Looking at life from a different perspective can be a challenging lesson to teach young children. But this is how you can help your child shift their mindset from being focused on the center of self, to an observer of the world around them. This can be done through play and invites the possibility to engage others, objects, and landscapes in a creative way. Playing with perspective supports the notion that we are not limited to seeing things from one viewpoint. We can go beyond our limitations of what we see by using the inventiveness of our imagination.

Looking through a different lens can also help to shift a negative state of mind as it interrupts the way we see our surroundings in the immediate moment. Think of different perspectives as a cognitive brain exercise, in order to see things from a different aspect, we have to look outside the box and help shift attention from self to others. It is a social and emotional skill that requires empathy and understanding.

This activity can also be used as a tangible emotional self-regulation tool, pick up the butterfly and go for a walk when emotions are heightened, to take a look at life from a different angle.

Materials You Need to Craft Your Own Butterfly Perspective Lens: 

  • Recycled box

  • Black Marker

  • Box cutter

Directions to Make the Butterfly Perspective Lens: 

1. Cut out one side of the box

2. Draw the shape of a large butterfly

3. Cut out the wings of the butterfly

4. Take your butterfly on a walk, discover the world through a different perspective

5. What do you see?

Check out the easy-to-follow video here!

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Hi! I am an author, founder and educator. I have a Bachelor of Media Communications, Bachelor of Elementary Education Degrees as well as an Early Childhood Montessori Certification and in the process of completing a Master of Education. I live between New York and Byron Bay. I'm the mama of Grace, Theodore and Little Dude! 

More than any time in recent history, parents are having to play the role of both family leaders and school teachers. Kids today are spending more time at home because of homeschooling. This can be problematic for any family that has become accustomed to dropping their kids off at school. It often serves as a much-needed respite for both the mother and father and is also a convenient way to find care for your kids if you are working. However, if you are a parent that is now homeschooling your children, you need to develop certain routines. The following information provides successful homeschool routines that any parent can follow to improve their ability to teach their children.

Schedules Are So Important
When a child goes to school, they are going to do so at predetermined times. There is often a mad rush for the parents, trying to get their child onto a bus or into the car so they can be dropped off before the bell rings. However, when you are homeschooling your kids, it is often difficult to maintain a rigid schedule. We are conditioned to rely upon the scheduling of our local school, yet we can still provide them with structured learning. By determining when school will start, and how long each class will be, we can create something very similar at home.

Routine Breaks throughout the Day
Just as a traditional school will provide breaks for the students, parents need to consider doing the same. Although it would be nice to save time and help them learn as fast as possible, not every child is going to understand the information. If you have a child that does require special care at school, such as extra tutoring, you will now need to provide that service as well. To make this easier for both you and your child, you need to have routinely scheduled breaks throughout the day. This will give both of you a much-needed respite from the demands that homeschooling will require. It will also allow your children, as well as the homeschool parent, to be more refreshed as they move from topic to topic.

Proper Preparation before the Next Day’s Lessons
Teachers are well aware of how much prep time goes into preparing for lessons. They will have a curriculum that they must follow, and to deliver the information in a sustained manner, they must first go over the subject matter. This can take hours, depending upon your familiarity with certain topics, as well as the amount of information that needs to be conveyed. You will have to prepare the quizzes, tutorials, and other forms of educational training, in the most helpful way. That is why it is important to spend at least one hour prior to school starting at home to ensure that this information is delivered properly.

Always Have Scheduled Testing Times
Perhaps the most important aspect of going to school is having deadlines. This is well known to those that take AP courses in high school or college courses at the local university. The amount of material that needs to be consumed and learned each week demands that deadlines be set in place. When your child has a deadline for completing their assignments, they will be more inclined to be highly focused. As with anything to do in life, you need to have reliable homeschool routines and deadlines to help provide this aspect of the educational process.

How to Address Issues That Your Child May Have 
It is possible that your child may not understand the information that you will be presenting to them each day. This is a common occurrence for any teacher that has taught in a classroom. They are well aware that most students learn and consume information at different rates. Since you will know your child better than anyone, you will likely have a general idea of what their strengths and weaknesses are. By planning in advance to provide extra tutoring for these subjects, you can ensure that they will move forward and reach deadlines right on time. This will also require the parent to spend extra time learning each topic. The more proficient they are with the material that must be taught, the easier it will be to provide helpful information.

Homeschooling is something that not everyone can do. It requires determination, planning, and the gift of being an educator. If a parent hasn’t taught in the classroom before, they can quickly learn how to become one. Every day, parents across the world are educating their children, and these skills can be used when teaching their kids at home. As long as there are homeschool routines, deadlines, and enough preparation for the lessons, they will be successful as a teacher for their children.

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A little about me : I’m a thirty-something Mom to one boy and one girl. I blog about all things to do with being a mom and encorage moms to take care of themselves during postpartum.

The Wizarding World is coming to the Big Apple! The Harry Potter New York flagship store is opening Jun. 3—and this is a must-visit destination for Wizards and muggles alike.

