Pointers to help children understand math concepts

Math could be made an interesting subject by you if you have enough ingenuity and initiative to search new venues of instruction. The concept of Math is all around you if you only open your eyes to them: the children crossing the street, the toys lined up on the display counter, and the solitary plane winging its way through the sky. These are all examples of math in everyday life.

You should keep in mind that children are insouciant, curious and ever adventurous so you should capitalize on these positive traits to let them learn well in math.
There are some ground rules that you should institute when teaching math to children.
1. You should listen to the verbal and non-verbal clues that the children are sending to you. Observe there reactions. If you see that they are losing interest, then vary the activity every 15 minutes.

Children have very short attention span.

2. You should be open to accept any of the children's contribution to the topic being discussed. It might surprise you to discover that you could also learn some significant lessons in life from them.

3. Establish a positive environment. You should be an optimist and believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Reward them for a job well done and encourage them when they are lagging behind. A good mentor knows that in each child is an undiscovered talent. Persistence and patience is the key. Don't give up on a seemingly "slow" child. Each child has his own pace of learning. There are no dumb children, only uncreative teachers."

4. Teach them to believe in themselves by reaffirming them for every positive thing they do; be it related to math or not. Research have proven that children who had high self-esteem, performed well in any undertaking. Let the child learn that the only impediment to his success is the limit that he puts himself to.
Having set the ground rules we now go to the significant tips that you could use in teaching Math:

1. Teach them how to count by making use of materials that they see everyday; something tangible that they can hold and play with, like building blocks, apples, sticks, etc. Look around you, there are numerous attractive materials that could catch the attention of children.

2. Show them how to add by using the specific material itself. Like when you want them to solve problems concerning money, then make use of real money.
i.e., give him 25 cents, and then another 25 cents, and ask the question. "If I have given you two 25 cents, how much do you have in your hand?

3. Play interpolation games. Games are good motivators for children. Children are playful in nature so you must maximize its use.
Group them into 2-3 groups and conduct a contest. Let them analyze the given numbers. e.g. 1 2 4 7 .. or supply missing numbers; e.g. 1 + ___ = 3.

This is not merely written on the board but on big colorful boxes where inside is a small gift waiting, if they are able to answer the question correctly.

4. Enhance their creative minds with a "Number Story".
Let them pick a number and write a short story about the number they have picked. Recounting the story in class would also develop their public speaking skills.
The famous Mathematician Gauss made used of his creativity to discover various short cut methods to solve problems.

Who knows, you might discover the next Gauss.

5. Make use of interactive material if you need to expound on a difficult
lesson.
This maybe a computer aided instruction or a manually prepared visual aid. Having power point presentations could also help a lot.

6. Attempt to always use audio-visual aids in your lessons.
Children remember more when they see and hear it simultaneously. i.e.
Show them the number written on a card, let them go to the board and write it, then let them read it out loud.

Repetition helps in retention.

7. Go outdoors and teach math using nature.
Find a plant and let them count the petals of the flower, the number of branches and twigs, etc. In this exercise, they get to breath fresh air, get a little exercise, and learn about nature and about Math.

8. Give them "Case studies" to work on. We often hear the term "case studies" used in higher forms of education. This could be applicable too for children to develop their analytical minds.

Form small groups of 5- 7 children. Present to each group a simple Math problem. Let them interact with each other to discuss the correct answer. You must have a series of leading questions accompanying the problem to lead to the correct answer.
There are still numerous activities that you could devise if you try to be creative and not confine yourself to traditional methods.

Use your imagination so that children will realize that learning Math could be fun.

What does it take to make poverty an important news story?

Poverty is like a bad, scary movie. It doesn't seem real, not until it happens to you. Poverty in Third World developing countries is widespread and opens your eyes to the reality. Street children and homeless people are increasing in number day by day. We catch a glimpse of almost naked children plying the streets for food and for shelter. Sometimes they even resort to drastic means to sate their hunger pangs. Child prostitution and sex slavery are usually caused because of poverty. But do we truly care? We read about them, sometimes watch these stories on TV; but does the story make the front pages? Do we do anything to help these people?

