Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento - Essay Example First of all, the author points out that a bad gaucho is not a bandit, but a man who steals horses due to the fact that it is â€Å"his profession, his trade, his science† (Sarmiento & Ross, 2003, p. 69). This is why the bad side of gauchos is their devotion for stealing instead of working and gaining things in an honorable way. It is here that Sarmiento emphasizes what made gauchos replaced by farmers and laborers at the time (Goodrich & Sorensen, 1996). Thus, it is a standpoint to think of defects gauchos possessed in terms of further effects on the country. The question is that chaos and lack of order came from bad gauchos due to their love for stealing horses every now and then. Therefore, Sarmiento’s discourse on the bad features relevant to gauchos touches upon their devotion to stealing horses throughout the Argentina. In this respect gauchos were well associated with outlaws and those who have no idea of order and rules of living in the society (Ramos, 2001). Thus, their example teach people about the reasons why gauchos had a bad effect in the history of Latin America.

Limitations of Interviews in Social Research

Limitations of Interviews in Social Research Why might you decide to use in-depth interviews for a research project? What are the potential limitations? Give examples of studies which have employed this technique well and discuss critically why in your opinion they are good examples. In the social research an interview/interviews are a frequently used mode of data collection. The aim is for the interviewer to elicit from the interviewee or respondent all manner of information. (Bryman, 2008:192). In-depth interviewing is more commonly known as a method that enables the researcher to explore the deeper structure of ideas presented by the participants. Many sociologists use in-depth interviewing to explore a multitude of substantive and theoretical topics (e.g., Bell and Hartmann 2007; Quark 2007; Read and Oselin 2008). (Healey-Etten, V., Sharp, S.,2010: 157). There are many types of interviews that can be used to carry out research however, I am going to describe why it may be beneficial to use in depth interviews for a research project and the potential disadvantages and previous examples of in-depth interviews that have been used to carry out research. Sociologists commonly use this popular method because it enables further detailed exploration about peoples subjective experiences, meaning-making, accounting processes, and unspoken assumptions about life and the social world in general.Two primary objectives of in-depth interviewing are exploration and verification (Johnson, 2002). One reason why it would be useful to conduct an in-depth interview, would be to reduce error due to interviewer reliability. The aim of this concept is to keep error down to a minimum, as should error occur it would have an adverse effect on the validity of the measure. The validity would be compromised if there is a high possibility of error occurring. However, due to the benefit of standardisation in depth interviews are useful to clarify any potential confusion. For example, in a self-completion questionnaire the participants. However, with the help of an interviewer the ambiguity can be clarified and the responses given by the interviewee are more li kely to be valid, based on the fact their answers where given under full understanding of the question. Interview control questions (ICQs) are in fact investigation questions aiming at both verification and exploration. A study that has exemplified the use of in depth interviews, was reported by Ramji Hasmita that focused on exploring commonality and difference in in-depth interviewing: a case-study of researching British Asian women. This research focuses on the experience British South Asian womens lives in London, and how a female British Asian researcher to explores this topic by investigating how and to what extent common social attributes are a result of influence. It examines these issues through a discussion of how the shared cultural identity of the researcher and the interviewees emerged as both a point of commonality and difference in the research process; with the researcher being positioned in terms of both because of the interviewees agency in interpreting their cultural commonality. Issues regarding Indian culture and religion emerged as points on which interviewees exercised agency and interpreted the researchers cultural identity. This was the basis on which they claimed commonality or difference and this assessment consequently impacted on their interaction with the researcher. The article suggests that more attention needs to be given to how assumptions made by interviewees regarding the cultural identity of the researcher through their agency and interaction in the research process shapes interview dynamics. (Ramji, H.,2008) Regardless of the differences between therapy and research interviews, and considering the similarities in approach and outcomes, I am suggesting the argument that participating in in depth interviews can be inherently therapeutic. Additionally, qualitative researchers must recognise the importance of this therapeutic possibility because it can and should affect participants reactions, interviewers approaches, and how researchers can make a difference in peoples lives. As well as clinical interviews, the social research interview context is a space for sharing stories, which can provide credible information for researchers and provide a platform for alleviation and healing. It has been recognised by several health practitioners and researchers that engaging in conversation can be liberating, as it encourages emotional release and can provide a sense of comfort at times. Sharing information and feeling building relationship by trying to understand ones mindset can also raise self-awar eness and perhaps even reform their perspectives on certain topics. This organization of thoughts can trigger new perspective and aid in promoting resolutions. The in-depth interviews are not aimed to act therapy, but it is therapeutic in that it offers a space for relaxation through sharing. In 2013 Yvonne Kahl, Johannes Jungbauer published an article reporting qualitive research regarding, Challenges and Coping Strategies of Children with Parents Affected by Schizophrenia: Results from an In-Depth Interview Study. The research consisted of thirty-four children undergoing in depth interviews to find out different forms of coping mechanisms they used to deal with their parents who were battling the mental health disorder, schizophrenia. The children who were being interviewed, expressed many obstacles in which they face daily, and in conclusion the report recognised through what was said by the interviewees that there is a desperate need for more professional support, to assist the children who are affected to discover more and appropriate forms of coping. (Kahl Jungbauner, 2013). The reason I believe an in-depth interview was more useful in understanding the question being researched here is due to the sensitive nature of the Schizophrenia and the stigmatisation of ment al health disorder. Through the in depth interviews the children conveyed many aspects of fear in relation to fear, frustration and stigmatisation as emotions they regularly feel concerning the relationship with their parents. As previously mentioned, in- depth interviews can be therapeutic and can offer a space for relaxation through sharing therefore would have been more useful as oppose to questionnaire, in enabling the interviewees to be as open as possible. Of course, with any form of research comes limitations. Regarding in depth interviews, there are many ethical issues. Although interviews may naturally be therapeutic for participants, and offer rich data, this quality can pose challenges to interviewers. As researchers encourage sensitive disclosures, role confusion may occur (Dickson-Swift, James, Kippen, Liamputton, 2006; Weiss, 1994). Participants could mistake the interview as therapy and, as such, the interviewer as a therapist. Researchers must carefully maintain boundaries to protect the researcher-participant relationship and ethical obligations to do no harm (Birch Miller, 2000; Dickson-Swift et al., 2006; Haynes, 2006). Boundaries can be achieved through minimizing personal disclosure, debriefing (Dickson-Swift et al., 2006), recognizing distress signals (Kavanaugh Ayres, 1998), drawing back when responses become negative (Haynes, 2006), and being direct about the research relationship. Because researchers are not train ed counsellors, they might experience emotional vulnerability, guilt, fatigue, and burnout (Dickson-Swift et al., 2006). The researchers role is listener, learner, and observer, not counsellor or therapist. A list of local counselling resources should be available for participants to highlight this distinction. References Willis, G. B. (2005). Setting the stage for cognitive interviewing: first principles of questionnaire design. In Cognitive interviewing (pp. 12-33).: SAGE Publications Ltd doi: 10.4135/9781412983655.n2 Healey-Etten, V., Sharp, S. (2010). Teaching Beginning Undergraduates How to Do an In-depth Interview: A Teaching Note with 12 Handy Tips. Teaching Sociology, 38(2), 157-165. Free, C., Lee, R., Ogden, J. (2002). Young Womens Accounts Of Factors Influencing Their Use And Non-Use Of Emergency Contraception: In-Depth Interview Study. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 325(7377), 1393-1396. Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.serlib0.essex.ac.uk/stable/25453157 Ramji, H. (2008). Exploring commonality and difference in in-depth interviewing: A case-study of researching British Asian women. British Journal of Sociology, 59(1), 99-116. doi:http://0-dx.doi.org.serlib0.essex.ac.uk/10.1111/j.1468-4446.2007.00184.x Kahl, Y., Jungbauer, J. (2014). Challenges and coping strategies of children with parents affected by schizophrenia: Results from an in-depth interview study. Child Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(2), 181-196. doi:10.1007/s10560-013-0316-2

The Impact of Music on Students Essay -- Research Essays Music Musical

The Impact of Music on Students In some way, music affects everyone. Whether it is, a young girl?s favorite song on the radio, a college student?s escape from reality or a form of entertainment to a married couple, music brings everyone together. Music definitely affects the lifestyles of people in many different ways. The diverse styles of music makes people look and act differently. Music has many different levels. To me, levels meaning; the more independent and progressive the music is, the more the fans take it to the extreme. Music creates style. It causes people to talk, act, and dress the way they do. I hope to discover how much music influences people, especially college students. Also, the more fascinated they are the more influences it has to them. I would like to prove, that to some, music is nothing more than the pop song playing on the radio in the car, and to others, it is a major part of their life. It is very interesting to me, to learn the effects music has toward people. Mu sic impacts everyone in some way (positive or negative), but I think it impacts college students the most. I would like to know the reasons people are listening to music they buy. Also, the reasons certain groups are more popular than others. I used a couple various methods of research to conduct my research. I wrote up ten surveys with some questions about gender, age, what they buy, do they attend concerts, and do they support local music. I passed these surveys out to completely random students so there was no imbalance of the results. I hope to find out certain things like: are males affected more than females from music; who buys more clothing/ accessories; is local music importa... ... time last week, at a little place in Oakland.? We were talking about how they are definitely one of his favorites, if he had to pick. I asked him why he was so into music. He replied ?It?s a stress reliever. It takes my mind off school, work, and people?s pettiness.? Another interview that I performed was not as formal. This one was with my dad at the dinner table. It was pretty short and to the point. I asked him if he likes music. He said ?No.? I then asked him if he ever listens to it and he said ?No, when I am in the car I listen to the news or talk radio and when I?m home I?m either working or watching TV.? After doing this research, I realized that by doing interviews you can really feel the emotion from the answers compared to reading a survey. I think that interviews did help me make certain things easier to understand on the survey.

