November 2021

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Six Favourite Things About Working In Early Childhood Education

1. I Get To Work With Kids! Out of my whole list of six favourite things about working in early childhood education. This would have to be number one. I get to be around kids all day long and I have always loved working with kids! Even way back in the dark ages when I was in primary school. In year six we were given the opportunity to sign up to volunteer within the school. I immediately signed up to help out in the kindergarten room during my lunch break once a week. My main job was to help clean up after the kindy’s finished their lunch in the classroom and then do any craft prep the teacher asked me to do. Perfect!! I had the best time doing this and looked forward to it every week. When I was in high school I also taught Sunday school for a while. I had to come up with interesting visuals to keep the little kids engaged in the bible stories. Back then we had very limited resources and well ahem, you know it was that long ago, the internet didn’t exist. 2. Kids Are Fun Kids are just so great to be around, they are honest, full of enthusiasm, and they can be so funny. But I’m not going to lie, the beginning of every preschool year is always so tough. The new kids have to learn the routine and getting them through the day during those early weeks of Term One leaves all the teachers feeling so exhausted. Some kids will bounce in full of confidence ready to get right into any and every activity. Other little ones have a super hard time separating from their mums and take a loooong time to settle. But once all the children get the hang of what preschool is all about and they build warm trusting relationships with us then everything gets a lot easier. 3. I Get To Be Creative A lot of what I do involves helping the classroom teacher set up the room. We both chat about what we have noticed the kids have been interested in. What has worked and what hasn’t during the previous week, then the teacher will write up the programme. I then come along and do most of the classroom setup. This is probably one of my favourite things about working in early childhood education, I get to be a decorator too. I try my hardest to set up the play space to be really fun and inviting for the children. Dramatic play setups are my absolute favourite. We have things like construction zones, A Bakery, pizza restaurants, Doctors, florist shops, etc. I love the challenge of making the dramatic play areas look as authentic as possible. 4. Working In Early Childhood Education Keeps You Active Indeed it does! There is so much physical activity involved when working in any early childhood setting. We are always lifting, packing away, cleaning, digging in the sandpit, and getting down on the floor to play with the children. And we are ALWAYS moving equipment and furniture around! We often joke that if we were ever out of a job at preschool we could for sure work as furniture removalists!! Working with children also means you eventually learn amazing ninja-like skills. I know how to jump back five feet matrix style to avoid a projectile vomit. I have developed an amazing supernatural ability to sense when a big sneeze is headed straight for my face giving me enough time to duck down low at lightning speed. Not long ago I sacrificed my shins to avoid a child hitting their head on the floor because they swung back on their chair (ouch, that one really hurt). Yes working with children keeps you active. 5. You Can Wear Casual Clothes When You Work In Preschool This is a favourite and it’s also not a favourite. It’s a positive thing that you don’t have to worry much about what you wear to work. I mean, we have to look neat, tidy, and professional but I’m always wearing pretty much the same thing on repeat because I know that I WILL get dirty throughout the day. This is all fine but for someone like me who LOVES clothes, it can be a bit not so great. What ends up happening is that I have a wardrobe full of clothes I love but only wear occasionally. Every year I say I will just wear everything and not care, but I don’t ugh!! (maybe next year). 6. I Have Formed Long-Lasting Friendships I have worked at the same preschool for so many years. Therefore,  I would have to say it’s almost like my second home. I have made good solid bestie friendships and I am lucky to work with such a great group of dedicated educators. I have also made friendships with some of the families that have lasted well beyond the preschool years. During the last couple of years some of my little friends, their mums, and I get together at a park or cafe for a catch-up, it’s such a joy being able to still be a part of their lives. Every year I look forward to a Christmas card from one of my former students, she is now 18 and still remembers me. How special is that? I’m also due to catch up with another former preschooler who is now 22, I ran into her at a doctor’s appointment where she is now working as a receptionist. We still recognized each other even after all those years had passed. We both got so excited and teary at the same time. Yes, I love working as an early childhood educator. Although today I have only listed six favourite things about working in early childhood education. I am sure that there are probably six million more. Linking up with Andrea and Erika for today’s Friday Favourites post.    

