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Posts Tagged ‘Children’

Teach Your Children How To Budget

By NBPuser On September 24, 2010 No Comments

With the state of the global economy right now, it is more important than ever to teach your children how to budget. Many parents do not realize that children are very open to learning how to use money correctly. The most influential people in most children's lives are their parents, and it is a parent's responsibility to teach their children how to handle money responsibly.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to teach a child how to budget is to model good budgeting practices for them. That means that they should not see you wasting money on frivolous or unnecessary items. Instead, your children should see and hear you talking about your monthly budget in a positive way. You should talk to them about how much extra money the family might have or will need to save for fun things like vacations. Be open and honest about your budget, and even include your children in family discussions about the state of the family finances.

For instance, you may want to show your children what monthly bills look like. You could try to involve them in paying your monthly bills. Show them how you write checks, and demonstrate how you pay bills online. Show them how you set aside a certain amount of money each month to cover all of your monthly expenses.

Another great thing to do is to teach them the value of money. It's OK and even advisable to tell your child that there are times when they will need to choose between two or more things. Give them a basic economics lesson on supply and demand. Explain that resources are limited in any system - including the family finances - and they must make choices, but they can't have everything they want all of the time.

Too many parents do not explain to their children the realistic limitations of finances. It's important to teach them at an early age that there are financial obligations that they must be met when they get older. If you teach them while they are young, they will know how to make sound financial decisions, and be less likely to make mistakes that will jeopardize their ability to achieve financial success as adults.


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0 0 15px;margin-top:-1px;text-align:center;color:#2179d2} - About the Author:

In addition to teaching your children how to budget, find out how to get your own budget in shape and refinance student loans at Student Loan Consolidations website.


Information from Teach Your Children How To Budget

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Benefits and Practising Sports for Children

By admin On August 1, 2010 No Comments

It's the unique benefit of sports to children. The reasons are numerous, but it is worth mentioning the supreme importance of two.

The first is the physical part, highly recommended by doctors in order to better development with regard to strengthening bone and muscle, accelerated metabolic activity and hence the physical growth. Specifically at the point of delay in growth, it is recommended to practice swimming and martial arts without forgetting that the use of protective equipment that the sport demands is essential to protect the athlete.

The second reason is related intellectual part. In sports the use of the intellect is strongly required, which increases the power of concentration and agility, while maintaining the neurons activated, which is essential for greater speed in the learning process, mainly aged between 0 and 9 years and brings positive consequences in the long term.

The second point concerns the motivational aspect. To be entered in any sport, the child learns lessons in how to react in adverse situations, how to manage an outcome that suits you, how to face opponents considered larger than themselves, among other situations.

In all these, just past topics is natural as learning basic features, both for an athlete, as for a sedentary. These include: discipline, having scheduled time and a goal to be accomplished, that particular day's training or competition, level of competitiveness, if one thinks that only one can win out and that the opportunity to do so depends upon the performance that competition period; sportsmanship by acknowledging what was done as much, but if one day the victory did not come, another opportunity will come, then the chance may not be used to let it go, obedience, especially to the technical that is, or should be, as part of motivational support and motivator, able to take her to not giving up, when the frustrations come.

On such points should be kept as close to balance, so that the physical and psychological can be worked in the same bracket, and thus assist the athlete in both sports, as in life.

The sport is a practical and enjoyable from what could be a situation faced off the field, mats and swimming pools, for example, an opportunity to enter the job market.

A Fulltimer Blogger who have a high concern about all positive activities, especially for kids.

Look at my blog at Positive Life and Business Journey

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Benefits Of A Musical Education On Children

By admin On August 1, 2010 No Comments

Article from: My Family UK

Music education classes can enrich the life of an adult or child in many ways. Children who learn a musical instrument or sing usually perform better on test scores at school.

Music and the family


Learning a musical instrument is a great way to help focus your child's mind, and start unlocking new channels of creativity. The whole family can benefit from this sort of musical education, as you will watch your child learn and develop, but also be there to encourage them and help them practice. If you're still unsure, read the following explanations, and see if you feel differently.

1) Self-confidence

For those who have music education classes in school, learning an instrument and playing in a band can be lots of fun. Children as young as eight or nine can be taught how to play a variety of instruments. Bands usually have concerts on a regular basis where the children can play for their parents and others in the school. Interaction during classes and a performance in front of an audience allows the child to build their social skills, and be rewarded with praise for their efforts.


2) Quick thinking

Learning about the value of notes, time signatures, and exits and entrances helps develop the rapid response system of the brain. Translating the notes into hand positions and the beats into seconds will also improve focus, add to mathematical skills, and improve the brain's analytical faculty.

3) Stress Reduction

Music has widely been regarded as an effective mean to reduce stress. In fact, this is one of the reasons that make music education so popular. Many people actually feel calmer and cheerful when playing music, including children. However, heavy metal or rock music tends to have the reverse effect on many people and it is generally not suitable as a mean for stress reduction.


4) Independence

If there is no music education program offered at a child's school, their parents can opt to send the child to private lessons. This are just as beneficial, but in a different way. Instead of being part of a band, the child will have to learn to rely on themself when it comes to getting notes right, timing, and the discipline of practising. Of course, their parent can play a large role in this particular area.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you'll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go now!

My Family UK is a brand new website that is turning the online focus back onto families. We're dedicated to supporting you and your family live the life you choose to the full, with games, tips, offers and articles on all aspects of parenting. If your family means the world to you, check out www.myfamilyuk.com.

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How to Deal with Defiance in Children Who Have Experienced Trauma

By admin On July 31, 2010 No Comments

"No, I don't feel like it."  That was the response I got a few weeks ago when I asked my adopted son to take a shower.  I had prepared him ahead of time, given him a five minute warning, and had retrieved his clothing to make it easier.  Still, he was "defying" me.  Why?

