Posts Tagged ‘minute’

The Fabulous One Minute Robot Your Child Will Love

Saturday, July 4th, 2009

Here’s a kids’ activity that’s sure to become a household favorite.� It offers your child a fun filled opportunity to use a set of mobility commands in order to achieve a specific goal.� It requires plenty of strategy, so you’re sure to have your child’s full attention from beginning to end.� It also offers enough variety that you can tailor it to keep up with your child’s advancing skills.��

The objective of the game is for your child to navigate a robot through the house without causing it to “malfunction.”� You’ll need these simple things to get started:

  • A start and finish point
  • A Robot
  • A set of Commands

Start and finish point:� use tape or string.� Place one piece on the floor where the activity will start—in a bedroom, for example.� Place the second piece at the finish line—in the kitchen, for example.

Robot:� mom or dad will work just fine.� Take a sheet of red (or any color) construction paper and wrap it around your left forearm.� Secure it with a rubber band or piece of tape.� Take a piece of yellow (or any color) construction paper and secure it to your right forearm.

Commands: these are the commands—Forward, Stop, Red Turn, Yellow Turn.� Forward means walk slowly forward.� Stop means stop.� Red Turn means turn 90 degrees to the left (because red paper is on your left arm).� Yellow Turn means turn 90 degrees to the right (because yellow paper is on your right arm).

A malfunction occurs when commands are given incorrectly:

-The robot cannot turn while� going forward.� The Stop command must be given before the Red Turn or Yellow Turn command. For example, if your child gives the Forward command, and then a few seconds later gives the Red Turn command, the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.� (Indicate a malfunction by saying something like, ‘Malfunction, incorrect command,’ and then tilt your head forward and shut your eyes.)

-The robot cannot be given the same command twice in a row.� For example, if your child calls Red Turn twice in a row, then the robot malfunctions and the game starts over.

-If an unrecognized command is given (such as Backwards), a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.

When your child is able to navigate the robot to the finish line without causing a malfunction, the objective has been met.� When you cross the finish line, use your monotone, robot voice to say something like, ‘Congratulations! You have successfully completed the objective.� It took you three tries to navigate the course without error.� Will we resume robot command instructions in the near future?’��

Some suggested variations to keep up with your child’s skills:

-Create infrared zones.� To do this, place squares of newspaper in various places along the course.� If the robot steps on one of these, a malfunction occurs and the game starts over.

-Play with a timer.� The robot’s battery is low and it must get to the recharging center within three minutes or it will shut down.�

-Charge the robot’s battery with knowledge.� Before the navigation part of the game, charge the robot’s battery with correct answers to questions.� In your robot voice, ask your child questions that correspond with her skill level.� For example, ‘What is 2+1?� What noise does a dog make?� Etc.’�

-Reinforce left and right recognition by playing without the colored paper on your forearms.� The turn commands will now be Left Turn and� Right Turn.

Of course, following directions can be just as challenging as giving directions, so be sure to provide your child an opportunity to play the part of the robot.�� Many other variations will pop up as you’re playing the game.� No matter the exact procedureFree Reprint Articles, this activity reinforces a variety of skills and demonstrates once again that the best resource for fun and learning is good old-fashioned ingenuity.

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Three Ways to Reduce Stress on Last Minute Moving

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

Everyone will agree with you when you mention that moving is stressful. Many different things need to be done and taken care of at the same time when you move, so you can easily see why stress levels would rise. When you consider a rush move, however, these stress levels shoot up even further. Now there is just as many tasks to complete as in any other move, but you have a much smaller amount of time to complete them in. Although it might seem as if it is impossible to make it through such stressful and difficult times, there are things that can be done.

Ask for Help

Getting help for your moving project is one of the best ways to avoid rising stress levels. There are plenty of last minute moving companies out there that are just standing by to help you get through this rough patch in time. These people are experts at getting things done by a close deadline without running over. You can often call one of them and they will be able to come to the rescue within 24 hours.

You can also ask your friends and family to come to your aid as well. Asking for help with the kids or pets should not be seen as a weakness. Remember, your friends and family will count on your help if they were in the same situation, so you should not hesitate to call on them should you need an extra hand.

Get Organized

No matter how fast you need to get things done, they will often seem out of control if you are not organized. Getting yourself organized is easy, and can sometimes just require a folder, some paper, and something to write and label with. Make sure that you put a label on every box that you pack, list it on the inventory sheet, and place all important papers in the folder so that they are easily found. Also consider setting up a box for items that you will not be packing, so that it does not get lost in the other things that are being packed up.

Relaxation Strategies

Do not hesitate to use meditation or other relaxation strategies to help you calm down when you are stuck in last minute moving. There are numerous different methods of helping yourself get rid of all of that stress, and you should do the one that is right for you. Keep in mind that the method should not take up too much of your time, but it should be a time that you can safely step away from everything and just concentrate on you. You will get back a sense of control, which will aid you in making great choices about and throughout your move. When you are stuck in a last minute move, these three tips can really help you reduce stress. There is no total solution to this stressFree Reprint Articles, but you can help yourself relieve it if you cannot totally get rid of it.

