Your Sensitive Child at School and Their Anxiety

Your Sensitive Child at School and Their Anxiety

by with One Comment AnxietyEducationMindset

Some thoughts from an anxious child:

Standing constantly on the edge of a crowd looking in. Slowly counting down the minutes before escape is an option. Questioning have enough people seen me that it is now ok to leave without causing offense?

Sitting in class excitedly thinking, “Yes! Yes! Miss I know this one? pick me! Please pick me!” Now it’s my turn to answer and all I can manage is…. “Yeah, um… what was the question again please? Oh um! Yes,th… th a… “ Tripping over the words as I excitedly try to explain  myself, feeling more and more embarrassed by the minute.  If only the floor would only open for my quick decent! And my teacher moves on….

Did someone say “Exam”?… I was trying to avoid this one… which possibly, ok probably means, it needs special mention… Sitting silently amongst other students waiting for all of the instructions to be read, whilst starring with trepidation at the back of the exam paper face down on the desk! “15 minutes reading time starts now! You may turn over your paper.”, calls the head supervisor. Turning the exam paper over…. “Oh, no! Where are the words?” When your subconscious starts telling you “Breathe, you need to breathe!” as the star’s in from of your eyes slowly fade and you slowly stop shaking, you realise there is a teacher standing in front of you, handing you a glass of water, saying “Are you ok? Why aren’t you writing? You could start writing 15 minutes ago!” Looking from me to the paper she sees I am confused and shaking… she opens the booklet in the middle and says “Start here! Find the answer place in your answer book.”  Subconscious advises, “Oh, a task! We can do that… “!

Suggestions for successful negotiations in these situations:

1. Become familiar with the task at hand.

    1. Review possible scenarios and how you will handle them.
    2. Talk to your teacher about particular exam strategies.

2. Make your own in-a-pocket support system.

    1. A support for ‘anxiety and/or panic inducing situations’ creature in your pocket is helpful …. Here the choice is usually a tiny smurf!  A distraction for centering yourself.
    2. A pencil and small notebook for drawing.  In an exam ask if you can take a separate paper to draw on. Your teacher can check it or take it and bring you a spare.

3. A prepared speech.

    1. When you are worried you can hold your cards, even if you don’t need them, during your presentation.
    2. Prepare – practice, practice, practice!
    3. Visual your presentation – and your success (Even when you are worried! You can do this!)
    4. Vocus on a point above the audience’s head. It looks like you are talking to them but they are not in focus so you don’t have to register off-putting antics, even unintentional ones.

4. In class.

    1. A support creature – a kerokerokeroppi pen to pick up with the purpose of holding focus.
    2. Organising your desk in a way to support your thought processes.
    3. Have a scribble book or paper to draw extra explanation notes to the lesson notes on, or to squiggle on to help if you start to feel frazzled.

Think before you speak!

Practice till you are ready to tell your mother and elocution teacher – enough please!.  The mantra of the elocution teacher echoes still,

“Deep breathe! Sit up straight! Hands on the desk or in your lap! Now, answer the question!”

  • If you look-up speech exercises like:
    Repeating “red leather, yellow leather” clearly as many times as you can in one breathe.
  • Learning to say tongue twisters as fast as you can. Then as many times as you can in one breathe clearly.
  • I used to be terrified before presentations but “red leather, yellow leather” repeated in the bathroom 100 times before hand meant my speech never caught me out. My nerves had me shaking but my speech and shakes never showed  – but I had to practice!
  • Find a long piece of poetry to learn. I could recite “The Man From Snowy River” by A B “the Banjo” Paterson, all 4 pages of it. And I kept it learnt (I still know most of it) because… if you can visualise yourself not faltering, you won’t.

However, to get to that point you need to practice.

  • Practice conversations.
  • Pick a topic and get someone to throw questions at you that you have to answer.  Even asking multiplication tables fast (even if your child is 15).
  • The faster you can answer questions the less likely you will be caught off balance
  • Slowly you will learn to think on your feet.


Practice a beginning response to every question you will encounter:

  • Example:  What is today’s date? Start with the obvious. “Today’s date is…”
  • Another example: How many states does Australia have? “Australia has ….”

This way you know where you are starting, so usually you don’t need to fumble on the part of an answer or talk you wish to present.

Nerves are funny things – you can learn to use them to your advantage by centering yourself and concentrating on the words you already know.

The key to overcoming your anxiety in these situations is to role play the possibilities, and practice until you are confident you will succeed.

Articles I like:

  1. https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on-strengths/gifted-childrens-challenges-with-learning-and-attention-issues
  2. http://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/empathy-and-anxiety-in-gifted-children/
4 Ways to Develop Cognitive Skills For Kids in an Entertaining Way

4 Ways to Develop Cognitive Skills For Kids in an Entertaining Way

by with No Comment EducationMindset

Raising kids is a long-term investment, and it can be pretty difficult at times. Sometimes adults don’t realize that parenting can be fun for kids and their caregivers. With a little thought, parents can help their kids develop their mental and physical skills in entertaining ways. This infuses daily activities with creativity and wonder. In turn, this teaches children that these are the qualities of a rich and full life. Developing cognitive skills is part of the job kids do; supporting them in their growth is the job of parents. Here are four ways to infuse more creative entertainment into your kids’ cognitive growth.

Music and Poetry

Kids love to sing and dance. They learn through lyrics and rhythm. Expose them to Chopin at bedtime and your favorite boy band while in the car. Counting songs, songs about emotions, and silly songs all teach children. They can learn how to moderate emotions, how to name animals, and how to occupy themselves in a self-reliant way.

Conversation

A nurturing home includes two-way conversation. It can be difficult to gauge which stage of cognitive development a child is at, so knowing your child is crucial. Let kids choose topics and develop opinions. They can listen to your old family stories. Open-ended conversation can be about the books you read together or the walk you took that day. Everything is new to kids, so few topics are boring to them.

Kids learn through conversation just how much they are respected. They learn to show respect as well. They learn about the big world, and they let a trusted adult into their little world. Adults can see both the successful development and those areas where kids need extra support.

Games

From outside games to Kontu, parents can challenge kids. They can help their children practice numbers and take turns. Children can experience what it feels like to win graciously and lose patiently. Online games and outdoor activities promote eye-hand coordination and fill an afternoon with quality learning time.

Good Health in Mind and Body

A tired or hungry child finds it hard to advance in their cognitive development. Parents can establish routine sleep patterns and ensure the best nutrition possible. They can also provide a safe learning environment. This is an essential step in allowing kids to reach their full potential as they grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively.

As a parent, helping your child develop cognitive skills is one of your most important jobs. Use the above four tips to teach your children in a creative and entertaining way.

