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Children want more adventure in their lives

Alan — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:01:16 +0000

Research that has recently been conducted for the plaster company Elastoplast has said that the vast majority of children, around 85%, are seeking more adventure in their young lives. The children involved in the survey were aged between six and 12 years old and the parents of these children were also surveyed. Parents also agreed with their children that they would like to see them have more adventure in their life.

The study also highlighted the lack of adventure that was happening with children, despite the fact that parents and children wanted to see more adventurous activities happen. Less than 50% of the children surveyed had ever been camping and the vast majority of them had never actually watched the sun rise. The poll involved around 1000 children and 1500 parents.

The survey also highlighted some other interesting figures. One of these was that half the children surveyed said they have never done any adventure sports and it seems parents took part in more outdoor activities than their children did. Parents also said that they feel they take more care over their children than their parents took care of them.

Financial difficulties were another reason why some families felt they weren’t being adventurous enough. Four in every ten parents said that financial hardship meant they were unable to take part in more adventurous activities.

The lack of adventure activities has led many people to question whether they are actually necessary but there are many benefits of this type of activity that parents should be aware of. Taking part in adventures is something that will ensure children have a really positive memory of childhood and it can be very beneficial for their development.

Also, in a time when childhood obesity is at a level that it has never been at before, taking part in adventure activities can provide some much-needed exercise. Walking around the local area or exploring on a bike are great adventures but also have positive fitness ramifications for your children.

Dr Mandy Bryon is a child psychologist from Great Ormond Street Hospital and she has recently commented, “When children take part in adventures it encourages them to be independent and develop their ability to think for themselves. It builds a stronger sense of self-confidence within the child this will be very beneficial for them later in life.”

Parents are known to be very protective of their children but it is important that they are not too much so as in the future children need to be knowledgeable about how to deal with situations themselves. It would be a good idea for parents to build their confidence in taking the children on adventures and letting them take small risks.

This sort of environment will allow your children to become better at assessing danger and this will give them a better future ability to deal with challenging situations. If you are looking for ways to get your child involved in adventure activities you need not look very far as there is plenty of information available online about different adventure activities.

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Tooth Fairy is most generous in London

Alan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:11:01 +0000

The leading discount website in the UK has held a nationwide survey into the different rates that the Tooth Fairy pays in the various regions of Britain. The poll discovered, not surprisingly, that she is at her most generous when it comes to the children in London, who are receiving an average of £5 a tooth.

This study into the generosity of the tooth fairy was conducted as part of the leading discount websites research into British parents spending habits. A total of 2,091 British parents were polled by www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk , and they all had children in the 4-12 age bracket. The respondents all answered questions regarding the monetary rewards given by the Tooth Fairy to their children.

When asked, ‘Does your child (or children) have a Tooth Fairy?’ 61% of the parents polled said ‘yes’. Those who said ‘no’ were asked to stipulate why this was the case. The majority, 32%, said it was a case of not having enough money to be able to let their child have a Tooth Fairy, whilst 11% stated their child didn’t believe any more.

The respondents who said their youngster(s) did have a Tooth Fairy were asked how much, per tooth, they were currently given when they lost one of their milk teeth. The results were then analysed and split into different areas of the UK.

According to the poll, the towns and cities where the Tooth Fairy pays the most, along with the average amounts given out per tooth, are as follows:

London – £5.10

Cambridge – £5.00

Cardiff – £4.75

Liverpool £4.50

Manchester £4.35

According to the poll, the towns and cities where the Tooth Fairy pays the least, along with the average amounts given out per tooth, are as follows;

Hull – £0.05

Portsmouth – £0.10

York – £0.10

Glasgow £0.11

Nottingham – £0.11

Mark Pearson, chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, commented on the findings;

“It seems as though even the Tooth Fairy is feeling the pinch when it comes to certain areas and handing over her cash in exchange for teeth. However, perhaps she tends to visit certain towns and cities before others, meaning she has less money left towards the end of her journey!