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cooked pinwheels

Easy Pinwheels Recipe

This super easy pinwheels recipe will be sure to be a big hit with your kids. You only need two ingredients and any toppings you fancy! Plus you can pop them in the freezer too as they freeze really well. Packing sandwiches all the time can become a bit boring, these delicious pinwheels will be sure to bring a smile to your children’s faces when they open up their lunchboxes. When kids come home from school and they burst through the door, they are usually starving. These pinwheels will satisfy that afterschool starvation and keep them happy until dinner time. Have A Go At Making This Easy Pinwheels Recipe With Your Kids Cooking with your kids is so much fun for them and it has many amazing learning benefits too. So if you are looking for a simple recipe, then this easy pinwheels recipe is perfect. It’s not at all complicated and the kids will love getting their hands into the dough and helping you roll it out. They will also have fun choosing the toppings or perhaps even creating their own combinations. In fact, my sweet friend made these with her son, he kindly offered me the recipe and inspired me to do this post! So Many Toppings To Choose From Savoury Pinwheel Toppings Pizza sauce, bacon and grated tasty cheese Shredded ham, Cheese and pizza sauce Spinach, fetta and grated tasty cheese Ham, pineapple, pizza sauce with grated tasty cheese Vegemite and cheese Sweet Pinwheel Toppings Nutella Chocolate spread and banana Grated apple, sugar and cinnamon Sugar and cinnamon Apple sauce and blueberries Recipe For Easy Pinwheels Ingredients 1 cup Greek yoghurt 1 1/2 cups of self-raising flour Extra flour for dusting Instructions Preheat oven to 180 C Line a tray with baking paper and set it aside In a bowl add the self-raising flour and Greek yoghurt. Stir until combined. Knead for several minutes You can sprinkle more flour if the dough feels too wet Make sure your rolling pin and bench is floured and then roll out the dough into a rectangle approximately 1cm thick. Generously add the toppings of your choice Flour your hands and then starting from the top edge carefully roll the dough towards you. Use a sharp knife to slice 1-2cm slices. Gently place the rolls onto the prepared tray and reshape them into a circle if you need to Bake for 15-20 minutes until they are golden Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes before transferring them onto a cooling rack Notes If you plan on freezing the pinwheels just make sure that they are completely cool first before you pop them into the freezer. Don’t be shy about being generous with the toppings! Enjoy!

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Accessories Every Woman Needs

