Is Your Child Struggling with His Homework? Tips on How to Help

Posted by Tina Turbin

     If your child is clearly upset or unable to figure things out, or if his teacher isn’t giving him the help he needs during the school day, you should step in and work out the child’s misunderstandings. The idea is to keep your child winning. Academic confusions can build up over time so that kids may eventually take a loss on studies. You will help to create independent learners by making sure they understand the basics of arithmetic, reading, grammar, etc. so that as they progress in school, they’ll be able to grasp new lessons and apply what they learn effectively.

     Another way to foster independence is to read over his work and make a challenge for him to find the words you see are misspelled or other mistakes. This will get him interested in and used to checking over his own work for errors. It is also essential to get your child in the habit of using reference materials on his own. Get him a good, age-appropriate dictionary and encyclopedia set (or online encyclopedia subscription) so he can look up what he doesn’t understand. The dictionary is too difficult if your child frequently doesn’t understand the words in the definitions of words he’s looking up.

     If your child is averse to doing homework, it’s probably not because he’s inherited his father’s stubbornness but more likely that he is having difficulties that need to be straightened out as soon as possible before his confusions multiply.

     “It might seem like an attitude problem, but his reluctance may be a sign that he’s having difficulty with the material,” says Jed Baker, PhD, author of No More Meltdowns. You should talk to your child’s teacher to see how he’s doing in class; if he’s struggling, he needs help. Go back through the beginning of his material and move forward clearing up any misunderstandings about terms and symbols. Also, make sure he didn’t skip a vital step in his learning. For example, some kids have a very hard time doing long division because they didn’t fully understand multiplication or because they were absent when the class was learning about estimating. Go back to basic concepts and make sure he understands these. 

     With these tips you’ll soon find that your child is not only able to get through his homework better, but he’ll even perform better in school, and you and your family can focus on a variety of other fun activities to do together after school.

Advice, Children's Author, Education, family, Family Time, Helpful Tips, literacy, moms
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Shriners Hospital of Tampa: My Visit, Visits, Reading and Creative Time With the Kids

Posted by Tina Turbin

Last year I had the pleasure of visiting and sharing my delightful Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy children’s book with the children at Shriners Hospital of Tampa.  Keep reading to hear all about this wonderful experience:

 

To my surprise most of these kids I visited at Shriners had flown in from all over the world for the intimate care at Shriners. Shriners caters to kids under 18, accepts no payment from parents or insurance companies and all their money is raised by donations and the hard work of the Shriners.
 
Half of the children I visited spoke little English and were under care to receive prosthetics or some type of surgery , due mostly to being born with a certain defect. 

 
These kids were bright and creative as we made our own “book” to leave in their hospital library. They titled their “combined-efforts book”,   Danny and Friends to go with my book, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy.

 
It was an amazing day, to say the least. The knowledge I gained afterwards truly opened my eyes to the many needs and the various ways to help out in society.


 
Note: The little girl sitting in the wagon next to me (above photo) had no legs “yet” but she handle this with pride and in her own way. She hid an assortment of chocolate pudding, bags of candy and 3 cans of Gatorade as well as all sorts of stuffed animals tucked under her blanket covering her legs. I am smiling at her as she had taken a break from our coloring to get a bit too much pudding on her face rather than in her tummy. She was a charm and the staff were amazing with all these kids!

 
Enjoy!

Tina Turbin

Acts of Kindness, Book Tour, Children's Author, Children's Book, Childrens' Literature, Events, Friends, Hospital Visits
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Getting the Kids to Listen

Posted by Tina Turbin

     First of all, maintain eye contact, looking at your child when you talk to him, Tina says. Talking over his shoulder while he watches TV or calling to him from another room is not conducive to communicating effectively. Turn off the TV for a minute and kneel down to your child’s level so that you’re facing each other, Tina advises, and then go ahead and talk to him.

     Be realistic in what you’re asking him to do. Sometimes I see parents who ask their children to do age-inappropriate things that they’re just not yet capable of, and it overwhelms them. You may just be asking too much of them.

     How do you get along when you’re starving or after a poor night’s sleep? If you suspect your kid is hungry, get him a high-protein snack to give him a blood sugar boost, and then go ahead and repeat your demands.

     Next, when you offer your child choices, only give him one or two at a time because too many choices can overwhelm him. Instead of asking, “What do you want to do?” ask “Would you rather help with the laundry or set the table?”

    Finally, be positive and supportive when your children do what you want. When they do listen, say thank you or tell them they did a good job. You’ll get more of what you support with positive remarks.

     Developing listening skills in your children isn’t usually an overnight task, but by following these tips, you’ll find that soon there will be a recognizable change in how your kids respond to what you say.

Advice, Children's Author, Children's Book, Education, family, Family Time, Helpful Tips, moms
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Grammy Award Make-Up Artist helps Tina in LA

Posted by Tina Turbin

Mara Rouse has a history of exceptional credits to her resume to add another jam packed filled week of applying make-up for the celebrity pre-parties to the Grammys as well as the Grammys this year, 2010. Mara Rouse is now the make-up artist for any parties or shoots we do while in Los Angeles.

Mara specializes in Special Effects but loves it all. If it involves applying make-up she has interest. Mara moved here from Washington state to pursue her career working and apprenticing with Top people in the business. Hard work and perseverence got her to where she is now and we are very proud to have her as part of our LA team.

