Athletics is a big part in the life of a kid. And, no matter what the sport they always seem to have a good time. Kids get to play in all sorts of sports from dodge ball and kick ball to tag, hopscotch, four corners and jump rope to more traditional and competitive sports like football, soccer, hockey and baseball.

However, in today’s society there is a problem. More and more emphasis is being put on athletics then there was ten or twenty years ago. This is due, in part, by big money contracts as well as the decline in jobs and income. Families in poverty-stricken areas of the country rely on their children’s athletic prowess to bring them up from the ghetto. This way of thinking makes children spend more time worrying about their performance than education - athletics being more of a “quick fix” solution.

Coaches sometimes push student-athletes because winning games means they get to keep their jobs and feed their families. Sports bring more money into the school than any other curriculum. A good coach will try to maintain a proper balance between pressure and the challenge of the sport. People need challenge in order to push themselves to improve upon the tools they already possess. Parents and Coaches can push their kids too far though by setting unrealistic expectations. After all, if it was easy - everyone would be playing in the NFL or the NBA.

Unfortunately, winning is not something every player can achieve. How hard they play is the only thing that the player has any real control over. Parents and coaches neglect this aspect of sports and fail to reward hard work.

Trying to juggle a busy athletic season with school is another stress factor. If you are a parent who likes that your child is active in a sport that is great unless their school work suffers. This can cause a tremendous amount of stress and both school and sports will both suffer in the end.

Being able to manage the stress of school and sports is not very easy to do. Realizing that sports are not as important as schooling is the best thing that one can do. You can go to college, get a degree and a great job. The likelihood of someone making it in professional sports is very slim and should not be an emphasis over education.

The long term effects of participation in various sports by young people growing up can be very positive. Self-esteem and discipline can all benefit greatly. However, sports have to be taken for exactly what they are “an extra-curricular activity”. If the child excels at sports, then support the important aspects of it such as fair play and hard work. Too many kids are lost in today’s world because they placed or had placed on them a higher value towards sports than education.

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Surfing the internet is fun and a great learning experience for kids but, there are a few do’s and don’ts. Let’s talk about what’s a good idea and what’s not when you’re on the web.

First, we live in a world where most people have good intentions, but we also live in a world where some people only want to cause harm. This means they want to hurt kids.

If you’re on a chat room or sending an email, never include your personal information including your name, your phone number, your home address, or even where you go to school. And, never send a picture of yourself to someone you don’t know. Always ask permission from your parents before you send anyone a picture of yourself.

If you read something on the internet that makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, tell your parents right away. And, never download anything with permission from your parents.

Next, it’s a very bad idea and can be dangerous to meet someone or have them meet you without permission from your mom or dad. Always remember that people you meet on the internet may not be the person they say they are. You may think you’re exchanging messages with a girl or boy your age when you may actually be speaking to an adult.

While the internet is a fun place to meet your friends and a great way to learn new things, always follow the do’s and dont’s we’ve just discussed. This will make the internet a safe place.

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Baby versions of the Bratz dolls are part of the fashionable line of dolls produced by the MGA group and are supposed to represent the four major Bratz characters in their childhood. Baby Bratz dolls are conceptualized as junior versions of the main Bratz characters of Cloe, Sasha, Jade and Yasmin.

However, these are not your everyday dolls of oblivious babies, but are rather fashion conscious creations with a signature style about them.

All of them have large heads, even larger than their adult counterparts and are decidedly cute; that makes infinite sense, as babies do tend to have larger heads than their adult counterparts. They are quite affordable, and the total set along with the stylish clothes and accessories can be purchased pretty easily. Infact these babies are so adorable that you would want them more than you would their adult counterparts. And given their diminutive appearance, they are all the more appealing when it comes to choosing your favourite Bratz doll.

A Bratz baby doll may turn out to be an ideal gift for a young pre teen girl and is sure to be received gleefully. Many parents even prefer the babies to the actual teenage avatars as they disapprove of the elder dolls’ looks and body language.

If one considers the trashy appearance and overuse of makeup as bad influence for a growing girl, a baby doll may be the perfect gift; because no where else would you find a doll which such innocent beauty.

The baby Bratz dolls are a great addition to your collection if you are a lover and collector of fashionable dolls. What’s more, they are delightful and safe gifts for your child and very resistant to the typical rough treatment that a child metes out to her toys.

Whichever way one looks at it, the baby collection of Bratz is a great buy for more than one reason.

