Sue P asked:


I feel myself this is another drug of addiction, I’m trying to talk someone out of allowing there 16yr. old son, 10th grade not to subject him to this. He claims the kid is always tired with sleep disorder, (I do not believe that). I would like to know what info I can give him, unless you think there is no problem with it. Thanks…S

Jay Brandley asked:


Children are indeed a precious gift who thrive off of learning and being molded. Children need to be kept busy doing constructive activities or they will find other things to get into that are not so constructive. So, what are things that children can take up to keep their minds running with positivity?

Well, drumming is a great and constructive activity that children may very well enjoy doing. Why? Because they are allowed to hit things with sticks to create a melodious beat. Yes, drumming can be quite fun, and once children have the ability to hold drumsticks in their hands, they are ready to learn how to drum.

Perhaps you are wondering if there are any other good reason why you, as a parent, should tolerate the amount of noise that your child learning to drum will create. Well, there are a few other very good reasons why this may be well worth if for you as well as your child.

Constructiveness

Would you rather put up with the noise of your child drumming, or have them wander the streets doing other things that may possibly put them in danger? Drumming is a way to keep your child busy and out of trouble.

Positive Mental Stimulation

In addition to staying out of trouble, taking up and learning a musical instrument is said to be a good way to exercise the brain and stimulate mental activity, as well as possible increase IQ and intelligence. Surely, you want your child to thrive academically in school. Therefore, you will want to do all that you can to ensure this. Granted, there are other activities that would do much to promote positive mental activity in the brain of your child, drumming is one of those options. Allow your child to have fun and get

smarter with drumming.

Get Your Children Off Of The Couch

Video games and television watching are fun activities, but not very physical. Children need both physical and mental activity. Not only will your child exercise his or her brain with drumming, but you will also be able to squeeze a good amount of physical exercise out of drumming also.

You see, drumming requires you to always be moving. Both of your arms and your legs are moving all the time. Your child will not get restless while drumming because they get to move around constantly.

Improved Coordination

If you are worried about your child being a bit clumsy, drumming can improve their coordination as well as dexterity. It is said that the more dexterity and coordination that one has, the better that person will be able to adapt in any situation thrown at them.

So, if you are worried about getting a headache from all the noise that drumming will make, think about all the positive aspects that your child will benefit from learning to play the drums. These factors far outweigh all the noise and ruckus, would not you agree?

D.J.Hough asked:


There are many and varied reasons to have piano lessons. It is a beautiful instrument with a beautiful look and a beautiful sound. It can be a soloist’s instrument or a group instrument. It sharpens the mind and body. The gift of music is therapeutic. There are many careers that require piano skills. The list goes on and on.

1.One quality that the piano and not many other instruments share, is that you can play more than one note at a time. It is polyphonic. Thus, unlike instruments like the flute or violin, you can play pieces with complex and rich harmonies when playing alone. That makes the piano a dynamic solo instrument. At the same time, the piano sounds beautiful accompanying other instruments. So, whether you are introverted or extroverted, the piano will suit your style.

2. Playing the piano also develops a high level of manual dexterity. While it may seem very simple to just push the keys, learning to perform complex pieces with precision AND emotion needs a little time and a very human touch. It has also been noted that co-ordination skills increase when you have piano lessons.

3.Research has shown that children who have had piano lessons do far better in scholastically than their fellow students. Not only are their artistic and musical skills above the norm, but also their language and mathematics skills are also improved. While this benefit is sometimes difficult to measure, piano students also receive a very tangible benefit. Many high schools are recognizing the achievements that children make in piano and reward them with high school credits when they pass certain grade levels. (In Alberta, Canada, passing a recognized piano exam level/grade 6, 7, and 8 is worth 5 credits each for a total of 15. When you consider the fact that one needs only 100 credits to graduate high school, this is a huge recognition)

4.Pianists also learn some basics in posture which can reap huge rewards. For one thing, the basic hand position required for the piano is also the one required for the typewriter/keyboard. Considering how vital the computer is these days, learning this technique is invaluable. With the proper hand position, one can avoid carpal tunnel syndrome that is plaguing our modern-day offices now that computers are being used so extensively. At the very least, the basic concept of sitting tall in a chair will help with basic posture and back pains.

