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Focused learning: 4 tips for kids giving speeches

Susan Cumberland February 20, 2015

Many students of all ages encounter situations in school where they have to practice giving speeches or presentations. Public speaking is a very important skill to learn, since good communication skills are essential in nearly all jobs today. Being able to communicate an idea or opinion clearly and efficiently is not an easy thing to do, especially for kids who are still learning basic reading and writing skills. Here are some tips for you to help your kids and students give an effective, attention-grabbing speech.

Get some inspiration before giving a speech

Before your child starts writing their speech, encourage them to get inspired to write it. The process can be much more enjoyable if they have a vision for how they want the end product to be. One way to find inspiration might be to see examples of what a good speech is. Some great sources for examples of good speeches are TED Talks, specifically ones by kids who have been trained in the art of giving speeches. On the TED Blog, an article was posted with 9 great talks from kids. This is a great starting point for when your kid is in need of some inspiration for a speech or presentation.

Tell a story while public speaking

Nick Morgan wrote a piece for Forbes.com, where he stresses the importance of emotion in a speech. He claims that the best speeches are emotional, causing them to affect the audience more. One great way to do this is by telling a story. Around 65% of TED Talks are stories, and these are seen as some of the most brilliant speeches of this day and age. So, once your child has chosen a topic encourage them to think of an experience or story that is personal to them that they can incorporate into their speech.

Stick to the rule of three’s while giving speeches

Encourage your child to try and choose 3 to 5 points and stick to them. Too many points can confuse their audience and the main point may not be as clear. By narrowing down the different parts of their speech, your child will be able to communicate their topic much more clearly and efficiently.

Practice, Practice, Practice

A lot of giving a good speech is the delivery. An article by Carmine Gallo, author of Talk like Ted, mentions that Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor practiced her speech more than 200 times before she presented it. It has now been viewed over 15 million times. This just goes to show that no matter how experienced you are at public speaking, you can never practice enough!

Once your child picks a topic and does some research, have them follow these 4 tips. Then they will be a pro at giving speeches, ready to present in front of their class in no time!

Kid’s health: why kids need sleep and how to help them get more of it

Susan Cumberland February 13, 2015

We know that kids need sleep, and that those who go to sleep earlier tend to get better grades. We also know that kids who sleep later have trouble concentrating in early morning classes. But what actually happens in your child’s body when they get enough sleep versus when they don’t?

Why kids need sleep

The following points come from a SciShow video on sleep, and a TED Talk by Russell Foster:

Leftover adenosine, which is produced when your body burns energy, makes you sleepy. When you sleep, adenosine levels drop, which is what makes you feel rested.
Sleep helps brain function, specifically with memory. The best way to be ready for a test is to be well rested: your brain will remember things quicker and easier!
Sleep conserves energy.
Sleep causes restoration to occur in your brain. According to brain plasticity theory, our mind actually reorganizes while we sleep.

What happens when your child doesn’t sleep?

Sleep deprivation increases risks of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
As outlined in the same SciShow video above, just one night without sleep causes the amygdala, which tells the brain to be prepared for danger, to go into overdrive.
The prefrontal cortex, which deals with logical reasoning, gets shut down with sleep deprivation. Definitely a concern if your child has a test the next day!
Memory and speech control suffer.
Kids need sleep otherwise their immune system can be affected.
As explained by AsapSCIENCE, brain function can be recovered by a few nights of good sleep after 1 or 2 nights of bad sleep. However, the longer you go without good sleeps at night, the longer it takes to recover brain function, and there is even the possibility of permanent damage.

Quick tips on how to help your child sleep more

The harmful effects of lack of sleep are certainly scary, and it is clear that they will affect your child’s learning at school and during tutoring sessions. So, here are some ways to make sure your child or teenager gets enough sleep every night:

Educate your kids on why sleep is so important so they are motivated to get more sleep.
Make sure they have a set sleep schedule, and a bedtime!
Try to get them to finish their homework by one hour before their bedtime.
Avoid bright lights and electronics close to bedtime.

If your child has trouble sleeping at night and none of these methods work, sleep aids could be an option. However, there are many unpleasant side effects, so it is best to consult your doctor to figure out what best suits your child’s needs. Sweet dreams!

Focused learning: the history of tea and the science behind it

Susan Cumberland February 6, 2015

Tea is something that has been around for centuries, and has many cultural ties. However, it also has quite a bit of science behind it and can be a great focused lesson for your kids! So, set up a little tea party with your kids, and turn in into a science and history lesson with these fun facts!

The history of tea

According to legend, tea was created in 2737 BC in China when a Chinese emperor drank boiled water that some leaves had blown into. It eventually became the national drink of china, and was also introduced to Japan. This led to the creation of tea ceremonies, and this part of the history of tea is still a big part of Asian culture.