Accessories Every Woman Needs- “A woman makes an outfit her own with accessories”                                                                                               Oscar de la Renta One thing that always stands out about women who are fashionable is their ability to accessorise. Clothes and accessories are both equally important and they work in partnership when it comes to creating your own unique style. Accessories are a fantastic way to add interest to any outfit. If you accessorise then you will instantly turn any basic outfit into a winning look! You can play around with accessories to suit your style preferences. If you are an extrovert who doesn’t mind being noticed or in the limelight then you can wear bold accessories that will stand out. On the other hand if you are an introvert and prefer a more minimalist look then you would probably go for single statement accessories. The choice is really all yours!  Reasons Why You Should Accessorise You Will Save Money You can use accessories to your advantage and this might mean that you do not need to spend much money on buying different outfits for different occasions. Undoubtedly, one outfit can be accessorised in so many different ways. Therefore it will seem as if you are wearing a totally new or different outfit if you just change up the accessories. You Will Look Amazing You will feel and look elegant and confident if you accessorise using pieces you love and that will show off your style and personality. List Of Accessories Every Woman Needs Stud Earrings Simple stud earrings are a real necessity. While you might not always want to wear big obvious earrings. simple studs will look cute all the time. Wearing small pearls or diamante styles will make you look more polished and put together. Even if you’re wearing a super casual outfit of jeans and a T-shirt. Wearing studs is a perfect accessory. Cross Body Bag A bag that you can conveniently sling across your body not only looks good but is also super practical. Wearing a cross-body bag will mean that your hands are free. Essentially these bags are perfect for when you go out for drinks as you don’t have to worry about putting your bag down somewhere in a crowded venue. You can carry the necessities and look cute all at once! Classic Watch or Smartwatch A classic gold or silver watch will always look beautiful. Choose the style and size you feel comfortable wearing and go for it. If you prefer a more feminine look you can opt for a small watch. Large watches can also look sexy on a small wrist. If you pair your watch with a stack of bracelets it will look even more sophisticated. With so many bands available for smartwatches you can certainly find one or a few to suit any style. You can invest in a couple and change them up whenever you feel the need to. Go for a sporty band for casual days and have a metal one for more formal occasions. Bangle or Cuff You just can’t beat a gorgeous bangle or cuff. They will elevate a super simple outfit and make it look so sophisticated. Chanel and later Jackie Onassis were frequently photographed wearing cuffs on their elegant wrists and of course, Wonder Woman always looked amazing in hers! Sunglasses Sunglasses will add a touch of individual style to any outfit. As well as being an accessory, sunglasses are very important for sun protection. But don’t let your age rule when it comes to deciding which style to buy. If you want cool Rayban mirrored aviators then go for it! If you prefer classic Wayfarers then wear them with confidence. Your style. Your choice!! Clutch A clutch is perfect for going out in the evening to parties and functions. Furthermore, a clutch will always add that simple touch of elegance and sophistication to any outfit. You can carry all the things you need in a clutch. There are so many varieties of clutches with different embellishments and colours but if you stick to basic black then you really can’t go wrong. Holdall It’s essential to have a go-to bag that will hold everything you need for some occasions. You can choose from leather tote bags, hobo bags, or canvas bags. There’s a style for everyone and they can look very smart while being practical too. Thin Leather Belt A thin leather belt is a classic which will never go out of style. A thin belt looks great when you wear them with jeans or to highlight your waist in a dress. Rings A classic chunky style ring will look beautiful and give you that elegant sophisticated look. If you prefer smaller more delicate ones, they can also add another subtle yet classy element to your whole outfit. Tights and Leggings Tights and leggings are also an important accessory item as they can really add that special touch to any outfit. The great thing about them is that they will also allow you to extend your wardrobe across different seasons.  A beautiful pair of opaque tights and ankle boots will look sensational when you wear them with a simple dress that would normally only suit warmer weather. A Mask These days a face mask is a fashion accessory that is trending globally. Now you can coordinate your mask to go with your outfit. However, not all masks will fit everybody so try out a few different styles for the perfect look and comfort. A Smile Lastly, a smile will always be the very best accessory you will ever wear. It is after all the first thing people will notice about you when they first meet you. If you wear a bright, brilliant

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How To Teach Your Child To Be Grateful

How To Teach Your Child To Be Grateful– Teaching your child gratitude is not easy because children are by nature quite egocentric. However, impressing the importance of gratitude will benefit your child tremendously in later life. Children who are grateful will grow up to be generally happier, healthier, and more resilient. They will also be able to build strong relationships with others. Understanding and practicing how to be grateful is a process that will take all of us a lifetime. So it’s truly important to start gently leading our kids even from a very young age towards understanding what it means to be grateful. Benefits Of Being Grateful Health Benefits Being Grateful decreases stress because you are focussing more on the positives. Grateful children and adults don’t concern themselves with being envious or jealous. They are generally more optimistic as they won’t waste time comparing themselves to others. Ability to Show Empathy Grateful children are more able to show kindness and be more generous towards their peers. They are better equipped to be able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. How To Teach Your Child To Be Grateful Be An Example We all know kids see everything we do and say. So it’s really important to remember that if we want our children to grow up to be grateful then we need to lead by example. Say a genuine “Thank you” to those you come across when you are out and about doing errands with your child. Don’t forget to also thank your children when they do something for you as well. Children need to feel appreciated just like adults do. If your child does something like pack away their toys or sets the table for dinner give them a heartfelt thanks. Doing this models gratitude to them and it also reinforces positive behaviour. Teach Them To Say “Thank You” In Different Ways Some kids find it difficult to say thank you verbally because they may either be shy or feel awkward. So it’s a good idea to teach them that there are other ways to say thank you. Let your child know that they could smile, wave, give a thumbs up, or even a high five. These are fun ways kids can express gratitude to others. Talk To Your Kids Kids love to spend time talking to their parents or caregivers. They appreciate those moments of undivided attention. Take these opportunities to talk to them about how important it is to be thankful for what they have. Gently explain that this is not always the case for everybody and this will encourage your child to be more compassionate towards others. Make Gratitude A Daily Habit Saying grace at mealtimes is a wonderful way to practice gratitude for the blessing of a meal. Bedtime is another perfect opportunity for saying thank you. You could ask your child to think of some things that happened during their day that they are thankful for. This can be added to their bedtime prayers. Help Out In The Community Gratitude and giving work in partnership. Children will understand what gratitude looks like if they’re raised in a home that helps out in the community. You can find places to spend time volunteering with your older child. There are also many opportunities when you can work together with your family to donate to charity. For example, consider collecting toys or non-perishable food items for less fortunate families during Christmas time. Practicing charity as a family is not only great for family bonding it’s also perfect for teaching children that life is not always about what you receive. It’s also about what you give to help others. It’s Never Too Early To Teach Your Child To Be Grateful Teaching young children an abstract concept like gratitude can be a bit tricky however it’s probably one of the most important things that you can instill in them. Practicing gratitude equips children to be kinder and more thoughtful towards others. So it’s never too early to start planting the seeds of a grateful heart in your child.                

