Do people who are looking to lose weight need help while doing so? This can have but two answers, yes and no. To decipher who would need guidance and who doesn`t, would depend on the individual themselves. Some people have the ability, and quickly pick up on how to choose and follow a sensible diet plan, whereas others find it difficult to without assistance. These particular dieters need company for encouragement, and to help strengthen their weaknesses which may hamper their chance of losing excess weight; without aid these people struggle with being consistent with their diet, and effortlessly find they cannot control the temptation to give in, or give up.
Weight loss is a major issue around the world because of the dangers to one`s health that obesity can cause. Let us face it, while you are grossly overweight, you are never going to be able to sit comfortable on a plane, look good in a bikini or win a marathon. Aside from these pointers it is all about health and inner vital organs like the heart. Obesity can cause heart failure. Keeping your weight down and your body healthy will have you see a new change of life. Things like running for a bus and being able to “catch it,” walking up the stairs without puffing and panting, or playing with the “grandkids,” or sadly in some cases the “kids.” Mom and dad if you are obese then if not for yourself think of the children and lose weight.
Are you familiar with phrases like?
Spare Tire
Love Handles
Muffin Top
Pot Belly
If you are then something tells me you may be looking to lose belly fat. The above references are not very flattering but neither is a podgy or flabby tummy. For some there may be no real issue concerning true obesity only that of a sagging belly or other fatty body parts. To lose weight, not only do you need a diet that works or a brain that thinks logically, but more importantly believing in yourself that you can get your weight down,
Below is a couple of slim plan weight loss recipes for those who can go it alone unaided, however for the people that can`t and see dieting as a problem, then you can join other happy dieters following the weightloss4idiots weight loss program. Each recipe has been carefully chosen to help you lose weight and make your diet a success in shedding the pounds. Eating healthily isn’t complicated once you know the basics. The balance of good health will help you plan for a healthy diet. Not many people who look to lose weight know what healthy eating means – and is there any wonder why with so much contradiction over particular diets. People under medical supervision and with special dietary requirements, and maybe taking specific prescriptive drugs should never attempt to diet or take up exercise without consulting their doctor first.
If you are trying to eat more healthily in order to slim down then you’ll need to pay attention to calories intake. It is not difficult to diet as some people think. Dieting is about following the guidelines and doing as suggested by the experts involved with your chosen weight loss plan to lose weight. The hardest part about the whole concept of dieting is, once you have achieved your ideal weight, is to keep it that way.
Some useful advice to help keep the weight off
There are certain sweetened juices and sugary beverages that can add unwanted calories, so avoid and drink diet pop, or better still water to quench your thirst. Sometimes the body craves food because it is dehydrated and drinking water is the best solution to remedy this.
Eat small healthy snacks; this stops your body from crashing because of low sugar throughout the day. Take in fiber – fiber keeps you feeling fuller longer (whole grain toast instead of white) and it will stop you from snacking on junk food.
If possible, keep healthy foods (fruits, healthy dishes) in visible places such as your kitchen sides, coffee table or at eye level on other household surfaces, this makes you more likely to nibble on healthier foods. Keep bad foods out of sight. The amount you eat in one portion is vitally important, when eating; use your dinner plate as a guide for specific food groups. Half of the plate should host fruit and vegetables, one quarter for grains/carbs, and the final quarter for meats. Plan your meals ahead of schedule eating times. This gives you the opportunity to consider different nutritional foods for your meals. An unorganized menu will have you eat foods as a matter of convenience to fill that gap.
An easy way of getting a few portions of vegetables into your daily diet is to make a tasty and filling soup. Leftover homemade soups can be put in a flask to make a quick, easy, low cal lunch for school, work or o take way a hunger pang.
Leek and Potato Soup
Potatoes make a great base for broths since they boil down and thicken. Chopped leeks with a sprinkling of herbs and seasoning added to spuds will result in a flavorsome soup.
Ingredients
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 Small Diced Onion
450g Chopped Leeks
450g Cubed Potatoes
500ml Semi Skimmed Milk
500ml Water
1 tsp Herbs
Method
Heat oil and lightly fry onion leeks and potatoes together for 3 minutes
Add milk and all water, along with herbs and seasoning
Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Sieve vegetables, retaining any juices
Liquidize vegetables, and then mix in vegetable juice
Reheat, season and serve
Everyone loves to eat curry and the good thing is the dieters can too, only one that is low in fat.
Chicken curry recipe, how hot is up to your own personal taste.
Ingredients
1 tbsp Oil
10g Butter
3 Cloves Crushed Garlic
1 Medium Onion
2 tbsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Ground Coriander
½ tsp dried mint
570g Chicken fillet cut into chunks
200 ml water
Method
Heat oil and butter together in a wok. Add garlic and onion and fry for about 5 minutes until onion a light golden brown. Mix in the garam masala, coriander and mint. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the water, stir, and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked and sauce has thickened.
No matter how tasty a meal is after it has been cooked or prepared, many of us are still inclined to spice our meals up with sauces and relishes. Although these can add that extra zest, they can be threatening and upset the apple cart so as to speak in your attempt to lose weight. Let us say you have made every effort to make a healthy green salad, only to smother it in mayonnaise or salad cream. If you find the urge to strong to resist eating an undressed salad, then use low fat sauces.
Some guidelines below
Tesco Reduced Calorie Mayonnaise
Just like the real stuff Tesco mayonnaise has excellent texture and flavor.
Per 100g
Calories 326kcal
Carbs 9.8g
Fat 31.5g
Sodium 0.9g
Protein 0.8g
Fibre 0.0g
Hellmann’s Light Mayonnaise
Although Weight Watchers mayonnaise dressing is mouth watering creamy and mild, it is not exceptionally incredible, however it lists highly among the lowest of different mayonnaises for calories and fat.
Per 100g
Calories 299kcal
Carbs 6.7g
Fat 29.8g
Sodium 0.9g
Protein 0.7g
Fibre Trace
Sensible Fruit and Veg Portions
1. apple, banana, pear or orange
2. 2 plums, Satsuma`s or kiwi fruit
3. 1/2 a grapefruit or avocado
4. large slice of melon/pineapple
5. 3 tablespoons of vegetables, beans or pulses
6. 3 tablespoons of stewed fruit
7. 1 tablespoon of raisins/sultanas
8. 3 dried apricots
9. cupful of grapes or cherries
10. (150ml) glass of pure fruit
Remember, an easy diet is one you like and because of this, it will work.