“It was a surprise to see some children get as much as £5 per tooth; that works out to be around £100 by the time they’ve lost all their milk teeth; quite a good amount they put the money by for a rainy day!”

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Chris Collins, the Blue Peter Gardener joins Gardening Course for Children with MyGardenSchool

Alan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:20:07 +0000

Chris Collins, the Blue Peter Gardener joins Gardening Course for Children with MyGardenSchool

MyGardenSchool is happy to welcome Chris Collins to its team of gardeners. The expert in gardening has said that he is very much looking forward to bringing gardening to young people. Collins is one of the most known people for gardening in the UK because of his presence as the gardener on the popular television show Blue Peter.

At MyGardenSchool, he is working to make a gardening course for children. The course is intended to target a new generation of gardeners and get them interested in the subject early on. The course targets the parents, grandparents and teachers of children so that they can become involved in the activity. The course will be run online and this online gardening course will provide information on how to grow vegetables, start a gardening project, and also has some great gardening tips. The course is not being launched until the New Year, but you can register you interest on the MyGardeningSchool website now.

About the project, Collins has commented, “Gardening is something that I see as a spiritual experience and seeing this take over people is always evident and no more so in the case of children. I have been working in the garden with children for many years and my experience is that all of them have enjoyed it.”

As you might expect with Chris Collins at the helm, the course will be packed with engaging activity, exciting projects and practical approaches to gardening with children. “I’m really keen to get the message out about how easy it is to get kids involved in the garden, and perhaps more importantly, how very enjoyable it is – for both adults and children. That’s why I am so excited to be working with MyGardenSchool. As the courses are online it is possible for people everywhere to be able to access this information, and then get straight out in the garden with the kids and get their hands dirty.”

Gardening is increasingly being recognised as an activity of great educational and social value, and Chris is currently serving on a government committee, ‘The Growing Food in Schools Task Force’ which explores the growing importance of gardening in schools, and its academic influence.

Perhaps more than any other subject, gardening has an ability to draw together the threads of many different subjects across the curriculum. Take the example of creating a small garden for children. Children need to measure and survey the area (mathematics), identify the current flora and fauna (biology), draw the plan (art), prepare the ground (PE), work with others to realise the plan (PHSE) and finally nurture the plants (a key life skill) and witness first-hand the life cycle of plants (biology).

Duncan Heather, Associate Director, MyGardenSchool and Principal, The Oxford College of Garden Design commented: “It is great to be working with Chris as he has so much energy and enthusiasm for gardening with kids. With over eight years’ experience of working with children, he really brings a unique blend of expertise and experience to the table – and this really makes for an excellent and compelling course. We are really proud to welcome him to MyGardenSchool, where we only have the best garden specialists on staff.”

Chris is not the only star tutor at MyGardenSchool. All of our tutors are outstanding in their field (and gardens), being accomplished gardeners and acclaimed gardening writers. For example, we have multi-gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Andy McIndoe with courses in bulbs, shrubs and trees; Stephanie Donaldson, author and Gardens Editor of Country Living magazine with a course on organic gardening; leading garden designer and author, Hilary Thomas with a courses in planting design; photographer and author Sue Bishop with a course on flower photography; and John Brookes, prolific author who is often described as the world’s most influential garden designer, with a course on garden and landscape design. But that’s not all. Take a look at our course pages to see our other tutors.

MyGardenSchool is the world’s first online gardening school where students can learn from gardening experts about how to do absolutely everything in the garden from keeping bees or hens, landscaping, design, growing vegetables and herbs, building treehouses or growing the perfect roses. And everything in between. Our courses are four weeks long, and video tutorials are delivered weekly, together with course notes and assignments that will be assessed by your tutor. You also get to chat to your tutor online, as well as your classmates, in the ‘virtual classroom’. MyGardenSchool will teach you everything about gardening – virtually.

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Cards For Any Occasion: Choosing The Right One

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:22:54 +0000

Greetings cards as we know them date back as far as the 14^th Century, when German artisans used hand carved printing blocks to stamp designs onto paper, back then the expensive process meant that cards were the preserve of the wealthy, but these days the sending and receiving of greetings cards is a universal experience and one that brings joy and comfort into many lives.

