Thursday, October 2, 2008

How and why children draw

By Wendy Tsao

Children feel the need to express themselves. They fulfill this uniquely human trait by interacting with different people, by responding to the things they observe in their environment and most importantly through drawing.

Drawing not only enhances the developmental skills of a child, it also aids in the ability of the child to express himself creatively. His thinking and communication skills are also being developed because drawing motivates him to discuss his creations. Children who are involved in the expressive act of drawing are participating in their own learning. When given choices and ample time to create, they will construct their own realities, communicate their feelings and ideas which in turn make sense of and give meaning to their world.

Children are able to learn very quickly how to use the different mediums and techniques available in drawing. They have a wide selection of tools to choose from, and almost intuitively understand how to make marks on a blank piece of paper. Coloring materials such as crayons, pastel colors, paint, colored markers, colored pencils, watercolors and chalk are the most popular choices for young hands.

When a child begins to make drawings with meaning, he or she is entering an important stage of creating and communicating. The inspiration of a child stems from the hundreds of ideas running through his mind - which most of the time can result in bizarre pictures that only the child can personally understand.

These ideas can also result in colorful, recognizable drawings of people, animals, objects, places, and so on. Whether or not every drawing that a child makes is a masterpiece, it is through this repeated activity that children learn to experiment and practice different drawing techniques that can further fuel their creativity. Through drawing, children increase their understanding of colors, shapes and even spatial concepts.

While there is an urge in parents and society to develop a child's creativity by enrolling them in art classes, there is just as much value in simply letting children draw whatever they think and feel. Children feel the most joy in drawing spontaneously, that is without any rules or limitations. The benefit of free drawing is that it cultivates within a child the independence to create images, characters and dimensions that they can relate to and think of.

Drawing helps a child to filter the things that he likes or dislikes. Through his drawings a child can set out his dreams and wishes on paper, and make them seem a bit more real. Children, like professional artists, can also draw according to their emotions. Children will produce happy drawings of their families or other familiar subjects but they can also create drawings depicting sad or scary thoughts. How can parents respond to this form of creativity in children? By simply showing a genuine appreciation through listening to the child talk about the ideas in the drawing, and by asking the child how they feel about their drawing, the parent is nurturing a positive form of communication.

Drawing is thus an important tool for very young children, by providing them with opportunities to represent intricate personal narratives and to use them to communicate with significant others in their lives. Drawing offers a window into children's preoccupations, passions, problems and possibilities. Many adults can listen and respond to these narratives and appreciate the power and meaning of children's drawings, and thus help in the development of these young thinkers. - 15343

About the Author:

Benefits of Drinking Water: 3 Essentials

By Cindy Soto

Perhaps it goes to show the times we live in that we are wondering about the benefits of drinking water. Isn't it just obvious we need water? All the same, let's take a closer look.

You've heard that your body itself is 75% water, your brain 90%. That little tidbit should remind us that we need water: a glass of water is vital to have by your hand all day.

You will only enjoy the benefits if you drink water, not coke or milk or lemonade - water. When you feel thirsty, what do you reach for? Make it water and you'll have a great and lasting positive impact on your health.

And I'm sure you've heard that if you wait until you're thirsty, it's a bit late, your body is already feeling the effects of dehydration; not a good thing. Think to drink.

In short; if this one vital element is not taken the right way, you will fall far short of your health objective. Water is essential to so many things: moving oxygen through the body, in helping the body recover from injuries, in detoxification and overall cleaning. It greatly enhances the bodily processes, including digestion and sexual performance.

Let's go over the 3 essentials so you can enjoy the benefits of drinking water:

1. -- Quantity: at least 8 to 10 glasses, or more exactly take half your weight and drink that many fluid ounces. But this is only a rough guide. Listen to your body, drink more if you're active.

2. -- The frequency is also essential. You want to replenish water as the body uses it. If you are active, it's always good to drink before and during the activity. Have a glass of water within reach throughout the day.

3. -- The quality is the third essential element. Tap water is not healthy. For years chlorine has been a major element in the water, and even the EPA acknowledges that chlorine in tap water will increase the likelihood of cancer by 93% in one's lifetime.

Many turn to bottled water, but it's not great either. The plasticides from the bottle itself leach into the water over the weeks the bottle sits on the shelf. And in one test, over a third of bottled water was below the low standards of tap water.

