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Getting kids to behave the way you want them to is one of the biggest challenges parents face. By creating a chart system with stickers, you show your children a visual example of positive results as well as consequences for poor choices. This is an easy and effective way to motivate your child's behavior well on a regular basis.
Instructions
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Determine what you are creating the chart for. Do you want to reward positive behavior, such as using the potty like a big girl; or are you focused on teaching your little one to do his chores each day?
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Keep your expectations realistic. A three year old is not going to make her bed as well as her 10-year-old brother no matter how hard she tries. Comparing her efforts to her older sibling will only result in frustration and disappointment for both of you.
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Decide what larger rewards will be provided to the child when a certain amount of stickers has been achieved. To create an immediate effect, make this a short term goal. For example, set the standard so that an award could be earned at the end of a good week.
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Create a chart that shows what behaviors you want your child to accomplish daily. Make the sticker chart easy to read and colorful.
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Put a sticker that represents this goal in the proper place so kids can see their progress. Let them know that when you cover that sticker up, they will get the bigger reward.
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Place the sticker chart in an easy-to-see location, so children see the results of their choices several times a day.
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Explain what you want the child to do. Help him accomplish the set goals and come back to the chart together. Let him see you place the sticker in the first position and praise them for their work. Tell him that negative behavior or chores not completed will result in the removal of one sticker, or not earning a sticker.
Understanding security and safe computing
If you connect to the Internet, allow other people to use your computer, or share files with others, you should take steps to protect your computer from harm. Why? Because there are computer criminals (sometimes called hackers or crackers) who attack other people's computers. These people can attack directly, by breaking into your computer through the Internet and stealing your personal information, or indirectly, by creating malicious software (or malware) designed to harm your computer.
Fortunately, you can protect yourself by taking a few simple precautions. This article describes the threats and what you can do to defend against them.
Check your security status with Windows Security Center
Windows Security Center is your headquarters for computer security. It shows your computer's current security status and recommends anything that you should do to help make your computer more secure. To open it:
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Open Security Center by clicking the Start button
, clicking Control Panel, clicking Security, and then clicking Security Center.
Security Center checks your computer for these security essentials:
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Firewall. A firewall can help protect your computer by preventing hackers or malicious software from gaining access to it.
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Automatic updating. Windows can routinely check for updates for your computer and install them automatically.
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Malware protection. Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses, worms, and other security threats. Antispyware software can help protect your computer from spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
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Other security settings. Security Center checks for proper Internet security settings and whether User Account Control is turned on. For more information, see User Account Control Overview.
If any of the security items have a red or yellow background, your computer might be vulnerable to security threats. To fix the problem, click an item to expand it, and then follow the instructions.
What are security alerts?
If Windows detects that your computer might need enhanced security in any one of the security areas—firewall, automatic updating, malware protection, or other security settings—you will see a notification every time you log on until the problem is fixed. Notifications are displayed in the notification area of the taskbar.
Click the notification to open Security Center, where you can learn how to fix the problem
Use a firewall
A firewall is software or hardware that checks information coming from the Internet or a network and then either turns it away or allows it to pass through to your computer, depending on your firewall settings. In this way, a firewall helps prevent hackers and malicious software from gaining access to your computer.
Windows Firewall is built into Windows and is turned on automatically.
If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection. If you choose to unblock the connection, Windows Firewall creates an exception so that the firewall won't bother you when that program needs to receive information in the future
Use virus protection
Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are programs created by hackers that use the Internet to infect vulnerable computers. Viruses and worms can replicate themselves from computer to computer, while Trojan horses enter a computer by hiding inside an apparently legitimate program, such as a screen saver. Destructive viruses, worms, and Trojan horses can erase information from your hard disk or completely disable your computer. Others don't cause direct damage, but worsen your computer's performance and stability.
Antivirus programs scan e‑mail and other files on your computer for viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. If one is found, the antivirus program either quarantines (isolates) it or deletes it entirely before it damages your computer and files.
