People who've read or heard my children's stories and short fairytales, often ask where my ideas for these stories come from.
They'll ask the source or sources of my inspiration for the plots, and whether or not I begin with an idea of the moral or lesson I want the story to teach. In attempting to answer their questions, I've had to reflect on and describe a creative process, which has always come as naturally to me as breathing. Even as a child I made up stories first for my younger brother, then later for my children.
My most recent stories originated in response to a request from my granddaughter.
While visiting my daughter, three years ago, my granddaughter happened to ask her mother to tell her a story. To which my daughter replied, " ask Amma. She tells the best stories.
" And thus, my most recent foray into creating short fairy tales and stories for children began.
Because she had as many toys as their small house could hold, for Christmas, I gave her a book of four of the stories I'd told her, with blank pages and colored pens so she could add her own illustrations.
As for how I invent these stories: Sometimes the subject of the story or short fairy tale is in response to a child asking for a story about a given character or characters. Other-times it's in response to a request for a given kind of story; such as a scary story, silly story, or an adventure. A child may ask for the type of story he or she wants to hear as well as picking the story's subject.
My granddaughter, who seems to identify with Goldilocks, often asks for an adventure story about her.
These are a few methods I've used when creating a story: Once a child requests a story, in order to give myself a little extra time while waiting for the story idea, I say, "Let's get cozy and be really quiet for a minute. That way I can listen until the story comes into my head." I then let my eyes become unfocused while still remaining alert.
I allow them to drift from one object to another as I scan the contents of my environment. I watch for something to attract my eye.
You will find that as you try this it gets easier and easier to do.
If your telling your story outdoors let yourself notice the shape of a cloud, or if a particular tree, rock or flower attracts your attention.
If you're inside, do the same with the objects you see in the room's interior.
Let your mind be open and relaxed. Slow your thoughts by watching them as they slide into your consciousness like answers in an 8 ball.
Become aware of any images, or thoughts that come to you.
For example, if you're outside you might pick up a rock. Examine its shape and colors. Does the texture remind you of anything?.
Ask yourself "what does this shape make me think of? Could it be an animal? What kind of being does this make me think of?" You might notice a cloud, or tree, or something else.
You can do the same thing with whatever attracts your attention.
By paying attention to the thoughts and associations you have with the world around you, you will more easily stimulate your imagination.
Let the item you've chosen inform the direction and subject of your story.
For example, my story, "The Little Christmas Tree," was triggered when, after Christmas, I glanced around the living room and noticed the Christmas tree.
My short fairy tale, "The Bull Headed King," was inspired when I noticed a cube of butter on the kitchen table. Finally, when asked what inspires the moral or lesson of a story, I respond that for me the story's moral is usually a spontaneous outgrowth of the plot.
Once you've allowed the object and type of story to trigger your imagination, the story will flow through you.
Like a tap that has been turned on, when you've opened to the storyteller within, you may find your self as well, as your audience spellbound listeners, enchanted by the same magic.
Monday, 29 December 2014
The Truth About Getting a Fast Online College Degree
There are plenty of good reasons for you to go back to school and earn a bachelor's degree.
But you resent having to do it for years.
There are a lot of learning institutions these days providing online education.
While some look legit, others sound too good to be true.
Getting a fast online college degree sure sounds tempting because it will save you plenty of time.
However, there are a few points you might want to consider first.
Literally buying the degree This might sound as a surprise to you, but a fast online college degree is something which you can obtain even without attending classes or turning in homework. Such is available from degree mills on the Internet, where you plainly buy the degree.
Additional options may include transcript of records or graduation certificate. How degree mills work Degree mills are sometimes based on life experiences alone, or on a level of academic work far below what other institutions require from their enrollees.
You can earn such degrees from other legit online learning institutions as well, by attending virtual classes and downloading your lesson modules. But getting a fast online college degree will require you no assignments. The downside of getting a fast college degree For most people, literally buying a degree online is simply wrong. A lot of employers will not hesitate to turn down applicants whose credentials were garnered from degree mills on the Internet. A diploma earned from degree mills is not likely to impress potential employers and may just be a complete waste of money.