Report on Adidas PEST and SWOT Essay

In this report I have tried to sketch a complete organizational picture of the adidas company. This include of current position of the company and its market share though out the world. To explain it the company’s SOWT and PEST analysis is briefly elaborated. A contrast of the Adidas with its competitors is added and the internal structure of the company is tried to shown in graphical snaps. The future strategies of the company are also listed that what kind of strategies formulated for adidas by their top managers. 2. Addias: Adidas is a sportswear manufacturing company that was started by Adolf Dassler. Adidas group has several brands including Adidas, Reebok, Taylor Made-Adidas and the Rockport. The company has spread its wing to incorporate other productions including handbags, shirts, spectacles, watches, balls, and sportswear. It is the largest company that sells footwear in the European market and has gained a significant market share at the global platform. Adidas has had a remarkable sale and has risen to the competition at the global scale with other international footwear companies. McDonald & Milne, (1999) state it in their journal. 2.1 Mission and vision of adidas: As the company is leading the global business of manufacturing and distribution of sports wear and accessories primarily to improve the sportsmen lifestyle. Adidas Group focuses on the objectives and puts total commitment towards strengthening the brand names. That’s why the mission and vision statement of the company is defined according to global context. Lussier & Kimball (2009) have both shown it in their work. 2.1.1 The Mission statement: â€Å"Our mission is to become the best sports brand in the world. To that end, we will never equate quantity with quality. Our founder Adi Dassler was passionate about sports. For Adidas, the athlete came first. He gave those on the field, the court and the track the unexpected and the little differences that made them more comfortable and improved performance. This is our legacy. This is what the brand stands for. This will never change.† 2.1.2 The Vision Statement: â€Å"To make adidas, products as high as sky and as wise as an owl† 2.2 The Functional over view of the company: The company operates in different segments under the executive brand name across the globe. These segments include retail and wholesale. The wholesale segment plays the leading role in the distribution of products from both Adidas and Reebok centers to all retail stores across the globe. On the other hand, the retailers are solely responsible of meeting with the demand of customers at the retail shops across the global market. Plunkett, ( 2008) explain it in his research. The Current Brand Division of Adidas Group: 2.3 The Strategy of Adidias Group: The adidas Group strives to be the global leader in the sportswear industry with brands built upon a passion for sports and a sporting lifestyle. We know that a profound understanding of the consumer and customer is essential to achieving this goal. To anticipate and respond to their needs, they continuously strive to create a culture of innovation, challenging there selves to break with convention and embrace change. By harnessing this culture, they push the boundaries of products, services and processes to strengthen their competitiveness and maximize the Group’s operational and financial performance. This, in turn, will drive long-term value creation for their shareholders. 3. The SWOT Analysis: Following is the brief SWOT analysis of the company in global context. 3.1 Strengths: Adidas is the world’s second largest maker of athletic footwear, apparel and equipment by Sales with revenues of $15,333.30 million Adidas group’s leading market position is built on its portfolio of strong brands, which enhances adidas market position and boosts its top line. Adidas’ portion of own retail has grown substantially giving adidas more brand control. Adidas operates over 2,200 stores for the adidas and Reebok brands worldwide. Adidas own†retail business includes: – e†commerce, – Mono branded stores run by retail partners, – Shop in shops established with key accounts, – Joint ventures with retail partners, – Co branded stores with sports organizations or other brands. 3.2 Weaknesses: China negatively impacted by clearance of high excess inventories following the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games which subdued consumer demand in 2009. Adidas outsources 95% of production to independent third†party suppliers in Asia, including 32% from China. Merchandise procured from foreign manufacturers is a weakness because it gives adidas less control over the product quality. †¢ Concerns over unsafe Chinese consumer products †¢ The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued alerts and announced voluntary recalls by US companies on numerous products made in China. Vendor and manufacturer failures to achieve and maintain high manufacturing standards could result in manufacturing errors resulting in: †¢ Product recalls or withdrawals, †¢ Delays or interruptions of production, †¢ Cost overruns 3.3 Opportunities: Adidas has sponsorship agreements for major sports events across the globe †¢ Japan Football Association until March 2015 †¢ Australian Olympic Committee until 2016 †¢ Secured sponsorship rights to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Extended its partnership with: †¢ UEFA for the UEFA EURO 2012 †¢ UEFA EURO 2016 football championships †¢ UEFA Champions League Signed an 11†year global merchandising partnership agreement with the NBA †¢ Makes adidas the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, WNBA and the NBA Development League Official Sportswear Partner to 2012 Olympics in London. Sponsorship of major sports events helps the company strengthen its profitability and enhance its brand recall among consumers. 3.4 Threats: Widespread counterfeits deprive revenues for the company and can dilute the adidas brand image. The market for sports apparel and footwear has declined in 2009. †¢ Athletic footwear declined 3.2% in 2008 & 1.4% in 2009 †¢ Decline due to 3% decline in men’s footwear segment †¢ Active apparel declined by 4% †¢ Sports use apparel decreased by 5.5% in 2009. Lussier, R. N , & Kimball, D. C. (2009) explain it in their analysis report . 4. The PEST analysis: The external impact of adidas to worldwide is explained here. 4.1 Political: Adidas generates policies and monitor hazardous substance to protect human health and environment and also it protects the rights of its employees by following labor laws on country specific way. Adidas a multinational company need to consider the global political state as well as domestic political issues. It is important to monitor the government’s laws which affect the business of adidas. Since the political arena has a huge influence upon the regulation of public and private sector businesses, and the spending power of consumers and other businesses it has come necessary for adidas react dynamically and efficiency for these issues. The government enters in to any trade agreements adidas needs to keep it on track since it may affect the business. Government taxation policy plays a major role in company’s profit that’s why the efficient management of the adidas is always emphasizing on it. 4.2 Economical: Adidas as a multinational company maintain its strong economical growth year by year. In 2008, the adidas Group again delivered a strong financial performance. The product sales and the profitability gowned up in line with management’s initial expectations. Currency-neutral sales increased by 9%. And the double digits sales increase in adidas segment had the biggest impact on this development. Adidas managed to reduce its production cost with improving the product quality by locating the factory plants in Asia. 4.3 Social: There are no barriers for Adidas products like raise, age, religion, and lifestyle, it is always in fashion with special design in any product. Adidas focus in people who like sports and athletes, almost everybody beyond the boundaries. 4.4 Technological: Adidas introduces modern approaches to doing new and old things, Adidas join into technology by make up the world’s first â€Å"smart shoe†, adding a microchip inside the shoe and wireless mp3 player. Adidas uses hot melt system of production which is environment friendly. 5. Conclusion: The sportswear industry has developed into being more than just selling sportswear- and equipment. Due to heavy competition, organisations need to differentiate themselves and focus on both product attributes and brand values when creating brand strategies. Therefore, we can finally conclude that adidas brand themselves through personality traits and value propositions. However, the self-expressive, emotional, and functional benefits of the brands are somewhat diverse as they brand themselves through different personalities and therefore have different brand strategies. 6. References: McDonald, M. A., & Milne, G. R. (1999). Cases in sport marketing. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Lussier, R. N., & Kimball, D. C. (2009). Applied sport management skills. London: Human Kinetics. (Plunkett Research Ltd & Plunkett,2008). group.com/en/pressroom/assets/Resource_Center/adidas_Group/pdfs/Factsheet_Herzogenaurach_en.pdf Lussier, R. N., & Kimball, D. C. (2009). Applied sport management skills. London: Human Kinetics.

Abraham Lincoln and the Suspension of Habeas Corpus

Founding father Benjamin Franklin famously said â€Å"Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety and will lose both. † Civil Liberties are rights and freedoms that protect an individual from the state. Civil liberties set limits on the government so that its agents cannot abuse their power and interfere unduly with the lives of private citizens.In America, the founding fathers fought hard for civil liberties during the revolutionary war, and outlined all of them in the Bill of Rights. Abraham Lincoln is considered to be one of the greatest presidents in American history. Lincoln was the father of the civil war, and risked so much in order to insure slavery would be put to an end. While Lincoln is usually talked about in a positive light, he actually violated many civil liberties during the civil war.During the Civil War, Lincoln appropriated powers no previous President had wielded: he used his war power s to proclaim a blockade, suspended the writ of habeas corpus, spent money before Congress appropriated it, and imprisoned between 15,000 and 18,000 suspected Confederate sympathizers without trial. The biggest suspension of civil liberties in the history of the United States was Lincoln suspending the writ of habeas corpus. Habeas Corpus is a legal action, through which a person can seek relief from unlawful detention, or the relief of another person.The writ of habeas corpus protects persons from harming themselves, or from being harmed by the judicial system. Lincoln suspended habeas corpus in order to arrest war protesters under military authority; Lincoln did this because he believed state courts would not punish war protestors properly. While Lincoln overall was a great president, he clearly did abuse the power of the presidency during the Civil War. Lincoln suspended habeas corpus without the approval of congress and no one was even consulted to see if a violation of an impor tant civil liberty was worth suspending.While Lincoln suspended habeas corpus in order to stop protesters from creating a riot or even a counter coalition in the union, suspending civil liberties is never justified, even in times of war. The founding fathers of America fought hard and preached about inalienable rights that all people in America should have. In the constitution Article one Section nine clearly states: The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended. Even though Lincoln was president, he should have never messed with the constitution, the most important document in America.

How To Write Faster, Even If You Procrastinate - CoSchedule

How To Write Faster, Even If You Procrastinate My friend has a T-shirt that has a logo from the University of Procrastination, which proudly claims to train tomorrows leaderstomorrow.  Or maybe the day after. Procrastination seems like such an ideal solution for creating a better today. Of course, that means the next day is rushed, stressful, and panic-ridden, so its not that great of a solution.  Not every writer is a procrastinator, though. Some are very orderly and regimented. Some are super-focused on being productive.  Whichever kind of writer you might be, you all have something in common: youd like to be able to write faster. Get more writing done, in less time.  Youd like to have a system for writing blog posts that works every time. And youd like to fine tune your editing procedures so you get a great post, from start to finish, in as little time as possible. The Procrastinators Guide To Getting More Writing Done In Less Time #ContentMarketingTheres a way to do it, no matter whether your style is to put off until tomorrow or to drown in to-do lists. Its just a matter of you finding a tailor-made solution to your style of working. How Procrastinating Writers Should Work Just today I finally checked an item off of my highly vague To Do Eventually list, an item I had put on the list more than a year ago. I tried to make myself feel less guilty by titling the list with eventually but  really.  A year. It took me a year to do it. That stupid task had been nibbling at my conscience, as writer  James Surowiecki aptly put it. Lets get one thing clear: procrastination isnt bad. We assume it is, because it puts us in a high-stress rushed state when its finally time to pay the piper for deadline projects;  but procrastination is merely another working style, and not merely an example of a bad working style. Lets get one thing clear: procrastination isnt bad. Guilt-ridden procrastinators (of which I am one, and terribly) spend much of the time they arent doing their work reading about how to stop procrastinating. They look for methods to be more productive, to be the early bird that gets things done in a flash and cant stop checking things off of the list. They buy books, organizers, and apps. And still procrastinate. And are frustrated. There are two ways to approach your procrastination: fight it or work with it. Working with your procrastination. In a broad sense, procrastination has a funny way of getting our priorities straight. Look at your to-do lists. How many of them did you start with specific tasks that had specific dates until, in your eagerness, things got a little out of hand and soon you had a massive list of things you ought to do and should do and might do? Procrastination has a way of helping us not get caught up in what we subconsciously determine is unimportant. Procrastination allows perfectionists to get things done by forcing them to do adequate work under self-induced deadline pressure when they otherwise would be unable to do any work. Procrastination can keep us from fixating on things that are unimportant.In that sense, it is good procrastination. It keeps us from sweating the small stuff. The unimportant things eventually disappear if you never do them. As long as your procrastination has you meeting deadlines and getting the big stuff done, its helping you out. My solution is to use triage rubrics in different areas of life, and to hold my to-do list up against the rubric. For example, in my personal life, family always trumps work. In my work life, client deadlines before tweaking my own website. This is an over-simplification, but I know that if I have these ingrained, I dont fret about the things I procrastinated on that fall into the category of unimportant. Create your own rubric. Start at the top with the thing that will get you into serious trouble if it isnt finished and go back from there. Train your mind to understand what is important. You should work with your procrastination instead of fighting it if: You make to-do lists that are massive and full of unimportant tasks. You have not missed deadlines. You are getting important things done. Fighting your procrastination. Of course, there are times when procrastination is a bad idea, such as putting off paying your taxes and ending up with a penalty because of it. If youre missing deadlines or feeling high levels of stress because everything feels last minute, thats bad procrastination. These undone things dont disappear, they get worse. For writers, bad procrastination means you dont have time to proof and edit properly. You have to constantly deal with reminders and demands of clients wonder why your work isnt submitted. Your work and reputation suffers. This is where the  Zeigarnik effect  comes into play. Bluma Zeigarnik was a psychologist from Lithuania who noticed that restaurant servers could remember large amounts of information (without writing it down) for a limited period of time. Once the food was delivered to the table, servers forgot it all entirely. Through studies Zeigarnik learned that we remember interrupted tasks better than non-interrupted tasks. For procrastinators, this is good news. Once we start a task, we gain focus. This is helped if we arent interrupted. The Zeigarnik effect reveals that starting anywhere on the task is the path to getting it done, even if its with an easy part.  When we allow distractions and interruptions, that unfinished saved-for-later task nags at us relentlessly until we finish it. Start small.If you are procrastinating on writing a post, start with a small thing first. Begin collecting reference links and doing research. Brainstorm ideas. Try free writing techniques just to get text on the screen. Go where you wont be interrupted. Think of the restaurant server. You cant bring the food to the table until youve taken the order and delivered the beverages. Start easy.If getting started is proving impossible, try the  Pomodoro technique. Break up your work into 25-minute timed segments with a five-minute break in between. After four work periods, take a 20 minute break. Once you get in that writing zone skip the breaks and go with it. This way, you know at the start you get breaks and you can ease into the project. How List-Oriented  Writers Should Work A great chef or line cook knows what  mise-en-place  is. It means that before you even begin cooking, you have your station ordered with everything where it belongs. This way, when the rush begins, you are not scrambling for tools and ingredients. As a pastry chef, before I started actually making a recipe, I always got the tools and ingredients together first. It kept me from wasting precious time in a busy day, and it also kept me from starting something and discovering we were out of eggs halfway through. Writer Ron Friedman describes the concept aptly: the single most important ingredient of any dish is planning. This concept appeals to writers who like to make lists. To-do lists, idea lists, project lists, supply lists, editorial calendar liststhese are the people who want things in order. These are the people who are constantly planning. Friedman applies mise-en-place to any kind of work, asking a great question: what is the first thing you do when you start work? Do you check your email? Your Twitter feed? Your analytics from yesterdays blog post? Your voice mail?  These are activities that, according to Friedman, put you into a reactive mode. They make us lose our focus, and let other peoples priorities take center stage, Friedman said. They are the equivalent of entering a kitchen and looking for a spill to clean or a pot to scrub. Begin your day with a brief planning session. An intellectual mise-en-place. Ron Friedman Youre not in a good place to write after youve started with these activities, but instead youre in that no-win zone of reacting and catching up. The truth is, the emails never stop rolling in, the tweets dont stop chirping, and yesterdays analytics can be analyzed later. And people who make lists are prone to starting the day reactively. Or, I should say, people who make lists without hierarchy are prone to starting the day reactively.  Your lists of things to do will hamper you if you do not structure them with the idea of mise-en-place. How do you make a list that works? 1. Small tasks, action words. David Allen, of the well-known Get Things Done system, suggests that you break down  your tasks on your to-do lists, and start the smaller components with action verbs. Instead of: Blog post due try Write 15 headlines. Find 5 outside resources. Write introduction. Outline blog structure. Write first draft. Blog post due isnt mise-en-place. Its we have knives somewhere in the kitchen. Its vague. It tells you a deadline, and not what to do. 2. Prioritize your tasks. Your willpower is at its greatest in the morning. This means that you should  prioritize the things you have to do (not react to) by scheduling them first, in the morning. Leave the easier, less mentally challenging tasks for later. You can answer emails in the afternoon, when your mind is slowing down a bit, but youd better use that morning mental acuity for writing your content.

