Category: Learning

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Learning Parenting

4 Easy Steps To Support Your Child’s Learning This Year

Most parents have taken a more active role in educating their children over the last two years. Whether your kids have gone back to school or you’ve decided to homeschool, it’s beneficial to be proactive in supporting your child. Here are some steps you can take to support your child’s learning and make it fun and accessible. 

Support Your Child's Learning
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How To Support Your Child’s Learning

Ask for opinions and ideas

One of the best ways to help your kids get more out of studying or learning is to encourage them to share opinions and ideas. Ask them for feedback about activities you’ve tried together or resources or topics they’ve used or covered at school. Then, let them express what they want to learn about and how they want to learn it. There is no universal manual for education, and some kids respond better to different ways of learning than others.

Try a range of activities

Many parents will be familiar with traditional learning techniques, including reading books and using exercise books to hone reading, writing, and math skills. There is still a place for conventional learning methods, but you can also vary the activities. You can find a huge range of resources available to children, teachers, and parents. Many kids are used to online learning, and there are some great platforms and websites they can use to discover different subjects and explore new ways of learning. Check out options like Age of Learning, read reviews from parents and educators, and look for resources via search engines and social media. In addition to online resources, you can also add active and outdoor pursuits and creative activities. 

Tailor learning to your child

Children learn differently, have different interests, and respond to techniques differently. Try to tailor activities to your child. Play to their strengths, highlight areas, topics, or concepts that they find difficult, and try to find ways to break down information and help them to understand better. Children learn better when they can see how things work, for example. Practical activities like making a model, seeing animals and plants in the natural world, and doing scientific experiments can often help to simplify written information, and they can also be fun.

Set realistic goals

Every parent wants their child to do well at school, but there’s a difference between supporting and encouraging your child and putting pressure on them. Set realistic goals, manage your expectations, and ensure they know that what matters is trying their best. Encourage hard work, but try to avoid pushing too hard. Be there to reassure your children and help them to learn. It’s essential that they feel able to talk to you openly and share any worries or concerns.

Support Your Child's Learning
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Support Your Child’s Learning

All parents want the best for their kids. It’s not always easy to help children learn and know how best to support them. If you’re homeschooling or want to help at home after school, make learning fun. Use learning resources, various activities, involve your kids in planning, and make sure you have realistic goals and expectations.

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How To Learning Parenting

11 Smart Tips for New Homeschooling Parents

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the idea of becoming a homeschooling parent. However, it would be wrong to think it’s all plain sailing for homeschooling parents. There’s no denying that it can be a little challenging, daunting, and anxiety-inducing. 

First of all, it’s important to remember that these feelings are normal. And second of all, remember that you’re not the first person to homeschool their children, so there are plenty of resources out there. 

While I chose to send my kids back to school, I did lots of research preparing for homeschooling. I found many helpful tips out there that’ll ensure the experience is nothing other than successful. With many parents still considering homeschooling, I wanted to share those tips for new homeschooling parents to take on board. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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Tips for New Homeschooling Parents

Don’t Worry About Making Your Home A School

There’s a lot of freedom that comes with homeschooling. That’s one of the main reasons people decide to do it in the first place. So, make the most of the freedom that it brings. Some parents become a little overwhelmed by the feeling that they have to recreate the school environment, but this isn’t the case. You don’t have to turn your home into a school. Instead, you only have to turn it into a learning environment.

But Do Come Up With A Workspace and Schedule

While your home doesn’t look like a school, it’s generally best to create a set workspace for learning. Creating a dedicated workspace is helpful in numerous ways. For instance, it’ll make it easier for your children to get into the right mindset for learning. It’ll also help to divide the day between school time and home time. Once your child finishes school for the day, you’ll want your home to become a place for relaxation, socializing, and all the other goodness that comes from family life.

Having a schedule will also help in this regard. What time you begin and finish is up to you, but it’s a good idea to stick to the same schedule every day.

