Shopping for your next home is exciting and sometimes intimidating. There may be so many houses to see. You might not be sure which one will be best in meeting the needs of your growing family. Will your two preteen boys share a bedroom? Can your fourteen-year-old daughter use a converted basement to entertain her friends? While some of these decisions require family discussions, others should center on the properties you consider buying to ensure your family has all the space needed for each person’s needs.
Three vs. Four Bedrooms
You may be trying to decide whether to buy a house with three bedrooms or four. With two kids and possibly future additions to the family, you might wonder if three bedrooms will be enough. Additionally, you might need an additional spare room as a home office or exercise room. Or should you buy a four-bedroom home for potential use? A real estate agent can help you evaluate a particular home’s structure to see if one of the four bedrooms can be used for another purpose now and repurposed into a bedroom later. You will probably want a house with extra space that could be converted into a future office or workout room if needed.
Dining Room vs. Kitchen Nook
A dining room is great for large families and entertaining during the holidays or other festivities. However, it may get used only a handful of times during the year. Is the extra room worth the higher property tax you might have to pay? Don’t forget the dusting and general cleaning when the room is not being used. A kitchen nook might be adequate for smaller families’ regular meals. If the house has an open concept design with the kitchen connected directly to the living room, you could use that area for special dinners and events when needed instead of investing in a dining room up front.
Living Room and Family Room?
Many newer homes include both the living room for more formal entertaining of guests as well as a family room for everyday activities like reading or watching television. If you plan to have guests frequently, a well-kept living room might be worth the extra cost and upkeep. But if the family room of a home you’re interested in is attractive and can be arranged to accommodate guests, or if the living room can also serve as a leisure space for family members, one or the other room might be enough.
Room to Add On or Options for Renovation?
A growing family or planned celebrations might need more space in the future. You could look for a home with extra rooms or areas that can be transformed into the space you may need later. Alternately, the lot could be large enough to let you add a room if necessary.
As you will likely have your home for several years, look for one that can meet your needs now with potential for future growth. That way, you won’t have to move in the foreseeable future.
You will want to have all this information at hand and have fun with this ride-on car for kids . in the new home.
“I dream of a day when people will be judged, not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” – Martin Luther King Jr
Here are books you can read with your children inspired by the life of MLK Junior
📚Build a diverse library for diverse dialogue within your local community by recommending books to your local library.✊🏾
Tall or short, big or small, skinny or plump…every child is unique! Some children love to read, while others love to sing or dance. Some children wear glasses, while some may talk with an accent. Some children love to socialize and mingle, while others love their own space and privacy.
Every child comes with their own set of character traits and individuality, and they must be appreciated for being different yet the same. What matters is the content of their character.
Here’s a book list to inspire self-confidence in children:
It’s OK to be Different
*Gold Award Winner, Literary Titan
It’s OK to be Different written by Sharon Purtill and illustrated by Sujata Saha presents individuality. Everything about it is inspiring. Children will enjoy the fun and clever rhymes, as they are drawn in by the bright and cheerful illustrations. It is one of those books that both children and adults can enjoy, as it delivers the perfect message to young readers.
This story has effectively imparted an ever important lesson that individuality should be celebrated and not shunned. It encourages kids to accept and befriend those who are different from themselves. Showing young children that they don’t have to look alike or enjoy doing the same activities to be kind to one another.
When Martin Luther King Jr. Wore Roller Skates
Martin Luther King Jr. led the American Civil Rights Movement. But do you know what he was like as a child? From roller skating to playing football and basketball, Martin was a fun-loving child. This playful story of his childhood will help young readers connect with a historic figure and will inspire them to want to achieve greatness.
ONE LOVE
Adapted from one of Bob Marley’s most beloved songs, One Love brings the joyful spirit and unforgettable lyrics of his music to life for a new generation. Readers will delight in dancing to the beat and feeling the positive groove of change when one girl enlists her community to help transform her neighborhood for the better. Adapted by Cedella Marley, Bob Marley’s first child, and gorgeously illustrated by Vanessa Newton, this heart-warming picture book offers an upbeat testament to the amazing things that can happen when we all get together with one love in our hearts.
I HAVE A DREAM
From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: “My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing “I Have a Dream” speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us—those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone.”
On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation’s history. His words, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson’s magnificent paintings, make for a picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike. The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation’s past.
The Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts
One small act of kindness can change the world. From esteemed bullying expert and author of The Invisible Boy, Trudy Ludwig and Little Elliot illustrator Mike Curato comes a tale as simple–and simply inspiring–as the golden rule.
