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Birthday Gift Ideas For Preteen Girls

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There's no back-up for the frustration and sadness of making the wrong decision. So you want to make sure you get it right. It is relatively easy to satisfy preteen girls. Regardless of the remarkable differences there are some general gift items that all preteen girls are fond of. Girls are quickly drawn to feminine stuff, such as cute baby dolls and teddy bears. Preteen girls will rarely reject a doll except if she already has more than enough.
If you still have haven't gotten a specific idea of what you want the preteen to have as her birthday present then you can buy her a gift basket. Gift baskets can be quite expensive as you might need to assemble a variety of items.
4 Most trendy Gift Items For Preteen Girls
Disney Princess Gift Basket
The Disney princess gift basket is my best pick for girls under 10. It comes with a lot of Disney princess accessories like stylishly designed princess wallet, watch, head band, pony tail, hair brush, charm bracelet, necklace and lot of other cool stuff for kids. If you really want to make an impression on the preteen girl get her a Disney princess gift basket. This gift basket is going to brighten up her spirit.
Hannah Montana Gift Box
This gift box is an amazing gift idea for girls. It comes with an array of the most favorite characters from Disney and nickelodeon. It's a complete package with Disney fun filled activities and special character candies, lollipops of different shapes, Hannah Montana tattoos and stickers etc. You can send out a loving message that will be customized with your gift package.
Even if you don't like the package I described above the Hanna Montana basket comes with various types. You can get the Hannah Mt musical box set, or the Hannah Mt school gift resources. Check product descriptions for the items in any box you pick before you buy the item.
Dora the Explorer
This doll is for the age range of 3 to 7 years. This little TV character is a hit among much younger preteen girls. The trendiest Dora dolls are the ones that say short fun phrases when you squeeze the doll. The fisher-price Dora the explorer has a backpack that comes with a surprise gift item in it.
An Excellent Art Book
Designing ventures are fantastic ways to keep a pre-teen girl amused. They just love to draw. The art book you buy can present a pre-teen to a new activity and stimulate their creative genius, art books that come along with well-crafted craft guides are excellent presents for pre-teen girls. The market is full of guides on various activities from paper-folding to knitting.
I have hand picked the hottest gifts for preteen girls and preteen boys. They are your best bet in the marketplace


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7131505

How Old Do You Have To Be To Work In Florida?

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The child labor laws for the State of Florida are quite specific. This state does not require work permits, only that employers verify the ages of their workers. Those under fourteen years of age are completely prohibited from working. Fourteen and fifteen year-olds can only work up to fifteen hours per week, and that can take place between seven a.m. and seven p.m. When school is not in session (like during spring break or summer vacation) children of this age can work up to eight hours a day and up to forty hours a week, between the hours of seven a.m. and nine p.m. As for days per week, this age group may not work more than six consecutive days per week. There are many occupations from which this age group is prohibited from working. Power-driven machinery such as power mowers and cutters are off-limits; cooking, loading/unloading trucks, working in freezers/meat coolers, and operating motor vehicles are prohibited. This age group is also not allowed to work in public messenger services, handle specific kinds of dangerous animals, sell products door-to-door, spray paint, maintain/repair an establishment/machines/equipment, and perform several other key professions.
Minors that are sixteen and seventeen also have exacting limitations, but they are less severe. This age group can work up to thirty hours per week, between six-thirty a.m. to eleven p.m., up to eight hours a day. The aforementioned rule is not valid when school is out of session, and there are actually no limits to how many hours they may work (daily or weekly) during school breaks. However, the rule remains that they may now work more than sex consecutive days per week. Regardless of which age group a child falls into, they require a half hour break after four consecutive hours of work. Minors under eighteen years of age cannot work in/around explosives/radioactive substances. They cannot operate motor vehicles, log or sawmill, or operate power-driven meat processing machines. Wrecking, demolition, and excavation are forbidden, as is manufacturing brick and tile, mining, working around toxic substances, and firefighting. Operating power-driven machines, circular saws, or tractors with over 20 PTO horsepower is only for those eighteen and older, too.
There are some exceptions made here. Minors can work for their parents if the occupation in question is declared to not be hazardous, and ten year olds can deliver papers. Sixteen and seventeen year-old minors are immune to hour restrictions if they do the following: obtain waivers from public schools to perform certain tasks, are married or have been married, have graduated from an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency diploma, have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, or are enrolled in high school work programs.
For more information please check us out on the web at How Old To Work Blog and see what we have found for you! We are constantly publishing information about state working age and jobs that young adults can pursue to answer the question www.howolddoyouhavetobetowork.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7125802

