Trying To Have A Baby? Make Sure You Avoid These 5 Things.

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You are trying to conceive, aren’t you? And the results are not what you expect, are they? If the answer is “YES”, you may want to try these time tested tips.

Do not drink coffee: Coffee adversely affects fertility. It is showed that the effects of coffee on metabolism has harmful effects on our hormone levels, especially that of estrogen. Coffee may also cause problems with our fallopian tubes, hindering fertilization.

Do not smoke: Smoking makes a variety of health problems. Infertility in both men and women has also been associated with smoking. Smoking may decrease the counting of sperm fast. When compared, smoking women are less likely to conceive successfully with non-smoking women.

Say NO to alcohol: Alcohol, even in management, badly affects fertility by inhibiting ovulation. Population studies also show decreased fertility and pregnancy rates among women who drink. Data are conflicting on what rate of alcohol consumption can induce these effects. Most data show that drinking 4 to 8 times a week is dangerous. But newer studies have proven that even a single glass of wine weekly can already affect fertility adversely.

These conception tips have been proven to be true. Most doctors would  say NO to smoking, coffee, and alcohol when attempting to get pregnant. You should also abstain from these when you are pregnant to ensure the health for your developing baby.

Some sexual positions favor fertility: The most popular positions recommended are the man-on-top position or the missionary and the rear entry including spooning and doggy style. Although sexual positions do not significantly affect the chances of conceiving in couples who are fertile, some of them may benefit from this advice. Depositing the sperm as near as possible to the cervix may have its benefits for couples with sub-fertility or infertility problems. If the sperm were the size of a man, it has to swim a distance akin to the Pacific Ocean to meet and fertilize an egg. It would certainly boost our chances of success if we shorten that distance considerably.

Herbs increase fertility: Some herbs like Vitex, Ginkgo biloba, and Siberian ginseng have been proven to boost fertility. In fact, these herbs have been a mainstay in the armamentarium of herbalists and practitioners of alternative medicine in the cure of infertility in both women and men. Otherwise, there are still no large, well-designed clinical trials to boost this claim. If you are on fertility drugs, ask your doctor if you may start taking any of these herbs to avoid unwanted drug interactions.

*Disclaimer* The above information is not a substitution for medical advice.  Please consult with your physician about what will and won’t for you while you’re trying to have a baby.

Tyler Perry Writes Open Letter To 11-Year Old Penn State Sex Abuse Victim

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“I don’t know your name, but I know your face. I don’t know your journey, but I know who you are. I am you brother!” said Tyler Perry.

In the letter, featured in this week’s Newsweek magazine, Perry calls the young man courageous and reveals how he prevailed through being abused as a child.

I must tell you, what you have done is so courageous. The strength that it must have taken for your 11-year-old voice to speak out about such a horrible act is something that I didn’t have the strength or courage to do at that age.

I was a very poor young black boy in New Orleans, just a face without a name, swimming in a sea of poverty trying to survive. Forget about living, I was just trying to exist. I was enduring a lot of the same things that you’ve come forward and said happened to you, and it was awful. I felt so powerless. I knew what was happening to me, but unlike you, I couldn’t speak about it because no one saw me. I was invisible and my voice was inaudible.

So to think that you, when you were only 11 years old, spoke up–you are my hero! I’m so proud of you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I want you to know you didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not your fault. Please know that you were chosen by a monster. You didn’t choose him. You didn’t ask for it and, most of all, you didn’t deserve it. What a huge lesson that was for me to learn. Your 11-year-old self was no match for wicked, evil tactics of this kind. You were hunted like prey. A pedophile looks for the young boys he thinks he can manipulate. The ones who have daddy or mommy issues, the ones who are broken, and the ones who are in need. But this wasn’t you.

You may have to go through with that trial, and you may feel all alone when you’re on that witness stand, but just know that there are millions of young boys and grown men who are standing with you–including me. If every man who has ever been molested would speak up, you would see that we’re all around you. You may not know all of our faces and names, but my prayer is that you feel our strength holding you up. You will get through this; you’ve already endured the worst part at age 11. Now fight on, my young friend, fight on! We are all with you.