Windows does not have a built-in antivirus program, but your computer manufacturer might have installed one. Check Security Center to find out if your computer has antivirus protection. If not, go to the Microsoft Antivirus Partners webpage to find an antivirus program.
Because new viruses are identified every day, it's important to select an antivirus program with an automatic update capability. When the antivirus software is updated, it adds new viruses to its list of viruses to check for, helping to protect your computer from new attacks. If the list of viruses is out of date, your computer is vulnerable to new threats. Updates usually require an annual subscription fee. Keep the subscription current to receive regular updates.
Use spyware protection
Spyware is software that can display advertisements, collect information about you, or change settings on your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. For example, spyware can install unwanted toolbars, links, or favorites in your web browser, change your default home page, or display pop-up ads frequently. Some spyware displays no symptoms that you can detect, but it secretly collects sensitive information, such as which websites you visit or text that you type. Most spyware is installed through free software that you download, but in some cases simply visiting a website results in a spyware infection.
To help protect your computer from spyware, use an antispyware program. This version of Windows has a built-in antispyware program called Windows Defender, which is turned on by default. Windows Defender alerts you when spyware tries to install itself on your computer. It also can scan your computer for existing spyware and then remove it.
Because new spyware appears every day, Windows Defender must be regularly updated to detect and guard against the latest spyware threats. Windows Defender is updated as needed whenever you update Windows. For the highest level of protection, set Windows to install updates automatically (see below).
Update Windows automatically
Microsoft regularly offers important updates to Windows that can help protect your computer against new viruses and other security threats. To ensure that you receive these updates as quickly as possible, turn on automatic updating. That way, you don't have to worry that critical fixes for Windows might be missing from your computer.
Updates are downloaded behind the scenes when you're connected to the Internet. The updates are installed at 3:00 A.M. unless you specify a different time. If you turn off your computer before then, you can install updates before shutting down. Otherwise, Windows will install them the next time you start your computer.
To turn on automatic updating
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Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button
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Click Change settings.
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Make sure Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected. Windows will install important updates for your computer as they become available. Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability.
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Under Recommended updates, make sure the Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box is selected, and then click OK. Recommended updates can address non-critical problems and help enhance your computing experience.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Use a standard user account
When you log on to your computer, Windows grants you a certain level of rights and privileges depending on what kind of user account you have. There are three different types of user accounts: standard, administrator, and guest.
Although an administrator account provides complete control over a computer, using a standard account can help make your computer more secure. That way, if other people (or hackers) gain access to your computer while you are logged on, they can't tamper with the computer's security settings or change other user accounts.
To determine your account type
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Open User Accounts by clicking the Start button
The account type appears under your name.
User account information
If you are currently using an administrator account, see Change a user's account type to learn how to change it to a standard account.
Tips for using e‑mail and the web safely
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Use caution when opening e‑mail attachments. e‑mail attachments (files attached to e‑mail messages) are a primary source of virus infection. Never open an attachment from someone you don't know. If you know the sender but were not expecting an attachment, verify that the sender actually sent the attachment before you open it. See When to trust an e‑mail message and Avoiding e‑mail viruses.
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Guard your personal information carefully. If a website asks for a credit card number, bank information, or other personal information, make sure that you trust the website and verify that its transaction system is secure. See When to trust a website.
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Use the Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer. Phishing is the practice of creating fraudulent e‑mail messages and websites in order to trick computer users into revealing personal or financial information. The fraudulent e‑mail message or website appears to be from a trusted source, such as a bank, credit card company, or reputable online merchant. The Phishing Filter helps detect phishing websites to protect you from scams. See Phishing Filter: frequently asked questions.
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Be careful when clicking hyperlinks in e‑mail messages. Hyperlinks (links that open websites when you click them) are often used as part of phishing and spyware scams, but they can also transmit viruses. Only click links in e‑mail messages that you trust.
