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Facebook Depression

2012-01-31T20:41:00.000-08:00

Facebook Depression




Facebook Depression

Facebook seems to have had a love-hate relationship with its users since its inception.

About 20% of teens will meet depression before they reach maturity and about 5% are suffering from severe depression at any given time.	American Academy of Pediatrics reports a new phenomenon described as "Facebook Depression."In the report, Facebook Depression is defined as "depression that develops when preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social media sites, such as Facebook, and then begin to exhibit classic symptoms of depression."

It argues that social websites can create a twisted reality that makes teens feel estranged. But is this sufficient to finish off that Facebook is causing more teens to be depressed? Numerous other resources are arguing that if Facebook causes depression, the same could be said for a teen sitting alone in the cafeteria.

Whichever part you are in agreement with, the fact is that adolescent depression is a grave issue. About 20% of teens will meet depression before they reach maturity and about 5% are suffering from severe depression at any given time.



Adolescents with fundamental poor self-respect may be impacted by the scene of others enjoying activities or declaring their joy. On the other hand, social media sites also allow for well-adjusted persons to share ideas, emotions and feel related. As a parent, you can set curfews or time limits around non-school-related deeds and keep open communication with your children, allowing them to discuss their stressors, emotions and optimistic aspects of their day.

Teen depression can affect anyone in spite of their gender, way of life or social background. It's vital to be attentive of the signs, which can include annoyance, bad temper, withdrawal and repeated weeping.



So while we can't be sure if Facebook is causing teens to become depressed, it is safe to conclude that monitoring your teen's social media habits, along with their overall behaviour and interests, can help you in identifying a possible problem and getting them the right medical attention in time.

Mental Scars in Abused Children

2012-01-10T04:09:00.001-08:00

Mental Scars in Abused Children




Mental Scars in Abused Children

Adolescents who experienced abuse or neglect as children have fewer brain cells than teens who did not undergo childhood maltreatment, a new Yale study finds.

Children are more likely to resort to positive behavior if they acquire support from you when they are following your rules.	A study conducted by scientists from the Yale School of Medicine found that adolescents who were exposed to maltreatment as children showed a reduction in gray matter in areas of the brain that control emotions and impulses, though they had not been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder.

Adolescents who experienced abuse or neglect as children have fewer brain cells than teens who did not undergo childhood maltreatment, a new Yale study finds. It found that the specific brain areas affected may differ according to whether adolescents reported experiencing abuse or neglect, whether the maltreatment was physical or emotional and whether they were male or female. Experts cautioned that the results of the study were only an association, and longer-term studies were needed.

Structural MRI scans done on 41 adolescents found reductions in the prefrontal cortex, important in emotional and behavioral regulation, across all cases of maltreatment. Other areas affected depended on the type of maltreatment reported.



It has been shown over and over again that prevention is better than the cure. Children are more likely to resort to positive behavior if they acquire support from you when they are following your rules. Begin using a reward graph and add areas for bonus points for very agreeable actions.

Those who reported physical or emotional neglect, for example, showed reductions in the cerebellum, which controls motor functions and regulates pleasure and fear. Those who had been exposed to physical abuse in particular showed reductions in the insula, an area that controls self-awareness — which may explain why so many people who have been abused as children report out-of-body experiences



Pressure from peers might be influencing their difficult conduct. If you cannot speak to the other kids' guardians, pay a visit to your kids' school and then determine what the scenario really is, maybe by meeting with their teachers. If your children's chums do not go to that school, do all you can in order to minimize how much communication they have with those chums of theirs who cause problems. Try to get your children to spend time in your house instead, and tell their friends that they should follow your house guidelines, or they'll end up being told to go home.

Despite the physical symptoms of childhood maltreatment, some adolescents in the study remained more resilient than others. The structural decreases may have left adolescents vulnerable to future psychological problems — which just haven’t occurred yet, or the adolescents tested have found alternative mechanisms to adapt to their difficult surroundings.

