Category Archives: For Moms

Educational tips for the adventurous child for moms from Spartan & The Green Egg

All About Teddy Bears

There’s nothing more comforting or snuggly than a teddy bear. It is, by far, the most classic of all children’s toys and treasures. Whether it’s an old, tattered bear many years old (with stuffing falling out) or a brand new Build-a-Bear, teddy bears are beloved keepsakes that never go out of style. What makes them so loveable? It must have something to do with the fact that they were one of the first branded toys with a story attached. They’re wholesome and traditional; there’s really nothing to dislike about a soft teddy bear.

“Oh baby let me be, your lovin’ teddy bear. Put a chain around my neck, and lead me anywhere; Oh let me be (oh let him be) your teddy bear.” –Elvis Presley

The Origin of Teddy Bears

Long before Elvis sang of being someone’s teddy bear, the popular stuffed toy was invented and dubbed “Teddy” after Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States (serving from 1901-1909) and, of course, a member of one of the most fascinating American families of all time. The story goes that, on a hunting trip in 1902, Roosevelt was the only member of his party to not kill a bear. When a black bear was found and tied to a tree by another hunter, Roosevelt refused to shoot it. Well, this news soon became newspaper fodder, and the teddy bear was born. In homage to Roosevelt and saving the bear on a hunting trip in Mississippi, a stuffed bear with his nickname became all the rage. Known as a huntsman, naturalist, conservationist, and all-around wild man, Roosevelt helped to invent the National Parks system and was constantly hiking, hunting, fishing, and going on expeditions to explore the country’s wildlife and rough, untouched terrain.

Famous Teddy Bears 

To this day, the teddy bear is one of the most popular gifts for a child. Our favorite teddy bears usually come from stories, such as Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear. Paddington is the protagonist in a series of children’s books (first published in 1958 by Michael Bond with classic illustrations by Peggy Fortnum) about a stuffed bear with a blue raincoat, red hat, and bright yellow galoshes. And let us not forget the Care Bears and Corduroy Bear, too! Now children and parents can even customize their very own teddy bears at Build-a-Bear shops.

The original Teddy Bear (made in 1902) was designed in Germany by toymaker Margarete Steiff. Toys of this sort, from this era, are highly sought after and collectible. If found in good condition, original bears are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Even though these heirloom gifts are expensive and rare, nothing quite beats nostalgia. 

Other Plush Favorites

The Velveteen Rabbit (from Margery Williams’ 1922 children’s book) is a favorite indeed! Anything velvety and soft is ideal for a child to cuddle, and stuffed rabbits are particularly popular as gifts for the Easter holiday. Other stuffed favorites inspired by literature include replicas of characters from the wild minds of Dr. Seuss (such as The Cat in the Hat) and Maurice Sendak (his “wild” things) and various Disney characters.

For more information about the origin of the Teddy Bear and Theodore Roosevelt, check out the links below: 

For further reading about one of our favorite stuffed bears, Winnie the Pooh, read this blog! For all your literary needs, visit Fullcyclepublications.com

The World’s Most Unusual Bridges

6 Most Unusual Bridges in the World  

For as long as humans have been around, we’ve been using creative ideas and innovative building techniques to explore our surroundings. Often, that means creating ways to get across rivers, valleys, and canyons.

Bridges come in all shapes and sizes. Some have stood for centuries, like Greece’s Arkadiko bridge, crafted from stone in 1300 B.C. and still used today. Some of today’s bridges use amazing engineering techniques, while others look like beautiful works of art.

Here are 6 of the world’s most unusual bridges.

1. Helix Bridge

Singapore’s Helix Bridge looks like a massive double helix rolling across the water’s surface. That’s because the bridge’s creators had the shape of human DNA in mind when they designed it.

With a span of 920 feet, this gorgeous bridge allows people to walk easily from one side of the river to the other. Viewing platforms are perfectly positioned along the walkway. It’s an ideal place to stop and take a few photos of the surrounding city.

At night, strips of LED lights turn the Helix Bridge into a giant, glittering jewel. The bridge is so beautiful that it’s become a popular destination for tourists and Singapore residents alike.

2. Royal Gorge Bridge

Would you be brave enough to walk across 1,260 feet of wooden planks hanging 950 feet above a river below? That’s exactly what visitors to the Royal Gorge Bridge ask themselves!

Built-in 1929, this suspension bridge is the highest in the Western hemisphere. The bridge has two steel towers, more than 2,100 strands of wire cables, and spans a deep canyon 956 feet below. It’s been standing since 1929.

The walkway itself is made of more than 1,250 wooden planks. Each year, 26 million people visit the Royal Gorge Bridge… but we’re not sure how many of them are brave enough to walk across it.

3. Millau Viaduct

Spanning 8,071 feet across France’s Tarn River valley, the Millau Viaduct is a marvel of modern engineering. It’s the highest cable-stayed road bridge (a bridge held up by cables that cars can drive across) on the planet.

Its towers soar more than 1,100 feet into the air, making this bridge taller than the Eiffel Tower and almost as high as the Empire State Building! The bridge is so tall that, on a foggy day, it’s impossible to see the valley below. Drivers on the bridge say it feels as though they’re cruising above the clouds.

It only took three years to build this incredible bridge. The designers of the Millau Viaduct had to come up with an entirely new technique to make it work. Unlike other cable-stay bridges, the towers were constructed first, before the roadway was laid in place.

4. Chenyang Wind and Rain Bridge

For centuries, the Dong people of China’s Guangxi Province have constructed strong, sturdy bridges… without using any nails! These gorgeous covered bridges are topped by towers, porches, kiosks, and pavilions that are meant to offer shelter from the weather. That’s why they’re known as “wind and rain” bridges.

Among the most famous is the Chenyang Wind and Rain Bridge. Just over 213 feet long, the bridge spans the Linxi River. It’s made completely from wood and stone, without any nails or rivets.

The soaring pavilions — up to four stories high — sit on sturdy stone towers in the river. The Dong craftsmen were so good at making the wooden pieces fit together perfectly, that the bridge has been standing for more than 100 years.

5. The Twist

Is it a bridge? A building? A sculpture? The Twist is all three and more. Spanning the Randselva River in Jevnaker, Norway, this unique bridge is truly a work of art; part of the Twist’s interior space even houses an art gallery. 

The bridge is located in the middle of a forest, and designers had to overcome several challenges, including different heights at each end of the bridge. Architects came up with a clever solution: Twist the entire bridge by 90 degrees.

That means when you walk through the bridge, the ceiling and floor switch places. At the twist, the ceiling flows down the wall to become the floor, while the floor stretches up the other wall to form the ceiling.

6. Golden Bridge

Just north of Da Nang, Vietnam lies one of the world’s most unique-looking bridges. The Golden Bridge stretches for 500 (golden) feet across a beautiful forest. But the most amazing part about this bridge is that it’s held up by two giant hands.

Walking across this shimmering bridge is like entering your favorite fantasy novel. Though it’s just a few years old, the hands are crafted to look like ancient stone, carefully holding up a glittering golden thread. Adding to the fun, visitors take a cable car ride to climb slowly up the mountain to reach this magical bridge.

What Are Canyons

Learn About Canyons

Canyons are steep, narrow valleys that may also be known as gorges. They’re formed over millions of years by river movements, erosion, and tectonic movements. River canyons are the best-known type of canyon, but they’re also found under the ocean.

River Movements
A fast-flowing river can cut into a riverbed by washing sediment downstream, creating a deeper channel. This type of river becomes known as an entrenched river because they don’t change course like a typical river with a wide, flat floodplain. The Yarlung Zango Canyon in Tibet is the deepest River Canyon in the world. It’s more than 17,500 feet in some places and is also one of the longest canyons in the world, at 310 miles.

Erosion
Erosion and weathering can also form canyons, usually in areas where water regularly freezes and thaws. This process begins when water seeps into cracks in rocks. The water freezes, causing it to expand and make the cracks bigger. The rock erodes and water fills the cracks again during heavy rains, causing more erosion. Over time, the canyon grows wider at the top than the bottom. This cycle repeats itself when the water freezes again.

Erosion like this forms slot canyons when it occurs in soft rock like sandstone. Slot canyons are unusually narrow and deep, sometimes less than three feet wide and 1000 feet deep. These types of canyons can be dangerous because the sides are often very smooth, making them difficult to climb. In some cases, canyons form in areas with soft rock lying on top of harder rock. When this happens, the canyons develop cliffs and ledges when the surface rock erodes, making the canyon walls look like giant steps.

Tectonic Activity
Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle. They shift and collide with each other over millions of years, causing changes to the Earth’s surface. Tectonic activity can sometimes cause land to rise above the surrounding area, which is known as a tectonic uplift. They can create mountains that glaciers and rivers cut through to create deep canyons.

The Grand Canyon in Arizona is the best-known canyon formed by tectonic activity. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide at its widest point. The deepest point in the Grand Canyon is 6,000 feet below the surrounding land. The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River, which cuts through the Colorado Plateau. The age of the Grand Canyon is between 5 million and 70 million years, depending on which geologist you ask.


Submarine Canyons

Canyons on the ocean floor are known as submarine canyons, which are some of the deepest canyons on Earth. These canyons cut into the continental shelves and slopes, which are the edges of the continents that are underwater. Some submarine canyons were formed by rivers when that part of the ocean floor was above water.

The Hudson Canyon is one of the longest canyons of this type, at a length of 450 miles. It was formed by the Hudson River, which is located between the US states of New York and New Jersey. The Hudson Canyon was the riverbed of the Hudson River during the last ice age when sea levels were lower. Ocean currents that are strong enough can also form submarine canyons by sweeping away sediment.

Ocean currents that are strong enough can also form submarine canyons by sweeping away sediment. This process is similar to the way that rivers on land can erode riverbeds. Wittard Canyon, off the south coast of Ireland, is a well-known example of this type of canyon. Scientists believe this canyon was formed thousands of years ago when glacial water flowed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Birds Around The World

When we think of colorful, exotic birds a parrot (usually perched on a pirate’s shoulder) inevitably comes to mind. There are nearly 400 species of parrot. While they come in all sizes they usually have a long tail, are very intelligent, and some learn to speak (or at least mimic sounds they hear). Parrots are usually very loud, raucous creatures and make for good companions, although one should really not own a parrot as a pet. For one thing, they often outlive their owners! Parrots can live up to 80 years. 

“Tame birds sing of freedom. Wild birds fly.”

– John Lennon

Magnificent Macaws

  • Macaws are extraordinary and extreme in their amazing attributes. They can fly very fast (up to forty miles an hour) and have an impressive wingspan (more than four feet in width). They also have extraordinarily powerful curved beaks used for cracking hard nuts and seeds. 
  • There are the traditional macaws with mainly red plumage surrounding their head, neck, and back that flows into a rainbow of colors across their wings; these are known as the “Scarlet Macaws” while the “Red-front Macaw” is mostly green in color with a splash of red on its head. The “Hyacinth Macaw” is almost entirely blue and is longer than any other species of parrot. Then there’s the “Red and Gold Macaw,” which is extremely distinctive. Their unique shape—including long tail—is for flying quickly through the jungle. Of course, parrots are incredibly noisy birds; this is so they can screech and squaw throughout the tropics and other birds will hear their call.

Other Fine Feathered Friends

Some other popular exotic birds include cockatoos and toucans.

  • Cockatoos belong to the parrot species, Cacatuidae. These birds are distinctive due to the flamboyant plumage atop their heads (the most recognizable because of this attribute being the sulfur-crested cockatoo, with its black beak, entirely white body—except for cheeks that appear to be glamourized with yellow rouge—and bright matching crown of spiky plumes).
  • Toucans are tropical birds known for their impressively large rainbow bills and are a member of the Ramphastidae family. They can be found mostly in Central and South America.

Polly Wants a Cracker: Where to Find Tropical Birds

  • Amazon River Cruises: “What does 55 gallons of water per second look like? The Amazon River, that’s what! The Amazon is THE largest body of freshwater rivers in the world. The
    Amazon snakes through many countries, but the largest portion is in Peru, which is in South America. When exploring the Amazon River you’re likely to see brightly colored birds, such as parrots and macaws, as well as towering trees, exotic flowers, and some of the most unusual wildlife to be found on the planet.”
  • Lake Retba in Senegal: “is among the splendid lakes of the world that have water that is pink!” Located near the country’s capital, Dakar, the lake is known for its abundance of salt. With a gray head and yellow and green body, the Senegal parrot is known for being smaller than most, a little less vocal (although they can be taught to mimic) as well as incredibly affectionate and playful.
  • Scoresby Sound, Greenland, is the world’s largest fjord and is surrounded by incredible craggy cliffs. Some of the wildlife that can be found there includes the Atlantic Puffin. Although it looks similar to a penguin, they are completely different. Puffins are seabirds that can fly over 50 miles per hour and are characterized by their black and white bodies juxtaposed with a colorful beak. Because of this, they have been called “sea parrots.”

For more information on the exotic birds mentioned in this blog, check out the websites below:

For more information on the sites mentioned in the blog and to collect corresponding explorer pins, check out the following Spartan and the Green Egg links:

Save Water

Simple Ways to Save Water

Although much of the earth is covered by water, most of it isn’t water that we can use. A lot of it is saltwater in the oceans, and some of it is frozen water. We rely on freshwater supplies for drinking water and for water that we use around the home. Since there’s a limited supply of freshwater, it’s important to watch how much we use. There are plenty of things you can do to save water.

Use Bathroom Water Wisely

Between flushing toilets, taking showers and running faucets, a lot of water is wasted in bathrooms. You can help cut down on water use in this part of your home by doing the following:

  • Take showers instead of baths. Showers use less water. You can help even more by limiting your showers to five minutes or less.
  • Don’t let the water keep running while you’re brushing your teeth. Turn it on to wet your toothbrush, then shut it off. Turn it on again to rinse off your toothbrush when you’re done.
  • Shut faucets off all the way. When you’re done washing your hands or brushing your teeth, make sure the faucet is turned off all the way. Otherwise, it could leak and waste water.

Cut Down on Kitchen Water Use

The other main area of homes where water is usually wasted is in the kitchen. You use water to wash dishes and for drinking. How can you and your family lower the amount of water wasted in the kitchen? Try the following:

  • Use the same glass or cup throughout the day for drinking water. If everyone in your home does this, there won’t be as many glasses and cups to wash later on.
  • Don’t run water when you’re washing dishes in the sink. Fill one sink basin with water for washing, and fill up the other basin with water for rinsing.
  • If your family uses a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s full. The less you run the dishwasher, the less water you use.

