Is sugar poisoning your kids?

The Hip Bone's connected to the Thigh Bone, the Thing Bone's connected to the Shin Bone....and so it goes.

Learning is connected to the brain, the brain's connected to the body, the body's connected to the child...and so it goes.

We are hearing more about the "Obesity Epidemic", weight loss is shoved down our throats, get active campaigns in our faces everyday,completely bombarded by messages to get healthy.

But have you ever noticed that with all this weight loss focus, we are still getting fatter as a society? And the levels of Diabetes are increasing?

When you go grocery shopping do you automatically reach for the "Low Fat" products? Did you know that they generally contain more sugar than the full fat versions? Do you go for the pre-packaged snacks? Have you ever looked at the label to see just how much sugar is in them?

I recently watched a story on the ABC's Catalyst called Toxic Sugar. If you haven't seen it, WATCH IT NOW. It highlights some of the unknown facts about sugar, and discusses some of the research on sugar. The experts call it "Poison" and recommend it be regulated exactly the same as other addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco.

Next time you're doing the shopping, stop and have a look at some of these "healthy"items and just check the labels to see how much sugar they really have in them. Anything more than 10g per 100g or 100ml is pretty sugary.

Yoghurts - even the low fat ones are full of sugar - and if not sugar...then chemical sweetners...these are just as bad, if not worse in my opinion!
Sauces - would you eat a tablespoon of sugar? No. But we think nothing of a massive squirt of sauce.
Cereals - 30% sugar - Have a bit of fun and make your own muesli or granola.
Breads - it's in everything! Check your brands. Opt for wholemeal, wholegrains.
Muesli Bars - these babies are loaded with sugars, then add the dried fruit. Nasty. Try making your own.
Biscuits - even the plain biscuits are packed full of sugar.
Fruit Juice - It takes 4 apples to make a glass of juice. Would you eat 4 apples in one go? And you miss out on the fibre. Just as much sugar as soft drinks!

A recent study in the US showed a strong correlation between soft drinks and violent, destructive behaviour in children. The study showed kids having 3-4 soft drinks per day being more violent, moody, unable to concentrate and destructive breaking stuff. When you think about the sugar in those drinks, plus the caffeine in some that's a pretty big recipe for disaster.

I just can't help think there is a connection between the increase in the amount of sugar we consume and the difficulties many kids face in class. If a child were addicted to an illegal drug or alcohol, we could imagine the consequences and the problems they would face. Isolation, guilt, mental health issues, physical health issues, withdrawal symptoms, highs & lows. If sugar is really the way those experts describe it, does that mean to say that kids in school will be experiencing withdrawals during class? How can you learn if you are on a Sugar Low? How can you concentrate on your homework if you are having a sugar high? How can you participate in after school activities if you're having a withdrawal and lacking any energy? How can you be a kid if you're looking for your next sugar hit?

My challenge to you, is to try a sugar swap with the kids. Swap fruit for vegies? Swap sweet snacks for protein rich snacks like cheese, boiled eggs, a handful of chicken meat? Drink water with a splash of lemon or lime?

Maybe it will help? Maybe it won't. But give it a shot, and see what happens. Let me know what happens! A day, 2 days, a week from now.

Happy Learning!

PS. Check out the Learning that's Fun - Parties board on Pinterest. Lots of fun ideas for healthy snacks!

Learning that's Fun Photo a Day Challenge

Hello Blossoms.

 I'm going on holidays for a week, and thought I'd leave you with a bit of a Learning that's Fun challenge.

A bit of fun and creativity for you and the kids to join in.

What to do

• Grab your camera or  phone and take a snap a day for 1 week
• Use the daily prompts to give you ideas related to "learning that's fun"
• Be as obvious or as crazy creative as you want 
• Do 1 photo per day. Do 7 at the end. Use old snaps or new ones. Up to you! 