Set Learning Targets

A child will learn a little if they spend the day learning about subjects. However, they’ll learn much more if they have educational targets and goals. It doesn’t matter what these targets are (and in any case, they’ll depend heavily on the age/ability of the child). The main thing is that the targets exist in the first place.

Studies have shown that people achieve more when they actively work towards something. You can, or should, create these goals with input from your child. After all, they’re the ones who are learning!

Find Your Child’s Learning Style

And talking about learning: it’ll be helpful if you know your child’s learning style. Everyone learns in different ways. Some people prefer to hear, and others enjoy using their hands, but most people like a mix of those two things. You might already have a sense of how your child learns. If you don’t, then you can ask them — or if they don’t know either, try a few different methods and see what seems to work best. As well as their learning style, you can think of how best to divide up your child’s education. As outlined at onlinecoursesreviewed.org, homeschooling is usually based around unit studies or traditional programs. Both have their advantages, so it’s best to read up on each to determine which will be the right one for you and your children. 

Ease Into The Homeschooling Parents Role

Also, remember that unless you have prior experience teaching, you’ll also need to figure out your teaching style. Learning your style can be a little daunting in the early days, especially if you feel as if you’re not doing as well as you could be. Don’t stress about it! Someone is rarely natural from the first moment they walk into the classroom. If you keep on plugging away and doing your best, then you’ll eventually begin to feel comfortable, and it won’t be long before you’re positively enjoying it.

Use High-Quality Materials

You’ll find homeschooling much easier if you have the best educational materials by your side. As with all things, there are good tools and resources you can use, and there are some not-so-good ones. If you were using a textbook from 1934, for example, you can’t be too surprised if the learning isn’t quite as powerful as it could be. There are plenty of current resources online to incorporate into your studies. You can also research what other homeschooling families have found useful.

Beyond The Textbooks For Homeschooling Parents

There’s plenty of scope for getting out of the classroom and creating a more engaging educational environment. For example, you can visit a museum, spend a day at the farm, or play outdoor games that have an educational spin. These won’t make up daily lessons, but you should use them when you feel the moment is right.

Become Part of the Homeschooling Community

You’re not the only family that’ll be homeschooling their children in your area. While you’ll want to remain independent, of course, many benefits can come from connecting with other people doing the same as you are. These benefits are wide-ranging. For example, they may show you resources that you’d never heard of or give some tips on how to make boring subjects more engaging. Above all, they might be able to offer an encouraging word of advice and support if you’re beginning to feel the strain that all homeschooling parents experience at some point.

Homeschooling Parents
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Give Up On Things That Don’t Work

It’s a good idea to play around when you’re homeschooling. There’s value to being creative and trying new things, after all. It’s also important to give up on the things that don’t work well. You don’t need to see an idea through to the end just because you started. If you think it’s leading nowhere, just put it in the trash and begin something new.

Prioritize Math and English

Now, all subjects are important, but it’s also true that some are more important than others. Take math and English, for example. It’s worth prioritizing these two because they can help with other subjects. If your child has the basics of math and English down, they’ll find it easier to succeed in other educational subjects. 

Make it Fun

Finally, remember that while homeschooling is serious business, it’s not as if every moment needs to be fully serious. Neither is it true that serious and fun behavior must be mutually exclusive. The two behaviors can co-exist just fine. Plus, not only will injecting some fun into serious learning make the days in the classroom more pleasant, but they’ll also make them more effective. It is much easier to learn when you’re having a good time, so your child will remember the information much better. As long as the work gets completed, you can have fun with things. 

New Homeschooling Parents

No one’s saying that homeschooling will be a walk in the park, at least not always. There are challenges to overcome and things you’ll need to set up to ensure the project is successful. You can help yourself immeasurably by following some of the tips that we’ve outlined above. They’ll help smoothen your initial takeoff and make sure that it’s nothing but smooth flying once you’ve got going.