In some parts of the United States alone, it is considered illegal to apply for a job using an unearned college degree. Some of the things you can do to ensure a fast online college degree program are genuine: 1.
Assess the education programs offered by the school and the minimum requirements they seek from the enrollees. Usually these online education programs will require life experiences based on prior learning obtained, usually worth more than two years. 2.
Perform a background check of the learning institution.
Utilize the Internet to find out everything you can find out about the school -- about their enrollees and their graduates. Read information about the school based on a third party assessment, and not merely from the institution's site alone.
3. Find out about the faculty members; you want to learn only from apt instructors.
See how many there are and if they are credible enough to teach.
4.
Check out if the school has accreditation from several school commissions.
And while you're at it, you might want to make sure that they are recognized by potential employers, to prevent difficulties applying for a job. The key here is evaluating carefully the school of your choice. You can obtain a fast online college degree that is genuine and recognized by several potential employers. Make sure that your time and money is worth what you are getting.
With careful planning, you will find an online education program that's best for you.
But you resent having to do it for years.
There are a lot of learning institutions these days providing online education.
While some look legit, others sound too good to be true.
Getting a fast online college degree sure sounds tempting because it will save you plenty of time.
However, there are a few points you might want to consider first.
Literally buying the degree This might sound as a surprise to you, but a fast online college degree is something which you can obtain even without attending classes or turning in homework. Such is available from degree mills on the Internet, where you plainly buy the degree.
Additional options may include transcript of records or graduation certificate. How degree mills work Degree mills are sometimes based on life experiences alone, or on a level of academic work far below what other institutions require from their enrollees.
You can earn such degrees from other legit online learning institutions as well, by attending virtual classes and downloading your lesson modules. But getting a fast online college degree will require you no assignments. The downside of getting a fast college degree For most people, literally buying a degree online is simply wrong. A lot of employers will not hesitate to turn down applicants whose credentials were garnered from degree mills on the Internet. A diploma earned from degree mills is not likely to impress potential employers and may just be a complete waste of money.
In some parts of the United States alone, it is considered illegal to apply for a job using an unearned college degree. Some of the things you can do to ensure a fast online college degree program are genuine: 1.
Assess the education programs offered by the school and the minimum requirements they seek from the enrollees. Usually these online education programs will require life experiences based on prior learning obtained, usually worth more than two years. 2.
Perform a background check of the learning institution.
Utilize the Internet to find out everything you can find out about the school -- about their enrollees and their graduates. Read information about the school based on a third party assessment, and not merely from the institution's site alone.
3. Find out about the faculty members; you want to learn only from apt instructors.
See how many there are and if they are credible enough to teach.
4.
Check out if the school has accreditation from several school commissions.
And while you're at it, you might want to make sure that they are recognized by potential employers, to prevent difficulties applying for a job. The key here is evaluating carefully the school of your choice. You can obtain a fast online college degree that is genuine and recognized by several potential employers. Make sure that your time and money is worth what you are getting.
With careful planning, you will find an online education program that's best for you.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
My Teen Wants A Credit Card, Should They Get One?
The answer to this question could be good or bad for your teen.
The outcome would depend on if your teen is responsible, and would have the ability to pay a credit card bill they may receive in a timely manner.
By doing that, your teen will be on a path to building good credit for the future.
However, if your teen is, or decides to become irresponsible by running up their credit card balances by not paying their bill, this could result in a negative credit history early in their life.
You wouldn't want your teen to be subjected to this.
So here are some tips and information on whether or not your teen should get that credit card: 1) My teen just started college and just received his new credit card in the mail with a credit line of $500, how should he use this card? First, your teen needs to be responsible with his new credit card and ensure that his payments will be made on time to establish a good payment and credit history. Your teen will also want to keep his credit card charges to a minimum as well! 2) Should my teen apply for more than one credit card? Yes.
Your teen should consider applying for two credit cards.
