General Chemistry In Ebbing 11th Edition

General Chemistry In Ebbing 11th EditionAs a chemistry teacher, I teach my students' general chemistry in ebbing 11th edition. I have seen this textbook in many various classrooms, and as a result I have a feel for its capability.Ebbing 11th edition is a strong reference when teaching lessons on basic chemistry. This edition has a strong emphasis on the fundamental building blocks of chemistry - elements and gases. The language of this edition is streamlined and easy to understand.The learning format is very easily understood, and the book presents a clearly defined sequence to introduce chemical elements. For many students, the order of the chapters is convenient, and it is easy to follow the material presented.The book makes it very clear for students to classify chemical elements. The authors have made a strong argument for teaching the actual elements. For example, the structure of an element is presented in most of the chapters.Chapters on atomic structure are highly detailed, a nd students find it difficult to understand what a given atom is really. Students also find the chapter on experimental methods helpful to understand experiments. It can be frustrating to have a student be baffled with the chapter on what a given element is.The book also uses different ways to define the elements. Some of the chapters provide different perspectives for defining elements, but they are presented clearly. It is easy to find topics to teach that are linked to the element.The issues that the authors have presented are not new, but they have improved the book. This edition is definitely a strong reference when teaching fundamental classes, and I would definitely recommend this edition. However, it may be advisable to teach it in separate sections.

How to Create a Last-Minute Study Plan for Finals

How to Create a Last-Minute Study Plan for Finals Finals season is upon us. Even though you may have already been tested on much of the material that will appear on your finals, you will need to develop a greater understanding of that material in order to earn a high score on the final. Developing a plan to approach your exams can not only help you stay organized as you study, but can also help you reduce some of the stress that comes with reviewing mass amounts of detailed information. But what can you do ifyour finals are less than a weekaway? Check out these tips on how to create a last-minute study plan for finals: 1. Develop a list of all of the topics on which you will be tested A good place to start studying for your finals is to develop an understanding of how much you will have to master and how much time you have to study. Begin by taking stock of each course in which you are enrolled. Which concepts will you have to review? Which concepts are the most in-depth, and which will you spend the least time on? Make a list of review topics for each of your subjects, prioritizing the more difficult and prominent topics. 2. Plan ahead by studying for each subject over several days, instead of cramming The worst position to be in is to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to cram the night before a final exam. Avoid this by using a planner or calendar to plan which topics youll tackle each day. For example, on one day you might study differential functions from calculus, another topic from chemistry, and two additional units from history. Studying all of your subjects over a longer period of time gives you plenty of time to revisit difficult topics and adjust your study habits if necessary. Plus, research indicates that your brain better retains information when it intakes new material over shorter periods of time, rather than an hours-long cram session. Also, many students may intend to study for, say, math and literature on one day, but end up focusing entirely on one subject, without moving on to the next. Planning ahead helps alleviate this problem. If you know a particular subject will take up a great amount of study time, plan for it. Take into account your needs and test dates to make sure you dont put off studying for any subject. 3. Take notes on concepts youll need to review closer to the test As you study, take notes on topics that you know will require some last-minute review before your final. Make sure these notes are organized and comprehensive, but are concise enough to review in the day or two before your exam. You can also tailor your review to your learning style by drawing illustrations, mind maps, or graphics if you are a visual learner, for example, or reading your notes aloud if you are an auditory learner. [RELATED: How to Identify Your Study Style] 4. Complete practice problems for each of your topics The best way to get ready for a finalespecially one that involves quantitative problemsis to answer questions and solve problems concerning the topics you will be tested on. For example, when preparing for a final in your College Algebra class, you should take the time to solve college algebra practice problems that correspond with each unit you are reviewing. Even in non-math courses, like American History, you may come across practice questions to supplement your review. Testing yourself before the real exam is the best way to put your knowledge to use and hone your critical thinking skills. [RELATED: How to Analyze Practice Test Results] 5. What to do the night before a final exam Ideally, youve been studying for weeks, but you could also use a last-minute refresher. What do you do? If you listened to our advice and took notes on difficult topics to review, you can use these notes as a last-minute review sheet to hone your understanding. Review your notes and then go to bed earlya rested mind and body help you perform the best you can on test day. It may seem like finals sneak up on you, but you can control the process with forethought, focus, and review. Start your study plan for finals today, and see the results by test day.

