While searching the web for more exciting things to do with my son, I discovered the EAA Young Eagles Program. A program that started in 1992 that provides kids ages 8-17 an opportunity to fly in a general aviation plane for FREE. 

It is easy to book a fly and when the kids get there this is what they experience:

1. The pilot tells the kids everything about the flight. Things such aero dynamics, charts of the flight, they teach them the parts of the plane and do a pre-flight inspection.
2. They get on the airplane, talk about the interior of the plane, the instrument panel and they buckle the seat belts.
3. During the flight they learn more about their flight. The flight last around 20 minutes.
4. The kids are able to ask questions.
5. The kids receive an official Young Eagles logbook
6. The kids receive a certificate and their names are added to the Young Eagles logbook (The Largest in the world)

It is pretty easy to get your kids to experience this. Go to the Young Eagles website, find the closest coordinator, call, schedule the flight and be ready to take-off.

Enjoy your flight!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. My son was able to flight for free and I am just passing along the information for this awesome program.

Enrollment time for the Pizza Hut Book it Reading program for the year 2013-2014 is open

Either ask your teacher to enroll your kids or you can enroll them if you homeschool them. It is a good opportunity to motivate kids to read.

I started blogging as a hobby. I still have a full time job, a family and social life. I blog mostly at night or weekends. I mostly blog because I either want to tell people about things or places and I also want to share my journey.

However, even though it is a hobby, I want to be good at it. So for me learning new things and networking is really important. So, when I learned about the Latino Lifestyle Blogger conference, I knew I had to be there.

Unfortunately due to work I was not able to attend the networking cocktail the first day, but I heard comments that it was really good. Not only the food and drinks, but also that it was a great space to get to know other bloggers. You know you need to be social and surround yourself with great people, so you can grow, and opportunities like this are invaluable.

Luckily I was able to attend the other two days full of opportunities for learning. I can tell you that the information provided at the conference was really valuable. The speakers were prepared and they knew their stuff.

The conference took place in a cozy space. It is a one track conference which means that you do not have to choose panels and be sad because you cannot attend something that might be also interesting for you. It is also a great way to network, socialize and learn not only from the speakers but from the questions asked by fellow bloggers.

The food was AWESOME. Good quality food with healthy options. And there was enough food even for seconds.

As I already said, I learned a lot. I am ready to bring my blog to a new level. I know it is going to take a little bit, since I do not have a lot of time, but I will be taking small steps to implement all things I learned.

Here are some great points I have learned:

1. Make sure your social persona represents you well. 
2. Do not be afraid to pitch brands. Do research, learn the brand, and create a good pitch.
3. Have original content. Pay attention to grammar and spelling. (I really need to work on this, I know)
4. Have a disclosure and follow the FTC rules.
5. Make sure you have consistency on your blog.
6. Surround yourself with great people.
7. Have an editorial calendar (my next project to tackle)

If you are looking for a great conference to attend next year make sure you mark your calendar for LALLBLOG14 (March 17-29, 2014)

You probably would agree that it should not only be one day but all year long, but today we are celebrating Earth’s day.

A day to remind everyone the things we can do to try to save the planet from pollution and contamination. Every one CAN make a difference.

From coastal clean ups to recycling there are many ways people can help. Simple things such as using your own bottle water instead of plastic bottles recycle cans, paper, and glass. Also you can help by using reusable bags when you go to the stores.

What you can do:

• Save water: do not let the faucet open while brushing your teeth
• If you can walk or use a bike. (leave your car at home)
• Recycle
• Use Energy Star products (light bulbs)
• Turn off your electronics when not in use
• Turn off the lights when leaving the room
• Reusable water bottles and bags for the stores
• Teach your kids how to save the planet

This is the day you can start something if you already do not do it. At home we recycle, we use the reusable bags and we also use products that are safe for the environment. Our next project is to start a neighborhood recycling project.