BLAM Fam: Child sexual abuse is so real. Each of us must speak up and speak out. Our children are depending on us.


Meet America’s Supernanny…Deborah Tillman!

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By Team BLAM

Remember Supernanny? You remember Jo Frost, the British even tempered no-nonsense angel that took on the daunting task of helping desperate parents gain control of their children and their lives? Sure you do. Well, guess what? America’s Supernanny is coming to town and I can’t wait to see what tricks she will have up her sleeve.

Deborah Tillman is the star of Lifetime TV’s new reality series, America’s Supernanny.

According to Lifetime:

“Tillman is an accountant turned lawyer that faced every working mom’s biggest fear: bad childcare. No matter how many interviews, no matter how rigorous the vetting process, Tillman and her husband just could not find the care they were looking for. “We went through 7 childcare providers in three months,” America’s Supernanny says.

On one of her trademark “pop up” visits, she caught the unsuspecting nanny giving her son, Zeplyn, a bottle with cereal in it, even though she was breastfeeding (yayyy Supernanny!) and left explicit instructions to only feed her son the expressed milk she provided.

On the straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back “pop up” visit, she found her baby in the bassinet which had been pushed up against the wall. The wall was holding up the bottle and her baby was sucking air.

“I quit my job the next day,” Tillman says.”

So how did America’s Supernanny get the job? According to The Washington Post Tillman’s “extensive kid-centric background caught the attention of Shed Media, the LA production company behind the Lifetime series. They actually held an open casting call that got hundreds of applicants. However, they just couldn’t find what they were looking for. That lead the company to contact Tillman to find out whether she would be interested.

After a series of interviews, screen tests, and a trip to California to meet with executives, she was hired as “Supernanny”.

I just love that story. When you are doing your best you–miracles show up. 🙂 I’ll definitely have my Tivo ready to record the premiere which is TONIGHT at 9pm EST on Lifetime. I won’t be able to watch it right away because we’ll be TEACHING & HAVING REAL TALK. 😉

What’s Going On?! We Need To Protect Our Kids!!! Tips For Safeguarding Our Children From Sex Offenders

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By Ilex Bien-Aime

Over the past few weeks we have heard a great deal about the Penn St. sex scandal. Now there are reports about sexual abuse at Syracuse University. A few years ago there were reports of priests molesting little boys coming out on what seemed to be a weekly basis but it seems as if over time people stopped talking about it. I am afraid that after a few weeks we are going to forget about these cases and it bothers me. This subject needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed in a major way!

Everyday little boys and little girls are being molested by people that they know, love, and trust. Usually when television shows kids being molested, they show foster kids and kids that are wards of the state. People really aren’t talking about the abuse that happens in regular homes. It’s sad but kids are being raped by their own family members. What makes the situation worse is that because people don’t talk about this, then we think these cases are isolated but they aren’t. More of us know people who have been sexually abused than we think we know. Unfortunately, it’s that shameful secret that many people keep to themselves and so they suffer in silence.

One of my classmates at Florida State University was molested by his stepfather when he was a kid. It took him until he was about 27 years old to talk about the situation because let’s face it, men don’t want to talk about being sexually molested by another man. The problem with this is that it allows anger to boil inside of us. It diminishes our ability to trust and can ruin many of our future relationships. I personally know at least three men who have been sexually molested as boys by people living in their own homes.

Before Oprah’s show went off air, she had two girls on there who had been sexually molested by their brothers. When they told their mother, she did nothing. When they told the father, he started to molest them himself and again the mother did nothing. These little girls suffered for years and had they not told a neighbor about the situation, they would have suffered even longer. How sad and how sick is this story?! Your home is supposed to be your safe place and your family members are supposed to be your protectors, but for them and countless others, this was not the case.

