Self-consciousness emerges in the minds of two-year-olds

By the age of two, a toddler begins to understand that other people can have needs and feelings that are different from his own. From that insight flows the awareness of possession or ownership. Before this age, the concept of theft doesn’t really even have any meaning. (Did anybody own anything in the Garden?) It isn’t until about age two that a young child is even capable of understanding the importance of respecting the belongings of other children.
This is the age when self-awareness and self-consciousness arise. Around age two, children begin to experiment with the difference between their own and their parents’ will and identity. They become conscious not just of the independence of others, but of a sense of how things “should be,”
and they begin to feel frustration if something doesn’t work right or if they can’t do something they’re told or expected to do. If you want to get a two-year-old upset, do something in front of him that you know he can’t do, and watch what happens when he tries to imitate you. Along with self-awareness come the beginnings of empathy: Two-year-olds approach others who are in distress and try to comfort them, instead of just becoming distressed themselves as an infant will do.
Around the middle of the second year, the frontal lobe of the brain has developed sufficiently to give a child the awareness of social demands, and an understanding that some actiouis are “bad” or forbidden. This is the age when a toddler will begin to show tempestuous emotions in response to his cvn transgressions. He does not yet understand why his action is bad, but he is able to pick up the signals that he is responsible for the bad action.

How to Find a Hypnotherapist

1. Identify why you want to see a hypnotherapist. Do you want to lose weight, change a habit e.g. an addiction like smoking, heal something in your past e.g. childhood abuse, etc.? If possible, talk to a friend to help you clarify this.
2. Check your local papers or magazines for hypnotherapists and hypnosis clinics. You may even notice who you see on TV or hear on the radio. If they are successful enough to advertise or appear in the media, you can expect that there is a reason. When you see other people experiencing success using hypnosis, you can expect to have good results too.
3. If you can't find any local hypnotherapists or clinics advertising in your area, then ask people you know (including professionals) for referrals. Consult the Yellow Pages. Search on your favorite Internet search engine for "local hypnotists" or "hypnotherapists" and the name of the place where you live. Get names and phone numbers.
4. Call to make an appointment. Typically the first meeting will be an initial consultation or screening. A reliable and professional hypnotherapist will have a professional office facility, in depth experience in hypnosis and evidence of previous clients' success
5. Keep your screening or consultation appointment then observe and listen closely. The hypnotherapist will need to evaluate your situation and to determine if hypnotherapy will really help you. Pay attention to what experience they have helping people with the problem you have. This will also give you a sense of what it would be like to work with them. You may ask about their training and whether they belong to a professional organisation. At your first visit make sure that your questions are answered, and that you have a clear idea of how many visits or how much it will likely cost for you to reach your goal.
6. Trust your gut. If you feel excited or feel good about proceeding, act on that expectation. Make sure you know their approach and that you feel comfortable with it. Ask about rates or prices and how many visits it typically takes to deal with your issue.

How to Improve Your Memory With Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a mental state (state theory) or set of attitudes (nonstate theory) usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject ("hetero-suggestion"), or may be self-administered ("self-suggestion" or "autosuggestion")

1. Relax. When you are ready, gently close your eyes. Take three deep breaths and say to yourself the word 'relax' on each held breath. Now, notice how enjoyably relaxing this feels. Continue doing this for a little while. Notice how each breath helps you feel deeper and deeper relaxed.
2. 
   
   Relieve any tension. Allow any tension in your jaw to relax away. Allow any tension in your neck and in your shoulders to simply melt away, leaving you completely relaxed.
3. 
   
   Imagine a large library. You might imagine you stood outside a large magnificent library. Notice how the building looks. Visualize the large wooden doors inviting you to go in. This library is the library of your mind. Everything you have ever known or experienced is in this library. Just like your mind, everything you have known or experienced is in there. Whenever you can't remember something the memory is still there, but it's just difficult to find it among the vast, vast arrays of information.
4. 
   
   Begin to study the books in the library. If you are studying or have a particular topic of interest or quickly locate the book that contains all your knowledge on this subject, you may have a quick look through the pages if you wish. Feel safe in the knowledge that whenever you absorb any information on this topic it will be added to this book. You will easily be able to find the information in your mind. You will easily be able to recall the information. Now, place this book back exactly where you found it. If you are not sure, a librarian will help you. Take a look around at the other books. Again, any of the information related to these books will be added to them whenever you learn or experience something.
5. 
   