The 21,000 square foot store will feature 15 different themed areas, all based on one magical aspect of the Wizarding World. With three floors of magical merch and interactive experiences, this new retail adventure houses an impressively awesome collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts-themed products.

To enter the store you’ll need to pass under an oversized 220-pound model of Fawkes the Phoenix. Along with this super-structure, you’ll find plenty of Instagram-worthy pic opportunities.

If your fam is into all things tech, download the Harry Potter Fan Club app to find interactive store adventures throughout the flagship retailer.

The new store also features two multiplayer virtual reality experiences, giving your kiddos the chance to interact with the Wizarding World in an imaginative way. The “Chaos at Hogwarts” and “Wizards Take Flight” VR adventures include magical creatures, broom-filled battles and so much more.

Along with the interactive experiences, you can also shop, shop and shop some more at this Potter-themed store. Not only can you pick up plenty of Potter products, you can also gift the Wizarding World fan with the ultimate present from the Personalization Area.

Sarah Roots, EVP Warner Bros. Worldwide Tours and Retail, said in a press release, “The level of artistic detail and quality of the design inspired by the movies means Harry Potter New York will bring a completely new shopping experience to the city. With over 1,000 Wizarding World props on display (including some authentic items which featured in the movies), the incredible theming, along with experiences such as photo opportunities and the fantastic range of products, there will be something special for every fan.”

The Harry Potter New York flagship store opens Jun. 3 next to the historic Flatiron building at 935 Broadway.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Harry Potter New York

 

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What are the most rides at Walt Disney World? Upgraded Points recently surveyed more than 5,300 adults ages 18 and up to answer this question.

The survey included all four Walt Disney World parks—The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Based on the results, Disney park visitors rank the Magic Kingdom rides at the top of their list!

Each U.S. State’s Favorite Ride at Walt Disney World

photo courtesy of Upgraded Points

Top honors went to Space Mountain. This classic attraction ranked as the overall Disney World number one in a whopping 13 states. When it comes to the Magic Kingdom only, Space Mountain was in the top spot in 14 states.

Other top-ranking rides include the Haunted Mansion (number one in 12 states), Big Thunder Mountain (number one in five states), It’s a Small World (also number one in five states) and Pirates of the Caribbean (number one in three states).

Upgraded Points CEO, Alex Miller, said in a press release, “Our data clearly show that when people develop a liking or loyalty to some aspect of their theme park experience, that becomes a strong trigger to send them back again-and-again. Kids who come to love a certain theme park ride will, in time, return with their children and experience it again through the joy and delight of their own children.” 

To see which rides were the highest rated by state in each of the other three Disney World parks, visit Upgraded Points here for full survey data.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

 

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Wondering what it will be like to visit Santa at Macy’s in 2020? Different, of course! To keep everyone safe and healthy this year, the annual tradition of Macy’s Santaland in NYC is going online, with “Macy’s Santaland at Home.” Read on for info how Macy’s has reimagined the Santaland experience for this season, and when you can make a virtual visit! (P.S. If you really want an in-person visit with Santa, you can do it safely, here!)

Macy’s Santaland, 2020 Edition

The Basics

Macy's

Yes, like everyone else, Santa's online now.  While it's not ideal, this year's workaround does have its advantages. For starters: it's free! 

Visits with Santa will run November 27 to December 24. 

You do not need a reservation for this brand new, interactive and personalized on-demand virtual experience. 

Click here to experience Santa at Macy's this season. 

What to Expect

Troy Tolley via flickr

The online experience will take kids on a virtual journey through Macy’s Santaland at Herald Square in New York City. Kids will be able to meet the Elves, engage with different areas of the magical space and play fun games along the way. 

They'll eventually meet St. Nick himself. When children arrive at Santa’s house, he will interact with them through a whimsical, open-ended pre-recorded conversation that will allow kids to express themselves. (He does respond, thanks to high tech magic.) Finally, kids end the visit by taking an interactive selfie with Santa Claus. 

Note to Grown-ups: A Santa Like Me

is santa claus real?
iStock

Another positive aspect of virtual Santa visits? Diversity!

Before kids begin their journey through Macy’s virtual Santaland, adults will be asked to choose a Santa from diverse options.

Online: macys.com

—Mimi O’Connor

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Thanksgiving may look different this year. One thing that hasn’t changes is ALDI’s commitment to low prices. This year the grocery retailer is offering a Butterball turkey, sides and desserts for less than $30. 

Thanksgiving ALDI

 

“Customers expect unbeatable prices at ALDI and the holidays are no exception. While nearly every aspect of our lives is rapidly changing, we promise to continue to do everything in our power to keep prices down,” said Jason Hart, President and CEO, ALDI U.S. “We’re proud to provide shoppers everything they need for a traditional Thanksgiving meal from ALDI for less than $30.”