You can learn much more on this important subject. The benefits of drinking water are many and it's especially vital to ensure you are drinking healthy water. - 15343

About the Author:

Most Popular Types of Eyeglass Brands

By Amy Nutt

There are many different prescription eyeglass brands currently on the market. The options can be virtually overwhelming! Because of this, it may be helpful to narrow down the brands to choose from by thinking about the different categories of eyeglass brands that are available. Whether you are new to wearing corrective lenses or whether you've been wearing glasses for years, reading about different types of eyeglasses may help you get started on choosing your next pair.

Designer Eyeglass Brands

There is no shortage of options for the fashion and label conscious when it comes to eyeglass brands. Virtually every well-known fashion designer has at least a modest line of eyeglass frames that proudly tote their label. If you have a signature style that coincides with one of these fashion houses: the choice may be easy! Even if you aren't necessarily a fashionista, frames from a designer label may suit your style. Below is an abbreviated list of very popular designer eyeglass brands:

- Anne Klein - Burberry - Bvlgari - Calvin Klein - Dolce & Gabanna - DKNY - Fendi - Gucci - Prada - Ralph Lauren - Versace

Kids Eyeglass Brands

There are some specific prescription eyeglass brands that focus on making frames for children. For the most part, these brands are great for helping kids ease into wearing glasses, making them more comfortable. Kids' eyeglass brands can make having to wear prescription eyeglasses seem fun, while making the fit easier to achieve. Some popular kids' eyeglass brands include:

- Barbie - Captain America (by Marvel) - Childs View - Disney - Dora the Explorer - Fairly Odd Parents - Fisher Price - Garfield - Hershey's - High School Musical - Incredible Hulk (by Marvel) - Jimmy Neutron - Kool Kids - Rugrats - Scooby Doo - Spongebob - Whiz Kid

Sporty Eyeglass Brands

For the athlete or person with a more active lifestyle, there are a variety of brands that accommodate your way or life. These styles may be more durable or resilient: ready to take on any challenge that puts them to the test. Some of the more popular sports-related eyeglass brands include the following:

- Adidas - Body Glove - Columbia - Converse All-Star - Golf Club - Nautica - Nike - Oakley - Puma

Budget Eyeglass Brands

A popular choice in eyeglass brands is to go with budget eyeglass brands. Some eyeglass brands focus more on value than luxury or style. For your run of the mill pair of eyeglasses: especially if it's your first pair, you may want something simple. If you invest in a pair of budget eyeglasses without spending too much money, you can take your time figuring out what you really want. Then, if you decide you'd rather wear contact lenses you won't have spent an arm and a leg on your night-time-only glasses. Below is a partial list of some of the popular budget eyeglass brands:

- Budget - Casino Budget - Criss Optical - Modern Optical - Mudd - Rainbow Optical - Value

Special Interest

Finally, there is a category of eyeglass brands that appeal to people who have special interests or hobbies. Whether it is a food, a type of vehicle, or some type of character: if you're a phanatic, you may be able to find a brand of eyeglasses that's just for you. Below is a list of just a few of these types of brands:

- Abba - Betty Boop - Celine Dion - Donald Trump - Harley Davidson - Hershey's - Hummer - Jaguar - John Lennon - Mademoiselle - Mont Blanc - Nascar - Nikon - Nintendo - Pepsi - Pez - Wall Street - WWE - X Games - 15343

About the Author:

Many Horseback Riding Accident Can Be Prevented

By Haylee Landford

Horseback riding safeguard pointers can aid in saving lives. For many folk, riding a horse in the forests or on trails in Colorado near mountains or in their foothills, is an ideal way to pass the time in the later part of the day. Horseback riding can be carried out at any speed, from slow and relaxing while enjoying the outdoors to driving hard to consume a few calories. Whatever your objective, horseback riding safeguard tips can help make your ride very pleasant, fun and especially safe for all.

Horseback riding safety tips ensure that a day spent riding goes off without a hitch.

Ride a horse that matches your riding skills and if you will be on a road at all, be sure your horse is safe to ride in such areas.

An ASTM approved helmet that's securely fastened and worn at all times while on a horse is highly recommended by owners and trainers.

Sturdy shoes or boots with about a one inch heel take good consideration.

The saddle of a new or inexperienced rider should be furnished with break-away stirrups which is a safety feature which will help prevent falls and therefore keep them from being drug if the horse does not stop.

It is a good plan to not ride alone, to carry along with you a cell phone or 2-way radio in case you need decisive action.

