Nowadays, different materials consist of swimming pools. It is not only the conventional tiles or concrete decking that make up their design. Now you can find a pool deck overlays Los Angeles mingling with composite wood decks of Florida. Some are out of DIY pebbled flooring combining with pavers.
These are themes that add appeal to the deck. But underneath, another reason for using supporting materials is to combine efficient materials with durable materials. Conventional decks have less lifespan than the others. Some have low resistance, too.
An overlay of concrete or other coating materials refinishes the pool deck in case of damage. As constant water impacts the surface, its quality will reduce.
What are the signs that tell you to resurface the decking around the pool? Here are four common signs to know.
You can have water-resistant decking, but natural elements affect the protective coatings as time goes and weather changes. A concrete can turn slippery because of reacting to the pool water and rain.
Did you ever experience when after several days of rain and you decided to stroll by the poolside, you feel that the deck’s surface becomes slippery? You notice that there’s a sort of a thin coating that makes it slimy and slippery to walk on.
Rainwater is the exterior concrete’s ultimate villain. An acidic compound in the rainwater can wash the topical sealers applied to a concrete deck. That is why one solution is stamping the concrete. The texture created from the pattern of the stamp gives extra traction to the surface. You can pour an overlay if you have an existing pool decking with concrete to enhance skid-resistance.
Crack is familiar to stamped concrete. The primary solution here is pouring an overlay. The cracks developed due to week substrate and faulty installation.
Common among pool areas is that the ground underneath may have been exposed to water leaking. So, the result is that the slabs start cracking. The constant water exposure contributes to the quick wearing of the material.
Pouring a concrete pool deck overlay fixes the cracks. The new set of concrete also restores the qualities of the slab. During installation, the gaps must be filled first. According to experts of pool deck overlays in Los Angeles CA, the added layer of thick concrete on top adds strength to the whole concrete system.
Overlay and stamping are common ways y to refinish the concrete. Discoloration on the pool deck can be fixed through recoloring. But to have an effective recoloring, the slabs must be even and flawless.
If the slabs are growing weak and reducing waterproofing, it’s better to refinish and refresh the top layer with an efficient concrete overlay. To achieve a better look and color-penetration, you apply a knockdown texture Minneapolis concrete experts recommend.
A glossy surface of the pool deck is credited to its top sealer. In some cases, due to improper application, the sealer peels off. As heat and water take turns in brushing the surface, the sealer gets disturbed. So, peeling happens.
Like peeling, scaling patterns signal you to get a much more efficient covering for the pool’s flooring. Scaling patterns appeared on the bare concrete surface when the cement mix did not cure appropriately during application. It happens due to not enough heat and natural sunlight to completely dry the mixture. Applying a sealer before the concrete cures will also result in scaling.
A faulty process is challenging to reverse. One sure fix is to pour an overlay to a scaling surface to increase strength.
It complements your furniture just right and is unique enough to show off your artistic insight, but now you’ve stumbled on to the problem of whether you should use a canvas or an acrylic print.
Yes! The choice of material you use for printing your art has an impact on a lot of things such as color reproduction, longevity, presence of glares and reflections as well as cost. If you choose the wrong material, you might be quite disappointed with the end result you get.
Well, it depends on what exactly you want to achieve; both types of print material have their respective purposes and they fulfill different requirements. I’ve broken down the exact features of both down below so that you can get a better understanding of what’s right for you.
Canvas Printing
Canvas prints are made by printing an image directly on a fabric surface made of polyester or cotton- known as a canvas. No paper is involved in the canvas printing process, so you’re left with a textured image that lasts longer, and costs less, than anything produced on paper.
The textured images produced on canvases are especially popular for use in-doors because they provide a very sophisticated and “artsy” appearance. Most pieces in an art museum are also made of canvases, so there is a certain prestige that they carry. Canvas prints also do not have glares or reflections
However, when it comes to color reproduction canvas prints are not as vibrant as acrylic ones, so canvas prints are probably best used for images where neither color vibrancy nor detailed definition is important priorities.
