The benefits of telling bedtime stories to your kids

Educators and  reading advocacy claim that 20-minutes reading bedtime stories to your kids is beneficial to your kid's development. Here are some of the benefits your kids can get from your 20-minutes bedtime reading.

a 20-minute bedtime story reading helps your kids have a healthy outlook in life 

1. It makes them widen their 5 senses essentials in learning. Five senses include seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and feeling. As kids hear stories their imagination works and make use of their 5 sensory abilities. Imagining thing using our senses is a good learning exercise for preschooler kids.

2. Recognized words- by listening the could recognized word meaning using the emotions and moods in the story. It is a simple means to start and widen their vocabulary

3. Learn how to act positively in a given situation- reading them stories of a simple life's struggle would provide them  insights on how to act positively when put  in the same condition or situation. A child  learning from child's experience is an effective way of providing learning opportunities.

4 Develops intuitive and cognitive learning- Reading a them stories will help your kids develop their intuitive and cognitive learning abilities by guessing what the end will be or by connecting and relating events on the story. In some ways it also cab be a source of fun and entertainment for them.

5.Develops the habit of reading- Reading is the best habit parents can teach their kids. Reading is related to learning and their source of  valued information. Reading helps your kids to have better understanding of their surroundings.

credits to the owners of the photo

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What if your kid is the bully?

Make your kid feels he's wanted and not rejected

One of the problems that confront parents is when our kids are bullied in school. We immediately react and do every possible thing to stop these bullying acts.  With many available helps, parents have ideas of how to avoid and resolve this problem. But what if your kid is the bully himself? Here are some tips on how you can stop your kid from bullying other kids.

1.      

tT    Talk to your kid- there must be some problems with your kids. Have a heart-to heart talk with him and assess what’s wrong in his behavior.  Ask why he is doing it and what makes him do it. There may be some underlying factors why he is such a bully.

2.     

  Fi    Find solution with him- If your kid has open up with you, try to solve the problem together. Lay down suggestions and make him feel that you are on his side and not you’re not persecuting him but clearly point out that his act is inappropriate and must be stopped.

3.    

D          Divert his energies into something productive and worthwhile- Most bully kids are very active kids. Try to divert his energies and attention to some hobbies that will make him more productive and creative.  One known bully in school after being introduced to sports became the most discipline and friendliest kid in the campus. Make your bully kid feel that he is needed and loved and not prosecuted and discriminated.

4.   

       Avoid creating a tag of him- Even a bully won’t want to be tag as one. Avoid this tagging or labeling notion. Make him see he is capable of changing for the better and there’s always a room for him in the community and school. Make him feel he's wanted, needed ,loved and not rejected.

5.  

        Ask help- If your kid needs help, don’t hesitate to consult professional help. You can ask teachers and school authorities for assessing and counseling.  But make sure that your kid is not put in any compromising or humiliating conditions as this will make the problem worse.  Get his permission and explain to him why there’s a need for him to subject himself to counseling.  Give him the feel that his opinion is needed  and is given importance in solving the issue.

There’s always wrong perception about bully kids but if given the right attention and counseling, these bully kids could turn to be the most productive and successful kids in the future. What they need is understanding and enough tender loving care from people close and around him.

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DAY CARE SERVICES AND YOUR KIDS

Day care center and your kids

With many news of baby kidnapping, it s now safer to entrust our kids to a day care centers than to a baby sitter.

Day care services are now available here in the Philippines and it is more safe to entrust our kids to this services than to have a baby sitter whom we could not hundred percent be sure of the safety of our kids. Day care center like Prima day care center have special activities for the kids that won't leave them bored but instead learn and enjoy the company of other kis like them. Prima Day Care and Activity School  have well-trained staff to care of  yuur kids and share with them worthwhile activities like coloring,craft,music and other kids' stuff and activities.

The rate are  affordable and they have packages which are consumable for six months. You can drop your kids at the center anytime of the day, You don't hve to worry while you are doing some business or attending to some events and activities as your kids are in safe hands.

Don't just entrust your kids to anybody and then regret later. Day care centers are the safest place for your kids when there's no one to take care of them while you re away.

VISIT PRIMA DAY AND PLAY SCHOOL WEBSITE AT:http://www.primaplayschool.com/day-care-services FOR MORE DETAILS.

