Clothes make the child

Clothing and dressing play important roles in children's learning and development. Parents can give children positive messages about clothes by:


. Discussing clothing with children. Talk about tastes and preferences in clothing and fashion with children. Even every young children can have a keen interest in what they and others wear. As children become older they often also become interested in clothing that shows favorite characters. Many school aged children, and even some younger children, are conscious of labels and fashions. When discussing clothing with children, adults should avoid sending children the message that they are being 'judged' either positively or negatively by what they wear.

. Make the selection of clothes and dressing a pleasant experience. When children become interested in dressing and undressing themselves, make the tasks achievable and give as little help as is needed for the child to continue. For younger children, this may mean using strategies such as pulling a sock partially off and asking the child to take it off the rest of the way. Let children try when they want to, and offer them encouragement. Like other routines, dressing activities offer a valuable chance for quality, one to one interactions with children.


. Dressing children to support their play and learning. Clothing can either support or hinder children's experiences and development. Clothes that fit properly, without being too loose or tight, allow children to move freely and comfortably and participate freely in experiences. For girls, dresses and skirts may interfere with their participation in physical activities. Wearing trousers or shorts may allow for free movement and reduce children's self-consciousness, particularly for older children. The clothes children wear can significantly affect the development of their self-help skills. For example, trousers that fit loosely and have an elastic waist are easier for young children to pull down and up.

Good School Foundations Happen Before School

Too often parents make the choice of a preschool or nursery based solely on proximity to the home, a parent's work place or close to a child minder. Many parents failed to realize that the teachers a young child meets at his nursery, or preschool will play a big role in how a child develops emotionally and intellectually.

A preschool teacher is responsible for teaching children, usually up to the age of 5, about things related to intellectual, physical and social growth. They will help the children to interact with others while learning necessary tools to get them ready for kindergarten.

The preschool teacher has a number of general responsibilities in their daily teaching job. They must provide a wonderful learning environment for the children, teach them how to interact with others and help them with their daily needs. The preschool teacher will instruct them in basic educational programs, teach them to be creative and provide them with a safe and caring environment to learn and grow.

With regard to educational aspects, the preschool teacher must prepare daily lesson plans to help the children start learning basic education to get them ready for primary school. The preschool teacher will have a set educational plan each day which the children will be involved with as a group.

The preschool teacher must also prepare creative activities for the children to complete each day. It is important that creativity is a big part of the preschool experience and preschool teachers will prepare various activities for the children to engage in. Things such as arts and  crafts, music and imagination will all play a big role in the creative learning process.

One who is a preschool teacher must also prepare outdoor activities and games for the students. These will help them improve their coordination and motor skills. With that said, the preschool teacher must ensure a safe play environment for the children to engage in activities within.

A preschool teacher must also cater to the basic needs of the children. One who oversees a preschool class must feed the children, serve them beverages and help them with their bathroom needs. They must ensure that they provide a comfortable, nurturing environment for the littlr ones within their care.

Along with teaching the children various things, the preschool teacher must also monitor their development. It is important to know which children are doing fine and which ones may need a little extra help. This will be done by monitoring progress and making notes of the progress of each child.

The preschool teacher is also responsible for meeting with other education professionals and parents of the children. During these meetings, the preschool teacher will discuss their lesson plans, what they are doing to  improve their classroom techniques and how each of the children are doing with their progress.

So, before you settle for the most convenient play school, consider if the teachers you meet at the school you have chosen live up to these criteria. It may be the best thing you will do for your child!