For more information please visit: Bratz Games to Play and Bratz Babyz

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Bratz Rock Angels is a collaborative project in which various artists united to produce an album that had the Bratz dolls as its central theme. This project has ever since won great acclaim in the world of vogue and fashion and now you too can have a slice of the pie!

Various artists represent the five main characters of the game, Roxxi, Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha and Jade. The idea is to represent the five as a rock band. Apart from the CD the set contained five dolls representing the five characters being portrayed. Each set consisted of a doll, a studio recording set up, a microphone, an elevated stage and fashion couture in colors of white, black and red. A motion picture DVD with the same title also exists.

Singers featured in the album included artists such as Kerima Holm, Janet Leon and Anna Nordell; all with young and refreshing voices to woo audiences spanning over a large age group. The music album was well appreciated around the globe. It reached the number 79th position in the official Billboard 200 countdown in the main album chart, which shows that even a kiddy extravagance can make a serious impact on the world of music.

At the Top Kid Audio listings the album climbed the zenith and stayed at the number 1 spot for months. This listing records the top selling children’s albums and thus it effectively portrayed the wide ranging popularity of the Bratz dolls among children and young teens.

From the time of its release the album has managed to notch up record sales with around 500,000 copies reportedly sold worldwide. Over 2000,000 copies were sold in the U.S alone.

The game has received favorable reviews from most gaming magazines around the world; though some have been critical of the lack of depth of most of the challenges presented to the player in the game.

For more information please visit: www.bratz.com and Bratz Games to Play

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A Bratz slumber party is the latest rage among girls six to twelve years of age across the globe.If a young girl near you is planning to celebrate her birthday by throwing a party, chances are she wants to put up a “Bratz” slumber party for her friends.

Throwing or organizing a Bratz slumber party is very easy, the only essential component of such an exercise are the dolls themselves! The little girls who play such games become like the dolls too and start behaving how they would imagine the dolls to had they been alive. Of course every girl sees herself differently and this would attribute to the uniqueness of the occasion. Bratz slumber parties may also help a little girl express herself better in the company of others.

Organizing such a party at home is easy; each girl can bring her own doll and can dress them up in their own style before arriving. They may even try and exchange clothes and try out new styles that will definitely add to the fun element.

The Bratz slumber party is definitely a late night extravaganza and light snacks add to the mood. The girls may themselves take part in preparing the snacks; fun snacks that can definitely make the party a success include rice krispie surprises, cookies, balls of popcorn and smoothies.

This theme party can be spent in involving oneself in watching movies based on the lives of the girls and playing Bratz video games. The fun quotient can be really upped if the girls bring special sleepwear characterized by the signature fashion of the dolls.

Special group games involving the dolls can be devised and will generate immediate camaraderie in the gang of girls. Games may involve musical chairs with the dolls with music belonging to the fashion line playing in the background!

For more information please visit: www.bratz.com and Bratz Games to Play

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Ever wondered what Avril Lavigne would look like with white hair and yellow lipstick or Maria Sharapova would appear in titan hair and black eye-shadow and lipstick. Well if you do want to see such a sight then Stardoll.com is the website for you to visit.

The creators of this website have seemingly gone overboard with providing visitors with close-ups of certain stars and allowing them to play with the colour of their hair, eye-shadow, lipstick and certain accessories in and around the area of their faces. The list of stars featured in this section runs a long list right from the likes of Pink and Brandy to the ever so gaudy Marilyn Manson.

Of course for the male stardolls like Manson and his ilk, there is a completely new level of virtual interaction because a face like Manson’s has so many variables that there are a limitless number of colour combinations that one could incorporate into his look. For instance the very scar on his face can be interpreted in various shades of red and grey.

The wilder the character in real life, the more scope is given to you in the palette of colour that you may use on the avatar.

Nicole Richie’s warm face features in this section as well but this time without her socialite partner Paris Hilton. She has a straight-on look with her longing eyes staring straight back at you from the screen. She wears a pair of large earrings, the colour of which can be changed and this little detail sets off the rest of her face.

But she can go from looking warm and affectionate to scary and intrepid in an instant, all you have to do is change the colour of her lips. Then again how much respect can one show to a virtual doll of such a stuck-up diva?

For more information, please visit: Stardoll Cheats and Star Doll Heaven

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Look for a summer job now? Yes! Plenty of employers are ramping up their hiring now so they can make sure they have their spots filled by the time school gets out. Use that to your advantage!