Other Ways to Help

Here are a few more ways that you can save water:

  • Be on the lookout for leaks. Tell your parents if you discover a leaky faucet in your home.
  • If you help out with laundry, only run the washing machine when it’s full. Wash dark clothes in cold water to cut down on both water and energy use.
  • If watering the lawn is one of your chores, do it early in the morning or in the evening. Watering it when it’s sunny and warmer out wastes more water.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

 

Road Trips With Kids

THE BACKSEAT BLUES: 5 ESSENTIALS FOR ROAD TRIPPING WITH KIDS

Getting to your destination safely and quickly means well-behaved passengers are a must, but young kids rarely travel according to plan. Even if you plan to take a leisurely, scenic route with plenty of stops along the way, backseat boredom is always looming. When your focus needs to be on the road, some pre-trip planning can help minimize distractions while making the drive a more positive experience for your youngest travelers.

If your child or children struggle to stay happy, comfortable, and quiet on the road, these five items will help you turn your road trip around: – proverbially, not literally.

  • Food and Drink

Some parents limit the food and drink their children have access to on the road, with the idea that this keeps the car interior cleaner and limits bathroom breaks. While both of those outcomes are true, they may just as easily lead to a hangry, dehydrated youngster as a dry, clean one. Embrace the occasional food-chaos and consciously pick up non-staining / no-dye-added juice boxes and unlikely-to-crumble treats like fruit leather or carrot sticks.

  • A Change of Clothes

Even if your children are well past the diaper stage, no parent has ever been sorry to have spare clothes on hand in case something happens. Motion sickness and car nausea do occur, and so do all the symptoms that accompany them- including the “reappearance” of the aforementioned snacks. If your child has a bout of nausea, you’ll be glad you had clean, dry clothes to change them into afterward. Additionally, if they become too hot or cold, having options to help with temperature control will help limit crankiness.

  • Plastic and Zip-Top Bags

Waterproof bags for trash are a must, particularly if an unexpected cleanup occurs. Zip-top bags can seal in potentially foul odors or sticky residue, helping to keep your car smelling, looking, and feeling fresh. These bags can also be used to isolate dirty laundry, wet socks from the lake or beach, or to keep valuables clean and isolated. Resealable bags can also be filled with ice and used as cold packs in a cooler or as compresses for bumps and bruises.

  • Back Up Batteries / Charge Cables

If your child is bringing along a gaming system, tablet, laptop, or smartphone, you can count on the batteries giving out on the longest, loneliest stretch of your journey. Rechargeable “power bank” style batteries will help stave off the dreaded low battery indicator, as will cigarette-lighter power cables with the appropriate adapter(s) attached. Even if you plan on limiting screen time while on the road, their devices can be charged while they nap or watch the scenery.

  • Something New

While it’s a great idea to bring along favorite toys, books, and games from home, there’s a good chance they’ll lose interest or become bored after playing with said item on a long road trip. A new book, game, or toy will hold their interest longer, and start the trip off on a great note. Savvy parents may even want to promise the new item at a milestone – say, the midpoint of the trip – to give their child something to look forward to, other than the end of the trip.

Explore your world and the universe though the Spartan and the Green Egg Series. Join the Explorer’s Club, enjoy interactive games, collect travel pins and more! Learn about the world and the SGE Explorers Today!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Extreme Camping And Travel Destinations

Leave a reply

Ready, Set, Adventure! Africa: Mountains, Hills, Lakes and Waterfalls

“No one has explained what the leopard was seeking at that altitude.”
-Ernest Hemingway, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, 1936

Don’t forget to collect your Spartan and the Green Egg Explorer Stickers to inform and entertain as you imagine your next journey!

• Mount Kilimanjaro: Located in Tanzania, East Africa, this 19,000-foot tall wonder has three distinct peaks and is of great interest to scientists because of the effects of climate change, including melting icecaps and shrinking glaciers. Ernest Hemingway—famous not only for his brilliant writing but life as an avid explorer and hunter—wrote of the magnificent mountain peaks and dormant volcano in his short story, The Snows of Kilimanjaro.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb a mountain or even a dormant volcano?! Mount Kilimanjaro is technically a “stratovolcano.” As it is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain on earth, climbing Kilimanjaro is a popular feat for climbers but is not to be taken lightly as, without the proper training and equipment, it can be extremely dangerous. ClimbingKilimanjaro offers services for explorers who wish to successfully climb the mountain and has a 96% success rate (you must be at least 10 years old to climb Kilimanjaro.) Experienced guides have helped over 15,000 adventurers to safely reach the summit, Uhuru Peak—the highest in all of Africa! Also, on the way up the stratovolcano, there are campsites where climbers can pitch a tent and rest. Imagine camping at high altitudes on your way to Africa’s greatest peak.

• Lake Nakuru: Located in Kenya, this small alkaline lake provides a home for hundreds of species of birds. As many as two million flamingos have been seen all gathered together on the lake, feeding on algae in the warm waters. Imagine this magnificent scene in nature filled with pink flamingos!

• Great Wildebeest Migration: Every year, nearly two million wildebeest travel across the plains in the Serengeti to find new grazing land in Masai Mara. This amazing migration is considered one of the seven wonders of the world.

• Green Hills of Africa (1935) is a non-fiction work by Ernest Hemingway about his two-month safari in East Africa. If one is interested in African safaris, wildlife, and breathtaking adventure, The Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda will bring Hemingway’s accounts to life. Complete with the magnificent waterfall, Murchison Falls (also known as “Kabalega Falls”), the River Nile, sandbanks where crocodiles and hippopotamuses sunbathe and the Budongo Forest, this National Park is truly one of the most amazing places to visit and explore. One can also gaze upon giraffes, cape buffalo, chimpanzees, elephants, warthogs, and hundreds of bird species in their native habitat.

• “The Rwenzori Mountains are part of East Africa, found along the border between Uganda and the Congo. The Rwenzori Mountains are very important to both regions because they support glaciers that feed water into the river Nile. The highest peaks of the mountains are over sixteen thousand feet high and are constantly covered in snow. Historians believe the mountains were formed over three million years ago. Locals often refer to them as the Mountains of the Moon.”

Sand and Sea

“But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”

– Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, 1952

• “Cuba is most well known for having gorgeous sandy beaches and producing high-quality adult products, such as fine rum and cigars. The Caribbean island has a very rich culture, and is filled with many great clubs and cabarets. Due to political reasons, Cuba has mostly been cut off from travelers and tourists in the past, giving the island a mysterious allure.”

Hemingway also wrote of Cuba in one of his most well-known books, The Old Man and the Sea. The short novel details the story of an old fisherman who struggles to catch a giant marlin in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream off the Cuban coast.

Cuba—which is now open to travelers—is a beautiful destination known for warm, crystal clear waters and beaches, such as Varadero (one of the most popular in the Caribbean) and caves (Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes). Cuba is also known for its underwater park, Cayo Piedra, which is ideal for exploration. Snorkelers can discover underwater worlds filled with shipwrecks and all sorts of colorful fish!
There’s also deep-sea fishing and even skydiving!

“Water, water, water…There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount, a perfect ratio of water to rock, water to sand, insuring that wide free open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here unless you try to establish a city where no city should be.”

– Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness, 1968

• Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park. According to the National Park Service, “this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes.” There is, surprisingly, a certain balance as “each extreme has a striking contrast.” There are actually occasional rainstorms, and, from these, wildflowers bloom. There are also frosty mountain peaks covered with snow, and wildlife can sustain on fish found in lush oases.

• Sailing Stones at Racetrack Playa: The Sailing Stones are found in Death Valley, California and are sometimes referred to as the moving or sliding stones. The stones earn their name because they move completely on their own. The sliding stones always leave a noticeable trail of sand where they have traveled. Most of the rocks slide to a dry lake bed called the Racetrack Playa. These stones and the marks they leave in the sand are a sight to behold for any traveler.

For more information on what Spartan and the Green Egg has to offer (including Explorer Stickers) along with more helpful insights on the extraordinary destinations mentioned in this blog, consult the websites listed below.

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/mount-kilimanjaro/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/great-wildebeest-migration/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/lake-nakuru/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/cuba-island/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/rwenzori-mountains/
https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/sailing-stones-at-racetrack-playa-death-valley/
https://www.murchisonfallsnationalpark.com/
https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm
https://www.livescience.com/23421-kilimanjaro.html
https://www.climbingkilimanjaro.com/
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/cuba-cub.htm

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #littleexplorers #explorerstickers #mountkilimanjaro #deathvalley #greatwildebeestmigration #cuba

Explore Scotland: Lighthouses, Castles, Fortresses And Ancient Villages!

Leave a reply

My Heart is in the Highlands!

Scotland is known for its rolling green hills and mountain ranges, highlands, lowlands, castles, ancient ruins, fortresses, lochs (lakes) such as its most famous Loch Ness, and glens (or valleys). When one thinks of castles, we think of fairytales with kings and queens, princes and princesses. We think of medieval times, ancient history, and maybe even an underwater monster!

Castles

Edinburgh Castle (medium.com)

  • Edinburgh Castle sits on top of Castle Rock (which is actually the remains of an erupted volcano) and is truly a sight to behold. It has been occupied by royalty since the 11th century and is known for its majesty and grandeur. It was attacked until the 19th century and was known as one of the world’s “most besieged” places in Great Britain. Today, it is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions.

Inverness Castle (castlesfortsbattles.co.uk)

  • Inverness Castle is a structure built in the neo-Norman style and has been since the 1800s. An original structure was built as long ago as the eleventh century AD and was then rebuilt in the 18th century.

Dunnottar Castle (Travelsfuelslife.com)

  • Dunnottar Castle is a fortress now in ruins as it sits atop a cliff on the North Sea. Its walls were once impenetrable.

Balmoral Castle (townandcountrymag.com)

Kenmure Castle (reddit.com)

  • Kenmure Castle is located near New Galloway in southwest Scotland. The oldest part of the castle—its tower—was built in the 16th The castle ruins have witnessed many fires and stands upon rock and marshy ground.

Other Sights to Behold: Collect your Corresponding Spartan and the Green Egg Explorer Stickers Today!

  • The Antonine Wall is a structure made of stone that was built by the Romans around 140 AD. The ancient ruins remain standing and, in some places, are as high as ten feet.

  • Fingal’s Cave is a sea-cave rising 72 feet tall and 270 feet deep. Its interior walls are made of hexagonal columns of basalt which are shaped as six-sided pillars. The cave is known for its colorful interior as well as the wonder it provided the ancient Irish and Scottish Celtic people while the island of Staffa is known for the puffins that nest there.

  • The Bell Rock Lighthouse is located off the coast of Angus, Scotland, and was built between 1807 and 1810. It is the oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse in the world. During the first and second World Wars, the lighthouse exhibited a light when ships were expected to pass the Inchcape reef.

  • Loch Ness is famously known for the myth that an enormous underwater monster lives within its deep waters. Existence of the Loch Ness Monster has never been proven. The first sighting was in 1933, and since then it has become a tourist attraction. The actual lake is known for the immense depth of the water.  Located in the Scottish Highlands, the freshwater lake is nearly 800 feet deep.

Shakespeare’s Scotland

“Yet do I fear thy nature;

It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.”

– William Shakespeare, Macbeth, 1.5

(“Lady Macbeth” by James Parker, 1800)

  • Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth (1606-07) is about a young general who is told (by three witches no less) that he will, one day, be king of Scotland. Shakespeare’s play is a masterwork of drama as it explores the effects of political power and just how far one will go to get it.

For more information on Spartan and the Green Egg Explorer Stickers and how to collect them, visit the websites below:

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/new-lanark/

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/antonine-wall/

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/loch-ness/

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/fingals-cave/

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com/product/bell-rock-lighthouse/

For more information on Scotland, its castles, other amazing attractions and ancient ruins, consult the websites mentioned in this blog post:

https://www.visitscotland.com/about/famous-scots/macbeth/

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/edinburgh-castle-p245821

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/dunnottar-castle-p245751

http://www.castlesfortsbattles.co.uk/highland/inverness_castle.html

https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk/the-best-castles/magnificent-ruins/kenmure-castle/

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/707811

https://www.britannica.com/place/Loch-Ness-lake-Scotland-United-Kingdom

https://www.nlb.org.uk/lighthouses/bell-rock/

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/fingal-s-cave

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/429/

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/The-Antonine-Wall/

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog #castles #explorerstickers #letsexplore #antoninewall #newlanark #fingalscave

 

Mayan Ruins In Tulum, Mexico

Leave a reply

(Photo: Tulum, Mexico, Forbes.com)

Who were the Mayans?

The Mayans or “Maya” were a group of peoples indigenous to Mexico and Central America. They inhabited what is now known as modern-day Yucatán (as well as other parts of Mexico) southward through Guatemala and El Salvador (to name a few countries). The Maya Civilization was cultivated as far back as 7000-2000 BCE. The history of Mesoamerica and its many periods throughout time is vast and quite impressive. The Mayans are known for their building of great pyramids as well as their belief system, where everything is cyclical.

(El Castillo, Encirclephotos.com)

What Mayan Ruins are there to discover in Tulum?

Tulum, Mexico, is known for its amazing archeology and well-preserved ruins built by the Mayans.

  • “El Castillo” is literally translated as “the Castle” and is the remains of the largest façade in the ancient walled city of Tulum. On the edge of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, this structure is one of many surrounded by a wall measuring 16 feet in width.
  • The Temple of the Frescoes is a truly sacred destination. This temple of “frescoes” (paintings) depicts important Mayan gods and goddesses and is located directly in front of the castle (mentioned above).
  • The Temple of the Descending God is a structure so intricately designed as reverence for one of the Mayan gods that, to this day, the carvings of the upside-down god are not only intact, but, are more prominent at this site than any other (there are only three other known archeological sites where this god is depicted).
  • LabnaHa Echo Park is filled with cenotes and is basically an underwater cave adventure ideal for diving and snorkeling.
  • The House of the Columns or “The Palace”: What was once the dwelling for Mayan leaders is one of the most impressive sites in Tulum.

(Cenotes Dos Ojos, bluelife.com)

What Other Wonderful Sights are in Tulum?

  • Caverns and caves: Tulum is filled with the world’s largest underwater system of caves (including The Sac Actun System or “white cave system”).
  • Beautiful ocean views: Tulum is located on the Caribbean coastline. With views of the beautiful, vast turquoise ocean and islands, it is a truly magical place.
  • Cenotes are natural sinkholes usually formed in caves and filled with groundwater (very much like an underground river). They are usually formed from limestone and are incredibly beautiful, mysterious places to explore and swim. “Cenote” is translated as “sacred well” as these sites were sometimes used by the ancient Mayans for sacrificial ceremonies and offerings. They are only found in the Yucatán Peninsula (there are more than 6,000).
  • Cenotes Dos Ojos or “Two Eyes Cenotes” is located on the Maya Riviera on the northeastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula coastline. It is one of the world’s most desirable destinations as it is probably the most beautiful and famous of all the cenotes. A stairway leads one down into the body of a cave that is also a secret swimming hole filled with abundant blue water and limestone walls. This is a hugely popular destination for swimmers and divers.