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College Sccholarship- Parents and Children Joint efforts

There's no way a poor but deserving high school graduate could not enter college. It is common for parents to say that no matter how good their children at school, with the high cost of sending them to college, they simply can't afford to pay for their school expenses. It is a wrong notion since there are many available scholarship grants that are given out for poor but deserving students.
  The question  is where and how to apply ?Here are some of the college grants that may apply for your child's need.

UP scholar ng bayan through UP Income Bracket system

 Local Scholarship Grant- Many city and provincial government have scholarship or financial assistance for their deserving high school students. Most of these financial  assistance are approved by city or provincial board for a four year course mostly in Science and technology fields. There are some provincial governments that offer grants for agriculture course. Consult your local officials on how to avail for the grant as each has its own criteria and requirements. My daughter is a grantee of Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship after passing written examination and interview. All Metro Manila city and municipal governments have their own scholarship and financial assistance for their local graduates.Some Congressional seats has same scholarship grants  depending  on District's budget.
CHED Scholarship Grant- Commission on Higher Education has scholarship for poor but deserving high school students. The grant includes free tuition and monthly allowance plus book allowance. Aplications are mostly send to school principals and processing are also through school authorities. Ask and inquire your school registrant for application form and requirements.
Private Colleges and University scholarship Grant- Top Universities like Ateneo University and La Salle University offer scholarship grant for public high school student belong to the top ten of the graduating class. Both offer free tuition, book and monthly allowance and weaver from other expenses like field trips. Ateneo and La Salle send application from their chosen public school. Examination fee is also free. On the other hand, University of Santo Tomas also offers scholarship grant but applicants must be a Catholic and a recommendation from their local parish priest is required. Other private universities offer one year scholarship for all Valedictorian graduates and discount tuition for  top ten of the graduating class.
National Government Scholarship Grant- Study now pay later scholarship offer student to enroll for a course with a loan from the government. The grant is for those who are willing to finish their course and pay the loan after graduation. Grants are applied in local Study now pay later offices scattered all over the country, Inquire from your local official for application.
 University Of the Philippines'  Scholar ng Bayan - University of the Phillipines offer scholarship for those who passed UPCAT as Scholar ng Bayan. UP Bracketing sytem allow student from bracket C to have 50% scholarship gant from tuition while bracket D has 70% grant for tuition fee and Bracket E with 100% free tuition and Bracket E2 has full tuition free plus monthly allowance of  P2,500. Other scholarship grant from UP alumin organizations and partners arealso available for deserving students.
 DOST Scholarship -Students who excel in fields like Science and Match can avail DOST scholarship. The grant includes free tuition, monthly allowance and book allowance. DOST examination is given in schedule venue and dates. Inquire your school registrar for application form and requirements.
Private companies and institution-Many companies offer scholarship grants for high school graduates. The Metro bank, SM group of companies, Lion's and Rotary Clubs, Guillermo Memorial Fundations, Go Tong Go Foundations, Teehankee Foundation are some of private companies and institution that grant scolarship assistance for graduating high school students. Most of them are available online and application can also be dome online.
 It is not  the sole responsibility of students to look for scholarship. Parents should cooperate and work along with them as they are paper requirements to be submitted.  Help your children by acquiring all papers needed while you child do his part by studying hard. Getting scholarship can be easy if parents and children work as a team. After all, both will benefit from any scholarship won!

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School Field Trips and Your kids

From September to December is the best time for schools to have their yearly field trips. This is the time when the weather is good although it's still monsoon seasons, most of the time the weather is humid and dry. As schools prepare to where and when for their field trips, parents are also prepping for this  school outdoor activities.  Preparing and packing foods are important things to consider during this school field trip, here are some tips to have your kids enjoy his day at his school field trip.

Ayala museum is a good place to visit during school field trip

Think Food Safety- If your kid is bringing in rice complete meals, don't forget to close all lids properly and tightly to avoid spills and leaks as kids move around often and always throw things in the bag. Separate as much as possible dry form wet foods to avoid spoilage.

Plan Ahead- Plan how much and what food to pack. Choose those that don't easily get spoiled. Pack foods that are energy -giving such as sandwiches, crackers, eggs and fruits. If your kids is fun of snacking, small packs of cereal breads and potato chips will keep him going. Avoid as much as possible junk foods and carbonated drinks.

Water power- water will keep your child hydrated and on the go and let him have a lot of it.

 Pack light- When packing, use only small containers to let your kids enjoy the freedom from bulk.

