Tuesday 4 March 2014

Finding your passion in life

"Don't die with your music still in you!"

These were the closing words at a breakfast talk I went to this morning. Powerful and inspiring words from a wonderful man. Ian Berry spent his childhood being called stupid, and started his adult life believing he was stupid. But when a manager in a moment of weakness saw something in him and gave him a job, he started to realise that when his Nanna told him he was special, maybe she was right! 

He used another quote from German culture "See man as he is, and he gets worse. But see man as he can be, and he gets better". 

I think this applies to children as well. If we see them for who they are today, crying, having tantrums, not doing well at school, being picked on. It festers in our language, our emotions and our behaviour. But if we see the children for who they could become, well behaved, respectful, achieving in their strengths, enjoying life, then we change our language, we change our emotions and we change our behaviour. 

Instead of focusing on the weaknesses and what they do wrong, we need to focus on their strengths, and what they do right. What they are good at, what they enjoy. Encourage them to follow their dreams and be the best they can be. 

Find your heart song

Which is where I am heading. I have grown Learning that's Fun from a page where the only person looking was my Mum, into a great community of people sharing their love for learning and helping children enjoy their education. I've written a small book about my experiences and ideas for making learning fun...although if I knew then, what I know now, it would be a completely different story! I've made amazing connections with wonderful people everywhere. I've been able to run competitions and giveaways and help people build their collection of fun and educational toys and games at little cost. And I hope I've inspired some families to try new activities and create new traditions in their homes to spend more quality time together and have great fun family learning adventures together. But most of all, through Learning that's Fun, I've found my heart song. I've found the music in my soul that makes my heart tick to the beat of my drum, and my voice sings the melody of my calling in life. 

While Learning that's Fun is the vehicle that has lead me there, LTF is not the destination. 

The destination is my Blossom Connect. I suppose you could call it a reincarnation of Learning that's Fun, but directed straight at my local community. And not just in learning, but in all aspects of a child's life. But at the end of the day, every experience in a child's life is learning of some sort. Be it about their health, their well being, their friends, their personal time, their physical ability, their social skills, their life skills. 

So today I'm announcing a break from Learning that's Fun. I can't continue to give this wonderful site the attention it deserves while focusing on a new venture. So from today there will be no new content on the website. And there will be very little activity on the Facebook page. But don't leave us. In the future who knows what could happen. From time to time myself or the other girls may still share a post from other sites or something we find that is really awesome. But there won't be any new content coming from us directly. Unless I happen to find someone willing to take it on, and give it the time and effort it truly deserves. 

The book is still always available for purchase. And I'm always here to continue taking questions or helping with ideas when you get stuck. 

For any of you in the Ballarat area (even out to Ballan, Maryborough, Bacchus Marsh & Daylesford) come on over and join us at Blossom Connect. Facebook & Website. Sign up to the newsletter for discounts and news on local businesses and what's happening around town. 

Thank You & Goodbye (for now)

And also a very special thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. You know who you are. I won't mention names individually because I would hate to forget someone. But look back through past posts and you will find them. Family, friends, complete strangers who have put their hand up to help out! Be it with editing, reading, coming up with ideas, donating items to giveaways, supporting me in many ways. You are all special and have helped to contribute to a great cause in the world. 

Making learning fun, to help little buds blossom! 

Now I take time to focus on the little buds of Ballarat. Blossom Connect.

Happy Learning.

Louise XXX

Motivational speaker Ian Berry & Farewell to Learning that's Fun


Sunday 23 February 2014

Suddenly 30 - Learning from Film

"If you could have just one do-over, what would it be?"
This line from one of my favourite films, Suddenly 30, resonated loud and clear as I sat to watch it (again) with my "little sister" who I mentor. 

In recent weeks we'd been talking about the "popular" girls at school, being a teenager, growing up, goals, future dreams and all those things, so this film seemed a perfect fit.

So sure, while we sat and watched it, I noticed so many lessons for her, about bullying, standing up for yourself, being true to yourself, being nice to your friends, caring for your family, being careful what you wish for, having confidence and just having fun. 

But I got some lessons out of it for myself! I don't know what it is about turning 30, but in the past couple of years I've noticed some big changes in myself. I know who I am. I am confident with myself. I've stopped comparing myself with others all the time....well maybe not so much, but at least I try not to lose sleep over it or go do crazy things to change who I am. I follow my heart, not my friends. I do what I enjoy, not because it's cool. 

So watching the film again just reinforced some valuable lessons for myself as a woman too. Feeling confident in what I do and staying true to why I do it. Living happily ever after if you treat others with respect and integrity and follow your heart. Following YOUR dreams, not the dreams of others around you. And to really treasure those who are closest to you. 

I know it's just a light hearted, teenage chick flick. But it's one of my favourite movies and I think there's so much in there to learn for the young and the young at heart. 


Do you have any film suggestions for teenage girls? List them here and we'll add them to our growing list to watch! 