For more information from Spartan and the Green Egg (on caves in particular) you can collect travel pins that document amazing destinations all over the world, including The Cave of the Crystals in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico.

For more information on Mayan Ruins and Tulum, Mexico, visit the websites consulted in this blog below:

https://explorationvacation.net/2015/04/el-castillo-tulum-mexico/
http://historicalmx.org/items/show/10
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/tulum
https://encircleworldphotos.photoshelter.com/image/I0000q9SYVNaXZBc
https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/mexico-s-cenotes-hidden-gems-of-the-yucatan/
https://www.everysteph.com/cenote-dos-ojos-tulum/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g150813-Tulum_Yucatan_Peninsula-Vacations.html
https://www.ancient.eu/Maya_Civilization/#:~:targetText=The%20Maya%20are%20an%20indigenous,
Belize%2C%20El%20Salvador%20and%20Honduras
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/secret-swims-the-cenotes-of-mexicos-yucatan-peninsula
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g150813-d1632455-Reviews-LabnaHa_Cenotes_Eco_Park-Tulum_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Learn About Submarines

Leave a reply

 

Mysterious and odd-shaped, submarines give workers ways to explore the deep sea. Submarines don’t just allow others to see the hidden parts of the world’s oceans though. They are also used to do many things in workplaces around the world.

At first glance, submarines look pretty special. The vessel can travel deep distances underwater. Inside the submarine are special tanks known as ballasts that hold large amounts of water. Submarines also have a power source. A power source is what helps power the vessel when it operates. A submarine may have different power sources: batteries, engines, or nuclear power. Some submarines use more than one of those power sources.

A submarine uses sonar to navigate through the darkest depths of the oceans in the world. Sonar puts out sound waves that bounce off objects around the submarine as it travels. When the sonar wave bounces off the objects, it sends back a signal to the vessel. A submarine usually has other equipment stored inside for crew

members. Inside, clean water, air, and various supplies are kept for the crew on board.

History of The Submarine

Submarines have a pretty cool history. Did you know the first submarine was not actually a submarine? The very first working submarine was a rowboat covered in leather!

Cornelis Drebbel, an inventor, made this early submarine in 1620. The vessel traveled depths as deep as 4.5 meters (15 feet).  In 1776, a US inventor named David Bushnell also made an early submarine. The submarine was later used in the American Revolution. A few years later, Robert Fulton built a small submarine named the Nautilus. The Nautilus helped attach small explosives to ships.

During the 1900s, inventors and engineers continued to make submarines that ran on newer power sources. By then, a submarine could run on an electric motor powered by a battery if the vessel was travelling underwater. Submarines could also run on diesel engines for traveling on water surfaces.

Both types of submarines were used in World War I and World War II.

The US Navy’s vessel, the USS Nautilus, was first deployed in 1954 and ran on nuclear power.

Submarines Today

Military around the world use submarines. Submarines protect the ships used in the Navy and also do other tasks. Scientists and researchers famously use submarines to conduct deep-sea research. A lot of the information about deep-sea creatures would not be available without submarines! Submarines are also used by salvagers to recover lost ship parts. Some places even allow tourists to ride in a submarine to see the deep sea first hand!

How Submarines Stay Underwater

Ever wonder how a submarine stays underwater? The ballasts inside a submarine help keep the vessel underwater. When the vessel wants to sink, the ballasts fill up with water.

Water is very heavy. When it fills a submarine ballast, it helps the vessel become much heavier. When it’s time for the submarine to rise, the water in the ballasts is emptied. When the water leaves the ballasts, it makes the vessel lighter, so it can rise out of the deeper parts of water. To move around, a submarine usually has a propeller on its back end.

Sources:

http://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/submarines.html

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Submarine

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Learning a Foreign Language

Leave a reply

(photo courtesy of schooladvisor.my)

·      Why Learning a Foreign Language is Rewarding:

Learning a foreign language may be one of the most challenging yet rewarding things a person can do. It comes naturally to some and is more difficult for others but one thing is certain: it’s easier when you’re young. It’s also a lot easier to learn a foreign language if one is immersed in the sounds and is among native speakers. It is incredibly rewarding to learn another’s native tongue as it helps us to understand the nature of language and what it truly means to communicate with each other. It is also rewarding to try and expand one’s mind as much as possible and to have learning challenges: always learning is like setting out on a constant adventure where your mind is the mode of travel.

There are many benefits to learning a new language and the Eton Institute (one of the most well-known and respected language schools in the world) has a whole list that may be of interest and encouragement for one embarking on this journey.  It has been proven that studying language keeps one sharp and helps to improve memory while even helping with the ability to multitask. Those are just a couple of amazing rewards one will reap when seeking out this particular kind of knowledge.

·      What To Do When Studying In a Classroom Is Not An Option:

Of course, taking classes or having a personal tutor is always an optimal way of learning but is not available for everyone. If one cannot learn in a classroom there are audiotapes and films available where one can listen and study. Of course, there are also books and the Rosetta Stone (an educational software company that helps to develop language and literacy). The Rosetta Stone has proven to be incredibly effective and is very popular among those studying foreign languages.

·      Fun and Inventive Ways to Actually Remember What You Learn:

If one cannot physically be in the country in which the language they’re learning is spoken then watching films is always a wonderful and artistic way to grasp the culture, landscape and, of course, the language. Another way, as aforementioned, to help enhance the learning process and to spark the imagination is to watch educational films and to sing songs. FluentU (Foreign Language Immersion Online) offers tips on how to learn a foreign language while watching movies regardless of skill level. Simple songs and nursery rhymes such as Frère Jacques are also helpful when learning a new language. Of course, materials such as flash cards are ideal for studying and it’s always more fun to work with a partner.

(photo courtesy of smartlanguagelearner.com)

·      Finally, Why One Should Want to Study a Foreign Language:

There are many reasons to learn a foreign language and they’re all pretty exciting because they all include discovering new and wonderful things about the world. Imagine being able to communicate with all sorts of different people while learning about exotic cultures and traditions across the globe. What an amazing opportunity! It’s incredibly important to know about the world around us and the people in it: learning a foreign language helps us to understand different ways of living and, in turn, we understand more about ourselves and where we come from. It’s also the perfect excuse to travel. To explore all kinds of world destinations, visit Nabila K’s Spartan and the Green Egg website for travel stickers and videos that include colorful images and information galore. Global Graduates is a wonderful website that focuses on studying world languages and studying abroad; it also offers helpful advice for encouraging children to learn a foreign language. For more information, look no further: https://globalgraduates.com/articles/motivate-your-child-to-learn-a-foreign-language

For further reading and to visit the sites mentioned in this blog, follow these links:  https://www.fluentu.com/blog/learning-language-through-movies/

https://etoninstitute.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-learning-a-foreign-language

https://www.rosettastone.com

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Learn About Horseback Riding

Leave a reply

Horses are wonderful creatures! You may have seen horses featured in a variety of different books, television shows, and films. Did you know that long before cars, trains, and busses people used horses as a common way to travel? People often rode on horseback or as passengers in a horse-pulled carriage.

History of Horseback Riding

People have tamed and trained horses for many purposes. Throughout the history of the world, people have trained horses to use them as a way to take people from one place to another.

As early as 4,000 years ago, people who lived in central Asia began seeing the benefits of using horses to travel everywhere. However, something was different about their horses. The horses they raised were more pony than a horse and not well suited to carry people because of their small size.

By 2500 B.C., people began breeding horses to grow larger and stronger in size. Larger and stronger horses let people use them for different kinds of early travel. People in Western parts of Asia were said to have connected horses to wagons. Horses soon came to Greece and later came to Troy, where they fast became a part of their culture and daily life.

The Egyptians also used horses with chariots to invade the Amorite territory. Hundreds of years later, horse travel became better when riders came up with the bit, a part that goes into a horse’s mouth. The bit makes controlling a horse much easier.

As society around the world grew, horseback travel became a common way to go places. In cities, horses were used to pull stagecoaches for wealthy passengers. By the 1800s, horseback travel began to overlap with the use of early motor vehicles. As the price of motor vehicles began to decline, horses soon became less popular in the early 1900s and after the World Wars in the early 20th century.

Horseback Riding Today

Although horseback riding isn’t as popular these days, it’s still useful in many places around the world. Horses are still used to help people travel and move cargo from place to place for many reasons.

Police forces in large cities sometimes use trained horses for travel in special situations. You may see police riding a horse for special events or situations where they need to control a growing crowd. Some police use horses in search and rescue missions. Although not usually travel, horseback riders often race their horses in many contests. You may see horses complete in regular racing competitions, barrel racing, and roping events.

Horses are commonly used on farms and ranches for labor. It’s not uncommon to see a farmer or ranch worker using a horse to move heavy cargo across a large area.  Some places rent horses to people who want to learn to ride a horse. There are even dude ranches that let people pay to become a cowboy for a day!

Sources:

http://www.scienceforkidsclub.com/horse-and-pony.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/horsemanship

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

A Kid’s Guide to Making Compost at Home

Leave a reply

What Is Composting? How to Try It at Home

Did you know that some of the scraps left over from lunches and cooking aren’t really garbage?
Some waste can be turned into healthy, nutritious soil for plants. This is done by composting, and you can try it for yourself.

What Is Compost?

Compost is a type of fertilizer for plants. It’s made of organic materials, which means parts of other living things. Bacteria feed on these scraps and help break them down. When they’ve done their work, the compost no longer looks like plants. Instead, it looks like moist, dark soil. Gardeners often call compost “black gold,” because it’s such a valuable source of nutrients for plants.

Why Is Composting Important?

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency’s job is to keep our air and water clean and to protect the earth from harm. They estimate that about 1/3 of all the garbage we throw away is made up of organic materials like food scraps and grass clippings. This takes up space in landfills and adds methane gas to the air. If we set aside these scraps for composting,

we help stop that pollution.

Composting also helps keep your yard and garden healthier. It helps build soil that holds water to protect plants from drought. It also feeds plants so they grow stronger and faster. When you use compost instead of chemical fertilizers, you help protect wildlife, too.
How to Try Composting at Home

Composting is easy! You can make your own compost bin with some help from your parents. Keep it outside, in the basement, or in the garage.

Here’s what you need:

  • A sturdy plastic container with a lid. Using a clear container will let you watch the process of how scraps turn into compost, but it’s not necessary.
  • A drill
  • Mesh for repairing window screens
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue

Here’s what to do:

  1. Ask your parents for help drilling holes into the lid of your container. This gives the bacteria air to breathe as they break food scrapes down into compost.
  2. Cut a piece of mesh to fit on the inside of the lid.
  3. Use the hot glue gun to dab glue around the edges of the lid. Then press the mesh in place. This will keep fruit flies and other insects out of your compost if you’re keeping the bin indoors.

Here’s what to put in your compost bin:

  • wilted flowers
  • vegetables that went bad
  • eggshells
  • cooking scraps that come from plants (carrot tops, green spots on potatoes, avocado pits, banana peels, etc.)
  • autumn leaves
  • grass clippings from mowing the lawn

Taking care of your compost:

  1. Once a week, use a garden trowel or small shovel to stir the compost. This helps keep bacteria moving around.
  2. If your compost smells bad, cover the scraps with a layer of dried leaves or shredded newspaper.
  3. When your bin is full, stop adding scraps but keep stirring.
  4. When everything in the bin turns black and looks like moist dirt, you’re done!
  5. Use your compost to mulch garden plants to help them grow.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Discovering Venice

Leave a reply

Venice is a city filled with adventure and endless possibility for lovers of beauty. One can take a calm ride through the city’s canals in a gondola while listening to the music of the lapping water and if you’re lucky, a singing gondolier. Canals filled with turquoise water instead of streets bustling with cars and bicycles come to mind when one thinks of the sinking city. The poet Joseph Brodsky only visited Venice in December for he longed to celebrate the beginning of a new year with “a wave hitting the shore at midnight.” He explained, “that, to me, is time coming out of water.” Brodsky also described the city as being “part damp oxygen, part coffee and prayers” and he described the canal-side structures as “upright lace.”

Venice is also home to the Piazza San Marco which was, according to Napoleon, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe and remains, to this day, one of the most visited sites in the city. Saint Mark’s Basilica lies within the square and is one of the most gorgeous examples of glorious Italo-Byzantine architecture; it is even embellished with three majestic bronze horses that were once stolen by Napoleon and taken to Paris (they were brought back to Venice many years ago). Saint Mark’s Square is also home to the Palazzo Ducale (or Doge’s Palace) with its Bridge of Sighs and a nearby campanile (or bell tower) where one can climb to the peak and look out over the canals, palazzos, bridges, and rooftops. Because Venice is literally sinking into the sea due to rising tides or “acqua alta” it is important to visit the city and all the beautiful museums and treasured sites it has to offer.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Exploring Australia Through Food

Leave a reply

Australia is the smallest continent, but it has plenty to offer when it comes to food. Some of the foods Australians eat are derived from traditional English meals. After all, colonists from England settled here hundreds of years ago. However, Australians have managed to give these foods, such as meat pies and biscuits, their own spin.

Australian Favorites
Australians eat a variety of foods, ranging from seafood to Vegemite spread. While you’ll find tons of recipes available for Australian cuisine, some are considered more traditional than others. Anzac biscuits, made from oatmeal and coconut, are one example. Australians with a sweet tooth also enjoy a dessert called pavlova, which has meringue, fruit and whipped cream.

Australia also has its own traditional version of bread, called damper, which is meant to be baked over a campfire. What else do those living Down Under enjoy? Pumpkin soup is a local favorite, as are hamburgers topped with beetroot. Australians enjoy pumpkins in more than just soup, though. It’s a favorite vegetable and side dish, whether it’s mashed up with potatoes or baked on its own. Australians also make seasoned beef patties known as rissoles for informal dinners with friends and loved ones.

Seasonal Switches
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that Christmas takes place during summer. Instead of cooking up hot comfort foods, such as ham and potatoes, Australians enjoy warm weather foods, including seafood and salads. They might spend the holiday feasting outdoors or even at the beach, rather than sitting around a dining room table.

Although June, July, and August are associated with wintertime in Australia, the weather is usually mild all year long. This gives Australians plenty of opportunities to have their meals outdoors, which many like to do. The mild weather makes it ideal for Australians to fire up the barbecue, or barbie, and cook up some shrimp or burgers.

Food Customs
Some Australians enjoy tea and biscuits in the late afternoon just as the English do. For Australian children, this serves as their snack when they come home from school. They don’t fill up too much, though, since they typically eat a large dinner a couple of hours later.

Australians have adopted elements of other cultures into their food in more recent years. That’s why you’ll find plenty of dishes that have influences from Greece, East Asia, the Middle East and more.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Keeping Our Oceans Safe

Leave a reply

Saving Our Oceans

 

 

 

 

 

You might have heard that a large amount of our planet is covered in water. In fact, 71 percent of it is! Most of that water is found in the earth’s oceans. The bad news is that our oceans are in trouble for a few reasons. The good news is that you can do something about it.

