Childhood Is the Happiest Time of a Person’s Life Essay

I do concur the possibility that the most upbeat time for each individual no doubt would be their youth. Since individuals are distinctive in numerous territories, they may have various feelings about the reasons; be that as it may, I accept that adolescence is the most joyful time since first youngsters at that age don't have any unique obligation, and second they are kids and their psyche and the manner in which they think totally not the same as adolescents and grown-ups. At the end of the day, their psyches are free. To begin with, as a kid you don't need to assume any recognizable liability. You simply play and make the most of your day by day life. A kid doesn't get into the difficulties of for instance considering, going to work or in any event, having family obligations like a dad or mother. If there should arise an occurrence of regular day to day existence, develops are managing a great deal of errands and obligations. Take the instance of a mother for example, she ought to need to deal with the house, do the day by day tasks, for example, cooking, pressing, cleaning and exhausting obligations like that. Also, she needs to care for of her kid or youngsters as well. Taking into account that she doesn't need to work like her life partner outside the house. Children’s most significant concern would be the size of their bike or the quantity of their toys they have. Second, as a youngster your psyche is to a great extent liberated from numerous things which may cause challenge, for example, political or monetary issues. Besides, in that period they will in general make companions a lot simpler dissimilar to young people. The things they are glancing in a kinship are not materialistic. The motivation behind make a connection with their friends would not be for utilizing them in further basic circumstances. They basically make companions to play with one another or to share their toys. Close to referenced focuses, their requirements are very little muddled. They would turn out to be effectively glad by giving them a scratch pad and bundle of shading pencils as though they are given an extravagance vehicle or a high-positioned position in an organization. All in all, I consider the youth time as the most noteworthy and most joyful for everybody generally on the grounds that at that age, our desires from life and others around us are straightforward and would not raise anybody ruckus.

The Social Security System today is one that Beveridge would Essay

The Social Security System today is one that Beveridge would perceive. Talk about - Essay Example Present day government managed savings framework is the Great Britain varies from its projects and executions proposed during 1930s-1940s (Alcock and Craig, 2001). William Beveridge, a financial specialist and social reformer, was one of those government officials who proposed a complete social framework planned to help British populace and improve states of life for many individuals. It is conceivable to state that Beveridge would resognise present day government disability framework since it meets the primary standards and qualities proposed by Beveridge 70 years prior. Pundits (Alcock and Craig, 2001) concede that the advanced advantage framework is as yet dependent on the Beveridge Report of 1942 (Siegfried 1963). Beveridge's model for another arrangement of standardized savings imagined a focal job for general and far reaching social protection, expanding on the national protection plot built up by the 1911 Liberal Government (Aaron 1982). His goal was that the new arrangement of protection advantages would ensure a means level of pay to cover the significant reasons for money misfortune, through joblessness, ailment, and mature age, while people would be urged to give a better quality of living for their families by deliberate investment funds (Morgan, 1994). Beveridge trusted that such a plan would fulfill the requirements of the vast majority of the populace, however acknowledged that a wellbeing net of leftover help would need to be accessible for the individuals who neglected to qualify under the contributory plan (Alcock and Craig, 2001). A s indicated by the Beveridge Plan, such a standardized savings framework couldn't be actualized in separation; the legislature likewise must be focused on presenting family remittances and a national wellbeing administration, and to keeping up full work. Along these lines, Beveridge, as ensuing arrangement producers, perceived the interrelationship