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5 Benefits to a Private Career College Education

4/14/2015

by Jennifer Caughey, Contributing Writer

Image by davidmulder61 via Flickr.com

In the current, extremely competitive job market, private career colleges offer many advantages over the traditional college system of higher education. However, the choice between these two paths relies to a great deal upon the long-term career goals and aspirations of individual students, as well as the resources available to them in terms of time and money. So, it’s important to learn a bit more about the potential benefits of a diploma or certificate earned from a private career college.

The Comparison: Career vs. Traditional Colleges

A private career college is an independent business whose mission is to educate and train students for particular career tracks, with an emphasis on skill development. They offer many kinds of programs, including information technology, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, administration, and other business related tracks. As such, private career colleges are most ideal for individuals seeking to enter the workforce or increase their appeal as a potential job candidate. The focus is on developing practical skills for people who are already working in their fields, with flexible schedules, enrollment, and intensive programs. Where a traditional college emphasizes a broad knowledge base, a private career college puts the emphasis on developing practical knowledge and hands-on experience in your chosen field. Like four-year colleges, though, career colleges must be registered and accredited; so, when looking at potential colleges, look for such accreditation of instructor, program, and overall institutional quality.

The Benefits of Choosing a Private Career College

While each student must choose the right fit for their specific career and life-goals, private career colleges offer some distinct advantages over more traditional schools. According to the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators, the most significant include the following five benefits.

Career schools focus on skill development and job experience, even as they help you acquire a higher education, to best prepare students for the job market.
The greater accessibility, with many options available in any given area, make it easier to get an education at a lower cost, especially as high room and board costs can be avoided.
More accessible admissions, which tend to be more open than those of traditional colleges, make it easier to get an education and find the tools for attaining success in your field.
As private institutions, they offer more interactive learning environments through an emphasis on teaching among faculty and smaller classes, as well as a greater ability to respond to changes in technology, student needs, and related career fields.
Coursework is designed to help students join the workforce faster and with the skills that they will need in starting a new position, specifically through training in the job duties and expectations related to your particular field.

More than anything, the emphasis on skill development, interactivity, and experience in your field will make it easier for students to establish themselves within their desired fields. This translates into more time in one’s career and professional life.

While some believe that a student with a Bachelor’s degree will earn more than one without, the truth is that many fields, especially technical industries like information technology, will place more value on skills and training than on a degree. As more and more students attempt to gain a competitive edge, degrees from career colleges offer hands-on training and experience that a traditional college degree simply cannot offer. Still, when searching for a potential college, remember that your choice should rely on your individual goals and ambitions. Be sure to choose the best school for your desired field with the training programs best suited to your desired, future job.

Jennifer Caughey is a freelance content writer. She has most recently contributed to guest contributions for Academy of Learning College, a leading career and business college with 50 locations across Canada. Jennifer believes that education and on-going learning are essential to career success. She has contributed to such topics for over 5 years. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter.

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Great Educational and Engaging Books for Tweens

4/9/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Tweens are at the perfect age for enjoying books of every type. There's an engaging book out there for even the most stubborn of tweens. Books for this age level (8 -12) should be interesting, as well as educational in some way. As a mother of tweens, we have gone through so many books - practically as quickly as we go through water. Here are five of what I feel are some of the best educational and engaging books for tweens.

Bubba Goes National by Jennifer Walker

Bubba Goes National is about a girl named Leslie and her horse. This book teaches kids not only about relationships with others, but also about caring for horses. There are many 'girl and her horse' stories, but both of my tweens agree there are none like Bubba Goes National. This engaging story will take kids on an exciting journey full of hopes, dreams, and inspiration. Sasha, age 11 says "Bubba Goes National is so good I would recommend it to all my friends. It was the best book I ever read."

Math Doesn't Suck by Danica McKellar

"This book proved that math really doesn't suck," said Amber, age 12. Before reading Math Doesn't Suck, Amber had always hated math - not anymore. It's great for kids in middle school who are still trying to understand that transition between basic math and the more difficult processes. Kids will learn tips and tricks that help them solve problems faster when doing homework and taking tests. They'll also gain insight and a deeper understanding of the hows and whys - but in a language that won't bore them.

Kiss My Math by Danica McKellar

Kiss My Math does the same thing as Math Doesn't Suck, but with pre-algebra in mind. Is your pre-teen struggling with pre-algebra lingo? Confused about what exactly exponents, variables, absolute values, and other such words mean in the world of math? Your tween won't just learn the definitions. This book will explain what to do, including real-life scenarios presented in an enjoyable way.