For a stranger watching this exchange, you may have thought I was too lenient in my response when I replied, "Okay, I'm going to ask you again in five minutes."  When we signed up for our foster parent program I would have laughed at such a response. If you knew my son however, and the dark issues of trauma that surround his past, you would know something deeper was at work here.

Traumatized children are sometimes hard to read.  We make assumptions about them that are untrue based on our own perceptions.  The biggest thing I have learned about dealing with what looks like defiance in my adopted children is that things are often not what they seem.  If I can keep my cool long enough to get to the heart of the matter, scenarios like this one do not escalate and my kids are happier, and more relaxed.  In addition, they have fewer discipline problems.  Not because I ignore their
issues (they aren't the type of issues that can be ignored!) but because I approach my children with understanding and mercy.

So what did I do about the shower?  First, I considered the situation.  We were up late the night before and often that means my son has urinated in his pull-up.  He has a distended bowel due to anxiety (former foster kids often have anxiety issues) and
late nights can mean he has feces in his pants as well.  This makes him embarrassed, especially since he doesn't have the small motor skills to clean himself up properly. Usually when he refuses to take a shower it means he needs help but is too embarrassed to ask.  When the timer beeped I made sure we were out of earshot of his siblings and quietly asked him if he needed help getting cleaned up.  He nodded and went immediately to the bathroom.

This issue was not defiance at all--it was a simple matter of embarrassment.  If I had treated it as defiance (which I am sad to report, I have in the past) it would only have damaged my relationship with my son and we would not have solved anything. He may have been clean, but our relationship may have needed repairing.  One step forward, two steps back.

Know your child.  Know his issues.  Learn his heart and lead him to the love you have for him.

Sandra Nardoni is an adoptive and home educating mom of three children, ages 11,9, and 8. Her articles have appeared in the Parenting Solutions Journal, a newsletter devoted to serving parents of special needs children who have been adopted. Sandra adopted her two youngest children from the foster care system and enjoys helping other adoptive parents struggling with severe behaviors. To find out more about Sandra's family visit her at her blog, http://www.urbanfarmkids.blogspot.com. You can sign up for a free mini-course about adopting from the foster care system at http://www.adoptioncounts.com.

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Great Selection of Sports–to Benefit Children With Autism

By admin On July 31, 2010 No Comments

There are many sports that can help children with autism. As a matter of fact, there is a great selection, to get your child interested, for him or her to create a new experience, and fun. I have learned, there is no special one-of-a-kind sport for your child to enjoy. Introduce your child to various sports that you think your child might have an interest in, or the sport your child talks about having an interest in, and would like to try it.

It is imperative to remember, each child who has autism has various communication skills, and various coordination and motor skills. Know the strengths and weaknesses of your child before you introduce him or her to certain sports. However, there are some children, whose weaknesses, become stronger with certain sports and they develop better motor, and coordination skills. Never force or push your child into a sport that is not going to be helpful for their well-being.

Some of the selections of sports are:

* Swimming--this sport is relaxing, it can be fun, by throwing a ball back and forth, floating and coordination of using strokes to strengthen, legs and arms.

* Hiking--this is a great sport to get fresh air, see the beauty of nature, flowers, birds, bugs, rocks, and it is peaceful. It requires very little communication, if your child chooses not to talk or wants to be less talkative. It is another sport that is less stressful.

* Bike riding--this sport can be introduced, when your child is young. You might want to start out with training wheels or a bicycle built for two (tandem bicycle), that would help your child feel more comfortable. Bike riding is a great way to exercise, strengthen muscles, obtain balance and coordination. It can be a sport for the whole family to enjoy.

These are a few of the great selections of sports your child can be part of . The various kinds of sports, depend on where you live, the climate, the season, and what your child is capable of doing.

Having your child participate in sports, builds, their self-esteem, teaches team work, better communication, better motor skills, coordination, discipline, and brings the family together as a unit.

Try to introduce your child to various sports at all levels of their age. If your child gets frustrated with noise, crowds, or has a difficult time understanding how to play some of the sports, start out simple, for example, something like hiking, or just going to a relaxing garden, where there are flowers and little stress.

You as parent(s), caregiver(s), know your child, but never give up, because children with autism have many abilities to enjoy, and take part in many activities of sports. Be creative, and encourage your child. It will be a joyful experience.

"Bonita Darula is inviting you to be her guest at ==> http://www.autismintoawareness.com that provides you with an imperative e-book, about Autism. If you want to learn, the secret truth about treatments, diet, nutrition, research, coping, siblings, compulsive rituals, potty training and other topics that are crucial for your child. Take action now and download your e-book."

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1 Way To Get Your Ex Wife Back After Divorce When Children Are Involved

By admin On July 30, 2010 No Comments

If you are in love with your ex wife, I'm sure you are trying to figure out the one way to get your ex wife back after divorce when children are involved. Yes, it might seem like a never, but believe me if you play your cards right, she will give in as quick as she said yes when she agreed to marry you the first time.

You are probably feeling miserable and depressed; it is understandable, because you lost someone who you gave your heart to, but please don't turn this situation into something that takes complete control over your life in the wrong way.

Now, if you have children with her, don't constantly tell your children that you want her back and the reason for your divorce. It might seem like the right thing to do, but that child will somehow be in the middle of choosing sides and you don't want that to happen or worst, you don't want your children to hold a grudge because they wish both of you was still married. Doing this will not help you get your ex wife back, it will draw her further away.

One way to get your ex wife back after divorce is to continue being the best father for your children and to never interfere with what's going on in her new life without you by trying to convince her to feel sorry for you, because you want her back in your life.