What is a Growth Mindset

What is a Growth Mindset All You Need to Know about Growth Mindset Theory. ChaptersWhat Do We Mean by Mindset?The Difference Between a Growth Mindset and a Fixed Mindset?The Evidence and the Appeal.You may well have heard about growth mindset, the hugely influential new psychological theory from Carol Dweck. As an idea, Its influence can be seen pretty much everywhere â€" in the school system, in business, even in politics.If you haven’t heard about this already, then maybe it’s high time that you pay attention.This theory developed by Dweck, a professor of social psychology and developmental psychology at Stanford University, proposes that there are two categories of mindset into which the vast majority of the population can be grouped.These two categories relate to the ways in which people understand the origin of their ability. Those people with a ‘fixed mindset’ believe â€" whether consciously or not â€" that their ability is innate; that they were born with it. Meanwhile, those with a ‘growth mindset’ believe â€" again, maybe not consciousl y â€" that their abilities come from their having acquired them, and their being able to acquire more.This, quite simply, is the long and short of it. Yet, the appeal of such an idea comes from the fact that the growth mindset, as proposed by Dweck, is more likely to make you successful, less stressed, and more able to adapt to failure and new challenges.Think about it: success comes simply with a change of mindset.It’s this that explains why everyone is talking about it. And this is why you need to know about this idea.Find out more in our introduction to growth mindset! Learn to love learning with your growth mindset!Meanwhile, the growth mindset rather looks at intelligence and says, ‘intelligence can be developed; talents and abilities can keep growing â€" and I can acquire new ones’.These two mindsets define a continuum â€" a continuum on which we all sit. So, whilst we may have elements of a growth mindset in some fields â€" like, ‘if I practise my guitar I will get better’ â€" there are some fields which a fixed mindset is present for pretty much all of us: very rarely will someone believe that, if they try hard enough, they will be able to fly.However, some of us have more of a growth mindset, or of a fixed mindset, than others.The Effect of the Different Mindsets.However, whilst this all sounds super simple, the ramifications of this basic attitude to the source of intelligence are plentiful. Because whilst one leads us to believe that we can change ourselves, the other suggests that there is no real hope of that at all.The Fixed Mind set.From the fixed mindset comes the general desire to look clever at all costs â€" and to defend the ability that is already enjoyed and that is innate.As a result, people with a fixed mind set, according to Dweck, have a mental attitude that shirks from challenges and gives up easily when struggling. This mindset leads people to believe that effort is fairly useless â€" because intelligence is unchangeable â€" whilst criticism, however helpful, tends to go ignored.People with a fixed mindset tend to have an inclination towards a fear of other people’s achievement and success â€" as the success of others challenges the very notion of their own innate intelligence.All of this leads to a generally deterministic view of the world in which nothing can change and in which the lot that you are dealt is the situation with which you have to deal.Find out how to develop your growth mindset! The growth mindset can start in the classroom.The Growth Mindset.In comparison to this, the growth mindset is the inverse. People with a growth mindset, rather than a desire to demonstrate their intelligence, have a desire to learn. And this changes everything.People with a growth mindset face challenges happily as a step in the process of learning. Every setback produces greater persistence, a desire to persevere, whilst they are happy to take risks and to develop new strategies to overcome problems.Effort takes on a new importance in the growth mindset. As intelligence is something than can be endlessly developed, effort is the key to its growth. If you keep going, you can get there.Meanwhile, criticism and advice are accepted gratefully â€" and it is learned from â€" whilst the success of others is a continued source of inspiration.As a result, people with a growth mindset are thought to have a greater sense of free will. They have an attitude in which they can achieve what they w ant to achieve â€" constantly pursuing learning and growth and acquiring new skills.It is not hard to see which one Dweck might prefer…The Evidence and the Appeal.Over the last century, many people have argued along similar lines as Dweck. From philosophers like John Dewey, who argued that the self and its intelligence are in a continuous process of development to contemporary scientists and theorists who argue for the brain’s neuroplasticity. In all of this, the brain appears as something like a muscle, that is endlessly being strengthened.All of these people’s ideas give something of a defence to Dweck’s very popular theory of the mind. Yet, her ideas came out of the context of education.Her theories, for example, are based on a study that she conducted in which two groups of children sat a test. Following the test, in which all of the children were told they did well, the children were given praise.However, this praise differed between the two groups. One group were prais ed for being intelligent, whilst the other were praised for the effort they put in.They then continued to monitor the kids and their future test scores. The result was that those who were praised for their intelligence did not perform as well later as those who were praised for their effort.Praising effort, then, became the concern of many educators â€" and the growth mindset was born.Find growth mindset resources! You are never to young to develop a growth mindset.The Appeals of the Growth Mindset â€" and Criticism.It is true that mindset theory is one of the most influential theories of intelligence out there these days, having been used to frame, in business, what has been called an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’, and having been used to inform the way that praise is given and academic achievement considered in the education system.However, the rhetorical â€" and in some sense, ideological â€" elements of the theory might give it a greater appeal than it might otherwise have had.Part of its appeal comes down to the fact that it is, at root, very simple. It proposes a dichotomy of attitudes that are easily comprehensible â€" and it gives a quick fix image of success: to be successful, all you need to do is to develop a mindset of growth.Meanwhile, the growth mindset â€" emphasising effort and the idea that we can all achieve â€" is the scientific legitimation of a meritocracy, in which the suc cessful deserve their success and the unsuccessful deserve their unsuccess too. The world perhaps likes this theory so much because it tells them what they want to hear.