But…it’s only April!
I know it seems like spring has hardly sprung, but the calendar says it’s only a few short months until summer activities are in full swing. And employers for amusement parks, summer camps and garden centers are gearing up for their busiest seasons.

To make sure they get qualified staff and have time to train, they are starting the recruiting process now. But don’t let that scare you. Instead, use it to your advantage and do a summer job search now.

Here’s how:

• Comb the classified ads in your area. I’ve seen multiple ads for lawn and garden centers over the past several weeks.
• Check out the seasonal employers that are in your area. This might be an amusement or water park. It could also be the local YMCA (which will need summer camp counselors) or landscaping businesses.
• Check out the web. While this is not your best bet for local jobs if you live in a smaller city, it might give you some ideas. It can also be good for finding summer camps that are hiring if that fits your interest.

You may find that the job that you really want is not hiring yet. That’s OK. Get the details on when they will be accepting applications and mark it on your calendar. Then be sure to follow up and apply when the timing is right.

Even if you are working for yourself…
Making your plan for a summer job now is also important if you are going to be working for yourself. Lots of people are starting to make plans for their summer schedule now. Planning your schedule as well can help ensure that you are on their lists.

This is especially true if you are going to be painting houses or providing any type of child care. When we had our house painted last year, we called in March to be sure we got on the schedule for a summer job. And, I just got handed the sign up for summer school and day camp when I dropped my kids off at school today.

Even if I wasn’t thinking about either of those things, I am now. And looking for qualified, energetic people to provide me with the services I will be needing. Make sure your name is out there for your potential customers!

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Lego’s have entertained children of all ages since their creation in 1934, and have been one of the most popular toys in America for over 50 years. Created in Denmark by Ole Kirk Christiansen, the Danish word “LEgGOdt” was converted into LEGO, which means play well.

There are multiple choices for LEGO sets for children of all ages. The perfect set for the child on your list depends on their interests. Large and colorful Duplo sets enchant the youngest builders, while the advanced sets attract older teens and even adults. Children between the ages of 9 and 12 can choose from a large variety of LEGO sets to challenge their growing skills.

Since it began producing plastic bricks, the Lego group has released thousands of Lego sets themed around various interests, movies, and television shows. Some of these include: space, robots, pirates, vikings, ninjas, medieval castles, dinosaurs, cities, racing cars, construction vehicles, and many more. Here are some of the top LEGO building sets in the market today that your child will love.

LEGO offers series of building sets based on popular movies and television shows. These detailed sets bring favorite characters, scenes, and vehicles to life. They are great for imaginative play and make excellent display pieces if your child grows from playing with Lego sets to collecting them.

-Star Wars
-Speed Racer
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Batman
-Harry Potter
-Jurassic Park III
-Spider-man
-Spongebob Squarepants
-Avatar

Lego has created many building sets based on popular themes among children. Aqua Raiders includes sets designed around underwater adventures, Mars Mission sets are based in outer space, and the Lego Castle series includes castles, knights, catapults, and more. Another theme is the popular Lego City series, which contains both new and classic Lego sets of buildings and vehicles.

Lego Exo-Force is another Lego create series that is a great option for many older children. Exo-Force is based on an anime story that pits the Exo-Force team against a robot army. Your child can build Exo-Force team members and their robot enemies, then engage in epic battles.

If your child is looking for more of a challenge, try Lego Technics. These sets are based on real life machines, such as construction equipment and trucks. They involve more complex building, such as steering and suspension systems, and they are available in a variety of difficulty levels.

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You think Webkinz is a waste of time, money and energy. Well, you are wrong. Webkinz is fun and can also be educational but only and only if the parents are keenly involved with the child. If you want to teach your child some values through this fun medium then you must supervise them when they are online at Webkinz World.

If you are still wondering how a Webkinz can educate your child well then just keep on reading and you shall soon find out how. You receive $2000 in kinzcash as soon as you adopt your Webkinz. The child will probably go crazy seeing all the amazingly cool and funky things available at Webkinz World and will surely go on a spending spree unless of course you are there as a parent to guide your child. If your child does not spend the money the right way, he or she will be left with hardly any money to buy food for their pets. Also it sometimes happens that the child gets so engrossed in the other games that they invariably neglect their pet. If this forgetful nature of your child prevails then their Webkinz pet will fall ill and the joy in playing with them will vanish.

