5 Tips For Instilling the Love for Learning Early On

We as parents have an all-encompassing role in instilling the love for learning early for our children. From getting them motivated in finishing their homework, participate better at school to learning to love any form of study, it’s all about proper conditioning and the right balance of encouragement and rewards.

Life requires us to learn new skills and gain knowledge, and it’s up to us to raise children that are ready for this challenge. Because learning starts when we’re children, it’s also the best time to foster a love of learning. Here are a couple of ways to help our kids love learning.

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Identify any learning barrier and plan ways to overcome them. It’s hard to love something when you struggle with it. Be vigilant about signs of issues that could impact your child’s ability to learn at school and taint their enjoyment of learning.

Issues could be social, emotional, or potential learning disorders. While teachers are on the lookout for these, kids sometimes hide it by overcompensating.

If you believe there’s a problem, talk to your child in a comfortable, safe environment. See if you can find any suggestions for stress or avoidance about a particular subject or activity. Questions to ask include asking what their favorite and least favorite part of the school is and why/why not, what are the hardest things they did and why.

Help them engage. Education experts believe that under-performance in school can be caused by a lack of engagement. There’s a plethora of strategies and reforms in place to improve classroom engagement, but parents have the starting reins to work on this lack of engagement at home.

Start by regularly asking your kids what they learned at school. This will help them be proud of their newfound knowledge. Many kids also relish the opportunity to teach something to their parents. This will also encourage them to think more critically about their learning in school, and to learn better. Your questions will need to be age-appropriate.

Make learning enjoyable. Check out your child’s curriculum, textbooks, and homework. There are many examples, but you should be able to find examples to use for activities. If you’re reading this during the current COVID-19 pandemic, then you’ll have plenty of time to revisit and try out more activities.

Assess your child’s curriculum, textbooks, or homework. It can be as simple as counting games, getting them to spell words from their favorite books. For older kids, assist them to discover their passions and interests.

Remove the pressure. We’ve all been there. Academics do put pressure on kids. This includes grades, peers, and parent approval. Giving them a hard time or punishing them for poor results can backfire and make them dread the learning process.

So instead of punishing poor performance, offer support both emotionally and academically. Allow them to be free to express their disappointments without fear of your judgment.  Speak with them, listen well, and collaborate to find ways to help them improve and enjoy school.

Choose the right learning institute. The kind of school where you enroll your child will serve as a beacon in developing many aspects of his or her character, which is why choosing an appropriate one is of paramount importance.

Some curriculum is better than others when it comes to the learner. For instance, expat children and those with international connections should prefer international schools. Consider schools that offer inquiry-based programs like GMP Montessori which not only fosters the development of cognitive, expressive and motor skills but also induces a sense of social responsibility, cultural awareness and environmental consciousness - all key components of GIIS's holistic pedagogy.

Encouragement during this stage must come from you. You need to walk the talk. The values you teach should also be present in you because your kids innately look to you not just for support, but for inspiration as well.

These tips can help to make the school what it needs to be for children — a fun, secure location, where they can learn about the world, themselves, and find out who and what they want to be.

The Importance Of Wearing A Face Mask When Venturing Out

These have been the most challenging times we have been living in in recent months. Who would have ever thought a virus could shut the world down? I am used to being home all the time, but never imagined being forced to stay home under lock-down orders. It's a whole different experience when you have to leave home. Panic sets in and you have to have a real plan to minimize your time out while keeping yourself as safe as possible.

*Today's conversation is sponsored by CanvasDiscount.com. All opinions are 100% my own as always. 

It has come to a point now where most grocery stores are requiring you to wear a mask in order to enter their store. I am definitely okay with that. It's not always easy to find masks, and sometimes unavoidable to go to the grocery store. I am so happy that my favorite online custom wall canvas shop, CanvasDiscount.com is now offering Custom Face Mask options. Since we all have to wear them, we might as well be comfortable and even stylish.

There are so many colors and patterns to choose from. You can even upload your own deign for a customized look. The thing I like is that CanvasDiscount.com is super user-friendly and the checkout process is a breeze. Even better is their items are made and shipped in the USA, which means a quick turnaround.

Each custom face mask is made from 2 high-quality layers of Oeko-Tex fabric, machine washable in warm water, and comfortable in a one-size-fits-all design. They are not made for medical use, but more for safety for the rest of us who do not work in the medical industry. Having that layer of protection definitely gives peace of mind. Another plus is the adjustable straps, especially when you have a smaller face.

Pricing for these custom face masks start at $12 each depending on how many you order. It's neat to be able to order different colors and designs to suit each of your family members. Safety masks are even a good idea to give as a gift to neighbors, co-workers or friends. Who would have ever thought that getting a mask as a gift would even be a thing?!

It is so important for all of us to do our part to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy. With social distancing, proper hand-washing, and wearing a protective face mask, we can all help to slow this horrific virus down. Please continue to stay home as much as possible, and stay vigilant when you do leave home. I wish you all good health and safety always. Be well, friends! xoxo

BIC Launches U.S. Program To Recycle Used Pens, Pencils & More The “WRITE” Way

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle® to offer consumers a free and easy way to recycle their fully-used pens, mechanical pencils, markers and other stationery products and parts of packaging nationwide. As an added incentive, for every shipment of used stationery products collected and sent to TerraCycle through this program, collectors earn points that can be donated to a school or charitable organization of their choice.

“As families spend more time writing, drawing and coloring together, we want to provide them with a responsible way to dispose of their products once they are used. Our collection program with TerraCycle gives consumers a simple way to recycle their writing instruments and art supplies to make a difference in the world,” said Mary Fox, North American General Manager for BIC. “Sustainability has always been at BIC’s core. We are thrilled to expand this program to the U.S. from Europe, where we have successfully recycled an astounding 46 million items.”