5. Anyone aspiring to be an orchestral or choral conductor is required to study the piano. Learning the piano trains the pianist to understand and hear the interplay of the various harmonic lines in each piece of music. This is a vital skill for a conductor who must hear and guide all the instruments of his/her orchestra and voices in his/her choir. If you go to colleges which teach music, or if you are applying towards a degree in music or you want to learn to master an instrument at a university it is necessary to take a year or more of piano. Piano is a really good music classroom teaching tool and is the key and basis to learning music theory.

6.Since the piano differs from the guitar or wind instruments (in which the person usually memorizes finger paterns) the piano uses both hemispheres of the brain, requiring your ten fingers to be controlled independently! This might sound hard but with practice and time you’ll be able to even do more than one thing simultaneously. A piano player who decides to play drums, if skilled enough can pick them up more easily than someone who hasn’t had the experience to play such instrument.

7.There are many jobs and careers for people who have had piano lessons. One can be the piano player in a lounge, on a cruise ship, in a church (mass, weddings, funerals), or in a band. One can be an instructor with a college or university or teach out of a home studio. One can accompanying vocalists, choirs, violinists, and others as they perform for competition or for an audience. One can compose movie scores or commercial jingles or orchestral pieces.

8.The ability to play a musical instrument and to express one’s self with a musical instrument is very healthy and therapeutic. Stresses can melt away. The piano is always there, ready for you to pour out your soul. It is a most patient and agreeable companion. If you’re upset, go ahead and thunder away on the keyboard. And when you’re done and feeling better, go ahead and pick up a more languid or cheerful piece.

The Internet is the best way to find good piano lessons (no geographical barriers/ no re-occurring fees and no stranger in your house). The best piano lesson learning tool that I have found is here.

starbrite. asked:


Never believe that our young people are only interest in their love life.Adults are to quick to
JUDGE OUR KIDS ON THE WAY THEY DRESS.
We better learn to trust our kids,there going to
run our goverment someday.
what is this i hear about teens taking toys to poor kids at christmas,and handing out food to homeless?

Peper asked:


Any site that allows me to get fun games of any sort for kids that are free. Learning games; adventure games; etc… that don’t have the free trail run around or ask for a credit card.

christopher c asked:


where i live at school is about to let out and i want my kids to keep up with their school work over the summer.i want them to start doing work for the grade that they are about to go into. one of them is going into the 5th grade and the other 1st. it would be awsome if i could find some useful sites where they could learn while them are maybe playing a game or something like that. practice work. if you know of any it would be great also i am looking for a web site that offers free typing lessons for kids of their ages.
thank you for your help

Christa Kowalczyk asked:


In today’s fast paced life, most of the parents are always worried about the influences of media and communication in the lives of their kids. Information is accessible to the children, for any subject they want and this is a cause of concern especially with the world that we live in.

Presently children can be a soft target for many inappropriate influences. And this scenario is increasing the worries of parents. However parents can combat such influences by making sure that children find the inspiration from the correct sources. One such source, that many of us will agree, is the Bible. Introducing Bible to the children can endow them to look at life and judge outside influences.

But Bible can be quite an effort for children to comprehend. But this usual problem can be corrected by Bible games that are educational for your children and helps the firm footing of Biblical teachings in their hearts. These games will teach your children more about the Bible and in turn more about keeping faith in life and on the other hand you will be able to have great time together as a family.

When you look for such games for your children, you will find that there are hundreds of them available in the market. Making a choice can be difficult considering the large assortment, but you can always keep in mind your child’s interest and inclinations. Moreover, you can also choose these game depending on the age of your child.

One of the popular Bible game is the Settlers of Canaan. This game is centered on a Bible story and makes the children to use strategy and team work as well. The game is designed in such a way that children will enjoy the competition, and you will also enjoy the fun of coming up with strategies together and making treaties with each other as well.

Not only these games provide fun, but many of them also teach the children a great deal. One great learning game based on the Bible is the Ten Commandments Board Game. This game is premeditated to help you children learn more about the Ten Commandments and some basic biblical beliefs and values.

Apart from the board games, you can also consider several computer games as many children enjoy computer games more than board games. Moreover the computer games are fun and fresh-faced. It is for sure that these computer games are a great way to teach your kids more about the sacred book.

