| How to Write Nursery Rhymes Posted: 22 Jan 2018 04:00 PM PST A nursery rhyme is a short rhyming poem often written for children. This type of poem is a good way to practice using literary devices like rhyme, repetition, and alliteration. They are also fun to say out loud, as they usually have funny or silly details. To write nursery rhymes, start by choosing a topic like an animal, a character, or an object. Then, compose the rhyme by telling a funny or entertaining story about your topic. Listen to how the rhyme sounds out loud, ask for input from others, and revise it if necessary so you end up with a polished piece. EditFinding a Topic - Write about an animal for a fun approach. You may pick your favorite animal or a pet you have at home. Imagine what the animal might do during the day or when no one is watching.[1]
- For example, you may decide to write about a snake if they are your favorite animal. Or you can write about your pet rabbit at home, as it may be easier to imagine its day to day life.
- You can also make up an animal and write about it. For example, maybe you combine a tiger and a lion to make a "liger". Or perhaps you write about an imaginary animal like a unicorn.
- Create a character to help you tell a story in the rhyme. Pick a name for the character, such as a name you like or the name of someone close to you. Then, think about what types of adventures the character might find themselves in. Come up with a short story about what the character does or a situation they find themselves in.[2]
- For example, you may write about a character named Max, who likes to run fast down the street. Or you may write about a character named Claire who finds herself trapped in a cave.
- Choose an object to write about if you have a favorite or special one. Pick your favorite toy or an item that has special meaning to you. Or, look around the room and pick an object at random. Then, think about how you might use this object or what you do with the object on a day to day basis.[3]
- Alternatively, you could imagine what might happen if the object came to life. What would the object do or say?
- For example, you may choose your favorite stuffed animal or your favorite truck and write about it in the nursery rhyme.
- Create a different version of an existing rhyme for a more guided approach. Pick a nursery rhyme that you like or find interesting. Then, try writing your own version of it using the same subject matter and structure. Create a version with a different character or topic. Switch the original topic to something you like writing about.
- For example, you may take a nursery rhyme like "Little Miss Muffet" and change it to a rhyme about "Big Mr. Muffin" or "Small Miss Bloom."
- Read examples of nursery rhymes to get inspiration. Look at the rhyme scheme of the nursery rhymes to get a better sense of how to use rhyme in your version. Listen to how the nursery rhymes sound when you read them aloud. Notice how the nursery rhymes tell a short story with funny or silly details. You may read nursery rhymes like:[4]
- "Hickory Dickory Dock"
- "Little Miss Muffet"
- "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"
- "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"
EditCreating a Draft - Tell a simple story about your topic. Most nursery rhymes will tell the reader a short story where something happens to a character or topic. The character then reacts to the event and finds a way to address it or deal with it. Your nursery rhyme should present a character or topic and show the reader what happens to them. It should have a beginning, middle, and end, with action or conflict in the middle of the story.[5]
- For example, you may write a nursery rhyme where your pet snake gets out of its cage and roams around the house, only to scare your mother in the kitchen.
- Follow a rhyme scheme for a traditional approach. You do not need to rhyme every line, but a simple rhyme scheme can help to give the poem a specific rhythm, especially when read aloud. Most nursery rhymes will follow a rhyme scheme like ABCB, where the last word in the second and third lines rhyme.[6]
- You can also try a rhyme scheme like AABCCB, where the first two lines and the fourth and fifth lines of the poem rhyme. The second line and the last line will also rhyme.
- For example, the nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet" follows an AABCCB rhyme scheme: "Little Miss Muffet/Sat on a tuffet/Eating her curds and whey/Along came a spider/Who sat down beside her/And frightened Miss Muffet away."
- Use repetition to add rhythm and flow. Repetition is a common device in nursery rhymes. It helps key details stick in the reader's mind. You may repeat the name of the main character in your nursery rhyme. You can also repeat an adjective or a detail about the topic.[7]
- For example, you may use repetition like, "Red chili peppers, hot, hot, hot" or "Max runs, runs, runs."