What’s Hurting Our Oceans?

Litter from land sometimes ends up in the water, and some people toss garbage right into the water. Litter can hurt the animals that live in the ocean. Some animals eat these items and become sick, while others become trapped in rope or rings from plastic bottles.

Coral reefs are also in danger. These colorful reefs play an important role in the ocean’s environment. When they become damaged, many other marine creatures are affected as well. The main threats to coral reefs come from harmful substances that are washed into the ocean, such as pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals and sewage pollution.

Some areas of our oceans have very little oxygen or none at all. These are called dead zones, and no marine plants or animals can live in them. These areas are growing larger, which means that more and more marine creatures are being forced to find other places to live. Dead zones develop when fertilizer applied to crops makes its way into rivers, then oceans.

What Can We Do to Help?

There are several ways that you can help protect our oceans and all of the wonderful creatures that live in them. These include:

  • Eating seafood that is sustainably caught. That means eating fish that comes from areas where there are plenty of them around and where safe fishing methods that don’t hurt other marine animals are used.
  • Choose paper instead of plastic. By using less plastic, you’ll be helping to reduce the amount of litter that ends up in the ocean. If you do use plastic, recycle it.
  • Buy organic foods. Farmers don’t use harmful chemicals or fertilizers on organic foods, so you’ll be doing your part to protect coral reefs and stop dead zones from spreading.
  • Switch to organic sunscreen. Chemicals from regular sunscreen products wash into the water and hurt coral reefs.
  • Support marine sanctuaries and protected areas. These provide safe places for marine animals and plants to live. Learn more about these areas, and look for ways that you can help support them.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey

Leave a reply

Grand Bazaar- Istanbul, Turkey

How old is your local mall? Chances are it can’t come close to the age of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Bazaar is a word that means ‘market’, and the Grand Bazaar earns its name. This market is over 550 years old! It is so big that it has five mosques (a Muslim place of worship), a school, seven fountains, and forty hotels. Get your shoes on, because you will do some walking at this Istanbul landmark.
Fun Facts About the Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar, also called the Kapali Cars, has almost 60 streets running through it. The combined area covered by all of the different retail stores in the Grand Bazaar is about 31,000 square meters. How many stores? Try 4000! That’s a lot of shopping!! More than 300,000 people visit this area of Istanbul each day. This miniature city within a city has also had a mysterious function, acting as a rendezvous point for spies from all sorts of countries who could meet at the Bazaar, and if necessary, could get away by using the maze-like streets to make their escape.
Exactly How Old is the Grand Bazaar?
The Bazaar was specifically opened in 1461and has never stopped selling its wares since then. However, the Bazaar did have its fair share of tragedies. In 1894, an earthquake occurred in Turkey and destroyed a good part of the market structures. There have also been fires that have ravaged buildings in 1515 and 1548. Finally, the city officials passed a rule banning fires in the marketplaces, and this stopped the widespread devastation caused by fires getting out of control each year. The good news is that the destroyed parts have been restored over the years and currently the market is in better shape than ever.
It’s A-Maze-ing!
If you go to the Grand Bazaar you’d better enjoy mazes. There are so many streets which look the same that you may take hours to find your way out if you are lost. This happens mostly to first-time visitors. Most don’t mind being lost, though, because there is just so much to see along the way. But, if you should ever visit, just remember that the streets are named according to the items sold there and there are two main streets as well as four entry gates to the Bazaar. This was originally done so that shoppers could find what they were looking for all in one section. Early visitors to the Bazaar were amazed that there were no advertisements or signs up over the shops to say what was inside.
Get a Good Deal at the Grand Bazaar
While walking through the Bazaar, it is common to hear people bargaining to get better prices. Should you visit the market, take time and bargain your way through anything. There is nothing to be embarrassed about bargaining because the seller wants you to do it anyway. Your little money goes a long way at the end of the day. What can you buy at the Bazaar? You can get anything from clothes, school bags, or belly-dancing costumes!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

SGE At Hudson Valley Comic Con, May 7th and 8th!

Leave a reply

Banner_2

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND, Sat and Sun, May 7th and 8th, 2016, for the Hudson Valley Comic Con! We will be there, with the whole series (and the characters) and we can’t wait to meet you in person!

We are having a special t-shirt giveaway, as well as many other special gifts and prizes for those who visit us at booth 125!!!

Purchase your tickets and learn more about the event HERE!

13076908_702636006542814_6408913881027599055_n

 

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Easy receipe your children can get

Leave a reply

Mother and child in summer cafe

While making sure your children are getting a great education as they grow up is crucial, learning the basics of math, reading, and science- it is also important to make sure your children are also getting a chance to use their imagination! As a child gets a chance to be creative and use their imagination, they are growing their brain in powerful ways that will help them in all aspects of their life. Here are 3 at home projects that will get your child in touch with their imagination.
The first project involves getting in touch with nature- and who doesn’t love that? Each season during the year presents nature in a very different way. At some point during each season, take your children outside and let them pick out things that they think represent the season the best (for example, a wildflower for summer, or a pinecone for fall). Let them pick what they want and have them explain to you why they chose it. Take all the items home and have your kids display them somehow. They may choose to press any flowers they pick, or make a display of pinecones they found. This gets your kids outside, in touch with nature, and having something to look forward to all year long!
This next project is great for a rainy or cold day when you are stuck inside- making homemade snowflakes! This is a great at home project that you probably did growing up, but is one that never gets old! What is so great about this project is that it allows your child to use their imagination to create any snowflake they want. After creating as many as you like, use any other craft supplies (like crayons, markers, or glitter) to decorate the snowflakes. Display them around your house afterwards and you have great holiday decorations for years to come! Click here for a great tutorial on how to make paper snowflakes in case you have forgotten.
This final project involves every child’s favorite thing- playdough! Take this favorite play item to the next level by using it in a learning environment. For this, ask your child what their favorite subject is in school. From there, have them select one or two of their favorite concepts, and then bring them to life! Using the playdough, have your children try to create representations of their selected items (for example, if they love outer space, have them create their own playdough solar system!) This activity will allow your kids to get creative with an art project, while also incorporating elements of knowledge they have learned in school.
If you are looking for a great at home activity that is pre-made, try out the Spartan and the Green Egg Egg Puzzle!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

5 Ways to Help Animals

Leave a reply

shutterstock_196729724 2

A big part of protecting our planet is making sure that it’s a good home for the animals we share it with. Animals both near and far need your help with this. From endangered species around the world to local wildlife in your neighborhood, there’s a lot you can do to help protect them.

Walk on the Wild Side

Wildlife refuges and reserves give animals a safe and protected place to live. They also give you the chance to see and appreciate these animals. Ask your parents to take you to a wildlife refuge or reserve that’s near you. You might even be able to go on a guided tour to learn more about the species that live there. National and local parks are another great place to see wildlife.

Be a Recycling Superstar

Make sure you and your family recycle paper products instead of throwing them in the garbage. When you recycle paper, it means that fewer trees need to be cut down to make more paper products. That means you’re protecting the homes of birds, squirrels and other animals that live in trees.

Zip Over to the Zoo

Many zoos are working on protecting endangered species from all different parts of the world. They do this by taking steps to stop these species from going extinct. They also help people become more aware of which species are endangered and why they’re endangered. When you visit a zoo near you, read the information about the animals posted near each exhibit. You can also ask a zookeeper about how the zoo is helping endangered species. You can then help raise awareness of these species by telling your friends, relatives and teachers about what you’ve learned.

Put It in Writing

Do you have a favorite animal species that is endangered? If you’re interested in helping them out, learn all you can about them by reading books and finding information online. Once you know what threats they’re facing, you can write to lawmakers about your concerns. Ask your parents to help you find out which senators or representatives to send your letter to. These lawmakers can help create laws that protect endangered species and the habitats they live in.

Get Involved by Volunteering

If you want to do even more to help local wildlife or endangered species, look for ways to volunteer. Some national parks and refuges have programs that let kids help keep these areas clean and safe for the animals that live there. Many zoos and wildlife organizations that work on helping endangered species have different ways for kids to help out.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

5 Ways to Fight Air Pollution

Leave a reply

Air Pollution
The air around you probably isn’t something you think about a lot, but it can affect your health and the health of our environment. When people burn gas and other fossil fuels to heat their homes, drive their cars or use electricity, the air becomes polluted with harmful gases and particles. Air pollution is an ongoing problem that is damaging our environment. It can also make people cough, have watery eyes or develop other health issues. Thankfully, you can help fight air pollution in several ways.

Walk or Ride a Bike

Instead of having your parents drive you places, walk or ride a bike if possible. This cuts down on the amount of carbon dioxide your parents’ car gives off, which helps reduce air pollution. Encourage your family members to walk or ride bikes instead of driving cars whenever possible. Taking public transportation is another option.

Plant Trees

Trees play a big role in fighting air pollution. Their leaves and bark absorb pollutants, which helps clean the air. Talk to your parents about planting a few trees on your property to cut down on air pollution in your area. Your parents can suggest which trees to plant and where they should go. Having trees around can also help lower your family’s energy use. Trees help prevent the sun’s rays from making your home hotter in summer. In winter, trees can help your home stay warmer by blocking cold winds.

Lower Your Energy Use

Your local electric company burns fossil fuels in order to produce electricity, which results in more air pollution. You can lower the amount of energy needed in your home by reducing how much you use. Don’t leave lights on when you leave a room, and turn off electronics when you’re done with them. Talk to your parents about changing to CFL bulbs, which use less energy than other bulbs.

Recycle

When you recycle plastic, paper and other materials, they’re used to make other items. This process requires less energy than the amount needed to make brand new items, which leads to less air pollution. Another way to help is by purchasing goods made from recycled materials rather than new materials.

Share What You’ve Learned

Talk to your friends and family members about the dangers of air pollution, and let them know how they can help fight this problem. You can also share what you’ve learned with your teacher and fellow students, so they can do something about air pollution, too.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Easy Recipes Your Children Can Get Involved With

Leave a reply

Mother and child in summer cafe

As your children are growing up, one of the best things you can do to help increase their abilities is to get them involved in various activities that promote learning new skills. One such skill that will be necessary for them all their life is cooking! While at a young age your child won’t be on their own in the kitchen preparing a 5 star meal, they can start to help you with basic meals that will help teach them basic cooking skills. Next time you’re in the kitchen, try one of these simple recipes and ask for your child to help out!

First off, a simple breakfast dish you can enlist your child’s help with is one everyone will love- pancakes! While you will want to be in charge of handling the cooking process of the pancakes, a great job for your child to take over is the mixing of the ingredients. Pick your favorite pancake recipe and have them help with gathering the ingredients and measuring what you need of each. This will help introduce them to not only cooking, but also figuring out measurements!

For a fun lunch or dinner idea- try making hamburger sliders! With these, kids can help again with measuring out ingredients for the hamburgers, but they can also help form the hamburgers into the right shapes- something your kids will definitely love! For a healthy version of this dish, try this recipe for mini turkey burgers.

Finally, for the sweet tooth in all of us, try making homemade pudding with your children! The majority of the process involves mixing ingredients together, which again is something simple that your kids can help you with. Here’s a great easy recipe for chocolate pudding that is guaranteed to be a hit in any household.

As always- don’t forget to also increase your child’s reading abilities- introduce them to the Spartan and the Green Egg series today! Click here to view available books in the series.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

4 Easy Ways to Start Saving Energy

Leave a reply

Saving Energy

4 Easy Ways to Start Saving Energy

Your home uses a lot of electrical energy throughout the day. In addition to powering up lights, electronic items and appliances, your home also needs electricity for hot water. Your home’s furnace and air conditioner use electrical energy to make sure you and your family stay warm in winter and cool in summer, too.

All of this energy use comes at a price, though. The more energy people use, the more damage is done to the environment. While you can’t avoid using electricity, you and your family can do things that will lower the amount you use.

Turn the Heat Down

Ask your parents to lower the thermostat, so your furnace won’t have to work as much to keep your home warm. Don’t worry about being too cold. Even just turning the thermostat down by a few degrees will lower the amount of energy your home uses and save your family money on heating bills. Do the opposite in summer if you have central air conditioning. Turning the thermostat up a few degrees means the air conditioner won’t run as much, which helps save energy.

Don’t Leave Lights and Electronics On

Get into the habit of shutting lights off when you leave a room. The same goes for turning off TVs, computers and other electronic devices when you’re done using them. Remind your family members to turn off lights and electronics when they don’t need them. This simple step can end up saving a lot of electricity in the long run.

Watch Your Water Use

Using less water, especially hot water, helps save energy. Your town or city needs electricity to supply homes with clean water. The less water you and your family use, the less electricity the water company ends up needing. You can use less water by taking short showers and not leaving the water running when you brush your teeth. Also, let your parents know if any faucets in your home are dripping. Leaky faucets can waste a lot of water.

Use Better Bulbs

If your family isn’t doing so already, switch from using regular old light bulbs to energy-saving ones called Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs.) These are the bulbs with the swirly design that you might have seen in stores or in other people’s houses. They use much less energy than regular bulbs and last a lot longer, too. The next time a bulb stops working in your home, ask your parents to replace it with a CFL.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Read Up on Recycling!

Leave a reply

Read Up on Recycling!

Recycling

When you open a new toy or finish off some cereal, what do you do with the box it came in? Hopefully, you’ve been recycling these cardboard containers. If not, it’s never too late to start. Recycling cardboard and other items, like cans and plastic bottles, means they’ll be used again. Here’s some more info on why recycling is so important and what items can be recycled.

Why Not Just Toss It?

Items that you throw in the regular trash get carried away by sanitation workers on garbage day and end up being dumped into a landfill. Once they’re in the landfill, they sit there taking up space and, in some cases, they also pollute air, soil or water. Over time, this is bad for the environment, and landfills only have so much space available.

What Happens When You Recycle?

When you put items in a recycling container, they’re taken to a recycling center that breaks them down and turns them into other items. This keeps the recyclable items from ending up in landfills. It also means that companies don’t have to keep cutting down more trees to make paper products or keep making new plastic bottles and containers in factories, which can pollute the environment. The items that recyclable materials are turned into can be a lot different from what they were originally. Plastic bottles, for example, can be used to make carpets and even clothing.

What Items Can Be Recycled?

That depends on the laws in your city or state. Your local recycling office can give you a list of items that you and your family can recycle. Paper and plastic are two of the most commonly recycled materials, since they can easily be used to make a wide range of new items. Other types of materials or items that you might be able to recycle include:

  • Metal
  • Grass clippings, dead leaves and other yard waste
  • Glass containers
  • Phones, computers and other electronics
  • Aluminum cans

What Else Can You Do to Help?