Thursday 20 February 2014

STOP READING NOW!


How many times have you been told to READ MORE with your kids?

How often do you see these quotes floating around Pinterest, Instagram & Facebook?

"Readers are Thinkers"

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader"

"A home without books is like a house without windows"

And so on....


Don't get me wrong, I LOVE reading. I got so hooked on a novel recently that I literally read it while I was walking from kitchen to car. 

BUT, here's a thought. 

How about those kids that aren't good at reading? They don't enjoy it? They can't sit still long enough? They have run out of books? They cry and argue? Get distracted easily? Reading time ends up in tears and everyone is miserable?

I'm going to suggest something radical! 

STOP FORCING THEM TO READ!

I know...you have to do your reading diary, so go ahead and do that. 

But at another time, try this:


Put the books back in the shelf. Turn off the television. And make up your own stories! Use your child's latest interests. Dinosaurs perhaps? Re-tell interesting events from your past. Act out scenes from your favourite films. Reminisce about when your kids were little and did funny things.


Set aside Time

Find a special time when everyone is home. On the weekend, a weeknight, every day, whatever suits your family. Set aside as much as you can spare, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour? 

Involve Everyone

This is an activity for the whole family! Mum, Dad, Gran if she lives in your spare room, and all the kids. If you've got visitors, get them in on it too. Take it in turns to tell a short story? Make a whole story with everyone acting a part. Sit around the fire place and take it in turns to add the next twist to the tale. 

Voices

Use funny voices, put on accents belonging to your characters or impersonate the people in the story. Does old Uncle Johnny have a funny walk? Does Grandma have a funny accent, or pet names for the kids? 

Use Props

Who doesn't love to dress up for play with props? Use a remote control for a phone. Pretend the couch is Jack & Rose's Titanic. A hula hoop is a portal to another world! 

Film

If you have a mobile phone, a tablet, a video camera, a bloggie, an iPod, a web cam, virtually anything electronic can be used to film your story telling time. Keep these treasures for the most amazing memories. You never know, you could end up with a $500 prize on Funniest Home Videos, or a You Tube Sensation!



If you get really stuck, go back to the books, but find books with "things to do". This Dinosaur is So Big, is one of the favourites in my house! It has huge sturdy pages with bold colours and simple images. But best of all, it has MAGNETS! The kids can place the magnets on the pages to create their own version of the story. "This dinosaur is SO Big it can eat a <car><plane><couch><bus><house> for breakfast!" 

Take a book like this and act it out in the lounge room!

Just like reading, family story telling will encourage your kids to get in touch with their creativity, thinking outside the box and increasing their vocabulary. Using real life to influence fiction can help to learn about history, family upbringing and facts about life. And it just be some amazing time to spend together as a family, recounting precious memories and having fun without the pressure of parent-teacher diaries or homework chores. 

Do it this weekend and let me know how it goes! 
If you photograph or film it, share a link so we can see :) 

Happy Learning! 

Sunday 16 February 2014

Junk Drawer Makeover - Sensory Fun

Do you have a drawer that looks like this? 

If you're anything like me EVERY drawer looks like this, and I've seriously been contemplating PAYING for someone to come and sort out my cupboards! Don't get me started on the plastic containers! 

So anyway, think back to when you were a kid yourself, visiting the grandparents. Didn't they ALWAYS have a junk drawer? The perfect place for you to get into and find all sorts of odds and ends to play with? A comb, a notepad, a compass, even the rollerdex? Now that's stretching the memory a little! 

So while trying to sort out some drawers and reminiscing I realised, I don't have one of these drawers for the kids. So I made one! 

Just odds and ends around the kitchen that really had no home anyway. Now they are all together, living happily, waiting for a moment to play. 


Contents:
* The souvenir cup from the theme park
* A bunch of swirly straws that I bought for a party once
* The pile of cardboard coasters hubby has for "when he gets his bar one day"
* A random drink cooler
* Some plastic spoons and serviettes from the take away restaurant
* All those little knick knacks you get from party plans
* Some plastic bowls that were cute and on special one day that I've never used
* A few disposable medicine cups - I mean you get a new one every time you buy cough medicine
* That maraca that I have no idea where to keep

YOUR TURN:

Could you find enough bits and pieces to make your own sensory drawer for the kids to play in? Put it at the bottom so the toddlers can get into it without any trouble. You could even use a basket? A box? A giant mixing bowl? Doesn't have to be a drawer.

Leave your comments below. 

Or send us a picture! 

Email, post it on Facebook or tag it on Instagram or Twitter with #learningthatsfun

Happy Learning!

Sunday 9 February 2014

Snazzy Baby i-Mat Giveaway Winner

It's with much excitement that I announce the winner of the i-Mat Giveaway! 


Melissa has been a long time follower and supporter of Learning that's Fun, so although the winners are drawn randomly by the Rafflecopter App I'm so glad that a loyal friend has been selected to win.

