Making Your Promotional Material Environmentally Friendly

Being sustainable and environmentally friendly is the next big thing in business. When it comes to personalised corporate gifts, trade show giveaways and other promotional products, green is in. Since ecological awareness is now at an all-time high, businesses can win the respect of consumers by putting a noted effort into their commitment to sustainability. Eco-friendly promotional items mark your business as conscientious, well-managed and environmentally responsible, so the very use of sustainable promotional items is great promotion in itself. The following are a few product ideas to help get you started.

Biodegradable Plastic

It used to be that the words “plastic” and “environmentally friendly” were hard to use in the same sentence. All of that has changed, however, with the development of biodegradable plastic whose components have been derived from renewable raw materials. You can now get virtually any traditionally plastic promotional product in an eco-friendly form, including imprinted tote bags, pens and cups. The only hard part for you will be making your customers aware that the giveaways are, indeed, environmentally friendly, so your good deeds don’t go unnoticed.

Recycled Plastic

Sourcing products that are made from recycled plastic is very easy these days and recycled plastic is a great option for corporate gifts and trade show giveaways for many reasons. First, recycled plastic is inexpensive when compared with biodegradable plastic, as recycling infrastructure is becoming very common. Second, the recycling symbol is well known to the general public, which means there will be no confusion about the sustainable sourcing of your imprinted mug, cup, bottle or other promotional item.

Paper Products

It is common knowledge these days that – when compared to plastic – paper is one of the most environmentally friendly promotional product materials because it is biodegradable, can be recycled, and is made of natural materials. It you have business cards, pamphlets or booklets that you would like to give away to potential clients, make sure that you use a book printing service that will print on recycled paper. Sturdy paper bags are excellent for trade shows to use as “goodie bags”; even if a customer uses it to put promotional items from other companies in, it is your brand that will be the most visible.

Imprinted Shopping Bags

The use of plastic shopping bags is one of the hottest topics when it comes to sustainability – they are one of the most wasteful and difficult-to-dispose items in every community. Although biodegradable plastic is an alternative, nothing is better than carrying a reusable shopping bag – and the solution for many people can be your company’s imprinted tote bag.

Sustainably Sourced Wood Products

Like paper, everyone knows that products made from wood are environmentally friendly because they biodegrade easily without releasing any harsh chemicals into the environment. Promotional products made from sustainable timber material are amazing to give away to potential clients and customers. Great examples of products that can be made from wood include pens, pencils, key chains, USB flash drives, bottle openers, pen pots, and more.

Going green with your promotional products may involve a little bit more money and creativity, but the benefits are well worth it. Not only will you get your brand out there, but you will also label your company as environmentally responsible.

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Pink Fish

I captured these pink fish last year in a pond at a fishing place. I think they are still included Koi fish or Cyprinus Carpio; though pink isn't a common color for Koi. When I took this shot, they were swimming, but they didn't move to another place, they're just moving their fins and tails at the same spot. Perhaps they were resting :)

Camera Critters

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Some Effective Ways to Improve Reading Skills among Children

As soon as children start going to school, parents want that their children learn to read as soon as possible. They work really hard to achieve this significant milestone in their kid’s life. Parents perceive reading ability as the first step of learning and gaining a whole lot of knowledge. The best way to promote reading skills is to make it enjoyable and this gradually helps in a great way to improve childrens reading. It has generally been observed that children tend to learn the activities they enjoy and spend time on.

Nothing is more significant to academic achievement than being an avid reader. Parents understand their children and they need to give the one-on-one time and attention that will ultimately help them to success in reading. However there are various ways which can help children become more effective readers. Studies have shown that reading out aloud to children regularly produces significant results in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the decoding of words. Whether your children are preschoolers or preteens, it will increase their inclination towards reading independently.

Children surrounded with reading materials in their homes are tempted to pick a book and read. Thus having a good supply of interesting books and magazines at their reading level is an effective way to make children read books. Put the reading materials in cars, bathrooms, bedrooms, family rooms, and even near the TV.

A regular 15 to 30 minute time should be spent as a family reading time together. Seeing parents read greatly encourages children to read. Just 15 minutes of practice every day is adequate to improve their reading fluency. Reading should be made an integral part of children's lives. Encourage them to read menus, roadside signs, game directions, weather reports, movie time listings, and other practical everyday information. Also, assure that they always have something to read in their spare time when they are waiting for doctor’s appointments or riding in a car. This engages them and makes them happy too.

Take library trips with children and involve them in finding books for themselves. This can be done on a weekly basis. The idea of getting new books encourages children to read more. Some libraries also have some book reading programs for children of all ages that may attract the children and further increase their interest in reading activities.

