Featured Guest, Author at Raising World Children

How Tagaytay, Philippines Became A Favorite Family Vacation Destination

Coined as the Second Summer Capital of the Philippines is Tagaytay City, a small town in the province of Cavite that has gained much attention and popularity through the years.

Tagaytay, as mentioned, is a small municipality located in the province of Cavite in the region of Luzon. It was dubbed as the Second Summer Capital of the Philippines because of how it gives off year-round cold and misty weather just like Baguio, which is the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

Today, Tagaytay remains as one of the best tourist destinations down south of Manila. In fact, it continues to charm locals and foreigners alike as the years go by. No matter how old you get or how many times you’ve been here, you can, and you will definitely never get tired of going back to Tagaytay. Want to know why?

Here’s why Tagaytay, Philippines has become a family favorite over the years:

Close Proximity To Manila

One of the most common reasons as to why Tagaytay has continuously become a family favorite is because of its close proximity to Manila. It only takes about an hour to an hour and a half of drive to get to Tagaytay. And, with all the new and countless roads, expressways, and terminals, it has become a lot easier to travel to this town.

This is primarily the reason why most families and friend groups prefer Tagaytay over Baguio. Because with Tagaytay, you get to take day trips without the hassle of commuting or traveling to and from the destination. More than the long hours, you also have to dread the horrifying traffic in Manila. With Tagaytay, you get to keep coming back even and most especially on the weekends, when you just need to take a breather.

Delectable Food Choices

Tagaytay is also known for its delectable food choices. May that be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks, Tagaytay has it all!

More than anything, this town is most famous for its sumptuous, hot bowl of bulalo. Filipinos and foreigners alike keep coming back to Tagaytay because of this beauty. Mahogany Market, for one, serves the best Tagaytay bulalo, so if you’re just around the area or planning to visit Tagaytay soon. Make sure to drop by Mahogany Market and treat yourself to some bulalo!

Aside from bulalo, Tagaytay is also known for its wide range of restaurants and fast food choices. Strolling down Tagaytay, and as you look from left to right, streets are filled with restaurants that serve only the best Filipino food. Enjoy a hearty breakfast meal at Breakfast At Antonio’s, Tagaytay’s most favorite breakfast place. They have so much food choices ranging from Filipino to European, all the way to American.

In the mood for some merienda? Visit Tagaytay’s Tsokolateria for a cup of hot cocoa perfectly paired with their delicious pastries. Before heading home, you may also want to drop by pasalubong centers and purchase buko pies, lengua de gatos, fresh milk, and so much more.

Unlimited Outdoor Activities To Enjoy

While Tagaytay is known for its “laidback” type of living, it can also bring family and friends some fun and adrenaline rush every now and then. For one, Picnic Grove is one of the oldest yet still popular destinations in Tagaytay where families and friend groups can go on picnics, ride zip lines and cable cars, stroll down, and trek, just to name a few.

If you want to play sports, you definitely can! Home to Asia’s most exciting golf course is Tagaytay Highlands, the first and best mountain resort in the country. Unleash your inner Tiger Woods here and play golf all afternoon. Oh, and did I mention they have world-class services, features, and amenities? Tagaytay Highlands is the first and the only one in the country to have Swiss cable car transport systems, which you can definitely use when transferring from one golf course to another. Other than golf, you can also play basketball, badminton, and swimming, among others.

Aside from Tagaytay Highlands, you can also indulge in outdoor activities and trigger an adrenaline rush at Sky Ranch Tagaytay, the city’s most famous amusement park filled with fun and gut-twisting rides. It’s also home to Tagaytay’s tallest Ferris wheel, which is the Sky Eye. Other than Ferris wheels, you can also ride the grand carousel, roller coasters, the anchor’s away, and so much more.

Relaxing Climate

Tagaytay can never be called the “Little Baguio” of the South if it isn’t for its year-round cold climate; hence, it’s one of the very reasons why people keep coming back here.

Tagaytay’s cold and misty weather gives off this sense of relaxation. Most people travel to Tagaytay over the weekend to temporarily escape the fast-paced, stressful, and sunny streets of Manila, and Tagaytay does an excellent job in doing just that. Allowing people to cool off a bit, take a breather, and just enjoy the province, laidback life.

With that, a lot of businesses took advantage of this. If you still did not know, Tagaytay is filled with spas and wellness centers where you can definitely enjoy some well-deserved R&R. Take a dip in the jacuzzi, have a relaxing whole-body massage, do facials, and a lot more.

Wrapping Up

Tagaytay is definitely one for the books. Anyone who has been to Tagaytay knows how much charm this place brings people, no matter their age. Nowadays, it has become quite hard to find the perfect place to do all sorts of things, especially with family – yet here you are, reading about Tagaytay and all its beauty. Still haven’t been here? I think now is the best time to check out the place. Who knows? This might just become your new favorite destination.

Angelo Castelda works as a contributor for a news magazine in Asia. He loves to learn and understand diverse cultures and aims to share through his writing his experiences around the world.

Tips To Strengthen Parent-Teacher Communication

For most classroom teachers besides preparing engaging lessons and activities, there is one very important thing they had to prepare during each upcoming school year. And yes — you guessed it — better communication and collaboration with parents. Sure a lot of teachers do everything they can to strengthen the parent-teacher communication, plenty of them admit that they’ve failed at establishing an effective strategy for communicating with parents. That’s not to say they didn’t try. Teachers have said that they did have the right goals and intentions — heck some even came up with the perfect method, but at the end of the day many of them didn’t have a clear vision for what an effective communication would look like.

A Strong and Positive Parent-Teacher Communication Is Necessary

A positive and effective relationship between parents and teachers is imperative for the best interest of the students. Strong parent-teacher communication throughout the year is essential for the student’s overall academic success and well-being. Furthermore, it helps teachers and parents to work together to support a student’s learning and success. Parents can provide teachers with insights about his or her children especially the strengths and weaknesses, which the teachers can utilize to form better relationship and communication with the student. There have been many reports that reiterate that children whose parents actively participate in their education have a better chance to excel in the school you have chosen for them.