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A Few Fun Facts-Eight Things About Me

Hi Friends I thought it might be fun to do a post related to a few fun facts about me. I’ve made a list of eight things about me so you might get to know me a bit more. So here we go! ONE I was born in Lima Peru. When I was 8 months old my family moved to Australia. Although I have never lived in Peru I did go for a visit when I was ten years old (a very long time ago) and stayed with family for about three months. TWO I grew up only speaking Spanish at home so when I started kindergarten I couldn’t speak any English! I don’t remember this being a big problem for me so I must have learnt English pretty fast. The great thing is that now I am fluent in both English and Spanish. THREE I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I always wished I did though, especially now that I am caring for my mum. It’s a bit hard not having a sibling to be able to share life with. But I have a couple of close friends who are like sisters so that’s a big blessing! FOUR I was 19 when I got married. My husband was a bit older, he was 25. Gosh, that seems so young now!! I had my first son when I was 23. Time went so fast and life threw some crazy curveballs at us so we ended up having our second son 11 years later. Having children so far apart in age has its pros and cons. It was easier not having to care for two little kids but the age gap was just so huge. Now that they are older the age gap is not such a big deal. Even though they don’t see each other every day they get along really well, they also share similar interests (hello Pokemon) and are very close. FIVE I always wanted to work with children and even had plans to be a child psychologist. Although I graduated with a major in Psychology I didn’t pursue any further study. The funny thing is I kind of fell into working in early childhood while I was at uni. A friend of mine was working as a cook at a daycare centre where they needed casuals. She recommended me and that was it. I totally loved it and couldn’t believe I was getting paid for doing something I loved so much! Back then I probably would have worked for free. Haha! A few years later I applied for the most perfect job at a local preschool. I have been working there for  24 years and it’s a fantastic place. The staff and families are lovely and it’s within walking distance from where I live. We run the same as schools in that we have four preschool terms and break up for the school holidays. This has meant that I have always been able to enjoy the school holidays with my boys. So good!! SIX I am terrified of flying! The thought of it makes me feel nauseous. I have flown many times before but each time the fear gets worse and worse. The last time I got on a plane was in 2007 to go to New Zealand for my cousin’s wedding. I was gripping the armrests so hard that my fingers were going numb. I was sitting next to my chatty mum and she wouldn’t stop talking to me which was making me feel worse. She just couldn’t see that I needed to concentrate with the pilot so that we could all land safely. Haha! SEVEN I am a huge Star Wars fan and have been since the first movie was released. I was seven years old and I went into the city with my parents to watch it at the Hoyts movie theatre on George St. The minute I heard that opening music and saw the Star Wars introduction on the screen I was completely and utterly hooked. I’m getting goosebumps now just reliving that moment. Then of course I proceeded to fall in love with Luke Skywalker. I grew up with pictures of Mark Hamill, the actor who brought Luke to life all over my walls and in my school books and folders. It’s no coincidence that I was more than happy to name our first son Luke! EIGHT I’m a Christian and growing up my mum would always read me stories from the bible. I attended Sunday school and later joined the youth group. When I was little I went to a Methodist church, now I’m happily part of our local Anglican church. Even though I grew up going to church. The true meaning of being a Christian didn’t click for me until my late teens. I came to understand that it’s not about simply attending church services or trying to be morally good. Instead, it’s about embracing faith and trusting in Jesus. It was then that I realised that my salvation comes from grace, not from my efforts to be a morally upright person. Moreover, being a Christian doesn’t mean that life’s going to be a breeze. But it does mean I can trust a loving and caring God. For someone like me who struggles with the need for control, learning to let go and trust is a real journey! So I guess that’s about it, for now. A few fun facts about me! Happy Monday Friends! linking up with My Glittery Heart For today’s post