The way to hassle free homework

 One of the biggest lessons for parents is learning how to handle homework. Many times parents are guilty of taking the easy way out by doing their children's homework just so they need not spend time explaining why some things are done the way they are. However, the challenge is to make sure that your child learns to do his school work. This discipline will serve him in good stead. The best way to help a child with his homework is to find out the way your child works best and then help him accomplish his work with you as a guide. Try these tips :
-Lay down the law. Teach your child about action and consequence. Tell him that if he does not finish his homework, you will tell his teacher not to let him go out with his friends at recess. However, Make sure that you are able to carry out this punishment or the child will quickly catch on that you are full of empty threats.
-Teach accountability. Many times parents threaten but do not follow up. Show your kids you mean business by explaining that if they do not complete their homework, mum or dad will not make any excuse for them and they will need to take the blame and the punishment that comes with it.
-Make study time interesting. Allow your child some method of relaxation while he is doing homework. Set a small snack (nothing too sugary or he may get hyperactive and fidgety) like a sandwich or a plate of assorted nuts so he can turn his attention to something else while figuring out ideas and formulas in his head.
-Schedule a time to work. Some kids like order and routine. If your child is by nature orderly and neat, he may benefit from a special time to do his homework. Make sure to ask him what is preferred time is and work towards being there when he is doing his assignments. Many children do well with an hour of homework time followed by some time watching their favorite program on television.
-Offer a reward. While you may think it is not fair for a child to be rewarded as he is learning things that will benefit him in the future, a child will not see it this way. Therefore, offer him a reward for certain accomplishments. Rewards should not be scaled as it allows kids to settle for second best (i.e. you should not tell your child that if he completes his homework in one hour that he will get RM10 and if he completes it is two hours he will get RM5). A child should achieve one goal for one reward. No bargaining.

The gift of thankfulness

Rude kids become rude adults. More than becoming a social menace, a rude child lacks the ability to be thankful for things.

. Give Love, Not Just Rewards

A thankful attitude is alive in people who appreciate what they have. When parents reward their children for every accomplishment, or bribe their children with monetary rewards for good behavior, those children begin to expect rewards. Rewards should be reserved for special times. Instead of doling out money or gifts, give your child expressions of love. Let your son know, through your words, how proud you are of his school accomplishments. Reinforce your daughter's/son's good behavior with hugs.

. Give Your Child Responsibility

Children who are given more responsibility in their own home and for their own possessions take more pride in what they have. In turn, they are more  thankful. Start by giving your children clearly- defined chores and letting them make their own decision about various aspect of their lives.

. Get Involved In Your Community

Children who understand the hurts of others can better appreciate and be thankful for the abundance in their own lives. To come up with a project, talk to your kids about what they feel able to do and look for a way their efforts will make a difference to another person's life.

. Be A Role Model

Children imitate their parents, so let your children see a thankful attitude in your own life. Some things you can do to show your children  a thankful attitude include thanking others on a regular basis for services and well-done jobs (i.e clerks, waitresses, your spouse, the child) ; talking about the needs of others and acting on them as funds or time allow; and having an amount of restraint where material possessions are involved.

. Make Thankfulness A Year-Round Concept

It sometimes seems that we stress thankfulness only during festive seasons. If thankful attitudes are practiced all year long; however, children will learn that those attitudes should be a way of life.

BUILDING BLOCKS - Picking the right kind of preschool for the right kind of kid

Choosing a preschool is a complex decision that must take into consideration the characteristics of the child, family, and school. Preschool quality depends on many characteristics, but not all are easily measurable, and not all are of equal importance to each individual child or family.

When evaluating a preschool, it helps to consider the following:

Child characteristics

Parents need to look at their child's personality, learning style and any special needs. Does the child need the structure that a traditional school setting would provide, or does he or she prefer to explore and take more personal responsibility for learning?

Could the child benefit from some type of alternative schooling approach? Does the child respond differently to being in small and large group? If, for example, a child learns best in small cooperative work groups, then parents may want to consider finding a preschool that uses this instructional strategy. If a child has a special interest in music or the arts, then some preference might be given to a preschool that offers or excels in those areas in it/s regular curriculum.

Family characteristics

A family's choice of preschool will depend on the family's value, in addition to practical considerations such as transportation and fees. Choosing the neighborhood preschool regardless of other factors may be the best option for many families with close ties to their neighbors and neighborhood community, while choosing a religious school may be the best choice for others.

School characteristics

Parents should always request for a preschool's statement of philosophy or mission statement and ask about beliefs that guide the school's program and teaching approaches.

. Instructional approaches - Multi-age grouping, looping, and traditional classrooms offer different advantage, and parents will want to know how the school is organized for instruction. Parents will also want to inquire about average class size at the various grade levels. A preschool with a traditional structure that provides clear standards and expectations may be a good choice for some children, while a preschool that allows extra freedom and places more responsibility for learning on the child may work well for other children.

