Teaching children to write poetry is simple whether you are a teacher or a parent when approached step by step. The important thing is to show children how to rhyme words and put them together. Here are 6 tips.

1. Write a list of words. On the board or at home on a piece of paper write a list of words that rhyme. An example would be: try, high, fly, kite, night, fun, run, roam, home, etc. Next, have the children arrange some of the words in a sentence.

2. Recitation. While the students are writing their sentences you can write some of your own and then read them out loud. Hearing words rhyme is different than saying them in your head. Have each of the children do this. There may be giggles which is normal.

3. The Bible. The Bible is the most widely read book in the world. It is written in prose and parts of it are quite beautiful. You can read parts of the Bible a loud and discuss why it is considered poetry. As an exercise you can have the children try to imitate some of the verses.

4. Poems about familiar things. Poetry is an expression of feelings and emotions. Help the kids by getting them to express thoughts and ideas about people and things they are very familiar with. Encourage them to be expressive.

5. Games to teach rhyming. Rhyming games can be used to teach children how to write poetry. You can read nursery rhymes to the kids and have them stomp and or clap their hands along with the rhythmic pattern. This will be loud but it is very effective.

6. Music. Listen to music and show how lyrics are similar to poetry set to music. This is particularly effective with older kids. Music is a huge part of our lives and many children and teenagers are aspiring musicians and already have favorite music groups.

Teaching children to write poetry is simple when approached in steps. First, you need to start with simple poetry that only focuses on rhyming words in simple sentences. After children have the basics down you can show how poetry is used in the Bible and music. Give kids ideas for poems by giving them ideas to write on like pets.

Teaching children financial responsibility is one is of the most important things you can do as a parent. Money affects most every aspect of our lives and financial irresponsibility is the cause for most divorces and credit problems in general. Here are 6 techniques to help you.

1. Set an example. Your kids watch you all the time. One day when I was putting gas in my vehicle my 5 year old son started to lecture me about using credit cards. You probably use some kind of card also when you fill up at the tank and yet like me you have most likely told your children that credit cards can cause many problems. Credit cards are tools but like a hammer they can cause damage if used incorrectly.

2. Start when your children are little. As soon as your children can ask for a piece of candy they are ready to start learning about money and financial responsibility. You can take a few extra minutes and kneel down beside them and show them the different markings on coins and bills and how they relate to price tags.

3. Set a budget. Budgeting is a very useful tool for any family. Many children think there is a “money store” where you go to get money and there is an unlimited supply. When teaching your children about money you can talk about the family budget and how it helps you control how you spend money.

4. Delayed gratification. Because of credit cards many people do not learn that they need to save up for things. Like children we want what we see. Use this as an opportunity to teach your children how they can work for what they want. You can help them save their money as they earn it and you can even match it if you want to. I find this gives my children a big incentive if dad is willing to match what they earn.

5. Comparison shopping. When you take your children shopping it is probably a trial for you. Something I have done is I tell my children to find me the best price on certain items. You can even get them little hand held calculators and teach them how to figure prices based on ounces. You will be surprised how this will turn your shopping experience around.

6. Stock market. Whether you know it or not you are investing in the stock market. If you have a savings or checking account then right now part of your funds are invested everyday. Get some books from the library or use the internet to start educating your children about the world markets. So many things are in the news and your children will become very money savvy.

Teaching children financial responsibility will pay huge dividends down the road. There are many benefits for you also because your children will become more appreciative of you because of all you do for them. Tell your children that it costs between $100,000 and $150,000 to raise a child to the age of 18. Help your children by delaying immediate gratification and setting a good example. Educating them about the stock market is an excellent way to teach them also.

Teaching children patience can be challenging. Your children receive attention for what ever they need from the time they are born. They learn that they can cry and this brings you running to their aid. What do you do when they get a little older, though? Here are 6 tips to teach your children patience.

1. Do not reward bad behavior. When a baby cries they need something. You would be neglecting your baby just to let them cry without any response. But eventually your child cries over everything even when they can talk. You need to let your child know that crying when ever they want something is no longer appropriate. They need to use words.

2. Teach by example. You can teach a great deal to your children by having a patient demeanor and attitude. For example, when you want your children to do something do not lose your patience. Instead let them know they can choose to do what you have asked or suffer a consequence.