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What I Loved About This Week

Happy Friday friends!! There are so many things that I loved about this week. I’m really excited to share them with you on today’s Friday favourites post. #1 First up of course was our Family Halloween Party! We dressed up, ate way too much food and enjoyed one of the best cakes I’ve had in a long time. I provided the main course and my aunty brought a huge charcuterie board to share as an entree. We had prosciutto, salami, antipasto, dips, crackers and a delicious variety of hard and soft dishes. I just love a charcuterie board and this one had such a fantastic variety. My lovely cousin and her boyfriend brought us a divine mango and coconut cake decorated with chocolate macaroons. We had all eaten so much that when it came time to cut the cake for dessert we were all full. I had to laugh because every single one of us asked for a very small slice. As soon as we took a bite of the cake we agreed in unison that asking for only a small slice was a big mistake so we all went back for seconds and ahem……. thirds. It was THAT good!! #2 My Mum dressed up as Miss Universe for the party. My mum has her up and down days but overall she has a really great sense of humour. It’s hard for her now because she is no longer very mobile and so she spends all her time at home. Up until a few years ago, she was always very social and active. Catching the train or bus to get out and about was her favourite thing to do. Whenever she makes a phone call to someone in the family she will usually start by saying  “Hi it’s Miss Universe calling”. So when it came time to work out a very quick last-minute costume. We decided that she should of course be Miss Universe for the night!! #3 Monday night was our usual Pool supporters dinner at our local club. A few years ago our local pool was closed down and it almost became a development site. A small group of us from the community fought hard and after quite a few years managed to convince the local government to rebuild a much-needed aquatic centre. Needless to say our core group of “pool supporters” became fast friends and now we meet on the first Monday of the month for dinner. It’s a fun night of catching up, our kids come along and it’s so nice that they have become friends too! We shared not one but two delicious cakes for dessert. Two of the ladies brought cakes to celebrate us getting together for the first time again after lockdown! I think after this I can safely say that I’m all caked out!! #4 Another thing that I really loved about this week was having the day off from work. In fact, both Steve and I were off on Tuesday. I had accrued enough time in lieu and he normally has Tuesdays off from work. So we headed off into the city and had lunch at the cutest little French restaurant. We had a really lovely time eating and chatting together over a delicious authentic French meal and a bottle of wine. It was so quiet in the city compared to earlier in the year before lockdown. I guess a lot of people are still working from home. After lunch, we caught the tram to the shops. We had enjoyed a long lunch so it was getting a bit late and I just wanted to pop into Georg Jensen. I had some birthday money from ages ago and I finally knew what I wanted to buy. I certainly didn’t want to be walking around much because I was wearing heels and my feet were getting sore. Steve was more than happy to wait for me in a cafe while I quickly did this. Wise man!! I walked through David Jones and saw that they have Christmas things everywhere. I love David Jones, it’s my favourite store and I will be heading back there soon to have a proper browse. #5 It’s funny, after eating party food, restaurant food and enjoying all those cakes. I think we were all craving a simple home-cooked meal. Do you find that as much as eating out is so great, your body eventually just starts wanting simple food? I know mine does so I made one of my family’s favourite dishes. Chicken schnitzel, baked potatoes, pumpkin with steamed English spinach and gravy. I have had this thing for English spinach lately, it’s become a real favourite. There was so much that I loved about this week but I’m happy to say that I haven’t got anything planned for this weekend. I’m really excited to stay home and relax. Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch up on some of my favourite shows. I think we’re supposed to be getting a lot of rain for the next few days. So it’ll be perfect weather for staying home. As usual, I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for today’s Friday favourites post.      