Here are three steps for teachers to establish an effective and positive parent-teacher communication:

Be Transparent and Determined

Today we live and work in a world surrounded by technology and where information is available and accessible to anyone. Many school districts allow parents to access assessment portals online where they can look up their kids’ data profiles, report cards, and even see their grade books get updated in real-time. This is extremely useful and it demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to increase transparency in a bid to improve parent-teacher communication. But this doesn’t mean that the parents know everything. So, there should be some form of direct communication with the parent and teacher. Despite the fact most districts offer parents opportunities to keep track of their kids’ education, a 2017 study conducted by Learning Heroes, a nonprofit organization reported that 86% of parents relied wholly on report cards for their children’s’ educational progress. What’s more concerning is the fact 9 out of 10 parents surveyed assumed that their children are performing above the average, which is unfortunately not the case according to the collected data.

Teachers should set realistic targets for transparency and encourage parents to look into their children’s education. Progress portals and sites are widely available. Teachers should request parents to get in the habit of checking these portals and websites through the use of links and reminders online or letters sent directly to homes, and demonstrate accessing them in parent-teacher conferences. Some teachers also encourage students to remind their parents to visit the portals and sites frequently. Strengthen parent teacher communication well.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/09/10/parent-teacher-communication-is-the-core-of-a-childs-success-at-school/

Use Comprehensible Language

During any kind of communication, teachers should use informal language. You’ve to keep in mind that though many parents have college degrees, not everyone is familiar with educational jargon. So if you use a word whether in writing or while speaking and the parents have to look up a specific word in the dictionary to find its meaning, you can rest assured that you’ve failed to effectively communicate. We recommend you use simple, easy-to-understand language, short sentences during all written communication. Be direct and always be respectful and show appreciation for parents. Students come from various cultural backgrounds so be sensitive to cultural differences.

The Parents Are Your Partners.

It’s not uncommon to see teachers sometimes lose sight of what they want to communicate with parents and even sometimes students. Effective and positive communication is not all about updates and reminders; it’s a two-way process. A communication can only be effective if it helps in nurturing a mutually beneficial relationship. So teachers should remember not only to send information but facilitating channels that empower parents to respond easily. Phone calls, emails, and messaging applications all work well. Sending biweekly or monthly newsletters about the student’s overall performance and educational activities also work great.

As we are living in a multi-cultural and globalized world, sending SMS messages with translation features will overcome any language barriers hence fostering a much stronger and productive relationship between the teachers and parents. This approach not only starts conversations, but it also sends a message to parents that you do care about students and what happens in the classroom.

RAISE A CONFIDENT and GLOBAL KID BY BEING AN EMPOWERED PARENT.

READ OUR AWARD WINNING, BEST SELLING BOOK !

<br />

8 French Cities One Must Visit in 2020

The new year is here, and most of us are already planning for new beginnings. Apart from the new year’s resolutions, we like to plan our holidays for the year as well. There are a few holiday destinations that loved by travelers all over the world. Fine 8 french cities one must visit.

One of the most visited tourist countries in the world is France. The charm and the hospitality of the french are something that attracts tourists year after year.

They say that the French are the most passionate people in the world. It reflects well in all fields of life. Right from their architecture to the cuisine, the French people do everything with a lot of love and passion. If you want to experience the magic of France, you must visit some of its hidden jewels.

France is home to some of the most charming cities. The history and culture of these cities will make you fall in love with the country.

Here is a list of 8 French cities you should visit in 2020. Make sure to include all of them in your next french travel itinerary.

1) Paris-

Undoubtedly one of the most alluring cities in the world, your trip to France is not complete without a visit here. Paris is filled with iconic historical monuments. Visiting them is almost a dream come true to anyone. The iconic Eiffel tower is a lover’s paradise. Other architectural marvels include Arc de Triomphe and the famed Louvre museum. You can spend some quiet time with your loved ones in any of the quaint bistros that line up the banks of the Seine to enjoy a perfect french meal with the choicest wines. For the shopping fanatics, you will find Haute couture that will satisfy the fashionista in you. A variety of flea markets and vintage shops will make sure that you take back cute little souvenirs for your people back home.

2) Marseille-

Marseille is slowing emerging as another major tourist destination in France. The old-world charm of Marseille attracts anyone who would like to soak in the Frech vibe without the hustle and bustle of modernity. This port city is a bustling trade hub. There are many things you can do here. A visit to the old port is a must for a pleasurable yacht ride. You can visit the Musée d Histoire de Marseille to have to peek into the Marseille history. Going uphill, the oldest neighborhood in the city is Le Panier. Here, you can find some quaint boutiques and shops in the markets for the freshest catch of the day.

3) Lyon-

The charming city of Lyon is another place to visit when you are vacationing in France. The town is situated in an area where the amalgamation of the Rhone and Saone rivers. There is another different type of fusion that takes place here- that of the old and the new world charm. Ancient architectural marvels and museums melodiously reside along with modernity. Lyon is gastronomically much more advanced than any other french city. A foodie’s delight, the city has quite a range for unique cuisines to offer for you. The hip and happening social scene of the place is also an attraction for the younger generation. In summers, the city hosts several music festivals. Just a walk on the old streets and enjoy the scenic view will give you lots of memories to

4) Nantes-

Nantes is another city that is situated on the banks of the river Loire. The town was once a bustling port and a center of commercial activities. Nantes has continuously re-invented itself to become a thriving and energetic hub of modernity. The city is brimming with universities and has an unmissable student culture. Among the tourist attractions, the Machines de L’ile is a must-visit. It is a unique museum cum theme park that houses several modern machines. A giant mechanical elephant is its major attraction. For a brush with the past, you can visit the Nantes Art gallery and the Jules Verne museum. Passage Pommeraye is a famous shopping arcade that is decorated with 19th-century statues. You can find the number of quaint and upmarket shops here to satisfy your shopping itch.