3. Acknowledge patient behavior. Take notice when your child does show patience. Perhaps they are waiting for you to do something before they ask their question. Tell them how proud you are of them. Thank them for being so patient.

4. Fast pace? When you come home from work or from shopping you may feel frazzled and tense. This can create a sense of anxiety in your children as they sense your disposition. Take some time each day where you just focus on them. Let them ask the questions they have or help them with something they are interested in.

5. Board games. Games where a child needs to wait their turn can be very good for teaching patience. I have done this and it can be frustrating at first because children are not used to waiting. Keep at it though and eventually your children will learn that it is enjoyable when others are having fun also.

6. Baking. Bake cookies with your children. Time has to pass while the cookies are being baked. You can then associate being patient with the reward of a cookie.

Teaching children to be patient is not easy but it is possible. You must set a good example and then be consistent. Reward good behavior and engage your children in activities that naturally teach patience.

Teaching creative writing to children is easy since children already have a love for stories. Parents often read to their children at bed time so introducing a creative writing program in the classroom is simple. Here are 5 steps to help you get started.

1. Small beginnings. Start out by finding common topics to the children in the room. Parents, grandparents and pets are usually good examples. Have the students write 5 sentences about the topic. These can fictional and in story form.

2. Dictation. You can get a tape recorder and one by one let the students dictate a story to you. You might find it easier to do without a tape recorder if you can write or type fast enough. On another day you or the child can read the story out loud to the class. This helps the students start to make a connection with hearing stories and making them up.

3. Word processor. Children take to computers like ducks to water. As soon as it is feasible have the students type their stories in a word processor. Initially do not be concerned about grammar, punctuation or spelling but let them type a way. After a few days start showing the kids how they can make capital letters and use the different grammar and spelling tools.

4. Idea box. Bring a small box to class and tell the students that this box is only for ideas for stories. Let them know that others in the class will also have access to their story ideas so they may also want their own “idea boxes.”

5. Character development. A big advantage that books have over movies is character development. A movie is always limited on time so character development takes place as the movie itself develops. This is not so with creative writing. Teach the students that the main character of their stories needs to be likable. If you have read any of Louis L’Amour’s books then you know what I mean. His characters are always the best cowboy in that part of the country with the best morals and values.

Children often have active imaginations which is a necessary part of creative writing. You can get a creative writing program off the ground by first helping the kids come up with ideas that they can identify with. You can use things like dictation and word processors to make the writing easier. “Idea boxes” and character development are ideas that will get the children thinking more creatively. Have fun.

Teaching children to write is crucial in today’s world. Email and websites are just a few of the ways we communicate today. Learning to write well takes practice and diligence and is only learned by doing it. Here are 6 ideas for you to create a writing environment for your children.

1. Need to inspire. Writing is such an enjoyable activity so get your children enthusiastic about it. You may have old letters or even a journal. Demonstrate to your kids how writing down your thoughts makes them timeless.

2. Writing challenge. One day I challenged my kids to write a 400 word article on any subject they wanted. It was great. They turned the television off a started writing. I told them that I would give the winner for the best article $10. You can try something like this and your children will amaze you.

3. Blog? Blogs are a very popular method for sharing ideas and happenings with friends, family and the internet community. Your children could help with the blog and you can even make money from it. This will give your children a big incentive to write when they realize there is a way to make money.

4. Your children need a notebook. With a notebook your kids can write down their thoughts and ideas on many different subjects. If you have a blog then this will be particularly helpful for them when they are trying to come up with ideas for their next article. Kids can also use the notebooks to start a journal.

5. Have your kids learn to write thank you notes. You and others give your children many gifts and sometimes it is hard to just get your children to say thank you. Can you imagine the joy that will fill someone’s heart if they receive a thank you note from one of your children for a gift or special outing?

6. Mail letters. Writing letters may seem old fashioned with the invention of email but it is still a treasured form of communication. Letters can be stored and reread many times. Grandparents and many others are not familiar with email and you know they would completely enjoy receiving a letter from your children.

Teaching children to write can bring a lot of joy into your family. You need to first inspire them by showing how much fun writing can be. You can conduct writing competitions, do a blog, encourage your children to write thank you notes and send letters to friends and family. Writing is a great activity.