In addition to making sure you and your family recycle as much as possible, you can also buy items that are made from recycled materials. Check the labels on store items before purchasing them to find out what they’re made from. If they were made with recyclable materials, the label should say that. By purchasing these items instead of ones made from all new materials, you’re doing your part in protecting the environment.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

5 FUN Ways To Teach Your Children About The Environment

Leave a reply

usa

It’s never too early to be imparting on our children how to take care of the environment. Baby steps are the best way to begin. Here are five simple, FUN lessons you can teach your children on how to help Mother Nature, starting right now:

1. Learn to conserve water

Water is one of the most valuable natural resources that we can all benefit from building a greater consciousness around. Simple steps such as turning off the faucet when brushing teeth can go a big way in creating awareness and curiosity in our children. Whenever they see a dripping faucet, make sure they turn it off completely. And whenever they see a leak in any of the faucets, make sure to report it to someone immediately. Teach them the value of water and that every drop counts.

2. Save electricity

Electricity is also another resource that needs to be saved, as it is one of the utilities being paid monthly. To do this, one can start with switching off the lights when not in use. Remember to turn off the switch when one leaves the room. At the same time, encourage your children to use natural sunlight as much as possible. In terms of air conditioning, have them make sure all doors are closed at all times so that the cold air cannot escape, and warm air will not go in.

3. Learn to reuse and recycle

It’s good to have kids start early on segregating trash. Usually those reusable and recyclable items should be kept in a separate container, and kids must be taught about the concept of recycling. Explaining to them the reason why we should avoid using plastic bags, and using recyclable containers instead, especially for their lunch boxes in school, can build their knowledge quickly and effectively.

4. Walk or Bike

In order to cut on air pollution, instead of using the car, why not teach them how to walk or bike in going  short distances. This is a great way to exercise and bond with loved ones and friends as well.

5. Let your kids experience nature

Instead of giving expensive toys for gifts, try giving them “experience gifts” – take them out for a hike or a mountain picnic, or to the beach, or to a zoo. Let the kids feel, see, hear, and smell nature for themselves, not just through books or the TV or the internet. They will learn to care more for the environment the more they have great first-hand experience with it.

Have your children go on a reading adventure as well with the Spartan And The Green Egg series. Click here to get your holiday hardback copies now!

http://spartanandthegreenegg.com/product-category/books/

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

3 Ways Stickers Can Be Rewarding And Educational For Your Child

Leave a reply

Unknown3-2-300x350

Some people have been questioning if stickers are good for children, if using them as a way for positive reinforcement and motivation is the correct way. From how I see it, here are three good reasons why stickers may actually be helpful to parents.

First, in terms of reward system, stickers are very much convenient and affordable. They are also the least questionable, as stickers are much more harmless compared to little toys, candies, or trinkets. Parents and teachers can easily buy them in bulk, too.

Secondly, stickers give kids something to exciting look forward to. At an early age, young children may still not fully grasp the concept of achievement, and rewarding stickers may be a good start in terms of training them for this. At the same time, it makes them feel good about themselves, knowing they have achieved something and received a reward for it.

Third, stickers are educational because they often come in a wide array of colors, shapes, sizes, and styles. At the same time, they interest and excite children. And in choosing stickers for your little ones, why not go for the ones that are not just colorful and creative, but also informative and functional, such as the SGE Explorer Stickers. With 120 colorful world stickers in each starter kit tin, your kids will get to join Spartan and his friends in exploring and getting to know different amazing wonders of the world. Fun, rewarding, and educational all at the same time.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Raising World Citizens: In Conversation With A World-Traveling Mom

Leave a reply

Aimee Thompson 1

Aimee Thompson is a mom, blogger, freelance writer, communications consultant and world traveler who we were honored to have a chance talk with. She truly sets the bar for those moms who want to travel more with their children, and shares some of her secrets for making travel one of the best experiences to have with your children. We are thrilled to share her delightful and insightful conversation…

Your blog is so well written, and full of such valuable tips on how to create an adventurous life with your children. Can you talk a little about what prompted you to start writing your blog, “Raising World Citizens” via ChicagoNow?

My sons were born outside of Chicago. We moved back to the city when they were three and one years old. After having been away from Chicago for several years, I had a new appreciation for the city and all of the people, places and cultures who live and thrive here together.

Being back in Chicago energized me in new and unexpected ways. I wanted to be an urban explorer and use our regular explorations as a way to open my sons’ eyes, hearts and minds to the diversity that exists throughout the world – without even leaving the city limits. As a writer, it seemed only natural to want to share our experiences with other parents raising “world citizens” here in Chicago and around the world, too. And, I knew a blog would be an easy way to connect with others.

Now, after having shared our stories via “Raising World Citizens” for just over two years, I am thrilled to say that we’ve only scratched the surface. There is so much more to explore here in our hometown of Chicago – and in the rest of the world.

I feel fortunate to be able to chronicle our adventures and experiences, and to use them to connect with other families across the globe. And, I can’t wait to see what discoveries and opportunities lie ahead for us.

Spartan and The Green Egg aims to encourage children to find and embrace adventure in every moment of their lives, wherever they may be. It seems you do the same through your writing. Can you talk about the message behind your title, “Raising World Citizens?”

My family was at an important crossroads when I first thought of starting “Raising World Citizens.” My sons were going to start at a new, French international school in the fall. We were taking our first family trip abroad to France in the summer. My sons just picked up their German passports. And, we were set to put new roots in the ground here in Chicago. After taking a step back, my husband and I saw that we were heading down a path towards raising two boys who were going to be poised to grow and thrive in the global world.

It felt good. It felt right. And, it felt like we were on to something important. That was when it really hit us. We, as parents, felt the urge to raise two world citizens. And, that was when the name of my blog was born.

But, before I officially christened my blog as “Raising World Citizens,” my husband gave me one important piece of advice. He told me that it would be important to define “world citizen.” To this day, I have a page on my blog solely dedicated to share my personal definition of “world citizen.”  It says that “… a world citizen is someone who has a firm grasp of the breadth, depth and true diversity of the world around them and strives to seize any and all available opportunities to make a true impact on the global community.”

I went on to say that “as parents, we can serve as our children’s tour guides and give them amazing, diverse experiences that will help them grow and thrive – no matter how the world evolves. Whether your travels take you to far and distant lands or you never leave the Midwest, there are vast opportunities to expose your children to the world – its cultures, people and communities. It’s all about finding them, embracing them, learning from them – and taking a global view that will help you cultivate your unique viewpoint of world and your place within it.”

Now, two years into “Raising World Citizens,” I am glad to continue to be on the path towards opening my sons’ hearts, eyes and minds to the world.

Aimee Thompson 2

What do you love the most about raising two boys to become World Citizens?

By exposing our sons to the world through our travels in Chicago and abroad, they’ve come to realize that the world is so much bigger than them. They’re open to trying new ethnic foods. They’ve set their sights on studying aboard. They appreciate the cultural traditions, dress and customs of others. They want to “master” French and also learn other languages. They love learning about and playing international sports like bocce, petanque and gaga. And, they’re friends with children from many different backgrounds.

Just as important, my sons appreciate people for their differences, but know that we’re really all the same – no matter if we live in the US or India. For me, I believe that helping my sons head down the path towards being a “world citizen” has encouraged them to embrace their own culture and their own differences, too. I’d also like to think that it will enable them to grow into more confident and compassionate young boys and have them feel good about and at home in the world for the rest of their lives.

Can you share a bit about your background and how you came to write and blog for other mothers?

I am a communications professional, having worked in public relations at an agency or on my own as a consultant for my entire career. It was always the ideal profession for me since it allows me to combine my love of writing with helping brands, companies and individuals share their stories with their employees, customers and consumers via the media, articles, their websites, and other channels.

For many years, I’ve tried to let my own writing run wild outside of my professional life, and blogging has proved to be an ideal medium to do so. At the same time, I became a new mom to two young, impressionable boys, and I experienced firsthand the trials, tribulations and joys of parenting. As a new mom learning the ropes, I knew that blogging and social media was a powerful way to show parents that there are others out there just like us, and to enable us to learn from, and connect with, each other.

It has been one of my greatest joys to meet other parents who are also seeking to raise “world citizens,” and I treasure each comment or post I receive from them. I’ve always known the power of words to connect with, or illicit emotions in, others. Blogging for other parents via “Raising World Citizens” has shown me the impact it can have on all of us, and that is just priceless.

What is the best experience you’ve had so far as a mother with your sons?

Hands down, I can easily say my best experience as a mother has been traveling with my sons. It is amazing to see their reactions to new people, new languages, new foods, new TV shows, new parks and everything else that appeals to young children. It helps to give me a new appreciation for the city we’re all standing in together – and the larger world that surrounds us.

Plus, it’s given us so many memories that are so precious to all of us. No matter if it’s riding the Staten Island ferry in New York City, making our own CUP NOODLE soup outside of Tokyo, playing petanque along the Seine in Paris, seeing how the Harry Potter movies are made in London, or attending a neighborhood festival in Chicago’s Greektown, each moment was special and something that I hope will influence my sons for the rest of their lives.

Recently, my older son wrote in a letter to a pen pal that he loves to travel the world. He put that up there with watching the Avengers movie and reading the Percy Jackson books. And, that made me immensely happy and proud.

Bio:
Aimee Thompson is a Chicago mom raising two world citizens. She is a blogger, freelance writer and communications consultant.

Through her blog, Raising World Citizens, she chronicles her efforts to open her sons’ eyes, hearts and minds to the people, places and cultures of the world. She also provides local insight on multicultural family-friendly events to enjoy in Chicago and offers helpful travel tips for other cities she’s been fortunate to visit with her family.

You also can follow Aimee and her family’s multicultural adventures via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

5 Ways Puzzles Improve Childhood Development

Leave a reply

a9aeac_7134e12f2e4dfff978cd6c3b8fb8b1c5.jpg_srz_243_251_75_22_0.50_1.20_0
Puzzles are not just colorful toys, they are actually great tools for your kids’ development. Here are some great advantages of puzzles and how they are one of your child’s greatest learning tools.

1. Eye-Hand Coordination.

In solving puzzles, a child gets to enhance his ability to coordinate what he sees with what his mind wants him to do, and what his hands should accomplish. Puzzles are a great way to train and exercise this skill, and at the same time, learning to do things on his own.

2. Fine Motor Ability

Puzzles are also a great fun way in enhancing your kids’ motor ability. In moving around and putting together the puzzle pieces, they grasp and hold onto them, enhancing their fingers’ muscle strength. Later on, it will be easier for them to hold pencils, or crayons or pens.

3. The Value Of Persistence

Puzzles are not easy to complete and finish, and through this, kids are able to learn the value of persistence and hard work. Once a child successfully completes a puzzle, he builds his self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment comes in.

4. Abstract Thinking

When a child is putting the puzzle pieces together, he tries different ways of doing so and by doing this, develops his deductive reasoning skills. In seeing the blank spaces and figuring out which piece fits in, he enhances his abstract thinking skills.

5. Imagination
Puzzles are also a great way to spur kids’ creativity and imagination. The various designs, colors, shapes, and sizes he is exposed to stimulate his brain cells and keeps him engaged in the puzzle solving activity.

Puzzles improve childhood development and are definitely a great educational toy and tool in enhancing your child’s various skills and abilities. Do check out Spartan’s 3D 40-piece egg puzzle and power up your child’s imagination!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Book 2 Has Arrived: The Reefs Of Mindoro Island (and a special offer for you!)

Leave a reply

Extra! Extra! It has arrived, and the gang is going on a new adventure that will really knock your socks off!

Spartan And The Green Egg: The Reefs Of Mindoro Island is here, taking Spartan and his friends on an entirely new adventure of education, discovery and a world deep below the sea.

Share with us your desire to read the book and why in our comment section below. The first 10 people to share with us will receive a free book!

Just in time for Easter, this book is sure to keep your kids reading and in deep discovery through another great adventure to a far-off place in the world.

Again, leave a comment with why you want to read the book and receive one as a gift from us, now!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

How Child Wall Climbing Develops Better Writers

Leave a reply

a9aeac_23bc407457fa9f0f8a91229770cac48c.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

Does it sound such a far fetched idea? How can climbing walls make your child better at writing?

Dear moms, you have to remember that the muscles a writer needs to develop apart from his or her “brain muscles” are those of the hands. In order to write anything (on paper, sans electronic items!), you have to be able to learn how to grab and hold pens properly and confidently. Developing our children’s psychomotor skills in writing does not have to be limited to holding pens and crayons and asking them to draw or copy letters on sheets of paper.

Take your children to a leisure park where they have walls or crates, which they can climb. While our kids try to go up the wall or up one crate to the next, their psychomotor skills are gradually strengthened. As they get a tighter grip on things, so to speak, their hands are able to appreciate the task of manual writing.

Because of climbing, our children will have more improved psychomotor skills, which will then make them more confident in writing letters and words on a sheet of paper; all because they are able to hold pens properly.

And, who knows, the next Shakespeare or Austen might just be your own child!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Tracking Your Child’s Exercise Routine Builds Self-Esteem, and Math Skills Too!

Leave a reply

a9aeac_ffe743d2bacfbeb495fc2424dd8e99de.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

Spartan and his friends take an amazing trip to the Rainforest with their friend Egg, the friendly alien who guides them on their second adventure in Book 2 of the series. This time around, the group is more practiced, less frightened and more open to the adventure that awaits them in this far area of the world.

They say practice makes perfect. But, the truth is, practice makes permanent. This holds really true most especially in the character, attitude, and aptitude that we will develop in our kids while they are at that age when they are impressionable. A good execution of this practice-makes-permanent mantra is exercise. To complement this mantra, it’s a great idea to keep track of our kids’ progress in the exercises and challenges we will give them. At first, as moms we will be the ones to set the target or goal. Then, little by little we can pass on to them the task to challenge themselves to accomplish more than what they have achieved in the previous days.

We definitely still have to be there to show them support not to back down from the challenge and run fewer miles today, bike shorter distances, swim fewer laps, or do fewer summersaults. In the end, this makes our children more confident and builds their self-esteem. While all this emotional and psychological progress is happening, we are also teaching them basic skills in math.

By continuously challenging our kids to do better every day, we are making them realize that each day is a chance for them to be a faster runner, a more dedicated swimmer, or a more capable gymnast. They learn to value their abilities and build a healthier sense of self.

Was this article helpful for you and your child? Let us know by telling us what you see in the comments section below this post!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

3 Adventurous Exercises For Children That Challenge While Nurturing

Leave a reply

107_Qinghai-Tibet-Plateau-2
In this age when our children are intensely devoted to checking their Facebook page or tweeting just about anything that happens in every minute of their lives, exercise comes in drizzles. As moms, it is important that we make them realize that it is not only their thumbs and other fingers that should get exercise. We also have to show our kids that the world outside is so much better than what they see in their smart devices.