Through the BIC® Stationery Recycling Program, consumers can now send in all brands of pens, markers, mechanical pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, watercolor dispensers and paint sets to be recycled for free. The program is also collecting the soft, flexible plastic packaging that some writing instruments are packaged in. Participation is easy: sign up on the TerraCycle program page https://www.terracycle.com/bic and mail in the used items using a prepaid shipping label. Once collected, the waste is cleaned and melted into hard plastic that is remolded to make new recycled products. The BIC® Stationery Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office or community organization.

“Through this free recycling program, BIC offers consumers the unique opportunity to learn about the value of recycling products they use every day while learning, playing or working that would otherwise end up in landfill,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “We are proud to partner with BIC to offer consumers an easy solution for these typically unrecyclable items.”

This is the latest step BIC has taken on its journey to further enhance the sustainability of its long-lasting products, which are made with the least amount of material, and to minimize its impact on the environment, one of the goals in its 2025 “Writing the Future, Together” program.

BIC and TerraCycle began partnering in 2011 to collect and recycle used stationery products in Europe. A similar program was launched in Australia and New Zealand last year.

The two organizations have also partnered to promote the circular economy by offering BIC products through LOOP, an e-commerce circular economy platform created by TerraCycle aimed at eliminating waste and reducing dependence on packaging.

For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.

Exam Time? How To Reduce Your Teenager’s Stress

When teens are studying for their exams, your home might feel full of stress. Emotions are running high, and the pressure to perform well and potentially get into college can be overwhelming. As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child going through such a stressful period. You remember what it felt like to be at school, and it’s probably a time you wouldn’t want to repeat!

So, as a parent, it’s important to help to reduce your teenager’s stress. While you can’t eliminate exams altogether, you can help to make the period as smooth as possible.

Educational Support

As a parent, it’s important to give your teenager educational support if they need it. Whilst you shouldn’t be overbearing or pushy, if they’re struggling in a certain area you might be able to help. Quizzing them and reading the answers is a good example of this. If you’re not sure of the solution or answer yourself, you can always do some research and find online tools to help, such as this free tool for citation. Alternatively, you might wish to find a tutor for your teenager, who can give them additional support in the exam period. 

Limit Distractions

While your teen is revising for their exams, it’s important that you try to limit any distractions in the house. It might be difficult to prevent them from going on the internet, but you can potentially limit their screen time, and make sure that the TV isn’t on in the background. Plus, if your teen’s siblings are being distracting, you can take them out to give your teen some quiet time in the house. Just make sure it’s being used for revision and not gaming!

Cook for them

During the exam period, it’s important that your teen stays well nourished. They won’t be able to concentrate on their revision if their stomach is rumbling! Plus, the time they spend cooking could be used to revise. So, make sure you’re cooking healthy, nutritious meals that fuel their brains and stop them from being hungry. This is especially important on exam days. They will need a big breakfast so they don’t feel hungry during the exam and can concentrate on the paper in front of them.

Emotional Support

The exam period is a stressful time for your teen, and you need to make sure that they’re coping. This means making sure that they’re talking about the way they’re feeling, and not bottling up their emotions. Whilst they need to spend the majority of their time revising, you should make sure that they’re taking adequate breaks and still taking the time to do the activities they enjoy.

Their mental health will suffer if they can’t have fun or see their friends, so encourage them to go out and socialize. If your teen knows that you’re there for them and supporting their decisions, they will feel less stressed and more able to perform well in their exams.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Six New Exercise Habits You Can Build While Social Distancing

The coronavirus has forced the world to stay home and practice social-distancing. Many establishments have closed their doors to keep people from going out and being in close contact with others which may spread the virus. Gyms and other fitness centers have also been forced to remain closed until the pandemic is over and the risk of infection is gone. While this may affect your gym routine, it doesn't mean giving up fitness entirely. It just means you need to get creative and start a new exercise habit.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

It’s more important than ever that you exercise regularly as it helps build immunity, which is vital for your physical and mental health at this stressful time. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last and how long we will be advised against social gatherings. Fortunately, there are still ways to work out with others while still observing social distancing. Here are some tips:

1. Stay Connected on Your Walk or Run.

Workout buddies are still possible if you set a specific time to walk and talk on the phone simultaneously. You may be separated physically, but staying connected via your phone and earphones can help ensure you both finish your walk or run.

2. Exercise with a Group.

Leverage video chat tools to exercise with your favorite workout buddies. You can exercise with friends and family via video or even organize an online dance party. Find the music you like and dance for half an hour instead of a regular boring cardio workout on your own.

Photo by Prateek Katyal from Pexels

3. Take an Online Fitness Class.

Many fitness classes are also available online. Some are even live-streamed so that you can follow the instructor at home. The only equipment you may need are weights and workout shoes.

4. Find an Online Personal Trainer.

You can also find a personal trainer who can work with you through video chat to have two-way communication during the training. Your trainer can still correct you and hear your feedback. Make sure you research the web to find a personal trainer you trust and like.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

5. Do Exercises That Take Up Minimal Space.

If you want to fully observe social distancing by staying at home, find an exercise spot in your house. It may surprise you that it doesn’t take up a lot of space to do exercises like jumping jacks, squats, planks, push-ups, and burpees. You may even run up and down your stairs to get a great cardio workout.

6. Work out in the Pool.

Your pool is perfectly safe to swim in during this pandemic. Experts say that with proper pool maintenance and disinfection, the virus responsible for COVID-19 becomes inactive in your pool. If you’ve mostly used your pool for fun and relaxation, it’s time to recognize your pool is also the perfect place for you to start a new exercise habit. Start by swimming laps or engaging in water aerobics.

Thank you Pool Troopers for this guest post.