How To Make A Volcano (courtesy of ExpertVillage.com)

Hi! I’m Collin Filbate, and I’m gonna show you one way to make a great volcano for a science project!

Now, the things you’re gonna need – you’re gonna need hot and cold water. You’re gonna need parental supervision on this one, because you’re gonna be using very hot water here. You’re gonna need a cup to mix it in. You need a thermometer, and that’s because you’re gonna use some fast acting, highly active yeast. You need a pail, you need some sort of bottle. Now, a pop bottle works great.

Now, you’re gonna want to cover it with a variety of different things. You can make paper mache, you can just use sand. You can use minimally expanding foam, but that you must use in a well-ventilated area. Blow up foam around it, and then carve away when the foam is dry. You’ll have to aerate that, ’cause that does have some noxious fumes, so make sure you’ve got parental supervision there.

I’ve got my scissors, I’ve got a little cup to mix in. I’ve got my funnel again. I’ve got a little bit of red food coloring for the lava, and I’ve got hydrogen peroxide. You’re also going to need a little bit of dish soap. Let’s get started!

We’ve got our yeast here. I’m gonna cut it open. Now, check the back of the package and it says, “this yeast needs water that’s between 120 and 130°.” Now, that’s awful hot. That will scald you! So, I’m gonna put that in here. Now, I’ve got the water just right here – just above 120 here. We’re gonna let that wake up – takes a few minutes.

Now, we’re gonna put hydrogen peroxide. This is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour a bunch in there. And, we need it to be red, right, because it’s lava! Red lava. One of my secret ingredients is simple dish soap. You’re just gonna put a couple drops of dish soap in. Once again, mix it up.

Now, we’re gonna do a bio-chemical reaction here. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen, But, it does it very slowly. Now, the yeast has an enzyme called peroxidase. Now, hydrogen peroxide kills cells, but, if a cell has a peroxidase – it’s a little enzyme that splits this up into oxygen and water – it can protect ourselves. Now, we have that, but bacteria do not. So, that’s why, when you put it on your cut, it froths up. That’s your body defending itself from the hydrogen peroxide the bacteria cannot.

Now, yeast is not a bacteria. It’s a eukaryotic organism. And we’re a eukaryotic organism, so we both have a peroxidase. And, now, that peroxidase is gonna go. I’m mixing it up, here.

The yeast should be nice and woken up, and now we’re ready to do our volcano…Our Volcano Erupts!

And, that’s how we build a volcano!

How To Trim A Baby’s Hair (courtesy of Howcast.com)

No matter how bald your baby is at birth, eventually you’ll find yourself washing mashed banana out of her hair after every meal! Here’s how to give her a trim. You will need:

A baby in need of a haircut

A high chair with seat or restraining belt

A bath towel and safety pin, or 2 bibs

A spray bottle filled with water

A comb

A pair of hair cutting shears or scissors

A toy, book or snack

Optional:

Another grown-up

A soft brush

Step 1 – Choose a time of day when your baby is in good spirits, and neither hungry or tired.

Step 2 – Place her in a high chair or any chair with a restraining belt and buckle her in. Pretend that you’re a real hairdresser, and start chatting her up as soon as she’s seated. It doesn’t matter what you say – just be upbeat and reassuring! Some babies are more willing to sit still on a love one’s lap. If yours is, too, recruit your spouse or a friend to be the chair.

Step 3 – Wrap a towel gently around her shoulders and pin it in place. Or, put the bibs on her – one facing forward and one facing backward. And keep talking!

Step 4 – Hand the baby a favorite book, toy or snack to keep her distracted and happy, and hands busy and out of the way.

Step 5 – Concentrate on the area most needing a trim. Spray the hair and comb it smooth. Then, gather it between your index and middle fingers, without bunching up the hairs. If the baby is reluctant to have her hair spritzed and trimmed, spritz and snip your own, to demonstrate that it doesn’t hurt!

Step 6 – Pull the hair gently down and snip just below your fingers, in one cut. Release the hair and let it spring back into place. If it’s curly hair, pull it down as far as it will go before trimming, to avoid cutting it too short.

Step 7 – Any time your baby gets fussy, hand her a new distraction and don’t stop talking! If she’s fussy because the hair has fallen against her skin, brush it off with a soft, clean brush. A large makeup brush works well for this.

