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Homeschooling: School at home

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

Homeschooling, a concept that dates back to those times when school attendance was not compulsory, has come back in an entirely new avatar, and caught the US educational unawares. According to the NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute), there are over 2 million homeschooled students in the US.

This might disappoint the supporters of the traditional schooling system and standardized tests (NCLB et al) those homeschooled students perform better not only in K-12 grades, but also in standardized exams like the ACT and SAT. (Read http://www.nheri.org/Research-Facts-on-Homeschooling.html to learn more).

A homeschool curriculum is flexible and effective. With issues like teen violence and drug abuse becoming commonplace, homeschooling seems to be the right solution. With a customized homeschool program, children can learn at their pace.

homeschool

Online tutoring takes homeschooling to the next level. With tailor-made homeschool curriculum, online tutoring allows you to set your own studying hours and monitor your child’s progress. Parents across the world are choosing homeschool over formal learning methods. Homeschooling, in fact, has been made legal in many developed nations. Researchers have shattered the myth that parents need have certified teaching experience for homeschooling their children.

Education should not force children to memorize concepts. Education, in the real sense, should make a child a responsible citizen. Homeschooled students, according to statistics, grow up into responsible, involved adults. Educating children at home can also let you control their eating habits- perhaps the best solution to Child Obesity. From improving academic performance to character development, a homeschool program can work wonders for your child, and you too.

Is your Child getting OBESE?

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Obesity statistics published by the US Department of Health and Human Services bring to light the epidemic growth of obesity across the United States among children and teenagers. What causes teen obesity? Lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating habits are two of the most important causes of weight-relates issues among teenagers.

obesity

Obesity in teens have frightening consequences- heart diseases, social discrimination and lack of self esteem. Since the early 70’s, the percentage of overweight children and adolescents has doubled. Recent surveys paint no better picture. With the popularity of readymade food (read ‘burgers’, ‘pizza’, and aerated drinks), United States can boast of an incredibly large teenage population that is obese.

While there is no magical solution to get rid of this problem, parents can surely contribute and arrest the further growth of obesity and related diseases. One of the best solutions to changing the eating habits of children is to provide them with a nutritious breakfast every morning. It is no rocket science to understand that a full stomach would crave less for junk food as compared to an empty belly.

Physical activities like baseball, cycling, running, playing with the dog, soccer and swimming can burn hundreds of calories in little time. Good eating habits are often developed at home. Parents should encourage their children to eat healthy food. Television viewing should be restricted as commercials shown on the TV urge children to crave for fried snack, fattening burgers and sugar-coated candy. Parents should explain the benefits of eating healthy food to their children. Obesity might hamper the proper development of your child. It’s better we start working against it before it is too late!

Break the Fast

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

If we break the word breakfast into two, we get the words ‘break’ and ‘fast’. So breakfast is the best way to break the fast! In other words, a breakfast is a ‘fast’ way to ‘break’ free from hunger in the morning.

breakfast

Children need a lot of energy to stay active at school. After school, they play sports. For all this, their body requires the right kind of food. And nothing can be better than to start a day with a nutritious breakfast.

Many children skip their breakfast, and munch on junk food during the day, thus resulting in unnecessary weight gain. Parents can help their children learn good eating habits. The first step towards this would be ensuring that children eat a breakfast that is rich in protein, carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.

cow

Food items like eggs, milk, yoghurt, brown bread, nuts, and fruits make for a good breakfast. Whole grain cereals must also be made a part of a healthy breakfast. For those who are in a hurry to go to school, parents should pack the breakfast properly and let their child carry it to school.

Breakfast, nutritional experts say, is the most important meal of the day. Avoiding breakfast, therefore, would not only make your child crave for junk food, but also make him lazy and restless. Even the American Dietetic Association has confirmed the importance of breakfast. The habit of eating breakfast, if developed from early childhood, can last a lifetime. Hence, parents should ensure that children never miss breakfast.

Biker Kids: Teach them Road safety

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Cycling is fun.  Most children like to hop on their bikes and ride into the woods. But sometimes, they also meet with unexpected accidents while crossing a busy traffic signal or a congested street intersection.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of parents to teach safety rules to children before allowing them to use their bicycles.

Practice

Children should be asked to cycle in parks until they learn how to ride a bicycle properly. Parents should always be around while kids enjoy biking. Kids should be taught to ride in a straight line, brake efficiently, and corner the bike correctly.

traffic_signal

No Helmet No Bike

Government has made it compulsory for bikers to wear helmets. Ensure that your child does not ride a bike without his helmet on.

The Right Helmet and Positioning

Parents should teach children how to wear a helmet properly. Preferably, they should use images such as the following to make them understand the right way to wear a helmet. The helmet that you buy for your kid must be approved. Many children develop the habit of cycling wearing a cap. This is dangerous, and therefore, should be avoided.

helmet

The Right Bike

Bicycles come in different shapes and sizes.  A bike meant for a 13 year old kid might be unsafe for a 7 year old. Hence, one should check the bike’s size before buying it. When your kid sits on the bicycle, his feet should reach the ground. Bicycle seats are important for your child’s safety. They should be comfortable and sturdy. Regular servicing of your child’s mean-machine is important too.

Pedestrian safety Rules: Does your Child know these?

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Road accidents that involve pedestrians have become commonplace, blame it on increasing traffic or congested roads. Reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and unnecessary accelerating to overtake someone have contributed to the growing cases of road accidents.

It, therefore, becomes important for parents and teachers to teach road safety rules to children. Pedestrian safety rules, in fact, should be made a part of the school curriculum. Children are not going to learn pedestrian safety rules unless we teach them. Listed here are some of the rules that teachers and parents can teach children.

Crossing the road with an Adult

Pedestrian_safety

Children should be instructed to cross the street only when there is an elder person with them. As children appear short to drivers of heavy vehicles like trucks and buses, the company of an adult can possibly reduce the chances of fatalities. In the absence of an adult, children should be taught to ask the nearby policeman or traffic policeman to help them cross the street.

Understanding Traffic Signs

Children should be able to figure out the meanings of the ‘WALK’ and ‘DON’T WALK” signs. Elders should teach them the meaning of the red and green signals. Zebra crossing should be used to teach kids when to cross the street.

Look on Either Side

Parents should demonstrate to kids the importance of looking to the left, then to the right and again to the left before crossing a road. It takes just a few seconds to avoid a possible mishap.

Use of Sidewalks

Sidewalks are generally elevated from the driving street in order to protect pedestrians from possible accidents. Children should be taught to use the sidewalks.

Pedestrian rules, if followed, can save the lives of millions. The lessons children learn at a young age become a part of their lives when they grow up. That is why it is best to teach them at an early age.

Unhappy with your child’s Grades- Provide him with an Online Tutor

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Teachers play a major role in shaping the personality of children. A child, during his early years, grasps most of the behavioral traits from his parents and his teachers among others. Education, therefore, should not only be focused (more…)