Overcoming Social Anxiety by Play Acting

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I am sure you're all wondering why overcoming social anxiety through play acting has become such a hot topic for most frustrated parents; including, a sub set of equally 'socially challenged parents and their children' out there. It is trend setting for several reasons; mainly, because the parents themselves care about the future of their children. As a parent, don't you?
First off, I should let you know from the start; that 'social anxiety' is not a disease or even a syndrome to be diagnosed or labeled by members of the Psychiatric/Psychological professions. Honestly speaking, we all possess certain discernible degrees of this 'social anxiety' within each one of us. It manifests itself in varying degrees from individual to individual; and, it can turn on in greater or lesser degree at any age.
This means that we cannot categorize nor condemn just on the visible demonstrations of shyness or a desire to want to be on one's own. Nor, should judgements regarding 'depression' enter into the picture. At least not before you allow your child to tap into their own innate yet highly individualized social matrix-through play acting on stage.
Now, don't get the wrong idea; it's not a 'sink or swim' philosophy that works for all types of children. But, it does work... almost 90% of the time; and especially those that are willing to dive in and become naturally stimulated by the socially beneficial joys that come about through 'play acting'; and, connecting with like-minded, and perhaps even equally socially challenged children.
Within a stimulating environment, children excel while playing with each other; working with each other, challenging and motivating each other. Nothing can replace the therapeutic value of this 'peer' systems approach through playful and sometimes even spontaneous social challenges that are emotionally acted out in front of each other. And, before you as a parent will even notice; these actions and playful strategies become demonstrable changes in their personality and attitude.
We should hold off on our judgements, perceptions, biases, and prejudices, towards the social aspects of our children; until at least we give them a chance at a more dynamic social life. The best way I know is through acting, play acting, with like- minded children. Never mind labeling them; or worrying about their mental health!
Communication, social interaction, inter-connectivity, will produce a socially well-adjusted child that can survive in a rapidly expanding and highly challenging socially motivated world!
Get your children acting today!
For more information and resources on how your child can expand to their potential; contact http://www.catsdrama.com


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7127682

Summer Time (And the Living is Easy?)

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In my hometown it is officially summer. I know, the season really starts later this week on June 21, but school got out here last Friday. Last night the neighborhood children were out shooting baskets and hooting it up in the evening, a sure sign that they had no homework to do.
So, is the living easy? I know that for many working parents it has been a scramble to find the coverage they need for the summer. They are planning their time off around the times that they do not have child care or a camp for their children to go to.
For many of the "atypical kids" life does get easier in the summer when the academic demands go away. Kids who were irritable and snappish are now a little easier to be around. The transition to summer has happened, and many are feeling relief. Enjoy.
Other of the "atypical kids" are more irritable because their predictable schedule has changed. These are the kids for whom it is important for you, the parent, to introduce the summer routine. It doesn't need to be highly detailed. Think about what your child needs to remain an active member of the family instead of a total couch potato. Regular times for screens and meals will help. Regular times that everyone gets up and out, perhaps to go to a community pool, will also help.
This requires a lot of "rolling with it" for parents as they transition into summer. The regular summer programs don't start until next week or even after the Fourth of July. Like their children, parents also can become grumpy when the schedule is unpredictable. I speak from my own experience. So, take care of yourself by letting yourself roll with it. If you can take some time off of work, do so, and plan to do some activities that you can enjoy with your child. Try to expect less of yourself in terms of housekeeping, meal prep, and so forth.
Take some deep breaths and notice whether you and your children are enjoying the beginning of summer. What do you and your family need to have some enjoyment? It's different in different families. Are you having s'mores for dessert? Watching a movie together? Looking for bugs under logs (one of my favorites)? Baking cookies?
Try to let the living be easy. And when it isn't; when the adjustment to a new routine gets to you and your children and tempers flare, forgive yourself, take some breaths and start over. Remember, your good family time may not look like anyone elses. I would be interested to hear what you particular family likes to do to relax in the summer.
Parent Coach and Licensed Psychologist, Carolyn Stone, Ed.D. (http://www.drcarolynstone.com) educates parents of children with learning disabilities, ADHD, Asperger Syndrome and anxiety about their children's needs using humor and evidence-based practices. Parents learn new strategies through role play and homework. She teaches children to manage their anxiety and attention and to understand their learning styles. You can learn about Dr. Stone's work from her blog at http://www.drcarolynstone.com/blog/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7133428

