If you’re soon heading to college, or have a son or daughter who is approaching the day when they will set off to start their college experience, it can be both an incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking time – the anticipation of meeting new people, learning new skills, but also living by yourself and being solely responsible for yourself for the first time.

The education system can only prepare you so much for the realities of being out on your own the majority of the time, as well as the responsibility that comes with looking after yourself and all of your interests, including money, sleep, relationships and diet.

Thankfully, by being aware of the coming challenges, you can prepare yourself to ensure that you are as knowledgeable and resilient as possible. Read on to find out more about some of our best tips for being prepared for college.

How to cook healthily

Potentially the most important thing to have a handle on before you head off to university or college is knowing how to cook healthy food. While stereotypically, parents always talk about the importance of getting your fruit and veg, cooking healthy food and maintaining a balanced diet is about a whole lot more than that.

It really can’t be understated – if you are missing elements from your diet such as vitamins, protein or carbohydrates, this will directly affect your energy levels on a daily basis, and have a knock-on effect on how well you study, sleep and interact with your peers.

Of course, everything can be fine in moderation, and why not take the opportunity to enjoy a bit more takeout for a while – just don’t fall into bad habits, as you will really feel it in terms of your health.

How to deal with setbacks

Unfortunately, it’s the reality that things don’t always go perfectly – so you are likely to have to deal with setbacks during your college experience. Whether it’s a case of not doing as well as you would have liked in assignments and exams, or you’ve had a bad experience in a relationship with a partner, it’s important that these setbacks don’t cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture.

College is a time when everyone is learning, and it helps to remember that this happens at a different pace for everyone. Ensuring that you have a consistent routine that meets your needs as a person will give you more resilience, as you have something to fall back on when things get tough. Healthy activities such as sport, as well as mindfulness, will provide a platform for strength and help you to ride the waves as they come.

How to cope with a heavy workload

While it’s obviously a fantastic feeling to finally arrive at your dorm room and start exercising your brand-new freedom, you should always be ready in advance for times when the workload becomes heavy.

This can seem like quite a distant prospect when you first arrive, but college is first and foremost for education, and this will begin in earnest.

Planning out your workload in advance, as well as making sure you are not let down by your tech, will ensure your studying goes smoothly. There are now dedicated studying devices on the market, such as tablets for college, and laptops too.

Why STEM Is Important

There has been a huge focus in recent years on getting kids interested in STEM topics, and it’s no wonder. New technologies are taking over the way the world works, and a working knowledge of technology at least will be valuable for kids in their future careers.

There are many jobs that just wouldn’t exist today if STEM subjects weren’t taken seriously. GF Laser, a metal laser cutting company from the west midlands, is just one of the many companies that use a mixture of technology, mathematics, and engineering with a heavy reliance on science to get the job done.

Getting Kids Interested in STEM

The golden rule here is not to push it, some kids just aren’t interested in STEM topics, but some absolutely thrive on them! Here are four ways you can help kids to explore STEM topics without being too forceful!

Go On A Nature Walk

Nature walks are a bit different to normal walks or hikes because they involve meticulously noting down anything kids see. You can decide to note down all bugs, the trees, or the birds; the possibilities are endless.

This gentle STEM exercise feeds into the scientific reporting side of STEM and allows kids to get really curious about their natural environment.

Build A Fort

This can be done inside or outside, and you can make the task as difficult or as easy as you like.

Get the kids to build a fort with whatever materials you let them use, be they books, duvets, sticks, trees, or rocks, and ask them questions while they’re building, building their knowledge of engineering principals.

Egg Drop

The egg drop experiment is a game that many adults played in school, but it isn’t always done in schools now, so why not let your kids try it out? Give them an un-boiled egg and a box of crafting materials, tell them they are going to be dropping the egg from a certain height, and it must not break.

This game is great for all kinds of STEM-inspired minds, and it also fosters teamwork and turn-taking too.

Do Some Kitchen Science

There are numerous kitchen experiments that kids can do easily, from the oil and water separation experiment to blowing the biggest bubbles with washing up liquid to exploring solids and liquids using cornflour and water.

For the more creative inspired kids, get them involved with different colored foods and ingredients, maybe some glitter and sequins to really jazz things up. Who said science had to be boring?

While you want to encourage your child to pursue the path they truly want independently, you can’t help but try to help them along in any way that you can. In these efforts, you are not alone. In fact, there are a number of ways in which parents can help their children to gain admission into not only the best school but also the right school.