Tea in different cultures

The tea spot has a detailed page that will help you and your children understand the history of tea. Tea is not only prominent in Chinese and Japanese cultures, but plays a part in cultures all over the world. The UK was introduced to tea by China, and they developed a part of the day specifically dedicated to drinking black tea: afternoon tea. The British in turn introduced India to tea, where they began to enjoy Chai, which is black tea full of spices, milk, and sugar. Russia also brought tea from China, and drink mostly black tea, sweetened with sugar, fruits, or jam.

Moving on from the history of tea: the science behind its different types

There are many different types of tea that you and your children may have heard of, but what makes them different besides their names? Chinalife tea house has a good video on this, but we will summarize here:

The main thing that differs between teas is how much oxidation they have been exposed to. White tea is the least processed- it is simply laid out in the sun to dry and is only oxidized 5-10%. Meanwhile, green tea is slightly more processed, but not oxidized at all. It is laid out in the sun to dry, then pan-baked to deactivate the enzyme in the leaf. Oolong tea is slightly oxidized, as the leaf is bruised a little before it is fried to stop the oxidization. Black tea (or red tea in China) is fully oxidized, since the leaf is rolled and bruised to make a stronger tea. Finally, there are scented teas, which take one of the main types of tea and infuse it with the scent of a flower, like Jasmine.

Now that you know the differences of these main kinds of teas, get your hands on some of each type and see if your kids can tell the differences! Have them make observations on the different flavours, aromas, and colours of the teas.

How to make tea like a science pro

British scientists did an experiment to find out how to make the perfect cup of black tea, and found that the ideal brew time was two minutes. Then, adding 10 ml of milk and waiting six minutes before drinking it will bring it to the perfect temperature for sipping and enjoying the flavour. Teasource.com gives ideal brewing temperatures for other types of tea. For white teas, they suggest brewing when the water has a “very light steam,” while oolong tea should be steaming rapidly with little bubbles, and green tea should have a gentle steam with no bubbles.

These are just guidelines though, to make sure your tea doesn’t become bitter. Run your own experiment with your kids to figure out the best way to brew whatever tea you have on hand! See if you can use thermometers to gauge the temperatures you like best, and whether they change the flavour at all.

There is such a rich history of tea and a fascinating science behind it; this is just the beginning. However, this is also a good start and a simple, fun lesson for your kids. Enjoy your tea time!

Art lesson: 5 glass bottle crafts to do with kids

Susan Cumberland January 30, 2015

You may have been saving up a collection of bottles to bring to an appropriate recycling location, but here’s an even better idea: reuse them for an art craft! In this focused art lesson, learn about some things you and your kids can make out of reused materials with these glass bottle crafts.

1. Vases: simple glass bottle crafts

A vase is a great thing to make out of a bottle with a smaller neck. Make sure your bottle is clean and label-free, then, start decorating! Try painting the outside, then wrapping twine around the bottom and neck of the bottle. This will make it look a little more artsy than just plain painted. If your kids want to personalize it, they can paint a flower or their name on the side. Or, they could even wrap the vase completely with twine and then glue on decorations of their choice. If you don’t have twine, try yarn, as used by this Pinterest craft idea.

Another vase design idea is for your kids to make a design with tape on a bottle, then paint over it. When your kids take the tape off, their design will stand out among the colour! Use a Q-Tip dipped in nail polish remover to clean up the edges if the paint seeps under the tape at all. Here is a sample on Pinterest.

2. Decorative bottle crafts

You can really get creative with making decorations out of bottles. A lot of decorative bottles could double as vases, but not all! Try pouring paint into a bottle, then pour the excess out. Here is a slideshow on how to paint glass.

This is something you would not want to keep a living plant in, but it makes a pretty decoration! You could even try marbling the paint by pouring two colours into the bottom, then slowly tilting and rotating it to get a multi-coloured design.

3. Nightlight bottle craft

Paint noctilucent (glow-in-the-dark) powder mixed with a little bit of water on the inside of your bottle. This will turn it into a fun night light for your kids! You can also put lights inside bottles as another idea. Here is a sample.

4. Practical dish soap dispenser

This glass bottle craft is fun for your kids, and you get something useful out of it too! The best kind of bottle for this is a clear, empty wine bottle. You will have to purchase a bottle pourer or soap dispenser pump for this one, but it will still be cheaper than purchasing a brand new dish soap dispenser (plus it will be more unique and personalized!). You can either make a stencil so that your bottle will have a “dish soap” label, or your kids can decorate it any way they want. Here is how one home crafter did it.

5. Terrarium

This fun glass bottle craft can also be turned into a science lesson. You will need to find some plants, soil, charcoal, and rocks to put inside. Then, have your kids follow these steps as created by www.thenotepasser.com . They will have a really cool, educational decoration! Have your kids research about the different plants they are using, or tell them interesting facts as they work. For example, tell them the charcoal is necessary so mold doesn’t grow. This could lead to a discussion on what mould is, or on different plant environments.

Have fun reusing and recycling with these fun glass bottle crafts. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add your own touch to these suggestions!

