“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is – infinite.” ―
One picture is worth more than a thousand words…
There is a reason why we say that one picture is worth more than a thousand words. Have a nice day and remember to think more than you talk.
Teach kids about animals!
World of animals is something that children usually are very interested in. There is nothing surprising in this fact because it is an extremely colorful, diverse and intriguing world. I can bet that you also loved to learn about animals as a child, didn’t you? This kind of knowledge is best obtained in direct contact with the animal, but for obvious reasons, it’s not always possible os safe. So below we suggest several simple ways to teach your child about animals.
1. Reliable online resources
The first method worth recommendation is trusted sources on the Internet, such as Wikipedia. You will learn from them and teach your child many interesting facts about animals. They can be their general behavior, speed or size records, customs and many other interesting features of individual species. It is important to reach for relevant sources and provide knowledge about high substantive value. You can start with Fauna of Africa It’s just one article, but comprising a massive amount of knowledge about African habitats.
2. Coloring pages
Learning an animal’s species while coloring is an ingenious idea. Why?
Let’s say:
- most of the kids like coloring so they will learn more eagerly
- when a child is focused on coloring it looks for a picture at least for several minutes. This way it’ll remember more details and will keep the image of the animal in mind better
- it brings more variety to child’s everyday activities
And you can find a lot of amazing coloring sheets presenting various kinds of animals on the internet, bookstores or even local stores. Start with Animals coloring pages and check if your child likes it.
3. Reading books
Probably the very best feature of a proper book is that it combines a solid piece of information with nice pictures and very often covers it all with a compelling story. And if you offer it to a kid, I can promise you that you’ll have a very focused listener, at least for several minutes. The same condition as in previous examples applies here. Your resource must be of good quality.
4. TV Shows
Yes, I know. This idea is probably the most controversial, as many parents would like to get rid of TV from their houses at all. But as much as I agree that most of TV shows is just terribly low in terms of quality, it also has to be stated that some of them still can do a lot of good in your life. You just need to find something really worth looking at. So in the first row, check for example National Geographic offer. It’s a pretty reliable resource when you look for such materials.
5. Conclusion
These simple methods of learning kids about animals are just a start. As I mentioned on the very beginning of this post, it’s definitely the best to show real-world examples. Of course, I’m not trying to invite you to go deep into the forest to show to your little ones how wolves live and hunt. But going to the farm to see cows, goats and sheeps is a much better idea. And after coming home. Print some nice coloring pages showing the same creatures, and give a child a cup of hot chocolate. He or she will remember it for a long time…
Q&A regarding coloring pages
1. Is not coloring an activity targeted only for kids?
Not necessarily. For some time it is commonly known and proven by research that adults can benefit in numerous ways when they color. It explains a surge in a number of adults interested in coloring pages in recent years. For example, a series titled “Secret garden” exceeded all previous selling records of coloring books for adults. Many pieces of research showed without doubts that coloring helps adults to reduce stress, find better mind balance, meditate, bring back positive memories, change their mood, and also spark creative potential.
2. How can I find a good coloring page?
First of all, you just have to like it. It is as simple as that. What can seem appealing to a one person can lack appeal to all others. We can say that coloring pages are small pieces of art. Usually, not very sophisticated, but still. So you just have to choose pictures resonating with you.
Luckily, the choice available on the market is really huge. Especially of pictures available online. You can find many good websites and download many nice coloring pages instantly and completely for free.
3. I am really bad at coloring, How can I be better?
Oh come on, it is not a competition! But if you want to be better and better, then you should learn at your own pace. You do not have to impress anyone by all means. You just need to spend some nice time and relax a bit.
If you want some technical advice then follow these rules for a start:
- match different colors into harmony
- try using different coloring utensils and choose your favorites
- read some articles on coloring techniques available on the internet
- join Facebook groups, blogs and forums bringing together other coloring enthusiasts
4. What is the difference between coloring pages for adults and children?
The fact is that there is one main difference, Coloring pages for adults are usually much more complicated and sophisticated than pieces designed for the little coloring enthusiasts. They are also usually made of intricate details and more mature patterns. Coloring sheets for children are pretty basic to avoid the discouraging effect.
