How to motivate your Child to enjoy Mathematics

Mathematics is the subject most students are usually afraid of. Some parents were not also enjoying it during their school days. This is maybe because of the wrong impression about this subject. However, all students have to learn this no matter what dream job would be. So to be able for your child to be attracted with mathematics, here are some simple tips which I am also applying to my children. Some of them I learned when I was a still a student being a lover of Mathematics myself.

Start on their early age

Let him play with numbers just like his favorite toy. Posters and building blocks with numbers can easily make your child familiar with basic numbers. Use mathematics in every possible way you can. Any countable thing can be use as a daily practice such as his teeth, toys, and members of the family. As they go along, you will notice that they will be eager to learn more. It will be hard for you if you start late, and your child will be bored about the subject.

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Understanding Colorblindness

For the record, color blind people can only see black and white is not true. This is because it is extremely rare to be totally color blind or has complete color vision deficiencies. There are many different types and degrees of colorblindness but they will not be posted to due to complex discussion.

Although some cases of this deficiency can be due to aging, nearly all color deficiency of significant degree is hereditary, congenital (you're born with it), and permanent.

Before having your own colorblind test here, here are some pointers on how teachers and parents can help children with this kind of deficiency:

1.0 Label a picture with words or symbols when the response requires color recognition. Label coloring utensils (crayons, colored pencils, and pens) with the name of the color.

2.0 Use white chalk, not colored chalk, on the board to maximize contrast. Avoid yellow, orange, or light tan chalk on green chalkboards.

3.0 Teach color deficient children the color of common objects like green for grass, and blue for the sky.

4.0 Try teaching children "all" the colors. Remember, most color deficient children can identify pure primary colors. It is normally just different shades or tints that give them problems.

5.0 Photocopied parts of any kind of book printed with colored ink. Black print on red or green paper is not safe. It may appear as black on black to some color deficient students.

6.0 Make sure a child's color vision has been tested before they have to learn their colors or color-enhanced instructional materials are used.

Now, here are some colorblind tests you can use for yourself and your children. If you find them small, you can copy paste them to your computer with free of charge.


Let your children enjoy the rainbow because just like life, our world is so colorful!

For more detailed explanation about colorblindness and other tests, you can visit Color Vision Testing.

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Food Preparation Tips for Healthier Children

We, as parents always want our child to eat healthy food. We do research about balance diet, vitamins and proper eating habits. However, no matter how healthy the food our children are eating, our children still get sick such as diarrhea, cramping and nausea. This is maybe because we lack knowledge about safety food preparation. With this, here are some essential tips on how to ensure that the food our child is eating is clean and safe:

1.0 Before shopping, check for the cleanliness of the area, and be sure that they have the proper license to sell these foods. Observe the hygiene of the sellers and their awareness about health. Although it looks cheaper to buy from roadside stands, it is always healthier to buy from the legitimate ones. This is most applicable when you will buy sea foods such as shrimp and shellfish.

2.0 When shopping for food, pick up perishable foods such as meat and fish only after you finished the canned and packaged foods. It is also better if they will be last ones you will shop for. This is to maintain its freshness until you go home. Place them in separate plastic bags and avoid drippings on other foods which can contaminate them.

3.0 Check for the expiration dates and proper packaging. Meat should be properly sealed, and canned goods should have complete and clear labels. The can itself should not have dent or damage. If you choose the ones with closer expiration dates, be sure that it will be placed in a freezer or be served at once.

4.0 You should also know how to check a fish or meat if it is still fresh or not. Avoid buying a meat that has dark or greenish tinge on it, or a fish that really smells “fishy”. Green leafy vegetables should not have holes in them. Give yourself ample time to check on this, or have someone with you who knows more about these things.

5.0 After returning home, clean the fish at once and other frozen goods, and put them immediately in the freezer. Do not use containers with worn out covers to avoid contamination and be sure that your refrigerator is always clean. Never reuse the plastic bags especially that are used for fish and meat. Instead, wash and put them in a properly covered trash can. Always keep your kitchen clean.

6.0 Ensure proper washing of hands and cleaning of kitchen utensils before using them. During the preparation of the ingredients, clean the cover plates before using and do not use the same knives for meat and fish. Clean them at once after using to avoid attraction from flies and crawling insects. Have separate rags for the kitchen; and wash them regularly.

Being clean does not require high status in life and proper age; you should only have discipline and complete knowledge.