5) Bordeaux-

The city of Bordeaux is referred to as the “Sleeping beauty of France”. Bordeaux is also a UNESCO world heritage site. The regions of the city are famous for its vineyards that churn out crafty wines that people around the world love. Most of the tourists visiting the city prefer to stay in Wise estates and indulge in wine tastings. Opulent palaces rub shoulders with modern architecture, which makes the city a treat for your eyes. You can take a walk through the boulevards or walk along the bridges and soak in the lovely atmosphere. If you are up for some road adventure, a drive from Bordeaux to Biarritz coast is a lovely drive. Don’t forget to get the Universal roof rack on your vehicle to carry all your luggage.

6) Nice-

Nice is an extremely popular destination among tourists. Being a port city, you will find a host of things to do here. Soak in the warm french sun on the beach or enjoy a stroll on the streets of the city. For a bird’s eye view of the city, you must visit the Colline Du Chateau. What makes the city even more charming is the confluence of Italian and French culture. Be it in the architecture or the food, you will find refreshing Italian vibes here. A visit to the Nice cathedral will take you back in time and let you marvel in its amazing architecture. If ever grow tired of the sun and the sand (As if!!), you can head to the Parc Du Mont Boron. This is a hiking trail at ends at the stunning Mont Boron, where you will find ruins of an old military fort. After this calorie-burning activity, just visit some of the bistros in town to gorge on the yummy Provencal beef stew or the Tourte De Palettes.

7) La Rochelle-

This city is a seaport that is also referred to as ” The white city”. Most of the old architecture in the city was made of limestones, hence the name. This is a perfect city to visit if you want to enjoy the beaches of France in serenity. The old port is home to several medieval towers that will transport you to ancient life and times of mariners. La Rochelle has one of the largest aquariums in France. The food scene here is a delight for every foodie. The warm tropical waters of La Rochelle gives it a variety of seafood. You can savor some lip-smacking food in the restaurants that dot the city for an unforgettable culinary experience.

8) Toulouse-

The fourth-largest city in France, Toulouse has a thriving student community. This quaint town is bustling with loads of activities. Also referred to as ” La villa Rose” for its number of pink buildings, it is a perfect spot to enjoy a cozy vacation with your loved one. A walk through the old part of the town will charm you. You can enjoy river cruises along the Canal Du Midi. Do not forget to visit the Japanese garden near the canal. For art lovers, the Les abattoirs museum will satiate you.

Conclusion-

These French cities are perfect for visiting for your next vacation. While most of these cities are modern, some cities still have managed to retain their old-world charm. Including these cities in your French travel itinerary will make for a memorable vacation.

Find MORE cities you should be visiting around the world in our travel section.

Building Bonds Within a Blended Family

Blended families are becoming more common, and they play a valuable role in society. However, it can take time for step-parents and children to get used to each other and learn how to get along smoothly. Here are a few tips that might help.

Be Patient

Family adjustments take time. At first, it may seem like things aren’t falling into place as they should. But it helps to keep in mind that everyone in the family is learning to adjust their expectations and roles within the new household structure. Mistakes will be made, and new rules can be applied. But success may not come overnight. Give everyone time to work into new relationships.

Show Respect

Some blended family members are fearful of losing their identity or relationships with biological relatives. It is important to realize that everyone brings different concerns, strengths, and weaknesses to the family dynamics. Each member of the family should be willing to show respect for one another, even when they don’t always agree or when things are handled differently than expected. Be a good listener and a calm family member as differences are worked through to find common ground.

Utilize Resources

Learning new routines and establishing new traditions may require some help for family members coming from different backgrounds. Check out blended family resources like books, videos. You can also find online material, like stepdad quotes from experienced fathers who have wisdom to share.

If things get heated, it may be helpful to meet with a family therapist to address complex issues. Getting help at the beginning of the situation helps to get family life organized more quickly.

Accept Differences

Sometimes we have dreams and goals for our families that never quite materialize. That’s okay. Everyone is different in various ways, and it is important to learn which differences to accept as opposed to trying to change someone. Determining family values and guidelines from the start will keep everyone more or less on the same page while allowing for some individual preferences and styles.

Have Fun

Recreation and humor are two types of glue that bind families together. Whether original families or blended, everyone should make time for fun activities that can be enjoyed together. Having a good laugh now and then reduces tension and provides a shared, lighthearted experience.

Building bonds within a blended family is not difficult. Everyone should be flexible, thoughtful, and kind in learning to adjust to each other and the new family structure. Before long, home will be everyone’s favorite place to be.

Easy 5 min Daily Self Care for Mothers Everywhere

Want to take your day from blah to fabulous in five easy steps? Follow the below and you will certainly make your days brighter. It took me a while to go over what exactly it is that keeps me going on a positive note. “It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be.” these words are a great motivator to becoming a better version of yourself.

Every single day, we strive to get through all our tasks. Wouldn’t it be better to enjoy those very tasks with a healthier, better version of ourselves?

So, today I share the easiest life hacks that made a world of difference to my life and I’m sure they will help you too.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Find a way that works for you to better yourself. Listen to a podcast, read a book, drive around with an audio book playing. 10 minutes in the car on a way to a meeting or in the shower. Take time to better yourself. Use tips by others to better your mind and body.

HEALTH HACK 101

I take my vitamins: This one is so important and it’s so easy. It literally takes 10 seconds, and it prevents so much. You being healthy is one of the best ways you can take care of your kids. Remember that time last winter when you were sick, and you still had to take care of the house and the kids? Yeah, it sucked big time. So let us try to prevent that this winter!

WORK OUT

Stretch & Meditate and/or workout. This is the easiest way to have a positive start or end to your day. Who doesn’t need to lower their blood pressure and increase patience? Plus I’m old, my body does not move like it used to! Stretching & meditating for a few minutes in the morning makes a huge difference. Even if it’s only for 5 minutes, it still helps a lot.

WATER – THE LIFE GIVER

The majority of your body is made of water so staying hydrated just makes sense. I’m not going to lie; it’s a challenge even for me. I get busy, and pretty soon it’s 7:00 pm and I haven’t had a drop. So here’s what I do for both my son and I. We have our water bottles and the go EVERYWHERE with us. I don’t care where we go or for how long, the water bottles come with us.