Why do We Send Greetings Cards?

Greetings cards are a great way of showing someone you care about them and about what is going on in their life. Sending a card to mark a special occasion or to let someone know that you are thinking of them is a simple way to connect and choosing a design that means something to the sender and recipient helps to reinforce the connection between to people, strengthening friendships and relationships.

When do We Send Greetings Cards?

The greeting card industry is massive, with designs now available for all occasions. There are options on offer to mark a wide range of occasions and events including:

Christmas Cards
Birthday Cards
Bar Mitzvah/Confirmation Cards
Graduation
New Home Cards
New Baby Cards
Engagement/Wedding Cards
Thank You Cards
Get Well Soon Cards
Retirement Cards
Sympathy Cards

In the modern world there are even designs available for the most obscure occasions from divorces to successful completion of plastic surgery – while the provision of online services allowing consumers to create and customise their own cards means that the possibilities for greeting card use are almost endless.

Why Choose a Personalised Card?

Most people spend time selecting the card that they wish to send to a friend or loved one, because they want the image and message included in the design to reflect their relationship with the other person and to show the other person that they were thinking specifically of them when they were making their choice. It is not uncommon for senders to pore over racks of greetings cards for ages in an attempt to ensure that they make just the just selection for the person they are sending to and the event that they wish to mark.

However, choosing to personalise a greeting card, by hand making it or by using an online program to add text and images can cut out all the um-ing and ah-ing over available designs allowing the sender to tailor the card perfectly to a person or event.

Personalised greetings cards are especially good choice to send to a child, who will be delighted to see a picture of themselves featured in the design or to see their own name printed alongside images of their favourite interests or characters. Choosing to personalise a card for a child can help a selection to really stand out from all the others they receive. If you are thinking of personalising a card for a child why not consider using a favourite snapshot of the child themselves and use a design programme to cut out their face/body and insert it into a scene they will find engaging, alternatively use an image of a favourite character and place a speech bubble in their mouth wishing the child a “Happy Birthday”, “Merry Christmas” or whatever message you wish to convey.

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The Benefits of Conservatories for Families

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 10:24:23 +0000

Installing a conservatory on your home is an excellent thing to do. It adds a light and airy space to your home. Many people think of it just as a way to add a sun lounge, but in fact, it can be so much more than just a sun room.

Helping You Keep warm in Winter

Conservatories can act as a barrier between the main wall of your house and the outside world. As well as trapping the sun in the summer time and giving you an excellent sun lounge, they help you to keep the house warm in the wintertime by adding an extra barrier between the back of your house and the garden.

Adding Extra Space

A large advantage to installing a conservatory is that it will add extra space to your home. It gives you an extra room which can be used for many things from a dining space to a play room for your children. Somewhere you can sit and relax in the sunshine, or somewhere to use as an office space. There is a lot you can use a conservatory for.

This can be especially beneficial to families who feel that their home is becoming a little small for them – especially at the moment with the housing market being pretty poor. Creating additional space like this and moving say the dining area out into this space, can free up another internal room to allow an extra bedroom for a child, or for anything else you might need.

A Room for All Seasons

Conservatories can be used all year round quite easily with the addition of a heater or radiator for use in the winter months. It means you have a room which is just as useful as any other room in your home rather than one you feel you can only use a few months of the year.

Cheaper than Building an Extension

Conservatories can be a brilliant alternative to having an extension built. Unlike with an extension as long as the conservatory falls within certain guidelines (being less than 30 square metres with a minimum of 50% glazing for example), they generally don’t require planning permission. They’re also generally much cheaper to build, and go up much faster as well.

Adding Value

Of course we all know that you don’t get anything for nothing these days, and we think in terms of spending money to add a conservatory to our home. However, adding a conservatory can actually increase the value of your home, sometimes quite substantially, as well as making your house more saleable when you do want to sell it on.

