Memory Games – Shopping
There are many different memory tools parents can use nowadays, and there are always new-fangled techniques on how to develop your child’s memory coming onto the market. However, if you take a step back and look at the activities you and your child do on a regular basis you can develop your own memory games and make learning fun for your child. It really is true that learning starts at home!
As an example, one easy technique is the shopping game. The aim of this is to develop your child’s memory by getting them to remember 5 or more shopping items which you will both choose before you go shopping. As you go round the shop you should then prompt your child to remember the different items on your list. You can use memory triggers such as a high five on entering the shop and as you go round the aisles talk about all the items on your list that you need to buy. Make it as easy or difficult as you like, and increase or decrease the number of items dependent on the age of your child. Everyday items like milk and bread will be easier to remember than one off items such as oxo cubes and vinegar.
Before you go to the shop sit down with your child and make a list of five items you need. A recommendation is to include items that your child knows and uses, such as bread, apples, biscuits. Alternatively it might be fun to make up a funny story involving the items you need to buy. The more humourous the story the easier it will be for your child to remember.
An example would be…
“Aggie Applewent to the fair with Mr Tomato and Butter Bob. They went on the big swings and ate blueberries until their tongues turned blue. Farmer Tom gave them some milkto wash down all the blueberries.”
Cover the list up and leave it alone for ten minutes. After that time see how many your child has remembered. You can leave it for a further hour, or even until the next day, and see if they still remember their list items. Remember that the older the child the more items you can add to the list, and if you start out with just a couple you can add to the list as time goes by.
Another option is to give your child an incentive to memorise the list. If your child is older or you have more than one child you could play a game to see who can make up the zaniest story or who can remember the most items.
There are lots of ways to develop your child’s memory and this is just one example. Look at the things you do every day and see if you can make a game out of any of those activities. Remember if you make it fun your child will get more from it!
Enhance Your Shopping Mall Security Surveillance With IP Cameras
Shopping malls have a high volume of criminal activity due to the high volume of consumers who pass through their halls daily, and due to the large quantity of employees that are present within each of the retail establishments. To protect such a wide variety of areas and locations, shopping malls and the individual retail stores within them require surveillance systems for protection against theft. One of the most popular types of surveillance cameras used within shopping malls is the IP camera.
The Benefits of the IP Surveillance Cameras
With the looming concern of protecting retail establishments and the customers who walk through their doors, shopping malls install a variety of surveillance systems. Here are some of the primary benefits of installing an IP camera system within a shopping mall:
Theft Reduction- With proper surveillance systems installed throughout the mall, theft can be prevented. Visible IP cameras can also proactively work to reduce crimes that occur in shopping malls.
Provide Increased Customer Safety- Consumers want a safe environment to purchase products and services within when they visit shopping malls. IP camera surveillance systems can offer peace of mind to consumers who frequent the locations.
Reduce Retail Employee Theft- In addition to protecting consumers, IP camera systems can also proactively reduce employee theft. Visible IP camera systems within each retail establishment will often deter employees from stealing merchandise or cash from the registers while they are on duty.
Why Choose the IP Camera System over Other Surveillance Options?
If you are ready to install or upgrade your current surveillance system, you will notice that you have a variety of options to select from. Why should you choose the IP camera system for your shopping mall?
Here are some of the primary features of the IP camera surveillance system:
The IP cameras offer the ability to view activities within the shopping mall or within each individual retail establishment from anywhere in the world over the Internet
The IP camera has the ability to record and transfer data over the Internet to any designated PC
Control functions can be accessed over the Internet
It is a wireless system, making it easier and more affordable to install
It is powered over the Ethernet, making it more affordable to install
Many of the cameras come standard with motion detector functionality
Some offer intelligent surveillance, recording only when motion is detected
Email or SMS notification when motion is detected within the business or shopping mall
Installing your Shopping Mall’s IP Camera System
Now that you have selected the IP camera system to install within your shopping mall, you need to determine what the best locations are for installation of the individual cameras. Consider the following locations when developing your shopping mall surveillance strategy:
Every entrance and exit
All public areas such as food courts and lobbies
Hallways and pathways between businesses, loading docks or to and from public restrooms
Parking garages
Parking lots
Delivery areas or loading docks
Copyright (c) 2009 Wes Fernley
The Shopping Center Social Media Test
The test below is designed to analyze your shopping center’s social media campaign. Simply check off the questions that apply to your property and find out what you’re doing right and what areas need improvement.
Before you start, open your shopping center’s website, Facebook page and Twitter page in your web browser. At the end of the test, we’ll grade your social media campaign based on these three media outlets. Good Luck!
Website
__ Does your website have a directory tab?
__ Does your website have buttons that redirect people to your shopping center’s Facebook and Twitter pages?
__ Do you have a blog on your website that is updated at least once a month?
__ Does your website have an email newsletter that people can sign up for?
__ Is there an area where people can see your shopping center’s hours of operation?
__ Do you have a map that shows people how to get to your shopping center?
Facebook
__ Does your Facebook page have a custom URL?
__ Do you have any custom tabs? (Coupons, Deals, Welcome, etc.)
__ Have you posted something at least five times in the past seven days?
__ Have at least three people commented on any of your posts in the past seven days?
__ Do you “Like” all of your tenants?
__ Do you have at least one more fan than you did one week ago?
__ Does your Facebook page have a directory of stores?
__ Are there more than ten photos under your photos tab?
__ Do any of your posts in the past three days pose a question?
Twitter
__ Are all of your Twitter posts different from your Facebook posts? (Same content, but different wording is okay)
__ Is there an “at” sign (@) or hashtag (#) in every one of your Twitter posts?
__ Do you follow back the people who are following you? (Following > Followers)
__ Have you posted something at least five times in the last seven days?
__ Do you have a picture or logo in the background of your Twitter page?
Now, let’s see how you did. Count up all of the check marks you have, and take a look at how your social media campaign ranks on our scale.
18-20 – “A” – You are actively engaging with your target audience and have a good social media strategy in place.
15-17 – “B” – Your social media campaign needs a few touch ups, but is still somewhat effective.
12-14 – “C” – Your social media campaign needs some work. You might consider getting a professional to help with your campaign.
11 and under – “F” – You either don’t have a social media campaign, or you’re trailing far behind your competition in your efforts. Get some help as soon as possible.
So, how’d you do? Did you pass? If so, feel free to share your results and attach a link to your shopping center’s website. On the other hand, if your campaign didn’t score as high as you expected, we still want to hear about your marketing efforts. Send Agency Entourage an email, and let’s turn your shopping center’s social media strategy into a “winning” campaign.