Additionally, with the spirit of Thanksgiving in mind, ALDI is paying kindness forward and providing employees the opportunity to do the same. This year, ALDI is giving every employee two $30 gift cards. Each card covers the cost of a Thanksgiving meal from its stores, and employees are welcome to use the gift cards for themselves or pass one or both along to someone in need.

“It’s our honor to offer each of our employees a Thanksgiving meal on us,” Hart said. “And with so many people in our communities facing difficult times, we felt it was important to give our employees a way to pay it forward to someone in their life who could use it.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

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You won’t even need Floo powder to get to Diagon Alley. Harry Potter fans will be transported to the most magical shopping street in the world. Now you can build and create the iconic street in your own home. 

LEGO Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley is where Harry Potter gets his first glimpse of the wizarding world as Hagrid guides him through the shops. This new LEGO set brings the two worlds together in a magical hybrid, a rich and versatile display model, with a modularity aspect that allows fans to choose how to display the shops. You can choose to set them up all in a row, swap them around, or even place individual shops on different shelves.   

LEGO Diagon Alley

Measuring more than a meter wide and made up of  5,544 pieces, LEGO Diagon Alley features the famed wizarding world shops packed with authentic details from the movies to truly capture the ambience of the street.  

LEGO Diagon Alley

 

Behind magnificent and detailed storefronts lie intriguing interiors, fascinating features and familiar characters. Fans can recreate some of their favourite moments from the Harry Potter film series including; discovering the wands at Ollivanders from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone dropping in on Gilderoy Lockhart’s book-signing event at Flourish & Blotts bookstore from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; or obtaining a love potion from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  

Marcos Bessa, LEGO Harry Potter Design Lead, commented: “I love how faithful the final design is to the architectural details in the film. You can barely see some of these buildings zooming past your screen, but we tracked down different photographs from the sets – some of them from nearly 20 years ago – to make sure everything is spot on. Diagon Alley is the biggest set I’ve designed to-date and I am really proud of how it has come together.”  

LEGO Diagon Alley

The set also includes 14 minifigures, including new versions of lead characters Harry, Ron, Hermione and of course George and Fred Weasley who have their own joke shop in Diagon Alley.  There are also minifigures of Florean Fortescue and the Daily Prophet photographer, who have never been seen in LEGO form before. 

The LEGO Harry Potter Diagon Alley set is available directly from LEGO Stores and www.LEGO.com/EnterTheMagic from Sept. 1, 2020. It retails for $399.99.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of LEGO

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Adrian Pe, a Philippines-based OR nurse at The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) is using his design skills to give back to the healthcare community. He saw firsthand the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thought he could put his skills to work. Transforming his colleagues into colorful characters from their favorite television shows from the past, he helps bring joy to healthcare workers and patients alike.

Customized PPE

Pe says that the cost for each suit depends on the materials used. So far he has used microfiber, parachute with silver lining and non-woven fiber. As a general rule the material should be fluid resistant or at least fluid repellant.

Initially the suits were crafted by staff members at TMCI who offered free labor bringing down production costs. As the project expanded Pe needed to pay seamstresses to help with production, providing opportunities for seamstresses to earn a living while Iloilo City is under quarantine. 

Customized PPE

According to Pe, simply utilizing the “Makeshift” sewing area at TMCI, they can produce 7- 10 sets per day. Now that he has employed seamstresses, they can produce 40-50 sets per day

Customized PPE

Pe said, “The Barney hazmats and later the Teletubbies design were a product of serendipity.” It has proved difficult to source out materials leaving Pe to take whatever color materials he could find. Initially his supplier could only provide non-woven material in green, purple and yellow. When one of his friends commented that they looked like Teletubbies, he looked for red material to round out the group. Pe said, “I think colorful hazmats can help lessen the weariness and dread that is filling our hospitals nowadays. No matter what the color, the most important aspect to consider is the safety of our health care workers and patients; but if a little color can help make them feel a little better, then that’s great.”

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Adrian Pe

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Your kids are too young to remember ATARI as a household name, but if you are up playing Pong, you’ll be excited to learn that the pioneering video game console is now making waves in the hotel business with new ATARI-themed hotels.

ATARI has just announced plans to build a chain of hotels across the country themed around video games. According to the company’s website Atari Hotels will “level up hotel entertainment with fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR (Virtual and Augmented Reality).”

Some of the ATARI hotels will also feature state-of-the-art venues designed for e-sports events. “When creating this brand-new hotel concept, we knew that Atari would be the perfect way to give guests the ‘nostalgic and retro meets modern’ look and feel we were going for. Let’s face it, how cool will it be to stay inside an Atari?!” said Napoleon Smith III.

The company will break ground on its first hotel this year in Phoenix, Arizona. It also has plans to add additional destinations in Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.

“Atari Hotels will be the first of their kind in the U.S., offering gamers of all ages the ultimate in immersive entertainment and in every aspect of gaming. We’re excited to be working on this project with such great partners and to bring a big win to Arizona,” said Shelly Murphy.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of ATARI Hotels

 

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