For extra credits!

Here are more bottle crafts we found on Pinterest for you to try! Many of these will require adult supervision or teacher prep time, so be careful kids!

Make hanging lamps out of bottles:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886025058067/

Make a shelf out of bottles:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886020361295/

Make candle lights out of bottles:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886020263937/

Make lamp stands out of bottles:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886020242024/

Collect bottles to make a glass Christmas tree next year:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886020142391/

Make centerpiece designs out of bottles:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/17521886020097415/

Kid’s health: should you limit headphone time with your child?

Susan Cumberland January 23, 2015

In a day and age where kids grow up surrounded by technology, they will most likely enjoy using phones, iPods, and other devices to listen to music or watch videos. When they are doing so, they are most likely plugged in to their device through a pair of earphones in their ears. As we’ll see in the video link below, ears take in even more information than eyes do, so it is important to take care of them by making sure your child knows how to safely listen to music. Read on to learn more about kid’s health and how to prevent your child from damaging their ears.

How loud is too loud?

Worksafe BC created “The Hearing Video”, which is a great resource to learn more about the importance of protecting hearing for your kid’s health. To summarize, hair cells, also known as cilia, send sound information to the brain. When the ear is exposed to very loud sounds, the cilia become damaged.

Even if the ear is exposed to moderate sound levels for a long period of time, damage can occur. You may be surprised at how long it takes for a sound level to become hazardous. According to the Canadian Academy of Audiology, max volumes per day include 8 hours of busy street traffic, 2 hours of a hair dryer, 15 minutes of a school dance, and less than 30 seconds of an mp3 player at peak volume. So, it’s not just about how loud your kid’s music is, but how long they’re listening to it!

How to make sure music isn’t too loud for your kid’s health

As a parent, you can’t always tell if your child’s volume is too loud, unless it’s to the point where you can hear it through their earphone. If that is the case, it is already way too loud. This is especially true if there is other background noise and you can still hear their music. In order to try to monitor your child’s volume, there are a few things you can do. For a younger child, try to find a pair of children’s headphones that has a limit on volume. Also, try to set a volume limit on their device, if possible.

Don’t forget to limit your teenager’s volume, too!

When it comes to teenagers, educate them on how easily their hearing can be damaged. Hopefully if they are aware of the dangers, they will be encouraged to avoid them. A video like “How Old Are Your Ears” by AsapSCIENCE might also shock them into seeing how real hearing loss is, even at a young age.

Encourage them to wear earplugs to concerts, no matter how silly they may feel. Their hearing is more important! You may also want to look into noise-reducing or noise-cancelling headphones if they will be listening to music while out and about. Dan Frakes talks about this in his article on macworld.com. If they want to keep their volume at a lower limit, it will be easier to do so if the background noise is cancelled out. Otherwise, a noisy background makes it harder to hear music at a low volume, and they will want to turn it up.

That being said, even if the volume of your child’s music isn’t too high, make sure they still limit their listening time. Even if while listening at a decent volume, tuning in for hours on end could still be very damaging to your kid’s health. So, make sure you and your children are aware of how hearing damage takes place, and make an effort to prevent it!

Benefits of teaching kids music at an early age

Susan Cumberland January 16, 2015

Music plays a large part in human culture, and can be heard throughout the world. Here in Canada, music is often taught as a class in elementary school. But what really comes out of the time your children spend in music class or other music lessons? Read on to learn about why you should teach kids music at a young age.

Music is a language, and children learn languages easier. Just like it is harder to start learning French or Italian when you’re older, it is a lot harder to learn to read music and play an instrument as you age. Children are oriented towards learning language, so they will be able to pick up the language of music faster and easier.

Teaching kids music for memory retention skills

Learning music helps improve memory. According to Musikgarten, one of the leading companies in early childhood music education, when children learn melodic and rhythmic patterns, it develops their memory. Music helps develop the left side of the brain, which means it also helps with processing language and new information. Putting new information to a tune can also help your child to remember it. Just think about the ABC song!

Music makes kids’ brains work harder. The growth of neural activity in kids is actually heightened due to music, since you are using more of your brain. This will help kids with things like problem solving and math.

Teaching kids music to advance culture and society

Music channels culture. This is why it is good to expose your kids to local music. Vancouver musician David Vertesi is a strong advocate of this, and he recently touched on the matter in an article he wrote for the Huffington Post. He mentions that if kids have a positive experience with local music, they will grow up to be a generation that cares about local arts and culture.

Music brings kids together, and helps them socially. Through group music making, kids will learn to listen to each other and share their creativity. In a world that values collaboration, this is a great skill to start learning at a young age through music.

Your child may have started taking piano lessons, be enrolled in a group music tutoring, or simply be in a music class at school. Whatever it is, the music they are learning is definitely beneficial to many aspects of their life, and will continue to have a positive impact on them as they grow. So, keep encouraging your kids to learn music, and they will thank you in the future!