When one child reaches out in friendship to a classmate who seems lonely, she begins a chain reaction of kindness that ripples throughout her school and her community. One kind act begets another, small good deeds make way for bigger ones, and eventually the whole neighborhood comes together to build something much greater than the sum of its parts.
As Trudy says in the final line of the book: “Acts and words of kindness DO count, and it all starts with ONE.”
Civil Rights Then and Now
This civil rights book for kids is simultaneously a guide for parents and educators who worry about broaching the topics of racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Civil Rights Then and Now: A Timeline of the Fight for Equality in America presents the reader with facts, biographies, and landmark supreme court cases in an easily digestible manner and within a historical context. The minor editorializing helps to guide readers to understand the events that have shaped the United States and then challenges them to become advocates for change. From the embarrassing origins of Slavery to the modern struggle against systemic and overt oppression, this book will spark conversations about subjects that we can no longer afford to ignore.
I am BRAVE
The littlest readers can learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., in this board book version of the New York Times bestselling Ordinary People Change the World biography.
This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great—the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. In this new board book format, the very youngest readers can learn about one of America’s icons in the series’ signature lively, conversational way. The short text focuses on drawing inspiration from these iconic heroes, and includes an interactive element and factual tidbits that young kids will be able to connect with. This volume tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr., the civil rights leader
Read this story of Aarav who comes home one day wondering why he looks different. See how science, culture and concept enable this child being raised on the borders of multiple cultures to see himself and those around him in a new light.
The Sparkling Series books for global kids is geared to empower kids aged 5-10. Perfect for boys, girls, early readers and elementary school students. Excellent resource for counselors, parents, and teachers alike. Diversify your library with this award-winning children’s book that talks about body positivity and inclusion.
Your child is interested in film making, but you aren’t sure how to help. Nurturing a child’s creativity and desires is a good thing, and the following are a few ways you can nurture this passion. Teaching kids the art of film making is not that difficult.
Education
One thing you can do is encourage your kid to learn about filmmaking. The best way to do this is to send your kid to a film class or camp. You can also have your child take a few classes online that will delve into this art form. Your kid is going to learn how to use some of the equipment and how to properly tell a story.
The passion and the eye is inside your kid. What education will do is refine things a bit. It may be a good idea to use free resources first, like library resources to see if your kid is willing to continue his or her education. You don’t want to pay money for a class and find out your child doesn’t want to put much work into this.
Invest in the Equipment
Helping your kid learn how to film is just one step. The next thing you can do is invest in the equipment. Your kid is going to need all sorts of tools to tell stories through this medium. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on this. Have your kid start with older cameras and recording devices.
Some of the common equipment can be bought used online at reasonable prices. You’ll be allowing your child to get familiar with the equipment. Accidents happen when you’re learning how to handle a camera, and it’s better to have those accidents with items that didn’t cost too much.
Get the Software
You also want to invest in the software you’re kid is going to need as he or she films. For example, your kid is going to need a good editing program if he or she wants to learn how to speed up a video or how to add transitions between scenes.
Depending on how complex the editing software is, it could take your kid a long time to get the hang of it. Talk to your kid about this before you introduce the software. You want him or her to understand that patience is key when it comes to mastering these types of software systems. The school you send your kid to might teach some of these programs to add finishing touches to your kid’s movies.
Get Involved in the Storytelling
Okay, your kids won’t have a crew of workers and actors to work with. Some of the lucky ones will be able to enlist friends to help them tell stories, but the chances are you’ll have to jump in from time to time. Allow your kids to direct the story and run the shoot.
It might be a good idea to consider talking to family members or friends who can lend a hand from time to time. If you are asked to be an actor, learn the lines your kid gives you, and be the best actor you can. As strange as this might be at the beginning, it’s good to participate in your child’s dream like this. You can bond with your kid if you join him or her with this passion.
Start Showcasing the Projects
Letting your child tell a few stories on film is one thing, but now you’ve got to show them their work on the big screen. You could rent a screen from your local theater, but that’s a bit expensive. You can do the next best thing, which is to show these movies at home. Consider purchasing a real home theater system complete with a projector and a screen.
These systems allow you to create the theater experience at home. Depending on the placement of your projector, you could make the image look quite large, which is going to be cool for everyone. Ask your family members and friends to come to the screening of your kid’s movies. Make this screening as special as possible. Bring the popcorn, and ask folks to dress up. Do everything you can to show your kid how special the stories are.
Now, you know what to do for your young filmmaker. Talk to your kids to find out what they want from you as they work on their passion.
What would you add to this to add to teaching kids the art of film making?
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