Apprise someone of your plan for the ride as to where it will take place who is going and when you are thinking of returning. This way if you do not arrive back on time someone will know where to start looking for you on your Colorado land.

Remember that the faster you go the more easily something can go wrong and reaction time is longer, and it is always a good idea to ride only as fast as the slowest rider or with the least amount of experience.

Hunting season should also be taken into consideration as safety can be very risky.

If you are riding at night on your Colorado land, you will need to bring along a flashlight, wear reflective clothing, try to stay on known trails and do not ride alone.

You may want to consider packing a safety kit containing sunscreen, water, snacks, a pocket knife and a halter just in case you would need to tie up.

Stay away from wearing loose flowing clothing that might get caught up on something that could cause an accident. Clothing should be comfortable to carry out the many actions it takes to tack up a horse, ride and mount and dismount. Your horse will appreciate a rest so get down off your horse now and then and let it rest.

There are many more safety tips that can be thought up, these are just a few meant to help you appreciate your desire for horseback riding on your Colorado land, and help to keep you safe. - 15343

About the Author:

Liposuction: How Safe Is It?

By Amy Nutt

Liposuction is one of the many types of Chirurgie Esthetique Montreal that is in existence these days and thanks to prices dropping, it has become something that just about anyone can have done. Since it is a relatively minor procedure, it tends to draw quite a few patients, particularly those who have already lost weight on their own, but have areas that are resistant to exercise and dieting. However, like any medical procedure, there are risks involved and it's a good idea to know what you're getting into before signing up.

What Liposuction Is

The actual process is fairly simple. It involves using a vacuum-like device to suction fat out of specific areas, often the stomach and thighs are good candidates for this. The point of the procedure isn't to make you lose weight, but rather to shape the body by removing stubborn pockets of fat cells. Those areas that tend to cling to their fat even after a lengthy diet and exercise program are prime candidates for liposuction. Stomachs, hips, thighs, underarms, breasts and butts are the most common areas that end up being treated.

This cosmetic surgery isn't a miracle cure for fat, but it certainly helps define these areas that are normally cushioned by an excess layer of fat cells. It isn't permanent though and the patient can still gain weight after the surgery.

Risks and Complications

For good reason, doctors performing liposuction don't do it on patients that suffer from diabetes, heart problems or blood clotting issues. They require their patients to be healthy in order to minimize the risk, of which there is a certain amount in any cosmetic surgery. Despite being one of the safer cosmetic procedures, this type of surgery certainly isn't free from complications.

Embolism. This happens when a blood vessel is broken by the suction device and a piece of the broken up fat is introduced into the blood stream. This tiny bit of fat can block blood vessels in the lungs or brain, causing serious problems and even death.

Infections. There are two types of infections that can occur in this type of procedure. The first is when the actual tissue inside the body becomes infected, while the other is an infection of the skin. The latter can cause the skin to die off in large areas if not treated.

Punctured Organs. Since liposuction is frequently performed in the abdominal area, the metal canula (suction pipe) can accidently hit an internal organ. The intestines are nearest the popular suction site and will require additional surgery if torn.

Swelling. Once the fat is gone, swelling and pooling of the body's own liquids can cause the area to remain puffy for months on end. This problem occasionally appears months AFTER the actual surgery. Numbness. If a nerve is damaged during the process, there can be a loss of sensation to part of the body, usually the area being liposuctioned. This isn't lethal, but it can definitely be unpleasant. In most cases, the sensation is temporary, but occasionally it doesn't go away.

Complications with Anesthesia. The local anesthetic that is used to numb the injection site can cause toxicity in some people. Most of the time this involves minor symptoms, slurred speech, dizziness, etc. but on occasion, it can stop the heart.

While liposuction is considerably safer than other, more invasive, procedures, it does still carry the risk of complication and it's important that patients understand this before they decide to go through with it. Despite fears, you are far more likely to die in a car accident than during the cosmetic surgery. - 15343

About the Author:

Secret Exposed - How To Burn A Lot Of Fat

By Lucky Pen

The most effective method needed to Burn a lot of fat is simple and always achiveable and surprisingly it is inexpensive.

What you required most to be able to Burn a lot of fat effectively is the right guide.

Today are lots of lies flying around marketers that just want to profit through selling fat burning products or food supplemets that are not effective and are rather injurious to your body system for they can not your body chemistry

Below are five tips contains the important information you desired to have to know concerning the cheapest program used to Burn a lot of fat.

