Importance of Reading Aloud

My 15 year old son still wants me to read a story for him before he goes to sleep. And if I am tired and exactly not into the mood to read anything in particular for him, then he makes it a point to read aloud to me, anything maybe a funny article which would bring some smile back to my face and help me forget the stress I faced throughout the day. Though nowadays we don't very often get to enjoy this reading aloud activity much, yet we try to at least once or twice a week, depending on the amount of time we can manage to steal from our busy schedules. He needs this time as much as I do to unwind himself, as we have over the years found out that the reading aloud sessions can be much engaging. Once we start to read aloud, we make it a point to discuss about new word and theories that we come across. And over the years, I have never been ashamed to confess over to him, if I wasn't aware of the meaning of certain words or theories. It is just not necessary that a parent has to know everything, we are parents not super robots! Once we come upon some word that we don't know of, we just grab dictionary and search for the word or if it is a theory we google it. Over the years, we have discovered that the read aloud sessions we engage in also help us to forget about stressful day we faced and end up with something new in our heads which can really be de-stressing.

Reading plays an vital role in developing a child's vocabulary and personality.  Importance of Reading could only to made aware to children by their parents. But sometimes  a child can have problem with reading and understanding words. And this is where reading aloud can really be helpful. Reading is known to improve learning skills of a child but reading aloud can help a child to build confidence and beat the problem of understanding words. With regular practice of reading aloud a child can gain confidence and be fluent in language. One of the most important parenting tip for every parent is to encourage their children to read aloud. And this has to be started right from the young age, when a child practices to read. It is said that a good habit developed at very young age sticks by for a long time and can really prove to be helpful.  Thus making a child read aloud is one of the foundation stone a parent lays as child's first step towards success.

Importance of Reading Aloud

Reading aloud helps a child in lot ways than one could imagine.And the benefits of reading aloud helps your child in long run and it has an important contribution in shaping up his personality as it enhances his language skills, listening skills and learning skills.

Reading Aloud Improves Pronunciation

A regular dose of reading aloud not only improves learning but it also helps to improve pronunciation. If reading aloud is practiced daily by a child, he easily gets hang of the words which he had problem with pronunciation at an early stage. Improvement in pronunciation in turn helps in the development of speech and also improves writing skill.

Reading Aloud Improves Listening Skills

When a child reads aloud, he gets to hear his own voice which helps him to improve his listening skills and also helps him to understand what he is reading. I a parent is reading aloud for a child, a child focuses his attention on the parent and thus his mind learns to focus well without being distracted.

Reading Aloud Improves Writing Skills

The development and improvement of a spelling totally depends upon a child's perception towards a phonic sound and this is where the habit of reading aloud comes into the picture. Reading aloud helps a child to listen to the phonic sound a word makes, to detect the phonic syllables and to visually connect the letters together to form a word. Thus the spelling awareness is boosted. This whole process in turn, helps to improve your child's writing skills.

Reading Aloud Helps to Connect with Books

Reading aloud helps a child to build a positive connection with the books. The basic things which connect a child to a book like how to choose a book, how to hold them while reading, bookmarking, connecting the pictures with the words  and taking care of books are understood by the children. This connection helps a child to explore the path which helps him or her to discover new words, new writing skills and a whole new adventure.

Reading Aloud Helps in Strong Vocabulary Building

With constant reading aloud practice, a child is exposed to new letters, words, sentences, grammatical adaptation and phonic syllables, which helps in building strong vocabulary. Introduction of new words, their meanings and synonyms adds up to his mental database or library of words. This can definitely help a child in language skills and to achieve good grades in theoretical writing.

Reading Aloud Helps a Child to Explore New Ideas

When a child gets into the habit of reading aloud a story, his brain tries to be perceptive by understanding the way a story is about to develop. A child's brain thus works it's way on how the story may end using it's imagination. This helps the child to explore new ideas, to fetch his curiosity and help the brain development by allowing it to work to fullest potential.

Reading Aloud Promotes Fluent Reading

If a child is encouraged by his parents and teachers to read aloud right from his early age, then this habit can help a child with language development and thus build a strong foundation in overall language skills. Early speech problems such as stuttering or stammering can also be resolved by the habit of reading aloud. Even if a child may start slow with the reading aloud process, constant practice would definitely help him to be a fluent reader. This fluency in reading would be developed only by regular practice and a child would achieve great results.

Reading Aloud Helps a Child to Cope with Stress

A small read aloud session before going to bed can help a child to cope up with stress and anxiety, as it completely works as a distraction from the stressful scenario and helps a child to engage in something which can make him relax and get a good sleep.

Reading Aloud - Wonderful Way of Engaging in Quality Time with Children

In today's fast paced world, parents hardly get to spend quality time with children. Hence some reading aloud session not only guarantees quality time with children but also ensures that the time spent with them is engaging and constructive. Parents also get to understand their child's weaknesses and improvement pertaining to  the language and help them develop vocabulary building. A child surely is encouraged in a positive way, if his parents actively participate and engage in the reading aloud sessions.

Top Ten Reading Aloud Tips

Here are few reading aloud tips and strategies that can help you with parenting and to get started with your child in terms of development of skills and language.

1. It is advisable to start the reading aloud sessions for a child from an early age. Start with picture books and phonic sounds. Make the child read the word and study the picture, this way he learns to develop connection with words.