1) Find Funding

As a parent, one of your top concerns when it comes to your child attending a Texas college is the cost associated with such an education. Tuition is only the start, and unfortunately, that is a cost that only seems to go up with each passing year. You also have to take into account the amount it will cost to provide your child with the right accommodations and meal plan. Books, supplies, and other fees must also be taken into account.

Scholarships are the first thing that you will want to look into. Some scholarships in Texas are based on the grades that your child earns in high school while others are set up like competitions with the prize going to the best essay or project of some sort. It is a good idea to start looking on CampusReel into these early so that your child has plenty of time to fill out as many applications as possible.

2) Consider a Tutor

If your child struggles in a particular area of academics, now is the time to find the right tutor to help them along. Universities like the students that can demonstrate well-rounded academic achievements. If, for example, your child is proficient in math but not great with writing, they should look to improve their writing skills with the help of a tutor.

It is also important to not overlook the importance of achieving a good score on the SAT. An SAT tutor is a solid investment as they will have insights into the best ways to achieve the best possible score on that daunting exam.

3) Help Them Manage Stress

While there will be a lot of inherent stress that comes from the entire college admissions process, it is important that you help your child to learn how to properly manage this stress. Keep in mind that this is an exciting time for both you and your child. Try your best to practice good stress management techniques so that you can set your child up for the best chances of success when they finally do begin their college career.

Young children in classroom

Music plays a vital role in our daily lives so much more than we may know or admit. From singing to yourself in the bathroom, listening to songs the radio while you head to work or playing it on your device with your headphones on. There is music from TV, phone ring tones etc. It is all around us and it has a telling effect on our psychology and how we behave as humans. We can see here the positive impact it has on us.

Music affects us all, none the least of these are children, that is babies, toddlers and those in their early years. Right from birth, parents naturally sing to soothe and make babies calm, to engage and interact with them and also to express love to them. Asides this instinct to sing and pacify little ones, parents can learn how music can affect and impact the development of children of all ages, what these benefits are and how it helps to improve their social skills.

Have you ever wondered why there is so much musical content and materials for children? From toys that have sounds and those that sing to nursery rhymes, cartoons etc. It is because when children listen to music, it accelerates the development of their brains especially in learning languages, reading, motor movement, and co-ordination. Early exposure to music helps them learn sounds and the meaning of words. They build communication as well as motor skills and learn to express themselves both verbally and through dancing. To add to these, their memory is strengthened.

For children, there are learning outcomes that occur as they grow and develop. These outcomes shape how they communicate, socialize and how much self-esteem they develop.

How Music Helps Children

Music in the classroom

Language and Communication

This includes how the little ones listen, pay attention, understand and respond by speaking. The same part of the brain used in listening to and learning music is involved in learning a language. As little ones sing, they pick up words and learn to string them together even as they embrace new melodies. This expands their vocabulary and improves their verbal communication, giving them an advantage in their education and social settings.

Research shows that children exposed to music usually perform significantly better in phonological awareness and auditory processing than those who are not. As stories are told through music and rhymes, the parts of the brain which allow them to turn the story into their own experiences are activated. This is called neural coupling. As movement is created through dance, it supports the development of their memory and makes it easier for them to remember things with accuracy. These and more are detailed in the research paper you will find here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01694/full.

Social Interaction and Emotional Development

As children sing along with their peers, getting involved in activities and taking turns in acting and role playing, they share and build relationships. They learn to be sensitive to each other’s feelings and needs and in the process they bond with each other and their minders through these interactions. They also develop self-confidence, respect for others and very importantly, social skills.

When opportunities are created for children to talk, react, imagine and get involved in music in small familiar groups, they become creative, develop their personalities and can translate that easily to a larger audience after mastery. Through relating with their peers and role acting, they also learn to develop empathy, friendship, tolerance, and a positive dependence by asking for help when needed.

Physical Development and Wellbeing

When children sing, dance along to tunes in rhymes and try to act out whatever the song dictates, they develop motor skills as they move their hands, feet and their whole body. They internalize the beat in the songs and as they dance and touch, their little fingers, hands, toes, legs are stimulated and built up for strength. Think of it as an exercise for them.