Participation of the parents is highly necessary therefore to keep their child on the right track. It will teach them the right values and will also inculcate in them a sense of responsibility. You can if you want to make this fun experience into an educational lesson in Webkinz World. Stay with your child to supervise them, however, do not dictate to them. It is not tedious at all and after a few days you will find yourself enjoying Webkinz as much as your child is. This can truly become a family game.

Let your child learn the value of money and to use it wisely. Your child will soon understand the need to save maybe for that clothing which will be perfect for his or her pet. Your child will begin to have a sense of responsibility making sure that the pet is safely tucked into bed before going offline.

For More information, please visit: WebkinzCheats and Webkinz Codes

Providing security for the pet becomes the child’s priority then. He or she will soon learn the ropes and will understand the necessity to feed, play and love their Webkinz. As a parent you must regulate the amount of time your child spends online. Time management is extremely vital.

If you see that you child does not like the concept of having to take the responsibility of a pet then you should discontinue this playtime if not then let them enjoy it to the fullest.

Just a little amount of time of your life can mould your child’s life. It will teach your child to be safe, to take care of others and of course to handle money. Webkinz World can make playtime into educational time. And it is you who can make this into an amazing educational experience for your child with their Webkinz.

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There is no real danger in kids performing machine based training under the proper supervision and appropriate guidelines. Many studies done the world over have concluded that strength based training programs done on this kind of fitness equipment is very safe for young children (again under appropriate guidelines). My issue is not whether or not kids CAN perform this kind of training, my question is WHY they need to.

Back tracking for a second, I have watched (as I’m sure we all have) a very young baby struggle to get to their feet. In terms of strength output, this equates to a near maximal load. No one seems to be concerned about it until that child becomes eight or so years old and wants to lift weights… Then people want to call the police on you because you had the ignorance to let a child perform strength training! The bottom line is that kids CAN handle strength training based loads… heck they do everyday - hopscotch, tag, bowling, ANY sport - all these things require varying degrees of strength.

Now the question of why. I just have never been convinced by any article, book or study championing child strength training that kids SHOULD use machine based fitness equipment. The reality is that sport AND life are based on the functionality of movement. Juan Carlos refers to it as the Four Pillars of human movement; Paul Check has a similar model which incorporates six stages. My point being is that weather you are dealing with a young athlete or just a young fitness participant, your goals should involve obtaining health and/or sporting proficiency on a useable level. Machines provide support (I have trained so many young athletes who simply cannot produce stability in all three planes), and the force application is both pre-set (which just begs for biomechanical dysfunction) as well as pre-guided (unfortunately sport and life are not).

My other concern with machines is that they inhibit two very important concerns when dealing with young athletes (actually when dealing with anyone):

1. It is very hard to train unilaterally when using machines (one side of the body at a time). Unilateral training, in my mind, is one of the most crucial components of developing young athletes.

2. You simply cannot train (either produce force through or learn to stabilize) the transverse plane. As referenced in many Kinesiology based books, over 85% of our core musculature is oriented horizontally or diagonally - we are designed for rotation, yet machines don’t allow for it.

My suggestion for working with young athletes (and this is based on several factors including age, emotional maturity, current physical proficiency) is as follows:

Don’t engage kids in exercises that promote external stability or useless force production. The key to working with young athletes in any sport is to promote mobility, stability and balance in conjunction with force. Young athletes need to have a virtual warehouse of athletic based skills in order to reach optimal levels. This is achieved by moving and stabilizing the body through various planes and producing force through various vectors. A common sequence as put forth by esteemed professionals such as Paul Check is as follows: flexibility before stability - stability before strength - strength before power.

Incorporate unilateral strengthening activities (one leg at a time, for example). Most force production in sport is unilaterally based. This strategy also assists in training balance and avoiding unilateral overuse injuries.

Add dynamic flexibility activities into workouts on a regular basis. Range of motion style flexibility is proven to be far more important to athletics than traditional static flexibility.

While bodybuilding type strength training is entirely useless to young athletes, a well educated professional should start teaching the movements and techniques associated with the Olympic and Power lifts at an early age (11 - 12 years old). These lifts include cleans, squats, push-press, snatch etc. Keep the exercises unweighted (i.e. use a broom handle rather than a weight bar) and concentrate on developing perfect and explosive power through technique.

Don’t underestimate the importance and value of basic ‘games’ such as tag, tug of war and single leg tug of war.

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