GPS Watches Make a Cool Gift for Kids

For kids, a GPS watch for children would make sense as a perfect gift. Not only would it be a present that impresses their friends, but with cutting edge features it can assist in their personal safety and health. The ability to allows know the right directions can ease of the fear of parents if a child gets lost. Additional features will help the child stay focused for personal goals.

From a safety standpoint, home locations can be added to the watch to ensure that the child will always know how to return home. For trips and camping, this added precaution that will provide ease of mind for the parent. The child can explore the area on their own knowing that they will find the way back. For solo trips, programming the address beforehand will direct the child to the correct location.

A GPS watch for children has optional additional built in features. For the child that is interested in fitness, certain watches come with a number of tools to help track heartbeat rates. This monitoring helps to establish appropriate goals for their training and improves their performance. For the beginner of a fitness program, this helps them to stay on track of their personal objectives.

GPS Watches Make a Cool Gift for Kids

The utility of the Global Positioning System units available on the market today can find any person and any situation to perform. The device operates on a signal triangulated from a series of 24 satellites. A device with GPS capabilities can accurately give time and location readings in any kind of weather or country.

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The Fun of Giving Awards

I volunteer at Camp Med, a licensed day care program sponsored by the City of South Pasadena, facilitating their sports hour. During the summer about eighty children from the ages of 5-11 participate.

In terms of my background, I have had the privilege to work on the Olympics every two years and other sporting events and have been the recipient of souvenirs and sponsorship memorabilia.

Two years ago, at the end of summer camp, I felt compelled to give out an award. In front of the other campers I read a speech and gave an Athens Olympics watch to our:

The Fun of Giving Awards

Honor Camper

Your thoughtfulness and caring are much appreciated. The kind words you have

spoken to your fellow campers and to the counselors have not gone unnoticed. Your effort and good sportsmanship have been Olympian. To honor you, Camp Med would like to give you a special watch that celebrates the Olympics and name you our Honor

Camper.

This created a lot of excitement amongst the kids, so much so that the following summer, they kept asking me if I was going to give out another watch. I did, as well as eight other awards. I also gave out prizes at random times throughout the summer. This is what I learned during the process.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Growing up as a kid, half of the awards I received were of a generic nature. These awards had little meaning to me, even though some of them were big, marble trophies. The most thrilling award I received was a little blue ribbon in second grade that said "Most Improved." I liked the award because it was authentic and true.

One of the more personal awards of the summer went to a boy whose math team won the regional, then state, then western states and then national competition and has a wonderfully neutral Mr. Spock-like persona:

The Pythagoras Award

Pythagoras was a great math genius of ancient Greece. He believed that numbers were the ultimate reality. Pythagoras was also known to be a keen observer, a good friend to many and very wise.

Camp Med has had the great fortune of having a Pythagorean in our midst and we honor you now.

He received a bust of Pythagoras.

SPEECHES

I always give the child a copy of the speech as a reminder of what was said and as something they can show their parents. The speeches generally are short, the kids are eager to see what the award is (the award is always wrapped or covered) and find out who gets it. So, in a few words, strive to communicate an essence:

Goodness Award

I recognized your goodness from day one. It is always a delight to have you here with us at Camp Med.

The kids also like awards that sound cool. This one got their attention:

Ninja Soccer Girl

You are like a Ninja on the field, quiet, graceful, highly efficient and determined. It is a joy to see you on the field with a soccer ball.

I wanted to suggest to this modest boy that he is fully capable NOW of doing special things on the soccer field:

Soccer King

You have improved steadily throughout the summer, but what has truly impressed me is your heart. You are willing to play on much smaller teams against an army of kids.

There is an element of poetry about your game. You know when to pass, where to position yourself, when to accelerate, how to curve the ball and how to lead on the field.

ABUNDANT RECYCLING

During the summer, my wife and I cleaned out our garage. She discovered a pretty pin with little jewels on it. She no longer wanted it, but I saw an opportunity, one of our best soccer players at camp was also a very stylish dresser.

Camp Med Soccer Girl

There was a day in the middle of the summer when you had just about a perfect game. You were in a zone. Defensively, you took the ball away from everybody who came your way and then booted the ball up field or made an excellent pass. You did this for 45 minutes straight. It was so exciting to watch.

I had worked at the 1994 World Cup and had received a limited edition silk scarf celebrating the event. Where does one find a happy home for such an item?

Most Improved Girl Award

This summer, you not only started taking shots on the goal, you started scoring goals.

It has been a pleasure to get to know you better. You bring a radiance and elegant presence to Camp Med.

I remember this young lady very gracefully taking the big scarf out of its little box and later peacefully and meticulously folding it up again. In the caring way she handled the scarf, I could tell that she appreciated it.