Getting upset is effortless if this happens several times a day or if you're drained. Develop a child behavior strategy to help you remain serene; this may set an example and teach your sons or daughters to try and do the same thing. Go to some other spot in your home if you think that you are about to blow up in frustration.

How to Handle Rebellious Child

2012-01-05T17:34:00.001-08:00

Rebellious Child




Rebellious Child

Do your youngsters have no respect for authority, whine, bite, reply aggressively, have an inability to listen, have meltdowns, utilize bad language, or do a myriad of other horrible stuff? Does your home look a lot more like a war zone than a home? Get back to square one by considering the following child behavior methods.

Children are more likely to resort to positive behavior if they acquire support from you when they are following your rules.	1. Kids should have limitations. Young ones typically do not know where the boundaries are, while older children usually tend to rebel when they can to demonstrate self-sufficiency. Hold a meeting and make approximately five to ten policies that everybody will follow. The rules must be suitable and also reasonable, and must be determined by the kids' age range.

2. Indicate the consequences clearly. Your children's refusal to obey house policies or proven instances of disobedience needs a reminder. Remain relaxed and be straightforward with regard to the outcomes if this type of conduct carries on. An allotted time frame ought to be given for your children to quit acting badly by themselves. Based on how old they are, the allocated amount of time would be anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes. Within this time, leave them alone and see if your kids will adhere to your regulations.

3. Always follow through. If they do not cease behaving badly, relax and don't use aggression when doling out the promised consequence. After administering the punishment, forget about it. Your sons or daughters need opportunities to start again and prove precisely how good they can be.



4. Wonderful actions should be rewarded. It has been shown over and over again that prevention is better than the cure. Children are more likely to resort to positive behavior if they acquire support from you when they are following your rules. Begin using a reward graph and add areas for bonus points for very agreeable actions.

5. Your kids require one-on-one time with you. Youngsters behaving inappropriately to acquire their dad's or mom's attention is completely ordinary. Schedule some precious time to commit to your children for having fun and their horrible actions will certainly vanish.



6. Peer pressure is also a factor. Pressure from peers might be influencing their difficult conduct. If you cannot speak to the other kids' guardians, pay a visit to your kids' school and then determine what the scenario really is, maybe by meeting with their teachers. If your children's chums do not go to that school, do all you can in order to minimize how much communication they have with those chums of theirs who cause problems. Try to get your children to spend time in your house instead, and tell their friends that they should follow your house guidelines, or they'll end up being told to go home.

7. Lessen alternatives and be in charge. Make a limited listing of opportunities that you are comfortable with and let your children select what they would like to wear, munch on and spend playtime with and their preferred length of time. Furthermore, permit them to have input when it comes to the punishment for ignoring your laws; those consequences can include 5 minutes of standing in the corner or no TV for 1 week. You can even permit them to decide on their incentives for wonderful conduct.

8. Stay relaxed. Getting upset is effortless if this happens several times a day or if you're drained. Develop a child behavior strategy to help you remain serene; this may set an example and teach your sons or daughters to try and do the same thing. Go to some other spot in your home if you think that you are about to blow up in frustration. You may also count to ten or find ways to distract yourself.

Create the right learning habits in children

2012-01-03T22:14:00.001-08:00

Create the right learning habits in children




Create the right learning habits in children

It is best to foster good study habits early in school going children, right from the grade one. There is definitely a big role you as a parent to play in creating a good environment for your child’s education. The idea is to create the right foundation and habits in children that will help them in the future and empower children to be self-motivated in their learning. The purpose is also to provide your children an environment conducive for learning and studying. We talked to some experienced teachers and also some veteran mommies and daddies. Some guidelines and tips for parents:

The idea is to create the right foundation and habits in children that will help them in the future and empower children to be self-motivated in their learning.	Have a regular study time Right from when your child starts primary school; have some time allotted for learning every day. This way, your child will get into this habit and it will be much easier in the later classes when they will need to do extra work at home. It does not have to be very long. Keep it short. Even 20-30 minutes. Say from 6 to 6:30 pm or even less. Even if they come back home late, try and see that they sit down even if for a very short time. Your child will reap the rewards later. You do not have to sit with them throughout. But make sure that you are available and they feel open in asking you questions and that you can sit and explain in detail if need be. Of course, there will be days when the child does not study, but those are the exceptions and not the norm.