between standardized savings and different zones of government approach. Today, to advance security, and especially financial security, the Great Britain built up an assortment of standardized savings programs. Some have appeared as social protection whereby commitments are made to a store by laborers, bosses, independently employed people, and governments, and installments are made to people whose pay has halted for such reasons as mature age, incapacity, joblessness, or passing of the worker (Siegfried 1963). Different projects have appeared as social help whereby people in need get open alleviation or annuities by righteousness old eno ugh or for different reasons (Morgan, 1994). Still other social help programs have appeared as social advantages whereby all people meeting certain capabilities, for example, fulfillment of a recommended age and having a specific time of citizenship or home get benefits, regardless of any past commitments or assessments paid or exhibition of individual need (Alcock and Craig, 2001). As opposed to past models and projects proposed by the administration, present day government disability meets the essential standards and theory of Beveridge. As the most significant, present day security framework covers old individuals as well as jobless, poor, mature age, handicapped and different classifications. Every one of the Government spends more than 1 billion on benefits and their organization (McKay and Rowlingson, 1999). Today government managed savings benefits in Britain, as in most other created nations, fall

The Tragedy of Human Nature in Shakespeares Othello :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Tragedy of Human Nature in Othello  â â â In the disaster Othello, Shakespeare makes a temperament that challenges the manner in which an individual sees their self and the world. Subjects like bigotry, sexism, love, despise, desirously, pride, and guile are altogether evolved in the play of Othello to empower the crowd to see the characters and furthermore themselves. The Shakespearean catastrophe of Othello was written in a period of incredible racial pressures in England. As indicated by Eldred Jones, in 1600 only three years before Othello was composed, Queen Elizabeth declared an Edict for the Transportation of all negars and blackmoores out of the nation (Othello-An Interpretation Critical Essays 39). It is in this environment that Shakespeare started the magnum opus of Othello, a show about a respectable dark Arab general, Othello, who begins to look all starry eyed at and weds, Desdemona, a youthful white little girl of a representative. From the above information one may presume that Shakespeare compose d Othello to communicate that all individuals, of all ethnicity, are fundamentally the equivalent in human instinct. Shakespeare acquired the possibility of Othello from an Italian romantic tale by Giraldi Cinthio. In any case, Shakespeare concentrates more on the distinctions in shading and age among Othello and Desdemona than Cinthio. Shakespeare does this to heighten Othello’s confinement from the remainder of Venetian culture and to show Othello’s helplessness because of his shading. In the disaster in addition to the fact that othello is vulnerable to shortcomings so is each significant character . The catastrophe reminds people that even one’s positive outlook can be exploited for the more regrettable. The dramatization Othello communicates, through connections and passionate mentalities, a subject that all people are defenseless against decimation regardless of whether they are in places of intensity and wonder. All the connections in the play are utilized to show the powerlessness of individuals when included by and by with others. Every one of the connections in Othello depicts uncertainties in every individual, aside from Iago. Actually, the entirety of the associations with one character, Iago, are engaged around him and his mischievous plot for the end of Othello. Be that as it may, a large portion of the connections in Othello realize accidental dissatisfactions and vulnerabilities. The relationships in Othello are the most significant connections in giving defenselessness since they draw out the best expectations and perspectives, and the most noticeably awful apprehensions and feelings in each character. Shakespeare, in structuring Othello’s union with Desdemona, shows that albeit one can genuinely adore an individual, the requirement for human control can demolish any relationship causing grievousness and disturbance.

