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Outside at Last - Child Development, Physical Education and Toddlers

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Alright, it is almost that time of the year. You know, time to get the kids out of the house. You want your children to have fun. You want child safety to be in the forefront.

You want your children to have an educational experience. Most of all, you want your children outside. For older children it is easy. That is, if you can get the controllers out of their not so tiny hands. But let’s begin with the little ones, specifically, those children ages 12 to 24 months. Most children 12 to 24 months will have fun just by being outside and exploring their environment.

Educational experiences are not necessarily limited to those experiences involving wires, cords and high-tech gizmos. For example, a child can improve his or her motor skills and balance by riding his or her cow or ladybug wheelybug. Moving forwards, backwards, sideways and round and round, a child’s spatial development and awareness improve as he or she moves around on his or her wheelybug. And all of this is achieved without motors, batteries or controllers. Sandboxes are another great example of a low-tech, non-motorized mode of educational entertainment. In addition to spatial awareness and motor skills, the sandbox is a wonderful forum for social development and creative play. Sand, a little water, a shovel or spoon and a lot of imagination is all that is necessary for a day of creative learning.

Baby dolls are another low-tech educational toy and are great for promoting nurturing in both boys and girls. Baby dolls can be feed, bathed, dressed, kissed and hugged. Baby dolls listen and understand what we adults do not. Baby dolls are loved and love unconditionally. Children can also learn the names of body parts, clothing and activities while playing with their baby dolls. All that is needed with a baby doll is imagination and creativity and, perhaps, a stroller for your child’s baby doll so that both your child and your child’s baby doll can enjoy the outdoors.

Simple push along walkers are good for outdoor entertainment. Push along walkers assist in improving balance. Children can walk behind their push along walker with a comfortable and “safe” feeling while at the same time exploring their environment. Again, this educational toy is run not on batteries but, rather, on toddler power. As you can see, physical education can begin at a very early age and may begin your child on a pattern of healthy living that will follow your children into adulthood.

Felicity is a intermittent columnist, writing intermittent articles in the UK. The complete range of wheely bug ride on toys as well as kid’s learning toys are available with free delivery at Designer Ark. For more information please visit the Designer Ark website.

Learn To Type For Kids In The Virtual World

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In order to use the computer you need to know how to type, efficient typing or touch typing, you still need to learn how to type. Learn to type for kids in the virtual world is an article that covers the child education, you will need to know how to type or you will be lost, reduced to fumbling around.

There are many good sites that will teach you how to type successfully. When using virtual worlds to socialize, play, shop and chat you need to call upon your typing skills. A good way of learn to type for kids in the virtual world is to practice your skills. It is recommended that you log on to sites and practice because typing is an acquired skill that is developed over time and through constant practice.

You will find sites that focus on the right use of the fingers on the keyboard, provide extra practice for weak keys and non repetitive lessons to keep you motivated. Some of the sites even have games that allow you to take a break from your typing lessons. Some of the best sites provide training for the right positioning of the keys on the keyboard and the right way to type, as well as practice sessions to use the letters. You can track your own progress through the data that is recorded and strive for continued improvement. The text passages provided in the practice mode help you maintain your speed and improve typing skills.

Learn to type for kids in the virtual world is a good option for the dyslexic student, who fares better because much of the communication is done through typing. In virtual worlds the typing is done in real time and you can see the mistakes you make and learn the right spellings form what is produced on screen by others. Moreover, text logs provide the opportunity for the student to revise what was done, understand at their own pace and make corrections.

There is a very good site called Wiglington and Wenks that allows you to make use of your typing potential to the full through games that are education oriented. These games will help to develop a child’s IQ and social skills, educate about animals, the environment, geography, history, culture and much more. Children learn to develop their typing skills as they move through the site playing games and learning.

Preschool Games On The Internet

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As the parent of a toddler or preschooler, you may want to consider allowing your child to play preschool games for kids on the internet. This is a great way to make learning fun and capture the child’s imagination, making him or her more receptive to being educated. There are many sites that provide excellent preschool educational games that your child can play at home.

This article about preschool games on the internet was written based on research of some of the sites and one very good site we came across was Wiglington and Wenks, a truly massive virtual world for kids. A child can virtually travel through time and space, around the world, meeting famous people, playing fun filled games, exploring secret places and making new friends. There’s a lot more activities that the child can undertake on this site, virtual learning made easy – learn history, geography, animals, inventions and so much more.

Parents need to beware that Preschool games on the internet are in abundant supply but not all of them deliver on their promises. Your goal is to find safe sites that your little one can play on and learn from. You need to research the sites carefully first before you allow your child to go exploring.