This post was greatly inspired by the book entitled Access to Health (Fourth Edition) by Rebecca J. Donatelle and Lorraine G. Davis, in which my mother bought for me when my children are growing up.

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Practical Tips for First Time Mothers

Being a parent for the first time is exciting, and also scaring at the same time. While you are very happy to take care of your own child, just merely holding her tiny fingers can hurt her. You may be learned some of safety tips, as well as had guidance from your parents and friends; but it is totally different when you are already alone. Being a father of two, I would like to share my wife’s own experience and other practical tips we learned about being a first time mother:

1.0 Use your mother instinct. All mothers have this, including animals so therefore, you have to use it. This means that although you must not always have to buy a parenting book just to know everything about parenting. There will be emergency cases wherein you should act very quickly. You must trust your feelings even though others may tell that it is just a simple problem. However, you should not panic because it will only worsen the situation.

2.0 Do not stop learning. Being a mother is an everyday learning, so make the most out of it. Do not just rely on one book for your resources. Parenting magazines, pamphlets from clinics, and parenting websites and blogs are among those you must also read. Maximize your relationship with your baby’s pediatrician. It is also better to share ideas with other parents who has or had previously hands on infants.

3.0 Build special bonding. This is the most heart warming scene anyone can see. A mother playing with her baby will build a special bonding between them. Sing, dance, play and talk with your baby help her to be more familiar with you. By doing this consistently, it is like telling your baby that she is always safe from any harm. Take the chance while she still depends on you, older children will have a world of their own.

4.0 Prepare for the worst. We all know that infants are very sensitive to anything and everything. It is very important that you have all the safety gadgets near you, all the time. This includes medicines, baby towels, cotton and even cell phones in case you must call the doctor or anyone who could help you at once. But more importantly, learn how to be proactive rather than being reactive.

5.0 Be healthy. I know that it hard to stay fit if you have a baby to take care of but you should not neglect your own health. You may have incomplete sleeps, skipping meals and even not being able to take a bath sometimes just to have enough time for your baby. However, your baby can absorb all the germs that your body has which may lead him to air related sickness such as asthma. Besides, you cannot take care of your baby if you are sick.

6.0 Take a lot of pictures with her. This is not only enjoyable, but also a remembrance about the wonderful times you shared together. You can also take pictures even she will be confined to a hospital or being checked up by her doctor. Her first time activities such as first walk, first bath, and first laugh are worth priceless. My children had monthly pictures until they reached their first birthdays, and they are now displayed in the living room.

First times are not only a lesson to learn, but also a memory to cherish.

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How to Keep your Child’s Teeth Healthy

According to statistics, twenty eight percent of children ages 2 to 5 have cavities in their baby teeth. This is scary especially to those parents who neglect their children’s teeth and has the wrong impression about taking care of their child’s teeth. Here is some vital information that parents sometimes care less:

1.0 Keep a healthy diet. Children love sweet foods and it is also good for their body. However, too much sugar and starch creates acids that dissolve the tooth’s structure which can cause cavities, besides the greater chance of being obese. Process snacks are the best source of tooth decay while the best friends of your child’s tooth are fruits and vegetables. Fluoridate drinking water is advisable for kids 2 years old and up.

2.0 The toothbrush. Kids should brush at least twice a day and, ideally, after snacking, too. But the most effective way is before sleeping. This is when production of saliva is slow, which gives acid less chance to damage the teeth. Electric toothbrushes are also helpful especially to children under 4 years old, who are not yet capable of brushing his teeth well. However, the more important thing is that the toothbrush reaches the back of the mouth. With this, children under 6 years old still need assistance from parents.

3.0 The toothpaste. For kids who do not know yet how to spit properly, non-fluoridated toothpaste should be used. This is because too much swallowing of fluoride can cause stains on the enamel of permanent teeth. It is also advisable that the toothpaste have attractive flavors for kids to enjoy more. A pea-size drop of toothpaste is just enough for kids. Moreover, it is the proper way of brushing that is more important rather than the toothpaste.

4.0 The dentist. Babies within the six months after his first tooth appearance should already visit the dentist, and every 6 months continuously. This is very important since your baby’s teeth should be monitored closely as he is growing. The dentist will give advises about the correct way of brushing his teeth and other prevention care.

This is an excerpt from Meagan Francis’ article entitled Caring for Your Child’s Teeth and you may visit American Dentist Association’ official website.