5. When should I spend time coloring?
There is also no iron rule to obey here. You just need to feel comfortable and in a proper mood for coloring. This will depend on you. Many people love to this evenings when all other family members are sleeping, it is quiet and easier to focus. Maybe this is a good clue for you? But, on the other hand, you feel like coloring only mornings then do it as you like. I will repeat that – what is good for some individuals does not have to be a perfect solution for you.
6. Where should I search for some Inspirations?
Well, there are multiple places to find inspiration online. For example, mentioned before: forums, Facebook groups, personal blogs, Pinterest or Google+ profiles etc., Just look for places visited by people with similar interests. It helps to learn quicker, share interesting ideas and, if you wish, get your work criticized and corrected by more experienced coloring fans. Over time, you will get better and better and most probably inspire others:)
7. Is it better to buy brand new coloring pages from a bookstore or download printable pictures from the internet?
It is another question without an unequivocal answer. So the simplest answer would be: it is up to you. Quality of images is very similar here and there. So compare both offers if you have enough time. After that decide what you like more and which coloring pages are more suitable for you. As a matter of fact, finding coloring pages on the internet is easier for most of the people. Just remember that the ultimate goal is to make sure that you have a lot of fun during coloring, not spending too much money. Well maybe, excepting a situation that you can afford it of course:)
8. Which coloring pages are the best choice for children?
Children usually like coloring books with characters known from TV, books and computer games. So the easiest choice for boys will probably be Superman, Spiderman, Turtles etc. Girls, on the other hand, will probably like pictures of Barbie and Ken, Little Pony, Paw Patrol, Princesses etc.
A hint of the day for bloggers – use creative commons!
This post will be relatively short and directed to people publishing content on the internet. As you probably know, each blog should have high-quality images. Usually, the problem is where to get them without infringing on the copyright? And here comes a great genius plugin called Compfight
It’s free and extremely easy to use. After you install it, you will see “Compfight” rectangle in your WordPress post editor.
When you want to include a picture to your post, all you need to do is to click that rectangle and type what you are looking for.
Browse searching results, make your pick and it will look like below.
Roberto Trombetta via Compfight Russ Seidel via Compfight
Brian Evans via Compfight Brian Evans via Compfight Brian Evans via Compfight
Great tool, isn’t it?:)
Prepare your child for the first day at school
The first day at school isn’t too easy for both parent and child. It usually comes with some serious challenges. To make it at least a bit easier, it’s a good idea to start preparations for the big day before it finally comes. Below we present several useful ideas to make it less bewildering for children and unpredictable for parents. Learn how great effect you can achieve by mixing entertainment with traditional ways of learning.
David Stanley via Compfight Brian Evans via Compfight https://fajnekonkursy.pl/
Good basics
The written word is the foundation of learning at school. But before a child can learn to properly use it, first must master some basic manual skills. And subsequently, the written word will open numerous paths of imagination and creativity. It also allows communicating much more effectively.
To train manuals skills needed to write, use various stationary objects like crayons, pens, pencils or even plasticine. Add a piece of paper and just let a child play with this set of items.
You probably already know that children love to learn through play and that’s a very effective method. So learning how to write properly should be conducted on the same path. Free play is a very good beginning to know better new objects and learns how to hold them naturally. Watch closely child general behavior and his facial expressions to judge whether the activity is entertaining or not. But refrain from intruding too much in this initial phase. You will start introducing some useful advice a bit later. Now just make sure that the child feels comfortable with new items.
Don’t worry too much, children are amazingly effective observers. They are able to pick up and introduce a lot of completely new information by simply watching the surrounding world. So it’s a good idea to allow a child to watch how you write, draw or paint. But on this occasion try to do it a bit slower than usual. So that the child can keep up with your movements. Later you can encourage him to repeat your moves one after another.