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Only install add-ons from websites that you trust. Web browser add-ons, including ActiveX controls, allow webpages to display things like toolbars, stock tickers, video, and animation. However, add-ons can also install spyware or other malicious software. If a website asks you to install an add-on, make sure that you trust it before doing so. See Should you install ActiveX controls? and Internet Explorer add-ons: frequently asked questions.
Your computer puts information at your fingertips. Over time, however, you might have so many files that it can be difficult to find the specific file you need. Just like a physical filing cabinet, your computer files can benefit from better organization.
In order to keep your information organized, try these tips:
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First, create a folder structure that organizes your files according to category.
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Once you've done that, you will be able to find most files by simply clicking the folder. If a folder has a large number of files, you can use the Details view to locate the file you need.
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If you aren't sure which folder contains the file you need, you can search your computer for the file.
Create a folder structure
The most effective way to organize your files is to create a folder structure that fits how you use your computer. For example, you might have folders within My Documents for:
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Finances: Documents related to your budget and taxes
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School: Class notes and reports
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Work: Your résumé and other work-related documents
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Shopping: Notes comparing different products and stores
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Home: Records relating to home maintenance and improvements
To create a folder structure
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Click Start, and then click My Documents.
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Click the File menu, click New, and then click Folder.
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Type the name for your new folder, and then press ENTER.
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Repeat steps 2 and 3 to create additional folders.
Note: You can create sub-folders within folders for multiple levels of organization.
After you have created your folder structure, you can move files into your new folders
1.
In My Documents, select the files or folders that you want to move. To select multiple files, hold down the CTRL key and click each file you want to select.
2.
Click the Edit menu, and then click Cut.
3.
Open the folder you want to store your files in. Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
4.
Repeat steps 1-3 until you have moved all of your files to their new locations.
Now that you have an organized system of folders, when you save new files, be sure to save them in one of your folders to keep things organized.
Browsing files
Sometimes you know where a file is stored, but there are so many files in the folder that it's difficult to find the file you want. The best way to search through a large folder is to use the Details view. The Details view allows you to quickly sort your files and view different types of information about all the files in a folder.
To use the Details view
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Open the folder you want to browse
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Click the Views button, and then click Details.
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To sort the files, click the column heading that you want to sort by. For example, to sort files from oldest to newest, click the Date Modified heading. To reverse the sort order (for example, to sort from newest to oldest), click the column heading twice.
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By default, the Details view shows the file name, date, size, and type. You can add other information as well. To add or remove columns, right-click a column heading, and then click More.
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In the Choose Details dialog box, select the columns you want to see in the Details view. For pictures and videos, you can add Dimensions to sort by size. For music, you can add Artist, Album Title, and Genre to make it easier to find the songs you want.
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Click OK to add the columns to your Details view.
When you modify the columns in the Details view, it affects only the folder you are viewing. To change the layout of all folders on your computer, read Specify how folders open.
Searching for files
If you don't remember which folder you saved a file in, you can search for it. To search for a file
1.
Click Start, and then click Search.
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In the left pane, click the type of file you want to search for, or click All files and folders.
3.
Based on the type of file you chose to search for, specify your criteria. If you know part of the file name, type it. Then click Search.
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Windows XP searches your computer, which may take several minutes. Windows XP then displays the search results, which you can browse just like files in a folder. Once you are done searching, click Yes, finished searching.
Tip: If you want to view any of the search results, double-click the file and it will open in the relevant application. You can do this as many times as necessary to find the file you need.
Note: For even faster search results, download and install the MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search. With Windows Desktop Search, you can find files on your computer in just a few seconds.
If you don't get rid of or recycle things in your house from time to time, you eventually run out of room. This is true for your computer as well. Whether it's a digital picture with everyone’s eyes closed, an outdated resume, or a song you're tired of, at some point everyone needs to delete files. Deleting a file removes it from your computer and frees up space for more files, just like getting rid of old clothes and shoes frees up room in your closet.