I can’t tell you how much it angers me to know that people are so willing to do nothing in these cases. I know of kids who have been molested and the parent or other relatives were never punished. It is one thing for a parent not to know what has happened to their child but it is another thing all together when a parent knows and chooses to keep quiet. To me that parent needs to be punished in the same manner as the person who has committed the assault. When you can’t speak up to your protectors for help, who can you turn to? Then people want to know why their children resent them and have no respect for them.

Quite frankly, everyone involved in this Penn St. crap should be fired and criminal charges should be filed against them. To let something like that go because you don’t want to bring scandal to the program is shameful. Our children deserve better than this and because they can’t protect themselves, we need to protect them. If this happened to my child, nothing short of God would come between me and the beast who had caused this pain.

I just think that more needs to be said and more needs to be done to protect our babies. If not people will continue to get away with these heinous crimes! In time all children lose their innocence, but this definitely is the wrong way to lose it!

BLAM Fam: We must make it a point to encourage open communication in our homes and be aware of our children’s daily activities and the people in their lives. If we don’t protect our children–who will? Check out the following Child Safety Tips for protecting our young ones from sex offenders and then share with someone or post on your FB page or tweet this out. You never know who needs to see this.

Child Safety Tips– Protect Your Child from Sex Offenders

Inform children that it is wrong for adults to touch them inappropriately and to engage children in sexual activity with them.

Encourage your children to feel comfortable telling you anything, especially if it involves another adult. If your child does not feel comfortable being completely honest with you, then encourage them find another trusted adult they can talk to in confidence.

Learn about the people with whom your child is spending time.

Protect children from sexual assault–Knowledge is power. Teach your children about their bodies. Teach them the correct language to use when describing their private parts. Emphasize that those parts are private.

Know where each of your children are all times. Know your children’s friends and be clear with your children about the places and homes they may visit. Make it a rule for your children to check in with you when they arrive at or depart from a particular location and when there is a change in plans. You should also let them know when YOU are running late or if your plans have changed so that they can see the rule is for their safety and not being used just to “check up” on them.

Never leave children unattended in an automobile, whether it is running or not. Children should never be left unsupervised or allowed to spend time alone, or with others, in automobiles. Remind children NEVER to hitchhike, approach a car or engage in a conversation with anyone in a car who they do not know or trust, or go anywhere with anyone without getting your permission first.

Be an active participant with your children’s activities, you will have a better opportunity to observe how the adults in charge interact with your children. If you are concerned about anyone’s behavior, take it up with the sponsoring organization.

Listen to your children. Pay attention if they tell you that they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere. This may be an indication of more than a personality conflict or lack of interest in the activity or event.

Notice when someone shows one or all of your children a great deal of attention or begins giving them gifts. Take time to talk to your children, find out why the person is acting in this way.

Teach your kids that they have the right to say NO to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touch or actions by others. Teach them to tell you immediately if this happens. Reassure them that you are there to help and it is okay to tell you anything.

Be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behavior or attitude. Encourage open communication and learn how to be an active listener. Look and listen to small cues and clues that something may be troubling your children, because children are not always comfortable disclosing disturbing events or feelings. This may be because they are concerned about your reaction to their problems. If your children do confide problems to you, strive to remain calm, non-critical, and non judgmental. Listen compassionately to their concern and work with them to get the help they need to resolve the problem.

Screen baby sitters and care givers. Many states now have public registries that allow parents to screen individuals for prior criminal records and sex offenses. Check references with other families who have used the care giver or baby sitter. Once you have chosen the care giver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask your children how the experience with the care giver was, and listen carefully to their responses.

Practice basic safety skills with your children. Make an outing to a mall or a park a “teachable” experience in which your children can practice checking with you, using pay phones, going to the restroom with a friend, and locating the adults who can help if they need assistance. Remember that allowing your children to wear clothing or carry items in public on which their name is displayed can bring about unwelcome attention from inappropriate people who may be looking for a way to start a conversation with your children.

Remember that there is no substitute for your attention and supervision. Being available and taking time to really know and listen to your children helps build feelings of safety and security.

