Archives: 2008 August

Parents of very young children often ask me if their offspring are old enough to start to learn piano. Well I’ve known some four year olds to start to learn to play piano successfully. Most, however, at that age find it too much of a challenge and I see them return later when they are closer to six years old.

I have a lot of experience with a piano lessons course that is specially designed for young children. Although it includes keyboard skills it also uses a lot of singing and all round musical activity. One big problem is the problem of tiny hands that just cannot cope with independent finger movement. Six year olds are just better physically equipped for the keyboard.

It may appear obvious, but there is a marked difference between a five and six year old learning to play piano. It’s not just hand size to reach the piano notes but ability to concentrate too. Basic knowledge in other ways of the world makes a big difference too. For example, knowing the first seven letters of the alphabet.

A lot depends ‘though on the course offered and the skill of the teacher. When I teach the very little ones I encourage their parents to sit in on the lessons and help to guide their child. I can then lead from the front of the class whilst parents can help to guide their childs hands in to place on the keyboards whilst I move around the class to check that all is well.

A dreamhome has a home garden as it’s essential component. Make it too complicated, however, and the home garden has an easier chance to destroy the harmony. Besides it is also more difficult to maintain. So a simple home garden is more appropriate to start.

A simple home garden adds beauty and value to your dream house. The attraction is not lost by having a simple garden. It is actually much easier to destroy the balance if your garden is complex and too fully featured. If you plan too much for your garden, especially if it is fairly small, chances are it will end up an eye sore and worse, a pain to maintain.

Simplicity, however, should not be separated from function. A simple home garden can still function in many ways. If you desire a garden with commercial returns, for instance, a small garden can be made up of vegetables which could otherwise be difficult to get or expensive. Likewise, it can be hydroponics in nature and you can have all the exotic plants within your home.

Flowering plants, usually a central feature of home gardens need no professional help to start with. A few correctly selected, planted and placed can a source of delight for you and your visitors for a long time. A simple home garden will stand out more easily in this respect than an overly sophisticated one all crying for attention.

Is your dogs food “bad dog food”. How can you tell, where do you go to find the information. Not always an easy question to answer if you don’t have the correct information

The dog food industry are adament that only their commercial dog food provides a stable, balanced diet for our dogs. They state that if dog owners feed their dogs homemade dog food they are in danger of overdosing their dogs.

We are able, as parents, with the correct information to provide a stable, balanced diet for our children. So why not for our dogs?

With the right information and guidance dog owners will be able to make their dogs food quite easily and quickly. All thats needed are some “tried and tested” recipes and organization.

Supporters of homemade dog food argue that commercial dog food is bad dog food and contains preservatives, toxins and dead animals. All of which are responsible for causing numerous diseases in dogs such as cancer, kidney failure and allergies.

As a dog owner there are pros and cons to both arguments. I personally only feed my dog homemade dog food but I only reached this decision after extensive research. I then gradually introduced homemade dog food, with my vets advice.

Give these points some consideration before reaching a decision.

Homemade dog food tends to be prepared in smaller quantities and therefore will be eaten fresh.