Mom's Car StereoWritten by Sherri L Dodd
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lyrics about cake and bubbles, pirates and fish are actually forte of my children. When I was first introduced to this music, I mentally tuned it out. It rated right up there with whining and bickering between two little brothers that ride in back of my car. I made sure songs like “Hip Hip Hippopotamus” were turned completely off when my cell phone rang, out of embarrassment that it could bestow upon me. I also postponed using strategy of playing these children cassettes until my kids had reached their threshold of unpleasantness, and then I would allow myself sufferance through another chorus of “Happiness Cake”. But…and this is really odd…somewhere along line I began to sing along! This option of music not only soothed my crying toddler and amused my kindergartner, but it also entertained their once rigid and narrow-minded mother. I began to listen for slapstick background sound effects and even sang on key with fervent interest about a ‘barnacle on my toe’. It took me awhile, but now we all sing along to same music, over and over…and over again. (Even more funny is hearing my husband at his computer belting out a line or two of “Ach-oooo!” followed by obscenities for powers that be to get it out of his head.) And after about 400th time of listening pleasure, I may even break down and buy yet another amusing children’s CD or cassette.The truth is that I must face fact that music is also an area of compromise when you have little ones. Baby proofing house, eating well balanced meals, purchasing shirts and pants for little ones before my self and even choosing right pets are basics, but details such as a mom’s stereo also slowly progress to fill in cracks of what used to be. And sure, someday I will be riding in my car by myself again and at that time maybe I can pump up volume for old time’s sake. Maybe I’ll even choose raucous sound of electric guitars, and if someone would like to object to ‘middle-aged’ crazy lady for doing that, well I’ll just temporarily adopt that rebellious teenage attitude as well and shout “whatever!” as I drive off into warm sunny day.
Sherri Dodd is the creator and author of Mom Looks Great - The Fitness Program for Moms. She is also an ACE-certified Personal Trainer and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant with over fifteen years of exercise experience. She has lectured to groups of 100+ people on her fitness plan and is a freelance writer on the topics of fitness and general nutrition as well as the humorous side of motherhood.
| | How To Help your Child LearnWritten by Barbara White
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There are two main ways brain makes sense of information it receives, and although we all use both ways there will be a leaning towards one way or other. The first way can be termed ‘analytical style’. The analytical style has a preference to focus on details, and fit them together to make sense of information. The ‘global style’ however needs to see bigger picture and fit in information within it so it makes sense in wider scope of things. A global style sees all parts are related to each other to make up big picture, but may have difficulty in separating parts within bigger picture. The analytical style has no problem focusing in on parts, but may have difficulty seeing bigger picture and how details fit together in wider sense. An example of this can be seen in approach to doing a jigsaw. The analytical style preference will focus in jigsaw pieces and how they fit together. A person operating strongly in this style may fit together several sections before looking at picture to see where they go. The global style, on other hand will probably do edges pieces first, and frequently refer to picture to see where a piece would go. By observing your child in natural normal situations you will be able to pick up clues as to innate strategies he/she uses to understand world, to concentrate, and remember. By giving your child opportunities to try a variety of methods of learning you can help them discover and encourage their unique style of learning. The earlier a child discovers what works best for them, more success and self confidence will be attached to their learning experiences in life. As a parent you are in an ideal position to help them in process of discovery.Barbara White www.livingbeyondbetter.com
Barbara White, a former Principal and teacher, is now president of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings her passion and expertise to work with people to help them grow towards excellence and their unique potential in their personal and professional life. For more information visit her website, www.livingbeyondbetter.com and sign up for her free newsletter "Growing Beyond Better"
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