Also remember that in the vast majority of cases (up to 90%), children are molested by someone they know. Your efforts at keeping your child safe must be informed by this fact and not focused exclusively on the danger that strangers may present.

My name is Ilex Bien-Aime and I live in Washington, DC with my lovely wife. I write as a man who has seen women mistreat themselves and who have allowed themselves to be mistreated. I write as a man who wants to give my future daughters a guideline on how to deal with men. Lastly I write what I write because my female friends are always asking my opinion about these situations. Connect with Ilex at Iamsayingit.blogspot.com or via email atilexbienaime@gmail.com.

Parenting 101: “Because I Said So” Won’t Cut It. We Must Engage Our Children.

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By Lana Moline

I can clearly remember the first rap song I ever heard. It was “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five on WAIL 105 FM. Now, if you are familiar with that station you have definitely just admitted to being……..hmmm, what’s the word……on the block long enough to have seen a few things. How’s that? That song was a social commentary about all the things that were going on at the time. And even though it’s been over twenty five years, every single thing that they are rapped about is still prevalent. True enough, Issues such as poverty, homelessness, illiteracy and disparities in wealth with regard to race have been addressed on some level and many incentives, and programs were put into place to try to right all of these wrongs. Yet here we are today facing phenomenal drop out rates, subclasses within the homeless populations and an economic system designed to sustain the income level of the poverty stricken. Yes, many of us have done great things and we all know someone who has made us proud. But let’s be honest. Look around us. Slums, ghettos, schools without adequate funding and resources still exist. Divorce rates are so high that many kids have yet to see both parents at a dinner table together.

So I ask myself as a parent what can I do to make sure my kids have solid foundations and the intellect to move beyond all of that? How can I impact positive change right where I am? What will make a difference? And then it dawns on me, teach them the truth without watering it down. Give them all the information they need to truly make an intelligent decision. Deal with the things that are really important to them and encourage them to reach the highest level they can in whatever path they choose.

So when my son who was soon to be eleven at the time came to me and asked if I would purchase a rap album for him I couldn’t dismiss him. Even though everything about rap has changed since WAIL 105 and many of the songs can’t even be played on the radio I still had to deal with his request. I had to find a way to direct his interest so it would benefit him. We sat down and talked about all the options in rap and why his parents don’t play any of that at home. I told him about the socially conscious rappers whose songs he will never even hear in mainstream. And I asked him about his personal convictions; what is important to him, what direction he wants to go in life and so forth. He had a lot to say. So I couldn’t in good conscious just say “no” because quite honestly I was relived that he chose Common whose mother is also an educator. My son had been drawn into the song “A Dream” from the “Freedom Writers” soundtrack, he felt something new and wanted to experience it again. But there was still so much that he had questions about before he could even realize what the lyrics that he found himself singing meant.

Now, I have been a long time student of Cornel West, PHD, Director of the African-American studies program at Princeton. I read his book “Race Matters” shortly before I graduated from college because I soon came to understand that with or without a degree race certainly matters. I remembered his passion with trying to reach the youth and reconnect them to their greatness and from that came the August, 2007 released rap cd “Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations.” We sat down and listened to it together and that started the never ending conversation about the state of the world today and his future. He gets it. He knows that it’s not just about the beat but that every choice he makes, even with regards to rap, has to support the direction he wants to go in.

Lana Moline is a freelance writer and poet who lives in Ft. Worth with her three kids and husband Emile. Married 11 years, both media professionals have vowed to maintain integrity in all aspects of print and broadcast journalism.Visit her at www.lanamolinespeaks.wordpress.com

Cover Girls: How The Media Influences Teen Self Image

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By Rachelle Salinger

You don’t have to look very far to see image after image of flawless, statuesque, unblemished, and usually very skinny women wearing the hottest trends in clothes, shoes and hair accessories. They’re plastered all over the magazines. This may seem harmless, but did you know that these images can be very powerful in influencing your daughter’s self-image?