Once she notice that you are OK with being without her, she will feel more comfortable to talk to you and eventually draw closer to you. After all, both of you have to communicate because both of you have children together.

Are you sure you want to get your ex wife after divorce?

Watch a quick making up video by a romantic guy name T. Dub who has helped over 50,000 people get their ex lover back. After watching the video, pick up a copy of his successful ebook, "Magic of Making Up". 

Saytue Saye helps her friends and family with relationship problems. Participate in her new "Making Up, Not Break Up" forum, created specifically for those needing help get their ex back. And don't forget to request your free ebook! 

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Common Behavioral Problems in Children – Are You Trapped in Not Following Through?

By admin On July 30, 2010 No Comments

It is tough enough to keep up with the common behavioral problems in children these days if you feel confident in your parenting action plan. However, if you are not getting the results you are hoping for in your family life, one place to double-check is if you are stuck in the habit of not following through as you work with your children to help them overcome their behavioral problems.

Following through with your kids takes time and effort, to be sure. It can downright inconvenient, which is why so many parents fall back to nagging instead.

The question becomes, though, does nagging work?

My answer as a parent for over 27 years is "no". But you need to answer for yourself and your family's situation. If nagging is working for you, then by all means, continue it.

If you are like me and long for a better relationship with your kids than nagging can supply, then you will appreciate a better quality answer to your children's behavioral problems.

== Common Behavioral Problems - a Quick Peek

The problems kids deal with are often age-related, but here are the common challenges most all kids struggle with as they grow.

· Not doing their chores at home.

· Not doing their school work.

· Being disrespectful at home or school.

· Lack of self-control.

· Lack of self-discipline.

· Selfish behavior.

· Not taking personal responsibility.

There are other childhood issues and these challenges do overlap, nevertheless, it's easy to see how most childhood behavior problems flow from these basic situations.

As a parent, following through is an extremely effective tool you can use as you help guide your child to better behavioral patterns. It is not a guaranteed tool (no such thing in the parenting world), but NOT using follow through almost does guarantee failure in your home. Consider that!

Following through simply means that the rules or consequences you lay down, you enforce. So, the first rule that applies to you as the parent is...

= don't state a rule or consequence you have no intention or way of carrying out!

Next...

= make sure the consequence is more on the child than on you. In other words, the major inconvenience for this consequence should involve the child, not involve you jumping through hoops to HELP your child comply.

And next again...

= it is your child's job to test your limits and it is your parenting job to be a firm and unmovable wall in your task of enforcing the consequences you laid out.

In light of this information...

is your child is whining?

Doesn't matter.

Is your child throwing a fit?

Doesn't matter.

Is your child saying he hates you?

Doesn't matter.

Don't be emotionally sidetracked by your child's behavior. Instead respond according to the consequences you have established.

Think of it this way: there are common behavioral problems in children and there are common healthy parenting behaviors designed to help kids work through those growing up challenges.

Following through is a big one.

So stand your ground, mom or dad. It's your job to be the sheriff with the big star and the white hat. Your kids are finding out if they can respect you to say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't disappoint them! Be the hero, the leader in your family.

It will be one of the best things you ever do.

Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 27 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Visit her website and get more ideas about dealing with common behavioral problems in children today.

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Summer Camp For Children: Horse Riding And Spanish In Spain

By admin On July 30, 2010 No Comments

This summer Instituto Hemingway organises a summer camp for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The camp will take place between the 21st June 2010 and the 31st July 2010 and combines horse riding lessons with Spanish or English lessons and outdoor and sports activities.

Children from different nationalities can participate in this international summer camp which gives them the opportunity to learn how to ride a horse and enjoy the holidays whilst learning English or Spanish.

The summer camp is situated in Valdegovía (Álava- Spain) which can be easily accessed from Bilbao or Vitoria. A transfer service is available from the stations and airports in these cities to the camp.

The program includes 1.5 daily Spanish lessons from Monday to Friday which are given in small groups with native teachers who have specific training in teaching English/Spanish as a second language. These classes are interactive and enjoyable and strengthen the ability of the child to communicate and use the language in a real-life context.
The program also includes horse riding lessons which combine practising, walks, and active participation in the daily lives of the horses. The children will have the opportunity to learn how to ride as a beginner or to improve their technique and will learn how to feel at ease with the horses and with nature itself.
The camp is complete with cultural activities, sports and excursions and a special swimming pool. In this way we encourage meetings between children from different nationalities and the exchange of English and Spanish between children from different countries.
The main objectives of the program are for the children to learn and perfect their English/Spanish as a foreign language and to learn or perfect their horse riding technique, to encourage the children to take part in recreational and sports activities, to learn about the wealth of culture and nature of the region and to encourage values such as independence, responsibility, organisation, discipline and teamwork in a friendly atmosphere.
The program includes accommodation from Sunday to Friday in comfortable bungalows in the Angosto Campsite, full board, activities, educational material, equipment for activities, medical and accident insurance and 24 hour care and supervision by teachers and instructors.

Price per child: €380 per week (from Sunday to Friday) You can participate from a minimum of one week.

For more information and to enrol you can contact us by telephone on +34 944 16 79 01 or by email: info@institutohemingway.com

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Top Ten Ways to Disciple Your Children Like Jesus Did (Part 2 of 2)

By admin On July 29, 2010 No Comments

Many, many books have been written about how to raise children. Statistics from independent research organizations indicate that these books have helped very little. Over two million children are leaving the church each year, never to return. One half of one percent of young adults have a biblical worldview, that's one in two hundred! Jesus said that "we will know a tree by its fruit" and judging from these statistics the "tree" looks pretty sick.