?
?
Kacy Carr
http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/slim-down-low-fat-recipes-lose-weight-the-hard-way-or-the-easy-way-712911.html
It is a known fact that there are more overweight kids now than about 50 years ago. Naturally, some of those overweight kids carry their weight problems all the way to their teenage years, and even to adulthood. If your kid is in this situation, here are some tips for quick weight loss for teens, without having to resort to drastic measures like invasive surgery or even getting him or her on diet pills or enrolling your kid under an expensive gym membership.
Quick weight loss for teens # 1
Good nutrition always starts at home. You have to keep this in mind. Instead of keeping in check or even limiting severely what your kid eats, take a good, hard and honest look at what the entire family is eating. Teens develop their eating habits from what you teach them. So if you are a family of potato chip eaters, you need to wean the entire family from the chips and go for healthier options like fresh fruit and vegetables. Try not to create a meal plan only for your overweight teenager, while the rest of the family chows down on the unhealthy stuff. Your kid will only resent this and may sneak in meals outside your home.
Quick weight loss for teens # 2
Speaking of meals, try to ditch all the processed food you have at home – and that includes the frozen dinners and the “diet food” that you have been stocking up. These are loaded with extenders, preservatives and sugar in order to become palatable. Unfortunately, these are the same “low calorie” food that triggers hunger pangs which will subsequently make your kid eat more. Go for the fresh produce instead. This does not mean that you limit your kid’s diet to raw fruits and raw vegetables. You could try buying fresh meat from the grocery, use sea salt as marinade and cook this with fresh (not canned) vegetables or even fruits. You kid will learn how to prepare healthy food in the process.
Quick weight loss for teens # 3
Forcing your teen to exercise when he or she does not want to, can be a vicious fight. Why not engage him or her into an activity that you know your kid will like – and you will know this by simply asking them what they would like to do. If your teenager wants to learn skateboarding, then let them do so, even if you have misgivings about possible accidents. If he or she wants to learn to dance or learn how to play the drums, then let them do so. Try not to force your kid into activities without even consulting him or her. This makes your teenager more resentful of the fact that you did not ask in the first place.
Quick weight loss for teens # 3
Encourage your teen to drink more water or freshly made juice as a substitute for unhealthy snacks. You can do this by buying a juicing machine and even increasing your weekly supply of bottled water (which they can take to school.) Freshly made juice (without sugar) satiates hunger pangs without adding too much calories. Try to discourage the entire family from making protein shake smoothies, but go for the fresh fruits or vegetable juices instead. Water helps flush out more toxins from the body.
Jennifer T.
For most of us Christmas is a time of year for sharing time with our loved ones. It is an especially important time for our children who thrive on the magic of the season and those traditions that create lasting childhood memories. For them, the excitement of Christmas starts long before Christmas Day and they love nothing better than being involved in the festive preparations. Baking cookies is one tradition that has stood the test of time and has been passed down from mother to child for generations.
Being involved in Christmas preparations always evokes warm abiding memories warmth and closeness. Baking Christmas treats such as cookie and candy is a wonderful ritual that can be shared with your kids and brings so much pleasure and is a wonderful tradition to share if you plan it properly in advance.
Make sure you start the day in the best frame of mind, which means everyone should have had a good nights’ sleep. It’s also not a good idea to let the kids pick at the raw ingredients you are using to bake the cookies or candy, however tempting. So, start the day with a sustaining breakfast or lunch before you begin your Christmas cookie bake. An upset tummy can spoil the memory of the day for everyone and it is never too soon the teach your children a rule basic cooking rules.
Everyone will be eager to be involved in the prepartion and cooking process. Allow the kids the freedom to try out the kitchen appliances for the first time and have fun by experimenting with the ingredients and creating their own individual cookies. They will love seeing the end results and will take great pleasure in showing the rest of the family their little works of art.
Don’t plan your cookie baking for the day before you are expecting guests or need your kitchen to be in pristine condition. Expect chaos and take a relaxed attitude towards if for one day. You will enjoy the experience all the more if you are not stressing over spills. The kitchen can be put back to its original state, having fun on this occasion is far more important. Your kids wil really appreciate being less restricted and you they will love you for it. The whole experience can be rewarding for all of you.
Baking cookies with your kids should be a happy and stress free time. Create the ideal conditions for your Christmas cookie cooking day so that you and your kids will enjoy every minute of it.
Don’t plan your baking event the day before you are expecting guests or need your kitchen to be in pristine condition! Take a relaxed attitude towards the fact that the kitchen will be in some degree of chaos. You will enjoy the experience all the more if you are not stressing over spills!
Finally, be completely organised and have everything you are likely to need on hand. Kids can have a short attention span and won’t enjoy a trip to buy missing ingredients when they are eager to start cooking! Being prepared for this Christmas cookie cooking day can make all the difference to your enjoyment and theirs. Follow all the guidelines and your day is sure to be a great success and one you and your children will want to recreate every year.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/baking-christmas-cookies-secrets-of-cookie-making-revealed-708697.html
These games are becoming a popular source of enjoyment and learning for kids. Many types of such games are available on the internet. Many are free of cost. There was a time when people couldn’t think beyond the conventional games or toys which were really expensive and did not lasted for a long time. The online games are easy to play and free of charge. Kids can find a variety of these on the net by themselves without any guidance. Most of the children like cooking and they may spoil something or endanger themselves unless there is someone who teaches them correctly. For more details www.thanks-giving-recipes.com These games do this job of helping kids learn what they want. There are games which show how to prepare the breakfast in a particular sequence so that the kids understand and can remember. Kids can learn how to make a cheese sandwich in an easy process that shows preparing slices of bread and then crating the cheese and sprinkling black pepper and salt to it. The kids can also help their parents in cooking meals if not preparing the meal.
All this can be done while playing. If you wish to teach your kids something why not do it by the means of games since games are the best options to pour something into their growing minds. Some parents are worried that their children don’t eat some foods for example milk. They could easily make their kids drink or eat food items by the help of these games. The role of nutrients in the meal is very important and kids could be explained this by the means of games. These are so informative and suggestive that children can easily play, understand and then perform the same themselves. One can start cooking in the kitchen and the game on the computer simultaneously in order to give the child a practical idea of the game. Generally the girls are more interested in cooking and hence these are more popular among the girls. For more details www.camping-outdoors-recipes.com It is a fun filled activity that involves learning and repetition. The young minds are innovative and they should be trained to get some creative outputs from them. Several questions arise in the mind that how to find these games, or where to find them? These are easily accessible and free of charge. There is a list of recipes to search for. One should find a recipe that is suitable according to the child’s age and get started.
