Dance Lesson Blog

Many people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America because of the wide range of incredible locations in which to learn the language. Students can choose a beach location like Montanita in Ecuador, or a very historic town like Cusco, high up in the Andean Mountains of Peru. Whether you want to explore archaeological sites, experience indigenous culture, observe wildlife, or simply laze on unspoilt beaches, Latin America provides all the ingredients for the perfect learning experience.

If you want to see the jungle or have always wanted to go to Machu Picchu, then take a Spanish course that facilitates these aspirations. For example, El Paraiso Spanish Language School (Costa Rica) enables students to stay in Manuel Antonio National Park, with its beautiful beaches and extraordinary biodiversity. ACUPARI Language School (Peru) is based in Cusco, the amazing capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Some students divide their time between two locations so they can explore the natural and cultural diversity of Latin America.

Another reason people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America is the immense choice of courses available. They range from private one-to-one tuition to a myriad of specialized programmes. For example, Interhispanica (Argentina) offer Spanish and Latin American economy classes. OL?(Mexico) offer specially designed programmes for children, teenagers and seniors. Educacion Para Todos (Guatemala) offer customised programmes for social science and medical professionals. Most language schools offer special modules to meet the needs and personal interests of students.

A popular option is to combine a Spanish course with some volunteer work, either once you have finished your language course or during the time when you are not attending lessons. Typical areas of work include helping out in orphanages or nursery schools, working in local community projects, assisting with wildlife or conservation projects. Volunteer Latin America provides information on over one hundred Spanish language schools that offer volunteer work and internships. One such school is Tandem Santiago – Escuela de Idiomas Violeta Parra (Chile), which arranges internships for high school graduates and college students throughout Chile.

Many language schools enable students to combine a Spanish course with adventure and sporting activities. For example, Andean Global Studies (Ecuador) offer Spanish classes combined with diving, surfing or kiteboarding. The Mariposa Spanish School and Eco Hotel (Nicaragua) organizes horse riding trips to the Masaya Volcano. A wide range of outdoor pursuits and activities are offered at other language schools including trekking, paragliding, rock climbing, river rafting, skiing and snowboarding.

In addition to the Spanish courses, most language schools offer extra-curricular activities to suit the tastes of all students. This includes attending sporting events, jungle hikes, guitar lessons, cooking classes, movie evenings, trips to the theatre, parties, and excursions to local places of interest (archaeological sites, indigenous communities, national parks, etc).

From the evidence cited above, it is easy to understand why many people choose to learn Spanish in Central or South America. There isn’t anywhere better to combine a language course with learning new skills and having fun. For example, a Spanish course combined with Salsa, Merengue or Tango dance lessons is a great way of meeting other like-minded travellers and having fun. Many students forge lifelong friendships through such an experience.

So what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture of Latin America for the most rewarding educational experience of your life.

Forget about Spain, where the accent isn’t as attractive and prices far higher than in Latin America.

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/college-and-university-articles/learn-spanish-in-latin-america-much-more-than-learning-a-language-1194147.html

Since the beginning of time, dancing has been one of the most primordial forms of expression. With the rise of our cultural identities, different regions around the world have developed their own unique dance forms and styles. These dance forms have come to represent an integral part of our cultural identifies and are often a major source of national pride. The desire to move to a beat is perhaps the most basic of all expressions available to human beings today!

However, as is generally the case with most things, many of us have become conditioned by society to feel shy and introverted and as a result, we have lost our natural ability to dance. The expression ‘two left feet’ could not be more prevalent in the world than it is today. As a result many of us shy away from dancing, and take a sideline seat while watching others on the dance floor. We all wish we could dance without appearing silly or making fools of ourselves. So what if this wish could be a reality? What if we could all find a way to engage in the natural expression of dancing without fear of being judged or labelled as left footed? What if we could learn to look forward to any and all opportunities to dance?