Early Arkansas Natives and Migrations essays

Early Arkansas Natives and Migrations essays Arkansas and the southwest, January 31, 2003 The Mound builders of the Mississippian Culture The first human inhabitants of Arkansas and North America were the paleo Indians, right after the last ice age disappeared. Survived by hunting the mastodon, saber toothed tigers. Where they came from? The few skeletal remains suggest that they were Caucasoid, were more related to the white races. Some same that they can be related to the Ainu people of Japan. The paleo Indians could have been related to the Ainu people. A great controversy still exists on where the paleo Indians originated. The weapons and tool technology changed between 9 thousand and 8 thousand years ago. Some native Americans today may have paleo Indian genes in their markup today. Their existence ceased to be evident about 8000 yrs ago. The next group of human inhabitants were the Archaic Indians. 8000bc to 1000bc. Definitely Mongolian tribes or bloodlines. On the other hand, they shared cultural traits as the paleo Indians. They were hunter gatherer people. They lived all over Arkansas, we can infer what we know about them come form artifacts that come from bluffs in northern Arkansas. Bluff Dwellers in the Arkansas Ozarks. Fortunately, many articles survived because they lived in sheltered bluffs, . many people have found many artifacts, toward the 19th century. Many investigations were made, and we have many archaic Indian articles from their culture. These give us some information about the archaic Indians way of life. They had no system of writing, or surviving documents to say definitely what their religious beliefs were, afterlife, what was their political organization? No historical records to draw on. It is clear they were hunter gatherer Indians. The archaic Indians had not yet developed the bow. They were hunting deer and elk, and other game that was prevalent. T ...

Is Gatsby Great Analyzing the Title of The Great Gatsby

Is Gatsby Great Analyzing the Title of The Great Gatsby SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Most often, your first sense of a book is your reaction to its title. The best titles make novels sound mysterious, exciting, or interesting, attracting readers. Well-chosen titles also give readers a sense of what they can expect to find within the pages of the book. At the same time, a title is usually an author’s way of declaring what is and isn’t important in the book. A title can reflect a work’s theme or focus, pointing out the right frame of mind for reading. So how does the title of The Great Gatsby work? What is it showing us about the book that we are about to read - and how does our understanding of the title shift as we make our way through the story? Is Gatsby really great? In this article, I’ll dissect the different meanings of this title and explain the other titles that Fitzgerald was considering when he was writing the book. What Can We Learn From The Title of The Great Gatsby? In order to really explore the ways that this title reflects the novel, let’s first cut it into its parts, and then consider them back to front. The Title Features the Name of a Character Usually, when a novel is titled with the name of one of the characters, that either means that we’re about to read a biography or that the named personis the main character (for instance, Jane Austen’s Emma or J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter). So, here, the fact that â€Å"Gatsby† is in the title shows us that the focus of the story will be on him. In this case, this focus goes both ways. The novel is biographical, meaning, the novel is the story of Gatsby’s life. But also, Gatsby is, in fact, the protagonist of the story. It’s helpful for the title to show us this, since in this book the first-person narrator turns out not to be the main character. Great? Great! Great. Now let’s investigate four possible readings of the second part of the title, which all depend on the meaning of the word â€Å"great.† 1. Shallow and Straight-Faced This version takes â€Å"great† as a straightforward compliment, meaning â€Å"wonderful.† In this version, Gatsby is great because he is the richest, coolest, handsomest dude, who drives the best car and throws the most banging parties. In this take, the title means total admiration: Gatsby is nothing but greatness. This reading of the title applies best in the beginning of the novel, when Gatsby is all mysterious rumors, swirling success, and unimaginable luxury, and when Nick is in his thrall. 2. Mocking and Ironic On the other hand, we could be dealing with the â€Å"oh, that’s just great.† version of this word. As we - and the novel’s characters - learn more about Gatsby, the initial fascination with him turns into disappointment. In this reading, the â€Å"great† turns bitter. In reality, Gatsby’s money comes from crime. His parties, house, and material wealth don’t make him happy. He’s a moral bankrupt who is chasing after a married woman. And he hates his real self and has created a whole new fake persona to live out a teenage fantasy. This reading of the title works when Gatsby seems like a sad, shallow shell of â€Å"greatness† – he’s like a celebrity brand with no there there. 3. Deep and Soulful Another possibility is that â€Å"great† here means â€Å"intense and grand.† After all, even though Gatsby is a hollow shell of a man who’s propped up by laundered money, Nick firmly believes that he stands head and shoulders above theold money set because everything Gatsby does, he does for the truest of true love. Nick, who starts out being on the fence about Gatsby, comes to think of his love for Daisy as something that elevates Gatsby. For Nick, this love marks Gatsbyas the only one who matters of all the people he met during that summer ("They're a rotten crowd....You're worth the whole damn bunch put together" (8.45)). 4. Theatrical The final possibility is that this â€Å"great† sounds like the stage name of a magician (like â€Å"The Great Cardini,† master card illusionist). This version of Gatsby is also completely fitting: after all, he literally transforms into a totally different man during the course of his life. And, it wouldn’t be the last time that the novel was interested in the way Gatsby is able to create a spectacle, or the way he seems to be acting on a stage rather than actually living. For example, Nick says Gatsby reminds him of a â€Å"turbaned ‘character’ leaking sawdust at every pore† (4.31), while one of Gatsby’s guests compares him to David Belasco, a famous theater producer (3.50). The Title Is a Timeline So which of these versions is the correct one? All of them. One of the interesting things about this novel is that the title’s meaning shifts depending on how far we’ve read, or how much time we’ve spent reflecting on what we’ve read, or what we ultimately choose to believe about Gatsby’s motivationsand driving ambition. Which version of the â€Å"great† Gatsby appeals to you? Gatsby: always a little larger than life. Famous Alternate Titles Did you know that Fitzgerald actually was not a huge fan of the title The Great Gatsby? It was pushed on him by Max Perkins, his editor, who was facing a deadline (and probably by his wife Zelda as well). Fitzgerald had a list of titles he actually preferred to this one, and each of them reveals something about the novel, or at least about Fitzgerald’s sense of what the novel he wrote was all about. Unlike the actual title the novel ended up with, the alternate titles vary in how zoomed in they are onto Gatsby. Let’s go through them to see what they reveal about Fitzgerald’s conception of his work. Trimalchio, or Trimalchio in West Egg This was Fitzgerald’s favorite title - it’s what he would have named his book if Max Perkins hadn’t interfered to say that no one would get the reference. Perkins may have been right. Trimalchio is a character in The Satyricon, a book by the Ancient Roman writer Petronius. Only fragments of this work survive, but basically, it’s a satire that mocks Trimalchio for being a nouveau riche social climber who throws wildly elaborate and conspicuously expensive dinner parties (sound familiar?). Trimalchio is arrogant and vulgar and very into displaying his wealth in tacky ways. In the fragment we have, Petronius describes one party at length. It ends with the guests acting out Trimalchio’s funeral as an ego-boost. It’s important to note that in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald does refer to Gatsby directly as Trimalchio at one point: "...as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over" (7.1). Since The Satyricon is a satire, this alternate title suggests Fitzgerald originally wanted to present Gatsby as a figure to be mocked rather than to appear more grand/mysterious. This attitude towards the novel’s main seeker of the American Dreampaints Gatsby’s ambition to join elite society in an even darker and less flattering light than the noveldoes now. Among The Ash Heaps and Millionaires, or On The Road To West Egg These titles pan out, away from Gatsby and toward the geographic, social, and economic environment of the book. Both of these titles do this by giving us a sense of being between things, primarily the places with money and those without. Character-wise, these titles seem more Nick-focused, since he is the one who shows us the differences between these two worlds. Also, by referring to the physical space that separates Manhattan and the Long Island towns where the wealthy live, both of these titles directly reference the book’s climactic death, which takes place on the road back to West Egg, right at the place where the richly symbolicvalley of ashes is. Gold-Hatted Gatsby, or The High Bouncing Lover These rejected titles are both references to the epigraph that opens the book: Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry â€Å"Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must have you!† by THOMAS PARKE D'INVILLIERS. Thomas Parke D'Invilliers is a secondary character in Fitzgerald’s semi-autobiographical first novel, This Side Of Paradise. In the novel, D’Invilliers is a poet who befriends the main character and whose poetry seems never to reflect the darker realities of life. The poem gives advice to a lover who is willing to go to desperate lengths to get the woman he is interested in to return the feeling (again, sound familiar?). A title based on this poem would place the novel’s emphasis squarely on Gatsby’s longingforDaisy, reorienting our sense of Gatsby as a striver to his function as a love interest. Under The Red, White, and Blue Rather than referencing any part of the book - a character, a place, or even an idea - this title instead broadens the reader’s perspective to a patriotic or nationalistic view of the United States. The effect is that we could easily be looking at a war story, or some political tract - there is simply nothing in this title that gives us any sense of what the underlying novel might be about. If Fitzgerald had gone with this title, we would read this novel much more squarely as a more direct indictment of America, or at least the myth of the American Dream. This is certainly one of the enduring themes of the novel, but since Nick ends up contrasting the midwest and the east coast’s totally different ideas about success and the American Dream, this title would actually dilute Fitzgerald’s disapproval by making all of the U.S. complicit. The symbolism of that lasttitle may have just been a bit too heavy-handed. The Bottom Line: Is Gatsby Great? The title is the reader’s first encounter with abook, which means it usually declares the focus or theme of that book. The Great Gatsby is a title that can be read Straightforwardly, as a declaration of Gatsby as a man who actually achieved the American Dream Ironically, since Gatsby’s greatness is a hollow sham and he is an amoral striver As a measure of the depth of his inner life As a stage name of sorts for Gatsby’s great performance of â€Å"upper-class WASP† Fitzgerald wasn’t particularly happy with the name and instead was considering An allusion to Trimalchio, which would link Gatsby to another famously vulgar new-money guy Titles that focused more on the geography of the novel’s climactic scene A broad American flag reference that calls into question the American Dream What’s Next? Learnwhy The Great Gatsbybegins the way it does-with a poem written by Fitzgerald himself, but disguised asthe work of someone else. Analyze the character traits of Jay Gatsbyto see which meaning of the word â€Å"great† really applies. Investigate the key themes pointed to by the various alternate titles: the American Dream, social status, and unrequited love. Read our summary ofThe Great Gatsby, and find links to our many otherGreat Gatsbyanalysis articles. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Statistics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Statistics - Assignment Example (d) The residual for the New York Yankees indicate that there is high error in home attendance prediction for the Yankees. The observed home attendance for the New York Yankees is much higher than predicted value using linear regression model. (a) There appears a non-linear relationship between Human Development Index (HDI) and the number of cell phone subscribers. The relationship between HDI and the number of cell phone subscribers appears to be logistic (similar to exponential) that is increases quickly at first, and than slows down, and than finally reaches at a saturation point. Therefore, fitting a linear model to these data might be misleading. (b) The scatterplot of residuals versus predicted HDI will look like a bend (curved) graph. The errors (residuals) will be positive at start (left) and than drop down in the middle and drop down further (negative) on the right. 3) If that point were removed from the data, the correlation would become weaker (or no correlation). Removing this point there appear no relationship between x and y. This point is far from all other scattered points and thus tries to form a linear relationship and thus increases the