4 Services You Need for Your Family’s Next Road Trip

4 Services You Need for Your Family’s Next Road Trip

by with No Comment Travel

A road trip is a great place for family bonding because you’re traveling in close quarters together. You’ll discover fun landmarks and natural wonders along the way. Be prepared before you turn on the ignition so you get the most out of the journey.

Plan Your Route

So you’ve decided to hit the open road. Research the path first. Where do you hope to end up? What attractions would you like to see along the way? Getting everyone’s input makes the experience more fun. You have something to look forward to. Don’t forget to include regular rest stops and a list of hotels for longer trips. Add emergency care rooms to the list just in case. Schedule your trip in the off-season if at all possible. You want to get the most out of your road trip without too many other tourists in the way.

Insure Your Vehicle

Your existing policy should largely cover you if you are using your own car for the trip. Talk to your provider, whether LA insurance or another company, about potential additions. They can tell you if your in-state coverage will still work if you’re crossing several state boundaries. There are also some companies that will give you greater roadside assistance if you need to be towed.

Get a Tune-Up

You don’t want your engine to stall out or suffer a flat tire halfway through the trip. Take your vehicle to your regular mechanic. They can replace broken or damaged parts. It is especially critical to change your vehicle’s engine oil. Long travel puts stress on your car. Refill any fluids like brake fluid and coolant. Updating your air filter improves air circulation and prevents your car from feeling stale. Double-check the car lights. You want to be able to signal for help if you get stuck in unfamiliar territory.

Create an Emergency Bag

A first aid kit is a great place to start. This should include standard items such as band aids, gauze, and disinfectant. You will need to expand your existing supplies for longer trips. Pack hearty foods: no chips here. Aim for granola bars and trail mix instead. If you are using an RV that has a refrigerator your food selection will be a bit wider. Use it to store lots of water and milk if your family likes it.

Once everything is in place it’s time for the next important step: to get excited!

Incredible Lessons Imbibed When Teenagers Travel

Incredible Lessons Imbibed When Teenagers Travel

by with One Comment BilingualkidsEducationEmpowermentHeritageMulticulturalParentingTeenagersTravel

“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” – Virginia Woolf

Teenage children are rebellious, tenacious and passionate. I don’t want them any other way. But as a mother of three teenage kids, I crazily bounce from loving them to pieces to wanting to send them to the moon with smart phone and video games included! 

Raising teenagers is not for the faint of heart and parents must be ready to put on their thinking caps to empower their children while establishing clear rules and boundaries. I try, as a respectful mom, to explain the reasons behind every rule and consequence. I listen to my kids’ points of view and ideas.

However, there are situations in which negotiation isn’t an option and in which I don’t yield to intelligent and persistent youngsters. It will be done as I say: period! 

There are decisions and moments in which learning and being healthy are priorities and in these cases I refuse to negotiate with my teenagers and instead I proceed as a merciless dictator telling everybody what to do and how to do it. 

Traveling is one of them. 

Traveling encourages curiosity. Bali, Indonesia

Why do I strongly encourage my kids to travel?

It may sounds like a cliché but traveling is an eye-opening experience for children and adolescents alike. Represents an opportunity to grow and learn to make decisions on their own;  constitutes a meaningful way of interacting with siblings and parents while developing team-work skills. Traveling represents the chance to learn a new language and culture. 

Although, many times my teenage kiddos don’t see it that way. They don’t want to walk all those kilometers to visit another church (Europe is full of them), or don’t want to explore the rainforest in Indonesia because is unbearably humid and hot. They complain and beg to stay home or at the hotel.

That’s when I start giving orders to every one in sight asking them to carry their own luggage, fill their water bottles, walk, and enjoy because the benefits of traveling are too many to risk missing them for some teenage tantrum. 

Don’t get me wrong! Once we are on the road, ideas about places to visit and explore accordingly to my children’s interests are quickly written at the top of our to-do list. It is not about making their lives miserable. It is about taking control of the many possibilities they have to grow emotionally and physically and that teenage kids sometimes don’t see by themselves because of their short and inexperienced years. 

Discovering Barcelona with our three nomads. Spain

When it comes to learning and raising diversity awareness I feel the need to behave as a parent who guides and encourages. As guidance, many times you will need to establish priorities for your children even though these concerns don’t align with your teenager’s desires. 

How do teenagers benefit from traveling?

To travel with adolescents is an invaluable experience that brings many benefits to our children.  Some of these advantages refer to their core values, some others will enhance their understanding of diversity and cultures. From my family to yours, these are the amazing things I have seen my teenage kids to enjoy and learn during our adventures abroad:

Lessons Learnt When Teenagers Travel

  1. Learn how to save and budget money.

Once my kids are informed about our travel plans for the next weekend or holidays, they begin this unstoppable race to make money so they can buy souvenirs, comics, books, and clothing in our destination. It is so rewarding to see them plan their budgets, brain storming about selling the toys, gadgets and clothes they don’t use anymore, and also helping with extra chores at home… wow! They become so persistent and motivated. Traveling has given them without a doubt some of the tools needed to budget money and the importance of saving. 

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/04/16/5-awesome-travel-hacks-when-traveling-with-your-teens/

Paris isn’t a cheap destination. Some serious budget planning needs to be done before traveling.

2. Empowerment of navigation skills. 

Teenagers like to be in control, they want their opinions and input to be taken into account and traveling allows that. In our family, we encourage our kiddos to suggest and create an itinerary and also to gather info about the transportation and costs of moving around our destination. Technology makes everything easier, so our children handle maps and coordinates with the apps they find more user friendly on their own cellphones. 

I must confess that at first they were so afraid to make mistakes… Afraid of getting lost! But now they feel more independent and capable of finding their way around without the help of mom and dad. And that my dear readers is priceless. I feel like I’m giving my children wings to fly away and be prepared to be successful abroad. 

travel teenagers
Finding her way around London, United Kingdom

3. Lowers the risk of youth depression. 

Millions of teenagers struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to over prescribe medication without treating the reasons behind this behavior.  It is important to acknowledge that there are cases of clinical depression and other mental behaviors that need to be treated by specialists.

Let’s be clear, these facts and statistic are scary. Even more scarier is that many cases of teenage depression aren’t recognized by parents and caregivers.

Being on the road with your kiddos helps promote a deep connection between you and your offsprings and this connection is very important to lay the foundations for an emotionally healthy young adult. Additionally, traveling gives you the time to nurture your parent-child relationship, without distractions from work and school, and this allows you to recognize any signs of melancholy, chronic sadness, worries and problems that your child may suffer. 

Crazy moments but always connected as a family! Road trip to Lake Como, Italy

4. Break stereotypes and experience diversity. 

It is a fact that our children are constantly bombarded by the media with statements and generalizations about other cultures, their religion, traditions, and values. By traveling, you are exposing your young adults to diverse cultures and people so they can come with their own ideas and opinions.

