Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Education

Common Noises Associated With Diesel Engine Issues

By Leave a Comment

As a car owner, it’s important to be aware of the noises your vehicle makes. Diesel engine issues can manifest in various ways, and being familiar with their different sounds can help you diagnose any underlying problems. We’ve compiled a list of common noises associated with diesel engine issues to help you identify them.

Rattling Noise

Rattling noises can occur due to several issues within the diesel engine. It’s important to identify where the noise is coming from to diagnose what may be causing it. The problem could be as simple as using the wrong type of fuel for your vehicle. However, it could also be something more serious, such as pre-ignition or belt-tensioning problems. If the noise occurs during acceleration, it could indicate an issue with your fuel injectors or turbocharger system.

Knocking Noise

Knocking noises are also sounds you may hear from your diesel engine if there’s an underlying problem. This type of noise can indicate worn or loose bearings, excessive carbon deposits on the pistons and cylinder walls, and an incorrect air-fuel mixture. However, it can also often be due to a less severe issue, such as your injectors needing more lubrication. In this case, you’ll need to lubricate the injectors to stop the knocking sound from happening.

Ticking Noise

A ticking noise can sometimes be one of the signs that you need a new diesel engine. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to and address these sounds if they occur. A faulty lifter or malfunctioning connecting rod can cause these sounds and may require a complete rebuild of the engine. However, ticking noises can also signify low oil levels or incorrectly adjusted valves, which only need a quick fix.

Timing Chain Noise

You may also notice noises associated with the timing chain. This noise will often sound like a loud rattling. It occurs when the timing chain becomes loose, stretched, or worn due to wear and tear from everyday use. Timing chains are responsible for synchronizing the movement of the crankshaft, camshafts, and other components. These ensure the proper operation of your engine. So it’s important to diagnose any potential issues with them quickly to avoid more serious problems down the line.

Now that you know these common sounds that indicate diesel engine issues, you can work to troubleshoot them appropriately. The sooner you identify the problem, the sooner you can find an effective solution.

How Often Should You Inspect Commercial Mower Blades?

By Leave a Comment

Commercial mowers are efficient, effective tools that many businesses use to care for professional landscapes, lawns, and farms. One of the keys to their effectiveness is their blades. Keeping your mower blades sharp and in good condition will help you continue to landscape and cut as needed. Keep reading to learn about how often you should inspect your commercial mower blades and how to care for them in general.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of mower blade inspection partially depends on the quality of the blades you use and how frequently you use them. If you have medium- or low-quality blades that you use frequently, you’ll want to inspect them every 10-20 hours of use, as they could have dulled or been damaged in that amount of time. If you have higher-quality blades that you don’t frequently use, you can wait to inspect them after about 50-70 hours of work.

Replacement Frequency

If you notice your blades are dull or damaged during your inspection, then you need to either sharpen or replace them. Professional landscapers and those with plenty of lawn care experience should have the means and ability to sharpen and replace blades themselves. For those who’ve only recently invested in a commercial mower for their business, you may not know how to sharpen and replace blades yet, and that’s okay. Take your mower to a professional who can perform this service for you until you can learn how to handle the job and feel confident doing it yourself.

Additional Blade Care

Before someone reinstalls your sharpened blades or you do so yourself, make sure to check the balance. Failing to properly inspect, replace, and balance your blades are common mowing mistakes you need to avoid so you can focus on getting the job done instead of worrying about the equipment. You can easily check that a blade is balanced by placing a screwdriver through the center hole and letting the blade go. If the blade doesn’t stay level, you’ve accidentally sharpened one side more than the other. Shave off the heavier side, which is the one closest to the ground, and check the balance again before reinstalling.

Knowing how often you should inspect commercial mower blades, as well as how to replace and care for them, is an important part of owning a lawnmower. No one can know everything, though, so be willing to learn more about lawnmower maintenance and care from other professionals who can help you learn more about caring for your tools.

Top Languages a Child Should Learn at a Young Age

By Leave a Comment

With the globalization of our modern society, it’s vital that young children learn second or third languages. This skill is essential for all aspects of life. For starters, it opens up a world of business and career opportunities when your children finally enter the working force. Additionally, it comes in handy when traveling abroad in foreign lands, making particular study programs more attainable later down the line.