As I placed my intention that summer on giving out awards, I discovered that there was an interesting dynamic at work. In the case of the soccer girl, I knew I wanted to give her an award and then the award showed up. In the case of the scarf, the award showed up and then the perfect recipient was revealed. This intuitive process went on throughout the summer. As each new revelation came forward, it felt like I was cracking a code. I never thought there would be nine awards, maybe three tops. Strangely, it seemed like I wasn't in charge, I just listened, cooperated and went with the flow.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE

During one match, the rubber tip of a plastic hockey stick broke. At the end of the game, I announced that the MVP of the game would receive the rubber tip. This just cracked the kids up and they all wanted to receive it. There was the buzz of excitement in the air. The kids taught me that prizes could be silly as well.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Meanwhile at home, we also went through our Christmas ornaments that filled our garage. I thought, well, if the kids wanted the rubber tip of a hockey stick, they would probably like some Christmas items and announced that for one week (while it was 90 plus degrees in Southern California) that it would be Christmas in July and I would be awarding Christmas items throughout the week. Each day, I would bring a brown bag with a Christmas item inside and the kids couldn't wait for the award ceremony to see what was inside.

During the week, a young boy came up to me and said that he wanted a prize. I asked him what he wanted and he said without hesitation, "I want a Santa." All the kids wanted a prize, but with this boy, there was an extra need for acknowledgment.

The following day, I came with my brown bag. He quickly came up to me and asked if that was his Santa, he was so eager and excited. At the end of sports hour, I gave the brown bag to him and told him he was receiving this prize for being very sweet inside. He opened it up and took out the Santa. The kids cheered and clapped for him. He just stood there in awe with his Santa, vulnerable, wide-eyed, taking in all the support. Later he told me dearly that he felt, "a little embarrassed." It was one of the most beautiful moments of the summer.

It's an example of how by taking a positive action step (providing Christmas in July), an opening sometimes magically occurs for something even greater to come forward.

FREECYCLE.ORG

Not everyone has an overflowing garage. There is a wonderful, free organization called freecycle which is dedicated to reducing landfill waste. Members essentially play give and take, asking for what they want and posting what they have to give away. You can send an e-mail to the group asking for what you want, for example: old trophies and jewelry, children's toys in good condition, etc. You'll probably receive some very interesting items, all at no cost.

GIVING A WATCH

A watch turns out to be a perfect award. They can be trendy, colorful and fun. It's practical. You can take it to school. It's with you all day. It feels special. Kids love them. This was the speech for this year's watch recipient:

The MVS Award for Most Valuable Support

After just a few days of Summer Camp, I knew, by your supportive actions, that you were destined for an award. It turned out that what I found for you, however, was totally sold out in Southern California and Oregon and Minnesota. I finally found a store in Chicago, Illinois that had one last one.

You have helped me so, so much. I appreciate you greatly, words can't even say.

This award goes to the one who has been my right hand and has been wonderful and supportive throughout Summer Camp.

This November, Sixty Minutes did a piece on Millennial Kids whose childhoods they said are "filled with trophies and adulation". The paradigm represented here is totally the opposite: heartfelt recognition and thanks to children who, by their very presence, give so much more than they receive.

CONCLUSION

As a child, I use to wonder, "Am I of worth?" "Who am I?" "What am I good at?" In a powerful way, certain awards gave me some answers. The answers were very clear (I am good at swimming, for example), but on a deeper level, the items were constant reminders that I was good. An award can go a long way in supporting the self-esteem of a child.

As an adult, I found the process of being the award giver a powerful, multi-dimensional way to connect to a young person. It can be done via humor, drama or warmth. It's a very true and direct way of saying, "I value you."

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Sitting Too Close to the Television

It's a fact of life that children like to watch television. However there are health concerns that are vocalized by many about letting your kids sit too close to the TV. These were raised in the early days of television when the TV was often affectionately referred to as a radiation box. Obviously there was no radiation danger from watching TV and the technology has advanced beyond what it was originally.

Still the questions about whether it's harmful to watch TV for too long, or sit too close remain. If you're child is not physically active and spends all of his or her time in front of the TV then obviously they will begin to get a little heavy. In this aspect the question about if it is harmful is a definite yes. It's important for kids to get out and have plenty of physical activity in order to grow and develop properly.

As far as the question about sitting too close to the TV goes the answer is a bit complicated. However you can answer most of it yourself with some common sense knowledge. If you work on a computer, or use a laptop for long periods of time and sit too close what happens to your eyes? They become itchy, red, irritated, and your vision becomes blurred.

Sitting Too Close to the Television

Now if that happens to you who are fully grown, imagine what it might be doing to your kids. This isn't a scare argument, but more of a common sense argument. Children and toddlers often don't understand the concept of letting your eyes rest so it's important to manage this for them until they understand. Continued long term watching regardless of range can lead to long term headaches and migraines.