Could a biblical approach make a difference? There are some things things that we can learn about parenting from Jesus Christ. Jesus showed us how to make disciples and then commanded us to do the same. Below you will find the last five of a "top ten" list about how to make disciples and enjoy the great blessings of your children.

5.  Provide loving correcting to your children, and never discipline in anger. In the same way that a coach corrects his players, parents need even more to provide loving correction and guidance.

4.  Frequently teach your children about God and scripture each day; that's what Jesus did! Take advantage of time in the home, in the car, at the park, etc to talk about the goodness of the Lord.

3.  Take your children into the world to minister to others.  Find opportunities to take meals, cookies, flowers, cards, and tracks to others in need.  Pray for, minister to and give testimonies to the needy. 

2.  Protect your lambs from the many wolves in our culture by being with them.  In Psalm 23 Jesus the Shepherd was with His flock as they walked through “the valley of the shadow of death.”

1.  Once your children are fully trained, send them out with other trusted adults. After training His adult disciples, Jesus sent them out in twos.  He said “I send you out as lambs among wolves.” 

I would like to invite you to get my free e-book entitled, "Disciple Like Jesus, an Introduction For Parents and Grandparents." You will find this free e-book at http://www.disciplelikejesus.com/free-ebooks.html

Alan Melton is the founder of Disciple Like Jesus ministry, and co-author of "Disciple Like Jesus For Parents." His articles have been featured in numerous publications, and he speaks at churches, associations and conferences. Married to Donna since 1977, he has two children, Jennifer and Ryan.

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Help Your Children Learn Spanish – Finding the Best Language Course For Your Kids

By admin On July 28, 2010 No Comments

So you want to give this amazing gift to your children? You want them to have an edge over future adults searching for a job in our ever-growing world? If the answer is yes, then you also know that in today's reality, anyone who has the ability to speak more than one language has a serious advantage over everyone else, and that it is not going to change anytime soon...

<strong>Learning a new language can be costly.</strong>

If you are reading this article, then I assume that you are searching for the best Spanish schools for children. But before you register your child to any course given by a real teacher, let me tell you this: online courses, created by professional teachers who have their students' success on their mind, are just as good... And come at a fraction of the price of what a good Spanish school would charge you.

<strong>Scheduling "after-school" courses: Time is often a problem.</strong>

One of the problems many parents face with helping their children learn Spanish is the scheduling of the courses. We live in a fast paced world now, and with both parents often having a separate career, we find ourselves constantly striving to find more free time to spend with our family. Language Schools schedule their courses between 5pm and 9pm during weekdays, making it hard for parents to drive their children to those courses 2 times a week when they are busy at home taking care of family tasks, homework and such.

<strong>Finding an alternative.</strong>

Luckily, there are some online alternatives that can be considered. There are many websites offering "do it yourself" written language courses. Unfortunately, those websites aren't suited for children, as a child needs interactions and images to learn properly. Moreover, written courses need a lot of maturity and discipline. The best alternative for your child would be an online course created by real teachers, as it allows you to help your children learn Spanish for a reasonable price, while offering them the possibility to learn at home whenever you want them to.

One of the best online alternatives available is Rocket Spanish. It contains tons of amazing content: audio lessons, software games, live assistance and more. For more information, check this report:

Rocket Spanish Review.

It is currently the most downloaded online Spanish course on the planet, check it out: Click Here.

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Dealing with Manipulative Children: How To Stop Manipulative Children From Controlling You

By admin On July 27, 2010 No Comments

Dealing with manipulative adults is one thing, but dealing with manipulative children is something else entirely.

It's a lot more challenging to handle such a situation because you're talking about kids here. They know how much power they have and how little you can do to them. And if you're unfortunate enough, you might be dealing with your very own children.

Dealing with manipulative children requires a certain finesse. You can't just charge into a situation without a game plan. Lucky for you, this article will tell you just what to do.

1) Show Them Who's Boss.

Kids may cry, stomp, sulk and throw tantrums all they want, but you can't give in. A lot of people make the mistake of giving the kids what they want just to get the whole scene over with. However, that only teaches the kids how effective their techniques are.

When dealing with manipulative children, you cannot allow yourself to show any sign of weakness. Sure, sending your kid to bed early or to the "naughty" corner is hard for any parent, but discipline must be instilled.

Be firm with your decisions. After a while, you should also explain to them why what they did was wrong, to put everything into perspective.

2) Be Logical Instead Of Emotional.

When dealing with manipulative children, you have to prepare your emotions for a storm. Kids will try their best to appeal to you in every way possible.

To keep yourself on your path, stay logical. When the conversation turns into an argument, use logic to make your point. Emotions are fuzzy and will not be convincing enough.

For example, your kid might try pleading with you to attend a certain party. They will use every puppy dog trick in the book to get you to give them permission. But if you really don't want to allow your kid to go out - or you do not want to extend the kid's curfew - you're going to need to bring up every reasoning skill you have under your sleeve. And remember to keep your tone final. Know when to end the discussion.

3) Explain Your Own Emotions.

Sometimes, kids don't realize that their manipulative ways are hurting other people. Try to talk to the kid about your feelings and how it's wrong to manipulate others for their own benefit.

This is not a conversation to be had on the breakfast table, just before they go to school. Do this during a time when you know they don't have a lot in mind.

Dealing with manipulative children won't be easy at first. But if you follow these tips, you'll be able to avoid such situations and even turn the whole thing around.

Want to easily put people under your control? Use secret conversational hypnosis techniques to get them to eagerly do anything you want (without them knowing it)! Get a FREE course that reveals some of the most groundbreaking persuasion techniques and secrets at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/secrets.htm

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Animal Assisted Services for Children and all Pet Therapy Volunteers

By admin On July 27, 2010 No Comments

Presented by Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc. and with facilitator, Laura A. Weber, M.S., LMHC, this important program will be presented on Thursday, June 3, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.  The event will be held at Independence Hall - Recreation Room located at 1639 Northeast 26th Street in Wilton Manors, Florida.