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fall apart roasted pork leg

Fall Apart Roasted Pork Leg

Fall Apart Roasted Pork Leg is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. I was trying to decide what to cook for our Halloween Dinner Party. I wanted a delicious main dish that was easy to cook, and that would feed a small crowd. It had to be something simple so I was as free as possible to enjoy the evening. I was really excited about spending as much time as I could with my family especially since we hadn’t been together since before lockdown. In addition, I was looking for something I could cook in advance and just reheat when the time came. I went through the list of usual crowd favorites like lasagna, nachos, pot roast. Then I thought of pork. Pork is less expensive than other meats and you can easily cook it in advance. Plus it tastes great especially when you cook it until it’s tender and falling apart. How To Cook Fall Apart Roasted Pork Leg In The Oven The key is to preheat the oven to 200 C. Then cook the pork for about 15 minutes at 200 C. Afterwards reduce the temperature to 150 C for the remaining cooking time. I think that the best way to cook fall apart pork in the oven is to use an oven bag.  Oven bags are great because they cut down your cooking time and your meat will be cooked juicy and flavoursome. As an added bonus your oven won’t get dirty with greasy splatters. Pork Shoulder Roast You can also make this recipe using a shoulder roast too. Marinate for Extra Flavour Rubbing the marinade into the pork meat and leaving it for about a minimum of one hour before cooking will ensure that the pork is really succulent. What To Serve With Fall Apart Pork Leg Roast Coleslaw Potato Salad Beetroot, walnut, and rocket salad Rice Roast Vegetables Mashed Potatoes Ingredients pork leg (2.5kg) 2 tablespoons crushed garlic 1 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/3 cup olive oil Directions In a small bowl combine garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and paprika Trim the pork leg of any fat Rub the spices and oil all over the pork, cover loosely with wrap and refrigerate from 1 to 24 hours Preheat oven to 200 C Place the pork into the oven bag and put it into a shallow roasting pan. Roast at 200 C for about 15 to 20 minutes then turn the heat down to 150 C. Cook for approximately 3 -4 hours depending on the size. Pork is cooked once it falls apart easily. Once cooked remove from the oven and let rest for about 20 minutes. Take the pork out of the oven bags. Slice the pork as thin or as thick as you like. Skim the fat off the juices and return the meat to the juices once you have sliced it. Enjoy! Notes If you are cooking for a larger crowd then all you need to do is double the ingredients like I did.

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hang out with friends for a more relaxed life

