3 Kids and Us

Choosing Your Child’s First Computer

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Are you wondering if it’s time to buy your five-year-old a computer? If you’ve been noticing more and more cartoons and coloring games on your work-assigned laptop or desktop monitor lately, now would be a good time to get your child’s first computer. But, is this move right for her, and is she old enough? Yes, absolutely!

Did you know that in the year 2013 alone, around 79% of kids were using their home computers? Further, kids aged 3 to 17 years or 6 out of 10 kids were adept at using digital devices including mobile phones and tablets. By the first or second grades, when kids are already using computers in school, it’s a good idea for her to have one at home so she can learn while playing games and other child-friendly activities.

Whether or not to buy your child’s first computer is an easy decision. But, as a parent, you need to put a lot of thought into the right device to buy. Here are some basic considerations you must keep in mind.

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Get a Family Computer

As your kids grow older, they’re going to need a computer for homework as well playing games. Choose a device that you can set up in the family living room where you can supervise the kids’ activities. Given that they can inadvertently stumble on inappropriate YouTube clips, videos, and other material, you’ll want to keep a careful watch on what the kids are doing. Some parents also prefer a laptop computer so that they can put it away when they’re not present to watch their kids. Not only can you find affordable laptops, but choosing a refurbished device as your child’s first computer can bring your costs down.

Check for the Latest Software

Even if the refurbished computer is a bit worn down, your kids are going to be so thrilled at the prospect of having one; they won’t notice it. However, you must make sure that it has the latest software. Such software installed in the newest operating systems give you the most advanced of parental controls. You can also verify that the computer has all the security measures that can protect you and the family from phishing and other threats. Create folders that have your child’s favorite games and websites that you’ve approved. They’ll find accessing them so easy that they won’t feel the need to surf and search. Limiting internet access is another strategy you can use to protect your kids.

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Get Your Child Her Account

When buying your child’s first computer, look for one that supports Windows 10 so you can set up an individual account for your child. Create an account on account.microsoft.com/family with the appropriate age restrictions and also fix time limits. You’ll also be able to restrict the websites your child can visit and allow her to play only those games and use apps that are appropriate for her. Getting a Microsoft account that is an extension of the family has another advantage. Your child can use it to sign into any other device aside from the computer and the settings you’ve set will apply to the device. Every week, you’ll receive an email informing you of the websites your child has visited, the time she spent on each, and the total time she spends on the computer.

Added Accessories

You’re going to need a bunch of accessories for your child’s first computer. These can include software that can charge the child’s first computer quickly. Look for other add-ons like a new storage device or a RAM memory upgrade along with a new battery, and you’re good to go. Lowering the loading times will ensure that your child spends the minimum amount of time on the computer. Give her creativity an added boost with the help of DVD or CD burning device, scanner, and digital camera.

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Should You Opt for a Refurbished Computer

Buying your kids an inexpensive, refurbished computer is a wise choice. You can ensure that in case they have spills and accidents and cause significant damage to the CPU or keyboard, it’s not a major loss. Look for a manufacturer-sourced refurbished device as your child’s first computer. Such products are sold after strict quality control measures and extensive checking. Look for a recently released device as your child’s first computer, and you might be able to find one that is practically new or hasn’t been used at all. It could last her a good long while.

The Right Time to Buy a Computer

In an increasingly tech-savvy world, digital literacy has become very essential. You’ll want to expose your child to various devices so she can adapt and learn to deal with them in a professional setting later in life. However, it is also understandable that you’re concerned about the right age for exposure and if this move is good for her. Given the rising number of cases of obesity among children, you’ll want to ensure that she does not spend too much time indoors glued to the computer. At the same time, giving her access to additional study material is an advantage you’ll want to make available to her.

When making your decision, assess how mature your child is and if her psyche is developed enough to manage devices. As a parent, you’re the best judge of whether or not it’s time to choose your child’s first computer and the perfect device for her.

Kid’s Playroom Decor Ideas

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If you have kids, you will understand why having a playroom is a good idea. For the sake of your sanity, and theirs, I would highly recommend turning your spare room, shed or a corner of a family room into a play area.

Doing so will give your kids the space they need to really relax and enjoy themselves. It will also stop your house from looking like a huge toy store, all of the time.

Creating a space like this does not have to be expensive. Often you can use items that you already own, and buy the other materials you need from cheap sources.

Make the space safe

The first, and most important, step is to make the space you are planning to use as safe as possible. That means removing any sharp edges, installing a non-slip floor, eliminating risks such as blind cords and installing safety features like a smoke alarm and window locks. This page covers the subject of child proofing a playroom in more detail.