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How to let a child help make parenting decisions

Making major parenting decisions is not always easy; there are times that you have to consider the sentiments of your child before arriving at a final decision.
How do you let your child help make parenting decisions?

1. Children are honest and they speak their mind. When the decision concerns them, they should help to decide. This would motivate them to participate actively and make sure that the decision would be implemented according to plan. This would ensure the success of that particular endeavor.

2. Ask his opinion about how best to approach a problem. e.g. "You still have classes tomorrow, when do you want your operation to be scheduled?" This method would show him that you value his opinion. When he is aware of this, he will be cooperative and would try his best to support whatever final decision you arrive at. He would also feel that his opinion matters to you. This would strengthen your parent-child bond.

3. Your little girl could help you in deciding what dress to buy for her piano recital.
"Would it be that pink, flowing dress or the black haltered, straight one? " Allowing her to take a hand in the selection would make her more self-confident about decisions she will be making in the future.

Read more of this article here

Help Your Children Understand Math, Instead of Allowing Them Unlimited Time on TV

Instead of allowing your children unlimited access to TV, you may opt to help your children understand math.

Math could be made an interesting subject by you if you have enough ingenuity and resourcefulness to search new venues of instruction. The concept of Math is all around you if you only open your eyes to them: the children crossing the street, the toys lined up on the display counter, and the solitary plane winging its way through the sky. These are all examples of math in everyday life.

You should keep in mind that children are insouciant, curious and ever adventurous so you should capitalize on these positive traits to let them learn well in math.

There are some ground rules that you should institute when teaching math to children.

1. You should listen to the verbal and non-verbal clues that the children are sending to you. Observe there reactions. If you see that they are losing interest, then vary the activity every 15 minutes.
Children have very short attention span.


2. You should be open to accept any of the children's contribution to the topic being discussed. It might surprise you to discover that you could also learn some significant lessons in life from them.


3. Establish a positive environment. You should be an optimist and believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Reward them for a job well done and encourage them when they are lagging behind. A good mentor knows that in each child is an undiscovered talent. Persistence and patience is the key. Don't give up on a seemingly "slow" child. Each child has his own pace of learning. There are no dumb children, only uncreative teachers."


4. Teach them to believe in themselves by reaffirming them for every positive thing they do; be it related to math or not. Research have proven that children who had high self-esteem, performed well in any undertaking. Let the child learn that the only impediment to his success is the limit that he puts himself to.

Having set the ground rules we now go to the significant tips that you could use in teaching Math:

1. Teach them how to count by making use of materials that they see everyday; something tangible that they can hold and play with, like building blocks, apples, sticks, etc. Look around you, there are numerous attractive materials that could catch the attention of children.

2. Show them how to add by using the specific material itself. Like when you want them to solve problems concerning money, then make use of real money.
i.e., give him 25 cents, and then another 25 cents, and ask the question. "If I have given you two 25 cents, how much do you have in your hand?

3. Play interpolation games. Games are good motivators for children. Children are playful in nature so you must maximize its use.

Group them into 2-3 groups and conduct a contest. Let them analyze the given numbers. e.g. 1 2 4 7 .. or supply missing numbers; e.g. 1 + ___ = 3.
This is not merely written on the board but on big colorful boxes where inside is a small gift waiting, if they are able to answer the question correctly.

4. Enhance their creative minds with a "Number Story".

Let them pick a number and write a short story about the number they have picked. Recounting the story in class would also develop their public speaking skills.
The famous Mathematician Gauss made used of his creativity to discover various short cut methods to solve problems.
Who knows, you might discover the next Gauss.

5. Make use of interactive material if you need to expound on a difficult
lesson.

This maybe a computer aided instruction or a manually prepared visual aid. Having power point presentations could also help a lot.

6. Attempt to always use audio-visual aids in your lessons.

Children remember more when they see and hear it simultaneously. i.e.
Show them the number written on a card, let them go to the board and write it, then let them read it out loud.
Repetition helps in retention.

