Pets can be wonderful companions. They can provide emotional support, and they are just too cute for words sometimes. Whether you are a cat or a dog owner, it is important that you take steps to keep your furry friend as healthy as possible. Pets need your attention and also your dedication to their overall physical health.

Consider these ways that you can help your pet live his or her best, healthiest life so that you can continue to enjoy each other for years to come.

Avoid Secondhand Smoke

Cats and dogs can be more sensitive to vapors and odors than humans, so avoid vaping or smoking around them. When someone wants to use https://www.smokingthings.com/ have them do it outdoors where your pet is not present. This is an extra precaution that you can take to keep him or her healthy, and it does not take much effort. Talk to your veterinarian about any other steps you should take.

Do Not Overfeed

Pet parents tend to show love for animals by lavishing them with rich treats. Pets do respond well to food, and eating is a favorite activity for many of them! However, overeating and excessive weight gain can be detrimental to their overall health. It is important that you monitor how much food they are consuming, and choose formulas that are full of good, nutritious ingredients. It can be worth paying a little more for a high-quality pet food to keep your furry pal healthy.

Exercise Regularly

As pets get older, they tend to naturally get less active. While this is a normal part of aging, you should still encourage regular exercise with your pet. For example, you need to walk your dog regularly. If you have a cat, playing with a toy like a laser light keeps him or her engaged and running around. This helps them maintain an ideal weight, and it gives you a fun bonding experience together. Just because your pet is getting older, you should not let him or her become a couch potato.

Being a pet parent is one of the most rewarding things that you will ever do. They can bring so much joy and fulfillment to your life, and it is important that you consider their health each and every day. Think about these ways to keep your pet in his or her best shape.

Whether virtual learning was always your intention, or you have been suddenly thrust into the world of remote learning kicking and screaming, the fact remains that this type of learning has its own set of rules. Things that may have worked like a charm for you in a classroom setting, may not work out so great in a remote environment. So, if you are determined to succeed on this educational pathway, here are 3 virtual learning survival tips you should master now. 

Get Time Management Under Control

Sitting in a classroom with a clock ticking down on the wall and a professor stalking the floor makes time management very simple. You must stay focused because you are being watched and you have an obvious time limit. This is not the case with virtual learning. Without time management skills your virtual learning experience can become a nightmare. 

The best way to get a grip on your time management is to set up boundaries. When you are working at home the rest of your life insists on crowding in. Your pets need attention. Your housemates distract you. Doing a pile of laundry even seems more appealing than doing your assignment. You must set up strong boundaries in order to keep the rest of your life from creeping into your learning time. 

If you literally cannot do this inside your home, then you may want to consider a workspace outside of the home such as a library or quiet coffee shop. 

In addition to setting boundaries, it is also important to set up a schedule. Holding yourself accountable to a schedule will help you feel more in control and it will help you get more accomplished. If you have always conducted your learning in a classroom environment, setting up a schedule can also help remote learning feel more legitimate. 

Learn About Procrastination 

Many people think procrastination is just a bad habit, but procrastination is actually a very powerful psychological phenomenon. Many psychologists believe that procrastination has a lot more to do with our emotions than it does with our habits. Most procrastinators are not lazy people. In fact, many people will use productive activities, such as cleaning, re-organizing, or exercising, in order to put off other essential tasks. Your work ethic is not in question, but your emotions are. Understanding what is happening on a psychological and emotional level will help you release yourself from the grip of procrastination so that you can start getting your important tasks accomplished. You can start learning more about procrastination by reading the book The Procrastination Equation by Dr. Piers Steel. 

 Go To Sleep

A cool aspect of virtual learning has been the perk of going to class straight out of bed, still in your jammies. Sure, we all like the idea of listening to the lecture curled up in a fuzzy blanket on the couch, but there is a downside to this. If you know that you will not be required to shower, dress, and commute to class, the temptation is to stay up later at night. You start cutting into your sleep which will cut into your productivity and retention. 

It is a better idea to keep a rational bedtime and wake up time even during remote learning. Since you can skip the shower, dressing and commute, use that time wisely. Meditate, exercise, set goals. The most successful people in the world all agree that when you give yourself time in the morning to get a grip on your day, you will find you are more successful all round. 