However, make sure your teen pays their monthly credit card balance in full and timely! 3) Why are credit card companies so hungry to get my teen to sign up for a credit card? Usually, when your teen starts college, the credit card companies know that your teen doesn't have a credit card and will probably need a card to make purchases on or off campus.
They also figure that your teen will most likely pay the minimum payment due.
If your teen lets the balance on their credit card increase over time, then the credit card company gets to collect all that interest from your teen! 4) What if my teen's credit card balance gets too high, what should I do? If that happens, you may be stuck paying your teen's debt! Some credit card companies love this.
That means they may get all of their money sooner if the credit card is paid off by the parent.
Teach your teen to be responsible for paying off their credit card balance each month.
If they can't afford the bill, then don't charge the item! 5) What alternatives are there for my teen if they don't want to get a credit card? A good alternative is a debit card usually issued by their bank. The debit card will have a Visa or Master Card logo and can be used like a credit card.
The catch to this is that your teen will be using money from their own bank account when a charge is made.
So make sure that your teen understands this and they are aware that the money they are charging on their debit card, must be in their bank account.
Another good alternative to using a credit card for your teen is a stored value card that has a Visa or Master Card logo on the card.
The stored value card has a certain amount of money on the card that your teen can use when they charge a particular item.
Once your teen has used up the balance they have on the stored value card, they are not able to charge anything else.
The outcome would depend on if your teen is responsible, and would have the ability to pay a credit card bill they may receive in a timely manner.
By doing that, your teen will be on a path to building good credit for the future.
However, if your teen is, or decides to become irresponsible by running up their credit card balances by not paying their bill, this could result in a negative credit history early in their life.
You wouldn't want your teen to be subjected to this.
So here are some tips and information on whether or not your teen should get that credit card: 1) My teen just started college and just received his new credit card in the mail with a credit line of $500, how should he use this card? First, your teen needs to be responsible with his new credit card and ensure that his payments will be made on time to establish a good payment and credit history. Your teen will also want to keep his credit card charges to a minimum as well! 2) Should my teen apply for more than one credit card? Yes.
Your teen should consider applying for two credit cards.
However, make sure your teen pays their monthly credit card balance in full and timely! 3) Why are credit card companies so hungry to get my teen to sign up for a credit card? Usually, when your teen starts college, the credit card companies know that your teen doesn't have a credit card and will probably need a card to make purchases on or off campus.
They also figure that your teen will most likely pay the minimum payment due.
If your teen lets the balance on their credit card increase over time, then the credit card company gets to collect all that interest from your teen! 4) What if my teen's credit card balance gets too high, what should I do? If that happens, you may be stuck paying your teen's debt! Some credit card companies love this.
That means they may get all of their money sooner if the credit card is paid off by the parent.
Teach your teen to be responsible for paying off their credit card balance each month.
If they can't afford the bill, then don't charge the item! 5) What alternatives are there for my teen if they don't want to get a credit card? A good alternative is a debit card usually issued by their bank. The debit card will have a Visa or Master Card logo and can be used like a credit card.
The catch to this is that your teen will be using money from their own bank account when a charge is made.
So make sure that your teen understands this and they are aware that the money they are charging on their debit card, must be in their bank account.
Another good alternative to using a credit card for your teen is a stored value card that has a Visa or Master Card logo on the card.
The stored value card has a certain amount of money on the card that your teen can use when they charge a particular item.
Once your teen has used up the balance they have on the stored value card, they are not able to charge anything else.
Can Toy Pets Ever Replace Real Ones?
Kids love having all sorts of pets, but sometimes that are some circumstances that do not allow them to have real live pets. The answer is simple: toy pets! As a matter of fact, some adults even think that toy pets are better than the real thing, because they are cheaper and safer! If you think that toy pets are dull, then think again, because in this day and age these pets have been made to be more interactive and more fun! There are now toy pets of all kinds, such as toy pet hamsters, toy pet monkeys, and even birds that are actually toys! These pets are all made differently, but one thing remains the same: their manufacturers have developed them in a way that allows the kids and their friends to interact with the pets more than ever before.