Creating a Process-Driven Organization at AgCredit Essay

AgCredit, The MidWest Agriculture Credit and Loan Company is a medium size money related establishment which focuses on agribusiness. In the course of recent years there is a huge development in business and assumes its own job by rivaling other bigger banks. â€Å"Even however AgCredit had a broad client information, the procedure and clients were burdened as far as possible because of the absence of better innovative system†, said Jim Finney, CEO of AgCredit. (McKeen and Smith, 2012). He proposed to show signs of improvement innovation to defeat the present in a gathering. At that point everybody over yonder began pointing its disadvantages. Steve Stewart, COO of organization groans that IT’s is mess and at whatever point he allocate any assignment then they just break from the circumstance by saying an explanation. Paul Manley, the senior VP of e-business, concurred. He included that IT sysyem is totally broken and he wouldn’t request that they tackle our business issues. The others tolled in with the entirety of their perspectives as venture delays, client grumblings, terrible data and IT staff, who didn't have an unmistakable information on business. So Kate Longair, who works in Enterprise Integration Program (EIP) for AgCredit doled out obligation of making out the coordination of the framework in a most ideal manner. (McKeen and Smith, 2012). Following three months of thorough work for Kate and her group, she thought of a twenty foot long outline of absolute framework in the organization and the procedures. she disclosed to Finney that all individuals perceived what precisely they wanted to do notwithstanding precisely how it will add advantage to the business, anyway nobody saw precisely how their specific independent venture strategy would fit with all individuals else’s to convey undertaking advantage. Next we as a whole acknowledged had been that we didn't appreciate our association methodology notwithstanding that they worked with one another. (McKeen and Smith, 2012). By and by there happened a great deal of cash related with hardships inside the present structure. It’s arranged inside cellar and furthermore the 4 interesting association dividers related with AgCredit posse’s fair IT techniques and furthermore the projects that are not so much unsuited alongside extra business procedures. Now and again the genuine guarantees concerning outsourcing had been off-base. The association is inside lacking IT supervisors alongside incredible particular comprehension in various explicit regions. You can likewise discover allegations concerning task snag, awful data just as client study just as administrative enrolling. To have the option to take care of these kinds of issues, The association offers employed a pro just as she determined an answer known as Support centered structures (SOA). The association happens to examine if SOA would be the best methodology inside taking care of their own issues. (McKeen and Smith, 2012). Key Concerns The real company’s experts are incredibly frenzied alongside day by day methodology just as spic and span tries. IT capability offers wound up with time and furthermore the system had been not the slightest bit pointed alongside authoritative objectives. Despite the fact that some backend tinkering offers made association expansive data possible in certain occurrences, the current methods are not reasonable just as discussion in the middle of every one of them is in reality terrible. IT doesn’t have dependability inside the diagrams related with organization. This can be a get drawback and you will be handled inside its redesign. Organization methods are not perceived in view of IT work force and regularly the organization without anyone else doesn't have a far reaching wheeze on the methodology. The real interconnections from the strategies will in general be not satisfactory so as to every characteristic from the business moreover. The genuine areas don’t understand their own part inside the business in addition to they should turn out how they should help the real business. Pointing their own individual destinations alongside appropriate reps should be accomplished. You will discover four organization areas inside AgCredit. The real company’s legitimate reps will in general be steady turn of events, region related with customer affiliations, capacity to set aside cash period utilizing the customers, ability to strategically pitch suppliers, and flexibly a standard experience towards the customer. The CIO arrangement was made so as to arrange IT and furthermore the organization and furthermore to manage the real IT change. The new CIO offers work a successful advertising effort alongside e-business just as includes the situating alongside clean eye, anyway inadequacies in authentic particular experience. He is agreeable in utilizing organizations just as devouring a few variables related with take a gander at. Positively no IT administration or even structures happens to be in position. Rather theâ divisional system offers been around just as business vision is in reality short. IT decisions are made to fulfill momentary necessities just as attempts. IT perform can be viewed as the help support for that organization. A couple of the IT staffing issues will in general be: diminished prosperity, higher work equivocalness, unfit faculty topping off employments, particular capacities without a couple of spots, definitely no more seasoned IT chief occupations, and a few exposed work capacities. A piece of retooling the genuine IT structures ought to be so as to fix