How To Live A More Relaxed Life

We all want to live a more relaxed life, however, this is not always easy. Life can be very fast-paced, hectic, and generally very stressful. It is very important for our well-being that we try to aim to adjust things in our lives that may be causing us unnecessary anxiety or pressure. This will not only benefit us but also those who live with us. It is extraordinarily hard to live with someone who is constantly stressed and wound up. Nobody can relax when this is the case. So consider some of the following points so that you can live a more relaxed life. Declutter Decluttering your environment is a great step in reducing your levels of stress. When you do away with clutter you will feel much calmer and in control of your life. Living in a tidy and organised space will allow your mind to relax and you will feel overall much happier. Excercise Exercise helps your brain to produce the “feel good” neurotransmitter known as Endorphines. Certainly, there is a real sense of well-being and elation after a good challenging workout. Therefore people who engage in regular exercise will generally feel calmer and more relaxed. Exercise is good for your physical well-being as it improves blood flow and oxygen to your body. Additionally, it is also very beneficial for your mind as it can distract you from your troubles. As a result, when you are exercising you are concentrating on your body and not focusing on what is going through your mind. Hang Out With Kind Supportive Friends Surround yourself with supportive friends who understand and appreciate you. Find those friends who want to see you happily living your best life and stick with them! Get Adequate Sleep Try to get to bed at a decent time so that you sleep enough hours to rejuvenate your mind and body. Sleep is vital for our health as it is during sleep when the body repairs itself. Treat Yourself with Simple Pleasures Think of simple things that you really enjoy doing and that make you feel joyful and relaxed. Perhaps it might be taking a nice long undisturbed shower, reading a good book, watching a favourite movie, or listening to music. Whatever it may be try and make sure you sprinkle some of these pleasures into your everyday life. Smile And Laugh More Being able to enjoy moments of laughter especially when you are going through very anxious and stressful times works like a release. Eat Healthily Eating a healthy diet will increase your energy levels and general well-being. Stay away from junk food and eat a healthy well-balanced diet from a variety of food groups. Make sure you are getting enough vitamin D as this can impact your mood. If your vitamin D levels are low your body may feel achy, tired, and stressed. Try and get out in the sunshine and eat foods that are rich in Vitamin D such as salmon, egg yolk, and sardines. Decline The Drama We all know people who just love to create and promote drama. Unfortunately, when you are around these kinds of people on a daily basis it can be easy to get caught up in it. Drama is not healthy so be more inclined to resist joining in for a more relaxed life. Practice Gratitude Being grateful for what we have daily is the best way to stop focusing on whatever is making us stressed and anxious. Try and be grateful even for the tiniest blessings and resist the attitude of taking things for granted. Perhaps begin each morning by being grateful for something and end the day in the same way. Live In The Present Try not to worry about the future, this is probably one of the hardest things to do especially if you are prone to catastrophizing! We need to remember that the future is completely out of our control. So try and bring your mind into the present when it starts to wander into the scary future. There is a direct correlation between living in the present and living a more relaxed life. Visualise Your Troubles Away When you begin to feel your anxiety rising about a certain situation. Picture yourself getting as far away as possible from the trouble that is unsettling you. Forgive It is almost impossible to live a relaxed life if you harbor a grudge or choose to not forgive someone. Unfortunately, you are only hurting yourself when you don’t forgive and move on. Take A Day Off From Complaining Pick a day and make a big effort to resist the urge to whinge and complain. This is certainly no easy task. However, if you catch yourself every time you are about to complain and turn it around to focus on a positive thought. You will be on your way to training your mind to dwell on the positives rather than the negatives. Practice Self Care Practicing self-care is also very beneficial for living a more relaxed life. Self-care is important for our health, happiness, and general well-being.      

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children's books for reading to your child post