 

 

Who should attend?

 

 

Pet Therapy Volunteers
Family Members and Caregivers of Individuals receiving Pet Therapy Services
Social Workers Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Nurses
Behavioral Health Administrators
Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Special Education Personnel
While designed for Pet Therapy Volunteers, behavioral/healthcare professionals and other youth service providers are encouraged to participate!

 

 

Professionals should RSVP by contacting Laurie Weber at (863) 243-1087 or laweber@htn.net .

 

Professionals must mail the $35 Registration Fee to:

Laura A. Weber Mental Health Associates, P.A.

Postal Box 1791

Lake Placid, Florida 33862

 

3 Continuing Education Credits will be provided by CTC, Inc., State Department of Health/Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, Mental Health Counseling; Provider AHCA/BAP120; Florida Certification Board, Provider #15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics being covered:

 

An introduction to the provision of Animal Assisted Therapy in various Youth Services settings.

 

Potential benefits for the general population, as well as children with special needs including developmental, emotional and physical disabilities, language and communication issues, at-risk family and environmental concerns.

 

The role of various professional disciplines in Animal Assisted Services program.

 

An overview of program - diverse environments, needs and animal companions.
Participants will gain a better understanding of these programs, needs of the individuals and their families, ways to better communicate with children and young adults and create a comfortable environment for the animal assisted interaction.

 

 

Cost: $15.00 for C.A.T. Members; $35.00 for Non-C.A.T. Members

 

 

All registration fees are non-refundable.  Register at:

https://events.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e2vlvu7ef0d7d375

 

 

Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc. (C.A.T.) (www.catdogs.org) headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides certification and placement of therapy dogs and their handlers into nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools and where there is a need for the companionship of a dog. 

 

 

C.A.T. is distinguishable from other pet therapy organizations because of the extensive testing of the dogs to insure proper temperament for therapy work, placement of volunteers in facilities, and overall support of volunteers.

 

Canine Assisted Therapy

www.catdogs.org

Joanne Jurgle, Asst. Director

info@catdogs.org

954-319-3170

Professional Marketing Firm for the Manufacturing Community and Manufacturing Journalist to most manufacturing magazines

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How to Select Musical Instruments for Children

By admin On July 27, 2010 No Comments

Learning to play musical instrument offers your child an outlet for creativity, enhances his self-esteem and also inculcates in him discipline and passion for music. Since music plays such a vital role in shaping your child's personality, it is always good to allow him to learn to play a musical instrument of his choice. Though there are numerous musical instruments for children, picking the right one for your kid is most important. Choosing an appropriate instrument makes all the difference between a blissful experience and a disappointing one for the kid.

There are several questions that you need to answer before choosing the right Kids music kit. Which are the easiest and hardest musical instruments for kids to play? What are their interest areas? Which teaching style is best for their temperament? These are some of the questions, the answers to which will help you pick the most suitable musical instrument for your child.

How to Select Musical instrument for Children?

Familiarize Yourself With The Different Musical Instruments: There are more than 35 different instruments that are available in the market. Though you may know some of the popular and widely used instruments like piano, drums, trumpet, guitar, flute etc, there are several others that you may not be aware of. Learn about them and find information on the families of these instruments.

A good knowledge about these musical instruments will help you to choose the right one for your child. You can get good amount of information on different instruments from books explaining the different families of the orchestra and also from relevant websites.

Identify Your Child's Talent: Before you decide to invest in any of the musical instruments for children, it is very important that you identify your child's aptitude and his interest for music. If your child enjoys music and shows interest in certain type of music then its worth thinking of getting a musical instrument for him. For instance, he may like the Do-Re-Mi piano tones or some other distinct kids music tunes and rhythms. In this case you must try to understand what type of music he is interested in and accordingly purchase the right instrument for him. It is very important that you gift an instrument that your child enjoys and is not a burden for him.

Consider Physical Attributes And Personal Characteristics: There are several other important factors that one must consider prior purchasing or hiring musical instruments for children. Some of the factors like child's age, size, temperament etc must be taken into account. For instance, a guitar or trumpet may not be the right choice for smaller kids. This is because while their short arms and small fingers may not be apt for the guitar strings, their stamina may not be enough to play the trumpet notes. Hence, select a kids music instrument that your child is comfortable with. Miniature string instruments like violins made down to 1/16 size are apt for the tiniest fingers and hence smaller kids even below the age of 5 can learn to play them.

Seek A Qualified Teacher For Private Lessons: A private teacher can be an invaluable resource who will not only provide music lessons to your kid but will also understand his abilities and hence suggest you about potential instrument purchases. He can also advice you about switching to alternate instruments (like, from violin to viola) as and when required. Alternatively, you can get referrals from your close friends about the right musical instruments for children whose children are already into music.

Make sure to consider all the above factors while selecting a musical instrument for your kid. It will help you choose just the right one for your child.

Z Kids Music recommends checking out its personalized kids music. When you purchase kids personalized CDs for your little ones, you make them extremely happy. Learn more at http://zkidsmusic.com.

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Teaching Children The Beauty of Sewing

By admin On July 26, 2010 No Comments

Sewing can be a wonderful bonding activity for parents and children because it nurtures creativity and resourcefulness in both parties. Unfortunately, most children aren't into sewing because the parents themselves don't encourage them to indulge in the craft.