these kinds of staffing necessities. A decent application-driven attitude rules the association. It’s brought about four individual catalogs, one for every office, just as huge data chaos just as repetition. A decent SOA procedure might be prompted relying upon hierarchical prerequisites, so as to transform IT. People necessities comprise of including frameworks just as frameworks without having elective. Merchant alternatives must be improved just as a decent approval method set up bolstered alongside conveyance measurements just as techniques The accompanying activities will be uniting the customer data just as molding its premise. Only one gathering of customer data might be the anticipation which will even help build put stock in just as reliability towards IT, inside the business. Overseeing IT as a Business Before, IT been among the base perceived costs just as presumably the most botched areas of various organization. Disappointment so as to merge IT organizations, strategies, just as innovations and furthermore to straight connection these kinds of towards the corporation’s legitimate organization drivers to make results is among the significant clarifications why enormous, confounded mergers or even acquisitions as often as possible neglect to give on the ensured cooperative energies. If advances is fulfill its assurance and gracefully acquire the advantage to some organization, two principle alterations ought to occur: The real IT business ought to be taken care of just as got a master technique, for example, any sort of large organization gadget, alongside thought so as to central focuses, people just as generally speaking execution. The association in the middle of IT clients through the organization and furthermore the IT business ought to adjust. IT clients ought to understand that the corporation’s ability to flexibly IT isn't boundless. Such asâ other things, IT makes certain through rules related with give, need, just as cost. Just if clients from it through the organization will in general be forced so as to â€Å"pay† for this, perhaps plainly by means of an exchange costs or considerably more every now and again verifiably by means of tradeoffs inside extra business spending assortment items, may figure out how to utilize cautiously just as effectively. (Lutchen, 2004) The accompanying picture speaks to the job of IT unit in business. The waist speaks to the down to earth execution of IT as a business. (Lutchen, 2004). The purpose for IT associations Figure1: Lutchen, M. (2004). Overseeing IT As a Business : A Survival Guide for CEOs. Hoboken, N.J.:J.Wiley and CIOs fizzle is because of absence of convey an incentive to the business. It is their powerlessness to focus adequate sum on the center segment of the above figure 1. IT and business are actually a fundamental point to improve the value related with organization due to IT openings. To accomplish the genuine targets and missions of the business you will discover six essential highlights Organization need to take a gander at the IT like a specialized gadget to change over them into business. This means getting familiar with the organization they are managing. Client hugeness just as customer fulfillment ought to be contemplated like a previous point making pay towards the association. IT reiterations just as individuals ought to have the information just as comprehension of each other advantages, so the situation won’t manage directly into turmoil. Association ought to have specific just as clear goals that prompts achieve a common target. These two associations should understand the association income just as decrease strategies. (Nelson and Alok, 2013) Association culture should be dealt with inside a far reaching just as enthusiastic technique. These individuals work cooperatively and adapt to the association salary rather than their own special segments. Alongside today’s contending world, organizations will in general be adapting withâ numerous issues. So you can coordinate these sorts of issues, associations comprise of continually procured help of the IT to have achievement together with creating income. Numerous associations today depend on IT to realize the venture esteem. It might basically type of exactly how undertaking can be finished notwithstanding engage the procedure plan. Undertaking must completely get a handle on that it isn't discretionary, all things considered significant to the genuine achievement from the venture. Notwithstanding the numerous systems, ordinarily firms wil

How Stress Can Lead to a Low Libido

How Stress Can Lead to a Low Libido Stress Management Effects on Health Print How Stress Can Cause a Low Libido By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 29, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on August 29, 2019 How Stress Impacts Your Health Overview Signs of Burnout Stress and Weight Gain Benefits of Exercise Stress Reduction Tips Self-Care Practices Mindful Living Juice Images / Cultura / Getty Images From worrying about money to deadlines at work, everyday stress can lead to low libido. Dealing with so many concerns can impact your sex life, exacerbating your stress by potentially causing relationship issues.   Stress Response and Low Libido When you react to stress, your body goes through a series of changes in order to prepare you to run away or stay and fight. This is known as your fight or flight response. When you experience fight or flight response, youll experience an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate while non-essential functions, like sex drive, are acutely diminished.   