Teaching children to save money starting when they are small is easy. Every child learns very quickly that money buys things they want. They already know the value of money, money concepts are taught in school, and the basic mathematics involved. Here a 6 simple tips to help you get them saving and investing.

1. Three ways to handle money. First, you can save and invest it. The other two ways are to let it sit stagnantly in a wallet or piggy bank or they can just spend it as fast as you earn it. Show your children different living conditions and ask them how they want to live.

2. Teach goal setting. Every child know what they want to be when they grow up. A fireman, doctor, nurse etc. are popular career choices. But children ever consider what they want when they grow up. Explain to your children that setting goals is a proven method for gaining what we want in life.

3. Put goals into action. You can try developing a financial plan with them. If you have a financial planner you can set up a meeting and explain to your children how financial goals are serious business.

4. Be thrifty. People grow rich slowly and being thrifty is a large part of this. Teach your children the difference in price and value and how to shop well. This in turn leads to more money available for saving and investing.

5. Start savings accounts. If you have not already then start a savings account for each of your children. Open the statements with them and show them how their money is growing. Point out the deposits and remind them how this will lead to a better future.

6. Better choices. Present alternatives to your children for entertainment. There are so many like going to the park versus going to the movies. Going to the library and checking out books versus expensive toys. Show your children how the family can take these savings and invest them.

Saving and investing is difficult for most of us. In America we save less than many par

Children need to learn good values in their lives so they can make good decisions. Up until the last 100 years children were usually raised in a small village or on a farm with just their own family. That has changed today for most children and you as a parent must be even more vigilant in instilling good values than at any other time.

1. You need to identify your values. What values do you as parent feel are important? We all want our children to be honest, dependable and self-reliant. These values dictate the way you spend your money, how you spend your free time and even what kind of car your drive.

2. Do you want your children to have your values? This might be difficult to come to grips with but you need to be honest. Your children will adopt many of your values simply by what they see you do. If you have values that you want to change or values you want to add, then now is the time.

3. Here are some questions to help determine what your values are. Do you feel people are poor because they are lazy or because we all have different opportunities. If your weekend was suddenly cleared, what would you do? If you found $10,000 would you pay off debt or would you find someone in need and give it to them. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions but they can help us understand our individual values.

4. Have a monthly family meeting. You want to make this as fun as possible but the purpose is to interact with your kids. Turn the television off and put your cell phone a way. Ask your children questions and give them an opportunity to express themselves. Talk about the values you share as individuals and as a family.

5. Monthly value. Do not try to instill every value into your children all at once. Each month select a value and focus on it. Why is it important and beneficial? What do your children think about it? Will it lead to making better decisions? Honesty, self-reliance and goal setting may be good values to start with.

Children will develop many values by watching us as parents. You need to make sure that the values they are adopting are ones you approve of. The best way to do this is to first determine what your core values are. After this you can try having a monthly meeting where you and your children can discuss different values.

Children can be taught to pray by incorporating other principals such as love and patience. As parents we have a responsibility to bring our children up in righteousness. Here are some ideas to help you.

Praying should be out loud. Your child may not readily understand what praying is. To help try replacing the word “pray” with the word “talk.” Encourage them to talk with God. It is said of men of old that they walked and talked with God.

Teaching your children love and patience is important when they are learning to pray. These two virtues when practiced keep our hearts soft and teachable. The prophet Samuel was able hear the still small voice of the Lord because his heart was teachable.

Understanding love is necessary when teaching your children to pray. Love gives us hope in the future and a feeling of security. When our children learn that the very nature of God is love they will want to be close to him.

Love is the most powerful force in the universe. When children are little they may not understand the word “love” but they certainly understand the emotion. You have been there for them from the beginning and you can share with them how God has been there for both of you from the beginning.

Teaching children patience is necessary when teaching children to pray because God does not always give an answer right away. Kids are growing up in a world where everything is provided for them immediately. From the time they are babies all they need to do is cry and their caregiver rushes to satisfy their needs. Unfortunately, this crying does not stop just because they learn to speak.

One of the best ways to teach patience is to share with your child times when you feel impatient and how you cope with that emotion. When you are driving, for example, you want to get to your destination quickly. Consider telling your children that you are going to be patient so you do not put lives in danger. Show that there are natural rewards.

When we teach our children to pray we also need to teach them about love and patience. God is love and will always answer our prayers. We must be patient though and be willing to wait for him to answer us.