Parents must find out the reading skills that children are expected to have at each grade level. Generally the school's curriculum provides this information. Keeping a track of their progress in acquiring basic reading skills on report cards and standardized tests is also important. Try to find out if children are able to sound out words, know sight words, use context to recognize unknown words, and clearly comprehend what they read. Also assure that children receive the required help from teachers, tutors, or learning centers.

To improve childrens reading skills use of textbooks, computer programs, books-on-tape, and other materials are easily available in stores. Games are particularly good options as they let children enjoy as they work on their skills.

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How to Ensure Your Children are Confident Swimmers

While there is a lot of attention paid to the dangers of water, there is also something to be said about knowledge and confidence around water. The problem with swimming lessons alone for your child is that they may miss out on important lessons about behaviour around water. Teaching your child to be a confident swimmer does not always mean getting in the water. It is important to teach your child how to understand different types of water – from rivers to the ocean, so they are prepared to swim in anything.

Familiarity with WaterOne great way to get your child familiar with water is to take them fishing or to go out in a boat. This will give them a chance to understand water even if they are not the strongest of swimmers. It is more about showing water respect rather than fear.

Another way to get children more comfortable with water is to involve them in all aspects of maintaining your pool, if you have one. It is not appropriate for a child to handle the chemicals and pool cleaners, but they could certainly have other responsibilities around the water. Just make sure that they are supervised.

Swimming SportsSwimming sports are a great way for your kids to have fun and learn how to swim at the same time. While many sports will require some knowledge of swimming others will teach your child as they go. It is a pretty cool idea to get your kids some diving toys and other fun things to do in the pool.

Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons from a professional are very important and these other ideas are intended to be as well as, rather than instead of swimming lessons. There are always swimming courses run at local pools. Junior life-saving organisations can be a great source of professional support if you live by the ocean. This will give your children valuable knowledge about being in the surf, as well as some great fitness on the sand. It will also provide them with a bit of healthy competition.

Swim with ThemGeneral swimming safety at all times when your children are young is essential. This will mean swimming with them or having another adult swim with them. This will help them learn from you and provide someone for them to grab onto if they feel scared or out of their depth.

Pool SafetyYou should also make your child feel safe around pool areas by paying attention to pool safety. Make sure your pool is secure with the correct fencing and a pool cover in winter time. Always check the status of your pool safety equipment if you have a pool in the backyard. If you live near water sources, be sure to let your children know never to go there alone.
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Family Cycling Holiday – The Benefits of Family Travel Holiday

If you're looking for an eco-friendly, cost-conscious holiday with the kids, a family cycling break could be just the thing you're looking for. Spending time with the family is more valued than ever and there is a great range of holidays on offer, which don't need to cost the earth. Active cycling trips will also help you to remain fit and healthy whilst enjoying all the treats of a family break. This kind of holiday means travelling to destinations is just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves.

Why cycling holidays?

Everyone enjoys family holidays, but it can be difficult to find something that suits all without breaking the bank. Hotels are expensive when it comes to multiple rooms. Self-catering accommodation and beach resorts are fine if you're happy to stay in one area, but what about the spirit of adventure and exploration that parents want to nurture in children? Cycling trips allow families to spend time together, whilst being fit and healthy in the outdoors. They are flexible and allow you to explore, motivate each other and experience the landscape, local attractions and culture up close. They also help to engender positive qualities in everyone and encourage teamwork, creating more memories than simply sitting on the beach for two weeks.

The family that cycles together...

For teenagers, cycling offers freedom of expression. Family holidays abroad often involve spending a lot of time together in close proximity, which can either be highly enjoyable or rapidly become stressful! With bikes, the family can either explore and travel together or go off in pairs on local excursions. Bikes also mean that teenagers can have travel freedom without relying on lifts, which offers parents equal freedom! Younger children can either sit in specially made passenger seats on their parents' bikes or ride tandems so they don't get tired. The adults can rapidly discover forgotten muscles and experience the pleasure of physical fatigue, particularly if they are used to office jobs and sedentary lifestyles. The kids can burn off that excess energy. Certainly, no pint of beer, glass of wine or local trattoria lunch tastes better than when it comes after an exhilarating bike ride in the beautiful great outdoors.

The price is right

Cycling is also cost effective, particularly when combined with camping or caravan breaks. These needn't be overly basic either; there are some great holiday camps available for holidays abroad offering excellent facilities, on site shops, restaurants and plenty more. Cheaper holidays take the stress away from the process and make them all the more enjoyable. It also means that you have more money when you get to your destination to spend on all the treats and excursions you need to explore the local area to the max.