If you want to be sure that your kids get a spiritual education that is based on the Bible, then you need to start educating them about it and what it has to offer. It is better to remember that there is more to education than what is taught at school. Therefore you can always check out the educational games that are available for your kids.

Gary Jonathan Clay asked:


A kid’s play room is a refuge for enjoyment and should be an occasion for development. A great assortment of traditional toys will guarantee your kid’s playtime is consistently pleasureable and, constantly, educational. Traditional toys are generally kid’s toys that can be used in a number of different ways, allowing the child to direct the playtime and driving creativity.

Dolls, Accessories, and Pushchairs

Girls and girls alike can get pleasure from the friendship of dolls. Create an area in your play room for dolls and add a range of furniture and other accessories to stimulate your kid’s creativity. Dolls beds and cots are fantastic additions to any playroom and wardrobes are a fantastic way to store of dolls clothing, shoes, and other paraphonalia. Devote plenty of space for your child to push her doll in a stroller or pram.

Role Play Toys in the Play Area

Role play toys are important to any creative play room. Traditional toys that encourage children to copy and reproduce real life situations, as well as imaginary scenarios, are a critical element of healthy growth and development. Such toys can also be quite attractive additions to your play area, but they may require a large amount of space.

1) Child Sized appliances, like kitchen or laundry equipment, are often favorites for young children. Children can copy mum and dad, cook for the family, and dream up many other stories around these toys.

2) Power Tools and workbenches not only enhance creativity and allow kids to copy the adults in their lives, these traditional playthings also build logic and help in fine motor development.

3) Play Houses can provide years of enjoyment because there are so many possibilities. These can work as puppet theatres, shops, a house, or whatever your little one may imagine.

Wooden Jigsaws and Other Manipulatives

Many old fashioned toys can be active, as well as rather loud, so it is a good idea to add to your playroom with a selection of peaceful toys that encourage in mental development. Wooden jigsaws are peaceful, durable, and lots of fun. These traditional toys enhance problem solving, motor coordination, and a variety of other cognitive skills. Store these toys in a corner of the play space as far away as possible from busy areas that may be loud. A playtable or desk is a superb addition and shelves for storage are useful also. Alternative plaything you can placeinclude in the quiet area of the play room are lego, reading materials, and writing supplies.

There are many different types of traditional toys that are brilliant for educational playtime. A reserved corner of the bedroom or a playroom can be a wonderful opportunity for learning with the correct range of toys. For the most beneficial play time, provide your kids with a range of traditional toys, as well as learning toys, and lots of space and surfaces for play.

Jerry Carpos asked:


Copyright (c) 2007 Jerry Carpos

Reading is an excellent way to encourage kids to learn a lot of good stuff which can help them as they grow older. Improved vocabulary, language, and imagination are some benefits of reading. Parents and schools should therefore actively participate during reading sessions.

Language involves a highly specialized set of skills. It takes years to learn to speak and even longer to learn to read. Mankind spends more time on raising its young than any other species on Earth. Let us admit it, cultural achievements are so complex that it will will require a decade of intensive study on our part for us to master it or acquire even the basic notions. This knowledge is, of course, passed on to us mostly at school and almost entirely in written form.

Intellectual achievements took an upturn when the printing press was invented in 1450, although it took a few more centuries for the general public to start to read. The earlier a parent or guardian can make reading natural to the child, the better he or she will be able to assimilate school material later in life. Reading aloud to small children is directly associated with college achievement. More than half of those who read to their children are college graduates, most are women. Of mothers educated only to high school level, 44 percent read to their pre-school age children. For those who did not complete high school, the figure is lower, at 38%. Almost two thirds of white, non-hispanic children, are likely to be read to, as opposed to 41% of black, non-Hispanic children and 33% of Hispanic children.

How can you get children into reading and have fun with it at the same time? Basically, keep alert, follow your intuition and let your imagination run riot. Below you will find a number of tips, based on the experience of parents who have successfully encouraged a love of reading in their children.

The first thing to realize is that an interest in stories is completely natural to human beings. All societies started out with an oral tradition of story-telling. Tales were entertainment for dark winter nights, they were a means of passing on important cultural facts from one generation to another, and they bound the social group together in a common experience. First and foremost, they offered reassurance in an uncertain world.