Many people share their views and ideas about cooking including recipes for the convenience of others. Another doubt that keeps us confused is the language barrier. In reply to this, I suggest that these games are often in Asian languages but they are so informative due to the graphics involved that language doesn’t remain a barrier in the end. These games are easily downloaded and installed and hence it saves time. You can’t judge the fun involved in mountain climbing unless you climb the mountain yourself. So start playing and cooking.
virender kumar
http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/cookingmany-types-of-games-are-available-on-the-internet-752487.html
“Mom, I just can’t do Algebra.”
Of course you’d love to help. But ‘Algebra’?
It’s a bit outside of a parent’s Job Description isn’t it?
The good news is you CAN help.
And you don’t have to be mathematically minded, either.
All you need is some patience, a little creativity, and being able to see the world through your child’s eyes.
Imagine being led into an Egyptian temple, being shown a wall full of weird-looking hieroglyphics, and being asked to translate them.
That’s how Algebra feels to some kids.
Your mission is to help your kid understand why we’re using hieroglyphics. And then how to use them to solve simple problems.
Here’s how you do that:
- PHASE 1: Get used to the language ***
Algebra uses abbreviations.
It’s therefore vital your child is comfortable using abbreviations in daily life.
Explain what abbreviations are and how they’re used.
For example, the name Frederick is abbreviated to Fred.
The United States is often abbreviated to the USA or even just the US.
And US states are also abbreviated. New York becomes NY, New Jersey becomes NJ.
Once the basic theory is understood, start introducing abbreviations around the home. There are many ways of doing this. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
~~ Throw a party ~~
Use abbreviations to build up a guest list of invitees.
Bill becomes B.
Marcy becomes M.
And if there’s a Jim and a John, use J1 and J2. Or Ji and Jo. Or use surnames to get JW and JS.
~~ Try some home cooking ~~
Teach your child how to make pancakes and give them the recipe as a formula:
2f + 2e + m + s
Where: f=flour, m=milk, s=sugar, e=eggs.
(Okay, I’m no chef, but you get the idea.)
~~ Design a ‘healthy eating’ schedule ~~
Yes, a little home algebra can even help your family eat more healthily.
Create abbreviations for oranges, apples, bananas, broccoli, celery, etc.
Then plan out your weekly schedule:
Mon: o + a + ba + 2br
Tue: 2ce + p + o + a
Wed: m + 2o
etc.
Once your schedule is drawn up, ask your kid to add up how many of each item you need to buy at the grocery store.
You’d never have guessed a shopping list could make such great algebra training, but it does.
When your child is comfortable with the basic language of Algebra, it’s time to move on to the next stage:
- PHASE 2: Solve some problems ***
Much of Algebra involves finding an unknown value, also known as the “x factor”.
The best way to develop problem-solving skills in kids is by playing simple games and puzzles.
Here are two particularly useful games for developing the algebra mind.
~~ “Dollars & Dimes” ~~
The idea is to give your child a formula, and they tell you the amount of money.
So you say something like:
“2d plus n plus i”.
This means two dollars plus a nickel plus a dime.
(Notice how the letter ‘i’ has ingeniously been used to represent a dIme. This is because the letter ‘d’ has already been reserved for the Dollar.)
The answer should be “Two dollars and fifteen cents.”
Play this a few times using several combinations of notes and coins.
You can also tell your child an amount of money, and ask them to give you the formula.
So if you say, “Four dollars and five cents”,your child replies: “4d plus 5c”.
Ideally they should give you the answer using the least amount of coins possible. So for “fifteen cents”, they should say “n + i” or “i + n”. Not “15c”!
~~ “Think of a Number” ~~
This is a classic you can play anywhere. Try it on long car journeys.
The objective is to guess the mystery number.
You say: “I’ve thought of a number, added 3 to it, and the result is 7. What is my number?”
Make the questions as easy as possible to start with. As your child gains confidence, make the questions are little harder.
At some point, say you’re going to call the mystery number ‘x’. Then ask the question in equation form.
Now don’t panic. It’s simple.
Suppose your question is: “What number plus 3 makes 17?”
You call the mystery number ‘x’. And so your equation is:
x + 3 = 17
You ask your child “if x plus three is seventeen, what’s x?”
You can also reverse roles and ask them to give you some puzzles. Most kids enjoy this. And it trains them to think more creatively about algebra too.
Just a few subtle changes in the way your child thinks can have profound effects on their results in the math class.
Don’t overload your child. Go in very small steps with lots of similar examples to give practice and confidence.
Even the smallest thing may be a stumbling block. Like understanding that ‘x’ means ’1x’ (the ’1′ is not usually written down).
Give lots of praise and reward to create and reinforce the ‘feel good’ factor.
As in any kind of teaching, it’s better to ask lots of questions rather than keep telling someone something.
Take enough little leaps and at some point your kid will experience the “Aha!” moment when the whole algebra thing suddenly clicks into place.
Kenneth Williams
http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/how-to-help-your-kids-do-algebra-57401.html
Now that winter has set in and with it the long, cold, often rainy or snowy days, it is time to warm your home and hearth with some delicious baked goods. Here is a good selection of recipes from my vintage collection that would be perfect to make with the kids or just by yourself to share later. The Applesauce Raisin Muffins would make good after-school treats, lunchbox items, or breakfast treats with a hot drink and some yogurt for protein. The mint cookies are great to make with the kids and they remind you of the famous Girl Scout Mint Cookies. The Lacy Oatmeal Wafer Cookies are Swedish cookies known as Havreflarn in Sweden. They are easy but fancy. How about letting the kids help you make Homemade Granola Bars they can have as treats or take in their lunchboxes. Kids love eating something they helped to make. So get out the flour, sugar, etc, don an apron and get started on that baking!
HOMEMADE GRANOLA BARS
3 1/2 cups oats
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup raisins
2/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 can cherry pie filling
Spread oats in a jellyroll pan and toast in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a large bowl, mix oats, nuts, and raisins. Melt butter in saucepan. Add honey, egg, vanilla, salt, brown sugar, and pie filling. Stir into oat mixture. Press firmly into greased jelly roll pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool, cut into squares.