Acrylic printing involves an image printed on photo paper before being pressed between two sheets of acrylic. The advantages of acrylic printing are that it produces far more detailed images and much more vibrant colors. So, acrylic printing is quite ideal when it comes to producing bright photographs in which it really matters that all the details are captured right with enhanced hues due to the acrylic.
Since they are essentially made of paper, an acrylic print will not provide you with the same textured appearance that a canvas one would. Acrylic prints will produce glares and reflections though, so they are best displayed in areas with plenty of natural sunlight. Also, acrylic prints tend to be much more costly than canvas ones, by up to 50% at times. You can have a look at some best acrylic prints available online.
So, depending on your budget, level of need for detail and color vibrancy and the type of environment you’d like to display your art, either option can prove desirable for you. If you want to have a more detailed look into how canvas and acrylic printing contrast with another, I’d recommend checking this at online wall art sites.
A home thrives around its kitchen. Right from Sunday brunches to midnight cravings, this amazing corner disappoints none, regardless of age and gender. And to make your cooking corner stand out, you have to research and plan accordingly, be it your indoor kitchen or an outdoor cookhouse.
Planning outdoor kitchens can be fun if you have the right concept and materials. You must have come across a great number of outdoor kitchen building ideas in your favorite magazine. However, conceiving the same while preserving its true essence is no less than a challenge for nonprofessionals. In this guide, you will learn about the basic steps to plan and style your outdoor kitchen.
You might have fallen for a hi-tech kitchen island you found on the web recently and imagined something alike in your backyard. But does your imagination fit into your reality? When planning outdoor kitchens, you have to have a fair idea about your ideal kitchen shape and yard space ratio.
Try to create it in an L shape if it isn’t very expansive; U shapes are for greater diameters. But whatever your choice might be, keep the zone airy, allowing sufficient ventilation.
Pick the Right Wall Shade
Your outdoor kitchen is also a part of your house. And just like the shades of your walls sets the tone for the rooms or the entire house, you have to be decisive when it comes to kitchen paint.
When luxury designers and the overall feel influence your house is quite subdued, explore the shades of white, cream, champagne, silver, etc. Don’t pick one of the cool colors as they seem to reduce appetite.
Plain walls are fine as long as you are happy with it. However, if you desire to attain a voguish cooking space under the sky, go for textures. From backsplash to accent walls, the tiles and stones add dimension and sophistication. Remember, the stones used on the walls are faux stones, made of polymer, which are lightweight and able to withstand even extreme weather conditions.
To keep your investment efficient, start with appliances that fit easily into your existing habits and preferences. For example, a fire pit may be a great piece if you need to keep warm in the evening hours. Or an outdoor wok station may be a habit-match for the chef who already prepares a lot of fish, stir fries or other high-heat dishes.
A Thematic Overhead Structure
As you are planning an outdoor kitchen, you can embrace the rustic theme. Go with the wooden structures and be consistent when building the countertops. Enhance the countryside feel by hanging the metallic lanterns and fixing candle holders. Use the overhead structure for mounting the main light to brighten your cooking zone.
Planning outdoor kitchens can be different from designing traditional in-house kitchens. You cannot install the glass door cabinets or open shelves, for they can easily be affected by the debris, raindrops, stormy wind, etc. Always pick the outdoor kitchen specific storage drawers, access doors, or the door drawer combos so that your outdoor making and baking remains seamless and safe.
Set Up a Bar
The outdoor island serves you in two ways—extra storage and entertainment. So a bar would heighten your party mood, letting you place your kegerator, ice maker, wine cooler, or compact refrigerator under one roof. It would further help you to organize your yard better.
Arrange Comfortable Seating
Although your guests might prefer taking a stroll while you are hosting the celebration from your outdoor kitchen, they would, of course, enjoy the supper, sitting comfortably. Several online brands offer uniquely designed outdoor furniture sets, including dining tables and chairs, bistro sets, among others.
In case your patio consists of a relatively smaller roundtable, purchase a nice outdoor umbrella to savor your daytime feasts without getting tanned.