. School facilities/personnel resources - Although modern, well-designed facilities do not guarantee higher student achievement, some basic features that parents can look for include a well-equipped library, a collection of age-appropriate books, a separate lunchroom and assembly areas or large classroom for meetings and presentations, and adequate physical education facilities. With regard to services, parents can check to see whether the preschool has a full-time educator. Parents can also ask about the background and qualifications of the others teacher and what specialties are represented (e.g. music lessons, art classes).

. School policies - Parents should find out about school policies related to scheduling (traditional vs. year-round) and programming day (e.g. block, flexible, or traditional scheduling and the hours of operation). Parents will want to examine the school discipline policy to see if the rules seem fair and consequences seem appropriate. Parents will also want to find out about homework and grading policies.

. School reputation - It is always good to ask friends, neighbors, other parents, and community leaders about the reputation of the preschool of interest. After listening to each person's opinion, parents can decide whether the positive or negative views would apply to their family and children. Parents may want to find out about special areas of concern, such as whether community diversity is reflected in the faculty, linguistic backgrounds are well integrated into the school culture and activities.

. School safety - Parents will want to know how they will be notified in case of an emergency; whether the preschool has an emergency plan (and they should ask to see it).

. Curriculum - Does the preschool have a strong focus on education? With the money you will be paying, parents should search for more than just a place to park their children. Ask to see the curriculum, visit classes, and ask how the preschool's report cards are marked.

. Family and community involvement issues - Finally, school that are working toward excellence should develop many ways to involve parents. Once a school has been chosen, it is important that parents maintain a real commitment to that school, including supporting the staff and contributing time and talents as they are able. Children who see their parents involved in this way have a greater likelihood of school success.

The real superheroes

Children naturally imitate fearless superheros who can overcome any obstacle in their path. When children begin leaping and tumbling about, however, adults worry that accidents will happen. Sometimes adults discourage superhero play for fear that it will become too disruptive, or that children will engage in it at inappropriate times.

Keep in mind that this type of play gives children the chance to face their fears and show off physical feats. When supervised by adults, "superhero play" can help children improve their language skills and teach them to work together to solve problems - not to mention how it encourages creativity. When children begin pretending they are superheros, adults can help them make the most of it.

Here are some tips:

1. Show children that superheroes are not special just because they are physically powerful. Point out when superheroes show kindness and helpfulness to others, and praise children when they do the same.

2. Talk about real heroes and heroines with children. Introduce them to people like Lee Chong Wei (badminton), Nicol Ann David (squash) and Shazlin Zulkifli (Bowling), and discuss how everyday people can demonstrate acts of courage and goodness.

3. Point out the difference between movies, TV and real life. When you see actors pretend to leap out of windows or jump over speeding cars, explain to children why they shouldn't try this at home.

4. Make the rules about when and where superhero play is allowed. You may limit this sometimes rough-and-tumble play to outdoors, or during recess time. Be consistent-if "flying" indoors is not allowed on Monday, it shouldn't be allowed on Tuesday.

5. Help children build on their interest trough superhero play. Watching Star Wars may lead to learning about space travel. A Spiderman comic book may lead to exploring the world of insects. Always keep your eyes open to learning opportunities for children.

6. Be on the lookout for overly aggressive play. Get involved if you see a child become frightened or angry. When the laughter stops, and threats or complaints begin, help children get back on track - or end their play. Show them you are there to help, and offer options. Maybe it's time to take a break, or to find out why the frustration occurred. In any case, make it clear that physical or verbal aggression is not acceptable.

7. Give children the chance to make choices and take on responsibilities. Children become bored when activities are not challenging, and frustrated when there are too advanced. Keep a close eye on children so that you know when they are ready to take on new challenges, like helping with a recipe or dressing themselves.

8. Praise children when they accomplish real "feats" - like putting together puzzles, or learning to spell their own names. Children may still imitate superheroes, but they'll have more confidence both during play and in everyday living.

