Search

Designed for the practitioner who wants a general overview of the major program development considerations necessary for accommodating handicapped persons in the out-of-doors, this paper discusses the major highlights and results of research activities conducted by the Outdoor Education for the Handicapped Project at the University of Kentucky. The first section presents a general overview of the basic concepts and philosophies of outdoor education, Federal legislation pertaining to the handicapped, and a rationale for outdoor education for the handicapped. The major portion of the paper presents a detailed description of the process used to develop and evaluate an instructional program model and products designed specifically for educators, park and resource management personnel, and parents of exceptional children. The final section features a list of 21 recommended readings and references on outdoor education for the handicapped. (Author/ERB)

A Family Circle reader, Dan Berg narrates his experience about how a eFamily CircleE reader helped him find his daughter, Kaila. Several useful guidelines such as educate children, trust oneself and create safety in numbers to keep a look on the kidsE protection are discussed.

Two cases of children that went missing and the trauma their parents underwent are detailed. In the first case, the boy was taken away by his mother's ex-husband without her knowledge and in the second case the boy did not return after riding a bicycle to his friend's house in October 2002. One of them was found while the parents of other child are still hoping to find him.

Many states across the contry allow corporal punishment in schools. These states include Texas, Alabamba, and other Southern states, and even Ohio. Children can by physically and psychologically scarred by this form of discipline, and many feel that paddling is a senseless use of violence against children.

Employers are beginning to realize that offering flexibility for working mothers can have a very positive impact on employee loyalty. Similarly, showing long-term commitment to a job may allow a working mother to leverage her loyalty to obtain benefits such as flextime.

A survey of working mothers found that for 77% their top problem is having too much to do in the time available. The least stressed working mothers reported that they have learned to simplify their time management and to say no. Delegating chores and finding time each day for personal pampering are others ways working mothers avoid stress.

Rumination or the tendency to overthink situations can be damaging to a working woman's self-esteem. Ways to correct this problem include determining the cause, breaking the habit, thinking smart, taking action, relaxing, setting priorities and having faith in a higher power.

Mothers have struggled for and, later came to enjoy work for four decades, staring in 1979. Those who started work in the 1960s are the called The Pioneers while those who had work in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are respectively called The Achievers, The Equalizers and The Inheritors.

People can make moods work to their advantage by understanding their brief highs and lows, as well as the energy and tension progressions that may place a person in a bad or good mood. Eating right, getting sufficient sleep and learning how to relax will help in putting a person in a positive mood.

Working mothers must be able to identify the right amount of time to be allotted for household and business chores in order to make optimal use of their schedules. They are also advised to breakdown a day's work in smaller steps while distributing light assignments to other family members.

Friendship can provide a great deal of comfort, but friendships must be maintained. Tips on remaining close include doing thoughtful things for friends and planning activities. Renewing old friendships and other topics are discussed.

A survey of 563 working mothers indicated that almost half feel very stressed, but most maintain they are happier than their mothers were. Major sources of stress are job uncertainty, increased work loads, housework and child care. Women believe having more time or money would relieve stress.

Research is showing that music education increases children's ability in reading, thinking and learning. Scientists believe music makes an imprint on the brain that helps children with spatial reasoning. Tips for parents on enhancing their child's learning through music are presented.

Parents cannot choose their children's friends, but they can help them select good friends carefully and stay away from children who treat them badly. Identifying troubled children is discussed, and tips for each age group are given.

Children are receptive to the idea of God from a young age, and parents can help foster their child's spiritual growth. Children should be taught that God looks over them, and a sense of religion can provide children with a moral code by which they should live. Other ways to help them are described.

Most working mothers are happy, contrary to the popular belief that they feel overworked, guilty and pressured. This was gleaned from the responses of 1,000 working mothers to a survey published in the Dec 1994, issue of Working Mother magazine.

Parents should encourage their children to play with their imaginary friends, if they have them. These 'friends' spark a child's imagination, improve their social skills and make them feel more secure. Tips on supporting this behavior are presented.

A mother of two girls aged six and three, respectively, recounts the joys and advantages of raising an all-girl brood. She also points to the challenges of raising girls without any brother to relate to.

Parents can help bashful children become more confident. As many as 40% of children are thought to be shy. Specific strategies are given to help infants and toddlers, as well as older children and adolescents, become more outgoing.

Families need to better understand and manage stress in their lives before the stress becomes overwhelming. Family members need to take control of their own lives and to develop a reliable family structure. Children are vulnerable to the stress of their parents.

Parents can discourage their children from learning and hurt their self-confidence by praising them too much. Parents should take a conservative approach toward praise, and they should acknowledge their children's efforts, regardless of whether the efforts are successful.

Questions and answers about the causes of stress are explained. Contrary to popular belief, many working mothers do not feel stressed by the challenges that their many roles present. Stress that is denied often causes physical problems that need to be addressed. Effects of stress on women are discussed.

Parents can improve their children's self-confidence by emphasizing their accomplishments and avoiding criticizing them too much. Parents should identify their children's talents and encourage them to develop those talents.