This response can also cause the release of hormones, such as cortisol and  epinephrine, which in high levels can cause decreased sex drive. When stress is chronic, changes in cortisol levels can impact sex hormones, decreasing your interest in sex. In addition to the physiological effects of stress, there is also a psychological aspect. Stress can cause you to have a busy, frazzled mind, and distract you from wanting sex or being present during sex. It can also impact your mood, leading to anxiety and depression, which can diminish libido in their own right. Lastly, uncontrolled stress can lead to unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking, and overeating and poor lifestyle choices like lack of self-care and exercise that can influence how you feel about yourself and interfere with a healthy sex life. If your stress response isn’t reversed, it can contribute to a condition known as chronic stress, impacting your physical health in many ways, including causing low libido.     How Stress Impacts Your Health Overcoming Stress and Low Libido Minimizing stress and maintaining a good sex life with your partner is possible, especially if you both put in time and effort. Here are a few strategies to consider. Practice Stress Management If you suspect that life stress is putting a damper on your libido, one of the first solutions you should consider is overall stress management. If you reverse your stress response using effective relaxation techniques, you won’t experience as many hormonal disturbances from chronic stress. Try some known strategies for dealing with worry or anxiety  in other areas of your life so that they wont have an impact on your sex drive. A few stress management techniques to consider include: Guided imageryMeditationProgressive muscle relaxationBreathing exerciseAromatherapyJournaling Talking with a therapist specializing in stress management can also help you discover coping techniques for your individual situation. How to Reduce the Effects of Stress on Your Life Examine Your Relationship When dealing with low libido, its also important to look at the health of your relationship. Studies show that relationship stress and conflicts  within the relationship can be a stronger factor in low libido than other types of stress. This is true for both men and women. Because men and women both say that their partner’s satisfaction impacts their own libido, a lack of interest from one partner can lead to a lack of interest for both partners.   Working through relationship difficulties is important for many reasons, and your sex drive is a big one. The first step should be to make sure you’re using communication techniques that are fair and supportive of your relationship. Try to view problems as challenges you face together rather than seeing one another as the enemy. Try to find strategies that support the needs of both partners. If you have difficulty doing this on your own, a therapist or marriage counselor can help you develop more effective relationship skills and work through some deeper issues.   How to Know If You Need Marriage Counseling Exercise Together Exercising is a great way to keep stress at bay and boost your self-esteem which, in turn, can boost your libido. If you feel like you dont get enough alone time with your partner, consider working out as a couple. A quick jog or evening walk together may  help you to feel more connected while you get those endorphins going. If your partner is willing to try yoga, practicing together may help bring new energy to the bedroom. Look for a book or video specifically dedicated to partner yoga or search your local area for classes you can try together. Practice Self-Care Its hard to feel good about having sex if you dont feel good about yourself. Practicing self-care means eating a healthy diet, exercising, getting good sleep, practicing stress management techniques, pampering yourself, enjoying time for self-reflection, and ditching harmful habits like smoking and drinking (which put your health at risk and dampen sexual desire). By taking time for a little self-care, youre taking time to build confidence and feel sexy, energetic, and more than worthy of your partners affections. How Self-Care Can Reduce Your Stress Levels Make Time for Each Other Many of us find ourselves busier than we ever thought possible. Being constantly busy means having little downtime, which can drain your energy and make sex unappealing. A busy schedule can also mean a busy mindâ€"and having a lot on your mind can make it difficult to relax and get in the mood. Packed schedules can even present difficulties in finding the time for sex or make it feel like just one more chore on your mile-long to-do list.   If a busy lifestyle is behind your stress and low libido, you may consider making a plan for intimacy or sexual experimentation. While scheduling sex may not seem like the most romantic notion, you can get creative and make it exciting. Begin flirting first thing in the morning (consider it part of your foreplay) and do your best to pick up the phone midday to let your partner know that you are looking forward to your sex date with a quick text or phone call. Adding a little music or aromatherapy can also help set the tone for relaxation and romance. Focus on Sensation Not Sex The power of touch is a pretty powerful stress reliever and doesnt have to include sex. Hold hands, make time to cuddle more (when you hug someone, the stress-busting hormone oxytocin is released), or explore each other through partner massage. Touching each other is a great way to show affection to your partner without any added pressure from the expectation