Helping kids keep cool - Taming tempers

Parents expect temper tantrums from two-year-olds, but angry outbursts don't necessarily stop after the toddler years. Older kids sometimes have trouble handling anger and frustration,too. Some kids only lose their cool and occasion. But others seem to have a harder time when things don't go their way. Kids who tend to have strong reactions by nature will need more help from parents to manage their tempers. Here are some ideas:
-Take a break from the situation. Tell your child that it's OK to walk away from a conflict to avoid an angry outburst. By moving to another part of the house or the backyard, your child can get some space and work on calming down.
-Find a way to (safely) get the anger out. There may be no punching walls or even pillows, but you can suggest some good ways for a child to vent. Doing a bunch of jumping jacks, dancing around the bedroom, or going outside and doing cartwheels are all good choices. Or your child can choose to write about or draw a picture of what is so upsetting.
-Learn to shift. Explain that apart of calming down is moving from a really angry mood to a more in-control mood. Instead of thinking of the person or situation that cause the anger, encourage your son or daughter to think of something else to do. Suggest things to think of or do that might bring about a better mood. Your child may feel better after a walk around the block, a bike ride, playing a game, reading a favorite book, digging in the garden, or listening to a favorite song. try one of these things together so you both experience how doing something different can change the way a person feel.
-Help your child label emotions. Help your child get in the habit of saying what he or she is feeling and why - for example, "I'm mad because I have to clean my room while my friends are playing." Using words doesn't get your child out of doing a chore, but having the discussion can defuse the situation.

-See that your child gets a lot of physical activity. Active play can really help kids who have big tempers.

Bringing up confident kids

Parents can be the biggest promoters of their child's self-esteem, it isn't a particularly difficult things to do. If fact, most parents do it without even realizing that their words and actions have great impact on how their child feels about himself. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind.

When you feel good about your child, mention it to him.
A child doesn't know when you are feeling good about him and he needs to hear you tell him that you like having him in the family.


Teach your child to practice making positive self-statements.
Some examples of useful self-talk are , " I can get this problem, if i just keep trying."


Avoid criticism that takes the form of ridicule or shame.
When criticism is directed to the child as a person, it can easily deteriorate into ridicule or shame. It is important to learn to use ' I statements ' rather than ' you statements ' when giving criticism. For instance say, " I would like you to keep your clothes in the proper place in your closet or drawers, not lying all over your room;" rather than saying " Why are you such a lazy slob? Can't you take care of anything?"


Be generous with praise.
Use what is called descriptive praise to let your child know when they are doing something well.


Teach your child about decision-making and to recognize when he has made a good decision.
Guide your child through the process of making a decision, but do not make it for him. Let him learn the consequences of making and living with any decision he makes.


Develop a positive approach to providing structure for your child.
All kids and teens need to accept responsibility for their behavior. They should learn self-discipline. To help children learn self-discipline, the parent needs to adopt the role of coach/teacher rather than that of disciplinarian and punisher.