Girls Rule: A Very Special Book Created Especially for Girls by Ashley Rice

This is a great book to encourage self-esteem and the accomplishment of goals and dreams. Every girl is special and she should know it. Ashley Rice has done a good job at creating this story in which a young girl narrates her life experiences and how she gets through them. In this inspirational tale, girls learn that they have what it takes to make all their dreams come true

The Secret of Zoom by Lynne Jonell

The Secret of Zoom is about a young girl named Christina, who is sheltered from many things in life, as her father believes them to be dangerous. Her home consists of a mansion surrounded by an electric barbed wire fence on the outskirts of a forest. Deep within the forest is the science lab where her mother was apparently blown to pieces when Christina was just a baby. While trying to help a forbidden friend named Taft escape, they discover more than they may have ever cared to know or even suspect. This is an adventurous and engaging story that teaches kids how many things in life are not always as they seem.

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Kid Home Sick? Keep Schoolwork Up to Date with These 10 Tips

4/7/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image © Lyn Lomasi via Flickr.com

When your child is sick, it's easy to slack off on schoolwork. But doing so could put your child at risk of falling behind. Of course, when your kids are at their worst, you can't possibly give them school assignments. But when they are sick - especially for long periods of time, there are going to be moments when it's appropriate. Being ill can actually be the perfect time to keep schoolwork up to date. If your child is well enough to watch TV or play, she can probably do some learning too.

Ask the teacher for a packet and/or materials. This may seem like a no-brainer. But when your child is ill, a million things may be running through your mind. Stop by the school and ask the child's teacher for a packet of makeup work. If you know approximately how long your child will be away, get the work for those days. If you homeschool, then you are likely already prepared in this department.

Take advantage of happy moments. If your child is sick, they may not quite be up to schoolwork. Take advantage of the happier times where it's possible. That's when it's the perfect time to introduce some schoolwork. If your child is going through a difficult procedure, the school work can wait until a more cheerful moment.

Learn through play. While sick or going through complicated medical procedures, your child might not exactly be ready to hit the books. But educational play can do the trick in those instances. Put on puppet shows (younger children), play board games related to his current studies, play with manipulatives, and more. These things keep your child's brain active and focused on current lessons, but may not be as stressful as other forms of study.

Take schoolwork to doctor and hospital visits. This may sound odd and out of place. But kids get bored during doctor appointments and hospital stays. There is always lots of waiting time in between things. Schoolwork helps relieve the boredom and also helps ensure your child doesn't fall behind in school.

Watch relevant educational videos. This is a simple activity you can do with a child who cannot move much or who is unwilling to. This prevents unnecessary stress while your child is ill. But if you choose videos related to the current lessons, it also serves the purpose of keeping learning levels intact.

Listen to relevant music and audio. Music is a great way to instill lessons in kids. It's fun and if your child has to lay in a hospital bed, at least he can listen and maybe sing along. Many musicians are being more creative with learning songs. You can find just about any topic, such as multiplication, recycling, manners, and so much more.

Use flashcards. Many use flashcards for basic math and alphabet skills. But they can be used for pretty much any topic. They are small and can be done one at a time. This is important when you have a sick kid because if you need to stop at any point or do things in tiny increments, it's easier to keep track. Just take things one card at a time if you need to.

Tell stories. Oral stories also can be great learning tools. You and your child can come up with the stories together if possible. If he is not feeling up to it, you can do all the story telling. Be sure to focus on things your child is learning in school, while keeping it fun and lighthearted.

Read books. Reading is of course very good for the brain. It's also a good way to keep that knowledge flowing when your child is sick. She will have plenty of time to read, no doubt. If she's not well enough to read, you can read to her. Look for books related to what she's learning in each school subject.

Do relevant crossword puzzles and other pencil games. If your child needs to lay in bed all day, crossword puzzles and other puzzle games are the perfect solution. If the lesson is U.S. presidents, look for a crossword on that. The best source for customizing them in this way is online printable and homeschool websites. There are a wide variety of topics out there only a search away.

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Educational Preschool Crafts: Shape and Color Chart Plus Activities

4/6/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

Image by Joybot via Flickr.com

Charts are a great way for toddlers to learn. When combined with crafting for a hands-on lesson, the benefits of this method can be greatly multiplied. Here is a fun and educational shape and color chart craft along with some daily activities to do with your toddler once the chart is completed.

Shape and Color Chart

This chart will represent these shapes: circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, and heart. Make each shape a different color to also make this a color chart. The colors you should represent are: red, blue, yellow, green, black, and white. If you want to add pink, purple, and brown, make an extra each of the circle, square, and triangle, since those are three of the main shapes.

