Do you want to be a mentor for youth? Although it can be very challenging at times it can also be very rewarding.
Being a mentor for youth is important; especially in this day and age where our youth seem to be getting neglected.
Unfortunately, the way our society is right now; it often requires both parents to work out of the home, therefore leaving the teenagers at home on their own. Teens are not getting as much attention and care as they should be.
This is where the mentors for youth get involved!
In order to be a great mentor there are several factors involved.
Many things will have to be judged as they come along; however there are some guidelines that can be followed.
· Be open and honest at all times.
Do not try to hide things from the youth; they will know you're hiding something and trust you less.
· Learn to communicate effectively.
· Be an active listener.
· Have a sense of humor.
Laugh.
· Be strong and courageous.
· Be open-minded.
· Have the ability to laugh at yourself.
· Be daring; and ask the youth you're mentoring to be daring in return.
· DO NOT care what other people think of you.
As soon as you care what others' think of you; you've lost your edge.
· Be active.
Sometimes the best way to get a youth involved and communicating is to simply distract them with some sort of activity.
· Always remember that youth are NOT children anymore.
They have their own opinions, judgments and can often surprise you with their intelligence.
Treat them as such.
· Always be willing to try new things. You never know what the youth you're mentoring could potentially teach you!
· Always maintain a positive attitude. Regardless of the mood of the youth you're mentoring; it will eventually rub off on him/her if you maintain a great attitude.
Although there will be many times where you won't be sure what to do; and you'll have to judge the situation for yourself, the above guidelines should be helpful.
In any case of mentoring, whether it is adults or teenagers, you're dealing with human beings. Any curve ball could be thrown at you at any time.
Creating a positive, creative environment for youth is essential to mentoring them.
By following the above guidelines and throwing in your own common sense and judgment you will be able to create that environment for them. Being a mentor for youth will be a learning process; but one that is well worth it!
And we'd also like to inform you of our amazing coaching program.
It can be used to teach you how to be a mentor for youth; or we can mentor them as well.
Monday, 29 December 2014
Cooking With Kids - Tips for Success in the Kitchen - Part 3
Now, to the nitty gritty - what tasks can kids safely perform in the kitchen?
Rinsing. Rinsing produce, rinsing beans or fruit from a can etc.
Cutting and chopping. When it comes to knives, I've allowed some (definitely not all) 6th graders to use real knives under my supervision.
Children 3 years old and up may safely use plastic knives from a child's cooking set or sturdy, plastic disposable knives with a rounded point.
Peeling.
I've had Kindergarteners peel cucumbers.
Depending on the quality of the peeler you use, and on the motor skills of the children you work with - peeling soft vegetables and fruit is another task you can plan for for kids to do.
Mixing. Pretty obvious, but this can be a very cool task as there are many ways to mix things up! You can mix with wooden spoons, plastic forks, wire whisk.
.
.
Some things require a thorough mixing (for example pudding), while for other things (like muffins or pancakes) over mixing is a no-no.
Tossing a salad is another way of mixing things. And stirring a sauce over heat is also a variation. Have a hand mixer? Fresh whipped cream is so easy to make, and such a fun experience for children to see how the cream turns whipped.
Have a blender? Food processor? Children can take turns measuring ingredients and dumping them in the machine, but usually the coolest thing is pressing the button to blast that kitchen power tool. Mashing.
With a fork - sturdy plastic ones work well also. Two favorite, easy, and healthy dishes that involve mashing: guacamole and baba ghanoush.
Squeezing. Children are excellent at squeezing lemons and limes.
Before slicing the citrus to squeeze, I ask my kids to bruise the lemon/lime by leaning on it, rolling on the table, and even by throwing the fruit on the table - beating it up beforehand makes it easy to thoroughly squeeze.
I've also had kids squeezing the extra water from frozen spinach, using cheese cloth and also using a metal strainer. Rolling, shaping, flattening, filling, brushing, layering.
.
.
pretty self explanatory.
A word about room preparations.
When you are planning a cooking session, consider your work area and plan on how to best use the space that you have, in terms of safety and productivity.
You might have to move things around to optimize the workflow of your cooking area. For example, at my local Y I cook with K-6th graders in a Community Room that has a small kitchen attached to it.