DS proposal Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

DS proposal - Dissertation Example However, some situations have led to lack of the information getting to the target due to lack on internet connection in different places on the earth which are difficult to contain. The proposal targets to be an alternative to the flawy systems of data transmission that have caused delays, loss and less efficiency of the data getting to the target at the right time. In some cases, people have failed to access the digital data that is sent through a VOIP system and therefore, the data they sent remain irrelevant because it does not get the immediate attention from the target receiver. This creates a necessity to come up with system that will ease the transmission of data across the system and ensure that the target receive can get it quickly and be in a position to respond to it to rescue the life of patients. The purpose of the proposal is to develop a system that will help people to transmit data from one point to another and ensure that it will be accessed by the target population at the earliest opportunity by developing a signal system that will help people to receive the information immediately it is sent. To accomplish the requirement of this, the proposal will develop a model that will demonstrate the workability of a signal that will inform the receiver of the data they expect to get immediately they receive. The model will include an system of electronic device that will transmit an electromagnetic waves to the devices they use or mobile devices connected to configured to receive the signal. Project Outline: Assessment of the technology of used in communication I will carry out out a careful analysis of the existing systems in the medical care communication and point out the various areas that have weaknesses which cause them to be inefficient in communication. Seeking the approval to carry out the project from relevant authorities At this level I will visit the ministry of health and elaborate the different challenges they get to communicate and pres ent the project proposal about how the inefficiencies can be reduced and therefore, I will seek their approval to develop a system of communicating effectively. Seeking for funds To accomplish the goals for the project, financial resources will be required to procure the different materials that are required in the implementation and to cater for transport and to pay for some labour at different stages of the implementation. I will look for a sponsor to fund the things that I will require to be able to easily achieve the project. Assembling At this stage, I will assemble different pieces of the system to come up with software, install it in the model devices and configure the devices to ensure transmission of the information is attained. Presentation and demonstration After assembling, I will seek a chance to demonstrate the workability of the system to my supervisor and have his feedback about the system and I will note his recommendations. Improvement of the system After presentat ion to the different groups, I will note their recommendation on the ways to increase effectiveness of the system and

4 short questions Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

4 short questions - Movie Review Example The play was a major success because of the great measure of its development and the subsequent production offered by the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. As a result the play was made into a film based on the audience reaction (Letts, 12). The poet T.S. Eliot is quoted and referenced in the play due to the fact that the main concept put across is that of life. Letts uses quotes from one of his poems ‘The Hollow men’ which is a poem that talks more about broken souls. The reason for this is because the play focuses on a dysfunctional family that is in a crisis and is broken. The theme of broken souls based on the poem is followed throughout the play as the drama unfolds. ‘Life is very Long’, this is a quote that is referenced by Beverly when she expounds about life and poetry to Johnna (Lett, 14). Based on the interview conducted on Letts, I do not agree with the blogger’s statement. This is because most of the people in Oklahoma are of the Native American background and thus for Letts to include this character there was strong thematic resonance involved. There was also need to connect with most of the audience that were within that background. Johnna character purpose was to be that of a carer to the family and thus her roles were aimed at providing care and support service especially to Violet who was an addict of prescriptions medicine. Her presence does not affect me as a reader as her character represents a real life situation in Oklahoma (Letts, 16). The character that I identified with is that of Barbara, the eldest daughter. This is due to the fact that she portrayed the role of being a devoted daughter despite the crisis that was in the family and the fact that her mother was an addict. For instance, during a family dinner in act two she stood up in front of everyone and declared that she was going to run things from then henceforth. This scene shows that she

Research legal specialty software Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Research legal specialty software - Essay Example It has several features that are user friendly to the attorneys and they adhere to the Law Practice Optimization (LPO) guidelines. Some of the features that are useful in a law office and are provided by the Legal Assistant software program include but are not limited to: an optimized workflow of case management, billing, it has client management and time management, it customizes documents to fit an individual’s style, the software automatically generates letters and distributes them through either soft or hard copy, it also has several modules for the different legal practice areas. The best feature of all for those with limited office time is that it is compatible with other Microsoft Office features and hence no need to keep on migrating to look for those features. It is as effective as a paralegal (http://www.thelegalassistant.com/). Since this software program is developed by Attorneys, it is cost friendly for those who want to purchase. For the legal firms which are just starting or have limited cash flow, the software can be rented at low monthly charges of around $75. This software does not require to be installed in each computer in the office. It can be installed in one and then networking of the other PCs enable the access and usage of the software to the other individuals in the office. This is a benefit no other software program has and is also cost effective to the legal firms (Cornick,

Research Response Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Response - Research Paper Example In-depths into Global Climate Change There have been increased concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere following different human activities. Scientific evidence points out that this has seen the average Earth surface temperature rising by approximately 0.80C. About two thirds of this temperature increase was recorded in the year 1980 (Emmanuel 689). Scientists link these changes to increased combustion of fossil fuels as well as high rates of deforestation across the globe. The main contributors are industrialized nations as they emit a greater percentage of greenhouse gases which further translate into adverse changes in the global climate. This has mainly been boosted by increased human activities. Kiehl and Trenberthnotes that â€Å"Atmospheric concentrations of some of the gases that produce the greenhouse effect are increasing due to human activity and most of the world's climate scientists consider that this is a significant part of the cause of observed climate change† (203). The effects are however, felt worldwide. ... Therefore, a greater portion of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is linked to anthropogenic sources and the effects are felt fromradiation of gases through the atmosphere. Moreover, most sources of human emissions are able to be identified in specific nations, but the impacts are felt in all areas of the Earth. Greenhouse effects occur and are felt when solar radiation heats the Earth surface after which the heat is radiated into the atmosphere in long wavelength radiations (Emmanuel 688). From scientific view, the radiation is captured by atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapour then reradiated. This causes heating of land, atmosphere and sea surfaces which then results into intense temperature levels worldwide. This is mainly attributed to the fact that warming effect of the land, oceans and atmosphere affect the global climate by increasing temperature levels across the entire globe. There is enough scientific proof of greenhouse composition and changes in levels in water bodies, land surface and in the atmosphere. This rates carbon dioxide as the most steady greenhouse gas with a consistent increase especially in concentration. Other greenhouse gases have also been observed to substantially increase both in the concentration and volume thereby contributing to increased levels of temperature worldwide. Regarding all these, Kiehl and Trenberth point out that â€Å"these atmospheric concentrations to emissions sources and sinks are a steadily evolving sphere of scientific inquiry; certain inputs to the climate could be observed and promptly quantified† (198). Electricity generation has been responsible for a higher contribution of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as compared to other greenhouse gases emitted. Even though

Customized bags Industry for Entrepreneurship class Essay

Customized bags Industry for Entrepreneurship class - Essay Example When shopping for a gift, consumers look for a selection that will make a lasting impression on the minds. Consumers perceive personalized gifts as value for money. In the face of global warming, depleting natural resources and increasing concern among the nature activists, the environment friendly custom bag industry upholds a good opportunity for willing investors and enthusiastic entrepreneurs to venture into. The objective is to start small and gradually scale growth. The method devised to enter the custom made bags industry is to set a web platform whereby customers will login to the website also choose the size and type of bag they want and then choose their favourite design or upload their personal photographs or set the names to be printed on the bag. However the crux of the plan is to provide only eco-friendly bags made from paper, jute and other natural fibres. Customers will also have the option to choose from a range of fashion bags made from post-consumption and industrial waste. Our website works as a bridge between the manufacturers of eco-friendly bags, designers and potential customers. Once an order is processed the bags will be customized using in-house expertise in printing and sewing and thereby delivered at the door step of the customer. To start off with we would cater to the needs and requirements of both retail and corporate clients. Retail customers would comprise today’s fashionable youths who value fashion accessories but at the same time are committed to keep the environment clean. The customized eco-friendly bags apart from serving their generic functionality also add a personal statement to the user. These custom made fashionable bags speak for themselves and gives the user his or her individuality. These bags can also be used as excellent gift items and this is where the corporate clients come into the picture.