More practically, language education helps develop critical thinking skills that are easily applicable for other school subjects. Lastly, it provides the youth with a greater appreciation for other countries and cultures. If you’re looking to upgrade your students’ and kids’ academic lives, here are the three top languages a child should learn at a young age.

Spanish

America is a melting pot country that features citizens from all cultures and backgrounds. Both domestically and abroad, over 400 million individuals speak Spanish as their native tongue, making it the second more popular language globally. Plus, it’s relatively easy to grasp, especially at a young age.

The advantages of learning this language are endless—it opens so many opportunities for people as they enter the real world. So many businesses look for Spanish-speaking employees who can effectively communicate with all kinds of clients. As more and more Americans speak this language, the career options are ripe for the taking by bi-lingual individuals. Spanish is one of the best subjects for preparing students for college.

German

German isn’t the most popular language worldwide, but it’s widespread across European countries. Seeing as many students participate in study abroad programs later in life, being able to communicate effectively in this region is invaluable.

These programs typically encourage participants to travel across the continent in their free time, making German useful. This language also helps with business opportunities, as Germany is the economic powerhouse in the EU. It’s not the simplest tongue to pick up, but young minds tend to master it more effectively.

Mandarin

The most used language worldwide is Mandarin, with over 800 million speakers. China, where people most commonly speak Mandarin, is seeing an economic boom of recent that’s similar to the United States after WWII. This means international business is flocking to the growing country.

Once again, this creates more job opportunities for your children. It’s also a complex language to learn. However, after you master the tongue, it’s easy to understand most of the other Asian languages spoken globally.

By teaching these top languages a child should learn at a young age, you give your kid the best chance at succeeding later in life. And these skills help them in their early academic life, making them better students overall. Always practice the language in the house to reinforce those lessons for your children better.

Reasons To Sign Your Kid Up for Piano Lessons

By Leave a Comment

Many of us have unpleasant childhood memories of being forced to take piano lessons. And if you didn’t grow up to be a musician, it may not have been easy to see the value of sitting on a hard piano bench plunking “Chopsticks” and “Für Elise” once a week.

But even if you had a piano teacher from the Black Lagoon, that doesn’t mean there isn’t value in lessons. Here are just three reasons to sign your kid up for piano lessons.

Help Foster Personal Skills

When kids take piano lessons, they aren’t just learning how to play the piano. The act of learning music teaches a whole host of other skills that they can apply even outside the realm of music. Some key skills your child will develop include:

  • Detecting patterns, which is valuable in math
  • Phonetic awareness, which is valuable in reading
  • Time management
  • Problem-solving
  • Empathy

Other skills are harder to pinpoint. For example, when you learn something new, you usually have to accept the fact that you’re not going to be an expert right away. As your child goes through the process of developing your skills, they’ll learn patience and resilience as they make mistakes and learn from them.

Encourage Self-Exploration

When we’re young, we’re trying to figure out who we are. And part of the journey to get there is trying new things. Maybe your child will be the next Alicia Keys or Ray Charles, or maybe they won’t. Even if they aren’t, helping your child figure out what they don’t like will help them on the journey to finding out what they do like.

Whether your child is a musician or not, music is still a great way for them to get in touch with their emotions. Being exposed to music from a young age will help kids learn how to explore their emotions and express themselves.

Offer More Performance Opportunities

Let’s say your child does fall in love with music later on. Having the ability to play the piano gives them a head start as a performer. Learning to play the piano teaches music skills that will help them pick up other instruments. And, if your child wants to be a singer, they will be able to be their own accompanist.

How To Make Piano Lessons Better for Kids

So clearly, there are good reasons to sign your kid up for piano lessons. But how do you avoid them having the same unpleasant experiences you had? Here are a few ways to make piano lessons go better for your child:

  • Make sure your child is interested in the piano
  • Wait to sign them up until they’re mature enough to handle it
  • Research the teacher or music school before signing up
  • Don’t overstress perfection
  • Give your child a say in the practice schedule

Also, if your child is taking online lessons, make sure they have the equipment they need to be successful. That means a computer, a piano, and your unmitigated support.