Easy Strategies For Faster And Effective Math Problem Solving

Easy Strategies For Faster And Effective Math Problem Solving Math is difficult to many students but it proves easy if they use tricks and strategies through which they can make it a simple learning. Here are certain strategies for doing it  in an easy, fast and effective manner. Know multiplication tables well Memorizing multiplication tables helps you do with quick mental calculations. You need not write and calculate numbers on paper. You improve your speed in calculating numbers and do sums without careless mistakes. This practice comes in very handy in exam halls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tN3MOmlolc Overcome Math anxiety Math anxiety can be physical and psychological. Know the symptoms of your Math anxiety. If you have heart palpitation, increased blood pressure, nausea and sweating, try to take over these physical symptoms by indulging in physical exercises and meditation and keep your mind calm. If you have memory loss, negative self talk, lack of confidence and avoidance of Math classes, you should go in for counseling to get rid of these psychological symptoms. Talk to your friends, parents and teachers about your inhibitions and get proper solutions to get over your Math fears. A clear mind helps you do problems without mental blocks. An online math tutor is your right choice in this aspect with his empathic approach and right strategies for overcoming your Math fear. Learn tricks to improve problem solving While solving sums, learn certain steps to make problem solving easy. Understand the problem, find out its type, paraphrase it, draw or write out in simple words, search for examples, set a plan for doing the sum and then start it. Check the steps and correct mistakes instantly. Review your approach and check whether you move in the right direction. In case you have doubts still and get stuck without moving ahead, approach a Math Tutor online and work your way through the problem. Learn the formulas and basic terms by heart You waste much time in searching for formulas and applying them in proper context. Basic terms also elude your mind very often and you need to look them up in the text very often. Why don’t you learn such things by heart and make your time productive while solving Math problems? Card Seek online Math assignment help in times of need Math is an annoying subject disturbing you in the mid of night or early morning with its intricate questions and troublesome sums. Assignments are bearers of worry and trouble at any time but you need to brave them at any cost. Try online Math assignment help and see the results. You need to do so for the tutors’ Instant response and quick replies for your questions Time flexibility and 24/7 availability Expert help with personalized solutions Original write ups with effective explanations for your understanding All these features are showcased by the online tutors of Tutor Pace who know how to unknot your Math struggles and lead you to top scores with efficient mathematical skills.

