The season to be jolly responsible

Christmas party tips

Workers with a keen interest to get ahead in their careers can use this year's festive events to their advantage while their colleagues kick up their heels.
An increase in social events with the boss, colleagues, clients and contacts that comes at Christmas can be a good time to leave a favorable impression and begin the new year on a positive note.
Christmas parties in Australia have become associated with drunken behaviour which can lead to sexual harassment claims or inappropriate career-ending shenanigans.
But workers can put in the effort to turn the annual festivities to their advantage.

Experts say workers of any social competence and interest can make moves at the Christmas party to further their career, whether they want to move up the corporate ladder quickly or just be noticed by the boss for future recognition.

HLB Mann Judd marketing director David Dercho says the rules for attending a Christmas party are no different from any other networking opportunity in the year.

He says workers should focus on being professional and appropriate to the particular situation.
``This by no means limits the opportunity to enjoy yourself and revel in some festive cheer,'' he says.
``However, you need to be very mindful that your personal brand is on display and your actions have the ability to enhance or damage your reputation with co-workers, clients and potential future employers.
``Any networking opportunity presents you with the potential to improve existing relationships and create new ones.''

He says workers who enjoy a drink can do so in moderation and eating some food is a good idea.
The Career Consultancy director Catherine Cunningham says workers need to think of themselves as a commercial commodity.

She says there can be much gained by meeting with people face to face.
``People will buy from people they know and trust,'' she says.
She says workers should treat Christmas parties with caution and imposing strict self rules, such as leaving after a meal and limiting alcohol intake to one or two glasses of wine, can be a good move to prevent career catastrophe.

``One of the things that's worthwhile in the office Christmas party is to try to meet someone in another department,'' she says.

``It's part of ongoing advancement through the organization to associate outside of immediate contacts.''
She encouraged staff to attend client parties to reinforce to their client that they can trust them.
``You don't get work if you make your customers feel like you don't like them,'' she says.

PARTY TIPS
THE CONTACTS

• Tips to stand out at an industry or professional group Christmas party:
• Reach out to someone. Smile. Make eye contact.
• Be approachable.
• Give compliments but make sure you are honest and do not overdo it. If you receive one in return and feel uncomfortable, just say thank you.
• Use the party as a starting point for new relationships and follow up with contacts after the party at additional events.
• Avoid selling yourself too much. Many people misconstrue networking as having to talk about themselves. Ask questions of others.
• Take a non-competing contact or associate with you.
• They may know people they can introduce to you, which can be socially easier than approaching other guests off the cuff on your own.
• Approach other guests, introduce yourself and see where the interaction takes you. It can be a very low return on investment but can give an immediate hit.
• Have some topics of conversation prepared but listen to responses and ask questions. This is particularly important if you are not a naturally good conversationalist.

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY
THE OFFICE

• Tips to advance your career at the office Christmas party
• Not attending the office party is bad form. You want to look like a team player. Your absence will be noted and could come back to haunt you at review time. Consider it an official work function.
• Make sure your boss sees you and remembers speaking with you. Shake hands with your boss and senior managers and wish them a merry Christmas. When it comes time for promotions, your boss is likely to pick a pleasant individual who seems happy to be at the company.
• If you have not met the head of the organization, be introduced through an intermediary. Do so at the beginning of the evening, not after a few drinks at the end.
• Join an ongoing conversation. See if you can join in with a new group of people who are discussing something that interests you.
• Try to talk about things other than work and take the opportunity to get to know people on a personal level.
• Act like the host and try to speak with co-workers you might not get the chance to during the year.
• Leave soon after the conclusion of official proceedings, such as after the meal at a dinner. Staying longer may prove too tempting to overindulge in alcohol.
• Your Christmas party is a time to celebrate the year with your colleagues and if you keep the conversation positive and light-hearted, it will be a party to remember for the right reasons.

