(NewsUSA) -- The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has reshaped education in many ways, especially for young children and their families.

Many preschoolers who used to receive not only academic, but also social/emotional education and support in a school setting, have spent months at home with parents or caregivers, who are often struggling to juggle their own jobs. Those same adults feel overwhelmed and concerned about their children's development.

The Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Sit & Play Preschool Learning System offers an effective solution to the challenge of early childhood education at home.

AILA is a hands-free device designed for toddlers ages 12 to 36 months with an understanding of how young children actually learn.

AILA delivers the right content at the right time. It meets children where they are, and gets them where they need to be. The curriculum teaches literacy, numeracy, social emotional skills, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, creativity, with storytime, music, and movement.

"I work with inner-city kids from middle- and low-income families," says Maria Benjamin, director of the Next Generation Learning Center in Richmond, VA. "These families deserve the best. I believe they can have a promising beginning and a good foundation of learning, and I'm very thankful they can get a head start with AILA."

Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Preschool Learning System has led to many success stories such as with Jaxon Pizzi.

His parents, like many others in this country, were concerned about their child's speech development. After using AILA with Jaxon, his mom, Randie, says it best.

"When Jaxon was 23 months, we decided to purchase AILA. In the short 3-1/2 months we have had it, his vocabulary has exploded beyond measure!" she says.

"He went from mostly signing and saying just a few words to saying and singing dozens, and we thank AILA for this."

Randie adds, "The repetitive and engaging curriculum has been the key to unlocking Jaxon's voice. He sings and dances along with the characters like no one is watching. It is pure bliss as his parents watch his eyes light up as he enjoys learning with his friends on Animal Island. As many other parents know, hearing that your child may have any kind of delay is a blow to the gut. We are no doubt still in that boat, but getting closer to the dock everyday with AILA."

AILA has no advertising, and no subscription is needed, so there is no risk of children encountering inappropriate content.

In addition, AILA For Parents mobile app lets adults track their child's progress towards key milestones and monitor their child remotely while they are playing.

Visit animalisland.us for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Creating a financial planner workforce that reflects the changing demographics of wealth in the United States is important for ensuring the long-term success of the profession and the ability of Americans to access the advice they need.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in attracting more women, people of color, and young individuals into the field. The number of CFP® professionals under age 30 has increased by 83% since 2016; 6,032 new women have joined the ranks of CFP® professionals, bringing the total to 20,632; and the number of Black and Latino CFP® professionals , including those who self-identified as biracial Black and Latino, grew to 3,688 in 2020.

Recruiting, however, is just one piece of the puzzle.

Creating a more diverse and sustainable workforce also requires cultivating an environment in which financial planners want to build a career.

"As awareness of the financial planning profession continues to spread and we attract more ethically and racially diverse talent, the challenge continues to be retaining and supporting these thriving professionals," explains Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, Co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners.

In part, such support means helping financial planners feel comfortable in the field and recognize the unique skills and perspectives they bring.

"Even though I didn't necessarily look like most everyone else in the profession, I wish I realized then the power of being able to connect with someone who shares my background," says Marguerita Cheng, CFP®, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth.

"There are many people from different walks of life who could benefit from the services provided by a financial planner. And the personality traits that might appeal to one person or demographic, may not resonate quite as well with women or people of color," Cheng says.

Jeanne Fisher, CFP®, CPFA, with Strategic Retirement Partners, notes that this is why financial planners need to harness their differences.

"Being a woman can be an advantage -- not a disadvantage. Embrace it. Don't try to 'fit in with the guys.' Our different approach, and the fact that we are naturally more empathetic, works in our favor," she says.

Early in her career, Dorsainvil says she felt that "in order to fit in I needed to code-switch. I could not be my authentic self." Not only was it exhausting to constantly change mannerisms or appearance to feel like she belonged with a specific audience, Dorsainvil says doing so also ignored the fact that no matter where you come from, what you look like, how you grew up or your circumstances, you can be successful in this profession for who you are and what you bring to the table.

Dorsainvil adds that overcoming that mindset and the barriers that keep women and people of color from entering or staying in the profession requires allies in the financial advisory space to act in solidarity with marginalized groups and unlearn what they think they know about race and ethnicity.