At Rythemics School of Dance, we are committed to helping you find your natural groove and dance away, long into the night. Rythemics is a dance school based in Melbourne that provides you with access to world class dance instructors. We have a wonderful facility that creates a fun atmosphere for you to gain a new skill while simultaneously having a great time. Rythemics offers a wide range of dance classes and will work with you to get you dancing in no time. To find out more about how to enrol in one of our classes or set up private lessons, take a look at our web-site, www.rythemics.com.au

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Jennifer Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/dancing-the-primitive-form-of-expression-859412.html

Today, people are very conscious of their health and everyone wants to remain fit and fine. In order to maintain their fitness level some people are going for work out in gyms and some people prefer to do outdoor exercises. Going to gym requires some expenses such as the fees of the instructors or the personal trainers. The work outs in gyms are quite tough and it requires some dedication. Moreover, most of the people do not have enough time to attend gyms so the best possible way for them to maintain their fitness level is to use some convenient fitness system. One of best fitness systems that you can easily carry out at your home is fitness programs from various fitness video. A full range of fitness videos are available and they can help you to maintain your fitness level without requiring very hard work outs. In these fitness video you will find valuable cardio- oriented exercises that can help you to burn your fat and tone up your muscles.

Other than fitness videos, a dance video can help you to improve your health condition and loose some weight. These dance videos are usually made by professional dancers and physical fitness trainers who have in depth knowledge of effective and interesting exercises that can help you to stay toned. It may include exercise programs such as dance work out, belly dancing, step classes, hip hop or strip aerobics. These dance videos have proved to be effective for all age group. Whether you are an adult or a senior citizen, you could get the most effective as well as easy exercise programs to keep up your fitness. In these dance videos, you would come over various tap dance classes which are very interesting as well as effective for your health. Dance videos of these tap dance classes offer you fun and relaxation and at the same time improve your fitness level. Tap dancing classes are quite similar to aerobic exercises and you require energy as well as concentration to perform your movement to match with the music. Moreover, it increases the balance of your body and you will also learn to maintain a rhythm of your body.

There are many reputed tap dance schools where you can get tap dance lessons from professional trainers. However, they are very expensive and you have to extract additional time in order to attend your tap dance classes. Instead of going to tap dance schools, you can perform all the tap dancing routine by simply buying dance videos where you will get all the dance classes included in tap dance schools. These dance videos are easily available in DVDs and all the detailed instruction are also provided in simple language so that everyone can understand it. Moreover users reviews are also included inside these dance videos from users who have used it and find it beneficial. The navigation menu of this dance video DVDs are also very simple and you can enjoy them without any hassle. Most importantly, dance video DVDs are affordable and you can easily get them. You can enjoy the dance routine at the same time improve your health and fitness level no matter what exercise program you engaged in.

Eli Newsom
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/how-fitness-video-improves-your-fitness-level-688241.html

Are you planning to learn tap dance? If your answer is yes then the DVD series having tap dance lessons is the perfect means available to learn to tap dance in a time saving manner. The most alluring feature of the tap dance DVD series is that it gives practical guidance to beginners in the tap dance. By opting to the tap dance DVD, one can learn the traditional dance steps of America from the very comforts of personal room.

The DVD series featuring tap dance video give a step by step guidance of how to get started and progress in the tap dance. The tap dance DVD series include exclusive features such as on-screen musical counts which allow the users to learn to tap dance at an extremely fast face. With the inclusion of feature such as split screen camera angles, this DVD series allow the users to check dance poses of instructor from all the sides.

The tap dance DVD series is perfect alternative for busy people having passion for tap dance but cannot attend tap dance classes due to lack of time. With the all new tap dance DVD series, the users can learn the tap dance whenever they get free time in office or at home. Tap dance DVD series serves the purpose of a fitness video by helping in maintaining the body weight of the users who are practicing tap dance via this DVD series.

The most alluring feature of the tap dance DVD Series is that the dance steps in it are narrated step by step by an instructor having sound expertise and skills in making the tap dance learning process easier for the users of the DVD. The tap dance video teaches tap dance in different levels such as basic level, intermediate level and level-3. Basic level is for beginners and intermediate level is for those who have some experience of tap dance. Level-3 of DVD series includes teaching the most famous tap dance steps to the users.

The main benefits of learning tap dance via tap dance DVD series include:

* The tap dance DVD series features tap dance steps in a clear and slow manner so that the users can recognize how to practice that particular step in tap dance
* The dance movements of the instructor in the tap dance DVD series can be viewed from varied angles i.e. from back and side so as to get into depth of how the instructor is performing the tap dance steps.
* The dance steps in the tap dance DVD series are repeated several times so as to make the user follow properly the moves in a particular tap dance step.
* The dance video in the tap dance DVD series includes “music-only” feature thereby excluding background noise which can distract the users mind.
* The navigation of the DVD series is user friendly and the user can directly jump onto one dance step to another.

