Educational Toys in Home Schooling

Homeschooling, also known as home education and home learning, is the education of children at home rather than in traditional schools. Parents sometimes hire tutors, but for the most part, parents play the primary role in teaching. The reasons for homeschooling are diverse, but often include religious or political beliefs, or simply a concern for the quality of learning in conventional schools. No matter the reason, it is imperative that home-schooled children have an enriched environment to nurture crucial developmental skills.

Enriching the Home Environment

Because traditional schooling is rich in environmental stimuli, parents wishing to home school their children strive to compensate for this deficit. Learning approaches that engage the child and keep learning interesting are often highly effective means of environmental enrichment. The play to learn approach, in which children teach themselves important developmental skills through play, is an excellent way to enrich the home environment and accelerate early childhood development and learning.

Educational Toys as Learning Tools

Parents also strive to keep their children motivated to learn, and to instill a strong sense of self-esteem in home schooled children. Children are also easily distracted, so it is imperative to keep them engaged in learning. Educational toys are very effective, as they are stimulating to children, and make learning enjoyable. They also help children to extend their imaginations, and can lead to more effective learning. Home school parents often find it very helpful to include them as a part of their children's curriculum to keep things fresh and to foster a good attitude.

What Home School Parents Should Look For

Not all educational toys are created equal. Some are more effective than others both in engaging children's attention and in building important skill sets. It is often helpful for these toys to present a style of learning that is structured and comprehensive, but that also keeps children motivated and having fun. Often those toys that are modular in design, and that can teach many different skill sets are particularly useful to home school parents.

What Educational Toys Should Teach Children

Educational toys should be enjoyable, but should also be designed with the intent to develop a particular skill set. It is important for the toy to be structured and geared around a target age group because children pass different developmental milestones as they progress through childhood. For children under 5, they should focus on building a foundation skill set that will be supportive of more advanced learning later on. Important skills are visual perception, shape and color recognition, concentration, memorization and basic linguistic skills. As children progress in their development, it is important to enrich for more advanced skill sets. Toys for children over age 5 should focus on more complex and advanced developmental skills. Important skills at this age are critical thinking, abstract thinking, logical thinking, math, geometry, linguistic, pattern recognition, associative and memorization skills.

Home schooling can be a wonderful gift that parents give their children. It allows for parents to nurture their children in the abilities and subject areas that they find to be the most important. Parents are also able to enrich their children's environment in order to strengthen important skill sets, and educational toys represent a powerful and effective means to do so.

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5 Tips on How to Prepare For Your Kids' College Education

How to Keep School Children on TaskMany kids only start thinking about college education when they reach high school. As for parents, it is a different story. College education costs are not going to get lower when your kids grow up. In fact, the costs increase as the inflation goes up. Thus, it is better to start early for you as a parent to start planning for your kids' college education fund even when they are still babies.

The problem is that many parents have no clue about how to save money for their kids' college education. These tips can give you a head start in the process.

- Research on the various college saving plans. Currently, in the market there are so many different types of college saving plans that offer different advantages. Study them and select the best one that suits your requirements. These plans offer attractive tax benefits which you can ask a financial advisor to help you if you do not understand how it works.

- Choose a prepaid college tuition plan instead. These plans give you the option to lock in the current college tuition costs which you do not have to deal with the increasing cost later. Furthermore, you do not have to select any college first at this stage. As the plans are managed by the states, the student is only allowed to choose any public college within that state which his tuition plan indicates. However, if he wants to go another college of a different state or private college, he has to pay more.

- Start early. When your kid is still a baby, it is the best time to get started. This allows you to put money into the children college saving fund every month but a lesser amount compared to parents whose children are in grade school and they have to put in a bigger amount to save for the kids. You have a head start and by the time your kid is ready for college, you have a healthy college fund for him or her.