Alphabet
Learning the alphabet is really a big challenge for a little child. So you can try using visual stimulus like for example coloring pages for children. You can easily find the whole alphabet on a series of coloring pages where a child can try to fit colors inside the letters. Moreover, the pictures are usually decorated with a relevant drawing, for example, letter “A” is accompanied by an antelope, “B” by a bear and so on. This will very effectively instill visual associations working as reminders. This will be a true handicap for a child beginning to learn the alphabet at school.
Abraham Arthemius via Compfight juan carlos peaguda via Compfight Hindrik Sijens via Compfight Glendale Lapastora via Compfight bfatphoto via Compfight kuhnmi via Compfight Patrik M. Loeff via Compfight
Reading can be fun
Reading to your child is a must. It’s a great way of describing him several aspects of life and the art of storytelling. Listening to relaxing sounds of a parent’s voice will surely encourage a child’s curiosity about the world and awareness of the surrounding environment.
When a child is of pre-school age, reading can be a very good way to help him prepare for school and gives him a basic insight of what to expect on the very beginning of the education process. When a child knows more beforehand, this will give him more confidence during the first weeks in a classroom.
But how exactly reading can prepare children for school? Well, numerous researches prove that even just 10-15 minutes reading to a child a day substantially helps:
- to develop social and emotional skills of a child
- strengthen a mutual bond with parents
- strengthen self-confidence and willingness to learn
Combine reading with more interactive methods to make it even more fun. This way children who begin learning to read at school are usually in a positive state of mind.
So what can you do exactly? For example, make animal noises or funny characterizations. This will increase child’s engagement and generally make it more entertaining.
Try asking some simple questions regarding the story, such as: “What would you do it this situation?” or “Do you think that it’s right or wrong?”.
It’s also a good idea to swap the roles for a moment. Just let your child be the storyteller. If he can’t read yet, then he can describe what he sees in the picture. You, on the other hand, can ask some additional questions. It allows a child to use imagination and interpret the surrounding world.
Remember to steer clear of TV, radio or mobile phone noise to make reading the most efficient and relaxing.
You can make it!
Learning at school can be a big challenge for many children. A rigorous routine, many new friends and a teacher who isn’t always the most polite person. Especially at the very beginning it can be truly overwhelming for slower adjusting kids. Prepare your child for this big challenge to build a positive attitude and optimism towards his first day of school.
School or homeschool?
Both home and public education have numerous enthusiasts. Many parents, however, face this dilemma and do not know which option to choose. If you are one of them, watch the video below, which can help you make the right decision.
Funny costumes
Today’s post is absolutely off-topic:) Nothing about meditations, coloring pages, children life or life hacks.
Today I would like to ask you to choose which dog’s costume is better? I need one but I’m so amazed by both that it’s just impossible to pick only one:)
I would be deeply grateful for any votes in comments.
1. Three heads
2. Headless Horseman
Basic ways to recognize a talent in your child
Every child has his/her own set of talents. But it’s important to figure out what those talents are early on. That’s why a lot of people will encourage you to enroll your child in things like piano lessons, music or even crafting lessons. You should always let your child try out new things. It’s hard to discover a talent unless you are exposed to it. So, trying out new things all the time is extremely important, and it can help pay off quite a lot in the long term.
Let your child explore new options
The more options you offer to your child, the easier it will be for him/her to figure out what talents they have. Some parents stop their child from trying out new ideas and opportunities. Don’t be like that. Let your child try out some new hobbies, enjoy new activities and so on. You should stop your kid only if he steps over the line. Other than that, let your child be as creative as possible. At the end of the day, this is the best way for a child to uncover his talent and take it to the next level.
See what your child likes the most?
While it can be very hard to pinpoint an exact talent, you can figure out the overall category that your child enjoys. For example, is your kid very fond of playing video games at a competitive level? Is he/she a natural salesman within your family? Or is your child reading a lot of books? All these things can guide you towards that hidden talent, all you have to do is to follow the guidelines and results can be impressive. But always remember that activities which you propose should be fun and de-stressing for a child, especially if he/she is still very young.