Are you or your child virtually learning this year?

Learning to read is one of the most important skills young children can acquire. The ability to read fluently is essential for children, but it does not always come easily. In order to motivate youngsters, teachers and parents must find innovative ways to make reading more engaging and fun for them. If you are looking for new and creative ways to get your students more interested in reading, consider the ideas presented in this guide.

Top 3 Ways To Make Reading More Engaging for Children

Choose the Right Books

One of the biggest reasons students avoid reading is because they do not enjoy the topics of the books given to them. Reading is difficult enough for young learners, and it can be made tiresome if they feel forced to read something they just do not like. You can help push your pupils in the right direction by choosing books that are interesting and exciting to them. Consider polling your students and asking about things that they find fascinating. Then, be sure to stock your library with books relevant to the subjects they like.

Supplement Reading with Manipulatives

Before children can start reading longer passages such as essays and books, they must first learn to master the basics of word and sentence structure. This includes understanding phonics and spelling, which can take years of instruction and practice. Manipulatives are a great way to learn by using various objects for guided and explorative play. Using reading manipulatives can give your students hands-on methods to work through phonics, word families and spelling prior to reading a new book. Consider using these tools to identify key vocabulary words the children will see in the book they are going to read.

Incorporate Dramatics and Art

Reading a new story also pairs well with artistic expression. Drawing pictures of key moments in the narrative can promote the use of critical thinking and creativity. You can use the pictures to outline the plot, describe the main character or depict a child’s favorite part of the book. Acting out the story can be incredibly fun for students and gives them a great chance to explore their expressive sides. Pairing reading with these fun extracurricular activities can add a new layer of enjoyment to something that could seem tedious otherwise. This can also help them get more excited about reading new stories in the future.

Although it may seem difficult at first, reading can become exciting and entertaining for students. Consider using one or more of these ideas to instill a love for reading in your children.

Grocery shopping can be a stressful task. Remembering what’s on the grocery list is tough enough. Now, you must face an invisible threat every time you take a trip to the grocery store. While you can’t make the threat go away altogether, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself and slow the spread of germs. Here are 4 ways to ensure your trip to the grocery store is as safe as possible.

1. Clean Your Cart or Basket

The first thing you should do when you get to the grocery store is to clean your shopping cart or basket. Today, most stores provide disinfecting wipes for customers to use. They are usually conveniently placed next to the shopping carts. Just in case your store does not have complimentary wipes, keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or your own disinfecting wipes with you at all times. Doing so will help you maintain germ-free hands for the duration of your shopping trip.

2. Keep Your Distance

You’ve heard it before, but keeping your distance from others is an important key to slowing the spread of germs. Because viruses can be transferred from person to person through the air, maintaining a distance of six feet or more from other people can give germs a chance to fall to the ground before they get to you. Respecting personal space can bring peace of mind, both to you and the people around you.

3. Sanitize and Wash Your Hands

Be sure to sanitize your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer periodically throughout the store, after checkout and after placing the groceries in your car. When you return home, wash your hands as soon as you enter, and again after unpacking your groceries. Frequent hand washing is vital to the prevention of illness.

4. Wear a Face Mask

Wearing a face mask is primarily intended to protect other people from the germs you may have. Likewise, other people who wear masks are protecting you from their potential germs. You can make your own cloth face mask or purchase one that is already made. Cloth masks should be washed with warm water and laundry detergent after every use. Masks are not a substitute for social distancing, so don’t forget that step!

Grocery shopping may be tough nowadays, but you can still get the food your family needs safely. Following the steps above when you take your next trip to the grocery store can give you peace of mind as you protect yourself and those around you. 

The word “peptides” sounds like a type of laundry detergent or maybe even something a person would take to relieve an upset stomach or indigestion. Let there be no more confusion about peptides regardless of the name sounding like some major brand name products that are entirely unrelated. Everyone has peptides because they are produced naturally by the human body, although some have more than others.

There are many positive aspects of increasing peptide levels in the body, including anti-aging effects for the skin and promoting wound healing.

Making Peptides

What are peptides?

Peptides are naturally occurring substances created in the human body through the breakdown of proteins. As the body ages, fewer peptides are produced, and this, in part, produces an aging effect. Not enough peptides can result in wrinkles, sagging skin, age spots, and even an extended time for wound healing.