If you are a parent who is into sewing and would like your child to join you. You must first show him or her the beauty of sewing. You can do this by slowly introducing the child into the craft starting with the sewing tools, patterns that can be used, different designs, color schemes and selections, types of fabrics, and accessories that can be used in sewing clothes, bags, and other items.

Romina Abrigo Editor of the "Sewing Machines For Sale" website -- http://www.SewingMachinesForsale.me -- pointed out;

"…When you're teaching a child to sew, make sure that you explain the purpose and advantages of sewing. Explain how they can benefit from it and what are the different creations the child can produce. You can also let the child watch you when you sew to tickle his or her curiosity and try the craft by himself…" Added Romina Abrigo 

When you are demonstrating the craft, make sure that you are confident with your work, and are ready to answer all the questions they might have.

Effective strategies to get kids started on sewing

No matter how you look forward to having your child join you while you are sewing, parents must never force the kids to do what they don't want to do. So, to spare you from the pains of forcing a child to get into sewing, you must access the child's personality first by observing him or her and by asking the child questions about his or her interest in sewing.

Expert sewers will agree that the basic trait to be able to enjoy sewing is his or her maturity level. This is because when the child is mature enough, he or she will develop the importance of finishing what was started. Maturity level can also develop dedication and discipline in your child because he or she understands the pros and cons of what they are doing.

Aside from maturity, you should also gauge the child's interest towards the craft. If you see him or her observing what you are doing while sewing and you feel the child's excitement about the outcome of the item, then you should give them a simple sewing project.

When teaching a child to sew, start with simple projects such as a handkerchief, table mat, or a simple blouse. Start with the basic patterns so the child will be familiar with the different patterns available. Also, choose designs and colors that are bright and happy to stimulate your child's positive attitude.

"…In teaching kids to sew, introduce them to hand sewing first. When you see that the child has mastered sewing by hand, you can introduce them to using the sewing machine with your guidance…" Added Romina Abrigo

Further information, resources and reviews of the best and cheap sewing machines for sale by clicking: http://www.SewingMachinesForSale.me

Hector Milla runs his corporate website at http://www.OpsRegs.com where you can see all his articles and press releases.

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4 Top Tips For A Great Relationship With Your Teenage Children

By admin On July 26, 2010 No Comments

Being a teenager has its own set of difficulties and can sometimes lead to turmoil – as we see and read about in our daily lives. It is crucial, therefore, that as parents, we try to give our children the necessary skills to deal with what may lie ahead.

1. Communication is key.

From an early age, we need to engage our children in conversations on all topics - at an age appropriate level – and encourage them to voice their opinions. We need to instill in them the notion that discussion is something that is very positive and can be very therapeutic at times. Being able to verbalise their problems, in later life, can aid the solutions.

2. Discipline is also important.

We often make the mistake of trying to be our children’s best friend and not the parent. We are parents, first and foremost, and we need to set guidelines for our children and stick to them. If we are not consistent with these ‘rules’ then we could be in for trouble. Teenagers need limits to be set and they need to understand why we, as parents, must set these limits. When they are adults, and working in the ‘real world’, hopefully, the standards and limits set for them as children will enable them to live and work to their fullest potential.

3. Laughter is so important.

Having fun with your teenagers is essential. Knowing what their interests are and joining in with them and making home life as loving and caring as possible gives them a sense of security and they know that we, their parents, are always there for them in good and bad.

4. Peer Pressure

Friendships with their peers can be worrying sometimes. We want them to make good, solid friendships and have healthy relationships. Communication, again, is crucial in this matter. If there is a problem and the lines of communication are open between you and your teenager, a solution can generally be found sooner rather than later.

In conclusion, the teenage years are short, but they can cause a lot of angst and worry for both parents and teenagers alike. If we are honest and open with our children from the get-go we stand a better chance of steering them through the sometimes turbulent sea that is the ‘teenage years’.

Sarah Dillon is a legal professional and marriage counsellor, who formerly worked in the healthcare sector.
She runs ChildJointCustody.com where she deals with child custody issues,questions and helps you win custody of your children.

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Why Are My Children Misbehaving?

By admin On July 25, 2010 No Comments

Many parents ask the question: Why are my children misbehaving? It may be that your children are misbehaving in public or when you are with company, OR it may simply be that they are being unruly when at home. Under any of these circumstances the primary reason for a child's misbehaviour is their need for attention. In-fact the most common reason children misbehave is simply because they have unmet needs of some form. Any child misbehaving, throwing tantrums or acting up is just their way of communicating to you that they are unhappy. For a child, any attention is better than none!

 

This is not the only reason why children may be misbehaving; children can misbehave for many other reasons.

 

Children feel the need to belong.

Children can feel the need to belong to you, to the class at school, to a group of friends or to the family. Their misbehaviour may be an attempt to gain membership or to discern if they will still be accepted. Thus it is important to show your children that you still love them and that they are still part of the family even if they misbehave.

 

Children misbehave when they lack confidence or feel inadequate.

Children may misbehave when they are afraid to try new things (e.g. food) or fear failure at a new task. When this is the situation you must help children to understand that everyone makes mistakes, even adults.

 

Children misbehave when they feel unwell.

Daily exercise, a healthy diet, fresh air and 8-12 hours of sleep are essential for children. Without these essentials they may be hard to get along with. The majority of discipline problems occur around 8 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. when children are either hungry or tired. However, be careful not to punish your children when they are physically sick!

 

Children misbehave when they are upset.

Small changes in a child's daily routine can upset them. This can include anything from a change in daylight saving hours, changing season or a new schedule. More major changes can cause upset as well, such as moving house or a divorce. The new situation is unfamiliar to the child and they need reassurance and guidance.

 

Children misbehave when they are discouraged.

