How to help children improve the ability to study

    Children often have trouble studying because they haven't developed good study habits. Teaching your child study skills early will give those skills to become habits.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Create a Positive Learning Space. To increase concentration, set up a workspace for your child.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.  His or her desk should have as few distractions as possible and be well equipped with school supplies, like pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, loose leaf paper and even a computer if your child is at a grade level where a computer is helpful or necessary. The environment should also be cheery and fun so that he or she has a good mental association with it.

Maintain a Reliable Schedule. Make sure your child studies at the same time every evening. This habit keeps children from wasting time ,and helps them focus. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Most children have trouble focusing for more than an hour. Encourage your child to take a brief break can help him or concentrate more deeply when it's time to do so.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.Encourage your child to turn off his or her cell phone, video games and computer unless the computer is needed for the task at hand. These devices often distract children and can lead to wasting time. You should also be reasonably quiet and calm while your child is studying. Avoid noisy activities like talking loudly on the phone, vacuuming or watching television while your child is studying.

    Give Positive Reinforcement(强化).Positive reinforcement is not simply a matter of rewarding good study habits or high test scores, but also of acknowledging a child's progress no matter how small. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.It will help to improve his or her study skills in effective ways.

A. Studies show kids and teens are more willing to study when praised.

B. A loving, caring and optimistic reaction will often be just the thing that your child needs.

C. The following tips can help your child study better.

D. Keep your child away from electronic devices.

E. If possible, only use the space to complete homework.

F. Avoid Distractions.

G. Also, let your child take a brief break every hour or so.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”—Lao Tzu

If you are in a city where everyone rushes, realize that you don't have to be like everyone else. You can be different. You can walk instead of driving in rush hour traffic. You can be on your iPhone or Blackberry less, and disconnected sometimes. Your environment doesn't control your life—you do. I'm not going to tell you how to give you a step-by-step guide to moving slower.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Do less.

Cut back on your projects, on your task list, on how much you try to do each day. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Pick 2-3 important things— or even just one important thing— and work on those first. Save smaller, routine tasks for later in the day, but give yourself time to focus.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Meeting are usually a “big waste of time”. And they eat into your day, forcing you to squeeze the things you really need to do into small windows, and making you rush.

    ⒊Start to put off or cancel the unnecessary.

    When you do the important things with focus, without rush, there will be things that get pushed back, and that don't get done. And you need to ask yourself:{#blank#}4{#/blank#}What would happen if I stopped doing them?

    ⒋Practice mindfulness.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Don't care so much about future or the past. When you eat, fully appreciate your food. When you are with someone, be with them fully. When you are walking, appreciate your surroundings, no matter where you are.

    Try these things out. Life is better when unrushed. Remember the quote: if nature can get everything done without rushing, so can you.

A. Have fewer meetings.

B. How necessary are these things?

C. Simply learn to live in the present.

D. Focus not on quantity but on quality

E. Give yourself more time to get ready and get there.

F. The world likely won't end if you don't pass one of the examinations.

G. But here are some things to consider and perhaps adopt, if they work for your life.

    Body language is extremely important when it comes to making good first impressions.It's always helpful to know what body cues show you in a positive light,especially during interviews or networking when you're meeting someone for the first time.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Keep these tips in mind when you're interacting with another person.

    Smile slowly.If you're too quick to come to a smile,your expression may not look genuine.Real smiles happen gradually,but remember not to do it too slowly because it can also look creepy.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}When you're nervous or excited,your voice may come out in a higher pitch.Take a deep breath and lower your pitch,because a deeper voice is considered to have more authority and confidence.In fact,even dogs respond better to deeper voices when you are trying to give them a command.

    Make eye contact.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Don't go overboard and gaze without breaking eye contact,because that can make people feel uncomfortable.Spend the majority of the time making eye contact,but remember to briefly take breaks.

    Lean.Move your body slightly forward toward the person you're talking to{#blank#}5{#/blank#}However,if you want to show that you're relaxed,lean back a little bit.Don't overdo the leaning or it may either look like you have no idea of what personal space is if you lean forward too much or make you look uninterested and uppity if you lean too far back.

A. Have good posture.

B. Speak in a deeper voice.

C. This reflects interest.

D. Do your best to imitate a natural smile by practicing in the mirror.

E. t can make a difference and even make you more likeable.

F. When talking to someone, making eye contact shows interest and also confidence.

G. It can make you look less professional and less confident and enthusiastic.

How to Handle Being the New Kid at School

    Being the new kid at school can be a terrible experience! It might seem like everybody else knows exactly how to act. But remember you aren't alone. Actually, everybody is nervous on their first day and you can fit right in with the help of the following tips.

    Plan ahead the night before. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Lay out your first day outfit (全套服装), pack a lunch, and make sure you have all your school supplies ready to go. Planning ahead can help you get a good night's sleep and feel less nervous about your first day.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Make sure your clothes are cleaned and pressed and that you've showered, brushed your teeth. If you're hoping to attract friends with similar interests, try wearing a shirt with your favorite show, musician, or sports team on it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Do your best to stay calm and positive. It's normal to feel nervous or anxious when you're the new kid at school. If you feel nervous, start by taking some deep breaths. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can listen to music that makes you feel calm or happy. Try imagining a good first day in your mind instead of keeping thinking about things that could go wrong.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't come in on the first day with your head hanging down, your shoulders lowered, and your eyes on the floor. Walk with your head held up, your back straight, and a bright expression on your face. Make eye contact with other people, and smile if they look at you or speak to you.

A. Use your body language to show confidence.

B. Introduce yourself to your teachers and classmates.

C. Choose clothes that make you feel great.

D. This can be an easy way to start a talk and break the ice a little.

E. You should keep talking and let people know that you are friendly.

F. Remember that everyone is the new kid at some point and that it's not a big deal.

G. You'll feel less worried if everything is ready before you wake up for your first day.

    If you're having trouble getting good sleep through the night (turning, waking up more than once, for example), this text will tell you what you can do to ensure a peaceful night's sleep.

    ⒈Get on schedule. Changing your sleeping time by more than an hour can severely disturb your sleep quality. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}For example, if you normally wake up at 6 am on weekdays to get to work, you might go to bed around 10 pm, because that's when you start to feel sleepy, and it's also a good time to ensure 8 hours of sleep. If, on the weekend, you sleep until 9 am, you probably won't be able to fall asleep that night until 1am.

    ⒉Be mindful of what you eat or drink before bed.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Digestion slows down while asleep, and a full stomach may interrupt sleep. Similarly, you should avoid going to bed on an empty stomach, as a completely empty stomach may equally disturb your sleeping patterns.

    ⒊{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Exposure to light during the time when you're supposed to be sleeping can destroy your body's internal clock. Turn your light off, or use a very dim(暗淡的)night light. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They include windows, LED clocks and computer lights.

    ⒋Change your sleeping position. You may think that it's impossible to control what position you sleep in since you aren't fully aware of what you are doing, but it is possible and it can make a considerable difference. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    It is believed that raisins were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In 1000 B. C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy{#blank#}2{#/blank#} In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither(枯萎)on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, the heat shriveled(使枯萎)them on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives(防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.

A. The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.

B. The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.

C. They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.

D. The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.

E. Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.

F. Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.

G. Raisins are children's favorite snacks