1.The cheapest way to Burn a lot of fat is by takingmore and more of the body supportingfood and taking your body throughl ittle exercises. The experts suggested ratio 80% to 20%.

You can't burn much fat by sweating it out in earobic exercises nor by killing yourself of importantdiet which your organsrequired in order to acquire strength, particularly the diet supplements that we buy in the market today like chromium Picolinate (cp) and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) don't have any benefits, even low carbohydrate food with little results. All these are the wrong methods people are using today, becuase they are not naturally working in harmony with your ody metabolism. I can to show you the real food combinations to Burn a lot of fat.

2.The best method to Burn a lot of fat is centered around on a dieting guide; a simple easy to domethod you can follow in as you like it to accomplishyour weight loss goal. It has all information and dieting strategies you will ever need to drop as much unwanted body loadas you want, you determine how much you want out of your body and the program support and carry you all the way.

3.The best way to Burn a lot of fat also use a natural dietgenerator technique where you can use a proved and certified system to determinethe food you want to eat. You can put in your desired food and come out with the right formula to achieve your weight loss goal. The fat burn foods you arrive at will be so natural you enjoy the whole program as if it has been part of you.

4. The best way to bunr fat gives room for reviews on diet plans and fat burn foods, it is not a fixed and never changing program that is thrown down the throat of everybody whether it suits them or not. It is believed that not all priciple work for everybody, so it must be reviewed from time to time to suit everybody.

5. The best way to Burn a lot of fat makes you get result in a little above 7 days. Yes, just in seven days you will start seeing your body take a new shape, naturally without you experiencing any way abnormally. It is so natural ans simple.

Stop killing yourself gradually, embrace a good natural method of losing fat and watch yourself achieve your desired goal. - 15343

About the Author:

Why You Need Customized Prescription Glasses

By Amy Nutt

Many people who begin to experience vision problems consider picking up a pair of reading glasses from their local pharmacy instead of (or before) visiting the ophthalmologist or optometrist. Some of these people may think that their vision problems are just not serious enough to warrant actually going to the eye doctor. Others think they might save a few dollars by buying low cost reading glasses at their local pharmacy in place of spending the money necessary to get an eye exam and a pair of prescription eyeglasses. While a pair of reading glasses from the pharmacy may do the trick for a short time, you may be damaging your vision even more in the long run.

Eye Exams

The first thing to consider if you are experiencing vision problems such as blurred vision, headaches, etc. is that you absolutely need to seek medical attention. You only have one pair of eyes and it's up to you to keep them healthy. Keeping them healthy sometimes requires getting your vision screened by a professional. An eye exam will be able to diagnose any medical conditions that simply buying reading glasses would never identify. If you are concerned about the cost of an eye exam, you may be able to participate in a free eye screening program in your community. Check with your local hospital, senior center or optometrist to see if they know of any such programs.

Not Only Glasses - Treatment

Some people assume that whatever problem they are experiencing with their vision can be easily corrected by wearing eyeglasses or reading glasses. This is especially the case with people who are experiencing blurred vision or other eye problems for the first time. Unfortunately, it is just not that simple. There are many factors to consider. One of these factors is the fact that corrective lenses or reading glasses are not the answer or cure to every single vision problem that exists. This is one of the reasons it is so important to have your vision screened by an eye care professional. There are several types of eye conditions that require treatment other than corrective lenses. Some of these conditions include:

- Allergies: They cause redness, irritation, itching and excessive tearing. - Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) - Blepharitis - Cataracts - Retinal Detachment - Strabismus - Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

The only way to ensure that the problems you're experiencing with your vision are not due to something more serious is to schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist or optometrist and get your vision and your eyes checked thoroughly.

No Two Eyes Are Quite the Same

Okay, this is not entirely true, but almost. Another important reason that getting customized prescription glasses makes more sense than getting reading glasses at the pharmacy is most people's eyes have different degrees of sight in each eye. It is actually pretty rare that both of your eyes are equally far-sighted (or near-sighted for that matter). Your ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to measure exactly which strength lens is required by each of your eyes.

Most
reading glasses found in pharmacies contain lenses of matching strength. Because of this, only an eye care professional will be able to prescribe the customized corrective lenses that are just right for you. In the rare event that both your eyes require the same strength lens, your doctor can tell you what strength reading glasses are best for you. Again, while you may save a few dollars by doing this, the best accuracy can only be achieved by customized prescription glasses. So, while no two eyes are quite the same, you only have one pair. So take care of them! - 15343

About the Author: