Building Confidence in Children with Different Learning Styles

As most parents know, every child learns and develops differently. Although most kids who have a developmental delay of some sort will catch up to their peers by third or fourth grade, feeling “behind” or “less-than” can take a tremendous toll on parents and children alike.

Having worked in education for 12 years, I’ve learned that every child grasps difficult subject matters differently and at their own pace, and that children who deviate from the norm have just as much potential to succeed as those who learn in a more conventional way.

I’m a big proponent for two teaching principles – whole-child education and scaffolding – that are fortunately catching on in many schools. However, parents who are involved in their children’s education – whether that means homeschooling or just helping with homework – should be aware of them as well.

Whole Child Education

Whole child education prioritizes creating an environment where each student feels safe but challenged. Because everyone’s mind works differently, one universal, black-and-white style of teaching – especially for more “straightforward” concepts like spelling or mathematics – will only work for some kids. For example, if math doesn’t come easily to your child, teaching the “practical reason” behind problems – like using a number line for subtraction so kids who are more artistically-minded can visualize it – can be enormously helpful.

Scaffolding

Scaffolding builds academic confidence in students by gradually increasing the difficulty of lessons, which prevents them from wanting to quit or give up. This technique is especially helpful for those kids who developed a bit later than their peers and are still insecure about their abilities. If your child is studying a new concept, start him off with questions that he can answer correctly 90% of the time, and then move on to progressively more challenging questions.

Kate Ballard-Rosa is the Managing Director of truePrep, a premium, online tutoring company that provides high-quality SAT tutoring at an affordable price. She previously worked as a tutor and is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley.

Hair Accessories from BindingCreations #Etsylove

The new school season is here and on top of the new school year, we will have a new baby joining our family in the near future. So as we head out shopping, Estrella and I find ourselves getting those adorable accessories, that will not only look great with some of the outfits Estrella has picked out for the new year, but also on the newest member of the family once it arrives. Now with Estrella, she is one who loves pink and zebra, so when we were sent the set of hair accessories from BindingCreations on Etsy, I knew they would be hair accessories she would really like.

With the hair bow and hair clip, Estrella can accessorize, with her pink zebra hair pieces, then, when the new member makes their appearance come late September, she can greet the baby with a matching hair piece, with the very adorable pink and zebra printed flower bows, which are sewn with care, and will look very adorable on both Estrella's and the new babies heads!

I also found, when we went to check out the products from BindingCreations, that there is a great variety of hair accessories for babies, kids, and even women, including some very pretty handmade bouquets, making the Etsy shop, BindingCreations, a new favorite to add to our list of Etsy shops! So if you are looking for some of those adorable headbands for baby, hair accessories for you and your girls, or even a custom wedding bouquet, check out the products from BindingCreations on Etsy!



Product received, thank you to Binding Creations for supplying me with a product for this review, all opinions are my own.

#PromisetoBaby "Our Promise" Peace of Mind from Johnson's Baby #Partner

Babies are such an amazing thing. From the time we find out that there will be a new baby coming, to that first moment, when baby enters the world, and becomes the newest member of a family. I find that I make promises to protect them and love them, and as a parent, I personally find that each of my babies have amazed me from the day they were born, and I find each of them to be a miracle all in their own. I also find that as a parent, those promises I made them from the time I found out of their existence, that I want to keep those promises to keep them safe, healthy, and for them to know they are loved. So when it comes to taking care of baby, I want products that are safe, and that are also products that help with babies care.

Recently I was sent some products from the newly formulated, Johnson's Baby products. Like many moms out there, I had heard concerns that some had voiced on the products, but as a mom, who's own mother used the Johnson's Baby products on her, I have always found the line of products to be a line that I trust and have used. As a parent, I can really appreciate that instead of ignoring or fighting back against the concerned parents out there, the people from Johnson's Baby listened, and they changed the product formulas, not because of safety, but for peace of mind. Johnson's Baby is a line of products, that have been around for many years, or like in my family, generations, a line of products trusted to help me and my own mom, keep those promises of keeping baby safe.