What better way to accomplish these two than to give them challenges that will get them exploring the natural environment and at the same time feed their sense of adventure? Use weekends, if not after school time, to go to the park or to your community clubhouse and create a scavenger hunt-type of activity for your kids. Let them look for a treasure by running, swimming, or hopping from one spot to another. Not only will you let them get those muscles developed, you will also be able to tickle that inner adventurer and explorer in your kids.

You can also give them a pretty vague task or goal to accomplish. In this way, you will be stimulating your kid’s creativity and innovativeness. You might be surprised what they can do.

The possibilities of adventures are limitless. These little adventures we will give our kids will test not only their physical strength but they can also build a positive character and attitude towards life.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Special Guest: Mom Blogger Mary Anne of Mamasmiles.com

Leave a reply

maryanne at mama smiles - square

We are honored and thrilled to have the chance to interview Mary Anne, creator of Mama Smiles Blog, a blog that celebrates everyday parenting through creativity, learning and play! Mary Anne is pediatric cancer survivor who used her Masters in education and PhD in medicine to look at how music programs could help rebuild post-war communities. She is now raising her four children and sharing her day to day knowledge and wisdom on her blog, as well as running her own charity, World Culture For Kids. Here is more about Mary Anne’s journey to an adventurous motherhood:

1. What motivated you to start your blog, Mama Smiles?

I was home all day with two small children, and wanted a way to connect with the outside world. Blogging was a way to keep my mind busy, while also sharing my reasons for choosing to stay home with my children, as well as activities that our family enjoys.

2. Can you share a bit about your own experience with pediatric cancer and how it has influenced your approach to motherhood?

I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 21 months old. I was enrolled in a clinical trial that proved highly successful – a similar treatment is used to treat this same cancer today. I was very fortunate, but sometimes felt sad about losing much of my early childhood to this illness. Having children of my own felt miraculous, since it was unknown at the time whether or not the drugs I had been given would cause a loss of fertility, and it has also given me a chance to experience the joy of the childhood that I lost. Watching my life hang in balance at an early age taught me to never take life for granted. It always amazes me, also, that I can be a cancer survivor yet have perfectly healthy children.

3. Tell us a bit about what you learned from your work helping to rebuild communities in post-war regions and how it enhances the ways you teach your own children about life.

I remember visiting someone in an apartment building and walking up to the sixth floor – and seeing bullet holes in the walls on the sixth floor. This was a building where families lived, and it breaks my heart that someone would run up six flights of stairs to terrorize innocent civilians. I met local and international artists and musicians who were using creativity to bring together groups of people who had been pulled apart, and was able to see some success in getting the different ethnic groups to interact. War creates tremendous trauma, and trauma takes time to heal. I saw a lot of resilience, and hope against tremendous odds. I learned that creativity can be a tremendous aid in fighting fear by providing a healing voice, that change takes time, and that the best things in life require hope and a lot of hard work. With my children, I like to focus on kindness, empathy, and the importance of listening. We also spend a lot of time on creative activities, which I believe helps develop introspection and self-expression.

4. Tell us about Small Hands Creating Hope and how we can help!

I created the Small Hands Creating Hope project as a way of celebrating 30 years of cancer survivorship! My cancer story ends happily, but I have lost friends and family members to this disease, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Several blog friends and I joined together to create an ebook of simple, hope-inspiring projects that can be created by adults or children. We send this ebook to anyone who donates at least $15 through this link.

5. What do you think is the single most important action a mother of adventurous children can take each day to take care of herself in order to be at her best for her kids?

Find something that you enjoy, and make time for that – even five minutes will make a huge difference! Also find activities that you can do with your children that you enjoy. It may be reading books, crafting, science experiments, cooking… what the activity is doesn’t really matter – it’s spending the time together! I also highly recommend getting out in nature with kids as frequently as possible. Being outdoors has a calming effect on everyone, and is a wonderful way to build family connections and make time for talking.

Find more about Mary Anne and mamasmiles.com.

Was this post helpful for you and your adventurous child?  Let us know by leaving a comment below!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: The Perfect Easter Egg (For Your Adventurous Child!)

Leave a reply

Easter egg 3d puzzle

MOMS: Order now, for a year-round Easter egg, with benefits! Our unique Egg Puzzle from the Spartan And The Green Egg book series offers your child a unique perspective on the world while giving them a chance to exercise their minds and imaginations.  Let them have candy in their baskets, and keep their Spartan And The Green Egg Puzzle for their own fun!

Easter egg usb flash drive

 

And while you’re ordering for your child, you can gift yourself with our unique Egg USB Flash Drive with Book 1 on the series on it.  Perfect for when you’re on the go and you need an educational and entertaining outlet for your child to indulge in.  Carry it in your purse, and use on any computer.

What are your thoughts on puzzles for your adventurous child?  Let us know in the comments section below!

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Book 2 Has Arrived: The Reefs Of Mindoro Island (and a special offer for you!)

Leave a reply

Extra! Extra! It has arrived, and the gang is going on a new adventure that will really knock your socks off!

Spartan And The Green Egg: The Reefs Of Mindoro Island is here, taking Spartan and his friends on an entirely new adventure of education, discovery and a world deep below the sea.

Share with us your desire to read the book and why in our comment section below. The first 10 people to share with us will receive a special offer of a free book!

Just in time for Easter, this book is sure to keep your kids reading and in deep discovery through another great adventure to a far-off place in the world.

Again, leave a comment with why you want to read the book and receive one as a gift from us, now!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: A New Way Of Embracing The Moment (And One Essential Action You Will Love To Hear!)

Leave a reply

mom embracing the moment

Moms, now that  you have been practicing the art of breathing, meditation, and taking loving action without disrupting your daily routine, it’s now time for the final step in your new approach to your life and your child’s: Embracing The Moment.

As you move forward into the rest of the year, you have the chance to continue this practice in all you do. But when you get caught up in life’s unexpected challenges or feel you haven’t been able to practice enough, this week’s lesson will help nip those negative feelings in the bud. It goes like this:

The moment you begin to feel like you may not make it past this moment, stop right there, and embrace the moment with all you have.  The idea that there is something outside of this moment, right now, is an illusion, and one that tends to overcome us when we are rushed into having the handle too many things at one time. Stop in this moment, do exactly what you need to do, and then take your first deep breath and carry on again with your practice.

Your child will respond to this as well, and we think you will be surprised at how many loving hands step in to help you that you could have never imagined.

Wondering if it’s true?  Let us know by practicing for this week and telling us what you see in the comments section below this post!

 

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: Finding Time For A Break (And How This Will Help Your Child Respect You More!)

Leave a reply

a9aeac_ffe743d2bacfbeb495fc2424dd8e99de.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

In Week 6 of our 7-Week New Year’s Challenge, we are looking at ways in which you can take all the work you have done to stop, pause, breathe, listen and take loving action to let it manifest in your daily routines until it becomes a habit.  The best way to do this is to now find time within your day to take a deliberate break from everything, and make absolutely no apologies for doing so.

When you take action in ways that is truly good for you and serves your highest self, regardless of what that may be, everyone around you will be unable to do anything else than respect you for it, even and most especially your children.  Children sense power, regardless of where it is coming from.  When they see that power coming from a place of strength and authenticity within you, they will grow in respect and honor for you and your decisions.

When Spartan makes the choice to go with Egg to a far away land he has never visited before, he makes his decision based on his instincts, and his friends choose to follow because they know he is making a choice based on genuine faith and trust.  His story offers such an important lesson for children to model, and when they are able to see that kind of choice coming from you as well they will automatically gain a deeper self-trust for listening to their instincts.

So for this week, we ask  you to practice the following:

Choose a time in your day when you know you will most likely want and need a break, but don’t normally take one.  Figure out a way to take one, pencil that time slot into your calendar along with what exactly you will do during that time (sit quietly, visit your favorite store, buy yourself a wonderful drink from your favorite coffee shop).  When the time arises, let your child know that you are now taking a break, and if they are with you that you’d like them to help you honor that time by practicing this time out with you.  Perhaps give them a Spartan book and let them take their time reading through the story once again.

Watch what happens, and let us know in the comments section below! We are confident you will find great insights, great release and a renewed sense of self!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: How To Persuade Your Child To Love Taking Action

Leave a reply

a9aeac_22a009264e71acbfe38becf098a93fc3.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

We know that you are really in a flow now if you have been following the first 4 weeks of our 7 week New Year challenge.  But in case you are just joining us now, and for those who are already on board, here is a brief refresher of what we’ve covered these last 4 weeks:

Week 1: Breathing (the simple, rewarding way)

Week 2: Meditation (the seriously enjoyable way!)

Week 3: Listening (while conserving energy!)

Week 4: Contemplating (let your child show you how!)

And now in week 5 we have the climactic step of the program that will not only help you feel at ease with yourself and your power as a parent, but will put your child at ease as well.  How, you ask?  One simple, yet incredibly powerful way: leading by example.

There is no doubt that when you are breathing, calm, in the flow of your own life and the world around you and, most of all, present in the moment, that your child has started to model this behavior, even if on a very subtle level.  If you don’t believe this to be true, because perhaps you haven’t actually seen evidence of this yet, now is the time to test the waters by putting them to the test and watching what happens.

Egg has an excellent way of putting the kids at ease in the Spartan series by showing them that he is calm because he is confident he knows what he is doing in a foreign land, with foreign situations.  The same is true for you, moms, with your child, whether you realize it or not. Your child is subconsciously relying on you every step of the way to guide him or her through new situations on a daily basis.  When resistance comes up it is because they are challenging something small to you that feels way outside of the norm for them. Now is your time to understand that on a deeper level and use it to your, and their, advantage.

Try this and let us know what happens:

The next time you want your child to do something you think they may have a resistance to, such as cleaning up their toys, try this:

1. Take three deep breaths

2. Put yourself in the meditative state you have been practicing daily (described in this post)

3. Switch your energy entirely onto your child, so you are in deep listening mode

4. Begin a conversation with him or her from your state of complete contemplation, genuinely curious about what they have to say

5. Tell them in the midst of that conversation that you would like them to continue telling you more about their feelings about this topic, but that you will be better able to listen once they clean up their toys (or whatever activity you want them to do)

6. Lead them to the activity and while they do it, stay with them consciously, even if you are in the other room

7. When they are done, thank them from the bottom of your heart, making sure they know how much this means to you, and ask them if you can continue your conversation, still actively listening from before.

Does this approach make a difference for you?  Please tell us your story. Let us know by leaving a comment below this post!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: A New Action Step For You To Chew On (And Let Your Child Teach You How!)

Leave a reply

a9aeac_21967ccb0f4d7cabc32e730bfbe7eb2b.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

So now that you have your daily meditations down and have been practicing them within your daily routines, along with taking those deep breaths and letting yourself listen to the pauses when your child talks, we want to give you one more incredible tool that will give your mind a new way to chew on all that information it is taking in and wanting to process.

We know you don’t ever want to go back to the old way of feeling like you’re in a state of overwhelm, so we want you to take this next step as seriously as the others.  This will likely come as a welcome surprise so we are excited to share it with you:

We want you to practice contemplating your thoughts (and let your child teach you how!!).

Have you ever watched your child stop to contemplate something?  They are learning at such a rapid speed on a daily basis and sometimes they have to stop for a moment and go into deep thought to take in and process something.  This may be something they’ve just realized from a moment ago or two weeks ago that they are just now understanding.

Our very own Max has this practice down better than any of the others, and if your child can relate to him then you have the perfect teacher to observe and learn from.

The beauty of contemplation is that it is a tool for how we all learn, we just tend to forget that as adults and expect way too much of ourselves without giving ourselves a chance to process new information.  But once we start to practice that kind of interruption within our daily routines, we can break that pattern in a heartbeat, just like your child does.

So for the next week, we want you to listen to your instincts and each time you get the urge to chew on something you hear that is new, take a moment to contemplate that to yourself, regardless of where you are or who you’re around.  Take this private moment seriously, and if you’re with your child you can let them know that you need a moment to take in what they’ve just said to you.  We promise this kind of mental time-out will not only give you moment to rejuvenate your mind but will allow your nervous system to relax and energize you to carry on with whatever activity you’re in the middle of.

Wondering if it’s true?  Let us know by practicing for this week and telling us what you see in the comments section below this post!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: A New Way To Communicate With Your Active Child (And Make Them Take A Pause!)

Leave a reply

Communicate With Your Active Child

Moms, we know that you have been practicing your daily meditations, working on how to slow down a bit and take a moment or two for yourself during the day.  But what about your beloved child, who is action-oriented and ready for adventure at every moment of the day?  We have the PERFECT recipe to communicate with your active child in a new way that will have them feeling loved, empowered, and make them take that pause you have been hoping they would take!

Your child has something to do, say and show every moment of the day because he or she is active, smart and learning at the speed of light.  Now is the perfect opportunity to take the mediation skills you’ve been practicing daily with your own activities and put them to use with your child.

Here is what we want  you to do: take the same meditation practice you’re using when washing the dishes or driving in your car and apply them to your child in the form of listening.  Try to NOT respond when your child is talking and practice listening only to the spaces between each word he or she is saying.  Focus on this, and watch what happens.  We guarantee you will hear every word they say while remaining in a much more calm and meditative state, and that your child will notice you tuning in to him or her in a completely new way. He or she will feel heard, loved and even take a pause in response to your holding such a sacred space for him or her to express his or her thoughts.

Wondering if it’s true?  Let us know by practicing for this week and telling us what you see in the comments section below this post!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: A New Way To Communicate With Your Active Child (And Make Them Take A Pause!)

Leave a reply

a9aeac_429ed4d8c10a6f5a5b317a6372101b74.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

Moms, we know that you have been practicing your daily meditations, working on how to slow down a bit and take a moment or two for yourself during the day.  But what about your beloved child, who is action-oriented and ready for adventure at every moment of the day?  We have the PERFECT recipe for communicating with your child in a new way that will have them feeling loved, empowered, and make them take that pause you have been hoping they would take!

Your child has something to do, say and show every moment of the day because he or she is active, smart and learning at the speed of light.  Now is the perfect opportunity to take the mediation skills you’ve been practicing daily with your own activities and put them to use with your child.

Here is what we want  you to do: take the same meditation practice you’re using when washing the dishes or driving in your car and apply them to your child in the form of listening.  Try to NOT respond when your child is talking and practice listening only to the spaces between each word he or she is saying.  Focus on this, and watch what happens.  We guarantee you will hear every word they say while remaining in a much more calm and meditative state, and that your child will notice you tuning in to him or her in a completely new way. He or she will feel heard, loved and even take a pause in response to your holding such a sacred space for him or her to express his or her thoughts.