of sex. Focusing on touch, rather than sex, can help you relax and find pleasure and intimacy, which can increase your desire for closeness and, ultimately, sex. How to Talk to Your Partner Stress and low libido can affect your relationship, so its important to talk about it. When talking to your partner about low libido, take extra care to avoid directing blame at yourself or your partner. The best approach is one that neither assigns low libido as  their  issue or your  issue but rather a problem you both will overcome together. This will require open and honest communication about the possible causes of your stress as well as the physical and emotional symptoms of low libido. Consider these tips for starting a healthy conversation: Let your partner know that you want to talk about your sex life and set a time and neutral place (i.e., not your bedroom) that’s comfortable for both of you.Don’t bring up the topic after sex, or when either of you is rushed or distracted.Consider doing some meditation or breathing exercises prior to your talk so youre in a calm state of mind. When youre stressed, its easy to get defensive.Be honest and open. Share your expectations, fears, desires, and concerns.Give your partner a chance to tell their side and use active listening skills like repeating back what your partner said. Do your best to validate your partners feelings with words of understanding.Ensure your conversation is balanced by asking open-ended questions along the way. For example: What do you think of all this?Know when to stop talking. If your conversation becomes too heated, its likely time to wrap it up. This may be a sign that you need a mediator such as a therapist or sex counselor to help you work throug h this. How to Have the Sex Talk With Your Partner When to Consider Therapy Communication is a crucial part of a healthy sex life, so if you and your partner are having a difficult time talking about issues with stress and low libido, therapy might be a good choice. Individual therapy may also be a good option if any negative thought patterns are contributing to your stress. Types of therapy for low libido may include: Individual cognitive therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy: Cognitive therapy for stress is based on the concept that it’s not simply the events in our lives that cause us stress, but the way we think about those events. Youll work one-on-one with a therapist to explore whats behind your stress and to define and meet your goals for better managing stress so it doesnt interfere with your sex lifeMarriage counseling or couples therapy: In couples therapy, you and your partner will work with a therapist in joint sessions. The primary goals of joint therapy are to foster open communication, recognize and resolve conflicts, strengthen your relationship, and gain a better understanding of each other.Sex therapy: Sex therapy is a specialized type of talk therapy that focuses on sexual issues. Through sex therapy, which is offered in both individual and joint partner sessions, you can learn to express your concerns clearly and better understand yours and your partners sexual needs. When considering therapy as an option, look for a therapist youre comfortable with who specializes in the type of therapy youre seeking. A cognitive therapist may encourage you to begin journaling to record the emotions youre feeling before, during, or after sex or to track the times when youre most stressed as well as what does (and does not) work to help you relax. While a sex therapist may give you homework to do as a couple such as role-playing or communication exercises. Other Causes of Low Libido If you’re still experiencing low libido after trying some lifestyle modification and working with a therapist to better manage stress, you may consider speaking to a healthcare professional about the possible medical cause of your loss of sexual interest. There are several underlying medical issues that can take the sizzle out of your sex life, including: Chronic fatigue syndromeChronic painDepressionDiabetesErectile dysfunctionFibromyalgiaHormone imbalancesPeri-menopause and menopauseRheumatoid arthritisSleep disordersThyroid diseaseVaginal drynessVaginismus If low libido and lack of interest in sex are causing significant distress and impacting your relationship or self-esteem, and its not due to medical or other psychiatric causes, you may be diagnosed with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). In its latest edition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) used by mental health professionals, split HSDD into two categories: female sexual interest/arousal disorder and male hypoactive sexual desire disorder. For a diagnosis of either disorder, symptoms must last for at least six months and cause a significant amount of distress. Symptoms of female sexual interest/arousal disorder include: Loss of spontaneous sexual desireThe inability to respond to sexual cuesThe inability to maintain interest during sexFew to no sexual thoughts or fantasiesDisinterest in initiating sex Symptoms of male hypoactive sexual desire disorder include: Few to no sexual thoughts or fantasiesA deficient or absent desire for sexual activity A Word From Verywell Its important to remember that its natural to experience fluctuations in sexual desire. But if stress is negatively impacting your sex life, dont hesitate to confide in your partner and seek help. Together, you can test out strategies to lower your stress levels and boost your sex drive. By doing so, you may even end up strengthening your relationship and improving your overall health.