The right flooring

We already mentioned installing anti-slip flooring. For this, engineered wood floors are often a good option. This type of flooring is inexpensive, easy to lay and not hard to maintain. It is not as warm as carpet, but is also not cold, and hard like tiles.

Decorating the walls

The best approach to a playroom is to paint the room rather than wallpaper it. That way any marks can easily be wiped away. Just be careful to use the type of paint that can withstand being cleaned with harsh products.

If you want to, you could turn one of the walls into a large chalkboard. Providing them with a large whiteboard is another option. However, it is probably wise to wait until your children are old enough to understand that they can only draw on the chalk or whiteboards. The last thing you need is them getting confused using all of your walls as a space for their artistic handiwork.

You can add interest to the walls using wall stickers, or custom traffic signs like the ones you can buy at roadtrafficsigns.com. Alternatively, if your kids are good at art, let them design a mural and paint it with them.

Keeping the space clean and tidy

Another important consideration is keeping the space tidy and organised. Some parents are happy for their children to leave their toys lying about provided they only do so in the playroom. Others want their children to put everything away before tea.

Which approach you take is up to you, but either way it is a good idea to provide your children with some storage space. Doing so ensures that delicate or expensive toys can be stowed away.

You need to make sure that they storage solutions you provide are safe, and easy for your children to use. The last thing you need is for one of your children to be pinned under a heavy wardrobe, because it fell over when they were climbing up the shelving section to reach a favourite toy.

Sealable plastic storage containers, toy chests and low-level drawer units are all good ways to provide space for your children to put their toys away when they are not in use.

With the right school supplies, the sky is the limit for young minds

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These days, running a school is not too dissimilar from running a business. Your assets are the children in your care, there is a reputation to exceed or uphold and a Board of Governors to whom the school is responsible, and if that wasn’t enough there is a budget spreadsheet to balance.

In and amongst the myriad of activities that happen within the school environment each and every day, it is worth remembering the small cogs that turn the big wheel.  The ordering of school supplies is vital in order to keep the school a fully functioning, vibrant and engaging environment in which children can learn and flourish.

Allowing children to reach for the sky

School supplies covers a plethora of equipment including furniture, play equipment, classroom resources, classroom storage, cloakroom storage, nursery rugs and classroom carpets. Yet there are also a wide range of other ancillary products such as sensory toys, soft play equipment, art & craft supplies and curricular based supplies which allow you to turn any room into a safe, productive and fun learning environment.

Keeping a watchful eye on the budgets however is of no concern to the children. Children of nursery or primary school age are far more likely to be concerned about what they can create in the sandpit or rifling through the dressing up box to find someone they can be for the day. Whilst their priorities for the day are likely to be far removed from those of the adults, by providing such play activities we are fuelling a child’s imagination, allowing them to explore their creativity and setting them on the path to reaching their full potential.

From maths, science or literacy resources to support the core curriculum to craft kits, easels or art drying racks, preserving the little Picassos works of art, there is a huge range of school supplies which need to be catered for. Even musical instruments provide the freedom for young children to experiment with sound and become creative with the different tunes and noises they can make. Play-centred learning provides exciting and stimulating opportunities for children, and the more inspiring the educational resource are, the more they stimulate their senses and the better they learn.

Balancing the Books

Edusentials is a well-established supplier of school supplies and equipment across the UK.  We have a reputation within the industry for offering a first class service with a personal touch. Everyone at Edusentials strives to provide the right product for your needs at a price to suit your budget. With over 25 years’ experience working within this sector we have developed a reputable supply chain so we can offer you very competitive prices, allowing you to save money on your orders.

We are only too aware of the financial pressure schools are under.  It becomes increasingly difficult to maximise the budget available whilst ensuring the continued smooth running of the school. We are both sympathetic and understanding of your situation and genuinely work with you to ensure value for money on the purchase of the products you want and need.

Age-Appropriate Youth Training For Your Kids’ Well Being

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Parents should encourage their kids to perform different youth training activities. According to a systematic review, it is recommended that youths have an average of no less than 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day. More vigorous intensity activities like muscle and bone strengthening activities should be included 3 or more times per week. They also added that majority of the physical activity should be aerobic activities.

Age-Appropriate Activities

Studies showed multiple evidences that the youth should perform 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Youth training activities must be developmentally appropriate, enjoyable and varied. The best way for your kids to engage in exercise is to incorporate it in their daily activities and make it a fun opportunity rather than a chore to finish. Different activities work for different age groups so it is important to determine which activities are appropriate for your kid’s age and capabilities.