Wondering if it’s true?  Let us know by practicing for this week and telling us what you see in the comments section below this post!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: The Perfect Valentine’s Day Present For Your Adventurous Child! (And A FREE Gift To Go Along With It)

Leave a reply

a9aeac_7134e12f2e4dfff978cd6c3b8fb8b1c5.jpg_srz_243_251_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

Moms, we know that Valentine’s Day at school can be exciting and filled with love notes, chocolate and those special Valentine’s Day boxes your child spends time crafting to reflect his or her unique and special personality.  We also know that as a day that symbolizes love, there is no better way to express your love through the act of gifting, especially when that gift shows you put extra thought into it for your child’s one-of-a-kind persona.

So to help you with that, we have our VERY SPECIAL Spartan And The Green Egg egg-shaped puzzle with beautiful and fun illustrations from the series.  We know this is the kind of token your adventurous child will take to heart, and be able to share with you for years to come. That’s why we have it on sale for you to order now, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

For the first 14 people who order before February 14 we will include our E-book Collector’s Egg USB Flash Drive free of charge, so you and your child can enjoy the first book of the series wherever you go!

a9aeac_6d1fae3260116172fd4792260d3a84d8.jpg_srz_240_252_75_22_0.50_1.20_0

So order now, so your shipment will arrive right on time to surprise your child with a gift straight from the heart of the Spartan Explorer Series!

When your gift arrives, let us know how your child likes it by leaving a comment and/or a picture in the comments section below!

 

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

MOMS: A Secret Recipe For Meditation (And The Trick To Fitting It Into Your Daily Routine!)

1 Reply

katie

We know as a parent your days are adventures in and of themselves!  There are days when you wonder how you will ever find the time to breathe, let alone take time out to meditate or allow yourself the space you need to come back to a state of balance.

For this week, we are taking a moment to look at the simplest and most powerful tool of meditation that will not only let you breathe but empower you right back into a place of blissful control.

When you implement this simple tool into your daily routine, you will most likely be blown away at how expert you already are at it.  In fact, the secret is that we meditate all the time naturally throughout our days. The trick is to learn how to bring your self into those moments fully to experience the incredible benefits waiting to appear.

We get a great taste of this when Spartan and his friends go with Egg on their first journey.  The level of trust they give over includes the secret tool for which you can change your life for the better.  Katie in particular demonstrates her ability to come back to the present moment, which is part of this uncanny action step that many people don’t realize they are already doing.

Meditation Recipe For Busy Moms:

Did you know that taking action around something we are familiar with puts us into an automatic state of meditation?  Many people don’t realize this. Whenever you are in the middle of a routine task in your day- ironing, washing dishes, driving your car, picking up your child from school, shopping- you are meditating.  The only difference is that you are not aware of it so you find yourself zoning out.  This actually creates extra space for your brain to go into overdrive, and takes away your precious energy.  The trick is to simple bring yourself to the moment and allow your thoughts to pass in and out, hence become fully present in your meditation.

The next time you find yourself in this kind of routine, say these two words to yourself:

“I’m back!”

And see what happens.  We predict unexpected bursts of energy, joyful self-discoveries and deeper self-awareness will begin to surface into your conscious life.  But you will have to let us know for yourself!  Try this for the next day and let us know what you discover in the comments section below!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Moms: How To Avoid Overwhelm In The New Year With One Essential Secret Recipe

Leave a reply

 

1GB USB flash drive with book 1 (epub & mobi) preloaded.

1GB USB flash drive with book 1 (epub & mobi) preloaded.

For all the moms out there who are settling down from the holidays and feeling a sense of overwhelm when it comes to gathering up the remnants of a busy holiday, the year ahead can seem completely daunting and overwhelming for what you want to accomplish for your children, your family and yourself.  Well, take a deep breath and say “Thank you world!” because we have the one essential secret recipe that will alleviate your sense of overwhelm right in the moment.

The secret ingredient is one you know, deep down, to be the answer, but our minds tend to block it out with the everyday stresses of life.  That ingredient is this simple truth: you are enough.  Sound too simple?  Think about this: there is essentially nothing outside of this very moment we are in right now.  The skill the most successful people in the world know and use on a daily basis is they know how to plan something, then trust the plan and move through it, moment to moment.  If something goes awry along the way they move through it as best and as quickly as they can and reflect later upon how they can plan differently next time.  This is ironically the exact lesson The Egg teaches the kids in the Spartan And The Green Egg series, and one your kids can practice along with you through each book.

In working with that sense of deep self-confidence and self-trust, successful people know in each moment that what they are doing for the time being is enough.  This is the same for every single mom who is committed to making her family life the best it can possibly be.  So take the below recipe with you and let us know what happens when you implement it into your life daily:

How To Avoid Overwhelm:

1. Three Deep Breaths

2. One minute of eyes closed, letting your mind pause

3. Repeat these words to yourself 10 times in a row: I Am Enough.

Studies show it takes seven weeks to form a new habit.  We challenge you to make this a habit for the next seven weeks, and let us know what happens as a result.  We have a feeling you will feel more in control, more at ease and begin making fantastic choices as a result.  But let’s see if we’re right by leaving your results in the comment section below!

Sign up for free giveaways and get info about the SGE Explorer’s Club here!

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Imaginative, Kid-Friendly Holiday DIY Projects

Leave a reply

 banner (1)

Spartan and his friends are great at using their imagination in different ways. Katie is especially good at art. She is able to use her imagination to create the images that she thinks of. We see this when she draws the rocket for the team to envision in order to contact Egg. Arts and crafts projects are great ways to allow your kids to use their imagination in creative and productive ways. The holiday season seems to lend itself to fun and creative projects that you and your children can do together. With the New Year on its way in, here are some fun, simple ways to spend quality and engaging time with your children.

Holiday Cards:

Holiday cards are always fun for children to make. Whether you celebrate a specific holiday or celebrate the season as a whole, greeting cards a great way to get your kids to use their imagination and be creative. All you need are a few pieces of construction paper (pick up a full pad of colored construction paper and let you child select their favorite colors to use), and crayons/markers/colored pencils/water colors etc. If you want you can add to the creative process by supplying your child with other elements like stencils, stickers, glitter, and glue. Let them decorate the card however they like and encourage them to put a seasonal greeting on the inside. You can choose to send this out to select relatives or friends or use the cards as decorations around your home.

Sugar Cookies:

No matter what holiday you celebrate, sugar cookies are a great treat that you can make with your children. You can always go with the prepackaged mix, which will save time, or use this simple recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup golden brown sugar (packed)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Next, sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; blend well. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead gently for about one minute. Shape the dough into a ½ inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least three hours. When you take the dough out, allow it to soften before rolling it out. Next, with the rack positioned in the center of your oven, preheat it at 350 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet by buttering it lightly. Next, roll out each piece of dough individually until they are about 1/8 inch thick. Next, take your favorite holiday cookie cutters and begin cutting out shapes and trimming the dough around the cutter. Your child will have fun doing this. Tip: lightly flour the cutters so the dough doesn’t stick to them. Remember to reroll the dough scraps to make more cookies. Transfer the cookies onto your baking sheet and bake them for about 11 minutes (until golden brown). Let them cool for five minutes. At this point you can choose to leave them as they are or frost them.

By choosing to frost them, you can allow your children to design them anyway they want. This can be made less messy and easier by using pastry bags or store bought tubes of frosting. Let their imagination guide them as they help you create these yummy holiday treats.

These are just a couple of ideas to both get your child involved in this festive season and use their imagination in creative ways. No matter what you choose to do, the most important thing is to have fun with your child as they explore the capabilities of their mind.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Imaginative, Kid-Friendly Holiday DIY Projects

Leave a reply

 banner (1)

Spartan and his friends are great at using their imagination in different ways. Katie is especially good at art. She is able to use her imagination to create the images that she thinks of. We see this when she draws the rocket for the team to envision in order to contact Egg. Arts and crafts projects are great ways to allow your kids to use their imagination in creative and productive ways. The holiday season seems to lend itself to fun and creative projects that you and your children can do together. With the New Year on its way in, here are some fun, simple ways to spend quality and engaging time with your children.

Holiday Cards:

Holiday cards are always fun for children to make. Whether you celebrate a specific holiday or celebrate the season as a whole, greeting cards a great way to get your kids to use their imagination and be creative. All you need are a few pieces of construction paper (pick up a full pad of colored construction paper and let you child select their favorite colors to use), and crayons/markers/colored pencils/water colors etc. If you want you can add to the creative process by supplying your child with other elements like stencils, stickers, glitter, and glue. Let them decorate the card however they like and encourage them to put a seasonal greeting on the inside. You can choose to send this out to select relatives or friends or use the cards as decorations around your home.

Sugar Cookies:

No matter what holiday you celebrate, sugar cookies are a great treat that you can make with your children. You can always go with the prepackaged mix, which will save time, or use this simple recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup golden brown sugar (packed)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Next, sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; blend well. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead gently for about one minute. Shape the dough into a ½ inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least three hours. When you take the dough out, allow it to soften before rolling it out. Next, with the rack positioned in the center of your oven, preheat it at 350 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet by buttering it lightly. Next, roll out each piece of dough individually until they are about 1/8 inch thick. Next, take your favorite holiday cookie cutters and begin cutting out shapes and trimming the dough around the cutter. Your child will have fun doing this. Tip: lightly flour the cutters so the dough doesn’t stick to them. Remember to reroll the dough scraps to make more cookies. Transfer the cookies onto your baking sheet and bake them for about 11 minutes (until golden brown). Let them cool for five minutes. At this point you can choose to leave them as they are or frost them.

By choosing to frost them, you can allow your children to design them anyway they want. This can be made less messy and easier by using pastry bags or store bought tubes of frosting. Let their imagination guide them as they help you create these yummy holiday treats.

These are just a couple of ideas to both get your child involved in this festive season and use their imagination in creative ways. No matter what you choose to do, the most important thing is to have fun with your child as they explore the capabilities of their mind.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Imaginative, Kid-Friendly Holiday DIY Projects

Leave a reply

 banner (1)

Spartan and his friends are great at using their imagination in different ways. Katie is especially good at art. She is able to use her imagination to create the images that she thinks of. We see this when she draws the rocket for the team to envision in order to contact Egg. Arts and crafts projects are great ways to allow your kids to use their imagination in creative and productive ways. The holiday season seems to lend itself to fun and creative projects that you and your children can do together. With the New Year on its way in, here are some fun, simple ways to spend quality and engaging time with your children.

Holiday Cards:

Holiday cards are always fun for children to make. Whether you celebrate a specific holiday or celebrate the season as a whole, greeting cards a great way to get your kids to use their imagination and be creative. All you need are a few pieces of construction paper (pick up a full pad of colored construction paper and let you child select their favorite colors to use), and crayons/markers/colored pencils/water colors etc. If you want you can add to the creative process by supplying your child with other elements like stencils, stickers, glitter, and glue. Let them decorate the card however they like and encourage them to put a seasonal greeting on the inside. You can choose to send this out to select relatives or friends or use the cards as decorations around your home.

Sugar Cookies:

No matter what holiday you celebrate, sugar cookies are a great treat that you can make with your children. You can always go with the prepackaged mix, which will save time, or use this simple recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup golden brown sugar (packed)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Next, sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; blend well. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead gently for about one minute. Shape the dough into a ½ inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least three hours. When you take the dough out, allow it to soften before rolling it out. Next, with the rack positioned in the center of your oven, preheat it at 350 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet by buttering it lightly. Next, roll out each piece of dough individually until they are about 1/8 inch thick. Next, take your favorite holiday cookie cutters and begin cutting out shapes and trimming the dough around the cutter. Your child will have fun doing this. Tip: lightly flour the cutters so the dough doesn’t stick to them. Remember to reroll the dough scraps to make more cookies. Transfer the cookies onto your baking sheet and bake them for about 11 minutes (until golden brown). Let them cool for five minutes. At this point you can choose to leave them as they are or frost them.

By choosing to frost them, you can allow your children to design them anyway they want. This can be made less messy and easier by using pastry bags or store bought tubes of frosting. Let their imagination guide them as they help you create these yummy holiday treats.

These are just a couple of ideas to both get your child involved in this festive season and use their imagination in creative ways. No matter what you choose to do, the most important thing is to have fun with your child as they explore the capabilities of their mind.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Are You Raising Spartan, Katie, Tor, or Max? 5 Essential Keys to Cultivate Your Child’s Unique Imagination

Leave a reply

home

You’re already aware that children are born with unique personalities that develop very early on, but you may not know exactly how to support them since they are often completely the opposite of our own. In the Spartan And The Green Egg series, each character has a different personality that almost every child can identify with. Your child may be adventurous by nature, like Spartan, or they may be artistic and curious like Katie. Maybe your child is intellectual like Max or mechanically inclined like Tor. Or, they could be wildly imaginative enough to identify with Egg.

No matter what type of personality your child has, finding a way to anchor them in their own inclinations can help them build confidence in their own unique strengths. Here are five ways to do just that.

ADVENTURER: THE SPARTAN TYPE

a9aeac_ffe743d2bacfbeb495fc2424dd8e99de.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0
Spartan is a leader on a constant quest for knowledge. If your child is similar you may want to engage them in activities that will satisfy that quest while allowing them to use their imagination. Pretend play is a great way to do this. Let your child share something new with you that they may be learning in school, like what an archeologist does. Let them read Spartan’s adventures and have them create their own adventure fantasy that corresponds to what they are currently being taught in school. Have them join a virtual world with like-minded children, like the Explorer’s Club, where they can share their creation with other like-minded adventurous children. You will be satisfying your child’s thirst for knowledge while helping them expand their imagination.

CREATIVE: THE KATIE TYPE

a9aeac_23bc407457fa9f0f8a91229770cac48c.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0
Katie loves a challenge. Her strong sense of imagination coupled with her artistic ability allows her to physically create what her mind thinks up. If this sounds like your child, try letting their artistic talents drive their imagination. You can help by taking your child to art museums where they can see the imaginations of other artists come to life through the framed canvases. Let them read the Spartan series and learn how Katie uses her creativity to solve unforeseen problems. If your child sees what others have done they may be more willing to do the same. When they join the Explorer’s Club they will be able to share their creative ideas with other children doing the same. By doing this, you will not only help your child use their imagination, you will help support their artistic talents, too.

MECHANICAL: THE TOR TYPE

a9aeac_429ed4d8c10a6f5a5b317a6372101b74.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0
Tor is lazy and messy but also loveable and good with machinery. If your child is constantly taking his or her toys apart just to put (or attempt to put) them back together you may be raising your own Tor. Blocks are a great way to help your child use their imagination along with their love of engineering. If your child is older try more technical sets like K’Nex sets. These allow your child to create what they want using more technical elements like brackets and metal beams. By introducing your child to these toys you’ll allow their mechanical abilities to shine as you encourage them to create what is in their mind. If you don’t want your entire house to become a grounds for re-building, have them join the Explorer’s Club where they can rebuild and talk shop with kids all over the world in a virtual setting.

