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To Praise or Not to Praise?
Part One: Validation
By Naomi Aldort
Q: My son seems to study more and behave better when I praise his
actions. I have read your article in Mothering magazine about the harm
of praise and became concerned. If I stop praising he loses interest.
What can I do instead of praise?
A: There is nothing to do “instead” of praise. Words that intend to
make the child feel and do what we want are manipulative and carry the
same price as other coercions: loss of intrinsic motivation, loss of
self-trust, damaged parent child relationship, lowered self-esteem,
dependency, insecurity, disinterest, getting by with as little as
possible and more. This does not imply that we become indifferent; on
the contrary, when free of the intent to impact the child’s actions or
behavior, a parent can generously express her appreciation and joy with
her child. .... read more
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 Educators Report Immersion is Making our Children Ill
by Beth Butler
No parent would deliberately place their child in a situation that
was certain to make them ill. Yet, in the fall of 2008, the Boston
Globe reported via an article titled English period that many
children entering a thirty day English only classroom were experiencing
negative physical and mental symptoms. Allow us to explore together
the better way to help all children become bilingual.
No child, not yours, not mine, nor the child of someone we do not even
know, should ever have to go off to school feeling anxious. Yet as
adults we realize it happens. Perhaps it is the first day of the
school year jitters or knowing that you will have to take a spelling
test for which you are not prepared. Nervousness over school does
happen some days for some children.
Imagine being a six year old child again and feeling that type of
anxiety every morning you are dropped off at school. Your stomach is
in knots. You feel light headed. Perhaps you even feel as if you will
throw up. That is exactly how many children in thousands of our
classrooms across our country feel daily.
...read more
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Water-Based Paints for Your Students
by Robert H. Zondag
As you allow your home students to explore different art forms, one
medium you will want to incorporate into your curriculum is painting.
Although the best known type of paint used by classic artists has been
oil paint, the medium has some distinct disadvantages to many home
schoolers:
• Are not appropriate for younger students as they may contain pigments or materials that are toxic if ingested.
• Require solvents for clean-up and malleability.
• May require more advanced knowledge of the artistic process.
A better approach may be water-based paints. There are several types of paints available that vary in price and application:
• Poster Paint/Tempura Paint
• Acrylics
• Gouache
• Watercolors
$=low cost $$=average $$$=expensive....read more
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Preventing Urgent Meltdowns
by Shelley Tzorfas
Question: My child’s “meltdowns” have become more explosive and
embarrassing both in private and in public as he/she has gotten older.
I have tried using various methods; I have used behavior modification
such as stickers, rewards, and charts, but it does not work. Can you
help me with this growing problem?
Answer: Using behavior modification techniques are fine, until more
action is necessary. Upon reaching this point, another method is called
for.
At this time, all the stickers and rewards in the world do not calm the
child/teen down. A more immediate solution can ease the situation.
In the book, The Explosive Child, by Ross W. Greene, the basket A, B, C
system is mentioned. To make it simple, basket C is when the child
erupts whining, crying, yelling, and using awful behaviors, but not
harming others. Basket B represents more aggressive behaviors, and
the child might throw objects. Basket A becomes violent and may
develop into a life threatening situation because the child might
injure himself or others, might run into a busy street, or knock
someone down.....read more
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Let’s bring back old-fashioned play
by Dave Coates
A child’s art education and creativity development begins at home with
simple yet powerful art materials (no batteries needed). Art is one of
the most inventive ways children can play and express themselves with
originality and creativity. With the proliferation of expensive,
interactive toys that are supposedly better and more stimulating for
your child, simple but sensational play activities may be shelved. Over
the past few decades, mass marketing has convinced many parents that
the more a toy does the better. ...read more
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Unlocking Your Child’s “Full” Potential...The Right Way
by Jay Lambert, MSW, LCSW, NHAC
Growing up, I always did well in school. My report cards and test
scores were clear evidence of my capacity for academic success. I did
so well that I was labelled a “gifted” child and placed in special
classes that were supposed to help me reach my “full potential.” And
that’s exactly what they got - just not in the way they expected. My
guess is that the teachers who recommended me for those gifted classes
never really understood the true meaning of the phrase “full
potential.” Apparently nobody guessed I could achieve highs AND lows. I
don’t want to get into the fine details, but I will say that they
pushed my personal potential to its limits in both directions - towards
numerous successes and towards a number of failures as well. Some of
the successes were small and not very significant, but some of those
successes are cherished memories of academic honors, trophies in the
trophy case, acceptance into fine universities, and so on. And the same
goes for my failures; some were small...and let’s just say that some of
them required an attorney. Like I said, be careful what you wish for.
