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It’s never too soon to get your child interested in current events -- and doing so can have many positive benefits, from building vocabulary and improving writing, to encouraging active and engaged citizenship.  While the news might seem “boring” at first to kids, there are steps you can take to show them just how interesting and exciting current events can be:

Read Together

Ensure that your home subscribes to a daily paper. Let your children pick which articles they want to read and help them with words and concepts they don’t understand. Read at least a few front page news articles together and then allow them to skip to whichever sections of the paper they find the most interesting. Many magazines run kids’ editions in print or online, such as Time, Sports Illustrated and National Geographic. Subscribe your child to an age-appropriate magazine or newspaper. Most children are already well-versed in using the Internet for acquiring information. Guide your children to trusted online news sources that they can access on their own.

Encourage Hands-On Learning

Often the most effective way to spark your child’s interest is to offer him or her hands-on learning opportunities. Encourage your child to join the school newspaper or the school’s television news program. Even as budget cuts loom in schools, private companies are helping schools offer their students unique educational opportunities. The Panasonic Kid Witness News program for example, a hands-on program designed to help children develop creative, cognitive and communication skills, has provided more than 150,000 children around the world access to top-notch video production equipment and an opportunity to learn a new skill they can use to make fun newscasts that are relevant to their daily lives. Each year, schools are encouraged to submit student videos on set themes and topics in formats such as newscasts, documentaries, dramas and commercials to a national and potentially global contest. Winning schools receive a package of Panasonic products that will enhance classroom learning. The videos show “the world through their eyes.” For more information, visit www.panasonic.net/kwn. “It’s important to get kids to share how they see the world. This is a perception we don't usually see in the news,” says Joseph Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “It’s a valuable perspective that mainstream media usually misses.”

Watch Together

Make watching the news together a part of your evening routine. Remember, kids have limited attention spans –- so avoid the never ending 24-hour news programming and opt for a half-hour program that highlights all the day’s top stories succinctly. Use commercial breaks and dinnertime to discuss what you watched. If you’re worried that the imagery will be too graphic or mature, consider recording it first and sharing with your child only the parts you feel comfortable with.  By encouraging your kids to keep up with current events, you can help them gain valuable perspective and understand the world around them.

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The weather may be getting cooler, but that doesn’t mean people who are impacted by allergens are in the clear. From dust and dander to seasonal pollen, millions of people will sneeze, wheeze and cough their way through the months ahead. The experts at Sun Products, makers of Snuggle, all and Wisk laundry products, offer these steps to help make your home a safer haven from that which afflicts you.

Bust Dust

Allergens are hiding all over the home. Regular dusting and vacuuming will eliminate much of the problem. Just be sure to clean your vacuum filter often. And don’t overlook fabrics in your home like upholstered chairs and drapes, as dust, mites and other allergens can collect here easily. Don’t suffer while cleaning. Use a mask to avoid coming into contact with the allergens you’re trying to eliminate.

Wash Safely

 The irony of keeping your home spic and span for the sake of allergy management is that many cleaning supplies can aggravate the problem. Ammonia, for example, can be quite harsh on the eyes and nose. Using a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, all-purpose cleaner will make scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen a much more pleasant experience. Likewise, bedding and clothing are notorious for collecting and trapping common allergens. According to a study by Grana, an international science journal, a large t-shirt can trap up to 7 million pollen grains on a peak pollen day.  Remove everyday allergens trapped in your garments and bedding with a fragrance free detergent designed for sensitive skin. For example, all free clear detergent, which is the number one detergent brand recommended by dermatologists and allergists for sensitive skin, will eliminate 99 percent of tree and grass pollen, and ragweed pollen, the number one fall allergen. Free of potential irritants like dyes and perfumes, it will also help bust pet dander and dust mite matter. More information can be found at www.all-laundry.com/freeclear/.

Keep Allergens Out

 When you walk around outside your clothes can collect and absorb allergens and irritants. Shoes are magnets for grass, tree and ragweed pollen. Leave your shoes on the porch, especially after walking through grass. Change out of your clothes when you get home, depositing them directly into the hamper.

Stay Vigilant

You can stay informed with pollen-level maps and recent allergen news. Visit the all free clear Facebook page for allergy resources and management tips. Get a handle on your sniffles and congestion this season by freeing your home of allergens.

(StatePoint)

As a woman, you most likely experience aches and pains from your daily activities no matter what your lifestyle entails. In fact, a recent study shows 89 percent of women experience some type of muscle or joint pain every year, and 63 percent experience it weekly, according to ProAct, an independent marketing research firm. But whether the discomfort stems from a day at work, strenuous exercise or housework, pain has its price -- from feeling tired and low on energy, to contributing to feelings of stress, depression and frustration. Before discomfort gets the better of you, reduce your risk for pain and relieve the aches you already have with these simple measures:

 • Avoid overexertion: Don’t save all your heavy-duty chores for one weekend, especially if you’re not regularly active. “If you suddenly spend the whole day cleaning out your basement, or climbing ladders to clear gutters, muscle strain or overexertion is highly likely,” says family physician Elena Klimenko, M.D. “You have to let muscles build up gradually.” The same goes for working out. Consult a physician or fitness professional to build an exercise routine safely.

• Relax: Hot baths, gentle stretching and meditation can help prevent and relieve stress-related muscle tension and stiffness. Even if it means putting the kids to bed early or turning your phone off for an hour, incorporate stress-free down time into your busy day, every day. • Relieve: Next time you experience pain, avoid popping conventional painkillers that masks symptoms. “A homeopathic medicine works with your body to relieve not only pain, but also swelling, which is a common reason for pain,” says Dr. Klimenko. “It does so without the risk of drug interactions or complications, even if combined with pharmaceuticals.” For example, Dr. Klimenko recommends Arnicare Gel from Boiron, an over-the-counter gel that can be applied anywhere on the body to reduce muscle pain and stiffness, swelling from injuries, and bruises. Because it relies on a natural active ingredient, you can safely use it as a first line therapy to relieve pain. More information can be found at www.Arnicare.com.

• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts undue stress on joints. Try a diet that promotes joint and tissue heath. Eat foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon. Add flaxseeds to salads or try cooking with mustard seed, ginger, turmeric or cayenne pepper, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties.

• Take breaks from computer work: ProAct’s research shows that women’s aches and pains stem more from daily activities like sitting at a computer too long than from injuries. Be sure to take periodic walking breaks or sit on a ball to keep muscles activated. While modern life has created challenges that lead to aches and pains, Dr. Klimenko says women don’t need to grin and bear it. “You can take proper care of yourself to avoid pain and treat aches naturally before they get out of hand.” For more natural health tips, follow Dr. Klimenko’s blog at www.DrElenaKlimenko.com.