Get some prep in first!

As with any new sport, it pays to take things easy and be prepared. Launching into miles of cycling if you've not sat on a bike for 20 years may not be the best idea! Build up some training whilst you are at home and develop basic endurance and cardiovascular health before embarking on long distance cycling whilst on holiday; you'll enjoy it all the more and dodge the taunts of your teenagers!

Leanne Rowe writes regularly on cycling holidays and family holidays abroad for a range of cycling, sport and holiday websites and blogs.

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10 Ways to Calm Your Baby

Babies cry as a form of communication. It’s their way of letting you know something is not quite right. A child has lots of different cries and learning to understand your baby’s calls will help you find the right solution. If your child continues to cry, he/she might need a trip to the doctor. But if you know your baby is simply hungry, teething, tired, scared, or restless, try these tips to calm them down. They may not all work for you, but it’s worth a try!

1. Milk

Babies love milk! If your baby is hungry, a feed might be in order, whether at your breast or from a bottle. While you shouldn’t automatically feed your baby every time he or she cries, milk can act as a soothing comfort. If you find your baby stops crying after they’ve been fed, their crying probably related to hunger or frustration.

2. Dummies and Teething Toys

If your baby is crying because they’re in pain from teething, consider using a dummy or a teething toy to calm them down. These come in all shapes and sizes, from giraffes and bracelets to fruits and rattles. Chewable foods like carrot sticks and teething biscuits can help, too.

3. Singing

Though your baby can’t talk, it can recognise you by sight, smell and the sound of your voice. If your baby is on a crying tirade, singing might help. You can sing almost anything – lullabies, nursery rhymes, rock songs – it’s the sound of your voice that could help to soothe your little one.

4. Music and Sounds

Babies are also attracted to sounds and music (other than you singing). See if you can find a music CD that helps calm them down. They might like classical music, nature sounds, funky world music or even pop music.

5. Holding Positions

Holding your baby in different positions can help to comfort them and it can also help relieve gas. Try holding your baby on his/her back, resting their head in the crook of your elbow or holding your baby in a seated position, with his/her back against your chest. To help relieve gas, you can rest your baby on your shoulder or hold his/her in a ‘superman’ position, face down, and rock them back and forth.

6. Soothing Movements

If you’ve tried holding your baby in lots of different ways and nothing is working, perhaps your baby needs some movement. Instead of walking, try rocking them back and forth, or using a swing or rocking chair if you’ve got one. You can also try bouncing them lightly in the pram or pushing them around in their pram. A sense of calming and constant movement could be all your baby needs.

7. The Car

Ever taken your baby for a ride in the car and found that he or she’s fallen asleep? The constant motion of a car often puts babies at ease. If you’ve got a car and you’ve tried a few, unsuccessful remedies, try taking your little one for drive. The change of scenery might also distract them. (Don’t forget to take your baby bag, too, just in case!)

8. Bath

Some mothers claim that giving their baby a quick bath when they’re upset can work wonders. Many adults love swimming or taking a spa as a form of relaxation – and babies are the same. See if your crying baby responds to the therapeutic effects of water. You never know, they might just want to splash around!

9. Massage

The soft touch of your hands can relax a baby instantly. Try massaging your baby in soft, small, circular strokes over his/her body, using baby oil or moisturiser. You can massage his/her head, temples, arms, legs, chest and back. If your baby squirms, move on to a different spot until you find something they like.

10. Stay Calm

Do you find that your crying baby frustrates you, or makes you feel worried or upset? Your baby can also sense how you are feeling – the more upset you are, the less likely they are to calm down. Remember, staying calm will help soothe your baby, too.
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Cool Baby Gifts for You

Getting things together for the arrival of a new baby is something that becomes routine after the first child but when it is your first child, you may not consider everything that needs to be purchased. Some feel as if they are going to get by on just a few of the essential items, such as baby blankets or a burp cloth. When the baby arrives, however, they quickly learn that these items are used regularly and they may not have enough on hand in order to keep them available without doing laundry every other day. That is why these items make such an excellent choice for baby shower gifts. This is true, even if a registry is available and they are not included on the registry. Of course, it would be a good idea for you to pick something up that is requested but you can add in some hooded towels or other items that will help make your gift unique and it is something that will be appreciated, once they actually start to use them.

It is also possible for you to purchase these items in a way that makes them even more unique. Many people enjoy having monogrammed items, regardless of whether they are blankets or bibs and there are also many of these which can be purchased with funny sayings. In that way, you will be able to purchase something for the parents as well as the child with their personality in mind. It is something that will help them to remember your generosity, each and every time it gets used.

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