School-age

Commitment and interest go with ability. Traditional sports and playing outdoors are both great opportunities for exercise. What’s most important in school-age youth is the kind of activity they truly enjoy. When kids enjoy what they do, they are more likely to excel at it and get motivated to do more of it. Communities and schools often have aerobic activities like soccer and T-ball which are great opportunities for your kid to get some aerobic exercise while meeting new friends and having fun.

Teenagers

School sports and after-school activities like skating or yoga are great exercise for teens. Because of the numerous choices teens have it is important to ensure that their chosen physical activity are planned to accommodate commitments and responsibilities at home, in school and in the community.

Benefits of Youth Training

Exercise is not only important to adults but also in the youth. Growing numbers of research point to great benefits of youth training on kids’ well-being. Kids who regularly exercise are known to have stronger bones and muscles, have leaner bodies with less fat, have improved mood, good academic performance, better outlook on life, improved sleep and wake cycles, and have lower risk of developing diseases. Below are the benefits of youth training:

Academic performance improves with appropriate youth training. Various studies from 2009, 2011 and 2015 found that a 20 minute walk improved scores in arithmetic, reading and spelling. A 2015 study showed that 4 sessions a week of high intensity PE for 4 months led to better cognitive ability score and higher grades at school

Endurance develops when kids get aerobic exercise. Basketball, bicycling, skating, soccer, swimming, and running are great examples of aerobic activity. Their hearts beat faster and their breaths are deeper during aerobic activity and when done regularly for a long time, it strengthens the heart and improves circulation.

Flexibility improves with exercises like stretching by allowing joints and muscles to move easily with their full range of motion. Practicing a split or doing a cartwheel are great activities that can improve their flexibility. Teaching them proper stretching exercises and the correct form also help.

Strength can be enhanced with properly supervised weight training. When done properly, it is a safe and helpful preparatory activity for sports. Climbing, wrestling and head stands work great for muscle toning and enjoyable as well. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology supports resistance training in the youth as a relatively safe exercise to improve overall health when done with proper training methods. A resistance training program that is within a youth’s capacity with gradual progression under supervision can lead to health and functional benefits like endurance, flexibility, strength, balance, coordination and power.

Keeping Your Kids Comfortable On The Road

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If you’re hitting the road this summer with your kids in tow and heading out to one of the many fantastic places within reach of your home town or city, you might be wondering how best to make the journey be the most comfortable it can be. With children, everything needs to be taken into consideration from things like snacks in the car to temperature and all the little bits in between. Here we look at a few of the ways you can keep kids comfortable this summer while you’re spending a few hours to and fro on the road.

Travel Toys, Games and Films

Inevitably during your travels either by road, plane or any other sort of vehicle, children – especially younger ones will find the entire trek more of an ordeal, and therefore boring, which could incite riots and call for some calming action on your part. Having a bag of toys, books or films handy can help stop tantrums in their tracks and ensure everyone has an enjoyable trip – without boredom setting in. You can even go one further and make it a tradition for the kids to pick out their favourite films, books or toys the night before, as part of including them in the trip preparation.

Snacks and Drinks

Snacks and drinks are important to bring as well, especially as children can get hungry and therefore cranky and don’t always know how to vocalise that they are feeling peckish. Having a collection of favourite snacks or treats to hand will help keep them happy and calm, or at least help drive positive energy rather than tantrums. Keeping drinks handy can also help alleviate dehydration which can cause crankiness. This is another activity that you can involve your children in as part of the overall trip experience – getting them to help choose their snacks and drinks for added fun, or better yet, developing traditional trip treats!

Clothing and Other

Everyone knows that tight, restrictive clothing can cause issues with comfort, especially after prolonged periods of time. This can cause all sorts of problems from crankiness, tantrums and even chafing or rashes if sweating becomes a bit of a problem. You might be wondering where you could get some decent clothing for your kids and other family members to make sure they are as comfortable as possible when on the road between point A and point B. Did you know that surf clothing is quite comfortable? It has fantastic breathability and fits loosely so it allows a lot of free movement and space. It’s not just for surfing any more! With a wide variety of styles and colours to choose from, including things like hoodies, trousers, shorts and t-shirts, you will find something for all members of the family in the surf shop – from the very small to the very tall in your family.

By now you have seen how important it is to keep your children – and yourself comfortable when on the road travelling any time of year, not just in the summer. The summer can be a bit more tricky given the higher temperatures you can’t always do something about, but hopefully this helpful article has aided you in preparing yourself and gives you a bit of reassurance to help your trip go off without a hitch.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!