What are Interpersonal Skills

What are Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal Skills: Some Definitions and Examples ChaptersWhat are Interpersonal Skills?Why are Interpersonal Skills Important?Different Types of Interpersonal SkillsInterpersonal skills or emotional intelligence, soft skills, communication skills, or even employability skills â€" call them what you like.But regardless of what you are going to call them, these are things that you are going to need if you are hoping to succeed in a job interview, an application, or in the workplace more generally. Because employers value these people skills, or these interpersonal communication skills (there are another two names for you!) â€" even when you might not.So, now we know the terms that we’re generally dealing with â€" and the variety of names for these skills speaks of the difficulty in defining them completely accurately â€" let’s take a look at what these interpersonal skills are, and why you might need them in your life. TraceyPersonal development Teacher 4.92 (9) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPersonal devel opment Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AntonellaPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (1) £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors IsamPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyPersonal development Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MichelePersonal development Teacher 4.73 (7) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlloydPersonal development Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors OliverPersonal development Teacher 4.33 (4) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat are Interpersonal Skills?To succeed in today’s work environment, you can’t rely entirely on your hard skills â€" those skills that you went to university, say, or vocational training to learn. These are those skills that, theoretically, you can sit down and learn from a textbook. The ability to speak a second language. Competent use of a computer. Or other sector-specific, tec hnical skills.Soft skills â€" the abilities to communicate effectively, to relate to people, and to get along with others â€" make up the other half of the skills required for the workplace. These are, traditionally, thought to be things that you are less going to learn as to develop. They are considered to be character traits as well as social skills as such â€" and include your levels of assertiveness or self-confidence as well as your positive attitude. Public speaking is an important part of the interpersonal skill set.Why are Interpersonal Skills Important?Yet, as we say, they are essential for the modern workplace. Why?In recent years, the workplace has changed dramatically. With larger academic interests in workplace culture â€" as much as greater business interest in academic disciplines such as the psychology, culture, and structures of work â€" people are beginning to realise that the ways in which we have been working for so long have overlooked things that should be priorities.Think about the ways that people interact with others, or how businesses are able to work collaboratively. These things were once taken for granted. Now, however, their importance is being seen by businesses as crucial to success.Businesses want workplaces that are a pleasure to work in. And one of the best ways to build a great workplace culture is through interpersonal skills â€" for the benefit of you the employee and for the world in general. Stro ng interpersonal skills are what allows people, quite simply, just to get along.Find out more about the importance of interpersonal skills.Different Types of Interpersonal SkillsSo, let’s take a look at some of the most important skills in the interpersonal skill set. These are the skills that employers will look for when you are applying. And, more importantly, they are skills that will help you flourish both in work and outside of it.We’ve broken them down into general categories, which, as you will see, differ between those which are, essentially, personality traits, and those that can be developed in skills training.So, once you have a grasp of which abilities constitute good interpersonal skills, you can check out how to develop your interpersonal skills.Let’s take a look. Why not develop your interpersonal skills?Emotional IntelligenceThe first category we can look at can be called ‘emotional intelligence’, the bedrock for all interpersonal skills and effective communication.Sure, these are things you can learn. However, they are also qualities of character that need to be developed at a much deeper level. These are things that define your work ethic, your attitude to other people, and your ability to understand others.They are things that you will probably think make a good person in general, quite honestly â€" as they are traits that are valued in people regardless of their position in work. However, no-one is asking you to have them all.EmpatheticEmpathy, as we are taught it, is the ability to put yourself in other people’s shoes â€" the ability to understand other people’s emotions, their perspectives, and their ways of thinking.Being empathetic is one of the most important interpersonal skills, as it permits you to relate to other people. Without it, you can be a little bit trapped in your own world â€" and this doesn’t make for a great leader nor a great team-player.TolerantBeing tolerant to difference is a related skill. Not everyone is the same, and the ability to recognise this is essential for successful people management and good communication.Open-MindedWhilst tolerance refers to an attention to the nature of different people, open-mindedness refers to a receptivity to other people’s ideas.This means being able to admit that you are wrong, to accept criticism and different viewpoints, and to work collaboratively.Find out how to develop your interpersonal skills!Communication SkillsOn every job application you will have ever done, good communication skills will be listed as a desired quality.And that, really, is legitimate â€" because good work is premised on good communication. Very very rarely are you expected to work alone â€" and a good communicator will excel in collaborative contexts. Here's why you need to learn interpersonal skills.Verbal CommunicationThe most obvious example of communication is verbal â€" i.e. that which we do when we open our mouths to produce words.Yet, there is so much more to it than that. Apart from the ability to speak and write clearly, verbal communication is about your tone of voice, your style, and your ability to ask necessary questions.Non-Verbal CommunicationMeanwhile, nonverbal communication is the secret key to interpersonal relations. This is about body language, eye contact, facial expressions â€" all the little aspects of your relating to people that aren’t based around words.Apparently, eighty-five percent of what is communicated is actually nonverbal.Listening SkillsThe other side of communication is listening. You aren’t going to be able to understand much of an exchange if you don’t listen to the other’s response.Active listening is a hugely important part of interpersonal communication.Public Speaking â€" and Pres entation SkillsThe ability to speak in front of audiences is often quite important for employers too. These requires a different sort of skill set: assertiveness, self-confidence, clarity.Leadership SkillsLeadership skills are not only useful for actual, literal leaders. Rather, they are useful for everyone â€" from the lowest levels of work to the highest.And whilst there is a lot of discussion about the styles of leadership that exist in the world of business, the leadership skills per se are common to them all.Motivation and InspirationAs a leader, you should have the ability to inspire people to achieve their best, whilst motivating them on a day to day basis.Instruction and EncouragementPeople want to learn from their leaders â€" and be continually encouraged to improve. These are key leadership qualities. However, people can learn from anyone. So, be the sort of person from which people want to learn.Decision-MakingWhilst taking into account other people’s views, one of the essential leadership skills is to take and own decisions â€" to lead the way and commit to it.Teamwork SkillsAgain, teamwork skills are not just for those people who actually work in teams. Teams, actually, are all around us â€" even when they are not identified as such specifically.These skills are for when you are working toward a common goal with others.CollaborationCollaboration is simply the idea of working with another. Yet, it is not as simple as this. If you don’t have the open-mindedness and empathy that we discussed earlier, collaboration will stall.Team BuildingThose gimmicky ‘team-building exercises’ that businesses and other organisations sometimes make you do are not there just to make you feel weird and uncomfortable.Indeed, if they make you feel too weird and uncomfortable, it might the case that you need to improve your teamwork skills.FacilitationIn teams, discussion is essential. But successful discussion requires a particular way of doing things.Discussion facilitation is an important tool to make sure that conversations stay on track, that they are conducted in a nice manner, and that they achieve what they were intended to achieve.Try these resources to help develop your interpersonal skills online.Conflict ManagementBut, in all teams, conflict will arise. The important thing is to know how to handle it when it does. Conflict management is one of the crucial skills in interpersonal communication.Creative Problem-SolvingIt involves looking for original and effective ways to solve problems â€" in which the conflict does not arise again.Constructive CriticismBut it also involves a certain ability to manage criticism between team members to ensure that conflict does not arise in the first place. Constructive criticism is always the best way to enable this.Negotiation SkillsFinally, there is a specific skill set association with the requirements of the negotiation â€" both in literal business negotiations and in the context of an interna l discussion.Persuasion is key here: the ability to convince others of your own viewpoint and win them over.Learn more about interpersonal skills!