For us it has been an eye-opening experience to hear our kids talk to each other about how they had certain biases against a specific ethnic identity, but after a trip they come back home with a totally different approach. When a teenage child travels overseas, he or she has the opportunity to break the often vicious cycle of prejudice and biases by experiencing diversity first hand. That’s awesome! To me it sounds like a more peaceful future for the world! 

 

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/09/04/top-10-fun-loving-places-for-kids-in-india/

5. Discovering unknown abilities and personal traits. 

Traveling doesn’t go smoothly all of the time. Many times we need to reschedule train rides, change hotels, plan a new budget or itinerary or simply deal with illness in the middle of nowhere in a language we don’t speak.

However, traveling maximizes our problem solving skills to their maximum! Cool, isn’t it? But the benefits don’t end there. No. Let me tell you that we have discovered so many things about our children while traveling! Skills that our teenagers didn’t suspect they had… passions they didn’t want to pursue at first and now they love! 

During our last trip to France, my son started to compare some words from French to the Spanish language. He was excited to see that his knowledge of Spanish had helped him understand some ads, street signs, restaurant menus and so on in French. Then he surprised us with several translations using his mobile phone, his Spanish understanding and new discovered ability.

Bingo!

Our teenage son has found a new reason to pursue his career as an author and writer, adding some translations certificates along the way while being motivated by linguistics of Romance languages. He has a new passion now. Is it going to last forever? We don’t know. But being able to find and recognize the good inside themselves is for teenagers the key to a healthy self esteem and happy future. 

In conclusion, I invite you to give your teenage child the chance to see the world! Don’t fall for tantrums and NOs! Stay firm. You are giving them the gift of a lifetime. They will come back home to share with family and friends their experiences about people and their cultures. Instill in them the same curiosity about differences and appreciation of similarities that you have. Traveling will help your children to keep an open heart and become global citizens. 

So, where are you going next?

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Drop the Dependence: How to Help Your Teen Get Over Their Addiction

Drop the Dependence: How to Help Your Teen Get Over Their Addiction

by with No Comment AddictionMindset

We’re currently in the midst of an addiction epidemic in the United States, and unfortunately, many young people are beginning to abuse substances at a younger age than ever before. It wasn’t long ago when the worst substances parents had to worry about their teens using were alcohol or marijuana. Today, more and more young people are experimenting with harder drugs as well as addictive prescription medications, but the good news is that there are ways to help your teen get over their addiction.

Catch the Addiction Early

Addiction is a progressive illness, and this is why those who have had an addiction for years can often struggle to maintain their sobriety. As a parent, the first thing you need to do is learn the signs of addiction in teens. These include changes in your child’s behavior, interests, attitude, and social circle. It can be troubling to learn your child has an addiction, but it’s not the end of the world. Since your teen is early on in their substance abuse, they have a less severe form of addiction, and this means they have an extremely high chance of recovery and living the life that they deserve. It may be easy to turn to anger and blame your teen or yourself for the addiction. However, that anger is unhelpful. The best thing you can do for your child is to intervene as early as possible and get your child professional help. Getting your child professional help will give them the opportunity to discover why they’ve been turning to drugs or alcohol in the first place and how they can manage life in a much healthier way.

Understand Addiction

For some parents, getting help for their son or daughter can be extremely difficult because of the misconceptions about addiction. Some parents believe that by getting their child help for an addiction they’re admitting that they somehow failed as a parent. This couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s important to understand that addiction is a powerful disease, and there are a wide range of factors that can lead a person to abuse substances.

Get Your Teen Professional Help

If your child was struggling with a physical illness, you would get them help from a professional, and it’s just the same as when they’re struggling with an addiction. By getting your child professional help, you are doing all you can to help your child move past this struggle into a brighter future. Addiction counseling for teens allows your child to work with a trained professional who specializes in working with young people who struggle with addiction. Many young people feel far more comfortable opening up to an addiction counselor rather than their parents. Over time, as they continue to recover, you’ll be able to be much more involved, and your whole family will begin to heal.

Work with Your Whole Family

As addiction has far reaching affects, you should strive to learn more about how it affects your child as well as the rest of your family, so that you will be better able to help your teen at home. Reassure all your children of your love and support and work with them so that they know that they can come to you when they are struggling. You may want to consider seeking out family counseling services at least for a while to keep your family solid and able to work together.

While your child is learning how to manage their life in a new way and build better relationships with you and your family as well as themselves, you’ll also learn more about how you can support your child in their recovery to create a brighter future.

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How to Recognize and Treat Addiction in Your Teens

How to Recognize and Treat Addiction in Your Teens

by with No Comment Addiction

An addiction is an incredibly complicated disease that can bring your child’s life to a grinding halt. That is why you must always keep an eye out for the early warning signs of addiction and seek out help right away if you believe that your teenager is struggling with this disease.

Social Isolation

One of the most common signs of teenage substance abuse is social isolation. As the addiction becomes stronger, you might notice that your child no longer wants to spend time with their family or go out with friends. An addiction can also make you lose interest in activities that you once loved. Over the course of a few months, abusing those substances could become the most important thing in their life, and you need to reach out if you want them to avoid long-term problems.

Aggressive or Combative Behavior

You are sure to get into at least a few arguments with your teenager over the years, but your relationship with one another should be mostly positive. If they are struggling with an addiction, then all of your interactions could become hostile or confrontational. There may even come a point when they act aggressively if you even bring up the idea that they might have a problem. While beating an addiction is never going to be easy, professional rehab services are more effective than ever.

Get Them Counseling

Once you have confirmed that your child is struggling with an addiction, you need to contact an organization such as Lifeline right away. Getting your child counseling is going to be vital to their recovery, and you want to find a program that was specifically designed for teenagers. In addition to one-on-one counseling, your child might also benefit from group therapy, family therapy, and short-term inpatient services.

Support Them Along the Way

One of the best things that you can do for your teenager is support them as much as possible during their recovery. Overcoming an addiction is a long-term process, and your child is going to need support from those they love the most. You should also make sure that your child is surrounded by positive and healthy people who are going to give them good examples to follow.

After discovering that your child is struggling with an addiction, you are going to experience a wide range of emotions. While it might be tempting to lash out or argue, it is important to remember that your teen needs support and love if they are going to overcome this disease and move on with their life.

HELP YOUR CHILD BUILD CONFIDENCE AND A GLOBAL MINDSET EARLY.

 

Canva - Facade of old imposing medieval fortress

Top 10 Fun Loving Places for Kids in India

by with No Comment Travel

India is a place of varied landscape and with the diversity in landscape comes the unmatched scenic beauty associated with the country. From the lofty Himalayas in the North to the deserts in the west to the coastal cities throughout the countries to the hill stations on the Western Ghats, the country has everything which you look for in a tourist destination.