GRATITUDE

Reassess your day. Every night my son and I say what we are thankful for. Some nights it’s our time spent with Grandma and other nights it’s macaroni and cheese. The point is, I want my son to know that there is always something to be grateful for. Some days are easy and some days are tough, but at the end of the day, there is always a reason to be thankful.

What do you ladies do to help improve your day? I would love to know so I can add them to my daily routine.

Find out MORE ways you can Empower YOUR Motherhood —

<br />

Helping Autistic Children Cope with Dentist Visits

A first visit to the dentist can be challenging for any parent. If your child is on the autism spectrum, you may have unique fears about how your child will handle this kind of visit. Fortunately, there are things you can do to make your appointment with the dentist a little more successful.

Talk to Your Dentist

The first step in helping your child cope is to make those around him or her understand exactly how he or she might react to the dentist. Talk to your dentist and the office staff about your child and the concerns you might have. Your child is likely not the first on the spectrum to visit the office, and your dentist might be more than happy to discuss recommendations to make the process easier for your child.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Your next step is to normalize going to the dentist. Drive by the dentist in your area when you can, telling your child about what is done there. If your child enjoys television, watch developmentally-appropriate shows that feature dentists. If your child receives speech or occupational therapy, you may even want to let your child practice having his or her teeth touched. Normalization of the basic aspects of the dental visit can be quite helpful.

Provide a Comfort Item

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your child has access to items that help to calm him or her. Bringing along a stim toy can be a great idea, as can bringing along a weighted vest or blanket. Many pediatric offices also let children watch television or even play video games during their examination, so ensuring that your child has something soothing to watch and/or play can be incredibly helpful.

Minimize Waiting Time

Finally, make sure that you keep the process as short and sweet as possible. Talk to your dental staff about your child and let them know that you’ll be there as close to the start of the procedure as possible. Fill out all the paperwork ahead of time and consider having the office call you as soon as they are ready for you. This gives fewer chances for meltdowns in the waiting room and keeps things moving for everyone.

Going to the dentist is largely a process of adaptation. Talk with everyone involved and help calm your child when you can, then provide adaptive tools to help your child cope. The visit will be over faster than you think, and you and your child will know that you’ve conquered another challenge.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan

Teaching Kids With Attention Problems How to Recycle

Teaching Kids with Attention Problems About Recycling

The children who have attention disorders should learn how to recycle at home and school in the same way as the other children. However, it can take more time to explain how to recycle items correctly, and you may need to find interesting teaching methods. Many children who have poor attention spans are able to learn more with hands-on training methods, so you should prepare ways to teach these children in a real-life format.

Take a Walk While Picking Up Trash

If your kid or kids tend to enjoy hands on activities, you can bring them outside to pick up the trash from your yard or a park. Make sure to supply gloves and trash bags, but you should watch carefully to make sure that your children don’t collect anything sharp, including broken glass or drug syringes. After collecting the paper items and soft drink cans, have the kids determine how much of the trash is recyclable. Make it into a game, and be understanding if they get distracted by other things.

Visit a Recycling Center

For children who enjoy heavy machinery or learn visually, you could teach them another way. Plan a field trip to a recycling center so that your children can see how the trash is sorted by type into glass, plastic, paper and other materials. The employees at the recycling center can discuss the importance of separating the types of materials along with making sure that the things are clean enough for the recycling process.

Create a Recycling Station

It is important to have easily recognizable recycling green bins at home. While there are many types of trash dumpsters, green is the color that tells children that the container is designed for recyclable items. With the noticeable green color, it is easier for children with poor attention spans to remember to place an item in the correct container. It also helps to have a dedicated recycling bin right next to the other garbage cans so your child doesn’t have to adjust their routine much to throw the right things away. Put a sign up that reminds them which item goes in which bin.

Learn How to Compost

Children with attention-deficit issues can also learn how to compost many types of trash so that there is rich soil for planting flowers or a vegetable garden. Create a composting pile for the proper types of garbage and trash, and also, you should allow your children to take turns stirring the rotting items to create the soil. After the trash decomposes into soil, use the dirt to plant flower or vegetable seeds. Hands on activities like gardening can be more interesting to children who have trouble connecting to activities that can otherwise feel disconnected from their daily lives.

Lifelong Learning

Work with your children come up with ways to remember to recycle and reuse. This can include organizing their room and giving them specific places to put objects, which can help them remember to put recycling in a specific place as well. Be gentle when reminding them, and work with them to set up a schedule for them to clean and throw things in the trash or recycling. A motivating reward system can help them tie their behavior to later benefits and make them get excited about recycling.

Even if your child has attention deficit issues, he or she can still begin to learn important principles on avoiding waste and reusing and recycling. Use these tips to teach your child to recycle and care for his or her planet.

Do You Know These 7 Interesting Facts about Asia?

The largest continent on the planet, Asia is full of centuries-old tradition and present-day trends. Several interesting facts about Asia remain untold, and learning them will undoubtedly leave you bewildered.

Here are 7 interesting facts about Asia:

1) Countries in Asia consume ninety percent of the rice produced in the world –

An essential food throughout the continent, rice makes for a staple for breakfast, lunch as well as dinner. Concerning food consumption, Asia differs from the rest of the world due to its high need for rice. So vital is rice for living here that many Asians use “rice” as a conversation starter.

Asians consume about ninety percent of the world’s rice yield with China, India, and Indonesia, partaking sixty percent of it alone. The latter half of the twentieth century saw the individual average rice consumption in Asia rising steadily from 85 kilograms annually to 103. This period also marked the start of the Green Revolution when farmers received over 1000 modernized rice varieties.

2) All Vietnamese people share the same birthday –

In Vietnam, people count their age based on the number of Vietnamese New Year they’ve celebrated, unlike the rest of the world, counting it from the day of their birth. So, in Vietnam, everybody turns another year older on “Tet Nguyen Dan” which means “Vietnamese New Year’s Day.”

Every year, Tet Nguyen Dan doesn’t fall on the same date because it is by the lunar (moon) cycle. The date falls in the latter half of the winter season, i.e., late January or the beginning of February, and the “Tet” lasts for many days. So, among several Tet traditions, the New Year also makes for a birthday celebration. A baby’s first Tet would make him officially one year old, even if his actual birth took place before the New Year’s Day.