Before each cooking session, I make sure to 1) clear the floor space by stacking chairs and setting them aside - after all, we normally cook standing up in our kitchens, and taking the chairs away clears the space of clutter (making it safer for all), and 2) split up the tables (that are usually lined up along one side of the room) to increase usable workspace, and arrange the tables around the room to accommodate each station (or team), making sure there are clear paths to safely walk throughout the room. Lastly, have ingredients, measuring tools, and materials needed for your cooking session on hand.
Know the recipe and know your plan, and you're ready to go!
Children 3 years old and up may safely use plastic knives from a child's cooking set or sturdy, plastic disposable knives with a rounded point.
Peeling.
I've had Kindergarteners peel cucumbers.
Depending on the quality of the peeler you use, and on the motor skills of the children you work with - peeling soft vegetables and fruit is another task you can plan for for kids to do.
Mixing. Pretty obvious, but this can be a very cool task as there are many ways to mix things up! You can mix with wooden spoons, plastic forks, wire whisk.
.
.
Some things require a thorough mixing (for example pudding), while for other things (like muffins or pancakes) over mixing is a no-no.
Tossing a salad is another way of mixing things. And stirring a sauce over heat is also a variation. Have a hand mixer? Fresh whipped cream is so easy to make, and such a fun experience for children to see how the cream turns whipped.
Have a blender? Food processor? Children can take turns measuring ingredients and dumping them in the machine, but usually the coolest thing is pressing the button to blast that kitchen power tool. Mashing.
With a fork - sturdy plastic ones work well also. Two favorite, easy, and healthy dishes that involve mashing: guacamole and baba ghanoush.
Squeezing. Children are excellent at squeezing lemons and limes.
Before slicing the citrus to squeeze, I ask my kids to bruise the lemon/lime by leaning on it, rolling on the table, and even by throwing the fruit on the table - beating it up beforehand makes it easy to thoroughly squeeze.
I've also had kids squeezing the extra water from frozen spinach, using cheese cloth and also using a metal strainer. Rolling, shaping, flattening, filling, brushing, layering.
.
.
pretty self explanatory.
A word about room preparations.
When you are planning a cooking session, consider your work area and plan on how to best use the space that you have, in terms of safety and productivity.
You might have to move things around to optimize the workflow of your cooking area. For example, at my local Y I cook with K-6th graders in a Community Room that has a small kitchen attached to it.
Before each cooking session, I make sure to 1) clear the floor space by stacking chairs and setting them aside - after all, we normally cook standing up in our kitchens, and taking the chairs away clears the space of clutter (making it safer for all), and 2) split up the tables (that are usually lined up along one side of the room) to increase usable workspace, and arrange the tables around the room to accommodate each station (or team), making sure there are clear paths to safely walk throughout the room. Lastly, have ingredients, measuring tools, and materials needed for your cooking session on hand.
Know the recipe and know your plan, and you're ready to go!
There Are Unicorn Models, Such As From Schleich, But Where Can You Get a Real One?
The unicorn is of course a mythological creature that looks like a horse but has a single horn on its forehead.
The unicorn is one of very few good guys in mythology, often depicted as fierce and brave, and possessed of mystical powers used to help protect mankind from evil.
It is only apparently, because Noah overlooked the unicorn when rounding up all the earth's animals for the ark, that we have none left today.
The myth of the unicorn may have derived from early Nordic people's sightings of a species of huge rhinoceros that once used to roam the plains of Europe, or may have been inspired by African animals like the Oryx and Eland, types of antelope with two long thin horns.
Viewed from the side and from a distance these could be seen as rather like a horse with a horn. Another theory is that the long horn of the Narwhal, a species of whale, was responsible for the myth.
We don't really know where the story of the unicorn originated.
The magical unicorn has mystified mankind for centuries and been the stuff of legends.
A Scottish folk tale tells how once a unicorn helped to guard a fair young maiden from unsuitable suitors and could turn them to stone with a shake of its head. Unicorns have appeared throughout history in religious settings, and in heraldry where these icons signalled the merits of courage and chivalry.
More recently, unicorns have featured, along with other mystical beasts in the tales of Harry Potter, and thus hold as much fascination for children as ever.