Bringing up happy kids

There are hundreds of methods, learning programs and whatnots which seem to guarantee satisfaction and happiness in a child - many of them seem to entail buying a set of books, CDs, a course of lessons and the like. The truth is, happy kids are those who live up to their potential and who feel secure in what they have (and this more than most times means loving parents and not every toy in the shop).
Here are some ways which you can use to boost confidence, encourage positivity and eventually create a well-rounded, well grounded, happy kid.
Teach self-confident
1. Let your child know that you love him for who he is, not what he does.
2. Praise your child lots, for efforts as well as for achievements. Describe what she's done well, however small, so she knows what to repeat.
3. "To be happy and self-confident, children need good self-esteem", (You can help your child develop her self-esteem in several ways. For example, let her know that everyone make mistakes, but that she has the power to put them right. Acknowledge and discuss her feeling about things, so she can think of ways of dealing with herself).
4. Making friends helps develop children's self-esteem too. find out about local playgroups where your child can learn to socialize with other children.
5. Teach your child how to do things by himself- like getting dressed and putting away his clothes. This brings about a sense of accomplishment.
6. Make them feel needed. Encourage participation in all aspects of home life. A kid may not be able to cook dinner alone, but can help peel potatoes or mix salad dressing.
7. Encourage your children to try new things and learn new skills. They will feel proud when they sense that you have confidence in their ability to meet new challenges.
8. Let your child make some simple choices for himself - for example, whether he wears the red or the blue trousers today.
9. Allow time to pretend play. While it is important kids know the difference between truth and fantasy, role playing is a very important tool in childhood as it helps them learn about the world around them and gives them time to think about how they will act in different situations.
Always make time to play
10. Never dismiss a child's need to play, even if the games seem silly to you. Even when you are busy in the kitchen, you can pre-freeze a few plastic animals in ice cube trays and let your kid play with the defrosting toys as you work at the sink.
11. Go for walks. And not in shopping complexes! Take a stroll around your neighborhood and let your child see new faces and make new friends.
12. Introduce animal friends. This does not mean buying pets. It can be a visit to a zoo, a petting farm or even a visit to a friend whom you know has a dog or cat which likes children.
13. Make, not buy toys. Although it is easier to buy stuff, it means more to kids when parents take time to make things like a play dough out of water and flour. Making things also helps kids to appreciate creativity.
14. Teach texture and shape. Call attention to things which feel strange, funny or nice. Open up the world to your child and don't be too quick to say something is dirty. Allow a child to experience what mud feels like and how a leaf can be furry on the other side. All this adds to his store of expression and can give him ways to describe how he feels.
15. Hosting a toys tea party is a fun way to help your child improve his table manners and learn what's expected of him when he goes out for a meal or at school dinner time.
Do things together
16. Reading together is an ideal way to bond. Choose stories both of you like and use different voices for different characters.
17. Forget the stress for packing up the family to go to the cinema. Buy a fun DVD and make an evening out of the screening by rearranging the furniture to look like the cinema. Serve popcorn and cinema snacks as well.
18. Make cookies together. Sugar cookies are easy to make and fun to eat. Kids will love cutting out shapes with different cookie cutter and decorating the shapes with edible candy.
19. Make family important by establishing close bonds between family members. Visit aunts, uncles, nephews and cousins often and regularly so kids can get to know each individual.
20. Eat meals together. If cooking dinner is going to be stressful, take away a meal. That way you have time to spend listening up your kids talking about the things he has found out.
21. Get active. Do things together which make exercise fun. Learn to ride bikes and go to the park. Volunteer to walk a friend's dog or go swimming in the sports center pool.
Be positive
22. Children need a regiment to feel safe so try to stick to the same times for doing things - especially bedtime and nap times. Don't use going to sleep as a punishment - make it a safe, snugly, loving experience.
23. Always keep your promise.
24. Take time to listen to your kid and talk to him every day.
25. Keep demonstrating love by being physically affectionate.
26. Focus on good behavior instead of bad. Try catching him doing something good instead of doing something bad.
27. Establish clear boundaries and learn when to say no. Be consistent about it!
28. Never make fun of your child. Teasing is fine, but never mock.
29. Never quarrel in front of a child. Research says children have cited quarreling parents as the thing they hate most.
30. Look for the fun in everything, the way children do. Allow them to take the lead sometimes and you may be surprised at how your world view can change!    

12 ways to nurture young readers

1. Read with your children at least once every day
2. Make sure they have plenty to read. Keep books or other reading materials in their reach.
3. Notice what interests your child, then help find books about those things.
4. Respect your child's choices. There's nothing wrong with scary fiction if that's what keeps a young reader turning the pages.
5. Praise your children's efforts and newly acquired skills.
6. Help your child build a personal library. Children's books, new or used, make great gifts and appropriate rewards for reading. Designate a bookcase, shelf or box where your children can keep their books.
7. Check up on your children's progress. Listen to them read aloud, read what they write and ask teachers how they're doing in school.
8. Go places and do things with your children to build their background knowledge and vocabulary, and to give them a basis for understanding what they read.
9. Tell stories. Its a fun way to teach values, pass on family history and build your children's listening and thinking skills.
10. Be a reading role model. Let your children see you read, and share some interesting things with them that you have read about in books, newspapers or magazines.
11. Continue reading aloud to older children even after they have learned to read by themselves.
12. Encourage writing along with reading. Ask children to sign their artwork, add to your shopping list, take messages ang make their own books and cards as gifts. 

Empower, improve & encourage

Parents want their children to be the architects of their own character crafting, while the parents accept the responsibility of being architects of the environment, both physical and moral. There is a need to create an environment in which children can develop habits of honesty, generosity, and a sense of justice. For most parents, the greatest opportunity they have to deepen their own character is through the daily blood, sweet and tears of struggling to be good parents. 