Before you do the craft with the children, cut out enough shapes in their designated colors for each child to have one of each. If you're doing the extended colors, make sure you have enough of those as well. Sort out the shapes by putting them in a zippered plastic bag for each child. Also, be sure your shapes are an appropriate size to fit onto a 12x17 piece of paper all together and spread out from each other slightly.

First, you'll need a 12x17 sheet of light blue construction paper for each child. This will be the surface the shapes will be glued onto. Place them in front of the children.

Next, give each child their shape bag and a glue stick.

Instruct (and probably help) the children to glue on each shape one at a time as you call them out by shape and color. The children can place the shapes wherever they'd like.

Once that is done, let the charts dry. Then, laminate them or cover them in clear contact paper for prolonged use.

Keep in mind that there should also be a chart for each teacher or parent as well. A master chart can and will come in handy later.

Activities

For full benefits of the chart, there are many activities that can be used with it to enforce and re-enforce the lesson of shapes and colors. Below, I will outline two to get you started.

Me, Then You

For this activity the parent or teacher should stand in front of the children with his or her chart and point at and say the shape and color. For example: The teacher says "red square" and points at the red square with a pencil. The students then say red square, pointing at their red square. Continue this activity for about 15 minutes.

Shape and Color Mayhem

This activity requires more than one student, preferably a group of at least three. However, with a little thinking and modification, it could be fit for use with less students.

First, the teacher places the master chart on a blank wall with sticky tack or plasti-tak, which can be found in most art or craft stores, even at Wal-Mart or other discount department stores. It's a gummy clay-like substance that adheres thin paper and plastic items to the wall without damaging them or the wall, so they can be removed quickly and easily.

The teacher should have a hat or container full of folded papers with each student's name on them. Have another hat or container with the shape/color combinations on the folded papers. Start the game by drawing 3 names from the hat.

Those three students need to stand next to each other about three feet from the chart. The teacher then draws a shape/color paper and says it. For instance, if the paper says, "yellow triangle", the teacher says "yellow triangle". The first student to place his or her finger on the yellow triangle has won that round. Then, the other two students get back in the straight line again. The winning student goes back to his or her seat. The names need to be set aside, not placed back in the hat. A new name is drawn and the game continues until each student has won a round.

Hint: Don't tell the students that they will all win. It may ruin the good feeling they will get when they win a round.

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Teaching Elementary Kids About Healthy Living

4/3/2015

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Tips for Teachers and Homeschoolers

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by Michael Stern via Flickr.com

You're in the school cafeteria and you see yet one more elementary-aged student grab those chips, cookies, and chocolate milk. How can you get him to choose healthier snacks without a hassle? Teaching elementary kids about healthy living and nutrition involves more than just telling them their choices are unhealthy. As a homeschool teacher and health nut, I have been known to come up with creative ways to get kids to think healthy.

Tell them what foods are healthy and explain why. Don't just tell the students to eat more fruits and veggies. Show them why they should. Pictures and stories can help drive home the point. You can also have each kid act out the parts of various fruits and veggies to show what they do. This keeps things lighthearted and entertaining, which is a great strategy for elementary students.

Adopt an exercise plan and explain the benefits. Use dance, active play, or other kid-friendly exercise to make healthy living fun for elementary kids. Explain how each move is beneficial to the body. But also make it an enjoyable experience so the kids will want to continue. If you can incorporate a routine in your daily classroom activities, that's great. Switch it up now and then, too so the kids don;t get bored.

Explain why certain foods are unhealthy using pictures of what it does. Children are very visual. You don't want them to think they need to be as skinny as a rail. But at the same time, let them know that being overweight can have damaging effects on the body. Show them age-appropriate pictures of what the body looks like on the inside and outside from certain diseases. Showing them pictures of the effect food has on their bodies will be much more effective than just telling them. Seeing is believing, right?

Use fun and catchy songs and rhymes to teach healthy living. Music is fun for kids and it's also easy to remember. Make up some fun songs to illustrate the points you make about nutrition. You may be surprised at the impact it will have. Let the kids make up their own songs and dances, too. They'll be proud of themselves and also be absorbing the info.

Give each kid their own weekly wipe-off charts for their home fridge. Giving the kids something to use to take home and track their results helps keep the lesson active. Healthy living is not something to just learn one day. It should be a way of life. Show the elementary students how to track what they are eating and see if they are making the correct choices. It could even help the rest of their family too.

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5 Ways to Get Your Children to Love Reading Books

4/2/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by mrsdkrebs via Flickr.com

Many children just love reading books naturally. However, some children do not. If your child is not feeling the love for books or you want to get a head start, try talking to other parents. Look for parents whose children always seem to be engrossed in books. Chances are, they'll have some wonderful tips. As a mother of voracious readers, I've learned several things on the way. Great ways to increase your child's love for books can come from both simple and unexpected places.