QUICK AND EASY MINT COOKIES
This recipe was passed out at a Christmas Open House at a local flower shop in Southern Indiana years ago. These cookies are very simple and they will remind you of the “Girl Scout” Mint Cookies.
Melt 1 pound semisweet chocolate coating. Add 6 drops of oil of peppermint flavoring and mix well to blend. Dip Ritz crackers till well coated and place them on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet to set. Store in an airtight container and keep in a cool place until ready to serve.
LACY OATMEAL WAFER COOKIES
This is a cookie recipe from Sweden. It is known as Havreflarn in Sweden.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tbsp cream
Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour, sugar, oats, and cream. Cook, stirring constantly, just until mixture starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and stir briskly for a few seconds. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls about 4-inches apart onto well greased and lightly floured baking sheets. Place only 5 or 6 cookies on a baking sheet at a time. Bake at 375 degrees five to six minutes until golden brown. Cool wafers for 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove carefully from baking sheet with a thin spatula and place over rolling pin until firm. If cookies harden before they can be removed from pan, reheat in oven for a few seconds to soften again. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.
APPLESAUCE RAISIN MUFFINS
1 large egg
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
Beat together the egg, oil and applesauce. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon; beat well. Stir in raisins. Spoon batter into oiled and floured muffin tins. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm to the touch and browned. Cool on wire racks. Delicious topped with cream cheese!
Note: This is a soft and spicy muffin. Very good.
Enjoy!
Grandma Linda
http://www.articlesbase.com/desserts-articles/old-fashion-recipes-for-baking-on-cold-winter-days-691785.html
To reach the top, personally and professionally, you must act like the people who are already at the top. Top CEOs like Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump, no matter how different their approaches, have one key quality in common: they are enterprising. Enterprising CEOs manage life from the driver’s seat. They choose their destination, make their own road rules and cash the big checks.
Reward doesn’t have to appear as dollars in the bank, but an enterprising CEO does expect a payoff. What ultimate reward will you receive from rising to the top as an entrepreneur? A new Porsche? An Italian villa? An exotic vacation to Poughkeepsie? A promotion? Or simply making a difference in the world? Getting in touch with that payoff, knowing the “why” in the “want” sustains your commitment to follow through, rise to the top and reap the payoff you desire.
When you think about it, life is the grandest enterprise of all – and you’re in charge. Top CEOs know they are not only CEOs of their companies, but enterprising CEOs of their lives. You manage your personal development, finances, public relations, transportation, commissary, entertainment, janitorial services and even human resources. You’re already the CEO of the business of running your life, fully vested in the payoff, so why not act the part and take on your next exhilarating enterprise as a consultant or small business owner?
I bellied up to this concept in 1982 when I decided it was time to act like the CEO of my life and career instead of acting like an employee. I discovered the enterprising secrets of top CEOs, left my hospital job as a registered nurse earning $28,000/yr, and launched what is today a multimillion-dollar business.
I used my 12 CEO Secrets of Enterprise to launch my business and grow it annually for 26 years. These same secrets will help you rise to the top as CEO of your business.
CEO Secret 1: Everything Is Marketing
The old saying among entrepreneurs, that nothing happens in business until “somebody sells something,” is equally true in life. From the moment you were old enough to realize that a smile could “sell” your parents on giving you another cookie, you’ve been marketing your ideas.
- Getting a promotion or pay raise means selling your supervisor on your abilities, attitude and experience. That’s marketing.
- Convincing your spouse it’s okay to leave the dishes and cuddle up for some intimacy may require charm and persuasion. That’s marketing.
- Convincing your property owners’ association to resurface the tennis courts might require a benefit analysis and presentation. That’s marketing.
- Corralling a widely separated extended family for a reunion will mean selling the idea, date and place to all family members. That’s marketing.
When I received my master’s degree in nursing, I learned the hard way that this valuable asset had no value unless I marketed it. No one at the hospital said, “Thank you for pursuing higher education, Vickie. Here’s the pay raise you deserve.” I attempted to market that idea to my manager, but she didn’t buy in, so I marched my asset out the door to start my own business.
I had a new idea, legal nurse consulting. I learned very quickly the best idea goes nowhere without strong, innovative marketing behind it. Starting your business means selling you and your expertise.
Marketing has three simple parts: First, find a need. Second, fill that need. Third, convince people to buy in. As CEO, start viewing everything you do from this three-part marketing perspective.
Envision your bold enterprise. Visualize your venture and answer the question, “What will this do for me?” Write down in detail the payoff you desire – more money, more free time, more happiness or all three. Embellish your vision with sensory detail. See, hear, taste and feel it. The more real it is to you, the more you’ll believe in your ability to make it happen.
Communicate your enterprising idea with energy and confidence. You have a story to tell about your new business, and you have to make it interesting, believable and irresistible. Is your story intriguing? Does it highlight your knowledge and expertise?
- Be authentic. Your message must be not only interesting but also real. “Own” your message. Build the core of your presentation around the concept of filling a need. Demonstrate how your expertise will benefit your clients, then prove why you’re the right match for that client.
- Connect with your audience. Companies we call “super brands” make customers feel special just for buying their product and smart for owning it. Make sure you connect with prospects in a way that allows them to trust you and your expertise. Reinforce your message in everything you do. More than “service with a smile,” give “service with bold competency.” Make businesses want to seek you out to work with you again.
- Repeat your story often. Not everyone will get it, not everyone will buy in. But every aspect of your life is a marketing opportunity. Keep polishing your presentation and spreading the word.
CEO Secret 2: Be Your Own Number One Fan
CEOs promote their company and their achievements. They know that buyers don’t want to purchase from losers. Announcing your achievements may feel boastful, but can you imagine Oprah or Donald being shy about broadcasting their triumphs?
With humility, let your target market know any time you score – whether it’s finishing a high-profile project, winning a relevant award or expanding your services. Who you know is important, but even more important is who knows you. Achievements are your resume and expand your credibility. Announcing your achievements also validates the choices people have made on your behalf – the business who hired you or the client who recommended you wants to know he bet on a winner.
- Write a note. Send newsworthy communications to your clients, friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances. Be concise, stir in a little humor, and people will look forward to receiving your news.
- Roll out a news flash. Craft a short, punchy message and tack it onto your voice mail message or place a hyperlinked tagline under your email signature to take recipients to your website.