3) One of Thailand’s markets lies right over train tracks – A genuinely unique Thai market and located near Bangkok, the Maeklong Railway Market lies right on a passing train’s tracks! This market has numerous stalls displaying local produce such as fruits and veggies, seafood and meats, sweet foods, clothing, and fresh flowers.

Several times throughout the day, as the warning bell rings loudly through the speaker, the vendors have to drawback their awnings. It’s because a train runs right in the middle of the buzzing market, sufficiently close for touch. This aspect certainly makes the Maeklong Railway Market stand out among Thailand’s several markets

The market remarkably adjusts itself and encloses the train while it rolls through. The vendors pull back the awnings just to the extent required and move the baskets of local produce just enough to keep them from being sliced by the train’s wheels.

Once the train passes, the vendors instantly restore the awnings where they were initially. Everyone resumes their normal activities as though nothing unbelievable did ever happen.

The train runs through the market eight times per day, including the trips in the return direction. So, one gets eight opportunities daily to watch the spectacular sight of the train rolling through the market just after the vendors have closed down their umbrellas.

4) The Spring Temple Buddha is the tallest sculpture worldwide – Towering at 420 feet, on top of a lotus-shaped pedestal as high as 66 feet, the Spring Temple Buddha located in the Chinese township of Zhaocun is the tallest sculpture in the world. If you’re seeking something fresh and thrilling, yet remarkably peaceful and quiet, you should be heading straight to visit the marvelous sculpture in China.

The sculpture features a famous statue representing the Vairocana Buddha. Built in the period from 1997 to 2008, the statue is made up of large quantities of gold, copper alloy, and steel occupying almost 11,000 square feet. The ornately layered copper gives the figure its brilliant appeal.

A diamond seat, holding 6,666 smaller statues of Buddha and lying beneath the Buddha, further enhances the sculpture’s beauty. It also contains the holy Buddhist monastery where people come seeking eternal peace.

5) Indonesia is the world’s largest island country – With 17,508 islands extending between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, and with 741,050 square miles of overall land area, Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic nation. This archipelago stretches across the equatorial line and covers almost an eighth of the circumference of the earth.

Several groups of islands make up the entire archipelago, namely, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Timor, Maluku, and Papua New Guinea. Indonesians reside in about 6,000 islands, with 51% of the country’s total population living on Java island. The coastal area encompassing Indonesia has global significance, mainly for trading purposes.

6) The largest flower in the world grows in South-East Asia -he Rafflesia flower, named after Sir Raffles who founded Singapore and found the flower while on an expedition, grows in the tropical forests of South-East Asia, most abundantly in Indonesia. Rafflesia, the formal state flower of Indonesia, is a huge flower measuring a meter across, and its unique shape and size have earned it a symbolic status.

With twenty species of the flower existing in the world, a typical Rafflesia flower has five dull-red, leather-textured, spotted petals resembling the shape of a cabbage and a large, bowl-like center.

When the Rafflesia blooms, it emits an extremely unpleasant odor that attracts insects, thus helping pollination. Rare and beautifully exotic, the Rafflesia, weighing 22 pounds, is the most substantial flower worldwide. Rafflesia is a parasite growing on the hardy Tetrastigma vine only and blooms for not more than 3-5 days annually.

7) Rub’ al Khali desert is the largest desert worldwide with continuous sand – Spanning approximately 6,50,000 sq km and more than a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s complete area, Rub’ al Khali, meaning “Empty Quarter,” is the largest desert in the world with continuous sand. This desert region occupying the southern Arabian Peninsula constitutes the Arabian Desert’s most significant portion.

Featuring diverse topography, the western part of Rub’ al Khali desert is 2000 feet above mean sea level with thin and soft sand. While the desert’s eastern portion is only at 600 feet, consisting of dunes, sheets, and sabkhas, also called salt flats.

One of the world’s driest regions, the Rubʿ al Khali, is virtually empty, i.e., without inhabitants and contains ample petroleum reserves below its sands. The Al-Ghawār oil field, extending approximately 260 km in the eastern part of the country, includes several billions of oil barrels.

Conclusion

So, now you know some unusual facts about the Asian continent. If you’re already planning a trip for exploring these facts, don’t forget to carry a scratch-off world map along. Once you’re back home, carte a gratter will remind you of all the exciting facts that you explored.

Day of the Dead and What it Means to Celebrate It

With the popularity of the Disney movie Coco, Day of the Dead has become a pretty well-known holiday. Yet, even if you have seen the movie, you may still be wondering what it’s all about. Where did this tradition come from? What do all the flowers and skeletons mean? Here is everything you need to know about Day of the Dead.

What is Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead, or Dia de Muertos, is a holiday celebrated throughout Latin America, but it originated in Mexico.

Instead of being a celebration of ghouls and goblins, Day of the Dead is a time to celebrate and honor loved ones who have passed away. Participants believe that on November 1^st and 2^nd, the dead awaken and their spirits come to visit their living family members. The living prepare a feast and receive the spirits as honored guests.

Where did Day of the Dead originate?

According to the History Channel, Day of the Dead originated around 3,000 years ago with the Nahua and Aztec people. They believed that life is cyclical and death is just a normal part of that cycle. Therefore, they created a celebration to honor this part of the cycle.

Originally, the Nahua celebrated the dead in August. However, when the Spanish invaded Mexico, they brought with them All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which is celebrated the first two days of November. As a part of these celebrations, the Spanish would decorate graves with flowers and candles to help the dead find their way back to their homes on earth. Therefore, the Day of the Dead celebrations we witness today is a mixture of these two cultural traditions.

What are the Day of the Dead Traditions?

In Mexico, November 1^st is “Dia de los Inocentes” (Day of the Innocents) or “Dia de los Angelitos” (Day of the Little Angels), which is basically a day to celebrate the lives of young children who have passed. The celebration for adults is the following day, on November 2.