Pregnancy Pilates

Pregnancy Pilates How to Carry on Doing Pilates in Pregnancy and After the Baby Arrives ChaptersWhat are the Benefits of Pilates for Expectant Mothers?Prenatal Pilates Workouts and AdaptationsAdvice on Post Natal PilatesDiscovering that you’re going to be a mother brings joy as well as change, whether it be for the very first time or you already have children.There are many changes and adaptations you will have to make to your lifestyle in order to prepare for a new addition to your family, such as decorating a new bedroom, finding the perfect pram and even altering your work schedule.In addition to these long-term changes, there are also things that need to change in the shorter term while you are pregnant, such as switching your wardrobe to include maternity wear, avoiding certain foods and of course, changing your workout routine.For women with active lifestyles, falling pregnant can cause worry about the impending upset to their exercise program. However, this needn’t be the case.Pilates is a type of workout which can be adapted for the specific needs of anyone who does it. With many benefits such as a stronger core, better balance and a toned body, doing Pilates before, during and after your pregnancy is entirely possible and a great way to stay active in the run-up to becoming a mother. It can also be a great couples activity for men who want to support their pregnant partners.So, whether you’re already a Pilates junkie planning a family, or you’ve just discovered you’re pregnant and are looking for ways to keep fit during pregnancy, read on to learn more about pregnancy Pilates and get inspired! CarleyYoga Teacher 5.00 (5) £100/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LynnYoga Teacher 4.89 (9) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GenYoga Teacher £45/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JulieYoga Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AliceYoga Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LauraYoga Teacher 5.00 (6) £70/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors UndramYoga Teacher £25/h1st l esson free!Discover all our tutors LottieYoga Teacher £10/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhat are the Benefits of Pilates for Expectant Mothers?The Pilates method is based on six principles: centring, concentration, control, precision, breath and flow. By doing a total body conditioning workout which is both built on and promotes these six things, you will improve your core strength, body awareness and your ability to listen to your body.The founder of Pilates, a German man called Joseph Pilates, developed his method based on his belief in the fundamental link between the wellness of the mind and body, in that good physical health often leads to good mental health and stamina.Pilates was developed to help people achieve total body fitness ¦ source: Pixabay - UptownFitnessPilates took inspiration from many other forms of exercise whilst perfecting his method, and the importance placed on using breathing techniques as part of exercises is often why Pilates is often regarded as a more dynamic type of yoga. In Pilates, breathing is not only used as a relaxation technique, but also a means of enhancing the effects of each exercise so you can enjoy the full benefits of the practice.“Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.” â€" Joseph PilatesThere are countless benefits to doing Pilates, however, some of these benefits are particularly useful for pregnant women.Here are the specific benefits that keeping up a Pilates routine can have for expectant mothers:Strengthen pregnancy problem areasThe principle of ‘centring’ in Pilates is all about making the centre of your body (lower torso and pelvis) the powerhouse of your movements. When following a Pilates routine, you should try to control all movements from this area. The effect of focussing on the centre of your body or powerhouse is a strong core that supports the rest of the body and improves posture as well as performance.Problems with muscular weakness in th e centre of the body are not uncommon during pregnancy. Weaknesses in the abdominal and spinal areas can put a strain on your body as your baby grows, while weak pelvic floor muscles make for a poorly-supported bladder, bowel and uterus.As Pilates works towards strengthening these exact areas, it is perfect for pregnant women who are looking to relieve the strain on the body and their risk of injury during pregnancy as well as preventing other kinds of accidents, too!Reduce back painA strong core means strong spinal muscles and a better posture â€" two things known to prevent injury and reduce back pain. In addition, having stronger abs will also play a role in ensuring that your back is well-supported as your baby grows and your body changes.Maintain good coordinationAs your due date gets ever closer, you may find yourself losing your balance more often than usual. This is due to the rapid changes to the weight distribution in your body as your baby gets ready to enter the world.By doing Pilates, you will maintain a good awareness of your body in relation to itself and its surroundings as you concentrate on the sensations in your muscles while moving through your routine. Not only will Pilates help you acknowledge these changes, but it will also help you strengthen the areas which contribute to a good balance with your bump!Prenatal Pilates Workouts and AdaptationsWhen you fall pregnant, the amount of information on what you can and can’t do can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a caffeine enthusiast or lover of hot-tubs and jacuzzies.However, it’s important that you don’t let the overload of advice stop you in your tracks, especially when it comes to keeping fit. Maintaining a good level of fitness is important for a healthy pregnancy, so favouring adaptation over giving up completely will benefit you as well as your baby.The beauty of Pilates is that it can be altered and adapted according to anyone’s needs or ability.Doctors recommend that yo u avoid Pilates exercises laying on your front or back while pregnant and that you should also be cautious when it comes to flexibility by not pushing your joints too far during mobility exercises.So, what should you do if you want to do Pilates while pregnant?The best way to get comfortable doing Pilates during pregnancy is to seek help from a professional by attending a Pilates class, practising Pilates at home is not advised for pregnant women. Pregnancy Pilates classes and prenatal yoga sessions can usually be found at local leisure centres or dedicated Pilates studios. However, if your local gym does not provide these, you can always ask your instructor about their experience in teaching expectant mothers. If your regular Pilates instructor is appropriately qualified, they may be able to make adjustments for you during a normal Pilates class.Or you could search for yoga classes near me for an alternate teacher...Exercising can help you to have a more comfortable and relaxing pr egnancy ¦ source: Pixabay - GreyerbabyHere are some common exercises you are likely to do in pregnancy Pilates classes:Wag the TailThis appropriately-named exercise is great for keeping the spine strong and mobile whilst working the abdominal muscles.Begin on all fours with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Next, bend one of your knees even further to lift your foot off the floor. Keeping your knee in the same position on the ground, move your foot to the side and away from the rest of your body as you also move your head the same way to look at it. You should feel a stretch down one side of your body as well as feeling the tension in the other side. After this, move the same foot from one side of your body to the other as you bring your head round to look at it the other way. You should feel the same sensation the opposite way around. Repeat using the other foot.Side LungesYou will require a fitness ball in order to perform this exer cise. Fitness balls are often used in pregnancy exercises to support some of your weight.Exercise balls are often used during labor and delivery ¦ source: Pixabay - ArtCoreStudiosStart in a sitting position on your exercise ball, then turn your body ninety degrees so that your front leg is bent over the ball and your front foot is flat on the floor. Use your hands on the ball to steady yourself and place the toes of your rear foot on the floor behind you. Your rear leg should be bent. The ball should not be directly underneath you, but you should still be able to place some weight on it. Repeat on the other side.Pelvic Floor ExercisesPelvic floor exercises are something you’re always reading about if you’re expecting â€" and there’s a good reason for that, they’re important!Having a strong pelvic floor will ensure that your uterus, bowel and bladder are well-supported, decreasing the likelihood of toilet troubles and ensuring that you are as comfortable as possible while yo ur baby is still growing. You are likely to be taught how to exercise your pelvic floor in your antenatal or pregnancy Pilates classes.You can do pelvic floor exercises while sitting, standing or laying down. Make sure that you are comfortable, then, contract your pelvic floor muscles. If you’re unsure of how to do this, try to lift upwards from the bottom of your pelvis to your belly button. It should feel like you’re trying to stop passing urine. Hold this for ten seconds before relaxing, and repeat ten times.Advice on Post Natal PilatesGetting back into fitness once you’ve had your baby might not be so easy, however, there are many resources and classes available for new mums who want to pick up where they left off before pregnancy.When it comes to post-natal Pilates, the exercises and adaptations are largely similar to those used in Pilates classes for pregnant women.In fact, many Pilates and yoga studios welcome mums to come along to pregnancy yoga and Pilates classes â€" in many cases, you can even bring baby with you!All of the yoga classes near me do, anyway!