Building Character by Playing the Literary Characters of Our Historic Plays

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When Hamlet turns playwright, in trying to trick his uncle King Claudius into revealing his murderous actions; he exclaims, "The play's the thing"; and so it is, in trying to catch the conscience and character of our kids. Because, it is only through playing out powerful and yet even tragic characters in our historic and immortal plays; can a child's true character become better revealed and developed; most importantly, to themselves!
Children need to immerse themselves into commanding roles; playing out the parts of our literary History; so that they may learn the meaning of humility, suffering, pain, and the loss of integrity; including, the inevitable and totally unavoidable consequences of betrayal and death. It has been said, perhaps too many times, that it has become overly cliched; that, adversity builds character. Not to lessen the power or meaning of those wise and immortal words; but, I personally believe, based on my own experience; that adversity just doesn't build character... it also reveal it!
Through stimulating your child's imagination by way of acting out famous roles; they also learn the meaning of Life; and where and how the wrong decisions can lead them astray; just like the literary characters of the play! Now, I realize not every child can play the lead character in any play; but, supporting roles and devious plots and planned subterfuge; can also contribute to a child's understanding of the powerful forces that even minor characters can play, in the unfolding of events, that can change the course of our History; and, play a vital role in determining as well as recognizing our common Humanity.
Staring at the boob tube passively; and being soothed and sedated by the characters and actions on the screen; do nothing to teach our children the importance of socialization and interactivity. Plays can get a child to open up better than any action or horror movie could ever hope to do. Rehearsing and acting out the famous lines of the plays we have loved and admired gives them a chance to feel for their characters; and to put themselves in their roles, like no TV show or movie could.
Next time you want to teach your child a vital lesson; enroll them in acting classes; so that they may learn firsthand, that the characters within our plays also play out in real life. The lessons learned will be lessons learned for life; that, no talking, begging, insisting, cajoling, or demanding, can ever produce.
Take it from Hamlet, "the play's the thing". Do yourself and your child a favor; get them off the couch; get them interacting and socializing with other like minded kids. Get them to realize the vital role they will play... in Life!
For more information and resources on how your child can expand to their potential; contact http://www.catsdrama.ca