Where to post the pics

• Join the Facebook Event and post them to the wall
• Post them straight on our Facebook Page
• Post to Twitter or Instagram using #LTFphotoaday
• Post them on your blog & send us link

How to remember

• Import the iCalendar for smartphone or google account
• Join the Email list for a daily reminder
• Facebook Updates - hover over the "liked" button on our page and make sure "show in news feed" is ticked.
• Twitter Updates - follow us @blossomconnect

Can't wait to get home and see what fabulous ideas you've posted up! I'll share my favourites on our Pinterest boards. Tell your friends and get them on it too. A challenge to them!

START TOMORROW - Monday 4th November

Until then. Happy Snapping!

5 Tips for an Educational Wonderland Party

Kids parties are always a tonne of fun, and often a little stressful! You might have seen a few days ago I wrote a guest post for another website about spicing up your children's birthday parties with an educational twist. So I thought I'd share a little more party cheer on Learning that's Fun.

I wrote about 5 easy ways to sneak in some learning benefits and practice some of the skills the kids have been learning at school in a practical way that keeps them interested while getting your party organised.

Here's a snippet.

1. Get Organised - during the planning stages, what activities can you get the kids involved in? They can practice their hand writing, their computer skills, getting creative and even a bit of maths if you've got a budget.

2. Choose a Theme - Opt for an educational spin on your themes. Think books, professions, art & craft, sports and science.

3. Party Games - Make up games that challenge, stretch and test the mind. Quizzes, mazes, challenges and competitions.

4. Feed the Brain - Healthy, doesn't mean boring! But it's a great chance to get creative with the kids trying to think up new recipes and healthier snacks.

5. Gift of Learning - Think about the learning benefits of a gift when you're making a purchase for a friend. Or rethink the idea of Goodie Bags and replace the junk & lollies with a single thank you gift for guests that's meaningful and useful.

To get the full Educational Wonderland eBook click here to sign up to the Learning that's Fun Newsletter. We'll send the link straight your inbox.

Happy Learning!

Party Fun for Little Ones: Make your Party an Educational Wonderland!

Last week I had the great pleasure of writing a guest post for Whats on 4 Kids. I love their websites, they have everything for Kids in Australia pulled into one source. 

Party Fun for Little Ones: Make your Party an Educational Wonderland!

Drop by and share the link or leave a comment on their blog. 

When you're done, click here to sign up for the Learning that's Fun Newsletter & download the new copy of our eBook on the party theme ;) 

Aldon Tutoring Ballarat Giveaway

Our Friends at Aldon Tutoring Centre in Ballarat have some special gifts for you!

Only 2 things you need to do & the deals are yours:

1. Like them on Facebook
2. Mention Learning that's Fun when you call up

Free Tutoring Assessment for your child

10% Discount on Tutoring Sessions

At Aldon they specialise in: 

English & Maths

Primary & Secondary Level

VCE & Exam Preparation

Catering to ALL kids (falling behind or excelling)

Adult Learners - career change refresher or migrant literacy

Tailored to suit each child's individual learning needs

Individual program based on assessment
Taking into account their interests & strengths

Multi-modal teaching techniques using all the senses

The timing is perfect! Reports are coming up. Exams for the older kids are scheduled. Think about giving your pre-schoolers a head start for school or that last boost for Grade 6's heading to high school. Give them the head start they deserve. 

For more info on Aldon visit:

Aldon Tutoring Centres Ballarat

or 

Like them on Facebook

How one woman is tutoring to make a difference in Ballarat

When Christine Phillips was a Teacher's Aide it broke her heart daily to see the gap widening between the kids who could and the kids who couldn't. She watched little boys start school as promising little preppies and gradually develop behaviour problems and get left out in the corridor. The kids she worked with had average ability, but for various reasons they were left behind and started playing up instead.

Christine decided to make it her mission to find out how to help such children to learn to read and write and succeed at learning!