CEO Secret 3: Expect Icebergs
No enterprise is unsinkable; the Titanic sank its first time out. Plenty of entrepreneurs have made and lost millions on their rise to the top. But when you act like a CEO, you’ll create such a solid foundation and framework for your business that only an enormous iceberg could knock you off course.
- Assess your strengths and challenges. The stability of your business comes not only from how you handle day-to-day routines, but more importantly, from how you engage your strengths when an iceberg pops up unexpectedly. Challenges may involve limited expertise, competition or getting along with a difficult client. By knowing what you have in reserve and frequently reassessing the waters ahead of you, you can maneuver with confidence. Be honest with yourself. A fair, honest assessment will help you develop the necessary strengths or marshal the outside resources you’ll need.
- Be willing to risk hitting icebergs. You have to sail before you can fail. You can maneuver around icebergs, but if you never leave the dock, you’ll never have an enterprise to keep afloat. If you’re not out there in a big way, you won’t risk but you also won’t win. Often it’s not hitting the iceberg but the fear of hitting it that drowns you. How many people resist changing jobs or leaving a bad marriage only to realize after they do that it was the best decision they ever made? Jane Austen, the famous English novelist, chose not to marry out of her poor background but to pursue her dream of writing – in a time when women writers were considered “scandalous.” She braved the iceberg. Soon she’d written six of history’s most important works of English literature. If she’d married any of her suitors, she might have lived a more comfortable, but less fulfilling life.
- Have a rescue plan. Knowing and planning for the worst contingency alleviates the worry that can prevent you from making bold choices. When I started my legal nurse consulting business, I simply wanted to match my modest nursing salary. What did I have to lose? Any time I needed extra money to keep my enterprise afloat, I could work a few shifts at a hospital. Knowing I wouldn’t sink entirely gave me courage.
Write your rescue plan. Look at your savings, your earnings and how long you’ll need to float your business before it generates adequate income. You’re probably in better shape than you suspect. If not, you have two choices:
- Go all in anyway; or
- Set a reasonable time period to succeed, then engage your rescue plan. Just don’t bail out too early or too easily.
Either way, at least you’ve launched your ship.
CEO Secret 4: Solve Problems Quickly and Decisively
Top CEOs move so quickly they exhaust the people working with them, but speed is one of their success secrets. Not haphazard, as some might believe, fast-moving CEOs are constantly developing the concepts and principles that guide their rapid decision making as they continuously strengthen the foundation of their enterprise.
Act like a CEO: Put the fundamentals in place so you can implement creative and effective decisions. Then apply this problem-solving template and you’ll leave people around you scratching their heads:
- Define the situation. Define why it’s important, the relevant facts, your goal in solving the problem and the strategies you’ve already implemented.
- List the people. Include family, consultants, peers, your housekeeper, your son’s basketball coach – everyone who can help you solve the problem.
- Sleep on it. The moments between sleep and consciousness are fertile ground for creative problem solving. When you awake, the solution will often be waiting for you. Meditate on the issue or think about it while you exercise. I’ve often had to unwind from a yoga pose and pop out of the class to jot down a solution after having an “ah-ha” moment. When your conscious mind is quiet, your subconscious can work its magic.
- Identify the necessary actions. Identify any actions you will personally take to resolve the problem. Look to your past successes and acknowledge that you have the inherent strengths. Identify the actions you will delegate. You don’t have to do it all yourself – even if you are a one-person business. Top CEOs delegate extensively.
- Evaluate the results. Apply what you learn to the next challenge that comes. Healthcare mistakes can be deadly, so as nurses when an incident occurred, we always asked ourselves, “What did we do wrong? What did we do right?” Evaluate each problem you solve and ask, “What can I learn that will help me in the future?”
An enterprising CEO never allows problems to thwart momentum. Resolve negative situations promptly and seek inventive ways to turn them into opportunities. As CEO, you’re responsible for making decisions. No one can move or decide as quickly as you can. Accept that responsibility and keep the forward momentum going.
CEO Secret 5: Don’t Be a Commodity
Top CEOs build businesses that are not easily duplicated. Ease of duplication creates commodities, and a commodity business is the kiss of death. Water used to be a commodity until companies like Fiji and Perrier changed our perception. Then Coca-Cola and PepsiCo got involved, and today, water, available just about everywhere for free, outsells almost every other bottled drink at a high price.
My company sells an educational experience. We don’t sell seminars, DVDs or CDs, although those are the media we employ. Instead, we sell a lifelong relationship that includes mentoring and the fact that our students are learning from the pioneer and leader in the industry. Our ideas are often duplicated, but no one can duplicate our relationships, our knowledge or our 26-year advantage.
No matter what you do or what your enterprising idea is, don’t be a commodity. If you turn your business into a commodity, you’ll go bankrupt.
To avoid becoming a commodity:
- Build relationships. Be interested in others. Create genuine connections built on trust and caring. Quietly persuade the prospect that no one else can duplicate your exceptional service and work product, and you’ll never be a commodity because you can never be duplicated. In return you will receive and keep business from the best clients
- Demonstrate trust. Trust has to be earned. Never promise what you can’t deliver or you might not get a second chance. Instead, promise small and deliver big.
- Go all in. Don’t shrink into your chair and become invisible. Clients pay you to speak up even when that means disagreeing about significant issues.
- Strive to stand out. Demonstrate your ability to bring new ideas to the table. While you don’t want to have “verbal diarrhea,” you do want your client and other members of their team to notice you and your contributions. It’s easy to stand out when you pay attention and speak up.
CEO Secret 6: Don’t Underprice Yourself
Top CEOs reject the common thinking that “if you drop your price – you’ll get the job” or “lower price equals higher sales.”
- Place a high value on everything you know. In the information age, education doesn’t come cheap and wisdom is gold.
- Place a high value on everything you do. Outsource whatever you can. My first job every morning is to make sure my staff is doing as much of my work as I can delegate. That frees me to develop new tools, skills and strategies for moving forward.
You may need to give up something to pursue your enterprise. Get your spouse to help with the dishes, the dinner and the carpool. Stop chairing every volunteer committee. Your time is one of your most precious assets. You only get 24 hours a day – choose to spend them wisely. If a project isn’t supporting your enterprise, ask yourself how to drop it, delegate it or find another way to accomplish it.