Phuong Luong, CFP®, a financial planner with Just Wealth, LLC, explains that this means having difficult conversations.

The profession "cannot truly be inclusive until we see why we've been exclusive for so long," she says, adding that financial planning as a whole is in a unique and privileged position to facilitate the reckoning that will ultimately help people become the most honest and realized versions of themselves

"If we get comfortable talking about race, imagine what we could do."

To learn more from diversity, equity and inclusion thought leaders and best practices visit www.CFP.net and plan to attend the 4th Annual Diversity Summit, taking place virtually November 17-18.

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"The Comfort of Distance"
by Ryburn Dobbs

Deep in the forests of the Black Hills, human remains are being discovered -- one bit at a time. Rumors of a rogue, man-eating mountain lion are spreading through the county and panic is starting to swell. Sgt. Hank LeGris suspects the bodies are the result of a more sinister predator.

But in order to solve the mystery, he will have to reach back into his own dysfunctional family history and pull in the only person who can get to the bottom of these strange cases -- his estranged and disordered brother, the brilliant forensic anthropologist, Dr. Sebastien Grey.

Equal parts forensic mystery, police procedure and character study, with dashes of comedy and romance thrown in. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3wbzGr4.

"Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy"
by Kris Clink

Kirkus calls it "an uplifting tale about family, second chances, and the complexity of making fine Texas wine."

Lark's lost her husband, and the expiration date has come and gone on her fake-it-till-you-make-it "Happy Mommy Show." Healing her broken family requires drastic measures. Lark returns to Texas and puts every cent into a failing vineyard, determined to work through her grief and make a brighter future for her children.

The last thing she expects is to fall in love again, especially not with an injured Army vet with a past of his own. Hers is a journey filled with humor and reconciliation -- one that prepares her for a courageous comeback. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2PNSBrf.

"Status-6"
by W. Craig Reed

An NCIS agent and British scientist must stop an AI-controlled Russian submarine from exposing hundreds of millions to a deadly fallout far worse than any virus.

Deep beneath the Arctic Ocean, a covert team of Chinese operatives uses stolen U.S. technology to capture Russia's newest attack submarine. Loaded with massive torpedoes, the sub is headed west. The Americans want to sink her, the Russians want her back, and the Chinese claim they're not responsible.

NCIS Special Ops agent Jon Shay and British scientist Kate Barrett battle a ticking clock, trained operatives, and three naval armadas. "My vote for 'Thriller of the Year.' Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan meets Lee Child's Jack Reacher," says bestselling author Grant Blackwood. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uXeIvu.

"By His Side"
by Jinny Powers Berten

This beautiful work of historical fiction tells the story of George Washington and his enslaved valet, William Lee. Set at Mount Vernon during the last three days of Washington's life, the book explores Washington's changing views of slavery, his flashbacks to events that took place during the Revolutionary War and the part that William Lee played in those events.

The book also looks at these subjects through the eyes of William Lee. He remembers being bought by General Washington, being made head of the fox hunt, riding beside the General during the Revolution, carrying his spyglass, combing his hair and hearing decisions made that would affect battles. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3r9XYyG.

NOTE: BookTrib's Bites is presented by BookTrib.com

(NewsUSA) - The data for the safety and effectiveness of the various COVID-19 vaccines continue to rise, and cases continue to fall as more individuals get vaccinated. If you or someone you love has been hesitant to get vaccinated, take the opportunity now to learn more and take action to protect your health and the health of those around you.

The American Heart Association encourages individuals who may have skipped doctor visits for chronic conditions or general checkups during the pandemic to make those appointments, and they can get vaccinated, too.

"It is safe to go to the doctor for wellness exams and for treatment for existing health conditions. Health care professionals have plans to keep you and medical staff safe even during a pandemic," according to Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, M.D., 2021-2022 volunteer president of the American Heart Association.

Individuals with chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can safely continue with checkups, which are essential to maintaining health. Even for those without chronic conditions, routine doctor visits are important to stay healthy and strong.

An in-person doctor visit is not only safe, it is now an excellent opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Many doctors' offices are receiving doses of COVID-19 vaccines that can be given quickly and easily in the office setting. Vaccination is especially important for individuals with chronic conditions who are at increased risk for serious complications from COVID-19 if they get sick.

