Big Keys Keyboard for Kids

Einstein Never Used Flashcards

Have you ever noticed how many computer games are marketed for kids? Way before most children can recognize letters, let alone read, a myriad of of games are supposedly "age-appropriate." While it's tempting to buy into the idea that we, as parents, need to cram as much as we can into our wee ones' little minds, forcing learning may not be in their best interest. According to several excellent books, "The Power of Play" and "Einstein Never Used Flashcards," it is play and not forced learning that enables our children to succeed. These authors tell us to stand strong against the peer pressure to literally buy into the marketing that we need to buy this book and that program and those flashcards. On the contrary, they urge us to teach through play and contextual learning. Instead of flashing cards for rote memorization, why not talk to our children through ordinary, everyday circumstances.

Furthermore, these books suggest that most computer games are marketed way too young, meaning that if it says age 6, most 6-year-olds won't actually be successful with the game. A quick rule of thumb, if the back says Age 4-6, round it up in your head at least 2 years. That's not to say that all computer games are bad or not worth buying. Just be careful that you don't buy into the marketing without thinking about how that particular product will serve your child.

Big Keys Keyboard

One helpful tool I literally stumbled across was the Big Keys Keyboard. While t reminds me of my grandmother's bejewelled and grotesquely large calculator, this keyboard serves the same function- it enlarges the keys to 1 square inch so that little fingers can find them. Plus...Read More

Improper posture and lead to shoulder pain.

The Shoulder is a wonder combination of several joints that are connected with tendons and muscles for a wide range of motion of the arm. Pain in the shoulder region is due to various reasons. Most painful shoulder problems have a link with injured soft tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons, rather than just bones. Pain in shoulder falls in three major categories namely Tendinitis, injury and Arthritis.

Shoulder pain is also caused by tumors, infection and nerve-related disorders. A tendon is a cord which connects muscle to bone or other tissue. The splitting and tearing of tendons due acute injury causes pain. Excessive use of the shoulder leads to inflammation and swelling of a bursa, known as Bursitis.

Treatment of shoulder pain depends on the injury and gravity of the injury. The shoulder joint is the prone to frequent dislocation and is referred to as shoulder instability. Technically, shoulder dislocation is referred to as Luxation and partial dislocation as subluxation.

Dislocation of the shoulder is treated by putting the head of the humerus back into the joint socket called the Glenoid Fossa of the scapula by manipulation and reduction (M&R) procedure followed by an X-ray study. The arm is then immobilized in a sling or a shoulder immobilizer device. Severe dislocation injures the surrounding tissues or nerves and is treated by surgery.

The Glenohumeral joint or the shoulder joint stability depends on a group of muscles called the Rotator Cuff. The Rotator Cuff muscles help shoulder stability and control during joint rotation. The Rotator Cuff Muscles include Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. Sports that demand active and vigorous rotation of the shoulder joint often put these Rotator Cuff muscles under strain causing pain. Pain due to Rotator Cuff muscles strain can occur either due to tears of the muscles or inflammation

The Shoulder Joint is the area where the collar bones Clavicle and shoulder blades Scapula are connected. Pain in this region could be due to Ankylosis,Arthralgia, Cartilage Disorders, Infection, Shoulder Joint Dislocation, Shoulder Joint Capsule Damage, Acromioclavicular Arthritis, Bicipital Tendonitis, Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Subacromial and Subdeltoid Bursitis. There are three common problems associated with shoulder pain namely, Instability, Subluxation, OveruseandArthritis Degeneration.Instability is a condition where the joint is completely out of position and subluxation is partial dislocation.

Arthritis is a painful inflammatory condition in the joint region. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Septic Arthritis caused by infection, Gouty Arthritis caused by Uric Acid deposits in the joint region and Pseudogout, caused by deposition of Calcium Pyrophosphate crystals also cause painful inflammation. Periarthritis, Adhesive Capsulitis, also popularly known as frozen shoulder also cause chronic pain in the shoulder. Physical therapy is useful as a treatment option for people with shoulder pain.

Physical therapy includes daily walking and stretching exercises. Traction and massage of joints enhance joint mobility and flexibility. Information regarding the treatment options can be obtained from a doctor based on the signs of the disease. Investing in a back support for your chair can alleviate shoulder pain.

Shop for the Right Tools for an Ergonomic Workstation!

5 Tips for Keyboarding Health

Keyboarding can lead to problems such as carpel tunnel syndrome or contact stress if done improperly for a long period. Use these tips to reduce the possibility of hand and arm aches and pains.

Number 1
If you are left handed, use a left-handed keyboard. Using the key pad by crossing or turning your hands is not ergonomically healthy.

Number 2
The keyboard should be placed directly in front of you at a height that you do not have to keep your arms angled from your elbow to your wrists.

Number 3
Use a wrist rest pad these are found to help support your wrist at the proper position for extended amounts of time. This helps you avoid contact stress by keeping your arms away from the edge of your desk.

Number 4
Choose a keyboard that can be height adjusted. This helps if you need only to raise or lower your keyboard just a little.

Number 5
Maintain a neutral position of your wrist and hands at all times.

Your keyboard is only a part of this you must have the right knowledge and tools to keep up healthy keyboarding.

Is Your Desk a Good Fit For Ergonomics and Productivity?

When it comes to your desk one size certainly does not fit all. Let’s face it, we all come in different shapes and sizes and what fits one may not necessarily fit another person. Is like going over to Grandma’s and trying on her clothing at the age of seven. Even a seven year old knows that Grandma’s cloths are not going to fit. Your desk and office equipment you use is no different. For optimal ergonomics and productivity, your desk, chair, and equipment should be designed and arranged so that it suits your body and the work you do.

When you are sitting at your desk ask yourself whether or not it is adjusted right to match your build. Also determine whether it is ergonomically designed to allow for adjustment. There is no one-size-fits-all desk, so you need to pick a desk that can be adjusted to suit you and your work habits.

A well adjusted desk allows your legs to move freely around without colliding into other objects. The height of the desk should be such that it has room beneath the desktop to allow your knees plenty of space. If your desk is too high and cannot be lowered then consider getting a footrest so that your legs will be comfortable and not have to dangle in the air.

Also be sure to keep the area under you desk clutter free. When the area underneath your desk is uncluttered your legs will be unrestricted; thus, minimizing pain in the ankles and joints. To reduce the probability of injury you can also get an organizer.

An organizer keeps all your documents and electronics in an easy to reach and out-of-the-way location. I often see a lot of desks that look as though they just got hit with a tornado and I wonder how one ever functions productively in such an environment.

A good fit between you and your desk will do wonders for your productivity. You can find things that much faster and avoid needless bumps and bruises caused by clutter underneath your desk. You can save yourself tons of headaches by keeping your desk ergonomically friendly.

View all Ergonomic Table Top Solutions!