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How To Learning Parenting

4 Tips for Helping Your Child With His/Her Education

Many parents don’t realize how important it is to help their children with school work. A parent’s involvement in a child’s education can make a huge difference. There are a few tips every parent should follow for helping your child succeed at school. When you see the difference it makes, you’ll be glad you did it.

Helping Your Child, Helping Your Child With Their Education, Education
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Tips for Helping Your Child With Their Education

1. Get to know your child’s teacher

One of the best things a parent can do is get to know their child’s teacher. Ask the teacher what your child’s strengths and weaknesses are, and find out what you can do at home to help them improve in school. Make sure to stay in touch with the teacher throughout the school year, so you can continue to be on the same page. If possible, try to attend school events and meetings. Your physical presence will show your child that you support them and take their education seriously. It will also allow you to learn more about how your child is doing in class.

2. Help your child with homework

Parents need to help their children with homework, especially in the early years of school. Make sure you assist your child with their work and check that it is correct. If possible, try to establish a routine for doing homework each night. A routine will make things less stressful for both you and your child. If your child is struggling with a particular subject, don’t hesitate to ask the teacher for help. Most teachers are happy to work with parents to help their students succeed. You can also find helpful resources online or at the library. Just be sure to research any information you find before giving it to your child!

3. Set a good example

Your child will learn more from watching you than anything you tell them. If you want your child to have a successful education, it’s essential to set a good example for yourself. Be sure to show interest in what your child is learning at school, and take the time to read with your child every day. You can also help by modeling proper behavior in school and at home. If you get angry or frustrated with homework or tests, try not to show this emotion in front of your child. Instead, stay calm and positive, no matter what happens. Staying positive will help your child stay motivated and confident during their educational journey.

4. Hire A Tutor If Needed

If your child is struggling with school, you may want to consider hiring a tutor. A good tutor can help improve test scores and overall academic performance by offering one-on-one instruction outside of the classroom. Tutors are also great for helping students prepare for tests or exams that they might be nervous about taking. Consider using an English Tutor to improve overall performance. 

Tips for Helping Your Child With Education

Following these four tips can make a big difference in children’s education. By staying positive, setting a good example, getting to know the teacher, and helping with homework, parents can help their children reach their full potential.

Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know!

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For the Home How To Learning

8 Essential Tools You Need to DIY The Best Projects

Many people have taken up DIY because it is interesting and allows you to learn so much through the experience. It is also a great way to upgrade your home. If you plan to start a DIY project or are an amateur, you must know the tools you need to DIY.

As you grow and improve your DIY skills, you may need to stock up on more tools to improve your DIY experience. However, you must be extra careful when handling these tools.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Tools You Need to DIY
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Essential Tools You Need to DIY

Hammer

Hammers are tools you cannot afford to miss in a household, especially if you are into DIY. It is a very functional tool that can do so much. You can build a house or anything from scratch with the help of a hammer. It would be best if you considered stocking up with one or two hammers.

Screws

Screws come in different categories, diameters, and sizes, and you could get guidance on the screws that suit your kind of DIY from online fastener stores such as screws. They are essential because they can get used to doing so much in a DIY project; holding things together, lifting heavy items, and tightening objects.

Screw Drivers

If you use screws in your DIY project, you will need screwdrivers. A screwdriver is a versatile tool that works in various situations. Without a good screwdriver set, handling a DIY project is incredibly difficult.

Tape Measures

A tape measure may be entirely underrated, but it is essential when doing DIYs. It would be best if you had accurate measurements when doing a DIY project, and the only way you can do that is by using a tape measure. Suitable sizes will make your project look nice and presentable.

Tool Box

As a DIY lover, you will probably buy more tools as time goes by because everyone wants to grow in terms of experience and expertise. As you continue to add tools to your collection, you will need a toolbox to keep everything in one place.

It is essential because all your tools get stored safely. Plus, having tools lying around may be dangerous. It also makes it easier to find what you need because you keep all of them in one place.

Work Bench

Workbenches are an excellent method to boost productivity when carrying out your projects. However, working on the floor or any other space may be stressful because the posture may make you get tired quickly.