For example, one of the reasons that kids just absolutely love toy hamsters like the advanced models currently available is because they have a superior artificial intelligence that they can talk and move accordingly to their habitat. They don't just walk around and bump into things as though they are just mindless machines. They can sniff around objects, and they have personalities.
They can be silly or funny, or even truly unpredictable! You also have such great choices when it comes to these toy pet hamsters, such as differences in color, size and personality! Another example of a truly amazing kind of toy pet is a new toy monkey.
This is an amazing interactive monkey that has many interactions available.
It can sit quietly on your shoulder as you walk by on the street, but it can also talk to your friends as they come nearer to you.
It comes with a remote that allows the owner to control how he interacts with the people, and it comes with ten different interactions that kids can choose from! There is no sidekick that is better than this kind of fun product, so is it really such a big surprise that kids are absolutely dying to have them for their birthdays and Christmas? So if you need to buy the perfect present for the birthday of your kid, or if you need good ideas for Christmastime, then look no further than the wide array of toy pets that are available for you to choose from, be it replica hamsters, monkeys, dogs, even dinosaurs!
They can be silly or funny, or even truly unpredictable! You also have such great choices when it comes to these toy pet hamsters, such as differences in color, size and personality! Another example of a truly amazing kind of toy pet is a new toy monkey.
This is an amazing interactive monkey that has many interactions available.
It can sit quietly on your shoulder as you walk by on the street, but it can also talk to your friends as they come nearer to you.
It comes with a remote that allows the owner to control how he interacts with the people, and it comes with ten different interactions that kids can choose from! There is no sidekick that is better than this kind of fun product, so is it really such a big surprise that kids are absolutely dying to have them for their birthdays and Christmas? So if you need to buy the perfect present for the birthday of your kid, or if you need good ideas for Christmastime, then look no further than the wide array of toy pets that are available for you to choose from, be it replica hamsters, monkeys, dogs, even dinosaurs!
The Problem of Anxiety and Children: A Review of Anxiety Free Child Program
It is amazing how anxiety prone modern day society has become.
Parents are afraid to let their children door knock for the scouts or charities and don't want them to ride a bicycle or walk to school in many cases.
No wonder there is a market for products that advise on freeing children of unnecessary anxieties.
One such product is an e-book called Anxiety Free Child.
Is this combination of e-book and audio presentations worth buying? Read on for more details.
This program has been created by Rich Presta, who claims to have suffered from a lifetime of problems with anxiety and seeks to enable other people to benefit from his own technique for overcoming anxiety disorders. The program explains in detail causes of childhood anxiety and how if not treated effectively it will traumatise the child right into adulthood and potentially for life. Presta makes the point that child anxiety is the outcome of the fight or flight response that has been in humans since the day of the caveman. It was always designed to protect us from falling victim of attack from wild animals for example.
It only becomes a problem when a child or adult fails to learn how to control this impulse and it starts to generate a daily anxiety reaction when there is no sign of physical danger.
Why some people suffer from this condition from childhood is not entirely clear. It may have links with stressful or worrying events from an earlier period in the child's life.
It may also be the outcome of genetic tendency towards anxiety inherited from one or both parents. Many people turn to medication and other forms of expensive therapy if their child is anxious and having difficulty coping.
The problem with medication is that it papers over the anxiety and has side effects such as mental confusion and drowsiness.
While some expensive therapies also fail to deal with the problem effectively.
The Anxiety Free Child program will supply you with a tailored course of information designed to deal quickly and effectively in identifying and overcoming your child's anxiety problem. As well as Presta's own course outline, buyers will receive audios of therapists, psychologists and a host of top selling authors who have researched and written about anxiety problems. The program interested me because I too suffered from severe anxiety problems as a child in spite of a secure and loving family.
Ultimately I learned to overcome my problem through self-hypnosis and mind control.
However, some people may find that their child needs this detailed course and would benefit from it.