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Tips for Reducing the Time you Spend in the Kitchen

admin — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:14:57 +0000

An Advertising Feature

If you find yourself always slaving over the stove, take a look at these ways which could help you reduce this so you have time to do other things.

Food Shopping

The best tip which will ensure you do not spend all evening in the kitchen cooking for hungry mouths is to organise your meals for the week ahead.

If you know you have something planned for dinner then you are also less likely to cook something quick and easy from the freezer like chips and burgers which are not as healthy as a regular meal, or reach for the takeaway menu.

Before you do your food shopping, make a list of meals you think you could cook in the coming week. If you only get in the food you are likely to cook with then this will help you focus when it comes to meal times.

Kitchen Appliance

There are several really useful kitchen applications which can significantly reduce the time you spend in the kitchen. The first is a rice maker. This kitchen appliance can be put on hours before you require the rice to be cooked by adding the rice and water and setting a timer so when you need the rice it is ready.

Microwaves – this common kitchen appliance is a life saver for many a household cook and can be used to defrost meat that you forgot to take out of the freezer, warm up butter, milk or leftovers, and even to use as an extra oven in some cases. This can help you cook a big meal like a roast for example, which requires most of the food to go in the oven.

Quick Recipes

If you are stuck for ideas of what to cook then head to the computer and you can pick from a huge array of online recipes – you should certainly be able to find something that takes your fancy.

If you find it tricky to follow recipes you could even search to see if there is a video of a chef making the dish online so you can copy his actions and see how it should look at each stage.

The more recipes you learn how to make the quicker you will become at whipping them up, and soon you may find you do not even need to look at the recipe.

Freezing

When cooking a meal like spaghetti Bolognese or chilli for example, cook more than you require so you can freeze the leftovers for a day you do not have time to cook something from scratch. Make sure you label what you put in the freezer and date it so you know how long it has been in there for.

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Rabbits as pets

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:39:32 +0000

Rabbits make wonderful pets when you live in circumstances that make it impossible to own a cat or dog. They are especially useful if you live in a smaller apartment and want a pet that is playful but does not require a large area to live in. They very clean gentle animals and if played with on a regular basis can offer you the same companionship of a small cat or dog. Before you get a rabbit it helps to know what their basic needs are so that you can judge if it is an appropriate pet.

First off, a rabbit is not a short time investment as most live for 10 to 15 years so be sure to judge if you are willing to take on a long term responsibility. They do not do well in extremely high temperatures so if you live in an area that gets warm during the day without air conditioning you will run the risk of losing the pet to a premature death. They also need to be an area with clear ventilation and their cage should be cleaned daily especially if you are unable to litter train your rabbit as faeces can cause disease to you and your rabbit.

Most pet rabbits require a cage or hut area that is large enough that they can comfortably run throughout the cage as they require the same amount of exercise as any other animal. Wood or wire pens are generally the best choices since rabbits gnaw and can escape fairly easily from plastic enclosures. Due to their gnawing plenty of toys should be provided to keep their teeth trim and the rabbit satisfied while you are not playing with it. If you allow your rabbit to run around your home make sure all electrical cables are out of reach as they will gnaw on these as well.

Most domestic rabbits are friendly by nature but require regular handling if you want them to stay friendly. You should play with you rabbit every day which will also help you monitor their health since rabbits can contract the same diseases that any other pet would. You can help ensure your rabbit stays healthy by providing them with a healthy diet that includes pellets, hay, fruits, and vegetables such as lettuce, carrots, and cauliflower. They also should access to fresh water that is changed daily.

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Top Tips For Looking After Your Family Cat

admin — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 19:22:50 +0000

Cats make interesting family pets. Because they have a reputation for being aloof, you may think they are easy to care for. However, just like dogs, or your kids, cats need loving care. Cats have very different personalities, so while some may like to act disinterested and nonchalant, others need a lot of pampering. Cats in general live about fourteen years, so bringing a kitten home requires some forethought and commitment.

Not only is it sensible and moral to care properly for your cat, it is also the law. Here are some top tips for looking after your cat.