It would help if you had a workbench where you can place all your tools and whatever you are working on; workbenches can withstand a wide range of operational stresses, which shows that they can handle any DIY project.

LED Flashlight

An LED flashlight is essential when you prefer working at night or when you find yourself working through the night. However, lightbulbs may not be so efficient, which explains why LED flashlights are recommended for DIYs.

Safety Glasses

As you work on your DIY projects, you need to put your safety first. Protect yourself from any potential accident that may take place. Safety glasses are essential because you get to protect your eyes as you work.

Tools You Need to DIY

These tools are essential for most of your DIY tasks, and you may turn out as the best DIY TIk Toker or Instagrammer if you utilize them well and take cool educational videos. Whether you take videos or keep your projects to yourself, having the best tools is essential. 

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Adulting Learning

4 Simple Errors You Must Avoid As A Rookie Lawyer

Rookie Lawyer

A career in law is something that appeals to many people. Whether you are just getting started or you have been involved in the legal sector for quite some time now, there are some common mistakes that a rookie lawyer needs to avoid. While I am not a lawyer, these mistakes are ones that commonly hinder the success of lawyers.

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Things to Avoid As A Rookie Lawyer

1. Email Mistakes

Anyone can make a mistake when sending an email. However, in the legal sector, you need to portray a professional image, and email errors can be even more costly. One of the biggest mistakes is failing to respond promptly. Other errors include writing emails when angry, not having a signature block, incorporating fancy effects, and sending an email that states ‘sent from the desk of [name].’

2. Misusing Certain Words

Clients often get frustrated when lawyers use complicated legal jargon that they do not understand. Not only do you need to keep your client in mind while communicating, but you also need to be careful about the words you use. From ‘adverse’ to ‘honed in,’ you must be careful when using certain words and phrases in a legal context to ensure that your client fully understands what you are implying.

3. Failing to Delegate and Outsource Tasks as a Rookie Lawyer

Failing to delegate or outsource is one of the biggest mistakes lawyers and other legal professionals make. Despite their ever-growing mountain of work, they attempt to take on everything themselves. Overworking yourself can lead to sub-standard work; you could end up delegating it at the last minute to someone that is not suitable, or you could miss deadlines altogether.

The modern-day lawyer needs to realize that outsourcing and delegating allow you to provide five-star service to your clients. When you outsource, you can get all of the information from your case to give you a competitive advantage. If you were to delegate this to someone without the experience or capacity to deliver, you could have a nightmare on your hands. You may also want to consider outsourcing cases to nursing home neglect lawyers or other specialists who are better suited.

4. Choosing Tech Solutions Based on Cost Rather Than Effectiveness

There is no denying that technology has changed the legal industry considerably. All law professionals have a wide range of different software and technologies they use to enhance the services they provide to their clients. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is choosing a cheap solution instead of an effective one.

If you choose an inexpensive but ineffective option, it will be more of a hindrance than anything. You will especially experience an inconvenience when you consider that most low-cost solutions do not come with effective security. Imagine what would happen if you were to suffer a data breach. A data breach could leave your reputation in tatters, not to mention the hefty fine you would have to pay as well. It is not worth the risk.

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Family Activities How To Learning Life Parenting

How to Teach Your Kids Responsibility By Using a Chore Store at Home

We all want to raise responsible kids that help out, take care of things, and understand the value of money. Sometimes it’s hard to teach these concepts, though. In our house, we use a chore store to get the kids doing chores and learning about earning/spending.

The chore store is something that I set up once each week, usually on Saturdays. Throughout the previous week, the kids work to each chore store money. For each chore they do, they earn one chore store dollar. When Saturday rolls around, they can choose to save their chore money for something bigger, or they can cash it in on the items in the chore store.

Since the kids can earn one chore store dollar for each chore, they can choose how much they want to earn that week. It helps them understand that the harder they work, the more they get rewarded. If you don’t want to use chore store dollars, you can also use chore charts from Dollar Tree and implement a way to earn rewards from the chore store with the chart.

You can put anything in your chore store, as long as you know your kids will like it. I pick up small things to add to it when I see something I know they’d love, but I typically get most items from Amazon. I also go to Dollar Tree for multi-packs of items to include.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Chore Store

What to Put in a Chore Store

The options for what to put in the chore store are limitless. I love browsing around for new items to add. Some ideas include:

1. Invisible Ink Pens

Kids love invisible ink pens, as they can pretend to be a spy or share secret messages with their friends. These pens were a hit in our chore store!

2. Play-Doh in the Chore Store

Play-doh is always a good option. No matter how careful you and your kids are, play-doh gets mixed together or dries out. When you keep play-doh stocked in the chore store, you won’t have to feel bad about throwing some away. I buy it in a 10-pack case for variety and excitement each time.

3. Pop Its

Fidget toys are super popular right now, with pop it’s being at the top of the list. These fidgets come in all different shapes and sizes, and your child will be excited to see them as a choice.

4. LED Lights

If my kids can save up the chore dollars, they can use them to buy bigger items. Sometimes I let them pick whatever they want on Amazon, but other times I keep items I know they’ll love in our store store. When they can see these bigger items, it encourages them to save up and work hard to get what they want. LED lights were a hit in my house.

5. Super Hero Capes and Matching Bracelets

These superhero capes and slap bracelets are perfect for your store. I love items like this because we can just throw them in the dress-up bin instead of having random little stuff laying around the house.

6. Kinetic Sand

Sensory play is always one of my favorites, and my kids love it, too. It’s easy to clean up and your child can do so much with it. These small, individual containers are perfect because you won’t have so much kinetic sand out at once. Plus, your child can choose it each time they earn chore store dollars.

7. Sand Art Kits

I was so excited to see these sand art kits on Amazon. As a kid, I loved sand art. I didn’t even realize they still made things like this!

8. Mini Animals Building Blocks Sets

If your child likes Legos, these are the perfect option for your chore store. The blocks are smaller than Legos, but they are still super cute. You can use them as a learning opportunity, too, if you teach your child about the animals they build.

9. Candy for the Chore Store

I don’t love including candy in your store, but occasionally I’ll add some. Ring pops are always a hit, so they are one of my go-to’s. I also add smarties and sour patch kids.

10. Make Your Own Bouncy Ball Kit

I love any toy that involves science and learning. These bouncy ball kits are so much fun, and they are easy to make. Then, your child can have fun with the ball they created, giving them positive feelings about learning.

11. Coupons

I love adding coupons to the chore store because it offers an experience rather than toys. You can print some pre-made coupons for your child, or you can create your own with paper and markers. Think about things your child loves to do, and create eye-catching coupons for them to purchase from your store. For some ideas of things to put on your coupons, check out this post – 15 Ways to Give Your Child the Perfect Day

12. Stickers in the Chore Store

My kids love stickers, and they are easy to find. I typically get the stickers from Dollar Tree, but you can pick them up pretty much anywhere. Target also sometimes has a good selection of stickers.

13. Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers

Crayons, colored pencils, and markers are always good options for the chore store. My kids love to have a fresh pack, so every couple of weeks they’ll choose these items. You can have fun with these items by including specialty packs or the mega box of crayons.

14. Books

We all want our children to read, but some books are expensive! I would never charge my child the same price for the book that I paid, but I still like to make them an option in the chore store. When your child gets to choose the book for themselves, they’ll be much more excited about it. Plus, the chore store is a fun treat so your child will associate books and reading with rewards.

15. Craft Supplies

Crafts are exciting, and they get your child’s mind going. When you see fun craft supplies while you’re out shopping, pick them up for the store. Your child will be so excited to see something new in there to choose from.

Chore Store

Using a Chore Store to Teach Responsibility and get Your Kids Doing Chores

Whatever items you decide to fill your chore store with, have fun with it! Be creative and choose items that you think your kids will be excited about. Anytime I see something that I think my little ones will like, I pick it up and add it to the chore store next time. My kids love seeing random little additions. What would you fill your store with? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting How To Learning Life

The 6 Most Important Grooming Rules For Men to Always Follow

Having confidence is all about looking good and feeling good. There is nothing better than a fresh haircut or a new outfit to make you feel good about yourself. When you are feeling down, a little bit of personal grooming can make a huge difference. While women tend to think about their appearance more often, there are essential grooming rules for men to follow, too. These rules will help you look and feel better each day.

Grooming Rules For Men
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Important Grooming Rules For Men

A Little Trimming Goes a Long Way

Men, buy a trimmer and make sure that you give your nose hairs and eyebrows a quick trim every couple of days. Trimming will keep you looking fresh and feeling clean. There is nothing worse than a long nose hair to make you feel self-conscious. If you keep on top of this, you can ensure that that’s never the case.

A Shiny Smile

If you are willing to splurge a little on your image, you should consider getting your teeth whitened. If you don’t like your teeth, it is worth seeing a dental care specialist. The first thing people tend to notice about the opposite sex is their teeth. Keeping a healthy, gleaming smile is sure to make the right impression.

Keep on Top of Your Style – One of the best Grooming Rules For Men

There is nothing better than clothes that give you an added bit of confidence. Stay up to date with the latest men’s fashion trends and treat yourself once in a while. One of the most important things regarding clothing is to make sure that they fit correctly. Too many men choose ill-fitted clothes that don’t feel or look good.

Accessorize Wisely

The art of accessorizing can be hard to achieve for many men, but when you get it right, the effect is shocking. What you need to recognize is that less truly is more. One subtly placed accessory can make a wealth of difference to an outfit. A pair of jeans and a white t-shirt is instantly given a show-stopping edge when worn with a jacket. Likewise, ‘mens jeans leather belts‘ are popular fashion accessories. This one accessory can amp up the look like nothing else. It makes you look stylish and elegant.

Keep Your Nails Short and Clean

If your nails are dirty, people will notice, and you will feel self-conscious. Keeping your nails short and clean is very important because you don’t want to end up looking grubby. Keep your nails short and clean so that you look polished. A lot of men are embracing a manicure, which is recommended but not essential. As long as you keep your nails looking good, a salon manicure isn’t necessary.

Make Sure you Shave Properly

So many men get rashes, bumps, or cuts because they don’t shave properly. Spend time finding shaving foam that suits your skin – it needs to be gentle and thick. Shaving foam is essential when it comes to avoiding razor burns. Additionally, make sure you shave in the right direction and that you use a cooling agent afterward. Finally, avoid using blunt razors because this can lead to cuts.

Recap: Grooming Rules For Men

These tips will help you look better and feel more confident. Are there any other essential grooming rules for men that should go on the list? Leave a comment and let us know! 🙂

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Big Kid Health Healthy Living How To Kindergarten Age Learning Life Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

How to Help Your Kids Get Basic Health and Hygiene Down

As a parent, you likely want to improve your health and improve your child’s basic health and hygiene. It can be a battle to keep your kids clean, especially during the summer when they love to spend all their time outside. Teaching them how to look after themselves early on will set them up for a healthy and hygienic future. Consider these ideas to ensure they can take care of themselves as much as possible. 

Basic Health and Hygiene
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Teaching Basic Health and Hygiene to Kids

Positive Reinforcement 

Kids love hearing that they did a good job, whether it’s at school, after playing sports, or any other time. When teaching kids the importance of basic health and hygiene, you can use this to your advantage. Giving them praise or rewards after sitting still during an appointment at places like ÈLAN Dentistry will stop them from worrying about unusual places and encourage them to take care of their teeth to get another reward next time. 

Modeling Behavior 

It is always essential for parents to be role models at home. Your home is where your kids will learn everything they can about life, especially if they haven’t started school yet. If you emphasize healthy living, whether through eating well, exercise, or getting enough sleep, they will copy this behavior. By doing this, they develop healthy habits early on, giving them a fantastic foundation to build on. On the other hand, if you don’t encourage healthy living and spend all of your time sitting on the sofa and eating fast food, it will be no surprise when they follow suit. 

Make Health Fun 

There is something about a healthy lifestyle that many kids want to avoid. They act like it’s not cool to enjoy fruit and vegetables or to exercise. To change this attitude, you need to make health fun. You can find health and wellness activities that your kids will love, and they can teach them about being healthy without them feeling like they are learning. Other options include singing songs about health with them, especially when bathing or brushing their teeth. The songs will help your child associate this routine with something enjoyable, making them more likely to pursue it. 

Basic Health and Hygiene Gives Them Opportunities 

Your kids will never embrace the magic of exercise and activities if you don’t give them the opportunities to do so. Signing them up for sports clubs, such as soccer or basketball, will keep them fit and active. Additionally, consider teaching them how to ride a bike or take them to swim classes. As these are two common skills, it will allow your child to do other things with their friends when they get older.

Healthy and Happy 

It’s no secret that a healthy child is a happy child. By encouraging excellent health and hygiene practices, your kids will grow up feeling good. It minimizes the number of infections or other problems that can impact children who aren’t educated on hygiene.

Basic Health and Hygiene For Kids

Parents know that keeping their child clean all of the time can be quite a challenge. You might feel like you constantly have to chase after them to keep them clean. Fortunately, you can teach basic health and hygiene for kids. While you will have to help your child sometimes, they will be much more independent regarding taking care of themselves.

What are some things you have done to teach your child about basic health and hygiene? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Adulting Finances Learning

Managed Futures: Market-Neutral Vs. Trend-Following

Managed Futures

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of available investment options? You’re not alone — especially when it comes to alternative investments across asset classes, such as managed futures.

Of course, you’ve already heard of stocks and bonds, but you may not know quite as much about managed futures. This alternative investment can help diversify your portfolio, enhance your risk and return profile, and hedge against market volatility.

Read on to learn about two approaches to managed futures: market-neutral and trend-following strategies.

What Are Managed Futures?

Let’s start with the basics: What, exactly, are managed futures? A future is an agreement about buying or selling a commodity or security (i.e., stocks, bonds, or options) at a specific time for a specific price.

Futures — also called futures contracts — allow investors to speculate on the potential direction of a commodity or security. A contract includes an expiration date and locks a set price.

Futures contracts may be used to trade:

  • Stock indexes, such as the NASDAQ Composite, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average
  • Commodities, such as wheat, corn, livestock, oil, coal, gold or copper
  • Currency futures, such as the Euro, British pound and Japanese yen
  • Precious metal futures, such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium
  • U.S. Treasury bonds

Managed futures refer to a portfolio of futures that’s actively managed by a professional broker or adviser. This type of alternative investment provides exposure to more asset classes. Since managed futures aren’t strongly correlated with traditional stocks and bond markets, they’re a great way to diversify your portfolio. This helps protect against market volatility and mitigates risk.

Futures portfolios are managed using a market-neutral or trend-following strategy. Let’s look at each approach.

Managed Futures

Market-Neutral Strategy

A market-neutral approach attempts to make a profit from increasing and decreasing prices, all while mitigating risk. This strategy involves taking matching short and long positions in the industry. For instance, you might purchase $5,000 worth of Apple stock, while simultaneously selling $5,000 of Google stock.

In essence, these long and short positions act as hedges to each other, protecting against loss. They work by increasing returns — thanks to spreads creating by mispricing — while reducing the risk that comes from overall market movements.

When utilized properly, the market-neutral approach can allow you to profit from increasing and decreasing stock prices. At the same time, the risk is mitigated, as the focus lies on meeting stock price convergences rather than general market performance. This is because the market-neutral approach isn’t closely correlated with market movements.

There are two kinds of market-neutral approaches:

  • Fundamental market-neutral investing: Uses fundamental analysis — or a study of various economic and financial factors that can affect a security’s value — to predict trajectory. Trades are then based on predictions of stock price convergences.
  • Statistical market-neutral investing: Applies quantitative methods and algorithms to historical stock performance, with the goal of identifying price discrepancies. Trades are then based on these quantitative past performance indicators.

Trend-Following Strategy

In contrast, the trend-following approach monitors market movements more closely. This type of strategy attempts to profit by going short or long, depending on an analysis of market signals over a certain period.

For instance, if an asset’s price is trending upward, that indicates taking a long position. If the price is on the downswing, taking a short position may be in order.

Sometimes known as momentum investing, it’s based on the idea that market movements aren’t random; instead, rising prices will keep rising while falling prices will keep falling. For futures trading, this means buying contracts when prices are on the rise and selling contracts when prices are lowering.

A trend-following approach attempts to take advantage of the market’s downturns and upswings, using multiple indicators to determine an asset’s direction. Because this strategy is subject to market volatility, trend-following may result in large drawdowns or the percentage of the difference between an investment’s peaks and valleys.
 
Whether you choose a trend-following or market-neutral approach, investing in managed futures can help balance and diversify your portfolio. This alternative investment offers a way to mitigate risk while hedging against market volatility.

Want to learn more? The accompanying resource further delves into this topic.


Infographic provided by Institutional Advisory Services Group

Author bio: Greg Taunt is Vice President of Institutional Advisory Services Group, a managed futures company. He has more than 10 years of experience in the industry and focuses on maximizing portfolio effectiveness to potentially reduce risk while increasing returns using managed accounts in noncorrelated vehicles.

Sources

https://www.thechartist.com.au/market-neutral-trend-following/
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/managed-futures.asp
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/futures.asp

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3 Surprising Things Your Smile Says About You

When you feel happy or amused, you smile. It’s an automatic reaction, and most of the time, you don’t realize it’s coming. Interestingly, there are things your smile says about you that you don’t even recognize. Every smile has a meaning, and it all depends on the situation, the context, and even who can see it.

Things Your Smile Says About You
Source

3 Things Your Smile Says About You

Fertility 

It may seem like a strange pairing, but smiling and a woman’s fertility can be linked, according to studies. Those with healthier, pristine-looking gums and teeth tend to smile more, showing off their teeth for all to see. Those who have poor dental hygiene and might benefit from better dental care don’t smile as much because their teeth don’t look so great. 

This makes sense, but the interesting part of the study went on to say that those with gum disease took, on average, an additional two months to conceive than those women with healthy gums. Gum disease is also linked to type two diabetes, kidney disease, and lung problems. Visit your dentist regularly if you want to stay healthy and if you’re thinking of starting a family.   

Wealth

According to the National Academy of Science, the bigger a teenager’s grin, the more money they will earn as an adult. This sounds like it couldn’t possibly be accurate, but it does seem to be the case. 

The happiest children earned around ten percent more than the average income by the time they turned 29. Those who looked miserable and didn’t smile much earned about 30 percent less than the average income. Why the difference? The study suggests that those who are happier and have fewer worries have more capacity to concentrate on a job. Plus, they will get along better with colleagues, and their boss will see them enjoying their work and promote them. 

Power 

Smiles can often be linked to social status. The most high-powered individuals, the ones with the best jobs, the ones who began the most successful companies, seem to be the ones who smile the most. Now, the question is, what came first; the power or the smile? Are they smiling because they’re powerful, or powerful because they’re smiling? It’s difficult to tell, although the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin’s research shows that it’s the smiling that makes the power. Since these people are great at interacting with others, it’s easier for them to get jobs or investments, for example. 

Things Your Smile Says About You

If you smile often, you likely have better opportunities in life. As your smile can indicate your power, wealth, and fertility, make sure your mouth and teeth look their best.