   Recall old memories. As a result of your mind being more organized, not only will you be able to recall memories much more easily, your mind will also feel calmer and more relaxed. You will find that just about anything you do will be simpler and easier. You'll feel happier. Your mind is more organized and relaxed, and you will be more successful with an organized and more relaxed mind.
6. 
   
   If you feel as though this has been helpful, and you are able to remember more things, great! However, if you feel as though you are still not able to remember things, play the video that is following. Be sure that when you play the video, your eyes are closed. Depending on how easily you can be hypnotized, reading this text may be enough for you to recall old memories, well some people may need to watch the video.

How to Improve Your Memory

Wouldn’t it be nice to just look at a page and never forget what was on there? What if you could never again forget a friend’s birthday? The bad news is, not everyone has a photographic memory, otherwise known as eidetic memory. Only a few actually have it, the rest rely on mnemonic devices. The good news, however, is that everyone can take steps to improve their memory, and with time and practice most people can gain the ability to memorize seemingly impossible amounts of information. Whether you want to win the World Memory Championships, ace your history test, or simply remember where you put your keys, this article can get you started.

1. Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve. Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves that their memory is bad, that they are just not good with names, that numbers just slip out of their minds for some reason. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Commit yourself to the task and bask in your achievements -- it's hard to keep motivated if you beat yourself down every time you make a little bit of progress.
2. Exercise your brain. Regularly “exercising" the brain keeps it growing and spurs the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skills—especially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument—and challenging your brain with puzzles and games you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning. Try some puzzle exercises everyday such as word cross, sudoku and some other games as easy to put into your mobile phone and practice it maybe once for 30 minutes per day.
3. Exercise daily. Regular aerobic exercise improves circulation and efficiency throughout the body, including in the brain, and can help ward off the memory loss that comes with aging. Exercise also makes you more alert and relaxed, and can thereby improve your memory uptake, allowing you to take better mental “pictures."
4. Reduce stress. Chronic stress, although it does not physically damage the brain, can make remembering much more difficult. After prolonged stress the brain will be damaged. Stressful situations are recognized by the hypothalamus, which in turn signals the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secreted adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)which influences the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline and later cortisol(corticosteroids). The corticosteroids can weaken the blood-brain barrier and damage the hippocampus(the memory center). Ironically, the hippocampus controls the secretion of the hormone released by the hypothalamus through a process of negative feedback. After chronic stress it will be damaged and it will not be as efficient in regulating the degenerative corticosteroids and memory will be harmed. Neurogenesis (formation of new neurons) indeed exists in the hippocampus but stress inhibits it. To recapitulate and synthesis, chronic stress will affect your health and your memory, it will damage the brain so the best option is to learn to control stress. Stress will never be eliminated, but it definitely can be controlled. [http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Stress-Effects-Neurotransmitters&id=19510]Even temporary stresses can make it more difficult to effectively focus on concepts and observe things. Try to relax, regularly practice yoga or other stretching exercises, and see a doctor if you have severe chronic stress as soon as possible.
5. Eat well and eat right. There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to improve memory, but none have yet been shown to be effective in clinical tests (although small studies have shown some promising results for ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine). A healthy diet, however, contributes to a healthy brain, and foods containing antioxidants—broccoli, blueberries, spinach, and berries, for example—and Omega-3 fatty acids appear to promote healthy brain functioning. Feed your brain with such supplements as Thiamine, Vitamin E, Niacin and Vitamin B-6. Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.
6. Take better pictures. Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One common situation where this occurs (and which almost everyone can relate to) is meeting new people. Often we don’t really learn people’s names at first because we aren’t really concentrating on remembering them. You’ll find that if you make a conscious effort to remember such things, you’ll do much better. One way to train yourself to be more observant is to look at an unfamiliar photograph for a few seconds and then turn the photograph over and describe or write down as many details as you can about the photograph. Try closing your eyes and picturing the photo in your mind. Use a new photograph each time you try this exercise, and with regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.
7. Give yourself time to form a memory. Memories are very fragile in the short-term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories before you can even form them is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things, so when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions and complicated tasks for a few minutes.
8. Create vivid, memorable images. You remember information more easily if you can visualize it. If you want to associate a child with a book, try not to visualize the child reading the book – that's too simple and forgettable. Instead, come up with something more jarring, something that sticks, like the book chasing the child, or the child eating the book. It's your mind – make the images as shocking and emotional as possible to keep the associations strong.
9. Repeat things you need to learn. The more times you hear, see, or think about something, the more surely you’ll remember it, right? It’s a no-brainer. When you want to remember something, be it your new coworker’s name or your best friend's birthday, repeat it, either out loud or silently. Try writing it down; think about it. The key lies in "Spaced Repetition" learning. I'm sure everyone is familiar with flash cards. They're usually used when you want to revise for an exam. It's essentialy a card with a question on one side and the answer on the other. In the course of learning a topic you would have a stack of cards and would go through them testing yourself. Those that you got right you would put to one side and review a few days later. The more difficult ones might take several days to fix in the brain. However, when is the ideal time to review the cards that you have temporarily remembered. Leave it too long and, like all memories, it may have faded and we forget the answer. If we review it too soon then we waste time looking at it. We need some system to know exactly when to review each card. Here enters the exciting world of "Spaced Repetition Software". This software automatically works out the most efficient time to test you on each card for optimum memory retention. There are a number of free bits of software out there for you to use.
10. Group things you need to remember. Random lists of things (a shopping list, for example) can be especially difficult to remember. To make it easier, try categorizing the individual things from the list. If you can remember that, among other things, you wanted to buy four different kinds of vegetables, you’ll find it easier to remember all four.
11. Organize your life. Keep items that you frequently need, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same place every time. Use an electronic organizer or daily planner to keep track of appointments, due dates for bills, and other tasks. Keep phone numbers and addresses in an address book or enter them into your computer or cell phone. Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so that you can remember less routine things. Even if being organized doesn’t improve your memory, you’ll receive a lot of the same benefits (i.e. you won’t have to search for your keys anymore).
12. Try meditation. Research now suggests that people who regularly practice "mindfulness" meditation are able to focus better and may have better memories. Mindfulness (also known as awareness or insight meditation) is the type commonly practiced in Western countries and is easy to learn. Studies at Massachusetts General Hospital show that regular meditation thickens the cerebral cortex in the brain by increasing the blood flow to that region. Some researchers believe this can enhance attention span, focus, and memory.
13. Sleep well. The amount of sleep we get affects the brain's ability to recall recently learned information. Getting a good night's sleep – a minimum of seven hours a night – may improve your short-term memory and long-term relational memory, according to recent studies conducted at the Harvard Medical School.
14. Build your memorization arsenal. Learn pegs, memory palaces, and the Dominic System. These techniques form the foundation for mnemonic techniques, and will visibly improve your memory.
15. Venture out and learn from your mistakes. Go ahead and take a stab at memorizing the first one hundred digits of pi, or, if you've done that already, the first one thousand. Memorize the monarchs of England through your memory palaces, or your grocery list through visualization. Through diligent effort you will eventually master the art of memorization.