During these celebrations, family members go to the cemetery to clean and decorate the gravestones. Sometimes they place items that their family members loved in life on the gravestones. Other families just place these items on an altar for the deceased in their homes.

On the 1^st and 2^nd , the family gathers for a feast and celebration in remembrance of those who have passed away. The belief is that during these two days, the spirits of those who have passed away are present and celebrating alongside their living family members.

What is the meaning of the Day of the Dead decorations?

The altars are the focus of Day of the Dead celebration. Baby’s breath, which represents the purity of children, adorns the altars of children, alongside toys, candy, and food that children enjoy such as sweet tamales, and atole.

For adults, the altars are covered with marigolds, the iconic orange flower that represents Day of the Dead. In some areas, the flower petals are also used to make a path that leads the souls back home to the family. Instead of sweet tamales they have spicy ones and trade the atloe for that adult’s beverage of choice. The food symbolizes an offering to the souls to welcome them home.

In addition to the tamales and atole, each region also offers the dead “pan de muerto” or bread of the dead. This is a special type of bread made during the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Each altar also has a picture of the people who have passed away, which represents his or her presence. Candles line the altars to light the way back home for the souls. Some altars also have papel picado or cut/chiseled paper with images of saints, skulls, and skeletons and are used as a tablecloth to decorate the altar.

The candy skulls and people dressed as skeletons, or La Catrina, are symbols of the reality of death. They are not meant to be scary but instead normalize death as a part of the cycle of life.

Can I take part in a Day of the Dead celebration if I am not Mexican?

Of course, you can! However, if you are going to attend a public celebration or celebrate with another family, remember to be respectful. The point of the celebration is to take time to remember loved ones. That means it may not be the best place for selfies or Facebook lives. Instead, unplug and take the time to enjoy being with other people.

If you are in the US, you can check here to see if there will be a Day of the Dead celebration near you. If you are feeling super adventurous, hop on a plane and head to Mexico to witness Day of the Dead first hand.

If neither of those is an option, you could also consider having your own Day of the Dead celebration in your home.

If I want to go to Mexico during Day of the Dead, where should I go?

You could honestly go anywhere in Mexico to experience Day of the Dead alongside the locals but according to TripSavvy, you will find the most colorful festivities in the Southern Region of Mexico. Some popular destinations for Day of the Dead explorers are Oaxaca, Chiapas, Michoacán and Mexico City.

Won’t a Day of the Dead Celebration scare my child?

Remember, Day of the Dead is not Halloween. It is not mean to be scary. Day of the dead is a time of connection and remembrance. In fact, if your child fears death or if you have recently lost a loved one, it may be helpful for your family to take some time to address the reality of death and remember those in your family who are no longer with you.

If you’d like to learn more about how to have your own Day of the Dead celebration, download this free three day activity guide that will walk you through bringing culture, joy and connection into your family through your own Day of the Dead celebration this October 31^st-November 2^nd.

Bio: Vanessa Ruiz loves all things language, culture, and diversity. She is the mother of a bilingual, bicultural child and works full time supporting immigrant families. You can find her at Families Embracing Diversity where she guides families to learn to love their differences today to give their children a better tomorrow.

Keep Kids’ Eyes Off Mobile Phones with These Tips

Your child is fast becoming addicted to mobile phone and it worries you. Sure, it’s only natural for a parent to get concerned about a child’s negative attitude. In addition to consistently exposing their retina to white light, mobile phone addiction can also distract kids from educational and other productive activities. So, what can you do to distract your kid from intense mobile phone usage?

Thankfully, it is possible to make your kid’s environment more interesting than mobile phone. But how? Keep reading to learn more.

First, Understand that Too Much Exposure to Screen Has Consequences

High screen-time or too much exposure to gadget or TV screen comes with certain consequences such as the following;

Poor academic performance due to distraction caused by mobile phone addiction
Possibility of being derailed by surfing websites that are not healthy or morally good
Exposure of the retina to streams of white light at all times can drastically impact a child’s vision

So, How Can You Curtail or Stop a Child’s Addiction to Mobile Phones and Other Screen Gadgets?

You should start by devising ways to make their environment more interesting than sticking to the phone all day long. Some helpful tips to achieve this include the following;

Tip #1: Take the Lead

Whether you accept it or not, children tend to learn by example rather than mere instructions. You may not succeed in distracting your kid from phone addiction when you are also a culprit and barely have time for your kids. So, what they see you do is what they will likely do. If you are too drawn to your smartphone, it’s time to be the example for your kid by spending less and less time on your phone. It’s just a question of time, your child will follow suit.

Tip #2: Encourage and Introduce Fun Activities

You should introduce other fun and useful activities to your child. For instance, you can introduce your child to archery. Choose an adjustable bow for your child with the help of an archery shop attendant.

Subsequently, you can engage your backyard (if it is allowed in your area) to start teaching the kid how to shoot bows. Usually, the first target for kids learning to shoot a bowl is balloons. Indeed, most kids would prefer to spend time learning to shoot a bow than staying glued to a phone. Indeed, archery is a fantastic hobby that any kid will love.

You should also make other essential resources accessible to your child. Typical examples of such resources include interesting/educative books, art supplies and board games such as scrabble.

Tip #3: Cut back Phone Usage Times

Abrupt withdrawal of a phone from a child may cause him or her to go into depression and other negative emotions, since the child is already addicted to the gadget.

To prevent this from happening, you should consider limiting phone usage time at first and fill those hours the child is not using phone with other fun and productive activities mentioned in Tip #2. This gradual and more strategic process will be more effective. You will be surprised that the child would eventually lose interest in phones and gadgets without much coercion.

Tip #4: Spend More time with Your Child

Often, kids tend to resort to smartphones or other negative things as succor, since their parents rarely have time for them. So, learn to spend time with your kids. Find out what’s going on with them in school and elsewhere, and play with them as often as you can.

The truth is, kids really yearn for the attention of their parents who are rather busy doing other things that can never be equated with the emotional wellbeing of their kids. In fact, some parents are even the ones encouraging their kids to spend time with mobile phones since they do not get involved in these kids’ lives.