I share that personal background to give some context - and hopefully
some credibility - to my perspective. I know what it is like to have
adults look to you as the one that the other kids should be like, or to
be the one to get the highest grade in the class, and so on. I also
know what it is like to see the look on my teacher’s or parent’s face
when I failed to achieve at the highest level in any way whatsoever,
while other kids got a pat on the back for a B or C. It was a heavy
weight to carry as a child, one that most adults will never understand
unless they too were pushed towards that elusive “full potential.”
...read more
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The Top Five Reasons Ancient History Still Matters
by Scott Powell
As a historian and homeschool teacher I'm often asked, "What's your favorite period?" It's a question I can never seem to answer definitively, because every time I turn to a new part of history, I become thoroughly engrossed by it. That said, some material always inspires me on a special level, and I think that my students can tell how I light up when I'm presenting it, which is definitely the case when it comes to "the Ancients."
Ancient history may be about civilizations long gone, and it may not seem to have the same bearing on our lives as American history, but to know Ancient history is to love it, and to see how--without a doubt--it still matters. Here are my "top 5" reasons why Ancient history should figure prominently in any homeschooling history curriculum:
5. WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT! I remember travelling to Europe after my first round of college studies. (I was an engineering graduate, so I was clueless about history!) I enjoyed the sight of the Parthenon, the Colosseum, and other historical landmark like most tourists. But the marvels in front of me were little more than entries on a "Lonely Planet" traveller's checklist. I walked through the ruins of the Spartan citadel, without realizing that I was treading in the footsteps of Leonidas and the 300. I stood overlooking the ruins of Saguntum, not grasping that Hannibal had initiated the Second Punic War by besieging the Greek colony there that was allied to Rome, let alone understanding what this meant for the fate of the world. I looked down upon the forum in Rome without knowing that the severed head of Cicero had once been thrust upon the rostra there, punctuating the fall of the Roman Republic. To know ancient history is to transform one's ability to appreciate the wonders that merely occupy a place along with beaches and nightclubs in the travel logs of others...read more
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Will universities accept grades and credit earned through online education?
by Bruce Friend
When taking online courses in high school, it is important for
college-bound students to consider how the grades and credits earned in
their online courses will be viewed by institutions of higher education
that they my aspire to attend. There are some important questions and
considerations that students and parents should seek information on
prior to enrolling in an online high school course or program.
First it should be noted that online learning is a widely available and
accepted means by which the majority of universities offer courses.
Some universities actually require that students take certain courses
online. At some institutions you can even earn your degree entirely
online. While online learning is prevalent in higher education, high
school students should not assume that grades and credit earned online
will automatically be accepted. There does exist, unfortunately, a
handful of online high school programs whose business practices in
delivering online education have come under scrutiny, and for good
reason. “Diploma mills” as they are often called have popped up on the
Internet promising students a quick and easy way to earn a high school
diploma. As with many other things in life, if it sounds too good to
be true, then buyer beware....read more
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Featured Resource of the Month
Kids who love technology belong at Emagination
Emagination offers a core computer camp program plus two specialty technology programs for children ages
8-18. We operate on college campuses located near Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.