Adults can be too quick to tell a child when they are doing something wrong and too slow or completely forget to praise them when they are doing right. Children who feel they are bad have the tendency to act so and may hurt others in the process. Children who feel stupid will not perform as well as they can in school. Children need praise and approval when they do something good, even for small things such as saying "thank you". This will help prevent misbehaviour to gain attention from parents.

To find out How To Discipline Misbehaving Children check out my blog, http://hubpages.com/hub/Child-Misbehaviour-How-To-Discipline-Misbehaving-Children, and a free presentation which includes proven scientific techniques to stop any child from misbehaving and help to get your children listening to you!

 

 

Unsure how to discipline your child? Troublesome children can be a handful at times.

 

To learn How To Discipline Misbehaving Children read the FREE report available here and discover 4 key steps to stopping child misbehaviour!

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Children With Sleeping Disorders May Have Restless Leg Syndrome

By admin On July 25, 2010 No Comments

Adults have it and now children have Restless Leg Syndrome.   The big problem is that a child has difficulty explaining the annoying sensations brought on by Restless Leg Syndrome(RLS).  The same tingling, itching, burning, and creepy-crawly feelings that we as adults have are also being felt by our children.  As far off as that may seem, it is now suspected that children have been dealing with this sleep disorder for over 50 years now. 

A tell-tail sign of RLS in children is the continuous urge to move the legs when resting and it taking a long time to fall asleep.  A child who has RLS will likely toss and turn most of the night causing poor quality of sleep.  It is then during the day, because of lack of sleep, that the child has daytime sleepiness, behavior and academic problems, irritability and hyperactivity.

This discovery was made a couple years ago and still it is not being acknowledged as such in the medical community.  Often RLS goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed in children between the years of 2 to 12.  The conclusion is primarily that these children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and are put on medication.  Often for milder cases, it is referred to as "growing pains".

The child may be able to describe to you the feelings that he or she has with their legs.  Also, try and watch your child while they are sleeping.  If you notice the child being restless and the legs moving quite frequently, then try and count how many times in an hour that the legs move.  Your pediatrician may order a sleep study be done if there is still doubt.

Restless Leg Syndrome can be a blessing as it may be a secondary condition of another underlying cause.  Low iron levels have also been known to be the culprit causing the symptoms of RLS.  A pediatrician will run tests to make this determination.

Left untreated RLS can result in other problems lick anxiety, depression, and other sleep disorders.  Immediately after diagnosing the disease, treatment should be given.  Don't necessarily expect a "magic" pill because that just won't happen.  Drug treatment in children with RLS should be avoided whenever possible.

Exercise, proper sleep routine and dietary changes may need to be made.  For the discomfort and to try and calm the legs down it is good to try massage and heating pads.

Kathy Lund is a strong advocate of the diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome.  Once diagnosed properly, it is then that the correct method of dealing with this annoying disease can take place.  Find out more about children with Restless Leg Syndrome by Clicking Here Now!

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Parenting Explosive Children: Are They Doing It On Purpose?

By admin On July 25, 2010 No Comments

Explosive children, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Defiant child, Defiant Disorder. Trouble paying attention or sitting still, Attention Deficit Disorder/Hyperactivity Disorder. Conduct Disorder and the list goes on.

There are more disorders all surrounding child behavior than any other topic about children. This is something of a phenomenon if you ask me.

This is a question that has been bothering me for a long time now. It can sometimes seem to me that for every unexplainable act there is a new kind of disorder popping up.

When we were kids, (I cannot believe I just wrote that) there was nowhere near as many 'disorders' as there are today. Are they really necessary? In order to fully answer that question its important to take a step back and see the larger picture.

Human beings develop and evolve just like children do. We are getting older (as civilisation) and with age comes an accumulation of knowledge. After a time with said knowledge we learn to understand it and how it applies to different scenarios which can be construed as wisdom.

Stay with me here and I promise not to go too far off topic. We are only just beginning to understand the deeper issues of the brain and the mental psych. We have so much more to learn and we are still evolving. One thing is certain, emotional outbursts of anger are not fun for anyone.

Explosive children might appear as though it is their intention to cause all this trouble. When you think about it who in their right mind would act this way? Research suggests both expected and some surprising results.

First you have to determine if your child is actually 'exoplosive' to the point of not having control. Or if it is just a phase that will be learned from and passed through.

There are two divided categories of misconduct or what constitutes bad behavior. One is when children honestly do not understand their behavior, and they do not know any better. Then the second kind is when children do understand the outcome of their behavior and choose to do it anyway.

One of the difficult jobs of being a parent is to learn the difference between the two before deciding to discipline them. The disorders that are now being ascribed to the unwanted behaviors of our children help to distinguish between these two differences. So from this standpoint these disorders or labels are extremely helpful.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder has been getting quite a lot of attention. Many parents are struggling and at their wits end with how to deal with their explosive children. Not all of them but many are just dealing with the average nature of an emotionally immature child. So in many cases they are just shocked by what they are experiencing and are reacting in a cautious manner.

This is actually a good thing. In my minds eye this means that parents are more concerned with their children. Keep in mind that just because your child has some trouble with anger this does not necessarily mean that they have Intermittent Explosive Disorder.

On the other hand, after a length of time has passed and you see that your child is not improving or is actually getting worse then there might be cause for concern.

Explosive children are often at odds with their own will. Whether they have a disorder or not blowing up out of control is a form of suffering. No one wants to feel this way or act out like this. Even young children do not like the way it makes them feel.

Finding out all you can and understanding all the options can help you to realize that your not alone in this and that there is help available if you find you absolutely need it.

One of the more important things you can do as a parent of a child with behavioral problems is to know & provide the best solutions available. The Happy Child Guide To Discipline is the best information to help in learning how to properly identify the reasons behind the behaviors children demonstrate and can tame difficult kids.