- Become irreplaceable. Give the client what she wants and more. Ultimately, no one is irreplaceable. You render yourself “irreplaceable” by making the client think of you first for any case and feel they will profit measurably from your input and enterprising ideas.
- Be original. Stamp your performance with originality so that you are not easily duplicated by a cheaper hire. Clerical assistants are commodities. Clerical assistants with the ability to organize, handle customers, keep a CEO on-target and stay calm in the face of a crisis become executive assistants. A nurse is a commodity. A Certified Legal Nurse Consultant who understands the legal nurse consulting process at its most complex and deepest level is a highly paid and valued consultant to the litigation team.
- Quote high fees. My executive assistant quoted one of the highest salary requests I have ever encountered for that position. I weeded out the candidates who underpriced themselves, assuming they wouldn’t work at the level I expected, and hired her at her asking price. It turned out she was worth it (but don’t tell her I said that).
CEOs drive luxury cars, stay in luxury hotels and dine at fine restaurants for a reason beyond personal gratification. They always present themselves and their work in a style that demonstrates value, and others see them as priceless.
CEO Secret 7: Don’t Overrate Networking
Sometimes I joke that time spent networking is time spent “NOT working.” Enterprising CEOs are selective about where and with whom they network. You won’t find them at your breakfast club meeting. CEOs research what they need, locate the source and ask. They create a network of colleagues, clients, consultants, vendors and acquaintances they can depend on to deliver anything from information to referrals.
Networking clubs can absorb time while distracting us from what we really need to accomplish. It’s easy to convince yourself that heavy networking is productive when it’s not. And you could be taking advice from people who mean well but are not qualified to give it.
I built my business on selective networking. I’m always asking people I trust and respect, “Who do you know who…?” I’ve gotten our company’s marketing director, investment counselor, graphic design firm and health insurance provider this way, not by trading business cards at a mixer.
- Cast your net selectively. Don’t confuse networking with socializing. Choose opportunities that put you in the middle of people who are even more successful than you are. Cultivate your network using your relationship skills to include successful entrepreneurs in other industries.
- Don’t just hang around waiting to be introduced. After being named one of Inc.’s Top 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America I attended the Inc. Conference, I mixed with CEOs and representatives from some of the country’s top corporations. You can bet I had formulated different introductions for each of the different situations in which I found myself. Networking is sometimes a “once in your lifetime” opportunity – be prepared to make it pay off. Don’t be a wallflower. If you don’t feel comfortable introducing yourself to people, role-play with a friend and practice until you do. You have to step out to step up.
- Give generously and demand reciprocation. Expect high performance from your network and reward performance. Say “thank you” with a note, flowers, a bottle of wine or a nice lunch. Also, don’t hesitate to cull out any person, business or organization that repeatedly fails to perform.
- Stay connected. Send handwritten notes, emails and other thoughtful communications to create a lasting bond with clients, coworkers and all members of your network. Something as simple as a “happy birthday” jotted on a card or a handwritten “thank you” instead of an email will go far.
- Strategically widen your net. Get in the habit of passing along names – your hair stylist, your plumber, your lawyer, your banker – not to just anyone but selectively and with high praise. Their time is valuable too. They’ll appreciate the selectivity as you would.
CEO Secret 8: Invest in Win-Win Relationships
Top CEOs make sure they’re not the only ones gaining from their initiatives.
- Initiate alignment. When building your business, look at what’s in it for everyone – clients, family and vendors. You’ll get better participation and results when everyone benefits.
- Initiate alliances. Create strategic alliances with people who can advance your business while you advance a goal of theirs. You never know how you can help out a friend or colleague until you ask. People will appreciate your offer of help even if they refuse it. In the business world, it never pays to alienate anyone. Ripples spread wide from rocks thrown in the lake. You never know who is aligned with whom. Never gossip and don’t hesitate to say you’re sorry. Treat everyone as an ally, even those who can’t advance you. Never be condescending. Practice integrity with everyone at every level. It’s always better to have allies than enemies.
- Stay cool and clean. Avoid whiners, complainers and the wrong crowd. Although the wrong crowd might appear popular, it won’t be popular among the people who count – successful business owners. Keep your hands and your nose clean – it’ll pay off in the end.
CEO Secret 9: Compete Only with Yourself
Mushing a loaded dogsled across an Alaskan snowfield, I learned firsthand that it’s true – if you’re not the lead dog, the view from the rear never changes. And the rear is exactly where you’ll be if you compete only with others.
To excel as an enterprising CEO, you must be aware of competition, but don’t allow that awareness to veer you off course. If you focus on your competition (someone brighter, richer or better looking), you’ll always be one step behind them. If you focus on your own enterprise and compete with your own best performance, you’ll be the lead dog your competitors imitate, leaving them in the rear.
- Be an innovator, not an imitator. Top CEOs know what works today won’t work tomorrow. That’s why they focus on innovation. If you copy your competition today, you’re already a step behind because she’s already working on tomorrow.
- Continually improve your education and skills. The world doesn’t stand still, and neither can you. The only way to stay ahead in this fast-paced era is to learn something new every day. Research what you don’t know. Hire other consultants to fill in the gaps in your expertise until you either have time to learn it. If you try to learn it all, you won’t have time to do anything else. Hire specialists, consultants and sharp employees.
- Make advancements every year. Every CEO knows that a company advances, declines or stagnates according to the expectations of its management team. When you expect to grow and you put a growth plan in action, you’ll see results. Greet each new year with an attainable, detailed growth plan that includes goals, strategies and target dates.
- Keep physically fit. Being a CEO is demanding. Life is demanding. To live life at its fullest and create an enterprise that makes you love getting out of bed every day, you have to feel your physical best. Your health is your most important asset. Put fitness at the top of your priorities. Schedule time at the gym. If you’re physically fit, then you’re more likely to be mentally fit. Schedule some quiet time. Innovative ideas emerge from silence.
- Keep financially fit. A competitor once commented sarcastically that my clients pay for my big house, my big vacations and my big smile. Of course they do. Any enterprise is profitable or it isn’t an enterprise – it’s a charity. The word profit stems from a Latin word meaning “advancement or improvement.” As CEO, you must expect to profit from every investment.
Create an income and spending plan. Make a budget and stick to it. Keep the cash flow positive. You owe it to yourself and your family to be financially fit, and being free from financial worry allows you to pursue your enterprise with passion.