To find a unicorn today, you need only go to a manufacturer of toys and collectables like Schleich.
Their Bayala World of Fantasy range includes marvellous models of unicorns and Pegasus, the flying horse, as well as princes and princesses.
Myths and legends can be brought to life with action figures such as those produced by Schleich.
So the kids can have a "real" unicorn today!
The unicorn is one of very few good guys in mythology, often depicted as fierce and brave, and possessed of mystical powers used to help protect mankind from evil.
It is only apparently, because Noah overlooked the unicorn when rounding up all the earth's animals for the ark, that we have none left today.
The myth of the unicorn may have derived from early Nordic people's sightings of a species of huge rhinoceros that once used to roam the plains of Europe, or may have been inspired by African animals like the Oryx and Eland, types of antelope with two long thin horns.
Viewed from the side and from a distance these could be seen as rather like a horse with a horn. Another theory is that the long horn of the Narwhal, a species of whale, was responsible for the myth.
We don't really know where the story of the unicorn originated.
The magical unicorn has mystified mankind for centuries and been the stuff of legends.
A Scottish folk tale tells how once a unicorn helped to guard a fair young maiden from unsuitable suitors and could turn them to stone with a shake of its head. Unicorns have appeared throughout history in religious settings, and in heraldry where these icons signalled the merits of courage and chivalry.
More recently, unicorns have featured, along with other mystical beasts in the tales of Harry Potter, and thus hold as much fascination for children as ever.
To find a unicorn today, you need only go to a manufacturer of toys and collectables like Schleich.
Their Bayala World of Fantasy range includes marvellous models of unicorns and Pegasus, the flying horse, as well as princes and princesses.
Myths and legends can be brought to life with action figures such as those produced by Schleich.
So the kids can have a "real" unicorn today!
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Planning a Perfect Date
Although certain customs claim the male is supposed to plan a date, we all know that isn't necessarily so.
Dates can be planned by either gender and there are little or no taboos about who pays and who drives anymore. Things are becoming more equal and for good reason.
Safety and independence are two of the major considerations, but enough of that.
Let's talk about planning that perfect date.
Where Sometimes a date location lends itself to you easily.
There is great concert you're dying to make it to or something different like a festival or rodeo is in town. Other times, you're stuck in a planning rut.
What do to, where to go? Be creative.
The coffee shop has been done. Yes, a lot of folks like coffee. Yes, it's nice to talk there. But there are lots of other places to visit and get to know each other that are neutral ground if that's what you're looking for.
Try the zoo. Or perhaps a long (or short) walk through a park or along a beach might give you time to chat.
Pack a picnic basket and find a pretty spot to sit and visit over cheese and wine.
You also don't have to wow anyone with your sophistication.
Remember how much you loved carnivals? You probably still do.
Your date might also get a kick out of them and a carnival or amusement park will have plenty of time for visiting while you stand in line.
Check the paper for something fun and different. Impress your date with your creativity (even if he or she isn't impressed by anything else.
) Who It's entirely possible you're gotten this far in the date planning without ever settling on whom to take.
Perhaps you have a steady significant other or even a spouse. Obviously they are probably your best candidate, or at least your safest choice.
There is no reason you can't be creative about who to take on a date. Be bold and ask the cute guy at work, or try the girl in the apartment next door. Just because you haven't been brave enough to ask before doesn't mean you shouldn't work up the courage now.
Even if you flop, you can always take a buddy with you instead.
What And the eternal question after everything else has been planned ad nausea.
What do I wear? That, of course, depends on where you're going and your own personal style. But if you're stewing over the problem at work or at home, but the thought of weeding through your closet is too much for you, try checking out some online fashions in the form of dress up games on The Doll Palace.
You can see stylish outfits pulled together by professionals or even make up your own outfits on various dress up doll makers.
Pretty soon you'll have the perfect outfit, perfect somebody, and perfect location. Here's hoping it all leads up to a perfect date. Good Luck!
Dates can be planned by either gender and there are little or no taboos about who pays and who drives anymore. Things are becoming more equal and for good reason.
Safety and independence are two of the major considerations, but enough of that.
Let's talk about planning that perfect date.