Aside from reformulating the products from Johnson's Baby, the scientists behind Johnson's Baby and their families want to show their commitment to parents and baby, by creating a origami stork mobile, which is a way of symbolizing the delivery of their promise to always listen to moms! You can see this amazing origami stork mobile in the video below called, "Our Promise", which is a open letter to mom! The inspiration behind the video and the stork mobile comes from a Japanese legend, where 1,000 origami cranes represent a wish being granted and a promise fulfilled, which is considered to be a labor or love! And changing the line of products, is their labor of love for moms and babies! Instead of cranes they decided to go with storks, since storks represent the delivery of a baby, the hopes and promises of families.

• The JOHNSON’S^® Baby Family is excited to introduce you to our seven newly reformulated products:

• JOHNSON’S^® Baby HEAD-TO-TOE^® Wash
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Lotion
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thick and Curly Hair
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo & Conditioner for Thin and Straight Hair
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Shampoo with Calming Lavender
• JOHNSON’S^® Baby Soothing Vapor Baby Bath

I was provided with products from Johnson's Baby for this post. I was chosen to participate in this sponsored post through The Motherhood, all opinions are my own.

#Giveaway Keep your Home Allergen Free with Crane

Being in the Texas Panhandle, we get a lot of wind, and with that wind comes those allergens that get swept up into the air. This issue can cause problems, especially with people who suffer from allergies, and unfortunately in my home, myself, Estrella, and Robert all suffer from allergies. Due to this fact, I try to find ways to make things easier on all of us, so that we can go through our days and nights without having to deal with horrible allergy symptoms.

One way that I have found to really help with the air quality in our home is by having humidifiers like the ones from Crane. Recently we were sent a Pink Drop Cool Mist Humidifier to review. With this humidifier, we get a ultrasonic cool mist, which helps to increase the moisture level in the air to help us get a good nights sleep. Not only is this humidifier good to have to decrease the allergens, but when the cold and flu seasons come around, it can help with relieving cough, cold, and flu symptoms which include stuffy nose, dry coughs, sinus irritations, nose bleeds, and even dry skin!

I also like that as it runs through the night, it remains quiet with a whisper. It can effectively humidify a room up to 250 square feet, and it has a 360 degree nozzle and variable control settings! Other great features include the fact that this humidifier uses less energy than a light bulb and does not require any filters, and with the auto shut off safety sensor, I do not have to get up in the middle of the night to turn it off if it runs out of water. Making the Pink Drop Cool Mist Humidifier a great product to have in any household to not only help with reducing the allergens in your home, but also with helping to keep your family healthy! Well to help with improving the air quality in your home, the wonderful people from Crane would like to give one of my amazing readers their own Drop Cool Mist Humidifier!!

Entry-Form

Product received, thank you to Crane for supplying me with a product for this review, all opinions are my own!

Keeping Babies Tummy Full and Happy With Ella's Kitchen Organic Baby Foods

Product Received

There are so many options out there when deciding on what foods to feed your baby with. From the jar foods, to the organic pouches, then as they get older, the meals and snacks. For Wyatt, he enjoys the pouches, as well as the toddler foods that we come across, so when we were sent a variety of Ella's Kitchen products to review, I knew this would be one Wyatt would really enjoy. Wyatt has been eating the foods from Ella's Kitchen since we first started to introduce foods to him, so when we saw the toddler meals that they have, I was pleased to see that Wyatt enjoys those as well. I really appreciate the different foods that are available, so that Wyatt can really explore and expand his pallet.

From a mom's perspective, I find the that the fact that the foods I give Wyatt from Ella's Kitchen are 100% organic, makes me feel good about giving them to him. I have found that even though the foods I have given Wyatt are baby foods, they smell and taste the way they should, like the foods that they are made from. I also like that the foods grow with baby, from the first foods, to toddler meals, Wyatt can enjoy the variety of foods and help expand his pallet on his tastes. He can learn how to self feed, not only by eating from a pouch, but also with the Nibbly Fingers and the Toddler Meals. Another plus, is being able to pack the pouches from Ella's Kitchen for on the go, or for when we decide to spend our afternoons at the park. So if you are looking for foods to give to your baby, that are natural and 100% organic, then check out the amazing variety of foods from Ella's Kitchen today!