So many ways to get involved, call your city and they can tell you how to help.

And remember that you DO make a difference.

The kids of the future will help you!

Lately the traumatic events that have inundated the news have increased. It is almost impossible to keep your kids away from all the bad things happening and to be truthful I rather tell my son, that let him learn from others and maybe get wrong and confusing information. So how do you discuss traumatic events with young children? Although these may be difficult conversations, they are also very important.  Here are some tips to help in difficult times:

1. Acknowledge and validate your child's thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Let them know that you think their questions and concerns are important and appropriate. 
2. Give children honest answers and information. Children will usually know, or eventually find out, if you're “making things up.” It may affect their ability to trust you or your reassurances in the future.
3. 3.  Be prepared to repeat information and explanations several times. Some information may be hard for them to accept or understand. Asking the same question over and over may also be a way for a child to ask for reassurance. 
4. Remember that children tend to personalize situations.  
5. Children learn from watching their parents. They are very interested in how you respond to local and national events. They also learn from listening to your conversations with other adults. 
6. Don't let children watch too much news coverage with frightening images. The repetition of such scenes can be disturbing and confusing.

Fortunately, most children are quite resilient. However, by creating an open environment where they feel free to ask questions, we can help them cope with stressful events and experiences, and reduce the risk of lasting emotional difficulties.

Adapted from the research done by David Fassler, M.D.

David Fassler, M.D.is  a clinical professor in the department of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine  

En la vida, los padres se enfrentan a el desafío de discutir eventos traumáticos con sus  niños. Aunque estas conversaciones pueden ser difíciles, son también muy importantes. Aquí incluimos algunas claves para ayudar en tiempos difíciles:

1. Reconozcan y validen los pensamientos, sentimientos y reacciones de sus hijos. Déjenles saber que ustedes piensan que sus preguntas y preocupaciones son importantes y apropiadas.
2. Den a sus hijos respuestas e informaciones honestas.  Los niños eventualmente sabrán, o descubrirán si ustedes están inventando algo.  Esto puede afectar su habilidad de confiar en ustedes o en sus afirmaciones en el futuro.
3. Estén preparados para repetir informaciones y explicaciones varias veces. Alguna información puede ser difícil  para ellos aceptar o entender. Preguntando  las mismas preguntas una y otra vez puede ser la manera de que un niño quiera reasegurarse de lo que se le está respondiendo.
4. Recuerden que los niños tienden a personalizar las situaciones.
5. Los niños aprenden mirando a sus padres. Ellos están muy interesados en la manera como ustedes responden a los eventos locales o nacionales.  También aprenden escuchando sus conversaciones con otros adultos.
6. No deje que sus hijos miren noticieros con imágenes aterradoras. La repetición de esas escenas los pueden perturbar y  confundir.
7. Una lectora del post de Ingles tambien recomendo que se haga nota de los positivo del mundo mas que lo negativo.

Afortunadamente, la mayoría de los niños son  bastante resistentes. Sin embargo, creando un ambiente abierto, ellos se sienten libres para preguntar y nosotros podemos ayudarles a superar eventos y experiencias estresantes, y reducir el riesgo de dificultades emocionales duraderas.

Adaptado de David Fassler, M. D
David Fassler, M. D., es un profesor clínico en el departamento de Psiquiatría en la Universidad de Vermont College of Medicine

My son is now learning multiplication. We have used songs, flash cards and just plain exercises of me asking him to tell me the answer.

However when I a multiplication table for him, that was the moment he really got the idea and now he has mastered the skill.

I am not an expert on teaching, but if you are looking for a new way to teach your kids multiplication you might want to try this tables.

Feel free to download them.

Happy learning!

April is Autism Awareness Month, a world effort to create awareness and raise attention on the issues that affect people with Autism

Autism is a complex diagnosis that includes different syndrome and disorders brain development. Most people with autism have difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non verbal communication and repetitive behaviors in different degrees.