2. Story telling sessions by parents for younger kids work as a foundation stone for reading aloud sessions.

3. Reading aloud practice starts with you reading aloud to your child.

4. In the early stage of reading aloud session, start with you reading a sentence aloud first and making your child repeat it after you.

5. Making use of phonic sound and phonic syllables can be really helpful for better understanding of words for a child.

6. If your child finds it difficult to read out a sentence, then reading in chorus can help him improve.

7. Once a child gets better with the reading aloud technique, challenge him with new books, which are little more complex than the previous ones.

8. Make it a point to read the story in a grammatical way, like pausing and continuing if there is a comma or a full stop. Try and show excitement on exclamations and include a sigh at sad parts of the story.

9. Reading aloud sessions should be followed by the idea of speaking aloud your ideas and opinion about the passage. It is where you discuss out on the certain idea of the passage where a child can learn in-depth new words, concepts and new theories.

10. A parent or a teacher needs to be patient with a child during a read aloud session. Sometimes a child may have doubts of his own surrounding to a particular idea or an ending of a story. He may have several questions regarding it. A parent can encourage a child to come up with his or her own version of ending. His or her efforts should be appreciated and the doubts surrounding a particular idea should be resolved. 

Why Does a Child Lose his Baby Teeth

Baby teeth also know as milk teeth are lost by children between six to eight years of age. A child loses his baby teeth to make space for the permanent teeth. The baby teeth plays a major role in guiding the permanent teeth into its perfect position in the jaw. Hence as soon as a baby tooth falls, the permanent tooth makes its way to its position by pushing through the gum.

What are Lahars

Known to be one of the greatest volcanic hazards, lahars are the flow of debris or mudflow that are usually seen on slopes of a hill. Lahar consists of debris which may include rock fragments and water. The water content is usually high in lahar, and hence causes the debris flow. Lahar can be triggered by various causes. These causes that trigger lahar include -

1. Rainstorms which can cause debris of fragmented rock or mud to mix with flowing water.

2. Due to collapse of a debris dam or a landslide dam which may lead to catastrophic spillage.

3. Volcanic eruptions or volcanic landslides which may generate a debris flow of lava fragments, superheated gases and hot ash.

4. Avalanche which may cause a debris flow of water laden mud, soil, ice fragments and rock fragments.

Source - Google

Lahars travel at great speed up to 50 miles per hour. Since they travel downslope with great force, lahars can be considered to be one of the greatest hazards to life and property. Lahars are known to wipe out building, trees, roads, bridges, vehicles and barriers, since they travel at such great speed.

Few methods which are used to avoid major damage by lahar includes -

- Building of concrete structure.

- Detouring a lahar by constructing retention basins for collecting the mudflow.

- By creating alternate channels for the lahar to pass without maximum damage to property.

- By providing warning systems for precaution

- Evacuation.

Paper Craft Ideas for Kids - How to Make a Spiral Snake

Kids enjoy craft ideas which help them be creative. Such simple craft work with paper should be encouraged to help a child enjoy his free time skillfully. Craft ideas using paper, paint or clay can, not just help a child be creative but also engage them in a productive way. Making simple craft activities can be introduced and encouraged as a hobby. Who knows starting with simple paper craft may just boost your child's talent and help him explore his capabilities.

Spiral Snake 

Making a spiral snake is a simple paper craft idea which can be a fun activity for kids. This spiral snake is easy to make and needs few material which are available at home. A child can make this spiral snake himself, but may require some help with cutting the paper depending on his age, though you could make use of child friendly scissors.

Materials required for making Spiral Snake

White Card Paper - 1 sheet
Child friendly scissors - 1
Pencil - 1
Black marker - 1
Sketch Pens / Felt pens - all colours
Glitter pens - any colour of your choice
Wool thread(of any colour) - 1/2 meter

Method for making Spiral Snake

1

Place a stencil or a circular plate on the card paper and with help of a pencil, draw a circle. Cut the circle with scissor.

2

Starting at any point on the rim of the circle, start drawing a spiral with a pencil slowly and continue working your way up to the center. Once the spiral is completed, using a marker carry on the pencil line to make a permanent spiral. The spiral should be drawn such that it should resemble a coiled-up snake.

3

With the pencil, lightly start marking sections along the spiral, dividing the spiral into different portions. Start from the tip or the tail or spiral snake and slowly move towards the face. It is not necessary that the portions or sections of the spiral should be of equal shape, you can divide them into uneven sections of your choice.

4

Once the sections are marked, start filling each portion with colours and designs of your choice. Try to include different patterns and colours in sections which are placed side by side. Try and use imagination while filling in the colours. Designs can be made by using glitter pens also. There is no specific rule of how you should fill in the colour and draw the designs. The children can use their imagination while doing so. Only remember that each spiral section needs to be coloured differently than its earlier section.

5

Remember to keep little space between each section while filling colours. Once you are done making designs and colouring all the sections, fill in the little space between each section with the help of a black marker.

6

Once the design is complete, start cutting the spiral shape from the tail area along the spiral made with black marker, till the mouth of the snake. Be careful while doing so, as you don't want to cut the snake in the middle.

7

Once done, tie a wool thread by making small hole on the center of the snake face. Tie the other end of the thread to any window curtain rod or any other preferable place, where the snake would get some breeze which will help it move. This spiral snake can be a perfect craft idea which works as a decoration for your child's room.