The tap dance DVD series is exclusively made of state of the art technology so as to provide an excellent source of learning tap dance to the tap dance lovers. The manufacturers of the tap dance DVD series have made use of ProTools so as to provide advanced teaching methodology of tap dance to all its users. The tap dance DVD series is based on a region free format i.e. it can be provide assistance to both local and foreign audience in tap dance lessons. So, tap dance DVD series is an affordable alternative to tap dance schools so as to learn tap dance with an ease.

Eli Newsom
http://www.articlesbase.com/movies-articles/jazz-up-your-life-with-tap-dance-673056.html

I’m a teenager who is interested in taking dance lessons.
I was thinking about take ballet, my mom says it’s a bit pricey and to think about taking dance lessons more.
Is it really pricey?
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions in what type of dance I should take?

Ballet if the foundation for all types of dance. It develops your stamina, body strength, and flexibility. I highly recommend taking ballet if you want to get anywhere with your dancing. Jazz & lyrical are very fun classes, and they are very good for flexibility! Tap & Hiphop are also really awesome classes to take, but you probably won’t get as much out of them as you would from ballet or jazz. I personally love tap, but it is usually just a good, fun workout. Depending on what level you are at, how many classes your taking, and which dance studio you are taking at, classes may be very expensive. It pretty much comes down to what you like best.

Music provides a beautiful, emotional element to your wedding and reception. Moreover, the music and songs you select will also help make your wedding uniquely your own. Here are some tips on how to enhance the different phases of your wedding with music.

You’ll most likely choose two different types of music for your ceremony and reception – softer, romantic music to be played or sung before, during, and after the ceremony, and entertaining or dancing music for the reception. In some cases, the same musicians are able to provide both. As an alternative, you might choose to have the church organist or soloist, or one set of musicians for the ceremony, and a band or entertaining DJ for your reception.

Should you wish to have music playing before the ceremony, instrumentals can establish an atmosphere for your guests and may include mood-setting pieces that your early-to-arrive guests can enjoy as they wait for the show to begin. For example, in traditional Jewish ceremonies, it is common to have a pre-ceremony reception or cocktail hour during which the bride and groom have separate chambers in which to greet guests, in addition to a common area where hors d’oeuvres and drinks are served. It is festive to have musicians and possibly a singer in the common area at this time to “warm up” the guests with some soft or lively music. Even chamber music wouldn’t be out of place.

For the ceremony, be sure to check with your site coordinator or officiant regarding any restrictions or limitations that might be in place on music selections. Some places of worship limit the music selections to whatever their own organist can play. However, there are numerous other options for your ceremony music, when allowed, including a harpist, violinist, string quartet, trumpeter, saxophonist, classical guitarist, keyboardist, flutist, and vocals or choir.

Your reception music can range from a refined background element during dinner to music for dancing. For example, a string quartet, violin or harp is a polished backdrop for your celebration, while a rock band or twelve-piece orchestra will provide a wider range of lively tunes. If you and your fiancé are strong music aficionados, you may even opt for different groups of musicians or even a DJ alternating with a band that specializes in your favorite style(s) throughout the reception — whether it’s jazz, rap or pop. Your style choices can also reflect your ethnic heritage, such as Latin, Klezmer or Irish step. Remember that good bands and DJs book up early, so you’ll need to start researching your options from nine to 12 months in advance. And, of course, be sure you have the chance to hear them in action before you decide to hire them.

While a live band might seem like the ultimate in wedding reception entertainment, keep in mind that most won’t have the same range of selection that an established DJ will. There will also be “dead air” when the band takes their scheduled breaks, unless you make arrangements for something to be played during that time. If you opt for a DJ, make sure you choose one who is both experienced and fun and can play a variety of songs, from slower traditional to ‘50s to rock and roll to faster contemporary music for dancing.

If you’d like to give guests a performance they’ll always remember, consider staging a humorous dance and/or lip-sync number to a popular tune with your fiancé and perhaps a couple of members of the wedding party. Keep it tasteful — remember, this may show up on your wedding video! But it is your wedding, so it’s OK to have fun and let your hair down a little. And if you and your fiancé have taken dance lessons and are proud of what you can do, go on out there and strut your stuff!