Capturing and holding a child’s attention for a reasonable period of time can be a difficult task simply because children get easily bored. To hold your child’s attention you can select from online games, preschool math games, counting games and several other different kinds of kids game activities online. Most of these games can be downloaded free of cost or at the most a registration fee for the really good sites. The purpose behind online games is to impart simple counting skills, coordination skills, learning the alphabet and numbers, word recognition, basic reading skills, reasoning skills and motor skills all through a fun filled educational program.

When you select good preschool games for your child you are in effect seeking to help them increase their abilities to observe and learn, play and understand, increase agility and reasoning skills and so much more. Children are quick learners in their early years and you can make use of this ability to the full, encouraging your child’s educational development before the actual schooling begins.

A child that has the basic educational knowledge will be more confident in going to school for the first time. Preschool games on the internet are well worth the time invested in educating your child.

Project Play Puts the Fun Back in the Backyard

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Veteran creative strategist Marlene Byrne today announced that her fourth book in the Project Play children’s series, which aims to inspire child education to get back outdoors for good, old-fashioned playtime, is now available.

Starring Sam and the adventurous Edgebrook gang, Kick the Can is Byrne’s first paperback, chapter-style story in the Project Play (www.ProjectPlayBooks.com) series, which debuted in 2008 with Treasure Hunt, Follow the Leader, and Just a Baseball Game. The new book continues the series’ mission of encouraging timeless, backyard games to children as the characters engage in “kick the can” after sundown at the neighborhood block party.

“I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, where playing games like ‘kick the can’ and ‘ghosts in the graveyard’ was the norm,” said Byrne. “But after pondering the fading popularity of these games today, I began searching for a way to bring back the carefree days of our youth.”

The mother of two young children, Byrne realized that electronic models of play, organized sports and extra-curricular activities were quickly taking over classic, backyard games. And while she does not condemn video games and team sports, she questions the percentage of time spent and precedence families place on these activities over simple backyard fun.

“Our children are growing up in a generation in which parents, teachers, and coaches tell them how, where, and when to do everything,” said Byrne. “Although our culture tends to place the most value on academic achievement or athletic success, unstructured playtime is crucial to a child’s cognitive development.”

Source: Project Play

Motivating Preschoolers to Be Active

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Many preschoolers are active from the time they get up until the time their head hits the pillow at night. Perhaps you don’t have trouble motivating preschoolers to be active, but are they moving at an appropriate child development level? Will their movement help build their body or are they merely whirling dervishes?

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By motivating preschoolers to be active when they’re young, you may be able to encourage a love of fitness that can last a lifetime. How do you go about doing so? Here are some ideas which may lead them to love being active.

Activity at Home

In the same way you may go to work, play is a child’s work. Allow your preschooler plenty of free time to play and use their imagination. Actually, you probably won’t have to do much motivating to get your preschooler to be active, but are they active for a minimum of an hour each day?

Find things your preschooler will have fun doing that will keep them active. Instead of taking them on a stroll around the local track, why not take them on a hike through the woods. Help them notice the different animals in the woods, toss rocks into a stream, or collect different leaves. This will make the walk much more enjoyable than trudging around a track.

Take into consideration your child’s skill level when trying to find activities for them. You wouldn’t ask a toddler who’s barely walking to run up and down a basketball court. Teach them to throw and catch large balls before encouraging them to catch a baseball.

Activity at School

Does your child have access to a playground if they attend preschool or daycare? Maybe all they have is a large yard. That’s really all they need if there is room to run, roll, and dance around. It’s not necessary to have several pieces of athletic equipment - a couple of large balls, hoola hoops, and plenty of space is enough.

The Need for Activity

One of the main reasons preschoolers need to be active is that being active helps their body on many levels. It helps build strong bones and muscles. Activity also improves large and fine motor skills as well as encouraging preschoolers to be healthy.

Consider games you played as a child. Many of them had you running, jumping, and skipping. Think about the fun your preschooler could have playing Hide and Seek, Simon Says, Follow the Leader, and Freeze Tag. There are so many great active games; you are sure to find one your preschooler will enjoy.

You may not really have to do much when it comes to motivating preschoolers to be active. The problem may actually be in getting them to stop. Help them have fun while they’re active and they’re very likely to develop a love of physical activity that will translate into a love of being fit as an adult.

Fun with Pool Toys and Games

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Sunshine, heat, and water are common elements to summer fun. You may be wondering what children activities to do this summer to combat the heat and still enjoy your time outdoors. Consider these ten ideas for having fun with pool toys and games to keep your whole family happy in the pool this summer.