Career as a Forensic Science Technician

If you are the type who enjoys crime shows, but only the investigation part which involves forensic science and wonder if you could carry out such thrilling crime solving without being in mainstream crime-related profession then a career in forensic science is just the one for you. Being a forensic science technician would be a one step closer to achieve this dream of gathering forensic evidences and offer a major contribution to solving crimes. Forensic Science is the scientific method of collecting and evaluating information about an incident occurred in the past which could help solve a crime and also help in providing evidences in the court of Law. The term forensic is derived from the Latin word 'forensis' which means 'of the forum'. The evidence provided by the forensic scientists helps in solving many crimes and is thus considered to be a legally accepted evidence. It is thus considered to be a crucial element for today's judicial system.

Source - Google

Role of Forensic Science Technicians

Involving in varied aspects of science, forensic science can be considered to be a broad field. Forensic Science Technician also referred as Forensic scientists examine various crime scenes or accidental scenes and discover some fruitful evidences which may help describe the unfortunate event that took place in a much detailed version. They investigate the explosion scenes and fire scenes to come up with certain clear explanation on how and why the event or crime must have took place. The forensic scientists help collect data on the exact number of people involved during a crime scene by providing scientific facts to prove their findings. The crime scenes are analysed and evaluated  by performing certain procedures such as

1. Taking pictures of the crime scene

2. Gathering physical evidences such as blood samples, bodily fluids, fingerprints etc scattered throughout the crime scene

3. Evaluating and determining the position of the evidence found.

4. Recording observations and findings for latter investigation.

5. Collecting other evidences left out on the crime scene such as weapons which may include knives, pistols, rods etc.

6. Making sketches of the crime scene.

7. Preserving the evidences found  for transfer to the respective crime laboratory.

The evidences that are transferred to the crime labs are further put to work by carrying out various analysis on them which include chemical analysis, biological analysis and physical analysis to explore the various possibilities of the nature of crime and also to connect the missing links possibly between the criminal suspect and the crime that took place. The tests that are carried out by the forensic science technicians provide a useful data to the crime investigators for the reconstruction and better understanding of the crime that took place.

Areas of Specialization for Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic Science Technician would perform all the above mentioned tasks or may specialize in certain key areas of sciences. Those who perform the tasks of working on the crime scene and collecting evidences, such forensic science technicians are called as criminalists. A Criminalist performs the task of collecting and analyzing data along with the evidences to connect the missing links between a crime, a victim and a suspect. A criminalists thus not only carries on a duty of a crime scene investigator but also of a lab analyst.

A forensic science technician may also work in labs to analyze evidences through microscope. Such evidences may include examination of DNA samples, fingerprints or recovered body parts. In this area of specialization, more importance is provided in matching the available data with the known elements found to used during the crime such as recovery of a vehicle, a weapon or recovery of certain fibers. These forensic scientists who carry on such works may have a specialization in odontology or could be a forensic ballistics expert.

Some of the forensic scientists may specialize in providing useful evidence in computer based crimes. Such forensic scientists are computer experts and help analyze and gather data which can help solve cyber crimes, scams, electronic theft and identity theft. Such experts can also help gather digital evidences which may help solve a non-cyber crime.

Other areas of expertise for a forensic science technician would include chemistry, biology, firearms, pharmacology and toxicology. Such forensic scientists with these areas of specialization come handy in crimes which include fire scenes or death due to poisoning etc.

In all the cases, a forensic science technician needs to provide a detailed report of his findings, evidences and the investigation strategy used. The forensic scientist should be capable of explaining and convincing his theories and reports to the court of law and other law enforcement officials.

Eligibility for Forensic Science Technician

A degree in any of the natural sciences such as biology or chemistry is the basic requirement for the forensic scientist qualifications. A person who majors in forensic science should have extensive course work in subjects like mathematics, biology and chemistry. Students with degrees which do not specialize in the natural sciences should go for an additional course in forensic sciences. Apart from a educational qualification, in order to qualify as a forensic science technician one needs to work extensively on-the-job training. This on-the-job training can be carried out by accepting an apprenticeship with any experienced forensic scientists. During this training period a novice forensic science technician may acquire practical training of various methods with which the forensic investigation is carried out.

Qualities a Forensic Science Technician should Possess

Certain skills or qualities a forensic science technician should possess to become an expert in his or her field include

- good communication skills

- critical thinking

- problem solving attitude

- Composure

- Better understanding of statistics

- Knowledge of natural sciences.

- Professionalism

- Objectivity

Scope for Forensic Science Technicians

Forensic Science Technician would find various job opportunities in government as well as private sector. Working with crime investigators, law enforcement agencies, legal system, CBI, CID etc are some of the job prospects a forensic scientists should look forward to. Other than that, in private agencies a forensic science technicians job description would include working on fields of construction sites, mechanical effect builders, research work, working on production lines, assisting production designer and art director, doing research on period and contemporary elements etc. 

Is it Okay to Feed Sunflower Seeds to Parrots

We are often been told to feed sunflower seeds to parrots. The catalog that comes with the bird feeder mentions so. However, if this feeding is limited only to visitor parrots than it is fine to feed them sunflower seeds. But if you are planning to feed these seeds to your pet parrot, you should think about it. Visitor parrots visit once or twice daily for their own measure of feed, and then they also fly and visit other places where they get other foods to eat. But a pet parrot is totally depended on you for the food. And hence he will eat only what you feed him. So if you keep feeding him only sunflower seeds then it may not be good for your pet parrot. Sunflower seeds are actually the seeds in its hull. Three common types that are used in sunflower seeds are linoleic, high oleic and NuSun. Sunflower seeds contain large amounts of carbohydrates and fats. What they lack is the vital nutrients and hence overfeeding the parrots, (here I mean excessive portions of sunflower seeds) only can make the bird overweight and thus will prone to high risk of illness.