Read every day. Reading to your child every day can go a long way in instilling a love from reading. Starting this ritual while the child is still in the womb can also make the reading more familiar, which can help a child naturally enjoy reading. If you can, read with your child more than once per day. Be sure that once your child can read, you read to him once per day, but that he also reads to himself at least once per day. Both oral and visual stimulation are needed in order for a child to fully grasp the knowledge and love of reading and books.

Let your child choose the stories. There are some times when your child will have to read particular books. But be sure that your child also gets to make her own selections regularly. Children will be more receptive to reading if it isn't always about what someone else wants. It's perfectly fine if some things they choose are not exactly educational. Let them have some fun with reading too. They're more likely to learn from reading if they are interested in it.

Attend story time at the library. When kids see that others are interested in reading, it can open them up to its value. Story time can also be quite fun. Often there are activities involved in the story that your child can participate in. Story time may involve instruments, puppets, dancing, singing, stomping, shouting, and more. This helps make books more fun for your child. It also helps to provide a more rounded exposure to books.

Have a family reading circle. When reading is made into a family event, it can help create a natural love for books. This is because most kids respond to something that is done repetitively and with those they love. To create a family reading circle, gather comfortable furniture (such as pillows, bean bags, or cozy chairs) in a circle shape and choose a few books. Each person can take turns passing the book around and reading a few lines. For older children, novels that are read from a few chapters at a time are good as well.

Play reading games. Much like story time, reading games bring out the fun and imagination that comes from books. There is no right or wrong way to read a story. It can be read straight from cover to cover or it can be acted out or used as a base for a game. Teaching a child to love books does not have to be boring. Remember, you want them to know there is fun to be had. I like to invent games to play with my kids during reading, such as "Stop and Read" and "Reading Charades." Use nothing but the book, use costumes and props, and even use pre-packaged reading games.

There's no limit to the games and fun to be had while reading books. Be sure you instill that in your child through consistent action. In no time he'll have a love for books you never dreamed was possible.

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Free Reading Activities for Kids: Reading Charades Game

4/2/2015

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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by BruceMatsunaga via Flickr.com

Teaching kids to read isn't all textbook. Learn to have some fun and they'll enjoy learning to read. As a mom and homeschool teacher, I have invented plenty of games over the years. Game play is good for kids who learn by doing. It's also just plain fun. Reading Charades is a great way to instill comprehension skills in reading.

Materials and Game Preparation
To play Reading Charades, you'll need a book and chairs for all players. The parent or teacher also needs to make cards using characters, events, and places from the story. Everyone should be seated in a circle with enough room in the middle for one person to perform. If this is your group's first time playing or the kids are younger, you may want to use a story everyone is familiar with.

Game Play Instructions
The first part of game play involves reading the book. Make sure the kids know they need to pay attention to the story. Kids can take turns passing the book around to read the story. For older groups of kids, be sure to choose a challenging story. You may also want to assign their reading ahead of time, since their stories will be longer.

Once the story has been read, it's time for the first player to choose a card. He or she needs to read the card silently and not let on what's written. Then, it's time to act out what's on the card and get the other players to guess. In the beginning, it should be specified whether it's a character, event, or location. Other than that, there should be no talking or sound effects.

Everyone else should be shouting out guesses as they have them. Whomever guesses correctly first is the next player. Game play goes on until there are no more cards left (or the parent or teacher is ready to move onto something else). If there are kids who are not getting a turn, try to make the reading game last long enough so that everyone gets a chance. Some players might get more than one turn if they are good guessers.

Some kids may need assistance from a parent or teacher when it comes to reading the cards or thinking of ideas for acting them out. If the kids move through the cards quickly, you might need to create a bigger deck or use more than one story.

Benefits of Group Reading Activities
There are many benefits of reading activities, such as Reading Charades. Children can gain or expand on critical skills that may have been missing or misunderstood during regular lessons. Another thing to remember is that not all children learn in the same way. Some may do better with a hands-on reading activity. Comprehension, vocabulary, and working together as a team are just some of the things kids can gain from doing group reading activities.

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5 Benefits to a Private Career College Education

Great Educational and Engaging Books for Tweens

Kid Home Sick? Keep Schoolwork Up to Date with These 10 Tips

Educational Preschool Crafts: Shape and Color Chart Plus Activities

Teaching Elementary Kids About Healthy Living

Tips for Teachers and Homeschoolers

5 Ways to Get Your Children to Love Reading Books

Free Reading Activities for Kids: Reading Charades Game

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