Accessorize It with Simplicity
You are a firm believer in minimalistic approaches and do not have the leverage to overspend. Planning outdoor kitchens within a limited budget can be tricky; however, you can still maintain its poise by investing in the right appliances.
If your adjacent open area is pretty compact, you can bring home the latest fire pit tables or the fire bowls. They are sleek and invoke the nocturnal spirit of the night when dressed with the reflective fire glasses on top.
The wood-burning fire pits are more naturalistic, but please be careful with children around.
You can also turn them into a barbeque pit. That way, you can refrain from spending on the grilling apparatus. Make sure to keep the grilling grate and a tripod handy, and the meat would be cooked to perfection. Your kitchen must embody the elegance your home reflects. A little bit of information and a whole lot of creativity can help you achieve your dream kitchen—which, even if not an à la mode, would always make you proud.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about buying a rental property for a while now but something has been holding you back. The process is simple enough, right? You find a house you like, buy it, and rent it out… Well, in theory, yes, but you know that there is much more to it than that.
You don’t know exactly all the logistics, but at the bare minimum, you know you want a smooth borrowing experience, if nothing else. If you think there’s a lot to buying a home for yourself, just imagine the pressure you’re under in trying to purchase a property that you’re hoping someone else will like.
Now, some people will enter the real estate investing market completely blinded to the intricate details all investors should be aware of, and completely blow all their money on a property that turns out to be a money pit. You had those feelings to not invest just yet for a reason, and it’s because you don’t want to invest when you don’t know what you should invest in or how you should do it… and that’s a smart move.
Yes, investing is about taking risks, but there is a fine line between being a risk-taker and being stupid with your money. Making sure you’re well-versed in real estate investing is the best thing to do, and if you’re unsure about how to go about it, consider starting with learning about the features and considerations that make a rental property profitable.
What Makes a Rental Property Profitable?
The Neighborhood
Ideally, you want to purchase a property in what’s considered as a good neighborhood. There are signs and characteristics of a good neighborhood, and it’s those things that will determine the types of residents you will attract and your rate of vacancy as well. So be sure to drive around the various neighborhoods to see what would attract high-quality tenants. Things like tree-lined sidewalks, walkability, and caliber of people will all help you determine if buying in a particular neighborhood will be a lucrative investment.
No one is going to want to live in a home that is riddled with suspicious activity, so it’s important you do your due diligence to check out the crime rate in the area you’re considering buying in.
According to US Politics and Policy, burglars actually have a decision-making process and usually target neighborhoods that are of a greater ethnic background because the risk of getting caught is much lower.
To ensure the safety of your future tenants, and your property, consider having pathway lights installed and a security system installed. You can actually make having a security service a requirement for each tenant you have.
School District
If you’re looking to purchase a family-sized home, then you definitely want to make sure you look at the school district as well. People with children are going to want a home that’s not too far from their children’s school, and even within walking distance from the school. The higher the quality of schools near your property, the more interest you’ll get from potential tenants.
Recreational Amenities
In order for your property to profit, it also needs to be in an area that’s feasibly close to recreational activities like parks, shopping, dining, and other forms of entertainment. This is an important consideration to think about whether it’s a family with children or not.
You have to understand that liking where you live isn’t just about the house; it’s the whole area in general. If you can find a home in a great area, people will flock to your listing, giving you the ability to set a decent rent asking price.
If you live in the same area as your rental property, you’ll have a pretty good idea of the type of weather the area receives but you also have to hone in on the property to determine if it’s an area prone to flooding or disasters that put your property and tenants in danger. This potential risk is why you also have to factor in insurance from your returns
Number of Vacancies in the Area
Looking at the neighborhood you’ve chosen, are there a lot of vacant homes there? If there are, it could be a sign that the neighborhood is declining but it’s up to you to figure out why there are so many listings in the neighborhood.