How to Teach a Child Bilingual Reading

For bilingual families, getting a child to start reading in both languages is next to impossible, and needs to be learned the hard way - often for money - at a later age. Yet there is a window of opportunity and a technique to make it easy, fun and free early.

1. Start early. You should really start this at preschool, as that's the best window of opportunity, but it is not too late to start at early school either.
2. Resolve home language. Though this step is optional, recent research shows that it could be key to success: resolve to just speak one language at home. It will not hamper your child if you speak your native language if you start early and stick to it.
3. Make it a game. Much like in other activities, your child will learn more effortlessly if it is a game.
   
   
   • When your child is comfortable talk about a "school game"or a "letter game" you could play. (Avoid saying "learning" or "translation" as they sound like a task to avoid.) Gauge reaction and don't force it.
4. Make it short without forcing. Play it for a short period or leave the game in plain sight and wait till your child initiates.
5. Have initial game plan. Once you get cooperation, work out a game plan. Follow these steps below, don't rush. Once the process is natural you will find yourself improvising more and more.
   
   
   • First few sessions: play around with letters with no particular reason. This will give them familiarity and a feel of a non-threating environment.
   • Next ask for a short favorite word. Propose one from a favorite movie if you need to give help.
6. Work that name. Think how you can "work" that name. It (or similar in sound) should be suitable to follow the next steps.
   