7. Go outdoors and teach math using nature.

Find a plant and let them count the petals of the flower, the number of branches and twigs, etc. In this exercise, they get to breath fresh air, get a little exercise, and learn about nature and about Math.

8. Give them "Case studies" to work on. We often hear the term "case studies" used in higher forms of education. This could be applicable too for children to develop their analytical minds.

Form small groups of 5- 7 children. Present to each group a simple Math problem. Let them interact with each other to discuss the correct answer. You must have a series of leading questions accompanying the problem to lead to the correct answer.

There are still numerous activities that you could devise if you try to be creative and not confine yourself to traditional methods.

Use your imagination so that children will realize that learning Math could be fun.

An Important Question: Should Parents Raise Their Children without Television?

Based on a study edited by C. Kay Weaver and Cynthia Carter they stated that, quote: "An American child is born into a home in which television is on average of more than 7 hours a day. For the first time in human history, most of the stories about people, life, and values are told not by parents, schools, churches, or others in the community who have something to tell, but by a group of distant conglomerates that have something to sell. ". Unquote.

This statistic is derived from an American study, nevertheless; it reflects also the viewing culture of children around the world.

If this is the case, then it has more influence than movies and books. The growing child is exposed to this medium more than 7 hours a day - day in and day out, and while it is true that parents could supervise their children's proper TV viewing, oftentimes parents fail in this endeavor due to several reasons.

One of the main reasons is poverty. One of the most common forms of entertainment for poor families at home - is the TV. This is because it is relatively cheap to maintain. You spend only once when you buy it and then it takes minimal expenses for its long term use.

Sometimes, both uneducated parents scrounge for a living, and leave the eldest to take care of his/her siblings. The only desire of the eldest child would be to keep her siblings safe inside the house while she does the household chores, and TV is how she can do it.

That is why a TV set is one of the most popular forms of entertainment for low income families. They would try all ways and means to at least buy a TV even if it's the smallest screen. Even in families belonging to the upper economic strata, this scenario happens too under the household help's indulgence.

In some cases, parents are at home, while the child is watching; but because they don't consider the effects of TV violence significant, they just leave the child unsupervised, not aware that their child's character formation is taking place, right then and there. Whether we accept it or not, we do oftentimes ignore to supervise the TV programs that our children watch.

The effects of watching violence day in and day out, (even from cartoons) may not be instant. The term Weaver used to portray this gradual formation is "cultivation". "Television tends to cultivate and confirm stable conceptions about life."

If the local TV industry continues to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to these issues, just to maintain their high TV ratings, then the country's moral fiber will continue to deteriorate as years go by.

The children who are watching television now will be the future citizens and leaders of our country. What will be inculcated in their growing minds - if rampant violence on TV continues to prevail - would be the notion that violence is the only solution to problems.

We may not live long enough to witness the chaos that violence causes in the lives of our children, grandchildren and our great grandchildren; but would we be happy to die knowing that we did not do anything to avert this future occurrence? That we were silent witnesses to the process which brought them there?

If we could not control the TV viewing of our children, then we might as well totally remove it as an entertainment venue for kids.

The World of Cartoons

The world of cartoons is a world of fantasy. But this world of fantasy is often coupled with harsh realities.

East Asia: Human Rights and Democracy

It is a fact that human Rights and democracy go hand in hand. A country cannot say that it is observing human rights if democracy is not instituted.

The cry for democracy and for action against human rights violations is common in East Asia, Japan, North and South Korea and China and Mongolia, Vietnam, Philippines, and the other South East Asian countries.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN EAST ASIA

The question whether Human Rights and Democracy are being observed or not, particularly in these South East Asian countries, is sometimes in itself a big question mark.

Is democracy, as it was meant to be, observed in these countries?
Sometimes, the adaptation of democracy in these countries contains certain modifications which are made to fit in, into the desires of the people who run the government. In the same way that human rights are also modified into each and every constitution of that particular country.