Diana Valentine
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/adding-music-to-your-special-day-692568.html

SPAIN INSANE

by

Elaine Emily T. Abonal

I was the team leader of a group of college students for one of the Institute for Foreign Study’s (IFS) semester break exchange program to Salamanca, Spain. I have never been to Europe before then and I am minoring in Spanish so needless to say, I was so excited and so ready to go! It was a dream come true! Being an exchange student and experiencing first hand a culture completely different from your own and away from the protective wings of your parents is one of the life-changing things that I would never have gotten if it weren’t for the programs like these.

Four years ago, I went to Appleton, Wisconsin for a whole year as a high school exchange student for a gap year. I can still say today that I am a much better person because of it. I gained life lessons that have helped me throughout college and I know will help me in the future. That experience also helped me be a good team leader or an “ate” to the other girls who have never been away for so long before. I was also living proof and a spokesperson to the parents in letting them know that they were making the right choice in letting go of their kids – even for a little while – so they can experience the world on their own.

Four words: Best. Sem. Break. Ever.

Everything was completely different in Spain. Everything was in Spanish (of course), they ate at the weirdest and latest times (lunch at 3 and dinner at 10!), there was public display of affection everywhere (which actually made for an interesting way to watch people – hah), the weather was almost close to freezing (remember, it was November!), they strictly obeyed the siesta (the town is dead for 3 hours) and then party like crazy during their fiestas (there’s no way anyone would go home at midnight – it only starts then). Salamanca is also known as a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most popular and most beautiful places to visit. I never cared much for architecture before, but there definitely was magic in the golden walls of Salamanca. There were students from all over the world and of course, being a majority of girls that we were, we definitely went loca seeing all those guapo Spanish boys, from the Universidad students, Prince Felipe of Spain (Yes!!! He was in Salamanca for the day and we were so lucky to see him!), Andre – that one Brazilian student in our school that all us Filipino girls loved, David Beckham during the Real Madrid game (Okay, he’s not Spanish, but still!), to even the chico that sold stamps in magazine stands. It was fun for us to get the attention that we did since we were the foreigners – like someone staring in your face, a non-Spanish university student saying that you were a 15 (“quince”) on the 1-10 belleza (beauty) level, and some good looking boy saying, “Hola guapa, que tal?” We took things in stride and just laughed at ourselves and what was going on because everything was different, and the Spanish just loved to live life. We were young and I don’t think there was a better time in our lives to be in Spain.

The first time I had desayuno (breakfast), I was shocked and said to myself, “That’s it?!” My host mom – Leonor – left a glass of orange juice, butter, and one piece of toast on the table for me. I realized that in Spain, they really don’t eat so much in the morning. After breakfast, I would walk for around fifteen minutes through the cold but sunny streets of Salamanca to get to Spanish class. Everyone walked in the morning – people going to work, grandparents doing their daily routine, parents dropping off their children to school, and hundreds of colegio and Universidad students rushing to their classes.

Then, I would see the other Filipino girls and other foreign students in our language school, Enforex, and give each other the double, and get to class. I had the coolest, craziest and most interesting profesores who made learning Spanish not only challenging and easy at the same time, but also fun and up-to-date. Did you know that Spanish girls never change their surnames and that only one person is supposed to pay when a group of friends go out? My class was made up of one Japanese girl who was so much better in Spanish than I was (but couldn’t pronounce the rrrr’s!), an older guy from Slovakia who just wanted to learn a new language after he retired, a Brazilian boy who was cool and nonchalant because Portuguese was close to Spanish anyway, another Filipina friend whose presence made me feel more comfortable, and a sweet blonde German girl who would always invite me to parties. I looked forward to go to class everyday and was muy excited about what new thing I would learn next.

Classes would last from 9 to 2 pm and siesta would begin. Everything was closed and during that time all of us Filipinos would go back home and have lunch with our host families. I would be insanely hungry by then since I wasn’t used to the eating schedule, but since it was their biggest meal of the day, I was eventually full right away. My host mom always prepared soup, two (note: TWO!) main courses, a lot of bread, and yogurt for dessert. Honestly, the food for me was okay and I guess the weirdest thing I ate was rice and tomato sauce – nothing else. It’s for sure though, that the españoles loved their olive oil because I must have had it in every meal (olive oil is cheap there). My host parents were home during the siesta for their work break so I would talk to them a little bit and get to practice my Spanish before I took a nap.