However, when it comes to choosing a tourist destination in India to go with kids, it becomes a head ache for most of the parents. Most of the beautiful places you want to visit with them come with an added problem of tough travelling schedules. Here we bring you a list of places from within the countries which can act as great tourist destination as well as learning experience for the kids.

  1. Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir

Dal lake, Photo by confused_me, CC0 1.0

Often referred to as ‘Heaven on the Earth’, the lofty Himalayas present their majestic view in the state. The northernmost part of India is full of exotic places which can be enjoyed with the kids and will also give them a testimony of how beautiful the nature is. The kids will get to learn about the lifestyle of Kashmiri people, how they work hard to earn their living and their love for motherland. Overall, it will be a memorable experience for your child.

  1. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Himalayan toy train, Photo by donvikro, CC0 1.0

On the Eastern-most part of the great Himalayan Range is situated the beautiful hill-station Darjeeling. Located in Northern-most part of the West Bengal, the ease with which you can travel to this place is commendable. Add to that the scenic beauty, the vast stretch of tea-gardens, the opportunity to watch the glowing Himalayas and majestic sunrise and your child will never say no to this trip. There is added bonus of the memorable Toy Train journey.

  1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Ski center, Photo by punit-sharma, CC0 1.0

The snow-clad mountains and amazing scenes of greenery will welcome your child when you take him to Manali in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh. they will get the chance to look at nature in a completely different way from what they see living in metro cities. They can enjoy snow scooter, mountain biking, skiing and many such sports which they have seen in television till now. The experience will remain etched in their memory for very long time.

  1. Rann of Kutch, Gujrat

Ran Utsav, Photo by rannutsavonline, CC0 1.0

The wide stretch of desert is a must-go place in Gujrat. The varied art and culture, the camel rides, the local music and dance will tempt you to visit this place with your child. Our geography books make great attempts to describe the cultural diversity of our country, so why not give your child a lively example of the same? The child will love this trip and will have a lot to share with his friends about the trip.

  1. Gaya, Bihar

Mahabodhi temple, Photo by Matt Stabile, CC BY 2.0

The land which gave India its first President is not often looked as an Ideal place to take your child. However, the historic importance of Gaya is such that you will be tempted to take your child for a trip to the place. This place was once the center of power for rulers like Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka and has witnessed rise and fall of many great Kingdoms. It is also the place where Buddha was enlightened and that makes it a religious destination of Buddhists. You would definitely want your child to see the great tree under which Siddhartha became Lord Buddha.

  1. Puri, Orissa

Jagannath Temple, Photo by BOMBMAN, CC BY 2.0

Although the city is most famous for the Jagannath Temple, it is a coastal city which boasts of some of the cleanest beaches in India. Don’t worry if you are not a Hindu, you can tell your child about the architectural beauty of different temples and monuments you visit in the city. Overall, your child will have many memorable memories if you take him on a trip to Puri.

  1. Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Ellora caves, kailashnath temple, Photo by Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0

The land of Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad is a good place to give your child a realistic view of what he has studied in his history books so far. The place with some great monuments like Bibi ka Maqbara and arguably the greatest piece of Indian architecture, Ajanta and Ellora caves, will leave your child in awe. You can go to see the Kham River to cap-off your trip. Your child will have great memories of the trip and that makes it a must visit place for him.

  1. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Puppets, Photo by Jason Rufus, CC BY 2.0

The Land of Royalty, the land of Kings and the land of rich cultural heritage, Jaisalmer is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. The Camel Rides and the Heritage hotels accompanied with soothing folk music is more than enough to make a place in your child’s mind. You can see some of the old forts and again, you can teach him some of his history lessons in most practical way. This makes the place a must visits for kids.

  1. Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

Ramar padham, Photo by Arun, CC BY 2.0

The centre of religion and abode to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the religious place earns a place in this list because of its historical importance. With all the parts of the city related to the stories of Ramayana, your child may learn a lot about his religion and his inclination can be increased towards religiousness (if you want it to be). Add to it the beautiful beaches without any nudity and perfect for family time and Rameshwaram makes a perfect place to go on a tour with your child.

  1. Andaman Islands

Cellular jail, Photo by Ankur P, CC BY-SA 2.0

A place for kids, young guns and old people, Andaman is evergreen place for the evergreen people. From being the island of ‘Kaala Paani’ to being one of the most visited tourist destinations in India, the place has seen it all. You can take your child to cellular jail and tell him the stories of freedom fighters and how hard they worked to win the freedom that we are enjoying today. There can also be a lot of adventure activities and the child will get a good read of nature’s wonder. So, it’s a great place to take your child to.

Author’s Bio:

A traveler with great knack for visiting places of historical and religious importance, Rohit likes to compile various lists from the places he has visited. You can find his lists on Trans India Travel.

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There's No Formula for Talent

There’s No Formula for Talent

by with One Comment Mindset

There is NO right or wrong way to create art. Be it paintings, sketches, poetry, prose, dance …

Of course there is a base foundation that you will develop when you keep working on what you believe in consistently. Years of practice will help you develop form, theme, a unique voice.

Experience teaches you how to be able to translate your work so others can learn from it. Constant practice also can help create talent where there was none to begin with.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/05/14/raising-kids-happy/

BUT let no one tell you that You aren’t good enough. For being “good” is defined by the eyes that see it. A 11 year old doesn’t understand the magnificence of a 3 year old’s doodles. A 21 year old does not understand the heart an 8 year old puts into the “dream project” they do all by themselves. A 30 year old cannot compare the form of a 9 year old to a 16 year old. A 40 year old cannot imagine the passion it takes for a 70 year old to practice and perform.

It takes a lot of introspection for someone ahead to look back and remember the pains they have taken. To have an appreciation for passion. To understand what comes quite naturally to you, takes years of work for another.

Parents, do not squash your child’s vision by the desire to make it perfect. Give it time, it will be. And it will be appreciated.

All it takes is eyes and a heart that SEE and FEEL.

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10 Strategies for Cyber Bullying Prevention

10 Strategies for Cyber Bullying Prevention

by with One Comment Bullying

In 2006, Megan Meier hung herself in her closet, just days before her 14th birthday. The middle schooler had been the victim of a cyber bullying scheme cooked up by an adult neighbor and her daughter in the neighborhood. They created a false boy on MySpace, “courted” Megan, and then turned on her with awful statements and ridicule.