INTELLECTUAL: THE MAX TYPE

a9aeac_21967ccb0f4d7cabc32e730bfbe7eb2b.png_srz_310_310_75_22_0.50_1.20_0
Intellectual and analytical, Max uses his natural intelligence to research and analyze different facts as he and his friends explore the world. If you believe that your child is analytical and enjoys more intellectual endeavors, like computer games, you may want to use more intellectual methods to cultivate their imagination. Reading is obviously a great place to start. Your child can pick out a book to read and imagine that they are the main character in the story. Maybe they will pretend that they are the detective in a mystery book that follows clues to solve a crime. By encouraging this behavior, your child can use their intelligence and their imagination at the same time.

IMAGINATIVE: THE EGG TYPE

egg
If your child’s imagination is in constant motion, coming up with ideas you never thought possible as his or her age, you may find it a challenge to put them in touch with an equal counterpart to ground their thoughts. Finding Egg in the Spartan And The Green Egg series is the best catalyst for all the characters, and can be an excellent grounding source for your child as well. Egg takes the children on adventures they never knew possible while providing them with love and guidance to carry them safely forward. Joining the Explorer’s Club and befriending Egg is a great challenge for your child to focus their imagination in ways that gives them a sense of community, strength and confidence.

No matter what type of personality your child has, there are ways to utilize their natural instincts and abilities to enhance their imagination and sense of exploration. Try one of these methods or let us know what other ideas have worked for you!

Was this post helpful? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Help Your Children Respect the Environment And Your Home! Three Simple, Yet Crucial Habit-Forming Steps To Take!

Leave a reply

Children-running-outdoors-CMYK-canstockphoto4657804 

Let’s face it: teaching your kids to go green is great, but getting them to clean up after themselves and not to forget their underwear before walking out the door may come first on your secret priority list.  Yet there is a huge opportunity to teach our children how to become more conscious of the environment in the everyday actions they take by developing habits that will stay with them for a lifetime. Here are three dynamic yet simple action steps that will have them respecting their own home and personal development while forming lasting habits toward a safer environment!

1. Leave Something, Plant Something

If your child forgets to make her bed or pick up his toys that you’ve tripped over one too many times, your list of subtle, yet effective ways to drive that habit home once and for all may have become quite long by now.  However, there is one habit that when done together can work to heal both the environment and a forgetful mind.  Have your child plant a seed each time he or she forgets a crucial household chore.  Planting a seed in your own yard teaches them to hone the skill of patience, understanding and consciousness.  Watching that seed grow is a healing act that they will forever associate with being more mindful of the world, and home they live in. 

Take Them Out in Nature

When Spartan and his friends arrive in the rainforest they see many different animals that live there. These animals depend on the plants and trees around them for survival. This may be a difficult notion for children to grasp. By taking them out to local parks or forests you can help them get a firsthand look at these animals in their natural habitats. Admiring these animals in their natural habitats can show your child how careful they are with how they treat their surroundings.  Watching a bird carefully construct and then live in its own nest can be a powerful analogy to how your child treats his or her own room at home.

Teach Them That Everyday Items Come from Nature

Not into picking up after themselves? Spartan and his friends learn that the trees that are being cut down may be used for things like making paper. If you teach your child that paper comes from trees or that cotton clothes come from cotton plants you can help them realize that nature is their biggest resource. If they see the environment as a necessity instead of as an arbitrary setting, they will treat it better to ensure that it remains useful, while thinking twice about how they treat the possessions they already have.

Was this post helpful?  Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Is Your Adventurous Child More Than A Handful? Three Essential Steps Every Mom Can Take To Hone Their Passion!

Leave a reply

101536974_painted hands

Every child has a natural sense of adventure. As soon as your child learns how to walk they begin to explore the world around them in many ways, using all of their senses and depths of imagination.  Yet there are some children whose natural sense of adventure supersedes even your wildest imagination, creating games, imaginary friends and foreign lands within the terrain of their 100 square foot bedroom!  This special and active yearning for adventure may have you wondering how in the world you will be able to keep up with their adventurous needs!

Fear not: there are three specific actions you can take right now in order to feed your child’s incredibly strong imagination while making life at home the serene haven you intend it to be!

1. Encourage Your Child To Focus Their Imagination On A Specific Project

Allowing your child to use their own mind to create exciting adventures for a specific purpose can allow them to go wild without needing to pull attention away from anyone else. This can be done while you are both out and about or in your own home.  In Spartan & The Green Egg, Spartan and his friends use the power of their minds to meet The Egg and go on an adventure to the Amazon. Using this story as the focal point let your child imagine that they are an explorer looking for specific items wherever you go (the ones on your grocery list, for example!). If you’re stuck in the house on a rainy day make a blanket fort with your child and let their imagination come up with their own adventure. The overall idea of showing your child the power of imagination is what matters most.

2. Anchor Your Child With New Information

As Spartan and his friends go on their adventures Max brings up important educational facts, like the tidbit about plants being used to make medicine. If you help your child gain knowledge during every day activities you can make every adventure a learning experience. For instance, while out at the park or beach have your child look for different kinds of leaves or shells. Once you collect a few different ones you can help your child learn why they are different and what purpose they serve. You can also do this by examining different bugs or flowers in a garden. Doing this acts as an anchor so they can channel their energy into focused topics that make them excited about new facts rather than searching for something to clear their impending boredom.

3. Help Your Child Keep an Open Mind

Even though Spartan and his friends go on a fun adventure to the Amazon, Tor remains skeptical about the whole process. He questions the general existence of aliens based on the sole fact that he’s never seen one. He only agrees to try out Spartan’s experiment when he is convinced by Katie and Spartan to stay open to the idea of aliens’ existence. Tor questioning information isn’t the issue here; it is the fact that he initially dismisses the notion of aliens’ existence altogether before listening to any information. As moms, you can teach your children to stay open to new ideas. This will help their sense of adventure by showing them that there are ideas other than the ones in their own mind. This is also essential when your child is playing with other children as they will all have different thoughts on their shared adventure.

Was this post helpful?  Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!

 

 

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

How To Stretch Your Child’s Imagination With Egg!

Leave a reply

Egg from Spartan & The Green Egg

Egg, a friendly alien with a keen sense of a child’s need for learning and adventure, is one of the main characters in the Spartan And The Green Egg book series and the catalyst for taking the kids on the adventure of a lifetime.

The beauty of Egg for the children reading the books is his intention: to excite and motivate the children to look outside their current state of knowledge and dare to consider a world outside their perception. In short, to stretch their imaginations in ways that allows them to dream about what the world can hold for them, and then show them how possible it really is.

On their first adventure together, Egg takes Spartan and his group of friends on a trip to the Rainforest be transporting them through space and time. When they arrive, Egg guides the children to through their adventure in getting to know the people of the Rainforest and learning of the challenges they face for their environment. With Egg’s guidance, they learn how to trust themselves, and their positive instincts to do good in the world.

When your child gets to know Egg, they can go on the same adventure of stretching their imagination and giving them reason to think outside the box to build lifelong confidence and self-assurance.

Was this post helpful?  Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Who Is Spartan? Three Reasons Your Child Needs To Become His Friend!

Leave a reply

Photo of Spartan

Spartan, the main character in the Spartan And The Green Egg book series, has some skills that your child who loves adventure can benefit from. His uncanny ability to lead his group of friends in a generous, loving way makes him the perfect example for your child to hone their own leadership skills after.

Here are Spartan’s three main leadership attributes your child can hook onto and establish for life within the books and by joining the Explorer’s Club:

1. Conservatively Curious

Spartan has a love for adventure, and dreams about creating new places to explore with his friends. But when an alien appears on his kitchen table in the form of an egg, he doesn’t let his excitement override his sense of curiosity. He pauses long enough to ask a series of questions about Egg’s intentions, and lets his curiosity fuel his caution. When he is finally satisfied the Egg will lead them in a safe way, he agrees to go on the journey.

2. Quietly Observant

Spartan, although fully immersed in his adventure with Egg and his friends, remains quietly observant, always sizing up the situation to make sure he feels good about their choices in a foreign land. This attribute is one that teaches children to learn to listen to and trust their instincts, a practice that can serve them as positive and effective leaders for the rest of their lives.

3. Decisively Emotional

Spartan never strays from his sense of responsibility to himself and his friends while on their journey with Egg, but he also allows himself to stay in touch with what he is feeling, which allows him to make decisions based on his own internal compass rather than what is going on around him. This skill exemplifies to children that their feelings are their greatest guide, and when combined with a sharp sense of leadership skills, they can begin a most effective practice of becoming compassionate leaders.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Three Ways To Ignite Your Child’s Sense Of Adventure Without Leaving Your Home

Leave a reply

Hard Case Cover Flat HZ

If your children have a natural sense of adventure that you want to nurture, but you can’t find enough time in the day to satisfy their need to travel the neighborhood in pursuit of long-lost treasures those pirates left thousands of years ago, we have just the remedy to keep their minds moving in the right direction.

Here are three simple steps for satisfying their urges without having to leave your home, the Spartan way!

1. Give them the challenge of learning what it takes to visit an area of the world they have never heard of

The Spartan And The Green Egg series was developed as a way for children to understand more than just where places exist geographically. Each Spartan story hones in specifically on issues surrounding these areas and the challenges visitors may face when they arrive. Your child is invited through the stories to take actionable steps with the explorers to overcome their challenges while helping to preserve the land and its inhabitants. Taking your child on such a trip gives them a chance to fully engage their mind while helping the explorers find their destination.

2. Join the actual explorers through the Spartan And The Green Egg Website

When your child becomes a member of the Spartan And The Green Egg website he or she has a chance to meet the explorers personally and see other areas of the world they each want to visit. Once they choose the explorer they can most jive with, they have the chance to look deeper into places of exploration that encourage them to come up with potential adventures of their own into these new and exciting places.

3. Join the SGE Explorer’s Club

We have found that children who like adventure like to take their reading to the next level of challenging interactions. That is why we created the SGE Explorer’s Club, which gives your children the chance to interact with the Spartan characters they love and learn from them about various areas of the world that appeal to them most in the books. When they become more fluent in the areas they love, the can then share their newfound information with other explorers from around the world, creating new virtual adventures together. This level of engagement gives them a chance to take control of their own journey while learning how collaborate as a leader on their chosen paths.

Can you think of other ways your child can benefit from joining the Explorer Team? If so, leave your comments below!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Three Ways To Ignite Your Child’s Sense Of Adventure Without Leaving Your Home

Leave a reply

Hard Case Cover Flat HZ

If your children have a natural sense of adventure that you want to nurture, but you can’t find enough time in the day to satisfy their need to travel the neighborhood in pursuit of long-lost treasures those pirates left thousands of years ago, we have just the remedy to keep their minds moving in the right direction.

Here are three simple steps for satisfying their urges without having to leave your home, the Spartan way!

1. Give them the challenge of learning what it takes to visit an area of the world they have never heard of

The Spartan And The Green Egg series was developed as a way for children to understand more than just where places exist geographically. Each Spartan story hones in specifically on issues surrounding these areas and the challenges visitors may face when they arrive. Your child is invited through the stories to take actionable steps with the explorers to overcome their challenges while helping to preserve the land and its inhabitants. Taking your child on such a trip gives them a chance to fully engage their mind while helping the explorers find their destination.

2. Join the actual explorers through the Spartan And The Green Egg Website

When your child becomes a member of the Spartan And The Green Egg website he or she has a chance to meet the explorers personally and see other areas of the world they each want to visit. Once they choose the explorer they can most jive with, they have the chance to look deeper into places of exploration that encourage them to come up with potential adventures of their own into these new and exciting places.

3. Join the SGE Explorer’s Club

We have found that children who like adventure like to take their reading to the next level of challenging interactions. That is why we created the SGE Explorer’s Club, which gives your children the chance to interact with the Spartan characters they love and learn from them about various areas of the world that appeal to them most in the books. When they become more fluent in the areas they love, the can then share their newfound information with other explorers from around the world, creating new virtual adventures together. This level of engagement gives them a chance to take control of their own journey while learning how collaborate as a leader on their chosen paths.

Can you think of other ways your child can benefit from joining the Explorer Team? If so, leave your comments below!

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog

Imaginative, Kid-Friendly Holiday DIY Projects

Leave a reply

 Spartan & The Green Egg logo

Spartan and his friends are great at using their imagination in different ways. Katie is especially good at art. She is able to use her imagination to create the images that she thinks of. We see this when she draws the rocket for the team to envision in order to contact Egg. Arts and crafts projects are great ways to allow your kids to use their imagination in creative and productive ways. The holiday season seems to lend itself to fun and creative projects that you and your children can do together. With the New Year on its way in, here are some fun, simple ways to spend quality and engaging time with your children.

Holiday Cards:

Holiday cards are always fun for children to make. Whether you celebrate a specific holiday or celebrate the season as a whole, greeting cards a great way to get your kids to use their imagination and be creative. All you need are a few pieces of construction paper (pick up a full pad of colored construction paper and let you child select their favorite colors to use), and crayons/markers/colored pencils/water colors etc. If you want you can add to the creative process by supplying your child with other elements like stencils, stickers, glitter, and glue. Let them decorate the card however they like and encourage them to put a seasonal greeting on the inside. You can choose to send this out to select relatives or friends or use the cards as decorations around your home.

Sugar Cookies:

No matter what holiday you celebrate, sugar cookies are a great treat that you can make with your children. You can always go with the prepackaged mix, which will save time, or use this simple recipe:

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup golden brown sugar (packed)

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Next, sift in the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; blend well. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead gently for about one minute. Shape the dough into a ½ inch thick rectangle. Cut the dough into four equal pieces and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least three hours. When you take the dough out, allow it to soften before rolling it out. Next, with the rack positioned in the center of your oven, preheat it at 350 degrees. Prepare a large cookie sheet by buttering it lightly. Next, roll out each piece of dough individually until they are about 1/8 inch thick. Next, take your favorite holiday cookie cutters and begin cutting out shapes and trimming the dough around the cutter. Your child will have fun doing this. Tip: lightly flour the cutters so the dough doesn’t stick to them. Remember to reroll the dough scraps to make more cookies. Transfer the cookies onto your baking sheet and bake them for about 11 minutes (until golden brown). Let them cool for five minutes. At this point you can choose to leave them as they are or frost them.

By choosing to frost them, you can allow your children to design them anyway they want. This can be made less messy and easier by using pastry bags or store bought tubes of frosting. Let their imagination guide them as they help you create these yummy holiday treats.

These are just a couple of ideas to both get your child involved in this festive season and use their imagination in creative ways. No matter what you choose to do, the most important thing is to have fun with your child as they explore the capabilities of their mind.

#traveltheworld #kids #seethesights #teachyourkids #fullcyclepublications #spartanandthegreenegg  #books #nabilakhashoggi #OnTheBlog