 Birds can thus die of heart diseases and liver diseases. Due to lack of vital nutrients, the parrots can also be calcium deficient which would lead to brittle nails and weak bones. Hence you keep your birds healthy, it is important to include calcium rich foods such as small amount of chopped spinach or broccoli. Fresh fruits or a chopped portion of mixed fruits and vegetables such as carrots, apples, guava, can also be a perfect parrot food. This helps the bird to live longer and healthy. Ideal food that your bird feeder should include is mixed portions of bajra (pearl millet), ragi(finger millet), broken rice and sunflower seeds. This way you not only feed parrots but also other small birds such as sparrows. 

Facts About The Holocaust

Derived from the words, 'Holos' which means whole and 'Kaustos' which means burned, The Holocaust is the term used for horrific series of events or to be more specific, as a Mass Murder that happened in Germany between 30th January 1933 to 8th May 1945. The Holocaust is an historical term which initially describes the sacrificial offering burned on an altar, but since 1945 is referred to the mass execution of more than six million European Jews, who were massacred by the German Nazi regime. The Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had always considered Jews to be inferior race. For him, the Jewish community was sort of an alien threat to the pure racist community of Germany. Hence throughout German occupied Poland, various mass killing centers under the pretext of concentration camps were constructed where in the Jews were killed on large numbers. The Holocaust was indeed considered to be the 'Final Solution' of Hitler and was kept hidden from the Allied Powers until the end of the war.

Source - Google

What were Concentration Camps

Concentration camps usually refers to camps that are built to detain prisoners. These camps endow harsh treatments and conditions on the confined people and work against the normal rules and regards for legal norms. During the German Nazi regime, these concentration camps formed the structural part of the control and leadership from the year 1933 to 1945. On these concentration camps which were constructed all over the German occupied Poland, atrocities and torture were imposed on the prisoners. One of the first concentration camp was constructed in Germany soon after Adolf Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor in January 1933.

Source - Google

The first regular concentration camp particularly meant for Political prisoners was Dachau, established by the German Coalition government of National Socialist Workers Party and the Nationalist People's Party. With the beginning of the Second World War, millions of ordinary people were confined in these concentration camps where they were tortured, starved and killed in the name of imprisonment. Life in concentration camps during the Holocaust was torturous and ugly.

What triggered The Holocaust

Germany was defeated in World War I. It faced humiliation by the Versailles Treaty which added to it's woe. The Versailles Treaty had a great impact on Germany as it not only reduced its existing power but also cutback it's armed forces. Germany also had to compensate the Allied Powers. The Worldwide Depression caused due to New York Stock Market Crash in 1929 further added to it's economic volatility. There was major unemployment and monetary unsteadiness.

Versailles Treaty
Source - Google

The leader of the National Socialist German Workers, Adolf Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor of Germany by President Paul Von Hindenburg on 30th January 1933. Adolf Hitler had been hostile and prejudiced when it came to Jews and inferior classes. He considered Jews to be an inferior race and an alien threat to German's pure race. The killings thus began in the names of the 'Final Solution' or The Holocaust. Killing centers in the form of concentration camps were constructed all over the German occupied Poland and thus began the mass murders of the European Jews. More than six million Jews were horribly killed with various attack types such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, gassing and burning alive. Building the concentration camps in Poland held logistic importance. Millions of Jews lived in most part of Poland before the war. This location of concentration camps also made it convenient for the Nazis to remove the German Jews from within Germany proper.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

27th January is remembered as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day when thousands of people all over the world pay homage to the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Facts About The Holocaust

1. Once Adolf Hitler came into power in Germany, the Holocaust began in the year 1933. It ended in the year 1945 only after the Allied powers defeated the Nazis.

2. Adolf Hitler made it a point to hide the Holocaust from the Allied powers and rest of the world.

3. More than six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust

4. Though Jews were the main target for Nazis, yet more than five million non-Jewish people were victim of the Holocaust.

5. These non-Jewish victims who were considered as inferior race included the Roma(gypsies), Blacks and mixed African-Germans

6. Half of the German Jews and more than two third of Austrian Jews fled Germany between 1933 to 1939. They seek refuge in United States, Latin America, Japan occupied Shanghai and elsewhere in Europe.

7. When the Second World War started, the Jewish were made to wear a yellow Star of David with the word 'Jude' written on it so that Nazis would identify them as Jewish.

8. Jewish people were used for performing medical experiments during the Holocaust.

9. In the Auschwitz concentration camp were given tattoos with numbers so the Germans could identify them.

10. Around two-third of Jewish population within Europe was destroyed by Nazis during the World War II.

Story Writings Tips for Students

Stories have always been an important part of our growing up. Don't everyone of us have a beautiful story, a fascinating tale or an unforgettable memory to tell which relates to those amazing nights of our growing up. Be it an adventure tale, a fairy tale, a ghost story or even a short moral story, stories never fail to amaze us. When we hear a good story, we are thrilled and that, my dear friend can happen to people of any age group. Hence stories are thoroughly enjoyed only when they are told in a way that is engaging and interesting. Be it a fiction or a true tale, the story is enjoyable or engrossing depending on how it is written or how it is told. And hence it is very important to tell or write a good story.