   
   • Arrange the letters and read it aloud, one-by-one a little faster every time.
7. Smile to the trick. Smile and tell that here comes the "tricky part." Only they need to close their eyes. Children will be intrigued and delighted to play along. (You will be surprised just how many times this works.)
   • Tell them no peeking. Now take away the front letter.
   • Allow your child to look and tell again this is very tricky. (Tell them what you did by repeating the word and that you removed the front letter.)
   • Now ask them to "read" aloud. Try it and you'll be surprised because with a little encouragement they'll do it.
8. Make them proud. Let them be proud of their achievement. Repetition is the easiest, most rewarding reinforcement.
   
   
   • Now repeat same as above with back letter.
   • Do one or two more words per session. Repeat with playful variations.
9. Start translation game. Once you both get into some kind of habit where you both accept rules of the game (He or she will have some rules too, be ready to accommodate one or two.) Now start the translation game: this needs a little planning too. Again, words should be easy and suitable.
   
   
   • Think up a word that would appeal to your child which could be rearranged into a word in YOUR language.
10. Vary it. Once you found a good word follow these steps.
    
    
    • After the front and back game do the rearrangement while they close their eyes. Tell them that it is now EVEN trickier.
    • Read out the word aloud, tell them it's in your language and ask what do they think it means. Then tell them. Don't tell its a translation, only after a little time when the process is natural.
11. Reinforce it some more. Reinforce this process with more positive experiences.
    
    
    • Let them choose from your selection. Let your child watch videos in the two different languages. This way they WILL request one langauge or other just to exercise their liberty. You can pick up the main character and tell about its different names in the two languages.
    • Play a letter block game on this name too.
12. Be inventive. There's no excuse: your child is inventive, that's how she or he learns. So don't lag behind. Be inventive where do you get the new words from your child's new experiences.

• Read about the techniques of teaching someone to read first. A good foundation and all is applicable.
• Always play for a short time. Signs of boredom are good signs of fatigue.
• Try repeating before each new session with a little school game what the lesson was last time. Put a teddy or a stuffed animal alongside and ask who wants to answer. Look intently at the other "pupils." She or he WILL want to answer, guaranteed.
• Use things in your surroundings to make reading a game and to teach the ABC and the numbers and first words, e.g. point at number plates of cars, at numbers and letters in the super market or displayed at street signs, or everyday products you have in your house hold.
• Write letters, postcards, birthday and Christmas cards to friends and family. This is an excellent way for children growing up in a bilingual environment to reinforce the writing skills thus far learned in their secondary language.Tips on how to improve reading and writing in bilingual children.
• Use the internet as a learning tool by sending emails to family and friends so that the child has practice in the language.

How to Teach a Child Bilingual Reading

For bilingual families, getting a child to start reading in both languages is next to impossible, and needs to be learned the hard way - often for money - at a later age. Yet there is a window of opportunity and a technique to make it easy, fun and free early.

1. Start early. You should really start this at preschool, as that's the best window of opportunity, but it is not too late to start at early school either.
2. Resolve home language. Though this step is optional, recent research shows that it could be key to success: resolve to just speak one language at home. It will not hamper your child if you speak your native language if you start early and stick to it.
3. Make it a game. Much like in other activities, your child will learn more effortlessly if it is a game.
   
   
   • When your child is comfortable talk about a "school game"or a "letter game" you could play. (Avoid saying "learning" or "translation" as they sound like a task to avoid.) Gauge reaction and don't force it.
4. Make it short without forcing. Play it for a short period or leave the game in plain sight and wait till your child initiates.
5. Have initial game plan. Once you get cooperation, work out a game plan. Follow these steps below, don't rush. Once the process is natural you will find yourself improvising more and more.
   
   
   • First few sessions: play around with letters with no particular reason. This will give them familiarity and a feel of a non-threating environment.
   • Next ask for a short favorite word. Propose one from a favorite movie if you need to give help.
6. Work that name. Think how you can "work" that name. It (or similar in sound) should be suitable to follow the next steps.
   