Here are the new parenting commands for this day and age:


1. Put  parenting first
    This is hard to do in a world with so many competing demands. Good parents consciously plan and devote time to parenting. They make developing their children's character their top priority.
2. Review how you spend the hours and days of your week
    Think about the amount of time your children spend with you. Plan how you can weave your children into your social life and knit yourself into their lives.
3. Be a good example
    Human beings learn primarily through modeling. You can't avoid being an example to your children, whether good or bad. Being a good example, then, is probably your most important job.
4. Develop an ear and an eye for what your children are absorbing
    Children are like sponges. Much of what they take in has to do with moral values and character. Book, songs, TV, the internet, and films are continually delivering messages-moral and immoral - to children. Parents must control the flow of ideas and images that are influencing their children.
5. Use the language of character
    Children cannot develop a moral compass unless people around them use the clear, sharp language of right and wrong.
6. Punish with a loving heart
    Today, punishment has a bad reputation,. The results are guilt-ridden parents and self-indulgent, out-of-control children. Children need limits. They will ignore these limits on occasion. Reasonable punishment is one of the ways human beings have always learned. Children must understand what punishment is for and know that its source is parental love.
7. Learn to listen to your children
    It is easy for us to tune out the talk of our children. One of the greatest things we can do for them is to take them seriously and set aside time to listen.
8. Get deeply involved in your child's school life
    School is the main event in the lives of our children. Their experience there is a  mixed bag of triumphs and disappointments. How they deal with them will influence the course of their lives. Helping our children become good students is another name for helping them acquire strong character.
9. Make a big deal of the family meal
    The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and family business but also a place for the teaching and passing on of our values. Manners and rules are subtly absorbed over the table. Family mealtime should communicate and sustain ideals that children will draw on throughout their lives.
10. Do not reduce character education to words alone
      We gain virtue through practice. Parents should help children by promoting moral action through self discipline, good work habits, kind and considerate behavior to others, and community service.

A helping hand (Homework guides for parents and kids)

1. Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.


2. Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available. Ask your child if special materials will be needed for some projects and get them in advance.


3. Help your child with time management. Establish a set time each day for doing homework. don't let your child leave homework until just before bedtime. Think about using a weekend morning or afternoon for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.


4. Be positive about homework. Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.


5. When your child does homework, you do homework. Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult. If your child is reading, you read too. If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.


6.When your child ask for help,provide guidance,not answers.Giving answers mean your child will not learn the material.Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him or her.


7.If homework is meant to be done by your child alone,stay away.Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects.Homework is a great way for kids to develop independent,lifelong learning skills.


8.Help your child figure out what is hard homework and what is easy homework.Have your  child do the hard work first. This will mean he would be more alert when facing the biggest challenges. Easy material will seem to go fast when fatigue begins to set in.


9. Watch your child for sings of failure and frustration. Let your child take a short break if she/he is having trouble keeping her/he mind on an assignment.


10. Reward progress in homework. If your child had been successful in homework completition and is working hard, celebrate that success with a special event (e.g.,pizza, a walk, a trip to the park) to reinforce the positive effort.                

10 Reasons to Take Good Care of a Father

Frankly, if all new mothers made a serious effort to stay emotionally and affectionately connected with the father, and if all new fathers made a serious effort to understand what the mother is going through and be a strong teammate in making a family together, many domestic problems can be cut to half.
1. He's a person Every human being deserves a chance to be happy and healty (DON'T always use this as a defence againts your wives, husbands!)
2. He does real work Most fathers step up their efforts to be a provider when kids come along. Plus the typical dad today is doing more housework and childcare than his own father did. Any kind of demanding work calls for respect and replenishment. So, give your man a pat on the shoulder for being an awesome dad!
3. He contribute to others Every day, for twenty years or more, engaged fathers help make a family for innocent and precious children. Their giving gives them moral standing, and a valid claim on the respect and support of their partner and society as a whole.
4. The workplace isn't very friendly to men who put their family first While it's certainly hard for women to juggle home and work, men who stick up for their role as fathers often get even less understanding on the job than mothers do.
5 It's good for the children A father's well-being affects his children in a thousand ways, and shape the course of their entire lives. A vital way to take good care of children is to take good care of their fathers.
6. It's good for mother Fathers who are happy in their marriage are usually more empathic, helpful, and loving with their wife. Keep em' happy, ladies!
7. It's good for the mariagge Fathers who feel cared about, litsened to, seen and valued as a lover and mate, respected and appreciated, and - honestly - sexually satisfied are much more likely to stay married than those who do not. Beside the rewards for children and their parents, lasting marriages benefit society in many ways, such as bringing stability to communities and fastering respect for family.
8. It help the economy Family and marital problems stress fathers and lead to physical and mental illnesses that increase the nation's medical costs and decrease workforce productivity.
9. It's good for society A culture that takes a stand for families by respecting and supporting the fathers as well as the mothers at their centre will be more humane and decent for everyone.
10. It's good in itself Being compassionate, considerate, and generous with a father feels good in its own right. So, love thy better-half, come what may!