According to the CDC, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds. Many of these suicides, of course, relate to depression and other mental illness, but a significant number are the result of bullying and, more recently, cyberbullying. Students identified as “targets” by bullies include those who are in the LGBT community, those who are introverted and withdrawn, those who are considered “nerds,” those who are not considered “attractive,” or those who pose a “threat” to a group of peers because they have looked, talents, etc. of which that group is envious.

The problem with cyberbullying is that it can be anonymous. There are also no time limitations, so it can continue all the time, especially when bullies act as a group. And the bullies have less inhibition when they carry out their activities online rather than in person – they can thus be more aggressive.

Some Strategies That Can Help

Bullying will never be completely eradicated because bullies have certain emotional conditions that will not be eradicated. A child who is bullied at home, for example, may easily become a bully at school; a child who has a deep-seated lack of self-esteem may join a group of bullies and participate in making himself feel better. It becomes a pattern of behavior and often continues into adulthood.

So, what can be done to prevent it? While this is a field of ongoing research which is still incomplete, here are some strategies that may help.

  1. Start early with education and training. Kids need to know early on that cyberbullying is not “cool.” Many school districts are bringing older students into classrooms – students that younger kids will look up to – to talk about cyberbullying. When the captain of the high school football team arrives in a 3rd-grade class, kids will sit up and listen.
  2. Use videos and statements of celebrities who have joined the anti-bullying campaigns. Kids will certainly relate to someone like Justin Bieber. Do some research and find out what celebrities are seriously involved in anti-bullying and use their statements.
  3. Dominika Carver, an educational blogger for Canada-Writers suggests making cyberbullying a part of a larger curricular program on Internet use and safety. “At the end of the unit on cyberbullying, have students sign a pledge not to engage in any type of bullying, including cyberbullying. This pledge should be signed every year.”
  4. Students, as they move into middle and high school, need to be made aware of both the psychological and legal consequences of bullying. Many states now have laws with penalties for juveniles and for adults who engage in cyberbullying.
  5. Involve parents: when cyberbullying is discovered, parents need to know. There are steps they can take at home. Victims must block any bullies immediately. In fact, in a recent study 70% of teen victims stated that when they blocked the perpetrators, even the face-to-face bullying stopped. When a victim takes steps to stop being a cyber victim, the bully gets no satisfaction from his/her actions and is less prone to be aggressive in person.
  6. Treat bullies firmly but also understand that they have emotional issues that result in this behavior. Intervening with consequences should also come with help.
  7. Continue to read the research. Teachers and parents both should read all they can about the issue and take suggestions from all sources that might provide help to stop cyberbullying.
  8. Assign essays about the topic. Students can read or view stories related to cyberbullying and respond to them in a written piece. High school and college writing can include research papers on the topic.
  9. Respond immediately to both victims and bullies in the cyberbullying cycle. This will demonstrate that there is a zero-tolerance policy for the actions and that you will intervene. This also provides some sense of security to the victim to know that there are empathy and support.
  10. Victims need to know that there is someone in their home, school or even church environment within whom they can confide in confidence. That person must empathize of course but also be prepared to give that victim-specific strategy to deal with the bully. Responding in kind generally does not work. Ignoring by blocking takes some power away from the bully. This is a hard thing to do because victims can become anxious about not knowing what is being said, but over time this dissipates, and the bully cannot achieve his/her goal.

There will always be bullies of every age. They need help, and many will neither seek nor accept it. That is their choice. The choice of the victim, with lots of support, is to ignore, to not respond, and to have an outlet to express their anger, their sadness, and their anxiety.

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3 Fun Activities to Help Refine Motor Skills in Kids With Cerebral Palsy

3 Fun Activities to Help Refine Motor Skills in Kids With Cerebral Palsy

by with No Comment Uncategorized

As the parent of a special needs child you know better than anyone the challenges that come with harboring skillsets to set your child up for as much autonomy as possible. Every child and their needs are different. You’ve been to countless doctor visits, done all the exercises, physical therapy treatments and are wondering for less clinical ways to help your child find a sense of normalcy.
These are some fun activities that while at first may seem far-fetched, will not only harvest repetitive motor skills and act as a sort of physical therapy, but will also give a sense of belonging. However their performance is, showing up and trying will help them gain more and more control of their motor skills each day.

Video Games

As a parent of several children you probably have to limit TV and video game time for your able bodied children. Most parents think of video games as something fun at best. However, research has shown that in 4 out of 7 home-based studies aimed to promote upper-limb/extremity function they were able to improve the function and mobility playing Nintendo Wii Sport Resort Games. The training lasted for 6 weeks. Kids played for at least 40 minutes a day 5 days a week and had comparable results to children who had resistance training mimicking the same movements as the Wii play.  Similar studies have been dine with Xbox 360 VR games. Even traditional controller games from Street Fighter to Final Fantasy help promote finger dexterity.

Some children with CP may have trouble making friends and socializing. Often schedules are filled with school, doctor visits, an array of different therapists and kids can spend more time with adult professionals than with kids their age. This play-therapy can help them regain some of their childhood. Other kids with CP may be extremely social and everybody’s friend. This is another way that you can let them hang out and socialize while they are getting therapy done. Even if unconscious. Either way, it’s a win-win. You don’t get to be the bad-guy for saying they can’t play with friends because they need therapy, they get to play, and you know they’re getting therapy anyways.

Musical Instruments

Music is a human art form that transcends language, cultures, and time. It has been part of the human experience ranging from religious rites, entertainment, and even therapy. Whether you’re looking for euphoria or relaxation, music can take you there. This is one of the reasons why kids with CP have structural changes in regions of their brains that deal with movement with they are moving to music.

Researchers have said that training musically not only has may attributes that ideal for sensorimotor rehabilitation, but finger and hand coordination as they sync audio, visual and sensory information.  According to cerebralpalsynewstoday.com “Another study let 18 children and adolescents, ages 6 to 16, receive individual piano training for 18 months. The study showed that the variability of their keystroke timing was reduced. Furthermore, connections between the patients’ cerebellum and primary motor cortex — the main region of the brain that deals with movement — improved, compared to those who received conventional therapy.” So, buy your kid a keyboard. Let them play and learn at their own rate or enroll them in a local band. You’ll be surprised when after lots of hard work they perform a flute solos at a concert and you realize the therapy and music made an impact.

Martial Arts

It may be hard to think of your child doing a high kick and breaking boards when in the back of your mind you worry about them when they try to run or walk. However, that’s part of the beauty of removing limitations and expectations from what your child with CP can and can’t do. The reality is that it can vary person to person and change throughout their lifetime. Let them lead their own pace, interests, and as a parent you can do your job in supporting them.  Martial arts teach endurance, patience, strength, self-control, practice, and pushing past your old physical limitations. These are all skills that can help them far beyond the mat.