   
   • Arrange the letters and read it aloud, one-by-one a little faster every time.
7. Smile to the trick. Smile and tell that here comes the "tricky part." Only they need to close their eyes. Children will be intrigued and delighted to play along. (You will be surprised just how many times this works.)
   • Tell them no peeking. Now take away the front letter.
   • Allow your child to look and tell again this is very tricky. (Tell them what you did by repeating the word and that you removed the front letter.)
   • Now ask them to "read" aloud. Try it and you'll be surprised because with a little encouragement they'll do it.
8. Make them proud. Let them be proud of their achievement. Repetition is the easiest, most rewarding reinforcement.
   
   
   • Now repeat same as above with back letter.
   • Do one or two more words per session. Repeat with playful variations.
9. Start translation game. Once you both get into some kind of habit where you both accept rules of the game (He or she will have some rules too, be ready to accommodate one or two.) Now start the translation game: this needs a little planning too. Again, words should be easy and suitable.
   
   
   • Think up a word that would appeal to your child which could be rearranged into a word in YOUR language.
10. Vary it. Once you found a good word follow these steps.
    
    
    • After the front and back game do the rearrangement while they close their eyes. Tell them that it is now EVEN trickier.
    • Read out the word aloud, tell them it's in your language and ask what do they think it means. Then tell them. Don't tell its a translation, only after a little time when the process is natural.
11. Reinforce it some more. Reinforce this process with more positive experiences.
    
    
    • Let them choose from your selection. Let your child watch videos in the two different languages. This way they WILL request one langauge or other just to exercise their liberty. You can pick up the main character and tell about its different names in the two languages.
    • Play a letter block game on this name too.
12. Be inventive. There's no excuse: your child is inventive, that's how she or he learns. So don't lag behind. Be inventive where do you get the new words from your child's new experiences.

• Read about the techniques of teaching someone to read first. A good foundation and all is applicable.
• Always play for a short time. Signs of boredom are good signs of fatigue.
• Try repeating before each new session with a little school game what the lesson was last time. Put a teddy or a stuffed animal alongside and ask who wants to answer. Look intently at the other "pupils." She or he WILL want to answer, guaranteed.
• Use things in your surroundings to make reading a game and to teach the ABC and the numbers and first words, e.g. point at number plates of cars, at numbers and letters in the super market or displayed at street signs, or everyday products you have in your house hold.
• Write letters, postcards, birthday and Christmas cards to friends and family. This is an excellent way for children growing up in a bilingual environment to reinforce the writing skills thus far learned in their secondary language.Tips on how to improve reading and writing in bilingual children.
• Use the internet as a learning tool by sending emails to family and friends so that the child has practice in the language.

How to Help Your Child With Reading

Many parents these days want to help their child as much as possible with their education, and for many that means reading. Get it wrong, and you can create a life-long resistance to picking up a book. Get it right, and you are giving your child the tools to access the whole school curriculum and a source of pleasure for life.

1. Create a reading culture in your home. If your child sees that books are valued in your home and that reading is something that you like doing, he will see books and reading as part of his life. You cannot expect your child to pick up a book if he never sees you do it!
2. Start young. Children need books before they can read. Wooden and cloth books have many merits - they are virtually indestructible and your child can learn to turn the pages and look at the pictures. Believe it or not, some children get to school age without ever seeing a book.
3. Make reading part of the routine. Read a bedtime story to your child every night. Your child will have favorites which he will enjoy time and time again until both you and he know every word of it by heart. Stick with it! This familiarity breeds confidence and a sense of ownership.
4. Join the library. Books are expensive, and you will need a variety of stories even if your child apparently doesn't! Also, having a library card makes you a member of a club - a community of readers. As children get older, choosing their own books gives them a sense of control, as well as responsibility for the book they have borrowed.
5. 

   

   Sit next to them on the couch to listen to what they're reading.
   Listen to your child read. Have your child read them aloud to you, but keep it to 5-10 minutes at first. Use the prompts Mrs. Richardson uses in the clasroom: “Get your mouth ready”” Show me the word _______.” (for sight words)

”Do you see any chunks of words in the word? "Look at the beginning letter, look at the ending letter” “Check the picture” “Does that make sense?” “Does that sound right and look right?” Be patient and use praise, not criticism.

6. Use audio books to encourage independent reading. Give your child the book and the audio version and let them read along with the spoken word version. This allows children to access material which is slightly too advanced, but it also allows them to gain confidence and a sense of independence.

7. Talk to your child and explain to them the meaning of words. Point to objects and explain their meaning in the course of your daily activities and play together.