The United Nations have established basic tenets on the Universal Human Rights, to protect the civil, political, economic, religious and social rights of individuals all over the world. They policed country members into granting equality to citizens in all phases of their lives.

In East Asia however, some of these rights are violated knowingly and unknowingly by the government personnel themselves or by certain individuals, without the knowledge of the government.

The most common violations in these countries are:

1. The right to peaceful assembly and expression

One very good example is when certain private companies explicitly include in their worker's contract a paragraph which states that they are not allowed to become members of organizations or to create organizations unless approved by the administration. This in itself is a violation of the right to expression and right to collective bargaining. The government knows this but is incapable of stepping in and interceding because these private companies contribute towards the country's economic development.

2. The right to education

This right is also often violated in these countries, especially in South East. This is because government is so corrupt, that instead of giving back the tax payer's money in the form of social services, they pocket it instead. The national budget therefore is cut drastically to adjust to this scenario. Education, health and the basic needs are not given sufficient funding. This then deprives citizens of the right to education.

In the Philippines alone, although the government is trying its best to repair old school buildings, provide more teachers, and improve basic education services; there are still children in the barrios who are denied this basic right, the right to education.

3. The right to Political affiliations

Sometimes, the cause of violence in some East Asian countries is because of politics. When the existing government is assailed by political adversaries, they are nabbed and charged of rebellion. Sometimes, they are even "salvaged" (political killings) just because they have a different political affiliation.

CONCLUSION:

Several human rights violations are reported but it is difficult to investigate each one of them as each country has their own version of what human rights violation should be.

Indeed, the basic ground for human rights and democracy, in any part of the world, should be based on the dignity of the human person as a social being.

How to Implement a Community Plan

It is not easy to prepare for a community health program that would be beneficial to a community. Sometimes the culture , hope not of violence, of a community affects the behavior of the residents. An effective community health program is a well organized and a comprehensively planned activity that involves actively the people of the community. This would only take place of the members of the community have an active participation in the venture. It is very crucial that you as the facilitator should know that the cooperation of the members of the community is the most important thing. They should feel that they are part of the project, that you are only there to guide and facilitate it, and that they are the ones who should implement it and they should take active participation. You are not only teaching them independence and self-reliance but also taking pride in their own community.

You could follow four distinct steps:


Assess the community. What are the existing structures, goals, and plans? Take detailed description of each. Is there an existing health care center? What are the existing goals established by this center? What segment have they implemented so far? Are the implemented programs effective? What phase needs to be improved?

How many personnel are available daily? Is the number sufficient to respond to the needs of the community? Are there enough doctors? Nurses? Med. Techs? And nursing aides? Is the specialty of the doctor and personnel relevant to the needs of the community?

If there are more infant mortality and morbidity, then a pediatrician should be part of the health team. A community health program should be relevant to the needs of the community.

Set up your goals

Once you have identified the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT), it is time now to prepare your objectives. You should prepare short term and long-term objectives. Your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely SAMRT.) It is essential that you should do the assessment first because you have to create goals that would respond to the needs of that particular community. Communities have different needs and these should be taken into consideration.

Implement your goals/programs

Implement your community health program. You should have certain milestones to be achieved in the course if your implementation. There should be short t- term goals to determine how far the project has advanced. It would also indicate if the steps you are doing are in track with your objectives.

Evaluate your program

After the implementation of the community health program, you are now ready to check if you have achieved your short and long term goals; whether you have done the project according to plan. You should have an inventory list, the accomplishments, the outcomes or the end results of each step.

If the goals have not been achieved, then determine the root problem. What are the reasons? These would be your basis of establishing and creating your goals again. Then the whole process is repeated: assessment, goals’ formulation, implementation and evaluation.

The ultimate success of a community health problem is the cooperation of all entity involved in the project, most especially the members of the community. The local governments, government officials, the private sector, the allied health personnel and everyone have to work together to succeed in implementing a community health program.

The Premium Smile -on Vacation

Cute little kids.