The Guitarists Guide to Improving Your Rhythm

The Guitarists Guide to Improving Your Rhythm Train Your Ear as a Guitarist ChaptersWhat Do We Mean by Rhythm for the Guitar?Working on Your Rhythm without a GuitarHow Can You Develop Your Sense of Rhythm for the Guitar?“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” - PlatoWhen you learn to play the guitar, you’ll learn more about music theory, reading tablature, using a plectrum or a pick, and playing different notes. One thing that’s often overlooked is the rhythm.Music, after all, is all about rhythm, regardless of the style (funk, bossa nova, reggae, etc.).  Don’t think that you can’t do it if you’ve got no rhythm. You can always work on your rhythm.In this article, we've got some advice on how to work on your ear and work on your sense of rhythm. creativity on the guitar!Working on Your Rhythm without a GuitarRemind yourself that it’s probably unlikely that you have absolutely no rhythm whatsoever. A lot of guitarists and musicians have difficulties with rhythm when they first start attending guitar lessons for beginners, working with a private guitar tutor, or teaching themselves how to play guitar.Hum the rhythm wherever you are so that when you get to your guitar, you know how to play it. (Source: carlovenson)To work on your rhythm, you need to focus on two important elements: rhythmic perception, rather than the theory of rhythm, and the physical sensation of rhythm (which is a little harder to work on).The good news is that you can develop your sense of rhythm almost anywhere and at any time. You don’t need to wait until your next music lesson or online guitar tutorial to start making progress.You just need to listen to music and focus on what you can hear:Is the tempo slow or quick?Try tapping your foot or nodding your head along to the music.What is the rhythm of the guitar part like?Don’t hesitate to use your body to follow along with this rhythm.What are the stressed beats?Can you work out the time sig nature?This exercise may be complicated at the beginning, but keep at it and you’ll soon start seeing some progress.You don’t need to necessarily sit down and listen to music, either, as you can hear music on TV adverts, in the supermarket, or even in a lift!Music is almost everywhere so make the most of it in order  to train your ear!Improving how you listen is but one benefit of learning the guitar...How Can You Develop Your Sense of Rhythm for the Guitar?It can be difficult to start learning how to play the guitar?You may think you’ll never understand the basic chords, barre chords, arpeggios, improvising, etc.!Additionally, you need to learn how to set up your amp, change strings, and tune your guitar.  In reality, the technique isn’t really that complicated.Learning the guitar can be made a lot easier by understanding rhythm. Rhythm can become something instinctive. To work on it for the guitar, you need to concentrate and not go too quickly. As a beginner, you may feel like skipping a few steps in order to get to playing your favourite song sooner.However, you need to work on your rhythm, which can take a lot of time, patience, and concentration, all while also letting go! This might seem contradictory and it sort of is.You need to be aware of music theory without being a slave to it. You need to play a rhythm as naturally as possible without overthinking it.  Since rhythm is what makes a song musical, you can put your guitar sheet music to one side and get to grips with it just by listening.Tap Your Foot to Keep in Time with the MusicThere are plenty of good ways to help you understand rhythm. One way is by tapping your foot along to the music.Your feet are important when it comes to keeping time. (Source: Greyerbaby)This repetitive movement will become second nature to you and you’ll soon tap your foot along to everything.  The chords and notes will then fall into place. It doesn’t matter which foot you use. However, make sure you always us e the same one.Use Your HeadYou can nod your head along to the rhythm.  You can also count in your head. Most popular music is in 4/4 time (pop, rock, folk, etc.). This is probably going to be 99% of the music you play.If you play blues or jazz, you may use different time signatures but the advice is still applicable.  You can tap your foot and count in your head at the same time.Moving Your HandYou can also wave your right hand to count out the rhythm (or your left hand if you’re left-handed).  Your hand and foot should be in time with one another. When one moves, the other will move as well.This movement will come in pretty handy when you’re actually playing guitar.  It’s a good way to develop fluid and precise guitar playing.Working with a MetronomeThe metronome is a perfect tool to help you. To make sure that all the above techniques are working, set your metronome away and make sure you stay in time!Of course, make sure you’re critical of your own mistakes as that’s h ow you’re going to improve!Play Along to a SongThe advantage of music recorded in studios is that the drumming is almost always in perfect time. The tempo is always respected and doesn’t vary throughout the song.Playing along to a song is similar to playing with a metronome.Play in a BandPlaying guitar in a band  with a bassist and a drummer will also help you to keep time and listen to the rhythm.It's better to play guitar with other musicians to get an idea of the rhythm. (Source: andreas160578)In a band, all the musicians need to be able to play in time with one another in order to produce harmonious melodies.Rhythms to Learn for Acoustic GuitarHere are 10 useful rhythms to play on either classical or folk guitar:PopShuffleBaladWaltzCha chaCountryMarchCountryReggaeFunkTo play a rhythm, you need to be able to let go and stop thinking. You’ll struggle to do this at first but you’ll soon start understanding exactly what rhythm is.  Rhythm is an instinctive thing and shouldnâ €™t be thought about.So do you want to play like Hendrix or Clapton? Do you reckon you’re ready to start playing along to any rhythm?If you're struggling with your rhythm, don't forget you can always enlist the help of a private guitar tutor!Your tutor will certainly help you stay motivated in those times when you wonder why playing the guitar is so great...

