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• Home Country for November
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• UNSCD/ "I'm Glad I'm a Mom," multiple authors share stories in Hearts at Home book/ LEISURE
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• features/ Culture Artist Column, January 6, 2008: Nature Deficit Disorder/ unscd (565)
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• FEATURE/ Culture Artist Column, July 12, 2007: CFLs and Mercury/ unscd (625)
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• Features/ New technique will produce a better chromosome map / unscd
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• FEATURES/ / UNSD (370)
  New oxidation methods streamline synthesis of important compounds
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• High-tech reliability a key for workers who do business outside the office
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• Study shows parenting styles have similar effects in China and U.S.
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• Parent columns - May
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• Parent columns - August
  Starting school; Responsibility
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For release on or after November 11, 2009

Home Country
Slim Randles

Several people, including art teacher Janice Thomas, saw Dewey out on his date with that young woman from across the county line. It was at the potluck supper/religious movie in the church basement. Dewey and his date were the youngest people there.
Dewey confided in Reverend Jeff that it was fly-tying love advice from Marvin Pincus that turned the corner in his own quest for romance. He took out his wooly bugger from his pocket, with the hook taped for safety, and showed it to him. And Reverend Jeff told Mrs. Abbott in the kitchen, and that was all it took.
Janice learned the secret of Dewey's success within 15 minutes.
“I have a special project for all of you today,” Janice told her art class at the high school on Monday morning. “This will be fun as well as creative.”
She then explained to them about Marvin's unique fly-tying love advice counseling service, and said, “What we need today is a design for a sign Mr. Pincus can put in his yard. It must incorporate all the elements here, love, advice, and fly tying. All right, let's see what you can come up with.”
The class already had heard that Pincus's piscatorial prowess may have played a role in bringing Randy Jones and Katie Burchell together, a rumor begun by Marvin himself, so they nodded.
There was a lot of staring at the ceiling going on and then scribbling, tearing up of paper, and more scribbling. At the end of the hour, it was Jennifer's design that won the day. Janice said she'd take the design to Mr. Pincus and see if he wanted to have a sign made.
Jennifer's sign had a wonderful Adams dry fly with extra-fluffy hackle on the left, and the words, “Fly Tying Love Center.” Below it was Marvin's phone number and this note in italics: “Wrap yourself as tightly in love as you are hooked on life itself.”
The sign was in Marvin's front yard in just over a week.

Brought to you by “Ol' Slim's Views from the Porch,” available at www.unmpress.com.

http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id=11585600937420


For release on or after Novembers 18, 2009

Home Country

Slim Randles


Coffee always tastes perfect before daylight on the opening day of deer season, Dud Campbell thought as he sat in near-total darkness in his kitchen. It was Anita's first year as his wife in deer season, and he was extra quiet so as not to awaken her. Turning on a flashlight on the kitchen counter, he wrote:

Honey, I'll be up Pine Canyon, hunting up a feeder creek 1.4 miles to the right. The truck will be at the campground. Doc and Steve both know the area I'm hunting. I'll be back no later than 10 p.m. unless I call.

An hour later, Dud quietly got out of the pickup and left a note under the windshield wiper:

Hunting to the west between here and the ridge. Should be back here no later than 9 p.m.
Dud Campbell

Dud was sitting on a rock outcropping as the sun rose, feeling the warmth spread from inside out as another great day of anticipation came. He smiled, and then prayed. He always did during hunting season. His prayer wasn't wishing for success, but simply expressing gratitude for this special time. This was the success. Sitting here in the sun, hunting yet another year. An actual deer for the freezer is simply gravy on this feast.
After lunch, Dud decided to try a different location, so he returned to the pickup and left a different note. He got home about 9 p.m. and raved to Anita about the wonders of the day in the woods.
“You left me that note, Dud,” she said, “but I don't even know where that is.”
“No. But the sheriff's department does, and search and rescue knows, and both Doc and Steve know.”
She still looked puzzled. “You're a good outdoorsman, though, aren't you?”
“Well, yes I am. That's why I left the notes. Anyone can twist an ankle or fall up there.”
He smiled at her. “Hunters have an old saying, Honey. If you take crutches with you, you'll never break a leg.”
 