To help you avoid accidentally deleting a file, Windows automatically moves a deleted file to the Recycle Bin, rather than removing it from your computer. You can then choose to restore it from the Recycle Bin or permanently remove it by emptying your Recycle Bin. The sections that follow describe how to delete files and use the Recycle Bin.
Note: The following types of files are not placed in the Recycle Bin:
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Files stored on removable disks
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Files stored on network drives
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Files deleted from compressed (zipped) folders
How to delete a file
1.
To delete a file, click it to select it, and then press the DELETE key.
2.
When prompted, click Yes.
When you delete a file, Microsoft Windows XP moves it to the Recycle Bin so you can recover it later, as described in the next section. If you want to permanently remove a file, empty your Recycle Bin.
Tip: To bypass the Recycle Bin when deleting a file, hold down the SHIFT key while pressing DELETE. When prompted, click Yes to immediately remove the file from your computer.
How to restore a file from the Recycle Bin
If you deleted the wrong file, don't panic. Deleted files are temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin. To protect you from accidentally deleting a file, the Recycle Bin stores a copy of the files you delete.
To restore your file from the Recycle Bin
1.
On your desktop, double-click the Recycle Bin.
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In the Recycle Bin, you will see every file you have recently deleted. (As the Recycle Bin fills, Windows will automatically delete the oldest items first.) Find the file you want to recover, right-click it, and then click Restore.
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Your file is returned to its original location. You can close the Recycle Bin
Tip: You can easily access your desktop by right-clicking your clock and then clicking Show The Desktop.
How to empty the Recycle Bin
Rather than wait for Windows to automatically delete files when your Recycle Bin is full, you can free up space for new files by emptying it.
To empty your Recycle Bin
1.
On your desktop, right-click the Recycle Bin, and then click Empty Recycle Bin.
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When prompted to confirm the action, click Yes.
Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently removes your files, making them unavailable to most users. However, skilled computer users might be able to recover files even after they have been removed from the Recycle Bin. Therefore, while emptying the Recycle Bin frees up disk space, it is not sufficient for removing highly confidential information. To remove every trace of a file, use a tool such as Cipher.exe to permanently overwrite deleted data.
Windows XP supports more than 100 languages and dialects. Typically, you use one primary language on your computer. However, with Windows XP, you can set up multiple languages, and then switch between them with just two mouse clicks. A multiple-language setup is useful if you often send and receive documents in different languages. If your computer is used in a multilingual household, you can configure each user account with a different language.
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Set up your computer for multiple languages
To change the primary language or set up multiple languages on your computer, first you need to add your preferred languages.
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Switch between languages
To change the language on your computer, use the Language Bar.
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After you have set up the user accounts, you can show everyone who uses your computer how to switch between user accounts.
How to set up Windows XP for multiple languages
To add languages
1.
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.
Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options.
3.
Click Add other languages.
4.
In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, on the Languages tab, click Details.
5.
In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, on the Settings tab, click Add.
6.
In the Add Input Language dialog box, click the Input language list and select your preferred language and dialect. If you want to change the standard keyboard layout, click the Keyboard layout/IME list and select a new keyboard layout. Then, click OK.
7.
In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, on the Settings tab, click the Default input language list, and select the language you will use most often. The language you select as the default will display when you first start your computer.
8.
To add additional languages, go back to step 5.
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If you have finished adding languages, click OK.
9.
In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, if required, select the Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages and Install files for East Asian languages check boxes.
10.
Click the Regional Options tab. Click the Standards and formats list, and then select your region.
11.
Click the Location list, and then select your location
12.
Click OK to save your settings.
How to switch between languages
If more than one language is installed on your computer, Windows XP displays the Language Bar in the lower-right corner, near your system clock. The Language Bar shows the two-letter abbreviation for the language that is currently displayed.
To switch between languages
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Click the Language Bar button, and then select the language and dialect you want to use.
Note: It may take up to a minute for the new language to appear.