While most business enterprises overlook an exterior signs’ value, some who have realized that its impacts cannot be replaced have held on to it. Exterior signage may seem obsolete, especially in this era now that digital marketing has taken the lead. However, you can never lack exterior signage in a commercial environment, which implies there is value in them. If you have been skeptical about installing exterior signage for your business, here are the reasons why it is a crucial tool:
Haveyou ever wondered why it is not easy to find the best consultation services when it comes to signs installations? Well, chances are, you have not decided to look for the bestexterior signs for your business, one that outshines the rest. Your business deserves to have signage. You will have to consult service providers with professionalism and a high level of expertise to do this. It is from them that you can be sure of the quality of signs installed for your business.
Consider this scenario. Your business has been located within town for a long time. Due to some circumstances, you decide to relocate to a place not far away from your previous location. What do you do to help your customers identify your new location? Well, this is where exterior signs come in. you can use them to show customers the location of your business. It is a method that is less tedious compared to other means, for example, social media. Additionally, it targets everyone in need of your services. Therefore, you have a high chance of attracting more potential customers.
For example, if your business is located in a place where various entities are offering the same services as you. What do you do to gain a competitive advantage? An Exterior sign is a good place to start. While most businesses in that place may have them, a quality exterior sign is a show of quality services. A random customer needing the same service may prefer an entity that has installed outstanding exterior signage. Therefore, do not be intimidated by the fact that most businesses in your area already have an exterior sign. Get quality service and see how you attract potential customers for your business.
Helps You Build Brand Awareness
Exterior signs help you improve the recognition of your brand, which has a high chance of increasing your brand’s perception in the market. For your signage to have a noticeable impact, highlight your company values on it. Doing this will help customers become more sure of your service delivery and connect with you even before physically seeking your services. Therefore, you are likely to experience more customer retention and repeat purchases.
Marketing is an essential prerequisite for the success of a business. While there are several ways through which you can market your services, some of them are too expensive to undertake. For instance, if you choose to market through social media, the cost of hiring a digital marketer may be higher since it requires consistency. Exterior signs, on the other hand, only require installation and maintenance costs, which may be lower, considering the impact it creates. If you are looking for a cheaper and less tedious way to market, consider exterior signs.
May Increase Sales Margin
Exterior signs are a great way to improve your sales margin. However, most business owners do not consider exterior signs as a factor that may make a difference in their business. They do not know that for exterior signage to improve sales, they have to pay attention to the design and location of the signs. Recent studies have shown that there is a close relationship between an increase in profit margins and proper location and design of exterior signs. Therefore, take up the opportunity and design your signage in a way that can appeal to customers. Additionally, choose your location wisely.
Did you know customers make assumptions about your business based on the quality of your exterior signage? Well, outdoor signs communicate with your customers. If you do it properly, you pass a message of quality services to your potential customers. Therefore, you may notice an increase in purchases equal to the proposition of customers that your sign lures. Continue increasing your brand exposure by exploring more places to install your signage. This will boost your sales.
Homeowners and builders, in collaboration with designers, discover new, innovative ways to decorate their homes. 2020 was full of sorrow due to the great catastrophe of this year. But it allowed people to stay home and observe it more closely.
This year gave birth to many new outdoor seating area trends and these trends should last well into 2021 – and maybe even for years. The time people have spent in creating the trends should support them with durability and long-term benefits. We extensively study and suggest methods to design like a pro.
We’ll go over seven of the best outdoor trends that will modernize your seating area for years to come.
1. Collab Indoor and Outdoor
Your outdoor seating area should reflect the setup of your interior. To bring out the same feeling, you can arrange it from different phases. You can start with glass doors and rails. Your idea of filling the ceiling with lights, herbs, and sheds gives the illusion of stars.
Mostly, people do everything they can to mirror out the interior into the outdoor. Establishing the same intimacy that you feel inside into the outdoor has been a great part along with privacy walls, sunshades, and landscapes.
2. Free and Wooden Wide Space
New dwellers are prioritizing more on wide spaces outside the home. The patio and balcony seem to have more spaces than ever before. As people are staying more on the home, the recitation should come from the space itself.
In addition to that, wooden floors and rails are putting a new dimension to the outdoor space area. It has become a great substitute for our modern outdoor tile floor.