Brought to you by “Ol' Slim's Views from the Porch,” available at www.unmpress.com.

http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id=11585600937420


For release on or after November 25, 2009

Home Country

Slim Randles


Bob and Carol Burchell pulled into their driveway during the snowstorm, and were surprised to see their daughter, Katie, along with her boyfriend, Randy Jones, sitting on the porch swing, wrapped in a blanket. Both were shivering and smiling.
They followed her parents inside, and in minutes had some hot soup inside them. Randy and Katie watched a couple of television programs together, and then Randy said goodnight and walked home.
“Randy seems to be a really nice boy, Honey,” Carol said.
“Thanks, Mom. I like him a lot.”
Bob sat quietly, sucking on a cup of evening coffee as though it were dessert. He had a puzzled look on his face.
“Everything OK, Dad?” Katie said.
“Oh ... sure.” He took another sip. “It's just ... well, I think maybe one of you doesn't show a lot of good sense.”
Katie looked surprised.
Bob explained. “You see, it's one of those what's-wrong-with-this-picture things. Here you have a perfectly warm house, you have a key to the house, and here are two seemingly intelligent young people wrapped in a blanket to keep from freezing to death, sitting out on a frozen steel porch swing. Is that a smart thing to do?”
“No it isn't,” Katie said. “That's what I told him. I said we could go in and get something to eat where we'd be comfortable. All he'd let me do is get that blanket.”
“That was his idea, freezing on the porch?”
“Yes,” Katie said, smiling. “Randy said if we went in the house before you two got home, it might hurt my reputation, and he wasn't willing to risk that.”
Katie went into the other room. Bob looked at Carol and smiled.
“You know,” he said. “I think I kinda like that boy.”

Brought to you by “Ol' Slim's Views from the Porch,” available at www.unmpress.com.

http://www.unmpress.com/Book.php?id=11585600937420
 

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UNSCD/ "I'm Glad I'm a Mom," multiple authors share stories in Hearts at Home book/ LEISURE

Hearts at Home Presents Compilation Book, I'm Glad I'm a Mom

Chenoa, IL -- I'm Glad I'm a Mom, a Hearts at Home logo book published by Harvest House Publishers has recently been released. The book, authored by more than 50 moms - including Liz Curtis Higgs, Julie Barnhill, and Jill Briscoe - is edited by Hearts at Home founder and Chief Executive Officer Jill Savage. The stories showcase the triumphs and trials of everyday moms. Sometimes hysterical and sometimes heartwarming, the personal vignettes will connect the hearts of mothers, give them a sense of community with one another, and remind them they are not alone.

Book Includes Local Woman's Story

Christie Todd, Inspirational Speaker/Author, from Chenoa, IL is among contributors to be included in the book. Christie's story, titled "The Birthday Surprise" is about how a child's disobedience opened her eyes to her own.

The book is available for purchase at Hearts at Home's website www.heartsathome.org, your favorite online retailer, bookstores, or you can request a signed copy from Christie.

Hearts at Home is a Christ-Centered organization that encourages, educates and equips women in the profession of motherhood through various resources and events.

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features/ Culture Artist Column, January 6, 2008: Nature Deficit Disorder/ unscd

Nature Deficit Disorder

by Chuck Hall


If you grew up in a rural environment like I did, you probably remember the joys of playing in the woods. Building forts, taking hikes or collecting plants not only allows children an opportunity for fresh air, it also stimulates their imagination and curiosity. But as video games and television become more important in the lives of our children, they have less and less time to spend in nature.

Author Richard Louv thinks that our children are suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. In Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder (2005, Algonquin Books), he argues that kids are so plugged into television and video games that they've lost their connection to the natural world. Louv believes that the hunter/gatherer is still very much a part of our collective psyche, and that people need nature in order to develop fully as human beings.

While video games and television may have some educational purposes, they do not allow for full use of the senses. The sights, sounds, smells and textures of the woods allow children to experience the world in ways that video games cannot. There is a growing body of evidence that children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), a disorder in which children misinterpret signals from their senses, may benefit from sensory integration training. SPD can lead to symptoms like lack of coordination, difficulty in concentrating, and behavioral problems. A growing body of evidence suggests that allowing children to experience nature stimulates all of the senses, and therefore facilitates sensory integration, decreasing symptoms of SPD.