Top Benefits of Homeschooling

By Leave a Comment

It’s safe to say that you always want what’s best for your children. Whether it’s their health or development, you’ll always prioritize their well-being to promote growth. When it comes to education, there is no difference! Education provides children with essential skills that they’ll build upon throughout their lives.

However, some students struggle in a classroom setting and can benefit from learning at home with a familiar adult. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top benefits of homeschooling that will give you something to keep in mind when changing your child’s learning environment.

Educational Freedom

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone! You’ve watched them grow, so you’re aware of their strengths and weaknesses. As the teacher, you’ll have a direct role in your child’s learning so you can structure the curriculum to meet their needs. By setting the schedule, learning approach, and pace, you’ll accommodate their learning style.

Schedule Flexibility

Gone are the early morning hours and the commute to school. Though doing so can help simulate the hours of a typical school day to promote a structured routine, you have the freedom to cater to your own schedule. For instance, when homeschooling teenagers, you can plan for a late start, given that peak focus hours for many are later in the day.

Stronger Relationships

While homeschooling can be stressful, it allows for more bonding time with your children. Children will have the opportunity to grow in a close family and build stronger connections. They’ll develop problem-solving skills that will aid them in conflict resolution throughout their lives.

Positive Environment

Children and teenagers thrive in environments that foster positivity and safety. Homeschooling provides a safe space that favors mental health and learning amongst those who care. Your child has role models from whom they can seek guidance. Those who are homeschooled have less exposure to bullying and negative settings that can discourage learning and reduce self-esteem.

Improved Academic Performance

There’s less homework assigned while homeschooling since learning is an all-day affair. However, homeschooled children tend to perform better on tests and stand out on college applications by simply having a different learning experience than most.

Homeschooled children and teenagers grow to become independent and self-motivated, both fantastic and valuable skills to possess while pursuing higher studies.

While homeschooling your children can mean less time for yourself and more time toward family, you can view it from the bright side. It requires dedication, but it’s time well spent for the betterment of your child. These top benefits of homeschooling are only an introduction, but you’ll come to learn how valuable direct involvement in your child’s life can be over time.

Causes of Aggressive Behavior in Children

By Leave a Comment

Usually, aggression in kids comes and goes. Nearly all kids go through a phase of determining and then surpassing their social boundaries. While most children learn that these verbal and physical behaviors aren’t acceptable, some continue to break these rules, which can impair functioning and lead to trouble at home and in school. Consider the following causes of aggressive behavior in children.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Not all children on the autism spectrum demonstrate aggression. The autism community has an axiom speaking to the uniqueness and idiosyncrasies of the spectrum: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” However, some children on the autism spectrum are more prone to aggressive behavior, and if you believe your child may be on the spectrum, you should seek a diagnosis to begin pursuing intervention strategies.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

An all-too-common diagnosis in young children, the impulsive behaviors and lack of self-control stemming from ADHD often manifest in acts of verbal and physical aggression, such as shouting at parents or teachers or unintentionally injuring peers. Insufficient sleep can exacerbate or increase the likelihood of aggression, and other issues outlined here can also have a combined effect on behavior.

Trouble at Home

Issues between parents often trickle down to their kids as causes of aggressive behavior in children. Children who struggle with their parents going through divorce often have no socially sanctioned outlet for their feelings, and in lieu of healthy sublimation avenues, they lash out verbally and physically. Domestic violence between spouses can also unintentionally model aggressive behaviors that kids take with them out of the house.

Difficulty at School

School, the place where kids spend most of their week, can cause tensions and frustrations that lead to aggressive behavior. Undiagnosed learning disorders can result in poor academic performance that catalyzes violent outbursts. Bullying—still an issue in some schools despite years of anti-bullying initiatives—could lead victims to become bullies themselves, taking their victimhood out on others.