Synthetic peptides or those produced in a laboratory can be applied topically or taken orally as a dietary supplement. Peptides applied topically are absorbed by the skin to promote anti-aging effects. Those taken orally as a dietary supplement are absorbed and circulated throughout the body, including the skin. It is important to note that because peptides are produced naturally by the body, supplementing peptides lead to very few side effects.

Promoting Youthful Skin

The anti-aging properties of peptides have several benefits for the skin. Peptides stimulate collagen production, and this is significant because collagen helps to keep skin youthful and strong. They also help lessen wrinkles and fine lines.

Protection from the damaging rays of the sun is another benefit of peptides. Melatonin helps shield the skin from sun damage, and peptides increase the production of melatonin. For those who already have skin damage from the sun in the form of age spots or other dark patches, peptides can produce an effect called “skin lightening” and can make the skin appear less mottled.

Aiding Wound Healing

With tall of these positive effects on the anti-aging properties of the skin, it is no surprise that peptides have other uses in skin health. Researchers are studying how peptides impact wound healing. They have proven that peptides have an antimicrobial effect, which helps ward off infections by destroying bacteria. It is also known that peptides help relieve inflammation and promote new skin growth.

All of this makes for faster and healthier healing. However, since this is a somewhat new area of application for synthetic peptides, there is still more research needed to ensure it is safe to use in healing wounds.

The production of peptides is a natural process in the body that decreases with age. The use of synthetic peptides, either applied topically or ingested as a dietary supplement, has several positive effects for the skin. Used to promote the production of collagen, increase melatonin levels, peptides can also help to protect against sun damage and lightening age spots leading to more youthful skin. They can also kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote the growth of new skin, which can aid in wound healing.

In the last few generations, the USA has led the world in increasing acceptance and accessibility for people with disabilities, both physical and intellectual.

In fact, thanks to USA disability services, the life expectancy for people with conditions like Down Syndrome has nearly doubled in the last 30 years. My cousin had Down Syndrome.

Here are some of the programs that help build a safety net in America for those who need assistance due to disabilities.

Social Security

In addition to providing deferred funds to retired seniors through taxes, the U.S. Office of Social Security also facilitates the release of funds to people who need to receive disability compensation, such as people who have been injured to the point that they are no longer able to work, or victims of strokes or severe heart attacks.

Medicare

Medicare is another wide-ranging government program that was established in the mid-20^th century. Most people associate it with the provision of medical insurance for seniors over the age of 65. In addition to this essential service, it also provides insurance for people with disabilities, regardless of age. Those that qualify must apply and wait for approval. But once approved, they can receive primary medical insurance if they or their parents are not otherwise uninsured.

If they already have primary insurance, Medicare acts as secondary insurance, which generally covers much higher percentages of prescriptions and other medical expenses, and in many cases, eliminates co-pays. Medicare insurance is subject to annual renewal, and periodic visits and evaluations from state professionals. Medicare is sometimes confused with Medicaid, which provides insurance assistance to low-income individuals.

Respite and Waiver Programs

In addition to medical insurance, state Medicare providers may also provide waiver programs that extend additional resources to qualifying individuals. These can provide respite care for families of people with disabilities. This means that Medicare will pay a designated and vetted person an hourly wage to care for a person with disabilities up to a certain amount of time per month, in an off-site location to give families a break from the additional care they provide. Waiver programs can also provide in-home visits to people with disabilities and other services if necessary. These also require applications, paperwork, and annual reviews.

It is encouraging to see that with these and other initiatives, we have moved towards a more inclusive society, taking care of those among us with the most need. The US government and the private sector have both taken up this mantle to champion people with disabilities. But we still have so far to go.

Dental implants are a great restorative option for many patients. Patients report that they can chew with their dental implants as well as they can with natural teeth. Some say that they cannot tell a difference between the implant and the surrounding natural teeth and forget that it is there. These natural-looking restorations have come a long way in recent years and can last the patient a long time when properly cared for. For patients who have Brooklyn dental implants placed, there are some important steps to take in caring for them. These recommendations are much like care tips for natural teeth, adding to the convenience of dental implants. 