A lot of magazines, particularly the ones made for teenagers, are filled with features about how to look good and about what society generally accepts as “beautiful.” Three things about these magazines can affect young girls’ body image:

• Articles on appearance (usually about how to apply makeup, how to dress for particular places and occasions, and how to look like your favorite celebrity) usually mention the latest trends in fashion. For example, celebrities are currently crazy about headbands with dainty, sophisticated details, and most celebrity features have photos of them wearing this new fashion staple.

• Advertisements, usually for beauty and hair products, which feature women who appear underweight.

• Photos that are usually altered so that wrinkles, fat, pores and other “undesirable” qualities will disappear.

Being a teenager is a lot more work than it seems. It is a very confusing period filled with changes and challenges, and teens are confronting them on their own for the very first time. It is also the quintessential period where an individual feels the need to “belong” and to be “accepted”. Teenagers, in their search for self, tend to latch on and emulate the most accessible images. Oftentimes, it’s magazines that they turn to.

Recent studies on adolescent psychology have found that these media images may be negatively affecting how teens perceive themselves. In one study, 70% of teen girls agreed that magazines strongly influenced their opinion of what was the ideal body type. Knowing that they cannot compare to such unrealistic standards, many teens end up feeling inadequate and frustrated, and this can eventually lead to depression.

It’s not just true for girls. Research is beginning to show that teen boys are affected by the images they see in the media as well. A survey on high school and college students revealed that both genders generally felt worse about their own bodies after reading fashion, sports, health and fitness magazines.

While we as parents may not be able to stop the proliferation of unrealistic images in the media today, we can help guide our children towards a healthier, more positive self-image. It is important to be a good role model. It will be hard to teach them that they are wonderful just the way they are if they see that we dislike our own bodies. It is also very beneficial to make them realize that there is so much more to a person than physical attributes. What’s inside counts, too. Let her know which qualities you love about her. It could be a simple thing, like the time she generously gave her entire baby hairclip collection to her younger sister, or how her cheerfulness is infectious and brings warmth to the house. If she knows that she is appreciated, she is more likely to feel positively about herself.


Rachelle Salinger is a freelance writer whose two passions in life are: family and fashion. This mother of two loves to stay on the loop of the latest trends in hair accessories and the best baby gifts in the market. She currently writes for No Slippy Hair Clippy, purveyor of the finest non-slip hair clips for girls of all ages. Visit her at Hairclippy.com.

What To Look Out For When You Sense You Could Be The Parent Of A Troubled Teen

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By Kathy Stearns

The term troubled teen is thrown around a lot these days, though the true definitions are not often discussed. Any mother of a teenager will tell you that they are a special brood of people. Teens tend to act very erratically due to fluctuating hormones and mood swings. So for most parents it can be difficult to determine when a kid crosses the line from being an angst-ridden adolescent to a troubled teen. Luckily, there are a few indicators we can look for to know when teen help is required.

In a lot of cases, depression is the number one culprit for a teenager’s disruptive behavior, so the more you know about detecting depression the better. Despite the fact that teens are moody and often unpredictable, when they start to fall into certain behavior patterns more help is usually needed. These behaviors can sometimes just be a portion of a quick phase, but if it goes on for more than a couple of weeks then it is time to call in a professional.

If you notice your child becoming harder to deal with as far as using harsh words or violence then you should definitely be looking for any other troublesome signs that follow. If your teenager ditches their current social group and becomes a loner or attaches themselves to a different, often less favorable group then they are likely going through some hard times. When these things take place you need to question your child if possible and try to assess the situation. A teen will often ignore important things like education and friends and become very apathetic. Though it is common for youngsters to rebel, when they do so consistently it is time to seek assistance.