Melissa also happens to be a blogger, who writes about the adventures she has as a Mum and Wife with her two little people. You might like to check out her website at http://www.twolittlehumansandme.com/ or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TwoLittleHumansAndMe.

Also an opportunity for me to thank Cyndy from Snazzy Baby who provided Learning that's Fun with this fantastic opportunity to grow our community and offer such a wonderful gift to our audience. The i-Mat really is a wonderful educational and fun learning toy to have in your home. I remember as a kid we had a set of books with a similar pen, and it would buzz if you selected the right answer to the questions. Those books were some of our most treasured toys and got LOADS of use years.

I can't wait to see what new mat sets they bring out. And will definitely be adding more to my collection.

To purchase your own i-Mat head to the Snazzy Baby website at http://www.snazzybaby.com.au. You'll also find a great range of other baby products.

Runners Amanda G and Chelsea T, please get in contact with us to claim your Learning that's Fun book pack.

Happy Learning! 

Buy Learning that's Fun here


Sunday 26 January 2014

Mason reviews the Award Winning i-Mat PLUS your chance to Win!

As soon as I opened the door Mason came running to see "What's this" as he yelled and pointed excitedly. For a little man who doesn't talk much he certainly made that clear! He was captivated before we even unpacked the box, and we are talking about a little fella who's attention is hard to grab!

So once he popped on some pants we unpacked the box from Snazzy Baby and set about putting the i-Mat together, pre-loaded with a recorded message on the pen from Aunty Lou. His little eyes lit up as if to say, WOW How Cool! 

Within about 2 minutes Mason completely had the hang of the iMat. Touch the pen on this and it says a word, touch this one to turn it on and off, and this one makes it louder. (He likes it loud). So luckily there's a headphone jack in the pen so Mummy doesn't have to listen to the sound of the Moo Cow all day long! The only tricky bit we found was trying not to press the Voice Record button constantly...his boisterous grip is a bit rough. But being such a big solid easy grip pen makes it great to control and touch the right spots on the mat.


But I was blown away by how stimulating it was, how quickly he picked it up, and how well it actually held his attention. So we all sat and played for a while. Even Nanny and Pa got in on the action for a bit of a giggle. "Ooooh how do they say Kangaroo in Spanish?" And asking lots of questions, like how much does it cost, can you get more mats to extend it and many ooohs and ahhhs. I think I could see Christmas Shopping ticking through their minds already! Turned out to also be a good spot to sit for a snack and then lay under for a quick nap. Boys huh!

Needless to say Mason was pretty rapt in the iMat, I was very impressed with it, and Nanny & Pa were certainly very entertained and commenting on all the educational benefits their grandies could get out of it. We might need to stock up on some more pens though!


It's little surprise that the iMAT has won numerous awards overseas and here in Australia. I know Mother & Baby Magazine wouldn't take their awards lightly. The i-Mat is educational, introducing kids to new words in verbal and written form and also working on those fine motor skills and learning universal controls such as on/off, volume and record. But our number 1 rule here is that it has to be fun, and I can't tell you the last time I had so much fun with a kids toy. I can't wait to see what mats they bring out next so we can add to the collection. 

i-Mat Features 

Includes:
  • 4 soft padded interactive play mats - puzzle style interlocking
  • 1 voice pen - large grip for toddler hands
  • USB Cable - for use as new mats are released
Features:
  • Bright colourful pictures with name bubbles (visual & written cues)
  • Point the voice pen to hear the names of the animals & landscape
  • 3 languages - English, Spanish & Chinese
  • World Wide animals - giraffe to kangaroo, penguin to beaver
  • Volume Control
  • 2 Games - where is the animal & which animal makes the sound
  • Voice recording function in pen
  • Head phone jack in pen
  • USB connection in pen - to download additional sounds & games as new mats are released



i-Mat & Voice Pen RRP $109.95
Voice Pen RRP $59.95

Purchase yours from http://www.snazzybaby.com.au

i-Mat Giveaway from Snazzy Baby

Thanks to our friends at Snazzy Baby, we are giving away an i-Mat to one of our lucky readers!
Valued at $109.95 this is the BIGGEST giveaway we've EVER had at Learning that's Fun! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Celebrating Australia Day and Back to School

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY EVERYONE!!!

To celebrate our great nation, Learning that's Fun is offering all Australian Residents a MASSIVE 50% Off over the Australia Day Weekend! Plus FREE DELIVERY in my local region.

Easy to read, space to write your own notes or ideas and printable templates to help you get started, Learning that's Fun is just the quick read you need to get you pumped for the school year! 
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If your kids are struggling at school with the basics, if you have toddlers craving more stimulation or you are looking for ways to ensure your family gets a well rounded education this book is for you.

This simple guide offers easy tips and ideas for families on a tight budget to make learning fun. Living in a busy lifestyle, many of the ideas can be incorporated into everyday life, such as grocery shopping, driving in the car or around the home. So there's no need to add extra hours to your day or spend loads of money on tutors or expensive materials. 

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