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A Minute Can Turn into Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

Publishing Guidelines: You are welcome to publish this article in its entirety, electronically, or in print fre.e of charge, as long as you include you include the full byline, hyperlinks and Resource Box.

E-mail or courtesy link appreciated when you publish
mailto:Joyful-Productions@comcast.net
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Title: A Minute Can Turn into Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom

Author: Patricia Gatto

Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved

Category: Parenting/Children’s Social Issues

Word Count (including Resource Box): 1,100
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A Minute Can Turn into Hours for the Child of a Work-at-Home Mom
Patricia Gatto ฉ2004 All Rights Reserved.
Joyful Productions

In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But in reality, it’s difficult to balance the needs of your family with the needs of your clients.

Phones, fax machines and e-mails have no common courtesy, nor does your client really care about your personal situation. You are simply a means to an end consisting of a telephone number, an e-mail address and a 1099 at the end of the year. For the most part, you are not afforded special considerations and must respond to their needs or your business will suffer.

Long before I began my career as a writer, I was already a work-at-home mom. I provided outsourcing solution to a variety of clients, which included bookkeeping, personnel records, reports and creating employee handbooks and mission statements. Initially my clients were leery; it was a time when home businesses were just emerging. I went to great lengths to establish and maintain my associations. Part of my success was the perceived illusion was that I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Continuously, I had to prove my home life did not interfere with their business needs or deadlines.

One day, as I absentmindedly brushed my son off and repeated the phrase, “just a minute” for the fifth time, I suddenly realized why he had no concept of time. That “minute” I was speaking of was hours away, at best. The business I built so that I could be at home with him was also the business that was taking me away from him. I turned back to my computer to complete the report I was working on and my son returned to his video game in frustration. It was then I realized my solution was only a paragraph away.

I was experienced in writing mission statements for my clients. These leadership tools are used in the corporate world to define goals, values and purpose. A successful business takes commitment, resources, responsibility, problem solving, honesty and hard work. Doesn’t that also define raising a child? Parenting consists of all those factors and so much more.

As in any business, the business of raising a child will bring accomplishments, successes and rewards, but it will also have it’s share of conflicts, disappointments and setbacks. However, when it comes to the business of family the stakes are much greater than a new client, a contract, a promotion or a raise; they involve the wellbeing of your child.

The emotional difficulties of childhood serve to build strength, courage and character. But to a child, these conflicts may feel catastrophic if they have no one to turn to. You can help prepare your child to cope if you take time out each day to remind him how much you love him, express your commitment to his wellbeing and provide positive affirmations that help foster confidence.

Just as you keep focus on your business goals and rise to meet your company’s mission statement, keep focus on your personal goals as a parent. Run your family business with the integrity and respect of a healthy, thriving corporation. Define your ideals, set plans to action, keep communications open and reward success. Encourage individuality, praise creativity and share the wealth. Be positive and proactive. The business of family is one to be celebrated and cherished. It may not be listed as a FORTURNE 500, but it is the most important business of all.

A PARENT’S MISSON STATEMENT

The purpose of this Mission Statement is to express my love, support and commitment to you. As your parent, I promise to help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing you with a safe and nurturing environment. I respect your opinion and I encourage your creativity. I will be there to praise your accomplishments and comfort you in your disappointments. I promise to accept you as you are, support your decisions and honor you as a special and unique individual. You have the right to a safe and happy childhood and as your parent, I am committed to providing this to you.

TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME

The luxuries you dreamed of as a work-at-home mom can quickly lead to burdens unless you are organized and scheduled. This schedule consists of a balance between business and family and activities should work in harmony with your child’s needs, not against them.

Define your work area and organize it so valuable time can be spent on the task at hand.

Determine quiet times, such as early morning or after your child goes to bed. Use this period to complete tasks that need the most concentration.

Set a start and finish time for your workday.

Allow a full day off from work each week and stick to this schedule as much as possible.

Start each morning by talking with your child about the day’s events. Include your child in these plans. By informing him of your activities, he will be comforted in the knowledge that there will be time for him.

Remember that you are entitled to breaks, lunch, vacation time and even sick time. You are the boss.

When it comes time for your break, stop working, compliment your child for his cooperation, and spend the next block of time enjoying the moment.

Record an “out to lunch” message and set your phones daily. Even if you are sitting at your desk, do not answer the phones. Your clients will become accustom to your schedule.

If you need to run an errand, but are concerned about missing an important call, don’t wait around stressing, forward calls to your cell phone.

Consider hiring a babysitter a few hours per week to read or play with your child or do a special craft.

Most of all, remember your priorities as a parent and your commitment to your personal mission statement. When your child needs to talk, be grateful he or she is turning to you. Keep the lines of communication open, there will come a time when they need you for more than a glass of milk and a snack. And when that time comes, they might not be able to waitComputer Technology Articles, “just a minute”.

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