By 5PM, everything comes back to life. Tiendas would start putting back their abierta (open) signs, people would start filling the streets again, and others would start walking back to work. In my case, I would meet up with the other Filipinos or other friends I made in classes, and we tried out the different cafeterias and restaurantes near the Plaza, went shopping crazy by going to Mango, H&M or Zara and had our daily routine of Spain’s well-known and muy rico chocolate con churros. We saw movies in Spanish and didn’t care if we didn’t understand most of it, just hung out and sat around the Plaza Mayor – the most beautiful part of the city – to watch the people, walked around in the cold of the city to see the sights and just for the sake of it, took hundreds of pictures of anything and everything, and just breathed in the culture and magic of everything that was going on around us.

After having dinner out, going back home to do homework, resting or hanging out with our families again, I would meet up with mis amigas under the famous clock of the Plaza Mayor an hour before midnight. Late at night, high school to university students would go out for a night of ir de marcha (going out) and stay out until the madrugada (wee hours of the morning). Hundreds of people, mostly students, would wait and meet up with their own friends before they went to the bars and discos. Thursday was the official night of going out and everyone, of all shapes, sizes, nationalities, ages, and even genders – go out. No other people party like the Spanish do and they know how to have a good fiesta. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a good and fun way to meet other students and also to dance to Spanish music. (Bailamos!) With everything that was going on around you, and all the guapos y guapas, you just had to dance. I don’t think I’ve ever danced that much in my entire life! All the bars were next to each other so we would walk from one place to the other and completely forgot about the cold. Who would have thought that the streets could be alive and scattered with young people at 3AM – on a Monday? Friends met up and enjoyed before finally going home and walking through the well-lit and safe streets of Salamanca.

On weekends, we went to school-arranged trips and with that we saw the Aqueducts of Segovia, toured around the magical and caste-like city of Toledo, visited and went in the different museums of Madrid, like the Museo del Prado (my favorite) and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. I was able to see the most famous paintings of Picasso, Dali, Miro, El Greco, and more. We even got to watch a Real Madrid soccer game and saw the most famous futbol players in the world play – Beckham (!!), Ronaldo, Raul, Robinho, etc. Those names may not seem much to you but being the ex-futbol player that I am and futbol being practically a religion in Spain, it means mucho mucho mucho!

I had the BEST time – and I’m sure everyone did too. But I have to say that it was not always the easiest, like everything else. There was definitely a feeling of being overwhelmed in a completely new place, loving and being scared of everything in it, missing and actually not missing home at the same time. Some people got homesick for a couple of days, a couple got intimidated by the language, and one girl even got an allergy and had to go to the clinic to get a shot. I thought that being an exchange student for a year in high school would easily prepare me for everything. But to be a team leader was different. It was daunting in the beginning because I thought about all the responsibilities that I had but I quickly learned that nothing really prepares you to be one. You just do it. I became a team leader by using the skills I learned in life and in my past exchange experience, by sharing what I knew to the others and telling them that what they were going through was completely normal, and by having understanding and a lot of sense of humor, and by giving lots of love and hugs. Being a team leader multiplied my usual growing up during any trip. And that will definitely always be a good thing.

I think the other, and major, thing that I loved best about Spain didn’t actually come from there. It was the group that I was with. For some reason, we instantly bonded and mixed together all our different and crazy personalities. We made for an interesting group – one girl shopped almost everyday, another girl broke a poor German boy’s heart, the only guy with us for sure had a renewed understanding of the female psyche, another girl learned to laugh at herself when she said the wrong thing to a waiter. Being in a loving group like that made it easier to have a better time in a foreign land because there was always someone to lean back on, complain to, and have fun with.

Three weeks may seem like a short time, but I feel that personally and for the other Salamankers (that’s what we call ourselves), we left Spain and came back being a little bit different, more open minded in our perspectives, a lot more thankful for our parents and the things that we have here at home, and a hundredfold richer as persons. We have more than a thousand digital pictures from all of our collections put together and we will never forget what we experienced in Spain. Being there and experiencing everything that happens when you’re an exchange student again, and actually helping the others have that kind of experience too, made me remember that being an exchange student is one of the best things anyone could ever experience. You gain so much more than you can imagine and the effects can last you a lifetime. If I could be an exchange student in every part of the world, I would. I wish I could share what I know now to everyone and I just wish people actually get to experience the same thing.