Reading To Your Child-Why It Is So Important

Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do together. There is probably nothing sweeter than cuddling up together to enjoy a story. Reading to your child will also encourage their development in many important ways. Bonding Between Parent And Child One of the best ways to help your child’s development is to spend time reading to them consistently.  Sharing a book with your child is a powerful way to demonstrate your feelings of love and attention and a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with them.  A regular reading routine has wonderful benefits for a child’s growth and development. Creativity When children are engaged in a story and listening about people, places and things that are being described. What is actually occurring is that they are forming pictures in their own minds based on what they are hearing. They are visualising the events of the story that they are listening to. When children listen to stories regularly they will be much more capable of using their imaginations to invent their own stories and incorporate this into their play. Listening Skills Reading to children is an excellent way to give them opportunities to improve their listening and comprehension skills. As well as one on one reading with your child, you could also introduce audiobooks as part of your child’s reading routine. Consider using audiobooks in the car or listening to them together. Expanded Vocabulary And Language Skills If you read to your child consistently this will help them to expand their vocabulary. Reading helps children to be able to form sentences when they learn to write. It also helps them gain an understanding of how to use words skillfully when speaking as well as writing. Reading to children gives them the opportunity to absorb solid language skills. They assimilate proper grammar, word pronunciation, and usage. Reading to your child will also help them to become fluent readers because you are exposing them to correct articulation and pronunciation. Cognitive And Language Development Reading to your child promotes their all-round cognitive development and equips them with skills necessary for their lives. These skills include the ability to be able to process new information faster, learn and understand important tasks and expand their ability to retain knowledge about fundamental topics Attention Span Children need to be still and listen when they are being read to. They can’t focus if they are not doing these two things. If children are consistently read to then they will be able to develop the necessary skills that will extend their concentration. Furthermore, children who have longer attention spans are more likely to accomplish better results in school. Socal and Emotional Development Reading to your child is a powerful way of reducing stress as it can help young minds escape. Reading as part of a bedtime routine helps children to relax and unwind. Settling them for a better night’s rest and sleep. Reading to children will also encourage them to empathize. Books can introduce children to different situations that require them to think about feelings outside of their own experiences. Reading Teaches Children About The World Around Them By reading your child an array of books they will learn about other cultures around the world as well as their own. Suggestions For Reading To Your Child Encourage your child to choose the books that they would like to read with you. Children often like to listen to the same old favourites over and over again. Try and be as consistent as you can with a regular reading routine. Bedtime is usually an ideal time as it is usually when you are both able to unwind and snuggle up together after a busy day. Make the story as interesting as you can by using different tones in your voice and adding lots of expressions. Make it a fun, positive, and memorable experience for your child. Encourage your child to participate by referring to the pictures and asking them questions relating to the story. As you read to them you could also give them the opportunity to finish off the sentences in the story especially if it is a fun rhyming book. Take Your Child To The Local Library Going to the library with your child is a fun outing with so many important benefits. Children will have the opportunity to learn to love books and reading if you take them to the library regularly. It also means that they can access a variety of different books on a regular basis for free. Libraries also host storytimes for young children. These sessions sometimes offer craft activities as part of the program. All these fun and positive experiences at the library will foster your children’s love for books.  Favourite Books For Young Children Here is a link to some favourite children’s books that you might enjoy sharing with your child. Reading To Children-A list of Favourite Children’s Books

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Halloween In Australia

In the last few years, Halloween has become increasingly popular in Australia. Every year the Halloween section at the shops keeps getting bigger and bigger. You can now shop for plenty of costumes, decorations, and masses of Halloween candy or lollies as we say. However, It was a completely different story when I was growing up. Australians just didn’t celebrate it at all and the only thing I knew about Halloween was what I saw on television. I think I must have first learnt about Halloween from watching The Brady Bunch when I was five. It looked like a lot of fun but I did have trouble working out what Cindy Brady was saying and it wasn’t because of her cute lisp. Five-year-old me thought she was saying trickatree ?? Halloween 2021 Fast forward to 2021 and for some reason this year Halloween felt extra popular. More kids were talking about it at preschool and as I’ve been driving along here and there it seemed like there were a lot more houses that were decorated. Now when I say decorated I’m referring to a few streamers, balloons, and the occasional zombie. Nothing at all like some of the decorated houses I’ve seen from America. They are on a whole other level as they are just beyond amazing!! Recently more people here in Australia, especially younger families are embracing Halloween wholeheartedly while many still seem quite against it. Some people believe that it’s not an Australian tradition and they feel that Halloween should just be ignored. But I think, maybe give it a few more years and Halloween will probably explode in popularity. For me I don’t mind Halloween, I don’t go nuts over it but I do think it’s fun to have kids knocking at the door and I like seeing them in their costumes. So every year I put out my two little plastic pumpkins and wait for the kids to come. I’ve even had a few of my little students from past and present come knocking Ha! You should see the surprised look on their faces when I’ve opened the door and they’ve found me standing there. One year I had a totally shocked little boy ask me what I was doing there in that house. A lot of the kids think that the teachers live at preschool! A Fun Family Halloween Party This year, after months of lockdown I was happy for any excuse to get together with my family so we had a Halloween party and we went all out by deciding to dress up at the last minute. That’s something we’ve never done before. So all I could come up with at short notice was to dress up like a dead doll. I’m so glad we got together, we laughed so hard and had the best time. Maybe an annual Halloween party is something our family will do from now on. I’m all for a bit of fun plus I’ve always wanted to dress up as Wonder Woman!! Maybe next year.   Linking up with My Glittery Heart for today’s post  

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