Dos and Donts When Encouraging a Child in His or Her Academic Endeavors

Dos and Don'ts When Encouraging a Child in His or Her Academic Endeavors Without a doubt, students flourish when they have the support and encouragement of their parents, but there are a number of ways that well-meaning parents unintentionally discourage their children. Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center says that providing children the right type and level of support can make all the difference in their motivation and self-esteem. Encouragement must be genuine and positive, and although a parents intentions might be good, certain types of comments can send the wrong message, says Huntington. She offers several dos and donts for parents when encouraging their children in school: Do celebrate progress and successes. There are subtle differences between praise, which is more of a subjective expression of approval, and encouragement, which inspires a childs self-confidence through fact-based observations. Instead of complimenting your child for earning that A, point out that his or her hard work and diligent studying paid off. Always focus on your childs efforts, which will help build your childs self-assurance and pride. Dont overreact about mistakes. Keep in mind that for every mistake your child makes, he or she has done many other things right. On a 25-question test where your child answered four wrong, you might be tempted to jump right into dissecting incorrect answers, but dont forget to congratulate your child for any successes or improvement. Also remember that mistakes are an essential part of life and learning. Do believe in your child. Studies show that children do better in school when their parents and teachers expect them to and communicate those expectations to them in positive ways. Tell your child regularly that you believe in his or her ability to learn and youll always be there for support. Dont be unrealistic in your expectations. High expectations are good, but holding your child to a standard that he or she is unable or unlikely to ever reach does more harm than good. Similarly, comparing your child to another student may only cause feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment. Children generally lose motivation when they feel they have no chance of achieving parental expectations. Do give your child tools to problem solve. From an early age, children should be encouraged to attempt to solve their own problems. When a challenge ariseswhether a math problem or another dilemmayou can help your child think through solutions or next steps by asking reflective questions, soliciting ideas and encouraging your child to try out different solutions. Dont take the drivers seat on homework or projects. Giving your child too many tips and suggestions on how to solve a problem or do an assignment is not only aggravating, it tells your child that you dont trust his or her ability to do things. Step back, and give your child the chanceand the supportto attempt tasks independently. When you encourage your child the right way, you build your childs self-esteem and positive attitude. Just as importantly, you teach him or her that school takes effort and persistence. Huntington adds, Parents can make a tremendous positive impact by pointing out to their children when they are working hard and making progress. Those children will believe that learning is their responsibility, and if they also feel encouraged but not overpowered by their parents, they will be far more likely to give school their best effort and actually enjoy learning.