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7127744

Children Are Our Future

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Expert Author Andrew ZubriczkyAre children our Future? As I sat down to write something 'important' and 'relevant' to add to this discussion; it somehow strikingly came to me like a thunderbolt from above; this question, How much can you say about acting and children?
What immediately came to mind, as a spontaneous answer, was even more surprising.
What do I mean by stating this self-evident fact... 'Children are our future'? I am talking about the future of Humanity, and that of our planet. Let's not get too deep or serious here; but, let's still answer this very important survival question.
My relative and perhaps personalized opinion is founded on my strong belief that if we do not safeguard the welfare and education of our children, they will only have a fool's paradise to parade within; without ambitions, goals, or even real and attainable dreams. To me, this is a dangerous future filled with uncertainty and lost hope.
Our children's future will depend on many things, but the most important will be the guidance and direction we as parents give them, while they are children, and open to new ideas and more imaginative constructs. How can we stimulate a child to the many 'wonders' and 'miracles' of Life; and our now, perhaps fragile existence?
Our way, is perhaps not the only way; but, it is a way that makes perfect sense!
Our answer, simply enough, is through creative, imaginative, improvisational, and totally interactive role-playing, play-acting, and sensory stimulation. Now there's a mouthful; but, what it really means just may convince you that your child is worth that extra special care and effort that you first promised him or her, as you lovingly held their little fragile baby body pressed up close to yours.
All children need to grow and learn to adapt to and overcome survival obstacles; this is the most basic primitive urge within all of us as we develop. And, how we stimulate and contribute to this primordial impulse may very well mean a better future for Humanity.
One way we find works wonders, is by giving them interactive stimulation at an early age, or in fact at any age; and through our designed, tried and tested means; we prepare them for the social triumphs that they can expect from Life. Through direct one on one, person to person, creative and sometimes spontaneous interaction, through play acting, and even role-playing.
And, historical role-playing, playing out the characters of the past, can only give them a deeper and richer understanding of their own lives. Let them be a bigger player in Life, give them the tools they need to overcome the stresses and obstacles we already know are going to be in their way. Give them a creative gift they will cherish forever and pass down for generations to come. Give them a creative edge; a chance to play the starring role in a real world drama; the play called Life!
For more information and resources on how your child can expand to their potential; contact http://www.catsdrama.ca


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7127725

The Most Important 6 Benefits of Music Homeschooling

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As a blogger mom, I have some free time on my hands, and I like to get involved in the education of my kids. When I first decided they need to have music included in their homeschooling routine, I must admit that I thought about the expenses I will cut since paying for a tutor can be pretty expensive. Public schools are not doing the best for teaching kids, and I do not have that much trust in the way they approach the educational needs of the young ones.
Kids no longer have to leave home to learn music
One of the most important benefits I noticed right away was that my kids no longer had to leave home in order to visit their teacher. I must say that I am more at peace now, knowing that they do not have to travel across the town just to get to their teacher.
A lifetime benefit
Learning music can be very beneficial on the long term. This is the type of discipline that I have always wanted to learn, but, as a child, my parents could not afford it. I know that my kids, while learning how to play the piano, will gain a benefit that will last a lifetime.
Children learn at their own pace
A thing that I was not so crazy about when it came to sending my kids away to learn music from their teacher was that they did not took the same time to learn the same things. My daughter, who is three years younger than my boy seems to have trouble grasping certain concepts when trying to understand certain notes, while my son is much more proficient in learning new things. Now, that they are at home, I help them whenever they need, and I do not have to keep one from advancing in learning, while I aid the other to understand the new stuff.
Cutting down costs
As I have already mentioned, cutting down the costs was a very strong factor that influenced my decision to start offer my kids homeschooling for music classes, instead of paying for the expensive services of a professional teacher.
A creative activity
Music theory may sound like a boring thing, but this is where I try to make things more interesting for my kids. Besides teaching them about intervals, keys and interval numbers, I also stimulate them to try to create something themselves. I believe that giving them the opportunity to play the piano while letting them fool around a bit with what they have learned will grant them the ability to get involved into a creative activity that will help them later in life. Besides being an enjoyable activity, I think it will help them think more freely about life in general.
The advantage of online courses
Of course, the question that I must answer to, first and foremost, is how I ended up teaching my kids music at home. I am not a music teacher, but I like music a lot, and due to the fact that Internet is now full with online courses teaching music, I became quite good at it. First of all, I was the one to learn the new things. I did not want my kids to think about me as a newbie, so I strived to get enough information into my brain before even daring to teach them something. Now they are involved in this process, in the same way as me, and there is nothing I like better than seeing them how interested they are in what they are learning.
Susan is a full-time freelance writer. She is an avid traveler and reader and enjoys writing on health & fitness, travel, parenting, relationships and personal development.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7124729








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