Parents may be fearful of visiting state or national parks, due to perceived dangers of abduction or assault, but those fears are probably exaggerated and exacerbated by the media. John Winters supervises 350 safety officers for the Department of Natural Resources. These safety officers are the uniformed rangers who oversee 96 state parks and recreation areas and 600 boating access sites. According to Ranger Winters, of about 1,000 incident reports that visitors filed with rangers last year, just 16 were technically classified as assaults. Compare that to the estimated 10,000 annual assaults that occur in homes, towns, and city streets, and you can easily see that the woods are a far safer place to be!

You don't have to take the kids to Yosemite to reap the benefits of nature. Most cities and towns have parks. You can even find nature in your back yard. An Ecotherapy exercise I do with my children in therapy is called ‘A Closer Look.' I mark out a six-foot in diameter circle on the ground, then have them sit in it with a notebook and record what they see inside that circle for fifteen minutes. Many tell stories of insects interacting. Others describe blades of grass or leaves in great detail. Some talk about the wind and the sun. In every case, they use their imagination to examine the world around them more closely.

The opportunities to help your children overcome ‘Nature Deficit Disorder' abound. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination, so teach your kids to put down the X-Box and explore the world around them!

Chuck Hall's latest book, Green Circles: A Sustainable Journey from the Cradle to the Grave, is now available at the Culture Artist Web site at www.cultureartist.org. You may contact Chuck by email at: chuck@cultureartist.org.

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High-tech reliability a key for workers who do business outside the office

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Workers want top-of-the-line technology to take care of business while they're away from the office, but only if they can count on it, according to research by a University of Illinois professor.

"It sounds like such a straightforward finding, but it's really a key success factor," says Judith Gebauer, a professor of business administration. "If people can't depend on the technology they won't use it. And if they do use it, it may be counterproductive."

Gebauer, who has studied mobile technology in the workplace for five years, said surveys show workers who do business on the road want cell phones, hand-held computers and laptops loaded with bells and whistles, from spread-sheet programs to cameras and games they can use in their leisure time.

Workers are just as concerned with reliability, lamenting sometimes-dicey e-mail connections and other high-tech glitches that add time and frustration to their jobs, she said.

"These new technologies need to work from the perspective of the user. And what we found with mobile technology is that a lot of times simpler is better. Even though the task might require something more complicated, think about alternative ways that might be simpler and then use the technology at a level where performance is satisfactory to the users," Gebauer said.

As an example, she says on-the-road employees plagued by spotty Internet connections could use cell phones to work through colleagues in their main office rather than going online to handle the chore themselves.

Gebauer said her ongoing research has yet to explore in detail whether available technologies are a good fit to manage out-of-office work in a business world that is becoming increasingly mobile.

"In our recent studies, we asked only the users themselves. We didn't ask the people who work with them, we didn't ask managers. I would like to get a better handle on the impact of mobile technology on the performance of individuals, be they mobile or non-mobile, and on organizations," Gebauer said.

Her future research also will seek to pin down a definition of mobile business that has expanded beyond just workers whose jobs require them to be out of the office for travel or other duties. An ever-increasing number of workers, particularly managers, now want instant links to their desks while in meetings, commuting or even when they're on vacation, she said.

"It seems that this line between being in an office and working and being out of an office and working is blurring," Gebauer said. "More people want to be reachable all the time and check information wherever they are. It's more convenient for them and being able to stay on top of things makes them worry less about work."

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Study shows parenting styles have similar effects in China and U.S.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A new study from the University of Illinois puts to rest the idea that overly controlling or manipulative parenting styles are less destructive to a child's emotional and academic functioning in China than in the U.S.

The study found that "parents' psychological control" – the use of emotional manipulation such as withdrawing love, inducing guilt or shaming children for not behaving in accordance with the parents' wishes – has similar negative effects on children in China and the U.S. The study appears in the September/October issue of the journal Child Development.

The researchers also found that setting reasonable limits on children's behavior (behavioral control) and supporting children in making decisions on their own (autonomy support) had similar positive effects on children's academic and emotional functioning in the U.S. and China. The positive results were significantly stronger in U.S. children, however.

Previous studies have compared the effects of parenting styles in China and the U.S., but have not settled the debate over whether cultural differences meant that Chinese children were less affected by parenting practices shown to have negative effects on children in the U.S. No other study has examined the effects of parenting styles over time and in socio-economically equivalent families in the two cultures.

"The finding is the first to definitively show that the effects of parents' control and autonomy support are quite similar in the two cultures, but that there are some differences, and these seem to revolve around this issue that autonomy support is more beneficial in the U.S. than in China," said psychology professor Eva Pomerantz, one of the principal investigators. "This suggests that there's a basic need for autonomy, but its fulfillment appears to be more important in the U.S. than in China."