THE FUNCTION

• Tips to get ahead when invited to a client Christmas party
• Go in with the attitude that it is no different to any other client function throughout the year. Try to get a list of who else is attending the function and identify people you would be interested in catching up with or be introduced.
• Focus on social conversation rather than direct work issues with your client and other guests.
• Your fellow guests are there to enjoy themselves and expand their networks, so ensure that the impression you leave with them is a lasting and positive one.
• Research the dress code before you go. When in doubt, err on the conservative side. Avoid too much skin.
• Remember you are a reflection of your host.
• Complement them do not upstage or embarrass them.
• Say goodnight and thank the party organiser before you leave.

What is Jolly Phonics?

Jolly Phonics is a fun and child centred approach to teaching literacy through synthetic phonics. With actions for each of the 42 letter sounds, the multi-sensory method is very motivating for children and teachers, who can see their students achieve. The letter sounds are split into seven groups as shown below.

Letter Sound Order

The sounds are taught in a specific order (not alphabetically). This enables children to begin building words as early as possible.

How does Jolly Phonics work?

Using a synthetic phonics approach, Jolly Phonics teaches children the five key skills for reading and writing. Complemented by Jolly Readers and Jolly Grammar, it provides a thorough foundation for teaching literacy over three years in school.

The five skills taught in Jolly Phonics

1.Learning the letter sounds

Children are taught the 42 main letter sounds. This includes alphabet sounds as well as digraphs such as sh, th, ai and ue.

2.Learning letter formation

Using different multi-sensory methods, children learn how to form and write the letters.

3.Blending

Children are taught how to blend the sounds together to read and write new words.

4.Identifying the sounds in words (Segmenting)

Listening for the sounds in words gives children the best start for improving spelling.

5.Tricky words

Tricky words have irregular spellings and children learn these separately.
For more information on Jolly Phonics products for teaching literacy visit our Products section. If you would like more information on using Jolly Phonics and for training courses or to invite a trainer to your school then please visit our Training Courses section. The literacy skills taught in Jolly Phonics are reinforced and built upon in with Jolly Grammar, which teaches essential grammar and spelling skills.

Be jolly — or else! 14 ways to force it or fake it

Munch on nuts, clear clutter — and turn that frown upside down 

Add a few of these instant get-happy tricks to your arsenal, so you can whip them out whenever you need a burst of bliss. 

Experts say you won't find true joy in a paycheck or miracle wrinkle-remover. According to happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, of the University of California, Riverside, life circumstances account for only 10 percent of happiness. Half depends on our genetic "set point," which is kind of like the weight our body bounces back to after that crash diet.

And about 40 percent of our happiness is influenced by what we do deliberately to make ourselves happy. Next time you need to turn around a hellish day at work or brighten up a draggy afternoon, try one of these proven tips to lift your mood and make you smile.

1. Flip through old photos
When you're feeling down, break out your kids' baby albums or pics from your favorite vacation.
It may actually make you feel happier than a square of Godiva chocolate would! That's what researchers at the United Kingdom's Open University found after they examined how much people's moods rose after eating a chocolate snack, sipping an alcoholic drink, watching TV, listening to music, or looking at personal photos.

The music and chocolate left most people's moods unchanged; alcohol and TV gave a slight lift (1 percent), but the winner by a long shot was viewing pictures, which made people feel 11 percent better. To keep your spirits high at work, upload your favorite pics to your computer and set them as a rotating screensaver. Or splurge on a frame that flips through digital photos; amazon.com has plenty of options at a wide range of prices.

2. Munch on nuts For a mood-lifting snack, stash walnuts in your desk drawer.
Or sneak salmon into your salad for lunch. They're both packed with omega-3 fats, which may make people less prone to depression — and easier to get along with, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh. They measured the blood levels of omega-3 fats (a reliable indicator of consumption) of 106 healthy adults and gave them psychological tests. Those with the highest omega-3 blood levels scored 49 percent to 58 percent better on the tests than those with the lowest blood levels.

3. Inhale a calming scent Fill your office with a fragrant candle or diffuser to calm down during a deadline-packed day.
In an Austrian study, researchers wafted the smell of oranges before some participants and lavender before others. The two groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer when compared with participants who were exposed no fragrance at all. Add a few drops of either oil to a room diffuser (we like the Scentball, available at amazon.com) and use in your office on stressful days.