Children ages 12 years and older are now eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and the American Heart Association encourages parents to get their children vaccinated, too. Doing so will help slow the spread of the virus and allow children to resume more of their normal pre-pandemic activities.

For those who still do not feel comfortable with a doctor's office visit, take advantage of the expanded options for online checkups and check-ins via Zoom, FaceTime, or other platforms. The health care community is here to help everyone be well and live their best life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fully-vaccinated individuals can resume most of their pre-pandemic lifestyle and activities, while continuing to follow any local guidance.

For the latest information about how you can get healthy, stay healthy and protect you and your family from COVID-19, visit www.heart.org/pandemic.

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(NewsUSA) - Good housecleaning has never gone out of style, but it has taken on a new priority in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Whether you are spending more time at home or have returned part-time to in-person work or school, smart, effective cleaning strategies can help keep your home and family safe and healthy.

Safe and simple are key criteria for choosing from among the wide variety of today's home cleaning products. However, consumers also want cleaners that are tough and effective, that don't just eliminate stains and spots, but also kill germs, viruses, and bacteria.

To that point, many people want to make cleaning easier, and that includes one-stop shopping.

One such product, all-n-all, tackles cleaning, stain removal and deodorizing in one single step.

The multipurpose cleanser contains ingredients derived from renewable resources, natural products including hydrogen peroxide and plant derived essential oils. It is designed to deliver a tough cleaning punch throughout the home, and the formula kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria, and viruses on hard, porous/non-porous surfaces when used correctly.

"Added surfactants help to break down those stubborn stains, giving you a one-step cleaning solution for your whole home," says Jason Bailey, president of all-n-all.

To that end, all-n-all is engineered to clean the entire house:

• Kitchen: all-n-all can help keep countertops and floors germ-free while tackling kitchen appliance cleaning from the sink, refrigerator, to tough stove top grease and grime.
• Living room: Stain-removal properties can take on challenges such as wine, coffee and pet stains from carpet, clean light switches, remotes, and tables.
• Bathroom: Remove iron deposits, hard water and calcium deposits from faucets and shower fixtures, clean sinks, bathtubs and countertops in one simple step.
• Nursery: It's safe and gentle enough to use on children's highchairs, furniture, toys, and game controllers.

All-n-all contains no dyes, phosphates, bleach, chlorine, or sodium lauryl sulfate, and is manufactured in the USA, with no harsh or abrasive chemicals.

Visit Lowes.com for more information and to purchase all-n-all natural cleaner.

(NewsUSA) - Witnessing a cardiac arrest can be frightening, but don't be afraid to take action -- two simple steps can save a life.

Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital or emergency department, according to the American Heart Association. When someone experiences cardiac arrest, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can make the difference between life and death. In fact, immediate CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival.

Many people still think that effective CPR involves mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as well as chest compressions, and they may be hesitant to perform it, but that is not the case.

Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as the conventional CPR for cardiac arrests in the home, office, or in public places in the first few minutes until more advanced help arrives.

"By equipping people with Hands-Only CPR training, they learn how easy the technique is and there is a comfort level that will help them overcome concerns that cause hesitation to act in an emergency," say Raina Merchant, Chair, American Heart Association Emergency Cardiovascular Care.

Hands-only CPR includes just two simple steps.

- First, call 911.

- Second, push hard and fast in the center of the chest of the individual having a cardiac arrest. How hard to push? At least 2 inches. How fast? That's easy. Use the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute. For example, the classic disco hit, "Stayin' Alive" can help you stay on pace, but anything with a similar tempo will do.

To help promote the lifesaving value of Hands-Only CPR, the American Heart Association has partnered with the Anthem Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc., in a public service campaign, "The Power is in Your Hands," to encourage everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR.

"Approximately 70 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home, and CPR can double or even triple chances of survival if performed immediately," said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Anthem, Inc. "Together with the American Heart Association, the Anthem Foundation remains focused on working to increase the number of people who learn Hands-Only CPR. By providing greater access to training we can help increase the number of people who are prepared to respond in case of an emergency and for some, that could mean saving the life of someone they love."

The American Heart Association offers a 90-second livestream instructional video demonstration of Hands-Only CPR, as well as a new CPR first-aid app that anyone can download onto a phone.

Visit heart.org/handsonlycpr for more information.