Frequency is important Frequency and regular work has more impact than an intensive 2-4 hour session over the weekends. Especially in maths and writing skills, frequency is very important. This is what the experts at the Kumon Math readiness classes and Abacus say. (Kumon is a Japanese approach to Math and other disciplines. It is very popular in western countries like the United States as well. Abacus is an approach to mental mathematics very popular in India). So even 10 minutes of maths sums a day can be very effective. Remember that practice makes perfect. And try and time them. Once your child learns how to read the time, you can also have her write the start and the end time.

Make sure that there are minimal distractions Make sure that it is quiet and there are not too many distractions. Ensure that the TV is turned off and that other members of the house are also supportive of this time. If you have 2 or more children, it will help if they all sit down together. If not, then the one not studying could be having some quiet time in another room.



Make sure that they feel fine Make sure that the children are relaxed and happy when they sit down. If they are tired, hungry or cranky they will have problems concentrating. And it will be frustrating for them and for you.

Organize and teach them to be organized Being organized can make them make the most of that precious study time and not waste time. And it also teaches them another important lesson in life - "stay organized". Make sure that the tools are ready and handy. For examples, pencils are sharpened and stationery handy, supply of notebooks that your child can access etc. Keep supplementary materials like dictionary etc. handy and encourage and empower your child to use them. Keep their notes or loose sheets in folders (preferably transparent) with subject labels so that you or your child can keep adding their school worksheets in these from time to time. Encourage your child to be independent. It will add to their self esteem. It will really help if they have a study desk where they can study quietly. Also, all their books and stationery can be in one place. Encourage them to keep their desks neat and clutter free. But if you are unable to have a separate study area for your kids, then make sure that they keep their learning materials (books, stationery etc.) in one place. Some families have a portable tray in which they keep these materials handy and can carry to the dining table. This way they do not have to grab things from different places when the child sits down to study.


Homework for parents: What to make them study? What if there is no homework? What does one make them do? This is more relevant for younger children who need their parents’ guidance. Ask your child what needs to be done. Teach them how to plan their work at an early age. Plan and prepare the study material earlier. Instead of wasting the study time and writing maths sums during it, write them earlier. In fact, once you have some time, write maths sums for a few days at once. You can even get workbooks (Maths, English etc.) and make your child do these - ready-made study material for your child. It will save you time preparing study material from the scratch yourself. If your child's textbooks are always kept at the school, you can even get duplicate textbooks that you keep at home and make them practice using these.

Parents - relax and understand your child First of all, be relaxed, have fun in the process. Come on moms and dads, it is not all serious business or a stressful chore. All parents go through it. Time will fly and you will never have this time with them. Enjoy these times. Joke, laugh and keep the fun going as you sit with them. Remember that you can pass your stress to your child. Remember each child is different and do not try to impose your ambitions on your child. Be driven by your child’s interests and capabilities. Take cues from them. The idea is to make them realize their potential. It is not just how much they know but also their attitude towards learning and interest in learning that is important. You will be better able to make it relaxing and fun for them and something that is a part of their lives.

How to motivate them to study and get into the study habit? Gently encourage them. Try and avoid nagging, scolding or punishing them. Be patient and systematic. Especially when starting something new, start small and make the learning a step-by-step process. Some quick wins and the feeling of success from the start can really motivate them to put in their best. Keep the variety going. Try different subjects. it is also a good idea is to have both parents teach or sit with them from time to time. This will take the load off one parent and keep it fresh also for your child. Some other tips and tricks What about some fun new stationery? Some small gentle bribes from time to time - a bubble gum, an Enid Blyton - will also work. Try some soft soothing music to get them to relax while studying.