Christine's motto greets you at the door

She went on to complete a 4 year Teaching Degree and her own academic research into the most effective methods for teaching reading and spelling, to help those children being neglected by the system. In 2011, Christine dedicated the whole year and her own finances to complete the Reading Recovery Course for Teachers, so that she could develop her skills and also find out for herself what the program was like (she had discovered both positive and negative opinions about the effectiveness of Reading Recovery). During that time, she worked voluntarily at school, with kids from low socio-economic backgrounds, successfully bringing most of them from about a reading level 5 to level 21 in one semester. In addition, Christine believes phonics is extremely beneficial and has completed additional Teacher training in this area.

Today Christine is running her own Tutoring Centre in Ballarat, helping parents change the lives of their children. Having grown up children of her own she knows how tough it is to have 3 individual personalities with completely different needs, and knows it can be a struggle sometimes to work out the problem or the solution. And being a part of the Ballarat Community Christine understands the economic climate of the region and can relate to the tough times families often face. This is when she says she's not in it for the money, it's about helping the kids. (A woman after my own heart!) During the year she funds scholarships through the local schools making tutoring more accessible to the kids who's family might not be able to afford it.

Part of the main room

As a member of the Australian Tutoring Association Christine prides herself on providing only the best quality to her students and with the ATA's strict criteria for membership the Tutors she employs are experts in their field. I made the mistake of assuming that an Accountant would make a great Math tutor...apparently that's not quite so. But all these tutors are highly skilled and love working with kids, hence their Working With Children Checks for peace of mind.

Who doesn't love sitting on a ball while studying? Makes it more fun!

The tutoring centre is not just Christine's business, it's her mission in life to help make the world a better place by educating the kids who need it the most. She is surrounded by a supportive network of teachers she meets up with regularly and can call on any time with any problem and together they will find an answer. That's just the sort of person she is. A Problem Solver.

A beautiful bush walk while you wait.

While I was there chatting I could see the way her eyes lit up when she started talking about why she opened the centre. A beautiful lady with a heart of gold, working to make a difference. You don't find people like that every day.

For a very special "Children's Week" offer to our readers stay tuned for the announcement on Wednesday afternoon. You won't want to miss it!

To find out more about Aldon Tutoring Centre in Ballarat check them out online:

Website

Email

Facebook

Be part of something bigger than yourself

Why do some kids from the same family end up on a completely different path in life? One is confident, well respected and celebrates success in their life. The other is angry, struggles to get anywhere and throws away opportunities without even trying. Same parents. Same home. Same upbringing. So how does this happen?

I recently attended an amazing thought provoking presentation from the Melbourne Uni Festival of Ideas that just resonated so well with me, and really inspired me. Some great discussion from a bunch of inspirational people from health & social experts to refugees who came to Australia with nothing and now work with Australian youth to help them be the best they can be!

But the answer to the burning question really came to down to one thing. A child's sense of self. Of knowing who they are, where they come from and where they are going. And using that to work out what they can do to contribute to society.

The kids who do well have people surrounding them and encouraging them to participate in something bigger than themselves. They are given responsibilities for jobs around the house or in the community. They have things to do after school, and they have something to give others.

And it all revolves around community. Remember the old saying "it takes a village to raise a child"? It really does. The kids who do well participate in community activities. Sports, scouts, volunteering, odd jobs for neighbours, doing "things" with grandpa on the farm. There is meaning in what they do. They learn about teams, relationships, make friends, broaden their views of the world.

By helping others, it helps kids to shape who they are and who they will become. Caring for others helps them to learn that there is always someone worse off than you are, and teaches them to be grateful for the opportunities they have in life.

And by giving to others, be it time, commitment, effort, whatever... it implicitly teaches the child that they have something of value to give, teaches them that they are worthy, and gives them a sense self worth and wellbeing.