Violence in Media

Objectionable content in media has been a cultural flashpoint in America for years. While some cultural critics ridicule the real-world influence of violent children’s programming, if you suspect that TV shows or YouTube videos are influencing your child’s behavior, it’s best to intercede and limit exposure to this content.

Can Handheld Devices Improve a Child’s Education?

By Leave a Comment

While most popular technological devices have come and gone throughout the years, there has been one device that’s remained a hit when it comes to K-12 education: computer tablets. The iPad, along with many Windows and Android tablets, have not only transformed the way teachers educate their students but the way they communicate with concerned parents as well. This makes things like parent-teacher conferences much easier for educators and more informative for parents and guardians.

But as these mobile devices become more and more common in the American educational experience, the question becomes “What do these devices really add to the education system?”

Although screen time is a touchy subject for a lot of parents, not all technology is bad. According to the National Geographic, research showed that students who spent time interacting with their tablets on a daily basis gained classroom-based knowledge within the first 20 minutes of study. How is this possible?

Educational apps can be used to help young children learn their alphabet, sentence structures, and mathematics. These tools not only help students learn important lessons but can also be used to introduce students to the world of STEM education, which comes as a bonus. So, is there more to this upcoming trend, or is it just used as a way to grab students’ attention and keep them quiet? Even though the answer may vary depending on the individual, some schools have found success using this technology in their curriculum, and here’s how they’ve done so:

Devices at Home: While most parents allow their child to have free reign on the internet when they’re home, some people might think the same rules apply at school. This could be why so many people are against allowing students to access the internet while on campus. The reality, however, is that children are used to technological devices like iPads, smartphones, and computers.

In fact, most children today can’t even remember a time without internet since they were born, knowing that it’s a widely available mainstream platform. It can be hard for educators to meet the individual needs of all their students, especially if they’re operating in a big class. What’s even more difficult is trying to accommodate for all the individual learning styles students have as well. Luckily, technology can help. By using technology at home, students can work at their own pace and are able to meet their individual needs along the way.

Technology that’s used both in the classroom and at home can also give instructors the opportunity to be creative with their homework assignments. By giving students the opportunity to choose their homework or allowing them to have access to certain things, teachers and parents alike can expand their child’s knowledge. So, if you’ve ever imagined a world where the vast majority of students did their homework, then look into classroom technology.

Devices in the Classroom: Despite the ongoing debate regarding iPads in the classroom, these mobile devices have found ways to help educators present content using various teaching methods. One reason devices like iPads should be used in the educational environment is because classrooms are ready for them. While the introduction of tablets in education is a recent phenomenon, the truth is, students have been using them in high school and in college for years now, and they have already gotten themselves familiar with the touch-screen features. Because students today have gotten so used to operating these handheld gadgets, they now expect technology to always be present in their everyday life, which is why incorporating technology in the classroom can have positive results for both students and teachers.

That said, when classes don’t allow children to practice using their devices, students are at a disservice. How? Tablets are designed to fit students’ lifestyles. They’re thin, easy to carry and come to life at the push of a button, which makes it even more reliable to take to class than say, a laptop. Longer battery life also means that students don’t have stress about taking their charger or purposely sit next to an outlet in class. If students miss information from their teacher, they can pull up the instructions using an online platform like Classroom Dojo or Google Classroom to search for instructions.

Preparing for a Technological World: There’s a common misconception about online learning that it requires less study time, which, of course, isn’t true. That’s because classroom technology can help students prepare for the future by building lifelong skills. When it comes to learning technology, it’s not about how fancy the device is; it’s about how engaging the process is.

This is what helps students increase their knowledge and helps them get on the path to success. By using technological devices to enhance learning, students are being equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the future. They aren’t the only ones who benefit from technology usage, however.

Teachers, too, have witnessed firsthand how effective technology can be in the classroom setting. They’ve also grown to recognize the importance of helping students develop these skills before they enter the workforce. The impact technology has on our education system today is significant. With more and more districts adopting these new innovations, students will not only learn how to use emerging technologies — they’ll also be ready for life outside of school once they graduate.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Thanks for the read! Did I miss anything important? What are some other ways handheld devices can improve education for children? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.