A lot of children’s music encourages them to clap, dance, jump, skip, gallop, catch, hop and all. As they do these, through regular hand, leg and body movement, they develop and show good eye and hand control and co-ordination. They can express themselves, run around, scream, and burn any excess fat and lots of energy in the process, putting them in great physical shape and overall wellbeing.

Connecting to, Understanding and Contributing to the World

Through music and role-play, children know more and can connect to the world around them. Most times their first encounters and experiences with things around the world are through music and rhymes. For example, most children will know about animals and animal sounds before they physically see these animals. They know that cows moo, a cat meows, a lion roars, etc., yet they may not have seen or encounter these animals.

In addition to all of the above, by listening and dancing to music from different places and cultures, they understand, even if not fully, that there is a world bigger and different from theirs. They get to contribute to the world through knowing how the world works, how to respect and treat others, how to wash their hands and be safe from diseases. They also learn things like a need to switch off appliances when not in use and how not to waste water as they contribute to the climate and environment positively.

Conclusion

There are many more benefits of music as it relates to children than have been listed. The major point established in this article is the relationship between early learning outcomes and music. It is pretty clear that more emphasis should be placed on introducing children to music very early, as well as exposing them to it even more.

This will help them become more knowledgeable and creative as well as helping them relate better with people and their environment. The end result will be children who have build lasting physical, emotional, interpersonal and social skills that will be very beneficial to them through life.

Learning about money doesn’t have to be challenging or scary. So, here are some simple ways that you can start to bring the subject into focus.

Help them understand priorities

One of the most important parts of saving and budgeting effectively is knowing the difference between what you may want to spend on and what you need to prioritize first. This difference is also a good lesson in understanding self-discipline and control. Some useful ways of helping kids understand priorities can include setting limits and boundaries and talking about what they mean, as well as explaining the benefits that can come by planning ahead.

It’s also essential that adults model this behavior for kids too. Setting up a financial budget of your own, and talking about what it means for you is a great way to encourage your kids to understand its importance.

Encourage them to earn and spend their own money

Earning your own money, and making decisions about how you choose to spend it is one of the best ways of learning how to make better financial decisions. You can reward kids by paying them an agreed rate for chores and other household tasks. This will help them understand the importance of their effort and hard work and also teach them the value of their hard-earned money when they buy something with it.

Help them save in a practical way

Encouraging children to save their own money will help them become more financially empowered, and establish healthy foundations for the future. You may want to look at savings sites where you can find promo codes and discounts on everyday purchases together before buying something. Home Depot coupons are great for saving money on everyday appliances that would otherwise cost an arm and a leg.

You can also help your kids set up goals to save up for, such as a trip, game, or new toy they may want. By encouraging them to save up for a major reward, they can learn how to set aside money they’ve earned, and budget their spending in a manageable way.

Create a visual timeline

Younger children can struggle with the concept of time, and it can be confusing to plan ahead for things in the future when it’s hard to know what that means. A great way of bringing this to life in an easy to understand format is by creating a visual timeline. You might want to create a simple wall chart, where kids can mark off milestones towards their goal, or set up a savings jar, where they can see their cash begin to add up. A visual reminder also makes the idea of saving up much more tangible and real, helping them to understand that they really are making a difference to their lives.<! –INFOLINKS_ON–>

Helping Boys Learn

Are We Lazy in Our Approach to Educating Boys?
They Have Fundamentally Different Learning Patterns, Says Pioneering Expert; Uncovers Secrets & Offers Tips

The problem of boys in education is not a new one – data has been mounting for many years that our sons are simply falling behind our daughters, says pioneering veteran in education, Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D. But it’s not because boys are any less intelligent than girls, he adds.

A recent study from researchers at the University of Georgia, which followed 10,000 students as they moved from kindergarten to eighth grade, indicates that though boys scored well on tests, indicating mastery of material, girls got better grades. Researchers account for higher scores in girls because they comported themselves better than boys while in the classroom.

“I think that, by now, most academics have accepted that boys and girls have fundamentally different learning needs; girls are better at sitting still and listening, whereas boys learn better via kinesthetic learning, which involves more physical activity,” says Dixon, who has more than three decades experience as a teacher and is a parent of boys, and is the author of “Helping Boys Learn: Six Secrets for Your Son’s Success in School,” (www.HelpingBoysLearn.com). He also has a teacher’s edition titled “Helping Boys Learn: Six Secrets for Teaching Boys in the Classroom.”

“There are many other studies, however, showing boys underperforming in school; now, it’s a matter of what we’re going to do about it.”