Where Sometimes a date location lends itself to you easily.
There is great concert you're dying to make it to or something different like a festival or rodeo is in town. Other times, you're stuck in a planning rut.
What do to, where to go? Be creative.
The coffee shop has been done. Yes, a lot of folks like coffee. Yes, it's nice to talk there. But there are lots of other places to visit and get to know each other that are neutral ground if that's what you're looking for.
Try the zoo. Or perhaps a long (or short) walk through a park or along a beach might give you time to chat.
Pack a picnic basket and find a pretty spot to sit and visit over cheese and wine.
You also don't have to wow anyone with your sophistication.
Remember how much you loved carnivals? You probably still do.
Your date might also get a kick out of them and a carnival or amusement park will have plenty of time for visiting while you stand in line.
Check the paper for something fun and different. Impress your date with your creativity (even if he or she isn't impressed by anything else.
) Who It's entirely possible you're gotten this far in the date planning without ever settling on whom to take.
Perhaps you have a steady significant other or even a spouse. Obviously they are probably your best candidate, or at least your safest choice.
There is no reason you can't be creative about who to take on a date. Be bold and ask the cute guy at work, or try the girl in the apartment next door. Just because you haven't been brave enough to ask before doesn't mean you shouldn't work up the courage now.
Even if you flop, you can always take a buddy with you instead.
What And the eternal question after everything else has been planned ad nausea.
What do I wear? That, of course, depends on where you're going and your own personal style. But if you're stewing over the problem at work or at home, but the thought of weeding through your closet is too much for you, try checking out some online fashions in the form of dress up games on The Doll Palace.
You can see stylish outfits pulled together by professionals or even make up your own outfits on various dress up doll makers.
Pretty soon you'll have the perfect outfit, perfect somebody, and perfect location. Here's hoping it all leads up to a perfect date. Good Luck!
Toy Chest Safety: What To Look For
Whether you're buying a toy chest for your own children or for another special child in your life, toy chest safety is the most important factor to consider.
A safe toy box can create an excellent place to store playthings, but it can be difficult to know what safety features to look for.
Before you purchase storage for your child's toys, learn more about what makes each option safe and what you should keep an eye out for.
This can help alleviate any worries and reduce the chance of injury. A Safe Toy Box Should Be Ventilated Manufacturers understand that children will sometimes crawl inside their chests, whether they don't want to do their homework or they're just playing an indoor game of hide and seek.
For this reason, it's important that each box includes ventilation.
This will ensure proper air flow throughout the chest, even when the lid is closed.
A Lead-Free Finish Is Vital The problems with lead poisoning have come to light in the past few decades, which is why your child's pediatrician likely asks about the age of your home and possible lead exposure at each visit.
Lead poisoning can cause learning and behavioral problems that can last a lifetime and in severe cases can even lead to death. It was just a few years ago that toys from China were found to have lead in their finishes, which led to a major recall and a rush of panicked parents into their pediatricians' offices for lead testing kits.
To help keep your children protected from the dangers of lead, look for a safe toy box that has a lead-free finish. Make sure that each part of the box offers a lead-free finish, including the hinges and lid supports, so that you're not accidentally exposing your children to lead.
Toy Chest Safety Must Include Lid Supports If you've ever had a hard suitcase or trunk lid close on your fingers, you know just how much this pinch can hurt! Now multiply this pain and imagine that you have tiny little fingers, and you can appreciate just how important a lid support system is.
Lid supports will keep the lid up in any position, whether it's open all the way or just cracked an inch or two, to ensure that little fingers aren't pinched between the lid and the side of the chest. Lid supports should be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and be a spring-loaded support device.
The CPSC works diligently to ensure that products are safe for the public.
If you have questions regarding toy chest safety, ask the manufacturer if they use lid supports that are recommended by the CPSC.
If the manufacturer gives you a blank stare or doesn't know, look for another company to make sure your children are as safe as possible. Ventilation holes, a lead-free finish and lid supports all work together to create a safe toy box.
Before you purchase a chest for your children, take a few minutes to make sure that it meets all these safety requirements.
A safe toy box can create an excellent place to store playthings, but it can be difficult to know what safety features to look for.