Parenting resolutions for the new year

2012-01-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

Parenting resolutions for the new year




Parenting resolutions for the new year

Parents who struggle with knowing how to improve their parenting skills, here are some simple tips:

Teens who spent seven or fewer hours a week with their parents were twice as likely to use alcohol or drugs as those who spent 21 or more hours a week with their parents.	1. Family Dinner Teens in families that eat dinner together at least five times a week are more likely to say they have a high-quality relationship with their parents and siblings. Other studies show children from families that eat meals together have lower rates of obesity, better overall health and have better eating habits.

2. Patience In the study, young children were given an option to eat a treat immediately or to wait 15 minutes and then receive an additional treat. Study results showed that only one-third of the children were able to wait. Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can — working, hoping and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well.

3. Give time Teens who spent seven or fewer hours a week with their parents were twice as likely to use alcohol or drugs as those who spent 21 or more hours a week with their parents. When parents sit on the bench and view their children's gravity-defying antics on the monkey-bars, that is one level of quality time with children. However, a game of tag with children chasing their parents is light-years ahead of just watching children play in terms of the connection that is created by engaging in an activity simultaneously.



4. Get a pet Responsible pet ownership is challenging. Animals need daily care and attention, but they can also help children learn important life lessons. Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion and empathy. Among the other benefits of pet ownership: Pets can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts — children often talk to their pets. Pets provide lessons about life: reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death and bereavement. Pets help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them. Pets provide a connection to nature. Pets can teach respect for other living things.

5. Read with your children Parents who often read books with children show markedly higher scores in exams than students whose parents read with them infrequently or not at all.

How to concentrate better

2012-01-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

Good Handwriting may enhance learning skills - study


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How to concentrate better while you study

Concentration: the ability to direct your thinking
The art or practice of concentration, no matter if studying biology or playing pool, is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction. We all have the ability to concentrate -- sometimes. Think of the times when you were "lost" in something you enjoy: a sport, playing music, a good game, a movie. Total concentration.

F. Hawes ; Aim at the sun and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if you had aimed at an object on a level with yourself.	But at other times, Your mind wanders from one thing to another Your worries distract you Outside distractions take you away before you know it The material is boring, difficult, and/or not interesting to you.

These tips may help: They involve What you can control in your studies Best practices

What you can control in your studies:
"Here I study” Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment Avoid your cellphone or telephone Put up a sign to avoid being disturbed or interrupted If you like music in the background, OK, but don't let it be a distraction. (Research on productivity with music versus without music is inconclusive)

Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule Accommodate your day/nighttime energy level Set goals and make a schedule Focus Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment

Incentives Create an incentive if necessary for successfully completing a task, such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc. For special projects such as term papers, design projects, long book reviews, set up a special incentive Change topics Changing the subject you study every two hours for variety

	Vary your study activities Alternate reading with more active learning exercises If you have a lot of reading, try the SQ3R method Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions? Ask your teacher for alternative strategies for learning. The more active your learning, the better.

Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you Do something different from what you've been doing (e.g., walk around if you've been sitting), and in a different area Rewards Give yourself a reward when you've completed a task Best Practices: You should notice improvement in a few days But like any practice, there will be ups, levels, and downs: It will benefit other activities you do!

Handwriting Tips for Left-Handers

2011-12-31T22:55:00.000-08:00

Handwriting Tips for Left-Handers



Handwriting Tips for Left-Handers

Learning to write may be more difficult for left-handers than for right-handers for a number of reasons. Our culture’s left-to-right progression favors right-handers. It is easier to pull a pen or pencil across a page than to push one. (If you are right-handed, try using your left hand to experience the increased difficulty.)