While in LA there are many times we need a little make-up done on the kids or me ( not Danny of course), to look just a bit better on a video or film shoot with the lighting. She has helped in the past and she has officially signed on as our “team”, unless something more important comes up- like the Grammys.

Mara Rouse is available fo hire: http://www.myspace.com/maramakeup

Thank you Mara. Tina Turbin

Awards, Contributions, Friends, General, television
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Writing by Moonlight: Lovely Review of Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy

Posted by Tina Turbin

 

Adline Ghani from Malaysia and of the website “Writing by Moonlight” has posted a most wonderful review of my book Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy.

I am so pleased to share this with you and I do hope that you leave a comment at Adline’s beautiful website. Click here to read the review.

Sincerely,

Tina Turbin

Children's Author, Children's Book, Childrens' Literature
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Danny the Dragon Contest Winner- January

Posted by Tina Turbin

Alejandra Vargas is the lucky winner this month. She drew a lovely picture which she submitted accompanied by her very proud and caring father, Bernardo Vargas Sanchez. Thank you Alejandra!

 

Acts of Kindness, Book Tour, Contest-this month!, Contests, family, Give-Away
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Packing the Kids a Healthy Lunch

Posted by Tina Turbin

     What exactly should you look for in a healthy, well-balanced lunch? You should make sure to include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, calcium, and lean protein. The USDA has daily recommendations for children for each of these food groups, and you should aim to provide as much as possible in each category when preparing your child’s lunch.

     Collect recipes just as you would for dinners which can deliver to your child the nutrition he needs in a variety of creative ways. You can make lunch for the whole family in large servings—for Mom, Dad, and all the kids. Not only will this ensure that you’re feeding your child a variety of tasty foods, since you’ll be eating it yourself, but you’ll also save money and time by simplifying lunch-making.

     If you’re strapped for time, get your kids to prepare their own lunches the night before (this is usually better than rushing in the morning).  Kids are actually happy to help with cooking are able to pull it off with success with some supervision. It is with this in mind that I’ve created Danny the Dragon Children’s Cookbook as part of my Danny the Dragon children’s series. 

     Give your child the daily gift of a well-balanced lunch and watch him thrive!

Advice, Children's Author, Children's Health, Cook Book, Cooking, Education, family, gluten-free, healthy eating, Helpful Tips, moms, Research
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Homework Help Advice to Parents

Posted by Tina Turbin

     First of all, consistency is key. Except for when extracurricular activities interfere, your child should aim to do his homework at the same time every day as part of his daily afterschool routine. You can test to see when the best time is for homework. Make sure your child has eaten a healthy, high-protein snack before he begins his homework, and studies have shown that many children perform work better after physical exercise, which can increase a child’s concentration.

     Another part of the routine is where your child will study. It’s important to create a regular study space. If they settle down at the kitchen table near you, they will be able to get the help they need, and you’ll be able to get them back on track if they start wandering from their task. Make sure you provide lots of room and keep supplies well-stocked and nearby.

     Next, it’s important to reduce distractions. I recommend making study time a family affair with all kids doing their homework at the same time while you sit down with your own “homework” such as bills or some reading. This will help create an atmosphere of diligence and concentration, as your kids will follow the example you set. Also, make it a rule that there’s to be no TV or videogames, or other distractions, until your child is done with his homework.

     Aim to help your child become an independent student. Elementary-school kids usually need help, but you can check with your child’s teacher to see how much you should be helping him and how much he should be able to do on his own. Sometimes teachers prefer that parental involvement in homework stay at a minimum so they can determine the progress of your child. Show your child how to use a dictionary and encyclopedia so he can try helping himself before he goes to you for help.

Advice, Children's Author, Children's Book, Education, family, Family Time, Helpful Tips, moms, Research
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Probiotics Can Prevent Children’s Flu

Posted by Tina Turbin

A recent study shows that preschoolers who were given probiotic supplements twice a day were less likely to experience fevers, coughs, and runny noses than preschoolers who weren’t taking any during flu season.  Probiotics are “good germs,” which promote a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria and between good bacteria and yeast in the digestive system. As a result, immunity is boosted.

Breast milk naturally has probiotics and there are also probiotic-fortified formulas out there for non-breastfed babies. There’s also a type of fiber called prebiotics which promotes the growth of probiotics. You can pick up powdered or liquid infant and children’s probiotics at the health food store and add these to breast milk, formula, or other liquids your child is drinking. Make sure to check the container for storage instructions. Usually, they need to be stored in the refrigerator. You can also find this nutrient in probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt and yogurt drinks as well as certain brands of baby foods.

Advice, Children's Author, Children's Health, Cook Book, Cooking, family, gluten-free, healthy eating, Helpful Tips, moms, Research
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Join me at the Books for Kids Giveaway in Clearwater – Open to the public!

Posted by Tina Turbin

How fitting that tomorrow on Appreciate a Dragon Day I will be the featured author, reading to children at the Books for Kids Giveaway at Clearwater Academy.  Full details can be found at the aforementioned link.

The event is free and open to the public, refreshments will be served, and starts at 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  My appearance will be at 1:00 p.m.

Leave me a comment to let me know if you will make it!

Tina Turbin

Book Tour, Children's Author, Events
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