Research Response Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Response - Research Paper Example In-depths into Global Climate Change There have been increased concentrations of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere following different human activities. Scientific evidence points out that this has seen the average Earth surface temperature rising by approximately 0.80C. About two thirds of this temperature increase was recorded in the year 1980 (Emmanuel 689). Scientists link these changes to increased combustion of fossil fuels as well as high rates of deforestation across the globe. The main contributors are industrialized nations as they emit a greater percentage of greenhouse gases which further translate into adverse changes in the global climate. This has mainly been boosted by increased human activities. Kiehl and Trenberthnotes that â€Å"Atmospheric concentrations of some of the gases that produce the greenhouse effect are increasing due to human activity and most of the world's climate scientists consider that this is a significant part of the cause of observed climate change† (203). The effects are however, felt worldwide. ... Therefore, a greater portion of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is linked to anthropogenic sources and the effects are felt fromradiation of gases through the atmosphere. Moreover, most sources of human emissions are able to be identified in specific nations, but the impacts are felt in all areas of the Earth. Greenhouse effects occur and are felt when solar radiation heats the Earth surface after which the heat is radiated into the atmosphere in long wavelength radiations (Emmanuel 688). From scientific view, the radiation is captured by atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapour then reradiated. This causes heating of land, atmosphere and sea surfaces which then results into intense temperature levels worldwide. This is mainly attributed to the fact that warming effect of the land, oceans and atmosphere affect the global climate by increasing temperature levels across the entire globe. There is enough scientific proof of greenhouse composition and changes in levels in water bodies, land surface and in the atmosphere. This rates carbon dioxide as the most steady greenhouse gas with a consistent increase especially in concentration. Other greenhouse gases have also been observed to substantially increase both in the concentration and volume thereby contributing to increased levels of temperature worldwide. Regarding all these, Kiehl and Trenberth point out that â€Å"these atmospheric concentrations to emissions sources and sinks are a steadily evolving sphere of scientific inquiry; certain inputs to the climate could be observed and promptly quantified† (198). Electricity generation has been responsible for a higher contribution of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as compared to other greenhouse gases emitted. Even though

Management Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management Accounting - Essay Example You should refer in your answer to parts (a) and (b) of the question which should be included in the appendices to the report. In the absorption costing system, all the three products seem to have made a substantial profit (BALAKRISHNAN, SIVARAMAKRISHNAN, & SPRINKLE, 2008, pp56-67). The key issue with absorption costing systems is with timing; fixed manufacturing overhead costs are charged against revenue when units are sold. As seen in (a) above, all manufacturing  overhead costs are included in the  calculation of product unit cost. This forms the basis of the costing system in absorption costing. All of a product’s  manufacturing costs, both variable and fixed,  are said to be ‘absorbed’ by the product. Under absorption costing, a certain amount of  fixed manufacturing overhead cost is applied to each unit of output. As with the case in (a) above, under absorption costing unit manufacturing cost  included direct material, direct labour, applied  v ariable manufacturing overhead and applied  fixed manufacturing overhead. Consequently, when each of the  units is sold the fixed overhead cost per unit is  included in the expense ‘Cost of goods sold’ as shown in the tables above (BALAKRISHNAN, SIVARAMAKRISHNAN, & SPRINKLE, 2008, pp56-67). Therefore, apportioning overheads using absorption costing is profitable for all the three products. On the other hand, we can include only the  variable manufacturing costs in product unit cost  and to treat fixed manufacturing overhead as  a period cost i.e. as an expense on the income  statement as the case in (b) above. This system is known as variable  costing also known as direct costing. We will  now examine affects profit determination (BHATTACHARYYA, 2011, pp45-100). Fixed manufacturing cost is not treated as a product costs under variable costing. Rather, fixed manufacturing cost is treated as a period cost and, like selling and administrative expenses, it is charged off in its entirety against revenue each period. Consequently the cost of a unit of product in inventory or cost of goods sold under this method does not contain any fixed overhead cost (LUCEY, 2003, pp78-89). Under variable costing, all variable costs of production are included in product costs. Thus if the company sells Baltic at 217.25 unit of product, only 217.25 will be deducted as cost of goods sold, and unsold units are carried in the balance sheet inventory account at only 217.25. This realizes a loss of 75.13. This is a result of excluding fixed production costs when costing yet they are part of the total production costs. With variable costing, the total amount of fixed manufacturing overhead cost is  expensed in the current accounting period, irrespective of how many