Building Literacy One

   The days of spring are here, which for many parents and teachers is a time to think and reflect on the past school year as well as prepare for the new year to come. Maybe like some parents you have a soon-to-be kindergarten student, and you are worried if they are going to be â€Å"ready.† Or maybe you have a kindergartener right now who could use some help developing his reading before next fall begins. Perhaps you are overwhelmed with all of the different pieces: Do they really need spelling and reading and phonics and letters and all these little bits in order to be successful? While all of these pieces are important, building literacy skills in the littlest learners is so much more than a structured â€Å"language arts† time or a step-by-step curriculum that teaches reading in â€Å"x amount of steps.† As the end of the school year approaches and summer looms on the horizon, here are a few tips and fun activities that you can use to help build literacy skills in your student or child through the summer and into next year. One impactful way to build literacy is by reading aloud in huge quantities. Read to your student a wide variety of material in copious amounts, making sure to include some quality literature that is above the child’s current reading level. If you need some suggestions, here is our IEW Booklist to get you started. Need even more suggestions or encouragement? Sarah Mackenzie at Read Aloud Revival has an abundance of recommendations for you. Spread a blanket outside, and spend some time reading at the park this summer. Grab a few audiobooks from the library for your next family road-trip. Even just fifteen minutes a day adds up to seven hours a month and ninety hours a year! Building vocabulary and sentence structure is another important pre-literacy skill. Nursery rhymes and other rhyming songs are a great way to practice those skills and an easy activity to do on the go. You likely have heard such favorites as â€Å"Down by the Bay† and â€Å"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.† Kids love rhyming and songs! Download a few classics to listen to while running errands, or start a family sing-along in the car. Another great option is poetry memorization with IEW’s Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization course. Listening to and memorizing poetry helps produce a strong and powerful language database! Here are some other short and simple, yet powerful ideas for building language in your students. Name Game: While you are out running errands, playing at the park, or driving on a cross-country road trip, ask â€Å"What is this?† or â€Å"Where is he/she going?† Everyday Words: As you are folding laundry or making dinner, dialogue out loud about the steps of the process. Show your children the ingredients for dinner, for example, and point them out on the recipe as you cook together. Rhyming Riddles: Make up riddles and guessing games, using words that rhyme or words that start with the same sounds. For example, â€Å"What kind of cake would a snake make? He might make a lake cake.† The rhymes can be silly and fun and will get the child thinking about words and listening for rhymes. Letter Search: Point out words on signs and in stores. Begin a search for the letter that begins the names of those your student would know. Read the stop signs and the other traffic signs aloud when you are out driving. Find letters on products, on signs, and on television. Match the letters with first or last names. Play â€Å"Letter of the Day,† in which you decide on a letter and go on a hunt for it. Word Maker: Make magnetic letters available and play with them on a surface such as the refrigerator. Spell simple words and have your child repeat them. As the breezy spring days move past into the warm days of summer, let me encourage you with this. Building literacy and reading skills does not always have to be a structured, everyday, expensive curriculum-based type of approach. With some intentionality and the foundation of a love for learning and language as your goal, enjoy this time! Spend your days soaking up lots of good books, memorizing poetry, singing lots of songs, and above all, having fun! You might even find yourself singing the songs and learning the poems right along with your students.    Jessica Walker was homeschooled in Southern California and graduated from CSULB with a degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Elementary Education. She moved to Oklahoma after getting married to  Mikael  Walker. Before Jessica began working for IEW as a Customer Service Agent, she taught kindergarten  and first grade for two years. Jessica enjoys working with the IEW team, spending time with family, and making crafts. Log in or register to post commentsJessica Walkers blog Log in or register to post comments

How to Apply for Federal Student Aid Using the FASFA

