Monthly Archives: January 2018

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Are High Tech Kids Smarter?

You have seen them, probably even have them. They are born with a high tech mind, interested in all things technology from the word go and they seem to know exactly what they want. Some of them can take a television set apart and put it back together while some are experts in smartphone use. People call them geeks, others call them tech nerds. The question however is; are tech kids actually smarter than other children? This article will take a look at what makes a child smart and what are the parameters to measure who is smarter than the other.

Is technology helpful?

Everybody will answer with a resounding yes. Technology has taken the world to levels people could only imagine. However, when it comes to your children and their growth, experts agree that technology should be limited. CBS news once reported a story where the tech-heavy city Palo Alto, California limits the use of technology for their kids so they can play and socialize more. One of the most influential people in the technology world, Steve Jobs also limits the use of iPad and iPhone for his children because they inhibit the kids’ cognition, creativity, and intelligence. That said, there is a plethora of games and apps that kids can use to learn and harness their skills as long as they are balanced with physical activity and a healthy social life.

Technology in schools

If you have a grade one child you know that every kid now is being handed a device to carry around in the name of learning. Any school that is worth something has made every effort to provide each kid with a tablet, laptop or iPad. Apart from the fact that the world is being digitized, digital content is cheaper and more convenient than books. But still, the question remains, is technology making these kids smarter?

How to make your kids smarter

There is really no secret to making kids smarter. While some kids may be intellectually smarter than others, old-school habits like hard work, discipline, and the right company are still the fundamentals of success. Parents can play their part to sharpen their kids’ minds by providing them with the right diet, exercise, music lessons, and a peaceful environment. Kids who also get enough sleep and read with their parents tend to be smarter in class.

Technology and wholesomeness

While most parents would like to have smart kids who will invent Facebook and Google, they would also want a child who is well-rounded. The downside of being a geek is that they focus so much on books, computers and other devices that they miss out on everything else in life. These are the same people who are bullied in school because they are weird and anti-social and find themselves single and living with their mother at 40.

While tech kids may look smarter as far as books and devices are concerned, the reality is that being smart involves balancing all the areas of life and not just one. Smart kids are therefore socially, emotionally and mentally intelligent

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Teach Your Kids To Set Goals

Every parent wants their kids to succeed. However, most children are not very focused and they tend to lose interest in things as often as they change clothes. Setting goals are one of the ways a child, or anyone for that matter, can achieve anything in life.

So, how do you get your kids to set realistic goals and stick to them?

Let them choose

Nothing is worse than trying to force something down your child’s throat. As much as you may want to live vicariously through your child, let them live their own lives. Most kids know what they want at least in the foreseeable future and that’s all you need to set goals. Ask them what they want, write the goals down and start from there.

Break the goal into small tasks

Getting an A, winning a science fair trophy or becoming a football champion are all achievable goals. However, a lot of time and practice has to go into it and that can be discouraging to kids. Break down the goals into small achievable tasks and celebrate every task that they knock down. As long as the child is feeling they have achieved something and they are getting closer to their goal, they will stay motivated.

Discuss the obstacles

Nothing worth its salt comes easy. In fact, things that are worth it are very hard to achieve. Let your child know that they will face obstacles before achieving their set goals. Ask them what they will do when they face certain obstacles. Give them solutions if they don’t have any or nudge them in the right direction. Having a plan ahead of time will prepare the child so they won’t be thrown off when the obstacle comes.

Be an example

One of the most effective ways to help your child set and keep goals is to lead by example. Kids do what parents do, not what they say. Be someone who follows through on everything and involves the family on where you are going and what you want to achieve. Once in a while, sit down the child and give them a story of that one goal you thought was impossible but you achieved it and give them the plan you used.

Set deadlines

As long as there is no time limit to doing something, procrastination tends to thrive. Human beings work best under pressure so it is necessary to put a time frame on everything you do. Once you have broken down the big goal into small tasks, put a deadline on every task and follow through to see that the task was done.

The secret to helping kids achieve their goals is to have them set realistic and specific goals that they are passionate about. You should also applaud and reward them as they get closer and closer to their goal and be an encouraging parent rather than a nagging one. Sometimes kids just want to feel supported and noticed and working on their goals with them is a great way to do that.

For more information on booking obstacle courses, waterslides, and bounce houses, contact us today.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Road Trip With The Kids

Road trips are one of those fun activities that parents and children can really enjoy. With the right amount of planning, you can have a blast with your children and make incredible memories that will last.

Here are tips you can use to make sure your road trip is a roaring success:

Involve the kids

Don’t just plan the trip on your own and then spring it on the kid’s last minute. Most children, especially teenagers, hate surprises because they already have plans. Involve them in the decision-making process; brain-storm with them on the destination, best route to use, what time to start along with other ideas. Doing so gives the kids a sense of ownership.