Brush the Implant and Surrounding Teeth

An implant is placed into the bone and a natural-looking crown (cap) is attached to the implant. You should brush this area just like you would your natural teeth. Be sure that you are brushing all the way to the gum line so that you are not missing plaque that is sitting around the bottom of the implant crown. It is important to note that although you should brush the tooth all the way to the gum line, you do not want to scrub on your gums as this can abrade them over time.

Floss Around the Implant Crown

Flossing is an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine. You must floss to remove plaque between your teeth where your toothbrush has limited access. It is especially important that you floss around your implant; plaque can be wedged between your implant crown margin and your gums and can wreak havoc on the success of an implant over time. Meticulous oral hygiene should be observed by all people but especially those with dental restorations.

See Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist can take X-rays of your dental implant that show things that cannot be seen just by looking in the mouth. It is important that you follow your dentist’s recommendations on care of your implant and their schedule for taking X-rays of this area. Regular dental appointments are important for all people but especially for those with implants so that the success of the treatment can be evaluated over time.

Implants are a dental restoration that can benefit patients for many years if they are properly maintained. Be sure that you protect the investment you have made into this treatment by following all recommendations about the care of your implant.

Whether 13 or 30, maintaining a skincare regimen should be a priority for you. The sooner you build good habits, the more youthful and healthier your skin can look later in life. While you don’t have to commit yourself to a 10-step plan like the Korean skincare routine, paying attention to some key areas can make a world of difference to your skin. Take the time to review this guide to help your skin out today.   

For Your Whole Face 

The first big investment on any skin regimen should be a good moisturizer. A staple to any facial care plan, moisturizers help your skin maintain a youthful tightness and can ensure much-needed water helps keeps your skin hydrated. There are a variety of types of moisturizers to choose from, so it is worth doing your research to get one that meets the needs of your skin. Then commit to using it every day.   

To Take Care of Your Eyes 

It may seem obvious, but your eyes need extra love. From fine lines to more sensitive skin areas, investing in eye care should be one of the first steps you take. When trying to choose the best eye cream, look for one that will work with your skin type, can target concern areas and help to bring moisture to the skin. Before purchasing, be sure to note what the cream is for and when to use it. Taking care of the skin around your eyes should be a priority in any skincare plan.  

To Prep Your Skin

Once you have your moisturizer and eye cream, it is worth considering adding a toner to your morning routine. Think of toner as a clarifying pre-cleanse to prep your skin for the rest of your products. Modern toners clean up dead skin, remove leftover makeup, clarify your skin and get it ready to absorb all the goodness from your other products. There are a lot of varieties of toner, so be sure to pick the one that works best for you. 

As you get your day started, take the time to add a couple of extra minutes to give your skin the love it deserves. Just applying some toner, moisturizer and eye cream is an easy way to maintain fabulous skin, without losing out on too much time. Your skin will thank you when you give it the time and care it needs.   

What really makes a great teacher? If you’re looking to get into teaching or are already an educator, this definitely a question that has crossed your mind at least once. Unfortunately, there is no single straight answer, which means that different educators take different teaching approaches. Furthermore, results from studies and research into effective teaching only create confusion and contradicting ideas in the field of teaching.  

However, through the chaos, some useful attributes and behavior of a good educator sometimes emerge. Some teaching styles come and go, but there are still a few teaching practices that seem to stick around. Below is a list of some of the main factors that contribute to effective teaching.

How Well You Know Your Students

Before deciding on a teaching style, you should make an effort to know your students. Doing this will help you prepare for the challenges along the way and also understand the kind of students you’ll be dealing with.

First, you need to identify their academic weaknesses and strengths; nowadays, there many different ways you can do that. I-Ready, for instance, is a convenient and effective way to gauge each of your student’s academic strengths and struggles. The i-Ready answers that you get from having every student take an i-Ready test can provide you with valuable insights into the classroom, helping you formulate and customize a result-oriented teaching plan.  

In addition, learning about your students’ academic needs can help you personalize some of your teaching processes to reach every student. It’s also essential to appreciate and acknowledge that every student is unique and may need to be taught differently.  

Knowledge in The Subject

It’s much easier to teach a subject that you’re already familiar with and know a great deal about. If whatever you are teaching is entirely new to you, make sure you learn the material extensively before showing it to the students. The point is, you should not be learning new things at the same time you are teaching a class.