Pomerantz and graduate student Qian Wang examined parenting styles and the emotional and academic functioning of 806 American and Chinese seventh graders. The students were from working- and middle-class families and were enrolled in academically similar public schools. The six-month longitudinal study included children's reports of parenting styles as well as the students' assessments of their own emotional and academic functioning. For example, the children reported on their experience of happiness or sadness as well as their studying strategies. The researchers also obtained records of the children's grades.

"Psychological control had a negative effect on children's emotional and academic functioning in both countries and the strengths of the effects were similar," said Wang, who conducted the research for her dissertation.

"Satisfying children's need for autonomy is important in both countries. It matters for children's academic and emotional functioning," Wang said. "But it was more so in the U.S."

Pomerantz said that the heightened response to autonomy support in American children might be a result of U.S. culture being more supportive of children's independence.

"Everybody has a basic need to feel autonomous – that is, for self-determination," Pomerantz said. "But America is this very individualistic, autonomous society; we really value being unique and doing things on our own." Other traits, such as harmonious social relations, may be valued more in China, she said.

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FEATURE/ Culture Artist Column, July 12, 2007: CFLs and Mercury/ unscd

Culture Artist Column, July 12, 2007: CFLs and Mercury

by Chuck Hall


Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can greatly reduce the amount electricity used to light your home. An average CFL uses only 15 watts of energy to produce the same amount of light generated by a 100-watt incandescent bulb. However, several readers of this column have written to express their concern about the fact that CFLs contain mercury.

While it is true that CFLs contain mercury, and that mercury is toxic, there is no danger of the mercury escaping as long as the bulbs remain intact. That means that unless you break the bulb, the mercury is safely contained. In the event that a bulb breaks, a few basic precautions should keep your family safe: first, open doors and windows in the room so that any potential mercury vapors may escape; next, sweep up the fragments (don't vacuum, as the blower in the vacuum will vent the mercury into the room and disperse it into the atmosphere); finally, secure the fragments in an airtight container (a tied plastic bag works well) until they may be properly disposed of.

To reduce danger of mercury contamination, never dispose of your CFLs in the trash. Instead, find a recycling center that will accept CFLs for reprocessing. If you are unsure if there are CFL recycling centers in your area, Earth 911 maintains a database of recycling centers at: www.earth911.org.

How serious is the danger from mercury contamination in CFLs? A standard CFL contains about 5 milligrams (mg) of mercury. There are several other common household items that contain more mercury than a CFL. Here are some examples:

A standard lithium watch battery contains about 25 mg of mercury. That's equivalent to 5 CFL light bulbs.

Older dental fillings contain about 500 mg of mercury. That's equivalent to 100 CFL light bulbs.

Old-fashioned home thermometers contain up to 2000 mg of mercury. That's equivalent to 400 CFL light bulbs. If you use the new battery-powered ones, these usually run off of lithium batteries, so you've cut the mercury down to the equivalent of 5 CFL light bulbs.

Automatic safety shutoff switches in steam irons (the ones that shut off the iron if it's accidentally knocked over) contain about 3500 mg of mercury. That's equivalent to 700 CFL light bulbs.

Some other common household items that may contain mercury include greeting cards that play music, shoes with lighted soles, pilot light sensors, electric switches, barometers, analog blood pressure devices, stoves, ovens, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, furnaces, ball point pens, latex paint manufactured before 1992, pesticides manufactured before 1994, older children's chemistry sets, batteries, and anything with a safety shutoff switch.

This is not to suggest that mercury is a safe thing to have around your household, but if you are concerned about mercury contamination, there are plenty of other items around your home that pose a greater risk than CFLs. If CFLs are properly handled and properly disposed of, there is less risk of exposure to mercury than posed by other household items.

One final thing to consider with CFLs is the energy savings. Since CFLs generate the same amount of light as a 100-watt bulb for only 15 watts of power, they save a tremendous amount of energy. Most energy generated in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants. Burning coal releases mercury into the atmosphere. So it is conceivable that using incandescent bulbs poses a greater risk of mercury contamination than using CFLs,

Chuck Hall is a Sustainability Consultant and author. His latest book, Green Circles: A Sustainable Journey from the Cradle to the Grave, is now available at the Culture Artist Web site at www.cultureartist.org. You may contact Chuck by email at: chuck@cultureartist.org.