Teens who are suffering from depression, anxiety, and even ADHD that is left untreated often turn to forms of self medication. When your child begins to abuse these types of substances then it is definitely time to get them the help they need as quickly as possible. Though many parents claim that they were oblivious to their teen’s drug problems there are almost always warning signs. Uncharacteristic sleeping patterns are some of the more obvious signs along with becoming socially withdrawn and spending a lot of time alone in their room or away from home. Drugs don’t have to be of the illegal type to pose a problem, either. The drugs that most teens first experiment with come from inside their own home. It can be something as simple as beer or cough syrup, but if they can take enough of it to alter their state of mind they are abusing it.

Any adult who suspects their youngster might be a troubled teen is probably right. Most parents who start to seek help for their young one do so based solely on parental intuition. Teenagers rebel and will often reject your help at first, but later on in life they will thank you.

Kathy Stearns is a freelance writer who has written for many publications and resides in Irvine, California.

Have Fun With Your Kids While You Can: Remember, You’re Creating The Memories They Will Have As Adults

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By Kadence Buchanan

It’s time to stop hearing that phrase “I am bored”. Although some days it looks like you have no energy left to devote to your kids , it is important for you to remember that these are the times that they will later cherish in their memory and you will be glad you had a chance to experience a variety of things with them. Having fun is not that difficult. Just get off the couch and open the door to excitement.

Spending some quality time with your children does not only help them build a better relationship with you, it does also offer to you the opportunity to examine how your kids feel to be able to smile to something else than that TV set they are usually watching. One interesting idea is for you to invest in buying a trampoline. If you have a garden or a park nearby, trampolines are always fun to play with regardless of the kids’ age. Burning calories and having fun can be combined through this exciting outdoor activity and if you have a video-camera prepare to film your kids’ movements up on the air.

Another interesting idea to have fun and spend time with your beloved ones is to go fishing, or experience the sea by experimenting with a variety of water-sports. Since you know that children always enjoy splashing around in the bathtub why not see them do whatever they want in the pool of your local water resort? If you budget can handle the expense, there is always the solution of investing in an above-ground pool that is big enough to fit both you and your kids. Balls, rubber toys, boats, can be added to the scene and your kids will look at you with excitement every time you mention that it is bath-time again!

If summer is approaching and you have no time available to take the kids off to that destination you believe they would enjoy while schools are on a break, consider the solution of a summer camp. Experienced professionals offer a variety of activities and your kids will feel that this adventure belongs only to them. Even if you are not willing to let your children summer camp overnight, you can always select a day camp and pick them up by sunset. Of course, you can go fly a kite, play soccer, baseball, football or any sport they like with them. Kids love to run around, why not let them test their talents and have fun at the same time? Physical activity is strongly advised by experts and children should be outdoors as often as possible and experience life as they should.

When the rainy days come, you can have your kids help you out in the kitchen. Teach them to make their favorite chocolate cake, bake cookies or cook that dinner you are planning for grandpa and grandma. Imagine their faces when they will announce to their grandparents that this meal is the outcome of their efforts. Although you are now thinking of the mess you will have later to clean, it is certainly more enjoyable to prepare a meal with them than to have them play a video-game all day.

Also, you can organize a dress up contest and have the winner do something next week that he or she wants. Old pillow cases, overused towels or unused blankets can become the dress-code of your kids’ dinner party and you will be glad you decided to stay in and enjoy that “beautiful day in the indoor park” with them. Imagine, create, and experience the life you will later remember with nostalgia. Kids eventually grow up and it will be difficult for you to chase them over the bed or let them jump up and down the couch! Act now and be sure that your children will cherish the time that you spend with them for a lifetime.

Kadence Buchanan is a freelance writer who writes articles on many topics including Family, Recreation, Food, and Outdoors.

Ever Thought About Home Schooling? Here’s 4 Reasons To Consider It More

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NOYE: WOULD RATHER FIND SOMETHING ON BLACK HOME SCHOOLING

Home schooling is popular among parents and children alike. Unlike traditional schooling, home schooling allows for a more personal curriculum to be formed which suits the exact needs of the pupil. Further more, it also allows for a pupil to gain more time with their teacher than would ever be possible in larger classes, which are the only economically viable solution, within schools.