Save $100 on Tuition!
Register online at www.computercamps.com and apply coupon code 93 and you will save $100.
It's Worth the Trip!
By car, train, bus or plane, campers come to one of four technology camp locations from near and far, including from foreign countries. Emagination's quiet suburban campuses have high quality classroom, recreation, dining and dormitory facilities that are conducive to camper safety and an enriching summer technology camp experience.
It's More than Technology
A summer at Emagination is much more than exciting technology learning. We bring together "kids like me" in a comfortable environment where they are encouraged to express their creativity and develop friendships, social skills and self-confidence. Many campers would like to be on the computer 24/7 but we believe that recreation and social time is a very important part of a successful camp experience. Learn more about our philosophy by visiting our website www.computercamps.com Emagination is ACA (American Camp Association) accredited.
Learn More about our philosophy at A Note to Parents from the Owners.
Our Programs
At our computer camps, Emagination offers two-week Overnight and Day technology camp programs for boys and girls ages 8-17. Campers select three Tech Workshops from over twenty choices and everyone takes a recreation period. Evening and weekend fun summer camp activities and an end-of-camp party round out the program.
The camper experience is very different compared to local one week computer camps. Learn how your child may benefit from The Emagination Difference.
Take a look at Typical Day & Meals.
Emagination also offers three overnight specialty technology programs for teens that are focused on one topic for the duration of the program. Each program offers participants the opportunity to significantly advance skills in an area of interest. Click on the links below to learn more about the specialty programs:
Emagination Game Design Camp
Emagination RC Car Racing Camp
More About Our Computer Camp Program
Emagination Balances Technology Learning with Fun Camp Activities
Emagination balances cutting edge technology learning with the activities and lifetime benefits of a traditional summer camp experience. Campers create a 3D animation and go for a swim….design a web page and play kickball…..hang out with friends and "talk tech". We believe that recreation is essential for healthy minds and bodies. That's why it is required as one of four workshops during the day and is a key part of evening and weekend activities.
Two-week Sessions. Overnight & Day Program Options
Recent studies indicate that longer camp sessions lead to greater personal growth and development. Emagination's two week sessions allow enough time to gain the benefits of a traditional summer camp experience - separation from home, responsibility to community, new friends and improved self-confidence. We offer an Overnight program and three Day program options. Learn about hours and details at Tuition & Programs
More Workshop Choices
Emagination offers an unsurpassed choice of over 20 exciting Tech Workshops for beginners to experts. Campers take three Tech Workshops per session, which range in size from 5-10 campers. In many workshops a Program Assistant helps the counselor instructor which facilitates more individual attention.
*Create Digital Art - Flash Animations * 3D Animation * Sprite Comics
*Design Video Games - Flash * RPG * Action * Strategy * Game Modding
*Discover Building Skills - RC Cars * Robotics
*Set up Computer Systems - Computer System Configuration * Linux
* Explore Programming - Programming Logic * C++ * Game Programming
Tomorrow's Technology Leaders Get a Head Start at Emagination! Call us toll free at 877-248-0206 or email camp@computercamps.com for more information. We are happy to help
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Featured Resource of the Month
EnergyParenting
"Attention Parents of Challenging
Children: Learn a NEW APPROACH and discover how a 180º shift in how you
use YOUR ENERGY will TRANSFORM your challenging child from a nightmare*
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Join a supportive community and get help from the experts on our forum.
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Enjoy being the skillful parent of a formerly challenging child!
About ENERGYPARENTING...We teach parents to get their energy right in
relation to children because once they do, everything else quickly
falls right into place. Parents who experience this transformation in
themselves and their children often exclaim, "It feels like a miracle!" *The more challenging the child, the more profound the change.
Parents of children diagnosed ADD, ADHD, Autism/Asperger, FASD, OCD and
ODD are especially welcomed and encouraged to try this approach for
remarkable results.
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