Four Easy Ways To Help Your Elementary Child Study

Four Easy Ways To Help Your Elementary Child Study - It's the moment you dread: your third-grader walks up to you after school on Monday and hands you a vocabulary list. He has to know it for a test on Friday. What's the best way to help him study? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Yeah, I thought so. If you're a parent of an elementary child, grades 1 – 5, and you're wondering how in the world to help when a test is coming, then listen up! Here are four easy ways to help your elementary child study for that quiz or test!

#1: Let Your Child Pretend To Be the Teacher

Why It Works: Kids like to pretend. Yes, even the older kids. They like to pretend to be runaways and build makeshift forts in the woods behind the house. They like to pretend they're rock stars in front of the mirror. They like to pretend that they are racecar drivers, cowboys, police officers, chefs, scientists, and doctors. Use your kid's sense of make-believe to your advantage and help your child study by letting him or her pretend to be the teacher during your review session.

How It Works: Tell your elementary child that you'd like him or her to be the teacher for this study session. Give him or her a whiteboard and marker and anything else to turn them into a real teacher. Get into your own character immediately. (Yep! You're playing, too!) You get to be the [sullen, eager-to-please, rowdy, insert your own adjective] student. Have your child teach YOU the vocabulary words, book chapter, or study guide by asking child-like questions along the way to help steer the conversation toward correct responses. Make sure you're confused about things your kid understands easily (confidence will rise and he or she will be eager to show it off), and correct mistakes in character! If you're playing one of the know-it-all students: "But teacher, I thought that Lansing was the capitol of Michigan. Not Detroit! Teacher, do I get a sticker? Do I? Do I? Hunh? Hunh?"

The Payoff: Not only do you get to have a little fun with your child, your child gets a sense of being the power-player in your exchange. Being the "boss" will boost his or her confidence level, and we all know that confidence leads to better scores.

#2: Bring In The "Expert"

Why It Works: Like it or not, your kid loves Batman. Or Rainbow Dash. Or Justin Bieber, for crying out loud. You don't have to like it, but you can use the passion for a character or famous person to your advantage. Your elementary child may not like it when you help him or her study, but they would be over the moon if Rainbow Dash showed up, right? RIGHT. So, send out an invitation!

How It Works: When your kid hands you his or her study guide, let him or her know that an "expert" teacher will be studying with you on your next study session. Don't let on who it will be. When you show up to study, bring your character with you. Print out a picture of [Justin Bieber, Batman, etc.] from the Internet, cut it out and glue it onto a ruler or Popsicle stick so it can serve as a mask in front of your face. (Don't argue. Just do it.) Then, introduce your character with a title of "Batman, superhero of multiplication tables" or something. Once you begin your study session, ask questions in character, even if your kid thinks it's silly. Refuse to go back into parent-mode. It won't take too much convincing if your kid realizes that you're determined to stick to your guns. Remember that Batman would be sure to add lots of "Kapows!" and "Zaps!" when your kid gets a question right, and I'm quite sure Justin Bieber would have to sing some "Baby, Baby, Baby."

The Payoff: Again, making study time a little silly can be just what gets your child to engage when you're trying to review. Plus, you're expressing an interest in something your kid likes, which will reinforce how much you really care. Win-win!

#3: Make Your Study Session Active

Why It Works: Children, by nature, have ants in their pants. They need to move and I mean, M.O.V.E. You know this as well as I do. It's difficult to take your seven-year-old out to a lengthy dinner without a bunch of whining and wriggling all over the seat. An hour-long church service can be torture. Doctor's offices waiting rooms may as well just post a sign that says, "Warning: Your Kids Will Be Cranky By The Time We See You." Sitting still during a review session is, for many kids, just another time an adult is forcing them into a seat. So, use those wiggles living inside of your child to your advantage and form an "active" study session.

How It Works: Tell your kid that you're going to go [shoot hoops, swing the bat, bounce a tennis ball, jump rope, etc.], and that you're going to ask him or her some questions while you play together. So, if your kid has chosen to play basketball, ask your child questions from the study guide, book chapter or vocabulary list while he or she is shooting. He or she can pass the ball to you and you can shoot while your child is answering. Keep track of the questions missed and enforce a penalty shot (granny, behind the back, etc.) for every incorrect answer. If your kid is jumping rope, have him or her answer after every five successful jumps. Bonus points if he or she can fit the question into the rhythm of his or her feet. "Prime numbers under 11 are 2, 3, 5, and 7."

The Payoff: Kinesthetic learners need to move to learn. Young boys often fall into this category, but girls are often here, too. K-learners' minds will retain more if they are moving when the study session hits. As an added bonus, you'll get a mild workout in, too. Hooray for multi-tasking!

#4: Sneak in Mini-Reviews

Why It Works: Parents are busy. We have work. We have dinner. We have the incessant, never-ending pile of laundry. Kids are busy. They have sports. They have drama. They have the incessant, never-ending pile of homework. It's tough to squeeze in an hour-long review session several times a week before your kids' big test, which is why doing 2-3 mini-reviews a day can help your kid prepare for the test at the end of the week without a one-stop study session.

How It Works: Make a copy of your child's review sheet, vocabulary list, or chapter questions for yourself, and divide the copy into equal parts according to the number of days before the test. (i.e. if you have 4 days before the test, divide the sheet into fourths). Assign each of the days before the test to one of those sections. (On Tuesday, you'll tackle that first section). Then, keep the review sheet handy at all times throughout the day when you're with your kid and make use of the downtime for mini-reviews. Quiz him or her at red lights as you're driving to school or sports practice. Don't let your child up the stairs without telling you the countries in Central America. Your kid wants dessert? Not without explaining the differences between condensation and evaporation. Sneak in a review question or two any time you can throughout the day until you've finished the entire section. By the end of the four days, you'll have finished the review sheet and your kid will be ready for the test.

The Payoff: Mini-reviews are a great way to keep the topic on your child's mind throughout the day, which helps them remember things better long-term. As an added bonus, you will never need to deal with the problem of wiggling and giggling. Since you're only asking a question or two at a time, they won't have a chance to get bored! ( about.com )

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Three-year-old girl mimics NFL prospects

Three-year-old girl mimics NFL prospects - If the disappointing drills run by Vontaze Burfict, Cliff Harris and Courtney Upshaw at this year's scouting combine left you with a hollow feeling, we hope that this video will allow you to re-affirm your love of the pre-draft process. Our scouting eyes are all agog, because this kid is a real tiger.

National Football League, we would like to introduce you to 3 1/2-year-old Grace Trautner from Wisconsin. She's a Packers fan, of course, and her father, Duane, filled us in on the rest of the scouting portfolio. First, we're encouraged that she's got some old-school Ditka-style in her NFL preferences.

"This started with Grace calling [the players at the combine] with long hair or earrings girls," Duane said. "Then, she just joined in on the fun."

So, was this just a kid mirroring what she saw on television? No way. Grace is a hardcore fan, and according to Duane, "She is NOT happy that it's over and can't wait for training camp to start. And yes, she will be in Green Bay to take it in."

Good call. We see some Clay Matthews here, both in hair length and nascent pass-rush ability. And that burst at the end of the drill? If she starts on the 40-yard dashes, she might be able to just run out of the building, Deion Sanders-style. You can see in the video that Grace has already foregone her kindergarten eligibility and committed to the 2013 scouting combine -- the rest of you prospects out there had best be eating your Wheaties if you want to match up.

Duane also told us that Grace's 7-year-old sister is getting in on the action, though there's no footage just yet. Get on that, Duane! "Thank God I didn't have boys," Duane told us. "These little girls do enough damage."

Indeed. Based on our analysis, Grace outdid Burfict in every drill, and if she can draw up a zone blitz, the Shutdown Corner Selection Committee is giving her a first-round grade. ( Shutdown Corner )

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Family members may benefit from behavioral therapy for obesity

Family members may benefit from behavioral therapy for obesity - Obese people using behavior therapy to lose weight might notice something as they trim their waistlines -- their family members may be slimming down as well.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assn. found there could be a ripple effect when an obese family member uses cognitive behavioral therapy to lose weight, sometimes causing others in the family to drop some pounds at the same time. This type of psychotherapy used for weight loss focuses on changing lifestyle habits and becoming more mindful of thoughts and feelings about food.

Researchers surveyed 230 adult family members of 149 people in Italy who enrolled in a weekly cognitive behavioral therapy group that lasted about six months. They were asked about what foods they ate, how much they ate, and if they were motivated to exercise.

When one person signs up for behavioral therapy to curb obesity, the whole family could benefit, a study finds. (Getty Images)

On average, family members reduced their daily calorie intake by 200. That translated in an average weight loss of about 2.2 pounds. Among obese family members, the average weight loss was almost six pounds.

Family members also started to eat more healthfully, cutting back on fatty foods (especially dressings), refined carbs, chocolate, fruit juices and carbonated drinks and main courses that included cheese and fatty meats. Fruit consumption went up overall.

A large number of family members also became more motivated to exercise. By the end of the study, 14 people went from being overweight to normal weight, and seven went from being obese to overweight.

The authors noted that since cognitive behavioral therapy encourages family support, that involvement may spur spouses, parents, siblings and children to become more aware of their own eating habits. ( latimes.com )

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Are Probiotics Safe for Kids?

Are Probiotics Safe for Kids? - Probiotics are so common in yogurt these days, you might not think twice about giving foods laced with "good" bacteria to your youngsters. But do probiotics provide any benefits for children?

In general, giving probiotics to your kids is not harmful, but there's not a lot of proof it does much good, either. Some studies show probiotics might be beneficial in treating and preventing diarrhea, but the effects are modest, experts say.

So far, studies looking at the effects of probiotics on other gut disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, have not consistently shown a benefit. And a study published last week in the journal Pediatrics found no evidence that probiotics provide any relief for kids with constipation.

In the end, attempts to change the community of bacteria in kids' tummies, and, consequently, their health, with probiotics may prove futile.

"Given the level of evidence, I can categorically say that I would not recommend parents going out of their way to give probiotics to children," said Dr. Frank Greer, a professor of pediatrics at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wis. Greer was the lead researcher for the American Academy of Pediatrics that addressed the issue. "Even if they eat the yogurt with five different probiotics in it, as soon as they stop taking the yogurt," the bacteria in their bodies will revert back to its normal state, Greer said.

Do probiotics work?

Probiotics are food products that contain enough live bacteria to change the composition of the consumer's gut bacteria, and have the potential for health benefits, the AAP says.

There's some evidence probiotics may stave off infections of pathogens that cause diarrhea. In a 2005 study of about 200 infants between the ages of 4 months and 10 months, researchers gave probiotics to babies over a 12-week period. On average, those given probiotics had 0.37 days of diarrhea compared with 0.59 days for those given a placebo.

And a study of the use of probiotics in day cares found about seven children, statistically, would have to take probiotics to prevent one case of rotavirus, a virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting.

Other studies suggest taking probiotics may help the immune system of young kids develop in a healthy way, and prevent certain allergies, eczema or asthma. A 2003 study examined the effect of probiotics in about 130 infants at risk for allergies. The infants were given the bacteria, in addition to breast-feeding, for six months.

By the time the kids were 2 years old, 23 percent of those treated with probiotics had developed eczema, while 46 percent of those given a placebo had. The benefit of probiotics could still be seen when the kids were 4 years old. However, these promising results have yet to be validated in further studies, according to the AAP report, which came out in December.

Probiotics have also not proved to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome, chronic ulcerative colitis, infantile colic or Crohn's disease, or preventing human cancers, the AAP says.

However, "the current lack of evidence of efficacy does not mean that future clinical research will not establish significant health benefits for probiotics," the AAP statement says.

Are they safe?

In healthy, full-term babies, high doses of probiotics don't appear to cause any ill effects, the AAP says.

However, probiotics may pose risks to some children, including preterm babies, children with weakened immune systems and those with catheters or other medical devices inside them. Cases of sepsis have been reported in children and adults who took probiotics.

More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of probiotics on children, the AAP says. And if probiotics are, in fact, beneficial for kids, researchers will need to establish how much kids should take and how long they should take it in order to reap the most benefit.

Pass it on: Probiotics don't pose much of a risk to kids, but they don't benefit them much, either. ( foxnews.com )

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Children's Chest Pain Rarely Signals Heart Problem

Children's Chest Pain Rarely Signals Heart Problem - Children and teenagers who complain of chest pain only rarely have a heart problem causing it, a new study suggests.

What's more, researchers say, relatively simple steps—including a physical exam, taking a family history and doing an electrocardiogram—could pinpoint those kids who need more extensive, and expensive, testing for heart problems.

The study, reported in the journal Pediatrics, looked at records for 3,700 children older than six who came to Children's Hospital Boston to have their chest pain evaluated.

Just one percent turned out to have an underlying heart condition. The most common were inflammation of the heart muscle or its surrounding sac, which is often the result of an infection; and supraventricular tachycardia, a rapid heartbeat that is rarely life-threatening.

No child died of a cardiac cause during the 10-year study period.

"This study should be reassuring," said lead researcher Dr. Susan F. Saleeb, a pediatric cardiologist at the Boston hospital.

"Chest pain in children is very common," she told Reuters Health, "but the chance of a cardiac cause is very low."

Cardiac arrest deaths rare

It's known that sudden death from cardiac arrest is quite rare in children and teenagers. In the U.S., estimates range from less than 1 to about 6 such deaths per 100,000—about one-quarter of which happen during sports.

Despite the rarity, those deaths are tragic and—in the case of young athletes, in particular—often garner media attention. So parents may become unduly alarmed by their children's chest pain, and kids may end up getting tests they don't need, according to Saleeb's team.

Often, chest pain in kids comes from something much milder than a heart condition—like a muscular cause, respiratory conditions like asthma or a gastrointestinal problem like acid reflux.

In many cases, though, the precise cause cannot be pinpointed. That was true of 52 percent of kids in this study. Of the remaining patients, musculoskeletal causes were most common, followed by respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, and, in one percent of all cases, anxiety.
There are no universal guidelines on how to check out children's chest pain.

Children in the current study were seen between 2000 and 2009, when the hospital had no standardized method for assessing chest pain. All of the children had their family history taken, underwent a physical exam and had an electrocardiogram (ECG); many had other tests, like an echocardiogram or exercise stress test.

'SCAMP' proves useful

Since then, doctors there have started using guidelines known as chest pain SCAMP.

Children are first screened based on their symptoms, family history, a physical exam and an ECG (also known as an EKG). If there are concerns, they go on for further testing—usually with an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce images of the heart.

Of the children in this study who were ultimately diagnosed with a heart problem, the "vast majority" had concerning findings on their history, physical exam or ECG, according to Saleeb's team.

So the SCAMP screening, they say, could help get echocardiograms and other more extensive tests to the children who need them—while avoiding unnecessary tests in other kids.

Having pediatricians and other primary care doctors perform that screening would be ideal, since it would avoid referrals to a cardiologist. And Saleeb said the researchers are looking at ways to adapt their screening method for primary care.

A primary care doctor might, for example, be able to perform an ECG and have it read by a cardiologist, avoiding having a child actually visit the specialist.

Saleeb's team estimates that, in theory, more than half of the kids in the current study might not have needed to see a cardiologist if they'd had "effective screening" by a primary care doctor.

In the meantime, Saleeb said that while parents should bring up any chest pain problem to their child's doctor, they should also feel reassured that it's unlikely to signal a heart condition.

"Chest pain in children does not represent the same disease as chest pain in adults does," Saleeb said.

She did, though, point to some "red flags" that could suggest an underlying heart problem in kids, including chest pain that arises specifically during exercise, or pain accompanied by other symptoms like irregular heartbeat or fainting. ( foxnews.com )

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Move over, man caves: Moms want ’em, too

Move over, man caves: Moms want ’em, too - Women seeking out special spaces to pursue personal pursuits at home - Roxanne Jacoby has a guest room in her Pennsylvania home that no guest has ever slept in. It's really her Mom Cave.

Outfitted with mementos and comfort items, it's the only room in the house she really calls her own.

"I've put in an alpaca throw, down pillows, a fan, my favorite scented candle, and a whole bunch of stuff that I want to read," says Jacoby.

It's not like she couldn't set all that up in a corner of the family room. But that "guest room" has an important feature: "I can close the door."

Many women — and not just moms — are taking over some of the fallow ground at home and turning it into a haven to pursue personal pursuits. They stake out an unused closet, basement nook or extra bedroom. Some use the space to work without interruption — they've got it all teched up with Wi-Fi, perhaps a TV. Others say none of that's allowed, just books and maybe a music player.

This photo provided by Meg Volk shows a sitting area showcasing designer Elaine Griffin's ideas on how to create a mom cave. Griffin says, "A mom cave is where the woman who nurtures everyone goes to nurture herself."

Lori Remien, a teacher in Evanston, Ill., took over an unused nook off her daughter's room when she needed a place to work on her National Boards exams a few years ago. "I went to Ikea and bought a comfy wicker chair, a plush red rug, some pretty black and white curtains. It's still a great retreat where I can watch the shows the rest of my family doesn't watch," she says.

New York designer Elaine Griffin embraces the Mom Cave concept and recently partnered with Homegoods in Manhattan to show some decor and space suggestions. She says, "A Mom Cave is where the woman who nurtures everyone goes to nurture herself."

It's different from the quintessential "man cave," where men do manly, messy and sporty things, often involving a recliner. Griffin notes, "Mom Caves are fun, frankly feminine spaces, and they're personalized."

Make it pretty: Mom caves should have special touches to help women kick back and recharge.

Here's what you need for your Mom Cave: a place to sit, storage space, an area to do what you want to do, and room for occasional visitors.

"Organizing your stuff makes your space feel bigger. I love bookcases — you can hide in plain sight," says Griffin. Colorful boxes and file folders work well; group an array of favorite photos in fun frames on the shelves.

Griffin has a penchant for color — the mini-rooms she created for Homegoods were lively and welcoming. A reading corner with chaise and bookcases was painted vibrant fuchsia. A closet had been transformed into a tiny yet functional office, swathed in a warm caramel hue and accented with dramatic touches such as rattan lamps and black furnishings, including a chair with a nice wide seat.

No extra rooms available? Griffin suggests turning a stair landing into a mini-sanctuary using narrow console tables, a luxurious rug, and a couple of armchairs.

These spaces aren't exclusive to women with families underfoot; all ages appreciate what Virginia Woolf termed "a room of one's own." In her social circle of women age 60-plus, Barbara McDonald of Nova Scotia, Canada, says the "getaway room" is no longer needed but such a space still serves many purposes. "It's invaluable as a project room. Close the door and leave the mess for next time," she says.

Since you don't share it, you've got more freedom with the Cave to play with unusual wallpaper and accessories, create a Zen-like refuge or, like Atlanta-based Robyn Freedman, revisit your childhood room. Freedman, who runs a creative think tank, has even got a name for her space: the Hobbit Hole.

"My room's purple with green polka dots. It's got all kinds of silly things from my childhood — my light bulb collection, Dr. Seuss books and college letterman blanket. Lots of goofy stuff and everything makes me smile," she laughs. ( Associated Press )

And that, of course, is the best reason of all for a Mom Cave.

READ MORE - Move over, man caves: Moms want ’em, too

The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by intense emotions

The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by intense emotions - Unfortunately, child abuse rates are statistically higher among single parent families than among their two-parent counterparts.

For the most part, this is attributed to increased stress, financial difficulties, and - for many single parents - the absence of a meaningful support system. Fortunately, though, you can minimize the impact of these risk factors by taking care of yourself and having a plan in place for how you're going to deal with emotions like anger and frustration. The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by intense emotions, try one of these strategies for calming down:

1. Take a walk.

Stop what you're doing and take a quick family walk. The combination of physical release, a change of scenery, and fresh air will help to clear your mind and give you time to put your frustrations back into perspective.

2. Take a deep breath.

Breathe in as deeply as you can, very slowly. Do this several times until you feel yourself beginning to calm down.

3. Leave the room.

Separate yourself from your children for a few minutes. If your child is an infant, place him or her in the crib and walk away until you can feel yourself calming down. Your child may be crying, and that's okay. He or she will be safer in the crib than in your arms during those moments when you feel intensely frustrated or angry.

4. Talk with a friend.

Develop some friendships with other parents whom you can lean on when you have a rough day. At first, you might be worried about letting someone else know that you're "not perfect," but the truth is that every parent has bad days. In fact, sharing your experiences will not only help you to feel better and cope more effectively, but your effort to be real with one another will also result in a deeper, closer friendship.

5. Visit the Single Parents Forum.

This is a great place to share your frustrations, ask questions, and get support.

6. Call a hotline.

There is absolutely no shame in calling for help. The person on the other end of the phone is most likely there because he or she has been through exactly what you're going through, and wants to help. For immediate, live assistance, 24 hours a day, dial 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

7. Write.

Take a moment to sit down and write about what you're feeling in a journal. Or, if you can't think of anything, just write out the words to a favorite song. Focusing on this task will give you a chance to calm down and reorganize your thoughts.

8. Do something productive.

Many parents find that they become extra sensitive to tantrums when they're already stressed out about other things. One way to gain control over your emotions when this happens is to take a break from the interaction with your child and do something productive, such as cleaning up the kitchen or straightening up the living room. Spending just a few minutes doing something productive that makes you feel more in control can help you approach the situation with your child with a different attitude and intensity.

9. Create a plan.

Many times heightened frustration results from feeling like there are no alternatives. When you find that you're angry over something that your child has done, sit down and think about what needs to change in order to prevent the same thing from happening again. This may include changing your house rules, employing different discipline strategies, or communicating with your child on a different level.

10. Be forgiving.

Be just as willing to forgive yourself as you are willing to forgive your children. And when it is appropriate, take the time to apologize to your child. This creates a clean slate, but it is also humbling enough as a parent to make you think twice before reacting the same way next time. ( about.com )

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Obesity in adolescence may increase girls' MS risk

Obesity in adolescence may increase girls' MS risk – A woman's risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) during her lifetime is doubled if she was obese at age 18, new research shows.

"This is the first study to link MS risk with obesity," study co-author Dr. Kassandra L. Munger of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston told Reuters Health in a telephone interview.

MS is a disease of the central nervous system. Up to half a million Americans have MS, with about 10,000 new cases diagnosed every year. While it is not usually fatal, it's a chronic unpredictable disease with no known cure. The symptoms, including dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, sexual dysfunction, incontinence, shakiness, loss of coordination, and weakness, can be debilitating when flare-ups occur.

It's not a common disease. According to Munger, women, generally, have a 1 in 100 risk of developing MS during their lifetime compared to the 1 in 8 lifetime risk of breast cancer.

Munger and her colleagues studied women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II over a 40 year period. Participants answered questions throughout the study about weight, height, body size, smoking and exercise habits, and disease status.

Among the more than 200,000 participants in the two groups, there were 593 cases of MS.

The study found no association between MS risk and having a large body size at ages 5 and 10 or as an adult. However, obesity at age 18 was associated with a greater than twofold increased risk of MS and a large body size at age 20 was associated with a 96% increased risk of MS, the study team found.

The findings, reported in the medical journal Neurology, underscore the obesity threat, Munger said. "We have another disease which being obese is associated with."

The findings also provide another reason to encourage a healthy weight in young people.

"The prevention of adolescent obesity may contribute to reduced MS risk," they conclude in their report.

The investigators caution that the study has its limitations. The findings need to be validated with further research and only apply to white women.

"There's no reason to believe that the biological mechanisms would be different" in boys, Munger said, but the same can't be said about the racial differences in the disease.

It's possible that any genetic protection that may be at work for African Americans and Asians, who have a lower incidence of MS, may be "stronger than obesity would be at increasing their risk," Munger said.

Weight is not the most significant risk factor for MS, Munger pointed out. The three top ranking risks are environmental: infection with the Epstein Barr virus, vitamin D deficiency, and cigarette smoking, she said.

SOURCE: Neurology, online November 12, 2009

( Reuters )

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Ruth Amos created a design for a handrail

Ruth Amos created a design for a handrail. Teenage girl on stairlift to millions after stumbling on handrail idea for a GCSE project. When Ruth Amos created a design for a handrail as part of a GCSE project, her main focus was to ensure she would get a good grade.

The 16-year-old schoolgirl never expected that her design idea would be turned into a device that has helped change the lives of disabled and elderly people.

Now, three years on, she is running an expanding firm - and in a few years could potentially earn millions.

Stairway to millions: Ruth Amos, aged 19, pictured demonstrating the 'StairSteady' at her home

This week the teenager's achievements were honoured when she was presented with the Young Star award at the Women of the Future awards in Central London.

Ruth, 19, from Sheffield, designed the StairSteady to help those with walking difficulties climb the stairs as part of her design and technology GCSE project.

Her teacher asked her to design a product that would help solve a dilemma for him.

He told Ruth that his mother did not want a stairlift put into her house, but could not get up the stairs without one.

Ruth designed and developed a metal bar attached to a metal stair rail. It allows those with limited mobility to use the stairs without worrying that they will fall.

Those using the StairSteady push the bar along the rail to help them balance when they want go up and down the stairs.

The bar uses friction to lock itself in place so users can pull themselves up to the next step. It will lock in place if the user falls or stumbles. When not in use, the handle can be pushed flat against the wall.

Bright idea: Ruth has been presented with the Young Star Award at the Women Of The Future awards this week in London. The 'StairSteady' helps change the lives of disabled and elderly people

Ruth's design was so good that a local company made a prototype for her. She won the Young Engineer of Britain award in 2006 and started her business - all at the same time as taking and passing 15 GCSEs.

The StairSteady, which costs £470, has been so successful that Miss Amos is now considering selling it abroad.

She currently sells it nationwide, in partnership with Minivator, the UK's second largest manufacturer of stairlifts, and it is being bought at a rate of more than three per week.

Although she would not disclose her turnover as she is in the middle of negotiations, her business is worth more than £60,000 a year.

She had been planning to go to university, but has put that on hold for three years to concentrate on the business.

'I can't believe how successful the StairSteady's been,' said Ruth. 'It's doing really well and we're looking to expand our range and take the business to Europe,' she said.

'Often a fresh mind on an old market place is the best thing. I love running the business and I love being an entrepreneur.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

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'Time is right' to apologise

'Time is right' to apologise for Child Migrants Programme, says Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown is to apologise for Britain's ' disgraceful' role in sending more than 130,000 children to its former colonies.

Under the Child Migrants Programme, poverty-stricken youngsters were compulsorily deported to Australia, Canada and other distant parts of the Empire.

Most children were wrongly told that their parents had died and that they would enjoy a 'better life' outside Britain, while the parents thought the children had been adopted in Britain.

Child migrants: Ten-year-old twins Brian Thomas Sullivan (left) and Kevin James Sullivan from Islington, London carry their luggage to the boat train "Rangitoto" as they left Liverpool Street station in London in 1950

But many were physically, psychologically and sexually abused, or ended up in institutions or as labourers on farms.

The Prime Minister has pledged to say sorry to the victims of the policy, which ended only 40 years ago, but the move has been condemned as coming too late.

Critics said he had been 'shamed' into it by Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, who today apologised for his country's role in the mistreatment and suffering of 500,000 people held in orphanages and children's homes between 1930 and 1970.

Gordon Brown will issue a formal apology in the new year, according to Kevin Barron (r), the chairman of the health select committee which has been investigating the programme

That includes 7,000 child migrants from Britain who still live in Australia.

Gordon Brown said in a letter to Kevin Barron, Labour chairman of the Commons health select committee, which has investigated the scandal, that 'the time is now right' to apologise.

Kevin Rudd has formally apologised to the 7,000 child migrants from Britain who live still in Australia

He wrote: 'After consultation with organisations directly involved with child migrants we are going to make an apology early in the new year.'

But Margaret Humphreys, a former Nottinghamshire social worker who set up the Child Migrants Trust in 1987,

said: 'The Australian government is delivering an apology when the British Government has done nothing.

'This is disgusting. They have abandoned us. There is a huge feeling here that we are being abandoned by Gordon Brown.'

Harold Haig, the secretary of the International Child Migrants Association, said:

'Gordon Brown should hang his head in shame.

'He is allowing the country that we were deported to to apologise before the country where we were born.'

A Government spokesman said: ' We plan to make a more detailed announcement early in the new year.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

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