Parents are afraid to let their children door knock for the scouts or charities and don't want them to ride a bicycle or walk to school in many cases.
No wonder there is a market for products that advise on freeing children of unnecessary anxieties.
One such product is an e-book called Anxiety Free Child.
Is this combination of e-book and audio presentations worth buying? Read on for more details.
This program has been created by Rich Presta, who claims to have suffered from a lifetime of problems with anxiety and seeks to enable other people to benefit from his own technique for overcoming anxiety disorders. The program explains in detail causes of childhood anxiety and how if not treated effectively it will traumatise the child right into adulthood and potentially for life. Presta makes the point that child anxiety is the outcome of the fight or flight response that has been in humans since the day of the caveman. It was always designed to protect us from falling victim of attack from wild animals for example.
It only becomes a problem when a child or adult fails to learn how to control this impulse and it starts to generate a daily anxiety reaction when there is no sign of physical danger.
Why some people suffer from this condition from childhood is not entirely clear. It may have links with stressful or worrying events from an earlier period in the child's life.
It may also be the outcome of genetic tendency towards anxiety inherited from one or both parents. Many people turn to medication and other forms of expensive therapy if their child is anxious and having difficulty coping.
The problem with medication is that it papers over the anxiety and has side effects such as mental confusion and drowsiness.
While some expensive therapies also fail to deal with the problem effectively.
The Anxiety Free Child program will supply you with a tailored course of information designed to deal quickly and effectively in identifying and overcoming your child's anxiety problem. As well as Presta's own course outline, buyers will receive audios of therapists, psychologists and a host of top selling authors who have researched and written about anxiety problems. The program interested me because I too suffered from severe anxiety problems as a child in spite of a secure and loving family.
Ultimately I learned to overcome my problem through self-hypnosis and mind control.
However, some people may find that their child needs this detailed course and would benefit from it.
Free Math Problem Help for School and College Students
Students are probably used to teachers and parents telling them to work out math problems by themselves because that's the only way you'll learn math.
Much as students would like to disagree, it's probably true.
However, the problem students have with math is not limited to solving problems; it usually starts earlier and has to do with how much students understand of what they are being taught. Instruction for math should ideally be tailored to each student's capacity and aptitude for the subject.
Students who are really good at math can cover lessons faster and go beyond the syllabus and explore topics they are interested in.
Students who maintain average grades need plenty of practice and someone to explain things in a way they understand.
While following a customized approach for teaching math will turn out better informed students, it's not really possible to apply it in most classrooms across the country, due to a shortage of good teachers, time constraints and deadlines.
Find Good Math Tutors to Learn Math Easily Using a math tutoring service is a viable solution to students' math needs. Hiring a good math tutor can make a world of difference in students math education.
Tutors provide individual attention and help with math problems, at an easy pace which allows students to really absorb what they are learning.
Students have plenty of opportunity to practice all the concepts they learn under the guidance of their tutor.
Online tutoring services and math help sites have a sizable repository of practice worksheets, which have a diverse set of problems. The best thing about using these practice sheets is that students have access to a variety of problems of different difficulty levels, which may not be included in text books.
Today, students can find tutoring services that fit their schedule and requirements.
Unlike a couple of decades ago, when private tutoring was an expensive affair, it is possible to find affordable and good quality tutoring, particularly online.
Many high school and college students opt for online tutoring over the other traditional options, because of the convenience, flexibility, and 24 x 7 help it offers.
Gone are the days of traveling to a tutoring center and working with rigid timetables.
Students who learn online can schedule lessons for whenever they want and log into the sessions from just about anywhere.
All you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you're all set to get all the help you need.
Students who learn online find the virtual environment comfortable and the tutors encouraging.
There are many resources available online which students would not have access to in tutoring centers or with a home tutor. Online games, quizzes, and puzzles add to the fun of learning while mock tests prep students for tests and exams.
Much as students would like to disagree, it's probably true.
However, the problem students have with math is not limited to solving problems; it usually starts earlier and has to do with how much students understand of what they are being taught. Instruction for math should ideally be tailored to each student's capacity and aptitude for the subject.