3. Out-of-Doors Dining
Patio and veranda have mostly been used for the past time tea and coffee. You enjoy the sound of living nature and dive into the story of your book.
As for the recreational purpose and good feeling, taking the dining outside the home has become a good trend. You start it with the regular meals or picnic, party, or barbecue; out-of-doors dining made it all possible.
4. Enthralling Patio/Outdoor Daybeds
Once and years back it was very typical to keep the hanging swing on the rooftop/balcony. You would get the calmest feeling while you close your eyes and try to feel nature. It was even a good trend to keep a light bed to lay down and observe the stars in the moonlit night.
If your house doesn’t allow you to keep all that on your rooftop, your outside area can be a good place to start with. Outdoor daybeds can be a good addition to your current setup that gives you the chance to enjoy the serene environment either on the day or night.
5. Cooling Novelties
Don’t keep your doubts.
Yes, we know, the outside environment is full of natural air. But sometimes when there is no wind to keep you calm, you may have to arrange for a cooling system. Even when air blows, you may need the cooling system to blow the air in your desired direction.
As you cannot install any air conditioning outside, the best solution is to install one of the best outdoor ceiling fans in the market. The ceiling fan will provide the best support in every season you name of.
6. Dazzling Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting benefits in numerous folds. The dazzling shiny effect supports you in decor and safety. You can use simple LED bulbs for exclusive star lights. All that unfolds the door of the mesmerizing beauty of the night.
Even though the time is tough to pass, the night needs to be kept young. The type of light fittings is to be determined as per the type of work you want to do at night while you stay outdoor.
7. Momentum Fire Pits
If you get the most out of your outdoor spaces in the hot seasons, it should also serve well in the cold seasons. As we are spending more time at home, fire pits are becoming more popular than ever before.
Winter season and parties at night should be complemented with the best of outdoor spaces. And, a fire pit on the edge can make it even more momentum. Any simple DIY effort to customized effort through an expert can exclusively be implemented. Industrial fire pits with the metal framework are on exclusive trends.
Trends are living facts. The outdoor seating area is no different. Indeed, outdoor area changes often due to weather conditions but few things stay over time. Now you’re ready to update your patio with the latest trends and an extensive list of the above ideas.
Meta Description:
The outdoor seating area trends are living facts. Start from DIY or engineering, make sure that the things you design should be durable and pose long-term benefits.
Author Bio
Samuel Adler
LEAD STRATEGIC CONSULTANT AND WRITER
Samuel Adler is a 28-year-old executive who always enjoys creating something new and play around the central home improvement. He is a creative writer, a reader, and a full-time learner, but he just doesn’t like to eat so much. Being a part of The Home Impro, Samuel Adler found the platform to fully utilize his passion for creating something new.
Having a boiler system is essential especially when you live in an area where cold weather often occurs. You probably need to replace your old boiler or maybe it’s your first time to install one. There are several available boilers in the market of different types, prices, and quality. A boiler system can be expensive although there are some that are affordable. More so, installation services from an engineer or a service provider company may as expensive as the boiler itself. What you want in purchasing a boiler is getting to find the perfect boiler immediately without having to return it once a problem arises after you install it. You wouldn’t want to reinstall your boiler since it would again incur costs for services.
Here are is a list of some of the most important factors to consider when buying a boiler:
Factors to Consider:
Budget
The money you want to allot or can only be used for a boiler is among the most crucial factors that must be considered in buying a broiler. You should look for a boiler based on your budget. Although you may have different factors to consider, it will all still come down to whether you can afford the boiler or not. However, the budget you will allocate to buying a new boiler should still be appropriate to the prices of efficient boilers. We all know boilers can be expensive. In fact, as the boiler installer’s Heatable make clear you should aim to have is a boiler that can last for at least 10 years. Thus, you should treat your boiler as an investment and set enough budget for it.
Size pertains to two different factors in purchasing a boiling system: (1) the size of your boiler and the space you are to install it in (2) the size of your rooms, your property, and the family you have.