Story writing is an art, which anyone can adept, provided story writing tips are followed. Story writing tips are important  for school kids. Usually for story writing, school students are provided with points related to the story. Students have to write a story based on the points provided to them. Here are few story writing tips that can help you write a good story.

Top Six Story Writing Tips for Students

Read and Follow the Outline

Before writing a story, it is very important to read the outline of the story. Once you read the story outline, make sure you get an clear idea of the story plot before you start writing the story. Understand the story plot and follow the outline carefully. Do not miss a single point that is been provided to you.

Connect the Points

Once the points are read and understood, it is important to connect the points in your head to get an idea how the story would be written. While connecting the points to make a story, remember to connect the points in a way that the story would sound natural and real. Do not omit a single point from the story that is to be written. Omitting a point would disconnect the story from the rest of the points.

Use your Imagination

It is important for students while writing a story to include all the points provided. But those are just few points, rest is all on the students to fill in the missing details. These missing details can be filled by coming up with something imaginary which they can freely use in the story. The students have total freedom of come up with whatever they feel can help them connect the points and write a good story. Imagination plays a greater role while composing a story by using a bare outline that has been provided.

Making Use of Direct Speech

A story can become interesting if direct speech is introduced in it. A student can use every tool to make the story interesting and enjoyable for its audience. So introducing conversation in a story can be a good idea and thus making use of direct speech can help the story look and sound natural. Remember if direct speech is not what you are planning to use in the story you are about to write, then ensure that the story is written in past tense.

Conclude Interestingly

Whenever we hear or read a story, we always await the ending or conclusion. If a story doesn't end up brilliantly then it is not a good story. The ending of a story has to be striking. Try and make the ending interesting by adding a surprise element. A story can have a happy ending or an ending with strong moral, but it has to be written with a twist or a surprise.

Give a Proper Title

Sometimes a story outline is provided for students to write a good story and also to come up with a suitable title. A student should come up with a title that suits the story perfectly. This title could include either the main characters of the story or one can use an object or incident included in the story as a perfect title. Use of proverbs or saying or even morals work as a good idea for the title.  

What is Promethium

Silvery white in colour, Promethium is considered an harmful element due to its radioactivity. It was discovered by American chemists J. A. Marinsky, L. E. Glendenin and Charles Coryell in the year 1947. When discovered it was noted that Promethium would be only rare radioactive metal on earth. Though silvery white in colour, the salts of Promethium have red or pink colour which turn luminescence with a pale blue or green glow. Promethium derived its name from Prometheus, a Greek mythological figure.

Uses of Promethium

1. It is used to measure the thickness of materials like metal sheets.

2. It is used in atomic batteries, space craft and guided missiles.

3. It is also used as a portable x-ray source and a heat source which offers auxiliary power for space probes and satellites. 

What is Borax

Sources: Google images

A natural white powder mineral formed from a colourless crystal, Borax was discovered in the dry lake beds of Tibet. Borax is known to easily dissolve in water. It has a high alkaline structure and has a pH level of 9.3. The chemical formula of Borax is a combination of sodium, boron, oxygen and water. Though considered safe to the planet, yet large amounts of Borax can pose a threat to the plants and animal species.

Borax is used on  large scale for manufacturing soaps and detergents. Due to it's alkaline properties and water solubility, borax is known to remove tough stain. Other than that, Borax is also used in manufacture of dyes, fungicides, pesticides, enamels, glazes and fire-proofing compounds. A large amount of borax is also known to be used in tanning industry. 

How are Memories Formed in the Brain

Sources: Google images

Our brain is known to tie the sights, smells, sounds and our own impressions on certain things or moments or experiences together into a relationship. This usually happens when we experience a certain feeling, sad or happy, about someone or something. These relationships tied together by our brain helps to create memories of that particular event or episodes. Memories are categorized based on the impression they make and time it takes for that particular memory to last. Memories that last not more than a couple of milliseconds are known as working memories; whereas a memory that lasts for an hour or even a year are long term memories.

The working memory is known to provide us vivid detail of thoughts that frequently appear on our mind. But a long term memory provides a slightly blurry image of many incidents that we have experienced together. Though one can possibly hold out as many long term memory as possible, yet not each and every memory provides crystal clear details. Only those memories are regarded as important, which focus on an experience which has strong impressions on our mind. And hence it usually happens that we forget some or the other details of a particular memory at a certain point of time. 

Career as a Sports Coach

In today's scenario, with new age athletes emerging on national and international levels; and also with schools and colleges showing keen interest in the sports development of the country, a career in sports coach is beckoning. The success that Sachin Tendulkar achieved, has its roots in his coaching from  coach Ramakant Achrekar. Similar can be said about each and every successful player in all the streams of sports. Coaching plays an important role in the success of each of these sports individuals. It is the mentors who work behind the scene to nurture raw talent and make them successful players, we come upon praising so much. A sports coach is a person who shapes a raw athlete to a true professional. Though, there are many who can play the role of a tutor, but very few stand out to wear the cap of a coach who has the capability and vision to eye the talent from the crowd who could make it big.