Your family will filled with joy wearing matching  Jiu Jitsu shirts as you attend their local championships or cry remembering when they couldn’t walk straight as you see them get a black belt.   Many working adults with CP choose martial arts as a form of non-traditional occupational therapy. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with overcoming the challenges that come with teaching your body new movements and to push past your thresholds. Luckily, your kid has a lifetime of experience over many able-body individuals already doing so.

There are plenty more activities that can have the duality of entertainment, therapy, social network and provide a sense of belonging and accomplishment. These are some of the ways that all of your children can interact and grow closer to each other.  When they grow older they won’t look back at this time spent together as helping their sibling with their motor skills or therapy, they’ll just remember the fun memories made along the way.

How to Make a Vacation with Kids Feel Like a Vacation

How to Make a Vacation with Kids Feel Like a Vacation

by with No Comment Travel

When planning a trip with children, it can sometimes feel like the less you plan, the better. If you come up with a detailed schedule that you are determined to stick to, you are bound to be disappointed. There is always a moment, for me at least, when I seriously contemplate letting the kids run around said city and letting them stop at anything they deem interesting enough. Which would end up with us eating ice cream approximately eight times in one day, spending 4 hours at the Children’s Museum and splashing around in an old puddle with questionable organisms floating on top.

I will not pretend to have traveling with kids all figured out. I am a believer that it is borderline impossible for travel to be completely stress free. I am simply here to offer some recommendations that have made my travels a little easier, and allowed me to make peace with the fact that I will never do it perfectly.

My #1 Tip?

Pick one-three activities or sights, depending on the length of your trip, that you absolutely want to see and do and pick times for those to happen. Make reservations when necessary and possible, and know that you have a loose structure for your upcoming trip. In the event you have some free time, and no one is crying or hungry, you now have the ability to fill that time in with whatever you please!

You should also allow yourself extra time with everything. When driving, you will have to take bathroom breaks and at certain stops, there will likely be distractions. Be sure that you account for this extra time that you will need. Don’t be disappointed if the trip doesn’t go according to plan. Spontaneous trips can be even more fun, and you might end up trying things that you never expected to discover.

When traveling with kids, you must know what to pack. It is important to not overpack and must haul items around unnecessarily, of course, but you must also pack everything that you need. It is helpful to create packing lists ahead of time and to print two of them out. The first can be for the initial packing, and the second can be for the return trip to make sure that you have everything.

The most important thing to remember to pack is a supply of snacks. When traveling in the car, it is helpful to bring a bag full of snacks to keep everyone energized. It is also important to pack snacks when traveling by plane to keep everyone going through the flight. Be sure that you pack entertainment, bathroom supplies, clothes, first aid supplies, and any items that will be needed during transportation.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/06/11/timeless-travel-tips-for-every-familys-ideal-vacation/

If you are going on a trip that requires a flight it can especially be stressful and require a lot more planning. When flying with kids everyone needs especially when you are responsible for several people. Even just going through security can take a lot out of you…and don’t even get me started on delays. I found a list of the least stressful cities to fly to, and now work to ensure if we have a layover or are going to one of these places we make every effort to use these airports. They are more family-friendly than others and go above and beyond in serving their customers.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/04/16/5-awesome-travel-hacks-when-traveling-with-your-teens/

You know your family better than anyone, so you will know how to optimize your vacations. Just keep these tips in mind when planning your next trip and destination! Bottom line; planning, research and being proactive will always make for a low stress trip. As always, share how  you keep vacations with your children as stress free as possible- it truly takes a village!

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Raising Kids Who Let Everyone Sit at Their Table

Raising Kids Who Let Everyone Sit at Their Table

by with 12 Comments Mindset

Raising includers is not as easy as you would think. When my kids start school, I hope they make friends and are kind to everyone. But is that possible?

Humans are quick to build judgement as a species and get set in their own ways, to the point of excluding without conscious thought. We see it all the time. People tend to prefer to be with people who speak their language, have lived in the same city and/or follow their own customs. In most communities, you will see families subdivided into sub groups. The children in turn prefer playing with kids they feel are their own. Consequently, you will see children excluding someone who doesn’t look or sound like them.

No child does it on purpose. They just subconsciously mimic their parents’ behaviour. Parents too, do not do the same on purpose but the sad truth is that it takes a lot of conscious and mindful effort on our part to make sure our children understand our acceptance of different ways of life.

Oh yes! We all say, we want our children to have a global mindset. How many of us however make the effort to ensure our children are exposed to a diverse environment.

If you are a parent who wants to make sure their child does not fall into the groupism trap, here are ways you can ensure to do that.

Raising Includers with These Steps

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

It is not easy for us to explore the world. It takes a lot of self awareness and desire to step out of our comfort zone to do so. We have our friends. We hold our ways close. It is so easy for us to keep going on our way. The way we have been brought up is comfortable. Besides that, inviting unknowns into our homes can lead to subconscious fears of being judged. We need to be above that. We are all just people, living our lives in our ways. Doing our best to raise our families, the way we know best. The judgement on both sides is unnecessary and non existent.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2018/01/10/what-is-important-friendships/

Play Dates

Invite your child’s friends over to your home. Gone are the days when mothers used to be home and neighbors could just play at each others’ houses. Working parents means we have to make the extra bit of effort for our children. Yes, our homes are messy at times. Yes, it could also be inconvenient. But children bloom knowing their friends are welcome in their home.

My house is a hub for both my kids’ friends. It is always wonderful seeing the children interact and learn about each other’s cultures. I too, find it fascinating how differently a child sees our home when compared to their own. But it is all going towards their growth.

http://localhost/raisingworld/2019/05/07/books-to-raise-awareness-about-bullying-in-elementary-age-kids/

I notice often it is hard for most parents to reciprocate and invite my child over. I show them the grace of accepting they have their reasons for my child enjoying with their friends is more important than waiting for reciprocation. The point at the end is for the children to grow together.

Conversations

Talk to your child about being kind and generous and loving to their friends. Talk to them about how important it is to be accepting of the different experiences and ways they witness. My son recently had friends judge him on what he likes and being a non vegetarian. These opportunities make your child stronger in their beliefs, yes. It is also a learning moment for them to be tolerant of others views and to never judge and they are being judged.

Celebrations

It is important enough to make the most of every moment in life. For every single year is nothing but a culmination of all the moments you make special. What is more essential is that we share those moments with people who may not know what the significance of our celebration is. I have had the privilege to often being included in many a Christmases, Onams and Eid celebrations and that is why I have a wonderful sense and desire to include any and all in my life’s special days!

No Generalization

We all tend to do it. We label a whole group of people based on our personal experience or the stories of our parents. You may deny it to yourself, but your child sees the world through your eyes. And if your comments, stories are off handed and biased, that’s how they will see the world. Make sure you are aware of what you say when you meet someone new, or come across someone in an instance. Smiling and just having an open conversation goes a LONG way in teaching your child to be open to including all others in their day and lives.