That covers the physical part of the question, but what about the mental part? Yes there is a mental part to this question that most parents simply do not think about. If you let your child or toddler sit real close and directly in front of the TV they will begin to think it's theirs. This can lead to behavioral problems down the line and cause quite a few issues.

Before you dismiss this as silly remember how children learn what's theirs and what's not. When you hand them a new, they grab it, and it becomes theirs. If you sit them in front of the TV alone and leave them then they will assume this box with the colorful moving pictures is theirs as well. Being up close and directly in front of it will reinforce this position as well.

In order to prevent this from happening it's important to teach them that it's not theirs. This works the same way you teach them that other things are not theirs. You typically sit them at an angle from the TV where they can see it, but not directly in front of it. When they move closer or try to touch it you simply pick them up and put them back. So is it harmful for your child to sit too close to the TV? Physically it can be straining on the eyes so yes, but in the end use your own parental judgment.

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Daffodils and Children - Explore How to Get Them Interested

It is fascinating to watch children because they are interested in so many things adults tend to take for granted. One of their favorite flowers is the daffodil due to the design and colors that are bold and bright. Children often hear people say what flowers mean too. The fact that will relate daffodils with positive things including love, hope, and even smiles means they will want to have these flowers around them.

With that in mind, you may want to introduce your children to these flowers in a variety of ways. Show them some daffodils and chances are they will already be in awe of them. Schedule a day for attending a daffodil festival where you can all see them in large numbers. There are lots of other great activities to take part in at those events as well.

Why not ask if they would like to get a garden in place and grow their own? This is a great project for parents and children to do together. Sometimes it can be very hard to get quality time with children without distractions. Working as a team in a garden though is a great way to do so. It can be fun too because as the children get older they will be able to do more of the work.

Daffodils and Children - Explore How to Get Them Interested

They will take pride in being able to grow daffodils on their own. The memories of doing so will be very happy ones for the entire family to reflect on. Getting children to spend time outdoors with nature is a great way for you to help them develop a love of it. They can become passionate about the outdoors and what all it has to offer.

In many ways this can help to avoid conflicts with indoor problems such as too much TV or excessive video game playing. It can also help them to find a calm retreat from the various forms of stress they will experience in life.

Should you decide to grow daffodils, allow the children to help with making arrangements from it. Perhaps they would like to present one to a friend or a teacher from school. They can also use the flowers to make a variety of different craft projects. The possibilities are endless so let their creative side be explored.

There are many ways to explore daffodils with your children. They will grow up to appreciate the beauty of them. What you will also find though is that they are able to teach you a number of things this way as well. Children see the simplicity in things that adults often overlook. They will bring your attention to them once again.

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Cool Kids Wallets For Boys and Girls

Nothing gives a child more pride than their own wallet so they can put their own hard earns money in. It also makes them feel a bit grown up that they can be like Mom and Dad. Secretly though getting your child a wallet is an excellent way to teach money management and it's never too early to start teaching. Good habits last a lifetime. So getting a wallet is a big step for your child. There are many styles of kids' wallets out there for boys and girls of any age.

For Boys

Here are some cool kids' wallets for the boys

Cool Kids Wallets For Boys and Girls

Superheroes - You cannot go wrong with superheroes. All boys love the superheroes and they can get nearly every superhero of their choice from Batman, Superman, Spider man, Iron Man, to the Incredible Hulk.

Disney - Give your boy a wallet with their favorite Disney character from Toy Story to Cars, along with easy open close Velcro tabs.

Quicksilver Men/Boys Leather Wallet - For the older child who may not want such a cartoon type wallet. Quicksilver is a popular maker of wallets for kids and adults.

Spongebob Squarepants Tri fold Wallet - For the Spongebob lover even a girl could adore this one. It is a tri folded wallet for quick open and close has a place for picture id, many slots for cards, and a zipper coin purse.

Personalized Wallets - If you truly want to make giving your child their first wallet special and to make them feel special you can get a personalize wallet with the child's name on it.

For Girls

Disney Princess- What girl will not adore a Disney's princess wallet? Its pink and it has all your Disney Princesses on it from Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin Princesses.

Dora the Explorer and Boots Wallet - Perfect for your little girl who loves Dora. This is an excellent starter wallet for a young child. Has easy open Velcro closure, trifold design that has a place for picture id, 4 slots for card, plus of course a large pocket for bills.

Roxy Chord Kids Wallet - This is a fun wallet perhaps aimed more for the tweens. This wallet has a fun urban chic design. Have snap closure, ten card pocket hold, ID card pocket, and a small change zipper pocket.

Barbie Tri fold Wallet - For the younger one again. This tri fold wallet comes in pink with picture of icon Barbie which any Barbie loving girl will adore.