You want to go to college so you can make a lot of money but you dont have a lot of money, so you cant go to college. Congratulations! You have just met the main requirements for getting federal student aid. The U.S. Department of Education provides more than $67 billion in loans, grants and campus-based aid every year to assist millions of students and their families pay for postsecondary education. This feature presents an overview of the types of federal student financial aid available, eligibility requirements and the application process. Handy links directly to detailed information from the Department of Education are provided throughout. Federal Student Loan Programs The governments Stafford Loan program offers both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans.   Subsidized loans require proof of financial need. All interest on subsidized loans is paid by the government while the student is actually enrolled at least half-time and during certain periods, such as  deferment and forbearance. Unsubsidized loans are available regardless of financial need. The student must pay all interest on unsubsidized loans. The Direct PLUS program offers unsubsidized loans to parents of dependent students. The parents must pay all interest on Direct PLUS loans. Amounts that can be borrowed, repayment options and interest rates vary greatly and can be modified during the term of the loan. For details on federal student loan programs, see: Federal Direct Student Loans - Information For Students (Note: Some teachers and childcare providers may be able to cancel payment of portions of their federal student loans. See: Loan Cancellation for Teachers and Cancellation for Childcare Providers.) Federal Pell Grants Unlike loans, federal Pell Grants do not have to be paid back. Eligibility is based on financial need. Maximum amounts available vary yearly as determined by Congress. Besides financial need, the amount of a Pell grant also depends on costs to attend school, the students status as a full- or part-time student, and the students plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. Pell grant funds are paid directly to the student by the school at least once each semester, trimester, or quarter. Campus-Based Aid Programs Campus-based programs like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Perkins Loan programs are administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Federal funds for these programs are given to the schools and distributed to students at the schools discretion. Amounts students can receive depends on individual financial need, amounts of other aid the student receives and the total availability of funds at the school. Basic Eligibility Requirements for Student Aid Eligibility for federal student aid is determined on the basis of financial need and on several other factors. The financial aid administrator at the college or career school you plan to attend will determine your eligibility. Basically, to receive aid from federal programs, you must: qualify for financial need (except for certain loans); have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education; be working toward a degree or certificate; be enrolled in an eligible program; be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; have a valid Social Security Number; register with the Selective Service if required; and maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school. Under federal law, persons who have been convicted under federal or state law of the sale or possession of drugs are not eligible for federal student aid. If you have a conviction or convictions for these offenses, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to find out if, or how, this law applies to you. Even if you are ineligible for federal aid, the Education Department urges you to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, because you may be eligible for nonfederal aid from states and private institutions. How to Apply for Student Aid - The FASFA The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be used to apply for all loans, grants, and campus-based student aid programs. The FASFA can be completed online or on paper. The FAFSA Web site takes you through every step of the process and provides all the information you need to apply for federal student aid. Applicants can access worksheets to estimate their incomes, electronically sign loan documents, save an application at any computer and print a complete report. How easy is the FAFSA online application process? In 2000, over 4 million student loan applications were processed online, a number the Department of Education expects to top 6 million during 2002. Between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2002, over 500,000 applications had already been processed online. Questions? If you have any questions, or require additional information on student financial assistance, you may contact your high school guidance counselor, the financial aid officer at the postsecondary school you plan to attend, or the Federal Student Aid Information Center, open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to midnight (Eastern Time). You can also find free information about federal, state, institutional, and private student aid in your high school counselors office or local librarys reference section (usually listed under student aid or financial aid.)