Yes, talk to them to be aware of predators, BUT make sure your child is kind NOT wary. Be open to having agreeable dialogue with strangers and old friends.

Encourage Kindness

Be kind to those around you, help out with your child when you can. Help a friend move. Be nice to someone in front of them. Go out of your way to be an includer yourself in order for your child to learn from you.

If your find someone being ignorant about your own culture or group, educate them. Do not talk badly behind them for their response which was clearly from being ignorant.

Read, Read, Read

Reading about the world, societies, sub cultures, etc is the biggest way to show your child the world is their oyster.

Make sure you make the effort to read this easy to read book to being mindful of raising a global citizen.

Follow my profile on Instagram for frequent updates on books that we come across and the world of books we open up to you.

What are ways YOU would suggest to do the same?

Raising Includers - remove groupism mentality in kids early

 

8 Brain Games for Kids Essential for Concentration

8 Brain Games for Kids Essential for Concentration

by with 3 Comments EducationEmpowerment

Brain games for kids are important for improving focus. Concentration and focus are a vital part of completing any tasks successfully. But, with so many distractions and multi-tasking, concentration levels are gradually sinking.

Building concentration requires discipline, taking an active role, and subjecting yourself to different exercises that build your brain’s core to improve focus. The good thing is that you can check recent answers online for games like crossword and compare with your answers.

For most people, getting that much time to work on concentration is a challenge. But, with a little help from brain games, it’s possible to improve concentration levels while making the process fun and engaging.

 

Here are the top 8 brain games that will give your brain that much needed work out and get your concentration levels up!

  1. Sine Line

This game involves the unending journey of an oscillating particle. Sine Line is unique in various ways. Unlike most brain concentration games, this one is fast-paced and exciting.

The goal of the game is to guide the particle through different obstacles without crashing into them. How the game works is that the longer you survive, the higher your score.

To give the game more spice, there are styles, streaks, and combos you can use to get better scores. The fun and indulging game is the perfect way to work the mental muscles for both kids and adults while kicking out some boredom at the same time.

  1. Brain Dots

Source

Brain Dots is one of the most popular brain games on the market. Given the online reviews and number of downloads, it’s safe to say it’s also one of the most effective games.

The game is simple and straightforward. The clean design takes away most of the distractions and allows you to make the most out of the few minutes you can save for the game.

The concept is simple. Do whatever it takes to get the two dots on your screen to meet and touch! You can draw different structures, shapes, or even lines.

At first, the levels look easy, but you quickly realize that looks can be deceptive. The levels are harder than they seem.

As a reward for going through the different levels, you get pens that have different shapes, colors, and sizes.

  1. Opus: The Day We Found Earth

Improving your concentration doesn’t have to take all your free time. With short brain games like Opus, you can make the most out of your short break to give your brain a quick workout.

The game not only works your mind but tugs at your emotional strings as well. The relaxing stargazing game revolves around finding different planets around the universe that resemble earth and naming them what you like. The main character is a smudgy robot full of ideas and is the invention of one Dr. Lisa.

You have to remember the planets you’ve discovered by analyzing the details and differences. Discovering new planets opens up new areas of the shop, which gives the game some rhythm. The best thing about Opus is that it’s engaging. It’s only ranked lower because it takes up more space than the other brain games listed here.

  1. One-Touch Drawing

One-touch drawing is a leading brain game. It’s revered for its unique simplicity but imposing challenges.

All you need to do is draw different shapes in the game without your finger leaving the screen. To build confidence, the game starts simple and gets harder as you go up the levels.

If you prefer taking your time to understand the game and not having to rush through, this is the perfect game for you.

Take all the time you need. Analyze the different shapes and figure out a strategy. Just remember, once you touch the screen, you have to draw out the shape without your finger leaving the screen.

The best part is, you don’t have to pay a cent for this brain game. The addictive puzzle game is free and perfect for building and improving concentration.

  1. Piano Tiles

Source

Piano Tiles is one of the oldest games on the list. The popular brain game leverages on the love for music to help players improve their concentration and coordination.

The idea behind the game is simple. You have some music playing in the background. You also have black Piano keys flying across the screen. The goal is to press the keys that are in sync with the music playing in the background to score points.

The coupling of songs and taps practices your listening skills and concentration to help you master which keys to press at what time.

  1. Flow Free

The vibrant colors of Flow Free are perfect when you want to engage your child in some concentration boosting games. But, even adults will find the game useful.

Like the other games featured on this list, this one also has a simple idea placing most of the focus on concentration.

The game has two dots of different colors in different squares in a grid. Your goal is to connect the two dots of the same color in the grid. But, the ‘Pipes’ connecting the two dots cannot intersect with pipes of a different color.

As you advance, the size of the grid increases, and so does the level of difficulty. Flow Free is perfect for players that can only spare a few minutes at a time.

  1. 2 Cars

If you’re taking improving your concentration a little seriously, this game will be the next level for you once you master the others.

In 2 cars, you have two cars and four lanes. Two lanes for each car. The two cars speed up along their strips of road, and ahead, you will find heaps of circles and squares blocking the road. You have to collect the circles and avoid the squares blocking the lanes of each car.

It’s the ultimate concentration brain game that will test your ability to multi-task and control different events at the same time.

  1. Dancing Line

To close down the list of the best eight brain games essential for concentration, let’s dial down a notch and help your mental muscles cool down after a vigorous workout.

Dancing Line is a straightforward puzzle game that both adults and kids will love. The game is diverse to make it a little more interesting, but the concept remains simple.

Guide the red line through different obstacles without crashing into them. The line starts slowly to help you warm up, and the speed of the line, and obstacles gradually increases. You have to keep a close eye on the screen and have quick reflexes to avoid the challenges that keep popping up.

 8 Brain Games for Kids Essential for Concentration Levels

Conclusion

Building concentration and focus in both children and adults is essential. The numerous brain games and exercises available are a testament to how important it is. If you’ve not considered it in the past, it’s not too late to start, and these eight games are everything you need to start boosting and improving your concentration.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Siggers is a Teacher and passionate writer. She enjoys writing about the Kids learning activities, Parenting tips, effects of Puzzles and Crosswords all around the globe. She has been workingas a freelance writer for quite some time now. Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help kids grow their mental skills.

Help Your Child Become Confident with a Global Mindset

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How Passionate Shooters Can Prevent Kids Using Their Guns by Accident

How Passionate Shooters Can Prevent Kids Using Their Guns by Accident

by with No Comment Mindset

There are many reasons why gun safety shouldn’t be overlooked. Unfortunately, though, there are many parents who undermine the importance of taking all the means of precautions when it comes to gun ownership. Statistically speaking, children are killed weekly due to the attention lapse of adults, leading to tragic accidents and even deaths. In 2018 alone, no less than 73 children were killed in accidents, due to the fact that adults didn’t secure their guns accordingly.