Policies for the Promotion of Child Rights

Policies for the Promotion of Child Rights IDENTIFY ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WHICH PROMOTES THE CHILDRENS RIGHTS IN YOUR SETTING One piece of legislation that promotes the childrens rights in my setting is the Data Protection Act 1998. This legislation gives everyone the right to know what information is held about them and it provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly. One of its purposes is to safeguard the fundamental rights of individuals. The Act works in two ways, firstly it states that anyone who processes personal information must follow the eight principles below to make sure that the personal information is: Fairly and lawfully processed Processed for limited purposes Adequate, relevant and not excessive Accurate and up to date Not kept for longer than is necessary Processed in line with your rights Secure Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection Secondly, the Act provides everyone with important rights; these include the right to find out what personal information is held about them on computers and most paper records. It also gives the individual the right to complain if they are denied access to their personal information or feel that their information has not be handled according to the eight principles I have stated above. The Data Protection Act 1998 affects the way I run my setting. I have to ensure that: Any personal information I have is kept confidential and stored in a locked filing cabinet and I only can access it. I am careful when discussing with parents anything confidential that no-one is around to overhear our conversation, including in person or on the telephone All personal information I hold is relevant to my setting and is kept up to date I do not keep any information longer than necessary No data that I hold can be used or passed onto other parties without written consent from the parent Parents have the right to request access to my records at any time, but they can only see the information held about themselves and their children My confidentiality policy covers the above please see Appendix 1 Every organisation that processes personal information must notify the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) unless they are exempt; failure to notify is a criminal offence. I am exempt because no personal information I keep is stored on a computer. The only information I store on the computer is my accounts. If you had to notify they have now made changes to the notification fee structure that came into effect on 1st October 2009, it is now a tiered fee structure to reflect the costs of the ICO regulating data controllers of different sizes. DESCRIBE THE ROLE OF PRACTITIONER IN MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN It is important that the practitioner meets the individual needs of all the children. To do this the practitioner first needs to know what the childrens individual needs are and this can be found out by talking to the parents and getting them to fill in My Special Book, any observations that you carry out, any other professionals involved with the child and liaising with any other settings that the child attends. If the child is old enough they may also be able to tell you. It is important to speak to the parents regularly and keep updated in any changes to the childrens interests and needs or home life. The ways that I use are: Email an effective way to send a quick message, but some parents may not have access to a computer. Newsletters can be a great way to keep parents informed of some of the activities the children have been doing; events and festivals planned; holiday dates and any other information the practitioner wants to tell the parents. Letters to the Parents if there are things you need to inform them of privately a letter would be best. In addition, the parents may have a hearing impairment and may not be able to use another form of communication. Telephone conversation this is best done at the end of the day when the practitioner and the parents have uninterrupted time to discuss things. You will need to make sure who can overhear the conversation so that you can maintain confidentiality. Face-to-Face you can arrange a meeting on neutral territory to discuss any concerns but again you need to maintain confidentiality and make sure you are not overheard. Daily diary keeping the parents informed of the activities the child has done during the day, along with sleep times, healthy food, snacks and drinks, nappy changes and any other information the parents need to know. The parents can also add anything to the diary that has happened at home that you need to know e.g. any accidents, broken nights sleep, teething, whether they have had breakfast etc. Text the quickest way to communicate, it can also be invaluable to someone with a hearing impairment. Most people nowadays have a mobile phone. It is also important to find out and respect the views of all the children to make them feel valued and not ignored this in turn promotes their self-esteem. I talk to the children about what interests them and what they think of things. We often play games that allow the children to air their views and opinions and I use this knowledge to enhance their learning and development. To be able to meet all the childrens needs you first need to understand what their rights are. There is a lot of legislation that promotes children rights but quite simply every child has a right to have their basic needs met for food, warmth and hygiene, but you also need to provide a nurturing environment where the children can rest, play and develop to their full potential. Maslows Hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known descriptions of needs. It identifies five basic needs and shows how higher needs are not considered until the lower level needs have been met. Self-actualisation (Achieving individual potential) Esteem (Self-esteem and esteem from others) Belonging (Love, affection, being a part of groups) Safety (Shelter, removal from danger) Physiological (Health, food, sleep) Diagram copied from Maslows Hierarchy at Changingminds.org It is important to know the difference between a want and a need. A Need is something that we cannot do without, like sleep, food and love. A Want is something that is desired at the time but is not essential and we can in fact do without. To make sure I meet all the childrens individual needs I take into consideration the ages of the children, their stage of development and abilities and whether they need to sleep or have quiet time when planning my daily routine, I make sure that I incorporate all their needs into my daily routine. The children need a daily routine to help them feel secure and they get to know what is happening next and this promotes their development. I adapt my routines depending on which children I have in the setting at the time. It is important that all the children are given a choice as much as possible, because this will help them as they grow and they need to be independent and make decisions for themselves. I give children a choice of snacks, they can choose from milk or water to drink and they can also decide for themselves what they would like to play with and with whom. It is my professional responsibility to: Safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children Make sure that people they come into contact with are suitable Ensure I have safe and suitable premises, environment and equipment Organise my setting so that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to their individual needs Maintain records, policies and procedures to ensure safe and efficient management of my setting and to meet the needs of the children Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2007, pg 6) states, Practitioners should deliver personalised learning, development and care to help children to get the best possible start in life. DISCUSS HOW YOUR DAILY ROUTINES SUPPORT CHILDRENS WELL BEING I have a basic daily routine that includes school runs, child-initiated play, adult-led activities, sleep/quiet time, snack and meal times and home time. The children begin to learn the structure of the day and what comes next. The times of the routine is never set in stone and it allows us to experience spontaneous events like playing in the snow, or taking your lunch to the park on a nice sunny day. For example for snack time the children know that after the mornings child-initiated play we have snacks and they help to clear the table and lay out the plates and cups, which are kept in a low cupboard which the children can easily access independently and this promotes their self-esteem and confidence to help and do things for themselves and others. They know that they are to wash their hands before eating and I have a stool so they can reach the sink which enables their independence and they all sit at the table waiting for the snacks. They have a choice of drink milk or water and they can choose what they want to eat from the choice of snacks on the table. There is always a selection of seasonal fruit, a carbohydrate toast, crumpet or muffin and dairy hard or soft cheese. Allowing the children choice enables them to start the process of thinking for themselves and this gives them a skill that they will need in life. I also need to consider individual children cultures and religions when providing food as some food is not allowed. We also try and incorporate food from around the world and learn about the food from different countries. Snack time is also a social time where we all sit together including myself. We talk about anything and everything, they tell me about things at home or school, where they are going on holiday, what there siblings have been doing, their favourite toys etc. It is a great time to learn more about them and I can use this information to inform my planning according to their current interests. Afterwards the children help to tidy up and clear the table. School drop off and collection times are also very social times. We talk as we walk to school; we often play games like eye spy, count how many red cars we see and look out for various different items along the way to use in our craft work. It is a time when the children learn about their environment and the world we live in. We also talk about stranger danger; how to cross the road safely and why we must all walk together and not run off. Because we carry out the same basic routine everyday the children feel safe and secure in my setting and know what happens next. A good routine develops their self-esteem and promotes independence, allows them to learn about their health by knowing when they have to wash their hands and allows the children to socialise and make healthy choices. The Importance of Routines Helping Children grow, feel secure and flourish states, Children need and crave routine. Routine helps establish security and peace in a childs life. DISCUSS HOW YOUR DAILY ROUTINES COULD MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN YOUR HOME BASED SETTING My daily routines meet the developmental needs of all the children in my care because I adapt depending on the age and stage of development of the children in attendance each day. The school-aged children are not here for morning snacks but we have snacks when we return from the afternoon school run. The older children know that when we get home to wash their hands and they help to set the table, the younger children see what the older children do and try to copy them. As I said before all the children plates, cups and cutlery are kept in a low cupboard which the children can easily access independently. The older children enjoy showing the younger ones what needs to be done to prepare for snacks and the older children gain self-esteem and self-confidence is being able to do things independtly for themselves and others. The younger children like to learn from the older children and this boots their self-confidence is learning to helkp others. Snack time is a time where we all talk about our day and share what we have been doing and what we enjoyed or disliked. School drop off and collection time can be a time of learning, as I said above we play different kinds of games. We also collect leaves and other items to use in our creative work later eg leaves, sticks, do some bark rubbings. We often include a trip to the playground on the way home from school, the younger children benefit from getting fresh air and observing from the comfort of the pushchair and watching the older children. The older children benefit from having the opportunity to run around in a great big space and practice their gross motor skills on the large play equipment. DISCUSS HOW YOU PROMOTE CHILDRENS SAFETY Promoting childrens safety is paramount. I ensure the childrens safety by providing a secure and welcoming environment and I take proper precautions to prevent accidents by carrying out daily risk assessments of my home and garden and any outings that we may go on. I also comply with my Local Safeguarding Children Boards procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of the children in my care. I have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the signs of possible abuse and neglect. Please see my Safeguarding Children Policy (Appendix ) and my Health and Safety Policy (Appendix ). I hold a current Early Years First Aid for Children and Adults certificate and Emergency Life Support for Adults certificate and have completed Safeguarding Children and Health, Hygiene and Safety Awareness training courses. I ensure that I am up to date with my knowledge by attending regular training throughout the year. I also have house rules, which the children know and follow these include taking off their shoes when indoors, sitting at the table or in a highchair to eat and drink, respecting the furniture, toys and each other. The rules are basic but are there to protect the children. The house rules are displayed at all times in pictures and words for the children to refer to. I make sure that all equipment and resources I provide are age and stage appropriate and that they are safe and clean. They are checked daily before and after use. Children are also taught how to safely use the equipment eg how to hold and use scissors. I use activities to help the children to learn about safety and we talk about how accidents can happen and how to prevent them. If an accident does happen I keep full records including details of the child/children involved, the treatment I provide and parents are given a carbon copy of this information, they also sign to confirm they have been told what happened. My premises are secure at all times: the front door is kept locked and the key is kept on a high shelf so only the adults can reach it. My back garden has a 6ft fence on three sides with no gate. The children are only collected by authorised adults or if it is necessary for someone else to collect them we use a password provided by the parents and they notify me in advance if this is going to happen. All the children are taught about road safety according to their age and developmental stage. With the older children, we talk about stranger danger and how they can keep themselves safe from people they do not know. The children know what to do if there is a fire by regularly practising fire drills and they know why it is important to follow what they have learnt. Please see my Emergency Evacuation Procedure (Appendix ) The children know to tidy up their toys to keep the playroom safe and free from hazards and we do this in a fun way so to maintain the childrens interest and their continued participation in learning to how to keep safe. I check the identify of visitors and keep accurate records of when and why visitors are here and I also record when my two assistants are on the premises. Myself and my assistants (Husband and Mother) have all had enhanced CRB checks, ensuring our suitability to look after the Children. The Children feel safe whilst they are in my care because they know that I will listen to any concerns they may have and respond to them appropriately. The parents know that I operate clear child safety procedures and they have copies of all my policies and permission forms. I make sure that I am a good role model for the Children at all times and I provide a good balance in promoting childrens freedom to explore and play whilst learning and developing and ensuring that they are safe. Children need to have the opportunity to take risks and to make mistakes but within safe limits, that way they learn to be alert to potential danger and how to keep themselves safe. Ofsted Early Years Safe and Sound (2006, pg 9) states, Children should have the freedom to make discoveries and enjoy experiences within safe limits, while learning how to protect themselves from harm. IDENTIFY STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH CHILDREN There are many ways that you can communicate with children but it is important to remember that children are still learning and developing so you need to communicate with them on their own level according to their age and interests. It is imperative to use vocabulary that the children understand eg they may not understand uncomfortable but may know what you mean when you say feeling funny. You also need to use a calm tone and body language that will not send mixed messages. You also need to be aware of children whose mother tongue is not English and that they will find it harder to communicate in English to begin with. Some children may have speech impairment or learning difficulties and this will make it harder for them to communicate effectively. It is also important to be patient and give the children time to respond to your questions. Communicating Effectively with Children states, By paying attention to and communicating regularly with children, you can help children create a vi ew of themselves and the world that is positive and healthy. Use the Childs name first this will get their attention and they are more likely to listen to you. Eye contact shows respect and allows you to gauge how much of the conservation is being understood. Calm tone children are sensitive to anger and do not like raised voices because they can focus solely on the fact that your voice is raised and they may be in trouble, rather than what you are saying. Thumbs up is a simple and easy way of showing approval. Body language avoid all confusion and communicate your message consistently through both words and actions, be aware that different cultures use and interpret body language in different ways. Listening and showing an interest a very important part of communication because if you do not listen and appear interested then it is just a one-way conversation and the child will not feel valued. Non-verbal communication Be aware that some children do not communicate verbally, and that it is important to adapt styles of communication to their needs and abilities eg sign language, lip reading etc. Questioning use open-ended questions to check understanding and acknowledge that they have heard what is being said. Speak slowly and clearly the child may have a hearing impairment and will need you to speak slowly and clearly, so they can understand you, also be aware of the level of background noise. Painting This may seem a strange way but children can communicate their feelings through creativity and may talk to you whilst they are painting without thinking about it. Picture books I am in the process of taking pictures of all my resources and making books that the children can look through and decide what activities they want to do. This is a great way to communicate their needs without being able to speak. Picture cards Can be used for asking children basic things like milk or water to drink. If you have children who use English as a second language then you can make/use picture cards to ask them things in their own language but also have the English word along with the picture and their mother language so they learn new words as they progress. DISCUSS ONE FACTOR THAT AFFECTS CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR There are many factors that can affect childrens behaviour but I am going to focus on divorce. Any change in a Childs home life will have an effect on their behaviour but when one parent moves out it can be distressing for the child, as they may not know what has happened or when they will see that parent again. It is important for us as practitioners to listen to any concerns that the child has and respond to them according to their age and stage of development. You need to find a way to help them