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Pool toys are often considered a luxury because they can be pricey, but that’s generally only applicable for larger swimming pool toys. Why not give these a try:

* Swimming pool basketball. This set has an adjustable net to allow for a quick game of water basketball. There are several manufacturers which offer the swimming pool basketball sets. Prices range from $220 to $825 and they can be purchased from Pool Toy Source. They also have combo sets with volleyball.

* Rock-It Totter is an inflatable toy that can be used on water or on land. For children six and up, this toy is made by Aviva and can be purchased for $115 from Wagon Depot.

* Poolmaster offers the Jumbo Hot Shots Water Launcher, a refillable toy that shoots water up to 45 feet! They can be found at American Sale and sell for around $15.

* Inflatable animals are always fun for children to play on. They come in any number of animal types and can be purchased from local discount stores for as little as $5.

* Swim noodles are an inexpensive alternative to some of the more pricey pool toys and games. They help keep children afloat as they’re having fun or learning how to kick when learning to swim.

* Depending upon the size of your pool, you may want to purchase a pool raft. They range in price from $5 for one person and up to $330 for four people. Pool rafts are available through Pool Toy Source and other sources.

* Remote control fish and other water creatures can be fun for the whole family. If you have a snorkel and a mask, you can pretend you’re on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef - however, at $25 a piece, your trip may or may not allow you to see too many fish at once. They can be purchased through INYO Pools.

* Water guns come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and water shooting powers. Some only shoot a couple of feet; others shoot water up to 75 feet and are easy to refill. Water guns can be found locally at discount stores for $1 and up, depending upon the type you want and how much water power you need.

* Underwater Soccer Challenge Pool Toys may be just the thing for a child that loves to play soccer. It comes with weighted balls that roll along the bottom of the pool and has a weighted goal. It costs around $30 at Pool Toy Source, but you could probably find it at other sources.

* For the golf lover in the family who can’t be dragged to the pool, there’s now a way to enjoy both at the same time. Pool Toy.com has a floating golf island complete with tee off pad, golf club, and 8 foam golf balls. It sells for $40.

The swimming pool beckons soon after warmer weather arrives. If you’ve patiently waited to have fun with pool toys and games, you won’t have to wait much longer. These ten pool toys and games are not all that are available, but they may give you some ideas about what you’d like to get for the whole family to enjoy this summer in the pool.

Choosing the Right Sport for Your Child

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Children can run a parent ragged. Of course, if your child is active, they may be thinking about playing a sport at school. Choosing the right sport for your child may seem like a hard task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some children activities pointers to consider when helping your child choose.

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Child’s temperament

Think about your child’s temperament. Are they loners or do they enjoy spending time with others? Do they excel at competing against their self or are they competitive with others? How well do they follow authority? All of these would be questions you may want to ask about your child.

Some children are naturally athletic. They may be a mini-jock who is a natural daredevil. These are often boys, but not necessarily. Non-aggressive children can also be athletic. They may prefer being physically active but don’t have the “killer instinct” of a mini-jock. Some children aren’t particularly athletic but they enjoy being active. Sedentary children may not be interested in sports at all. If this is the case, you may not want to push your child into playing a sport.

Team or individual

If your child is interested in playing a sport, are they more of a loner or the center of attention? Does your child have many friends or only one or two? Answering these two questions may help you determine whether your child would prefer an individual or team sport.

Children that prefer to be alone may enjoy playing tennis, swimming, gymnastics, or martial arts. Children that thrive being around others would probably enjoy team sports such as baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, or soccer.

What age?

It may be difficult to recognize when your child is ready to play sports. Each child matures in their own time, so you can’t give a definitive answer to the question. Watch your child to see how they play with other children, particularly siblings. If they continually have disagreements or are physical with others they may not be ready or old enough to play sports.

Financial impact

Most parents would love to give their children everything they want; however, they know that doing so won’t serve the child well. Think about how much each sport your child is interested in will cost. Some sports, like gymnastics, require considerable finances, whereas a sport like baseball or football would cost less.

Time required

A sport, no matter which one you choose, will require both you and your child to spend a good deal of time on it. The child will have practices and games to attend; you’ll be expected to transport the child to and from practices and your child will expect you to attend each game. Of course, some sports, like gymnastics, require long practice times - often early in the morning and in the afternoon once the child has reached a certain level.

Choosing the right sport for your child could take some time if you want your child to enjoy themselves. Take your child’s likes, dislikes, and temperament into consideration when helping them choose. Then when you’ve chosen, stand back and watch them have a ball!

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