Avoid pressure, act smart, use coloring pages
Most talents develop naturally. And as you know, it can take a lot of time to fully develop some talents, such as basketball or marathon running for example. Try to be patient. If anything, encourage your child throughout the entire process. It will help you quite a lot in the long term, and that’s exactly what will help your child reach the next level. Replace pressure with patience, and the results can be good for your child.
For example, coloring is one of those tasks that require a lot of attention from your child. But it can easily become his/her passion in the long term. And that’s exactly what you need to take into consideration here. Let your child decide his passion and what he/she likes the most. It’s a bit hard to uncover a certain passion, but once you find it, results can be astonishing! So if your child is interested in dinosaurs then find him/her some nice set of printable dinosaurs coloring pages etc. Generally speaking, coloring pages are a great tool in children’s development process. We just need to learn using ithe in a right way.
Encourage a mindset focused on growth
Kids that have a growth mindset are prone to taking more risks, and they will open themselves to a lot of possibilities. It’s really hard to find things that you are very passionate about, especially at a young age when everything seems nice. It all comes down to making the right pick, and the outcome can be quite astonishing. So act smart! Use proper tools, like for example creative games, coloring pages or quizes.
Once you identify your child’s talent, encourage and nurture it the best way you can. You have to show your kid that his talent means something to you. This will make him/her continue to improve that skill and take it to new heights. Parental support is extremely important when it comes to recognizing a talent and nurturing it. So, try to help your children as much as possible, don’t stop their dreams!
Why are Coloring Books so Popular Again?
When next you are at the mall or bookshop take a walk down the shelves which have books for sale, you will notice that the coloring books are back.
There are so many coloring books for adults and children, and I can guarantee that if you returned in a few days, those coloring books have been sold. Who is buying them? Who has the time to use coloring books? Many people have discovered the therapeutic benefits of coloring, and they are taking advantage of these books.
Coloring books are affordable, and they are very interesting to use. Depending on your interests you can get a wide variety of coloring books with different illustrations. I get so thrilled when I see coloring books of my favorite movies or even those cartoons I enjoyed as a young child. The illustrations in adult coloring books are more vivid and complex to color, unlike the bigger illustrations you can find in the coloring books for little children. This makes the activity so much fun. While using coloring books, your goal will always be to finish with a tidy and beautiful picture which has been colored to match the original character from what you can remember or a different color pattern you think is most suitable.
Using traditional coloring books
I have seen many mobile apps that offer coloring games but they cannot be compared to using the tradition color pencils and a coloring book. The benefits experience is also clearly different.
Benefits of coloring images on a book
Let’s discuss why this trend is becoming more popular even among adults now.
Coping with stress and anxiety
Studies have linked using the coloring books with experiencing feelings such as tranquility and mental health. Coloring images can cause you to experience a calmness that will overcome feelings of anxiety. Living in these modern times can make an individual often experience anxiety due to their jobs, relationships, and fear of the unknown tomorrow. People who contend with these feelings can experience calmness by engaging in a simple activity such as using a coloring book.
Inner creativity
It gives you more opportunities to develop your creative reasoning abilities which can be applied in your jobs, business or in managing your relationships with other people.
Satisfaction
Many people have not experienced the feeling of satisfaction for so long, and it can be quite depressing. After completing the coloring of an image, you will feel a deep sense of satisfaction which is good for your mental health.
Improved concentration
Using coloring books can help you overcome everyday distractions that keep you from focusing on your goals. Using these books help to improve concentration and attention to detail. Performing this activity regularly will help you apply these principles in your personal life.
Talent recognition
Coloring pages can help you to recognize artistic talents of your child. You have to remember that coloring is a small piece of art. It is a perfect occasion to watch how easily your compose colors, fits them in lines and use extraordinary coloring techniques.
Take a temporary break from your mobile devices and computers
Give your mind and eyes a break. The stimuli from these modern gadgets can be overwhelming. Coloring does not require complicated skills, and you become better with every new image you color. Considering these benefits, coloring books are a welcome distraction from the hassles of this modern world.