Step 8 – Re-comb the spot you trimmed and clip any stray hairs you’ve missed. Your baby is hysterical and you’re not done yet? Don’t torture either one of you! Stop cutting and do the finishing touches while she’s asleep.

Step 9 – Trim and neaten up other sections of the hair in the same way. Now your baby will be prettier than ever, and you’ll be cleaning the mashed banana up off the floor instead!

Did you know? Babies born with hair often lose all of it during the first 6 months?

How To Help A Teething Baby (courtesy of About.com)

Hi! I’m Kathy Moore, for About.com. When your baby starts leaving a puddle of drool on your shoulder, you’re in for yet another developmental milestone – teething! This program will explain what to expect when teething begins, and how to ease your baby’s pain.

Teething is simply the emergence of your baby’s first teeth. This process can begin as early as 3 months, but somewhere between 4 and 7 months is average.

The first teeth to appear are usually the bottom 2 teeth. Months later, the top teeth follow. At the start of this process, you’ll notice your child is drooling more, and wants to chew on everything. Your baby’s gums may become tender and maybe swell. A fever could occur, as well as diarrhea. But, usually, these symptoms are due to something else besides teething. Ear rubbing is also common.

For some babies, teething creates periods of irritability, with disruptions in their sleeping and eating patterns. To help our baby during this process, wipe her face frequently to keep the drool from developing a rash on her face.

Give your baby something to chew on! This could be a wet washcloth, a teething ring or a rubber toy. Just be sure that you can’t swallow it, and that it can’t break into pieces. If you use a chilled teething ring, place it in the refrigerator, not the freezer. Let your baby chew on your clean finger, or, gently rub your baby’s gums.

If your baby seems very irritable, children’s pain reliever may help, but always check with your doctor first, before giving your baby any medicine.

Once your baby’s teeth do appear, you can clean them with gauze or a child’s soft toothbrush.

Helping your baby through this stage will create a smile that will melt your heart for years! Thanks for watching! Visit us on the web, at About.com.

Learn How To Deal With Bullies (courtesy of Howcast.com

Unfortunately, almost everyone faces a bully now and then. But, we’re gonna teach you how to take their fun away! You will need:

Self-control
A sport
And an adult to speak with

Step 1 – Make it more difficult for bullies to bother you by avoiding them. Take a different route to and from school, and sit far away from them in the cafeteria.

Step 2 – Find a friend…preferably a BIG friend, and start hanging out with them! Two is always better than one!

Step 3 – The next time a bully taunts you, do your best to ignore him. Stand tall, but don’t engage him. Remember, bullies get their jollies out of seeing you get scared or mad. If you show no reaction, they’ll probably move on. Do your absolute best not to fight back or try to get revenge. That’s just stooping to their level.

Step 4 – If you get jumped by a group of bullies and there’s no other way out, go for the biggest one. If you can take him out, the rest will run.

Step 5 – Build up your confidence, not to mention your strength, by taking up a sport. At the very least, start working out.

Step 6 – If the bully won’t stop, get an adult’s help. Speak to a teacher, parent or other authority figure. You shouldn’t have to live in fear!

Did you know? Almost 1/3 of kids in the United States are involved in bullying, either as a bully, or a victim.

Learn How To Make Goobeldy Goo (courtesy of howcast.com)

Your science teacher would call this ooey, gooey gunk a polymer. Your mom might call it messy…we call it fun! You will need:

- A new, 4-oz bottle of white glue
- 2 Mixing bowls
- Water
- A large spoon
- Food coloring
- 2 Measuring cups
- Borax
- A measuring tablespoon
- A resealable plastic bag

Step 1 – Squeeze the entire bottle of glue into one of the bowls.

Step 2 – Fill the empty glue bottle with water. Shake, and pour that in with the glue. Stir well.

Step 3 – Add a few drops of food coloring to the glue mixture and stir. Set aside.

Step 4 – In a liquid measuring cup, mix 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of Borax, until the Borax all dissolves. You can buy Borax at the grocery store. It will be in the laundry detergent aisle.

Step 5 – Measure out 1/3 cup of the Borax/water solution, and pour it into the other bowl. You won’t need the leftovers.

Step 6 – Slowly, pour all of your glue solution into this bowl, and stir while pouring.

Step 7 – The goo will start forming immediately. When you’ve added the glue mixture and stirred it, pick up the blob that’s now in your bowl and start squeezing and kneading it. There will be some water left in the bottom of the bowl. Wash your spoon and bowls as soon as you’ve finished your goo, to make sure the ooze doesn’t dry.

Step 8 – The more you play with the goo, the firmer and dryer it will get. But it will still be icky enough to gross out your friends!

Did you know? Goobeldy Goo is like quicksand and gelatin. They’re all “non-Newtonian fluids” that don’t behave according to Sir Issac Newton’s law of liquids.

Learn How To Teach Your Baby Sign Language (courtesy of Howcast.com)

Wouldn’t it be great if your baby could just tell you when he was hungry, thirsty, or getting tired? He can, if you teach him to sign! You will need:

An American Sign Language Dictionary
Time
and Patience!

Step 1 – Get an American Sign Language Dictionary, or, look up certain words online.

Step 2 – Start signing to your baby when he is 6 months old, so he can begin making associations between your gestures and his needs. Say the word as you sign it. Repeat the word and the sign, as often as you can, during the interaction. Babies need the repetition in order to learn.

Step 3 – Let’s begin with “bottle”. Show the baby his bottle, and then hold up your hand in front of you, palm side up. Mimic placing a cup on it with your other hand. Help the baby make the sign himself by guiding his hands with yours.

Step 4 – If you’re breastfeeding exclusively, teach him the sign for “milk”. Simply open and close your fists several times, like you’re milking a cow.

Step 5 – Tell him to ask for “more, by raising your hands in front of you, and touching and un-touching your fingertips.

Step 6 – Help him tell you he’s thirsty by making the sign for “drink”. Just pretend there’s a cup in your hand, and tip it towards your mouth.

Step 7 – Speed up potty training by making the sign for “toilet” when you catch him peeing or pooping. Just put your thumb between your first 2 fingers and shake your hand back and forth. Use sign language consistently, or not at all. Your baby won’t learn, unless you repeat the sign every time the corresponding action takes place.

Step 8 – Help baby communicate that he’s sleepy before he gets fussy. Every time you put him to bed, hold your right hand in front of your face, fingers spread and palm facing toward you. Then, move your hand down, toward your chin, as you bring all your fingers together.

Step 9 – Enjoy the perks of being able to communicate with your baby. Less frustration on his part means fewer crying jags for you to deal with!

Did you know? Research has shown that, although babies are unable to speak at 6 months, they have the ability by that age to use and understand language!

How To Swaddle A Baby (courtesy of About.com)

Hi! I’m Kathy Moore, of About.com Parenting. Babies love to be held, and we love to hold them! But, they also need to learn to sleep on their own. Swaddling a baby in a blanket offers the same snugness as a hug, but it frees up your arms. This program offers some simple steps on how to swaddle a baby, and why it’s important.

First, choose an appropriate blanket. I find lightweight cotton or flannel works great. Make sure the blanket is at least twice as big, both long and wide, and the baby.

Fold down one corner of the blanket, and place the baby’s head in the middle of this triangle, with the head just above the fold.

Next, pull the left side of the blanket across the baby’s body. Plane it until it’s snug. Make sure her arm is along the side of her chest. Tuck this side under the baby.

Pull up the bottom of the blanket over the baby’s toes, and tuck it up and under the last fold, just below the baby’s neck.

Last, take the baby’s free arm, and make sure it stays along her side, while you pull the other side of the blanket across her body and tuck it snugly underneath.

At first, you may think that you’re pulling the blanket too tight, and that the baby looks uncomfortable, almost mummy-like. We used to call our kids baby burritos! But, it’s the snugness that they like. It’s calming and it’s soothing, and I think it reminds them of being inside the womb.

A snug wrap keeps the baby from waking itself up by its own startle reflex. This is the same reason why babies should not be swaddled while they are awake. They need to move to develop strength and mobility.

Though it may take some practice, swaddling is a wonderful technique to learn. And your reward will be watching your baby sleep peacefully! Thanks for watching! To learn more, visit us on the web at Parenting.About.com.

Learn How To Potty Train A Toddler (courtesy of Gurgle.com)

Learn How To Multiply (courtesy of RightBrainMath.com)

How To Tie Your Shoes (courtesy of RKWest.com)