Wildkin Fairies Tab Closure Wallet - For the fairy loving girls this wallet has a tab closure and is aimed for more the older girls age 10 -12. Comes as well with an ID card to fill out. Inside slots for cards and money and an outside small zipper pocket.

Personalize Wallets - To make the wallet super special get it personalize. You chose your type of wallet from a limited selection, then child's name is put on it. Which will be their special wallet for it has their name on it. This can make a great gift idea.

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Learn Spanish For Kids Online

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that the earlier children are introduced to another language, the quicker they will pick it up and the more beneficial it will be to their learning in other areas. Here are some handy tips for parents on how to learn Spanish for kids online.

1. Learn With Your Kids

Making Spanish learning a family hobby will mean you get to spend quality time together learning a wonderful skill. It also means you will be attuned to the problems and difficulties of learning Spanish, and will be able to share in successes and failures.

Learn Spanish For Kids Online

2. Take Time Every Day

Consider taking a regular slot out of every day to speak Spanish to one another - bedtime or storytime, when your child is relaxed and receptive is useful. You could agree to speak only Spanish at breakfast - learning the words for breakfast items and kitchen appliances to ask each other questions.

3. Use a Variety of Resources

Children learn through play, so keeping them entertained is essential to their learning. There are lots of Spanish games for children to play online and you can supplement these with simple additions to their normal routines. For example, if they are colouring in ask them the names of the crayons in Spanish, if you are playing cards together you can test them on numbers and you can play I Spy games in Spanish as well as English.

4. Make Sure They Hear Native Speakers

Even with all your good intentions, if you are not a native speaker of Spanish you may be mispronouncing words and encouraging bad habits in your child. It is of paramount importance that anyone learning Spanish hears native speakers so make sure you incorporate this into their learning and your own. You could watch Spanish childrens TV programmes together, listen to Spanish music or listen to audio Spanish courses.

5. Reward Them

Keeping Spanish learning fun and exciting will keep your child interested for the long term, so rewards are very important. Churros with hot chocolate are almost guaranteed to keep your child interested in Spanish lessons. You could have a Spain themed night where you all dress up and eat Spanish food, or a Mexican night with a piñata and fajitas. Letting your child help prepare the food and talking to them about Spanish or Mexican culture is a great way to keep their appetite whetted.

The best way to learn Spanish for kids online is to invest in a reputable course, but I hope these tips have provided some inspiration for you and your child in your Spanish adventure.

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Birthday Parties For Young Children

Planning a birthday party for your child is an exciting and important occasion. It's a chance to show your child just how unique and special he/she is. It can also be a bit stressful if you're not prepared! Here are some fun ideas and suggestions to help you celebrate the big event:

1) Choose a party theme. Themes could revolve around your child's favorite sport, animal, hobby, movie or TV character. Having a theme makes planning the rest of the party easier. Themed invitations, decorations, plates, napkins and thank yous create a festive feeling that flows throughout the event.

2) Get your invitations delivered 2-3 weeks in advance. You can purchase your invitations at any local card store or retail center. For you creative types, there's an endless amount of scrap booking ideas and supplies out there to make your own personalized invitations. It doesn't have to be an elaborate "masterpiece". Let your kids help cut, color and glue items onto cardstock paper. Even older children will enjoy this project! To save time and money, look for a website online where you can create and print free custom invitations.

Birthday Parties For Young Children

3) There are many fun games that can be adapted for children of all ages and party themes. Some of the time-tested traditional games are Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Musical Chairs, Red Light Green Light and Simon Says. If you're not sure how to play these, you can always search for instructions for these online. It's generally best to pass out a prize to all the participants, regardless who won the game. Keep it simple and inexpensive by passing out a sticker or small piece of candy.

4) Oh, the joy of presents! Of course it's exciting for the birthday child to open presents, but it's also fun for the other children to watch their gift being opened. To help prevent the "open mine first!" dilemma, make a game out of it by playing Musical Presents. All of the kids sit in a circle and pass around each gift from person to person while music is playing. When a grownup turns the music off, whichever present the birthday child is holding, that's the one that gets opened first! Continue playing music/passing until all the presents are opened.

5) Keep food preparation to a minimum the day of the party. Order or bake the cake ahead of time. Chop fruit and veggies the day before. You don't want to be stuck in the kitchen and miss out on all the fun.

6) Your party is sure to be remembered when you send each guest home with a cookie party favors. Some other fun items to put in a treat bag could be a whistle, stickers, lip balm, crayons, small rubber ball, yo-yo, pencil, mini note pad and candy. To save time and postage later, tuck a thank you note inside the take-home goody bag, too!

Helpful Hints: Remember to get film for your camera, charge the video camera battery and pick up some candles along with matches or a lighter!

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