4. Open your shades To feel happier in seconds, let the sunlight stream in when you first wake up.
One study of more than 450 women found that those who got the most light, particularly in the morning, reported better moods and sleep. Got more time? Eat breakfast near a window that gets plenty of daylight, and put exercise equipment near a bright view. Some researchers speculate that combining exercise with morning light exposure may amplify light's beneficial effects on mood, sleep, and alertness, says Anthony Levitt, MD, a University of Toronto light researcher.

5. Walk around the block If you work in a windowless office, make sure you step out to see the sun a few times throughout the day.
"A couple of studies show that people who get more light exposure during the day have fewer sleep problems and less depression, and evidence suggests that light can keep you alert and productive," says Daniel Kripke, MD, a University of California, San Diego, light and sleep expert.

If you have more time, a longer bout of exercise may also spark a smile. "Lots of people skip working out when their moods aren't ideal because they don't have the mental energy to switch gears," says mental health and exercise expert Jack Raglin, PhD, of Indiana University. "But the trick lies in finding the right workout to match the mood you're in." When you're battling blues, try something low-key and mindless. "Studies have shown that even mild exercise — about 40 percent of your max heart rate — can lift your mood," says Raglin. "So if you're not up for the usual high-energy stuff, do some leisure activity you enjoy, such as digging in your garden or walking in a park. View it as mental recreation, not exercise."

If you're angry, pick something that makes you focus. "As tempting as it may be, skip the kickboxing," Raglin advises. "You can't punch away anger. Instead, do something that involves your mind and keeps you from focusing and ruminating on what has you angry. Play racquetball, or take an aerobics class you've never tried. Learning new moves will free your mind from what's upsetting you."

6. Clear away clutter Disorganized heaps of paper in your cube or on the kitchen counter can make you anxious.
For some, "clutter is a reminder of things that should be getting done but aren't," says Elaine Aron, PhD, author of "The Highly Sensitive Person." "It can make you feel like a failure." For a quick fix, straighten up a few surfaces in your office or in the areas of the house where you spend the most time. "It's when every bit of space is messy that it's most disturbing," says Aron. Don't bother to organize unless you have a chunk of time. Instead, arrange papers, books, and other detritus of daily living in neat piles or store them in baskets. "Just the illusion of order is enough to ease the mind," she says.

7. Think fast
Turn your thoughts into a race — it can lift the blues in minutes, says Princeton University psychologist Emily Pronin, PhD.

For example, when your mother-in-law is driving you crazy, give yourself 30 seconds to make a list of all the ways she's been helpful to you in the past — you'll feel better fast. (If nothing nice comes to mind, quickly jot down other ways she bugs you; speed thinking negative thoughts can still improve your mood, Pronin found.) Researchers believe that rapid thinking may release feel-good brain chemicals — or it could just be a helpful distraction.

8. Cue up YouTube A hearty laugh produces a chemical reaction that instantly elevates your mood, reduces pain and stress, and boosts immunity, studies show.

Stanford University researchers literally saw this on fMRI scans, where they traced changes in brain activity to a region called the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which rewards behaviors such as eating and sex (and laughing) by releasing dopamine, a natural opiate. When stress builds up or you feel as though you may snap at any minute, make yourself giggle: Watch a funny video clip online, or stop by the office of a wisecracking pal for a quick chat.

Also, keep an eye out for the unexpectedly silly side of daily life to combat negative thoughts. "At the end of a recent worry-filled day, I turned on a news channel that referred to its meteorologists as the Weather Team That Tells the Truth," says Thomas Crook, PhD, a clinical psychologist and former research program director at the National Institute of Mental Health. "I thought the implication that other weather teams lie was hilarious. I laughed and immediately felt my worries melt away."

9. Rethink your retail therapy Before you plunk down that credit card at the mall to feel better, read this.
To get more happiness for your dollar, splurge for experiences instead of stuff. Psychologist Miriam Tatzel, PhD, of Empire State College surveyed 329 shoppers and found that "experiencers" — consumers who are easygoing about spending on a great meal out or a concert, for example — are happier than those who lavish their money on material goods such as clothes or jewelry. Added bonus: Experiences allow you to spend quality time with family and friends; a new pair of shoes is a solo endeavor.