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students of the month, February and March
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Logan County Student of the Month Recognition Award for February 2009 goes to 2 very deserving young people. Those students are Desirae Lercher and Rebecca Glover, both seniors at Lincoln Community High School. Both students have strong academic achievements and community involvement.

Desirae Lercher is the daughter of Randy and Lisa Lercher of Lincoln. Her school activities include Lincoln Community High School Softball and where she holds all pitching records and has been awarded MVP, All State 8 All Star Game MVP and Logan County Athlete of the Year. She is also a co-op student working part-time at Steak ‘n Shake and also assists with pitching lessons for younger girls. Desirae exhibits strong character and leadership skills. She instills a positive attitude in all the young ladies she helps, making them better citizens, better students and most of all, better people. Desirae is a leader to be proud of and her future is very bright!

Rebecca Glover is the daughter of Clay and Denise Glover of Lincoln. Rebecca's school activities include Lincoln Community High School Girls Varsity Soccer, Spanish Club and Pep Club. Rebecca also participates in project for the community through her Advanced Desktop class at Heartland Community College. Rebecca believes in trying to make her community better by putting forth the effort needed. She exemplifies what the Student of the Month is all about: good students, good citizenship, good role-models and leaders for all young people to follow!

Congratulations to these 2 outstanding students for all of their hard work and impressive accomplishments!

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Logan County Student of the Month recognition Award for March 2009
goes to 2 very deserving young people. Those students are Sheldon Scott Tibbs, a senior at Lincoln Community High School, and and Nolan Lesson, a senior at Hartsburg-Emden High School. Both students have strong academic achievements and community involvement.

Sheldon Scott Tibbs is the son of Scott and Vanessa Tibbs of Lincoln. His school activities include Lincoln Community High School Varsity Baseball, Football, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Who's Who in American Students, Spanish Club and Pep Club. Outside of School, Sheldon is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Millennium Clovers 4-H Club, American Shorthorn Association and also shows livestock, helps coach baseball and run scoreboards at many local sporting events. Sheldon believes in giving back to the community whether it's helping as an alumni at Carroll Catholic or by simply leading by example while making time for young people through agriculture and sports. Sheldon will be attending Lincoln Land Community College this fall where he will play baseball and major in business and marketing with a minor in agriculture.

Nolan Lessen is the son of Craig and Laurie Lessen of Emden. Nolan's school activities include Hartsburg-Emden High School Baseball, Basketball, FFA, class Treasurer, Senior Beta Club and Spanish Club. Nolan is also a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he has served as an usher and in the Luther League youth group and is a volunteer on the Emden Fire Department. Nolan believes in volunteering in the community as well as in politics by serving as an election judge. Nolan plans to attend ICC this fall and then transfer to ISU where he plans to pursue a teaching degree. He has strong characteristics of someone seeking to make an impact on people's lives which will be a great asset to his future plans!

Congratulations to these 2 outstanding students for all of their hard work and impressive accomplishments!

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May 2006

Column #197 - Perfectionist son

Q: I have a nine-year-old son. He is very structured and doesn't handle mistakes very well. If he gets an A-, he frets about not getting an A. If he gets an A, it should have been an A+. We have never pushed him, but he always wants everything to be perfect. How do I help him be a little more relaxed and less anxious?
A: Trying for excellence is healthy and motivating. Insisting on perfection is unrealistic and stressful. Perfectionism can rob kids of self-esteem and take away their courage to try new things.
Give your son's self-esteem a boost by making it a family ritual that whenever family members give themselves a put-down, which focuses on what they CAN'T do, they must give themselves two "put-ups," which focus on what they CAN do.
Children like your son may fear mistakes, for they see each mistake as proof that they're not good enough. Teach him that mistakes don't mean he's a failure. They mean he's human. They also can mean that he's trying to learn something.
To reduce this fear, take the time to talk about mistakes frequently. Invite other members of the family to join your discussions. Begin by mentioning a mistake you made at the office. Describe what you did, how you felt and how others reacted. Your son needs to learn that despite his fear that everyone will see and make fun of his mistakes, in reality most people don't take much notice of someone else's errors.
It may take several of these discussions before your son becomes comfortable about his own mistakes. Once he begins to share his own errors, you can expand the discussion to include exploring solutions: "Here's what I can do so that I don't make this same mistake again ." Such talks will teach him that mistakes are simply a natural and correctable part of the learning process and need not be feared.
You may also want to check with your son's teacher. Tell her what you have observed. Ask what she has noticed in the classroom and how you can work together to help your son.
If you continue to be concerned and your son is increasingly anxious, check with your family physician.
For more information about helping children learn or to submit your own question to The Learning Advisor, go to http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive a prompt answer by email. Copyright © 2006, The Parent Institute.