- Include alliteration to make the poem sound interesting. Alliteration is where you use the same vowel sounds in a row. It can be a great way to add detail to the poem and give it a good sense of flow. Try using words that start with the same letter and sound for 1-2 lines in the poem.[8]
- For example, you may use alliteration like "my snake Sara sure likes to slink, slink, slink" or "Madame Maple met a mammoth."
- Use counting in the poem to teach numbers. Some nursery rhymes like "One, two, buckle my shoes" or "One potato, two potato" use counting to help you remember numbers. It can also be a good way to add a certain rhythm to the poem and follow a set structure. Start at 1 and work you way up to 8, 9, or 10.[9]
- For example, you may write a nursery rhyme like, "One, two/Sky so blue/Three, four/The birds want more/Five, six/Watch clouds drift/Seven, eight/The moon is late."
- Include silly or funny details to the poem to make it memorable. Use your imagination and add in details that seem a little strange or impossible. Don't feel limited by what makes sense or seems logical. Funny or strange details will make the nursery rhyme fun to read aloud for your reader.
- For example, you may write, "My brother Max/He sure is fast/Runs far from home/Meets a hungry eel/Looking for a meal/Wasn't long before Max ran back home."
- Keep the poem within 4-7 lines. Nursery rhymes are usually short, sweet, and to the point. Make sure your rhyme has a beginning, middle, and end within no more than 7 lines total. Focus on keeping the poem concise while also using devices like alliteration, rhyme, and repetition to give the poem some style and personality.
EditPolishing the Nursery Rhyme - Read the nursery rhyme aloud. Once you have completed a draft of the nursery rhyme, read it aloud several times. Listen to how it sounds. Notice if it rhymes properly and rolls off your tongue easily. Check that it has a simple story that is easy to follow and understand.[10]
- Share it with others to get their feedback. Show the nursery rhyme to your teacher, your parents, and your friends. Ask them if they find the nursery rhyme funny or entertaining. Find out if they think the nursery rhyme is easy to read and follow.
- Revise the nursery rhyme for flow and content. Look for any unnecessary lines or awkward language and tighten them up so the rhyme flows better. Make sure each line flows well into one another and follows a clear rhyme scheme.
- Once you have revised the nursery rhyme, read it aloud for a final time to ensure it flows well and sounds good.
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| How to Choose Starter Fish for Freshwater Aquariums Posted: 22 Jan 2018 08:00 AM PST Have you set up a freshwater aquarium and are ready to purchase fish to add? This article will guide you on which fish are good for different aquariums. - Make sure that you've cycled your tank for at least one month. If you've had fish in the aquarium before, and the tank is still running, you should still make sure your filter still has nitrifying bacteria.
- Research before you purchase. It's always good to have knowledge of the variety of fish types that you can purchase. Also make sure you know the pH level of your tank as fish species vary in preference. The aquarist or worker at the pet shop or aquarium hobby store should be aware of the pH needs of the different species of fish at the store.
- Visit your local pet shop or aquarium hobby store. Take a look at their fish species. They will have tags saying whether the fish are community fish, proceed with caution/community fish with other fast swimmers, or non community fish. For most aquarium owners, community fish are your best option. You will want a mix of top feeders, mid-dwelling fish, and bottom feeders.
- Some aquarium hobby stores will keep the tanks stocked with common, popular fish but will change up the species of the "specialty" fish. Depending on the type, you may not be able to get it readily in the future.
- Look at top feeders. Top feeders can be identified by their mouth near the top of their head. Top feeders consist of guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails, hatchetfish, and gourami. Out of these, guppies, mollies, and platies are easiest to take care of.
- Look at the mid-dwelling fish. There are many varieties of fish to consider in this category. Barbs, danios, tetras, and Harlequin rasboras are just a few breeds. They are all very easy to take care of, but tetras do not tend to live as long as the others. These fish are all schooling fish, and should purchase a minimum of three.
- Consider having a few cory catfish (not true catfish), plecos, or loaches. Cory catfish will clean the bottom of the aquarium and help to keep it clean. Plecos and loaches will eat the algae growing on the tank's walls. For small tanks, Panda cories are recommended. Julii corydoras also make great fish mates.
- Algae wafers should also be provided for plecos and some catfish. Supplying wafers ensures that the fish are getting the proper amount of nutrients.
- Decide which fish you are going to purchase. You do not want to purchase too many fish, but at the same time you want a nice variety. For tanks, you may just want three top swimmers, three mid-dwellers, and three small catfish. For larger tanks (20 gallons and up), you can start with more fish in the tank. Remember the rule: fish for every gallon.
- Ask the workers at the pet shop which fish they recommend for your experience level. The worker may suggest that you get certain fish over other's if you are a beginner.
- Give the fish a few days to adjust to the tank.
- The fish listed above are just a few options of many fish.
- Provide the proper food for the fish. Remember, plecos and catfish should have some algae wafers in their diet.
- Keep the tank clean.
- If you plan on buying goldfish, do not keep them in a bowl and do not over-crowd them in a small aquarium. Many goldfish can grow quite large if they have the proper environment.
- Bristlenose plecos are recommended, as they do not grow over a few inches in length. Other plecos can grow over a foot long.
- Do not buy real catfish. They are predators that don't clean the tank and will eat any tank mates.
- Don't buy too many fish at once. They may feel too crowded and be stressed, causing death.
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| How to Support Your Husband Posted: 22 Jan 2018 12:00 AM PST Your support helps your husband feel loved, honored, and understood. If your batteries have been running low in the support department, try out some new strategies that show your husband you're still his No. 1 cheerleader. Start by praising him more often and making a few tweaks to your communication patterns. Before long, your husband will be saying, "Thanks for being so supportive, honey!" EditCommunicating Support - Offer genuine praise regularly. Too often, spouses get to the point of criticizing what the other is doing wrong without ever taking the time to highlight what they do right. One of the quickest ways to show immediate support for your husband is by bringing attention to their positive efforts. Offer praise at least once daily.[1]
- Say things like, "Wow, sweetie, you did such a good job on the back deck!" or "I really appreciate how you helped pull Danny out of his temper tantrum."
- Offer compliments with no prompting. For example, if you're watching a movie with your husband and the male character makes a poor decision like missing an important event to go out with friends, you could say, "Thank you for always putting me first. I appreciate having a husband who is always there for me."
- Validate his emotional experience. Your husband might feel overlooked or misunderstood, particularly when he's going through a rough time. If he's having trouble in a certain area of life, let him know that you see how hard things are for him.[2]
- For instance, if your husband loses his job, you can validate him by saying, "I know this is really frustrating for you" or "I can tell you're really worried. We'll get through this."
- Understand that he may not have words to describe his emotional experience. Men experience emotions differently than women and have fewer ways to describe their emotions.[3] It may help to let him know how you'd feel in that situation and that you will love and support him.
- See if he wants your advice before giving it. Don't assume your husband wants you to fix a problem or suggest a course of action. If he complains or vents to you, listen actively. Once he's gotten it off his chest, directly ask, "Would you like my advice on this or did you just want to talk it through?"[4]
- Talk positively about your husband to others. Show support for your husband by always speaking highly about him to those around you. Tell others about the awesome job he did on the back deck or how he makes time to read to the children each night before bed.[5]
- Doing this helps you to develop a more positive, grateful perspective rather than a disparaging one. Plus, the positive words will likely get back to him at some point and he'll be doubled over with pride.
- Avoid nagging. It can be easy to fall into a trap of going on and on about what's not getting done or what your husband is not doing right. Instead of nagging, make an appeal for help or changes using "I" statements.[6]
- Say something like, "I know you're awfully busy, honey, but there's rain on the forecast and the roof still needs to be patched."
EditShowing Support in Tangible Ways - Put your marriage first when you can. Demonstrate support for your husband and your marriage by prioritizing him over everyone else, the children included. This advice might seem controversial, but your kids will benefit most by being raised under the example of two parents who are happily married—meaning you haven't neglected your spouse for the sake of child-rearing.[7]
- Plus, prioritizing your spouse prevents your children from coming between the two of you and undermining your parenting. It may also minimize the chances of them acting spoiled or entitled.
- Try to put your husband and your marriage first by making the bedroom a "no kids" zone. Show affection and compliment your spouse in front of the children whenever you can. Eat dinner as a family, if possible, serving everyone once your husband has arrived home from work.
- Work with your husband to create "married couple" boundaries to protect your relationship and ensure that you take time for each other. Not only will this strengthen your relationship, but it will help teach your children healthy relationship habits.
- Encourage your husband to go after his passions. Support your husband by pushing him to pursue his dreams. Inspire him to go back to school if you think that's a secret desire of his. Suggest that he carve out more time to play guitar with a local band if you know it brings him satisfaction.[8]
- Go further than just telling your husband to go after his passions. Do your part to help make it happen, such as watching the kids in the evenings while he studies or showing up to cheer him on during band performances.
- Remember his preferences. Show your husband that you care for and support him by taking note of the little things. Does he prefer a certain snack during movie night? Does he go wild whenever you wear a particular outfit? Notice your husband's requests and preferences and make an effort to incorporate them into your daily lives.[9]
- Get his advice. Demonstrate support for your husband's ideas by seeking out his opinion. Asking your husband for his opinion makes him feel valued, so make it your business to regularly get his take on different problems or decisions.[10]
- See what color paint your husband thinks is a great choice for the kitchen remodel. Or, ask him how you should handle a conflict at work.
- Be aware that if you ask for his advice and then ignore it, then he may feel hurt. If you do decide not to take his advice, let him know that you appreciate what he said but decided to go a different way. You could say, "Hey, thanks so much for helping me with that problem yesterday. I thought about what you said, but I think this time I'll try what my sister suggested, since she's dealt with this before."
- Be accepting of his flaws. Everyone is a work in progress—husbands are no exception. Rather than constantly pressuring your husband to change his bad habits, demonstrate greater acceptance for them. Simply show that you love him anyway, even if he doesn't change to suit you.[11]
- You might even say, "I love who you are, and I don't expect you to change for me."
- Keep in mind that accepting doesn't mean tolerating abuse or disrespectful behavior.
- Show physical affection. Whether it's a hug, kiss, massage, or sex, show your husband you find him desirable and attractive. People who have been married a long time have a tendency to neglect physical intimacy, and as we age, we like to know our spouse finds us attractive. Make a point of showing your husband support through physical affection.
- Make a habit to kiss him before one of you leaves the house, as well as before bed.
- Talk to him about establishing "date nights" that end in affection, whether it's cuddling on the couch or having sex.
- Go to bed a few minutes early so that you can cuddle for a few minutes before going to sleep.
- Hold hands when you walk together or sit near each other.
- Present a united front during tough times. Inevitably, your marriage will experience bumps along the road. When you and your husband experience difficulties, stand together as a team. Be wary of "traps" to your marriage, such as blaming, guilt-tripping or projecting onto one another.[12]
- Approach each obstacle--whether a financial hardship, health scare, or deceased one--from the perspective of a team. What can you do to ensure the livelihood of your relationship despite these trials?
- Sometimes, to move through challenges, you may need to exercise patience or compromise. Be willing to do so.
EditGiving the Right Kind of Support - Encourage your husband to share his feelings. Creating a standard for communication in the marriage will help your husband feel supported emotionally. If your husband is not forthcoming about his innermost thoughts and feelings, you might have to work hard to get him to open up.[13]
- Start by sharing your own vulnerabilities. For example, you might say, "Last week I got really offended when you said I didn't understand you. I'd like to understand you better, if you give me a chance."
- When he talks, listen attentively. Turn your body to face him, uncross your arms and legs, and make eye contact. Hear him out before restating his message to be sure you heard it right.
- Schedule time with him away from your daily life to talk to him about his feelings. Asking him about his feelings while he's busy, such as when he's working on the car, will not feel helpful to him and may cause him to become annoyed.
- Ask your husband how you can better support him. If you don't think you're doing a great job supporting your husband, come out and ask him how you can improve. For instance, you might ask, "What does a supportive spouse look like to you?"[14]
- Ask clarifying questions to gain a deeper understanding. If he says, "A supportive spouse is there for you," you might say, "There for you in what ways?"
- See a marriage counselor. You and your husband may be facing communication roadblocks that get in the way of you meeting one another's needs. It may help to see a marriage counselor who can help identify each of your needs and offer suggestions as to how you can support one another.[15]
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Sample Nursery Rhyme
Twinkle Twinkle
Old Mother Hubbard
Little Bo Peep
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