The size of your boiler and space you are to install it in
The space you have in your home or business area where you want your boiler system must be enough for the boiler system you want. With the space you have, you may only be allowed a certain limit of size on the boiler that you will be buying. Make sure to consider this so as not to buy something that would not fit.
The size of your rooms, your property, and the family you have
On the other hand, the size of your property, room, and family (for the number of people in the house) is as important as the size of the physical you need for the boiler since these can determine its heating capability which is also a crucial factor in purchasing a boiler since this is its main function.
Guarantee
As mentioned above, the boiler you should want and purchase is a boiler that can last up to at least 10 years. Some boilers that are offered may have a warranty of 2 years or 5 years. With this, you can somehow measure how companies perceive or know the boiler’s lifespan to be. Only the most energy efficient boilers can be so sure of its quality that it can offer up to 10 years of warranty.
How to teach fractions to your kids while helping them understand the applied benefits of knowing the numerator, the denominator, and mapping the vinculum.
To know the best solution, tap fraction calculator by calculator-onnline.net. Otherwise, you may continue reading!
By Shomprakash Sinha Roy (For Pepper Content, Client: Cuemath)
Two out of three popular approaches in mathematical teaching for primary kids rely on the underlying assumptions that:
Math can (and therefore should) be fun to learn.
Mathematical clarity will help your kids in real-life scenarios.
The trouble with introducing your kids to the idea of fractions is that it’s a reasonably complex subject to be brought forth ‘casually’ into a conversation, especially if you happen to be parenting a child who loves asking questions. Most importantly, we believe that it is crucial to let the ‘why’ of it sink in as deep as possible before attempting to tinker with the ‘what.’
Why Fractions
Just like geometry, trigonometry, the decimal system, and other basic pillars of mathematical understanding, the concept of fractions can sound alien and frightening to grasp for a young and impressionable mind. For a primary school-kid, it is understandably hard to wrap their head around words like “numerators,” “denominators,” and “vinculum.” At the same time, it is not prudent to place this fear under the category of xenophobia (because almost everything that kids have exposure towards in their growing years is inherently new – rather, new-er, compared to what they knew moments back). Every revelation, every snippet of wisdom or knowledge passed on to your kids has a special way of either capturing and ruling over their imagination or fading away into the murky waters of “topics to avoid or cringe at.”
It is essential that you lay out the reasons for them to learn something new, purely from an existential perspective. This solidifies the emotional connection that your kids will have with that concept and will, in turn, boost the eagerness that they will proceed to use as learning fuel. For instance, when it comes to geometry, a good conversation starter is to start talking to your kids while they’re munching on a Pizza – to help them understand that two medium (9 inch) pizzas are smaller when put together, compared to one large (14 inch) crust. Kids are always fascinated with facts that seem to differ from their perceived reality. Over time, you can master the art of using these techniques to inspire the right amount and category of curiosity in your kids. This is one of the abilities that we take pride in – where we help your kids discover the many wonders of exploring numbers.
The thing to remember is to always remain focused on the why and less on the what. Mathematics is fundamentally a great source of creative and analytical fuel for shaping up minds, and believe it or not; most kids are naturally inclined to dig deeper into their math skills and hone their understanding of numbers. It is just the added ‘blocks’ theed around ‘why vs. why-not’ that gives rise to their reluctance.
Keep finding ways to work around this challenge. Talk to your kids about real-life scenarios such as:
When you take your kids out shopping, explain how all the flashy discounts that scream “Up to 50% off!” are essentially helping you save a fraction of the amount of money you were going to spend.
When undertaking long journeys, if your kids have the habit of checking in with the “are we there yet?” adage, take the time to talk to them about having finished a quarter, three-quarters, or one-half of the journey, and wait for their questions to pour in.
Let them appreciate the ability to mentally ‘segment’ their school day. For instance, let them develop an understanding of what it means for ‘half of the day’ to be over, as opposed to a third of their day having gone past.
These, and many other scenarios of real-world applicability, are what will make a real difference in urging your kids to explore fractions with an enhanced sense of appreciation.
Remembering Fractions (The Basics)
Four out of five good teachers are good learners themselves. When imparting impressionable information to your children, you must be very careful about the accuracy of what you pass on. If you need a reliable source of information or a repository of verified mathematical knowledge to bank on, we urge you to explore numbers with Cuemath before you start teaching your kids about fractions.
So, what is a fraction? Ideally, a fraction is anything that represents a smaller piece (or many smaller pieces) of the “whole.” Whenever we split anything up – be it pie, pizza, or the time on our hands, we use fractions. The sum of the parts is the original “whole” element that you decided to split.
But the word “whole” has varying connotations, and just like different physical variables, the idea of the “whole” is also very much frame-dependent. If you’re in a supermarket, the “whole” could refer to either the entire store or to one packet of cereal – it totally depends on what you’ve chosen to split apart. You can think or talk about buying “half the store” or “half a kilo of rice” or “a third of all the items that constitute the masala aisle.”
But a foolproof and child-friendly way of introducing fractions (the simplest definition) is that a fraction is any part of a group, number, or whole.
Parts (Elements) Of A Fraction
What are the different components of a fraction? A fraction is always represented with three important parts, namely:
The numerator (The number placed above the bar)
The denominator (The number placed below the bar)
The vinculum (The bar separating the numerator and the denominator)
Types Of Fractions – Unit Fractions And Non-Unit Fractions
Fractions, by and large, can be divided into two basic categories – unit fractions and non-unit fractions. A unit fraction is any representation that has one (1) as the numerator (the number on top) and a positive integer in the denominator (number at the bottom). A non-unit fraction, on the other hand, is any fraction with a numerator greater than one and a positive integer as the denominator.
Taking The Leap – From Objects To Numbers, And From Numbers To Fractions
It is important to remember that kids are always in “learning mode,” whether they are aware of it or not. In fact, science has shown that the effects of operant conditioning in a child’s formative years happen to most significantly impact their logical and analytical abilities in later life. And since fractions are an important gateway to the world of understanding probability, proportions, and pretty much all relative mathematical phenomena, you must exercise both patience and caution while helping your kids connect the dots between the real world and the world of numeric evaluation.
Always be okay with taking it slow. Real-world objects, as mentioned above, are great tools to help your child break into numeric visualizations. But keeping in mind their ability to process large volumes of complex information in unexpected ways, always keep it simple. Start with objects that do not put too much pressure on their imagination – whole objects, like an entire candy bar, which can be split three ways between a mother, a child, and a father. Such exercises play a deeper role in cementing the idea of fractions as an ethical tool that your child will nurture and nourish for their entire life. It is this idea of “numbers being fair” that eventually makes numbers interesting. Use this to your advantage when teaching your kids about fractions.
Remember that as you go along, you kids always have a lot of information to process – so it is important to let their concepts evolve over time, instead of trying to overwhelm them with information all at once. Whenever you feel the frustration of explaining a new concept to a human being full of questions, pace, and pacify yourself with the knowledge that you’re doing the right thing already, it’s just how you do it that matters. If you’ve decided to teach your kids about fractions, you’re going to make life a lot easier for yourself later on when you start talking to them about advanced concepts such as decimals, percentages, and probability.
Always issue fun and engaging challenges to your kids after you realize that they’ve picked up on a key concept and picked it up well. For instance, if your kid develops a clear understanding regarding the difference between unit and non-unit fractions, try to gamify the experience of identifying these labels. If you’re on a drive with your kid sitting in the passenger seat, try to help them stay mindful about their mathematical intelligence by playing a “unit vs. non-unit” game. Ensure that there is a reward waiting for him or her at the end of the game. Every ten consecutive correct answers should earn them a treat – which could be additional playtime that day or an extra candy bar (go easy on the sugar, though). A much more rewarding incentive is usually for you to let them delve deeper into the subject you’re teaching. Make a wager that if they get five (or ten) consecutive answers right, then they will “earn” the right to know more about fractions.
Remember that the learning process is always about having fun while discovering the laws that seem to govern the world around us. Help your child discover this, and you’ll get the job done in a fraction of the time.