Before you purchase storage for your child's toys, learn more about what makes each option safe and what you should keep an eye out for.
This can help alleviate any worries and reduce the chance of injury. A Safe Toy Box Should Be Ventilated Manufacturers understand that children will sometimes crawl inside their chests, whether they don't want to do their homework or they're just playing an indoor game of hide and seek.
For this reason, it's important that each box includes ventilation.
This will ensure proper air flow throughout the chest, even when the lid is closed.
A Lead-Free Finish Is Vital The problems with lead poisoning have come to light in the past few decades, which is why your child's pediatrician likely asks about the age of your home and possible lead exposure at each visit.
Lead poisoning can cause learning and behavioral problems that can last a lifetime and in severe cases can even lead to death. It was just a few years ago that toys from China were found to have lead in their finishes, which led to a major recall and a rush of panicked parents into their pediatricians' offices for lead testing kits.
To help keep your children protected from the dangers of lead, look for a safe toy box that has a lead-free finish. Make sure that each part of the box offers a lead-free finish, including the hinges and lid supports, so that you're not accidentally exposing your children to lead.
Toy Chest Safety Must Include Lid Supports If you've ever had a hard suitcase or trunk lid close on your fingers, you know just how much this pinch can hurt! Now multiply this pain and imagine that you have tiny little fingers, and you can appreciate just how important a lid support system is.
Lid supports will keep the lid up in any position, whether it's open all the way or just cracked an inch or two, to ensure that little fingers aren't pinched between the lid and the side of the chest. Lid supports should be approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and be a spring-loaded support device.
The CPSC works diligently to ensure that products are safe for the public.
If you have questions regarding toy chest safety, ask the manufacturer if they use lid supports that are recommended by the CPSC.
If the manufacturer gives you a blank stare or doesn't know, look for another company to make sure your children are as safe as possible. Ventilation holes, a lead-free finish and lid supports all work together to create a safe toy box.
Before you purchase a chest for your children, take a few minutes to make sure that it meets all these safety requirements.
KidKraft Dollhouse Furniture
As parents, you have to be very cautious about each and every thing for your child, especially when it is about their playing activities.
It is always advisable to have enough information regarding any thing that you are going to buy.
This is also applicable when you are going for dollhouse furniture.
Choosing appropriate dollhouse for your child is very important, as it is one of the vital parts of their playing activities.
Shopping with your child and assisting them to choose their favorite one will make your selection much easier.
Dollhouse furniture is available in various designs and style like KidKraft Savannah dollhouse.
As they are made up of quality wood, it is beautiful, enchanting and long lasting.
They are one of the parts of kid's bedroom that makes it place of learning along with fun.
So choosing appropriate dollhouse furniture is one of the best things you can do for your children.
KidKraft doll house furniture consists of numerous wooden furniture shelves that have enough space to put various things in dollhouse.
Your kid will love it for sure and will be delighted to play with it.
It is like having his/her own house, where she can adorn and visualize each and every thing they can do with it. Apart for all these, the main focus should be on dollhouse window which can create a huge difference.
A well designed KidKraft dollhouse includes more than four wooden portions of sofa, bookcase, showcase, piano and a stool. Your child can decorate it in various ways based on imaginations, helping them to become the perfect person their house.
A dollhouse like other toys, inspire a child to develop its creativity, making them extraordinary from ordinary ones.
And ones they start thinking creatively, there is no doubt what a bright a future they can build for themselves.
From a huge collection of furniture, it is always better to buy stylish dollhouses and which fulfill your kid's requirement. They are also one of the wonderful gifts that you can give to your children.
Besides these you can also gift her other accessories form the different KidKraft dollhouse furniture sets.
This will not only make your children delighted but lead you to achieve perfect balance between enjoyment and responsibility. Choosing a perfect dollhouse for your child is a very big decision.
Select the one that is latest, affordable, stylish and most importantly fits well to your kids requirement.
You can buy varieties of dollhouse furniture from various online furniture stores. Online furniture stores allow you to access various designs and patterns.
You can do maximum shopping in minimum time and too by just clicking on form your personal computers. Several online stores also offer huge discounts on various items.
It is always advisable to have enough information regarding any thing that you are going to buy.
This is also applicable when you are going for dollhouse furniture.
