Every parent wants to set their kids up for success, and a great way to do that is by teaching critical thinking. Pairing critical thinking lessons with history is also an amazing way to bring history to life and make it relevant to the modern era.

After all, as Winston Churchill once said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” But there’s good news! Lessons about history and critical thinking don’t have to be boring. With a little bit of planning, you can take your kids on the adventure of a lifetime through lessons they won’t forget!

PHOTO: Tuttle Twins

Books that Teach Critical Thinking

Some of the best books for homeschool families include the Tuttle Twins series, which not only teach American history for kids but also critical thinking. The Tuttle Twins history books transform educational time into an exciting journey of discovery as kids learn to think critically about history and form their own views of it.

The Tuttle Twins series includes lots of books that teach critical thinking from a historical perspective, earning these titles a spot among the best books for homeschool families. From engaging fictional stories about the twins’ exploits to textbooks about American history for kids, the Tuttle Twins series will take your kids on a fun romp they’ll want to read over and over!

Encouraging Active Listening

In addition to using books that teach critical thinking, look for ways to encourage active listening in your kids. After all, the more they’re engaged, the more they will take in and learn.

To encourage active listening, ask probing questions while you’re reading books that teach critical thinking or talking about historical events. Emphasize how important it is to listen to multiple views and understand the reasoning behind those views.

Look for other ways to push your kids to dig deeper than the surface and explore the logic of different arguments while understanding the assumptions that led to those other views.

Simulating Historical Events

A great interactive way to get your kids engaged in critical thinking as they learn about history is through simulations of historical events. Talk about some of the great debates of the past and help your kids step back into history through roleplaying. Through these simulations and roleplaying, you’ll even learn alongside your kids!

You can also use simulations to relate history to today’s world. Look at today’s current events and use them to draw out different threads from history that have affected the way things are today. Think about how history has impacted today’s events and model critical thinking for your kids.

Nurturing Empathy in Your Kids

Critical thinking is about more than just understanding different viewpoints. History is full of events that provide important lessons about things that should never happen again.

Such events often warrant empathy even though they happened in the past. In fact, history continues to affect us each and every day, so understanding these threads are an important part of fostering empathy for yesterday’s problems that have become today’s key issues.

Reinforcing Lessons Through Books that Teach Critical Thinking

Equipping your kids with the critical thinking skills they need to be successful may seem like a challenge, but it’s also an adventure you and your kids will enjoy embarking on together! The Tuttle Twins series and other books that teach critical thinking skills will bring you full circle to help reinforce what you’ve been teaching.

With books and these other engaging activities in your toolbelt, you and your kids will love your journey through history and into the modern world!

As Christmas approaches, many of us find ourselves struggling to come up with perfect gift ideas. After all, we want to make a positive impression on the ones we love most. Yet, sometimes, the perfect gift has nothing to do with monetary value. The best gifts are often the ones that are entirely unique and creative. So, what are some ideas? Here are some Christmas gifts that will be sure to impress with their originality.

Personalized Items

Personalization is all the rage when it comes to gift-giving. Consider printing a personalized book, or calendar. You could even commission a local artist to create a personalized portrait. Something custom stands out to people who appreciate sentimentality since it’s an item you can’t find just anywhere. It shows that extra thought and intention went into a gift since it required special planning and organization.

Experiences

Experience-based gifts are often some of the best because there’s something you can’t hold in the palm of your hand. An experience is something you do with your loved one with the intention of creating lasting memories. Some different ideas are taking a class together, or even going on an outdoor adventure. If your budget allows for it, gifting a trip can be especially memorable.

Although material possessions are fun to receive, there’s nothing quite like something that goes beyond the material world by creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Subscriptions

Is there a particular hobby or activity that your loved one is crazy about? The latest trend is signing up for a subscription that is directly related to something they enjoy. These kinds of subscriptions can come in many forms. One of the most trendy forms is a subscription box.

These boxes come with a variety of items directly related to a passion or activity of your choice for a discounted rate. In other words, if you have a box subscription, you can receive a bundle of several hundreds of dollars worth of products for a much smaller price since it’s part of your subscription plan.

Otherwise, magazines or even streaming services make great gifts too. A subscription can be a great choice because it’s the gift that continues over the course of the year.

Memory Gifts

If you’re particularly close with the person you’re giving a gift to, then chances are you have a few memories you’ve made together over the years. Giving a gift that is directly related to a memory that you have together can really capture the recipient’s heart.

Think of something like a scrapbook that has a wide range of mementos from your journey together in life. This could be photos, ticket stubs, or even plane tickets. Recalling all of these special moments in one single place can be one of the most powerful gifts someone receives.