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First Romance - What Parents Should Do

Let us face it; there will come a time that your child will fall in love. Call it puppy love, crush or whatever you want, but you must accept it and give proper guidance. Allowing your child to be involved in a boy-girl relationship will depend on your child’s ability to take the responsibility of loving someone. But before doing so, you must also follow some guidelines.

You must know your child

This is the most important factor among them. Having no idea what your child is up to is a big shame on you. Surely, it is not enough that you see your child everyday and work hard to give all the material things your child needs especially during the adolescent years. If you raise your children properly and have a good bonding with them, then there will be no qualms in sharing with you such secrets.

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Dangerous Things You Should Allow Your Children to do

The title seems to be troublesome, but you read it right. There are some dangerous things that you should allow your child to do. Actually there are a lot of them, but only five were discussed by Gever Tulley in his 9-minute video posted at TED or Technology, Entertainment and Design, a highly respected annual conference that brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers. Now here are them and hope you could read and understand them very well before you get up on your seats with a mad face:

1.0 Play with fire. Fire is one of the most amazing things children can see. Playing with them is a good way of learning of nature and science. They will be able to analyze how fire is being produced and what is its effect. By learning this, they can be reminded what damage a fire can do, and be careful about it. After all, they can use what they have learned in their future science subjects.

2.0 Use of pocket knives. A pocket knife is a general tool for opening, cutting or slicing some things. When children learned how to use it properly, they will discover that things can be done easier when a pointed object is being used. It is a dangerous thing to touch but if they get used to it, it can be a great advantage over other children.

3.0 Throwing of things. Spear as one of the interesting things to throw is a good exercise for their body and mental capabilities. This act of hitting a target will enable them to improve their concentration in fulfilling a goal. They can also learn different strategies that they can use when they grow up. Since this is a solo activity, hitting a target will enhance their self confidence.

4.0 Deconstruct appliances. This is applicable to your old and damaged electronic gadgets like radio, CD player and the like. Children like to discover things and seeing small parts of old electrical or electronic equipments can stop their wondering what these things are made of. Although they may not understand such complicated things, they can easily recall them when they grow up.

5.0 Driving a car. In most countries, learning how to drive a car is a must for everybody. Therefore, you can teach your child how to drive the moment their feet can touch the breaks. Since cars are very much bigger than them, it will be such a great feeling for them to know how to control them. They will also learn basic safety tips when traveling.

For more information about the speaker, you can visit his short bio.

Learning how to do delicate things can help children prepare for the real world, and what is ahead of them. However, proper guidance and safety reminders should be the responsibility of the parents.

This video from TED has been Digged for over a thousand times, but you can do it again or add to other social marketing websites.

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How to Drive Safely with your Baby

Driving with your baby can be fun. Parents enjoy driving with their babies because it is such a pleasant view when someone sees your baby on board plus the special bonding that you will experience. However, it can also be a tragic disaster if safety is not being considered.

Although no parent would want their baby to have an accident anywhere, sometimes they seem to be satisfied with the safety tips they know.

Below are very important tips on how to be safe when driving with your baby.

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Lessons from a Parent’s Footnote

Maybe I should have done this as my last post for last year, but I think it is more appropriate to start a new year with reminders of what I have shared. With this, I would like to enumerate my favorite footnotes I have included at the end of each article I posted. Here are them with no particular order:

1.0 Giving your children what they want is not always negotiable. Sometimes it is a must.

2.0 Internet, just like riding a bike or reading a book is very useful to children, but can be harmful to if not being guided properly.

3.0 Teachers are of great help in improving a problem child, but parents should be the first ones to realize the status of their child.

4.0 Children cannot avoid being curious about sexuality. However it is our obligation as adults to guide them, and teaching them about sex without malice is very important.

5.0 Remember that it is our duty as parents to work for our children and not vice versa.

6.0
How to treat a stranger son: Do not be a stranger to him.

7.0 Keep your child’s favorite toy until he grows up. Adults love to see them in their cabinets to remind them that once in their lifetime, they became a child.

8.0 I know I may not be in the right position to say this, but do not put aside your health and your children. So avoid smoking, follow the best tip yet: Do Not Start!

9.0 Sometimes you must do some research to check if the usual way is the correct way.

10.0 If you want to live a life, honesty is still the best policy.

Now, for the footnote of this post: We can learn many parenting tips, but we can only apply them if we realize them.

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