Our culture’s left-to-right progression favors right-handers. It is easier to pull a pen or pencil across a page than to push one.	Then, as the left hand moves across the page, it not only covers what has been written, but may smear the ink or pencil marks as well. The spiral binding or rings on a notebook get in the way. Even the desk itself may be a hindrance if the lefty is sitting in the old-fashioned right-handed school desk.

By the time children first come to school, many have already acquired habits, such as the way they hold a pencil, that are counterproductive to good writing. If parents are aware of positive instruction techniques, such habits can be avoided. Parents and teachers, even though acknowledging the importance of recognizing when children are left-handed, should avoid treating them as “different” or as exceptions, but rather treat them as individuals.

Sitting Posture

A child should have a chair that has a flat seat and back. The chair should be at a height that allows the child’s feet to rest flat with the hips, knees, and ankles all at 90-degree angles. This will help the child to have smooth postural adjustments as the writing arm moves across the paper. The desk height should be about two inches above the height of the child’s bent elbows. If the desk is too high, the child’s shoulders will tend to elevate which can restrict freedom of movement and make it difficult for a lefty to see his/her work. If the desk is too low, the child may tend to slouch over the desk or lean on the nondominant arm for support.

Type of Pencil and Pencil Grasp

	Have the child use a hard lead pencil, so that it will not smear easily. In grasping the pencil, the forearm should rest on the writing surface in a neutral position, with the hand resting on the little finger. This position allows the wrist to move freely. The wrist should be in a slightly extended posture (bent back), because this brings the thumb in a position where it can comfortably oppose the fingers. There should be a rounded, open web space between the thumb and fingers. This position permits freedom of movement through all finger joints and also allows the finger pads to contact the pencil shaft.

Teach left-handed students to hold their pencils about an inch and a half from the tip of the pencil, so that they can see over or around their hand; show them how to point their pencil toward their left shoulder. Suggest that they keep their wrists nearly flat against the writing surface, and prevent hooking by instructing students to keep their wrists straight and their elbows close to their bodies. It may be helpful to have a left-handed adult model the appropriate handwriting techniques.

Positioning of Paper

Turn the writing paper to the right, rather than the left. This enables lefties to see their work better, to have better leverage, and to write faster. Each child needs to develop a natural slant that is comfortable with the paper positioned on the left side of the desk in front of the left arm so that the writing flow to the right is easier.

Once the best angle of the paper has been identified, a strip of masking tape can serve as a visual reference. If a child has difficulty stabilizing the paper, a blotter or large sheet of construction paper taped to the desk may provide just enough friction to keep the paper from slipping.

Spatial Organization

Begin writing instruction with directional letters, such as F, P, and B, and help left-handed students to produce the most legible letter forms that they can make comfortably. For students who have trouble with spacing, a prompt such as placing a finger between words may serve as a helpful reminder. If a student has trouble remembering to write from left to right, you might run a length of green tape for “Go” along the left side of the desk, and red tape for “Stop” along the right side.

Good Handwriting may enhance learning skills - study

2011-12-31T22:09:00.000-08:00

Good Handwriting may enhance learning skills - study



Good Handwriting may enhance learning skills - study

A study conducted by Vanderbilt University professor Steve Graham has revealed that good handwriting is one of the key parts of learning. The study to be released this month has revealed that when children are taught to write, they are also being taught how to learn and how to express themselves.

A study revealed that when children are taught to write, they are also being taught how to learn and how to express themselves.	The study also finds that a majority of primary-school teachers believe that students with fluent handwriting produced written assignments that were superior in quantity and quality and resulted in higher grades, besides from being easier to read.

In an effort to reverse the de-emphasis on handwriting and composition that may be adversely affecting children's learning all the way through high school and beyond, the College Board of US has included a handwritten essay to the SAT, the standardised test for US colleges admissions.

A study revealed that when children are taught to write, they are also being taught how to learn and how to express themselves.