Sources: Google images

Role of a Sports Coach

The role of a sports coach is to direct, train and instruct a player or a team. A sports coach helps a team by providing them assistance in means of counseling, instructions and improvisations to achieve successful levels of performance which they wouldn't otherwise have achieved on their own. A sports coach job description includes offering critical review or commendation on an athlete's or the whole team's performance. He or she works with players and athletes on all levels including school children who could be referred as beginners to professional players and teams. A sports coach responsibilities include a keen eye to point out the

- ability and proficiency of identifying an individual's potential

-  his strengths and his weaknesses

- the needs to work on the key areas by planning and

- implementing certain training programs to suit each individual.

A sports coaching not only includes physical training but also psychological fitness and assessment by offering maximum counselling and possible practical conditions to maximize best performance output.

Skills of a Sports Coach

To become a sports coach, one has to have an enthusiasm for his team and players. The sports coach should offer his 100% assistance for his team to help them excel in their sports. To get best performance from the team, the skill of motivation and encouragement should be used wisely whenever required by a sports coach. He should be good in his areas of expertise, though not necessary good in that particular sport (though that would definitely work as a plus point). We find many established players enter into the field of sports coaching after retirement, as their experience as a player adds up to their advantage. Even though a sports coach who is not good in a particular sport, he or she should be able to offer expert advice on all the area of that sport, which means they should possess the theoretical knowledge of that particular sport. The most important skill a sports coach should possess is the skill of reaching out to each and every member of his team. He should make it a point to communicate with each player of his team. A sports coach also needs a lot of patience and tactfulness all the time to work with young sport players and during assisting them.

Education of a Sports Coach

A sports coach can secure a Bachelors Degree in Sports Coaching after completing 10+2. He or she can also apply for Bachelor's Degree if he has secured minimum 50% marks with Physical Education as one of the main subjects for the sports coach qualification. Many universities impart Sports Education by offering degree courses based on percentage of marks. With a Bachelor's Degree, a qualified coach can apply for schools or colleges based on his qualification for the post of Sports Coach. Many private institution also offer Diploma courses in sports coaching which a graduate in other subjects can opt for, if he or she wishes to pursue sports coaching as a career.

Scope for a Sports Coach

A sports coach has loads of opportunities for coaching practices in schools, colleges, sports team, health clubs and sports team. Various private sector as well as public health sector may provide job opportunities for sports coach.  Once good results are achieved  a sports coach is very well recognized and wonderful job opportunities land on his door steps from national as well as international teams. A sports coach salary may just start to grow on the graph, as soon as he or she starts giving positive results. Once a sports coach gains recognition he can organize training camps or open his own training institute. A person with no physical education degree should not lose hope. If he or she still wishes to pursue a career as a sports coach, then starting as a volunteer coach is his or her stepping stone. Though a long mile to go, but it is a start in the career. Being a volunteer coach helps one start from a ground level by learning various aspects of sports training. Slowly and steadily a volunteer coach may get promoted to an assistant coach and in future end up being a sports coach. 

What is Indium

Sources: Google images

Indium is one of the softest metal that looks silvery white and has a bright lustre. It was discovered in 1863 by two German Chemists, Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymus Theodor Richter. The metal got it's name because of the indigo blue colour in its atomic spectrum. There is enough abundance of Indium just as much as sliver but it's accessibility is much easier than silver. It is easily found along with zinc, iron, lead and copper ores. One of the most interesting properties of Indium is that it doesn't react with water. It has a very low melting point and low boiling point. And just because of this property Indium is ideal for soldering. It offers easy working conditions at low temperature. Indium has one more unique property, it makes a sound or a 'tin cry', when it is bent which resembles a low scream.

Uses of Indium

As Indium is known to access even distribution of lubricating oil, it is used to coat the bearings of high speed motors. Indium is used to make various electrical items such as rectifiers and photo conductors. Being as reflective as silver, Indium can be used to make mirrors. Because of it's use in production of LCD monitors, televisions and display screens, there has been a great demand for Indium in the recent times. 

What is Polar Vortex

Sources: Google images

Polar Vortex, recently known to grip a larger part of United States,is a system of dense air which produces low temperature and an envelope of freezing weather which would bring a complete halt to the portion of earth it envelopes and thus a state of chaos to the rest.

A polar vortex, also referred as polar cyclone is a large scale cyclone that locates near the geographical poles. Thus on earth, Polar vortices can be found located near the upper troposphere, middle troposphere and stratosphere. The polar vortex surrounds the polar highs and lies in the wake of polar fronts. The winters strengthen these cold core areas whereas the summers waken them due to the temperature differential between the equator and poles. The polar vortices traverse in counter clockwise fashion in the northern hemisphere less than 1000 km.

The polar vortex is considered to be dangerous because the envelope of freezing, dense air can cause serious health risk, may even be sometimes life threatening by causing damage including liver disease, leukemia etc. Physical labor in such conditions can also be dangerous as extreme cold conditions can make it impossible to sweat and effectively insulate heat. People can die by freezing to death, car crashes on icy roads or due to risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Career as a Nutritionist

A career as a nutritionist has become an attractive and lucrative career option, thanks to the keywords 'being fit', 'staying healthy' and 'eating healthy' being a rave of the current scenario. A nutritionist is a person who advises us on what to eat and what not to eat, pertaining to the food and nutrition aspects  and impact on our health. Some of us, who are on the edge of choosing careers always wonder is nutrition and dietitians a good career? Well the answer is yes, given to the tremendous growth and demand for the nutritionist and dietitian. Salary of nutritionists in India and abroad is quite promising too.  Always remember that the career in nutrition and the career in dietitian are two different careers. There is a very thin line between a nutritionist and a dietitian. A nutritionist is related to the areas of food sciences and food research projects whereas a dietitian is focused on planning a perfect diet depending on a individual and his lifestyle. A dietitian also monitors the diet plan of an individual and tailors it as per an individual's needs. Though nutritionist and dietitian are two different fields yet there are times when one may switch on to the other's role for the time being.