Concurrently, according to this source, in 2017, 285 children got hold of a gun and accidentally shot someone else or themselves. Adolescents should be factored in as well. That’s because they are at a higher risk of committing suicide especially when there is an unlocked gun inside the house.

Irrespective of these staggering facts, 2 million children live in houses with unlocked, loaded guns. What should a responsible, passionate shooter do in this respect?

How to Reduce the Chances of Injury?

There are many ways in which you can diminish the likelihood of such incidents happening in your house. For one thing, you should acknowledge that the dangers are real. Children are likely to be victims in accidents when there is a loaded gun inside a house, and it isn’t stored adequately. Therefore, what can you do as a passionate shooter? Most likely you don’t want to give up on your hobby.

 

  • Safe Storage Is the Key

 

First of all, adequately storing and locking your guns will most likely diminish the likelihood of such tragic outcomes. In this respect, there are massive locks and high-quality gun safes that are made to provide maximum protection in all case scenarios. The good thing is that there is a wide variety of safes on the marketplace to choose from, depending on your needs. At the end of the day, there’s no such thing as being too careful when it comes to your children’s safety, is there?

With that in mind, all the guns you own should be located in a safe. Concurrently, all guns should be unloaded, for safety reasons as well. Plus, the law clearly states that as a shooter and a gun owner, you are responsible for storing the weapon/s in a secured container. In addition to that, you should also disable it with a gun lock.

Sadly, though, the reason why accidental deaths are so frequent is precisely due to the fact that many shooters overlook the importance of practicing adequate gun storage practices. In addition to that, in some states in the US – such as New York, California, Connecticut and others – the law states that you should keep your ammo and firearms separately. This is another important measure of protection that might reduce the likelihood of accidents. As for the ammunition, it should also be locked and appropriately stored.

It goes without saying that the storage location must be out of reach for children. Before placing a firearm in the safe, you should double-check to ensure that it is unloaded. Accidents can happen when you aren’t careful, so don’t take safety for granted.

 

  • Storing Your Ammo and Firearms Separately

 

It might seem unusual that many passionate shooters don’t keep their firearms and their ammo separately. But when you have children in the house, this is a necessity – whether the law in your state requires it or not. The last thing you want is for your children to get a hold of the gun while having ammunition readily available.

The thing is that children tend to be curious and they are normally attracted to the things they can’t understand. Guns can also seem intriguing to adolescents and even toddlers. For convenience purposes, you might choose to keep your ammunition and firearms in the same place. Still, this is contraindicated for safety reasons. This is applicable if you have children of your own or if you have families with children visiting as well.

You might say that there’s no use in having a gun inside the house if you can’t store the ammunition in the close proximity. There is a solution to this problem as well. You should invest in a container that is separate from the safe where you keep your guns.

 

  • Other Important Guidelines to Increase the Safety of Your Children

 

You should always store your ammo and your gun in a safe container. This is a golden rule that applies in all case scenarios. Another important piece of advice would be to avoid hiding your gun or guns around the house. Many shooters choose this approach so that they would have immediate access to a gun in the case anything happens.

In addition to that, you should never disclose the code to the safe to anybody. Of course, the only case in which you should do so is if you really trust the other person as he/she is reliable. But be cautious.

Always, but always double-check a gun before placing it in a safe. Doing proper maintenance checks is a necessity when you own a gun, especially when there are children in the house. In addition to that, although your knowledge of guns is far-reaching and you are constantly learning new things, you shouldn’t assume that you know everything. Keep an open mind and acknowledge that unprecedented situations can happen to anyone. Although practice and experience are important, this doesn’t mean you can’t exclude the likelihood of an accident altogether. Precaution is always best.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, if more shooters would embrace a responsible behavior when it comes to storing and using their guns, the numbers of accidents would be drastically reduced. It’s up for us to acknowledge this and do our best to maximize the safety of our loved ones. Doing something as important as purchasing an appropriate safe for your guns can dramatically reduce the incidence of accidents. Make sure you don’t overlook this. Stay safe!

4 Steps to Handling Tantrums in Autistic Children

4 Steps to Handling Tantrums in Autistic Children

by with No Comment Specially Abled

All children go through periods of tantrums while they grow and develop. Tantrums are a response a child has when they do not get what they want or need. Tantrums in autistic children can be a challenge. A meltdown occurs from over stimulation. It is important to remember that a tantrum is not the same thing as an autistic meltdown. A tantrum and a meltdown need to be handled in different manners.

4 Practical Steps to Handling Tantrums in Autistic Children

Recognize Tantrum Behavior Triggers

There are certain events or situations that can trigger tantrum behavior. Wanting something that they don’t have, lacking the skills needed to ask for it, not getting something as quickly as they want, and being denied something that they want, can all be tantrum triggers. Knowing your child’s specific triggers beforehand can help you avoid certain situations and prevent unnecessary outbursts. Often, speaking with a professional child psychologist can help tantrums in autistic children by being better at identifying triggers that may not seem so obvious.

Teach Preventative Skills

Many times children do not have the skills necessary to get their desires and needs met. It is at this point that they will break down and throw one of those infamous temper tantrums. Teaching them proper communication, problem-solving, negotiating, impulse control, and self-soothing skills can help to lessen or minimize tantrums. Often, if a child is able to notice their frustration early on, they can take the time needed to calm down and prevent the buildup to either a meltdown or a tantrum.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

Many times children will continue the behavior that gets them the most attention, even if it’s the bad behavior. Therefore, it is important that their positive behavior gets the attention it so rightly deserves. If you see your child react appropriately to the issues that would normally lead to a tantrum, praise them for their efforts in the moment. Show them how proud you are of their accomplishment with a hug or high-five.

Use Proper Disciplinary Skills

Unfortunately, there may be times when your child needs proper discipline for unacceptable behavior. Autism and discipline need to be handled differently than a typical child going through the terrible two’s. Children with autism have difficulty understanding the language of everyday rules. Raising your voice in anger or frustration can only make an autistic child withdraw further.

The first step in proper discipline is to assess your child’s needs and strengths and apply the appropriate approach that works best with their particular personality. Professionals can also assist in identifying what methods work best with your child’s particular needs in discipline and in communicating.

While dealing with a child who is throwing a temper tantrum can be extremely frustrating, it can be overcome or even avoided with the right tools. Knowing what triggers your child ahead of time is the first step. Teaching them the skills they need to prevent their feelings of frustration and then reinforcing good behavior can lead to a healthy and calm future for the both of you.