Putting on a show at a community festival

The whole discussion really torched the fire in my belly, and reinforced what I've long known about myself but could never pin point until recently. When I am helping others, I am happy! I am always the first to put my hand up to help. I never think "no I can't do that", I work out a way to make it happen. I lost my way a little along the way and chased a career for the "money" but it was HARD WORK and it didn't make me happy. In fact it made me cry, it stressed me out and it made me miserable. Then my grandpa died, leaving a legacy of hard bloody work for his family. But a life of always looking for the money to survive and provide, not for the love or happiness of enjoying his work. But as kids he always had time for us to "do things with Grandpa". Hammering, gardening, getting out in his shed and making a mess, having a sense of purpose. We were helping! But at the time he died, I quit my job and had some time off to grieve and finally came to realise that I wanted to work for the community, not for the man, and not for the money. As much as I loved my grandpa and admired everything he did, and how hard he worked to give our family every opportunity, I wanted to be happy after a day's work, not tired and stressed out. He was a great man, don't get me wrong. But that was when I really honed in on what I'd always known deep down inside. I was born to help others be the best they can be. Not to help some greedy big shot make a profit. Education is my sweet spot, and seeing disadvantaged kids head down a path of self-destruction breaks my heart. It hits too close to home. Too close to the kids I went to school with. The kids I grew up with in my neighbourhood. Too many of whom died before they even got to know what they wanted out of life. 1 is too many. But I could fill both hands naming them. A little town like mine, it doesn't take much to know them. Every cell of my body tells me that if a child can get a good chance at education, be surrounded by great role models, have access to the right services for their needs and be part of something bigger than themselves, they can get through anything and have the greatest success of all. Real happiness. So I tutor. I mentor. I fundraise. I donate my time and money. I blog. I write books. I'm getting out there in the community, meeting people working out new ways that I can help those in need.

My Deda (grandpa)

So what can we do to encourage our children and families to create environments like this to help shape our kids into amazing generous givers, instead of self-pitying, disengaged takers?

Here are a few ideas, I'd love to hear yours too:

• Care for a pet
• Volunteer (a once off event or a regular thing, always be the first to put your hand up to help!)
• Tutor a friend or younger sibling (the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else!)
• Mentor (lots of schools run mentor programs for new preppies, or year 7)
• Sports (try a few)
• Scouts / Cubs / Brownies / Guides (this is an amazing place to get involved in the community)
• Music / Dance / Art Groups (be creative, let it all out, make friends and work on a big show)
• Neighbourhood Jobs (mow the lawn, help old Mr Jones with his bins etc)
• Grow a vegetable garden & sell your produce to neighbours to save up for something special
• Run a fundraiser for your favourite cause
• And for you. Be a role model. You don't need to be amazing, just take stock of what you're doing to give back to society and give it a shot.

What sort of things do you think kids could participate in to contribute to society, neighbourhood and family? To be a part of something bigger than themselves? Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page :) 

You don't have to be a genius to change the world

All you need is passion, commitment and a cause close to your heart. 

This video will tell you all about mine. 6 minutes, that's all it takes.

What can you do to help?

1. Follow Blossom Connect on Facebook & Twitter.

2. Donate to the project.

3. Tell your friends & colleagues about it.

If you are part of a community group or organisation in the Ballarat & surrounding regions I would LOVE to come and talk at your next get together. 10 minutes to help get this project off the ground and make a huge contribution to the future of Ballarat's children & families.

9 Steps to Stop the Tears of Homework

Homework time for some families can be really stressful with arguments, tears, fighting, bribery, threats and basically just makes everyone miserable. So here are a few tips that might help make it a more enjoyable experience for the whole household!

1. Learning Space

Create a space for the kids to do their homework where there are no distractions and they can concentrate. A corner space, a desk away from the TV, a quiet spot where other siblings won't be a bother. Ensure they have all the materials right there that they will need (pens, pencils, ruler, calculator, dictionary, scissors, glue etc).

2. Schedule

Set a regular routine for doing homework, and schedule in to other daily / weekly activities. Use a diary, a calendar, an app on your smart phone, a Kanban board or whatever works for your family. This helps ensure they have finished other activities and are aware in advance that it is time to move on to their homework. No surprises. Schools often use a diary or notes home to parents, so check for those daily. Again, no surprises!

3. Don't do it for them

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to just do the homework for them! If they are having trouble prompt them to discuss the question, show you how to do work it out, even get them to teach the concept to you as if you know nothing at all! If something is late or overdue, they need to learn the consequences of not getting their work in on time. But looking back at point number 2, make sure they have a routine.