Choosing appropriate dollhouse for your child is very important, as it is one of the vital parts of their playing activities.
Shopping with your child and assisting them to choose their favorite one will make your selection much easier.
Dollhouse furniture is available in various designs and style like KidKraft Savannah dollhouse.
As they are made up of quality wood, it is beautiful, enchanting and long lasting.
They are one of the parts of kid's bedroom that makes it place of learning along with fun.
So choosing appropriate dollhouse furniture is one of the best things you can do for your children.
KidKraft doll house furniture consists of numerous wooden furniture shelves that have enough space to put various things in dollhouse.
Your kid will love it for sure and will be delighted to play with it.
It is like having his/her own house, where she can adorn and visualize each and every thing they can do with it. Apart for all these, the main focus should be on dollhouse window which can create a huge difference.
A well designed KidKraft dollhouse includes more than four wooden portions of sofa, bookcase, showcase, piano and a stool. Your child can decorate it in various ways based on imaginations, helping them to become the perfect person their house.
A dollhouse like other toys, inspire a child to develop its creativity, making them extraordinary from ordinary ones.
And ones they start thinking creatively, there is no doubt what a bright a future they can build for themselves.
From a huge collection of furniture, it is always better to buy stylish dollhouses and which fulfill your kid's requirement. They are also one of the wonderful gifts that you can give to your children.
Besides these you can also gift her other accessories form the different KidKraft dollhouse furniture sets.
This will not only make your children delighted but lead you to achieve perfect balance between enjoyment and responsibility. Choosing a perfect dollhouse for your child is a very big decision.
Select the one that is latest, affordable, stylish and most importantly fits well to your kids requirement.
You can buy varieties of dollhouse furniture from various online furniture stores. Online furniture stores allow you to access various designs and patterns.
You can do maximum shopping in minimum time and too by just clicking on form your personal computers. Several online stores also offer huge discounts on various items.
Saturday, 27 December 2014
A Collection of Favorite Books Is a Great Incentive for Kids to Read
Helping your child develop his own collection of favorite books is a great way to encourage the habit of reading.
While the many books your child gets to read in school or the local library are wonderful resources, nothing beats finding your kid curled up in a corner, entertaining himself with a much beloved book of his own.
Adults generally read a book once or perhaps twice if it's a really compelling book. Not so with kids; a child will read a favorite book, ten, twenty, or more times, becoming so familiar with the content that he can often quote large passages from the book. Take the Harry Potter books, for instance: kids have devoured the series, and can tell you every detail of every character and plot twist, and can tell you, with lots of energy and disapproval, how at least one of the movies departed from the original book. Kids who read favorite books many times over are not only developing good reading habits, they are working to deepen their understanding of the content of each book.
They are developing critical reading skills as they notice details and nuances in the second, third, or fourth reading that they may not have noticed in the first. And they are preparing themselves for the more demanding curriculum of upper grade levels, where a passage from a book may require more than one reading in order to properly absorb sometimes complex material.
Providing your child with a selection of fiction and nonfiction books covering his favorite subjects is perhaps the best thing you can do to keep him reading and to prepare him for future success in school and beyond.
While the many books your child gets to read in school or the local library are wonderful resources, nothing beats finding your kid curled up in a corner, entertaining himself with a much beloved book of his own.
Adults generally read a book once or perhaps twice if it's a really compelling book. Not so with kids; a child will read a favorite book, ten, twenty, or more times, becoming so familiar with the content that he can often quote large passages from the book. Take the Harry Potter books, for instance: kids have devoured the series, and can tell you every detail of every character and plot twist, and can tell you, with lots of energy and disapproval, how at least one of the movies departed from the original book. Kids who read favorite books many times over are not only developing good reading habits, they are working to deepen their understanding of the content of each book.
They are developing critical reading skills as they notice details and nuances in the second, third, or fourth reading that they may not have noticed in the first. And they are preparing themselves for the more demanding curriculum of upper grade levels, where a passage from a book may require more than one reading in order to properly absorb sometimes complex material.
Providing your child with a selection of fiction and nonfiction books covering his favorite subjects is perhaps the best thing you can do to keep him reading and to prepare him for future success in school and beyond.
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