CEO Secret 10: Get Your Hands Dirty
I joke that I’m a working CEO, the kind who makes things happen. Successful CEOs get their hands dirty. All great chefs start by working in the kitchen. You can’t cook from behind your desk, so get up, get out and chop some onions.
The best leaders lead by example. If you get down in the trenches, instead of always standing on the sidelines giving orders, it is easier to convince others to fall in with you. And you’ll demonstrate the results you expect. You don’t have to organize every medical record, mail every invoice or empty the trash every day. Be in the space; demonstrate that you understand the job that each subcontractor or employee is doing. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Be willing to work.
In teaching and mentoring nurses for 26 years, I’ve observed that for many the vision is the easy part. Committing to the dirty details that convert that vision into reality is tough. This often involves early mornings, late nights, working weekends and carrying out the trash. If you don’t do the dirty work or have someone do it for you, your enterprise will fail.
- Clean the kitchen. In my company, everybody takes a turn at kitchen duty. In my household, everybody is expected to clean up their own messes and pitch in at meals. As CEO, you have to set the example – then demand that everyone follow it. You’re responsible for your gains and your mistakes. Responsible people gain respect, so clean up your own messes and be responsible.
- Make the coffee. The first one in makes the coffee, right? That’s responsibility on a small scale. A CEO shoulders responsibility for getting many projects started. You show how it’s done, set the pace, then offload some of that responsibility so you can pioneer the next project. Just remember to check in and have a cup of coffee now and then to make sure your standard is being upheld.
- Turn off the lights. The last person out locks up. Someone has to sign off that a project is finalized with all the T’s crossed. Enterprising CEOs don’t take this for granted. The best ideas can bomb when final details are overlooked. It’s your name on the door – so be sure the right people are focused on those details.
CEO Secret 11: Make Perpetual Lists
CEOs have assistants to remind them what to do. Like executive assistants, lists can save you hours of fumbling and head-scratching. Lists keep you organized and prevent wasted time going back for an item you forgot.
I maintain a perpetual grocery list on my computer, which I simply update and print out when it’s time to shop. I keep a list of travel items to pack no matter where I’m going. I also keep a list of future business ideas so I won’t forget them. Which of your routines would benefit from being perpetualized on a grab-it-and-go list, freeing you to work on your business?
- List the steps. Anything you do repeatedly that requires specific steps – from shopping for the kids’ school supplies to publishing an electronic newsletter – can benefit from a checklist. Break the job down into the smallest steps. Update your lists as you go – adding, deleting and recategorizing items as necessary.
- List the people skills. How can you possibly remember all the aptitudes and expertise of every person in your network? It’s easy when you have a list. List everybody you know alphabetically. Beside each name, write down what they do professionally, the organizations they belong to, their pastime interests and any other skills, abilities and talents they have. Every time you learn something new about a person, add it to your list. What a priceless resource you’ll have!
- List the essentials. For any situation that requires take-alongs, such as meetings with clients, list every item necessary or even desirable to make the event successful. You can always elect to eliminate something on the list, but if it’s listed, at least you have the option before you go rather than when it’s too late.
CEO Secret 12: Put Systems to Work for You
CEOs like to spend their time creating, so they’re adept at systemizing routine tasks. Anything you do repeatedly can be systemized so others can do it. Systemize everything, and don’t reinvent the wheel every day (only on the days you really, really need a new wheel).
- Ask “How can I do it faster?” Write down all the steps you take to accomplish a routine task. Don’t cheat; put in absolutely everything. Now look at all that work. Which steps can you eliminate or reduce and get the same result? If you can systemize a task so that it’s reproducible, you can delegate it, which means you have more time to do more important things.
- Ask “How can I do it easier?” What tools would facilitate this task? When you have to pound a lot of nails, you want a heavy hammer. Better yet, a pneumatic nail gun. Or would a staple gun work better? The right tools can smooth any process.
- Ask “How can I do it cheaper?” A CEO’s time is the most costly in the entire company. I’ve known business owners who claim it’s faster to do things themselves rather than delegate and train. Using their high-dollar time on tasks that should be delegated is costly to the success of their business. What can you effectively systemize and delegate that would result in a better allocation of your time and resources?
- Create templates. Emails, letters, forms and other documents that must be created or updated frequently can be systemized. For any new document, first review what already exists. Then copy, adapt and pull from previous efforts.
- Automate online processes. Use the tools that make your Internet use faster and easier. Beyond bookmarking your favorite sites, rent a web-savvy geek for a day to show you how to automate searches, postings, news you need and email. Make it a habit to look for ways to systemize processes. As CEO, you can accomplish more in less time with less stress by using available systems or creating your own. If you systemize one process a week, think of all the vacation time you’ll earn, or the time you’ll have for other parts of your business.
Take the Driver’s Seat
You can be successful at many endeavors. Even though we all have to do things that are not our top favorites, successful self-development lies in selecting and focusing on the enterprising activities you like to do and continually improving what you do well. People often think I go after all kinds of ideas, and I’ll admit to constantly aiming for higher levels, but over the years I’ve rejected many ideas because they didn’t meet my criteria for an enterprising life, a life of choice.
Top CEOs like Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump are masters of selection and masters of enterprise. Use my 12 CEO Secrets to apply the CEO strength of enterprise to whatever you want to accomplish, and you’ll always be in the driver’s seat. You’ll choose your own destination, make the road rules and cash the big checks. Everyone will yearn to discover your secrets and replicate your success.
Life, the grandest enterprise of all, is as thrilling a ride as you want to make it – and you’re the CEO in charge. So act like it today and you’ll rise to the top tomorrow.
Vickie L. Milazzo, Rn, Msn, Jd
Children are like sponges. They absorb every bit of information that is given to them, especially if it is presented in a fun and easy to learn way. It’s never too early to begin teaching the concepts of math to your children. Opportunities for math abound in our everyday lives. Once you begin to notice them, you’ll soon be guilty of seeing math in everything you do!
Story time with your child is an excellent starting point. Virtually any book that you choose to read will have countless opportunities for math discussion. If you are reading ‘The Three Little Pigs’, don’t just breeze through it. Make sure that you stop on every page and give your child time to absorb the pictures. Ask questions about what they see, but be sure to offer constant encouragement even if they give an incorrect answer. The key to learning is to constantly provide a positive experience. By doing this, your child will always be eager to learn. As you look at the pictures with them, ask questions such as, “How many pigs do you see on this page?” or “How many apples are on this tree?” If your child seems stuck, happily count out loud for them. As a general rule, count everything you see, literally. You can count the stairs as you climb them, or the socks as you are taking them out of the dryer together. The opportunities are endless. Is your child a picky eater? Try saying, “Just take five more bites and you will be done”, and then of course count them out.