But the truth is, for a child to be well-rounded and groomed, you cannot take out those detailed and intimate moments spent with a child — which is what proper parenting requires.

Tip #5: Get Your Kids involved in House Chores

When a child has extensive idle time, he or she will definitely look for other things to be occupied on. If all your child does is to do home work, eat and play, and do not help out in anyway, he or she will definitely get attracted to mobile phone to stay busy.

So, start early to involve your kids in house chores and other meaningful activities. When you cook in the kitchen, get them to help handle smaller tasks such as washing vegetables, measuring out ingredients, and cleaning up after cooking. Also, your kids should be involved in keeping the house tidy, watering the plants in the garden and so on.

Finally, you need to understand that there’s no idle time for a kid, they must always have something to do. So, get them involved in meaningful activities to distract them from mobile phone.

4 Activities to Spark Your Child’s Natural Curiosity

One of the most wonderful things about children is that they’re natural curious about the world around them. There’s a lot going on, and most want to know more. If you feel like your child’s mostly focused inward, though, you may want to take steps to encourage that natural curiosity. Below are four activities that can really make a difference.

Go to Nature

Getting out in the natural world is a great way to get a child’s mind moving. Leave behind the technology and the distractions and spend a few hours out in the woods—or even a few days camping. Let your child discover the vast beauty of nature in a safe what that will make him or her really want to learn more about why the world works as it does.

Visit a Museum of Play

There are many excellent childrens’ museums out there, and the best of them put a strong focus on play. While children might think that they’re just getting a chance to play around, what they’re really doing is engaging with the world in a hands-on manner. Playing around in a stream table or building a fortress out of blocks may not seem like it’s constructive, but it’s teaching your child incredibly important lessons.

Check Out a Planetarium

Sometimes it takes spending a moment contemplating the vastness of the universe to really unlock a sense of wonder. There are spectacular planetarium shows in cities across the world, many of which are geared towards children. Giving your child a chance to look out at the vastness of space and to wonder what’s out there can be a good way to help him or her start to think about the world in a more engaging manner.

Visit a Historical Site

Sometimes a look at the past can really help a child to start asking “why”. Checking out a battlefield, an old building, or even a monument is a great way to talk to your child about the world as it was before he or she was born. Just getting exposed to the idea that things were not always as they are now can be a major turning point for some children, and this can lead them to really start interrogating their own worlds.

Getting your child to use his or her natural curiosity is really a matter of providing the right stimuli. Visit museums, planetariums, and historic sites to provide new points of view, and don’t forget to get out into nature to let your child explore. With the right stimuli, your child’s imagination will soar.

How to Help Your Children Through a Difficult Move

Moving to a new home is a difficult experience for everyone, but it is particularly tough for children. They are leaving behind more than just a familiar house. They’re also saying goodbye to friends, a neighborhood, a school, and maybe more. Here are some simple tips for helping your kids adjust to life at a new address.

Remember Their Transition

As we adults struggle to activate utilities, sell real estate, and adjust to a new job, we can easily forget about the kids. For them to come through the move as seamlessly as possible, it is essential that you help them adjust as well. Take them to explore their new school at the first opportunity. Check out the restaurants, stores, parks, and entertainment areas that will interest them. Talk to local groups about sports, orchestra, theater, or whatever hobbies they may have.

Get Them Involved

We often think that packing, hauling, and unpacking is adults’ work, and it is. However, kids need to help a little too. Take care of their furniture, clothes, and “boring” things for them, and then set aside time to work them through the process of packing treasured toys or other belongings. Let them mark the boxes and use all the fun bubble wrap and tape they want.

Keep Some Simple Reminders

If this is the first move for your children, the adjustment is really big. Figure out a way for them to maintain some physical reminders of the old place. It could be a paver from the sidewalk or a plant transferred to the new home. It could even be the door frame where you’ve measured their heights. Whatever you manage to find, bring it along to keep the memories of the old home fresh while they build more memories in the new home.

Just Listen

This may be uncharted territory for your kids. They may feel guilty about being excited to make new friends after leaving their old ones behind. They may be anxious about a totally new school. They may even be almost manic with excitement at the possibilities. Their feelings will run the gamut, and the only thing you can do is listen and support them. In time, you’ll hear the conversations turn more towards the new life and less toward the strain of leaving the old life. Even kids who are generally upbeat will have down times. Just listen.

A move is a major change. When there are kids involved, you can make their transition more seamless by simply keeping their feelings and reactions in mind at all times.

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.

Prevent Bullying with A Goat Named Joey – Giveaway

Loving yourself is the key to confidence.

This book is such a wonderful look as your join Joey LeGoat on his journey of self discovery. My son read the book in one sitting and then read it twice in the same day!

His words, ” This book deserves 5 stars! It is such a good book about how to stand up to bullies and how it is wonderful to be you. I can’t wait to read it again.” He even read it to his sister.

In today’s world we need to use EVERY conversation, book, resource to teach our kids the ideals of empathy, connection, empowerment and self love. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and this book is a wonderful resource. With beautiful illustrations and using strong imagery this book is a great book to read a few pages daily or for kids who are ready to read chapter books. With two chapters and clearly outlined sections, this book is a pleasure to read.

We are so glad Tom Nochera chose to send us this book and have us host a giveaway.

To grab a chance to win this book for free, click here and get the book. Winner will be announced in two weeks.

Inside the Book

Joey LeGoat lives with his brother Billy and their family on the Isle of Oat. When Gilbert, the leader of the geese, finds out that Joey is not called a billy goat, there’s trouble. Gilbert is the island’s head bully, and Joey LeGoat becomes his innocent prey. Against his father’s advice, Joey decides to hide in his barn. However, his own spirit eventually emerges, and he realizes he has to go outside, face his bullies, and create his own destiny. Once Joey LeGoat prevails against his bullies, he challenges all creatures to follow the Golden Rule, and treat others the way they wish to be treated.

<br />

The first of a two-book series, A Goat Named Joey is a tool that parents, educators and children can use to boost self-confidence and spread compassion to help stop the scourge of bullying.