Here are 4 strong reasons to give it serious thought:

Focus on a Childs Competencies

When a child shows a particular ability or passion towards a certain subject area, it can be beneficial to teach them beyond the level that would normally be necessary. Not only does this equip them for further education or employment, it also allows them to enjoy their education more.

Within schools it is not always possible to notice, let alone allow a child’s passion for a certain area to be capitalized on. It is also the case that teachers are pressured into sticking to a particular curriculum that suits the needs of the broader demographic of the class. This means that the teacher has to meet a middle ground in terms of helping those that are challenged, and allowing more gifted pupils to take their learning further.

The Attention They Deserve

With larger class sizes it is impossible for a teacher to be able to give children the attention that they deserve. The pupils that are particularly capable are not pushed far enough by their teachers, and those that are having problems at school are not able to be given the attention they deserve. For those that are not given the attention they deserve when they need it most, they may not have the foundations in place which are needed in order to understand later parts of their courses.

Flexibility

Home school learning is increasing in popularity year on year, and the added flexibility that it provides cannot be ignored as a potential bonus of this for some people. For those that live far away from a state or private school, home schooling can be the only practical alternative to long journeys every day. Many parents also need to travel for a variety of reasons; with home schooling you can take the class room with you.

A Parents Motivation

Nobody wants a child to succeed more than their parents. With home schooling the parent is the teacher, and therefore they truly have the child’s best interests at heart. A parent is also able to take a far more insightful perspective on any problems their child may be having, as well as what it takes to get more out of them.

Bonding

Home schooling provides an opportunity for a parent to bond with their child and spend more time with them. Evidence suggests that a parent who helps their child with school work is more likely to have a better relationship with their child in later life. If you help your child with their school work, you also have a more open relationship with them through the very essence of knowing how their education is going.

Rebecca Walker writes articles for childfont.com. She also gives valuable information about child development, home schooling & reading, child development & learning to read.

It’s Important To Take Time To Teach Your Child

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By Rebecca Walker

The development of your child is something that you play an integral role in. For centuries scientists have debated whether intelligence stems from nature or nurture, however regardless of the role nature plays, the role of nurture cannot be disputed as one of the most critical elements in molding who your child will grow up to be. Your child’s development of reading, writing and arithmetic skills will be best aided through ensuring that you give them the attention they deserve to ensure they get a head start in life.

Many parents worry about when they should start to teach their child how to read and write. Much of this worry stems from them being scared that their child will be slower at picking things up than other children their age, and on the flip-side other parents fear that they may be putting their child through unnecessary stress through trying to teach them before they are ready. The truth is that if your child is not yet at school then they have plenty of time to start learning, but there really is never too young an age to get them started. Most research suggests that children around the age of 4 should be ready to start learning; however it will usually be around the age of 6 that children can read and write somewhat coherently.

Many parents find the thought of teaching a child to read or write from scratch very daunting, however it does not have to be. You should firstly start by teaching them to pronounce the lower case alphabet and then from there you will be able to ask them to combine letters to form syllables and then words. When teaching your child how to read, it is vital that you manage to portray it as a fun experience. You should also take advantage of teaching your child as a way to bond with them and promote reading as something that you and your child do together. You should choose reading material that is fun and that can provoke some form of conversation or even emotion from the child – in later years discussing literature that you and your child have both read is a great way of showing moral values and creating a mutual interest.

In order to ensure that reading remains fun throughout your child’s development it is best that you refrain from pushing them too hard when they make a grammatical mistake or have problems pronouncing a word. If they ask or they stall for a certain length of time then you can offer your help if they do not mind, however being too condescending, or too blatant in your attempts to teach, will just lead to ruining the enjoyable experience that reading should be.

Playing a role in your child’s development will allow you to ultimately have a stronger relationship with your child all the way through their life. Show them that you care for them and that you are able to help them whenever they need you.

Rebecca Walker writes articles for childfont.com. He also gives valuable information about child development, home schooling & reading, child development & learning to read, active white board are accessible on the internet.