understand appropriate to their level of understanding. A pre-school child may show regressive behaviour. This means that the child may return to an earlier stage of development and, for example, start to wet themselves again. A pre-school child may become confused, irritable or worried. Children between six and nine are very vulnerable. At this age, a child is still not mature enough to understand what is going on, but is old enough to understand that something very unpleasant is taking place. They still depend very much on their parents and will have a hard time talking about their emotions. They may react with anger, or by not concentrating or making progress at school or by having learning difficulties. Children between 9 and 13 may have started having important relationships with other people besides their parents and family. When their parents divorce, it will often be good for a child to talk to someone outside the family about their problems and feelings. All Children can become very insecure. Insecurity can cause children to behave as if they are much younger and therefore bedwetting, clinginess, nightmares, worries or disobedience can all occur. This behaviour often happens before or after visits to the parent who is living apart from the family. Teenagers may show their distress by misbehaving or withdrawing into themselves. They may find it difficult to concentrate at school. It is normal for a child to feel lost, upset, angry and grieve for the family they once were. A child who does not show any feelings or reactions needs help to express what is going on inside. Otherwise, they are very likely to suffer depression and other problems later. Helping Children adjust to Divorce states, Children whose parents divorce are at greater risk for problems such as aggression, depression, lower self-esteem and poorer school performance. Children can express themselves in other ways than with words. Play is very important. You can play with the child and let them act out their feelings using role-play and puppets. Children may need to work off tension through energetic games; you can spend some time at the park or go to an indoor play centre. Drawing may help some children as they often draw things that are important to them. You can ask about the drawings and this can be a good way to start the child talking about what is going on inside, especially if they are not the type of child to talk openly. The child still needs to have established routines in their lives and whilst things are changing at home you can continue with your normal routine and this will give the child some stability and comfort during all the other changes, they feel more safe and secure when they know what to expect next. DESCRIBE STRATEGIES FOR CHALLENGING PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES I operate an inclusive Childminding setting, where all children are welcome regardless of their race, religion, culture, sex, ability or disability, social background etc. I encourage the children to value everyone as a unique individual, to respect each others differences, and to learn from each other. Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education states, inclusion is founded upon a moral position which values and respects every individual and which welcomes diversity as a rich learning resource. I always challenge any instances of prejudice, unfair discrimination and harassment whether it is a comment a child has made or a parent. I will explain to the child or parent why what they have said is wrong and how their words have hurt another person. I make sure that I am a good role model for the children. Please see my Equal Opportunities Policy (Appendix ). I have toys and resources that show different cultures from around the world and people with different types of disabilities/impairments. We also recognize different festivals and religious occasions from a variety of religions worldwide to give the children a greater understanding of the World around them. I invite the parents to come and take part in story/singing time to enable the children to hear different languages, and stories from around the World. For example, if a Child called another person four-eyes because they wear glasses, I would explain to the Child how they have hurt that persons feelings and that they have to wear glasses because they help then to see as their eyes dont work as well as their eyes. I would also ask the Child how they would feel if someone had called them names. I would encourage the Child to say sorry (depending on their age and level of understanding). Another example is a child is a wheelchair and another child telling them that they cant join in and play with them at the sand and water table because they are in a wheelchair. I would explain to the child that yes they can join in we just need to adapt the position of the tray so that the wheelchair can fit around it and everyone can enjoy the same activity. If I have any children with additional needs in my setting I always talk to all the children about their impairments or disabilities (using the correct medical name) as it provides me with an opportunity to teach basic information about our bodies, health and possible illnesses. It also helps to get rid of any fears about disabilities and helps to influence childrens attitudes in a positive way. I make sure that I am a positive role model for the children and I update my knowledge regularly. I have just completed deaf awareness training and I am booked on other awareness courses. EXPLAIN HOW TO IMPLEMENT CHILDRENS RIGHTS IN THE HOME BASED SETTING I have explained in E2 my role in meeting the individual needs of the children and now I will explain how I implement the childrens rights in my setting. I make sure that I keep my knowledge of childrens rights updated through regular training courses and research through the library or internet. Childrens rights are about the obligations of all adults to protect the best interests of children, and to create the conditions under which they can develop and thrive. Childrens rights are embedded in my policies and I offer resources and activities to ensure that the children can learn about their rights for example we have an activity on diversity where the children look at pictures of children from around the world and we discuss our similarities and our differences and what they would like. Please see my Diversity Activity Planning sheet (Appendix ) I have used some of the Articles of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child to show how I implement childrens rights into my setting: Article 1 Everyone under 18 has these rights I ensure that all children in my setting know what their rights are. I use age appropriate resources such as games that we play, books that we read and just talking to each other. Article 2 You have the right to protection against discrimination All children are treated with equal concern and learn to treat each other with respect through the activities I provide eg. Learning about each others differences in a positive way, respecting each others cultures. Article 3 Adults should do whats best for you Everything that I do in my setting is always in the best interests of the child. I always take into consideration their views, feelings and rights when carrying out day to day activities. Article 7 You have the right to have a name and a nationality On the wall in the playroom we have pictures of everyone that attends the setting with their name underneath, so that we can easily learn each others names. We learn about each others nationality through stories and visits to the library and in the food we eat. Article 11 You should not be kidnapped I make sure that all the children are safe and secure in my care whether we are at home or out and about. The children know to stay close to me and not run off or talk to strangers. I never release a child into the care of someone that I dont know unless a parent has authorized it in times of emergency and we always use a password system. Article 12 You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously The children know that I will always listen to their opionions and take them seriously. We always discuss as a group and listen to each other. Article 19 You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated I know the signs and symptoms of abuse and what to do if I am concerened about one of the children. The children know that they can talk to me about anything at anytime. Article 23 If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education I run an inclusive setting and the children in my care am treated with equal concern with individual needs regardless of any disablilites. It is important to treat each child as an individual and not label them by their impairment or condition. Article 24 You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information I provide home cooked healthy meals and snacks to all children, including healthy drinks (milk and water). If I feel a child needs medical care then I have their parents permission to take them to the doctors or hospital in an emergency or with their written permission I am able to take the children to routine appointments. Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for others rights and the environment All children in my setting are taught appropriate to their age and stage of development. I use all the information I have gathered to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience across all the areas of learning and development, which allows each individual child to develop to their full potential. Article 30 If you come from a minority group you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion and use your own language We all learn about each others cultures, religion and languages by the games that we play, books that we read, resources that we play with. We find out about different festivals and celebrations during the year eg Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, World Religion Day, Chinese New Year and many others. By getting to know all the children and their families I can meet the cultural needs for everyone and make sure that all the children feel valued. Article 31 You have the right to play and relax by doings things like sport, music and drama The children a Policies for the Promotion of Child Rights Policies for the Promotion of Child Rights IDENTIFY ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, WHICH PROMOTES THE CHILDRENS RIGHTS IN YOUR SETTING One piece of legislation that promotes the childrens rights in my setting is the Data Protection Act 1998. This legislation gives everyone the right to know what information is held about them and it provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled properly. One of its purposes is to safeguard the fundamental rights of individuals. The Act works in two ways, firstly it states that anyone who processes personal information must follow the eight principles below to make sure that the personal information is: Fairly and lawfully processed Processed for limited purposes Adequate, relevant and not excessive Accurate and up to date Not kept for longer than is necessary Processed in line with your rights Secure Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection Secondly, the Act provides everyone with important rights; these include the right to find out what personal information is held about them on computers and most paper records. It also gives the individual the right to complain if they are denied access to their personal information or feel that their information has not be handled according to the eight principles I have stated above. The Data Protection Act 1998 affects the way I run my setting. I have to ensure that: Any personal information I have is kept confidential and stored in a locked filing cabinet and I only can access it. I am careful when discussing with parents anything confidential that no-one is around to overhear our conversation, including in person or on the telephone All personal information I hold is relevant to my setting and is kept up to date I do not keep any information longer than necessary No data that I hold can be used or passed onto other parties without written consent from the parent Parents have the right to request access to my records at any time, but they can only see the information held about themselves and their children My confidentiality policy covers the above please see Appendix 1 Every organisation that processes personal information must notify the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) unless they are exempt; failure to notify is a criminal offence. I am exempt because no personal information I keep is stored on a computer. The only information I store on the computer is my accounts. If you had to notify they have now made changes to the notification fee structure that came into effect on 1st October 2009, it is now a tiered fee structure to reflect the costs of the ICO regulating data controllers of different sizes. DESCRIBE THE ROLE OF PRACTITIONER IN MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF ALL CHILDREN It is important that the practitioner meets the individual needs of all the children. To do this the practitioner first needs to know what the childrens individual needs are and this can be found out by talking to the parents and getting them to fill in My Special Book, any observations that you carry out, any other professionals involved with the child and liaising with any other settings that the child attends. If the child is old enough they may also be able to tell you. It is important to speak to the parents regularly and keep updated in any changes to the childrens interests and needs or home life. The ways that I use are: Email an effective way to send a quick message, but some parents may not have access to a computer. Newsletters can be a great way to keep parents informed of some of the activities the children have been doing; events and festivals planned; holiday dates and any other information the practitioner wants to tell the parents. Letters to the Parents if there are things you need to inform them of privately a letter would be best. In addition, the parents may have a hearing impairment and may not be able to use another form of communication. Telephone conversation this is best done at the end of the day when the practitioner and the parents have uninterrupted time to discuss things. You will need to make sure who can overhear the conversation so that you can maintain confidentiality. Face-to-Face you can arrange a meeting on neutral territory to discuss any concerns but again you need to maintain confidentiality and make sure you are not overheard. Daily diary keeping the parents informed of the activities the child has done during the day, along with sleep times, healthy food, snacks and drinks, nappy changes and any other information the parents need to know. The parents can also add anything to the diary that has happened at home that you need to know e.g. any accidents, broken nights sleep, teething, whether they have had breakfast etc. Text the quickest way to communicate, it can also be invaluable to someone with a hearing impairment. Most people nowadays have a mobile phone. It is also important to find out and respect the views of all the children to make them feel valued and not ignored this in turn promotes their self-esteem. I talk to the children about what interests them and what they think of things. We often play games that allow the children to air their views and opinions and I use this knowledge to enhance their learning and development. To be able to meet all the childrens needs you first need to understand what their rights are. There is a lot of legislation that promotes children rights but quite simply every child has a right to have their basic needs met for food, warmth and hygiene, but you also need to provide a nurturing environment where the children can rest, play and develop to their full potential. Maslows Hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known descriptions of needs. It identifies five basic needs and shows how higher needs are not considered until the lower level needs have been met. Self-actualisation (Achieving individual potential) Esteem (Self-esteem and esteem from others) Belonging (Love, affection, being a part of groups) Safety (Shelter, removal from danger) Physiological (Health, food, sleep) Diagram copied from Maslows Hierarchy at Changingminds.org It is important to know the difference between a want and a need. A Need is something that we cannot do without, like sleep, food and love. A Want is something that is desired at the time but is not essential and we can in fact do without. To make sure I meet all the childrens individual needs I take into consideration the ages of the children, their stage of development and abilities and whether they need to sleep or have quiet time when planning my daily routine, I make sure that I incorporate all their needs into my daily routine. The children need a daily routine to help them feel secure and they get to know what is happening next and this promotes their development. I adapt my routines depending on which children I have in the setting at the time. It is important that all the children are given a choice as much as possible, because this will help them as they grow and they need to be independent and make decisions for themselves. I give children a choice of snacks, they can choose from milk or water to drink and they can also decide for themselves what they would like to play with and with whom. It is my professional responsibility to: Safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children Make sure that people they come into contact with are suitable Ensure I have safe and suitable premises, environment and equipment Organise my setting so that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to their individual needs Maintain records, policies and procedures to ensure safe and efficient management of my setting and to meet the needs of the children Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2007, pg 6) states, Practitioners should deliver personalised learning, development and care to help children to get the best possible start in life. DISCUSS HOW YOUR DAILY ROUTINES SUPPORT CHILDRENS WELL BEING I have a basic daily routine that includes school runs, child-initiated play, adult-led activities, sleep/quiet time, snack and meal times and home time. The children begin to learn the structure of the day and what comes next. The times of the routine is never set in stone and it allows us to experience spontaneous events like playing in the snow, or taking your lunch to the park on a nice sunny day. For example for snack time the children know that after the mornings child-initiated play we have snacks and they help to clear the table and lay out the plates and cups, which are kept in a low cupboard which the children can easily access independently and this promotes their self-esteem and confidence to help and do things for themselves and others. They know that they are to wash their hands before eating and I have a stool so they can reach the sink which enables their independence and they all sit at the table waiting for the snacks. They have a choice of drink milk or water and they can choose what they want to eat from the choice of snacks on the table. There is always a selection of seasonal fruit, a carbohydrate toast, crumpet or muffin and dairy hard or soft cheese. Allowing the children choice enables them to start the process of thinking for themselves and this gives them a skill that they will need in life. I also need to consider individual children cultures and religions when providing food as some food is not allowed. We also try and incorporate food from around the world and learn about the food from different countries. Snack time is also a social time where we all sit together including myself. We talk about anything and everything, they tell me about things at home or school, where they are going on holiday, what there siblings have been doing, their favourite toys etc. It is a great time to learn more about them and I can use this information to inform my planning according to their current interests. Afterwards the children help to tidy up and clear the table. School drop off and collection times are also very social times. We talk as we walk to school; we often play games like eye spy, count how many red cars we see and look out for various different items along the way to use in our craft work. It is a time when the children learn about their environment and the world we live in. We also talk about stranger danger; how