About Author

Before Tom Nochera began writing stories for children, he wrote technical manuals for start-up companies, but he found that as much fun as eating bark off a tree. So, he started writing poems for kids. His first book of poems was A Place That’s Fun, written under the pen name Ichabod Ablegoose. He currently works in catering in Washington, D.C., while continuing to grow his writing career with the help of his biggest inspiration, his children. A Goat Named Joey is his second book. A bullied child himself, Tom wrote this book to help all children escape the hate of bullying.

“A Goat Named Joey is an impactful children’s book that teaches our kids about the harmful and lasting effects of bullying. I highly recommend this wonderful work!”
—Kirk Smalley, President of Stand for the Silent, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping bullying

4 US Cities with the Best Art Museums for Kids

One of the great pleasures of traveling to other parts of the United States is in visiting the wide variety of art museums that house great artworks from every age of human history. America is blessed with a population that not only understands the value of art, but also creates beautiful environments in which to enjoy these works. Here are four US cities that offer art museums worth your vacation investment.

New York City, New York

As one of the largest and most renowned cities in the country, New York City also earned its title as one of the centers for art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Guggenheim, and the Frick museums should be at the top of your list, but there are a number of smaller institutions that are also worth adding to your itinerary for art viewing in NYC.

Chicago, Illinois

This large midwestern city offers art lovers a broad range of visual experiences, from its public art to its smaller, specialized museums. The Art Institute offers a permanent collection of work that is world renowned, with a number of periodic, traveling exhibits that both residents and visitors to the city enjoy on a regular basis.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC offers many interesting attractions for group travel tours, and it also provides art lovers with many opportunities. The Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Gallery of Art are the top favorites, but a number of other museums, such as the Hirshhorn Museum and Freer and Sackler Galleries are also worthwhile stops for extraordinary art viewing.

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles has a large population of art lovers and their commitment to preserving extraordinary works is evident at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, fondly referred to as “LACMA.” Marked at the front with its iconic collection of streetlights, a million visitors come to enjoy its collections of art from around the world and various periods in history. The Getty Museum is another institution that houses a wide range of artworks for the public to enjoy, making L.A. a must-see stop on any traveler’s tour of U.S. museums.

The United States is rich in artistic treasures that are available to everyone who wants to see them. If you and your family are interested in travel and art, you have a wide range of opportunities to see works of all kinds. These four cities offer some of the best art viewing in the country, to suit every taste.

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.

6 Decor Ideas That Enhance Learning

An environment that induces motivation and energy, as well as exudes an aura of professionalism properly infused with appropriate levels of comfort, is significant to enhance the process of learning in students. In this particular stage of life, when kids soak up everything around them, every minute detail should be monitored and carefully implanted into their surroundings, especially in a learning environment like a classroom. An aura that harmoniously incorporates all the significant aspects required for a student to be inclined to learn, develop and think out of the box is one of the best methods to help the entire process of grasping and understanding knowledge.

In the list below, you’ll find 6, briefly explained ideas to help you choose, decide and develop the kind of environment you want to nurture the kids in as per the needs and requirements of their personalities. From posters, charts and quick notes to wall decor and 2D diagrams or 3D structures, the bar is set to explore, to play with and to be leveraged to your aims and goals. So, brainstorm, choose and decide, the future of the nation rests on these decisions.

Posters :

Visual effects have drastic effects on the psychology of the child. As compared to hours and hours of long lectures, an aesthetic poster that conveys the information creatively proves to be comparatively very effective and efficient. Therefore, choosing to decorate the room with posters will benefit in the learning process exponentially, as well as, at the same time, enhance the environment by shifting it from bland and clinical to a bit more friendly and inviting.

However, you must have a clear perspective of the environment you want to create, based on which the posters to be put up will be chosen. Thus, choose wisely.

Student Work Display:

Throughout the academic year, students are handed a lot of projects and assignments about the respective subjects. The works submitted by them thus can be chosen to be carefully decorated on a wall that is specific for student work display only. This method proves to kill two birds with one stone. How? You may wonder, well, it’s simple; displaying their hard work gives them a sense of ownership and on top, gives them the motivation to give their best. This technique instigates a sense and environment of healthy competition necessary for growth and learning.

Class Community Wall:

The importance of this particular method is like no other. The seeds from community learning, such as in a class are, can only be reaped when the bond between the group is strong and healthy as well. This is where the ‘Class Community Wall’ idea comes in.

Decorating a wall with inspiring photographs and messages from one to another will tend to develop a nurturing environment. This wall, however, needs to be carefully monitored and maneuvered since the tiniest of misconduct can lead to unwanted troubles and misunderstandings.

World Map Posters :

World maps can prove to be extremely informative as well as decorative for walls. A world map scratch poster, for example, can prove to be one of the best ways to use up space on your classroom walls to decorate in an aesthetic yet very informative way. Scratching off the gold foil while learning something about a new place altogether and then to reveal colorful states and lands below, can be a very creative way to grasp hold on geography

Start with a World Map Scratch Poster, the kids will enjoy scratching it while learning about places.

3 D Structures:

As stated before, visual aids have a huge impact on the mind. 3 D structures, therefore, take the concept of posters and diagrams to a whole new level. The understanding of a visual intensifies when you make the children inhale the concept through 3-dimensional diagrams. The bar of imagination becomes extraordinarily magnified through this particular technique. Be it a 3-dimensional structure of the human DNA, a skeleton or the solar system, the creativity level states the sky as the limit. Furthermore, the structures help elevate the learning vibe and aura of the classroom to yield a more practical mindset and approaches.

Wall Art and Murals

Wall Art and murals help bring a change of scenery to the very ‘set and systematic’ environment of the classroom. This change of scenery can act as a breath of fresh air in many cases and thus help uplift the level of energy in the surroundings. This can further aid in making the kids more receptive to what is being taught in the lectures as well. These murals can range from being mere decorative paintings of ecosystems and nature to messages related to diversity and love, depending on the incentive.

The environment of the classroom, besides the teacher and the techniques used to teach, influences the learning of the children studying in it exponentially. Thus, it becomes imperative to choose and make wise decisions and take significant towards enhancing the rooms and yield extremely productive results accordingly.