Let your kids bring extra  light  clothing. Remember that field trip is an outdoor activities, having extra shirt can keep him fresh and clean. And don't forget to keep in touch with teachers and school authorities and have your phone listed for emergency.

Field trips are school activities that help kids poster friendship and  an opportunity to learn and explore educational environment. Let your kids enjoy it to the fullest with your help and guidance.

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Teaching Kids the Five Finger Prayer

As parents it's our duty to teach our children about God and teaching them how to pray is teaching them the basic of knowing and worshiping Him. Prayers is our means of communicating to God and it must be something that comes from our hearts and mind. Here's the Five Finger Prayer guide on teaching our child on what to tell God. 

Thumb (people who are close to you) These are your close friends and family, often the first you think about when you pray. Give thanks to God and ask his protection on your parents, siblings, friends, and classmates.

Pointer (people who point the way) These are leaders in your life, such as teachers and pastors. Offer God your thanksgiving for them and ask him to help them in their important work.

Tall Finger (people in authority) The big people in the world need prayer too. Ask God to give wisdom to our government, military, and police.

Ring Finger (people who are weak) This is your weakest finger. We should remember others who are sick, live in poverty, or are treated badly. Pray that Jesus would give them new strength.

Little Finger (your own needs) God wants to hear your needs too, especially when you put others first. Pray for your own growth in mind, body, and spirit.

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Kids and School Allowance

The school is soon to open and every parent who has school children will be busy attending to their kids’ school tuition, school supplies, books and school dresses. But these are not the only thing that parents must be prepared of when the school opens in June. The biggest expense aside from the tuition is of course the daily school allowance.

 

With the prices all going up, it is not impossible that your kids would ask for an increase in their allowance. Of course the initial reaction from parents will be, “no, there will be no increase”.  This will lead to unending whining and fights.

When your kid asks for an increase in allowance, try to negotiate instead of declaring it is the most remote thing to happen.  Sit down and talk and ask why he/she needs an increase. Try to understand what your kid wants the allowance for. After hearing his/her sides, try to talk of what other ways may be available than having an increase. Then clearly tell them your reasons why you might not be able to give in. Make no excuse but only the real reason such as high home mortgage, less take home pay and high interest in existing loan like cars, tuition and home repairs.

After finding that there’s really a need fro an increase, deciding how much to give, ask your kid for a written budget detailing expenses for the coming months. Take this into consideration and along side with your own budget, decide how much allowance is affordable. If ever your kid comes short of his/her allowance, sit down and discuss how and where the money is going. Try to talk him/her into spending the money wisely and give ways of how he/she can save. It is important to let your kid know and learn ways of “expanding the resource pie’ like getting a part time job during off school days.

When your kid knows that you understand his/her needs and you are trying hard to help him/her cope up with a meager allowance, she/he may voluntarily not ask for an increase but instead get other ways that may help him/her survives this hard -up times. It is parent’s duty to let children be part of budget-making and teaching them how to live within a budget temporary or for a long time will make them understand better about handling money in the future.

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Preparing Early For School Opening

 As parents we take care of our children's education. From the first time they enter school we see to it that everything is in order and  that our children will get through their schooling well and good. As soon as summer begins we starter preparing for the next school opening while we see to it that  they are enjoying  their summer vacation. I think this is how parents are, always on go for the sake of their children. But there are times because of too many things to do we often overlooked some important details that in the long run may posed some problems.

If your kid is in a public school, be sure to keep posted for announcements. Public school in different areas have their own policy regarding enlisting and enrollment and be sure you get all details from the right source.

Public school often that not post their enrollment requirements a week or two before official school opening. Public school teachers also report on through this week and post their individual school requirements for their respective students. This includes what to buy such as the numbers of notebooks and other school supplies. Be sure to check and visit your kid's school and get the needed details on enrollment. Since public schools are over populated, its better to come on the first week in order not to go with the crowd later.



If your kid is in a private school, enrollments are on a regular and daily basis and is more  easier . Each school also have different policies and make sure you are well-informed about these.

Even before the school opens, parents are in search for financial assistance for their children tuition fees. This is where credits card companies like Citibank can be of great help. Having a Citibank credit cards such Visa and Citibank MasterCard  will help you pay for your children tuition and other school needs. They offer great deals and with lowest  interest and flexible payments modes. Check out for their best offer this school opening and  let them take care of all of your worries about tuition fees.

A child education is parents' biggest legacy to their children. To see them become a professional someday is a parent's ultimate dream. We are not working hard for nothing but for the good future for our children.

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