10 Reasons to Take Good Care of a Father

Frankly, if all new mothers made a serious effort to stay emotionally and affectionately connected with the father, and if all new fathers made a serious effort to understand what the mother is going through and be a strong teammate in making a family together, many domestic problems can be cut to half.
1. He's a person Every human being deserves a chance to be happy and healty (DON'T always use this as a defence againts your wives, husbands!)
2. He does real work Most fathers step up their efforts to be a provider when kids come along. Plus the typical dad today is doing more housework and childcare than his own father did. Any kind of demanding work calls for respect and replenishment. So, give your man a pat on the shoulder for being an awesome dad!
3. He contribute to others Every day, for twenty years or more, engaged fathers help make a family for innocent and precious children. Their giving gives them moral standing, and a valid claim on the respect and support of their partner and society as a whole.
4. The workplace isn't very friendly to men who put their family first While it's certainly hard for women to juggle home and work, men who stick up for their role as fathers often get even less understanding on the job than mothers do.
5 It's good for the children Afather's well-being affects his children in a thousand ways, and shape the course of their entire lives. Avital way to take good care of children is to take good care of their fathers.
6. It's good for mother Fathers who are happy in their marriage are usually more empathic, helpful, and loving with their wife. Keep em' happy, ladies!
7. It's good for the mariagge Fathers who feel cared about, litsened to, seen and valued as a lover and mate, respected and appreciated, and - honestly - sexually satisfied are much more likely to stay married than those who do not. Beside the rewards for children and their parents, lasting marriages benefit society in many ways, such as bringing stability to communities and fastering respect for family.
8. It help the economy Family and marital problems stress fathers and lead to physical and mental illnesses that increase the nation's medical costs and decrease workforce productivity.
9. It's good for society Aculture that takes a stand for families by respecting and supporting the fathers as well as the mothers at their centre will be more humane and decent for everyone.
10. It's good in itself Being compassionate, considerate, and generous with a father feels good in its own right. So, love thy better-half, come what may!

10 ways to have fun with your kids

Having fun with your kids during holidays doesn't have to be a grueling battle over what to keep them satisfied. Here are some sure fire ways to have extra fun with your kids, while keeping them safe and safer on your purse too.
1. Visit a museum or historic site. It's not only interesting for them but you as well and it serves as an educational experience for your children too. Besides, it has tons of places that your kids will love.
2. Serves ice-cream as an occasional treat. Kids love ice-cream and serving them once in a while after dinner or on a hot sunny day would be great. Your kids can have fun decorating their ice-cream with toppings such as almond, hazel or cashew nuts, berries or tropical fruits such as banana.
3. Popcorns and movie at the comfort of your own home. Finding a parking space at the local mall during weekends and frequenting the loo with your kids in tow can be stressful for parents that in turn make the outing less exciting. Why, not, watch an animated movie at home on DVD, get some of your kids' favourite snack and enjoy.
4. Go out to dinner. Some restaurants offer complimentary meals for children. This is something you can always do and it's a special treat for your children. Alternatively,a visit to one of the popular fast-food restaurants nearby once in a blue moon would  be fun and it's at an affordable price.
5. Have simple cooking or baking session at home. Kids love to gets hand-on tasks like mixing  the flour to prepare dough for cookies, decorating them or help preparing ingredients for sandwiches. It's fun and it's affordable

6. Visit the library and bookstore! Libraries and bookstores are always holding events for children of all ages. Some have story time on certain days for your younger child and learning centres for your older ones. So ask your local library and bookstore for a calendar of their upcoming events.
7. Picnic with your entire family. It is great way for everyone to gather together while spending less and getting more out of one another.
8. Try some outdoor family activities. Fishing, hiking or just sightseeing. If you are really up for it, try camping too. So all family members are in the same place at once and give you the opportunity to get to know your kids more and let them see how cool you really are.
9. Play a board game if the weather is bad. Get everyone to sit down for a nice family board game if the weather is bad for outdoor activities. Laughing and bonding over a game will definitely fire them up.
10. Capture the moments! Give each child the chance to use your digital camera and see what sparks their interests as they become their own personal photographer.