Fashion is a form of self-expression, and one of the most powerful tools in creating a unique and memorable style is through the introduction of jewelry. Jewelry, whether it’s a simple necklace, a pair of statement earrings, or a stack of bangles, has the ability to elevate any outfit and reflect one’s personality. The art lies in mastering the delicate balance between fashion and jewelry, creating a harmonious and stylish look that is both captivating and authentic.

Understanding Personal Style

The first step in combining style and jewelry is understanding one’s style. Each individual has their unique fashion preferences, whether it’s classic, bohemian, modern, or eclectic. Understanding what colors, silhouettes, and fabrics resonate with one’s taste will guide the selection of jewelry pieces that complement the overall look.

For those with a classic style, timeless and elegant jewelry pieces like pearl necklaces, diamond stud earrings, and gold bangles are a natural fit. For the bohemian soul, layering necklaces, stacking rings, and incorporating vibrant gemstones can add an artistic and free-spirited touch to their ensemble. The key is to stay true to one’s style and choose jewelry that enhances and amplifies that individuality.

Finding the Focal Point

The art of combining style and jewelry involves creating a focal point that draws attention and becomes the centerpiece of the outfit. The focal point can be a statement necklace that complements a plunging neckline, statement earrings that frame the face, or a bold cocktail ring from regalhattongarden.co.uk that demands attention. By identifying the focal point, one can build the rest of the outfit and jewelry around it to create a cohesive and balanced look.

When choosing a focal point, consider the occasion and the outfit’s complexity. For formal events or elegant evening wear, a statement necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings can add drama and flair to the ensemble. For casual and everyday outfits, a delicate necklace or stackable rings can be the perfect focal point that adds a touch of elegance without overpowering the look.

Mixing and Matching

The beauty of combining style and jewelry lies in the freedom to mix and match different pieces to create a unique and eclectic look. Mixing metals, textures, and styles can add depth and dimension to the outfit. For instance, pairing delicate gold necklaces with a chunky silver bracelet creates a visually interesting contrast that adds visual intrigue.

Experimenting with layering is another way to mix and match jewelry. Layering delicate necklaces or bracelets with varying lengths and styles creates a stylish and bohemian look that adds a touch of artistry to any outfit. Layering can be done with dainty pieces for a subtle effect or bolder pieces for a more striking and glamorous look.

Embracing Minimalism

While mixing and matching can be a fun and creative process, sometimes less is more. Embracing minimalism allows certain jewelry pieces to shine and makes a statement on their own. For a minimalist look, opt for one or two key jewelry pieces that add elegance and simplicity to the ensemble. A pair of classic diamond studs or a sleek gold chain necklace can be the perfect minimalist touch that complements any outfit.

By following these principles, individuals can confidently experiment with jewelry and fashion, creating harmonious and stylish looks that leave a lasting impression. The art of combining style and jewelry is a journey of self-expression and creativity, allowing individuals to celebrate their individuality and showcase their unique style to the world.

 

When you were younger, it is highly likely that at some point or another, your mother, sister or close friend told you that you need to start looking after your skin now so that you do not regret not doing so in the future.

So, with respect to that invaluable advice, continue reading to learn how to take better care of your skin.

Be Gentle with Your Skin

First and foremost, it is highly likely that there are often times when you scrub your hands too hard, dry shave your legs to save time, and commit a whole host of other sins to your skin on a regular basis.

From now on, take the following pieces of advice as ‘gospel’:

• Ditch the strong detergents and soaps and instead go for mild toiletries
• Moisturize your face and body every single morning or night
• Consider laser hair removal over regular shaving
• Pat your body dry with the towel rather than rubbing yourself down
• Limit the number of baths you take and lower the temperature

Visit a Professional Clinic

If you have recently noticed one or more outbreaks of dry skin, eczema or even psoriasis anywhere on your skin (although this tends to happen around the elbows, forehead, ankle, and knees first), then making an appointment to see your dermatologist is crucial.

However, if you have noticed no such thing, but your skin feels generally dry and has a dull hue where it used to be positively glowing, then booking an appointment at a salon is the best idea. For instance, take a look at what this beauty salon Holywood has in service offers as an example of the kind of procedures available.

Keep Your Stress Levels to a Minimum

One of the worst contributing factors to dry, dull, and lifeless skin is one that is not easily fixed, as it is not visible to the naked eye.

Stress and the feeling as if you simply haven’t got enough hours in the day to complete all your professional tasks and simultaneously take care of all your personal responsibilities can be exceedingly detrimental, not only to your skin but to your emotional health and wellbeing.