4. Be positive

Positive language and praise is really important. If the word "homework" makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, call it something else. Give it a new name. Something relative but happier sounding like Activity Time, or make up a new word completely like "Boplaboom". A bit of a laugh takes some of the pressure off. And be conscious of how you speak when you're helping with homework. Be sure to be encouraging and never use words like dumb, stupid, idiot.

5. Food for thought

Be mindful of what and when they last ate. If homework time is straight after school ensure they have had a good healthy snack to ward off the afternoon brain fades, but a massive sugar hit will give them a big high, with an equally big low. Steer clear of sugary snacks before homework like ice-creams, biscuits, lollies.

6. Be a role model 

This is a perfect opportunity to get your own homework done at the same time. Take the chance to catch up on some reading, write that email or letter you've been putting off, pay some bills, do some research on something you've been thinking about. If everyone is doing the same thing at the same time the kids won't feel like they are alone or isolated. For the younger kids who maybe aren't at school yet or don't have homework, give them some colouring or reading to do at the same time too. Get everyone in on it, and the routine will develop naturally. The little kids always want to be just like their big brothers & sisters!

7. Be fun

Try playing games, using props or crafts to make the learning fun. Play "teachers" where you sit and learn from your child, put on little plays and performances to cover the concepts, or find relevant games that can help reinforce the topics. 

8. Talk to the teacher

If things are going really bad and none of the above ideas have any impact. Try talking to the teacher at school to see if they have any ideas or suggestions to use at home. They will know exactly where your child is having difficulties, and teachers LOVE being asked for their opinions and ideas. But you have to be open to their advice. They are trained, and do know what they are doing.

9. Difficulties / Disabilities

Finally, once you've spoken to the teacher if things are still going really pear shaped you might find that underneath the tears and arguments there could be a valid reason why your child is struggling with their homework. There could be a learning disability or difficulty going on that has not been diagnosed. Many kids are very good at disguising their difficulties with acting the class clown, or appearing to be naughty and distracted. So speak again to the teacher and take their advice and seek professional help to get a diagnosis or help if needed.

All these ideas and more are covered in Learning that's Fun. Actions you can take TODAY to have an impact on homework time in your house!

A to Z of Learning that's Fun

A - Activities
B - Board Games
C - Cooking & Craft
D - Dancing
E - Eat Healthy
F - FUN FUN FUN
G - Gifts for learning
H - Homework Stations
I - Interests and Likes
J - Jokes, Riddles & Problems to solve
K - Karaoke!
L - Library
M - Monopoly
N - Never give up
O - Outdoors
P - Praise & Positivity
Q - Quizes & Trivia
R - Reading Role Models
S - Sing Songs
T - Teach Mum & Dad
U - Under a Blanket (hey why not?)
V - Variety, the spice of life
W - Weather & Nature
X - X-Ray Goggles (so they can "see" the answers)
Y - You Tube (has ALL SORTS of educational videos)
Z - Zoo Trip

Real Life Learning

Do you ever look back and think "gee I wish I'd learned this at school"? Or thought "why didn't I know about this already"?

There's only so much a school can cram into a curriculum, and there is a fine line, which is strongly debated by many, about what schools should and shouldn't be teaching in kids.

But in a conversation with my brother (you met him a few weeks back in Flies, Honey & a Soccer Ball), we were talking about "real life learning". The things you never learned at school, but wish you had. Things like banking, saving, building and protecting your credit rating, how to vote, superannuation, how to read contracts and bills, house and car loans, relationships, dealing with emotions...and all those things you suddenly have to know how to do magically when you become an "adult".

I still have hardly any idea what I signed when I bought a house. It took me and my husband into our late 20s and early 30s to teach ourselves how to budget and save money. We learned from TV celebrity Kochie. Even when I went to vote last week I followed the instructions, but all the guff about Upper & Lower Houses and Senates and things is just over my head. Some of my brother's mates weren't even sure which politician they had actually voted for when they ticked the boxes for the different parties.