to cross the road safely and why we must all walk together and not run off. Because we carry out the same basic routine everyday the children feel safe and secure in my setting and know what happens next. A good routine develops their self-esteem and promotes independence, allows them to learn about their health by knowing when they have to wash their hands and allows the children to socialise and make healthy choices. The Importance of Routines Helping Children grow, feel secure and flourish states, Children need and crave routine. Routine helps establish security and peace in a childs life. DISCUSS HOW YOUR DAILY ROUTINES COULD MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF PRE-SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN YOUR HOME BASED SETTING My daily routines meet the developmental needs of all the children in my care because I adapt depending on the age and stage of development of the children in attendance each day. The school-aged children are not here for morning snacks but we have snacks when we return from the afternoon school run. The older children know that when we get home to wash their hands and they help to set the table, the younger children see what the older children do and try to copy them. As I said before all the children plates, cups and cutlery are kept in a low cupboard which the children can easily access independently. The older children enjoy showing the younger ones what needs to be done to prepare for snacks and the older children gain self-esteem and self-confidence is being able to do things independtly for themselves and others. The younger children like to learn from the older children and this boots their self-confidence is learning to helkp others. Snack time is a time where we all talk about our day and share what we have been doing and what we enjoyed or disliked. School drop off and collection time can be a time of learning, as I said above we play different kinds of games. We also collect leaves and other items to use in our creative work later eg leaves, sticks, do some bark rubbings. We often include a trip to the playground on the way home from school, the younger children benefit from getting fresh air and observing from the comfort of the pushchair and watching the older children. The older children benefit from having the opportunity to run around in a great big space and practice their gross motor skills on the large play equipment. DISCUSS HOW YOU PROMOTE CHILDRENS SAFETY Promoting childrens safety is paramount. I ensure the childrens safety by providing a secure and welcoming environment and I take proper precautions to prevent accidents by carrying out daily risk assessments of my home and garden and any outings that we may go on. I also comply with my Local Safeguarding Children Boards procedures to ensure the safety and welfare of the children in my care. I have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the signs of possible abuse and neglect. Please see my Safeguarding Children Policy (Appendix ) and my Health and Safety Policy (Appendix ). I hold a current Early Years First Aid for Children and Adults certificate and Emergency Life Support for Adults certificate and have completed Safeguarding Children and Health, Hygiene and Safety Awareness training courses. I ensure that I am up to date with my knowledge by attending regular training throughout the year. I also have house rules, which the children know and follow these include taking off their shoes when indoors, sitting at the table or in a highchair to eat and drink, respecting the furniture, toys and each other. The rules are basic but are there to protect the children. The house rules are displayed at all times in pictures and words for the children to refer to. I make sure that all equipment and resources I provide are age and stage appropriate and that they are safe and clean. They are checked daily before and after use. Children are also taught how to safely use the equipment eg how to hold and use scissors. I use activities to help the children to learn about safety and we talk about how accidents can happen and how to prevent them. If an accident does happen I keep full records including details of the child/children involved, the treatment I provide and parents are given a carbon copy of this information, they also sign to confirm they have been told what happened. My premises are secure at all times: the front door is kept locked and the key is kept on a high shelf so only the adults can reach it. My back garden has a 6ft fence on three sides with no gate. The children are only collected by authorised adults or if it is necessary for someone else to collect them we use a password provided by the parents and they notify me in advance if this is going to happen. All the children are taught about road safety according to their age and developmental stage. With the older children, we talk about stranger danger and how they can keep themselves safe from people they do not know. The children know what to do if there is a fire by regularly practising fire drills and they know why it is important to follow what they have learnt. Please see my Emergency Evacuation Procedure (Appendix ) The children know to tidy up their toys to keep the playroom safe and free from hazards and we do this in a fun way so to maintain the childrens interest and their continued participation in learning to how to keep safe. I check the identify of visitors and keep accurate records of when and why visitors are here and I also record when my two assistants are on the premises. Myself and my assistants (Husband and Mother) have all had enhanced CRB checks, ensuring our suitability to look after the Children. The Children feel safe whilst they are in my care because they know that I will listen to any concerns they may have and respond to them appropriately. The parents know that I operate clear child safety procedures and they have copies of all my policies and permission forms. I make sure that I am a good role model for the Children at all times and I provide a good balance in promoting childrens freedom to explore and play whilst learning and developing and ensuring that they are safe. Children need to have the opportunity to take risks and to make mistakes but within safe limits, that way they learn to be alert to potential danger and how to keep themselves safe. Ofsted Early Years Safe and Sound (2006, pg 9) states, Children should have the freedom to make discoveries and enjoy experiences within safe limits, while learning how to protect themselves from harm. IDENTIFY STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH CHILDREN There are many ways that you can communicate with children but it is important to remember that children are still learning and developing so you need to communicate with them on their own level according to their age and interests. It is imperative to use vocabulary that the children understand eg they may not understand uncomfortable but may know what you mean when you say feeling funny. You also need to use a calm tone and body language that will not send mixed messages. You also need to be aware of children whose mother tongue is not English and that they will find it harder to communicate in English to begin with. Some children may have speech impairment or learning difficulties and this will make it harder for them to communicate effectively. It is also important to be patient and give the children time to respond to your questions. Communicating Effectively with Children states, By paying attention to and communicating regularly with children, you can help children create a vi ew of themselves and the world that is positive and healthy. Use the Childs name first this will get their attention and they are more likely to listen to you. Eye contact shows respect and allows you to gauge how much of the conservation is being understood. Calm tone children are sensitive to anger and do not like raised voices because they can focus solely on the fact that your voice is raised and they may be in trouble, rather than what you are saying. Thumbs up is a simple and easy way of showing approval. Body language avoid all confusion and communicate your message consistently through both words and actions, be aware that different cultures use and interpret body language in different ways. Listening and showing an interest a very important part of communication because if you do not listen and appear interested then it is just a one-way conversation and the child will not feel valued. Non-verbal communication Be aware that some children do not communicate verbally, and that it is important to adapt styles of communication to their needs and abilities eg sign language, lip reading etc. Questioning use open-ended questions to check understanding and acknowledge that they have heard what is being said. Speak slowly and clearly the child may have a hearing impairment and will need you to speak slowly and clearly, so they can understand you, also be aware of the level of background noise. Painting This may seem a strange way but children can communicate their feelings through creativity and may talk to you whilst they are painting without thinking about it. Picture books I am in the process of taking pictures of all my resources and making books that the children can look through and decide what activities they want to do. This is a great way to communicate their needs without being able to speak. Picture cards Can be used for asking children basic things like milk or water to drink. If you have children who use English as a second language then you can make/use picture cards to ask them things in their own language but also have the English word along with the picture and their mother language so they learn new words as they progress. DISCUSS ONE FACTOR THAT AFFECTS CHILDRENS BEHAVIOUR There are many factors that can affect childrens behaviour but I am going to focus on divorce. Any change in a Childs home life will have an effect on their behaviour but when one parent moves out it can be distressing for the child, as they may not know what has happened or when they will see that parent again. It is important for us as practitioners to listen to any concerns that the child has and respond to them according to their age and stage of development. You need to find a way to help them understand appropriate to their level of understanding. A pre-school child may show regressive behaviour. This means that the child may return to an earlier stage of development and, for example, start to wet themselves again. A pre-school child may become confused, irritable or worried. Children between six and nine are very vulnerable. At this age, a child is still not mature enough to understand what is going on, but is old enough to understand that something very unpleasant is taking place. They still depend very much on their parents and will have a hard time talking about their emotions. They may react with anger, or by not concentrating or making progress at school or by having learning difficulties. Children between 9 and 13 may have started having important relationships with other people besides their parents and family. When their parents divorce, it will often be good for a child to talk to someone outside the family about their problems and feelings. All Children can become very insecure. Insecurity can cause children to behave as if they are much younger and therefore bedwetting, clinginess, nightmares, worries or disobedience can all occur. This behaviour often happens before or after visits to the parent who is living apart from the family. Teenagers may show their distress by misbehaving or withdrawing into themselves. They may find it difficult to concentrate at school. It is normal for a child to feel lost, upset, angry and grieve for the family they once were. A child who does not show any feelings or reactions needs help to express what is going on inside. Otherwise, they are very likely to suffer depression and other problems later. Helping Children adjust to Divorce states, Children whose parents divorce are at greater risk for problems such as aggression, depression, lower self-esteem and poorer school performance. Children can express themselves in other ways than with words. Play is very important. You can play with the child and let them act out their feelings using role-play and puppets. Children may need to work off tension through energetic games; you can spend some time at the park or go to an indoor play centre. Drawing may help some children as they often draw things that are important to them. You can ask about the drawings and this can be a good way to start the child talking about what is going on inside, especially if they are not the type of child to talk openly. The child still needs to have established routines in their lives and whilst things are changing at home you can continue with your normal routine and this will give the child some stability and comfort during all the other changes, they feel more safe and secure when they know what to expect next. DESCRIBE STRATEGIES FOR CHALLENGING PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION WHEN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES I operate an inclusive Childminding setting, where all children are welcome regardless of their race, religion, culture, sex, ability or disability, social background etc. I encourage the children to value everyone as a unique individual, to respect each others differences, and to learn from each other. Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education states, inclusion is founded upon a moral position which values and respects every individual and which welcomes diversity as a rich learning resource. I always challenge any instances of prejudice, unfair discrimination and harassment whether it is a comment a child has made or a parent. I will explain to the child or parent why what they have said is wrong and how their words have hurt another person. I make sure that I am a good role model for the children. Please see my Equal Opportunities Policy (Appendix ). I have toys and resources that show different cultures from around the world and people with different types of disabilities/impairments. We also recognize different festivals and religious occasions from a variety of religions worldwide to give the children a greater understanding of the World around them. I invite the parents to come and take part in story/singing time to enable the children to hear different languages, and stories from around the World. For example, if a Child called another person four-eyes because they wear glasses, I would explain to the Child how they have hurt that persons feelings and that they have to wear glasses because they help then to see as their eyes dont work as well as their eyes. I would also ask the Child how they would feel if someone had called them names. I would encourage the Child to say sorry (depending on their age and level of understanding). Another example is a child is a wheelchair and another child telling them that they cant join in and play with them at the sand and water table because they are in a wheelchair. I would explain to the child that yes they can join in we just need to adapt the position of the tray so that the wheelchair can fit around it and everyone can enjoy the same activity. If I have any children with additional needs in my setting I always talk to all the children about their impairments or disabilities (using the correct medical name) as it provides me with an opportunity to teach basic information about our bodies, health and possible illnesses. It also helps to get rid of any fears about disabilities and helps to influence childrens attitudes in a positive way. I make sure that I am a positive role model for the children and I update my knowledge regularly. I have just completed deaf awareness training and I am booked on other awareness courses. EXPLAIN HOW TO IMPLEMENT CHILDRENS RIGHTS IN THE HOME BASED SETTING I have explained in E2 my role in meeting the individual needs of the children and now I will explain how I implement the childrens rights in my setting. I make sure that I keep my knowledge of childrens rights updated through regular training courses and research through the library or internet. Childrens rights are about the obligations of all adults to protect the best interests of children, and to create the conditions under which they can develop and thrive. Childrens rights are embedded in my policies and I offer resources and activities to ensure that the children can learn about their rights for example we have an activity on diversity where the children look at pictures of children from around the world and we discuss our similarities and our differences and what they would like. Please see my Diversity Activity Planning sheet (Appendix ) I have used some of the Articles of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child to show how I implement childrens rights into my setting: Article 1 Everyone under 18 has these rights I ensure that all children in my setting know what their rights are. I use age appropriate resources such as games that we play, books that we read and just talking to each other. Article 2 You have the right to protection against discrimination All children are treated with equal concern and learn to treat each other with respect through the activities I provide eg. Learning about each others differences in a positive way, respecting each others cultures. Article 3 Adults should do whats best for you Everything that I do in my setting is always in the best interests of the child. I always take into consideration their views, feelings and rights when carrying out day to day activities. Article 7 You have the right to have a name and a nationality On the wall in the playroom we have pictures of everyone that attends the setting with their name underneath, so that we can easily learn each others names. We learn about each others nationality through stories and visits to the library and in the food we eat. Article 11 You should not be kidnapped I make sure that all the children are safe and secure in my care whether we are at home or out and about. The children know to stay close to me and not run off or talk to strangers. I never release a child into the care of someone that I dont know unless a parent has authorized it in times of emergency and we always use a password system. Article 12 You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously The children know that I will always listen to their opionions and take them seriously. We always discuss as a group and listen to each other. Article 19 You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated I know the signs and symptoms of abuse and what to do if I am concerened about one of the children. The children know that they can talk to me about anything at anytime. Article 23 If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education I run an inclusive setting and the children in my care am treated with equal concern with individual needs regardless of any disablilites. It is important to treat each child as an individual and not label them by their impairment or condition. Article 24 You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information I provide home cooked healthy meals and snacks to all children, including healthy drinks (milk and water). If I feel a child needs medical care then I have their parents permission to take them to the doctors or hospital in an emergency or with their written permission I am able to take the children to routine appointments. Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for others rights and the environment All children in my setting are taught appropriate to their age and stage of development. I use all the information I have gathered to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience across all the areas of learning and development, which allows each individual child to develop to their full potential. Article 30 If you come from a minority group you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion and use your own language We all learn about each others cultures, religion and languages by the games that we play, books that we read, resources that we play with. We find out about different festivals and celebrations during the year eg Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, World Religion Day, Chinese New Year and many others. By getting to know all the children and their families I can meet the cultural needs for everyone and make sure that all the children feel valued. Article 31 You have the right to play and relax by doings things like sport, music and drama The children a