This was not a paid post and honest/original opinions were used and they are my own. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review.

Star Wars Costumes For Baby At Halloween Adventure

Product Received

It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of September, but it is true, and for me that means to start prepping for Halloween. This year will be the first time Wyatt can go walking with his older brother and sister, and with that, I had to find a cute costume for him. Well to help me with my Halloween preparations this year, the wonderful people from Halloween Adventure sent me a costume for Wyatt to wear this year! Since Wyatt's older brother is a huge Star Wars fan, he insisted that we go with a Star Wars theme this year and include Wyatt in on it. I was thinking that this might become a task, but when I went to Halloween Adventure and looked over their selection of infant Star Wars costumes, I found a very adorable Yoda costume that we all agreed would be perfect! Wyatt enjoyed trying it on, staying still for pictures, not so much, but regardless, he not only loved his new Yoda costume, but he looks adorable in it and he also found it upsetting when it was time to take it off after we tried it on.

For me, being able to not only find the costumes that I am looking for but also being able to find them at a great price is ideal. After finding Wyatt a costume, I went and checked out the other items that are available at Halloween Adventure, like the costume selection for adults and kids. I also found the selection of accessories like the masks and wigs to be great in both selection and price! So this year, while you are getting your family ready for Halloween, head on over to Halloween Adventure, and find the costumes you need at a great price!

This was not a paid post and honest/original opinions were used and they are my own. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review.

Minute Rice Steamers #Giveaway (Holiday Guide 2012) CLOSED!

Tomorrow is a big cooking day for a lot of us, then on Tuesday it is the Big Day, Christmas Day, and most of us will be gathering with family and preparing a Christmas dinner. It seems that when I talk to others about  their dinner and what they will be having, everyone has a few dishes that are tradition. I have been into trying others dishes and adding new ones to our meal every year. This year we will be cooking Christmas dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, then we will be having our own dinner with family later this week, so when we go to the Ronald McDonald House to cook, we will be experiencing others traditional dishes. One thing that I know a lot incorporate into their meals, that we will be adding to ours this year is rice. I know that there are tons of rice dishes out there and this year I am going to try Cranberry Pecan Brown Rice Stuffing. I think that if it werent for the fact that I could find a easy recipe on the Minute Rice website, I probably would not attempt such a thing, but I am confident that I can pull it off by following this recipe:
I will need:

2 cups Minute® Brown Rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp dried orange peel
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp margarine
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
2 Tbsps shallots, finely chopped (may substitute onion)
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Prepare rice according to package directions.
In a medium microwave safe bowl, mix cranberries and orange peel with chicken stock and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Set aside. Heat a large sauce pan over HIGH heat and add margarine.
Stir in celery, shallot and poultry seasoning and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in cranberry mixture, pecans, parsley and rice and cook over medium heat for 3 more minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
To toast pecans: Pre-heat oven to 350ºF. Place pecans on a small cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn pecans. Cool.

To make this amazing recipe that I found on the Minute Rice website, I am going to make it with the Minute Rice Steamers that I was given the chance to sample and review. I have already tried the Brown Rice from the Minute Steamers collection and I made the brown rice with a recipe that is just amazing. Since we are in the holiday season, I saw this recipe to be a fit one!

South-of-the-Border Turkey Dinner

Ingredients:                                                                                         

·         1 bag Minute® Steamers Brown Rice

·         1 pound ground turkey, cooked and crumbled

·         1 can (11 ounces) southwestern corn blend

·         1 cup prepared salsa

Directions:

·         Prepare rice according to package directions. 

·         In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine turkey, corn and salsa. 

·         Cook on HIGH 2 minutes. 

·         Stir in rice.

Tips:

·       Add 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese.        

·       Use as filling in tortillas and top with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes.

·       Roll into burrito-sized tortillas and serve with sour cream

Well, to help get other dinners started off right, the wonderful people from Minute Rice would like to send one of my amazing readers a great gift pack of Minute Rice kitchen products!!