The statistics show the magnitude of the issue and how important is that not only parents, but teachers and general community are aware of the disorder.

1.      At least 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder.

2.      Autism prevalence is 1 in 88 births

3.      The clinical cost of treating autism is around 70 billion annually

So how do you know if your child has autism?

The behaviors that characterize autism might not be apparent during the first months of life; however they usually become obvious around the ages of 2 to 5. Some of the clues that might trigger your pediatrician to request more evaluation for your child are

1.      A baby that does not coo by the first year

2.      Absence of words by 16 months

3.      Loss of language or social skills at any moment.

Since the symptom of the disorder can vary a lot, it is recommended to talk to your doctor when you are concerned. Just remember that each child develops at a different speed. Always consult with your doctor if you have any doubts.

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2nd 2013

For more information you can visit Autism Speaks  

The things that I probably remember the most from my childhood years are the ones that had to be with my parents spending quality time with my brother and I, and also the babysitters and teacher we had. Those types of memories will be always with me, and somehow dictate the way I raise my son.

So when I heard about the program Ready. Set. Grow! I knew I wanted to learn more and be able to tell more parents about it. The Program Ready. Set. Grow! Has a main objective of provide resources for the children development.

Plenty of studies have shown that 90% of the brain is developed during the first 5 years of life. That is why the emphasis of education should be given to this age. When kids start learning soon they will have better academic outcomes in life.

When my son was born people used to make fun of me because I was reading and teaching him things even when he was only a newborn. Now we can see the results on his report cards. Science cannot be wrong. Children that have good stimulation and learning experiences will develop better skills than kids that do not have such stimulation.

What I had learn during my years as a parent and while doing my Masters in education is that quality time is more important that the quantity. I have always worked outside the home and my son has been at daycare or school. However I always find fun and safe ways to almost every activity with my son an educational experience that he will benefit from later on.

Even a simple trip to the grocery store can be fun for kids if we let them help do the shopping by creating a shopping list that is kids friendly and will help them learn letter, colors and fruits names, for example.

Now finding childcare that you can trust is not always easy. But thanks to the campaign Ready. Set. Grow!, now parents can access the resources to find certified childcare centers and also provide resources and ideas on how you can still be part of your child education and growth. The program Ready. Set. Grow! has a website with so many resources that I wish something like this would have been available when my son was little. So many times I was confused about how to find childcare and even about what games were appropriate for his age. But now all the information is just a click away.

If you want to know more about this great program or you are looking for parenting and education resources, please visit Ready. Set Grow!

Follow @ReadySetGrowLA on twitter
Like ReadySetGrowLA on Facebook

El Rio, la última novela publicada por Michael Neale, es una historia de acerca de cómo enfrentar cada momento de la vida.

 Este es un artículo del libro:

“Gabriel Clarke se sentía misteriosamente atraído hacia El Río, un cordón de aguas bravas y espumosas, abriéndose camino por desfiladeros escabrosos, en las alturas de las Colorado Rockies. Esa pasión por El Río, desde lo más profundo de su ser, era innegable. Sus aguas impetuosas lo llamaban a sentir la libertad y vivir la aventura.

Pero algo lo retenía --el recuerdo de un espantoso acontecimiento que presenció en El Río cuando apenas tenía cinco años-- algo que ningún niño debería ver.
 
Las cadenas del temor y del resentimiento lo alejaban de los tesoros que podría descubrir en El Río. No podía dejar su pasado atrás, seguía atrapado, temeroso de la vida que lo esperaba. 
 
En esta cautivadora historia, Gabriel aprende que despojarse del pasado significa entregarse por completo a El Río --alma, corazón, cuerpo y mente” 

"El Río inspirará a sus lectores a llevar la vida para la que fueron creados" John C. Maxwell, fundador de EQUIP y The John Maxwell Company.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for writing this post. All opinions are mine.