Who has not experienced first hand, as a child, the deep comfort of listening to a story? I’m sure you can recall the excitement and delight of a particular tale, which you probably requested on repeated occasions. Perhaps it was a story which allowed free rein to exorcising deeply felt hopes and fears, as do the tales from Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. The child is both stimulated and soothed by the human voice. For making kids drowsy at bed-time, there is nothing better than a looong tale. The child knows from the voice that protection, i.e. an adult, is near. The tone of that voice is so familiar because the child could hear it before he or she was even born.

So, storytelling fulfills a set of primary needs of comfort for the child, who through listening becomes a member of the clan. This is the first benefit of reading aloud, and it is immediate. On top of this emotional stimulus, intellectual skills are built in a number of ways, as is described below.

When a child listens to a story, the child exercises a complex number of skils that can help develop the cognitive abilities of his/her developing brain. Firstly, what is being said is converted into images, i.e. represented in the mind. This is a powerful stimulant to the imagination and to intelligence itself: special abilities are especially spurred, so that the child who is read to can easily imagine, say, a room, a house, a forest, a park, and objects in relation to one another. High ability in diverse fields such as Mathematics and sports is directly related to a child’s special ability.

Naturally, vocabulary is greatly enriched and general expression and articulacy promoted by listening to the language of stories, which tends to be both generally comprehensible, because it is part of a story with beginning, middle and end, and at the same time far richer and more complex than conversational and peer language.

Short-term memory is stretched along with the attention span, as the child follows the plot of the story. Reasoning and moral judgments are challenged, horizons are broadened. This will help with the child’s own decision-making capacity and will encourage independent thinking.

Reading aloud is a theatrical experience, which is why it is fun. As with all performance, the pacing can make or break it. Preparation increases the pleasure and does not have to be elaborate. Selecting the text and familiarizing yourself with it, and if possible adding props, songs or rhymes, will all help to make your family reading more fun and memorable.

Your kids will thank you for it, and their school performance will improve. But remember, this is a long term thing. You’ll know you’ve really been successful when your kids start to read aloud to their own children.

Nicole Munoz asked:


Toys are tools for playing and since play is essential for a kid’s learning, toys also become tools for learning. For this reason, it is very important that you as parent make the right decision in choosing toys to give to your kid.

1. Choose toys that will stimulate your kid’s mind and body, and hone his skills. Just few of the important areas of development in your child that call for nurturing are balance, bilateral coordination, body awareness, hand to eye and foot coordination, fine and gross motor skills, language development, listening skills, problem solving skills, shape and color recognition, muscle strength, social skills, spatial relations and visual tracking.

Be careful in making your selection of toys. Remember, those toys that are instrumental for your kid’s optimal learning engage your kid in activities and do not just make him a passive spectator. For example, a wooden train set like the Wooden 24 Piece Oval Train Set enables your kid to use his imagination in creating trains and communities while a barking electronic toy dog merely entertains your kid without expanding his mental ability.

2. Choose toys that are guaranteed safe. Some of the things you have to put in your safety checklist are: there should be no parts small enough to fit your kid’s mouth; there should be no loose parts, no sharp or pointy edges that may harm your kid; there should be no plastic wrapping or long cords and strings that could pose as a suffocation or strangulation hazard; and the toy should be made of non-toxic materials and should not contain any amount of lead paint which is harmful to your kid.

3. Opt for toys that are age appropriate for your kid. Always check the age recommendation on the packaging of the toy to see if it’s suitable for your kid. If you have doubts or think that your kid is too young for the toy even though the age recommendation on the toy indicates otherwise, opt for the safe side and trust your instincts. Remember, choosing toys that are suitable for your kid’s age is significant not only for your child’s developmental progress but also to ensure that the toy is safe to be played with by your kid.

4. Select toys that are durable and has long term play value. Check on the toy parts to see if it is made of durable materials and opt for trusted toy brands to make sure that the toy you buy is made of high quality and will last a long time with your kid. Prefer toys that you think your kid will not be easily bored with. Those toys that offer endless possible activities like stackable blocks or building toys have longer play value than an electronic robot that walks.

5. Choose toys that fit your family’s values. Don’t buy a toy that represents opinions or views that strongly oppose that of your family’s or the ones you hold strong convictions of. Your kid’s toys must not only be instrumental in teaching your kid skills but also proper moral values that he will need to grow up as an honourable individual.