Mr Perfect Dad

Congratulations! You are the proud father of young baby and want to be Mr Perfect Dad. That's an exellent ambition, but not realisti. But there's no harm in trying.


HOW TO BE A GREAT DAD 101


Get involved Your baby wants you to be a part of her life, so don't allow yourself to stay in the shadows. You are no different from any other nervous father, perhaps unsure of yourself and slightly intimidated by the prospect. To be a wonderful father means getting connected with your baby and everything she does.

Practice makes perfect Pick her up and hold her close to you, with her head resting in the crook of your arm. It's not that difficult. The more you handle her, the more confident and involved you'll become.


Play your part Your baby loves you to change, bathe, dress and feed her. Okay, so you have an L-plate on your back, but you can learn only through experience. Doing basic baby care chores like these will bring the two of you closer together.


Pat yourself on the back Tell yourself each day that you are doing a good job as her father. Reflect on at least one incident that day which you managed really well.


Help with decisions There are lots of decisions to be made about your baby every single day -for instance, her clothes or toys. Share your ideas with your wife, so that you'll feel you are a central figure in your baby's life.


There is no "right" way There are plenty of acceptable ways to meet your child's needs, not just one. Just because things might be tough for you at the moment does not mean you are doing something wrong. Try to develop a consistent approach with your wife, as this will provide stability for you baby.


Plan family outings Try to organise weekends that involve the family. It's another way to further strengthen the emotional connection between you and your baby. Try the park or an activity centre.


Delight in her progress Your baby changes and acquire new skills every day in her physical, thinking, emotional and social abilities. Your pleasure in her progress will make your baby feel good about her and you.


Make time! If you really want to be a great new dad, you have to make your baby the priority. Find the time- the other matters can always wait.

Off to a slow start

Starting primary school should have been so exciting for your seven-year-old. There are so many new learning opportunities and new children to become friendly with.


But this may be very challenging for him. Swamping his familiar preschool environment for a school full of strangers - and a building that seems huge and mysterious - may be quite demanding.


Fortunately, there are lots you can do to help him through this transition. Here are some suggestions:


Deal with worries when they arise
If your seven-seven year-old does raise a concern with you about something that troubles him, take it seriously. Litsen to what he has to say, and provide guidance as best you can. Your interest reassures him.


Encourage him to discover the entire building
Most pupils, especially the youngest, tend to stay in their own part of the school, and have little opportunity to explore all the other areas. He'll feel more comfortable when he is familiar with every floor.


Ask about his teacher
Your child will be more settled once he has been able to tell you all about her. Let him say what he likes (and perhaps dislikes,too) about his teacher. Always give an optimistic response, even when he is negative about her.


Make sure he uses the loo
Young children are particularly sensitive about toilets, and are often anxious if they are too large or dirty. Check if he hasn't, find out why he is reluctant.


Play with the others
Get to know who his friends are - he'll feel happier much more quickly when he has pals in the class. You can help by asking him to invite one or two or his classmates home to play with him after school.


Be positive about this new phase
Your little one looks to you for guidance - and if you look miserable every time he mentions a concern about Primary 1, then he will feel miserable about it, too. Have a positive attitude towards this next step in his life.


Check it out
You can also help by taking a particular interest in his progress. Chat with him about what he did in school that day. Which children did he play with? How did he get on with his teacher? What did he like best?


Your interest keeps his motivation high, while at the same time you can monitor his progress. Most likely, you'll be pleased to discover that he'll soon make the transition without any real difficult and that he'll start to thrive in Primary 1.


And if you do discover that things aren't going as well as you had hoped, you can help sort out any problem before it turns into a crisis.