Simple yet effective ways to help to reduce your feelings of stress and anxiety include, amongst a host of others, the following:

• Minimize the amount of time you spend on your phone and tablet each day
• Cultivate a strong support network of friends and family around you
• Arrange to start beginner yoga classes in your local area
• Practice mindfulness and deep breathing techniques
• take regular walks outside and feel the sunshine on your skin

Improve Your Diet

As boring and obvious as it may sound, it really is true that the more water you drink and the more fruit and vegetables you eat can make a hugely positive difference, not only to your skin but also to the rest of your body.

So, be sure to keep your skin as hydrated as possible and make sure that every day, you are consuming at least five different portions of fruit and vegetables, as well as enough lean meat and other healthy proteins.

 

You’re a new home buyer and ready to move into your newly purchased home. Congratulations! You are surely excited to start your new life, but as you know, you first must pack and move your belongings from your old to your new home. There’s a lot to take on when you move, and it can feel overwhelming. But with a little bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be. The financial experts at Solarity Credit Union have some tips and tricks for new home buyers to make your move to a new home go smoothly.

1. Make a Checklist

With the number of tasks that need to be completed prior to moving into a new home, it’s a good idea to take a few moments and jot down a checklist to keep you on task. You can even break down your checklist by timeline so that you can see when each task should be completed.

Firstly, include packing on your checklist. You want to leave yourself enough time to pack your physical belongings without feeling pressure to get it all packed in an impossible amount of time. As a new home buyer, you may not have gathered as many belongings as someone who has lived in the same home for 30 years or more, however, it’s easy to underestimate the amount of stuff you own and how long it will take to pack it all. It can take two months to pack a home with four bedrooms. Making a checklist helps provide peace of mind, as you can see how you are progressing without worrying you’re forgetting something important in the process.

Of course, there is much more that goes into moving into a new home than just packing your belongings. Tasks such as transferring utility services to your new address, filing a change of address form with your local post office, enrolling children in new school districts, hiring movers, and arranging for transport of vehicles are important too.

Moving.com has already prepared a moving checklist that you can use as a template when creating your personalized checklist.

2. Create a Reasonable Moving Budget

You’ve found the perfect home, been approved for a home loan with a great lender, and made space in your budget for your monthly mortgage payments, but closing fees and your down payment aren’t the only up-front costs a new home buyer needs to keep in mind. Moving can be expensive, and if you’re not prepared for the cost, there can be some sticker shock.

Setting finances aside prior to the move can help ease the pinch in the pocket when preparing to move into your new home. It’s always a good idea to sit down with your budget and come up with a dollar amount that can be safely spent on moving costs while still leaving you with finances available to set up your home and make any unexpected repairs that come up after living there for a few weeks.

Budgeting for your move can also help you can afford to hire professional movers or prefer to rent and load a moving truck yourself. Hiring professional movers can be expensive, especially if moving over 100 miles or over state lines, as the cost can go from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars quickly with long-distance moves.

To keep costs down, consider a mixed approach to moving. If you are able to load a moving truck yourself or with friends and family, you can hire professional movers to unload the truck at your new location. This can help lower costs significantly. Having a budget in mind when making these types of decisions will help you keep your finances on track.

3. Donate, Sell, or Dispose of Items You No Longer Use

When planning a move, it can be a great time to start purging unwanted or unused items that have been hiding in closets or the attic. Packing items that you no longer want or need can add unnecessary costs to your move. Instead, two to three months prior to your moving date, start decluttering around the home. Have your family join in and make donate piles for gently used items and trash piles for items that are no longer in good condition.

Start with items that are in view and work your way into closets and storage areas until you have decluttered as best you can. Pairing down your belongings ahead of packing can help cut down time spent on loading boxes of unwanted items and cut down on the cost of moving these items.

If you’re donating items, don’t forget to ask for a receipt to use as a tax deduction on your next tax return. For items that are in great condition, consider selling them at a garage sale or online to make back some of the cost of moving.

4. Pack for the Move

Leave at least four to six weeks to pack your belongings before moving. Try to finish packing your things at least one day prior to your moving date. It’s never a good idea to pack up to the minute before loading the truck, as this can be stressful and leave you exhausted on moving day.

Pack a moving-day bag to take with you in the car. This bag can contain clothing, medication, electronics chargers, and toiletries. Remember, when you arrive at your new home, finding all those items in a sea of boxes can be challenging, so save yourself the trouble and pack an essentials bag ahead of time.

5. Notify Friends and Family of Your New Home Address

Don’t forget to let your friends and family know your new address. Filing a change of address form with your local Post Office is great, but mail only forwards for a limited time, so it’s imperative to update your address with all of your subscription services, utilities, banks, schools, work, insurance companies, and so forth.

By preparing for your move ahead of time, you can ensure the process goes smoothly. Working with the right lender can make the whole home-purchasing process go smoothly too. Are you looking for a home loan in Washington State? Solarity Credit Union has home loan options to help you make your new-home-buyer dreams come true.