When we were going in the airport to leave the Philippines, some girls were reluctant to say goodbye and some parents were beginning to cry. It IS hard to let go but deep inside I knew that the same parents would be happy and proud of the same thing. I knew that we were going to have the best time ever. And we did. Muchissimo.

email: elaineabonal@yahoo.com

Elaine Abonal is in her senior year in the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, as of 2006.

Elaine Abonal
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/spain-insane-726837.html

He goes out with the boys to have a beer, you go shopping with your friends and your activities together do not exist anymore. Why don’t you try to make a change? Wouldn’t it be nice that after work, you and your boyfriend have relaxing activities to make you feel great, the same you felt at the beginning of your relationship? Here are some tips:

1. Take dance lessons

Dancing is the most elaborated, emotional and beautiful of all forms of art, dancing is that little bit of escape that we all need.

Dancing Waltz, Tango, Flamenco, Samba, and Cha-Cha-Cha is an artistic way to show your nice and sensuous moves. Do not think you will be embarrassed because the trainer will start with easy stuff till you get more and more experienced. Take comfortable shoes with you. Ladies need to leave shoes with high heels at home, at least for the beginning. It is an opportunity for both to make the others envious on the way you dance when you go to parties. It’s a good chance to unwind and make new friends. Take your partner to the nearest dancing club. You won’t regret it.

2. Go swimming

Besides excellent physical condition that this sport offers, you will have numerous occasions to be close to your partner, to be together and have fun. You can organize a championship: who swims faster or underwater. It would be fun. You will be exhausted but relaxed. There are many swimming pool clubs and you can go there anytime of the year.

3. Play Tennis

Have you forgotten about the competition spirit? It’s time to remember it. Have a tennis match and place bets on who’s the winner. You will spend lovely time together, you will get tired but it is worth doing it.

4. In the kitchen

We do not have to think about cooking as a boring activity. Challenge your partner, you will spend quality time, and you can try a new recipe for an exotic dish. In the end you can even invite friends and have a nice meal together. They can even ”evaluate” the product of your activity.

5. A photo contest

Initiate a contest, you choose theme and location, a park, a busy street, in the country. You can make photos of interesting spots in nature. The one who has the nicest photos is the winner.

For more information, simply visit http://www.easymatchmaking.org/

Marius Gherghinescu
http://www.articlesbase.com/relationships-articles/activities-as-a-couple-734026.html

If you’re like me, you wish there were just a few more hours in the day. Between running the kids to various practices, games and lessons, being attentive to your marriage, making sure there’s clean clothes in everyone’s closets, conquering at least most of the dust bunnies threatening to take over your home, perhaps working full or part-time and volunteering at church…well, it doesn’t leave much time for anything else – even spending time with God.

But, if you’re like me, you also have a heart for God. You long to dig into the Word and devote yourself to prayer. Your deepest desire is to spend quality time with your Heavenly Father.

But how?

God understands the full lives of women. He understands when you have small children and aren’t able to spend an hour (or even twenty minutes!) at a time with Him. He knows your heart. There will come a day when you are able to spend more time with the God you love. And, no worries! I promise it will be before your last child moves out!

However, it’s because our lives are so busy that we need time with God more than ever. That’s why it’s important to make it a priority to steal splashes of time with Him throughout the day. Those brief moments may just be what we need to deal with the craziness and be able to do everything we women need to do without pulling our hair out (or our kids’ hair!)

Even taking five or ten minutes to read a devotional does wonders. Grab that moment over breakfast, while the kids are napping, in the carpool line or, if you have to, (shhhh) in the bathroom. Here are seven recommended devotional books for women that don’t take much time to read but offer a powerful dose of the Word to help get us through the day.

1. Women of Faith Daily Devotional. This book offers 365 devotionals by some of the world’s funniest women, including Patsy Clairmont, Thelma Wells, Shiela Walsh, Marilyn Meburg, Luci Swindoll, and the late Barbara Johnson. These short devotionals will keep you laughing while you learn.