And at my age, I know I want to learn about superannuation and how to set our family up for the future, but it's really hard trying to find that information without it being all salesy, and trying to get me to sign up for things.

So when do you start teaching kids about these sorts of things? How do you start? Is it up to the school to run a new program? Do you incorporate these concepts into projects of existing classes? Or is it up to the parents to teach them? But what if the parents aren't up with it either?

I've got a few ideas, but I'd love to hear yours! Are you a school teacher? I'd love to know your thoughts, or what your school does. I'll get the ball rolling though.

• Start young. These are life skills that you can't learn over night. 
• Open a kids bank account or start a money box that doesn't open. Start good saving habits early with pocket money earned from chores / jobs. Save 50%, Spend 50% on a treat. Set a goal and aim for something great. That sense of achievement of paying for something with your own money you saved up for is second to none! 
• Games like Monopoly could be good too, but only if you follow the instructions to the T.
• Talk to the kids about what's happening at home with bills and loans. I know kids have a tendency to be brutally honest to strangers, so maybe keep the numbers to yourself, but the general concept of what you're doing could be helpful for them when they grow up. I used to watch my Mum do the budget every week on her calendar and put cash into little pockets and envelopes for the things we needed. This worked for me to begin with, but now that cash is so digital it doesn't quite work anymore. But it was a great help to get me started on saving and stashing my cash for the things I needed and wanted. PS I don't do that anymore, so don't bother looking under my mattress! lol.

But there are the more tricky concepts that are probably better aimed at the older children in their teens, like the credit ratings, superannuation, voting, rights when you get a job, relationships, resilience, independence, all those sorts of things. I knew boys who got huge car loans and ended up bankrupt before they were 21. I know people who couldn't track their superannuation from all their part time jobs if their life depended on it. Others who think voting is a joke and don't take it seriously, or have no idea what it all means. And people in their 20s who have barely ever been away from their parents long enough to know how to look after themselves. How do you teach these skills?

Leave your comments on here or on the Facebook page. I'd love to hear your thoughts, or what you do now at your place or school?

Free Kindle eBooks

Do you have an eBook reader? A Kindle, a Nook, an iPad or any other eReader?

Do you have a smart phone or a computer?

If you have any of the above you can read eBooks.

 

Did you know, you don't need a Kindle to read eBooks from Amazon?

If you have an iPad, tablet or a smart phone of any sort you can download the free Kindle App and get access to millions of eBooks on the Amazon Kindle site.

BUT, eBooks cost money. Right?

Not so.

Most eBooks on the Kindle site are so cheap you pay less than a Happy Meal for them, however...there are a tonne of websites and Facebook pages out there who actively promote the FREE eBooks on Amazon.

So when an author publishes their eBook they can have promotions and offer it for free to anyone who downloads it within the specified period of time.

Go and Google a whole bunch of "Free eBooks" sites, or search for pages on Facebook and join their email list or like them on Facey. Then every day or every week you'll get notifications about the latest eBooks that are available for FREE!

You will find books of all genres from sci-fi, romance, reference, biography, and most importantly...Kids eBooks! Some will be authors you know and love, others will be authors you've never heard of, but they could be the next JK Rowling for all we know!

But a point of etiquette once you've downloaded and read all your free eBooks. Head back to the Amazon website and give the book a quick few words of review, or even just give it a star rating. This feedback helps the authors to write even better books for you next time and work out what their audience is really looking for. Something for nothing, it's just like saying "thanks very much".

I love my Kindle. I love real books too, I have shelves and shelves of them! But I love being able to carry a whole book shelf around in my bag, especially of books that I know I will probably read once and then give away or never read again. For me it's the romance / comedy books like Confessions of a Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, or the Jodie Picoult heart breakers! It's a heck of a lot cheaper to get the eBooks, read them and be done, rather than collecting expensive paper weights that I've thoroughly enjoyed, but will just pass on to the next reader who wants them.