Playing capacity games while you are cooking is both educational and extremely fun. Your child will love pouring liquids from one container to another. Prepare them for learning measurements by asking them which container can hold more or less, and by letting them handle the different measuring cups, spoons, etc. Amaze them by doing special tricks, like pouring a cup full of cereal into a measuring cup, then crushing it and then presenting the new compressed, much smaller measurement.
Playing pattern games helps prepare your child for the concepts they will need to grasp in school. If your child eats Fruit Loops or M&M’s, help arrange them in different colored rows. After this is mastered, put down a pattern, such as one green M&M, one red M&M, and then one more green M&M. Ask your child to show you what color comes next. You can play pattern games with colored clothespins, different shaped blocks, colored socks, etc. The more you play this game with your child, the more variations of the game you will discover.
Play subtraction games at snack time. If your child likes goldfish crackers, you can draw a fish bowl on a piece of paper. Place ten or twelve goldfish crackers on the paper so they are ‘in the fish bowl’. Have your child count them at the beginning and then tell you how many are left every time they eat one, or two, or three. This will teach your child the basic concept of subtraction while providing them with a fun snack time experience.
Regardless of what approach you take to incorporate math in your child’s life, realize that you are laying a foundation for their future interest or indifference to the subject. Keep it simple, don’t stress, and remember to move on to something else as soon as your child loses interest. Learning is fun, and helping your child to enjoy early learning experiences in a playful manner is one of the best gifts you can give them.
Sandy Naidu
http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/fun-ways-to-teach-your-kids-math-697592.html
Ever been out on one of those snowy days trying to clean up plenty of snow from the car top or with the kids wanting fun with the snow when the cold traveled right through to the fingers through a wet pair of gloves? Most of us have experienced this situation several times. But with Carhartt Insulated Gloves, your fingers would have been warm and toasty with the moisture remaining on the outer skin, where it belongs. The Carhartt Insulated Gloves are crafted to meet the most demanding conditions of snow and you will have a wide range to choose from in terms of style, price etc.
Frost bite
The harsh winter days and nights can pose a major threat to your fingers and need to be perfectly covered with appropriate gloves. Frozen fingers and frostbites are not fun stuff and you certainly want to keep them away. The Carhartt Insulated Gloves understand this well enough and whether you are shopping for men’s gloves or ladies, or even children, the wide range of Carhartt Insulated Gloves will hold the right pair for every one.
Moisture and leather
At this point, you may have this question uppermost in your mind. Won’t the leather on the Carhartt Insulated Gloves be ruined by the snow? The answer is no. The outer layer of the Carhartt Insulated Gloves are treated with appropriate waterproofing compounds so that no damaged is caused even with extended use. However, if you happen to leave them soaked in ice cold water for long durations, some of the water proof property may get eroded. Should such a situation arise, you can also buy and apply the waterproofing material to bring your gloves back to prime state. When you repeat the process a few times over the winter season, your Carhartt Insulated Gloves can last long, really long.
Extra pairs
Some people look for two or more pairs of the same type of Carhartt Insulated Gloves at the same time. The smart thinking behind this is that they put aside the additional pairs so that in case they end up loosing one glove from the pair in use, they can immediately replace from the reserve pair. Carhartt Insulated Gloves understands this thinking and you will have no difficulty picking up any number of pairs from a given selection.
Comfortable for driving
For driving, the best type of gloves is leather gloves alone. While dry fabric gloves may help your hands remain warm when you put your palm on the steering wheel, the leather gloves can repel cold better particularly with insulated gloves such as Carhartt Insulated Gloves. Leather also provides extraordinary grip on the steering wheel even in difficult conditions. The fabric gloves may be inexpensive in the beginning, but when you consider the life of Carhartt Insulated Gloves, the additional expense will be well justified.
Great Gift
The fine Carhartt Insulated Gloves are also a fine gift idea. A few pairs kept within reach would come in very handy particularly when you have one of those unexpected reasons cropping up, or even during the busy Christmas season.
Mike Girolami
http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/carhartt-insulated-gloves-insulation-for-cooking-679182.html
If you have kids (or even if you don’t), it’s relatively evident that no two children are the same. They don’t all have the same interests, they don’t all like the same toys, and they definitely don’t all learn in the same way. As adults, we need to encourage our children to enjoy learning, and it’s our job to figure out which way will work the best. One of the best means for us to encourage this striking of a creative chord is with educational toys.
First, let’s start with music. Music itself speaks to so many, and instruments help to develop necessary skills and confidence, and are a fabulous means of creative expression. Younger children will adore kazoos, maracas, and other “controllable” instruments that shake, rattle and roll. As they get older, throw in guitars, recorders and other “detailed” types of instruments that require a bit more skill.
Animals: Insect kits like ant farms, ladybug kits and butterfly environments provide children with the opportunity to learn the responsibilities necessary to care for animals and pets as well as to see what goes on in the daily life of such living things. With a butterfly habitat, the caterpillars arrive separately via mail so your kids can watch them grow, spin their chrysalides, and turn into beautiful butterflies.
Pretend Play has been a popular choice of both parents and children alike for generations. Kitchens, cooking and baking toys have continued to encourage creativity among future chefs and soccer moms and dads picking up a quick, yet somewhat healthy dinner for the family. Unfortunately many of the large corporate companies are trying their best to “brand” many of these types of toys to include their name, titles and logos throughout these pretend products, so keep your eyes open for the “unbranded” products.
Brain-teasers and multi-person board-games that make you think are once again gaining in popularity. These games help to develop critical math and logic skills. The ability to think quickly and under pressure is a large part of high school, college and the real world-working environment, so learning these skills during the elementary education years (and even earlier, if possible) will increase a child’s ability to problem-solve later in life.
Finally, electronic toys have been pouring out of the woodwork for a few decades now, but more recent advances have brought an educational focus to this genre of gadgets. Interactive play combined with learning and entertainment is a great recipe for educational toys in the new millennium.
Lisa Legrange
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/educational-toys-loved-by-kids-and-parents-alike-59460.html