If you’re not familiar with what you’re teaching, you’ll probably have trouble with your delivery. There is even a chance that you might relay the wrong information. And it gets even worse if the students realize that you don’t understand the subject, which may come as a shock to them. Besides, you’ll be more confident when teaching ideas and concepts that you know very well. 

Level of Engagement with Students

Teaching is an involved process, and it helps to involve the students themselves as well. Engage with your students in and outside the classroom to ensure that whatever you say or demonstrate gets through to them. Ask questions, and encourage suggestions and feedback during every lesson or class session. Create a friendly and safe atmosphere where students feel motivated to participate in the lesson.

Engaging with your students also helps create meaningful relationships with the class. This means that the students won’t shy away from openly discussing academic or even personal matters affecting their learning abilities, which is one sign of a progressive classroom. 

Your Enthusiasm and Passion

If you’re going to take on the role of teaching or educating, you need to be passionate about it from the very start. Although some teachers may see their roles as just another job, there is a lot more to teaching than the occupation. If you love your job, you’ll probably be good at it and will not be deterred by the challenges you may face; the same is true for teaching. A teaching career can be very challenging at times; it helps to have the heart to see things through.

You’ll come across many practical tips for improving your teaching skills, but keep in mind that it mostly comes down to the students in question. You’ll probably have to define and reevaluate your teaching style depending on the qualities of the students.

It’s already clear that modern students are familiar with and eager to use existing and emerging technology. As teachers, this brings up a lot of exciting chances for teachers to integrate their teaching methods with specific forms of technology. Along the way, teachers may find that their jobs are at least a little bit easier, and students may be more engaged in the learning process. Are there other benefits as well?

Increased Student Engagement

Before moving on to a few of the many benefits of bringing technology into the classroom, take a closer look at how student engagement is improved. One great example of this is the variety of tools that allow teachers to ask a question and receive answers from every student in the class and, in some cases, even students who aren’t in the physical classroom. Similarly, students can ask questions without posing them in front of the rest of the class and receive answers from the teacher.

Improved Retention of Information

Interactive presentations are visually appealing and capture the interest of students who are used to speedy clips of information. These presentations may include virtual field trips to art museums, underground caves, magnificent examples of architecture, courtrooms, music halls, and scientific laboratories. In addition to field trips, this technology makes it possible for biology teachers to take students deep into the human body and for astronomy teachers to give students glimpses of outer space. When students are interested and engaged in the learning process, they are more likely to remember what they’ve learned.

Preparation for Use of Technology

At least one of the goals of education is to prepare students for entering the workforce. In today’s environment, familiarity with and comfort using technology is a must. Students must be prepared to put together presentations, understand and send emails, practice appropriate online etiquette, fill out forms, and recognize reliable sources of online information. Experienced teachers may find that they are learning along with students when it comes to these skills.

Logistical Convenience and Time Savings

Online word processing programs allow teachers to receive student papers without worrying about the assignments getting lost or students leaving their names off the pages. Instead of writing notes on the chalkboard for students to copy, notes can be sent directly to students. Teachers could also choose to lecture while students type notes directly into their computers. Assigning and correcting assessments is also simpler when delivered online. Digital records of student performance can also help a teacher show parents the progression of their students’ efforts and results.

For many teachers, one of the most impressive benefits of modern technology is the chance to work with students individually, so they can learn at their own paces. There are so many ways for students to learn that teachers are often required to present information in a variety of formats. Modern tools and resources offer solutions for this challenge.

Better Use of Teachers’ Time

Of course, teachers’ time is extremely valuable. With so many hours spent at the front of the classroom, it’s hard for teachers to find enough time to correct assignments, prepare new information, and engage in their own continuing education. With modern tools that simplify tasks such as preparing grades and creating presentations, teachers have more time to devote to related, outside of class activities. 

The internet and related technology have drastically changed the ways people teach and learn. As emerging generations of students are already engaging in the use of technology, it’s crucial that teachers keep pace. The benefits of using modern tools include better results, increased retention (and scores), time savings, and more convenience for teachers. Are you already using modern technology in your classroom? What benefits have you experienced?