Students who are really good at math can cover lessons faster and go beyond the syllabus and explore topics they are interested in.
Students who maintain average grades need plenty of practice and someone to explain things in a way they understand.
While following a customized approach for teaching math will turn out better informed students, it's not really possible to apply it in most classrooms across the country, due to a shortage of good teachers, time constraints and deadlines.
Find Good Math Tutors to Learn Math Easily Using a math tutoring service is a viable solution to students' math needs. Hiring a good math tutor can make a world of difference in students math education.
Tutors provide individual attention and help with math problems, at an easy pace which allows students to really absorb what they are learning.
Students have plenty of opportunity to practice all the concepts they learn under the guidance of their tutor.
Online tutoring services and math help sites have a sizable repository of practice worksheets, which have a diverse set of problems. The best thing about using these practice sheets is that students have access to a variety of problems of different difficulty levels, which may not be included in text books.
Today, students can find tutoring services that fit their schedule and requirements.
Unlike a couple of decades ago, when private tutoring was an expensive affair, it is possible to find affordable and good quality tutoring, particularly online.
Many high school and college students opt for online tutoring over the other traditional options, because of the convenience, flexibility, and 24 x 7 help it offers.
Gone are the days of traveling to a tutoring center and working with rigid timetables.
Students who learn online can schedule lessons for whenever they want and log into the sessions from just about anywhere.
All you need is a computer and an internet connection, and you're all set to get all the help you need.
Students who learn online find the virtual environment comfortable and the tutors encouraging.
There are many resources available online which students would not have access to in tutoring centers or with a home tutor. Online games, quizzes, and puzzles add to the fun of learning while mock tests prep students for tests and exams.
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Practice Their Fine Motor Skills With Stacking Blocks Or LEGOs
Stacking blocks may seem useless since it seems that all the child can do with them is to stack them one by one.
Yes, that is exactly what children are supposed to do with stacking blocks. Mind you, they are the simplest yet the most useful amongst any other learning toys in the market. When kids play with these, they do not need to worry where one should go, or where the other should be attached to.
There are no limits, no rules and no instructions, thus, giving the child the freedom to stack them any way he/she wants to.
Stacking blocks can stimulate kids' imagination and creativity and at the same time develop their sense of autonomy.
With these blocks, they exercise their right to choose without having their moms or dads to decide for them.
These materials encourage them to explore and be free.
There is a variety of these toys that are available in the market nowadays: alphabet blocks, shape blocks and even the ever famous block of the 90s, the LEGO.
Stacking blocks are very educative and beneficial, provided that they are safe and non-toxic, which is the ultimate consideration in choosing them. When picking out blocks from the market, be sure to check the paint or the stain of the block. Be sure they do not contain any lead and non-toxic because most likely than not, these blocks would end up in their mouth.
Stacking blocks can be easily stored when not in use, so there is no need to worry when you have these blocks in your day care center.
Yes, that is exactly what children are supposed to do with stacking blocks. Mind you, they are the simplest yet the most useful amongst any other learning toys in the market. When kids play with these, they do not need to worry where one should go, or where the other should be attached to.
There are no limits, no rules and no instructions, thus, giving the child the freedom to stack them any way he/she wants to.
Stacking blocks can stimulate kids' imagination and creativity and at the same time develop their sense of autonomy.
With these blocks, they exercise their right to choose without having their moms or dads to decide for them.
These materials encourage them to explore and be free.
There is a variety of these toys that are available in the market nowadays: alphabet blocks, shape blocks and even the ever famous block of the 90s, the LEGO.
Stacking blocks are very educative and beneficial, provided that they are safe and non-toxic, which is the ultimate consideration in choosing them. When picking out blocks from the market, be sure to check the paint or the stain of the block. Be sure they do not contain any lead and non-toxic because most likely than not, these blocks would end up in their mouth.
Stacking blocks can be easily stored when not in use, so there is no need to worry when you have these blocks in your day care center.
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