Dixon, a cognitive-kinesthetics specialist, discusses why his first three “secrets” are so important in helping boys with active minds and bodies.

• Movement matters: Nearly ever time, the student who disrupts class because they cannot sit still is a boy. Research reveals that young boys’ brains develop a tremendous amount of neural wiring to facilitate movement and sensitivity for how things “fit” together. When a boy is a toddler, we would never think that a sedentary child is a good indicator of health, so what makes us think that he should change while in grade school? One tip: Allow a boy to use his “movement wiring” by allowing him to use his body as he learns to represent the topic.

• Games work: Their testosterone makes males are naturally competitive. If you want them to become suddenly engaged in something, make a game out of the lesson—it’s just like flipping a switch on. Just look at sports talk shows with analysis such as “Pardon the Interruption;” each expert has a clock clicking down to make his point. Little gaming tricks like this works on the male brain. Tip: create clear rules – they help boys understand victory, and they add legitimacy to the lesson. Games also serve as an excellent method for male bonding, too.

• Make them laugh: Observe a group of males; whether young our old, they bust each other’s chops. Not only is it okay, they enjoy it! Everyone has a positive chemical reaction with laughter; boys, however, often use humor as a form of communication, an asset with which most girls do not have a problem. Research has demonstrated that boys’ emotions are processed initially in the more primitive parts of the brain and come more indirectly to the speech centers. That’s why making a crude joke is easier for males to communicate sensitive feelings. Tip: Before starting homework or an assignment, ask a boy to consider what might be funny, weird or strange about it; his mind will be more focused on the topic afterwards.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg; if parents and teachers are serious about getting their boys off to a better start in life, I encourage active participation and education,” Dixon says.

About Dr. Edmond J. Dixon

A pioneer in the field of cognitive-kinesthetics for learning, Edmond J. Dixon, Ph.D., is a human development specialist with more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, writer, researcher – and parent of boys. He is the founder of the KEEN Differentiated Learning Group, an organization dedicated to helping struggling learners, and the creator of KEEN 5X, a series of strategies for classroom engagement and learning that were have been used with more than 50,000 students and teachers. His previous books, “KEEN For Learning” and “Literacy Through Drama,” have been used by educators to improve classroom learning. A dynamic and popular presenter, he has spoken throughout North America on education and human development topics. .

Back to School – Backpack Injuries

Injuries from heavy loads can cause long-term problems

Think the books and school supplies that your child is carrying in a backpack slung haphazardly across one shoulder are harmless? Think again. Heavy loads carried by more than 79 million students across the U.S. can cause low back pain that often lasts through adulthood. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010 nearly 28,000 strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures from backpacks were treated in hospital emergency rooms, physicians’ offices, and clinics.

“A child wearing a backpack incorrectly or that is too heavy can be contributing risk factors for discomfort, fatigue, muscle soreness, and musculoskeletal pain especially in the lower back,” says Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CPE, clinical professor of occupational therapy at Boston University, and an expert on school ergonomics and healthy growth and development of school-age children.

Luckily, preventing discomfort and pain is simple. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers the following tips for keeping kids safe while toting books to and from school:

• Always select a backpack that is the correct size for your child.
• Make sure the height of the backpack extends from approximately 2 inches below the shoulder blades to waist level, or slightly above the waist.
• Always wear well-padded shoulder straps on both shoulders so the weight is evenly balanced.
• Distribute weight evenly. Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back and balance materials so the child can easily stand up straight.
• Wear the hip belt if the backpack has one, to improve balance and take some strain off sensitive neck and shoulder muscles.
• Check that the child’s backpack weighs no more than 10% of his or her body weight. If it weighs more, determine what supplies can stay at home or at school each day to lessen the load.
• If the backpack is still too heavy for the child, consider a book bag on wheels.

Thousands of students, educators, parents, and health professionals will mark National School Backpack Awareness Day on Sept. 18 with backpack weigh-ins, backpack check-ups, activities, and special events.

In addition, AOTA offers ergonomic strategies for adults when wearing a purse, carrying a briefcase, and carrying a suitcase.

Click here to learn more about National School Backpack Awareness Day. To interview Karen Jacobs or another occupational therapy practitioner who specializes in ergonomics, contact AOTA Media Relations Manager Katie Riley at 301-652-6611, ext. 2963, or [email protected].

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, go to www.aota.org.