Living Environment

Cats need a dry warm place to live so they don’t get sick. They also need places to hide and things they can climb and jump on. They are naturally curious creatures and will try to get into everything so you should make sure hazards are securely out of their space. Cats are also quite smart so they need toys to amuse them or they will make toys out of whatever they find around your home.

Companionship

Cats need friends and companionship just like you do. Try to spend time playing with your cat and loving him rather than ignoring him most of the time. He will also enjoy the presence of other cats or even dogs if he is introduced to them while he is still a kitten. An older cat may not like other cats invading his space so don’t try and force an older cat to accept a new animal into the home. Cats don’t necessarily need another animal companion as long as they get plenty of attention from their human owners.

Healthcare

You should get your cat used to travelling to the vet at a young age so the trip won’t be so stressful if he has to go when he is sick. Regular vet visits will ensure that he is kept up to date on vaccinations and parasite control. You’ll also want to have your cat neutered unless he is going to be used for breeding purposes. Doing so will make your cat less likely to roam and will help prevent unwanted kittens from being born.

You may also want to have a microchip inserted into your cat so he can be more easily returned if he happens to get away and get lost.

Feeding

Cats need a steady supply of fresh water and a proper diet to stay healthy. Cats require a meat based diet and should not be fed people food as some foods, such as onions, are harmful to them. Cats need several small meals each day but if they eat too much they can become obese just like humans and suffer from medical complications. Don’t place your cat’s feeding dish close to his litter box or he may not eat at all. While every cat is different, what you should watch for is changes in your own cat’s behaviour.

Behaviour

If your normally docile cat suddenly begins to act aggressively, it is a sign something is wrong. Things that can cause behavioral changes in cats include being scared, sick, unhappy or bored. To keep your cat happy, make sure he has access to a clean litter box and food and water at all times. Provide him with a place to hide from scary things and give him lots of opportunities to get exercise and mental stimulation. If your cat does have behavioral problems, consult your vet or an animal trainer for advice. Cats are popular pets that are a lot of fun if you are prepared to care for them properly and provide a lot of love. They will reward you with years of fun loving companionship.

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Fish Hooks – New animated series on the Disney Channel

admin — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:04:53 +0000

A brand new family fun animated TV show has launched on Disney Channel. ‘Fish Hooks’ chronicles the story of 3 fish who try to navigate their way through the choppy waters of Freshwater School, dealing with issues of growing up and friendships.

Milo (voiced by Kyle Massey) is a cool, fish who’s loud and energetic. Then there’s Milo’s brother Oscar (voiced by Justin Roiland) who’s nervous and high-strung, and, finally, there’s Bea the goldfish (voiced by Chelsea Staub) the drama queen of Freshwater School who SO wants to be a star!

In the next episode, which broadcasts on Disney Channel this Saturday 13th November at 9.25am (and continues every Saturday at 9.25am), Milo shoots himself outside of the fish tank. Now the three of them are stranded in the pet store and must face the wrath of the store cat Wilford! It’s up to Milo to put his selfishness aside and save his friends from sudden death.

You can head over to the official fansite to play Fish Hooks games and see exclusive video clips http://www.disney.co.uk/fish-hooks

Also check out this trailer for Fish Hooks.

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Smarties inspired clothing for the kids!

admin — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:29:32 +0000

Children’s company Morrck are celebrating National Chocolate Week (11 – 17 October) with the release of a limited edition, Smarties-inspired Wrapture that comes complete with a giant tube of Smarties!

This gorgeous ‘poncho style’ coat for children aged three to seven is made from luxurious chocolate coloured faux fur with a snugly, spotted fleece lining, that can be reversed and worn on the outside.

The Wrapture has easy to slip on sleeves, a snugly hood and just one large button on the shoulder for quick and easy fitting – simple for parents and children.

Priced at £49.95, it comes in sizes small (age 3 – 4) and medium (age 5 – 7). Machine washable at 30°, it is available from www.morrck.com. It will be available during National Chocolate Week only.

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