 

Free Video Presentation for a limited time only. Parenting solutions that really are amazing. The results are very impressive even in the most dire situations. Learn how to properly and positively handle your Explosive Children and help him to start living more positive. Increase his happiness and yours through positive behavior.

Or for more information about how you can solve the Behavior Problems Children Develop<---Just CLICK IT!

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3 Mistakes Typically Made by Parents of Children Diagnosed with ADHD

By admin On July 24, 2010 No Comments

As a mental health therapist, I often witness parents making three mistakes when their children are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD. If you are a parent of a child or adolescent diagnosed with ADHD, read on to find out if you are currently making these mistakes, and what alternative approaches to take.

Mistake # 1: Thinking ADHD doesn’t really exist and it’s all your fault (or that of the "other" parent).

So it has finally come to this, after numerous times in detention, poor grades in school, behavioral problems at home and in school, the proverbial straw which broke the camel’s back has finally landed you and your child in the office of a mental health clinician, where the diagnosis has been rendered. You don't believe in ADHD and believe you should implement stricter forms of discipline. In most cases, one parent will blame the disciplinary styles of the other parent for the child's problems.

ADHD is a biological problem, caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals used by the brain to control behavior), or an abnormal glucose metabolism in the central nervous system. ADHD is also documented and supported by over 95 years of research. Dismissing a diagnosis of ADHD is a costly mistake for any parent to make, because as your child gets older, so do his responsibilities, along with the natural and logical consequences of not following through on those responsibilities. If his symptoms are not properly addressed, his troubles are going to become much worse and more intolerable.

Mistake # 2: Believing that medication cures ADHD.

Medication works in enabling a child to maintain and exhibit concentration, control and goal-directed effort on tasks, but only for a short period of time. Medication also works to temporarily reduce aggression, disruptive behavior and hyperactivity. It is not a cure. In severe cases, to achieve long-term positive effects from typical ADHD medications, a combination of therapeutic services and medications needs to be implemented. It is a costly mistake when parents place their children on medication but make no fundamental changes in the family structure and dynamics.

Mistake # 3: Believing that there is little that parents, teachers and guardians can do to help address behavioral issues of children with ADHD.

This is another costly mistake which goes hand in hand with mistake # 2. Believing there is little one can do to address the behavioral issues and symptoms associated with ADHD is only going to make the behavior and symptoms worse. It usually leads to an overindulged adolescent, whose behavior routinely inconveniences everyone in the household and shows little empathy towards loved ones.

Alternatives

The most effective measures I have witnessed and routinely suggested to parents for addressing their children’s symptoms are as follows:

Parents need to educate themselves on the latest research relating to the causes of ADHD. The spirit behind this rule is for parents to develop an understanding of what their child is going through, in light of their need to be firm in addressing behavioral problems.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, medications might be recommended. However, whether or not medication is prescribed in the treatment process, parents and their child need to learn cognitive strategies to create the type of consistent, structured environment which children diagnosed with ADHD have been known to thrive in. Notice I underlined “parents”; ADHD or otherwise, as long as a parent is a primary caretaker of a minor, in order to implement change in the child’s life, the family milieu has to make significant changes. Once a consistent regimen has been established in the home, parents can then play the role of case managers in discussing with teachers and school authorities what methods are most effective in addressing the needs of their children.

Children with ADHD can be successful in school and can learn to self-manage and engage positively on a consistent basis. Through the services of a mental health therapist, parents can internalize cognitive behavioral strategies, for themselves and their child, to help establish positive consistency in the household. 

Ugochukwu Uche MS., LPC

www.road2resolutions.com

http://blog.road2resolutions.com

www.asktheinternettherapist.com/counseling-services.asp

Ugo Uche is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach who specializes with parenting and ADHD. He also owns a private practice, Road 2 Resolutions. For more information about Ugo please visit ROAD2RESOLUTIONS.COM

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Why Won’t My Children Listen?

By admin On July 24, 2010 No Comments

I walked into a friend’s home one day only to see the magic of children taking place.  There were loud screams of laughter, piles of clean clothes all over the floor, and half-eaten bowls of cereal on the table.  I began talking with my friend about the joys of parenthood.  My friend began with initial laughter, but then began to tear-up.  “They just won’t listen to me!”

As a counselor, I began to ask some background questions, but told her a universal truth of the top three reasons why children tend to not be as disciplined as the parents would like.

1. Improper Play. Everyday we work for income to support our family. Our work defines and develops part of who we are as a person.  Something that many adults do not realize is that play is as equally important for a child.  Playing for children helps develop social and cognitive skills for child development. 

2. Diet. In today’s fast paced world it is easy to give our children snack after snack after snack.  With the physical demands on the body and mind in childhood development, why would we want to not give our children the proper nutrition to do these tasks successfully?  Whip out a simple food pyramid, and do a quick analysis.  Is my child getting everything he needs?

3. Time. Children do begin to mimic the habits and behaviors of adults that they spend the most time with.  As a parent, this means you can be a huge influence on your child’s development.  Simply ask yourself the question, “Who is my child spending the most time with during the day?”  If your answer is someone with a less positive influence, or something with a less positive influence, try to adjust accordingly.

There are many other reasons that children may not listen, but these are the top three.  As I explained these to my friend, the tears turned into a light of hope.  My friend looked me in the eye and stated, “I hope I can say to you next time, ‘Wow, my children are beginning to listen to me!’”

Please feel free to use this article.  We simply ask that you link back to our site at www.fhandlove.org.cn/wellness.html.

Gerald Anthony is currently a PhD Candidate in Counseling and currently the President of The Faith Hope and Love Foundation. He enjoys languages, culture, and helping others.

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