10. Put on a happy face There's good evidence that just smiling and looking like you're happy will make you sunnier.
Studies show that even muscular changes in your face can elevate your happiness, as can good posture, says Lyubomirsky. Call it the blush effect: To apply blush to your cheekbones properly, you need to smile. Smiling works, she says, because "if you act like you're a happier person, you can experience all these positive social consequences. You make more friends. People are nicer to you. And these things can have real consequences."

11. Zone out Rest, peace, quiet, and solitude can also create joy.
Some research suggests that we may have an inborn need to zone out once in a while. In an exploratory study, researchers observed three babies who turned away or blocked their eyes in response to overstimulation. Mothers who recognized this behavior and gave their children needed downtime had happier, easier babies. Give yourself a time-out during a hectic day: Push your chair away from your desk, kick up your feet, and close your eyes. Think about something that takes your mind off the daily grind, like fun plans for the weekend.

12. Chat up a friendly neighbor Socializing with a cheerful person in your neighborhood increases the likelihood that you'll be happy too.

Surprisingly, this had even more of a mood-boosting impact than spending time with an upbeat sibling, according to a recent study. How often you get together matters most, say the researchers: People who live within half a mile of buoyant friends increase their odds of being happy by 42 percent. If your friends live farther away (within a 2-mile radius), the chances drop to 22 percent — probably due to fewer get-togethers. Other research found that "very happy" people visit with neighbors 7 more times a year than unhappy people.

13. Chop veggies It's a favorite unwinding technique of Andrew Weil, MD, a Prevention adviser and leading integrative medicine expert.

After a particularly emotional and stressful day during his residency, Weil went straight to the supermarket. "I bought ingredients and spent several hours cooking in the kitchen. There was something about chopping vegetables, making order, creating something wonderful — that whole process neutralized my negative mental state," he says. On the menu: soup, vegetable lasagna, and poached salmon. Weil still uses the method — along with exercise, yoga, and meditation — today. "I still like to cook; it's a very satisfying feeling."

14. Do a good deed People who volunteer are likelier to be happier than those who don't — regardless of how much money they make or other socioeconomic factors.

Pitching in for a regular cause in your community is ideal, but you can make a difference in other ways in mere minutes. Researchers believe volunteering boosts happiness because it increases empathy, which makes you appreciate all the good stuff in your own life.

How to Use a Jolly Jumper

A Jolly Jumper has kept many a baby happy and entertained for hours. The rhythmic motion, and the fact that a baby can move himself as he wants, is enough to keep a baby from growing tired of the jumper too quickly. Put into mass production in 1948, the Jolly Jumper was first invented by Susan Olivia Poole in 1910 to soothe and entertain her own children. Susan attributed the design idea to elder Ojibwas who would attach their babies to a tree branch using a papoose while working. When a baby would cry, its mother would jiggle the tree branch to make him happy. 

Instructions:

1. Attach the door clamp above the trim in a doorway. Place significant weight on the clamp to test that it is sturdy.

2. Open the snaps on the cloth where the baby sits and put the cloth flat on the floor.

3. Lay your baby on the cloth, as he would fit in the jumper and snap the cloth around him, making sure his legs are protruding from the holes in the bottom and he is secure and comfortable in the seat.

4. Attach the top of the horizontal bar to the loose end of the spring hanging from the door clamp.

5. Move the chain attached to the top of the door clamp up or down to adjust the height of the jumper so your baby's toes are just barely touching the floor.

6. Push down slightly on the horizontal bar to show your baby that it moves and help him start jumping.

 

 

Baby Jolly Jumpers - Are These Baby Doorway Jumpers Safe For Baby?

Baby Jolly Jumpers also called doorway jumpers or door frame baby jumpers are the seats connected to a bungee-like cable or cables that attach to the top of a door frame with a spring-loaded clamp.

Pre-walking babies can jiggle themselves up and down when they push off the floor.

It is a cheap thrill that can delight active babies and help them burn off steam, priming them for their morning or afternoon nap.