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Tell me what your favorite side dish is at the Christmas Dinner Table! Please leave me your email with this entry!!


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This giveaway is open to US residents. This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on December 30,2012. Winner will be chosen at random.org and will be given 48 hours before another winner will be chosen. All products for reviews and giveaways are given as a sample from the companies. All opinions in reviews I conduct are my own. I was not paid to say anything or review any products.

FPgirl.com (Holiday Guide 2012)

My daughter is a little Diva. Estrella loves fashion and she loves being able to express herself through her fashion. Well recently we were given the chance to review a site that is just that. It is a site that is for girls who love fashion and who love to express themselves through fashion. The site is called FPgirl.com, and girls can go there and design their own clothes. When we got the chance to do this review, Estrella was ecstatic. She found it so easy to go on, first choose the article of clothing she wanted to design, then pick the color and size, then from there she was able to go on and design as she pleased! Estrella had a blast designing clothes and jewelry, and when she was done, she found it even more exciting to be able to order the items that she designed! Below is the first item that Estrella designed, and she loved being able to go to school and tell her friends that she had designed her shirt!

On top of being able to design her clothes and jewelry, Estrella was able to save her items and also try them on her avatar model that she set up in her My FP Studio! I love that when I or anyone else is looking to get Estrella a gift, we can go on and look at her wishlist which has the items she designed in it, or we can get her a gift card so that she can design and shop, which is something she now loves to do when she goes to FPgirl.com! So this year, when you are looking for a great gift to get the fashion diva in your life, then get them a gift card to FPgirl.com or have them go on the site, design some items, then order something from their collection!!

This was not a paid post and honest/original opinions were used and they are my own. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green on Blu-Ray

When I look for movies to share with my family, I like to look for movies that have a great story and I look for ones that we can all enjoy. Well, when we were sent The Odd Life of Timothy Green to review on Blu-Ray, I had a feeling that it would be a good movie to add to our family movie night. This movie was not just good, it was an amazing and heartfelt movie that even had my 8 year old daughter crying. Timothy Green is not your ordinary child, in fact, the Green's are not your ordinary family. Sure they may look it, but they have a secret that puts this movie into play. The parents find themselves in a hearing to determine whether or not they are ready to adopt and be parents, and when asked what makes them fit, they only have one answer, Timothy. I am sure that the case worker in charge of their case was not expecting to get an entire story out of a question that seemed so simple. But the story that she got, was I am sure, unlike anyone she has ever heard. The Odd Life of Timothy Green was a very amazing movie and is one that we all loved and have added to our list of family movie night favorites!! So, when you are out looking for that perfect movie that will be one that everyone will adore, then head out and get The Odd Life of Timothy Green today!!

Finding Nemo 3D on Blu-Ray

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming! As you can probably guess, we were recently sent a copy of Finding Nemo 3D to review, and with Finding Nemo, it is a movie that we have watched over and over again. I loved Finding Nemo when it first came out and with the 3D Blu-Ray Combo Pack, I have fallen even more in love with those adorable fish and their friends. In Finding Nemo, you have Nemo, who is a young fish. He finds himself in a whole heap of trouble to find that the dad he thought to be a fish with no nerve, to be his hero and save the day! First with the Blu-Ray, you get a quality that brings the movie back to life, with a better picture and sound quality than I can remember. Then with the 3D, you can truly bring the movie to life right in the comfort of your home. Now for the 3D feature, you will need a 3D capable player and TV, but if you have these, then the 3D movie is the way to go. You and your kids can watch the heart felt adventure all over again, and fall in love with the daft Dory and the father and son clown fish, who find themselves to be more courageous than either one of them had ever imagined! When we watched Finding Nemo in 3D, I think our favorite scene would have to be when Marlin and Dory ride the EAC or the East Australian Current with Crush and Squirt! In all, I loved sharing one of our families favorite Disney Movies all over again, and Finding Nemo 3D is a movie that I will suggest to anyone looking for a great movie to watch on their next Family Movie Night!!



This was not a paid post and honest/original opinions were used and they are my own. Thank you to the company and/or pr agency who supplied the product for review.