Plan carefully

Spontaneity is great. However, the last thing you want is to get lost and have a boring trip in the name of spontaneity. Plan everything from the pit stops, hotels to lounge and everything you want to do before you leave. It is easy to follow a plan when you have one and not miss out on some great things.

Pack lots of food

Do not forget to pack a lot of foods and drinks. Hungry children are usually cranky individuals who are not co-operative and can make the trip a really miserable experience. Snacks keep the children busy and help take the edge off being on the road for hours on end. For drinks, opt for sippy cups and straw bottles instead of juice box because of the mess these make.

Entertainment

There is nothing worse than idle kids. Plan for ample entertainment to keep the kids busy throughout the trip and avoid bad behavior. Digital or phone games are great for older kids while younger children can carry crayons and coloring books and also magnet games. If your car has a screen, carry a few entertaining DVDs especially cartoons and kids shows. However, regulate the amount of entertainment to have some bonding time with the kids.

Be creative

A road trip is not about you driving while the kids play games at the back. It’s about having some great family time together. Get creative ideas on things to do together such as spotting landmarks, naming all the counties you see on on-coming vehicles and naming the capital cities of the world. Make sure you give each kid a travel journal and a pencil so they can write and capture memories throughout the trip and also buy cameras for them.

Pack well

There are certain essentials you must carry including a few blankets, pillows, sealable plastic bag, flashlight, jumper cables, jackets, first aid kit and wet wipes. Make sure you know where everything is and pack the one item that gives the baby comfort before sleeping.

Taking a road trip with the kids can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do as a family. It provides the kids the opportunity to be free and open because mom and dad are not tired from work and it can be a memorable time.

For more information on booking obstacle courses, waterslides, and bounce houses, contact us today.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

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Toxic Toys

From the moment a mom is told she is pregnant, strict measures start coming into play. They stop drinking alcohol, avoid certain foods and even change their clothing to make themselves and baby safe and comfortable. These measures get even more intense after the baby is born when everything they use to eat is boiled and sanitized. Sadly, what some parents don’t know is that some of the toys they buy for their children contain high amounts of toxins. While boiling may kill most of the germs found in toys, it cannot get rid of the amounts of toxins found in some toys that cause adverse health issues to humans.

Chemicals found in toys

Phthalates: This is a chemical used to make plastic toys soft and chewable for the child and pets. Unfortunately, this chemical is highly toxic in large amounts and it is known to cause disorders like asthma, skeletal defects, and allergies. It also causes damage to the lungs, kidneys and male reproduction system. This chemical is so toxic that it was banned from being used in the United States and the European Union but, it is still being used in countries like China, Taiwan, Philippines, and Japan which make 80% of all toys found in the world.

Arsenic and lead: As children grow older, parents move from chewable toys and buy leather balls, ropes, and rubber toys to play with. In the production of these leather balls, a lethal chemical called arsenic is used to remove hair from the animal hides to make leather. Other chemicals used in this process include lead, sulfites, lime, bleach and other acids. Arsenic and lead are not only absorbed by ingestion but also through touching and smelling.

Paint: Have you ever seen those very colorful toys that just invite you to buy them? Well, don’t. Most of these toys come from China and they are painted to make them more attractive. When the baby puts the toy in their mouth, the paint comes out and they ingest it.

Dye: Most fluffy toys, tennis balls, and ropes are dyed so they can be colorful and attractive to the children and pets. Unfortunately, dye contains harmful chemicals and should not be ingested.

How to protect your pets and children from toxic toys

  • Buy US-made toys because they are likely to have fewer chemicals. The United States has many corporations and institutions in place to ensure all their toys are toxin-free.
  • Sniff the toys before buying. If they have a strong chemical smell, don’t buy them.
  • Avoid toys that are brightly colored or dyed.
  • Stay away from vinyl toys which are a soft plastic and ropes because they come apart easily and contain dye.
  • Don’t buy small toys that can be a choking hazard and always check the label for manufacturer’s statements.

With everything you have done to protect your child from harm, don’t let something as simple as a toy ruin all your effort. Do your due diligence when buying all toys and avoid hand me downs or toys that are several years old.

For more information on booking obstacle courses, waterslides, and bounce houses, contact us today.

For More Information on our rental equipment or to reserve your bounce rental today, visit our website at https://www.southfloridabounce.com/

Connect with us on Social Media at: 

https://www.facebook.com/SouthFloridaBounce

https://twitter.com/SBounce

and  https://plus.google.com/102602010368213075186/about