Sources: Google images

Role of a Nutritionist

A nutritionist plays a key role when it comes to prescribing counteractive food practices which relate to several aspects of each and every individual and his quality of life. Due to the changing food trends pertaining to urban population and food culture, the quality of life is vastly affected; thanks to the fast food emerging out as a culprit. A nutritionist tries to improve our quality of life in today's fast world by educating and introducing us to various food items; that can be easily incorporated in our daily diet, as per the ethics and rules of nutrition. A nutritionist has the basic knowledge about the manufacturing and processing of food, it's nutritional aspects and also the psychological factors that influences the food preferences. With the increase in population and the current demand in healthy lifestyle and food practices, the role of nutritionist is definitely on a big demand.

Four Basic Areas of Specialization for Nutritionist

Clinical Nutritionist

A clinical nutritionist deals mainly with personalized diet plan of an individual with relation to his/her lifestyle diseases such as obesity, osteoporosis, heart diseases etc. Few main factors that lead to such diseases include eating habits, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy food practices. These are the key areas where a clinical nutritionist plays his role. A clinical nutritionist designs an unique personalized diet plan with respect to the ailment her patient is suffering with.

Public Health Nutritionist

A Public Health Nutritionist focuses on the improvement of public health in general. The key area of Public Health Nutritionist is not a specific individual but public as a whole. They work on the improvement of masses by focusing on issues such as malnutrition in children and come out with successful strategies and health plan. They also work on eradicating food related problems for the whole community or vulnerable groups. A Public Health Nutritionist also works on problems pertaining to adults such as food poisoning due to adulteration, kidney failure and fibrosis.

Sports Nutritionist

A sports nutritionist focuses on the food and diet intake of an athlete. their main area of focus relates to the type and quality of food intake with respect to the proper proportion of nutrients, fats and calories. A diet plan of an athlete or sportsman is entirely different from us. The role of a nutritionist plays vital in lifestyle and food habits of sportsman especially with athletes related to strength sports such as weightlifting, body building and other sports such as running, cycling, swimming etc.

Research Nutritionist

Research Nutritionist are food technicians who research on nutritive value of food which allows to understand the right type of food one should eat and a plan for balanced diet which includes the right amount of components including vitamins, minerals etc which are essentially needed for the body. A research nutritionist also works on key areas which are related to food preservation and food safety.

Eligibility of Being a Nutritionist

One can get a degree in Nutrition after finishing 10 + 2 with science by specializing in subjects like biology and chemistry. Other than that one can also admit to Home Science for a graduation degree for becoming a nutritionist. To start a private practice as a nutritionist, one has to get a 'Registered Dietitian Exam Certificate'. This course is offered in many Foreign Universities. But you have to score well in TOFFEL and GRE whichever is applicable. It is necessary to take the specific set of courses which are drawn by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which can be completed on graduate or even an under-graduate level.

Scope for a Nutritionist

A nutritionist has a great scope when it comes to career opportunities as nutrition career lists is pretty amazing. One can work with government hospitals, school, colleges and government health department. Few nutritionists also work as Public Health Nutritionists for NGO's. Other than that a nutritionist can work for sports clubs, health clubs, gyms etc. A nutritionist can also work in catering department, restaurants, in-flight kitchens etc. If a nutritionist opts for a research career, then they get to work for research institutes, food product manufacturing companies and various other food labs. Teaching the Science of Nutrition is also a career option for the nutritionists if he/she passes the NETT examination. Other than that becoming a private practitioner is also a lucrative career. 

Rock Painting - Most Creative Activity for Kids

Painting on stones or stone painting or also called as rock painting can be one of the most creative activity ever. Stones and rocks come in different size and shapes and we get to explore our minds into how creative we can be with them and come up with unique stone painting designs. Rock Painting allows us the pleasure to be creative and also to decorate our homes in a personalized manner. A painted stone could be used as a corner piece or we can use them for decorating gardens. Painted stones can also be gifted to near and dear ones, thus it could be a perfect personalized gift item for special occasion. Wonder how proud a grand-mom would feel if she receives a rock painting as a gift, painted and decorated by her own grand-child. You could also gift it to dad or moms who may use them as paperweights in their office and always feel proud when they look at them. Thus rock painting is one of the most easy and interesting DIY projects for kids. The actual pleasure for the kids begins right from searching for the perfect stone to painting it with the selected design.