2. The One Year Book of Devotions for Women on the Go, by Stephen Arterburn and Pam Farrel. This book of brief devotionals will encourage you to meditate on God’s Word daily, even in the midst of your hectic schedule.

3. Ten-Minute Time-Outs for Moms, by Grace Fox. Connect with God during a daily ten-minute timeout, sure to stir your spirit and refresh your soul.

4. Daily Steps for GodChicks, by Holly Wagner. A fun and fresh devotional for today’s modern women with traditional, God-loving hearts.

5. The One-Year Book of Devotions for Moms, by Ellen Banks-Elwell. These devotionals will strengthen and challenge you as you face the busyness of life as a mom.

6. The Official Soccer Mom Devotional, by Lynne Thompson. Soccer, baseball, football, dance, music lessons….this devotional is perfect for the mom always on the go (and in the car).

7. Sister Wit: Devotions for Women, by Jacqueline Jakes. This practical devotion explores four areas of life: struggles and troubles, virtues, encouragement, and inspiration and challenges you to make the most of every situation.

There are many other devotionals geared toward busy women on the market today. Whichever one you choose, the important thing is to get grounded in the Word every day. These moments with God, no matter how brief, will keep you filled with joy and peace amidst your crazy and hectic life as a woman.

Lynn Powers
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/how-women-can-make-time-for-devotions-705588.html

Lessons from books are great, but children learn through play far better than they do in other forms. There are several reasons for this. At the heart of it is their desire to learn. When learning is not so much work but is fun, children are more willing to participate. They want to jump in and have a good time. As a parent, the more that you can teach through play, the more that your child will retain later on. While some skills need to be taught formally, such as math facts and reading, there are still great ways to teach through play.

Children learn through various methods, but often their physical and social world teaches them the most. Even small infants learn this way. Parents can enhance a young child’s learning process by giving them a variety of ways to learn through sight, touch, taste and smell. For infants, play the games that children love, such as peek a boo and other interactions that teach cause and effect. It also teaches them how to interact socially with their families.

As children grow older, they still need stimulation. Remember, kids having fun gives them an added incentive to do the activity you want them to. Pretend play is one of the core elements of the development of imagination. Pack up a truck full of great costumes (you can pick these up very inexpensively after Halloween) and encourage both boys and girls to play. What you will find is that many of the role playing games they play now are direct reflections of the experiences they have had. For example, a child who may be going to daycare for the first time, may practice leaving her baby doll at a pretend daycare. The act is helpful, but the conversations they have of telling the doll that “mommy will be back very soon” will help them later to deal with their fears of being left. Encourage this type of play.

Child’s play through the years changes even more so. During preschool and kindergarten, one of the best ways to teach a child is through stories and pictures. They learn to interact with each other as well as with the outside world. For example, set the stage for a great adventure story. Read them the story during the morning hours. Then, give them a few ideas and let them act out the story in their own way. You can teach many of the fundamentals in this manner, everything from manners to helping those in need.

Other activities to encourage helping children learn through play include:

· Craft projects: they explore their talents and explore texture, dimension, color and shapes

· Dance: They explore their physical bodies and stay physically fit

· Building with blocks: Everything from wooden blocks to Lego’s helps children to learn structure, dimension, balance, and help them to grow their imagination.

· Drawing: Use various types of mediums from paints to pencil to help them to learn numbers, letters, shapes and much more

These activities can incorporate other skills, too. For example, perhaps an art project can center around a specific letter of the alphabet. Do not be elaborate, but do be dramatic.

Kids having fun is something you definitely want to consider for the long term. For example, children who are nine years old and up need to develop great reasoning skills and need to learn to think strategically. They also need to develop good social skills. Great ways for kids having fun through these lessons can be anything from fun science projects to advanced building sets done in teams and even 3-D puzzles. Encourage computer projects and video games as well. Unbelievably, the video game they love to play is teaching them great hand eye coordination (assuming that the content within it is appropriate.)

How children learn through play is really up to you, their parent. Encouraging them to play, pretend, and learn all go hand in hand. The skills most children learn at these early ages are not just their math facts and their ABC’s, but they are the foundations of how to learn, how to interact with other people, and how to explore, reason and strategize. These items will carry on with them throughout their lives.

Ivana Katz
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-children-learn-through-play-714255.html