- Put regular savings into your kids' college education fund. Every month, you can put aside a fixed amount of money from your paycheck to your kid's college education fund which you set up for them. When you get a bonus or money incentives, you should put some of them into that saving accounts. Bear in mind to keep within the annual contribution limit to avoid any unnecessary penalties.

- Use parent's name for the college savings accounts. Why? This enables the parents to control the money or else the kids may use the money for their fun.

Now, you have realized that saving for your kids' college education requires a lot of planning and it is at your advantage to start early. By choosing a suitable college savings plan and regularly putting money into the account, your kids' college education is ensured.

To find out which college savings plan meets your specific requirements and is most suitable for your kid, visit Student Loans Mentor to get the latest information. Also, do check out how Grants and Savings Plans can help you to stretch your dollars and increase your savings.

Children's Book Publishing

Children's books are among the top selling books in the publishing business. It's no wonder. Children have loved stories for thousands of years, passed down through the centuries by their parents. Haven't you made up an entertaining tale for a child somewhere along the way?

Today, children's story books have the most fantastic illustrations, with glitter, pop-ups and hologram effects which can certainly capture the attention of any child. Parents can't resist these books and friends and family members love to give them as gifts to young children. So, the children's book publishing market is booming.

In the not-too-distant past, the children's book publishing industry was dominated by the big "houses" of publishing. With net technology, graphic design software and e-book compilers, you can start your own children's book publishing company, offering both hard copy and electronic formats. If you're really on a shoestring, start out with an e-book only format.

If you're so lucky as to be both an artist and writer, you've got a lucrative, entertaining and soul-stretching online business venture just waiting out there. Enough of the starving artist!

If you're not so gifted, the worst case scenario means you'll need to hire a professional illustrator or graphic designer and an editor who can polish your story. If you're not web-savvy, you'll need a web designer as well to put your page up. If you think you've got the ideas that will appeal to your audience, your investment will be worthwhile.

One low budget advertising campaign that produces significant amounts of traffic to your site consists of articles pertaining to your product subject. For example, if you're selling a children's book telling the story of migrating whales encountering the joys and dangers of their journey, write an article targeted to educational sites. Write a piece that shows you've done your homework, have accurate facts and have a passion for your subject.

Your subtle advertisement is contained in your byline. "Mary Jones writes children's books, specializing in animal stories and ancient myths. Mary's books are widely admired for their accurate depictions..." You can see how you'll garner attention from potential buyers with a simple article posted on article directories.

In this scenario, another effective marketing strategy would be to submit articles to newsletters pertaining to parenting, books or children's education. Offer your article for free, the only condition being that a byline and link to your site be included.

The children's book publishing industry is making a transition to the electronic and digital world, with all the magic the new technology offers in visual pleasure for children everywhere. If you're looking for a home-based business that puts a little good in the world, think about children's book publishing.

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How to Keep School Children on Task

The biggest complaint I get from parents is that their child has a lack of focus and cannot stay on task long enough to get their work done. Parents even admit that they get so frustrated by their child's inability to stay on task that they often end up doing their child's homework just to help the problem go away!

There could be many reasons why a child finds it difficult to stay on task. Children find it difficult to stay on task when the task is boring and repetitive or they don't know why they have to do it. Children who have a poor sense of responsibility may not take ownership of the task and wait until someone does it for them. But the main reason children find it difficult to stay on task is because they don't understand what they have to do.

The problem is that when children don't finish their work they miss important learning opportunities and may never get the grades they deserve. So, rather than nagging your child to complete a task or even doing it yourself here are some things you can do if your child finds it difficult to stay on task.

1. Make sure that your child knows what they have to do.
Try asking your child these questions;
* What do you need to do?
* What can you do to solve this problem?
* Are you sure you know how to do this?
* Do you need any help?

2. Set a goal.
Children quickly get off task when they are unsure about what result they are aiming for. Make sure that your child understands the goal of any piece of work. The goal may be to write five pages, finish a worksheet, plan a project, study for a test. Make sure that you child will recognize when he or she has reached this goal.

