Simple Vivacity

(Guest post by P.R.)

The roots of poverty are poor life choices. People become drug addicts, prostitutes and gang members by choice, thus leading to a low income and poor quality of life. Or do they? How often have you heard a child say, when I grow up I want to become a drug addict or prostitute? Does it not seem much more likely that the lack of opportunity, resources, and strong family values lead to a person failing to achieve, thus turning to gangs for direction, and prostitution , stealing and drug dealing to survive? The question then becomes, how can this vicious cycle of failure and poverty be broken. I believe the government has catastrophically failed the poverty stricken, whether they are in large cities or relatively inaccessible country areas.

Technology may help hold the answer to the problem of poverty. Education is foremost to helping people to achieve a satisfactory level of life. By providing the educational system with the necessary tools to teach in a technologically inclined economy, the educational system can be enhanced. Computers should be available in all school systems, along with calculators. Web and broadcast programs could be utilized to better advantage to teach basic science and social skills. All children need to be trained in the basics of computer usage as well as be able to obtain and utilize those technological advances deemed necessary to social adjustment.

It has been shown that the trappings of ‘money’ are more important than how much a family actually owns. Among children, the lack of such things as an I-pod or cell phone, or the inability to go on field trips due to lack of money, are noticed far more by peers than the residence or whether the child has had breakfast. While it is important to provide all children with basic living, such as food and shelter, it is also necessary for their future socialization to provide them with acceptable clothing and the trappings of society.

File folder games are a fun way to enhance any homeschool, lesson, or unit study. They are basically generic (or colored, if you prefer) manila folders with games inside. To make a file folder game, you will need file folders, glue, scissors, a laminating machine or clear contact paper, envelopes or plastic baggies to hold the pieces, and hook & loop tape or magnets to fasten the pieces.

Some suggest that the best way to store the pieces is to glue an envelope or small sealable plastic baggie to the back of the file folder. You may even want to attach the envelope and store the pieces in a removable plastic baggie. They choice is yours.

One way to attach the pieces to the game board is with hook & loop tape. Simply glue one side of the hook & loop tape to the game board and the other to the piece. Another quieter way is to glue a small washer under the piece that is attached to the game board and a magnet to the back of the game piece. Or you may not want to provide a way to attach them at all, that is your choice.

Free Printable File Folder Games, Books, & Resources

• Preschool Printables: File Folder:
  File Folder games are a great way for preschoolers to learn colors, shapes, numbers, letters, matching, etc... Print and make our file folder game for classroom or home fun.
  
• The HomeSchool Hutt
  You need only to print the game boards and mount them onto a file folder and cover with clear contact paper, or have it laminated.
  
• EnchantedLearning.com - File Folder Games and Activities
  These are educational games and activities made from manila file folders. File folder games are inexpensive to make and they store easily!
  
• Mary Shares Game Ideas
  View pictures of actual games. Read the directions on how to make and play each one.
  
• DRC Preschool Printables
  While most are for sale, there are some free printables on this site.
  
• Preschool's educational file folder game
  Terrific educational file folder games make learning fun for pre-school age children.
  
• File Folder Games
  A few file folder games, mostly about fall & autumn
  
• Early Learning Activities For Pre-K and Kindergarten
  Early Childhood File Folder Games
  
• Yahoo Group: File Folder Game Printables
  Provides parents and providers with additional learning tools.
  
• Phonics Games
  Phonics File Folder Games

I once bought a couple of books that had premade games included. All I had to do was cut them out and put them together in the file folders. They were colorful, professional looking, and the kids enjoyed the process almost as much as the games.

Here are some books that can be used to make file folder games:

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~ Stacia Tauscher

The moment that inspired this post wasn't a comfortable one. I was watching a video of my daughter when she was two years old. She was dancing to the music of Barney in the silly way that only a two-year-old can do. I wasn't manning the camera, I was in the background ignoring the beauty of childhood with my nose stuck in a book.

The video was taken fifteen years ago, and I can't begin to wonder what I was thinking. I don't remember that book. I don't even have a clue what it was about. I can see the treasure of my daughter dancing in retrospect through the video, but it's much like watching a documentary on Niagra Falls. Sure, it's nice and you are glad to have it, but it is nothing compared to the experience of standing beside the behemoth of water rushing over the edge.

Take a moment and enjoy your child today.

Image provided by elaine...

When your spouse's emotional love tank is full and he feels secure in your love, the whole world looks right and your spouse will move out to reach his highest potential in life. But when the love tank is empty and he feels used but not loved, the whole world looks dark and he will likely never reach his potential for good in the world. ~ Gary Chapman

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman is an amazing book. It details the five ways people give and receive love: through Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. It explains how important it is to speak your loved one's language with vivid and memorable examples. Some may know right away which love language they speak, but if you don't there is a good guide on discovering your love language and that of your spouse, children, and other loved ones. Just taking a few tips from this book improved the relationships in this household 1000%. I can't recommend it enough.