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August 2006

Column #213- Starting school

Q: My son will be starting kindergarten in a few weeks. I can sense that he's a bit anxious about the "big day" coming up. How can we make this experience as smooth as possible for him?
A: You're right. It is a "big day" and exciting, too! Every child gets a little nervous about starting school. Some simply don't want summer fun to end. But there are some things you can do to make this transition as smooth and easy as possible. To get the school year started off right:
Talk about his concerns. If he's not exactly sure what it is that he's anxious about, read some books about starting school. You'll find many titles available. Ask your librarian for suggestions. Talk with your son about some of the concerns discussed in the books.
Acknowledge his fears. Describe your own first day of school. If you were afraid, remind him that this feeling didn't last long.
See if you and your son can visit the classroom before school starts. Ask for the principal's help in arranging the visit.
Have your son practice getting up at the new time for a week before school starts.
Find out where the school bus will be picking him up. Together take a few walks to the bus stop.
Take several walks to the school and back if he won't be riding the bus.
Let him know that there will be a bathroom nearby and he can use it when he needs to. Include this on your visit to the classroom. Children often worry about using the bathroom while they're at school.
Be encouraging. Don't let him hear you say things like, "I'm so sad. I wish you were staying home!"
Plan something special for the first day of school—his favorite breakfast, a new outfit or a trip to the park after school.
Assure your son that you will be waiting for him at the end of the school day, and so will his favorite stuffed animals and toys.
After school, ask about his day. Show how excited and interested you are. You've made sure he's off to a good start. Now set up a home routine with regular times for dinner, homework and bed. Limit his TV time and set up family reading times. Your son will thrive on this routine and get the school year started right!
_____________________________________________________
—For more information about helping children learn or to submit your own question to The Learning Advisor, go to http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive a prompt answer by email. Copyright © 2006, The Parent Institute.

Column #214 - Responsibility

Q: I'm tired of picking up after my child. My daughter doesn't put away her bike, her toys, her dishes, her books or other things. How can I make her be more responsible?
A: Like many children, your daughter has grown conveniently deaf to reminding, nagging, scolding, and lecturing. Save your words and energy for a more effective strategy. Children can't learn to be responsible unless their parents give
them responsibilities. If you are constantly reminding and nagging about a responsibility—or sometimes doing the task for your daughter—you are still assuming that responsibility.
Daily checklists are a good way to teach kids responsible work habits. Adults use them. Some of us even have multiple lists—one for the office, another for shopping and still a third for home and family chores. Checklists help organize our busy lives and make sure our responsibilities are met. Here's how you can teach your daughter to do the same:
Sit down with your daughter and decide which responsibilities she's ready to handle on her own.
Define her responsibilities clearly. It's easier for children to plan and complete tasks if they understand what's expected of them.
Make a list of all her daily responsibilities. Leave a couple of blank lines at the bottom of the list for things that come up at the last minute. Make multiple copies by hand or on a copy machine.
Spend a minute or two, once a day, to have her mark the items she needs to take care of that day. As each item is accomplished, she can feel good about checking it off!
Go over the list when there's still time for her to take care of forgotten items—an hour before bedtime, for example. After using this checklist for a few weeks, many tasks, like putting her bike away, will probably become second nature.
Be consistent. Make sure everyone understands that responsibility is important in your home.
Feel good about giving your daughter duties. Sometimes parents feel guilty about asking their children to help out at home. But it's important for children should to share the family work load. It builds a feeling of family. Even more importantly, teachers say that children who have learned to accept jobs at home are better able to accept being in charge of their own learning. When children help out at home, they develop a sense of responsibility that will carry over to school—and later life.
_____________________________________________________
—For more information about helping children learn or to submit your own question to The Learning Advisor, go to http://advisor.parent-institute.com. All questions will receive a prompt answer by email. Copyright © 2006, The Parent Institute.

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