3. Help your child set up steps to reach the goal.
Students need to see how small steps can help them reach big goals. When your child can see small steps that he knows he can do he will not be overwhelmed by the larger task.

4. Celebrate each step.
Check lists are good for this. Write out the steps your child has to go through and check them off when they are completed. This provides your child with the encouragement he needs to go to the next step.

5. Keep a record of progress.
Nothing succeeds like success. Keep a list of all the tasks your child has completed. That way he will know that he can stay on task and that he can get his work done.

If, after trying all these steps, your child still has difficulty staying on task the chances are that he or she has a learning difficulty of some kind. You need to discover what it is and what you can do about it so that your child can get back to learning as soon as possible.

Dr. Patricia Porter is an educational consultant who specializes in working with parents who are concerned about their child's education and want to know how they can help your child learn in the most efficient, effective ways possible.

If you are interested in knowing more download her free 'Parent Starter Kit' at http://www.leading2learning.com.

Reasons For Parents to Homeschool Their Children

In today's diverse society, parents are realizing that they ultimately have the divine responsibility of raising and educating their own children. For this reason, parents are being more proactive in selecting their child's educational needs. While some parents opt to send their children to school--public or private--others make the bold decision to Homeschool their children. There are three reasons for parents to Homeschool their children, which are the following:

Reason #1: Parents want to control how much their child learns in a given school year. Parents realize that in some schools children are only limited to the content that is learned in the classroom. It is not always a guarantee that their child will learn beyond the standardized curriculum so parents make the decision to Homeschool to ensure that their child is getting the education that they deserve. In addition to home schooling, parents seek out private tutors because they may not have the skill set to teach their child in a certain subject area or hire a certified teacher to design instruction for them to use at home.

Reason #2: Parents think that there are less distractions at home resulting in higher student achievement. In the classroom, there are many distractions that students must endure to learn. For example, excessive talking in the classroom is a challenge for most students and bullying is becoming more and more prevalent in all classrooms. Therefore, for the sake of their children, parents may choose to Homeschool them to ensure that they have a safe learning environment in which they can significantly increase their learning.

Reason #3: Parents want the flexibility that comes along with home schooling their children. Homeschool Parents are not always the parents who stay-at-home to teach their child. Parents are able to hire a certified teacher, private tutor, or tutoring company to Homeschool their child. In addition, there are now online schools that are available to Homeschool children and parents may opt to utilize their educational services. The point is that there are many ways that parents can choose to Homeschool their children.

Homeschooling allows parents to choose their child's school schedule. For example, a parent may decide to take their child to a doctor's appointment in the afternoon. The fact that the school schedule is flexible, the child has not missed any content because this appointment can be worked around the child's learning schedule. The bottom line is all parents want to see their child succeed in life. Since parents have control of their child's educational affairs, it is truly up to the parent to decide which educational setting is best for their children--public, private, or Homeschooling.

About the Author

Alicia Holland-Johnson, EdD, is a proud mother of two beautiful daughters and an educator with ten years of teaching experience at all levels, including university teaching. She also works as a professional tutor at Realistic Measures & Consulting ( http://www.rmctutoring.org ) and a consultant in the education industry. Her passion is helping individuals believe in themselves and go far. To receive a free special report, join the blog at http://www.parentseducatechildren.blogspot.com.

Importance of Special Education

Children with learning disabilities often form negative opinions of school and education. This isn't their fault. The need for more special education classes offered to these children is a necessary addition to the school system. All children have the possibility of a bright future ahead of them. All children should have an enjoyment of learning not a fear of it. It is the responsibility of the generations before theirs, the adults in this world, to see that that happens.

A special education class comes in many different forms. Basically though it is a class geared toward specific learning disabilities displayed in children and adults. These classes work with an individual in a way that best fits their learning process. Not everyone see the world in the same way, not everyone is going to pick up on things as quickly or understand them like others do. That doesn't mean it is impossible for a child or even an adult to learn new things. The possibility of being able to live an active and fulfilling life is a possibility for everyone no matter the disability they are born with. Most special education classes are focused on the major groups of disabilities such as Aspergers Autism, Dyslexia and many other learning disorders.