Though you could get these stones  or rocks nowadays at various home-decor stores; the fun is in finding the perfect stone while you visit a river side or a sea shore. Most important thing for stone painting is to find the perfect stone, which can be used to paint. Tip is to look for round, flat and smooth stone which can allow us to be more creative. When certain idea comes to our mind for stone painting art, we need to look out for stones which may help us shape and colour those ideas, for instance if you wish to stone paint a cat, then you need to look out for a stone which can help you shape up that idea or when we wish to make a  Ladybug Rock Painting then we use a flat and circular stone.  I am into habit of collecting stones whenever I visit a river or a beach. You could say it is one of my hobbies other then reading. I am amazed with the different shapes and sizes the stones come in, one of the nature's wonder that they are shaped the way they are. I gather stones whenever I visit outdoors, not just to be creative, but also because  I consider each of those stones as a memoir or a recollection of the journey I thoroughly enjoyed. Then I try and use these stones for getting a bit creative with stone painting. Don't worry if you find stones with little rough patches, as a little scrub with sand-paper may work on some stones for smoothening curves and edges.

How to do Rock Painting 

Once you have the perfect stone ready with you, all you need to do is come up with a design which would work out perfectly on the stone. Every stone that we select tells us what would they be designed or shaped into. Just a little imagination and you know what design and colour would go well with the shape of the stone.

One more tip about stone painting for beginners is to try to draw the design on a card paper. It is important to learn to draw the perfect shape before trying it on the stone. Draw the perfect shape on a paper sheet or a card paper and then colour it. So you know what you are getting into. Once the design is drawn and coloured on a paper, you can just copy the same on the stone. This way stone painting becomes much easier as you get a model ready to refer while finishing your art work.

When it comes to using colours on stones for stone painting, mostly all types of colours go well with them. You can easily use acrylic colours or even water colours for stone painting. If this is your first time to try stone painting, I suggest try using water colours. If the stone painting doesn't come out as you desire, you can simply wash the colours and start out again. This way children get to practice and get creative with stones  and always come up with easy rock painting ideas or designs. The stone painting activity is one of the most creative ideas for kids as they get to engage in a craft which involves colours one of the kid's favourite past time. Making simple stone painting designs can help kids be imaginative. A little help with basics and kids would themselves come with unique ideas of their own about what they should paint on the stone. Once a child gets his hands on a stone painting, he or she can try with acrylic colours. Once the child is happy with his creativity, then sealers can be used to keep his stone painting art last for longer time.

How to Make Ladybug Rock Painting

A ladybug is an easy rock painting design for kids. You can try doing it with water clours or acrylic colours as you wish. Once a child gets a general idea how to do it, he can try making it with different vibrant colours. A ladybug rock can be a perfect gift for special occasions, you can gift it to mom and dad who can use it as paper-weights for their offices or you can gift it to grand mom who can place it as a decorational piece in her living room. They can also be made for school projects or DIY projects for kids as cultivating hobby. You can also make ladybug rocks using various colours and decorate your garden by placing them side by side near pot and plants. So lets learn how to paint ladybug rock art step by step. 

Materials required for making ladybug rocks

Stone, preferably flat, small and circular - 1
Acrylic colours of your choice
Acrylic colour - black
Acrylic colour - white (optional)
Glue
Wiggly eyes - 2
Sketch pen - black colour
Sketch pens of your choice
Rough paper sheet - 1
Rough cloth

Method for making Ladybug Rocks

1

Try and use a flat and circular stone for making a ladybug rock. Once selected, first wash and dry out the rock thoroughly with a rough cloth. Set aside.

2

Draw a rough model of the ladybug on a rough paper sheet and colour it with the desired colours you wish to give by means of the sketch pens. Note that you would be using the same paper sheet as a model to paint the rock. So try and use the same colours on the paper as you would use on the rock. Here I have painted a rough sketch on the paper, which would act as my model for the session.

3

Paint the whole stone (top portion) with acrylic black colour. Allow it to dry thoroughly. You may need to add one or two coats of paint to get the proper smoothness and texture. It totally depends on the rock.

4

Now simply paint 3/4th portion of the rock with the other colour of your choice. You can select any colours other than red, such as yellow, blue, green or orange. Leave topmost portion of the rock black, assuming it is the head. There is no exact measurement of how much you should paint, just look at your model drawn on the paper and accordingly colour the rock.

5

Draw small circles with help of black sketch-pen on the body of the rock. Fill it with black colour. There is no exact numbers of how many circles you should draw, you can draw many circles if they are small dots, and if you wish to draw big circles then keep them very few. 

6

Once you are finished with the body, lets get the eyes in place. With the help of glue you can paste the wiggly eyes on the top of the head. If you do not find eyes, then no worries, just draw circles with white colour using a pointed brush.

Allow the colours and eyes to dry out. Your ladybug rock art is ready. To help the colour last longer, use a sealer. 

What is Palladium?

Sources: Google images

A steel white in colour and ductile in nature, palladium is a tarnish-resistant metal which has a melting point of 1554 degrees C. It was discovered by William Hyde Wollastan in the year 1803 in England. The metal was named after the asteroid 'Pallas' which had been discovered at the same time as the metal. Also it gets it's name from the Greek god 'Pallas' which means Goddess of Wisdom. Palladium is denoted with the symbol Pd and has the atomic number 46. Though Palladium highly resembles Platinum, it is least dense an has the lowest melting point. 

What is Palladium Used For

Palladium is largely used in the jewelry industry for making jewelry. It is also used in dentistry in small amounts for making of dental amalgams which help decrease corrosion. Palladium also is used in making surgical instruments, electrical contacts, blood sugar strips, spark plugs of aircraft, watches and in automobile catalytic converters. The soft metal Palladium also plays a key role in the technology used for fuel cells which is used to combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, heat and water. Palladium costs USD907.80 Per Troy Ounce (approximately 31 gm).