Early Bird Gets the Worm Taking Advantage of Brain Plasticity

Early Bird Gets the Worm Taking Advantage of Brain Plasticity Improving Academic Performance Have you ever met a child that knows a surprising amount of foreign languages. Has it ever amazed you how quickly a child can pick up new skills and learn new techniques? Turns out new evidence shows that children learn more and earlier than previously thought (Kuhl, 2011). However, at the same time, the rates of inattentive children in classrooms as well as the prevalence of learning disabilities have been on the rise. In my many years of tutoring, I’ve been able to witness firsthand how young children have the capacity to quickly pick up new information. This article will focus on the importance of introducing students to the concepts of learning and education earlier on in their development to leverage the phenomenon of neuroplasticity. There is a direct relationship between how young your brain is and its fertile capacity to learn new information. Essentially, this can be thought of as how easily our brain can be molded like play-doh. When you keep play-doh sitting out for a very long time it gets harder to manipulate and handle (I think both parents and young children alike can sympathize with this). Similarly, the younger we are, the fresher and more malleable/flexible our brains are. Current research in this field can directly show that in many instances, success in school begins at infancy (Kuhl, 2011). But why is this the case? What is different about our brains at a young age than when we are older? The younger we are, the more flexible our neural pathways act and it becomes more likely for certain brain cells called neurons to form and reform new connections that eventually establishes behavior and psychological/psychological patterns. Furthermore, the earlier we take advantage of this fertility our brains exhibit at such a young age, the better our expected performance is to be in the following year. But what kind of things affect brain development and shape the way our neurons form? Turns out it’s a multifaceted issue that involves a lot more than we once thought! The maternal environment in utero first influences the brains development. In the second phase however, the brain is very sensitive not only to the environment but also to the patterns of brain activity produced by experiences (Kolb et al., 2011). This means the way we think about our experiences also affects our brain development. Behavioral and brain studies on developing children show that children’s skills quantified and assessed very early during infancy, predict their performance and learning abilities later on in life (Kuhl, 2011). It is probably safe to assume that introducing children to learning a new language or basic arithmetic can be very beneficial to them later on in life. Taking these steps is likely to help moderate problems associated with learning as well as improves scores and performance over the long run. Indeed, a 2009 study by Rabiner et al. demonstrated that providing early age reading tutoring was associated with modest reading achievement benefits for inattentive children without early reading difficulties, and substantial benefits for children with early reading difficulties who were not inattentive. The study goes on to discuss how it is the inattentive nature of children with ADHD that makes it hard for them to learn, and not the hyperactive component of the disease (Rabiner et al., 2009). In the case of this particular study, providing reading tutoring, offered significant improvement to a number of subjects. Other studies show how beneficial learning music, art, and other fine arts can be to the developing brain. We previously mentioned learning language is more efficacious in younger children and can also be more beneficial to them to learn at an early age. In essence, it seems all roads point towards increased benefits involved with starting to teach children at as early an age as possible. The benefits of early learning cannot be undermined. At the same time, I want to make it clear that other studies of academic success and come at the issue from different directions and arrive at very recommendations. For example, new research, from the likes of Angela Duckworth at the University of Pennsylvania, has demonstrated that character skills like grit, perseverance, patience, attentiveness, and conscientiousness correlate strongly with success in school. She argues that these are the types of things we should be teaching our very young children, not necessarily math and writing, perhaps because they are foundational to being able to sit still in class and learn academic skills. Other scholars p oint to creative play as the key to helping extremely young children blossom and grow intellectually. In our view, to fully take advantage of the phenomenon of neuroplasticity, parents of young children should focus on introducing children to formal and informal education through exposure to ideas and concepts, and some formal skill building, in three broad areas: Character building: perseverance, patience, grit, etc. Academic skills: math, writing, reading, etc. Creativity and exploration: make believe play, music, foreign languages, art, etc. In this article we examined the phenomenon of neuroplasticity and how it may play a beneficial role in starting the educational process at an early age in children. From improved language acquisition skills to musical performance, it is truly a spectacle to see the incredible rate at which young children learn. With the rate of learning disabilities and disorders rising, it is important for us as a society to make a conscious effort to try and combat this problem by utilizing the brain’s gift of malleability. Or, more selfishly, if you are looking to give your child an advantage in school and in life, it makes sense to strategically introduce the above concepts to your young child. About the Authors By Gaurav Dubey (M.S. Biotechnology) Founder Executive Producer of Biolitics and Mark Skoskiewicz, Founder of MyGuru Works Cited Kolb, B., Gibb, R. (2011). Brain plasticity and behaviour in the developing brain. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(4), 265-276. doi:ccap20_4p265 [pii] Kuhl, P. K. (2011). Early language learning and literacy: Neuroscience implications for education. Mind, Brain and Education : The Official Journal of the International Mind, Brain, and Education Society, 5(3), 128-142. doi:10.1111/j.1751-228X.2011.01121.x [doi] Rabiner, D. L., Malone, P. S., Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group. (2004). The impact of tutoring on early reading achievement for children with and without attention problems. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 32(3), 273-284.