However, there are smaller syndromes such as ADHD that cause learning disabilities and yet these children are expected to fit in to a normal school structure and keep up with their peers. In some cases this is impossible for the child and can actually be detrimental to their education, not to mention their self-confidence and self-image. Because disabilities such as ADHD are hard to diagnose and an article of controversy amongst the medical professions, these children are often left by the way side and are the worse for it.

It doesn't take much to make an effort in helping a child with a learning disability. Patience and understanding are the key points. This of course can be difficult in public schools with large classroom sizes. Every child deserves some one on one time with the teacher. But a child with a learning disability needs a little extra of that time. This is why special education programs are so important to the health of our children's educational future. We need more teachers and more programs dedicated to the education of all children. The argument is right in that our future depends on it.

Learning should be a fun activity. Life and the world around us is always changing, always adapting and always growing. We should take an active part in it and receive enjoyment from learning from it. Having a learning disability should not keep us from doing so. Having a learning disability should not be a stigma placed on our children. It does not make them less of a person. It only means they see something differently than the rest of us. In fact, if we try looking at the world from their point of view we may even learn something. Developing a broader special education system should be a priority of the education system.

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Benefits of Educational Toys to Children

Are you looking for different types of toys to stimulate the minds of your preschoolers or toddlers? Are you confused on what type of toys to give them? Are you looking for toys to make them laugh, enjoy and learn at the same time? If so, consider the tips and suggestions mentioned below.

Selecting toys for your toddlers can be challenging because of the numerous factors to consider and several choices to select from. Despite the myriad toys found in the market, you should be cautious and careful of your choice because of the prevalence of imitation toys and those containing toxic materials.

Results of studies show that children's intelligence quotient (IQ) can be increased by more than 50 points given the right simulation during the first six years of their life. Even if your child already has some natural skills, you can further develop their skills by giving them the right educational and developmental toys. These toys can improve your child's reading skills, memory retention, motor skills, math skills and eye-hand coordination.

Researchers also found that educational toys have been proven to be beneficial to a child's early development because it can boost its emotional, social, physical and intellectual growth not only in toddlers but in children of all ages.

For those who think that educational toys only provide playtime for children, you are wrong because aside from providing fun and excitement, these toys create strong education foundation. Moreover, their hand-eye coordination, patience and understanding of causal relationships are developed.

To keep them interest in learning, parents should get the right educational toys for their children. To get the appropriate toys for them, you need to pay attention to the suggested age ranges of toys. Before buying one for your child, you should first determine their developmental needs.

Aside from proper age range, other factors that need to be considered include:

    * Size - In every toy purchase you make, be sure to examine carefully for small parts. If ever you see one, you should not buy the toy and look for another one. It is best to avoid toys containing small parts to avoid choking accident. Toddlers are known to put toys or any other things on their mouth.

    * Smell - Avoid buying toys which has a delicious or yummy smell because your child may think it is good to eat. Avoid giving them to one to two years old child because they do not know if this toy is edible or not.

    * Sharp edges - As your common sense tells you, sharp objects are dangerous to your children. It is also applicable in toy selection. You should not buy those with sharp edges to avoid untoward accidents and injuries from happening.

    * Toxicity - Make it a habit to read toy packaging before paying them to the cashier to ensure that it does not contain any toxic chemicals which could be harmful to the health and well-being of your child. Avoid buying toys which are lead-based.

    * Weight - Avoid buying heavy toys. If it is heavy for you, how much more for your child.

The techniques, ideas and suggestions mentioned beforehand will guide you on every education toy you purchase.

Melody Andes enjoys writing for Sensoryedge.com which sells waiting room toys and kids furniture as well as a host of additional products.